Posts Tagged ‘good’

In Deuteronomy 6:6-7 we read, “These words, which I am commanding you today, shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your sons and shall talk of them when you sit in your house and when you walk by the way and when you lie down and when you rise up.” (NASB) Basically, Moses is exhorting readers to continuously be remembering God in everyday things, in what we do, in how we live, and in all our conversations. I contend that the reminders are already embedded in our daily conversations; we just don’t recognize them as “God’s Word” references. Think about some of the following greetings.

 Good morning, Good Day, Good Afternoon, Good Evening, Good Night: Genesis proclaims the story of creation and indicates that when God speaks things into existence he calls them ‘good’. James tells us that every good and perfect gift comes from God. There are over 50 entries in the Random House Dictionary for the word good; the first definition of ‘good’ is “morally excellent; virtuous; righteous…” Whenever we use any derivative of good in a greeting or farewell, we are stating publicly that we desire that time period to be morally excellent, that we wish to have God’s character of righteousness to be evident in our words, thoughts, and actions.  

Shalom: Some may use ‘Shalom’ as a greeting or a farewell. It comes from the Hebrew and just means ‘Peace’ or, you are wishing a person a life of “completeness, soundness, and welfare,” all of which only come from God.

Hello:  The word ‘Hello’ is an interjection used to express a greeting, answer a telephone, or attract attention. Its origin dates back to the 1800’s and is a variation of ‘Hallo’ which is also a variation of ‘Hallow’ which may be familiar to you from The Lord’s Prayer. Easton’s 1897 Bible Dictionary tells us that ‘hallow’ means to render sacred or to consecrate. So each time we begin a conversation with ‘Hello’ we are setting that conversation apart as sacred or consecrated.

Hi:  ‘Hi’ is an informal, simplified spelling of  “High” reminding us of The One who reigns from on high.

Adios: According to the Online Etymology Dictionary – “1837, American English, from Spanish ‘adios’ from the phrase “a dios vos acomiendo” which means “I commend you to God.”

Adieu: Middle English, from Old French a dieu, (I commend you to God).

Good-bye: A contraction of “God be with ye.”

 As you may notice, many of our greetings and farewells give us opportunity to put our thoughts on God and to follow the Command of Deuteronomy 6.

Psalm 100:5 puts forward an excellent set of reasons to be thankful: “For the LORD is good; His mercy is everlasting, and His truth endures to all generations.” A good, merciful, truthful, everlasting, and generational LORD must be praised.

Verses 1-4 provide a list of instructions explaining appropriate responses to the LORD’s goodness.

• “Make a joyful shout to the LORD.”
• “Serve the LORD with gladness.”
• “Come before His presence with singing.”
• “Know that the LORD, He is God; It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people and the sheep of His pasture.”
• “Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise.”
• “Be thankful to Him, and bless His name.”

 Quotes in this post from (NKJV).

Pastor Steve recently mentioned that the world doesn’t always see a difference between Christians and non-christians. Are we truly changed beings, or just a social club pretending to be different?

Romans 12:2 says, “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” (NIV)

Are we collectively imitating Christ or the world? What evidence could be compiled to convict AICF of either of those alternatives?  Which sins do we identify as “not that bad” or “just a little thing?” Are we sold out and radically changed into His likeness?

I praise God for the progess He has made in us; I pray that He will continue to change us more and more.