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We serve a great God who is Lord over all creation. He has many characteristics and it is a privilege to know Him as His children.
God Has a Plan & Purpose for Us
From before we were born, before the beginning of time, God saw us and made a plan for our life. He drew us to Himself. He made good works for us to do for His Kingdom. He gave us each a purpose in Him. His plan is good.
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.
His Way is Best
God knows the best path for us to take. He knows how everything works together. He knows us how all the parts of our life fit together. Only God can put it perfectly together. He asks us to trust Him. While we only see a part of the picture, our current circumstances and life, God can see the full picture of our life. He sees each situation fully. He works everything out through His love for us.
1 Corinthians 13:12
For now we see in a mirror indirectly, but then we will see face to face. Now I know in part, but then I will know fully, just as I have been fully known.
Proverbs 16:9
A person plans his course, but the LORD directs his steps.
His Plans are Good
God has good plans for us. His purpose for us is good. He works for our good. He is good. In His goodness God cares for us and makes good plans for our life. He leads us in His goodness into the abundant life He came to give those who believe in Him. Even when things aren’t right, God is working good. We can choose to trust Him and find the good in all things. When Joseph was sold into slavery and taken to a foreign country and then falsely accused and thrown in prison for many years, he chose to still believe God. In the end God’s hand was in it all and He worked it for good.
Genesis 50:20
As for you, you meant to harm me, but God intended it for a good purpose, so he could preserve the lives of many people, as you can see this day.
He Gives Us a Hope & a Future
God creates a future for us that is full of hope in Him. Trust him from day to day, from moment to moment. Without God we have no hope. Life is meaningless without God. He designed life to be lived with Him. Only God sees what is up ahead and is already there working in it.
Psalms 84:11-12
For the LORD God is our sovereign protector. The LORD bestows favor and honor; he withholds no good thing from those who have integrity. O LORD of Heaven’s Armies, how blessed are those who trust in you.
God is Full of Grace & Mercy
God’s mercy is new every morning. No matter what we have done, we will find God’s mercy when we repent and turn to Him again. God’s grace covers us the moment we believe in Him. God’s grace was shown at the cross. It’s a gift from God, we can’t earn it. He freely gives His grace to all who believe.
Lamentations 3:22-23
The LORD’s loyal kindness never ceases;
his compassions never end. They are fresh every morning; your faithfulness is abundant!
His Mercy is New Everyday
God’s mercy is greater than we can comprehend. It stretches as far as the east is from the west. It’s overwhelming and wonderful. It’s available to anyone. We don’t deserve it, but God extends His mercy wherever we ask. God wants to have mercy on us, for us to return to Him when we stray.
Psalms 103:12-13
As far as the eastern horizon is from the west, so he removes the guilt of our rebellious actions from us. As a father has compassion on his children, so the LORD has compassion on his faithful followers.
His Sacrifice
God gave His one and only son on the cross to save us from our deadly sin condition. Sin leads to spiritual death and separation from God for eternity. Jesus, God’s son, made a way back to God by giving Himself on the cross, taking our punishment and dying in our place, so we could come back to Him and receive salvation. He gave everything so we can live in Him.
John 3:16-18
For this is the way God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world should be saved through him. The one who believes in him is not condemned. The one who does not believe has been condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the one and only Son of God.
The Grace Freely Given
God’s grace was given on the cross. Salvation is the work of God in our hearts. His grace draws us. His grace is given freely by God to all who believe. To all who trust and follow Him, no matter our past, our failures, our shortcomings or situation. God’s grace can be found always when we turn to Him now and forever.
Ephesians 2:8-9
For by grace you are saved through faith, and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God; it is not from works, so that no one can boast.
Romans 6:23
For the payoff of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 5:17
For if, by the transgression of the one man, death reigned through the one, how much more will those who receive the abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one, Jesus Christ!
God Gives Blessings to All
God is good to all. He gives life and breath every moment to everyone. He gives sun and rain to all. He blesses everyone. God sacrificed His son to give salvation to anyone who believes. God made a way back to Him while we were still sinning against Him.
Romans 5:8
But God demonstrates his own love for us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
Both Good & Evil
God commands us to love everyone. Both those who are good to us and those who are not. People who wrong us, annoy us, frustrate us, make us uncomfortable, are rude, angry, mean and just not nice. God says to love them. We preference and justify our love. God doesn’t. He loves us always. Only through Him and seeing people through His eyes can we truly love everyone. God can teach us to see people through His eyes if we ask.
Matthew 5:44-45
But I say to you, love your enemy and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be like your Father in heaven, since he causes the sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.
1 John 4:7
Dear friends, let us love one another, because love is from God, and everyone who loves has been fathered by God and knows God.
His Love Covers All
Love covers a multitude of sin. Love helps us see past mistakes, wrongs against us, anger and bitterness in others. God is love. He loves all. He draws all to Himself. God’s love will cover all sin of those who believe. He showed His love when He died for us on the cross. He wipes us clean. He removes the stain of sin when we believe.
1 Peter 4:8
Above all keep your love for one another fervent because love covers a multitude of sins.
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.
He is Not Partial
God freely gives. He does not see as we do. God is not like us, moved by every whim or mood. He doesn’t judge by appearances, but by the heart. He blesses all people. Abraham was righteous because of His faith, and because of His belief, God blessed not only him but all people and all nations throughout the earth in all history. He did this by offering salvation to all people.
Genesis 18:18
After all, Abraham will surely become a great and powerful nation, and all the nations on the earth may receive blessing through him.
Galatians 3:8-9
And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, proclaimed the gospel to Abraham ahead of time, saying, “All the nations will be blessed in you.” So then those who believe are blessed along with Abraham the believer.
Acts 10:34-35
Then Peter started speaking: “I now truly understand that God does not show favoritism in dealing with people, but in every nation the person who fears him and does what is right is welcomed before him.
God Encourages & Supports
He is our best friend and supporter. He stands with us always, by our side with encouragement. We can look to God anytime we feel discouraged and find hope and healing in Him.
2 Corinthians 7:6
But God, who encourages the downhearted, encouraged us by the arrival of Titus.
Romans 15:5-6
Now may the God of endurance and comfort give you unity with one another in accordance with Christ Jesus, so that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
He Builds Us Up
As we walk with God, He teaches and guides us. No matter what we face God stays by our side and lovingly supports us. He reminds us of His past faithfulness to us. He brings words of encouragement from others. He comes to us at the right moments. He speaks through His Word giving wisdom and understanding to handle what we encounter in life. He uses the Church, god’s family to support, empower, enrich, protect, and enlighten for His Kingdom.
2 Thessalonians 3:3
But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one.
Mark 11:22
Jesus said to them, “Have faith in God.
Psalms 77:11-12
I will remember the works of the LORD. Yes, I will remember the amazing things you did long ago. I will think about all you have done; I will reflect upon your deeds.”
He Holds Us Accountable
God is ever present and involved in our lives. He watches over us and through His Spirit He convicts us and shows us what we need to change so we become more like Him. He works in us and refines us patiently and gradually. Will we listen and learn His ways? Following God’s path will lead to greater reward and joy. The other way always brings regret and pain. In Gods love He convicts us to bring us closer to Him and use us better for His Kingdom.
Proverbs 2:20
So you will walk in the way of good people and will keep on the paths of the righteous.
Psalms 119:131-133
I open my mouth and pant,because I long for your commands. Turn toward me and extend mercy to me as you typically do to your loyal followers. Direct my steps by your word. Do not let any sin dominate me.
His Word & Spirit
We are guided by God’s Word and His Spirit. God has given both to us. His Word is instructions to us on how to live and follow Him as Lord and Savior of our lives. The Holy Spirit is our assurance of salvation and presence of God with us always. His Spirit prays for us and works in our life every day bringing support and joy in Christ to our hearts. God’s promises are given to us through the Bible and we receive blessing from trusting Him in every area of our life.
2 Corinthians 1:22
who also sealed us and gave us the Spirit in our hearts as a down payment.
2 Corinthians 5:5
Now the one who prepared us for this very purpose is God, who gave us the Spirit as a down payment.
Romans 8:26
In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness, for we do not know how we should pray, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with inexpressible groanings.
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