After a cold winter, everyone looks forward to the Spring. Well, today is March 5, and where I live–New Orleans, Louisiana–regardless of the calendar, it’s Springtime. Later this week the temperature will reach the 70s and after that, we’ll never look back.

The TV news people said today a number of economic indicators are really looking good in this country. We’re ready for this kind of “springtime” also; the winter of our economic discontent has been devastating to so many.

But, there’s a problem with this kind of good news. Know what it is?

After the Spring will come a blisteringly hot summer. And a few months later, winter again.

After a time of economic prosperity, sooner or later, there will come a downturn, a correction of the stock market, or whatever we choose to call it.

It’s life.

So, is there good news anywhere with no shadow to it, no dark side, no “other side of the coin”?

You bet there is.

Here are an even dozen pieces of really, really great news, none of which carry harmful side effects. (Note: A second article will give the last half of this; below are the first six news items.)

1) God loves you.

He does. He really and truly does. And He always will. Nothing you can do will change this.

Why God loves you is a big question. In the Bible, He tells Israel He loves them not because they are better than anyone else, but “because I loved you.” Get that? I love you because I love you. (Deuteronomy 7:7-8)

That’s a sliver of what we mean when we say that God is love. He’s love all the way down, solid love throughout, with no hollow spot, no rottenness, no pit to choke on, no surprises, no mixture of anything. Pure love.

2) God loves you the way you are.

The line on this goes: “God loves you the way you are, but loves you so much He doesn’t want to leave you that way.”

But don’t miss the first part–He loves you just the way you are.

We humans put all kinds of conditions on our affections. I love you IF you will do certain things. I love you BECAUSE you do this or that. And if you DON’T do this, I won’t love you any more.

God does not play those manipulative games. His love is eternal and unconditional.

“God demonstrated His love toward us in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8)

3) God has big plans for you.

Bear in mind, we’re not talking about a rank stranger invading your space to impose his plans on you. We’re not making God out as a holy telemarketer calling to announce that he really likes you and wants to do some weird stuff with your life. That, I grant you, is the image religious people often leave with the rest of the world. Nothing could be further from the truth.

When we speak of “God,” we’re talking about the One who made you, who knew you before you were born, who knows you better than you know yourself, and who wants only the best for you. We’re talking about the One who is known in the Lord Jesus Christ.

The plans He has for you are both earthly and heavenly. On this earth, He wants to cut you free from addictions and bondages that hold you down, destroy your soul, and ruin your life. Jesus put it like this: “The thief comes to steal, kill, and destroy. I have come that you might have life and have it more abundantly.” (John 10:10)

After this life, the plan calls for you to live forever in “the Father’s house.” See John 14:1-6 and the last of Psalm 23.

4) God loves you enough to let you choose.

Even though the plan is in our best interest, he does not force His plan on us, but let’s us decide for ourselves. That surely is the ultimate compliment from the Creator of the universe, a privilege given to no other element in creation to our knowledge.

“Choose you this day whom you will serve,” was first spoken by an Old Testament leader (Joshua 24:15).

Jesus said, “Behold, I stand at your door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and sup with him and he with me.” (Revelation 3:20) Interesting that the Lord sees salvation as a feast (the enemy will tell you it’s a fast!) and even more fascinating that He brings all the makings right up to our front door and asks for admission.

You get to choose. You have to choose. He will not force it on you.

5) Say ‘yes’ to Jesus Christ and a thousand wonderful things (and no bad ones) will happen.

Umm. Okay, maybe I overstated there. There may well be bad reactions from people who do not appreciate that you have taken Jesus Christ into your life. That’s why Jesus told the disciples that they “will be hated by all on account of my name” (Matthew 10:22).

And, living in obedience to Jesus means you will be going contrary to the way this world’s system is set up in many areas. You need to know this so you’ll not be blind-sided by the difficulties.

By “saying yes” we mean to consciously speak to Jesus in prayer and invite Him into your life as your Lord and Savior.

There are no magic words for this. What he looks for is sincerity in the heart of the one praying.

Bear in mind that once He enters your life, He begins to rearrange the furniture. But that is all good, too.

6) The Holy Spirit is the great Re-arranger. That’s all right because He is also the Great Designer.

Once in a while my wife and I visit the home of friends whose daughter is an interior decorator. Their home is amazing, impressive to the extreme, in every corner, on every wall. Until then, I’m quite satisfied with our humble abode. But seeing how things could look when redone by someone who knows what he/she is doing, that raises the bar.

The Holy Spirit enters your life when you receive Jesus Christ. And–this is important, so listen up–gradually, He begins to call things to your attention. “This broken-down furniture will need to go if we’re going to beautify your home.” “This lean-to on the back of your house needs to be torn down since I’m turning this into a castle.” “This ugliness is not good; I have some beauty to put in its place.”

The process is painful only if you resist.

He’s making your life a showplace. A showpiece. “You are chosen…that you may show forth the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light” (I Peter 2:9).

He’s making you exhibit A. A demonstration house for the world. Really, He is.

But he does it, not you. So relax and trust Him.

So, how does all this sound so far? Six bits of outstanding news. There’s more to come, but please don’t sit around waiting for the rest. Get in on what you already know to be available from the Living God. Turn to Him in faith and ask Jesus Christ to come into your life and take over.

You’ll soon be writing your own notes, not about 12 pieces of good news, but 12 thousand! (Remember, you heard it here first.)