Reflecting God - Embrace Holy Living from Wordaction of The Global Church of the Nazarene Publishing House in Kansas City, Missouri, United States "God's Goodness" by Charles Tillman Sr. for Friday, 30 December 2016 with Scripture: Romans 2:1-11

Reflecting God - Embrace Holy Living from Wordaction of The Global Church of the Nazarene Publishing House in Kansas City, Missouri, United States "God's Goodness" by Charles Tillman Sr. for Friday, 30 December 2016 with Scripture: Romans 2:1-11
-------
"God's Goodness" by Charles Tillman Sr.
Romans 2:1 Therefore you have no excuse, whoever you are, passing judgment; for when you judge someone else, you are passing judgment against yourself; since you who are judging do the same things he does. 2 We know that God’s judgment lands impartially on those who do such things; 3 do you think that you, a mere man passing judgment on others who do such things, yet doing them yourself, will escape the judgment of God? 4 Or perhaps you despise the riches of his kindness, forbearance and patience; because you don’t realize that God’s kindness is intended to lead you to turn from your sins. 5 But by your stubbornness, by your unrepentant heart, you are storing up anger for yourself on the Day of Anger, when God’s righteous judgment will be revealed; 6 for he will pay back each one according to his deeds.[Romans 2:6 Psalm 62:13(12), Proverbs 24:12] 7 To those who seek glory, honor and immortality by perseverance in doing good, he will pay back eternal life. 8 But to those who are self-seeking, who disobey the truth and obey evil, he will pay back wrath and anger.
9 Yes, he will pay back misery and anguish to every human being who does evil, to the Jew first, then to the Gentile; 10 but glory and honor and shalom to everyone who keeps doing what is good, to the Jew first, then to the Gentile. 11 For God does not show favoritism.
-------
Visit any hospital, any impoverished country, or any prison, and you will be reminded of God's goodness toward you. In ignorance and pride, all too many of us have lived apart from Christ, unrepentant and emboldened in sin. Yet, even as unrepentant sinners, we enjoyed the favor of God.
We must be thankful for God's prevenient grace. This is the grace God bestows on people, prior to salvation, to draw them to Christ. It is God extending His hand of mercy to all. God makes the first move to humankind, enabling us to respond to Him. According to Peter, God's will and desire is for all to be saved. God "is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance" (2 Peter 3:9). The goal of God's kindness is to lead us to a place of repentance (Romans 2:4).
We experience God's kindness every day. His goodness keeps us safe and secure in the midst of a crazy, uncertain world. With rise of terrorist acts at home and abroad, we can rest on the promises of God. I echo the Psalmist: "Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in Him" (Psalm 34:8).
-------
Hymn for Today: "Holy Spirit, Be My Guide" by Mildred Cope
1. Holy Spirit, my heart yearns for Thee;
Holy Spirit, abide in me.
Make me clean; O make me pure.
I must know the double cure.
Refrain:
Holy Spirit, be my Guide;
Holy Spirit, my heart’s open wide.
Make me to know Thy will divine;

Holy Spirit, be Thou mine.

2. Ne'er my trust will be in vain
nought to lose and all to gain
take my life, my self. my soul
burn the chaff and make me whole
Refrain:
Holy Spirit be my Guide
Holy Spirit my door's open wide
make me to know Thy will divine
Holy Spirit be Thou mine.-------
Thought for Today: John 16:13 However, when the Spirit of Truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth; for he will not speak on his own initiative but will say only what he hears. He will also announce to you the events of the future.
-------
Please Pray: That many people in Ireland will come to know Yeshua the Messiah and receive the fullness of the Ruach HaKodesh.
-------