“It Was More Than Just A Cross”

 The ACHAIA Commission

Rev. Samuel A. L. Pope, Sr., Pastor

P. O. Box  2416, CALIFORNIA CITY CA 93504

Pastor 760.977.9175 ~ Fax 760.373.4450

 A Word From Our Pastor

(An Inspirational Series)

  “For Ever, O LORD, Thy Word Is Settled In Heaven.

Settle it O LORD, in these, Your earthen vessels.”

A Word From Our Pastor

    It is imperative that we understand the words we use to describe The Word. We are listing and defining words that describe certain key aspects and attributes of The Word. Not just the written Word of God, but The Word Of God Himself.

Always Remember, And Never Forget—

Praise God for Who He Is and What He Is.

Always Thank Him for What He does.

    I found this list of words in a book by Dick Eastman. His book listed these words as part of his daily devotional times. His desire to authenticate his time with the Lord through understanding what transpires during a devotional session impressed me.

   His desire to intelligently worship the Lord inspired me to seek to more fully define the spirit of the words he selected.

   As a result, when you read the book, the definitions you will find will not be as involved as the definitions you will see here. His thrust was to identify and clarify what he was saying about God. My thrust, however, has been to expound upon the definitions of the words themselves. Through expanding the scope of the definitions, I have broadened and enhanced my overall understanding of just Who my God is and What He is really all about. Instead of the book being an end in itself, the Lord has made it a stable foundation for a continuing etymological study of the key indicators of the attributes and actions of the God I serve.

   While he used a completely different format to introduce these words to his readers, I have used a simple multi-structured word list.

   To fully understand the import of these words and the impact they have had on me, and now hopefully upon you, I would strongly suggest that you read the book; "A Celebration of Praise: Stand Amazed at Who God Is!"

   It is my fervent prayer that these words will create in you, as they created in me, an unquenchable thirst for fellowship with the One here depicted—

 Jehovah Elohim Sabaoth;

The Lord God of Hosts.

There are seven categories:

A.  God’s Love            E.  God’s Faithfulness    B.  God’s Holiness     F.  God’s Mercy

C.  God’s Majesty       G.  God’s Integrity            D.  God’s Justice

   Each category has seven words to be defined. To keep track of the words they are designated by category and number: A through G and 1 through 7. There are (49) such combinations in all.

 God’s Love

 Love (A -- 1):

   A strong and passionate affection for; a devotion to and the enjoyment of the object of one’s devotion. An act of the will giving one the ability to be concerned for and undertake the care of the object of one’s affection with absolutely no regard for the object’s present circumstances or the consequences arising from such care and concern.

 Timeless (A -- 2):

   That which continues endlessly. Not limited or affected by measurable periods of decay or change; existing without a measurable duration.

   Time:   A system or method of measuring or reckoning the duration of consequential or successive events including those of apparent inactivity.

 Present (A -- 3):

   To be currently in view or at hand; close; nearby, proximate and immediate. Here.

   Proximate:   Very near; immediately adjoining; next; imminent; more at-- approaching.

 Unique (A -- 4):

   One of a kind. Different from all others. Having no equal. Unparalleled; unmatched. Solitary in form, nature and essence.

 Spotless (A -- 5):

   Existing in absolute purity; absent of any stain, blemish or contamination; stainless; pure; immaculate.

 Glorious (A -- 6):

   Possessing and deserving of honor and praise; praiseworthy; delightful and resplendent; exalted; esteemed and eminent. Of exalted excellence and splendor; splendid; noble; illustrious and renowned; celebrated; magnificent and wonderful.

 Great (A -- 7):

   Eminent and grand; markedly superior in quality and skill; unrivaled; exceptional; surpassing; renowned; remarkable; outstanding in magnitude, degree and extent; superior in refinement and character; noble; excellent.

   Surpassing:  On top of; overhead; above; lofty.

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God’s Holiness

 Holy (B -- 1):

   A state of absolute perfection and purity; thoroughly clean; faultless and undefiled in nature, character and ambition; righteous and just; having no faculty for or propensity towards evil.

Excellent (B -- 2):

   The quality of representing that which is distinctive, superior and invaluable; the finest and choicest; supreme and priceless.

Reliable (B -- 3):

   The nature or characteristic that identifies one who can be trusted or depended upon; unimpeachable; unequivocal; unquestionable; steady; loyal.

   Unequivocal:  Expressing only one meaning; leading to only one conclusion; clear; expressed in full and definite terms; explicit; certain; carrying no implication of later change or revision.

Strong (B -- 4):

   Having power to exert great bodily force; able or powerful mentally or morally; of great power or capacity; naturally sound or healthy; not easily broken; firm; solid; well fortified; ardent; zealous; mighty; forceful.

Sufficient (B-5):

   Equal to the task; adequate for the demand or want; enough; capable; competent; abundant in appropriate, required resources.

Measureless (B -- 6):

   The inability to ascertain the extent, scope, length, breadth, height, depth, radius, diameter, circumference, capacity, weight, volume,  gravity, center of gravity or any other physical, mental, emotional or conceptual aspect of the object considered whether concrete or abstract.

Wise (B -- 7):

   Having the faculty to discern and judge correctly; possessing judgment, discretion, prudence and extensive knowledge; being sensible, shrewd, sharp, judicious, learned and quick in comprehension; able to perceive keenly, grasp and intellectually hold abstract and intangible concepts.

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God’s Majesty

 Majesty (C -- 1):

   The sovereignty, supremacy and potency of the power of God; grandeur; nobility; splendor or magnificence in appearance, style, character and deportment; stateliness.

   Majestic:  Exhibiting stateliness, dignity and regal gracefulness.

Creative (C -- 2):

   The ability to cause to exist; to bring into being; to originate, generate, regenerate, convert, make, form or otherwise cause to become a reality; able to make tangible that which is intangible; able to cause to be that which was not.

   Intangible:  Incapable of being touched or perceived by touch; imperceptible; incapable of being defined or determined with certainty or precision.

Available (C -- 3):

   Usable; attainable; accessible; having efficacy; valid; viable.

   Efficacy:  Power to produce desired results.

   Valid:  Having sufficient legal force or strength.

   Viable:  Practicable in usage and application.

   Available:  (Archaic),  Able to bring to fruition any desired end.

Mighty (C -- 4):

   Possessing qualities of strength, power and authority; a state that is stalwart, extraordinary and monumental; very strong; great.

Steadfast (C -- 5):

   Fixed, unchanging and constant; steady, stable and sure; dependable, loyal and reliable; in a firmly set position; not easily excited or upset. The result of a conscience decision to remain it a chosen state or frame of reference.

Generous (C -- 6):

   Free, unselfish in giving; bountiful release of one’s possessions to others; noble in spirit; a nobility and forbearance in judgment; nobleness of soul and generosity of mind.

Able (C -- 7):

   Having power, means, skill, sufficient ability, resources, competence and cunning; qualified eligibility; mentally capable; clever; gifted; vigorous; intellectual efficacy.

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God’s Justice

 Just (D -- 1):

   To be honorable and fair in actions and affairs; consistent moral and legal equity; valid within the law; right; legitimate; suitable, proper, fair, reasonable, correct, precise and exact in nature.

 Invincible (D -- 2):

   Incapable of being overcome, conquered or subdued; existing beyond the possibility of defeat or subjugation; insuperable; impregnable; insurmountable; indomitable; invulnerable; unassailable.

 Beautiful (D -- 3):

   Beauty in any of its many forms; a quality, skill or appearance that’s delighting to the senses, the mind or the emotions; lovely, pretty; comely; handsome; fair; fine; of superior design, configuration or composition.

 Kind (D -- 4):

   A friendly, generous or amiable nature; humane; tender; liberal; good; showing sympathy or empathy; tolerant; charitable; considerate; forbearing; agreeable; beneficent; compassionate; gentle; merciful.

 Responsive (D -- 5):

   Answering or replying; reacts readily to correspondence: suggestions, influences, appeals, etc.; sensitivity manifested by positive and cooperative reactions to stimuli.

 Changeless (D -- 6):

   Incapable of alteration, modification, adulteration or contamination; invariant; fixed in character, essence and nature; permanent; constant; consistent; continual; unwavering.

Forgiving (D -- 7):

   Disposed to exculpation; inclined to overlook offense; granting pardon without harboring resentment; willingness to ignore offense and free offender of all consequences; readiness to acquit and expurgate.

   Exculpate:  To clear from alleged fault or guilt; to prove to be guiltless.

   Expurgate:  To purge, purify, vindicate; to cleanse of something morally harmful, offensive or erroneous; to expunge legal records, flies or documents of any objectionable or deleterious matter.

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God’s Faithfulness

 Faithful (E -- 1):

   Strict in performance of duty; unswervingly devoted; dedicated to one’s promise; loyal to one’s allegiance; trustworthy; reliable; credible.

   Credible: That which is believable and acceptable; thinkable; a conclusion or point of fact that can be arrived at intelligently; plausible and fiduciary.

Powerful (E -- 2):

   Having or exerting great power or force; physically strong; producing great physical effects; potent; exuding great intellectual force, authority or influence; superior moral strength; extraordinarily masterful; mighty.

Healthful (E -- 3):

   Full of health; free from disease; healthy; wholesome.

   Wholesome: Tending to promote health; favorable to religion, morals or prosperity.

   Health: OLD ENGLISH: (Hae-lan): to heal.

Secure (E -- 4):

   Free from fear or apprehension; confident of safety; capable of resisting assault or attack; in safe custody; isolated from danger; not likely to yield or fail; stable; certain; sure; confident.

Peaceful (E -- 5):

   Replete with tranquility; quietness; without noise or tumult; a state of harmony, order and unity; at ease; the antithesis of strife.

   Replete: Abundant; complete; lavishly packed; full; filled to the brim; brimming; overflowing.

Radiant (E -- 6):

   Emitting rays of bright light; glowing; originating point of extreme brightness; brilliance; shining; filled with happiness, joy, hope and love.

Righteous (E -- 7):

   Meeting the standards of that which is moral, just, right, upright and equitable; virtuous; the quality of being in accordance with what is honorable; to conduct oneself with moral and ethical excellence.

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God’s Mercy

Merciful (F -- 1):

   Full of mercy, compassion, leniency; exceptionally forgiving; unusual tolerance towards and kindness for those under one’s power.

Joyful (F -- 2):

   Full of joy; feeling, causing or indicating joyousness; exhilaration.

   Joy: Excitement or pleasurable feeling caused by the acquisition, accomplishment or expectation of good; gladness; pleasure; delight; exultation; the cause of satisfaction and happiness.

Infinite (F -- 3):

   Without perceived or imagined limits; perfectly immeasurable; non-circumscribable, non-circumnavigatable and non-circumventable when referring to time, space or God; exceedingly great in excellence, degree, capacity, space or extent; boundless; indeterminate; The Almighty; El Shaddai.

Stable (F -- 4):

   Resistant to sudden change of position or condition; maintaining equilibrium; self-restoring; having no mode of decay; indefinitely long-lived; immutable and permanent; enduring; consistently depend-able.

Wonderful (F -- 5):

   Full of wonder; filled with capacity to excite astonishment, surprise and delight; to cause a sense of marvel, admiration or awe.

   Wonder: Surprised or puzzled interest, oft tinged with esteem.

Accessible (F -- 6):

   Able to be attained or approached; easy of access; open to affection of another; easy to communicate or get along with; easily entreated.

Sovereign (F -- 7):

   Paramount; supreme; possessing supreme rank, dominion, jurisdiction, privilege and power; independent; self-governing; of superlative strength or efficacy; royal; free of outside influence or detrimental control.

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God’s Integrity

Truthful (G -- 1):

   Speaking the truth either by habit or nature; true; honest; bring full of the truth; telling the truth consistently; in accordance with the truth.

   Truth: Veracity; verity; candor; to be frank; to be forthright; sincere, honest and straightforward.

   Veracity: Free from deceit or untruthfulness; applied accuracy.

Knowing (G -- 2):

   Possessing knowledge, intelligence or understanding; astute; exhibiting clever awareness and resourcefulness; shrewd.

Patient (G -- 3):

   Tolerant; understanding; persevering; capable of calmly bearing delay; an attitude of calmness; long-suffering; calm diligence.

Complete (G --4):

   Entire; thorough; without deficiency; perfect; wanting no component; absolute in makeup; consummate in every respect; painstakingly accurate.

Gracious (G -- 5):

   Showing kindness and warm courtesy; of a compassionate nature; courteous; endued with charm, beauty, elegance and good taste; graceful.

Victorious (G -- 6):

   Prolific conqueror; victor of many battles or contests; triumphant; perennial winner; having the nature of triumph.

Good (G -- 7):

   Of favorable quality or character; virtuous or morally excellent; responsible or trustworthy; satisfactory or excellent in degree or kind; right or proper; genuine or legally valid; appropriate for a particular purpose.

Author: Rev. Samuel A. L. Pope, Sr.

Copyright © 2004 Achaia Missionary Baptist Church

Please feel free to post your comments in the discussion:  A Word From Our Pastor

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