Day 2 - Week 93 - Luke 2:10 "But the angel said to them, 'Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people."

Christ's first coming...that's what we're focused on right now.  When our Savior came the first time, He came as a helpless infant, born in a manger...with angels announcing His arrival.

His arrival was heralded as an event of "good news" and "great joy."  Does Jesus bring that to your life?  What is His good news?

In this world of ours in 2013 we are bombarded with bad news...think about the news we have experienced in just the last twelve months.

Globally:  North Korea launched war missiles; gunmen stormed our Embassy in Benghazi, Libya and killed four Americans; Civil War in Syria spilling over into Lebanon with ongoing killing.
Nationally:  Superstorm Sandy plummeted the east coast; shooting at Newtown, Connecticut, took the lives of 20 first-graders plus teachers; multiple bombs exploded during the Boston Marathon.
Locally:  Over 40 Texans died from West Nile virus; a mile-wide Category 4 tornado hit Oklahoma and claimed over 24 lives; a fertilizer plant exploded in West, Texas, resulting in 12 deaths and over 200 injuries.

Our lives, here on earth, never seem to have a shortage of bad news.  It just doesn't seem to ever stop...and here's an encouraging note, it never will!  While we remain on this earth, we will have troubles.  Jesus told us that much...remember when He said, "In this world, you will have trouble...."  But He gave us a tremendous second half to that proclamation, "....but take heart, I have overcome the world."  

There's the good news that the angels sang of!  Jesus' coming brought the very, very good news that we can be assured that no matter what happens in this world, He has overcome the world and brings with Him the promise of more...more than this world that we see and touch, which can be tremendously wonderful, but which can also inflict fears and sorrows.  For unless the headlines listed above affected you or your family personally, you probably got through them with little anguish.  But when this world's bad news comes into our personal worlds, then we need to know that there is something more.  We need some really, really GOOD NEWS that overcomes.

That's what Jesus' coming brings to us personally...HE is the good news.  He lived on earth to show us God's love, He died to give us redemption, He rose to give us assurance of eternal life, He lives on high to be our advocate and intercessor, and He is coming again to claim His role as eternal King.  There is more ---- oh yes, so much more!

Good news .... for all people... and for each of us individually.  Open your heart to His coming!

Day 1 - Week 93 - What is my problem?

I just realized that it has been 3 weeks since my last post!  How different than when I started...I was reminded by my sweet friend Paula that I was posting five times a week initially.  If you have been traveling this journey with me, you know I have had tragedy to work through in these last months, but while the dark days of that time created delays and gaps, I have come to realize that this most recent lull cannot be attributed to that...I realize that I am dragging my feet at this time because we are at week 93, and that means if I keep at this on a regular basis, in seven short weeks, we're through!  While I'm acting like I'm ready for that, I'm not!  I still know that this...whatever this is..is always waiting for me to return.  "This" has become my companion for over two years, a very faithful companion, always there when I sit down to hear God's Word and share it with "you."  (Whoever "you" are...you have also become my journey mate along this road of Scripture.)  So forgive me, again, for another lull...but this time it is a lull of apprehension as to what happens when "this" is over and "you" are no longer traveling by my side.  Then I am reminded of John 14:27...remember that one?  Peace I leave with you.  My peace I give to you.  I do not give to you as the world gives.  Your heart must not be troubled or fearful.   So, even though "this" will not be an ongoing project, God will provide another source of ministry to me and for me.  No need to fear!

So, let's get this thing done!  Let's do Weeks 93, 94, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99 and 100!!  Reviewing our last few sections first...

The Alpha and Omega (8)
Isaiah 9:6  "For unto us a child is born, unto us a Son is given, and the government shall be on His shoulders.  And His name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, The mighty God, The eternal Father, The Prince of Peace."

The Lord is My Shepherd (6)
Psalm 23:1  "The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want."
Psalm 23:2  "He maketh me lie down in green pastures; He leadeth me beside the still waters."
Psalm 23:3  "He restoreth my soul.  He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for His name's sake."
Psalm 23:4  "Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for Thou art with me; Thy rod and Thy staff, they comfort me."
Psalm 23:5  "Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies; Thou anointest my head with oil, my cup runneth over."
Psalm 23:6  "Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever."

Faith: Trusting God and Resting in His Word (12)
Ephesians 2:8 "For by grace you are saved through faith, and this is not from yourselves; it is God's gift."
Ephesians 2:9 "Not by works, so that no one can boast."
Ephesians 2:10 "For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do."
Galatians 2:20 "I have been crucified with Christ; and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the flesh, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me."
Colossians 3:15 "Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful."
Colossians 3:16 "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God."
Colossians 3:17 "And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him."
Romans 1:16 "For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is God's power for salvation to everyone who believe, to the Jew first and also to the Greek."
Romans 1:17 "For in it God's righteousness is revealed from faith to faith, just as it is written: The righteous will live by faith."
Psalm 56:3 "When I am afraid, I will trust in You."
2 Chronicles 16:9 "The eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to Him."
Hebrews 11:6 "And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him."

And adding another verse reminding us of Christ's first advent to our earthly world....

Luke 2:10  "But the angel said to them, 'Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. ' "

Christ's coming...don't miss some of the descriptions...good news...great joy...for ALL the people!