Because He Came, There is Goodwill

 

Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. ~ Luke 2:14 KJV

Because of the birth of Christ, man heard from angelic sources that God was extending good will to them! In the original language, good will can mean kindness, delight or good pleasure.

What a surprise! A lot of people have in their minds an image of God who is just waiting for a chance to punish them.

The truth is God was touched with compassion for man and wanted to make a way for them to have a fresh start. A do-over, if you will. 

But sin is a terrible thing. Justice demands payment. And so, God, in the form of an innocent little baby sent His Son, Jesus, to grow up, lead a sinless life, and sacrifice Himself to pay the price for our sin. Jesus became a gift to all who would accept them and turn from their old ways to become a new creation. 

It's an incredible idea! But if you have the faith to accept it, you become filled wih the peace of God. Your burden has been lifted.

And if that is not goodwill, I don't know what is.

Ever since 2012, each December, I've been doing a series of posts titled Because He Came. In these posts, I examine the difference the birth of Christ makes in our world.

After doing variations of this so many years, it is interesting that new ideas present itself. I have three new thoughts I will be discussing in 2025, one of which is today's thoughts on goodwill. If you'd like to read a recap of earlier years with links to all the posts, check out, "Redeemed and Adopted Because He Came." 

All photos created in PicMonkey by Jerralea using personal, family and stock photos. Please do not copy. 

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Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all!

Could you take a small break and enter in the comments what types of posts you would like to see on the Journey in 2026. More bible studies? More essays and thoughts of daily life? Or, more scripture-bassed prayers? I'm here to serve you.

Sharing at Grace & Truth 

InstaEncouragements Link-Up

The Advent Collection Giveaway

Hello readers!

I'm excited to announce a giveaway for The Advent Collection, a project I participated in, published by Hope*Books. This beautiful collection features 78 authors who share their thoughts on what the coming of Christ means to them.

The book is divided into four topics: hope, peace, joy and love. My piece is in the peace section. My premise is we can have peace with God because the coming of Christ changed the way we relate to God.

Fun fact: in the hope section of the book, there is a daughter, a father and a granddaughter from the same family that contributes what the hope of Christ did for them.

You may ask why focus on Advent when Christ already came as a baby two thousand years ago. We celebrate Advent because we honor a God who keeps His word. There were numerous prophecies about the coming of Christ and they were all fulfilled in the person of Jesus of Nazareth.

Just as Jesus came all those years ago, there are prophecies concerning His second coming. Advent gives us hope the second coming will be fulfilled. God kept His Word the first time, He will surely keep His Word the second time!

I would love for you to have a copy of this beautiful book. It's printed on premium paper with a lovely hard cover that will last for years. You will want to revisit this book year after year.

To win a copy for your personal library, just leave a comment telling what the coming of Christ means to you. The contest will be open for a week. Next Monday, December 15, I will draw a name from all the comments and an autographed copy will be on its way to the winner.

Best wishes to everyone who enters! If you can't wait to get your own copy, or want to gift it to someone for this Christmas, you can order your copy here from Amazon. 

Or if you live near me, you can get an autographed copy from me in person. Just leave a comment and we will connect to make it happen.

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Thanks for dropping by the Journey! I want to always share my post, A Ticket Home, for those who might not know the way Home.

All photos created in PicMonkey by Jerralea using personal, family and stock photos. Please do not copy. 

Sharing at:

Grace & Truth

Remember Me Monday

InstaEncouragements Link-Up

Let's Have Coffee

Praise Posts 2025 - Day 10

Praise Posts 2025 ends with focusing on the Omega, Jesus Christ!

I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.” Revelation 22:13 English Standard Version

 

Lord,

 

You were there when time began; when life began, and You will be there when this world ends.

 

But more than that, You are eternal; and when the new heavens and the new earth are revealed, You will be there.

 

In fact, You will always be there. You can always be counted on. And the best part? You tell us You will love us with an everlasting love. (See Jeremiah 31:3)

Our souls can rest in that love. Thank You a million trillion times infinity.

 

In Jesus name, so be it, amen.

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What do you think? What causes gratitude when you think of who God is?

Welcome to Day 9 of Praise Posts 2025, a tradition that has been featured on the Journey every November since 2014.

This year’s praise posts are 10 days of prayers based on 10 of the Names and Attributes of God. There will be links below to each Praise Post.

We started on November 18, 2025, and will end on Thanksgiving Day, November 27, 2025.

I pray you enjoy, and also are prompted to examine your life and see where the Lord has shown up for you. (This is a practice that doesn't have to be just for Thanksgiving - being grateful for who God is should be practiced every day of the year!)

All photos created in PicMonkey by Jerralea using personal, family and stock photos. Please do not copy. 

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Previous Posts:

Day 1

Day 2

Day 3

Day 4 

Day 5 

Day 6 

Day 7 

Day 8 

Day 9

Also, you can view the Praise Posts 2024 posts here.

Thanks for dropping by the Journey! I want to always share my post, A Ticket Home, for those who might not know the way Home.

I'm also excited to share that I'm part of an upcoming book collaboration about Advent. 

My contributon will be in the peace section of the book. I can't wait to hear what you think!

Here is the link to check it out and to pre-order!  

~~

Sharing at Grace & Truth

Praise Posts 2025 - Day 4

  

When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the Lord appeared to him and said, “I am El-Shaddai – God Almighty. Serve me faithfully and live a blameless life. Genesis 17:1 NLT

 

El Shaddai,

I am thankful You are the God of more than enough. Whatever needs doing, You are mighty enough to do it.

Whatever needs supplying, You are more than enough to provide it.

 

May we sit with this thought today. You are more than enough to be the solution for whatever we need. Plain and simple, there is no reason to be anxious IF we don’t give up living for You and doing our best to obey Your commands. If we have messed up, we ask for forgiveness, then turn our direction back to You.

God, right now I lift up my brothers and sisters in Christ. Lord, our needs are many; but I know You can heal, provide, and smooth the rough patches.

 

Let us walk in faith, being led by the Holy Spirit and guided by our Great Shepherd, Jesus.

 

We will give You all the praise for every time we see You at work; but also, trusting that You are working in the background when it seems nothing is going on.

 

We love You, we praise You, we are in awe of Your unfailing love.

 

In Jesus’ name we pray, so be it, amen.

Welcome to Day 4 of Praise Posts 2025, a tradition that has been featured on the Journey every November since 2014.

This year’s praise posts are 10 days of prayers based on 10 of the Names and Attributes of God. There will be links below to each Praise Post.

We started on November 18, 2025, and will end on Thanksgiving Day, November 27, 2025.

I pray you enjoy, and also are prompted to examine your life and see where the Lord has shown up for you. (This is a practice that doesn't have to be just for Thanksgiving - being grateful for who God is should be practiced every day of the year!)

All photos created in PicMonkey by Jerralea using personal, family and stock photos. Please do not copy. 

~~

Previous Posts:

Day 1

Day 2

Day 3

Also, you can view the Praise Posts 2024 posts here.

Thanks for dropping by the Journey! I want to always share my post, A Ticket Home, for those who might not know the way Home.

I'm also excited to share that I'm part of an upcoming book collaboration about Advent. 

My contributon will be in the peace section of the book. I can't wait to hear what you think!

Here is the link to check it out and to pre-order!  

           ~~

Today, I'll be sharing at Grace & Truth

Perfect and Proven

As for God, His way is perfect;
The word of the Lord is proven;
He is a shield to all who trust in Him.                             2 Samuel 22:31 NKJV

 

Father,

 

I am in agreement with the statement Your word is proven – You have never failed us, and Your word always comes to pass.

I love that You shield everyone who puts their trust in You. I feel that since You are so much greater than any of Your creatures, Your shield is large enough to keep out anything the enemy sends our way. The only things You allow to touch us are tests You intend to use to bring about good.

 

The key is will we trust You? Even when it doesn’t look like it is going to go good, we need to affirm our trust in You. I always remember one of God's saints, Bro. Chapman, saying the one thing God wants from us is our trust – even more than our love!

 

Today, may each of us settle in our hearts that we trust You with our very lives. Let us take courage, knowing You are a good, good Father.

 

In Jesus’ name, so be it, amen. 

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Hello, dear readers. It’s been quite awhile since I have posted on this blog. I am still working with my writing coach: and we are on the last quarter of my novel. However, I have missed blogging terribly.

I’m excited to announce that my work schedule has lessened. I now consider myself “semi-retired.” Instead of working 6 days a week, I’m condensing my work into 3 days a week. More writing time is available! More blogging time can be penciled in on my schedule! Therefore, look for new posts from me at least once a month here, and also at Jerralea.com 

My latest post is How to Survive and Thrive in 2025. I'd be honored to share it with you.

Have you read my Transformation Series? It’s just as vital today as when I wrote it in 2023. Click here to read all the posts.

Also, this time of year is the perfect time to consider how much margin is in your life. You may want to read my series A Rich and Satisying Life. (No, it’s not about money.)

All photos created in PicMonkey by Jerralea using personal, family and stock photos. Please do not copy. 

Sharing at Grace & Truth and Sweet Tea & Friends

Praise Posts 2024 - Day 10

 Grateful for Scripture

I rejoice at Your word
As one who finds great treasure.

Psalm 119:162 New King James Version

 

Father,

 

Words cannot express my gratitude for You providing the scriptures for us. I can’t imagine our lives without them! They teach us about You and Your unfailing love. They give us hope and comfort and direction. It is the greatest physical treasure we have along with our assurance of salvation.

 

Perhaps in eternity, You will provide us with the REST OF THE STORY. All the unseen and unrecorded things You did to keep your people going. I’m amazed at how You weave all our stories together and produce something beautiful!

 

You are the ultimate amazement! There is no one like You! We love You! We worship You! We honor You!

 

In Jesus’ name, so be it, amen.

Welcome to the final day of Praise Posts 2024, a tradition that has been featured on the Journey every November since 2014.

This year’s praise posts were 10 days of prayers of gratitude based on scripture thanking God for the blessings I've enjoyed, and also available to every believer who has accepted Jesus as their personal Savior. There are links below to each Praise Post.

I pray you enjoy, and also are prompted to make your own list of thankfuls. (It doesn't have to be just for Thanksgiving - being grateful is good every day of the year!)

All photos created in PicMonkey by Jerralea using personal, family and stock photos. Please do not copy. 

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Thanks for dropping by the Journey! I want to always share my post, A Ticket Home, for those who might not know the way Home.

Have you read my Transformation Series yet? The landing page for all the posts can be found at Transformation: Becoming an Effective Prayer Warrior.

Sharing at Grace & Truth and InstaEncouragement Link-Up

Previous Posts: 

Day 9

Day 8

Day 7

Day 6

Day 5

Day 4

Day 3

Day 2

Day 1

Praise Posts 2024 - Day 7

 GRATEFUL FOR A GOD WHO KNOWS ME

Search me, O God, and know my heart;
    test me and know my anxious thoughts.
 Psalm 139:23 New Living Translation

Father,
 
As we head into the weekend, let us prepare our hearts for worship this Sunday. Show us anything that needs to be brought before You, Lord. Reveal to us our true motivations. Help us to realize anything that causes anxiety can be laid to rest at Your feet.
 
We love You! We trust You! We thank You for all You have done. You have blessed us mightily, and we are grateful.
 
In Jesus’ name, so be it, amen.

Welcome to Day 7 of Praise Posts 2024, a tradition that has been featured on the Journey every November since 2014.

 
Over the years, I've given my Lord praise for all sorts of things, big and small.

This year’s praise posts are going to be 10 days of prayers of gratitude based on scripture thanking God for the blessings I've enjoyed, and also available to every believer who has accepted Jesus as their personal Savior.

Join me, won't you?

All photos created in PicMonkey by Jerralea using personal, family and stock photos. Please do not copy. 

~~

Thanks for dropping by the Journey! I want to always share my post, A Ticket Home, for those who might not know the way Home.

Have you read my Transformation Series yet? The landing page for all the posts can be found at Transformation: Becoming an Effective Prayer Warrior.

Sharing at Grace & Truth

Praise Posts 2024 - Day 6

GRATEFUL FOR OUR INHERITANCE

“No weapon that is formed against you will prosper;
And every tongue that accuses you in judgment you will condemn.
This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord,
And their vindication is from Me,” declares the Lord.

Isaiah 54:17 New American Standard Bible 1995
 

Father,
 
I praise You for the inheritance You’ve given Your servants. You will vindicate us! You will cause the enemy’s plans, entrapments and devices to fail.

Those who talk about Your children will end up being ashamed.
 
They might whisper lies and talk about us now, but You will have the last word!
 
Lord, I ask You keep Your mighty hand of protection upon me and my friends, our families and our homes today. We know Your promises are our armor. We can stand on them!

Let us tell others of the good things You are doing in our lives.

 
We are so grateful!
 
In Jesus’ name, so be it, amen.

Welcome to Day 6 of Praise Posts 2024, a tradition that has been featured on the Journey every November since 2014.

 
Over the years, I've given my Lord praise for all sorts of things, big and small.

This year’s praise posts are going to be 10 days of prayers of gratitude based on scripture thanking God for the blessings I've enjoyed, and also available to every believer who has accepted Jesus as their personal Savior.

Join me, won't you?

All photos created in PicMonkey by Jerralea using personal, family and stock photos. Please do not copy.

~~

Thanks for dropping by the Journey! I want to always share my post, A Ticket Home, for those who might not know the way Home.

Have you read my Transformation Series yet? The landing page for all the posts can be found at Transformation: Becoming an Effective Prayer Warrior.

Sharing at Grace & Truth

 

Praise Posts 2024 - Day 5

GRATEFUL FOR A PEACE BEYOND UNDERSTANDING

⁶ Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. ⁷ Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7 New Living Translation

 

And

 

⁵ And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love. Romans 5:5 New Living Translation

 

 

Father,

 

I love that You invite us to tell You about everything. You want to know it all; the good, the bad, and the ugly. I also notice You want us to continually be thankful for what You’ve already done.

 

Help us to have an attitude of gratitude! And it’s the thankfulness that ushers in Your peace. If we remember how You have helped in the past – even if it was only moments ago – then we have hope You will do it again.

 

For You never disappoint! Paul tells this as he reminds us of how dearly You love us.

 

What a great, awesome God You are! El Shaddai, You are more than enough for us!

 

In Jesus’ name we pray, so be it, amen.

Welcome to Day 5 of Praise Posts 2024, a tradition that has been featured on the Journey every November since 2014.

 
Over the years, I've given my Lord praise for all sorts of things, big and small.

This year’s praise posts are going to be 10 days of prayers of gratitude based on scripture thanking God for the blessings I've enjoyed, and also available to every believer who has accepted Jesus as their personal Savior.

Join me, won't you?

All photos created in PicMonkey by Jerralea using personal, family and stock photos. Please do not copy. 

~~

Thanks for dropping by the Journey! I want to always share my post, A Ticket Home, for those who might not know the way Home.

Have you read my Transformation Series yet? The landing page for all the posts can be found at Transformation: Becoming an Effective Prayer Warrior.

Sharing at Grace & Truth, Sweet Tea & Friends