Good is defined as, "the state or quality of being good; moral excellence; generosity; the best part of anything." But what has your family taught your child(ren) about this word?
The bible says SOME of the following (one day you should look up the word good in your bible reference...Gracious we need to grow!):
Exodus 33 says, “I will cause all my goodness to pass in front of you, and I will proclaim my name, the LORD, in your presence. I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion."
Nehemiah said, "Even while they were in their kingdom, enjoying your great goodness to them..."
2 Chronicles says, "may your faithful people rejoice in your goodness.."
Psalm 23, "Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever."
Psalm 69 says, "Answer me, LORD, out of the goodness of your love; in your great mercy turn to me."
2 Peter says, "His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness."
Psalm 145 says, "They celebrate your abundant goodness and joyfully sing of your righteousness."
Hebrews 6 says, "who have tasted the goodness of the word of God..."
Did you notice who was good in those passages? Who was the one who IS good? Where does it come from? It is not something WE do; Rather it is something God cultivates in us, when we are His child. It's kind of like forgiveness...You aren't really the one forgiving...God's faithfulness to forgive you, allows you to invite forgiveness into your own heart, therefore forgiving those who sin against you. It's not YOU but the Lord. It's the same thing with goodness.
Being "good" can then mean honoring your Father with those things He has provided to you, showing His goodness in your life.
~Maybe He gave your arms & legs...Can you serve Him out of the goodness of His provision?
~Perhaps He provided you with a compassionate heart, filled with a listening ear...Can you listen out of the goodness He poured into you?
~Did He listen to your prayer request? Can you proclaim His goodness for hearing even you?
And for your sweet babies growing in the Lord...
~Did the Lord give them an extra portion of sharing EVERYTHING? Support them by telling them the stories in the bible of where God shared...His love, His forgiveness, His compassion, His mercy...His Son!
~Does your precious lamb struggle with "being good?" Can I challenge you to speak gently to them throughout the day when they need reminding of this? Write down the scriptures above or search on your own. Read about God's goodness everytime they need a reminder. Remember, it's a race to finish strong...Not just to finish!
The Lord IS GOOD! His goodness has shown itself real in my life ~yet again~ this very week. Funny that as I began praying what to write regarding goodness, He starts my thought process by showing His goodness in my life for a solid 4 days ~ EVERYWHERE! Need we a reminder of just how good God is...Look around & ask yourself ~ What do I see that is good, from the Lord. Find ONE thing...and now honor your Father by praising Him for His goodness. He will begin revealing all of His goodness if you allow your mind to focus on HIM.
So thankful for His goodness each & every day ~
These are great thoughts Shannan--thank you for sharing!
ReplyDeleteSha-Sha, have I told you how much I miss working with you? Well, I do. I miss your smiling face :o)
ReplyDelete