Hi Brian!
The word for this week is "escape"! We will look at two different passages of Scripture; one from the Old Testament and one from the New. First we'll look at the Hebrew word "palat", which means: to escape, to save, to deliver, to slip away, to bring into security, to deliver, to bring to safety according to Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon. This is found in Psalm 71:1-3:
1 IN YOU, O LORD, do I trust and confidently take refuge; let me never be put to shame or confusion! 2 Deliver me in Your righteousness and cause me to escape; bow down Your ear to me and save me! 3 Be to me a rock of refuge in which to dwell, and a sheltering stronghold to which I may continually resort, which You have appointed to save me, for You are my Rock and my Fortress.
Next is the Greek word "ekbasis", which means: to go out, an exit (literally or figuratively), end, way to escape according to Strong's Exhaustive Concordance. This is found in 1 Corinthians 10:13-14:
13 For no temptation (no trial regarded as enticing to sin), [no matter how it comes or where is leads] has overtaken you and laid hold on you that is not common to man [that is, no temptation or trial has come to you that is beyond human resistance and that is not adjusted and adapted and belonging to human experience, and such as man can bear] But God is faithful [to His Word and to His compassionate nature], and He [can be trusted] not to let you be tempted and tried and assayed beyond your ability and strength of resistance and power to endure, but with the temptation He will [always] also provide the way out (the means of escape to a landing place), that you may be capable and strong and powerful to bear up under it patiently. 14 Therefore, my dearly beloved, shun (keep clear away from, avoid by flight if need be) any sort of idolatry (of loving or venerating anything more than God).
There is no situation we could ever face that would take God by surprise! He not only has the answer to every question and the solution to every problem, but He IS the Answer and the Solution! In order for us to walk in that Truth powerfully, we MUST keep HIM first place in our lives! He must be our "first love". When He is, then everyone else in our lives is loved far better by us than they were before! Kristine and Avery KNOW that you love them SO MUCH! As you get to know and love HIM more every day, your love for THEM will only grow deeper and more powerful! And THEY will recognize it! How awesome is that! Here is a new song from Hillsong called "The Difference":
Love and Shalom from the Swoveys!
Sunday, July 24, 2011
Hi Brian,
The word for this week is "favor", or "favour" as the KJV Bible has it! There are a few different words translated favor in the Bible. The first one that we will be looking at is found in Genesis 39:21:
21 But the LORD was with Joseph, and shewed him mercy, and gave him favour in the sight of the keeper of the prison.
This is the Hebrew word "chen" which means: favor, grace, acceptance according to Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon. Vine's Expository Dictionary says: favor, grace, to favor someone. The Dictionary definition for favor includes: an attitude of approval or liking, approving consideration or attention. God caused Joseph to find approval with the keeper of the prison so that He could bless him!
Another word is used in Psalm 5:12:
12 For You, LORD, will bless the righteous; with favour will You compass him as with a shield.
This is the Hebrew word "ratsown" which means: a pleasure, a delight, goodwill, acceptance, according to Brown-Driver-Briggs Lexicon. The righteous are those who have right standing with God, or the "right" to stand before Him as though we've never done anything wrong! We have the potential, as believers, to be received by the people who have influence in our lives with pleasure, delight and approval! That means on the job, in business, in friendships. What we DO with that favor will determine the results. Adding diligence, hard work, faith, consistency, creativity to what we do will assure us of positive results!
Then the last one that we'll look at is found in Luke 2:52:
52 And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man.
This is the Greek word "charis" which means: graciousness, acceptance, favour, grace, liberality, pleasure, according to Strong's Exhaustive Concordance. Thayer's Greek Lexicon adds: good-will, loving-kindness. It is also translated grace in the New Testament. Jesus did this NOT because He was God, but because He obeyed God's Word, respected His parents, walked in love and meditated on the Word of God day and night (Joshua 1:8)! We CAN have the same results! Here is an old song from Hillsong called "One Day":
You ARE highly favored of the LORD! You have already done well with that favor. I am convinced that the best is yet to come!
Love and Shalom from the Swoveys!
The word for this week is "favor", or "favour" as the KJV Bible has it! There are a few different words translated favor in the Bible. The first one that we will be looking at is found in Genesis 39:21:
21 But the LORD was with Joseph, and shewed him mercy, and gave him favour in the sight of the keeper of the prison.
This is the Hebrew word "chen" which means: favor, grace, acceptance according to Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon. Vine's Expository Dictionary says: favor, grace, to favor someone. The Dictionary definition for favor includes: an attitude of approval or liking, approving consideration or attention. God caused Joseph to find approval with the keeper of the prison so that He could bless him!
Another word is used in Psalm 5:12:
12 For You, LORD, will bless the righteous; with favour will You compass him as with a shield.
This is the Hebrew word "ratsown" which means: a pleasure, a delight, goodwill, acceptance, according to Brown-Driver-Briggs Lexicon. The righteous are those who have right standing with God, or the "right" to stand before Him as though we've never done anything wrong! We have the potential, as believers, to be received by the people who have influence in our lives with pleasure, delight and approval! That means on the job, in business, in friendships. What we DO with that favor will determine the results. Adding diligence, hard work, faith, consistency, creativity to what we do will assure us of positive results!
Then the last one that we'll look at is found in Luke 2:52:
52 And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man.
This is the Greek word "charis" which means: graciousness, acceptance, favour, grace, liberality, pleasure, according to Strong's Exhaustive Concordance. Thayer's Greek Lexicon adds: good-will, loving-kindness. It is also translated grace in the New Testament. Jesus did this NOT because He was God, but because He obeyed God's Word, respected His parents, walked in love and meditated on the Word of God day and night (Joshua 1:8)! We CAN have the same results! Here is an old song from Hillsong called "One Day":
You ARE highly favored of the LORD! You have already done well with that favor. I am convinced that the best is yet to come!
Love and Shalom from the Swoveys!
Sunday, July 17, 2011
Hi Brian!
It was great to see you and your family this weekend! The word for this week is "adventure"! The only place the word is found in the KJV Bible is in Acts 19:31:
31 And certain of the chief of Asia, which were his friends, sent unto him, desiring him that he would not adventure himself into the theatre.
This is the Greek word "didomi", which, in general, means: to give something to someone, according to Thayer's Greek Lexicon. Vine's Expository Dictionary says: to give of oneself to go into a place, to adventure into. They were warning Paul NOT to go into the place because of what they feared might happen. I really believe that this life God has given us to live is meant to be a great adventure for us, as long as we are following HIS plan and purpose! Jesus DID say this in John 10:10:
10 The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance (to the full, till it overflows).
That sounds like a GREAT adventure to me! Here is Steven Curtis Chapman with an old song called "The Great Adventure"! I couldn't find one with lyrics, so I put them below!
[1 Cor 2:9-10, Eph 2:4-10]
Saddle up your horses
Started out this morning in the usual way
Chasing thoughts inside my head of all I had to do today
Another time around the circle try to make it better than the last
Chasing thoughts inside my head of all I had to do today
Another time around the circle try to make it better than the last
I opened up the Bible and I read about me
Said I'd been a prisoner and God's grace had set me free
And somewhere between the pages it hit me like a lightning bolt
I saw a big frontier in front of me and I heard somebody say "let's go"!
Said I'd been a prisoner and God's grace had set me free
And somewhere between the pages it hit me like a lightning bolt
I saw a big frontier in front of me and I heard somebody say "let's go"!
[Chorus:]
Saddle up your horses we've got a trail to blaze
Through the wild blue yonder of God's amazing grace
Let's follow our leader into the glorious unknown
This is a life like no other - this is The Great Adventure
Saddle up your horses we've got a trail to blaze
Through the wild blue yonder of God's amazing grace
Let's follow our leader into the glorious unknown
This is a life like no other - this is The Great Adventure
Come on get ready for the ride of your life
Gonna leave long faced religion in a cloud of dust behind
And discover all the new horizons just waiting to be explored
This is what we were created for
Gonna leave long faced religion in a cloud of dust behind
And discover all the new horizons just waiting to be explored
This is what we were created for
[Chorus]
[Bridge:]
We'll travel over, over mountains so high
We'll go through valleys below
Still through it all we'll find that
This is the greatest journey that the human heart will ever see
The love of God will take us far beyond our wildest dreams
We'll travel over, over mountains so high
We'll go through valleys below
Still through it all we'll find that
This is the greatest journey that the human heart will ever see
The love of God will take us far beyond our wildest dreams
Yeah... oh saddle up your horses... come on get ready to ride
[Chorus]
Love and Shalom from the Swoveys!
Sunday, July 10, 2011
Hi Brian!
The word for this week is "steadfast". There are three different Greek words translated steadfast in the New Testament. They are all similar in meaning. The first is found in 1 Corinthians 15:58:
58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.
This is the Greek word "hedraois". Strong's Exhaustive Concordance says: sedentary, immovable, settled. Thayer's Greek Lexicon adds: firm.The Amplified Bible says this:
58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be firm (steadfast), immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord [always being superior, excelling, doing more than enough in the service of the Lord], knowing and being continually aware that your labor in the Lord is not futile [it is never wasted or to no purpose].
My paraphrase would be: Keep doing what YOU know the Lord is calling you to do, whether anyone else is doing it or not! He rewards obedience and faithfulness! The next verse is Hebrews 3:14:
14 For we have become partakers of Christ if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast to the end,
Here it is the Greek word "bebaios". Strong's says: stable, firm, of force, steadfast, sure. Vine's Expository Dictionary adds: secure. The Amplified Bible says:
14 For we have become fellows with Christ (the Messiah) and share in all He has for us, if only we hold our first newborn confidence and original assured expectation firm and unshaken to the end.
We are heirs of God and joint equal heirs with Jesus, but we MUST build up our faith by hearing and hearing and hearing the Word in order to walk in the manifestation of it in THIS life! Heaven is MAGNIFICENT, but we don't have to wait until we get there to have the benefits of Heaven right here on earth! The last verse we'll look at is 1 Peter 5:8-9:
8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. 9 Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world.
Here is is the Greek word "stereos". Strong's says: stiff, solid, stable, steadfast, strong, sure. Thayer's adds: firm, compact, hard, rigid. The Amplified Bible says:
9 Withstand him; be firm in faith [against his onset - rooted, established, strong, immovable, and determined], knowing that the same (identical) sufferings are appointed to your brotherhood (the whole body of Christians) throughout the world.
When we know what the Word of God has to say about a situation, then we can stand FIRM and not be shaken by anything the enemy tries to throw at us! He is seeking for those who DON'T know the Word, because he can easily "devour" them! When WE are strong in faith, then we are in position to help those not so strong yet! Here is Hillsong United with "Stronger"
Love and Shalom from the Swoveys!
The word for this week is "steadfast". There are three different Greek words translated steadfast in the New Testament. They are all similar in meaning. The first is found in 1 Corinthians 15:58:
58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.
This is the Greek word "hedraois". Strong's Exhaustive Concordance says: sedentary, immovable, settled. Thayer's Greek Lexicon adds: firm.The Amplified Bible says this:
58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be firm (steadfast), immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord [always being superior, excelling, doing more than enough in the service of the Lord], knowing and being continually aware that your labor in the Lord is not futile [it is never wasted or to no purpose].
My paraphrase would be: Keep doing what YOU know the Lord is calling you to do, whether anyone else is doing it or not! He rewards obedience and faithfulness! The next verse is Hebrews 3:14:
14 For we have become partakers of Christ if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast to the end,
Here it is the Greek word "bebaios". Strong's says: stable, firm, of force, steadfast, sure. Vine's Expository Dictionary adds: secure. The Amplified Bible says:
14 For we have become fellows with Christ (the Messiah) and share in all He has for us, if only we hold our first newborn confidence and original assured expectation firm and unshaken to the end.
We are heirs of God and joint equal heirs with Jesus, but we MUST build up our faith by hearing and hearing and hearing the Word in order to walk in the manifestation of it in THIS life! Heaven is MAGNIFICENT, but we don't have to wait until we get there to have the benefits of Heaven right here on earth! The last verse we'll look at is 1 Peter 5:8-9:
8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. 9 Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world.
Here is is the Greek word "stereos". Strong's says: stiff, solid, stable, steadfast, strong, sure. Thayer's adds: firm, compact, hard, rigid. The Amplified Bible says:
9 Withstand him; be firm in faith [against his onset - rooted, established, strong, immovable, and determined], knowing that the same (identical) sufferings are appointed to your brotherhood (the whole body of Christians) throughout the world.
When we know what the Word of God has to say about a situation, then we can stand FIRM and not be shaken by anything the enemy tries to throw at us! He is seeking for those who DON'T know the Word, because he can easily "devour" them! When WE are strong in faith, then we are in position to help those not so strong yet! Here is Hillsong United with "Stronger"
Love and Shalom from the Swoveys!
Sunday, July 3, 2011
Hi Brian,
The word for this week is "surrender". This word is used four times in the Amplified New Testament. The first is found in Luke 14:33:
33 So then, any of you who does not forsake (renounce, surrender claim to, give up, say goodbye to) all that he has cannot be My disciple.
This is the Greek word "apotassoo". Thayer's Greek Lexicon defines this as: set apart, to separate oneself. Everything and everyone in our lives must fall in line behind our relationship and fellowship with Jesus. He must have first place! When He does, all of the rest of our lives, especially the people we love, will be blessed by the results! The next reference is Romans 1:16:
16 For I am not ashamed of the Gospel (good news) of Christ, for it is God's power working unto salvation [for deliverance from eternal death] to everyone who believes with a personal trust and a confident surrender and firm reliance, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.
This is the Greek word "pisteuo". Strong's Exhaustive Concordance says: to have faith (in, upon), to entrust, to put trust in. The "surrender" here is of our own efforts to rely on His ability. The next reference is Romans 6:16:
16 Do you not know that if you continually surrender yourselves to anyone to do his will, you are the slaves of him whom you obey, whether that be to sin, which leads to death, or to obedience which leads to righteousness (right doing and right standing with God)?
This the Greek word "paristanoo". Thayer's Greek Lexicon defines this as: to present, to offer to yield, to dedicate. When we "surrender" or "yield" our will to line up with God's will, the results are far better than anything we could accomplish on our own! Being HIS "slave" is the most liberating thing we could ever do! The last reference is found in 1 Corinthians 13:3:
3 Even if I dole out all that I have [to the poor in providing] food, and if I surrender my body to be burned, but have not love (God's love in me), I gain nothing.
This is the Greek word "paradidoomi". Thayer's Greek Lexicon says: to give over, to give into the hands of another, to permit, to allow. This is just simply saying that anything that we do without the motive of God's love is useless and brings no rewards. Our motive in all the good that we do needs to be that they see God's love for them through our lives. He gets all the credit and we get the rewards, here on earth and also in Heaven!
In the world, surrender can have such a negative connotation, but in the eyes of God, the surrendering of our will and our way for His reveals our love for, and confidence in, HIM! Here is "Age To Age" by Hillsong United:
Love and Shalom from the Swoveys!
The word for this week is "surrender". This word is used four times in the Amplified New Testament. The first is found in Luke 14:33:
33 So then, any of you who does not forsake (renounce, surrender claim to, give up, say goodbye to) all that he has cannot be My disciple.
This is the Greek word "apotassoo". Thayer's Greek Lexicon defines this as: set apart, to separate oneself. Everything and everyone in our lives must fall in line behind our relationship and fellowship with Jesus. He must have first place! When He does, all of the rest of our lives, especially the people we love, will be blessed by the results! The next reference is Romans 1:16:
16 For I am not ashamed of the Gospel (good news) of Christ, for it is God's power working unto salvation [for deliverance from eternal death] to everyone who believes with a personal trust and a confident surrender and firm reliance, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.
This is the Greek word "pisteuo". Strong's Exhaustive Concordance says: to have faith (in, upon), to entrust, to put trust in. The "surrender" here is of our own efforts to rely on His ability. The next reference is Romans 6:16:
16 Do you not know that if you continually surrender yourselves to anyone to do his will, you are the slaves of him whom you obey, whether that be to sin, which leads to death, or to obedience which leads to righteousness (right doing and right standing with God)?
This the Greek word "paristanoo". Thayer's Greek Lexicon defines this as: to present, to offer to yield, to dedicate. When we "surrender" or "yield" our will to line up with God's will, the results are far better than anything we could accomplish on our own! Being HIS "slave" is the most liberating thing we could ever do! The last reference is found in 1 Corinthians 13:3:
3 Even if I dole out all that I have [to the poor in providing] food, and if I surrender my body to be burned, but have not love (God's love in me), I gain nothing.
This is the Greek word "paradidoomi". Thayer's Greek Lexicon says: to give over, to give into the hands of another, to permit, to allow. This is just simply saying that anything that we do without the motive of God's love is useless and brings no rewards. Our motive in all the good that we do needs to be that they see God's love for them through our lives. He gets all the credit and we get the rewards, here on earth and also in Heaven!
In the world, surrender can have such a negative connotation, but in the eyes of God, the surrendering of our will and our way for His reveals our love for, and confidence in, HIM! Here is "Age To Age" by Hillsong United:
Love and Shalom from the Swoveys!
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