Is God Really Good All The Time?

Before I share what's on my heart today, I'd like to announce the winner of my Alaskan Skies series. Congratulations to Jennifer Sauer! I will be contacting you.

"If God cares so wonderfully for the wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith?"

Often when I hear people praise God for something he's done in their lives or for their loved ones and they include, "God is good", I wonder ... how would they feel if their prayers had not been answered the way they had hoped. Would God still be good? 

My family and I have been through many agonizing days these last months. And I have asked, "Is God good all the time?"

Heartache has a way of driving us to God's Word. Here are a few scriptures that soothed my heart today.

Psalm 100:5 - "For the Lord is good and his love endures forever, his faithfulness endures through all generations."

Isaiah 51:6 - "My salvation will last forever."

2 Thessalonians 3:3 "The Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen and protect you from the evil one." 

Psalm 46:1 "God is our refuge and strength, an ever present help in trouble."

Job 2:10 "Should we accept good from God and not trouble?"

Isaiah 42:16 "I will turn the darkness into light."

The Lord loves deeply, beyond our ability to fully understand. He even provided a way for each of us to spend eternity with Him. He gave his son - what more could he give?

The apostle Paul proclaimed God to be good even when he had been beaten and imprisoned for his faith. He did not waver. 

God's goodness and love is infused in every book of the Bible. If I believe that His Word is true, then I must believe He is good all of the time. 

And I agree with Psalm 27: 13 - 14
  "I am still confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord."


Grace and peace to you from God,

Bonnie

Quiet Moments With God -- Walking a Tightrope--Do You Dare?

This week, while working on a Bible Study I was reminded of an inspiring incident that took place years ago while at a retreat. There were four speakers scheduled that weekend, with the last speaking on Sunday morning. We had a great three days filled with fun, words of wisdom, tears and laughter. We had a front row seat at God's production. I love retreats not just because it's an opportunity to build friendships and to grow in our faith, but God always surprises me in some way. That particular retreat was no exception.

On Sunday morning my sister Myrn was the speaker. She stood before the group, notes in hand. She'd worked hard to prepare--spent hours in prayer and more hours crafting just the right words. As she stood there a smile broke out on her face and then she shocked us all by tossing her notes over her shoulder where they fell to the floor. Wearing a playful expression she looked out at our surprised faces and said, "I had something prepared, but that's not what God wants me to talk about this morning."

I want that kind of faith and courage--to listen so closely to God that I hear Him even when He asks me to do something that makes me quake, to do what I know is beyond my own ability. He'd been speaking to Myrn throughout the weekend and by Sunday morning she knew He had another message to deliver other than the one she'd prepared. She did just that and quite eloquently. When we hand ourselves over to God He shines.

Often we rely on "us" instead of Him. I'm not saying we should always expect something dramatic, nor that we ought to ignore the wisdom and knowledge God has given us. But there are moments when God has something greater for us to do than what our small minds have conjured up--times when we have to toss away our grand plan and exchange it for God's.

Do we have the courage to move out of our comfort zone and take a risk? It may feel as if we're stepping onto a tight rope. But we have no reason to fear. Even if we fall, God will catch us.

I'm a planner. I rely on notes and calendars and lists. Letting go isn't easy for me. And yet, God has honored me by including me in His plans many times. The apostle Paul said to the Corinthians in the book of 1 Corinthians, "I came to you in weakness--timid and trembling. And my message and my preaching were very plain. Rather than using clever and persuasive speeches, I relied ONLY on the power of the Holy Spirit. I did this SO you would trust not in human wisdom but in the power of God."

God chose the foolish things of this world to shame the wise. We don't have to be wise or strong in ourselves, we only need to believe in The One who is wise, who is powerful. He will give us strength and the words to speak so we can tell others of His great love.

Try stepping out onto the tight rope of faith and see God shine.

Grace and peace to you from God.

Bonnie

Tips For Triumphant Living -- Do Not Fear

Matthew 8:23-26 says, "Then Jesus got into the boat and started across the lake with his disciples. Suddenly, a fierce storm struck the lake, with waves breaking into the boat. But Jesus was sleeping. The disciples went and woke him up, shouting, Lord, save us! We’re going to drown! Jesus responded, Why are you afraid? You have so little faith! Then he got up and rebuked the wind and waves, and suddenly all was calm."

This is a powerful and familiar passage.

Obviously the storm referred to here is treacherous. The disciples believe they’re about to drown. They go Jesus asking him to save them and what is he doing—sleeping. How does anyone sleep in the midst of a deadly storm?

This is a beautiful picture of absolute trust. Jesus is so closely connected with His Heavenly Father that He’s absolutely unafraid, so much so that in the face of death he's asleep. He knows not to worry. Jesus rebukes his disciples and then rebukes the storm and it obeys Him.

Unlike us, Jesus is more than human. He is God. However, we’re called upon to see Christ as our example. That’s intimidating. After all, we’re just humans. Nevertheless scripture is clear in that we are to love one another, endeavor to be stronger, more faithful, trusting and all the rest of what Christ is. So when the storms of life strike do we walk in faith or do we cower and quake?

If we're quaking, perhaps we need to remember that our heavenly Father has not lost sight of us or our circumstances. In Him there is rest even in the midst of the worst storm. Rest in Him.

Grace and peace to you from God.

Bonnie

Quote—Fear not that thy life shall come to an end but rather fear that it shall never have a beginning.