Psalms 100:5 - GOD IS GOOD!!!
Psalms 100:5 (KJV) For the LORD is good; his
mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to
all generations.
Psalm 100:5 (TLB) For the Lord is always
good. He is always loving and kind, and his
faithfulness goes on and on to each succeeding
generation,
COMMENTARY PEARL
What Is God Really Like?
If knowing who God is shapes the way we
pray, then what is God really like?
Well, God has many characteristics. He is
all-knowing (omniscient), he is all-powerful
(omnipotent), he can be everywhere at the same time
(omnipresent). The Bible tells us God is holy, just, kind,
loving, and faithful.
There are many, many characteristics of
God that we could study, but were going to
spend a few days looking specifically at the
goodness of God, because the goodness of God is the
basis for all prayer. If God is not a good God,
then we have zero motivation to pray.
The only reason theres any good in the
world is because God is the Creator of the world,
and he is a good God. His goodness is in the
universe. You cant spell good without
God. If theres no God, then there is no right
and wrong or good and bad.
People often ask, Why is there evil in
the world? Its simple: God doesnt force
us to do good. Evil exists because God gave us
a free choice and we choose not to do good a
lot of the time. Evil is really easy to explain.
The hard thing to explain is why there is any
good in the world. In a world of dog eat
dog and tough luck, the only reason there is
good is because God is a good God.
Because God is always good, we can know
certain things about prayer. When you understand
these things because you understand how good God
really is, youre going to enjoy prayer. It
wont be a duty anymore. It will be a delight!
Over the next few days, well look at
several implications of the goodness of God in your
life and how its going to change the way you
pray from now on. [Daily Devotional by Rick
Warren: https://pastorrick.com/devotional/]
COMMENTARY
Living in the Goodness of God
If you grew up in a Christian home, you
may have learned this childhood prayer: God
is great. God is good. Let us thank him for our
food. Amen. While simplistic, that prayer
covers one key characteristic of God: his
goodness.
Is it really true that God is good all
the time? Absolutely - but many people dont
live like they believe it. It can be hard to
believe in Gods goodness for many reasons,
including when were in pain. We forget it when
were in conflict. We think its for everyone
else except us when were depressed. And when
were worried or stressed out, we cant seem to
find - much less think about - Gods goodness,
even when its right in front of us.
So how can we trust in Gods goodness
when we dont feel it? His Word reminds us of
his goodness over and over: The Lord is
always good. He is always loving and kind, and his
faithfulness goes on and on to each succeeding
generation (Psalm 100:5 TLB).
Focusing on Gods goodness is so
important to your life because it gives you
perspective on your darkest days, when you need it the
most. When you forget Gods goodness, it causes
all kinds of difficulties.
God wants to give you a life of
confidence, even on your most difficult days. He wants
to give you assurance. He wants to protect you.
He wants to give you a life of influence and
abundance. He wants to give you a life filled with
generosity. Who doesnt want that? Who doesnt need
that?
When you believe and understand the
goodness of God, it will revolutionize your life and
your relationships. You wont be the same!
[Daily Devotional by Rick Warren:
https://pastorrick.com/devotional/]
CLOSING THOUGHT
You Have to Know God to Know How to Talk to
Him
Dont you hate it when people call you
on the phone and dont identify themselves?
They just jump right in as soon as you answer,
assuming you know who it is. When you dont know if
its the pope or the pizza guy on the other end,
it affects your conversation a lot. You dont
know what tone to use. Youre a little more
guarded.
Even when youre talking with someone
in person, if you dont know much about that
person, you tend to be more formal. I can always
tell when people I run into around town are a
part of Saddleback Church because theyll say,
Hey, Pastor Rick, hows it going? But when
someone says, Hello, Reverend Warren, its
clear they know who I am but not that much about
me.
Proximity and relationship determine how
you talk to somebody. What you know about
somebody determines your conversation with that
person.
The same is true with God. Your
understanding of what God is really like shapes everything
else in your life, including your prayer life.
A lot of people have misconceptions about
God. Some people think hes a grumpy god,
whos cranky and upset all the time, and they
think they can never please him. Some people
picture the crouching tiger god, who is ready
to pounce on them when they make the wrong
move. Some people have the flaky father god,
whos moody and changes his mind continually about
them.
Some people think of God as the cosmic
cop, whose goal is just to make sure you keep the
rules, or the dictator god, whos never satisfied
and always demanding more and more and more. And
some people have what I call the Play-Doh god and
just make him into any form they want.
Ever heard somebody say, I like to
think of God as . . .? Well, Im sorry, but
it doesnt really matter what you think God
is like. It matters what the Bible says he is!
A. W. Tozer wrote, What comes to your
mind when you think about God is the most
important thing about you, because it affects
everything else in your life.
Its important that you know the real
God. If you have a misconception about him, then
prayer is going to be a duty and drudgery. God
doesnt want you to pray out of guilt! He wants you
to talk to him because you love him. And you
will love him more as you get to know him better
through his Word. [Daily Devotional by Rick Warren:
https://pastorrick.com/devotional/]
LINK FOR FURTHER STUDY ON THIS TOPIC
http://www.abible.com/devotions/2019/20190624-1006.html
YOUR COMMENTS
If anyone has a paraphrase, commentary or
testimony on this passage of Scripture, either
personal or otherwise, I would be interested in
hearing from you. Thanks in advance and let's keep
uplifting Jesus that all might be drawn to Him. Fred
Gibbs
LINKS WORTH CHECKING OUT
Most Important Decision in Life:
http://www.youtube.com/embed/WGnEuGwvXqU?rel=0
A Man without Equal by Bill Bright:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NiVa7UoruIo
Importance of Choice:
http://creationhealth.com/CREATION-Health/Choice [click on video]
Seeking God Made Real:
http://vimeo.com/31489782
Prayer Made Real:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tc8VdMV26VE
Medical Seminar on Healthful Living by David
DeRose, MD, MPH:
https://www.smartlifestyletv.com/lifestart
LINKS FOR BIBLE STUDIES
Amazing Facts Bible Studies:
http://www.amazingfacts.org/bible-study/bible-study-guides.aspx
Glow Tract Video Bible Studies:
http://www.bibleresearch.info/
ABible.com: http://www.aBible.com
LINKS FOR BIBLE PROPHECY SEMINARS
The Last Day of Prophecy by Pastor Doug
Batchelor:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLmGvdtMCf1aJTiC59-lPtuUMEq_uEn0BK
Restoring The Power by Pastor John Bradshaw:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLRogO1SxoZN15Boa7BMon4BouVMdteVaq
Prophecies Decoded by Pastor Ron Clouzet:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1A435C5373550657
28 Revelations Of Jesus by Pastors Ivan
Blake and James Reynaert:
1st of 28: Divine Dining:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-_7j1QIKqmY
2nd of 28: Pictures of the Divine:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3lNI-OQ7-eQ
3rd of 28: A Dirty Bible:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZMkPvBuuFd4
4th of 28: Cared For:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ztXyJVdcCds
5th of 28: Salvation:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HX45kGRe1HI
6th of 28: You Can Change:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xd0gkvK18fo
7th of 28: Reprogramming Our Brains:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ov36f_RapXc
8th of 28: Our Holy Father:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XabXLEXsxbY
9th of 28: Gifts of Service:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HtuGZviodkA
10th of 28: The Holy Spirit:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=in89XVs4cGo
11th of 28: The Law of God:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w_Q601HjogI
12th of 28: The Sabbath:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sakgnKoTzZI
13th of 28: The Church:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fkFw2XsTW-w
14th of 28: The Gift of Prophecy:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TiO2VC09NPI
15th of 28: Stewardship:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3z_lNLAataw
16th of 28: Marriage and the Family:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EybxvMQ0K7E
17th of 28: The Remnant and Its Mission:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oK6tix2K2qA
18th of 28: Christian Behavior:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ecVGsQfAo7Q
19th of 28: God The Son:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AgfbTdh3_l0
20th of 28: Baptism:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lsW163qoAic
Live ongoing series in progress.
