good

Friday, December 11, 2009 (5:22 a.m.)

Good Morning Lord,

Mm. Yes. Good. Over thirty internet pages of listings for verses containing the word ‘good’. Where to even begin?

Philippians 4:8 of course! Oh yes Good God. Start there and learn even more!

Good News. Good report. Goodwill. Oh most dear and good Father God, thank You for the goodness You bring into our lives. Thank You for Your good and living Word which allows us to experience You all the more.

Putting our focus onto what is good. Proverbs 11:27 (NIV), “He who seeks good finds goodwill, but evil comes to him who searches for it.” The Message says, “The one who seeks good finds delight; the student of evil becomes evil.” The Living Bible puts the same truth this way, “If you search for good, you will find God’s favor; if you search for evil, you will find His curse.” Thank You Lord!

Lord, I love reading Your Word in the various translations, making sure that what I understand is what was actually intended. Considering ‘whatever is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent or praiseworthy’ (Philippians 4:8 TLB) is so much easier when our frame of mind is purposefully seeking the good in things.

Looking through the many renderings of Your Word, I see these same truths uniquely described by the different scholars. Eugene Peterson (The Message) imparts Paul’s words to the Philippians as, “Summing it all up, friends, I’d say you’ll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious – the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not to curse.”

Oh most Blessed Lord. Oh, that I would only put Your good into practice on a regular basis. Seeking Your good. Living Your good. Proverbs 15:30 tells us, “A twinkle in the eye means joy in the heart, and good news makes you feel fit as a fiddle.” Mm, Lord. There’s another good word ~ joy! And that is indeed a blessed subject for another day.

I love You so much Dear Lord. Help me intentionally look for Your good in this day. Thank You for this opportunity to come before You seeking You. I love You. Amen.

(374 words ~ 7:48 a.m.)