I will share about Christian books I have read or listened to.
I will be sharing about my life before and after Christ. I will include stories about my pet and other pets I have encountered.
Two ways to cling to God’s goodness
For years, nothing in King David’s life looked “good.” His family underestimated him, giants despised him, and his father in law spent years trying to kill him. But the whole time, David clung to a promise that God would establish him, and make him king of Israel.
David never gave up or gave in—he stayed close to God, and waited for Him to act. And when God acts, this is how David responds:
“Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever.”
1 Chronicles 16:34 NIV
Despite the pain David endured, he knew that even when life didn’t look good, he still served his good God. And this same God actively fights for us.
Through His Son, Jesus, He has given us continual access to Himself. We can never lose His unfailing love toward us—a love that endures forever, no matter what goes on around us.
David recognized this, and proclaimed it. And every day, we have the opportunity to do the same thing.
Here are 2 practical ways we can respond to God’s goodness and love:
Thank Him in Prayer
When Jesus was teaching His disciples to pray, he told them to start like this: “Our Father in heaven, help us to honor Your name.” It’s fine to ask God for things, but real relationships include both take and give. So at least once a day for the next week, go to God in prayer, and thank Him for something He’s done, without asking Him for anything in return.
Share Your Story
The writer of Hebrews encourages us to honor God by “proclaiming our allegiance to his name.” (Hebrews 13:15-16) So what has God done for you? Where have you seen Him provide, protect, show up, or show off through your life? Look for natural opportunities to share what God is doing in you with someone else.
Right now, reflect on your life and thank God for His eternal goodness. Nothing you have faced or will face is too much for the God who loves you and died for you. Bring Him your concerns, surrender your expectations, and allow Him to reveal the evidence of His goodness in your life.
Joy in Hard Times
Nobody enjoys suffering. It’s hard to find joy in the midst of trials or difficult seasons—it’s much easier to feel sadness or misery.
That’s why Paul’s encouragement in Romans 5 may sound contradictory. Paul was writing this to the church in Rome experiencing suffering from ungodly rulers, and yet he encourages them to rejoice in their suffering.
It wasn’t enough to just endure suffering—he tells them to have joy. Paul knew that it wasn’t natural to be joyful in hard times, but through the work of Jesus, Christians have peace with God and access to faith (Romans 5:1-2). Faith allows us to hold onto the hope that suffering isn’t the end of our story.
Because we know that God works within our difficult situations, we can have patience and perseverance for God to complete His work. Perseverance refines our character. As we wait on God, we become people who look more like Jesus, and our trust in God grows stronger. This increases hope within us.
It’s not...
