JOURNAL=5-20-15=GOODNESS

JOURNAL=5-20-15=GOODNESS “AS YOU sent me into the world-so I sent them into the world” John 17:18 WHAT an awesome PRIVILEGE Jesus and God the FATHER-gave the apostles-and to us-his apostles and disciples in this modern day world-to go out into the the world-and LIVE EXAMPLES of good lives like Jesus himself did-and to live lives testifying with the very spirit he gives us-HIS HOLY SPIRIT-his very own spirit-the SPIRIT OF GOD Jesus' ENTIRE LIFE was the revelation of GOD'S THOUGHTS and GOD'S PRESENCE in the world back then-and continues to INFLUENCE US today in every day life-OUR LIVES too are meant to REVEAL something of God by what we DO and say ALL FORMS of human goodness are reflections of GOD'S GOODNESS-particularly those that are doing GOOD-in HONOR of Christ-sometimes we can see REFLECTIONS of God in others-and sometimes we can even see God in ourselves DEAR LORD-you sent us into the world to REFLECT YOU by doing good-let us BE FAITHFUL to our CALLING it is a GREAT DAY to be alive in GOD'S LOVE for us-and a great day to be REFLECTIONS OF GOD-by doing GOOD in the world WITNESS 4-03-13 GOODNESS I have heard the saying Many times in life that “It does not matter If we believe in God As long as we are good people” They hope That by being good To please God---IF there is one And if there is no God They hope for the approval of men I salute these people For the good that they do But in the heart of a Christian There is a different process The true Christian knows That any good that he or she does Comes from the Christ-like life That lives inside of him or her The true Christian Does NOT think That God will love us If we are good He or she knows better The true Christian knows That God already loves us And that God will make us good Because he does love us Like Saint Paul said, “No longer I But Christ who lives in me” That is where Our goodness comes from---FROM CHRIST And we know as Christians That we are NOT perfect That sometimes we will do wrong Even if it is NOT our intention By the mere fact that we ARE human But we will repent After each stumble And go on Trying to do good again Because of the Christ-like life That lives inside each and every one of us And we know That goodness does live within us Because when Christ ascended Into heaven He left his very own spirit behind “But the fruit of the spirit is love, Joy, peace, patience, kindness, GOODNESS, Faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control Against such things There is no law” Galatians 5:22-23 And so We keep trying to do good Even when we fall short We pick ourselves up We dust ourselves off And we try to do good ALL OVER AGAIN We let God himself RESURRECT us As he-God himself-resurrected Christ And when we come to the end of our journey We long to hear the words “Well done GOOD and faithful servant” Robert P. Wallman 3-8-12 ******** Inspired by the teachings of CS LEWIS And LIVING FAITH 3-8-12 Ps WITNESS 4-3-13 “He (Job replied), You are talking like a foolish woman Shall we accept GOOD from God-and not trouble” Job 2:10 “Taste and see that the Lord is GOOD BLESSED is the man who takes refuge in him” Psalm 34:8 “Therefore, as we have opportunity-let us do GOOD To ALL people-especially to those who belong to the Family of believers” Galatians 6:10 MISC. WITNESS 7-2-14 12-3-14 & 5-21-15