What is the Good News?

"After John was put in prison, Jesus went into Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God. 'The time has come,' he said. 'The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!'" Mark 1:14-15

Christians often talk about spreading the Gospel, but I have not heard many explain what it exactly is.

What is the good news then?

In trying to understand it better, I decided to stretch back into the book of Isaiah, specifically in Isaiah 61. The verses show how God will rebuild the broken, heal the sick, and ultimately save his people. So why the sudden talk of saving?

Moving further back, the need for salvation lies in the story of Adam and Eve. In Genesis 3, Adam and Eve are banished from the Garden of Eden and ultimately from God's presence. From that, humanity is cursed to suffer and die in life as God had proclaimed.

Thus, humanity was in position to suffer and die away from God's presence. The good news started in a verse that comes immediately after Adam and Eve fall to sin by the serpent's temptation.

"Cursed are you above all livestock and all wild animals! You will crawl on your belly and you will eat dust all the days of your life. And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; he will crush your head, and you will strike his heel." Genesis 3:15

This verse is explained to be the promise of God to bring punishment to the devil and ultimately save us from the problem of sin.

Now coming back to the book of Isaiah, this salvation was promised all throughout the book, specifically in mentioning Jesus. Thus, when Jesus says "Repent and believe the good news," he is saying that he is the Messiah promised and that by his death, we will be saved, brought back to God's presence, away from suffering and death.

In understanding such a background, it is now easy to say that this verse is the Bible summarized.

"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." John 3:16

Enjoying Life as of Now

I have been going to different churches, different services since the start of 2018 for various reasons. Nonetheless, the service I attended today was quite memorable.

The service was held at a high school. Since it was at 4:30 PM, there was little traffic. The parking was easy and not a lot of people were around. The auditorium was only mildly filled, lots of space in between others. The worship was lovely, the service was well prepared. 

Most importantly, however, actually, the only importance was that God seemed to have been present within the church. 

I especially admired the pastor, for he truly seemed to love God. This is probably why his message was all the more memorable. 

"Rejoice, O young man, in your youth, and let your heart cheer you in the days of your youth. Walk in the ways of your heart and the sight of your eyes. But know that for all these things God will bring you into judgment." Ecclesiastes 11:9 (ESV)

"Remember your Creator in the days of your youth, before the days of trouble come and the years approach when you will say, 'I find no pleasure in them'" Ecclesiastes 12:1 (NIV)

I had been searching for something lately. I knew it would only be filled by God, but I just could not move myself to actively seek Him. I resented this time of little responsibility and little interaction to society, but this was truly my time of youth. I may not be a teenager, but a younger member of society. This was my time give by God to tirelessly enjoy all that is in the world. I know God has plans for me, plans for me to be a part of his works, but I know he also wants me to enjoy what he has built. 

I had always taken the message as a warning not to enjoy life, but nowadays, it seems to be read more so along the lines of a gentle reminder that God is here, in complete reign. 

I am not sure if God is leading me to this specific church, but I know that I wanted to be among those that were passionate for God. 

Armor of God

"Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, 
with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 
and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 
In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, 
with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 
Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God."

Ephesians 6:14-17

Belt of truth, for truth holds everything together 
Breastplate of righteousness, to the protect the heart in turning towards sin
Feet of peace, to bring reconciliation anywhere you go
Shield of faith, to guard against attacks of temptation by the evil one
Helmet of salvation, to know the final destination is in God
Sword of the Spirit, to act powerfully in bringing change

La Vita Nuova by Dante Alighieri

La Vita Nuova by Dante Alighieri

In that book which is
My memory...
On the first page
That is the chapter when
I first met you
Appear the words...
Here begins a new life

Kept Burning

"'Command the Israelites to bring you clear oil of pressed olives for the light so that the lamps may be kept burning. In the tent of meeting,outside the curtain that shields the ark of the covenant law, Aaron and his sons are to keep the lamps burning before the Lord from evening till morning. This is to be a lasting ordinance among the Israelites for the generations to come." Exodus 27:20-21

Last night, I thought I had heard faint sirens blaring. It was odd at the time because nothing ever happens here in the country yard. I did not even bother lifting the blinds to check outside. I was tired and I wanted to sleep.

A patient came by earlier this morning. She need more hypertension medication, but her blood pressure was higher than usual. She said she was awake all throughout the night. It was common for old ladies to lose sleep here and there, so I casually asked why she did not sleep. 

She said there had been a fire last night. It wasn't her house, but a neighbor's. The children made it out alive, but the husband died with the fire as he ran in to save his wife as well. The husband turned out to be the son of an old lady that provided lunch for the workers here. 

The fire must have kept burning for a while. It was no fire upon a lampstand, but a wild one. 

I know this is a stretch, perhaps even rude to those in tragedies, but I felt a sense of responsibility. I had not kept my lampstand burning before the Lord. I had not prayed for this neighborhood. I just wanted to get away as much as possible. Yet, there were people here that needed God. 

I pray that the souls that parted ways were found by God. I pray that those in mourning are comforted by God. 

Egyptians Negotiations

"Afterward Moses and Aaron went to Pharaoh and said, 'This is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: "Let my people go, so that they may hold a festival to me in the wilderness."'" Exodus 5:1

"Pharaoh said, 'The Lord be with you—if I let you go, along with your women and children! Clearly you are bent on evil. No! Have only the men go and worship the Lord, since that’s what you have been asking for.' Then Moses and Aaron were driven out of Pharaoh’s presence." Exodus 10:10-11

"Then Pharaoh summoned Moses and said, 'Go, worship the Lord. Even your women and children may go with you; only leave your flocks and herds behind.'" Exodus 10:24

"During the night Pharaoh summoned Moses and Aaron and said, 'Up! Leave my people, you and the Israelites! Go, worship the Lord as you have requested. Take your flocks and herds, as you have said, and go. And also bless me.'” Exodus 12:31-32

Moses was sent to Egypt with a mission from God. He was to free the Israelites from their bondage to Pharaoh. He was to lead the people out to worship God and move on from Egyptian territory. However, the mission was not an easy task.

Though I recommend reading the entirety of the book of Exodus, in short, Moses visits the Pharaoh multiple times, each bringing caution of a disaster to come. With each visit, the Pharaoh refuses yet begs for the end to the plagues at hand. 

A short reflection I had upon reading the verses was that God was relentless and unyielding. Pharaoh opens words of debate, of negotiations. He recommends only the men to go worship. Soon, he allows for all the people. At last, he allows complete exodus of the Israelites. 

It is often for me to make compromises, even with the words of God: perhaps this is okay, just a little bit, only for today, this is just being picky. Theses are all words of sin creeping at my footsteps. In retrospect, I guess it would have been easier for Moses to wait until Pharaoh allowed for all of Israelites and their possessions to leave Egypt, for they were going to leave forever, but it reminded me that God wants us to be perfect, for He is perfect. 

Waiting in Psalms

"I believe that I shall look upon the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living!

Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord!" 

Psalm 27: 13-14

"Trust in the Lord and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture.
Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.

Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him and he will do this:
He will make your righteous reward shine like the dawn, 

your vindication like the noonday sun.

Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him;
do not fret when people succeed in their ways,

when they carry out their wicked schemes." 

Psalm 37:3-7

I wanted to share some verses on waiting before the Lord. There are many more, but these are the ones that came to heart recently. Though the journey is difficult, though I forget too often, pray for me that I will wait patiently before God in unwavering belief of his goodness to come.