WELCOME TO
GOODWILL CHURCH
Hello from Goodwill Church Port Jervis! We are dedicated to being a hub of faith, fellowship, and service in the Port Jervis community, where we can come together to worship and grow in faith. We'd love for you to join us to see what makes our Port Jervis branch an integral part of the larger Goodwill Church family.
LATEST MESSAGE
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GET INVOLVED
in Port Jervis
Bible Study
6:30PM | Wednesday nights | currently studying through the gospel of John
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Prayer Gathering
8AM | 1st Saturday of the month | all are welcome
PASTOR'S CORNER
from Pastor José Rodriguez
Majestic and Mindful: The Greatness of God and the Value of Man
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“O LORD, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! You have set your glory above the heavens. Out of the mouth of babies and infants, you have established strength because of your foes, to still the enemy and the avenger. When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is man that you are mindful of him, and the son of man that you care for him? Yet you have made him a little lower than the heavenly beings and crowned him with glory and honor. You have given him dominion over the works of your hands; you have put all things under his feet, all sheep and oxen, and also the beasts of the field, the birds of the heavens, and the fish of the sea, whatever passes along the paths of the seas. O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!” – Psalm 8:1-9 ESV
David begins with a cry of awe: "O LORD, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!" There is a deep recognition of God's supreme greatness, and this cry resonates through the ages. The earth itself cannot contain the majesty of God’s name. His glory is above the heavens—far higher than any earthly realm can even begin to reflect. How majestic is the One who created the stars, who set them in place with His fingers, the One whose very name commands all of creation.
As we look at the grandeur of the heavens, the vastness of the universe, and the delicate balance of nature, we might, like the psalmist, ask, “What is man that you are mindful of him?” Here, the enormity of God’s greatness sets the stage for a profound and humbling realization: God, in His infinite glory, cares for us. Man—fragile, fleeting, and so small in comparison to the cosmos—has captured the attention and affection of the Creator. In a universe that is so vast and filled with such majesty, God sees us, values us, and has a plan for us.
In Psalm 8, we are confronted with a paradox: God's splendor is beyond comprehension, yet He lavishes dignity upon humanity. Even though we are small in the grand scheme of the cosmos, God has crowned us with honor. He has given us dominion over His creation—entrusting us with responsibility and authority. We are not simply creations that fill space; we are created in His image, imbued with intrinsic worth.
But perhaps the most remarkable aspect of this psalm is the paradox it presents about our role in creation. While we are called to rule over the earth, this dominion is never one of arrogance or exploitation. It is a call to stewardship, to reflect the majesty of our Creator through responsible, humble care for His world. And as God has given us dominion, He has also made us mindful of Him. Our position is not one of isolation, but of intimacy. We are called to recognize the greatness of God in every aspect of life and respond with gratitude and worship.
Finally, the psalm ends where it began, with a declaration of awe and worship: “O LORD, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!” When we remember that the Creator of the cosmos is mindful of us, our hearts are stirred to wonder and worship. The God who holds the stars in His hands is the same God who cares for us, knows our name, and invites us into relationship with Him.
Reflection:
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Do you ever feel small in the face of God’s vastness?
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How does Psalm 8 help you embrace your value in His eyes?
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How can you honor God’s majesty in your daily life?
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In what ways can you steward His creation with care?
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Take a moment today to step outside and observe the beauty of God’s creation. Reflect on how this speaks to His greatness and your worth in His sight.
Prayer:
Father, we stand in awe of Your majesty. You are high and exalted, and yet You are mindful of us. Your love and care humble us. Thank You for giving us such honor and responsibility. Help us to walk in humility, remembering our purpose to care for Your creation and reflect Your glory. Teach us to never lose sight of Your greatness and to live in a way that acknowledges Your goodness, both in creation and in our lives. May we always respond to You with hearts full of worship and gratitude. In Jesus’ name, Amen.