The Good News Blog

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE

“Behold, the virgin shall become pregnant and give birth to a Son, and they shall call His name Emmanuel–which, when translated, means, God with us.” -Matthew 1:23, AMP

TODAY’S WORD from Joel and Victoria

In the Bible, Jesus has many names that identify His character. One of those names is Emmanuel, which means “God with us.” Before Jesus came to the earth, the Spirit of God resided in the temple. The people had to go through all sorts of rituals to make them clean enough to go near Him.

Now, as believers, we are the temple of the Holy Spirit. When we accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior, He is the one who cleanses us and actually makes His home in our hearts.

Isn’t it good to know that God is with us? He is closer than the very air we breathe. His peace is always with us. His joy

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE

“Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus” -Thessalonians 5:18, NIV

TODAY’S WORD from Joel and Victoria

Are you giving thanks in every circumstance? This might seem like a stretch at first, especially when you are going through a season of difficulty. But notice today’s verse doesn’t say to give thanks “for” everything, it says give thanks “in” everything. In other words, no matter what’s going on, find something to be thankful for. Don’t just focus on what’s wrong in your life; focus on what God will do in your life!

When you are thankful, it opens the door for God to move on your behalf. That’s why it says “this is God’s will for you.” He wants you to be close to Him and receive His strength and power by giving thanks.

Today, have the attitude that says, “God, in spite

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE

“Do not be conformed to this world (this age), [fashioned after and adapted to its external, superficial customs], but be transformed (changed) by the [entire] renewal of your mind…” -Romans 12:2, AMP

TODAY’S WORD from Joel and Victoria

Many people today don’t realize that the reason they’re not happy, the reason they’re not enjoying life is simply because they’ve trained their minds in the wrong direction. They’ve trained their mind to worry. They’ve trained their mind to complain. They’ve trained their mind to see the negative. But just as we can form these negative mindsets, we can retrain our minds and form positive mindsets.

One of the main keys to developing a positive attitude is to learn how to stay grateful. When you stay grateful, you are focusing on what’s right rather than what’s wrong. This doesn’t happen automatically, you have to discipline yourself to focus on

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE

“For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline” -II Timothy 1:7, NLT

TODAY’S WORD from Joel and Victoria

So many people today are living with less than God’s best because they’ve allowed fear to stop them from pursuing their dreams. We have to remember that fear is not from God. It’s a lie from the enemy to paralyze us and steal our power.

Today’s verse tells what God has given us: power, love, and self-discipline or self-control. When you are confident in God’s promises, there’s nothing that can stop you. But when fear creeps in, you hesitate. You’re not as strong as you were before. You feel powerless. Not only that, but it affects your love. Love prompts us to give, and when we are afraid, we tend to clench our fists and act selfishly. Fear also affects our self-discipline

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE

“…And God has visited His people [in order to help and care for and provide for them]!” -Luke 7:16, AMP

TODAY’S WORD from Joel and Victoria

Every person has times of visitation from the Lord. These are the times when God distinctly intervenes in our lives to bring us help, direction, care, and provision. He’s ordained special times to pour out His love, favor, and blessing. It may be through a person we meet, an unexpected promotion, or supernatural favor so that in a split second we are thrust years ahead. These marked moments in our lives keep us on the course of our destiny.

When you really understand this point, you don’t have to be frustrated because things aren’t happening as fast as you’d like. You don’t have to worry about how things will turn out. All you have to do is stay in faith, knowing that God is

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE

“I will give you rain in due season, and the land shall yield her increase and the trees of the field yield their fruit” -Leviticus 26:4, AMP


TODAY’S WORD from Joel and Victoria

God has set up seasons in our lives. It’s easy to get frustrated when our dreams aren’t coming to pass on our timetable, but every season is not harvest season. There are plowing seasons. There are planting seasons. There are watering seasons.

Sure, we would love for every season to be a time of increase left and right, good breaks here and there. But without the other seasons, we wouldn’t be prepared. For example, it’s during the plowing seasons that God brings issues to light that we need to deal with. He’s getting us prepared for promotion.

If you’re not making as much progress as you would like, the key is to not lose

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE

“And I will make My covenant (solemn pledge) between Me and you and will multiply you exceedingly” -Genesis 17:2, AMP


TODAY’S WORD from Joel and Victoria

God is in the multiplication business. It doesn’t matter what your need is today, God wants to increase you.

One time in the Old Testament, God simply multiplied the sound of four men’s footsteps and caused them to sound like a mighty army. When their enemies heard them coming, they took off running. Thousands of people, thousands of troops running for their lives, scared to death, thinking they were being attacked by a massive army, when in fact, it was just four people.

Friend, God can make you seem bigger than you really are. He can make you look more powerful. He knows how to multiply your influence, your strength, your talent. He can multiply your income or whatever else you need!

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE

“Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful” -Hebrews 10:23, NIV


TODAY’S WORD from Joel and Victoria

At some point in life we all face hardships. It may be something physically or emotionally challenging. Or it may be a dream or an opportunity that we missed out on. Whatever your difficulty is, don’t let it discourage you from believing in God’s best.

The enemy wants to keep you focused on everything negative that’s happened, but don’t let him steal the dreams God has given you. He knows that if he can deceive you into thinking things won’t get better, you’ll lose hope and give up.

There will always be obstacles trying to keep you from becoming all God’s created you to be, but God has given you a promise for good and not harm. He has plans for better things

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE

“And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.” -Philippians 1:6, NLT

TODAY’S WORD from Joel and Victoria

It’s easy for people to let go of their dreams when all they see is what they’re lacking or what’s not happening for them. But God sees the whole picture when He looks at your dreams. He has equipped you for the victory, even though you sometimes can’t see how you will win with what you have to work with right now.

Remember that God is always at work in your life. He is giving you favor and opening doors of new opportunities, so keep looking and hoping; the things He has promised and planned for you will happen. As you put your confidence in God, He will continue to work

by Bo Sanchez

            Did you suffer a loss recently?

A job? A relationship? Material things stolen from you?

Many of my friends lost many things in the recent flood.

My friends lost homes. My friends lost businesses. With tears, my auntie said, “Bo, I lost all the material things I’ve collected over the past 50 years of my life!” Some friends told me that what was most painful was loosing all their photographs—the memories of a lifetime.

Friend, I’ve got a message for you today: Believe that every storm will end. And after the storm, a new morning begins.

          Remember that every loss is temporary.

If you lost a loved one, that loss is temporary. In heaven, you’ll see your beloved again and your reunion will last forever.

If you lost photographs, believe that in heaven, God will give back to you DVD copies of all the sweetest memories you’ve had in your life. (I’m