God is good....

For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.

These are words I count on. The best words of encouragement that can be found. When you ask God for forgiveness, he grants it. No questions asked. No rememberance of the past! You've got to love that! That is what I call grace and mercy. It is our promise from God, just for seeking Him. We will continue to mess up. We will fail. We will disobey, but God will continue to pour out His grace and mercy on us. That doesn't mean we go looking for trouble, just knowing He will forgive us. We have to make a valiant effort. We have to try our best. We have to talk to Him daily, if nothing but to ask His help. He will come through! He will protect us if we ask Him to.

I don't believe God punishes us. I don't think He just hangs out, waiting for us to screw up so He can show us His power. Or take something away. Or set us back. On the contrary, He is there waiting for us to simply ask Him for forgiveness, just to help us move on. To try to do better next time. To be an encouragement to someone else.

This is my goal this week.