The Upper Room Daily Devotionals in Nashville, Tennessee, United States "SHINING GOD’S GOODNESS" for Friday, 30 September 2016 with Scripture: Matthew 5:13-16

The Upper Room Daily Devotionals in Nashville, Tennessee, United States "SHINING GOD’S GOODNESS" for Friday, 30 September 2016 with Scripture: Matthew 5:13 “You are salt for the Land. But if salt becomes tasteless, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything except being thrown out for people to trample on.
14 “You are light for the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Likewise, when people light a lamp, they don’t cover it with a bowl but put it on a lampstand, so that it shines for everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before people, so that they may see the good things you do and praise your Father in heaven.
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Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.[Matthew 5:16 (NRSV)]
Sometimes we see the evil in this world and wonder how a loving God could let it go unchecked. I think perhaps we should be asking a different question. Aren’t goodness, love, and care evidence of the presence of God in our midst?
I experienced God’s goodness firsthand when recovering from knee-replacement surgery in a rehab clinic. My recovery team and the staff members I met were from Russia, India, the Philippines, Albania, and Romania. These caregivers from all over the world were like ministers to me. They all had one purpose in mind: to provide for my recovery needs with compassion. I experienced God’s presence in every caring act.
There may be much evil in the world, but the goodness of God shines through it all when people show love and compassion to one another. God is love. (See 1 John 4:8.) When we act compassionately, we reveal God to the world.
Read more from the author, here.
"More from Stanley Hayes"
I was appointed as a pastor in the West Michigan Conference of The United Methodist Church from 1959 through 1999. I graduated from Central Michigan University in 1961 and from Candler School of Theology in 1964. At Central, I met Joyce, whom I married in 1959. Together we have five children, 23 grandchildren, and 10 great-grandchildren. Joyce has a degree in Elementary Education and has worked in various positions as we moved around through my pastoral appointments over the years.
We are now retired and live in Fife Lake, Michigan, where Joyce grew up. Her interests are sewing, spending time with family, and traveling (often with family members). I have a hobbies in lapidary (stone polishing), photography, and writing.[Stanley Hayes]
The Author: Stanley L. Hayes (Michigan, USA)
Thought for the Day: How can I show God’s goodness and love to someone today?
Prayer: Loving Creator, thank you for being present to us when we look for you. Help us live a life that shows your glory. Amen.
Prayer focus: CAREGIVERS

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