Hi Brian!


The word for this week is "strength"!  There are a few words translated "strength" in the Bible, but we are looking at only one of them today! This is found in Mark 12:30:


30 And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength: this is the first commandment.


The word "strength" here is the Greek word "ischus", which means force, ability, might, power, strength, according to Strong's Concordance, Thayer's Greek Lexicon and Vine's Expository Dictionary. This love for the Lord is much more than just emotion! We are to put all of ourselves into keeping Him as our #1 priority. I like the Message Bible for this verse:


30 So love the Lord your God with all your passion and prayer and intelligence and energy.


I have found it to be so true that when I do put Jesus first in my life, there is more than enough time, energy, love and anything else that is needed to love my "loved ones" more, and better, than ever before! What we give to Him, He gives back in abundance! You will find that you will have so much more ability, might, power, and strength to accomplish whatever you lay your hands to! HE has an abundant supply of everything we may need! Revelation 5:12 contains the same word for strength!


12 Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour and glory, and blessing.


Here is another song from Hillsong United called "You Are My Strength":

Love and Shalom from the Swoveys!