The Good News Blog

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE

“You have been set free from sin…” -(Romans 6:18, NIV)

TODAY’S WORD from Joel and Victoria

This weekend, we celebrate Independence Day in America. July 4, 1776 was the day America declared independence from Britain, but the battle for freedom went on until 1783—seven years later. Even though the people declared their freedom in 1776, they had to stand and fight for many years before the British would accept and recognized the United States of America.

In the same way, we have to declare our freedom and determine to stand against the opposing forces in our lives. We have to declare our freedom from addiction, poverty, sickness, and lack. We have to stand and fight until we fully experience that freedom and peace that God has promised.

I love what the early colonists did once they signed

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE

“Let your light so shine before men that they may see your moral excellence and your praiseworthy, noble, and good deeds and recognize and honor and praise and glorify your Father Who is in heaven” (Matthew 5:16, AMP)

TODAY’S WORD from Joel and Victoria

Do the people around you see your light shining? Do they know you are a believer by your actions? Are you setting the bar in your office? Can people see your good works?

I know people who can quote half the Bible and pray two hours a day, but they have no influence or credibility because they’re sloppy in the workplace. They’re always late or wasting time. They’re not productive. They’re not efficient. No one will even listen to them.

I heard somebody say, “Your performance gives you a platform.” When you excel

by Bo Sanchez

One day, I attended Mass and the priest was in a hurry.

He either was very tired. Or had diarrhea.

Because he was going through the motions and doing it quickly.

So very different from my friend Bishop Honesto Ongtioco.

          For years, I’ve admired how the good bishop celebrates Mass. He does it with so much passion. Like he speaks every word with fire. And he acts every gesture with love.

Two weeks ago, I had lunch with this great man.

I asked him why he does his Masses this way.

He said something so profound, I’ll never forget it.

He said, “I always imagine every Mass to be my first Mass and my last Mass.”

For me, the key word is imagine.

He added, “What if I died in my sleep tonight? I really don’t know, do I?”

Today, I

by Joel Osteen

The Scripture tells us about a man who was paralyzed and couldn´t walk at all. One day, he heard that Jesus was in town teaching in a nearby house. This man knew that if he could just get to Jesus, he would be made whole. So the man convinced four of his friends to carry him on his bed over to that house. The only problem was that when they arrived, it was so crowded that they couldn´t even get in the door.

What a disappointment. What a letdown. I´m sure those men were tired by this time. They could have easily gotten discouraged and thought, “Too bad. It´s not going to happen.” But not the paralyzed man, he was determined! He wasn´t going to let anything stop him from getting to Jesus. I can just imagine his four friends turning around to take him back home when he

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE

“Remind people to be submissive to [their] magistrates and authorities, to be obedient, to be prepared and willing to do any upright and honorable work” -Titus 3:1, AMP

TODAY’S WORD from Joel and Victoria

In what ways do you honor God? A lot of times, people think “I go to church to honor God. I read my Bible to honor God. I sing and clap to honor God.”

And yes, those are ways to honor God, but did you know that you honor God just as much when you get to work on time? You honor God when you are productive each day and honor the people in authority over you. You honor God when you excel in your career.

Actions speak louder than words. When you give your very best in the workplace, your whole life

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE

“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men” -(Colossians 3:23, NIV)

TODAY’S WORD from Joel and Victoria

In today’s society, many people have accepted mediocrity as the norm. They do as little as they can to get by, always looking for the easy way out. If the boss isn’t watching, they’re playing on the computer. They simply go to work to pick up a paycheck, and then wonder why they’re not promoted and don’t see increase. It’s because God doesn’t bless mediocrity, He blesses excellence.

Whatever we do, we should do it to the best of our ability. We should set the standard. Remember, we are ultimately working for the Lord. He’s the one who put those talents and abilities in us. We are stewards of

by Joel Osteen

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE

“[A Psalm] of David. Vindicate me, O Lord, for I have walked in my integrity; I have [expectantly] trusted in, leaned on, and relied on the Lord without wavering and I shall not slide” -(Psalm 26:1, AMP)

TODAY’S WORD from Joel and Victoria

Did you know that God loves to hear you call upon His name? He has ways to meet your needs that you´ve never imagined, and He´s just waiting for you to ask expectantly. Are you expecting God to act on your behalf today?

So many people pray with an attitude as if they are trying to hit a dartboard blindfolded! They know the target is there, they have an idea of the general direction; they just hope they´ll just get somewhere close. But understand, when you get into God´s Word and

by Joel Osteen

There’s a gentleman in our church named Dr. Todd Price. He and his family have been a part of Lakewood for many years. A while back, they started taking mission trips overseas.

They would fill their suitcases with medicines that the drug companies would donate to them. Over time, their outreach has grown bigger and bigger and now, we are a partner and supporter of theirs as well.

Not long ago, Dr. Price gave me an update on what’s been happening this year with his outreaches. The report started off by saying, “With the economy being down and people struggling in their finances, we didn’t see how we could continue at the same level.”

Then he went on to say, “We didn’t. We increased. We expanded.” In just the first five months of this year, Dr. Price

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE

“The Spirit of the Lord [is] upon Me, because He has anointed Me…to proclaim the accepted and acceptable year of the Lord [the day when salvation and the free favors of God profusely abound]“ 
-(Luke 4:18–19, AMP).

TODAY’S WORD from Joel and Victoria

In the Old Testament, every 50 years the people would celebrate what they called Jubilee. It was a day of freedom and restoration–once–in–a–lifetime event! But now, because of what Jesus has done, we don´t have to wait 50 years to experience Jubilee. We can live in Jubilee every single day.

I believe this is your year of freedom. It´s your year to be released from every bondage, every debt, and anything that would hold you back. It´s your season to be released from sickness, depression, addictions, and worry. It is

by Bo Sanchez

Last week, I got a body massage that I’ll never forget.

I was massaged by “Ate Guy” (Not her real name).

I call her “Ate Guy” because though she looks like a woman, I have a suspicion she’s really a guy. In fact, she has the strength of 10 guys in her little female body. But I’m getting ahead of my story.

One of my friends recommended Ate Guy to me, praising her skill to the highest heavens. My friend said, “Ate Guy’s singular mission in life is to remove your lamig (cold). She’s obsessed. She goes berserk when she finds lamig in your body. She’ll not stop massaging you until the lamig is pulverized under her fingers.”

With that glowing description, my wife and I contracted her services.

By the way, let me educate my non-Filipino readers. Lamig