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November/December 2015
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.

A Message From Good News Press

What is the Christian Message

With his final words before his ascension, Jesus issued to his followers
the task of conveying his message to
the world. Armed with this directive, the total number of Christians exploded from a mere 120 to
over 3,000 within the span of two
weeks. By the end of the first century, an estimated one million people
had responded to the Christian message by becoming followers of Jesus.
Today, nearly two thousand years
later, the Christian faith has grown
to become the largest faith in the
world with over two billion adherents. Still, Christians continue to
treat Jesus' mandate seriously and
persist in spreading his message far
and wide.

ferred to as the "Gospel," which

means "good news." Specifically, it is
the good news about Jesuswho he
is, what he has done, and what he
offers. Essentially, the message is
that Jesus was God in the flesh, that
he came into the world to reconcile
humanity to himself, and that his
salvation is freely offered to each
person who will respond in faith.

What is this message, though, and

why is it so important? Why have
countless Christians pledged and
even given their lives in order to
promote it?

Furthermore, the Gospel message

explains that salvation is only possible through the Crucifixion and Resurrection of Jesus. Though thousands of books have been written
about these events, the core idea is
that, through his sacrifice, Jesus paid
the price for our sinfulness (rebellion
against God), thus offering us forgiveness. Then through his Resurrection he conquered death, removing it as the penalty for our sin and
replacing it with the offer of eternal
life.

The Christian message is often re-

Though the Christian Scriptures do

contain a code of conduct as well as

doctrinal and theological statements, the central message is more
about placing faith in the person of
Jesus than it is about conforming to
any code. The primary emphasis of
Christianity, then, is to point people
toward Jesus and the salvation that
is only available from him.
The Christian Church has taken different forms throughout the centuries, but this central message has
remained the same. It binds all of
Christendom together. Despite the
various branches of Christianity in
the world todaymost notably Roman Catholicism, Protestantism,
and Eastern Orthodoxythis Gospel
message acts as a unifying element.
Though adherents to the faith include people from every walk of life,
this message binds them all together. Throughout the Christian
Church, this message of salvation is
considered to be the hope of the
world.

The Christian message is often referred to as the "Gospel," which

means "good news." Specifically, it
is the good news about Jesuswho
He is, what He has done, and what
He offers. Essentially, the message
is that Jesus was God in the flesh,
that He came into the world to reconcile humanity to Himself, and
that his salvation is freely offered to
each person who will respond in
faith. The Gospel message explains
that salvation is only possible
through the Crucifixion and Resurrection of Jesus. Through his sacrifice, Jesus paid the price for our sinfulness (rebellion against God), thus
offering us forgiveness. Then
through his Resurrection He conquered death, removing it as the
penalty for our sin and replacing it
with the offer of eternal life that is
only available from Him to all those
that place their faith in Him.

Good News Press - 2

About Good News Press
Sharing the good news of Gods Love through his Son to our local community and world!

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The Source of Our Self Esteem

By Jack Kelley
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)
All of us also lived among them at one
time, gratifying the cravings of our sinful
nature and following its desires and
thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature
objects of wrath. But because of his great
love for us, God, who is rich in mercy,
made us alive with Christ even when we
were dead in transgressions - it is by
grace you have been saved.
And God raised us up with Christ and
seated us with him in the heavenly realms
in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable
riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus.
For it is by grace you have been saved,
through faith - and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God- not by works,
so that no one can boast. For we are
Gods workmanship, created in Christ
Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do (Ephesians
2:3-10).
Self-esteem has been defined as the way
we see ourselves, our own opinion of us.
But is it? No one knows us like we do,
but our opinion is influenced and often
distorted, by the opinions of others important to us. Parents, teachers, friends,
associates and the like. So while its
called self-esteem, its more likely a composite of others esteem for us. Abraham
Maslow was right, gaining the acceptance
of others is a pre-requisite for selfacceptance.
To earn a higher self-esteem then, requires that we earn the approval of those
most important to us. Typically our efforts in this area fall into one of three areas: appearance, achievement, or performance.
Appearance
Theres no question that the beautiful
people among us often get preferential
treatment. Some learn from an early age
to depend on their appearance for acceptance. They believe that as long as
they look good, those whose opinions
matter most will accept them, permitting
them to accept themselves.
Collectively, they spend billions of dollars on health spas, cosmetic surgery,
clothing, you name it; all an attempt to

maintain or even improve their appearance to gain wider acceptance of others,

bolstering their self-esteem. But eventually the calendar catches up, the laws of
physics prevail and no amount of money
can halt the ravages of time.
Those whose self-esteem has been based
solely on their appearance often become
pitiful parodies of their former selves in
their futile efforts to stay forever young
and beautiful.
Achievement
All the world loves a winner. Some folks
use periodic achievements to foster acceptance. They run marathons, climb
mountains, win prizes and awards, all to
gain recognition for their achievements.
The recognition signals the approval of
others, building self-esteem. But again
time is the enemy and someone younger,
faster, and stronger surpasses their
achievements relegating them to living in
the past, recalling the glory of yesterdays
achievements, glory that can no longer be
earned with todays abilities.
Performance
Heres a group that can only feel good
about themselves when theyre performing at or above certain standards. They
literally become what they do, and when
they can no longer do, theyre diminished
in their own eyes and their self esteem
suffers. Having spent their entire lives
performing to gain acceptance, theyve
lost the ability to sustain their selfesteem.
They become problems for themselves
and others, and many die prematurely. For example, according to insurance
industry statistics, the average length of
retirement before death is less than 2
years. To escape this death sentence they
go back to work, or start a new career,
performing again to regain their selfesteem.
All these attempts at maintaining selfesteem are doomed to failure and those
who rely upon them are eventually left
alone, old and tired; with little or no value
to others and consequently to themselves.
Theres Got to Be a Better Way
But there's a fourth way to achieve and
maintain self-esteem that isn't subject to
the opinions of others and therefore not
continued on Page 6 see Self Esteem

Foreshadows of Gog and Magog

By Daymond Duck/Prophecy Plus Ministries
While reading the incredible events of
the last few days I began to wonder if
God is revealing signs of things to come.
More specifically, is God warning the
world that the awesome battle of Gog
and Magog is on the horizon?

nantly Islamic. Some even call this war

the Russian/Islamic invasion of Israel
because so many Muslims will be involved.
In the last week of September, hundreds
of Hezbollah and Iranian troops joined
Russia in Syria and more are expected
to arrive in the near future. The fact that
only Russia, Iran, Hezbollah and Syria
are involved at this time indicates that
this war is not quite ready. More nations
will have to join in.

The Old and New Testaments contain

about a dozen blood moon prophecies.
One prophecy says, The sun shall be
turned into darkness, and the moon into
blood, before the great and the terrible
day of the LORD come (Joel 2:31).
There was a partial solar eclipse (Sept.
13, 2015), a total lunar eclipse (Sept. 28, This writer believes the battle of Gog and
2015) and a super blood moon (Sept. 28, Magog will be preceded by a war be2015) in September.
tween Israel and those nations that share
a border with Israel (some call it the Psa.
I havent read the Jewish Talmud, but I
83 war). This is another reason to behave read that it says blood moons are a lieve that the battle of Gog and Magog is
bad omen for Israel and some Jews be- not quite ready. Israel still has to deal
lieve that they are a sign of war. Since
with her neighbors.
the fourth blood moon of the current tetrad occurred in September, each person But this could be looming. There is widemust decide for themselves if the blood
spread Islamic violence in Israel and esmoons are a sign of war.
pecially on the Temple Mount and it has
gone on for several weeks. Israel is tired
In late Aug. 2015, just a few days before of it. Israel is even threatening to use her
the partial solar eclipse (partial darkness military to stop it. And her neighbors are
of the sun and about one month before
threatening to intervene.
the super blood moon), it was reported
God told Russias leader to prepare for
that Russian fighter jets, vehicles and
himself and all his allies (Ezek. 38:7). Mr.
military equipment would be soon be ar- Putin has more weapons on the way; a
riving in Syria. It was also reported that
second base under construction; a radar
these weapons and equipment would be and missile defense system under confollowed by thousands of military person- struction; helicopter pads, air traffic connel who would wage a war with the Istrol towers, storage buildings and mobile
lamic State and others.
housing units under construction, and
more.
God said Russia would get into a war in
the latter days and latter years that some God told Russias leader to guard his
call the battle of Gog and Magog (Ezek. allies (Ezek. 38:7). On the day before
38:8, 16). In his commentary on the book Russia started its first bombing raid, Mr.
of Ezekiel, Dr. J. Vernon McGee wrote, I Putin met Pres. Obama at the UN and
cant think of a better name for a dictator said Russia will not tolerate Israeli strikes
than Gog (Ezek. 38:1).
inside Syria. The next day, a Russian
It is obvious that Russias Pres. Putin is a General showed up at the American Emdictator because he sent weapons and
bassy in Baghdad and said, We launch
troops to Syria before Russias ParliaSyria air strikes in one hour. Stay out of
ment met to approve it. When Russias
the way. Russia is trying to guard her
Parliament finally did meet it rubber
allies against Israeli and U.S. interferstamped what Mr. Putin was doing. A
ence.
Russian Defense Ministry confirmed
When Gog and his armies attack Israel
Russias involvement on Sept. 30, 2015, God said some nations will just stand
two days after the super blood moon.
around and ask questions (Ezek. 38:13).
Not everyone agrees on the identity of
Pres. Obama held a press conference
the armies that will join Russia in the bat- and said the U.S. is not going to get into
tle of Gog and Magog (Ezek. 38:6), but
a proxy war with Russia. He appears to
there is almost unanimous agreement
be standing around and doing nothing.
that one of them is Iran (Persia) and that God said Russia will come up against
the religion of most of them is predomicontinued on Page 7 see Gog/Magog

Good News Press - 4

Social Skills & Etiquettes, Girl Power
Event, Educates Oaklands Youth
CEO Juanita Walker Issued Mayoral Proclamation

(Top Left) CEO/Founder of Social Skills & Etiquette, Juanita Walker, pictured with attendee of the Girl Power Event held on August 1, 2015 in Oakland, CA.
Social Skills & Etiquette, Girl
Power event was held on
August 1, 2015 to address
real issues that girls are facing today to make them better leaders tomorrow.
Founder Juanita Walker, put
together a program to educate, motivate, and teach
social and etiquette skills to
girls for this event. It included educational topics such as
image, social media, self confidence, money matters, human trafficking, health &
hygiene, self respect, listening skills, public speaking, self
esteem, education, etiquette,

work ethics, dating, introductions, peer pressure, frenemies, skincare, goal setting
and more.

under the training of Maria

Everding, world renowned
trainer and author. Juanita
coaches children, teens,
youth, young adults, adults,
The event held in Oakland,
business professionals and
mainly for Oakland youth
faith based organizations in
included teen entertainment, areas of; business acumen,
continental breakfast, lunch, effective communication,
afternoon snack and event
introductions, dining etimaterials.
quette, image, socialization
and much more. Social Skills
Juanita Walker is the presiAnd Etiquette is also an apdent and founder of Social
proved vendor with Oakland
Skills And Etiquette.
Unified School District and
She obtained her certificaPeralta Colleges. To contact
tion from the Etiquette Insti- Juanita Walker : socialskilltute in St. Louis, Missouri
sandetiquette@gmail.com

Good News Press - 5

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Good News Press - 6

Self Esteem contd from Page 3
governed by their acceptance. It wont
end in failure and won't leave us alone
and tired at the end of our lives. I call it
Creator based self-esteem and it comes
from my study of what the Bible says
about the way He views us. He is, after
all, the only One Whose opinion ultimately counts.

have been saved. (Eph. 2:3-5) His acceptance of us derives solely from His
unconditional love, and preceded any
action of ours.

How are we to approach this new life?

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it
again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be
evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be
He created the first human in His own
anxious about anything, but in everyimage (Gen. 5:1). After the fall of Man
thing, by prayer and petition, with thanksthe Bible says the rest of us were created giving, present your requests to God. And
in Adam's image (Gen. 5:3), meaning two the peace of God, which transcends all
things: procreation had been delegated to understanding, will guard your hearts and
Man and all of Adams progeny would
your minds in Christ Jesus.
inherit his propensity for sin. But even so
there are some remarkable passages about Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatHis view of us.
ever is noble, whatever is right, whatever
is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is
The Ephesians passage above is a good
admirable - if anything is excellent or
example. Were His workmanship, an
praiseworthy - think about such things.
example of His creative capability. When Whatever you have learned or received or
He gave Adam dominion over the earth
heard from me, or seen in me - put it into
He placed Man at the top of the created
practice. And the God of peace will be
order, the highest example of His capabil- with you (Phil 4:4-9)
ity, His best work. (By the way, before
And what about the ravages of time? In
using the Ephesians passage to justify a
contrast to the other doomed-to-failure
performance based relationship with God, approaches to self-esteem, at the end of
better read John 6:28-29.)
the age were promised that well be
As far as being made in His image (read made new in body as we have been made
2 Cor. 5:17-21). If were in Christ were a new in spirit. All the debilitating effects
new creation. Through His completed
of our lives in this sin-infested place,
work on the cross the effects of our inher- whether spiritual, mental or physical will
ited sin nature have been reversed. Weve be reversed.
become as righteous as He is in His sight,
as if we've never sinned at all. Perfect as Then will the eyes of the blind be opened
He is perfect (Matt. 5:48)
and the ears of the deaf unstopped. Then
Psalm 3:3 says, Hes the lifter of our
will the lame leap like a deer, and the
heads; the reason we can hold our heads mute tongue shout for joy (Isaiah 35:5-6).
up high. It was forbidden for Jews to bow The Lord will bind up the broken hearted,
before any man, because bowing pays
proclaim freedom for the captives, and
homage and places the one bowing in a
release from darkness the prisoners
position of inferiority. We are not to con- (Isaiah 61:1) and our perishable bodies
sider ourselves inferior to anyone but
will become imperishable (1 Cor. 15:42).
Him.
He has promised never to leave us (Matt.
28:20) and to see to our every need (Matt.
What Did I Do to Deserve This?
6:25-34). He has become our Savior and
And what did we do to earn this favor
Redeemer, and has given us a share of
with Him? Did He choose us because we His inheritance (Rom. 8:17). He has
looked good, had achieved much or per- promised to reverse and nullify the devasformed well? Not according to His stand- tation wrought by sin and time, restoring
ards. Read the first part of the Ephesians us to better-than-new condition forever.
passage again. All of us also lived among No longer will a less than perfect appearthem (unbelievers) at one time, gratifying ance or limitations on achievement or
the cravings of our sinful nature and fol- performance diminish us or narrow our
lowing its desires and thoughts.
horizons. If that doesnt make you feel
Like the rest, we were by nature objects
great about yourself, I dont know what
of wrath. But because of his great love
will. And what work did He require of us
for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made
to earn this? The work of God is this: To
us alive with Christ even when we were believe in the One He has sent (John
dead in transgressions - it is by grace you 6:29). Selah.

Authority to Declare
by Olive Branch Ministries
Faith takes hold of spiritual realities
we can not touch with our physical
senses and brings them into the natural realm.
All physical matter was brought into
existence by God.
God is a Spirit. All things are held
together by His Word.
John 1:1. In the beginning was the
Word, and the Word was with God,
and the Word was God.
He was in the beginning with God.
All things were made through Him,
and without Him nothing was made
that was made.
Even though we can not see it, it is
real. God has given us the authority
through the Lord Jesus Christ when
we are submitted to His Word, to exercise the power of God and walk in
that authority.
As Paul said -- Eph:3:20: Now unto
him that is able to do exceeding
abundantly above all that we ask or
think, according to the power that
worketh in us.
This power is in us the Word of God
says, yet we must be obedient and
submitted to Him if we want that
power to flow through us. We have to
follows God's directions if we are going to get God's results. Authority is
the God given right to use this power.

Jesus said in -- Matthew 28:18 Then

Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to
Me in heaven and on earth. 19. "Go
therefore and make disciples of all
the nations, baptizing them in the
name of the Father and of the Son
and of the Holy Spirit, 20. "teaching
them to observe all things that I have
commanded you; and lo, I am with
you always, even to the end of the
age.'' Amen.
All authority was been given to Jesus
who immediately turned around and
gave it to the church in order to bring
God's will into fruition in the Earth.
Declaration
I will rise up in Jesus name and walk
in the authority that Jesus has transferred to me. I will rise up and faint
not in the day of adversity. I will rise
up and walk worthy of a child of God.
I will rise up to my place of authority
and leadership.
I will rise up and boldly declare Gods
Word to be true.
I will Rise up, I will Rise up!
The day is at hand, I will not turn to
the right or left, but face straight
ahead, and see Gods glory poured
forth over the Earth.
Glory to God. Amen

Good News Press - 7

Gog/Magog from Page 3
Israel like a cloud to cover the land
(Ezek. 38:16). I believe Russia will attack Israel with lots of aircraft. Russia is
building runways and helicopter pads in
Syria for more aircraft.
God said five-sixths of the troops from
Russia and her allies will die upon the
mountains of Israel (Ezek. 38:21-22;
39:1-6). An Israeli official said Israel
doesnt want Russian troops on the Golan Heights (mountains of Israel) and
Israel definitely doesnt want Iranian
forces near Israel. Russia and her Iranian allies now have troops just a short
distance from where they will die on the
mountains of Israel.
God said it will take Israel seven months
to bury her enemies dead (Ezek.
39:12). Russia will need a little more
time to get that many troops to Syria
(and others need to come from other
nations), but Mr. Putin has just ordered
the Russian military to draft 150,000
more men.
God said Israel will survive this attack.

And three days after the super blood

moon, Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu
stood before the United Nations and
said, Here is my message to the rulers
of Iran: Your plan to destroy Israel will
fail.
God said, I will be known in the eyes of
many nations, and they shall know that I
am the Lord (Ezek. 38:23). This writer
is not planning on watching the destruction of the armies of Russia and her allies on the mountains of Israel on TV
tonight, but the events that are taking
place herald a soon coming destruction
that multitudes of those who are alive
today may see.
God is so clearly fulfilling every jot and
title of this prophecy that many will know
that Israels God is God. And many will
know that Russia and her Islamic allies
have fallen under His mighty hand of
judgment.
Prophecy Plus Ministries
Daymond & Rachel Duck
daymond.duck@yahoo.com

Good News Press - Back

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