Good News

1 Thessalonians 3: 7Therefore, brothers, in all our distress and persecution we were encouraged about you because of your faith. 8For now we really live, since you are standing firm in the Lord.

Paul is writing to the church in Thessalonica and shares with them why he was not able to visit and why he sent Timothy. He was under so much persecution that even though he wanted to see them he couldn’t. He says that the news that they are strong in their faith encourages him. He goes as far to say that “now we really live”.
Good news does so much for everyone who hears it. It makes you smile, lifts your heart, brighten a day, eases pain. It can even bring laughter and a song. Paul had endured so much in his life and just the word that the people he loved and poured into were doing well, lifted him.
1. What good news are you sharing? The gift of salvation is called the “good news” and it is, however, it is a “good secret” if no one hears it. In our society we can share about the most vulgar things and it is acceptable. You share Christ, and you are judging people’s lives. No, you are not.
Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword , and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit , of both joints and marrow , and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart .
The good news is powerful and change lives. Share Christ with someone it will not only make an impact on them, but on you as well. My life is all wrapped up in Jesus, from my childhood, to my marriage, to Isaiah and Leia’s miracle births. It is next to impossible not to share what God has done in my life.
2. Encouragement can be in many forms. A funny joke or picture (any of Troy’s stories or email titles), a praise report, a smile, a simple text. Spread the light in little ways for the go much deeper than you think. We I hear how a youth that we ministered to is still servicing God and in ministry themselves…I energizes me. It reassures me that it is worth the cost.

Lord, I thank you that you word is a live and life changing. I love that you have designed us to encourage and share how awesome you are and be there for others. I pray that I will be an encouragement to someone today. amen