What does the word "awesome" really mean?

Hey All!

How often do we use the word “awesome”? And what do we really mean when we use it? Is it kinda like the word “Bodacious!” as in “Cool!” “Radical!” or “Right on!” or do we use it in a more spiritual way like, “That is so awesome what God has done for you?” or “You are an awesome follower of Jesus Christ brother!” or even in our prayers to the Father “You are so awesome Lord!” All of these are pretty much okay, but do we think about the word and what it really means before we say it?

As a righteous example...whoa, there another misused word, but we’ll save that one for another email. As I was saying, as a righteous example check out how Jacob used the word “awesome” in Genesis 28:10-18

10 Now Jacob went out from Beersheba and went toward Haran. 11 So he came to a certain place and stayed there all night, because the sun had set. And he took one of the stones of that place and put it at his head, and he lay down in that place to sleep. 12 Then he dreamed, and behold, a ladder was set up on the earth, and its top reached to heaven; and there the angels of God were ascending and descending on it. 13 And behold, the LORD stood above it and said: “I am the LORD God of Abraham your father and the God of Isaac; the land on which you lie I will give to you and your descendants. 14 Also your descendants shall be as the dust of the earth; you shall spread abroad to the west and the east, to the north and the south; and in you and in your seed all the families of the earth shall be blessed. 15 Behold, I am with you and will keep you wherever you go, and will bring you back to this land; for I will not leave you until I have done what I have spoken to you.” 16 Then Jacob awoke from his sleep and said, “Surely the LORD is in this place, and I did not know it.” 17 And he was afraid and said, “How awesome is this place! This is none other than the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven!” 18 Then Jacob rose early in the morning, and took the stone that he had put at his head, set it up as a pillar, and poured oil on top of it.

Now that’s pretty awesome! He was awe struck I’d say. Have you every been struck with “awe”? I looked up the word “awesome” in the dictionary and got definitions like; “Reverential Fear” this is the kind of fear Paul talked about in Hebrews 12:28 when he said:
28 Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us have grace, by which we may[a] serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear.
I also found definitions like “Dread mingled with veneration” ...hmmm, veneration, what does that mean? “Verneration is a feeling of profound respect and awe or reverence.” It says up above that Jacob was “afraid” but it was a “reverential fear”, he revered God, and was in reverence of the situation or in this case, the dream he had.

So if I can answer my own question “When was the last time I was ‘awe struck’?” I wanted to share an experience with you that happened to me a couple of weeks ago, now mind you it wasn’t a spiritual “awe struck” moment, but it did make me think about the word “awesome” and what it really should mean to me in my daily life. It was about 4:30 p.m. I was walking my dogs in lighthouse field just enjoying the beautiful California coast line. Now where I was in the field geographically was about 200 yards off the beach on a trail, and like I said I was just strolling along when all of the sudden I heard what sounded like a jet engine...a BIG jet engine.
As turned and looked toward the water, out of nowhere was the thing that was making this BIG noise, it was a jet engine, in fact it was two jet engines, attached to a plane flying less than 500 ft off the beach. This plane was so big that I felt like I could almost reach out and touch it. At first I was confused, and then I realized it wasn’t just an ordinary jet plane, it was a 747 Airliner...that’s right, a 747! Ya’ know with the funny domed top and huge wing span. I swear as I watched it, it was like a close encounter moment...not that I’ve ever had one. My mouth just stayed open as I followed it with my eyes, watching it go out of behind some trees, I just stood there knowing for certain I was either gonna hear a crash or a splash, but fortunately I didn’t hear either, it just banked right and headed toward Monterey and out of sight. I must have asked at least 3 people on the trail that night “Did you see that?” One person said; “Yeah! Pretty scary!” well that really made me think in a post 9/11 kinda way.

I would say from a worldly sense, that sight and that experience was an “awesome” sight, but from a godly perspective that’s nothing, in fact the bible talks of events in the end times, even in pre-tribulation days that are gonna definitely make us “awe struck”. When I think of God’s word and what He says about the “awesome” events in it, and the examples of people being “awe struck”, I know my experience is nothing compared to those. Look at the men who came to arrest Jesus, at the sound of His voice, those men were “awe struck”. What about Paul as he was on the road, the sight was so awesome, that he went temporarily blind. How about the Israelites when right in front of their eyes the waters parted, or even the Egyptians chasing close behind as they went down in to follow, imagine them looking to their left then to their right as they chased and seeing these waters actually parted, and then to have those same waters come crashing down on them. How about the virgin Mary when she was visited by the angel and was told she would bare a Son (The Son).

There are so many examples of God’s awesomeness in His word, too many to count, but what about in your own life, what are some of the awesome things He has done, I mean things that are truly awesome. Do you see His hand in your life on a daily basis? Can you point to situations and say; “Yup! That’s God!” Can you hear His voice, do you hear it like it says in Isaiah 30; “Your ears will hear a word behind you, “This is the way, walk in it” whenever you turn to the right or to the left.”

Please understand, I don’t always hear His voice, and I don’t always look for His hand in things, but you know what? It’s not because He’s stopped talking to me, or He’s stopped working in my life, it’s that I’ve stopped listening and acknowledging that He is in control of ALL things. I think that if we are more “doer’s of the Word” and more “heavenly minded” as my pastor says, we can live a life in awe of Him every day!
May He Bless your day, and may you be Blessed as you seek His face and are awe struck by the Majesty and Glory and Grace of who He is!

In HIS Grip
Tony

Why I've switched from the NIV to the New King James Version (NKJV)

Hey All,
As we continue to go through the Book of John on Monday nights, our class studied chapter 18 last night and the events that took place in the garden and ultimately to Jesus’ arrest and death on the cross (I can’t wait till next week when we come to His resurrection and all things that take place after).

As we studied and as I read word for word, it donned on me another clear example of why I’ve switched from the NIV to the NKJV.Please understand, I’m not saying that the NIV is wrong or bad, or that you should use one bible over another, in fact I’ve used the NIV most of my Christian life, until I was explained to the differences a couple of years ago. The way it was explained to me was that while the NIV is more like the feel of the words, or an expression of what took place, the NKJV is more word for word, closer to original Hebrew and Aramaic text. Again this is just what works for me, the main thing, is that you are being blessed by God’s living Word.

Take a look for yourself from example below taken out of chapter 18 of the book of John:
The bold type is mine, but notice that all the references to Jesus are in lower case.

John 18:1-6 (New International Version)
1When he had finished praying, Jesus left with his disciples and crossed the Kidron Valley. On the other side there was an olive grove, and he and his disciples went into it.

2Now Judas, who betrayed him, knew the place, because Jesus had often met there with his disciples. 3So Judas came to the grove, guiding a detachment of soldiers and some officials from the chief priests and Pharisees. They were carrying torches, lanterns and weapons.

4Jesus, knowing all that was going to happen to him, went out and asked them, "Who is it you want?"
5"Jesus of Nazareth," they replied.
"I am he," Jesus said. (And Judas the traitor was standing there with them.) 6When Jesus said, "I am he," they drew back and fell to the ground.

So for example if I was a baby Christian, or even a non – believer, when I read;

“2Now Judas, who betrayed him, knew the place, because Jesus had often met there with his disciples.”

Would I ask myself; “Does that mean Jesus’ disciples or Judas disciples? Those of us who have been believers in Christ for awhile know that Judas did not have disciples, but what about a brand new believer, could that be confusing to him?

But look at NKJV below, keep in mind that bold type is still mine

John 18 (New King James Version)
1 When Jesus had spoken these words, He went out with His disciples over the Brook Kidron, where there was a garden, which He and His disciples entered. 2 And Judas, who betrayed Him, also knew the place; for Jesus often met there with His disciples.
3 Then Judas, having received a detachment of troops, and officers from the chief priests and Pharisees, came there with lanterns, torches, and weapons. 4 Jesus therefore, knowing all things that would come upon Him, went forward and said to them, “Whom are you seeking?”5 They answered Him, “Jesus of Nazareth.” Jesus said to them, “I am He.” And Judas, who betrayed Him, also stood with them. 6 Now when He said to them, “I am He,” they drew back and fell to the ground.

See the difference? But that’s not all, one thing I learned last night in class which I would put in the category of “awesome” is, notice in verse 5 and 6 where Jesus says; “I am He” did you notice that in the word “He” the first letter is not only capitalized but it is also in italics,

I didn’t add the italics to the word “He”, in fact according to publishers NKJV (actually according The Writers of The bible) the word “He” was added for clarity.

Here’s what the explanation is from the NKJV: “Words in italic type have been added for clarity. they are not found in the original Hebrew or Aramaic”

Okay, so why is that so “awesome”?

Re-read verse 5 and 6 as it was originally written by leaving out the word “He” when He says “I am He”

I pray that the great “I Am” would bless your day today!

In HIS Grip
Tony