Goodness. Just what is it and how does it relate to God and to us? Goodness, #19 in the Strong’s Concordance is used as uprightness of heart and life; kindness.
Once again, we can focus on a fruit of the Spirit—and note the differences in different translations of the Bible. The King James Version (KJV), one of the oldest English translations, used the term goodness in the verse below, in relation to God counting you worthy and you bringing God pleasure—by being obedient. Just reading between the lines on the obedience part—but we know that that is just what God desires. The same verse in the New Living Translation (NLT) uses the term good things that your faith prompts you to do. Honor Jesus. That's a good goal.
Wherefore also we pray always for
you, that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfil all the
good pleasure of his goodness, and the work of faith with power: That
the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and ye in him,
according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Thessalonians 1:11-12 KJV
So we keep on praying for you,
asking our God to enable you to live a life worthy of his call. May he give you
the power to accomplish all the good things your faith prompts you to
do. Then the name of our Lord Jesus will be honored because of the way you
live, and you will be honored along with him. This is all made possible because
of the grace of our God and Lord, Jesus Christ. 2 Thessalonians 1:11-12 NLT
That is
“goodness.” One of my grandmothers used to frequently say… “Oh, for goodness
sake”…do this or that! She just wanted us to be good…or to encourage us to do
better. Comb your hair… pick up your toys…or go outside and play. There is
always an alternative to what we are doing—always a “good” choice to be made.
What “good thing” is your faith prompting you to do today? What choice can you
make that will help you accomplish something worthwhile and honor God? For
goodness sake…do it!
Yet
I am confident I will see the LORD's goodness while I am here in the
land of the living. Psalm
27:13
For
it is impossible to bring back to repentance those who were once
enlightened--those who have experienced the good things of heaven and shared in
the Holy Spirit, who have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the
power of the age to come—and who then turn away from God. It is impossible to
bring such people back to repentance; by rejecting the Son of God, they
themselves are nailing him to the cross once again and holding him up to public
shame. Hebrews 6:4-6
Prayer
– Lord Jesus, help me today to see things as You see them, to choose “goodness”
in my actions and encourage others to accomplish good things.
Meditate.
Consider goodness.
Verses
of Salvation ~ God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can't take
credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good
things we have done, so none of us can boast about it. For we are God's
masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good
things he planned for us long ago. Ephesians
2:8-10
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| Fresh fruit at the Mahane Yehuda Jerusalem, Israel |
What's
on your plate today? Everybody's body is different. How our bodies respond to
different food is unique. One person can eat lots of carbs—carbohydrates—and another
person just gains inches and weight from eating the same foods. That’s me. No
processed carbs for me, please. Lots of veggies and some fruit along with a bit
of meat, nuts, cheese, or eggs. A simple diet. So, what’s on my plate? That’s
it…lots of veggies, some fruit, a few walnuts and cheese. Beef or red meat once
a month—that’s the Mediterranean diet way—and fish a couple of times a week. Maybe
an occasional slice of whole grain bread—with as little processing as possible.
I’m still hoping to get a sour dough starter going and make my own bread again
with freshly ground grains. I can almost smell the bread baking with just the
thought of it!
Is there a food that you’d love to
eat…maybe a comfort food…that evokes a memory? I’m right back in my first-grade
class in Elementary School with my teacher Mrs. Sadie Peterson every time I
bite into a fresh pear and experience that distinctive pear smell. Ahhh. Snack
time. I love it. Slice up a fresh pear soon and see what you remember.
© 2025 Text, photos, and illustrations by Mickey M. Hunacek. All
rights reserved.
All scripture quoted from the New Living Translation (NLT) unless
otherwise noted.
New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale
House Foundation.
Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream,
Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Biblical search from Blue Letter Bible - http://v3.blueletterbible.org/search.cfm.
Books by Mickey M.
Hunacek
Available as e-books or paperbacks at Amazon.com
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