The Good News is indeed wonderful news!
Jesus sent out the Apostles to ‘preach the Gospel and heal diseases’ which is how most English translations say it. I was reading Luke 9 in The Passion Translation this morning and verse six reads: “The apostles departed and went into the villages with the wonderful news of God’s kingdom realm, and they instantly healed diseases wherever they went.”
I like The Passion Translation of the word Gospel in this verse because it is briefly, and I believe accurately, clarified: the wonderful news of God’s kingdom realm. It is more than ‘just words.’ It is how the Kingdom of God truly functions.
The other thing I love about how Jesus sent the Apostles out, was by combining the good news with wholeness. Yes, Jesus sent them with healing authority in all its forms, body, soul, and spirit. The kingdom is about becoming whole. What is broken is mended. We are conforming increasingly to the image of Christ, inside and out. Romans 8:29
To me that is what makes it the wonderful news of God’s kingdom! God’s kingdom is not only words, but the power of God’s love in the words that offer, and deliver, life and wholeness to all who accept.
The photo this week is of crutches and plastic casts left at the front of the church. I was blessed to be in the room the night they were placed there. Those supports are still at the front of the church where she left them. I took the photo Wednesday morning.
To hear the full story of those abandoned devices, you can watch the former owner, tell the story in her own words. Go to https://www.facebook.com/Windhamclc and scroll to
Crossing Life Church – Windham was live.
; advance to 3h27m45s and wait a few seconds in the calm of the house full of worshipers, soaking in the presence of God’s authentic shalom. (A few minutes after her testimony, another proves how God healed her from Multiple Sclerosis.)
The power of the Gospel is love. The demonstration of the wonderful news of God’s kingdom realm leads people to wholeness. No more striving, no more fear.
PS if you cannot get on Facebook, please contact me and I will do my best to get you the full story.
