Daily Devotional Day & Night

HAPPY THURSDAY!

I pray all is well with everyone, and you're enjoying this beautiful Friday-eve. I'm doing well, just a bit sleepy, but I'll survive. I'm grateful for another day, and thankful for the joy of each minute, and of every breath. We watched a video in church this past Sunday by Rob Bell called Breathe, and it was so enlightening. It spoke about how God breathed breath into Adam, after He'd created Him from the dirt, and how that relates to the breath we breathe each minute. It's all made possible by God, so He's connected to us with each breath that we take. This makes you think about the power and love of God, how fascinating is that? I urge you to take a look at it, when you get some time http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=4657662595934098105#. Enjoy the remainder of your day, and be blessed family!

Today's scriptures are about trusting God to be good to us. I don't know how many times I say, "God is good" per day. As of late, it's been a lot, so it's almost like second nature. No matter how big or small the victories, I always start my testimony off with, "God is good". Most days, my standard response to a greeting of "How are you?" is "I'm doing well, God is good". It's embedded in my Spirit, because I'm truly realizing more and more each day, just how good God really is. He's always good, especially to those who love Him enough to trust Him with their whole heart.
Actually He's great and merciful to anyone, no matter the religion, race, color, or creed. People who are in need can call upon His Name, because the Holy Spirit is a free gift given to those who humbly confesses their sins, and prays for salvation through Jesus Christ. Only a truly merciful and just God would offer something so precious. He's so good that He'll take you just as you are, and will mold you into the person He intended you to be. We’re His creations, so He loves us like a Father loves His child; therefore, when we do good things we're rewarded, and we when we do bad things we're punished. In the end even our punishments are rewards, because He teaches us through them. Rewards are far more than wealth and material possessions, as the world would have us believe, but they're anything that brings us peace, joy, and happiness, the greatest fruits of the Spirit.
The very foundation of life is built upon the love of God, and His goodness has been proven from the beginning of time. He’s given us (mankind) chance after chance and opportunity after opportunity to be righteous and reconciled. He’s given great leaders for His sheep, and His living Word to help see us through. He offered atonement from sin, through the blood of a blemish free lamb (or other valuable animal), even before the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ. All He’s ever asked of us is love and obedience.
God loves our praise and thanksgiving, and I don’t believe that that’s too much to ask, compared to the great things He’s done in our life. I’m sure there’s a few of you who may have had it rough, or may have suffered a hard life. You may have witnessed great pain and sorrow your life, or in the life of the people you love. You may even turn on the television and watch the news and wonder why so many people suffer horrible fates, and question God’s actions, but I can assure you, there are meanings behind it all. Remember this, God is Sovereign, and He never does anything in vain, so count it all joy! We can choose to live life in fear or bitterness, or we could choose to seek out His goodness. As a child of God, even when you do go through rough spots, they’re meant for you good. Don’t be afraid to have a conversation with God weighing the pros and cons. Ask Him for some answers and guidance, and be open and ready to receive them. King David suffered many defeats, yet also experienced God’s best. He wrote many Psalms about his ups and downs, so I’m going to leave you with a few verses from Psalm 34:

I sought the LORD, and He heard me,
And delivered me from all my fears.
They looked to Him and were radiant,
And their faces were not ashamed.
This poor man cried out, and the LORD heard him,
And saved him out of all his troubles.
The angel of the LORD encamps all around those who fear Him,
And delivers them.
Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good;
Blessed is the man who trusts in Him!
Oh, fear the LORD, you His saints!
There is no want to those who fear Him.
The young lions lack and suffer hunger;
But those who seek the LORD shall not lack any good thing.
(Psalm 34-4-10)

Will you seek the Lord today? I promise you, if you do so, you’ll only find His goodness in everything. He’s known to transform situation, circumstances, but most importantly your heart. If you haven’t already, take Dr. Stanley’s God quiz today! My favorite verse today is: As for God, his way is perfect; the word of the Lord is tried: he is a buckler to all them that trust in him. (2 Samuel 22:31)

ENJOY! http://www.bible.com/scripture-detail.php?juli=2455344&dtype=Scripture
http://www.intouch.org/site/pp.aspx?c=cnKBIPNuEoG&b=4943197
http://www.intouch.org/site/apps/nl/newsletter.asp?c=cnKBIPNuEoG&b=4943547

I love you!