GOD IS GOOD

For the Lord God is a sun and shield;
the Lord will give grace and glory:

no good thing will he withhold

from them that walk uprightly

Psalm 84:11

I can't tell you how much the above verse has meant to me through the last 51 years. The Christmas prior to our February wedding, Brian and I got each other new Bibles...mine red and his black. He wrote a sweet note on a front blank page, but closed it with the above verse. Every time I read the verse, which is often, I am reminded of God's goodness in our lives through the years. Brian and I have seen the goodness of God in our relationship and family, but have also seen it in our own personal lives.

Many books are written these days about the attributes of God. Often, the attribute of God that is often relegated to the end or not given as much attention as it deserves is that of goodness. God's goodness in our lives is mind-boggling if we choose to consider it. Goodness is often defined as a deep kindness shown to others whether they be deserving or not. We may think about it as being “nice.” My Mother used to tell me to be good, if I was going away from our house with others. I knew she meant I was to be well behaved in my treatment of others. God's goodness is much more than behavioral...it's who and what He is.

One might call it a tradition, but every Sunday morning at the end of the service, our pastor closes our time with:

“God is good”
“All the time” (congregation)
“All the time”
“God is good.” (congregation)

The greatest goodness God ever showed in our lives was in sending His only Son Jesus into the world. Jesus didn't come as a celebrity to prance around as many celebrities do. He came as a human being to relate to everyday people. In all the Gospels, the thoughtfulness and goodness of Jesus is evident on every page whether He was healing, teaching, or raising the dead. He set the example for us as to how to treat friend and foe alike with goodness whether deserved or undeserved.

As I've thought of God's goodness in my life, it's easy to think of the big things...education, careers, marriage, three great kids all along with the opportunities He has opened up for me in serving Him. However, lately, I've been trying to take note of so many little things that God in His goodness provides for me day after day to enjoy. I wish you could see my three rose bushes in front of the house. They are full of the most beautiful flowers. As I go onto the porch to observe them, I am facing some of the most beautiful mountains straight ahead. I realize others enjoy nature God has provided in His goodness for all, but these days, I'm taking all of these things personally as God's gifts to me.

I realize that God's goodness may also come in the form of what we consider negative events. God will always work in our lives for what is best even though it may not seem like it. Here we have to include Romans 8:28:

And we know that all things work together
for good to them that love God, to them
who are the called according to His purpose.

Don't ask me how He does that, but I trust He is always working good on my behalf, even if I don't understand the circumstances at the time.

My prayer for each of us is to concentrate more on God's goodness that comes to us in abundance. God has such a special way in His goodness that He just blesses my “blesser.” I think our Father would appreciate a thank you every now and then, even for the smallest things. Our gratitude must bring warmth to the heart of our Father. With our gratitude, He is glorified.

Father, we thank You for your goodness You surround us with every day of life. Your every provision in our lives, speaks of Your goodness and love. Thank You for Your ultimate goodness in sending Jesus, and for His love in dying for each of us. In His precious name....Amen

OUR SPIRITUAL INHERITANCE

Blessed be the God and Father of our

Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His

great mercy has caused us to be born again

to a living hope through the resurrection of

Jesus Christ from the dead,

to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable

and undefiled and will not fade away,

reserved in heaven for you,

who are protected by the power of God

through faith for a salvation ready to be

revealed in the last time.

I Peter 1:3-5

While a kid watching our black and white television screen, I was fascinated by a program entitled “The Millionaire.” I think there have since been remakes of this program, but it doesn't hold the mystic for me like it did then. With every program, an assistant was called into the den of his boss. With few words, the assistant was handed an envelope with a name on it. He was to deliver that envelope to that person. In that envelope was a cashier's check for one million dollars. Back then, millionaires were only in our imaginations. It was nothing like now. The assistant did as ordered, knocking on the appropriate door and handing the envelope to the proven intended receiver. The story went from there after the shock of the receiver and we followed what happened with that money. It usually went to someone who had great need or circumstances.

The above wasn't exactly an inheritance, I realize, but something similar has happened in the lives of genuine heirs. Most people know if their name can be found in the will or a relative or friend so there may not be any surprises about that. There are people who learn by some legal source that they have something coming to them because of the death of someone who may been a total stranger to them.

I found it interesting in my reading how Peter opened his book with the good news of an inheritance that is coming to God's people. To receive anything from another's will, there has to have been a death. The wonderful thing about Jesus' death is that He rose again and still when we die, we will share in an inheritance that can't be explained in words. In this case though, every human being will not be receivers. There is the requirement of a relationship with Jesus for that inheritance to be valid. Jesus according to verse three made all of this possible. As born again people, we are family and entitled to His riches in glory. How wonderful that is!

Our will is described in four words that all have to do with security. There are things in our day that can go wrong with wills. They may be contested. If that doesn't happen, whatever is received is only temporary, not meant for eternity. As we have learned, we can't take it with us. With God's inheritance for us, it's in our future and we will get it at a time and place that has true meaning in our lives...Heaven with the Giver. So how does Peter describe this more than wonderful inheritance?

*Imperishable: This inheritance can't be destroyed. It won't spoil, mold, rust or in any way come to nothing.

*Undefiled: Pure in every way.

*Won't fade: Won't disappear

*Reserved: This is for true heirs only...God's true believing children.

There may be people who fill out their wills when in good financial or material shape. My name could be on that will as an heir. When the time would come upon the death of the writer, they might be broke, item promised can't be found. If I had been advised of my being an heir, the person could have removed me from their will without telling me. For now, it's all so very earthly. As God's children, He has so much that awaits us that will be more than we can wrap our minds around.

This wonderful inheritance God is providing needs no notary signature. The only stamp to be found on this inheritance is in the blood of Jesus and is protected by the power of God meant only for His born again children.

Dear Father...thank You for my every provision on this earth. I know from Your Word that You have even more in store for me in the future than I can imagine. Your greatest gift to me, though, was Jesus and all He has done in my life. He is my great reward in my present days and can hardly wait to be in His presence. I love and appreciate You and pray these things in Jesus' precious name...Amen

ONE PIECE AT A TIME

For even as the body is one and

yet has many members, and all the

members of the body, though they

are many, are one body, so also

is Christ.

For the body is not one member,

but many.

I Corinthians 12:12,14

It's something I used to love doing that of putting together piece or jig-saw puzzles. I've had my eye on a couple of them that has a Park theme and finally purchased two of them. They each have 550 pieces which once opened looks more like 5500 pieces. I purchased two of them, one being a favorite church we have visited many times in Cades Cove and another of a cabin scene. They are both beautifully photographed and then rendered into their many pieces with the intent of producing something very original..

The church puzzle looked to be an easier one so tackled it first. I dumped all the pieces on a table and for some reason, they didn't look at all like the picture on the box. As I sorted through all of the pieces, I pulled to one side any piece of the puzzle that had one very flat edge. Those pieces in essence would serve as a boundary for the puzzle, but not exactly a frame. The whole puzzle would through various pieces work into that frame. No pieces of the puzzle would fit outside of the the established boundary.

It seemed so appropriate as I put the church and it's surroundings together that it took every piece of that puzzle for it to be complete. As I separated all the pieces, it was obvious that some were similar and alike in shape, but were each different in color from all the rest. We are all made in God's image, but we are definitely different shapes and shades to say the least. Have you looked around your church worship center lately to notice all the differences in those sitting in the pews? Each different in clothing, size, age, shape, but still a brother or sister in Christ. The makings of a beautiful completed puzzle.

No matter how I tried to force a certain piece into a certain place because I thought it SHOULD fit, it didn't and I was frustrated. I've watched through the years in church settings, folks either being forced or forcing themselves into areas of service where they didn't fit. I've been there and done that and I know the result wasn't what pleased the Lord. For my puzzle picture to be right, the pieces had to fit as the creator of the puzzle intended.

Just as the pieces were fit together to create a beautiful picture of the church, the not so noticeable edging served as the guide, the boundary that lent stability and definition to the puzzle. As a church, we have the Word of God that serves as that boundary for us. We can not go beyond it or we not only mess up the puzzle, but will have ventured beyond truth. Without the Word of God, we have no security or guidelines in our lives let alone words of love and even correction we often need.

When I got to the end of my puzzle venture, I had one empty hole. A piece was missing. It isn't hard for this to happen with a puzzle. A piece can fall off the table or be hidden somewhere near. In any case, the puzzle isn't finished even if only one piece is missing. As I look at my church and Sunday school class, there are people who I don't realize how much they are missed until there is no contact with them for a time. Things just aren't complete when they are missing. By the way, that piece had fallen off the table and under the couch. It was easily retrieved with a broom. I had to ask myself when the last time I went looking for a seemingly lost piece to the GRAND puzzle.

This body, our church, needs every piece (person) in place, serving with others for God's glory. I'm not sure how important every member of a church knows themselves to be. Not all can sing in the choir, teach a class, usher, work in the nursery or serve as a greeter. Perhaps there are those who are prayer warriors we don't even know about. Some are able to give financially to the church on a greater level than others for God's work. During the virus, we have had a faithful deacon and his wife who have kept a check on us. All of these things mentioned and others show a living picture of God's intention for His people. He wants us all, no matter the shape, color or position to serve in His divine puzzle to be Jesus with skin on.

No two puzzle pieces are identical...same with all of us who love and serve Jesus, happy with our place. Result: pure beauty bringing the glory to God He so rightly deserves.

Dear Father, it's such a joy being a part of Your grand plan not just for me but for my brothers and sisters in Christ. May we find fulfillment in serving Jesus together in those places You have designed for us. Keep us mindful when even one of us has fallen away and needs picked up and encouraged so they will fine their rightful place again. Thank You Jesus for making this all possible. In Your precious name....Amen

ONE THING

Brethren I count not myself to have
apprehended: but this one thing I do,
forgetting those things which are behind,
and reaching forth unto those things
which are before,

I press toward the mark for the prize of
the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 3:13,14

Not only here but in other of Paul's writings, we see Paul as a goal setter. I don't know about you, but if I don't set some reasonable goals in just about every area of my life, I don't get much accomplished. I recently took on a challenge and have been determined to get it finished. Somewhere, I came across a schedule for reading through the New Testament in one month. It sounded like a reasonable thing to push for and to this point have been able to stick with it. To do this means a real stretch for a goal.

There are many reasons for setting goals, some reasons more important than others. Often, though, we don't think of setting spiritual goals. If we are to be all for the Lord He wants, it will mean having a determination to get certain things accomplished and doing them with the strengthening of the Holy Spirit.

Although the above verses combined seem long in words, Paul actually had two things in mind that would bring spiritual victory in his life. First he says to us even now: “This ONE thing I do....” He had made a very determined decision and he focused on only one thing at the moment. You and I are called upon to have that very same focus when it comes to the things regarding our faith in Christ. Our “one things” may change often, but this one thing Paul speaks of should be our main thing through our lifetimes.

The second thing Paul mentioned is how he intended work his “one thing” plan. He says in our verses that he was going to “press toward the mark.” Brian and I really like watching track events on TV. There is one thing all the runners have in the course of their race. Often there are at least two leading in the race. As they see that tape at the end, it's obvious the strain in the faces of the runners, the deep breathing, and the stretching to be the one who breaks that tape and is declared winner. Very often, runners lose their races because they lose focus. They may look to see who is near them in the race or the crowd may be a distraction. A coach can call from the sidelines that distracts. Thus, a race can be lost.

Paul spoke in between of a distraction.  Paul said, “forgetting those things which are behind.” Satan would love to distract us with past events or failures. He wants to do anything to cause us to lose focus on what lies before and the possibilities of finishing well.  I don't know if you have noticed as have I that we are living in times of great distraction. Satan has us worked up, angry and worried. I don't like seeing everything going on and would like to place blame all over the place. We need to understand that SATAN is the culprit using rich and evil pawns of all this to cause our troubled minds through their hired pawns.

Paul said in the middle of his main statement that he was FORGETTING and REACHING. Both were necessary if he was to reach the prize of God's calling on his life. This was the one thing he was living for...the prize of God's calling. Sounds oh so simple, doesn't it. This is another area where we often in good faith, take on this Christian life on our own. We never see Paul launching out on his own without the leading of God in His life. He was saturated with pleasing his Heavenly Father.

Spirituality doesn't come in a bottle where we take a tablespoon of it's contents once each day and then we are cruising spiritually through another day. With all the distractions of our day, may we focus more on the things of Christ, put the past behind us, reach and press. The reward is the high calling of God in our lives, His blessing and anointing. Spiritual goals take tenacity and determination with Holy Spirit power all for God's glory. How great is that?

Father, I pray for Your power in my life to be disciplined in my walk with You. Help me with so many distractions I tend to pay attention to. I want Your mind in my life so I'll be who You want me to be for Your kingdom and glory. I pray for our country and for people to be saved who so desperately need You in their lives. Protect our authorities and help them to reach for what is good and not evil. I pray these things in the precious name of Your Son Jesus...Amen