DEAR GOD: Your Goodness Shines Over All~

God's GoodnessThe Goodness of God: A Journey of Faith

The Bible resounds with the declaration that God is good. His goodness transcends mere acts of kindness; it encompasses His holiness, justice, mercy, and love in perfect harmony. As we delve into this topic, let us uncover the layers of His goodness and discover how it shapes our lives. Upon reading these selected verses, truly concentrate and meditate on the “goodness” of God. Not just the “word” – but the reality of “goodness as it pertains to God.” His redemption of souls, His forgiveness, His loving nature towards humanity, His steadfast and unwavering mercy, His light that shines in the darkness, and His life affirming gift of His Son, our LORD and Savior, Jesus Christ!

God’s Goodness Revealed in Scripture:

  1. Exodus 34:6: “The Lord, the Lord God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abounding in goodness and truth.” God’s goodness is woven into His very nature. He is merciful, gracious, patient, and unwaveringly true.
  2. 1 Chronicles 16:34: “Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever.” Our gratitude springs from recognizing His enduring goodness.
  3. Psalm 25:8: “Good and upright is the Lord.” His goodness aligns with righteousness, guiding us toward upright living.
  4. Psalm 23:6: “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” His goodness accompanies us throughout our journey, leading us home.
  5. Psalm 145:9: “The Lord is good to all, and His tender mercies are over all His works.” His goodness extends to every corner of creation.
  6. Mark 10:18: “No one is good but One, that is, God.” Jesus Himself affirmed God’s inherent goodness.
  7. James 1:17: “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above.” Our blessings flow from the Father of lights, unchanging and generous.
  8. 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!” God delights in bestowing goodness upon His children.

Meditative Thoughts:

Contemplating His Majesty: Take a moment to meditate on the glorious splendor of God’s majesty. Imagine His awesome acts—the creation of galaxies, the intricacy of a butterfly’s wing, and the redemption of souls.

The Greatness of His Goodness: As you reflect, consider how God’s goodness surpasses human comprehension. It flows from His very essence, unblemished and unending.

Trust in His Goodness: Amid life’s challenges, trust that you will see the goodness of the Lord. Even when circumstances seem bleak, His goodness remains steadfast.

Pursue Righteousness: God’s goodness aligns with righteousness. Strive to live uprightly, knowing that His goodness surrounds you.

Reflective Questions:

  1. What “high places” are you striving to reach? Just as Habakkuk desired to see God’s goodness, consider your spiritual aspirations.
  2. How can you reflect God’s goodness in your interactions with others? Extend kindness, mercy, and grace to those around you.

Prayer of Unity:

“Dear Heavenly Father, we gather as one, acknowledging Your goodness. You are the source of all that is right and beautiful. As we journey through life, grant us hinds’ feet—agility to navigate challenges and unwavering trust in Your goodness. Guide us, O Lord, To walk the path of righteousness. May our lives echo Your goodness, Our words and deeds reflecting Your grace. Fill our hearts with gratitude, For Your gifts are abundant. In unity, we lift our voices: You are good, and Your mercy endures forever. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”

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Meditative Thoughts

As you close this reflection, dwell on the goodness that surrounds you. May it inspire gratitude and propel you forward on your journey of faith, as you walk in abject humility and faithful servitude of Your LORD and Creator, all the days of your life…

 

DEAR GOD: My Milestones Have All Been With You~

Milestones in Life - The Fit Club Network

 From the first breath of life God was there.
He is our Creator…and the Creator of all things.
But, getting back to our first breath of life…God was there.  With each breath thereafter, He was and is there.
As we went through all of the major milestones in life…He was and is there.
Our first step.
Our first word.
Our first day of school.
Our graduation.
Our engagement.
Our marriage.
Our First-born child.
Our first job.
Our first encounter with “death” of a loved one.
And so it goes – so on and so forth…

If we’re fortunate we will be blessed from above to be afforded the opportunities to go through all of the major milestones in our life. In so doing, we should embrace the chance to do so, and fully appreciate and comprehend that we’re loved by the LORD above.

He guides us and leads us on paths of righteousness if we seek Him with all of our heart, and acknowledge Him in all things, and lean not on our own understanding.   When we do these things, not through our own accord, but Him and love Him and keep from evil it will be health to our navel and marrow for our bones (Proverbs 3:5-8). 

In other words, we’ll be prosperous, and well-being in soul, and spirit, through Him and Him alone.

As we age-we sometimes will find ourselves in a hamster wheel or “rut” wondering, “what else is there for me to do?”  We might think, well, we’ve hit all the milestones, and we’ve done -A—thru—Z” now what?  Then we perhaps begin to ponder and ruminate in a redundant manner asking “Are we done here?  What else is there to look forward to?”

Well, as long as we’re here on earth, it means our time is not “done” and that we still have work to do for Him. We are to continue on the path of righteousness, even though it might not be abundantly clear, we still need to persevere and continue on.  The race isn’t over until God says it is. His timing. His way. His plans.

As we age, (if we are blessed to do so) we will see a lot of heartaches, people coming into our lives-and ostensibly, people going OUT of our lives. Including-but not limited to- the significant loss of special family members, friends- and YES, I will even include heartache from the loss of fur-babies along the way.  But, through this all- what is the common denominator for us? – That’s easy- God is there through it all!

We might hold on tighter in times of trouble and reach out to Him more so when the clouds loom large overhead. We may be in many situations where we feel as if we’re sitting under the sword of Damocles, as it hangs precariously overhead, just waiting to drop!

But He is there protecting us through it all. His hands of grace shielding and blocking us from being penetrated by harm. The storms of life will abate-and His rainbow will break through every single time.  You’ve got to know that and believe it.

Somehow, the Lord led me to write this.  He obviously feels someone out there needs to hear this.  So, whomever this is for, please know that God loves you, and you WILL get through this phase in your life. He is with you and will never forsake you. Ever! That His promise. And His truth and Word will endure forever.

The valley you’re currently in may be deep and dark – but with His hands of love, He will pull you out, and bring you to the mountain tops, and protect you under His precious wings of joy.

Know that God doesn’t tempt us above that which we can’t handle, and He never gives us more than we can handle, and He will always– ALWAYS–show you a way out of whatever it is you’re going through (1 Corinthians 10:13).

So, remember that we have a very significant role in life. We are all different in our own way-but we are all God’s children, and we each have a purpose in this lifetime. And, although we might be stumped- or in a “holding pattern” as we wait to see what He has in store for us-remember this: “God will always have another milestone for us, no matter our age, no matter our circumstance, and He will never leave nor forsake us. His word and His promises are everlasting, so too is His love.

And, when we take our “final breath” in our flesh bodies on this earth- then immediately take our “first breath” in our spiritual bodies as we enter Heaven– God will there- and at that time- for eternity! Hallelujah! Praise His Holy name! Amen!

“Father thank You for being there to hold me up through all of the moments and milestones in my life, for offering me Your love, Your hands of grace, and for Your promises that endure forever, you are my Lord, and I am Yours, in Jesus’ name, Amen.” 

So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it- Isaiah 55:11

For ye shall go out with joy and be led forth with peace: the mountains and the hills shall break forth before you into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands –Isaiah 55:12

Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us-Hebrews 12:1

There has no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted above that you are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that you may be able to bear it –1 Corinthians 10:13

Trust in the LORD with all your heart; and lean not to your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct your paths. Be not wise in your own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil. It shall be health to your navel, and marrow to your bones. –Proverbs 3:5-8

DEAR GOD: Thank You My LORD~

 

And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them. Acts 16:25 (KJV)

The passage above is so important to every child of God to fully absorb and meditate upon. This happened after they were unceremoniously thrust into jail, for no reason at all. Their crime? Loving Christ, and following His commandments, and preaching His love.

Being locked up “physically” didn’t stop or alter Paul or Silas from reacting “Spiritually” and offering up their praise and surrendering to Him even in the midst of their crisis.

After they sand in jubilation and honor of the LORD, a great earthquake shook the foundations of the prison, thereby untying their hands that were bound, and opening the locked doors!  The guards were “put to sleep” by the LORD and didn’t awaken until after they escaped safely from the walls of that prison cell. (Acts 16:26)

We as Christians should follow suit. When we are encased in physical pain, or tribulations in the flesh, it is inherent that we act from spiritually.  We should praise the LORD irrespective of what is happening. No matter the issue, or magnitude of deep despair, recognize and acknowledge Him in all we do, and He will direct our paths. (Proverbs 3:5)

God’s love is limitless, and His Omnipotence knows no bounds. It exceeds the basis of our fundamental comprehension. It is a massive and all-consuming fire of love and depth, of which there none other.

Presenting a spiritual focus in all of our daily interactions takes time, but the more knowledge we absorb from His Word. (Proverbs 1:7) (Proverbs 9:10)

When we acquire the knowledge that comes from Him alone, and we ascribe to His commandments, and His ways…we can attribute all things to Him and by Him. This is when we act differently than those who don’t have a relationship with Him.

Those who have issues or bad things happen, usually blame God. Ostensibly, those who know the LORD realize that things happen, but with Him we can get through it.

There is a mind-set among Christians that shines above the darkness, and that mind-set is what can make all the difference in 24 hours for each day we live.

Also, we believe we will be rewarded one day in Heaven, when we are called home. We believe His promises, and we trust Him, and know He is our Savior. Those facts bring an enormous amount of comfort no matter what we are going through. Amen.

“Father God, thank You for Your Presence in my life, for Your promises, and for Your love, it is through You and only You that I can endure, and harness the energy to live through issues, while giving You all the glory no matter what, in Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.”