 My usual routine is to make some coffee and sit down and listen to the news so I can wake up a bit and then spend some time in Scripture and prayer. Lately, I’ve had to reverse that. The news is so bad and negative sometimes that I need to have my coffee, try to wake up, and get right into the Word of God so I can live in the “world” of God and not the one blaring in my face. There is great comfort in the Scriptures, even though your life or the world around you may sometimes not be so comfortable, which is why you need to read the Good News so you can face the bad! Be warned though…this is not a cakewalk! Job 16:12 I was as ease, but He shattered me, and He has grasped me by the neck and shaken me to pieces. Oh yeah, real comfort in that! But listen to the rest of the story… Hebrews 12:5 My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor faint when you are reproved by Him. 1 Peter 4:12 Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you. The intended result in all this mess of trials and bad news will be our SANCTIFICATION and the BUILDING UP OF OUR FAITH AND TRUST IN HIM! Hebrews 12:11 All discipline for the moment seems not to be joyful, but sorrowful; yet to those who have been trained by it, afterwards it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness. ADDENDUM to this… HOPE is a key element in reading the Good News so you can face the bad. The Greek word for hope means “confident expectation,” a happy anticipation of good.” Job 13:15 – I will hope in Him Psalm 39:7 – my hope is in You Lord Romans 5-5 – hope does not disappoint Romans 12:12 – rejoicing in hope Colossians 1:27 – Christ in you, the hope of glory Titus 3:7 – the hope of eternal life 1 Peter 1:3 – born again to a living hope If you’re not grounded in GOD’s truth, you’ll fall for anything. In today’s world of negative news, fake news, exaggerated news, opinionated news, you better have the hope of glory! Make sure you read the Good News, so you can face the bad! NOW GO LIVE IT![Live recording of sermon.]
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