The Good News

Father, I pray that You will open the hearts and minds of people who will happen to visit this blog. May they come to know Your love and forgiveness. Lord, thank You that today, Resurrection Sunday, reminds us that we will be in "paradise with you" when we believe in Jesus. Thank You for Your love and mercy. In Jesus' Name. Amen.





Hands raised, sometimes clapping to the powerful lyrics of Christian worship songs, everyone yelled, "He is risen! Indeed!" Our pastor talked about those two criminals crucified with Jesus. While the former deserved it, Jesus didn't. One kept on mocking Jesus, and the other had a change of heart, ending up believing that Jesus was truly the Son of God.

From Life Application Bible:

"One of the criminals hanging beside him scoffed, "So you're the Messiah, are you? Prove it by saving yourself - and us, too, while you're at it!" [Luke 23:39]

"But the other criminal protested, "Don't you fear God even when you are dying? We deserve to die for our evil deeds, but this man hasn't done anything wrong. Then he said, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your Kingdom." And Jesus replied, "I assure you, today you will be with me in paradise." [Luke 23:40-43].

To have that faith in Jesus, even up to the last minute, saved that man's life and granted him an eternal life that replaced his destination of what would have been eternal anguish.

As I sang the worship songs with a joyful heart, part of me was sad for a lot of people still don't know who Jesus is.

Jesus is the reason why I'm writing today. Jesus is the reason why I'm sharing my life's adventures and songs I had written. Jesus is the reason why I know I have to share the "Good News" because I was once arrogant like you, thinking that I can do everything on my own. I don't need anyone. I'm able to provide for myself. I don't need to spend time with God because I know I'm going to heaven anyway because I'm trying to be a "good person" whenever I can.

Friends, don't be fooled by our own foolish wisdom and actions. There is nothing we can do in our own works that will save us and guarantee us that we are going to heaven. Jesus is the only way, the truth and the life. He said, "No one can go to the Father but through Him". [John 14:6].

If you have, even that littlest amount of faith, I pray that God will give you a heart of repentance and realize that you do need Jesus into your hearts. How do you get saved by Jesus and be given an eternal life? If the condition of your heart is willing to accept Jesus as your only Lord and Savior, kindly click on my side bar where it says "Roman Road to Salvation". It will direct you how this road leads to Jesus Christ.

It's great that a lot of people are trying to share the Good News, like my blog, but let's not forget that it is the Lord Who gave His life and without that sacrificial act, there wouldn't be any Good News in the first place."

Hands clapping, up in the air, voices singing and worshipping the only "God Who loved the world that He gave His only Son, so that we who believe in Him will not perish but have eternal life; the God Who did not send His Son into the world to condemn it, but to save it." [John 3:16,17]. C'mon friends, join us and we will have a great celebration "with Him". God bless.

Psalm 98:1,2 -"Sing a new song to the Lord, for he has done wonderful deeds. He has won a mighty victory by his power and holiness. The Lord has announced his victory and has revealed his righteousness to every nation!"

The Good News

How will people know about You?

How will people know Your love is true?

How will they learn that the word is on their mouths

And hearts if only will believe...

Chorus:

How beautiful are the feet of those who bring

The Good News to all the ends of earth

You have done wonderful things for us Lord

And victory is ours when You opened Your arms and gave Your life on the cross

Lots of souls don't know You

Some don't care You're the Son of God

But when they surrender and place their faith in You

The Good News, their hearts will surely know

[repeat Chorus]

-RRRS 12/31/03

I Know

I love 1 Corinthians 15:19. Why? Because it reminds me that if Christ had not been resurrected from the dead, Christians would not be forgiven with their sins or have any hope of eternal life.

Tomorrow is Resurrection Sunday, marking that time when the tomb where Jesus was kept was empty. Jesus was nowhere in the tomb. He had risen! He lives!

From Life Application Bible:

"Early on Sunday morning, as the new day was dawning, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went out to see the tomb. Suddenly there was a great earthquake, because an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and rolled aside the stone and sat on it. His face shone like lightning, and his clothing was as white as snow. The guards shook with fear when they saw him, and they fell into a dead faint." [Matthew 28:1-4].

"Then the angel spoke to the women, "Don't be afraid!" he said. "I know you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified." He isn't here! He has been raised from the dead, just as he said would happen. Come, see where his body was lying. And now, go quickly and tell his disciples he has been raised from the dead, and he is going ahead of you to Galilee. You will see him there. Remember, I have told you." [Matthew 28:5-7].

I wrote this song on 12/3/06 when the wind was so gusty as I was driving, on my way to work. Inside the car, I wasn't even terrified as the words of this song was forming in my mind. That's peace and joy that we can find only in Jesus despite turbulent times.

The same thing today as we celebrate His resurrection. I know that I shouldn't be afraid even of death because He promised "eternal life" to those who will believe in His resurrection. Just like that angel's message, we are not to be afraid because Jesus is not dead! He lives! [Amen!]. And that we are to tell others about this [just as the angel told the women to tell the disciples]. Lord, thank You for Your gift of eternal life!

I Know

I know with You I'm completely new

And I know that Your Word is forever true

I know that You're Lord and Savior of all

And I know, Jesus, You love my soul

CHORUS:

I'm able to stand as You hold my hand

Please draw me nearer to You

You took away all of my fears

Jesus, to me, please be near

I know on the cross You died for all

And I know, what You did is immeasurable

I know, that Your grace and love rained on me

And I know, Jesus, You had set me free

[repeat chorus]

'Cause I know.......You're the only way, the truth and the life. No one can go to the Father but through You [John 14:6]

Jesus, I know....You're the bread of life. Whoever goes to You will not hunger nor thirst [John 6:35]

Jesus, I know....You're the light of the world. Whoever walks with You will not have darkness but have the light of life [John 8:12]

Jesus, I know....You're the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, the First and the Last [Revelation 22:13]

[repeat chorus]

Jesus, I know..........[By God's grace, I am what I am....]

-rrrs 12/3/06

Happy Resurrection Sunday everyone! To God be the glory!

Patience and Contentment

"Hurry! I think they're only open half-day today," I told my son who was needing a haircut. His daddy was running errands and I felt bad if he would still be the one to take our son to the barber shop.

Waiting to be called, my son and I sat on the green, plastic chairs and as he started reading a car magazine, two little boys with their daddy caught my attention.

The first tyke just got done with his haircut and as his father rose from the barber's chair, he started looking at the glass shelves where some baseball cards and little toy cars were neatly arranged to be sold. He started peering at the baseball cards on top and yelled, "I want one now!". The daddy made some suggestion and gave the names on the baseball cards to which the toddler said, "No!" The father carried him on his arms and he started bawling, "I want one daddy! Waaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhh," the crying started to fade as the door closed behind them. Everyone was just smiling after witnessing what had just transpired.

Another cute little boy emerged from the other barber's seat. With a little grin on his face, he calmly approached a green chair at the waiting area, as he waited for his daddy to get done with his haircut, too. He got up and like a big man, carefully held a magazine and walked back to where he was sitting, smiling the whole time and as quiet as a mouse. His little fingers were combing his newly-cut locks on the back of his head. He got up again and walked quietly toward the shelf where the magazines were laid out. He closed the magazine he was reading and neatly put it back on top. His daddy got up from the chair and smiling, the little toddler approached his daddy and out they went towards the door. He didn't even ask his father to buy him anything from the shelf. Everyone was smiling again and talking with our eyes, we seemed to agree that this little boy was the complete opposite of the other one. It wasn't the haircut that made him cuter but his gentle, quiet ways in him and that contented smile on his face.

When waiting for our Daddy to answer our requests [prayers], are we impatient like the first tot or are we willing to be calm to patiently wait for His answers? Should we get upset and bawl out when our answers don't get answered? What if our Daddy says:

1. "Okay, you can have it!"

2. "No! I won't give it to you."

3. "Not at this time."

4. "Maybe later."

How do we respond to those answers from the One Who truly knows what's good and bad for us?

Can we keep smiling like that second toddler, not even asking for anything but just contented that he had a haircut like his daddy; that he and his daddy had a great time together that morning?

Father, help us remember that when we learn to become impatient as we wait for our prayers to be answered, we must also learn to trust You, our heavenly Father, for You always have our best interests in mind. Give us a heart that doesn't conform to worldly things but help us set our minds on heavenly things. Help us dear Lord to be contented and be joyful with Your presence in our lives.

Forgive us for the times that when we want something, we tend to turn our backs on You when You don't answer our prayers. Forgive us when we become impatient and when we forget that everything happens in Your perfect time, a time that is completely different from the kind that we have.

Thank You Lord for the times that You carry us in Your arms when we cry for things that we don't even truly need. Thank you for providing us all of our needs. Thank you for making us co-heirs with Christ. Thank You for loving us unconditionally. In Jesus' Name. Amen.

[Contemporary English Version]:

Psalm 27:14 - "Trust the LORD! Be brave and strong and trust the LORD."

Proverbs 14:29 -"It's smart to be patient, but it's stupid to lose your temper."

Romans 12:12 -"Let your hope make you glad. Be patient in time of trouble and never stop praying."

Isaiah 40:31 -" But those who trust the LORD will find new strength. They will be strong like eagles soaring upward on wings; they will walk and run without getting tired."

Jesus is the Shepherd

Isaiah 40:11 -"Like a shepherd He will tend His flock,In His arm He will gather the lambs and carry them in His bosom;He will gently lead the nursing ewes."

Ezekiel 34:12 -"As a shepherd cares for his herd in the day when he is among his scattered sheep, so I will care for My sheep and will deliver them from all the places to which they were scattered on a cloudy and gloomy day."

Matthew 25:32 -"All the nations will be gathered before Him; and He will separate them from one another, as the shepherd separates the sheep from the goats."

John 10:11 -"I am the good shepherd; the good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep."

John 10:14 -"I am the good shepherd, and I know My own and My own know Me."


John 10:16 -"I have other sheep, which are not of this fold; I must bring them also, and they will hear My voice; and they will become one flock with one shepherd."

1Peter 5:4 -"And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory."

Jesus is the Shepherd

I was once lost like you, not knowing Christ

Every struggle means pain and I get deeply hurt

But please listen to me and to all the things I say

Jesus is the only life, the truth and the way

How long are you gonna' be lost like a sheep?

For when Christ finds you, you just have to believe

Oh, Jesus is the Shepherd Who will lead us all

Salvation comes from Him and from Him alone

Chorus:

Oh Jesus has so much love

All you need to do is open up your heart

Turn away from all of your sins

And love and joy will grow within

If your life is ever found don't let it go

Stop your wandering, let your faith grow

For Jesus is the Shepherd Who will guide your way

Nothing will go wrong, in your heart He'll stay

[repeat Chorus]

RRRS 07/29/03