IS GOD REALLY GOOD ALL THE TIME?
Living in the Goodness of God – Part 1
Rick Warren
January 28-29, 2017
"The Lord is always good. He is always loving and kind, and his faithfulness goes on and on to each succeeding generation." Psalm 100:5 (LB)
What happens when I forget God's Goodness?
1. I CLAIM CREDIT FOR THINGS GOD DID FOR ME
"What do you have that God hasn't given you? And if all you have is from God, why act as though you are so great, and as though you accomplished it all on your own?" 1 Corinthians 4:7 (LB)
2. I STOP ASKING GOD FOR HELP
Jesus: "If you, as imperfect parents, know how to give good gifts to your own children, how much more will your heavenly Father give good gifts to those who ask him?" Luke 11:13 (NLT)
"Let us come boldly to the throne of our good and gracious God. There we will receive his mercy and find grace to help us when we need it!" Hebrews 4:16
David: "Answer me, O Lord, out of the goodness of your love." Psalm 69:16a (NIV)
ACTION PLAN: Go back to the Action Plan for the message "Praying & Fasting for a Breakthrough" (November 19-20, 2016). Restart using your left and right hands to refocus your prayer life.
3. I STOP TRUSTING GOD IN DIFFICULT TIMES
"Protect me, God, because I trust in you. You are my Lord! And every good thing I have comes from you!'" Psalm 16:1-2 (ICB/NCV)
Paul: "We can have joy even in our troubles, because we know that these troubles are good for us, producing patience . . . and character . . . andhope!" Romans 5:3 (NLT/NCV)
"And we know that in everything God works for the good of those who love him, and are called according to his good purpose." Romans 8:28 (NCV)
4. I BECOME PESSIMISTIC ABOUT THE FUTURE
"I would have despaired unless I had believed that I'd see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Instead I thought ‘Wait for the Lord! Be strong and let your heart take courage! Yes, wait for the Lord!'" Psalm 27:13-14 (NASB)
ACTION PLAN: Make a list of all the good things God has given or done for you. Thank God for each item on that list and choose to anticipate God's goodness in the future.
HOPE: is anticipating God's goodness.
PSALM 23: Because God is Good . . .
1. He WILL MEET ALL MY NEEDS IF I TRUST HIM
"The Lord is my shepherd, I will lack nothing." Psalm 23:1
2. He WILL TEACH ME TO RELAX WHEN I'M STRESSED OUT
"He makes me lie down in green pastures, and he leads me beside quiet waters." Psalm 23:2
3. He will REPLENISH MY STRENGTH WHEN I'M EMPTY
"He restores my soul" Psalm 23:3a
"He gives me new strength" Psalm 23:3a (NCV)
4. He will GUIDE ME WHEN I'M CONFUSED & INDECISIVE
"He guides me in the right paths for his name's sake." Psalm 23:3b
5. He will WALK WITH ME IN MY DARK & FEARFUL DAYS
"Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me." Psalm 23:4
6. He will PROTECT ME WHEN I'M INSECURE
"Your rod and your staff, they comfort me." Psalm 23:4b
7. He will SHOW HIS FAVOR WHEN I'M ATTACKED
"You prepare a banquet for me in front of all my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows." Psalm 23:5
8. He will BE GOOD TO ME NO MATTER WHAT HAPPENS
"Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life." Psalm 23:6a
9. He will TAKE ME TO HEAVEN ON DAY
"And I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever." Psalm 23:6b
Jesus "My purpose is to give life in all its fullness. I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep." John 10:10-11 (NLT)
Action Plan: Read through Psalm 23 each day this week and try to memorize it.
