Goodness of the Lord

The Goodness of the Lord

This week I am reflecting on the goodness of the Lord. I try not to take Him for granted, but I must admit there are times when I’m swept away into the so-called complexities of my life. Life can get hectic and stressful but I need to remember that my life is in God’s hands; in Him I have placed my trust. A couple sits at home; they’ve got no food to eat. The husband takes the hand of his wife and begins to pray. A knock at the door and to their surprise it’s someone they met months ago in church. The visitor is holding a large box of groceries, telling the couple that while praying the Holy Spirit prompted him to bring food to them. A young girl afflicted with Leukemia lies at home; her parents are at a loss because they lack the funds to pay for an experimental treatment. They wonder how they can raise six hundred thousand dollars. Someone familiar with their dilemma mentions it on Facebook and in less than one week, the funds arrive and the little girl is flown to Philadelphia to undergo treatment. A young woman requires brain surgery in Germany; she hears about the little girl with Leukemia and gives all her funds to help. Others stepped up and give the needed funds so she can fly to Germany and have her surgery. Some would say, “This was accomplished through the kindness and generosity of many” but I would say, “Many were moved by the Spirit of God to help.” The bible says that we should, “Give honor to whom honor [is due].” (Romans 13:7, KJV) Is it so difficult to say, “God is good”? It’s easy to recognize the miracles that happen around us but too often we fail to recognize the things that happen daily in our life: Waking to the dawn of a new day Those with jobs, the ability to work Those in school, the opportunity to acquire education Those in ministry, the desire to serve Those who are married, the opportunity to discover the true meaning of love “For in him we live and move and have our being.” (Acts 17:28, NIV) It is through the goodness and grace of God that we live, we exist, we function in this life; God is good. written by MTJ

A Note of Thanks: I would just like to say that I appreciate each of you who visit My Thought-filled Journey. Taking time out of your schedule to read a post on this blog is encouraging to me. Many of those who visit, will from time to time leave a comment. Whether a comment is left is not important. What is important, is that you came. I do hope you find encouragement and inspiration in these words. Please know I will pray with you regarding any circumstance you may be facing. Feel free to write me to say "Hello", request prayer, or share what God is doing in your life. I have not said it enough, but thank you for the light of Chist in your life which illuminates the way for us all.

Note: This post is linked to Spiritual Sundays (hosted by Charlotte).

Faith in God

Oh the weather outside is frightful, But the fire is so delightful, And since we've no place to go, Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!

Yesterday, due to the predicted snowfall, I was informed that I didn’t need to drive to work. “Let it snow…let it snow…let it snow!” I turned on the radio and heard a man was talking about different types of Christians. As I listened to him give an opinion on what a “true Christian” is, I wondered how a person’s faith morphed into one’s material possessions. A sick Christian lacks faith in God? A poor Christian has little to no faith in God? A well-dressed Christian has tremendous faith in God? The kind of car a Christian drives reveals their faith in God? Really? Christ was asked by His disciples about a blind man: “As he went along, he saw a man blind from birth. His disciples asked him, Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind? Neither this man nor his parents sinned, said Jesus, but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him.” (John 9:1-3, NIV) Somehow we Christians began to equate materialism with salvation; the more prosperous you are, the greater your faith in God. “He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.” (Matthew 5:45, NIV) “Then Peter began to speak: I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism…” (Acts 10:34, NIV) God blesses whom He will bless. Can my faith entitle me to fashionable clothes? This kind of philosophy condemns those who are sick, poor, unemployed, homeless, or otherwise lacking prosperity. It teaches the premise that; My current status in life is directly linked to my faith (or lack of faith) in God. How is this any different than teaching that I need Christ to die again for my sins? Joe, a Born-again Christian is informed that due to a drop in the quarterly sales, his company must lay him off. He goes home and tells his wife Margaret, who immediately surmises that due to a lack of faith in God; his name was added to the Layoff List instead of the Keep Employed List. I think we Christians should be careful whom we condemn and who we exalt. Answers to my prayer are within the sovereignty of Almighty God. How God answers my prayer is solely up to Him; my faithful responsibility is to trust Him, no matter what He decides. written by MTJ

A Note of Thanks: I would just like to say that I appreciate each of you who visit My Thought-filled Journey. Taking time out of your schedule to read a post on this blog is encouraging to me. Many of those who visit, will from time to time leave a comment. Whether a comment is left is not important. What is important, is that you came. I do hope you find encouragement and inspiration in these words. Please know I will pray with you regarding any circumstance you may be facing. Feel free to write me to say "Hello", request prayer, or share what God is doing in your life. I have not said it enough, but thank you for the light of Chist in your life which illuminates the way for us all.

Note: This post is linked to Spiritual Sundays (hosted by Charlotte).