FROM PASTOR BEN:
The Weekly
I'm so glad you're here and look forward to connecting with you and sharing what God is teaching me each week. 

02

Epic Family, 

 

I am writing this just a couple of hours after our “stay-at-home” orders have been extended through the month of May. I assume that you are like me and that you long for the day we get to celebrate good news again. When the news is less than what we had hoped for, is our only option to feel defeated and depressed?

 

Psalm 112:7-8 They will have no fear of bad news; their hearts are steadfast, trusting in the LORD. Their hearts are secure, they will have no fear; in the end they will look in triumph on their foes.

 

There actually is bad news during this season. The writer of this psalm doesn’t say that there won’t be any bad news; he simply says that he doesn’t have to be afraid of whatever the news is. Did you know that our perspective DOES NOT have to match the circumstances we find ourselves in? There is so much bad news in this COVID-19 season: death, sickness, loss of millions of jobs, isolation, and so much more. How can we not be afraid of all the bad news we face in this moment?

 

We must let God establish our well-being more than we let the current news cycle dictate how we’re doing. The psalmist says that our hearts can be secure by trusting in the LORD. Some translations say that “his heart is established.” Let me ask you this question: Is your heart established or does it rise and fall based on what’s going on around you? Let me encourage you to take your cues from the faithfulness of God, rather than all the things that could bring you down in this season.

 

There will be a victory in the end. If we have placed our faith in Jesus, we know that we will be victorious IN THE END. The Scriptures tell us that we are “more than conquerors through him who loved us.” Here’s an honest question for me and you to wrestle with: How is it possible for us to trust God with our eternity if we cannot trust Him with this current season of life? God is a promise-keeper, even when we’re surrounded by so much uncertainty.

 

What do you think your attention has to do with how you face bad news during this season?

What spiritual practices could you establish to create a steadfast heart?

How do you face the daily challenges of this season, even while realizing you will triumph in the end?

 

Speaking of all this bad news, do you know that the word gospel actually means good news? Watch this brief video from The Bible Project on the meaning of the word gospel: Good News.

 

In a season of bad news, let’s not forget that we are people who bring good news of hope to our world. God is doing a work in our church during this season and we will emerge stronger on the other side.

 

Much love, 

Pastor Ben

f-facebook
f-instagram
f-twitter