God’s Goodness: Intro

God is good. His love endures forever. His goodness and love are woven throughout everything. Through good and bad God is working for us. He will show us if we ask. Through eyes of faith we can see His goodness in action.

Psalms 34:8

Taste and see that the LORD is good.

How blessed is the one who takes shelter in him.

He delivered us from the grip of sin and spiritual death. He works in our lives every day. He gave us His Word and Spirit to guide us. He forgives us. He created us. He works all things for our good. He molds, shapes and refines us in His love. God’s overall plan for us is good.

Jeremiah 29:11

For I know what I have planned for you,’ says the LORD. ‘I have plans to prosper you, not to harm you. I have plans to give you a future filled with hope.

Everything God does is filtered by His love. He created the world and humanity out of love. He allowed the fall into sin to show us His love. He came to save us, not judge us. He creates each of us and knows us fully. He is working in all things whether we see or know it. His love is always there for us to reach out to. He cares deeply for us.

Ephesians 2:4-5

But God, being rich in mercy because of his great love with which he loved us, even though we were dead in offenses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you are saved!

Ephesians 5:2

And live in love, just as Christ also loved us and gave himself for us, a sacrificial and fragrant offering to God.

1 John 4:19

We love because he loved us first.

Salvation

God showed just how much He loved us by becoming like us and dying in our place taking what should have been our punishment from Him for our sin. God had a plan from the beginning. It was all from His love for us.

1 John 4:10

In this is love: not that we have loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins.

Our Life

God created us. He made every facet of us. He truly knows and understands us. Everything in our life He allowed and planned. He has worked it all together for our salvation and our good.

1 Thessalonians 5:9

For God did not destine us for wrath but for gaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Matthew 10:29-31

Aren’t two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them falls to the ground apart from your Father’s will. Even all the hairs on your head are numbered. So do not be afraid; you are more valuable than many sparrows.

Romans 8:28-29

And we know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose, because those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that his Son would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters.

Boundaries

God guides us and gives us boundaries for our sake. God makes boundaries because He loves us. He knows the hurt and pain our way will cause us. We may think we know the best way and feel like God is too restrictive, but if we just trust Him we will find out He really knows best.

1 John 5:3-4

For this is the love of God: that we keep his commandments. And his commandments do not weigh us down, because everyone who has been fathered by God conquers the world. This is the conquering power that has conquered the world: our faith.

Our Falls & Mistakes

Even the times we turn away and try to go our way, God is still working. God weaves our lives and others together in miraculous ways. We may think that our failure is too big, the consequences too hard, and doubt God can fix it or remedy it. God sees the full picture and makes something beautiful out of darkness.

Hebrews 4:15-16

For we do not have a high priest incapable of sympathizing with our weaknesses, but one who has been tempted in every way just as we are, yet without sin. Therefore let us confidently approach the throne of grace to receive mercy and find grace whenever we need help.

Ephesians 1:7

In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our offenses, according to the riches of his grace.

From God’s Word

His Word is full of examples of God’s goodness. We have His Word for our benefit. God wrote to us and preserved stories of His work in others and throughout the world to strengthen our faith in Him. The more we read it the more and better we understand and know Gods goodness.

2 Timothy 3:16-17

Every scripture is inspired by God and useful for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the person dedicated to God may be capable and equipped for every good work.

Who We Are

We are each unique. We are uniquely created, gifted, characterized, positioned and timed. God made us for Him, for a purpose made only for us to fulfill in our lifetime. He gives us everything we need to be who He made us to be and to accomplish for His Kingdom.

Psalms 139:13 -14

Certainly you made my mind and heart;

you wove me together in my mother’s womb.

I will give you thanks because your deeds are awesome and amazing.

You knew me thoroughly;

1 Corinthians 12:4-7

Now there are different gifts, but the same Spirit. And there are different results, but the same God who produces all of them in everyone. To each person the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the benefit of all.

2 Timothy 1:9

He is the one who saved us and called us with a holy calling, not based on our works but on his own purpose and grace, granted to us in Christ Jesus before time began.

Ephesians 2:10

For we are his creative work, having been created in Christ Jesus for good works that God prepared beforehand so we can do them.

Refinement

Like metal in fire or heated glass we are in Gods hands for Him to mold and shape us into His likeness. When trials and tribulations come, God allows them in His love. They put pressure on us. They are uncomfortable and a struggle, but God is guiding it all in His love for us. He will never give us more than we can bear and He will always give us strength when we ask.

Psalms 66:10-12

For you, O God, tested us;

you purified us like refined silver.

You led us into a trap;

you caused us to suffer.

You allowed men to ride over our heads;

we passed through fire and water,

but you brought us out into a wide open place.

1 Peter 1:7

Such trials show the proven character of your faith, which is much more valuable than gold—gold that is tested by fire, even though it is passing away—and will bring praise and glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.

Romans 5:3-7

Not only this, but we also rejoice in sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance, character, and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.

The Future

We never have to fear the unknown. God has already been there and He will take care of us. He goes before us. His love directs all. He fights for us. All we have to do is rest in Him.

Psalms 16:5

LORD you give me stability and prosperity;

you make my future secure.

Matthew 6:31-34

So then, don’t worry saying, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear?’

For the unconverted pursue these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them.

But above all pursue his kingdom and righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

So then, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Today has enough trouble of its own.

All Things

God weaves everything together. Every single part of our lives. Every detail and moment. God’s goodness can be seen in our lives through eyes of faith. God’s goodness is found in His Word and in every promise He gave us. His faithfulness stands forever.

Let Go, Let God, Trust Him to use each piece to shape, mature, strengthen and make you more like Him. Let God use you.

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