So we've recently been assigned our next reading for homework, which is Bill Johnson's newest book, "God is Good." I'm sure many of us have heard the saying "God is good," to which we respond "all the time," and vice versa. The question is, do we really believe that He is good all the time - always, now and forevermore, past, present and future, in all circumstances, when we experience His goodness and when we don't seem to experience it? Do we say He's good because that's what Christians do? Or do we say it because we think He's good for the most part, yet in the back of our mind we're questioning it? Or do we say He's good and believe it on a conscious level but not in our subconscious? How in the world would we even know if we believe that in our subconscious anyway? It's our subconscious for crying out loud - you know, the part that's not conscious.
Well, I think we can say God is good and believe it, but our responses/reactions to various situations will determine whether we actually believe it in our subconscious. When we get in a tight spot or a tough situation, our emotions will probably reveal whether we believe the statement "God is good" and whether or not we believe it with every part of our brain/thinking. Because if He's good, then we'll trust Him with every area of our life (and others' lives for that matter) - every up and down, the good and bad, and sometimes the ugly - and we'll be at peace. The angels, in their introduction of Jesus's birth, announced, "...peace on earth and goodwill towards men" (Luke 2:14). Bill states in his book that "this decree revealed God's heart more clearly than ever before" as "it redefined God's intent for humanity." So, if we actually believe that God is good, then surely we will live in what the Bible says that He has given us - peace and [His] goodwill or kindly intent.
Anyway, that was just a little tidbit of info and really just my thoughts, so feel free to agree or disagree. I'm only in the second chapter of the book, so this is definitely not a book report or review of any kind whatsoever, nor am I an expert on this topic; I just needed something to introduce my testimony from today :)
So here's why I'm really writing; this morning as I was getting ready for church, a good friend of mine was texting me pictures of various jackets she was trying on in the store - this is how long-distance shopping is done people - to which I would respond with a "yes," or "oh, I like that one," or "eh, I like the first one better," in between throwing my pants on and brushing my teeth...you know, those important things when getting ready for church or being in public in general. Well, when we were pretty much finished with our conversation/shopping she sent me a text and was like "hey, you know that money you've been putting back for me?" (I guess I should preface that with the fact that she had given me some money a few months ago to put back for something she was saving up for - you know, there are some people who are really great savers, and then there are those of us like my friend and I that need it to be out of reach so we don't spend it.) She continued with "I want you to use that money toward groceries."
Why did I start crying at this point? Well, let me tell you. What my friend didn't know was that I had LITERALLY just asked the Lord (like one or two minutes prior), "Lord, would you give me some grocery money today?" as I looked in my fridge and cabinet at the bleak appearance of what meals would look like this week. I could do nothing but sit in the fact that God actually is good; that He listens; that when we ask, we actually receive. I'm sure some would say, "Oh, that's just a coincidence." Well, it may have been for you, but for me, it was a conscious choice to contribute this "coincidence" to the goodness of God - sometimes things are too random NOT to be God, and if we posture our hearts to believe He is good and thank Him for the things that may seem random, then we'll be more aware of Him when He actually is doing things. Just a thought anyway.
I was seriously blown away by God's goodness and faithfulness through my friend's generosity, which didn't seem like much to her, but it was huge for me, not because of the amount, but because of the revelation that what I ask actually matters to the God of the universe, and that my words are actually really powerful. Sure, I could have just transferred over some money from my savings to get groceries for the week, but instead I asked Papa God if he would give me some grocery money. If I asked God for grocery money and He gave it to me, what else is He waiting for me to ask Him for? What other areas in my life is He waiting for me to partner with Him in? Ephesians 3:20 says "[He] is able to do above and beyond all that we ask or think..." I mean, have you ever imagined or dreamed up your best life possible? If there were no limitations, what would you imagine your perfect life being like? Guess what, it doesn't even come close to whatever your heavenly Daddy has thought up for you. He's a good daddy - we already have access to all that's His; I think He's waiting for us to start dreaming bigger and asking Him for the crazy, impossible things - I asked for grocery money; what will happen when I ask Him (and believe) to use me to rock my city or nation with His goodness?
Well, I think we can say God is good and believe it, but our responses/reactions to various situations will determine whether we actually believe it in our subconscious. When we get in a tight spot or a tough situation, our emotions will probably reveal whether we believe the statement "God is good" and whether or not we believe it with every part of our brain/thinking. Because if He's good, then we'll trust Him with every area of our life (and others' lives for that matter) - every up and down, the good and bad, and sometimes the ugly - and we'll be at peace. The angels, in their introduction of Jesus's birth, announced, "...peace on earth and goodwill towards men" (Luke 2:14). Bill states in his book that "this decree revealed God's heart more clearly than ever before" as "it redefined God's intent for humanity." So, if we actually believe that God is good, then surely we will live in what the Bible says that He has given us - peace and [His] goodwill or kindly intent.
Anyway, that was just a little tidbit of info and really just my thoughts, so feel free to agree or disagree. I'm only in the second chapter of the book, so this is definitely not a book report or review of any kind whatsoever, nor am I an expert on this topic; I just needed something to introduce my testimony from today :)
So here's why I'm really writing; this morning as I was getting ready for church, a good friend of mine was texting me pictures of various jackets she was trying on in the store - this is how long-distance shopping is done people - to which I would respond with a "yes," or "oh, I like that one," or "eh, I like the first one better," in between throwing my pants on and brushing my teeth...you know, those important things when getting ready for church or being in public in general. Well, when we were pretty much finished with our conversation/shopping she sent me a text and was like "hey, you know that money you've been putting back for me?" (I guess I should preface that with the fact that she had given me some money a few months ago to put back for something she was saving up for - you know, there are some people who are really great savers, and then there are those of us like my friend and I that need it to be out of reach so we don't spend it.) She continued with "I want you to use that money toward groceries."
Why did I start crying at this point? Well, let me tell you. What my friend didn't know was that I had LITERALLY just asked the Lord (like one or two minutes prior), "Lord, would you give me some grocery money today?" as I looked in my fridge and cabinet at the bleak appearance of what meals would look like this week. I could do nothing but sit in the fact that God actually is good; that He listens; that when we ask, we actually receive. I'm sure some would say, "Oh, that's just a coincidence." Well, it may have been for you, but for me, it was a conscious choice to contribute this "coincidence" to the goodness of God - sometimes things are too random NOT to be God, and if we posture our hearts to believe He is good and thank Him for the things that may seem random, then we'll be more aware of Him when He actually is doing things. Just a thought anyway.
I was seriously blown away by God's goodness and faithfulness through my friend's generosity, which didn't seem like much to her, but it was huge for me, not because of the amount, but because of the revelation that what I ask actually matters to the God of the universe, and that my words are actually really powerful. Sure, I could have just transferred over some money from my savings to get groceries for the week, but instead I asked Papa God if he would give me some grocery money. If I asked God for grocery money and He gave it to me, what else is He waiting for me to ask Him for? What other areas in my life is He waiting for me to partner with Him in? Ephesians 3:20 says "[He] is able to do above and beyond all that we ask or think..." I mean, have you ever imagined or dreamed up your best life possible? If there were no limitations, what would you imagine your perfect life being like? Guess what, it doesn't even come close to whatever your heavenly Daddy has thought up for you. He's a good daddy - we already have access to all that's His; I think He's waiting for us to start dreaming bigger and asking Him for the crazy, impossible things - I asked for grocery money; what will happen when I ask Him (and believe) to use me to rock my city or nation with His goodness?
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