Good News Press Early Summer 2015

Good News Press Sharing the good news of God’s Love through his Son to our local community and world! To Contact Us: 925.368.5052 www.goodnewspress.us Early Summer 2015 Plan of Salvation: John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever shall believe in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. Romans 10:9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. A Message From Good News Press Is the California Drought a Warning? By Connie Woods California has been in a persistent drought that has not let up for four years. Governor Jerry Brown issued mandatory water restrictions for all California households, the first time in California history. Other extreme weather patterns have been occurring in other parts of the country as well. Is this a warning from God to America to change courses? still get back on track if it changed its ways. What could turn America around? In what areas should Americans change? 1. The Treatment of Israel. America actively mounts pressure on Israel to agree to a two-State solution. In this plan Israel would turn over a portion of its land to the Palestinians. The only problem with this is that scripture says that God is against the dividing up of As the US economy gets worse, debt His land and that this land was promcontinues to escalate, crime rises, ised to the Jews("... there will I deal military threats continue, America can with and execute judgment upon them for their treatment of My people and of My heritage Israel, whom they have scattered among the nations and because they have divided My land”. - Joel 3:2). In John McTernan's book, As America Has Done to Israel, he documents natural and financial disasters to America based on our treatment of the nation of Israel. When America really supported Israel America prospered. 2. Abortion. Since Roe v. Wade in 1973, over 57 million babies have been aborted in America. Continued on Page 2 An Overview of the Signs of the Times The great variety of signs that point to the Lord's soon return. does not apply to believers: "But you, brethren, are not in darkness, that the day should overtake you By David R. Reagan like a thief. . ." He then proceeds to explain why: "for you are all sons of Many people believe there is noth- light and sons of day. We are not of ing that can be known about the night nor of darkness; so then let us timing of the Lord's return because not sleep as others do, but let us be Jesus said He would return like a alert and sober." Paul is referring, thief in the night (Matthew 24:42of course, to the light of the Holy 44). Spirit who indwells all true believers and who can enlighten us But Paul makes it clear in 1 Thessa- through our study of Scripture to lonians 5:1-6 that Jesus' statement know the season of the Lord's return (1 John 2:27). God's Attitude As a matter of fact, God is obligated by His character to warn the world of the imminent return of His Son. The reason is that Jesus is returning in great wrath to "judge and wage war" (Revelation 19:11), and God never pours out His wrath without warning. Continued on Page 4 The Christian message is often referred to as the "Gospel," which means "good news." Specifically, it is the good news about Jesus—who He is, what He has done, and what He offers. Essentially, the message is that Jesus was God in the flesh, that He came into the world to reconcile humanity to Himself, and that his salvation is freely offered to each person who will respond in faith. The Gospel message explains that salvation is only possible through the Crucifixion and Resurrection of Jesus. Through his sacrifice, Jesus paid the price for our sinfulness (rebellion against God), thus offering us forgiveness. Then through his Resurrection He conquered death, removing it as the penalty for our sin and replacing it with the offer of eternal life that is only available from Him to all those that place their faith in Him.