Women of the Good Report by Diane Strack
The Lord gave the command; a great company of women brought the Good News. Psalm 68:11
[su_spacer]
We began 2020 with the Psalm 68:11 declaration during our She Loves Out Loud virtual prayer event. It seems like years ago now! But it was just this year. And we pinned all of our mission on bringing “the Good News.” Only 12 months later, we see that this command is ever more critical, even more in demand.
[su_spacer]
Bad news is everywhere. It is cheap; it is easy to share; it can get attention and notice. But Good News requires a long investment; we must live it more than tell it. It is costly because as we share it, somebody may ridicule us. Good news is not easily believable because darkness and anger are easier to share. And it is often not heard because the world is so very noisy. Many nights I wonder about “no tears in heaven” because I am sure that the Lord weeps as He looks down at us, scurrying about but going nowhere.
[su_spacer]
But we begin this season with a grateful heart, a hopeful spirit. Not because of circumstance or anything we hear on media. But because we know God. He alone is worthy of our praise. And if we stop for a few moments, or hours, or days, we discover the grandness of Who He is and rehearse what great things He has done.
[su_spacer]
Have you asked those around you, “How can I pray for you?”
[su_spacer]
Have you shared the joy you have experienced – in that moment of salvation? In those times of prayer? In those moments of despair, when He lifted you?
[su_spacer]
Do you speak words of gratitude for the health, the love, the freedom you have?
These, my sisters, are the Good News of life, the experiences we must share so that our nation can know the living God.
[su_spacer]
During these days of uncertainty, will you join me in deliberately, carefully only speaking Good News throughout December and January, regardless of what you hear? Regardless of what is said to you? It is possible!
[su_spacer]
Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right,
whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable–if anything is excellent
or praiseworthy–think about such things. Philippians 4:8
[su_spacer]
If you think Good News, you will speak Good News. I can promise you 100% that you will change if you do. And then, others will change. The Holy Spirit changes hearts, regardless of government leadership or legislation. But the world will not know or understand if we do not share!
[su_spacer]
We are women of the Good News. We love out loud! And as we join together, our news becomes more potent in the culture than the bad news. The bad news comes and goes; the Word of God lives forever!
[su_spacer]
Love each other deeply with all your heart, for you have been born again, but not to a life that will quickly end. Your new life will last forever because it comes from the eternal, living word of God. As the Scriptures say, “People are like grass; their beauty is like a flower in the field.
[su_spacer]
The grass withers, and the flower fades. But the word of the Lord remains forever.”
And that word is the Good News that was preached to you.[su_spacer]
[su_spacer]
Diane Strack inspires audiences to expectant faith and a discovery of the character of God. She has been active in women’s and student ministry for more than three decades through teaching, writing, and mentoring. She is the co-founder of Student Leadership University, the global, premier leadership training for more than 200,000 students, educators, and ministry leaders; author of New Start for Single Moms, a transformational mentoring program used globally through One More Child; and President of the nonprofit, She Loves Out Loud.
[su_spacer]
Diane’s motto is Always Expect Amazing! and her favorite verse (this year ☺) is God can do anything, you know—far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams! Eph 3:20, The Message
[su_spacer]
Diane is married to Dr. Jay Strack and is the mother of 2 daughters, Chris and Missy; and grandmother to Gabe, Charis and Mercy.
