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November/December 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
What is the Christian Message With his final words before his ascension, Jesus issued to his followers the task of conveying his message to the world. Armed with this directive, the total number of Christians exploded from a mere 120 to over 3,000 within the span of two weeks. By the end of the first century, an estimated one million people had responded to the Christian message by becoming followers of Jesus. Today, nearly two thousand years later, the Christian faith has grown to become the largest faith in the world with over two billion adherents. Still, Christians continue to treat Jesus' mandate seriously and persist in spreading his message far and wide.
ferred 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.
What is this message, though, and why is it so important? Why have countless Christians pledged and even given their lives in order to promote it?
Furthermore, the Gospel message explains that salvation is only possible through the Crucifixion and Resurrection of Jesus. Though thousands of books have been written about these events, the core idea is that, 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.
The Christian message is often re-
Though the Christian Scriptures do
contain a code of conduct as well as doctrinal and theological statements, the central message is more about placing faith in the person of Jesus than it is about conforming to any code. The primary emphasis of Christianity, then, is to point people toward Jesus and the salvation that is only available from him. The Christian Church has taken different forms throughout the centuries, but this central message has remained the same. It binds all of Christendom together. Despite the various branches of Christianity in the world today—most notably Roman Catholicism, Protestantism, and Eastern Orthodoxy—this Gospel message acts as a unifying element. Though adherents to the faith include people from every walk of life, this message binds them all together. Throughout the Christian Church, this message of salvation is considered to be the hope of the world.
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.
Good News Press - 2 About Good News Press Sharing the good news of God’s Love through his Son to our local community and world!
Partner With Us in Sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ to our Community! Good News Press is a Christian outreach publication in the San Francisco Bay Area. This popular high-quality, newspaper, informs and inspires believers, as well as plant seeds into the hearts of men and women that do not know Jesus Christ. Good News Press covers world, national, and local religious news and events, and features inspiring Christian articles and insights. It is available, both digitally online and in full-color printed format. Christian newspapers reach a targeted audience-specifically a family oriented, audience, with strong loyalties and convictions.
share the good news, and bring to them the love of Jesus Christ. We do that by bringing glory to God in this newspaper. • Urgency… We believe that these are Why Support Good News Press the last days and that Jesus Christ is • Fulfill the Great Commission! Help us tell our neighbors about the Good soon to return. News of Jesus Christ and reap eternal • Distribution Good News Press is distributed FREE all over the Bay Area. rewards. Good News Press believes You can find it in area grocery stores that this commission begins in our own backyards. There are more than 7 and businesses. Good News Press is produced by Million people in the Bay Area and a great number need to be reached. We Baron & Connie Woods and Family. want to reach these men and women, To contact us: info@goodnewspress.us.
The Source of Our Self Esteem By Jack Kelley “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows” (James 1:17) “All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our sinful nature and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature objects of wrath. But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions - it is by grace you have been saved. And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith - and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God- not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do” (Ephesians 2:3-10). Self-esteem has been defined as the way we see ourselves, our own opinion of us. But is it? No one knows us like we do, but our opinion is influenced and often distorted, by the opinions of others important to us. Parents, teachers, friends, associates and the like. So while it’s called self-esteem, it’s more likely a composite of others’ esteem for us. Abraham Maslow was right, gaining the acceptance of others is a pre-requisite for selfacceptance. To earn a higher self-esteem then, requires that we earn the approval of those most important to us. Typically our efforts in this area fall into one of three areas: appearance, achievement, or performance. Appearance There’s no question that the beautiful people among us often get preferential treatment. Some learn from an early age to depend on their appearance for acceptance. They believe that as long as they look good, those whose opinions matter most will accept them, permitting them to accept themselves. Collectively, they spend billions of dollars on health spas, cosmetic surgery, clothing, you name it; all an attempt to
maintain or even improve their appearance to gain wider acceptance of others, bolstering their self-esteem. But eventually the calendar catches up, the laws of physics prevail and no amount of money can halt the ravages of time. Those whose self-esteem has been based solely on their appearance often become pitiful parodies of their former selves in their futile efforts to stay forever young and beautiful. Achievement All the world loves a winner. Some folks use periodic achievements to foster acceptance. They run marathons, climb mountains, win prizes and awards, all to gain recognition for their achievements. The recognition signals the approval of others, building self-esteem. But again time is the enemy and someone younger, faster, and stronger surpasses their achievements relegating them to living in the past, recalling the glory of yesterday’s achievements, glory that can no longer be earned with today’s abilities. Performance Here’s a group that can only feel good about themselves when they’re performing at or above certain standards. They literally become what they do, and when they can no longer do, they’re diminished in their own eyes and their self esteem suffers. Having spent their entire lives performing to gain acceptance, they’ve lost the ability to sustain their selfesteem. They become problems for themselves and others, and many die prematurely. For example, according to insurance industry statistics, the average length of retirement before death is less than 2 years. To escape this death sentence they go back to work, or start a new career, performing again to regain their selfesteem. All these attempts at maintaining selfesteem are doomed to failure and those who rely upon them are eventually left alone, old and tired; with little or no value to others and consequently to themselves. There’s Got to Be a Better Way But there's a fourth way to achieve and maintain self-esteem that isn't subject to the opinions of others and therefore not continued on Page 6 see Self Esteem
Foreshadows of Gog and Magog By Daymond Duck/Prophecy Plus Ministries While reading the incredible events of the last few days I began to wonder if God is revealing signs of things to come. More specifically, is God warning the world that the awesome battle of Gog and Magog is on the horizon?
nantly Islamic. Some even call this war the “Russian/Islamic invasion of Israel because so many Muslims will be involved. In the last week of September, hundreds of Hezbollah and Iranian troops joined Russia in Syria and more are expected to arrive in the near future. The fact that only Russia, Iran, Hezbollah and Syria are involved at this time indicates that this war is not quite ready. More nations will have to join in.
The Old and New Testaments contain about a dozen blood moon prophecies. One prophecy says, “The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and the terrible day of the LORD come” (Joel 2:31). There was a partial solar eclipse (Sept. 13, 2015), a total lunar eclipse (Sept. 28, This writer believes the battle of Gog and 2015) and a super blood moon (Sept. 28, Magog will be preceded by a war be2015) in September. tween Israel and those nations that share a border with Israel (some call it the Psa. I haven’t read the Jewish Talmud, but I 83 war). This is another reason to behave read that it says blood moons are a lieve that the battle of Gog and Magog is bad omen for Israel and some Jews be- not quite ready. Israel still has to deal lieve that they are a sign of war. Since with her neighbors. the fourth blood moon of the current tetrad occurred in September, each person But this could be looming. There is widemust decide for themselves if the blood spread Islamic violence in Israel and esmoons are a sign of war. pecially on the Temple Mount and it has gone on for several weeks. Israel is tired In late Aug. 2015, just a few days before of it. Israel is even threatening to use her the partial solar eclipse (partial darkness military to stop it. And her neighbors are of the sun and about one month before threatening to intervene. the super blood moon), it was reported God told Russia’s leader to prepare for that Russian fighter jets, vehicles and himself and all his allies (Ezek. 38:7). Mr. military equipment would be soon be ar- Putin has more weapons on the way; a riving in Syria. It was also reported that second base under construction; a radar these weapons and equipment would be and missile defense system under confollowed by thousands of military person- struction; helicopter pads, air traffic connel who would wage a war with the Istrol towers, storage buildings and mobile lamic State and others. housing units under construction, and more. God said Russia would get into a war in the latter days and latter years that some God told Russia’s leader to guard his call the battle of Gog and Magog (Ezek. allies (Ezek. 38:7). On the day before 38:8, 16). In his commentary on the book Russia started its first bombing raid, Mr. of Ezekiel, Dr. J. Vernon McGee wrote, “I Putin met Pres. Obama at the UN and can’t think of a better name for a dictator said Russia will not tolerate Israeli strikes than Gog” (Ezek. 38:1). inside Syria. The next day, a Russian It is obvious that Russia’s Pres. Putin is a General showed up at the American Emdictator because he sent weapons and bassy in Baghdad and said, “We launch troops to Syria before Russia’s ParliaSyria air strikes in one hour. Stay out of ment met to approve it. When Russia’s the way.” Russia is trying to guard her Parliament finally did meet it rubber allies against Israeli and U.S. interferstamped what Mr. Putin was doing. A ence. Russian Defense Ministry confirmed When Gog and his armies attack Israel Russia’s involvement on Sept. 30, 2015, God said some nations will just stand two days after the super blood moon. around and ask questions (Ezek. 38:13). Not everyone agrees on the identity of Pres. Obama held a press conference the armies that will join Russia in the bat- and said the U.S. is not going to get into tle of Gog and Magog (Ezek. 38:6), but a proxy war with Russia. He appears to there is almost unanimous agreement be standing around and doing nothing. that one of them is Iran (Persia) and that God said Russia will come up against the religion of most of them is predomicontinued on Page 7 see Gog/Magog
Good News Press - 4 Social Skills & Etiquette’s, Girl Power Event, Educates Oakland’s Youth CEO Juanita Walker Issued Mayoral Proclamation
(Top Left) CEO/Founder of Social Skills & Etiquette, Juanita Walker, pictured with attendee of the Girl Power Event held on August 1, 2015 in Oakland, CA. Social Skills & Etiquette, Girl Power event was held on August 1, 2015 to address real issues that girls are facing today to make them better leaders tomorrow. Founder Juanita Walker, put together a program to educate, motivate, and teach social and etiquette skills to girls for this event. It included educational topics such as image, social media, self confidence, money matters, human trafficking, health & hygiene, self respect, listening skills, public speaking, self esteem, education, etiquette,
work ethics, dating, introductions, peer pressure, frenemies, skincare, goal setting and more.
under the training of Maria Everding, world renowned trainer and author. Juanita coaches children, teens, youth, young adults, adults, The event held in Oakland, business professionals and mainly for Oakland youth faith based organizations in included teen entertainment, areas of; business acumen, continental breakfast, lunch, effective communication, afternoon snack and event introductions, dining etimaterials. quette, image, socialization and much more. Social Skills Juanita Walker is the presiAnd Etiquette is also an apdent and founder of Social proved vendor with Oakland Skills And Etiquette. Unified School District and She obtained her certificaPeralta Colleges. To contact tion from the Etiquette Insti- Juanita Walker : socialskilltute in St. Louis, Missouri sandetiquette@gmail.com
Good News Press - 5
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Good News Press - 6 Self Esteem cont’d from Page 3 governed by their acceptance. It won’t end in failure and won't leave us alone and tired at the end of our lives. I call it Creator based self-esteem and it comes from my study of what the Bible says about the way He views us. He is, after all, the only One Whose opinion ultimately counts.
have been saved. (Eph. 2:3-5) His acceptance of us derives solely from His unconditional love, and preceded any action of ours.
“How are we to approach this new life? Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be He created the first human in His own anxious about anything, but in everyimage (Gen. 5:1). After the fall of Man thing, by prayer and petition, with thanksthe Bible says the rest of us were created giving, present your requests to God. And in Adam's image (Gen. 5:3), meaning two the peace of God, which transcends all things: procreation had been delegated to understanding, will guard your hearts and Man and all of Adam’s progeny would your minds in Christ Jesus. inherit his propensity for sin. But even so there are some remarkable passages about Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatHis view of us. ever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is The Ephesians passage above is a good admirable - if anything is excellent or example. We’re His workmanship, an praiseworthy - think about such things. example of His creative capability. When Whatever you have learned or received or He gave Adam dominion over the earth heard from me, or seen in me - put it into He placed Man at the top of the created practice. And the God of peace will be order, the highest example of His capabil- with you” (Phil 4:4-9) ity, His best work. (By the way, before And what about the ravages of time? In using the Ephesians passage to justify a contrast to the other “doomed-to-failure” performance based relationship with God, approaches to self-esteem, at the end of better read John 6:28-29.) the age we’re promised that we’ll be As far as being made in His image (read made new in body as we have been made 2 Cor. 5:17-21). If we’re in Christ we’re a new in spirit. All the debilitating effects new creation. Through His completed of our lives in this sin-infested place, work on the cross the effects of our inher- whether spiritual, mental or physical will ited sin nature have been reversed. We’ve be reversed. become as righteous as He is in His sight, as if we've never sinned at all. Perfect as Then will the eyes of the blind be opened He is perfect (Matt. 5:48) and the ears of the deaf unstopped. Then Psalm 3:3 says, He’s the lifter of our will the lame leap like a deer, and the heads; the reason we can hold our heads mute tongue shout for joy (Isaiah 35:5-6). up high. It was forbidden for Jews to bow The Lord will bind up the broken hearted, before any man, because bowing pays proclaim freedom for the captives, and homage and places the one bowing in a release from darkness the prisoners position of inferiority. We are not to con- (Isaiah 61:1) and our perishable bodies sider ourselves inferior to anyone but will become imperishable (1 Cor. 15:42). Him. He has promised never to leave us (Matt. 28:20) and to see to our every need (Matt. What Did I Do to Deserve This? 6:25-34). He has become our Savior and And what did we do to earn this favor Redeemer, and has given us a share of with Him? Did He choose us because we His inheritance (Rom. 8:17). He has looked good, had achieved much or per- promised to reverse and nullify the devasformed well? Not according to His stand- tation wrought by sin and time, restoring ards. Read the first part of the Ephesians us to “better-than-new” condition forever. passage again. All of us also lived among No longer will a less than perfect appearthem (unbelievers) at one time, gratifying ance or limitations on achievement or the cravings of our sinful nature and fol- performance diminish us or narrow our lowing its desires and thoughts. horizons. If that doesn’t make you feel Like the rest, we were by nature objects great about yourself, I don’t know what of wrath. But because of his great love will. And what work did He require of us for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made to earn this? The work of God is this: To us alive with Christ even when we were believe in the One He has sent (John dead in transgressions - it is by grace you 6:29). Selah.
Authority to Declare by Olive Branch Ministries Faith takes hold of spiritual realities we can not touch with our physical senses and brings them into the natural realm. All physical matter was brought into existence by God. God is a Spirit. All things are held together by His Word. John 1:1. In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. Even though we can not see it, it is real. God has given us the authority through the Lord Jesus Christ when we are submitted to His Word, to exercise the power of God and walk in that authority. As Paul said -- Eph:3:20: Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us. This power is in us the Word of God says, yet we must be obedient and submitted to Him if we want that power to flow through us. We have to follows God's directions if we are going to get God's results. Authority is the God given right to use this power.
Jesus said in -- Matthew 28:18 Then Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19. "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20. "teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.'' Amen. All authority was been given to Jesus who immediately turned around and gave it to the church in order to bring God's will into fruition in the Earth. Declaration I will rise up in Jesus name and walk in the authority that Jesus has transferred to me. I will rise up and faint not in the day of adversity. I will rise up and walk worthy of a child of God. I will rise up to my place of authority and leadership. I will rise up and boldly declare God’s Word to be true. I will Rise up, I will Rise up! The day is at hand, I will not turn to the right or left, but face straight ahead, and see God’s glory poured forth over the Earth. Glory to God. Amen
Good News Press - 7 Gog/Magog from Page 3 Israel like a cloud to cover the land (Ezek. 38:16). I believe Russia will attack Israel with lots of aircraft. Russia is building runways and helicopter pads in Syria for more aircraft. God said five-sixths of the troops from Russia and her allies will die upon the mountains of Israel (Ezek. 38:21-22; 39:1-6). An Israeli official said Israel doesn’t want Russian troops on the Golan Heights (mountains of Israel) and Israel definitely doesn’t want Iranian forces near Israel. Russia and her Iranian allies now have troops just a short distance from where they will die on the mountains of Israel. God said it will take Israel seven months to bury her enemies’ dead (Ezek. 39:12). Russia will need a little more time to get that many troops to Syria (and others need to come from other nations), but Mr. Putin has just ordered the Russian military to draft 150,000 more men. God said Israel will survive this attack.
And three days after the super blood moon, Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu stood before the United Nations and said, “Here is my message to the rulers of Iran: Your plan to destroy Israel will fail.” God said, “I will be known in the eyes of many nations, and they shall know that I am the Lord” (Ezek. 38:23). This writer is not planning on watching the destruction of the armies of Russia and her allies on the mountains of Israel on TV tonight, but the events that are taking place herald a soon coming destruction that multitudes of those who are alive today may see. God is so clearly fulfilling every jot and title of this prophecy that many will know that Israel’s God is God. And many will know that Russia and her Islamic allies have fallen under His mighty hand of judgment. Prophecy Plus Ministries Daymond & Rachel Duck daymond.duck@yahoo.com
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