The Good News Blog

EFREN PENAFLORIDA for CNN Hero of the Year

I was touched by the heroism of this man because he made a big difference in the lives of the street children in the slum area in Philippines. Efren, I admired your heroic deeds. May God bless you beyond what you could ever imagine.

Pushcart classes help break gang chain

CAVITE CITY, Philippines (CNN) — At 16, Rhandolf Fajardo reflects on his former life as a gang member. Using a pushcart classroom, he and volunteers teach reading and writing to children living on the streets.

“My gang mates were the most influential thing in my life,” says Fajardo, who joined a gang when he was in sixth grade. “We were pressured to join.”

He’s not alone. In the Philippines,

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE

“The secret things belong unto the Lord our God……” -Deuteronomy 29:29, AMP

TODAY’S WORD from Joel and Victoria

Are you going through a situation in your life that you don’t quite understand? During these seasons, it’s natural to question things in your mind. But during these uncertain times, it’s important to continue to put your trust in God.

We have to remember, God’s ways are not our ways, and we don’t always understand what He is trying to do in our lives. The Bible tells us that adversity will come, but God is the one who promises to lead us into victory.

Serving God means we’re going to have some unanswered questions. You may never understand why a relationship ended sooner than you would have liked. You may never understand why you lost a loved one. You may never understand why you went through something difficult or why your prayers didn’t

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 missing out on God’s abundant life of joy, peace, and victory because they keep giving in to fear. They are afraid to make a decision, they are afraid to confront issues, they’re afraid to step out in faith, they’re afraid of the past, and they’re afraid of the future. But as believers, we don’t have to live that way.

Fear is not from God. God has given you power, and His power is greater than the power of any of your fears. You have to make a decision to deal aggressively with fear. You can’t be passive and expect to live in victory. The only way to conquer fear is to confront it head on.

As long as

I’m Rich!
by Bo Sanchez
                                                       
 Two weeks ago, I went to Macau.

          I spent five days in that small Casino city with six fantastic buddies of mine: Hermie Morelos, Gil Ramiscal, Pio Espanol, Roy Pasimio, Tim Duran, and Carl Fontanilla. They also happen to be the “pioneer” leaders of my community,  Light of Jesus, and our virtual community, KerygmaFamily. We brought our wives along, so it was doubly fun.

          What did we do in Macau?

          Nothing.

          No talks, no meetings, no sessions.

   We talked.

   We laughed.

   We bonded.

          We took lots of photos. (We’re Filipinos!)

   We ate lots of Chinese food.

   And being in Macau, we visited lots of Casinos.

   Not to gamble of course. I mean, we’re Lay Elders of a Catholic group, right?

          So we just watched the Casino’s floor show of sexy dancers.

          Just kidding.

          We couldn’t do that.

          Our wives were with

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE

“…Write the vision; make it plain on tablets, so he may run who reads it” -Habakkuk 2:2, ESV

TODAY’S WORD from Joel and Victoria

Most businesses today have a mission statement that talks about the purpose of the company. In life, every person should also have their own mission statement. What’s your purpose? What are you dreaming about? What are your goals? How are you going to use your talents and abilities?

Many people have an idea about where they are headed in life, but something supernatural happens when you write down your vision and make a plan. There’s a resolve that takes place on the inside of you. No longer is that thing just a dream, but now it’s something you can look at every day.

The people around you can see it, too. You never know how God is going to use someone in your life to help you

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE

“Sing, O childless woman, you who have never given birth…” -Isaiah 54:1, NLT

TODAY’S WORD from Joel and Victoria

Sometimes, when we don’t see our dreams and desires coming to pass, we can feel empty and barren like a woman who is unable to have children. But look at what this verse is saying: if you’ve got unborn promises, don’t just sit around in defeat.

Don’t just give up and say, “Too bad for me.” No, God says when you’re barren, the first thing you need to do is sing a song of praise. You might think, “Well, Joel, I’m kind of depressed today. I’ll sing after I have my ‘baby.’”

No, this passage wasn’t written to people who were holding their baby and had seen their dreams come to pass. It was written to empty-armed people; people who didn’t have what they were believing for. Do you know why? When

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE

“Write the vision [dream] and make it plain on tablets, that he may run who reads it.” -Habakkuk 2:2, NKJV

TODAY’S WORD from Joel and Victoria

Have you ever known someone who had an exciting dream to do something great but did nothing to make it happen? It’s so important to act on the dreams that God has given you. You can take ownership of your dreams by planning and preparing for them.

Remember, success is not accidental. Where do you see yourself in your career, finances or relationships? Put some action behind what you’re believing for. Maybe you don’t see how it can happen in the natural. The good news is you don’t have to have it all figured out. With your faith and obedience, God will work supernaturally in your situation to turn things around for good.

Believe in your dreams today. I encourage you to

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE

“If God is for us, who can ever be against us? ” -Romans 8:31, NLT

TODAY’S WORD from Joel and Victoria

What are you focusing on today? Are you focusing on your difficult situation, or on God’s promises? You may have all kinds of problems coming at you. Maybe you’re feeling discouraged as new problems and challenges have popped up in your life.

Don’t let it get you down. Don’t let it take your focus off of God. He is working on your behalf in the supernatural, even when you can’t see it. Keep your trust and your focus on His promises, not on your problems.

It’s important that you keep your heart in an attitude of faith. Believe that God is for you. Believe His plans for you have not changed despite new problems or troubling circumstances. The more you focus on what God’s doing, the more your faith will

by Bo Sanchez

I got sick last week. Twice.

          I bet one reason was so I could write about healing today. (I’m getting worried. Everything is so personal with me. What if I write about exorcism?)

          Last Thursday, after eating my breakfast, I felt an ache in my stomach.

          It was my usual breakfast: A tall glass of carrot juice with apples thrown in. Plus two bananas. Or some other fruit. Been eating this way for years.

          So I didn’t know why I had the sore tummy.

As the searing pain continued, I took a shower, got dressed, and rode the car. I figured the pain would disappear.

But it didn’t.

As I sat in the car, I still felt the fiery throb in my belly.

          That was when it hit me: This was acid!

          It didn’t click right away because it’s been two years since I felt it.

          After living with my

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE

“No unbelief or distrust made him waver (doubtingly question) concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong and was empowered by faith as he gave praise and glory to God” -Romans 4:20, AMP

TODAY’S WORD from Joel and Victoria

Do you know how powerful praise is? Praise is putting your faith into action. Just as putting your physical body into action makes it grow stronger, putting your faith into action through prayer and thanksgiving will cause it to grow strong, too!

I love what this verse says about Abraham: No unbelief made him waver regarding the promise of God. To waver actually means to go back and forth. It’s a very unsteady posture. Spiritual wavering is when we go back and forth in believing the promises of God. Spiritual wavering shows up in our words and actions. When you speak contrary to God’s promises, you are wavering and