It’s April Fool’s Day, but what I’ve got to say isn’t a joke and it’s not foolish.
It IS, however, uplifting and true.
The sermon at our congregation this Sunday was titled “Ten Good Things to Know.” As I was taking notes, I realized: What a great topic for a non-foolish April Fool’s Day column.
So, here it is. And after every bullet point, instead of shouting “April Fool!” we can shout “Hallelujah!”
1. God’s word is true. “Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth” – John 17:17.
2. God never changes. “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. And ” Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever” – Hebrews 13:8. Love that verse.
3. Christ’s blood has not lost its power. “For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your ancestors” – I Peter 1:18. It has no expiration date.
4. We have an eternal covenant. “Now may the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing his will ….” – Hebrews 13:20.
5. God is still in control. “He changes times and seasons; he deposes kings and raises up others. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning” – Daniel 2:21. Nothing confuses God. He sees as well in the dark as in the light. If you’re a believer and your life is “falling apart,” it’s actually not. It’s being rearranged by God.
6. There’s life after death. “Very truly I tell you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be judged but has crossed over from death to life” – John 5:24.
7. God loves me. “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life” – John 3:16.
8. We can conquer through Christ. “… (I)n all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us” – Romans 8:37. As Paul echoed in 2 Corinthians 9:8 and Ephesians 3:20, we are abundantly overcoming, not just barely getting by.
9. God still answers prayer. “And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son” – John 14:13. I don’t think I had ever keyed in on this thought before: God answers our prayers so he may be glorified through the Son. “If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer” – Matthew 21:22.
Of course, we’ve all heard that there are multiple ways that prayer can be answered: (a) Yes. (b) No. (In that situation God has something better for us, or our request is not aligned to his will.) Or (c) Yes, but sometime in the future.
10. The gospel has the power to save. “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes ….” – Romans 1:16. And that’s for any and all bodies who will come to him.
So whatever you’re facing today – life, challenges, even death – let these powerful principles guide you. May these enduring truths inspire and strengthen your journey, filling your heart with unwavering faith and joy.
Hallelujah!
———————————————————
Sallie Rose Hollis lives in Ruston and retired from Louisiana Tech as an associate professor of journalism and the assistant director of the News Bureau. She can be contacted at sallierose@mail.com.
For the latest local news, subscribe FOR FREE to the Lincoln Parish Journal and receive an email each weekday morning at 6:55 right to your inbox. Just CLICK HERE to sign up.
