Largest Christian Newspaper in America • goodnewsfl.org • December 2024 • Volume 26, Issue 9
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I read, I watch, I listen and then most importantly, I think. It’s my way; it’s also a peculiar juxtaposition because when I read the Bible it’s about the past. We take His lessons for the future, and when I deal with current events, it’s the here and now and not as transparent as events that have happened… That’s a simple observation, but not altogether that simple. In dealing in biblical past, we read the word; we even hear and view the word through wonderful aids now being produced and provided by some incredible works like “The Chosen” and Bible study apps like “You Version” among others. I find it interesting that we ponder and dissect events of the past; in contrast we watch and react to current events that impact the future. Why do I find that interesting? I don’t rightly know; I guess anything that makes me think I find interesting. So far, I’ve said nothing. I was never fascinated by history, perhaps because I played no active part. I think of myself as an activist, not a simple observer. They tell us if you don’t learn from the past, you’re bound to make the same mistakes in the future, but I take that as a cliché with good intentions, much like the game of golf. You can play the same 18 hole golf course day after day with different results even though the Tee box and the putting green are in the same position every day, but the wind conditions and the height and growth of the grass and the pin placement subtly change every day. Why then the dramatic difference in results from day to day? It may be as simple as sleeping on the wrong side of the bed and waking up with a sore shoulder or having a headache that can greatly impact your daily performance results, even like night and day. Past results are not always reflective of future actions. I guess that may have been the impetus for creating the word: disclaimer? Savvy investors generally have to live with and understand the disclaimer: Past performance: “past performance is not a guarantee of future results” And risk of loss: “investors can lose some or all of their investment.” The Surgeon General’s warning on a cigarette pack… I admit, I’ve been living with the mantra for most of my life “experience is the cheapest commodity, if you’re smart enough to get it secondhand.” You will have many options, some for family, some for self riches, but most importantly pick a lane and travel with great resolve to follow the example of Jesus Christ to do all you can to make Him proud. “For He Himself has said ‘I will never leave you, nor forsake you’” (Hebrews 13:5). Proudly, I predict 2025 will provide hope and opportunity for all that choose to engage, and I pray for health and safety for everyone. PUBLISHER 6 december 2024 www.goodnewsfl.org Good News • South Florida edition South Florida Edition • Good News • November 2024 • Volume 26, Issue 9 Advertising: We reach over 110,000 readers each month. 80,000 in print and 30,000 via our online digital edition. Placing an ad in our publication is affordable and effective to help grow your business. Call us today! Distribution: Available in more than 800 locations throughout South Florida. To become a free distribution point for the newspaper, please contact Shelly. The Good News is published by Good News Media Group, LLC, Reproduction in whole or part strictly forbidden without the consent of the publisher. Copyright 2024. All rights reserved. Good News Media Group, LLC. PO Box 670368, Coral Springs, FL 33067 954-564-5378 • www.goodnewsfl.org Publisher: Leslie J. Feldman [email protected] Editor: Shelly Pond [email protected] Advertising & Marketing: Robert “Buddy” Helland Jr. V.P. Sr. Marketing Manager [email protected] Art Director: Milton McPherson [email protected] Associate Art Director: Joseph Sammaritano [email protected] Social Media Manager: Ariel Feldman [email protected] Editorial Assistant: Eric Solomon [email protected] Cover Photography: Justus Martin [email protected] PERSPECTIVE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8 Unblocked – by Stephan N. Tchividjian IN THE WORD . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10 Franklin Graham: Pray Fervently for Our Nation – by Franklin Graham PARENTING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12 Turning Christmas Upside Down by Dr. Bob Barnes and Torrey Roberts MARRIAGE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14 Emptiness – by Lisa May THE CODE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14 Finding Jesus in the Gospel of John: He is the Resurrection and the Life – by Dr. O.S. Hawkins HEART AND SOUL . . . . . . . . . .18 A Sound Like No Other – Dr. Debra A. Schwinn FOSTER CARE . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20 You Are Good News – by Andrew Holmes YOU ASK WHY? . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 They Really Were Wise Men! – by Dr. Tommy Boland GOOD NEWS WANTS TO KNOW . . . . . .24 – 26 What's the most generous thing that's ever happened to you? CHURCH UNITED . . . . . . . . . .28 Church United: A Christmas Story – Edwin Copeland GOOD NEWS CELEBRATES 2024 – 2025 FAITH LEADERS . . . . . . . .29 - 44 INSIGHT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .46 Living in the Messy Middle – by Rob Hoskins ENCOURAGEMENT . . . . . . . . .48 This Land Is My Land – by Omar Aleman LEGAL Q&A . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .50 AI and You: Let’s Be Careful Out There – by William “Bill” C. Davell and Paul Lopez WE GET LETTERS . . . . . . . . . . .52 COMMUNITY NEWS . . . .54 - 64 CALENDAR . . . . . . . . . . . . .66 - 67 CLASSIFIEDS . . . . . . . . . . .68 - 71 Much Anticipation for 2025 On The Cover Good news Celebrates 2024 – 2025 Faith Leaders in the cover photo shoot graciously hosted by Pastors Tom Manning and Steven Chapman and the talented team at Christian Life Center. Front Row (L to R): Steven Chapman, Christian Life Center; Stephan Tchividjian, National Christian Foundation South Florida; Doug Sauder, Calvary Chapel Fort Lauderdale; Matthew McDaniel, Boca Raton Community Church; Dr. Bob Barnes, Sheridan House Family Ministries; 2nd Row: Josiah Graves, The Exchange Church; Myron Rhodes, Grace Wesleyan Church; Tracy Lewis, The Pentecostals of Coral Springs; Gary Colboch, Grace Church; David Rosa, Church United and Cruciform Church; Dr. Jerry Newcombe, New Presbyterian Church; 3rd Row: Eddie Bevill, Parkridge Church; Jacob Bramos, Victory Life Church; Joe Vitkus, Temple Aron HaKodesh; Dr. Alex Umole, Christian Life Center Sunrise; Bob di Scipio, Hope For All Nations; Darren Davis, Harbour Church; 4th Row: Trevor Wallace, Jesus Team Ministries; Rob Taylor, CrossBridge Church; Bernard King, Cornerstone Bible Fellowship; Ken Kerrigan, Calvary Chapel Pompano Beach; Shawn O’Neill, Christian Life Center West Boca; Duane Roberts, Calvary Chapel Boynton Beach; 5th Row: Larry Lacy, The Answer Church; Dr. Mark George Van Dorn, Florida Faith Church and The International Swimming Hall of Fame; Virgil Sierra, Vertical Church; Dr. Jason Jackson, The Lion’s Den Missions Base; Newton Fairweather, Faith and Joy Church; Steve Daigle, Calvary Chapel Parkland. Photography by Justus Martin wwws.justusmartinphoto.com - Leslie J. Feldman - Good News Publisher CONTENTS Good News • November • Volume 26 Issue 9
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PERSPECTIVE 8 december 2024 www.goodnewsfl.org Good News • South Florida edition Several years ago, I was introduced to a wonderful man by the name of Peter. Peter had lived on the street for upwards of seven or eight years when we met, and I am happy to say that today Peter is no longer on the street. Peter lives with several other people in a rented house and is able to manage his life relatively well. Peter is also plugged into a local church where he has found some additional community and is drawing closer to God Peter prays for me regularly as I pray for him. Peter and I communicate on a regular basis with the occasional lunch outing. I typically call his flip phone, which is the traditional way I reach him, and then he either answers or shortly calls back. He, likewise, will call me and I do the same. However, recently I had noticed that whenever I would call Peter, his phone would immediately go to voicemail (which was full), and he would never call me back. I had also noticed that Peter was not calling me anymore. I was a little confused and assumed that he may have found a “better” friend since I had not been very consistent in my visits or phone calls. Friends need to be available... duly noted. I decided, recently, to pay Peter a visit at his home. I was delighted to see him as he was me. I had asked him if he was getting my phone calls and he had said no, he was not. I was confused. I took out my phone and called his phone and the call did not go through. He picked up his phone and called me and the call did go through. What was wrong? Perhaps a setting on my phone? on his? Perhaps he had blocked my number, which he assured me he had not. I proceeded to scrolled through his blocked numbers, which numbered into the hundreds (thank you spam) and indeed found my number. He had inadvertently blocked my number. I unblocked it and we are back to communicating. Feels good. Failure to communicate Peter and I had a nice visit, and he did confess that he was very confused as to why I had disappeared. He had been hurt and said it had caused him much stress. He thought that I had dropped our friendship and wondered what he had done wrong to offend me in such a way that I would no longer contact him. Ironically, I had been thinking some of the same. The culprit was a breakdown in communication. Perhaps some of you can remember the iconic scene in the 1967 movie, “Cool Hand Luke,” when the actor Strother Martin, playing, “The Captain” says, in a tense scene, to Lucas Jackson, played by Paul Newman, …“What we have here is a failure to communicate….” Indeed, Peter and I had experienced the same. Feeling distant I can’t help but ponder on the fact that I often will find myself in the same situation with God. Have you? David, the Psalmist certainly did, so did many of the prophets, kings and Old Testament heroes. I will, from time to time, find myself in a place where I sense God is not as present as I would hope Him to be. I will entertain the idea that I have done something to distance myself from God, that He is no longer answering my prayers or perhaps has become bored, fed up, and disappointed with me. I will quickly accuse God of all kinds of things and assume the worst. My relationship with God may be in question as I sense He has blocked me. The tactic may provide some temporary relief, as playing the victim card usually does. However, in the end, it just makes me miss Him more. However, what is so ironic is that usually I come to find out that I have blocked Him, either unintentionally or deliberately. I am guilty of both. My busy life can unintentionally block Him. My sin of omission or commission deliberately block Him. I find it interesting that I default to the fact that God has blocked me when in all reality I have blocked Him. Therefore, as we enter the season before us, we are made aware of the many opportunities that we will have to engage in sacred conversations. Your voice is important. We start with the conversations we have with God our Father. Perhaps the most significant gift we will receive over the next few weeks and months is unblocking that relationship and enjoying the ever presence of His voice in our lives. However, we can’t stop there. Our conversations with God tend to compel us to look around and intentionally engage with those around us, including unblocking a broken relationship or forgotten friend. Let this season be rich in conversation, let this season heal blocked relationships and let this season refresh the joy you receive as you engage with your Heavenly Father and those He loves dearly... God eagerly awaits you. Stephan N. Tchividjian is the CEO and co-founder of the National Christian Foundation South Florida. Visit southflorida.ncfgiving.com to learn more. UNBLOCKED - Stephan Tchividjian - CEO and Co-Founder, National Christian Foundation South Florida
SOUTH FLORIDA BIBLE COLLEGE & THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY AFFORDABILITY EXCELLENCE DIVERSITY COME EXPERIENCE ASSOCIATE BACHELOR MASTER DOCTORATE EXPLORE A RANGE OF DEGREES AND PROGRAMS: BUSINESS COUNSELING MINISTRY THEOLOGY Scan for Info SFBC.EDU/ GoodNews n 7 ” e e e e n l t d e d y o y y I s I e e s n r h h e l s t e n l g n h s n
10 december 2024 www.goodnewsfl.org Good News • South Florida edition IN THE WORD American voters have decided decisively who will be the next president of the United States. Congratulations to Donald J. Trump on being elected the 47th president of the United States. I pray that you will look to God every day for His guidance and wisdom. Months of election primaries, campaign rallies, political advertisements, nominating conventions, candidate endorsements, debates, press conferences and media interviews have finally culminated in citizens voting for Trump to return to the White House as the nation’s commander-inchief. Voters also elected candidates for Congress as well as governor, state legislators and local school boards even while approving and rejecting a number of state constitutional amendments to codify abortion rights. Without a doubt, this was the most consequential election in my lifetime. Last month’s special election issue of Decision clearly explains the vast differences between the presidential candidates and their party platforms on key Biblical issues. The moral and ideological contrasts between the Democratic and Republican parties could not be more evident. The Bible teaches that government is ordained by God to deter evil and defend righteousness (Romans 13:3-4). That’s why it is imperative that Christians seek to elect political candidates who will govern most closely to the dictates of God’s Word, especially when it comes to the sanctity of human life and our Creator’s design for human sexuality, marriage and the family. Today, while many Americans reject God’s precepts, our enemies — both foreign and domestic — increasingly threaten our safety and security. Two assassination attempts on former President Donald Trump and a porous border reveal just how vulnerable we are as a nation in these perilous days. Nevertheless, the Apostle Paul assures Christ-followers in 2 Timothy 1:7-8: “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me His prisoner, but share with me in the sufferings for the Gospel according to the power of God.” Remember the story of Esther in the Old Testament. She stood boldly before the king of Persia to intervene on behalf of her captive Hebrew people. And God sovereignly and miraculously delivered the Jewish people from their deadly captors. Our country needs that same kind of godly courage for such a time as this to help turn America away from endorsing sin and evil and instead take a stand for Biblical morality and justice. The Bible declares: “Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord …” (Psalm 33:12). Instead, America seems hell-bent toward implosion while our leaders not only embrace blatant decadence but also passionately advocate for such godlessness. Proverbs 29:12 warns of the results of leaders who promote iniquity: “If a ruler pays attention to lies, all his servants become wicked.” The Bible says that “sin is lawlessness” (1 John 3:4). The debauchery of sexual immorality that plagues our land and the drug epidemic destroying our cities is the bitter fruit of a nation that has turned its back on God. Let’s remember God’s promise in 2 Chronicles 7:14 and pray fervently in the days ahead for God to have mercy on our country by ushering in a movement of the Holy Spirit that will lead to national repentance and spiritual healing across our land. That will only happen when people profess that Jesus’ shed blood on the cross and His victorious resurrection from the grave for the forgiveness of their sins is the only way they can receive God’s free gift of eternal life. The Bible has so much to say about the blood of Christ. For example, the Bible says that redemption and forgiveness of sin is made possible only through the blood of Christ (Ephesians 1:7). The Bible says that we are justified through Jesus’ blood (Romans 5:9). The Bible says that God’s wrath on sin is only satisfied through the perfect sinless blood of Jesus Christ (Romans 3:23-26). God’s Word tells us that “the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin” (1 John 1:7). According to Scripture, believers can have confidence to enter God’s presence only through the shed blood of Jesus Christ (Hebrews 10:19-22). The Bible says that during the Great Tribulation, the martyrs will overcome by the blood of the Lamb and the word of their testimony (Revelation 12:11). And there will be a bloodbought multitude from every tribe, nation and tongue that will worship before God’s throne (Revelation 5:9). God’s promise that His Word will not return void was evident recently, when I preached before 21,000 people in Naples, Italy, about the One “who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood” (Revelation 1:5). Then I stood in awe of the power of the Gospel as hundreds of people made professions of faith in Christ as their Savior and Lord. I’m looking forward to returning to southeast Asia for the third consecutive year Dec. 3-4 for the “Seasons of Love Festival” in Can Tho, Vietnam. I appreciate your prayers as many of the 20 million residents in the Mekong Delta region have never heard the Name of Jesus. I’m trusting, as always, that the proclamation of God’s Word will accomplish His purpose to rescue souls from hell, as many are transformed by the power of the Holy Spirit. It never gets old seeing people who are spiritually dead in their sins be born again in Christ for all eternity. Let’s continue praying that God’s plans and purposes will prevail for our nation. I will continue serving our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ by preaching His Gospel of forgiveness, joy and peace found only through repentance and faith in the King of kings and Lord of lords. ©2024 BGEA Scripture quotations are taken from The Holy Bible, New King James Version. Decision magazine, November 2024; ©2024 Billy Graham Evangelistic Association; used by permission, all rights reserved. Franklin Graham: Pray Fervently for Our Nation Let’s remember God’s promise in 2 Chronicles 7:14 and pray fervently … for God to have mercy on our country by ushering in a movement of the Holy Spirit that will lead to national repentance and spiritual healing.” “ - Franklin Graham - President and CEO Samaritan’s Purse and Billy Graham Evangelistic Association
12 december 2024 www.goodnewsfl.org Good News • South Florida edition PARENTING “More blessed to give rather than receive?” You’ve got to be kidding! What kind of a statement is that? That’s ridiculous! Of course it’s more awesome to receive than it is to give. That’s what we’ve been taught all our lives. That’s what makes us feel good isn’t it; getting more things? But what if it were true? It’s kind of like eating vegetables. Once I was taught to eat them, I eventually liked them. Then I really liked them. Then I discovered that I felt better when I ate my vegetables. It actually made me healthier than my previous diet of burgers. How could it be true? How could I be more blessed by giving than by getting? First we have to acknowledge that it must be true because it comes from Truth. “You should remember the words of the Lord Jesus: 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.'" (Acts 20:35 NLT). Just because I don’t understand it doesn’t mean it isn’t true. The appetite of acquiring Next we need to see if we can understand why the vegetable of giving is a better appetite than of acquiring. When I spend my life getting, I never seem able to satisfy that hunger. No matter how much I get, I want more and bigger. My appetite becomes insatiable! When I spend my life getting things, I end up with more things that can get lost, stolen or broken. I spend much of my time wanting to protect my acquisitions. The appetite of giving When I risk learning the fun of giving, I end up doing something that can’t be taken away from me. Sharing with others is free of baggage. Whether the recipients express appreciation for my gifts or not is irrelevant if I’m doing it for the right reasons. Giving to others is really an opportunity to do something for Jesus. He even said when we do things for people in need (He called them the least of these in Matthew 25:40) we are really doing it for Him. It’s actually pretty exciting to imagine being invited to a party to give a gift to God. So giving that should excite us is really giving that uses people in need as an opportunity to give to Jesus and then give the glory for it to Jesus. When I give like that no one can take the blessing away. When I give without waiting to be thanked then I know I am giving to Jesus. This is a difficult lesson to learn because our culture doesn’t teach it. Parents that teach this lesson to their children will give their children a great gift for life. These children will grow up without being victimized by marketers and advertisers. These children will learn the great lesson of learning to be content with what they have (Philippians 4:11). Developing healthy patterns So what if we turned this Christmas upside down? What if we decided that it really was Christ’s birthday celebration? Imagine if we taught our children to get excited about giving rather than getting. This lesson would no doubt take a while to take, but it is a great lesson they would take on into adulthood. The teaching could start with a family meeting in early December. Decide the target for giving. It could be a widow in the church or a single mom family in the neighborhood. Pick the target of your generosity and get excited about giving to Jesus through this target this Christmas. It’s time we decided that the word of God is truth. Though my feelings have been poorly trained and corrupted to think it’s better to get gifts than it is to give gifts, this is the year to get it right. If you’ve spent a life time ignoring the health rules and backed away from vegetables, starting to eat asparagus takes some getting used to. But then you begin to realize that eating vegetables literally does make you feel better. When it comes to this year’s Christmas, it’s time to teach our children the joy of another kind of healthy consumption. The joy of giving is the blessing no one can take away, but it is a hunger and thirst that must be taught. Visit parentingonpurpose.org for more advice from Dr. Bob Barnes and Torrey Roberts. Turning Christmas Upside Down - Dr. Bob Barnes and Torrey Roberts - Sheridan House Family Ministries
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MARRIAGE 14 december 2024 www.goodnewsfl.org Good News • South Florida edition The holidays are often painted as a season of joy, celebration and connection, but for many, it can be a time when emptiness feels especially heavy. The glittering lights and festive music can serve as painful reminders of what feels absent — a sense of peace, purpose or God’s presence. Emptiness during the holidays can stem from unmet expectations, grief over loved ones who are no longer here, the weight of family dynamics or personal struggles that don’t pause for the season. It’s easy to feel disconnected from the joy others seem to radiate or to wonder why God feels distant and silent. But the message of Christmas itself speaks directly to moments like these. The story of Jesus' birth is not one of perfection or fanfare. It’s the story of a young couple fleeing a community due to an unplanned pregnancy, of a couple looking for a place to stay with no rooms other than a stable with the animals, of a baby laid in a long open trough that was designed for horses and cattle to eat from. It’s a story of God literally meeting us in the midst of mess, fear and longing. Christ came into a broken world to fill its emptiness with His love and hope. He was born in a humble manger, surrounded by ordinary people who were in need of — peace, redemption, and Emmanuel, "God with us." If you’re feeling spiritually empty, take heart in knowing that God isn’t asking you to have it all together. He invites you to come as you are, with all your doubts, weariness and pain. Just as the shepherds and wise men brought what they had to the manger; you can bring your emptiness to Him. It’s in surrendering that we create space for Him to fill us with His presence. He wants to fill the void In some ways the recognition of being empty can be a beginning again; a time where we allow God to fill us rather than trying to fill it with things and activities that are temporary. Simply sitting in silence, let Him remind you that His light shines brightest in the darkness. This holiday season, set aside moments of quiet reflection to invite God into your emptiness. Through prayer, reading Scripture, ask Him to fill your emptiness. Pray Psalm 25: 16-18 “Turn to me and be gracious to me, for I am lonely and afflicted. The troubles of my heart have multiplied; free me from my distresses. Look on my affliction and my pain and forgive all my sins.” Experience His presence Look for Him in moments of silence. Soul Cares suggest that we look for five things you can see, four things you can touch, three things you can hear, two things you can smell, and one thing you can taste that signifies God’s presence. In nature you can hear the sound of the wind in the trees, you can see the stars against a velvet sky, you can taste the salt of the ocean waves, you can smell the aroma of rain and touch the petals of a flower. Simply sitting in silence and looking for God’s presence can be restorative. Proverbs 8:17 tells us that …“those who seek me diligently will find me.” You don’t have to feel spiritually full to encounter the truth of Christmas. Christ came for the weary, the lonely, and the brokenhearted. In the stillness of your soul, His peace can begin to take root, reminding you that you are not alone, and that even in emptiness, God is with you and He came for YOU. “The law of the Lord is perfect, restoring the soul. The testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple. The precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart. The commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes. The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever. The judgments of the Lord are true and altogether righteous. They are more desirable than gold, than much pure gold, They are sweeter than honey, than honey from the comb. Moreover, by them is Your servant warned; In keeping them there is great reward” (Psalm 19:7-11). Relate Well Live Well (formerly Live the Life South Florida) exists to strengthen marriages and families through skills-based relationship education beginning in middle school through senior adults. We provide workshops for marriage enrichment and HOPE Weekends for marriages needing a deeper work. RWLW.org - Lisa May - Executive Director, Relate Well Live Well Emptiness
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THE CODE 16 december 2024 www.goodnewsfl.org Good News • South Florida edition "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?" (John 11:25–26). It was a sad and somber day in the small village of Bethany on the eastern slope of the Mount of Olives as Jesus stood with a brokenhearted family and their close friends at the grave of Lazarus. From His lips came an astonishing claim: "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die.” This one statement is among the boldest and most definitive acknowledgments of our Lord's deity. The resurrection is what separates Him from the thousand other gurus and prophets who have come down the pike. After declaring Himself to be the resurrection and the life, the Victor over death, He looks squarely into their faces-and oursand asks life's bottom-line question: "Do you believe this?" One of my personal frustrations in Scripture reading is that it is, like all other writings, linear. If we had a recording of His actual words, it would reveal so much more about where He placed His inflection for emphasis. Did He ask, "Do you believe this?" Did He ask, "Do you believe this?" Or perhaps He emphasized the last word in the question, "Do you believe this?" It’s personal Christ's question is intensely personal. Perhaps in driving home the fact that our salvation is a personal and individual matter, Jesus asked, “Do you believe this?" After all, when it comes to saving faith in the finished work of Christ, what really matters is not what your mother or father, husband or wife, or anyone else believes. It is the most personal of all life's questions. What about you? Do you believe that Christ's death and resurrection should be relegated to some ancient shelf of obscurity along with other ancient myths and fables? The question is personal. Do you believe this? An issue of faith It might well be that as Jesus asked this question in the Bethany cemetery, His emphasis was placed on the word believe. "Do you believe this?” He is not interested in whether or not we were giving intellectual assent to His claims. He wants to know if we believe what He has said. That is, do we put our total trust and faith in Him and His words? With Jesus, the real issue is always one of faith. Jesus' question is not just personal, it is pointed: "Do you believe this?" Precise But now to the heart of the issue of His claim to being “the resurrection and the life." True faith must always rest on objective truth and fact. Most likely Jesus asked the question in this way: "Do you believe this?" In other words, He wants to know if we believe this — His claim of deity. When Jesus said, "I am," He captured the attention of all around. "I am" was God's own name that He revealed to Moses when He inquired of His name at the burning bush. God instructed Moses to tell the Israelites that "I AM has sent me to you" (Exodus 3:14). When Jesus said, "I am," all those listening recognized it to be an affirmation of His deity. Paul would later affirm this when he wrote, "He is the image of the invisible God" (Colossians 1:15). In John's gospel alone, he took note of an "I AM" statement by Jesus on seven different occasions. The question is not only personal and pointed, it is precise. “Do you believe this?" Your destiny But there is more. Jesus asked if we believe this-His claim about destiny. “Though he may die, he shall live” (John 11:25). Jesus means the body may indeed die, but not the spirit. There is a part of you that will live as long as God lives, which is forever and forever. There is another life that is a million times a million longer than this one, an eternity… with Him. Do you believe this? Jesus wants to know if you believe His claim about His own deity and your own destiny. There are a lot of questions we must face in life. Where will l attend college? What profession will I choose to engage? With whom will I spend the rest of my life in marriage? But there is only one major question in death - "Do you believe this?" Jesus prefaced this question with a declaration: "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die." And then there is life's bottom-line question: Do you believe this? Settle the issue once and for all by joining Martha, Lazarus's sister, in professing, "Yes, Lord, I believe that You are the Christ, the Son of God" (John 11:27, emphasis added). We find Jesus, the great I AM, walking through the pages of John — He is the Resurrection and the Life. Taken from The Bible Code by O.S. Hawkins. Copyright © 2020 by Dr. O.S. Hawkins. Used by permission of Thomas Nelson. O. S. Hawkins is the chancellor of Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. He has served pastorates, including the First Baptist Church in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and the First Baptist Church in Dallas, Texas, for more than 25 years. A native of Fort Worth, Texas, he has a BBA from Texas Christian University and his MDiv and Ph.D. from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. For almost a quarter of a century, he served as president of GuideStone Financial Resources, with assets under management of $20 billion, serving 250,000 pastors, church staff members, missionaries, doctors, university professors, and other workers in various Christian organizations with their investment, retirement and benefit service needs. He is the author of more than 40 books and regularly speaks to business groups and churches nationwide. All of the author’s royalties and proceeds from the Code series support Mission:Dignity. You can learn more about Mission:Dignity by visiting MissionDignity.org. - Dr. O.S. Hawkins - Chancellor, Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary Finding Jesus in the Gospel of John: He is the Resurrection and the Life Ukraine, Odessa Region, Village Petrodolinskoe: Orthodox painting The Resurrection of the Four-Day Lazarus
HEART AND SOUL 18 december 2024 www.goodnewsfl.org Good News • South Florida edition As we close out the year, it’s a fitting time to reflect on the love of God and the true gift of Christmas — His Son, Jesus Christ. In the midst of the season’s hustle and bustle, may we be reminded of the ultimate reason for our joy: the fulfillment of God’s promises and His boundless grace toward us. I want to share my reflection from PBA’s Advent Guide on my most memorable Christmas sound. I pray this article is a blessing to you and your family as you remember not just His blessings, but His promises to us. On behalf of the PBA community, we wish you a Merry Christmas! ___________________________________________________ "Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, ‘Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.’” (Luke 2:13-14). One of the most memorable Christmas sounds for me growing up was caroling. Caroling was a common practice in many churches, and one of my favorite carols was, and still is, "Hark the Herald Angels Sing,” based on Luke 2:14, which tells of an angelic chorus praising God. Now, when I reflect, having a choir turn up on your street or front door, usually before the sun comes out or after it goes down, provides a glimpse of what it must have been like for the shepherds keeping watch that night to hear "The Good News." In a field, on an ordinary night, their lives were interrupted by the sound of heaven declaring something extraordinary — the birth of our Savior. It was a moment of unexpected joy brought forth by praise. I often wonder how they must have been overjoyed to be the first to hear of Christ's birth and experience such praise — and how it positioned the posture of their hearts to go in search of the promised Messiah and worship Him. Too often, the commercialization of Christmas — the gifts, the ham, the lights, the tree — takes us away from what should bring us ultimate joy this season. The angel's proclamation wasn't just for the shepherds but for all of us. This Advent, as we prepare our hearts to celebrate the birth of Christ, my prayer is that the sounds of carols usher us into a reflection of "The Good News" that celebrating His birth holds for us. It is a reminder of a promise fulfilled and a promise yet to come: life eternal. Let us praise God for the Christ child who brought us ultimate redemption. We invite readers to join us in reflecting on this season of joy. Please scan the QR code below to read more daily devotionals from PBA this Christmas or visit pba.edu/advent/ Dr. Debra A. Schwinn, a physician, researcher and innovator, is president of Palm Beach Atlantic University. (www.pba.edu) - Dr. Debra A. Schwinn - Palm Beach Atlantic University President A Sound Like No Other Bethlehem, Palestine - Jun 2012: Interior of Chapel of the Shepherd's Field is a Roman Catholic religious building in West Bank that marks the place where angels announced the birth of Christ.
FOSTER CARE 20 december 2024 www.goodnewsfl.org Good News • South Florida edition It’s that time of year again where, if we’re not careful, we’ll miss an incredible chance to really slow down and reflect on the gift that is Jesus. Around 4KIDS, I am watching the team prepare for our annual Gift of Hope Toy Drive. These gifts, so carefully and lovingly collected by the community, allow our foster and adoptive families to have gifts they can give to the children in their homes. Passing on a gift is at the core of who we are and at the core of the gospel. This time of year you’re going to hear a lot about Jesus and a lot of it will be things you’ve heard before, but there’s a gift that Jesus brought to us that we now embody and get to give to others–and I don’t want us to miss it. Jesus brought the Good News (pun intended there). Not only that, but he also embodied the Good News, and that means you and I get to be the Good News to the world we live in today! Good News bearers When Jesus came to us, he represented the Good News for all – even for those who didn’t fully know who he was or have an understanding of the Jewish faith. His birth that we celebrate today was the beginning of really, really Good News for everyone. Something I think we can so often overlook is how following Christ makes us the bearers of this same Good News. This means everywhere we go we are the living Epistles, literal living articles, that will be read and interpreted by everyone who comes into contact with us. So, are they getting “turbulent times” from us or deep, soul-changing Good News? The power of Good News You’ve probably heard this analogy before but it’s so timely here; there are two types of people, the “thermostats” and the “thermometers.” Our “thermostats” are setting the temperature, and our “thermometers” are simply reading the room and displaying the temperature. As Good News bearers we have the ability to walk into a room and set the temperature. We don’t have to fall in line with culture, we have the power to be counter cultural. We get to set the temperature to goodness! It makes me think of the magnetic power we all learned about in third grade. Magnets have this pull and power of attraction; we have that same ability to pull people not only toward us but to pull goodness out of them in return. People are naturally so drawn to the Good News inside us, especially when everywhere else they turn there is nothing but the same tired rhetoric filled with fear and criticism. What will they see? What if, as these Good News bearers, we proudly shared a message filled with hope, love and belonging? This can sound so intimidating but it’s actually incredibly simple. I’ll give you my own accidental example. Our next-door neighbor is an older gentleman, and I’ve regularly found different things on his property that have needed some care – a fence that needed mending or a tree that needed to be cut back. I’ve taken care of these tasks myself as I care for our own yard, admittedly not thinking too much of it. He recently went to my wife and asked what our kids wanted for Christmas. He said he wanted to get them gifts because the way I have been helping him has meant more to him than he could even express. I had no idea this seemingly simple act was displaying such hope to my neighbor. Carrying the Good News often looks just like that, it’s taking in your neighbor’s trash can or offering to help them trim some trees while you are trimming your own. It’s striking up a conversation with the cashier at the grocery store. It’s buying a new Christmas present for a child in foster care who’s never unwrapped a brand-new toy. It’s smiling and waving to fellow parents in the car pick up line. It’s sending a simple text or making a call to the friends you’ve lost touch with. When we exude the Good News, it doesn’t have to look like a complicated or emphatic use of apologetics. It's the goodness we share and the hope we extend that allows people to encounter who Christ is. In my experience it’s the communication that is read of us rather than the communication that is heard from us that truly touches hearts and moves people toward the hope of Jesus. Let people see the good So I challenge you, let people see the good. Especially in this season and in this climate where everywhere they turn the world offers only hopelessness. The world is hungry for hope and starved of the kind of love and belonging that this Good News has to offer. We have so much to hope for and so much love in Christ to share. I pray this Christmas season is filled with moments that give you the chance to shine the light of hope and share the gift of the Good News to a world that is waiting. You Are Good News - Andrew Holmes - 4KIDS President
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22 december 2024 www.goodnewsfl.org Good News • South Florida edition YOU ASK WHY They Really Were “Wise Men” “After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, ‘Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him’” (Matthew 2:1-2). It’s one of the iconic images of Christmas, instantly recognizable to Christians and unbelievers alike: three Magi — or “wise men,” as many Bible translations render the Greek word magos — traveling across the desert, following a bright star in the east. The other image of the Magi we immediately think of, of course, is the one Matthew gave us: “On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold and of incense and of myrrh” (Matthew 2:11). That’s where I’d like to focus our attention as we prepare to celebrate the birth of the Christ child: on the wisdom of the Magi. Clearly, these men, who are alternately described as scientists, astrologers or magicians by various commentators, had come to worship a king — an exceptional and extraordinary King, as we’ll see in just a minute. It’s interesting to note that there is no indication that the Magi paid homage to Herod, the king of Judea. In fact, when Herod commanded the Magi to return to Jerusalem and report on the location of “the one who has been born king of the Jews,” they disobeyed him. There is no record that they presented gifts to Herod, a practice common for giving honor to rulers in those days. No, they saved their best — their “treasures” — for the Christ child. The gifts The nature of those gifts is enlightening. Gold was a gift fit for a king, and especially fitting for the King of kings. Frankincense produced a sweet fragrance often used for offerings of worship; most commentators believe frankincense was a recognition of the Child’s divinity; He was both King and Lord — the Lord of lords. I’m reminded of John 1:10-11 - “He [Jesus] was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him.” Herod and all Jerusalem were “disturbed” by Jesus (Matthew 2:3); ultimately Jesus would be condemned in a sham trial and executed in Jerusalem. Many of the Jews did not receive Him, yet these Gentile wise men came to worship Him . . . and to prophesy His death. Myrrh was used for embalming bodies. This gift stands in jarring contrast to the gold and frankincense, which were a worshipful celebration of Jesus’ life; the myrrh clearly pointed to His death. The Child Everybody loves babies, particularly those of us who are parents and remember that sudden, almost overwhelming flood of love you feel when you hold your child for the first time. We see nativity scenes every year with the Babe in the manger and his mother gazing adoringly at Him. Did you ever think about what this Child had left behind Him? Some thirty-three years later, with the cross looming just hours away, Jesus would pray, “Father, glorify me in your presence with the glory I had with you before the world began” (John 17:5). The glory He had in heaven from eternity past . . . The prophet Daniel was given a vision of that glory: “The Ancient of Days took his seat. His clothing was as white as snow; the hair of his head was white like wool. His throne was flaming with fire, and its wheels were all ablaze. A river of fire was flowing, coming out from before him. Thousands upon thousands attended him; ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him” (Daniel 7:9-10). The Sacrifice Jesus Christ — the King of kings and Lord of lords—left that glory behind and came to earth for you. It wasn’t that He needed our company; He had perfect fellowship with His Father and the Holy Spirit. Jesus was — and is — perfect, complete, in need of nothing. But He wanted us. He wanted you to be in heaven with Him for all eternity. And so this King who had everything, all glory and honor and praise, set all that aside . . . for you. “Being in very nature God, [Christ Jesus] did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death — even death on a cross!” (Philippians 2:6-8). What did you do to deserve that? What was it that was special about you? Absolutely nothing. Jesus Christ is perfect . . . righteous . . . sinless. You and I are most definitely not that! The testimony of Scripture is clear and condemning: “The Lord looks down from heaven on the sons of men to see if there are any who understand, any who seek God. All have turned aside, they have together become corrupt; there is no one who does good, not even one” (Psalm 14:2-3). We are sinners, you and I, and Scripture bluntly warns us that the wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23), but God. But God! There are no greater two words in the English language. I stand condemned, and rightly so, because of my sin. And so do you. “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8). Jesus Christ left the glorious perfection of heaven to be born in the filth of a stable . . . and to die in agony on a cruel cross . . . because He loves you that much. And that is the reason people the world over celebrate on December 25. Because, as the heavenly chorus exulted, the birth of the Christ child was God’s sure and certain declaration of His “goodwill toward men” (Luke 2:13). The wise men knew this. They understood that the baby they knelt before was like no other that ever was or ever will be. Their gifts prove this! They gave Him their best because they knew that He had come to give His best. They worshipped Him; let us join with them! Glory to God in the highest! Merry Christmas! This is the Gospel. This is grace for your race. NEVER FORGET THAT . . . AMEN! Dr. Tommy Boland is senior pastor of Cross Community Church in Deerfield Beach (www.thecrosscc.org). He blogs regularly at tommyboland.com. - Dr. Tommy Boland - Pastor, Cross Community Church The scene of the birth of our savior Jesus Christ in the manger, receiving gifts from the wise men, gold, frankincense, myrrh
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a a I e q t a f t i m c k w u o f g m h g a As we approach the holiday season, Good News Wants to Know... What's the most generous thing that's ever happened to you? Way back in 1993 I got to be a bat boy for the Florida Marlins. It was their first season. I was 16 and trying to pretend it wasn’t the coolest thing that had ever happened to me. My big brother Chris saw through it all and spent countless hours collecting every single baseball card of that first team. This was before Ebay was a thing. Chris hunted down every trade and franchise draft pick at local card stores. He paid too much for all of them. He inhaled lots of secondary smoke, and had to negotiate $2 baseball cards with big men that just didn’t care about little brother feelings. Needless to say, 30 years later I still have every single one of those cards. And I look through them more than I should. A good reminder that generosity is often defined not by money, but by time and the inhalation of secondary smoke. Bob Denison, President, Denison Yachting The most generous thing that has ever happened to me is having generous parents who sacrificially loved me and my brother. My dad, a self-taught machinist, and my mom, an executive assistant, worked literally night and day so we could have the opportunity to obtain higher education and give our kids more opportunity in their lives. William “Bill” C. Davell, Director, Tripp Scott Aside from what the LORD has provided for me in terms of salvation, parentage, and time and place of my birth, my family has always generously supported my career choices. They were behind me “money, marbles & chalk” as a musician, and when I got a law degree, they invited me into dealing with, managing and handling all matters legal, from transactional to litigation with real property our family held. It has been a great gift and blessing to me and my children to get to work so closely with my father, uncle, brothers and cousins. It has opened wonderful opportunities and has been a great run! H. Collins Forman, P.A. The most generous thing that ever happened to me was being selected as one of sixteen individuals to lead a global change initiative. I was 28 and nominated by the president of my division. We spent the next 18 months working with all of our 88,000 employees (face-to-face) in every division around the world. It literally changed the trajectory of my professional career and is one of the foundational things in my life that God has used to allow me to do what I do today for business owners and their teams. Craig D. Huston, Summit Achievers The most generous thing that ever happened to me was winning a contest sponsored by a new radio station in Boise, Idaho- to put the winner "in the water, on the water and over the water." My husband and I were blessed with an installed hot tub, a waterbed and matching bedroom furniture as well as a trip to London to tour the Beatles' hometowns. I could hardly believe they gave all this to one person! Deborah Cusick, FAU Campus volunteer, Intervarsity Christian Fellowship The most generous thing ever done for me is when my parents adopted me at birth and my entire adoptive extended family accepted me and other adopted cousins as their own. I also want to say that it was a generous act on the part of my birth mother to carry me and give me up for adoption instead of aborting me in the midst of her difficult circumstances. Dolores King St. George, King Communications and GraceNet Media A teenage mom in a crisis chose us to be the adoptive parents of her newborn son. We brought Jackson home on my birthday 26 years ago. That was the most generous gift I have ever received. Doug Sauder, Pastor, Calvary Chapel Fort Lauderdale It was 1978 in Las Vegas, Nevada, when my brother Jesse generously and lovingly shared the Gospel with me. He shared God's love with me with such a giving and generous heart for I will ever and forever will be grateful. Fidel Gomez, Pastor I grew up on a farm in Missouri, one of three kids in a lower middle class income family. My father gave me a brand new mustang for my 16th birthday. To this day I cannot believe it! Dr. Fred Scarbrough, Founder, Scarbrough Animal Hospital and HOPE South Florida In 2010, during the financial meltdown, my mortgage on our facility with the bank was called and I was on the verge of bankruptcy with Best Roofing. Bill Kent (CEO of Team Horner & International Swimming Hall of Fame Chairman of the Board) stepped in and rescued me and the company with the financial support and mentorship to weather this situation. I can never thank Bill enough. Gregg Wallick Many, many moons ago, a dear friend gave us a fully paid five day cruise for our honeymoon. We were so grateful since we hadn’t had a vacation in years and truly couldn’t afford such a luxury! But greater still was the gift of time this wonderful lady gave us as she became our daughter’s nanny (chosen grandmother) so that I could go back to work. That’s Love! The greatest gift of all! Helen Wayner, P.A., Century 21 Hansen Realty 10 years ago we learned that our daughter had a brain tumor (healed now, Praise God). My employer allowed me to work remotely for an extended period of time while we were out of state taking care of her. What a blessing!!! Jesse Carroccio, Station Manager, WRMB Moody Radio William “Bill” C. Davell Collins Forman Craig D. Huston Deborah Cusick Dolores King St. George Doug Sauder Wants to Know… Bob Denison
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