Dear Good News Magazine Subscriber, How effective is your spiritual support system? Four weeks ago today—at the writing of this letter—my oldest son, at age 47, had a benign tumor surgically removed from the top of his brain. It was a scary procedure, but so far his recovery has been remarkable. Last week he returned home, though still under outpatient care. Again and again he has expressed his appreciation for the prayers, visits and get-well cards that he has received not only from family members but especially from his local United Church of God congregation. Even his nurses were amazed at the number of cards and visits he received during his weeks in a recovery facility. But probably the most important benefit that has come from his ordeal has been how much it has strengthened his confidence that God really cares for him personally. He has seen godly love and concern abundantly shown by those who are his bothers and sisters in Christ. The apostle Paul wrote to those Christians under his care, "And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose" (Romans 8:28). That includes the trials and suffering we experience in this physical life. As the Scriptures explain: "In bringing many sons to glory, it was fitting that God, for whom and through whom everything exists, should make the author of their salvation perfect through suffering. Both the one who makes men holy and those who are made holy are of the same family. So Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers. He says, 'I will declare your name to my brothers; in the presence of the congregation I will sing your praises'" (Hebrews 2:10-12, New International Version, emphasis added throughout). And later in the same book we are told, "And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing…" (Hebrews 10:24-25, NIV). The support that my son has greatly appreciated was available because he has not given up meeting together with people who truly are Christian brethren—with "those who obey God's commandments and hold to the testimony of Jesus" (Revelation 12:17, NIV). "Contact With God's People: A Key to Spiritual Success or Failure" is an article in our archives that goes through four important benefits God provides through the Church. I'm sure you will find it worth your time to click on the link and read this short article. It is our hope that the articles you read in The Good News magazine are strengthening your faith in God and your resolve to do His will. Please give us feedback. Let us know what helps you the most and what we can do to be of greater assistance. 
Warm regards,
Roger Foster
Good News senior writer
| | September/October 2009 Good News | | Editorial: Can You Know God's Plan? | | Suffering: How It Began, How It Will End | | What's Wrong With Our Governments? | | Afghanistan: What's Behind a Seemingly Unwinnable War? | | The Biblical Festivals That Reveal God's Plan of Salvation | | How Will God Judge the World? | | How Can We Find the Pathway to Peace? | | Self-Control: Governing Your Life by the Power of God | | Could the Dollar Fall? |
| | Good News Video Commentary | | September 15, 2009 - World War II & the Hitler-Stalin Pact | | September 11, 2009 - Remembering 9/11 | | September 11, 2009 - Terrorism and the Bible | | September 10, 2009 - Ted Kennedy and America | | September 9, 2009 - President Addresses Students | | September 3, 2009 - Can the War In Afghanistan Be Won? | | Archived Good News Video Commentary |
| | Bible FAQ | | What did Jesus look like? | | What is sin? How does the Bible define it? | | Archived Bible FAQ |
| | Weekly Commentary | Hawaii's 50th Anniversary as America's 50th State
Did God plan and announce long in advance the blessings and expansion of the United States? | The Missing Unemployment Statistics
The economic upheavals that frequently plague our economies won't end until Christ returns and establishes a godly financial system. So, what should a Christian who trusts God and believes His written Word do in times like this. | | Archived Commentaries |
| | Beyond Today Web TV | The Shofar, the Rapture and the Feast of Trumpets
What do these terms have to do with Christ's return? You need to separate truth from fiction. | How Would Jesus Pray?
Have you prayed and nothing happened? Although God cares, could it be that you don't know what Jesus taught about prayer? |
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