God is Goodness
he rained down manna for the people to eat, he gave them the grain of heaven. Psalm 78:24
I want it all and I want it now! With today’s automation and technology, we have become an on-demand, instant gratification generation.
What is so interesting is that same selfish desire hasn’t changed much since creation. Eve had everything she could possibly want, but she had to have the forbidden fruit too. And the Israelites were not satisfied with manna from heaven that God provided. Ultimately, God grew tired of their grumbling and let them have their way. They feasted on quail to their hearts delight, however, their lack of trust angered the Lord and many were destroyed.
Thousands of years have passed since these events happened, but our selfish desires have not changed. Fortunately God’s goodness and mercy remain true to his promises. He always provides us with what we need. It is just sometimes we don’t think we have what we want or we don’t see from where our provision truly comes.
What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us? Romans 8:31
Because God is goodness, we can trust that all our needs will be met through Christ.
Saturday, May 15, 2021
Saturday, May 1, 2021
People Pleasers
God is Love
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. Ephesians 2:8-9
The world is full of people pleasers. And while that is a good thing for those of us who are service providers, we all know it is exhausting, if not impossible, to constantly please others. Looking at the motive, we see ourselves striving for acceptance and love. To win over hearts, we can fall into the trap of believing we must earn acceptance. And often we find no matter what we do or say, it is never enough to feel at peace.
But the Bible tells us that we are loved and accepted unconditionally by God. We can never be separated from God’s love no matter what we do or don’t do. And, no good works will provide that love, because it is a gift from God. God loved us first and chose us to be in a relationship with him – nothing is required to receive the gift other than the desire to accept God’s saving grace which was made available to us through Jesus. We don’t need to be perfect, we just need to be His.
For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:38-39
Because God is love, through Christ we are completely loved and accepted.
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. Ephesians 2:8-9
The world is full of people pleasers. And while that is a good thing for those of us who are service providers, we all know it is exhausting, if not impossible, to constantly please others. Looking at the motive, we see ourselves striving for acceptance and love. To win over hearts, we can fall into the trap of believing we must earn acceptance. And often we find no matter what we do or say, it is never enough to feel at peace.
But the Bible tells us that we are loved and accepted unconditionally by God. We can never be separated from God’s love no matter what we do or don’t do. And, no good works will provide that love, because it is a gift from God. God loved us first and chose us to be in a relationship with him – nothing is required to receive the gift other than the desire to accept God’s saving grace which was made available to us through Jesus. We don’t need to be perfect, we just need to be His.
For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:38-39
Because God is love, through Christ we are completely loved and accepted.
Thursday, April 15, 2021
Removing Impurities
God is Holy
He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver; ... Malachi 3:3
Let’s face it - No one likes to change their ways or habits, no matter how destructive they may be or how necessary. While the status quo is always easiest, deep down, we all admit there are some things we’d like to change about ourselves. Maybe it’s having more patience with a co-worker, or having a higher level of integrity at work; maybe it’s being more of a team player, or being more charitable….
The bible tells us that God is constantly at work refining our character. Just like the silversmith that removes impurities in metal over a blazing fire, God places us in hot spots to perfect our character. Daily, we can find ourselves in situations that challenge us to move in a new direction, to extend grace, forgiveness, or a helping hand when we would not otherwise. We have two choices – to stay on the same path or to be like Jesus in our thoughts and actions. But how many of us choose the latter? If we trust God and obey His word at times of testing, we will find that just like silver, imperfections in our character are removed allowing His reflection in our life to become real and visible to those around us.
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. Matthew 5:8
Because God is holy, He continues to perfect our character through difficult circumstances.
He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver; ... Malachi 3:3
Let’s face it - No one likes to change their ways or habits, no matter how destructive they may be or how necessary. While the status quo is always easiest, deep down, we all admit there are some things we’d like to change about ourselves. Maybe it’s having more patience with a co-worker, or having a higher level of integrity at work; maybe it’s being more of a team player, or being more charitable….
The bible tells us that God is constantly at work refining our character. Just like the silversmith that removes impurities in metal over a blazing fire, God places us in hot spots to perfect our character. Daily, we can find ourselves in situations that challenge us to move in a new direction, to extend grace, forgiveness, or a helping hand when we would not otherwise. We have two choices – to stay on the same path or to be like Jesus in our thoughts and actions. But how many of us choose the latter? If we trust God and obey His word at times of testing, we will find that just like silver, imperfections in our character are removed allowing His reflection in our life to become real and visible to those around us.
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. Matthew 5:8
Because God is holy, He continues to perfect our character through difficult circumstances.
Thursday, April 1, 2021
Light at the End of the Tunnel
God is Unchanging
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. Hebrews 13:8
There seems to be some optimism as we move forward through this pandemic; indicators are starting to look better. You could say there appears to be a “light at the end of the tunnel”. For some, this could mean regaining employment or closing a deal; for others, recovery from an illness, addiction or a broken relationship. But while we long for things to change for the better, we all know there is no guarantee that the good times will last forever.
But, there is one guarantee that we should never forget–God’s promise to us that no matter what the sin, circumstance or struggle, Jesus will be there for us. He was sent from God to save us from our sins, to heal our pain and redeem us. The one thing we know for sure is we can trust God – For He is unchanging, consistent, the beginning and the end, no matter what the circumstance. He is the light at the end of our tunnel that will never fail.
When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." John 8:12
Because God is unchanging, through Jesus Christ we can trust that God is always with us.
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. Hebrews 13:8
There seems to be some optimism as we move forward through this pandemic; indicators are starting to look better. You could say there appears to be a “light at the end of the tunnel”. For some, this could mean regaining employment or closing a deal; for others, recovery from an illness, addiction or a broken relationship. But while we long for things to change for the better, we all know there is no guarantee that the good times will last forever.
But, there is one guarantee that we should never forget–God’s promise to us that no matter what the sin, circumstance or struggle, Jesus will be there for us. He was sent from God to save us from our sins, to heal our pain and redeem us. The one thing we know for sure is we can trust God – For He is unchanging, consistent, the beginning and the end, no matter what the circumstance. He is the light at the end of our tunnel that will never fail.
When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." John 8:12
Because God is unchanging, through Jesus Christ we can trust that God is always with us.
Monday, March 15, 2021
Faith Over Fear
God Is All Powerful
so the king asked me, "Why does your face look so sad when you are not ill? This can be nothing but sadness of heart." I was very much afraid, Nehemiah 2:2
Our greatest obstacle to accomplishing a goal is fear. Fear can conjure up a slew of reasons why the task can not be accomplished. Fear can immobilize. Fear can stop us dead in our tracks. So how can we resist or defeat fear?
When Nehemiah stepped into his vision to rebuild the broken walls and gates around Jerusalem, he was afraid to approach the King to ask for permission and resources. Knowing this was a grand vision from God, Nehemiah’s fear dissolved when he placed his confidence in God. Ultimately, his vision became reality, an inspiration to many as he was able to accomplish an unbelievable task, a “God-sized” goal -- all because Nehemiah overcame his fear by trusting God.
We all have a dream or a vision to be passionate about -- a vision about our lives, our careers, our families, our finances ….So what is stopping you? Is your fear bigger than your vision and greater than your faith?
in God I trust; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me? Psalm 56:11
Because God is all powerful, with Jesus we can accomplish great things when we trust Him with the outcome.
so the king asked me, "Why does your face look so sad when you are not ill? This can be nothing but sadness of heart." I was very much afraid, Nehemiah 2:2
Our greatest obstacle to accomplishing a goal is fear. Fear can conjure up a slew of reasons why the task can not be accomplished. Fear can immobilize. Fear can stop us dead in our tracks. So how can we resist or defeat fear?
When Nehemiah stepped into his vision to rebuild the broken walls and gates around Jerusalem, he was afraid to approach the King to ask for permission and resources. Knowing this was a grand vision from God, Nehemiah’s fear dissolved when he placed his confidence in God. Ultimately, his vision became reality, an inspiration to many as he was able to accomplish an unbelievable task, a “God-sized” goal -- all because Nehemiah overcame his fear by trusting God.
We all have a dream or a vision to be passionate about -- a vision about our lives, our careers, our families, our finances ….So what is stopping you? Is your fear bigger than your vision and greater than your faith?
in God I trust; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me? Psalm 56:11
Because God is all powerful, with Jesus we can accomplish great things when we trust Him with the outcome.
Monday, February 15, 2021
Need A Hug?
God is Love
And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him. 1 John 4:16
Have you ever struggled with feeling loved and accepted? Most of us do, but we don’t have to once we grasp how deeply and completely God loves us. While love from a spouse or a friend or a family member may be lacking, God’s love will fill that void in our life if we invite him to do so. In fact, no one is complete without God’s love. He created us to yearn for Him; that is why so frequently we feel emptiness irrespective of whatever our circumstances or relationships may be. So, if you don’t feel complete, how about accepting God’s love? He is waiting for you. And remember, with God, you will experience love beyond imagine.I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ. Ephesians 3:16-18
Because God is love, He is committed unconditionally to you.
And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him. 1 John 4:16
Have you ever struggled with feeling loved and accepted? Most of us do, but we don’t have to once we grasp how deeply and completely God loves us. While love from a spouse or a friend or a family member may be lacking, God’s love will fill that void in our life if we invite him to do so. In fact, no one is complete without God’s love. He created us to yearn for Him; that is why so frequently we feel emptiness irrespective of whatever our circumstances or relationships may be. So, if you don’t feel complete, how about accepting God’s love? He is waiting for you. And remember, with God, you will experience love beyond imagine.I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ. Ephesians 3:16-18
Because God is love, He is committed unconditionally to you.
Monday, February 1, 2021
Where Are You?
God is Sovereign
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28
The year 2020 will be remembered as one of the most unusual and challenging times in our lifetime - from health concerns to economic hardship to intense division and uncertainty about the future. How can one believe that there is a God that is good when faced with these circumstances?
There are some things that we just can’t comprehend, but we just have to trust that God is in control and that in all things God works for the good. For it is in times like these that we are given a chance to show love and compassion to our neighbors. This is how hope is restored -- when we offer kindness to those we disagree with or lend a hand to someone in need.
Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ Matthew 22:37-39
Because God is sovereign, we can trust God is at work in the midst of calamity.
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28
The year 2020 will be remembered as one of the most unusual and challenging times in our lifetime - from health concerns to economic hardship to intense division and uncertainty about the future. How can one believe that there is a God that is good when faced with these circumstances?
There are some things that we just can’t comprehend, but we just have to trust that God is in control and that in all things God works for the good. For it is in times like these that we are given a chance to show love and compassion to our neighbors. This is how hope is restored -- when we offer kindness to those we disagree with or lend a hand to someone in need.
Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ Matthew 22:37-39
Because God is sovereign, we can trust God is at work in the midst of calamity.
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