God Is Truly Good

An Everlasting Covenant To Do Us Good

“And I will make an everlasting covenant with them, promising not to stop doing good for them. I will put a desire in their hearts to worship me, and they will never leave me. I will rejoice in doing good to them and I will faithfully and wholeheartedly replant them in this land.” (Jeremiah 32:40-41, NLT)


He will not withhold to us what is good

“For the LORD God is a sun and shield: the LORD will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly.” (Psalm 84:11, KJV)


Everything that is given to us by God is good

“Whatever is good and perfect comes to us from God above…” (James 1:17, NLT)

“Since everything God created is good, we should not reject any of it.” (1 Timothy 4:4, NLT)

Everything that He allows to happen is with a good purpose

“I have sent them into captivity for their own good. I will see that they are well treated, and I will bring them back again here” (Jeremiah 24:6, NLT)

“But I tell you the truth: It is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Counselor will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you.” (John 16:7, NIV)

“Our fathers disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in his holiness. No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.” (Hebrews 12:10-11, NIV)

“We give great honor to those who endure under suffering. Job is an example of a man who endured patiently. From his experience we see how the Lord’s plan finally ended in good, for he is full of tenderness and mercy.” (James 5:11, NLT)

Because all things work together for good to those who love God.

But Joseph replied, “Don’t be afraid of me. Am I God, that I can punish you? 20 You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good. He brought me to this position so I could save the lives of many people. (Genesis 50:20, NLT)


“And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.” (Romans 8:28, NLT)


“Truly, God is good to Israel [His people]” (Psalm 73:1)

Resist Who?

“Be of sober spirit, be on the alert your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. But resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same experiences of suffering are being accomplished by your brethren who are in the world.” (1 Peter 5:8-9, NASB)

“So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” (James 4:7, NLT)

“But I say, do not resist an evil person! If someone slaps you on the right cheek, offer the other cheek also.” (Matthew 5:39, NLT)

“For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.” (Ephesians 6:12, NASB)

Jesus When Tempted…

Prayed (Matthew 6:13)

“Some Greeks who had come to Jerusalem for the Passover celebration paid a visit to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee. They said, ‘Sir, we want to meet Jesus.’

Philip told Andrew about it, and they went together to ask Jesus.

Jesus replied, ‘Now the time has come for the Son of Man to enter into his glory… Now my soul is deeply troubled. SHOULD I PRAY, ‘FATHER, SAVE ME FROM THIS HOUR’? BUT THIS IS THE VERY REASON I CAME! FATHER, BRING GLORY TO YOUR NAME.’” (John 12:20-23, 27-28, NLT)

Trusted God’s Power And Character (1 Corinthian 10:13)

“He never sinned, nor ever deceived anyone. He did not retaliate when he was insulted, nor threaten revenge when he suffered. He left his case in the hands of God, who always judges fairly.” (1 Peter 2:22-23, NLT)

Used the sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God (Ephesians 6:17)

During that time the devil came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become loaves of bread.”

But Jesus told him, “NO! THE SCRIPTURES SAY, ‘PEOPLE DO NOT LIVE BY BREAD ALONE, BUT BY EVERY WORD THAT COMES FROM THE MOUTH OF GOD.’”

Then the devil took him to the holy city, Jerusalem, to the highest point of the Temple, and said, “If you are the Son of God, jump off! For the Scriptures say, ‘He will order his angels to protect you. And they will hold you up with their hands so you won’t even hurt your foot on a stone.’”

Jesus responded, “THE SCRIPTURES ALSO SAY, ‘YOU MUST NOT TEST THE LORD YOUR GOD.’”

Next the devil took him to the peak of a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. “I will give it all to you,” he said, “if you will kneel down and worship me.”

“Get out of here, Satan,” Jesus told him. “FOR THE SCRIPTURES SAY, ‘YOU MUST WORSHIP THE LORD YOUR GOD AND SERVE ONLY HIM.’”

Then the devil went away, and angels came and took care of Jesus. (Matthew 4:3-11, NLT)

Absolute Holiness

Made Holy

“God the Father knew you and chose you long ago, and HIS SPIRIT HAS MADE YOU HOLY. As a result, you have obeyed him and have been cleansed by the blood of Jesus Christ.” (1 Peter 1:2)

“For God’s will was for us to be MADE HOLY BY THE SACRIFICE OF THE BODY OF JESUS CHRIST, once for all time.” (Hebrews 10:10)

“For by that one offering he forever made perfect those who are being made holy.” (Hebrews 10:14)

“Yet now he has reconciled you to himself through the death of Christ in his physical body. As a result, he has brought you into his own presence, and YOU ARE HOLY AND BLAMELESS AS YOU STAND BEFORE HIM WITHOUT A SINGLE FAULT.” (Colossians 1:22)

A Holy Temple

“And this is the basic law of the Temple: ABSOLUTE HOLINESS! The entire top of the mountain where the Temple is built is holy. Yes, this is the basic law of the Temple.” (Ezekiel 43:12, NLT)

“Don’t you realize that all of you together are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God lives in you? God will destroy anyone who destroys this temple. FOR GOD’S TEMPLE IS HOLY, AND YOU ARE THAT TEMPLE.” (1 Corinthian 3:16-17, NLT)

For WE ARE THE TEMPLE OF THE LIVING GOD. As God said:

“I WILL LIVE IN THEM AND WALK AMONG THEM. I will be their God, and they will be my people. Therefore, come out from among unbelievers, and SEPARATE YOURSELVES from them, says the Lord. Don’t touch their filthy things, and I will welcome you (2 Corinthians 6:16-17, NLT)

Money, Money, Money

“They will throw away their money, tossing it out like worthless trash. It won’t buy their deliverance in that day of the Lord’s anger. It will neither satisfy nor feed them, for their love of money made them stumble to sin. They were proud of their gold jewelry and use it to make vile and detestable idols. That is why I will make their wealth disgusting to them." (Ezekiel 7:19-20)

“Evil people squander their money on sin” (Proverbs 10:16)

“Have I put my trust in money or felt secure because of my gold? Does my happiness depend on my wealth and all that I own? Have I looked at the sun shining in the skies, or the moon walking down its silver pathway, and been secretly enticed in my heart to worship them? If so, I should be punished by the judges, for it would mean that I have denied the God o heaven.” (Job 31:24-28)

“’No one can serve two masters. For you will hate the one and love the other, or be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.’ The Pharisees, who dearly love their money, naturally scoffed at all this.” (Luke 16: 13-14)

“But people who long to be rich fall into temptation and are trapped by many foolish and harmful desires that plunge them into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. And some people, craving money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many sorrows.” (I Timothy 6:9-10)

“Tell those who are rich in this world not to be proud and not to trust in their money, which will soon be gone. But their trust should be in the living God, who richly gives us all we need for our enjoyment. Tell them to use their money to do good. They should be rich in good works and should give generously to those in need; always being ready to share with others whatever God has given them. By doing this they will be storing up their treasure as a good foundation for the future so that they may take hold of real life.” (I Timothy 6:17-19)

“O God, I beg you two favors from you before I die. First, help me never to tell a lie. Second, give me neither poverty nor riches. Give just enough to satisfy my needs. For if I grow rich, I may deny you and say, ‘Who is the Lord?’ and if I am too poor, I may steal and thus insult God’s holy name.” (Proverbs 30:7-9)

“Trust in your money and down you go.” (Proverbs 11:28)

The Love of Money

“No one can serve to masters. For you will hate one and love the other, or be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.”

“The Pharisees, who dearly loved their money, naturally scoffed at this.” (Luke 16:13-14)

“…their love of money made them stumble into sin.” (Ezekiel 7:19)

“For the love of money is at the root of all kinds of evil.” (1Timothy 6:10)

You cannot serve both God and money!

My Brother’s Keeper

“Dear brothers and sisters, if another believer is overcome by some sin, you who are godly should gently and humbly help that person back onto the right path. And be careful not to fall into the same temptation yourself.” (Galatians 6:1, NLT)

““If another believer sins, rebuke that person; then if there is repentance, forgive.” (Luke 17:3, NLT)

“If another believer sins against you, go privately and point out the offense. If the other person listens and confesses it, you have won that person back.’ (Matthew 18:15, NLT)

A Faithful Brother

An open rebuke is better than hidden love! Wounds from a sincere friend are better than many kisses from an enemy. (Proverbs 27:5-6, NLT)

So…

Let the godly strike me! It will be a kindness! If they correct me, it is soothing medicine. Don’t let me refuse it. (Psalm 141:5, NLT)

“Dear brothers and sisters, if another believer is overcome by some sin, you who are godly should gently and humbly help that person back onto the right path. And be careful not to fall into the same temptation yourself.” (Galatians 6:1, NLT)

The Divine Exchange

“GIVE ALL YOUR WORRIES AND CARES TO GOD, for He cares about what happens to you.” (1 Peter 5:7, LB)

“GIVE YOUR BURDENS TO THE LORD, and he will take care of you.” (Psalm 55:22, LB)

“Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I WILL GIVE YOU REST. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle, and you will find rest for your soul.” (Matthew 11:28-29, LB)

To See Is To Believe?

“WHEN THE PEOPLE OF ISRAEL SAW the mighty power that the Lord had unleashed against the Egyptians, they were filled with awe before him. THEY PUT THEIR FAITH IN THE LORD and in his servant Moses.” (Exodus 14:31, NLT)

But..

“YOU LOVE HIM EVEN THOUGH YOU HAVE NEVER SEEN HIM. THOUGH YOU DO NOT SEE HIM NOW, YOU TRUST HIM; and you rejoice with a glorious, inexpressible joy. The reward for trusting him will be the salvation of your souls.” (1 Peter 1:8-9, NLT)

“BLESSED ARE THOSE WHO BELIEVE WITHOUT SEEING ME.” –Jesus (John 20:29, NLT)

Making Decisions

DON’T HURRY

“…he who hurries his footsteps errs.” (Proverbs 19b, NASB)

PLAN

“But don’t begin until you count the cost.” (Luke 14:28a, NLT)

ASK FOR COUNSEL

“Without consultation, plans are frustrated, but with many counselors they succeed.” (Proverbs 15:22, NASB)

PRAY

“The mind of man plans his way, but the LORD directs his steps.” (Proverbs 16:9, NASB)

“Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.” (Proverbs 3:6, NLT)

Losing Hope

Jonah said:

‘When I had LOST ALL HOPE, I turned my thoughts once more to the Lord.” (Jonah 2:7a, Living Bible)

Jeremiah said:

“I cry out, ‘My splendor is gone! EVERYTHING I HAD HOPED FOR FROM THE LORD IS LOST!’

The thought of my suffering and homelessness is bitter beyond words. I will never forget this awful time, as I grieve over my loss.

YET I STILL DARE TO HOPE WHEN I REMEMBER THIS:

The faithful love of the Lord never ends! His mercies never cease. Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning. I say to myself, “THE LORD IS MY INHERITANCE; THEREFORE, I WILL HOPE IN HIM!” (Lamentations 3:18-24, NLT)

Paul said:

“I pray that GOD, THE SOURCE OF HOPE, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you WILL OVERFLOW WITH CONFIDENT HOPE through the power of the Holy Spirit.” (Romans 15:13, NLT)

The Power Of Faith Vs. The Power Of Love

“…if you have faith and don’t doubt, you can do things like this and much more. You can even say to this mountain, ‘May you be lifted up and thrown into the sea,’ and it will happen. (Matthew 21:21, NLT)

“…and if I had such faith that I could move mountains, but didn’t love others, I would be nothing.” (1 Corinthians 13:2, NLT)

FAITH without WORKS is DEAD. (James 2:17)

FAITH without LOVE is NOTHING. (1 Corinthians 13:2)

LOVE without ACTIONS is NOT REAL. (1 John 3:18)

“What is important is FAITH EXPRESSING ITSELF IN LOVE.” (Galatians 5:6, NLT