“Trust in the Lord, and do good; dwell in the land and befriend faithfulness.” (Psalm 37:3 ESV)

Jesus went about doing good

“How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. He went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him.” (Acts 10:38 ESV)

Don’t grow weary in doing good 

“And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.” (Gal. 6.9 ESV)

“As for you, brothers, do not grow weary in doing good.” ( 2 Thess. 3:13 ESV) 

Let your light shine with your  good works

“In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” (Matt. 5:16 ESV)

Do good to everyone

“So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.” (Gal. 6:10 ESV)

Therefore…

“For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” (Eph. 2:10 ESV)

“Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.” (Heb. 13:16 ESV)

“And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” (Col. 3:17 ESV)

“We know how much God loves us, and we have put our trust in his love. God is love, and all who live in love live in God, and God lives in them.” (1 John 4:16 NLT)

 Trust in God and be blessed 

 “Blessed is the man who makes the Lord his trust, who does not turn to the proud, to those who go astray after a lie!” (Psalm 40:4 ESV)

“Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose trust is the Lord. He is like a tree planted by water, that sends out its roots by the stream, and does not fear when heat comes, for its leaves remain green, and is not anxious in the year of drought, for it does not cease to bear fruit.” (Jer. 17:7-8 ESV)

 When afraid, trust God

 “When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I shall not be afraid. What can flesh do to me? (Psalms 56:3-4 ESV)

 Trust in God’s steadfast love and rejoice

 “But I have trusted in your steadfast love; my heart shall rejoice in your salvation.” (Psalm 13:5 ESV)

 Trust in God for perfect peace 

 “You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you. Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord God is an everlasting rock.” (Isa. 26:3-4 ESV)

Therefore…

 “It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in man.” (Psalm 118:8 ESV)

 “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.” (Prov. 3:5 ESV)

 “Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him, and he will act.” (Psalm 37:5 ESV)

 Quote: 

“Trust perfected is prayer perfected. Trust looks to receive the thing asked for and gets it. Trust is not a belief that God can bless or that He will bless, but that He does bless, here and now. Trust always operates in the present tense. Hope looks toward the future. Trust looks to the present. Hope expects. Trust possesses. Trust receives what prayer acquires. So, what prayer needs, at all times, is abiding and abundant trust.” - E.M. Bounds

“There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” (Rom. 8:1 ESV)

Instantly and completely pardoned 

Yesterday, the president of the United States pardoned a man who had been a long-time prisoner. He was instantly set free. His criminal records were expunged as though they never existed. He is now a free man with a new beginning. His slate is now completely clean.

This is a picture of what happens when a person becomes “born again” as stated in the Bible in John 3:3 and 1 Peter 1:23.

A new creation

The Bible says it very clearly this way: “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” (2 Cor. 5:17)

Declared righteous

At the moment a person becomes “born again,” God completely forgives their past! He no longer remembers their past sins as though they never happened! He then declares them to be a righteous person!

“Therefore, since we have been declared righteous by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (Rom. 5:1)

“Much more then, since we have now been declared righteous by His blood, we will be saved through Him from wrath. For if, while we were enemies, we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, then how much more, having been reconciled, will we be saved by His life! And not only that, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.” (Rom. 5:9-11)

Benefits for the righteous

There are wonderful benefits for the righteous in the form of God’s promises! Look what the Bible says about the righteous person.

“The righteous will flourish like a palm tree, they will grow like a cedar of Lebanon; planted in the house of the Lord, they will flourish in the courts of our God. They will still bear fruit in old age, they will stay fresh and green, proclaiming, ‘The Lord is upright; he is my Rock, and there is no wickedness in him.’” (Psalm 92:12-15)

They will

• Flourish like a palm tree

• Grow like a cedar of Lebanon

• Be planted in the house of the Lord

• Flourish in he courts of our God

• Bear fruit in old age

• Stay fresh

• Stay green

• Proclaim great truths about the Lord:

•  "The Lord is upright”

• “He is my rock”

• “There is no wickedness in Him”

Claim the above promises for yourself!

They are for those who are saved. For those who have believed and confessed Jesus as their savior.

“That if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.” (Rom. 10:9-10)

Therefore…

“In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight.” (Eph. 1:7-8 ESV)

“Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.” (John 8:36 NKJV)

Quote:

“God pardons like a mother, who kisses the offense into everlasting forgiveness.” - Henry Ward Beecher

 "But Jesus looked at them and said, 'With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.'” (Matt. 19:26)

Sometimes you need the impossible 

Maybe you have suffered a financial setback. Or, your doctor has given you some bad news. Or, you have lost your job or home. Everything looks completely black and you see no fix. But, God is the God of the impossible. There are many examples of it in the Bible. 

• Peter walks on the water. (Matthew 14:29)

• A donkey speaks. (Numbers 22:28)

• An Ax head floats (2 Kings 6:1-7)

• The sea parts so God’s people can walk safely through on dry land. (Exodus 14:21)

• Three young men survive in a blazing fiery furnace without even the smell of smoke on them. (Daniel 3:23)

• A man, dead for days, comes back to life. (John 11:43)

Don't limit God!

“Ah Lord GOD! Behold, you have made the heaven and the earth by your great power and stretched out arm, and there is nothing too hard for you.” (Jeremiah 32:17)

“'Behold, I am the Lord, the God of all flesh. Is there anything too hard for me?'” (Jeremiah 32:27)

“For nothing will be impossible with God.” (Luke 1:37)

Quote:

“Our beliefs and possibilities have to be in line with the will of God. That’s how Jesus lived His life and how He taught His disciples to live (John 5:30). When our lives are lived in obedience to God’s will, nothing is impossible. Dream big — but dream biblically!” - Dr. David Jeremiah

“Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:” (Phil. 2:5 NKJV)

To think like Christ, be transformed by the renewal of your mind

“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” (Rom. 12:2 ESV)

“And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.” (2 Cor. 3:18 ESV)

To think like Christ, fill your mind with His Word

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” (John 1:1 NIV)

“The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.” (John 1:14 NIV)

To think like Christ, put off your old self and put on the new 

“To put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.” (Eph. 4:22-24 ESV)

To think like Christ, imitate Him

“Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.” (Eph. 5:1-2 ESV)

“Whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked.” (1 John 2:6 ESV)

“By this is love perfected with us, so that we may have confidence for the day of judgment, because as he is so also are we in this world.” (1 John 4:17 ESV)

To think like Christ, follow His examples

 “You call me Teacher and Lord, and you are right, for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet. For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you. Truly, truly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them.” (John 13:13-7 ESV)

Therefore…

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” (2 Cor. 5:17 ESV)

“For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.” (Rom. 8:29 ESV)

Quote:

“I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” – The Apostle Paul (Gal. 2:20 ESV)

“I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” (Phil. 3:14 ESV)

Goal: the result or achievement toward which effort is directed; aim, ambition, aspiration, design, dream, plan, purpose, target.

Diligently plan

“The plans of the diligent lead surely to abundance, but everyone who is hasty comes only to poverty.” (Prov. 21:5 ESV)

Prepare your work

“Prepare your work outside; get everything ready for yourself in the field, and after that build your house.” (Prov. 24:27 ESV)

Finish it

“So now finish doing it as well, so that your readiness in desiring it may be matched by your completing it out of what you have.” (2 Cor. 8:11 ESV)

Therefore…

“Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established.” (Prov. 16:3 ESV)

“The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.” (Prov. 16:9 ESV)

“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.” (Jer. 29:11 ESV)

Quote:

“If you fail to plan, you are planning to fail” - Benjamin Franklin

“Behold, blessed is the one whom God reproves; therefore despise not the discipline of the Almighty.” (Job 5:17 ESV)

God disciplines His children in love

“And have you forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons? “My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor be weary when reproved by him. For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives.” It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as sons. For what son is there whom his father does not discipline? If you are left without discipline, in which all have participated, then you are illegitimate children and not sons. Besides this, we have had earthly fathers who disciplined us and we respected them. Shall we not much more be subject to the Father of spirits and live? For they disciplined us for a short time as it seemed best to them, but he disciplines us for our good, that we may share his holiness. For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.” (Heb. 12:5-11 ESV)

God’s Word is profitable for reproof and correction

“All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work.” (2 Cor. 3:16-17 ESV)

“For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.”

Therefore…

“For the commandment is a lamp and the teaching a light, and the reproofs of discipline are the way of life…”(Prov. 6:23 ESV)

“Hear instruction and be wise, and do not neglect it.” (Prov. 8:33 ESV)

“Whoever ignores instruction despises himself, but he who listens to reproof gains intelligence.” (Prov. 15:32 ESV)

“For the Lord is good; his steadfast love endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generations.” (Psalm 100:5 ESV)

 God is good

The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; he knows those who take refuge in him.” (Nahum 1:7 ESV)

“Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!” (Psalm 34:8 ESV)

What God made is good

“And God looked upon all that He had made, and indeed, it was very good.” (Gen. 1:31)

“For everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving.” (1 Tim. 4:4 NIV)

What God does is good

“Everything he does is good.” (Psalm 111:7 NCV)

“You are good and do good; teach me your statutes.” (Psalm 119:68 ESV)

God is good to everyone

“The LORD is good to everyone. He showers compassion on all his creation.” (Psalm 145:9 NLT)

“For he gives his sunlight to both the evil and the good, and he sends rain on the just and the unjust alike.” (Matt. 5:45 NLT)

Therefore…

“Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever!” (Psalm 107:1 ESV)

“He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?” (Micah 6:8 ESV)

“But test everything; hold fast what is good.” (1 Thess. 5:21 ESV)

“And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.” (Rom. 8:28 ESV)

Quote: 

“The goodness of God is infinitely more wonderful than we will ever be able to comprehend.” - Aiden Wilson Tozer

“Why do you see the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when there is the log in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother's eye.” (Matt. 7:3-5 ESV)

Blame: to find fault with; an expression of disapproval or reproach, censure, condemn, criticize, denounce, dis, dispraise, fault, knock, pan, reprehend.

Blaming others is not new

When caught in sin, Adam blamed God and Eve and Eve blamed the serpent. “The man said, ‘The woman whom you gave to be with me, she gave me fruit of the tree, and I ate.’ Then the Lord God said to the woman, ‘What is this that you have done?’ The woman said, ‘The serpent deceived me, and I ate.’” (Gen. 3:13-13 ESV)

Casting blame on others does not solve its root problem. It only shifts the focus away from you and onto someone else. Essentially, sweeping it under the rug. But, if not personally dealt with, it still exists. An old saying points out that when you point your finger at someone else, there are three of your fingers pointing back at you. To obtain mercy, the Bible instructs us to ad not and take responsibility for our own actions, to confess our sins, and to forsake them. Blaming others interrupts the process. 

“Whoever conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy.” (Prov. 28:13 ESV)

“Therefore you have no excuse, O man, every one of you who judges. For in passing judgment on another you condemn yourself, because you, the judge, practice the very same things.” (Rom. 2:1 ESV)

Therefore…

“Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.” (Eph. 4:31-32 ESV)

“Every way of a man is right in his own eyes, but the Lord weighs the heart.” (Prov. 21:2 ESV)

Quote:

“Hell begins with a grumbling mood, always complaining, always blaming others.” - C. S. Lewis