Pastor Jack's Thoughts August 18, 2009

Date: Tue, Aug 18, 2009 at 9:08 AM
Subject: Pastor Jack's Thoughts August 18, 2009

           PASTOR JACK'S THOUGHTS    AUGUST 18, 2009

FINDING THE GOODNESS OF THE LORD IN THE LAND OF THE LIVING
Psalm 27:13-14 says, "I am still confident of this:  I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living; Wait for the Lord, Be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord."  What a wonderful, encouraging word for us this week!!  God's goodness can be found and seen all around us day and night!! Praise His Name.  God's Word tells us that He, by character, is good, loving, compassionate, caring, merciful and on and on.

We start our day with His goodness all around us.  His world is beautiful and furnishes the air, water and food that we need to sustain us. We often forget to think about the daily provision of the Lord!
He has given us family and friends to sustain us emotionally.  We find power for daily living in His goodness, the wonderful goodness that we overlook because we take it for granted!

Where can we find God and His goodness?  The Bible says that "God inhabits" or lives in......... His creation but not only there but also in the praises of His people.  Both of these are readily available to each of us. Praise is a powerful provision from God.  He taught us to praise Him though the Psalms recorded in His Word. He encourages us to "be thankful" in all things.  His heart longs to be gracious to us. "Yet the Lord longs to be gracious to you; He rises to show you compassion.  For the Lord is a God of justice.  Blessed are all who wait for Him!"  (Isaiah 30:18)

So, come daily and find the power and strength for living by racing to where God lives......the heart of praise!!  Sick? Jobless? Discouraged?  Don't despair!  God hasn't left you.  He is waiting for you as you praise Him.   Then after a joyful time of praise, lay your requests before Him.  He promises to hear!

Bless the Lord, O my soul and all that is within me.  Bless His Holy Name!!
Pastor Jack