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!