WALKING IN HIS GOODNESS

Originally posted: June 2012

Glory to  our Lord and King and Saviour Jesus Christ! Have you been changed by the  GOODNESS of God? Are you demonstrating through your life the LOVE of Christ,  following in his footsteps in your daily walk with him? God's GOODNESS and GENEROSITY has no limit.

It is  poured out lavishly on those who long to walk closely with Him as did our  spiritual grandfather Enoch and father Abraham, who are both known as God's friend. See James 2:23 Through the Holy Spirit we are changed by the renewing of our mind and heart to reflect all the GOODNESS of God.

Dark spirits, violence, crude jokes and sexually explicit pics are filtered, manifested and seen daily on  social media networks, movie theatres and TV, or heard on radio. For certain, we no longer like the things we once did when of the world.  Have you invited the presence of God's Holy Spirit to change you?

As a result of change, we now walk in LOVE, looking out for the welfare of one another and not hating and envying each other as the world does. Though we live in the world we are not of the world. 

How can we say we love God whom we have not seen and be hating our brother whom we see everyday. Do we say we love our brother and yet harbor resentment towards our brother? God knows, we can't get by Him with malice in  our heart.

God's mercy and grace has saved us , wiping the slate clean of our innumerable sins ...thereby we are no longer isolated or alienated  from God ...but instead we are drawn near to God, enabling us to walk in His righteous ways.

The more we appreciate the GOODNESS and GENEROSITY poured out of His spirit,  regenerating us , the more we want to please HIM and be like HIM.  Walking in His GOODNESS will always produce godly fruit which are good fruits worth bearing. Everyone will see the evidence of His  Spirit in us  as we  walk  closely with HIM.

Fruit of the Spirit: Kindness                         
Practical Application of text: Treat a stranger to a meal                                    

Today's Scriptural Reference:
2Samuel 9:1 " David asked, "Is there anyone still left of the house of Saul to whom I can show kindness for Jonathan's sake?" NIV

Just imagine that David is wanting to show kindness towards someone in the family of  his no. 1 enemy King Saul. Whoever the family member would be, they'd be a complete stranger to David. I think it would be just as hard to show kindness to a stranger as it would be towards our enemy. Whatever the case may be, kindness is a fruit of the Holy Spirit which we should cultivate on a daily basis. Here is a practical application of kindness I would like to share with you.

A few years ago when living in Dallas,  I  heard about this phenomenol idea someone came up with for showing kindness to total strangers and the idea seemed to spread  like wildfire in the metroplex.   The person would go through the drive-thru of a fast food restaurant. When the order taker asked for their order, they would inform them to put the tab of the next person behind them or in front of them if they hadn't paid yet, on them. They would just say, The tab's on me.    You can imagine the response of the person on the receiving end! What a great idea!   Bottom line: simply treat others as you  would like to be treated , with KINDNESS...whether friend, foe or stranger.

Fruit of Spirit: Kindness
Practical Application of scriptural text: Forgive someone whom you feel is undeserving

Today's Scriptural Reference:
"So that in the ages to come he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God-not the result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are what he has made us, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand to be our way of life." Ephes 2: 7-10  NRSV

Being a Christian dictates a specific lifestyle that is contrary to the way of the world.  When we talk the talk as regards to being a Christian; then we must walk the walk.  It is a walk we gladly take, hand in hand with  Jesus through the Holy Spirit as our guide. The Great Master Teacher himself set the perfect example of showing kindness living a selfless lifestyle even to the point of dying for us while we were yet sinners. See Rom 5: 8  Despite that we were born in sin, we have victory in Jesus and he desires to bless you and I with the immeasurable riches of his grace, his unmerited favor which merits our deepest gratitude and appreciation.  One way we can show our appreciation is by extending kindnesses to others, everyone that we encounter. Any small gesture of kindness will be appreciated, something as simple as a smile, kind words, a card or email; even a phone call to simply  say hello can brighten someone's day. In days to come I will talk about more specific practical ways of developing the godly characteristic of KINDNESS.

He is the Great I AM, King of Kings and Lord of Lords. The Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end...Glory to JEHOVAH Glory to JESUS  Oh how I love his name. Rejoicing in our God is a phenomenal thing because He is so magnificent and glorious. He reveals himself to us in innumerable ways. His countless names speak of his majesty, royalty, eternity, power and more. Moreover, His love is immeasurable yet tangible. Jesus  opened the way to the Father's throne of grace. Hallelujah!

In whom do you trust? Are you trying to figure it out, everything for yourself instead of surrendering to his perfect will? If you would only take cover under his wings and find refuge in his name where you will not fear the terror by night , nor the arror that flies by day, nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness, nor the plague that destroys at noonday. See Psalm 91: 4-5 NIV Praise God! Rejoice in his goodness and mercy!

God's love is like a compelling force that motivates us to walk in the way of truth.  What is truth?  Jesus said, "Thy word is truth." John 17:17 The Holy Bible is God's love letter to his creation. All creation is sighing and groaning over the detestable things in the world. Jesus was willing to suffer, enduring the cross because of the joy set before him.  His joy was in knowing the truth of bible prophecy concerning himself and his bride, the church of God.

He knew and understood the father's love would raise him from the dead after 3 days and 3 nights in the grave to sit at God's right hand in heaven. God's love revealed through Jesus  is a testament of how profound his love is for us.  Likewise as Christians, let us not forget the price Jesus paid as we walk in the Way of the  truth.  Are you appreciative of God's love?  Are you keeping it before you as you consider your steps each day. If so, you will be motivated and determined to stay on the narrow road that leads to life eternal as you walk continually in the way of truth.