25 Apr, 2008  |  Written by Matthew C. Keegan  |  under Reflections

cross

“God Is Good, All The Time…All The Time, God Is Good.”

The above saying is something I heard most Sunday mornings when my then pastor, Ed Banghart, started off his sermons. It was a fitting reminder to God’s children that He is, indeed, good.

We’ve since moved away from New Jersey where Pastor Banghart’s church is located, but that saying still resonates in my head. And that is a good thing too: there are many arguments being made that God is not good:

  • Arguments from people outside of the Body of Christ who are hurt, deceived by sin, and held in captivity by the devil.
  • Arguments by the world, which is looking for answers but not seeking the One who can provide the answer.
  • Arguments by our flesh, which is dying and just hates to think that God has our best interest at heart.

The Lord is gracious and full of compassion, slow to anger and great in mercy. The Lord is good to all, and His tender mercies are over all His works – Psalm 145:8,9

God must proclaim His goodness because He cannot do otherwise. He does not change, He cannot lie, therefore His declarations are true.

Like many people, I have reason to doubt His goodness. My younger brother died at the age of 9 from leukemia. About two years later our house caught fire and all of my possessions were lost. I never really got the chance to know my father who died when I turned 21. There are many more that I could dwell on, but I choose not to.

But, there are reasons that I know God is good: He spared me when I turned my back on Him. He has kept my path straight even when I seek to go off of it. He promises to finish the work that He began in me.

If God wasn’t good, all hope would be lost. Cult leaders may lie, preachers may fall, others may disappoint, and I will fail at times, but the word of God endures forever.

Thankfully, God isn’t like us: fickle, loveless, and seeking our own way first. God didn’t have to manifest Himself in the flesh to save us, but He chose to do so. I may not be able to wrap my mind around everything, but believing that God is love is something I understand deep down in my spirit.

Today, I choose to believe the truth: God Is Good — All The Time!

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15 Apr, 2008  |  Written by Matthew C. Keegan  |  under Ministries

Compassion SundayIs your church involved with helping the world’s poor? Specifically, does your body of believers have an outreach to help children ensnared in poverty?

Compassion International, the Christian child sponsorship program headquartered in Colorado Springs, Colorado is one such organization making a difference. More than one million children from around the world are being helped by Compassion who partners with local churches to reach children.

Compassion’s program links sponsors to individual children recipients who are provided food, shelter, clothing, Bible lessons, and more. Compassion asks sponsors to pay $32 per month to cover these costs plus sponsors can write to the children and send additional financial contributions for birthdays, Christmas, and other special occasions.

Once yearly, Compassion International asks churches to tell set aside part of their Sunday service to tell people about the Compassion program. Known as Compassion Sunday, this year’s event was held on April 13th. Last year, more than 21,000 children were sponsored on Compassion Sunday and when this year’s numbers are tallied, everyone hopes that there is an increase.

Of course, if your church missed holding their special event you can still make a difference. A Compassion event can be held at any time of the year, whatever best fits the church’s calendar.

If you want to help children in the name of Jesus Christ, Compassion International is one organization you can partner with to get the job done.

Further Reading

Compassion Sunday: Helping Children Thrive

Compassion Sunday Spotlights Plight of Poor Children

Supporters to Fast, Pray for Compassion Sunday: Children’s Organization Sets Goal of 22,000 Sponsorships April 13

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8 Apr, 2008  |  Written by Matthew C. Keegan  |  under Reflections

passionate prayerI must confess that I wake up most mornings without my mind set on things above. Some days my mind is racing to and through the day’s activities, while other days I have a hard time focusing after a night of tossing and turning.

This morning was different, a welcome change because I heard from the Lord. No, not some audible voice, but through a song we sing at church, Famous One. I don’t know all of the lyrics, but parts of the tune have been circulating through my mind for the last few hours.

You may have heard the song before, but if not the lyrics are as follows:

You are the Lord
The famous one, famous one
Great is Your name in all the earth!
The heavens declare
You’re glorious, glorious
Great is your fame beyond the earth!

And for all you’ve done, and yet to do
With every breath I’m praising you
Desire of nations and every heart
You alone are God
You alone are God

You are the Lord
The famous one, famous one
Great is Your name in all the earth!
The heavens declare
You’re glorious, glorious
Great is your fame beyond the earth!

The morning star is shining through
And every eye is watching You
Revealed by nature and miracles
You are beautiful
You are beautiful

The morning star is shining through
And every eye is watching You
Revealed by nature and miracles
You are beautiful
You are beautiful

You are the Lord
The famous one, famous one
Great is Your name in all the earth!
The heavens declare
Your glorious, glorious
Great is your fame beyond the earth!
Great is your fame

You are the Lord
The famous one, famous one
Great is Your name in all the earth!
The heavens declare
Your glorious, glorious
Great is your fame beyond the earth!

You are the Lord
The famous one
The famous one

I’m not sure of the reason why this song is in my mind, but I can say that it is on my lips today. I know that “God inhabits the praises of His people,” therefore I am glad for the special touch I am receiving today.

How about you — is there a song on your mind today?

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