What a nice day, sun showing around out valley – while I see clouds on the parameter.  The winds will be blowing hard through the Gorge from us to the Portland area for a few days – and we shall be cold in our neck of the woods.

That, of course is relatively speaking, but for us when it gets into the low 20’s and teens that is cold for this area.

Hard to believe it is almost the last day of the year – just a date on the calendar that is much the same as tomorrow and yesterday – but still a time of reflection and thoughts of how we can do better ‘next year.’

Psalm 37:23-24 The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord: and he delighteth in his way.

²⁴ Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the Lord upholdeth him with his hand.

So who is a good man, and how do you know if you are ‘good enough?’

Mathew 12:35-36 A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things.

Psalm 139:22-23 Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts:

²⁴ And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.

It is the heart that really determines a good man, and the only way we can have a ‘good’ heart is through Jesus.

God knows our heart far better than we do – we prove that at o dark thirty hours when long forgotten deeds come to mind, when sins and fears creep up from our minds in a desire to torment us.

Only God can cleanse our heart, and we must allow Him to do so – but we can only do it because His Son is our Savior and our heart has changed thanks to His sacrifice, resurrection AND His prayers for us.

John 17:23 I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me.

Mathew 25:23  His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.

A good man is faithful to God in all he does; he doesn’t waver, he doesn’t take the easy road to avoid the responsibilities that God has given him.

Acts 11:22 & 24  Then tidings of these things came unto the ears of the church which was in Jerusalem: and they sent forth Barnabas, that he should go as far as Antioch.

²⁴ For he was a good man, and full of the Holy Ghost and of faith: and much people was added unto the Lord.

Barnabas was called a good man, because of His dedication to God and his faith in Him, his heart was full and he allowed the Spirit of God to dwell, fully within him.

We of ourselves cannot be a good man, all that we do must come through our service to God, through His Son Jesus.  Choosing any other path condemns us and our works.

Mathew 7:21-23 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.

²² Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?

²³ And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

So a good man is a man of God, whose heart has been searched by God because he has asked for that search and whose heart has been changed through the acceptance of God’s Son.

We may, at times, fail to be perfect – but when we come to Him in faith, believing that He forgives and will once again purify our hearts – we can be consider a ‘good man.’

That is a designation we should all seek.

Later, Art :-)