Last night, as Drew Brees held the Vince Lombardi trophy high above his head, his real victory was the same as it was the night before. His true victory was the same as it was and is for us today. Drew Brees is an outspoken believer, and he has always let it be known that His strength is in Christ Jesus, and there alone lies his victory - there alone lies ours.
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Philippians 4:13
Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. Romans 8:37
“God is good!” Drew stated before over 151 million viewers after the win. God is good, in victory and in defeat - a shout amidst the deafening cheers, a still small voice in silence. God is good, and in Him is our strength and our victory.
God is good! Amen
Video - Super Bowl champion quarterback, Drew Brees, gives his personal testimony.
I must confess that I am in love with another football team. You may have already guessed - it’s the New Orleans Saints. I want you to know that this was not a frivolous or even intentional act. I stayed true to you even as I moved away from my beloved Arrowhead Stadium to live just minutes from the Superdome. At the risk of disdain, I wore your shirts and your hats in this foreign southern land. That first year I didn’t give those Saints the time of day. But this season, well, who could blame me? - I fell hard for those boys in black and gold.
It began innocently enough - a Sunday glance or two their way. In my defense, how many times can one watch a Drew Brees precision missile launch go long into the hands of a well-defended Marques Colston without feelings coming to the forefront? And those fun-loving, faithful Saints fans - well, they had me at “Who Dat?”
And dear Chiefs, remember this - you are not an innocent victim of a love lost. I gave you the best years of my life. You led me on, season after season, only to take my heart and break it in two. And when my love was fading, you didn’t even try to win me back. You gave me nothing to hold onto. You practically threw me into the victorious arms of my glorious Super Bowl team.
I’m leaving you, Chiefs. It’s over between you and me. I have a new love and we’re going all the way to a Super Bowl victory! Goodbye Chiefs. Go Saints!
Sincerely,
Mary
Oh what fun it is to live in New Orleans and surrounding areas these days! The entire state has turned black and gold. Every store window display, every restaurant, school and business in every town is decked out in fleurs-de-lis.
As I entered a grocery store yesterday, all the employees and shoppers alike were wearing Saints shirts. Many had inspiring messages, “I Believe!”, “Go Saints!” and “Finish Strong!”
The kingdom of God on earth is not for the weak, the faint of heart, the uncommitted or the lukewarm. The kingdom of God is not for sissies!
Do not be deceived by the lowly circumstances of His birth, the size of His early following, or the demeaning agony of His death. Jesus came to this earth with power, never experienced before or since.
The kingdom Jesus ushered in was not the expected political or territorial dominion that His people sought and leaders feared. No, it was something much more alarming to the enemy - the power of perfect love.
…Jesus went into Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God. “The time has come, He said. “The kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the good news!” Mark 1:14-15
“The kingdom of God is near.” - how near?
…Jesus replied, “The kingdom of God does not come with your careful observation, nor will people say, ‘Here it is,’ or ‘There it is,’ because the kingdom of God is within you.”Luke 17:20-21
Jesus came to earth to usher in the kingdom of God. Think dominion, not territory for His first coming. His place of rule - our hearts. Jesus came to become a living sacrifice, that those who call upon His name receive abundant kingdom life here and eternal kingdom life in the world to come.
Jesus spoke of the kingdom of God in both present and future terms. It is one and the same kingdom, ushered in with Jesus’ first coming and culminated after His second coming. Today, we will focus on God’s kingdom here on earth. Click to continue →
We parents make sure our children have coats and hats to ward off the winter chill, vaccines and vitamins coursing through their bloodstreams to keep illness at bay and flouride on their teeth to prevent tooth decay. We buckle them up in our vehicles and make sure they are wearing helmets before they take off on their bicycles. And yet, we send them out everyday, unaware and unprepared in the battle for their hearts. Click to continue →
We begin today’s devotion with a moving video. It is the story of a prodigal son’s decision to turn back around and go home. But more importantly, it is the story of a Father, who was waiting there for him, and…
…while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son.
Luke 15:20
Video - When God Ran -The Parable of the Prodigal Son, with the personal testimony of Tim Landess.
Music by Phillips, Craig and Dean.
(Email subscribers will need to click over to the Good News home page to view this video.)
“…he ran to his son…” {Luke 15:20}
This is the only place in the entire Bible where God runs. He runs to you and to me - His prodigal children. Click to continue →
I once wondered how my mother could get through all the ironing that our family of six once required before the days of fabric softener sheets and wrinkle release dryer settings. She told me that when she ironed a piece of clothing, she would think of all the things the family member would experience while wearing that item. My mother would pray for good things to come about in the life of the loved one. She prayed for her family while ironing their clothes. Click to continue →
God has blessed me with a new full time ministry. I am now a caregiver for a wonderful eighty year old woman, nicknamed Rocky. Rocky has Alzheimer’s and many other health issues. I am the night watch. I go to her side at 9:00 pm and do not leave until another caregiver comes at 6:00 am.
I check her blood sugar level twice in the night and make sure her oxygen plus CPAP mask stays properly positioned on her face. Rocky only has one lung, and is on oxygen 24-7. I take care of any physical needs she may have and calm her should she have nightmares or hallucinations during the night. We pray together at times and other times I pray alone or with another caregiver for her. I trace the sign of the cross with my thumb on her forehead.
The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you: the Lord lift His countenance upon you and give you peace. Numbers 4:26
She sleeps soundly tonight.
I will command my angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways.
Psalm 91:11
My husband tells me that I come home from this work beaming every morning. I asked God why this is so. My heavenly Father spoke the reason to my heart. Click to continue →
The thing I miss most about having money is giving it away. The whole “blessed to be a blessing” concept is definitely God’s plan for His children. He packs it with fun and deep joy. It has always provided me a great opportunity for teaching my children in a real life way what Jesus meant when He said -
“And the King will say, ‘I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these My brothers and sisters, you were doing it to Me!’ Matthew 25:40
Now that the money is gone, I asked my God, “Am I still blessed to be a blessing?” Yes! He said to me. You are simply in a different place - one that, for you, My daughter, is so much more difficult, but no less blessed. Click to continue →
It began innocently enough - a Sunday glance or two their way. In my defense, how many times can one watch a Drew Brees precision missile launch go long into the hands of a well-defended Marques Colston without feelings coming to the forefront? And those fun-loving, faithful Saints fans - well, they had me at “Who Dat?”
Oh what fun it is to live in New Orleans and surrounding areas these days! The entire state has turned black and gold. Every store window display, every restaurant, school and business in every town is decked out in fleurs-de-lis.
God has blessed me with a new full time ministry. I am now a caregiver for a wonderful eighty year old woman, nicknamed Rocky. Rocky has Alzheimer’s and many other health issues. I am the night watch. I go to her side at 9:00 pm and do not leave until another caregiver comes at 6:00 am.
The thing I miss most about having money is giving it away. The whole “blessed to be a blessing” concept is definitely God’s plan for His children. He packs it with fun and deep joy. It has always provided me a great opportunity for teaching my children in a real life way what Jesus meant when He said -