When I was a girl, my parents watched the six o’clock news when they got home from work, and they went to bed after the ten o’clock news. Now we get our news round the clock from CNN, Fox, BBC, and Al Jazeera. We can get news updates 24-7 on our televisions, computers, and iphones.
Most of it isn’t good news: airplane crashes, hostage takings, war in the Middle East, and the latest virus. All that bad news can make us forget the Good News that never changes.
We easily overlook the Good News, the Best News ever, because it’s not new. It’s over 2,000 years old, and it hasn’t changed. We don’t get the Good News from CNN. We get it from God’s Word:
What bad news are you dealing with in your life today?
Maybe things haven’t turned out like you expected. You didn’t get the new job you hoped for. Your house still hasn’t sold. Your toddler’s sick, or your teen is hurting. Someone you love has cancer.
Your good news is greater: “God so loved{your name}that He gave his one and only Son, that {your name} shall not perish but have eternal life.”
The Good News is that Jesus Christ died and rose again. He won the victory over sin and death.
We have to hold on to that Good News. We can get Good News updates daily by going to God’s Word. We need to share the good news with the people around us who are trapped into thinking bad news is all there is.
We have to preach the Good News to ourselves every morning:
My sins are paid for. I’m forgiven and free.
Because of Jesus’ death, I have abundant life now and eternal life forever.
I’m not alone. The Holy Spirit lives in me.
I have hope. No problem is too big for God.
I have joy because in God’s presence is fullness of joy. (Ps. 16:11)
My Savior has won the victory, and He is coming back.
I have Good News to share with others today.
Let’s celebrate the Gospel this Easter! Christ has risen! And that means Good News for you and me.
I’m linking up with Kate Motaung’s Five Minute Friday. Writers all around the world join in a flash mob of free writing. Five minutes. No editing. This week’s prompt is “Break.” Join us over at Kate’s place for fun and encouragement.
Also joining with Grace & Truth, and The Weekend Brew.
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This is such a refreshing post, Betsy, thank you! Yes, the Good news has stood the tests of time, and it is not ineffective. Let us never forget it for ourselves, or for others either.
Thanks for reading and commenting Ruth. It IS easy to forget our good news! I need to preach it to myself (and share it with others. 🙂 )
hi betsy, i enjoyed your post today. what joy to remember the gospel as we celebrate the death and resurrection of Christ this weekend.wonderful! i’m so thankful H came to save us from our sin:)
i think we have crossed paths b/f. interesting that you live in the east! i came here from FMF:) martha brady
I hope you’ll have a joyful Easter, Martha! May the Lord bless your weekend!
Betsy,
Good News reminders indeed!! Will do a little self-preaching. He is Risen Indeed!
Easter Blessings,
Bev
Yes, let’s do this! Have a blessed Easter, Bev!
Betsy- This is perfect. I underestimate the need to preach truth to myself. I forget how easily I adopt the enemy’s whispered lies. Thank you for this reminder to share the good news with everyone, including myself. Happy Easter to you!
Oh I know just how you feel Karen! I desperately need to preach Good News to myself most days!
beautiful message for this Easter weekend. I remember my childhood preacher always reminding us we need to live Easter lives in a Good Friday world. The world may not change, but we can, through God.
I love that, Kathryn! Live Easter lives in a Good Friday world. Beautiful.
Yeah, I think there’s a very good reason we call it the gospel! We need to hear it every day, so we can revel in the goodness of the good news. Happy Easter!
Yes, Michele. We need to hear it every day.
Thank you for sharing these encouraging words. God’s grace is amazing good news.
Yes, amazing news! Happy Easter to you, Jeannie.
Amen! I love the idea of preaching to ourselves. That’s part of the faith walk, isn’t it? Retraining our negative inner voice to reflect the joy and encouragement of our Savior in our lives.
Yes, Anita! It is an important part of our walk. Directing our thoughts.
AMAZING post, Betsy!
“We have to preach the Good News to ourselves every morning:
My sins are paid for. I’m forgiven and free.
Because of Jesus’ death, I have abundant life now and eternal life forever.
I’m not alone. The Holy Spirit lives in me.
I have hope. No problem is too big for God.
I have joy because in God’s presence is fullness of joy. (Ps. 16:11)
My Savior has won the victory, and He is coming back.
I have Good News to share with others today.
Let’s celebrate the Gospel this Easter! Christ has risen! And that means Good News for you and me.” <—- Yes, yes, yes!!! I love that so much! Thank you for sharing this! My heart is now overjoyed with THE GOOD NEWS! Happy Easter and infinite blessings to you, Love! 🙂
#GraceAndTruthLinkup 😉
Happy Easter, Tai! May the Lord fill us with His joy!
Amen!!! Thank you, Betsy! Be blessed, Love!
We do have to preach the Good News to ourselves every day…because the world preaches bad news to us. Trying to get us to feel shame, depression anxiety and so much more. The Good News that Jesus loves us so very much; that He died to pay the debt our sin incurred; that He offers eternal life….that Good News. So thankful for the Good News. Stopping in from #FMFparty and Grace & Truth. Happy Resurrection Day, Betsy!
Yes, yes, Leah. We have good news indeed. Happy Easter to you too.
Great post. I agree 100% that the Good News is far more important than all the bad news we hear or read everyday. You are a skilled writer for having written this up in five minutes.
Astrid, I have to confess that I set the timer for TWENTY FIVE minutes. 🙂 My brain doesn’t work in 5 minutes. But I do think many five minute Friday members do that!
I really liked this. and Yes I watch the 5:00 news and then the 10:00 news and go to bed.
Check my blog out too. I will subscribe to yours.
Glad to meet up with you Sharon. Thanks for stopping by.
With so much ugly and evil stuff in the world…the message of Christ’s death and resurrection is glorious!! Happy Easter!
Happy Easter to you, Emily!
Yes, Betsy. It’s this good news that makes all the bad news bearable, isn’t it? I’ve often wondered how people who have rejected the truth of the gospel are able to carry their heavy burdens alone.
I’ve often wondered that myself, Jennifer. I’m so glad that we can leave our burdens at the cross.
Betsy, I love your post…preaching the Good News to myself this morning…thank you ❤️
Amen! Preach it, sister!
Yes-we can get Good News 24/7 from God’s Word. I know the onslaught of daily news that we can get via social media never seems to be good. I love the power of your words at the end of this post to remind us that we are forgiven and free. Happy Easter and thank you for sharing at The Weekend Brew.
Thanks, Mary. Happy Easter to you too.
It is good news indeed! Thank you for the reminder that this Good News trumps any other news (good or bad) that we will every receive!
Yes, it does, Holly. The God News trumps all!
Oh thanks for this beautiful reminder. I am a worrier and I can get caught up in the bad. Thank you Lord for your Good News. Love this…”We have to hold on to that Good News. We can get Good News updates daily by going to God’s Word.” Good practical advice. Stay in the Word! Love you xxoo
I tend to be a worrier too, Carmen. We’ve got to hold on to the good news! Love you too.
Hi Betsy! I’m just stopping by to wish you a Happy Easter. May God bless you and yours abundantly in this holy season.
Happy Spring too!
Ceil
Happy Easter to you too, Ceil! I hope you’re recovering well from your surgery.
Thanks for the great reminder, Betsy!
Thank you, Joanna! Look forward to visiting your blog. I’ve missed you!