God's Goodness

The Sweetness of God’s Goodness - Psalm 34

11:00 AM

 


Psalm 34, Ephesians 1:3, 1 Peter 3:8-13

My son has always been a finicky eater. And getting him to try anything new is a challenge. So in encouraging him to take at least take one bite I say the familiar phrase, “Try it you might like it.” And more often than not, he finds himself enjoying the goodness of what he’s tasting. David knew firsthand the sweet goodness of the Lord. Because he tasted God’s protection, love, forgiveness, and blessings. And he wants us to experience that same goodness. And so he encourages us to, “Try it. You might like it!”


We’ve all heard the expression, the proof is in the pudding. That’s why David doesn’t want us to just take his word that God is good. To be content in just admiring God from afar. Instead David wants us to taste and see for ourselves. To  experience, like him, the peace, love, and security that can be found in the Lord alone. And rejoicing over the soul sustaining goodness of God. So David urges us to take a bite, and “let God’s goodness be rolled under the tongue as a sweet morsel.” (Matthew Henry) And fill our appetites with the satisfying goodness of the Lord.


So just what is God’s goodness? David tells us that for all who take refuge in Him, God will care for our every need. Never will we want for any good thing. But instead truly enjoy life and see good days. In His goodness our Father will hear our cries, and save us from our enemies. For He is near to the broken-hearted, comforting our crushed and hurting spirits. From His great love, God redeems our souls, and condemns the wicked. All who taste of His goodness will see that the Lord is good and know His provision. 


The true worth, success, or effectiveness of something can only be determined by putting appearances and promises aside, and trying it for ourselves. David has full confidence that once we taste of the Lord there will be no going back. And after experiencing His goodness, our appetites will increase for the Lord, and we will be hungry to know Him more and more. Have you tasted the sweet goodness of God? Is He your refuge when the storms of trouble rage? It’s time to stop watching others enjoy every morsel of His goodness, and start experiencing it for yourself. So if you haven’t, “Try it. You make like it!”


Pause and Reflect -

Have you accepted David’s invitation to taste of God’s goodness? Have you filled your plate with His provisions? Or are you trying to fill your appetite in other ways? Do you find the things of the world leaving you hungry? 


It’s normal to seek relief from hurt, trouble, and discomfort. David’s  pain relief was to find refuge in God. Is the Lord the first one you run to during times of trials? Or are you tempted to seek your refuge elsewhere? If you do, how does that work for you?


Finally, let’s pray together,

Our dearest Father in heaven above, hallowed be Thy name. Father we thank You for Your Word and the wisdom it contains. Thank You that we can taste of your sweet goodness and of Your saving grace. We are eternally blessed, protected, and redeemed by trusting in Jesus as our Lord and Savior. Father may we seek You in all the difficulties and dangers of life, knowing that all who trust in You will never be put to shame. Thank You that You are our refuge and strength and our ever-present help in troubled times. Oh Father we know You are near to the broken-hearted and close to all who are crushed in spirit. And we thank you for Your faithfulness and Your mercies which are new every morning. We praise you Father for You are a God, who not only saves but keeps, helps, comforts and provides for all who are called by Your name. In Jesus precious name we pray, Amen. 


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I can’t wait to hear your thoughts, and I pray your day overflows with love and blessings.


💕 Lisa


Becky Austin

Christ Is All, and In All (Colossians 3)

11:57 PM



Colossians 3

When I think of the goodness of God, I think of His perfect goodness permeating through the evil, sin, and harsh corruption of a less than perfect world. He did not abandon us to the fate of hopelessness, but instead, He sent Christ to bring overcoming good to be manifested within and among us. This chapter in Colossians reminds us of that hope and encourages us to be vessels through which His goodness impacts the world around us. 

Because we are “ in Christ” we have the hope of a future beyond this life and that should be our focus. “If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.” (3:1-4). If the trials of this world burden you, then you can be comforted that this life is temporary but we have a better life to come that is eternal.  

Because of God’s goodness, we are given “ a spiritual new self” and we have the privilege of spiritual connection with God and His Holy Spirit to teach us. We are empowered to live differently. “....you have put off the old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator.” (3:9-10) 

The world judges, criticizes and condemns but in God’s view, we are all made equal through Christ. It’s not about your looks, your race, your sex, your education, your talents, your money, etc. It’s about Christ within you.  “Here there is not Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, free; but Christ is all, and in all.” (3:11) 

God, in His goodness, chose us and has a special regard for each one of us. We are encouraged to extend the goodness shown to us toward each other. “Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. (3:12-15) 

God, in His goodness, gives purpose to our lives no matter what the circumstances. It’s not about job title, career accomplishments, trophies or earthly recognition. It’s about fulfilling God’s purposes as we bloom where He plants us. He will reward our faithfulness to Him. “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.” (3:23-24) 
 
 God is a God of goodness and He wants us to know the blessings of His goodness in this life and also in the eternity He has promised us. He loves, empowers, and equips each of us. We are His beloved children. The old song ‘Jesus Loves the Little Children’ still reminds us we are each unique and “ precious in His sight”. 

God's Goodness

God's Goodness {Psalm 119:65:72}

12:00 AM


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Tuesday, March 19, 2019


Please Read Psalm 119:65-72

Have you ever known someone who said they were angry at God?  Perhaps you’ve been angry at God due to a circumstance you were or are in.

I have been there.  It’s not something I’d like to admit, but I have asked God why He would allow certain situations to happen.  One I remember was when my husband was in the hospital and I was about 7 months pregnant and our driveway needed to be shoveled due to an overnight snowfall.  I was spitting and sputtering out there asking why I had to do this all alone.  Shortly thereafter while attending church, the sermon was about asking God for help and I learned that I needed to be specific in my prayer requests.  I couldn’t spit and sputter about God knowing my circumstances and not doing anything to help me.  I needed to change how I prayed.

I found this recent post since 20 years ago our church didn’t record sermons, this nearly matches what I heard back then.

Learning how to pray properly helped me to learn about God’s goodness.  For me, the more time I spend reading scripture and praying according to God’s will, the more I have discovered just how good God is.  And….  I spend much less time spitting and sputtering.


 Image result for psalm 34:9

Wandering with Jesus,
Lisa


Blame

Focused On His Goodness {James 1}

11:41 PM



Monday, Mar. 18, 


I’m a morning person. I love the freshness of each new day and the promises it holds. That being said, I learned long ago that nothing sucks the joy out of the morning quicker than waking up and immediately turning on the television, or getting on the internet to get caught up with the news of the world. Filled with stories of disasters, tragedies, and divisiveness, far from feeling encouraged or empowered, I felt hopeless and angry; filled with despair.  I blamed God asking, “Where are you? Why are You letting this happen?” 

During the time of James, the scattered Jewish Christians shared these same feelings. Tired of the injustice, poverty, and corruption of Rome, they were angry at God for the evil of the world. But James warned against such thoughts saying, “Do not be deceived my beloved brethren. Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow.” (vs. 16-17) James wants us to know that God is the Author of goodness, through whom all good things flow. “Whatever is good is from God; whatever is evil is from man himself. As from the sun, which is the father or fountain of light, all light comes; so from God, who is the infinite Fountain, Father, and Source of good, all good comes.” (studylight.org) So how can we experience the goodness of God no matter the circumstance? By staying focused on, and appreciating all of the awesome attributes He possesses. 

Faithful-“Great is Your faithfulness. ‘The LORD is my portion’, says my soul, ‘Therefore I have hope in Him.” (Lam. 3:23, 24) Even with the destruction of Israel all around him, Jeremiah held fast to the loyalty of God. When we place our hope in the Lord, no matter the griefs of the world we can stay focused on the goodness of His faithfulness. 

Omnipotent-“Ah, Lord GOD! It is you who have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and by your outstretched arm! Nothing is too hard for you.” (Jer. 32:17) We serve God Almighty whose supremacy knows no bounds, and who has no equal. When we trust in His ability to work far beyond what we could ever ask or imagine, no matter the darkness of the world we can stay focused on the goodness of His power.

Compassionate-“The Lord is good to all, and his compassion is over all that he has made.” (Ps. 145:9) As our Father in heaven, God gives to us His children, unending love and mercy. He is our Comforter and our Counselor. When we rest in His grace and tenderness, no matter the afflictions of the world we can stay focused on the goodness of His compassion.

Unchanging-“God is not man, that he should lie, or a son of man, that he should change his mind. Has he said, and will he not do it? Or has he spoken, and will he not fulfill it?” (Num. 23:19)  The God of today is the same God of yesterday, and as before the foundation of the earth. His Word is true, His promises everlasting. When we place our certainty in His eternal nature, no matter the temperament of the world, we can stay focused on the goodness of His steadfastness.

Sovereign-“Yours, O Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty, for all that is in the heavens and in the earth is yours. Yours is the kingdom, O Lord, and you are exalted as head above all.” (1 Chr. 29:11) God is the Alpha and Omega; the Beginning and the End of all things. And as such nothing is above His authority, nor happens without His approval. When we stand humbly in His presence, no matter the evil schemes of the world, we can stay focused on the goodness of His dominance.

God is good. Not because He does good, but because He is good. And far from leading us into temptation, He is the constant and unshakable source of every good thing in our lives. Ruler and Creator of heaven and earth, there is no darkness in Him to be found. And in a world that grows darker by the day, keeping our focus on God and His goodness, allows us to experience joy despite an Enemy who seeks to steal it.



God's Goodness

Matthew 7:11 ~ Just ask Him! ~ God’s Goodness

12:00 AM

Saturday, March 16, 2019



Welcome to Scripture Saturday!

This coming week's memory verse is Matthew 7:11...

If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him! (NKJV)

 God is good and will answer our prayers, but we must first ask, seek God’s will, and then obey Him fully. “Good” fathers on earth may do many “good” things for their children, but they fall short. Only God “knows how to give good gifts” to His children. He is the One Good and Perfect Father.  He will not only give us temporary “good things”, such as food, drink, and clothing, but all spiritual good things…all things pertaining to life and godliness. He knows what we need, what we desire in our hearts, and what is right for us.  

 Have a blessed day and week everyone!