“I’m speaking to you out of deep gratitude for all that God has given me, and especially as I have responsibilities in relation to you. Living then, as every one of you does, in pure grace, it’s important that you not misinterpret yourselves as people who are bringing this goodness to God. No, God brings it all to you. The only accurate way to understand ourselves is by what God is and by what he does for us, not by what we are and what we do for him.” Romans 12:3, The Message

Yesterday the word was embrace. When we embrace God as He embraces us, our hearts beat together, living in the rhythm of his grace. The word for today is GOODNESS. Goodness does not come form us, no matter how hard we try. We cannot not be good enough to bring goodness to God. If we were no one could live with our boastful selves! No, it is GOD who brings goodness into our lives, working in us and through us all. He is God and we are not. It truly is all about HIM and not about us.

Our “work” is to live in gratefulness for what God is doing in us and for us as He molds and shapes us to be more and more in His likeness. He is the Potter, the Creator, the only One who knows us and wants the best for us. AND living gratefully draws others to God as He works in us! What follows is our telling them that it is God they are looking for, not us, and that He will do the same for them. Christ died to save us all and bring us back to a loving, true and pure relationship with God that will be forever!

Ah, what a relief! God is good and His goodness is in us who believe. Lean heavily into this thought. Live gratefully gracious knowing that God is good and His goodness is forever! And if you’re smiling…people are going to want to know why…and Who!

Dear Heavenly Father,
You are God and You are Good! You are greatly to be praised. We are grateful for all You are to us. We are grateful for the salvation You are working out in us. Thank You for Your unconditional love as You work on us, in us and through us with Your goodness that is forever. I am not good, but YOU are good in me. In Jesus Name, Amen