The Goodness of God

Hey, friends!  Happy 2014!

A new year, full of new vision, new passion, new opportunity, new territory, new perspective... new, new, NEW!

It is important that we start 2014 off with healthy perspective.  Perspective is one of the few things in life that is genuinely understated – no one can stress enough its importance.  Perspective can make or break relationships, your career, your emotions, and certainly affects our view of God.

What is your perspective of God?

Many of us may view God as angry, punitive, and selfish.  Perhaps we have been taught that by a church from our childhood, or maybe we inherited that perspective thanks to a series of difficult moments in our lives.

This perspective is entirely inaccurate.

And thank God!

Our God is not angry and vengeful.  An accurate understanding of Scripture in its context reassures us unquestionably that God is kind.  He is compassionate.  He understands us.  He loves us.. so much so that His very nature defines the word "love" and He Himself is the standard for pure love (1 John 4:7-10).

As we begin 2014 and venture into the great unknown, let us make doubly sure to gain some God-perspective.  Believers, we need not live in fear, because we follow the good King.  We don't have to be ashamed when we sin or begin to feel a little distant from God – He will always welcome us back into His Presence!  He is a God whose desire is to abundantly bless us.  Yes, He is consumed with longing to prosper us (Jeremiah 29:11, Psalm 25:12-13) – in our health, our finances, our relationships, and holistically – if we only we receive it.

So this year, let us receive it.  Let us receive the absolute goodness of God.  Let us gain God-perspective, through which we are able to see and interpret everything else with wisdom and in context.

God is good.  He is forever good.

All my heart, and best wishes for a 2014 filled with peace and hope,
Josh