Good News Press East Bay Edition 10,000 Local Copies Each Issue More Q & A @ : www.goodnewspress.us November/December 2011

Sharing the good news of God’s Love through his son to our local community and world!

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.

This Thanksgiving, as your family gathers together for food and fellow-ship, look at your big turkey and, for

a moment, think small.

It's easy to be thankful for the big things, our homes, cars, and accom-plishments, but it's just as easy to forget the small things that make our lives comfortable. No matter how rich or poor we are, we all have

many things to be thankful for.

We take for granted that we have enough food. We don't worry that our food will last through the winter as the Pilgrims did. We can count on

the grocery store for that.

We expect to have a home, be it fancy or plain, but that's not a small thing for many millions of people. So perhaps we should take a moment to thank God for our abode, be it ever so humble. We can take a moment to be thankful for our spouse, chil-

dren and friends.

Thank God for sunshine, autumn breezes, and changing seasons. With winter approaching, we can be thank-

ful for our warm jackets and scarves.

We can appreciate having lived for another year and that most of your

family and friends have done the

same.

You can involve children and guests in the spirit of thankfulness with the

charming 'Ship of Thanks' game.

Make ships from paper cups with a triangle of construction paper placed inside for a sail. Have each child or adult write what he or she is thankful for on the sail and place the paper

cup anywhere on the dinner table.

After dinner, kids and adults read what is written on the sail by their plate and guess who wrote it.

On Thanksgiving, Being Thankful for “little things” Photo (left)© Pavel Lovesky/Dreamstime and Photo (right) Family of four

Repent: For the Kingdom of Heaven Is At Hand “From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand (Matt: 4:17).” Over 2000 years ago, Jesus preached and taught men who were astonished at his doctrine. He trav-eled throughout all Galilee, all Syria, and great multitudes of people fol-lowed him from Galilee, Decapolis, Jerusalem, and from beyond Jordan to hear him. He preached the gospel, and the kingdom, and healed all man-

ner of sickness and disease. Not only, did Jesus preach repentance, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand, but John the Baptist, preached the same message. Jesus wanted everyone to have an opportunity to hear, that he told his disciples to “Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to ye every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. (Mark 16:15)”. This message is still

preached today, 2000 years later, throughout the world, while count-less numbers have come to saving faith. “And this gospel of the king-dom shall be preached in all the world for a witness, unto all nations; and then shall the end come” (Matt 24:14). The gospel message offers love, hope, and salvation. Read more about the life of Jesus and his minis-try in the books of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John in the Bible.

Good News Press is an outreach newspaper sharing with the world that God Loves them and there is salvation, hope, peace, and love through his son Jesus Christ. Please share in the efforts of Good News Press by becoming a sponsor. Help us reach people all over the coun-

try with the gospel and reap an eternal reward. Newspapers are distributed to homes and busi-nesses and can be found at local grocery stores and other establishments. Contact us with your info, news, questions, or comments. To info@goodnewspress.us. Please visit our website for the latest news, stories, Christian movie re-views, and answers at: www.goodnewspress.us

Good News Press - 2

-- Recently some 300 ex-orcists flocked to Poland for a week-long congress to examine the current fash-ion for vampirism the world-over and the appar-ent connection between this fascination and a surge in demonic possession. According to a group of Christian scholars, this comes as the world is ex-periencing an explosion of ancient occultism combined with wicked fascination for ghosts and all things paranormal. In the United States alone, there are now more than two hundred thousand registered witches, the group claims, and as many as 8 million unregistered practitioners of "the craft." On college and high school campuses, vampires, werewolves, and other "creatures of the night" are esteemed as objects of de-sire and idolized by young men and women who view them as cult icons of envi-ous mystical power. Evidently, church goers are enchanted by the darkness as well. An April 13, 2011 article "Mysticism Infecting Nazarene Beliefs" was pre-ceded only a few days be-fore by a Telegraph article describing how a "surge in Satanism" inside the church has sparked a "rise in de-mand for exorcists" within traditional religious settings. And then there is the re-cent spate of killings and attacks on people by indi-viduals claiming to be vam-pires and werewolves. The arrest of a Texas man who broke into a woman's

house, threw her against a wall and tried to suck her blood is one recent exam-ple. Another case this month involves a Florida teenager who has been charged to-gether with four other peo-ple of beating a 16-year-old boy to death. The teenage girl claims to be a vam-pire/werewolf hybrid and investigators acknowledge

that she and the other sus-pects appear to be part of a vampire cult. Rise in this activity is docu-mented in a new report by multiple conservative schol-ars including well known leaders like Chuck Missler, Gary Stearman, Noah Hutchings, Gary Bates, John McTernan and others, who believe it is time for Chris-tian leaders to take a stand and to speak out on this issue, perhaps even using the month of October and the season of Halloween as opportunity to address congregations on the dan-gers of occult activity. "Psychologists have long understood how women in general desire strength in men, but few could have imagined how this natural and overriding need by

young ladies would be used in modern times to seduce them of their innocence using mysteriously strong yet everlastingly damned creatures depicted in popu-lar books and films like Twilight, New Moon, and Eclipse," says publisher Thomas Horn. "If parents, pastors and youth pastors haven't been paying attention, they need

to spend a little time look-ing into what their children are mentally and spiritually feeding on, because we are loosing a generation to darkness. Consider as an example popular youth-oriented magazines like Rolling Stone and their article The Joy of Vampire Sex. Look at the Ménage à Trois on the magazine's cover of three nudes bathed in blood with the promise to readers that vampires are 'Hot. They're Sexy. They're Undead.'" To continue reading this special report and to download free curriculum, a 270 page teachers guide, and books on this subject, please visit www.raidersnewsupdate.co

m/ghostbuster.htm.

This Halloween, Christian Leaders Challenged to Take a Stand,

or Stand Down

© Luciano Morpurgo/ Dreamstime Witches Band, Germany

Not Enough Signatures To Stop SB48

Christian TV Show Gives Money Away

DENTON, Texas, -- What a novel approach. A Chris-tian TV show that's giving money away instead of asking for it. The new Prayer Stop TV show (Airing Thursday nights at 7:30 EST on The NRB Net-work - Direct TV Channel 378) is giving everyone who watches their show a chance to win $300.00!

Entrepreneur, founder and

former owner of the World's largest newspaper circulation sales and mar-keting firm, Darrel Rundus is known for giving his money away. In 2009, he gave away $20,000.00 to the first person he called who could list all Ten Commandments in order and do it in 20-seconds or less. See the 10-minute

video of the call with the winner here: www.youtube.com/watch?v

=92csX9iNl-k.

In a recent interview, host Darrel Rundus was quoted as saying, "God loves a cheerful giver and it's bet-ter to give than to receive. So we thought instead of asking others for money we should use this show as a way to be a blessing to others both financially and spiritually." In short, the contest works something like this. Every Friday morning, Prayer Stop posts 5-simple, easy to answer questions about the previous night's episode on their Facebook page (www.facebook.com/PrayerStop) that can only be an-

swered if you watched the show as it airs. The first person to e-mail them at contactus@prayerstop.org with all the correct an-swers to all five questions wins the $300.00 award. Here's a short summary of the TV show as found on their website. Prayer Stop TV Show Summary: Join us for the first season of a new and exciting show as we take you on "The Journey of Joe" and let you vicariously experience his pain, shame, fear, training and triumph. Each week, we will walk down the road Joe's traveling as we help Chris-tians to learn how to face their fears and effectively share their faith with friends, family members, co-workers and even strangers.

Stopsb48.com posted a statement after unable to secure enough signatures to stop SB 48: We Fought the Law, and

the Law Won…

Unfortunately we did not col-lect enough signatures to qual-ify the referendum to overturn SB48. That law will be in place in our schools at the first of next year. We thank all of you that worked so hard to pro-vide the hundreds of thou-sands of signatures received. In the end, 90 days was too short a time to accomplish such a

large task.

In the coming days you will see the celebration of our oppo-nents. We know this because it has already started in social media and other places.And some of the rhetoric will be harsh. Remember, despite what they say about us, we opposed SB 48 simply because we do not believe that chil-dren should be exposed to an intentionally one-sided argu-ment about lifestyles and val-

ues we do not hold.

And you will have to face some of those who said from the beginning that our referen-dum effort was a waste of time. They said we did not

have enough money, the com-mitment of enough groups, or enough days. Ultimately they were right. And in private perhaps they will ask if the effort they withheld would have made the critical differ-

ence.

In the end, everybody that dedicated time and effort to qualifying this referendum should hold their heads high. The children in California schools and their parents owe a debt of gratitude to each of you for attempting such a huge

task.

We hope that you will be

there for the next battle.

While we did not overturn this very bad law, we built a small army of dedicated volun-teers that collected an incredi-ble amount of signatures. There will be a next battle. Despite the overuse of the term “tolerance”, there is little tolerance for those who do not endorse the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender life-styles. And there will be more laws passed that advocate for these and attempt to silence any opposition. The groups that rallied to create the Stop SB 48 effort exist to promote and defend our shared values. Over the last several decades

these groups have grown to be a major influence in the Capi-tol but also at the local school board. They have trained ordi-nary citizens to lobby their legislators and defended good laws from unfairness in the courts. And each of them puts a special emphasis on training youth to be the leaders of tomorrow. Watch your email so we can keep you informed

on these opportunities.

Despite our defeat we hope that you will be encouraged in your boldness. We hope that you have been strengthened in your stand for what is right in your community, your church, and your country. And we hope that you have met some friends and allies that share your values and vision for our

State.

We will keep the web site open for some time at www.stopsb48.com. Please use it to have your friends sign up for future emails, to ask us any questions, or to donate to pay the bills that will still come

from this referendum attempt.

Thank you again. We were all honored to fight this battle by your side. Even in defeat we were right to fight. And we will continue to do so.

Good News Press - 3

-- The following commentary is submitted to the newswire by Dr. Michael A. Milton, chancellor-elect of Reformed

Theological Seminary.

Steve Jobs is now being eulo-gized as part P.T. Barnum and part Walt Disney. We might even add part Thomas Edison. There will be more compari-sons but few will accurately portray the fullness of the man's creative genius. There is a biography of him coming out soon and we will learn more about this rather secretive icon of our age. But it is doubtful that we will learn that he was a devout Christian. I do not know his final moments and therefore I make no judg-ments, com-mending this man and his family to a God whose grace and love is greater and wider than we could ever imagine. Yet, in God's common grace, He used this man's innovation and crea-tivity to build a new Roman Road to the world -- a path-way through the extremities of a world still held in the tyr-anny of despots and dictators, poverty and radical religious

fetters.

iTunes has become a beacon of hope by bringing the Word of God to the ends of the earth. At Reformed Theologi-

cal Seminary, our classroom teaching, the very same courses by the very same pro-fessors, as well as sermons and teaching by some of the most notable pastors of our generation, are being downloaded onto Macs, and yes even PCs, as well as iPads and iPhones all over the earth. About five million of them, according to Apple's reports to us, are resting on the port-able, electronic "book bags" of

believers, seekers, and pastors and pas-tors-to-be all over the world. And so the gospel is getting through to the most hostile places on earth as well as to the most hostile ideological places in the secularized Western world. So I thank God for the

life of Steve Jobs.

His commencement speech at Stanford University will likely go down as one of the greatest. It is a testimony to a very spiritual man, not (at least at that time) a Christian man, who saw failures as the turning points in his life, which led to creativity. Our country needs to hear that great American story these days more than ever. Yet behind this brilliant and quite resilient man who changed so much of modern life, and whose des-tiny is now with His Creator, is really the figure of One who rose again from the dead.

Through the creativity of Steve Jobs is a God using all

means to reach His own.

We at RTS remember that his contributions and the contri-butions of his company, Apple Computer, became critical collaborators in seeking to fulfill the Great Commission of Jesus Christ. That sounds like an odd alliance, doesn't it? But this is the God who raised an Empire, the Roman Empire, that linked far-flung cities and territories with efficient gov-ernance, "super highways" of their day, and allowed St. Paul and an innumerable host of disciples of Jesus Christ to get on that ramp, and transport Christ's message of hope and freedom to the ends of the world. I will remember the legacy of Steve Jobs in a way that he might not have thought of, as the founder of an empire that linked the world in order to bring Christ to those who have never heard. Even as I write on this MacBook Pro this morning, I remember that God raises up Roman Roads in every genera-tion to reach the lost, the bro-ken, and the dying with a mes-sage that failure, indeed, is an eternal turning point to new

life and even resurrection.

The Associated Press re-ported "Steve Jobs saw the future and led the world to it." Maybe that is more eternally true than even Steve Jobs

could have known or believed.

Steve Jobs and The Great Commission Living In the Endtimes Radio Scientist, Global Speaker and Author Hosts Living in the Endtimes Radio LOS ANGELES,-- The entire world is on edge as everyone senses that something big is about to happen. Since 2011 began we have witnessed an un-precedented number of events such as the global economic decay, the barrage of natural disas-ters, the Arab Uprising in the Middle East and the world banking sys-tem tethering on the brink of col-lapse...Everything looks like a house of cards which can come crum-bling down at any mo-ment. Are you stressed, wor-ried, and confused about the events occurring

around you?

Has the Doomsday clock

been triggered?

What does the scripture

say about these events?

What does the increas-ing conflict between Is-rael and the Arab na-tions mean for the fulfill-ment of biblical prophe-

cies?

How will these events impact you? Can you hear it? The thunder in the dis-tance? What is it? It is the four horsemen of the Apocalypse galloping towards us as the earth goes through "birth pains" preparing for the return of King Jesus! We are living in the end-times and are witnessing biblical prophecies being fulfilled right before our eyes as we experience the countdown to Arma-geddon. "We should not be frightened by the events

that are unfolding around us; we just need to understand and pre-pare for them" says Dukhia. Living in the

Endtimes Radio will help you understand and deal with these events and enable you to face the future in peace and hope. Broadcast Schedule: Join the

discussion on Tuesdays at 9 AM PST on Voice of America Radio, 7th Wave channel at www.voiceamerica.com/show/1973/living-in-the-endtimes. The broad-casts will re-air on Tues-day nights at 9 PM PST and are archived at www.voiceamerica.com/show/1973/living-in-the-endtimes. The broad-casts are also available on iTunes free of charge.

FRONT ROYAL, Va.-- Steven W. Mosher, President of the Popula-tion Research Institute (PRI), will address the media at the National Press Club in Washing-ton, DC, on Monday, October 31st 2011, at 1:00pm, on the topic of the birth of the world's seven billionth person. The United Nations Population Division has projected October 31st 2011 as the day on which the world will be home to seven billion people. "This is a happy occasion," says Mosher, a leading population ex-pert and best-selling author. "The world's population has more than doubled since 1960, and humanity has never

been so prosperous." The family planners, supported by assorted radical feminists, envi-ronmental extremists, and no-growth types, are abusing this mile-stone to promote the myth of overpopulation and to raise more money for their anti-people projects. "The attitude of the anti-people types is arrogant and elitist," says Mosher. "They say, in effect, to Africans, Asians and Latin Americans: 'There are just enough of us, but there are way too many of you.'" According to Mosher, "Contrary to what you might hear, the most pressing problem in country after country

today is not overpopula-tion, but underpopula-tion. In a time of fiscal austerity, the last thing that we need to be do-ing is spending more tax dollars to drive down the birth rate, reducing the amount of human capital available, and making us all poorer in the long run." "We are grateful that Baby Seven Billion will come into this world," Mosher says. "Baby Seven Billion, boy or girl, red or yellow, black or white, is not a liability, but an asset; not a curse, but a blessing for us all. Humanity's long-term problem is not going to be too many children, but too few children."

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Good News Press - 4

Memorial Opens „The Mighty Macs‟ Hits Theaters Oct. 21

Riding Wave of Excitement for Family Films

Screen Count Increases Fourfold; Organizations line up to 'Back the Macs' TheMightyMacs.com - With recent strong openings for family films, the inspiring new movie, THE MIGHTY MACS, wins over theater opera-tors, earning four times the initial number of screens and increased

showings.

Organizations nation-wide such as Notre Dame, Rice and Ari-zona universities find innovative ways to

support the film.

- With October as Na-tional Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the true-life inspiration of the film and one of its fea-tured actresses are cancer survivors PHILADELPHIA-- THE MIGHTY MACS -- an inspir-ing, family-friendly sports Cin-derella story -- premieres nationwide Oct. 21 riding a wave of excitement for family films across the country with continued strong showings by such pictures as COURA-GEOUS and DOLPHIN TALE. And in a case of life imitating art, THE MIGHTY MACS -- an underdog story about the first U.S. women's basketball championship -- is becoming an inspiring underdog story itself. Initially scheduled to premiere on 250 screens na-tionwide, that count jumped to 1,000 -- and growing -- as theater operators saw ad-vance screenings and shared test-audience excitement. Additionally, across the coun-try various organizations are lining up to support the film, ranging from universities to church groups. "We're thrilled but not sur-prised because THE MIGHTY MACS has been touching ad-vance audiences deeply for months," said Tim Chambers,

director, screenwriter and executive produce of his fea-ture debut. "The story of Coach Cathy Rush and her team of non-scholarship ath-letes entertains, inspires and uplifts. It‟s a perfect family film." From Quaker Media and Ocean Avenue Entertainment, THE MIGHTY MACS tells the inspiring and true story of Hall of Fame Coach Cathy Rush. In 1972, just out of college her-

self, she took a rag-tag team of overachievers from Im-maculata College, a small, all-girls Catholic school, to the first collegiate women's bas-ketball championship. What they did there is only slightly more incredible than how they got there. Starring Carla Gugino, David Boreanaz and Academy Award-winner Ellen Burstyn. With October as National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, there is a moving "story behind the story" of THE MIGHTY MACS as well. Not only is Cathy Rush a can-cer survivor, but Katie Hayek, a young featured actress in the film, was diagnosed with cancer the day filming started. With Tim Chambers' support, Katie continued working on THE MIGHTY MACS through her chemotherapy treatments, turning in a stirring perform-ance as Trish, the Macs' best player.

In addition to the increased screen count, some theater operators are adding earlier show times to accommodate school groups. And other

groups are getting on board:

At prestigious Rice University in Texas, a business professor is using the film to teach sales and mar-keting techniques as student teams offer

discount tickets.

At Notre Dame Uni-versity, an exclusive on-campus advance screening led to a commitment by one university administra-tor to buy out an entire screening of THE MIGHTY MACS when the film opens

Oct. 21.

At the University of Arizona, the women's basketball team committed to a 150-ticket purchase and to hosting a pre-

show event.

"We're so gratified by the support, but we know these groups will be repaid many times over by the positive message of this G-rated film," said Chris Bueno, president of

Ocean Avenue Entertainment. "The impact of THE MIGHTY MACS is remarkable. For any-one who ever had a dream, this is a must-see film."

Hero of the civil rights movement Martin Luther King, Jr., Memo-rial is open on the Mall in Washington, D.C. The long-sought Mall memo-rial honors Dr. King and recognizes him for the non-violent protest movement he led. Visitors enter through the Mountain of Despair, a two-part sculpture that symbolizes the struggle for peace and equality. They then encounter the Stone of Hope and its sculpture of Dr. King. The memorial grounds are surrounded by those dedicated to Franklin Roosevelt, Abra-ham Lincoln, Thomas Jefferson and George Washington. It's the first major memorial on the Mall for a non-president and the first for an Afri-can American. By the time of his famous 1963 speech, King had been campaigning across the nation for eight

years, relentlessly attack-ing the system of legal-ized racial segregation that relegated blacks, especially in the South, to a life of second-class citi-zenship. King and his thousands of followers were a major part of the civil rights move-ment that led to two pieces of landmark legisla-tion: The Civil Right Act of 1964, which banned discrimi-nation in public places and in employment and provided for integration; and the Voting Rights Act of 1965, which banned discriminatory voting practices, such as poll taxes or literacy tests the Southern states adopted after the Civil

War. Dr. King was a man of peace. He worked to change the United States in basic

ways and without vio-lence. The 28.6-foot statue was done by Chi-nese sculptor Lei Yixin.

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Good News Press - 5

The Christmas Conundrum

Jesus had no servants, yet they called him Master. He had no degree, yet they called him Teacher. He had no medicines, yet they called him Healer. He had no army, yet he was feared by kings. He won no military battles, yet he conquered much of the world. He committed no crime, yet they crucified him. He was buried in a tomb, yet he lives today. Christians celebrate his birthday on December 25th.

Try These Healthier

Holiday Cooking Tips A generation or two ago, people ate more food with a lot of fat, but they still weighed less than people weigh today. It was probably because they were involved in physical work instead of sitting at a desk. Or maybe they ate less every day. Whatever the cause, tweaking Grandma's recipes is a great idea.

Some examples:

* Refrigerate the gravy and scoop off the hardened fat be-fore reheating and serving. * Use less bread in turkey dressing and more onions, garlic, celery and vegetables. Moisten with chicken or vegetable broth and ap-plesauce. * Make mashed potatoes with skim milk, chicken broth, garlic powder and Parmesan cheese in-stead of whole milk and butter. Some recipes call for fat-free sour cream. * Try a new recipe for eggnog: four bananas, 1 1/2 cups skim milk, 1 1/2 cups plain nonfat yogurt, 1/4 teaspoon rum extract and some ground nutmeg. Puree the ingredients and sprinkle the nutmeg on top. * For dessert, make pumpkin pie using two egg whites for

each whole egg and replace cream with fat-free evaporated milk. Re-place heavy cream in cheesecakes and cream pies with evaporated milk. Top cakes with powdered sugar, fresh fruit or fruit sauce. * Remove the skin from roasted turkey before eating it or placing it on a serving dish.

7 Steps to Keep Christmas Spend-ing Under Control One survey shows that 35 percent of consumers plan to spend less for Christmas gifts this year. The per-

centage is just a little higher than the 25 percent who reported last Janu-ary that they spent too much. The recession has been a wakeup call for everyone. Even profligate spend-ers are planning to cut back and charge less to their credit cards. Here's how to do it: 1 Calculate exactly how much you can spend from current income plus whatever you saved ahead for gifts. 2 Make a list of everyone you abso-lutely have to buy for. Then whittle down the list.

3 If you have a family gathering

And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed, each in his own city. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and line-age of David, to be taxed with Mary, his espoused wife, being great with child. And so it was, that while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be deliv-ered. And she brought forth her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger, be-cause there was no room for them in the inn. And there were in the same country, shep-herds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them; and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not, for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, who is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto

you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth, good will toward men. They made haste and found Mary and Joseph and the babe lying in a manger, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. Luke 2

where everyone buys for everyone else, suggest a gift exchange instead. Draw names so everyone only buys one gift. 4 Negotiate with relatives so only the kids get presents this year. But couples without children who buy for others' kids should be gifted.

5 Once your list is finalized, decide how much of your calculated money you will spend on each individual. 6 Shop with a list that includes the amount to spend on each person. Try not to exceed it. 7 Consider buying used vintage books, sheet music, or bookends for those who would appreciate them.

The Christmas Story

Good News Press - 6

Is The Believer Free From Sin?

(A Christian Perspective) by Softwords Many people mistakenly believe that when one puts his faith in Christ he is sud-denly delivered from his body of sin. They claim that one can be 'without sin' based on biblical pas-sages that „appear‟ to al-lude to this idea. Yet, the Bible states that, "If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us" (1 John 1:8). If this is true, then what does the Bible say about how we, as believ-ers, are to handle this in-nate disease that tries to control us? Why do we struggle and how do we reconcile our body of sin with the command to 'Be Holy as our Father in Heaven is Holy'? Let's be-gin by examining the defini-tion of sin, its place in the believers‟ life, and how we are to overcome it. Even Paul cried out that what he wants to do he doesn't do because of the struggle of sin that resides within him (Romans 7:19). He then gives glory to Jesus Christ who has forgiven him and is able to redeem him from his body of sin.

The Nature of Sin

What is sin? 1 John 3:4 says, "Whosoever commit-teth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the trans-gression of the law." Sin is, in essence, any transgression or violation of God‟s law, lacking conformity to the perfect moral standard of God. But this study goes even deeper than our 'outward acts.' When Jesus began his ministry, he made it a point to no longer focus on the exter-nal requirements of the law and outward acts of

disobedience to them (as the Pharisees and Saddu-cees were in the habit of doing), but went deeper into the root of disobedi-ence: the heart. The Bible declares in Jeremiah 17:9, "The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?" Even the good works done in the flesh (before we are saved) are unacceptable to God because the inten-tions behind them are not from a righteous motive provoked by the Spirit of God, but from a heart in rebellion toward God (Romans 8:7). Isaiah 64:6 says, "But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags..." In Matthew 5-7, the Sermon on the Mount, Je-sus reveals the root issue behind our outward acts of disobedience. He corre-lates hatred to murder (Matthew 5:21-22), and lust with adultery (Matthew 5:28). He even went fur-ther to say in Matthew 5:29, "And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should per-ish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell." Jesus knew the seri-ousness of sin and its dev-astating effects in our lives, believer and unbeliever alike. He wasn't promoting self mutilation in this pas-sage but was rather expos-ing the seriousness of deal-ing with sin in the most drastic measure, if needed. As God told Cain in Gene-sis 4:7, "if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door. And unto thee shall be his desire, and thou shalt rule over him." Sin desired to have Cain, and it desires to have us as well. Cain was exhorted to

master it, as we are ex-horted to also do. But how is this possible as believers in Christ? Let's move on to the transformation that takes place when we put our faith in Christ.

Free from the Power of Sin

When one comes to faith in Jesus, they are adopted into the family of God. The Bible is filled with promises toward his children that we can truly stand on. One of those promises is that we receive a new nature through the Holy Spirit. We now have God's na-ture living within us, mak-ing us slaves of righteous-ness contrary to our for-mer state of slaves to sin. Romans 6:6-7, 22 tells us that we are 'freed from the power of sin.' Meaning, we are now able to overcome, through the Holy Spirit, sinful desires in our life. Sin no longer has the power to control us, as it once did when we were without hope, unregener-ate, in the flesh. We need to stand on this promise and believe it in order to realize the freedom we have in Christ, and in or-der to apply the victory we have in Christ to our lives.

Overcoming Sin

So how do we overcome sin since we've been freed from its power? Scripture gives us instruction on how to resist the sin that tries to enslave us. In James we read that sinful temptations begin in the mind. James 1:14-15, "But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth

sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death." To overcome the battle in the mind, we are encouraged in Romans 12:1-2 to "present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, ac-ceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not con-formed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God." Clearly we are exhorted to walk in obedi-ence to the Lord, which in-volves daily con-fessing our sins to the Lord (1 John 1:9). But how do we re-new our minds? The same way a husband is ex-horted to lead his wife spiritu-ally. In Ephesians 5:26 we read, "That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word." We are transformed in our minds through study of and meditation on the Word of God (Matthew 4:4). It is through this means that we are sanctified (John 17:17, Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth). Even David proclaimed in wisdom, (Psalm 119:11), "Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee." And in Colossians 3:16 we read the result of let-ting the word of God fill our minds, "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom;

teaching and admonish-ing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord." The key to overcoming sin is to stop it at its root, when it first springs up in the mind, "bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;" (2 Corinthians 10:5). If we fail, we are exhorted to confess

our sins daily to God, repent, and continue on walking in obedi-ence to the Lord, let-ting his word fill us. As we follow this pattern, we will see the fruit of his Spirit, as described in Galatians 5:22-25, being poured forth in our lives. "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temper-ance: against such there is no law. And they that are Christ's have cruci-fied the flesh with the affections and lusts. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit."

Additional Scriptures

in Overcoming Sin

Galatians 5:16, "This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh." By walking in obedience to the Lord, meditating on his word, confess-ing/repenting of sin, we are better able to stand against the wiles of temptation.

1 Corinthians 10:13, "There hath no tempta-tion taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it." Even when we are tempted, God has provided a way of escape which is through obedi-ence and submission to him. When we are weak, he is strong through us as we lean on him to tempower us against the battle with sin. It is Christ who strengthens us (Philippians 4:13).

Continued Next Page

Good News Press - 7

Traveling Mercies I was lost so I called out to my father for directions to find my way home. (Psalm 119:105)

He said before you leave home pray and take your comforter with you. (John 14:16, 27)

Go 3 blocks up from Broadway Street to Straight Street and follow the sign that says one way. (John 14:6).

Be obedient to the Laws that have been set before you, so when get to your desti-nation nothing will warrant you to go back. (Exodus 24:7)

Make sure you stay within your speed limit, don’t go too fast or too slow and watch for traffic going the other way. (James 1:13 thru 14; James 4:6 thru 7)

Pay attention to Traffic signs; stop at the Stop sign and Go when you see the sig-nal light. (Acts 2:17 thru 21;)

Drive safely and look out for pedestrians and don’t cause them to stumble, fall or hamper their way. (Romans 14:21; Luke 18:16 thru 17)

Watch out for hitchhikers who want to stop or want you to stray, drop them off and continue on your way. (Proverbs 1:10 thru 15; 2 John 7 thru 11)

Don’t take any short cuts; turn left and right when you’re told, or you might get lost, then you will have to call me again to redirect your way. (Proverbs 1:23, 33; Luke 19:10)

Don’t make any U turns or you may end up back from where you came. (Proverbs 26:11)

Get off at the right exit Salvation Way, I live on Heaven Street 7 blocks away. (1st Peter 1:3 thru 5)

Go through my Gates and I’ll be there to greet you with love and open arms be-cause you found your way. (Rev 3:20 thru 21; Rev 21:4)

Poetry by Kevin Tyner

Church Bulletins! These sentences actually ap-peared in church bulle-tins or were announced in church services: The Fasting & Prayer Conference includes meals. Ladies, don't forget the rummage sale. It's a chance to get rid of those things not worth keeping. Bring your hus-bands. Remember in prayer the many who are sick of our community. Smile at someone who is hard to love. Say 'Hell' to some-one who doesn't care much about you. Irving Benson and Jessie Carter were married on October 24 in the church. So ends a friend-

ship that began in their school days. At the evening service tonight, the sermon topic will be 'What Is Hell?' Come early and listen to our choir prac-tice. Eight new choir robes are currently needed due to the addition of several new members and to the deterioration of the older ones. Ladies Bible Study will be held Thursday morn-ing at 10 a.m. All ladies are invited to lunch in the Fellowship Hall after the B. S. is done. The pastor would appre-ciate it if the ladies of the congregation would lend him their electric girdles for the pancake

breakfast next Sunday. Low Self Esteem Sup-port Group will meet Thursday at 7 p.m.. Please use the back door. The eighth-graders will be presenting Shake-speare's Hamlet, in the Church basement, Friday at 7 p.m. The congrega-tion is invited to attend this tragedy. Weight Watchers will meet at 7 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church. Please use large double door at the side entrance. The Associate Minister unveiled the church‟s new campaign slogan last Sunday: “I Upped My Pledge– Up Yours”.

2 Corinthians 10:3-5, "For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds;) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;" We are exhorted to stop every sinful thought as soon as it begins, and instead think on things above that are good, holy, and pure

(Philippians 4:8).

Ephesians 6:10-18, "Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteous-ness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: Pray-ing always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;" The believers‟ armor is through walking in truth, righteousness, peace (knowing that we are at peace with God), faith (trust in God), and walking in as-surance of our salvation (the devil tries to cause us to doubt our salvation, which will, in turn, lead to many sorrows within. Sometimes walking in willful sin will rob us of any confidence that we belong to Christ). We are encouraged to take up the

'sword of the Spirit' which is revealed as the Word of God, standing on the prom-ises of God's Word. Romans 13:14, "But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfill the lusts thereof." We are exhorted to make no provision for the flesh, meaning not even al-low an open door for sin to creep into our lives. We are to take sin seriously, possibly even drastically, removing anything from our life that would draw us into sin. We are to plan ahead against the wiles of sin. 1 Corinthians 15:33, "Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners." We are also exhorted to choose our friends wisely. We are easily influenced by those around us whom we have an intimate relationship with. What fellowship has light with darkness? James 5:16, "Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ins to each other also causes us to be accountable to each other, which is a wonderful way of being encouraged through others to walk in obedience. Having others pray for us is a vital key in our overcoming sin. We, as believers, are all a part of the body of Christ. As the legs are dependent upon the feet, so are we also in need of each other. And Christ is the head of this body.

1 John 2:15-16, "Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world." Throughout the scriptures, we are encour-aged to store up treasures in heaven which are eternal. This life is fading and every-thing in it. Let us not live for the world, being drawn into

its temptations which abound everywhere we turn, but instead let us be differ-ent from the world, living as we truly are: set-apart unto Christ.

If We Do Fail

Romans 8:31, "What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against

us?"

Romans 8:1, "There is there-fore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh,

but after the Spirit."

1 John 2:1-2, "My little chil-dren, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world." Let us be encouraged to stand on the promises of God which reveal we are indeed free from the “power” of sin in our lives. If we do not realize that we have been set free from sins dominion, we might mistak-enly live a defeated life, bow-ing to sins demands, not knowing how to overcome the temptations that arise against us. I exhort thee brethren to study the word of God, meditate on his word, and walk in faith. Be-lieve that you have indeed been set free from sins power and are able to over-come any sinful temptation that comes your way. When sin rears its ugly head to try and master us, let us instead master it. As Paul pro-claimed that he beat his body into submission, not letting it become his master; let us also follow his words of wisdom. This is the key to freedom in Christ. Meditat-ing on God's word is where we will grow in our maturity toward Christ and where our minds will be trans-formed. His word better equips us to handle our in-ner weaknesses; his Spirit gives us the wisdom and power to overcome them.

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