""Then the angel answered. . .'I stand in the presence of God and have been sent. . .to tell you this good news. . .'" Luke 1:19

The good news is God’s story that commenced in the dark void of eternity, erupted in the glorious dawn of creation, climaxed in the Person of Jesus Christ, and continues in your life and mine today. The good news is that the great God of the universe has made Himself visible and approachable and knowable through Jesus Christ.

Praise God! The world of humanity that was separated from God and unable to approach Him except indirectly through the Jewish sacrifices and ceremonies has been invited to draw near and be reconciled directly to Him through the Baby Who invaded time and space, born in Bethlehem two thousand years ago!

Man’s praise and worship of God for the revelation of His glory in that Baby have not ceased.
The skeptic’s doubt

The mocker’s scorn,
   the professor’s criticism,
     the public’s apathy,
       the crowd’s jeers,
         the pagan’s blasphemy,
          the authorities’ threats,
            the executioner’s sword,
              the Devil’s lies,

have not diminished the Hope that was born that night nor dimmed the glorious dawn of His story that continues to radiate down through the years until it envelopes your heart and mine.
Because, "in the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God . . . The Word became flesh and lived for a while among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.
Real meaning to your life is found in the glorious dawn of God’s story, which breaks into full revelation in the Person of Jesus Christ.

From Pennsylvania: "I didn’t realize until God showed it to me at your seminar that my Christian experience had been mostly ‘second hand.’ I’ve been worshiping Chuck Swindoll’s god, Dr. Jeremiah’s god, my pastor’s god. (Now) I’ve fallen in love with Jesus all over again."

From California: "I hadn’t realized until tonight how a situation in our church had caused discouragement in my whole prayer life. I know that hard work in prayer lies ahead of me, but I truly feel as if I’ve been set free. If nothing ever changes in the situation, I can now say—’yet I will rejoice in the Lord.’"

From Arizona: "I have had a difficult time praising God—it seemed like He was pretty self-centered to create us just to have us adore Him. A light went on when you gave the example of what your relationship with your husband would be if you thanked him for a few items, and then gave him your want list. Jesus wants me to accept Him for Who He is, and I see now that is what I do when I praise Him. Today I started praising Him!"

From Kentucky: ". . . My 47 year old sister accepted the Lord as her Savior during (your) conference, and I just want to say thank you. The Holy Spirit was obviously speaking through you as you boldly proclaimed the truth about heaven and hell, and my sister was moved to tears as we walked down the aisle (to commit her life to Christ) to thunderous applause."

From Louisiana: "Since your teaching, I have opened up more to the Lord. My husband has started going to church with me. I took your advice and sought out a prayer partner. We meet once a week. . ."

From California: "I am a college student, and when you shared how to study Scripture I had no idea the impact this would have on me. Getting me up any earlier in the morning was a feat only Jesus could accomplish. . . Now I get up each morning to study a couple of passages (of Scripture). I’m feeling a joy I’ve never had before."

From Massachusetts: "I work with a ministry and have struggled as to whether I should stay in it. After listening to your message on the seven churches in Revelation, I wept with the realization that the church in Ephesus was me. God used that talk to convict my heart in a way I have resisted for some time, and to enable me to begin the process of returning back to Him, seeking the Lord, and reestablishing the love relationship with Him that led me into the ministry."

From Ohio: "Over the years I had drifted from a personal relationship with Christ. Sure, I went to church and went through the motions, but it wasn’t until I heard you speak that I felt moved in my spirit. You gave me back a life with Christ—it has been GLORIOUS ever since." From Iowa: "I am the wife of a pastor, a busy worker for the Lord, running on empty. Thank you for your words on worship of Jesus as the first priority. I knew that, but I didn’t know it with the part of me that needs the knowing. Your sessions were what my heart needed to hear."

From Illinois: "At age 12 I smoked my first marijuana cigarette. From that time on, I did every drug from LSD to crack cocaine. At age 28 I was at the end of my rope—an alcoholic and cocaine addict. I went through drug rehab, and became sober. Then I read the Gospel of John and accepted Christ. God has blessed my life, healed my marriage—but I lost sight of Him. I forgot what was really important. I’m thankful to say He didn’t let me go very far. I ended up in the hospital with an infection. There I read your book (The Vision of His Glory). Thank you for making me remember what was important once again. God used the book to redirect my life."

From Madagascar: "How can I describe to you the joy that overwhelmed me when I received your book The Vision of His Glory! It really filled me with indescribable joy. I was filled with His smashing presence and glory right in the midst of my circumstances. It is . . . so rich and yet written in such a simple style that grips my soul."

From England: "When you spoke on Daniel, two things went home to me. First, . . .that fasting includes going without food, sleep, and even ministry. It really spoke to me and I (now) put it in practice. Secondly, you said we should confess the sins of our nation. I have never done this, and now I must."

From Ireland: "Your sermon caused shock waves of emotion through me. What was so amazing was you said at the last minute, God had you change your topic because you felt that ‘somebody’ had lost their faith. I felt weak and almost passed out because I KNEW the Lord had used you to get to me (since I had lost my faith). . . Since the conference, I live now only to serve Christ by His will and not my own anymore. He has changed my life and I will spend the rest of it working in thanks for His blessings and love for me."

From the Philippines: "I am an American missionary for sixteen years in the Philippines. After furlough, I have been discouraged and questioned what we were doing here. Your message helped me to see my weariness, discouragement, and disillusionment have been because I have not been focusing on Jesus. . . My heart is broken."

What astounding truth is born out in these life experiences! What a life-changing message:

• Because He emptied Himself of all but love, you can be filled.
  
• Because His body was broken, your life can be whole.
  
• Because His blood was shed, your sin can be forgiven.
  
• Because He submitted to injustice, you can forgive.
  
• Because He finished His Father’s work, your life has worth.
  
• Because He was forsaken, you will never be alone.
  
• Because He was buried, you can be raised.
  
• Because He lives, you don’t have to be afraid.
  
• Because He was raised, you can live eternally.
  
• Because He reached down to you, you don’t have to work your way up to Him.
  
• Because His promises are always true, you can have Hope!
  

The good news the angel stood in the presence of God to receive, the good news of God’s story which is given to you and me, is that the Creator has become our Savior!

Would you join this AnGeL in telling God’s story to someone else?

In His Joy,

Anne Graham Lotz