Category: Goodness of God

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HOW GREAT!

Very often, early in the mornings my heart fills with song. Sometimes it’s just a spontaneous outpouring of gratitude, at others it’s a prayer put to music. Then there are the occasions that the song comes as a result of something I’ve read in my Bible as I start the day.

“ Follow my example: Even the Son of Man did not come for people to serve him. He came to serve others and to give his life to save many people.”

46 Then they came to the town of Jericho. When Jesus left there with his followers, a large crowd was with them. A blind man named Bartimaeus (meaning “son of Timaeus”) was sitting by the road. He was always begging for money. 47 He heard that Jesus from Nazareth was walking by. So he began shouting, “Jesus, Son of David, please help me!”

48 Many people criticized the blind man and told him to be quiet. But he shouted more and more, “Son of David, please help me!”

49 Jesus stopped and said, “Tell him to come here.”

So they called the blind man and said, “You can be happy now. Stand up! Jesus is calling you.” 50 The blind man stood up quickly. He left his coat there and went to Jesus.

51 Jesus asked the man, “What do you want me to do for you?”

He answered, “Teacher, I want to see again.”

52 Jesus said, “Go. You are healed because you believed.” Immediately the man was able to see again. He followed Jesus down the road.” Mark 10:45-52 ERV

Immediately! he followed Jesus. I can’t help but believe that he followed praising God, singing, shouting, rejoicing in God’s goodness. How great You are Almighty God!

There have been many times I felt like the blind man. Circumstances beyond my control, financial hardship, chronic health issues, broken relationships and I couldn’t see. I couldn’t see how things would change.,,

and then I realized that Jesus was walking by – in fact, I realized that I wasn’t alone. He had promised to never leave me or abandon me. He had said, “Ask and it will be given” and “Call on me” and “Come to Me and I will give you rest”.

He never once turned me away when I called. He welcomed me with open arms. His word instructed me not to be afraid but to trust in the Lord.

Reading this man’s story my heart began to sing, “How great Thou art, How great Thou art!” https://youtu.be/a-m_6KN5ISA.

Maybe that’s what you need this morning.

Call out to Jesus – give Him your blindness to the answers that you are seeking. Tell Him you want to see, see how He is going to work in this situation and then follow Him as He leads the way.

Oh Lord, how great thou art!

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Serving with Gladness

We need to be thinking like Jesus – we need to have the same mind set that He did. He came to serve mankind but He didn’t compromise His principles in His service. He was humble and loving but stood resolute in His message of victory over sin and living godly.

“Earth, sing to the Lord! 2 Be happy as you serve the Lord!  Come before him with happy songs! 3 Know that the Lord is God. He made us, and we belong to him. We are his people, the sheep he takes care of.” Psalm 100:1-3 ERV

Let’s serve others today without compromising our stand for the Lord.

“In your life together, think the way Christ Jesus thought. 6 He was like God in every way, but he did not think that his being equal with God was something to use for his own benefit. 7 Instead, he gave up everything, even his place with God. He accepted the role of a servant, appearing in human form. During his life as a man, 8 he humbled himself by being fully obedient to God, even when that caused his death—death on a cross. 9 So God raised him up to the most important place and gave him the name that is greater than any other name. 10 God did this so that every person will bow down to honor the name of Jesus. Everyone in heaven, on earth, and under the earth will bow. 11 They will all confess, “Jesus Christ is Lord,” and this will bring glory to God the Father.” Philippians 2:5-12 ERV

Jesus served with a loving heart. He had compassion for those who were weak, hurting, distressed and overcome by wrong deeds and wrong relationships.

“ Follow my example: Even the Son of Man did not come for people to serve him. He came to serve others and to give his life to save many people.” Mark 10:45 ERV

Right after He said this Jesus healed a blind beggar. He touched the people of His time that others had ignored or worse yet, that they had shunned and deemed unworthy of common courtesy.

The blind, lame, lepers, prostitutes, tax collectors, even a thief hanging next to Him on a cross.

God asks us to humble ourselves and serve. Jesus washed the feet of His disciples. He took on the form of a servant and ministered love and forgiveness to those in need.

When the opportunity to serve presents itself, let’s make the most of it and provide service with a smile. We serve God when we serve others.

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No One Like You!

Who is like our God?

No one – there is no one like You. Those are the words that kept running through my mind in worship this morning – There is no one like You!!!

Amazing love, You gave Your life for me…there is none like You!

Amazing grace, You forgave all my sins…there is none like You!

Amazing joy, You put a new song in my heart…there is none like You!

Amazing relationship, You adopted me…there is none like You!

Amazing transformation, You made me a new creature in Christ…there is none like You!!

“O LORD, there is none like thee, neither is there any God beside thee, according to all that we have heard with our ears.” I Chronicles 17:20 KJV

“LORD God All-Powerful, there is no one like you. You are strong, LORD, and always faithful.” Psalm 89:8 ERV

“Remember what happened long ago. Remember, I am God and there is no other God. There is no other like me.” Isaiah 46:9 ERV

Oh Lord, we worship you this morning. Your word is our source of life and strength. You keep your word and your word directs us in relationship with you! How we praise You! You alone are worthy of all praise!

“You will do all these wonderful things because you said you would do them and because you want to do them. And you decided to let me know about all these things. 22 Lord GOD, this is why you are so great! There is no one like you. There is no god except you! We know that because of what we ourselves have heard about what you did.” II Samuel 7:21-22 ERV

There is no one like You! Amen and Amen.

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The Note

I got up this morning thinking about what I needed to do today. The item at the top of my list is write thank-you’s.

Acknowledgement and appreciation is important. Without them we could develop an attitude of entitlement and selfishness. As a child, Mom made sure that we wrote our grandparents and other family members when they gave us a gift. Christmas, birthdays, graduations, etc. never passed without her nudging of “did you write your thank-yous”.

For as long as I can remember I have verbalized my gratitude when someone does something they don’t have to and assist me or make my job easier but saying “Thank you. I really appreciate that.” Those are not empty words, they are not cliche. They are a heartfelt expression of gratitude.

Why am I telling you this? Glad you asked.

I realized this morning that I do this very thing everyday when I write in my journal. Nearly every day the first two words I write are “thank You”… That’s probably the reason I spend so much time in the Psalms. David and the other writers continually expressed their thanks to the Lord.

“Praise the name of the Lord! He is kind and good.” Psalm 135:3 CEV

“Praise the Lord! He is good. God’s love never fails.” Psalm 136:1 CEV

“ Don’t worry about anything, but pray about everything. With thankful hearts offer up your prayers and requests to God. 7 Then, because you belong to Christ Jesus, God will bless you with peace that no one can completely understand. And this peace will control the way you think and feel.” Philippians 4:6-7 CEV

Gratitude removes worry and brings peace. Thankfulness puts our eyes on the blessing and the One who gave it to us and not on our own limitations.

Just yesterday I was reading about the miracle of the ten lepers who asked Jesus to heal them. It’s an interesting story of thankfulness.

“As he was going into a village, ten men with leprosy came toward him. They stood at a distance 13 and shouted, ‘Jesus, Master, have pity on us!’

14  Jesus looked at them and said, ‘Go show yourselves to the priests.’ On their way they were healed. 15 When one of them discovered that he was healed, he came back, shouting praises to God. 16 He bowed down at the feet of Jesus and thanked him.” Luke 17:13-16 CEV

Ten men were cleansed, only one came back to thank Jesus for what He had done. Look at Jesus’ reaction:

“17 And Jesus answering said, Were there not ten cleansed? but where are the nine? 18 There are not found that returned to give glory to God, save this stranger. 19 And he said unto him, Arise, go thy way: thy faith hath made thee whole.” Luke 17:17-19 AKJV

There’s a difference between being cleansed and being made whole. Cleansed or healed means the leprosy was gone. The dead and rotting flesh was healed but the man who returned with the grateful heart was made whole. This word indicates that missing body parts had been restored – instead of stubby fingers, whole fingers replaced them. Instead of a nose partially there, a “whole”ness came.

A miracle for sure. Healing and wholeness!

Write a note – say thank you – give glory to God and let the healing power of God’s love flow, unlimited power and peace!

Thank you for reading each morning, I really appreciate it.

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Ever Present – Ever Faithful

“The virgin will be pregnant and will give birth to a son. They will name him Immanuel.”(Immanuel means “God with us.”) Matthew 1:23

” But the Lord will still give you proof. A virgin is pregnant; she will have a son and will name him Immanuel.” Isaiah 7:14 CEV

God with us – in the car going to work; in the kitchen baking cookies; helping our kids with their homework; Christmas shopping; sitting beside the bed of a sick friend; sitting alone looking at the checkbook and the bills that need to be paid.

God with us – His purpose in coming was to be “with us”. In fact, Hebrews 13:5 tells us that He will NEVER leave us or forsake us.

We are also told that He promises to provide all our needs, heals all our diseases and forgives all our sins. Psalm 103

He always causes us to triumph in Christ Jesus. II Corinthians 2:14

Can’t say that’s the way it’s always been in my life but I can say that when I realized that “God with us” it has certainly changed the outcome for the better – the best.

When we focus on all “we” have to do and how it’s “All” up to us, we become self absorbed. We make a very small package. But when we realize, truly realize, that God’s purpose is to “Be with us”, when we unwrap the present of His presence in our daily lives our world changes dramatically.

” What can we say about all this? If God is on our side, can anyone be against us? 32 God did not keep back his own Son, but he gave him for us. If God did this, won’t he freely give us everything else?” Romans 8:31-32 CEV

“Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.” Psalm 16:11

God’s present to us is His presence today. It fills us with joy!

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Think On His Goodness

Choose to let yesterday go! Those are the words that filled my morning mediation. I choose to let yesterday go and live today in God’s goodness.

Yesterday after work I began preparation of the recipes I am making for Thanksgiving dinner. I had a recipe card before me. It was probably written 50 years ago. My handwriting but my mother’s recipe.

I assembled the ingredients on the cupboard and then concentrated on the exact ingredients, measuring correctly, not guessing as I sometimes do. You see, this time I’m taking it to share with friends, and I wanted it to be good, not just ok.

That was what I thought of as the Lord prompted me to let yesterday go and live today in His goodness.

I’m to use the same concentration that I did in getting each ingredient of the recipe measured correctly. I needed to measure His goodness, His love and not let anything else contaminate the recipe.

“Yet I am confident I will see the Lord’s goodness while I am here in the land of the living.” Psalm 27:13 NLV

“Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever.” Psalm 136:1 NKJV

“ For sure, You will give me goodness and loving-kindness all the days of my life. Then I will live with You in Your house forever.” Psalm 23:6 NLV

“Praise the Lord! O give thanks to the Lord for He is good. His loving-kindness lasts forever.” Psalm 106:1 NLV

The recipe for a life focused on God’s goodness is one void of anger, frustration, and strife. Those ingredients sour and taint the pleasing flavor of the life God intends us to have.

Make today one where you savor the goodness of God!

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In Times of Trouble

In times of trouble I am thankful!

“I love you, Lord! You are my strength. 2 The Lord is my Rock, my fortress, my place of safety. He is my God, the Rock I run to for protection. He is my shield; by his power I am saved. He is my hiding place high in the hills. 3 I called to the Lord for help, and he saved me from my enemies! He is worthy of my praise!
4 Death had its ropes wrapped around me. A deadly flood was carrying me away. 5 The ropes of the grave wrapped around me. Death set its trap right there in front of me. 6 In my trouble I called to the Lord. Yes, I cried out to my God for help. There in his temple he heard my voice. He heard my cry for help…” Psalm 18:1-6 ERV

I’m never sure when I begin my morning writings who the Lord is wanting to speak to, I always know He has a message for me and I hope the words of the Bible are touching you as well.

I have been through those times when I felt death grip me. I have been through the valley of the shadow of death for me and those in my family. And I cried out for help and I KNOW He heard my cry.

“Lord, you are faithful to those who are faithful. You are good to those who are good.
26 You never do wrong to those who have done no wrong. But you outsmart the wicked, no matter how clever they are. 27 You help those who are humble, but you humiliate the proud.
28 Lord, you provide the flame for my lamp. You, God, turn the darkness around me into light. 29 With your help I can defeat an army. If my God is with me, I can climb over enemy walls.

30 God’s way is perfect. The Lord’s promise always proves to be true. He protects those who trust in him. 31 There is no God except the Lord. There is no Rock except our God. 32 God is the one who gives me strength. He clears the path I need to take.33 He makes my feet as steady as those of a deer. Even on steep mountains he keeps me from falling.
34 He trains me for war so that my arms can bend the most powerful bow. 35 Lord, you have given me your shield to protect me. You support me with your right hand. It is your help that has made me great.” Psalm 18:25-35 ERV

Every wall that the enemy has set to hedge you in God has given you the strength to climb over. He has given you protection and support. He is an ever-present help in times of trouble.

Once again the words of a song are coming up in my heart.

“All my life You have been faithful
All my life You have been so, so good
With every breath that I am able
Oh, I will sing of the goodness of God” Bethel Music

In times of trouble lift your voice and sing of the goodness of God.

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What Has Jesus Done?

That’s the question I have for you this morning. What has Jesus done for you and who have you told?

I was reading about the demon-possessed man who had lived in graveyards, been chained at various times, lost his mind and walked around naked. He had an encounter with Jesus and Jesus set him free.

The demons went into a herd of pigs who then ran off a cliff and drown in the sea, but that’s a story for another day.

The men taking care of the pigs went into town and told the owners what had happened to the pigs and to the man. They came out to see for themselves. There they found the man sitting at Jesus’ feet. He was clothed and in his right mind. The towns people were frightened and told Jesus and his disciples to leave. The man wanted to go with Jesus but Jesus told him “No, stay here and tell everyone what has happened to you”.

” 37 All those who lived in the area around Gerasa asked Jesus to go away because they were afraid. So Jesus got into the boat to go back to Galilee. 38 The man he had healed begged to go with him. But Jesus sent him away, saying, 39 ‘Go back home and tell people what God did for you.‘ So the man went all over town telling what Jesus had done for him.” Luke 8:37-39 ERV

It was the testimony of people just like this man, telling his story, that brought the crowds to see Jesus. The leper, the blind man, the woman with the adulterous past, the woman’s whose son was raised from the dead, all gave testimony to what Jesus had done.

I love the account of the man who was born blind. The religious leaders were trying to discredit Jesus, and they spent a great deal of time questioning this man. They even questioned his parents.

“25 The man answered, ‘I don’t know if he is a sinner. But I do know this: I was blind, and now I can see.‘ 26 They asked, ‘What did he do to you? How did he heal your eyes?’ 27 He answered, ‘I have already told you that. But you would not listen to me. Why do you want to hear it again? Do you want to be his followers too?’…30 The man answered, ‘This is really strange! You don’t know where he comes from, but he healed my eyes.'” John 9:25-30 ERV

Jesus spoke to Mary in the garden after His resurrection and He told her to “go tell Peter and the disciples that I am risen”.

Before Jesus went back into heaven He said, “Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. 20 Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:19-20 NLT

Let me ask you again. What has Jesus done for you? Go tell someone, they need to hear your story. Tell it as an act of gratitude and thanksgiving.

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Good Fruit

I love blackberries. I think they are my favorite fruit.

The other day I bought a container of them while we were out grocery shopping. I always look them over carefully before buying, I want to make sure there aren’t any that have begun to spoil.

I had been taking a few out each morning to have with my breakfast and on the 3rd morning, there they were. Three big berries with white mold on them! Disappointed I quickly removed them from the basket and in the trash they went. I washed the others knowing they could be tainted by those that had begun to spoil. It happens that way…

Good fruit can become tainted if we aren’t careful.

That brings me to this morning’s thoughts. We have been blessed with the fruit of the Spirit. He fills our lives and conforms our character with love, joy, peace, gentleness, kindness, meekness, faith and patience.

Impatience is a fruit of selfishness! Most of our objections around things that make us impatient start with I. I think, I can, I want my way.

How contrary that is to God’s character!

He waited for just the right time to send Jesus. Jesus walked this earth teaching the same thing over and over, the love of God and restoration to Him, and still people didn’t get it. And now God is waiting again, He is not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance. He’s not impatient!

“The Lord isn’t slow about keeping his promises, as some people think he is. In fact, God is patient, because he wants everyone to turn from sin and no one to be lost.” II Peter 3:9 CEV

This morning I was reading in John 13. This is Jesus final Passover celebration with his disciples before His crucifixion. He takes the role of a servant and starts washing the disciples feet. Peter objects, not understanding but Jesus doesn’t become impatient. He takes time to explain His purpose to Peter and still he misunderstands…

“He came to Simon Peter. But Peter said to him, ‘Lord, you should not wash my feet.’ 7 Jesus answered, ‘You don’t know what I am doing now. But later you will understand.’ 8 Peter said, ‘No! You will never wash my feet.’ Jesus answered, ‘If I don’t wash your feet, you are not one of my people.'” John 13:6-8 ERV

Jesus was patient with Peter and his impertinence. How many times has the Lord been patient with our failings, our shortcomings, our wanderings. He has been there to pick us up, welcome us home and encourage us to “go our way and sin no more”.

And now He is asking us to become patient with ourselves and with others. To show them the same love and compassion He has shown to us. When we are patient, we are Christ-like and our lives will reflect His love.

“My brothers and sisters, you will have many kinds of trouble. But this gives you a reason to be very happy. 3 You know that when your faith is tested, you learn to be patient in suffering. 4 If you let that patience work in you, the end result will be good. You will be mature and complete. You will be all that God wants you to be.” James 1:2-4 ERV

Pluck out impatience and let the good fruit remain.

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Under A Cloud

The other night after the rains had stopped, this was the view from our porch. The end of the day, clouds filled the sky and the sun was peaking over them one more time before setting for the night.

I love clouds.

Not everyone does. Some think that they are living under a dark cloud, a cloud of depression and worry. A cloud that blocks them from seeing the sun. Oh, that can be crushing to the spirit.

When I see the clouds I think of the Lord’s protection and guidance.

The children of Israel were led out of Egypt by Moses, not really knowing which way to go but they were headed to a “promised” land. God had promised a good, fertile land to Abraham hundreds of years before. That’s where the Lord was taking them.

The Egyptians pursued them with chariots and horses and the first thing the Lord did was cover the Israelites with a cloud.

“ The Lord led the way. During the day, he used a tall cloud to lead the people. And during the night, he used a tall column of fire to lead the way. This fire gave them light so that they could also travel at night. 22 The cloud was always with them during the day, and the column of fire was always with them at night.” Exodus 13:21-23 ERV

When the Temple was built by Solomon it is recorded that a cloud filled the Temple. The cloud was a sign of God’s presence with His people.

“When the priests came out of the Holy Place, the cloud filled the Lord’s Temple. 11 The priests could not continue their work because the Temple was filled with the Glory of the Lord. 12 Then Solomon said, ‘The Lord caused the sun to shine in the sky, but he chose to live in a dark cloud.'” I Kings 8:9-12 ERV

And finally, there is one more reference to clouds that I want to share this morning.

“…Tell us, are you the Messiah, the Son of God?’ Jesus answered, “Yes, that’s right. But I tell you, in the future you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right side of God. And you will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven.” Matthew 26:64 ERV

Oh, how I am looking for that day! The day of the Lord’s return!

I wait for it with excitement, anticipation and joy. The Lord’s return to earth. What a glorious day that will be!

Oh dear one, don’t dread the clouds. Live under the cloud of the Lord’s protection, enjoy His presence, live in His glory and await His return!

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