Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues,
proclaiming the good news of the kingdom,
and healing every disease and sickness among the people.
Matthew 4:23
- It’s all good!
- Good as new!
- Good news or bad news?
- Good to see you
- Good deal
- A world of good
- Good sport
- Good day
- Goodbye
We throw around the word good to describe everything from lunch to world events. We use it to distinguish positive from negative and to greet one another (both coming and going).
So common is the word’s usage that it’s one of the 52 sight words on the Dolch primer list for children. It’s so familiar (and perhaps overused) that we may not give it a lot of thought.
This month, I hope we will give some thought to good – particularly, to the use of the word in the New Testament, where we will find that good (depending on your translation) may also be translated gospel.
Our Write the WORD bookmark for November highlights New Testament verses that feature the word, good. (Regular subscribers might remember the same focus word from November 2020 – with verses from the Old Testament.)
The first verse on our list comes from Matthew 4:23 (noted above). It clues us in on the mission of Jesus during His earthly, incarnate time of ministry: teaching, proclaiming, and healing. His teaching and proclaiming brought good news. His healing confirmed the authenticity of His message. Healing provided tangible evidence of His power over disease and illness. It pointed to the greater truth: His power to heal not only physically, but spiritually. The good news – the gospel – was celebrated by those who embraced it then … and is still celebrated, all these years later, by those who accept it now.
Are you experiencing the gospel as a reality in your life? Do you believe Jesus – His life, death, and resurrection – made good news possible for you? What difference is it making in your life? How is God moving and working in your life to live the reality of the gospel? How is it providing peace and joy, purpose and provision to you personally?
Is it all good for you – because you have believed the good news He proclaimed?
Our Free Gifts to You: You’re invited to download your copy of the November Write the WORD bookmark and begin exploring the good all during November. We also hope you’ll check out the corresponding S.O.A.P. pages (which are optional, but provide a simple, convenient framework for Bible study) and this month’s ‘Do It!’ List … also free to download.
If you have been listening or studying along in our journey through I Kings, you can view this week’s teaching on our YouTube channel here:
If Cross My Heart Ministry’s videos and blog posts have been a blessing to you, subscribing to our YouTube channel is a way to bless us, as well – there is no cost to you, but it is such a help and encouragement to us!
