Core Value: God is Good
God is who He says He is; therefore, we trust Him implicitly. This is the lens through which we view God and His Word.
Exodus 34:5-7
Then the Lord came down in the cloud and stood there with him and proclaimed His name, the Lord. And He passed in front of Moses, proclaiming, “The Lord, the Lord, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin. Yet He does not leave the guilty unpunished; He punishes the children and their children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation.
Psalm 103:8-13
Lord, you’re so kind and tenderhearted and so patient with people who fail you!
Your love is like a flooding river overflowing with kindness.
You don’t look at us only to find our faults, just so that you can hold a grudge against us.
You may discipline us for our many sins, but never as much as we really deserve. Nor do you get even with us for what we’ve done.
Higher than the highest heavens – that’s how high your tender mercy extends! Greater than the grandeur of heaven above is the greatness of your loyal love, towering over all who fear you and bow before you!
Farther than from a sunrise to a sunset – that’s how far you’ve removed our guilt from us.
The same way a loving father feels towards his children – that’s but a sample of your tender feelings toward us, your beloved children, who live in awe of you.
Acts 14:16-17
In previous generations He allowed the nations to pursue their own ways, yet He has never left Himself without clear evidence of His goodness. For He blesses us with rain from heaven and seasons of fruitful harvests, and He nourishes us with food to meet our needs. He satisfies our lives, and euphoria fills our hearts.”
James 1:17
Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.
2 Peter 3:9
The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise, as some understand slowness. Instead He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.
Matthew 7:11
If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask Him!
Galatians 5:22-23
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
Psalm 119:68
You are good, and what you do is good; teach me your decrees.
Hebrews 1:2-3
In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days He has spoken to us by His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, and through whom also He made the universe.
John 16:6-7
Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you really know me, you will know my Father as well. From now on, you do know Him and have seen Him.”
Colossians 1:19-20
For God was pleased to have all His fullness dwell in Him and through Him to reconcile to Himself all things, whether things on the earth or things in heaven, by making peace through His blood, shed on the cross.
What does this mean?
- God is a good Father and we can trust Him regardless of our circumstances.
Romans 8:28
So we are convinced that every detail of our lives is continually woven together for good, for we are His lovers who have been called to fulfill His designed purpose.
Nahum 1:7
The Lord is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in Him.
Matthew 10:29-31
Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care. And even the very hairs of your head are numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.
Acts 16:23-26
After they had been severely flogged, they were thrown into prison, and the jailer was commanded to guard them carefully. When he received these orders, he put them in the inner cell and fasten their feet in the stocks. About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them. Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken. At once all the prison doors flew open, and everyone’s chains came loose.
- Enemies come to steal and kill, but Jesus came to destroy demonic works and give us abundant life.
John 10:10-11
A thief has only one thing in mind – he wants to steal, slaughter and destroy. But I have come to give you everything in abundance, more than you expect – life in its fullness until you overflow! I am the Good Shepherd who lays down my life as a sacrifice for the sheep.
1 John 3:8
The one who does what is sinful is of the devil, because the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil’s work.
- God’s goodness is extravagant. As we remember and retell what He has done through our testimonies, faith is created and He is able and eager to do it again.
Romans 10:15
And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!”
Psalm 44:1-4
We have heard it with our ears, O God; our ancestors have told us what you did in their days, in their days long ago.
With your hand you drove out the nations and planted our ancestors; you crushed the peoples and made our ancestors flourish.
It was not by their sword that they won the land, nor did their arm bring them victory; it was your right hand, your arm, and the light of your face, for you loved them.
You are my King and my God, who decrees victories for Jacob.
Mark 5:18-21
As Jesus was getting into the boat, the man who had been demon-possessed begged to go with Him. Jesus did not let him, but said, “Go home to your own people and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how He has had mercy on you.” So the man went away and began to tell in the Decapolis how much Jesus had done for him. And all the people were amazed.
What does this mean?
- God is for us!
Romans 8:31-32
So, what does all this mean? If God has determined to stand with us, tell me, who then could ever stand against us? For God has proved His love by giving us His greatest treasure, the gift of His Son. And since God freely offered Him up as the sacrifice for us all, He certainly won’t withhold from us anything else He has to give.
- God’s desire is to prosper us in every area of our lives: physically, mentally, spiritually, emotionally and vocationally.
Psalm 103:1-5
Praise the Lord, my soul; all my inmost being, praise His holy name.
Praise the Lord, my soul, and forget not all His benefits –
who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases,
who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion,
who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.
2 Corinthians 9:8
And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all time, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.
Jeremiah 29:11
“For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.”
- Jesus is our model. He healed all the sick He encountered and never said sickness was from God.
Matthew 4:23
Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness among the people.
Don’t misunderstand
- The life of the believer is not free from trials or persecution.
2 Timothy 3:12
In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.
John 16:33
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
- In His goodness, God doesn’t always respond to our prayers in the way or timing we expect.
Isaiah 55:8-9
“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways, my ways,” declares the Lord. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.”
