Hi Brian!
The word for this week is "courage". One of the Hebrew words translated "be of good courage" is "`amats". Strong's Concordance says: to be alert; of good courage; steadfastly minded; fortify; make strong. Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon says: to be strong; to be alert; to be brave; to be bold; to be solid; to strengthen; to secure; to make firm; to be determined; to persist in; to prove superior to. We find this word in Joshua 1:6-9:
6 Be strong (confident) and of good courage, for you shall cause this people to inherit the land which I swore to their fathers to give them. 7 Only you be strong and very courageous, that you may do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you. Turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may prosper wherever you go. 8 This Book of the Law shall not depart out of your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, that you may observe and do according to all that is written in it. For then you shall make your way prosperous, and then you shall deal wisely and have good success. 9 Have not I commanded you? Be strong, vigorous, and very courageous. Be not afraid, neither be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.
The word "courageous" in verse 7 is the same Hebrew word! Then we have the Hebrew word "chazaq". Strong's Concordance says: to fasten upon; to seize; to be strong; to conquer. Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon says: to strengthen; to prevail; to harden; to become strong; to be firm; to be resolute. This word is found in Psalm 27:14:
14 Wait and hope for and expect the LORD; be brave and of good courage and let your heart be stout and enduring. Yes, wait for and hope for and expect the LORD.
Also, Psalm 31:24:
24 Be strong and let your heart take courage, all you who wait for and hope for and expect the LORD!
Both words are similar, yet just a little different! The first one is more of a preparation for defense against the works and workers of darkness. Being strong and immovable on the Word of God will protect you and your family from anything the enemy has planned to bring against you! The second word is more aggressive and offensive! Taking authority over the works and workers of darkness by speaking God's Word over every situation that comes up, fully expecting HIM to confirm His Word! That covers your family with protection, provision and safety and puts the enemy on the run! It has been very exciting to us to hear how God has worked as you and Kristine have stood together on His Word! We LOVE the airport testimony! Thank You, Jesus! Here is a song I really like! It's called "Take Heart" by Hillsong United:
Love and Shalom from the Swoveys!
Sunday, March 18, 2012
Hi Brian!
The word for this week is "perfect". As with many English words used in the Bible, there are a few Greek words translated perfect. We will be looking at the one found in these verses from the English Standard Version: John 17:23:
23 I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me.
2 Corinthians 12:9:
9 And He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness."
Philippians 3:12:
12 Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me.
This is the Greek word "teleioo". Strong's Concordance says: to complete, to accomplish, to consummate. Thayer's Greek Lexicon says: to carry through completely; to accomplish, to finish, bring to an end; to add what is yet lacking in order to render a thing full; to bring to the end (goal) proposed; to bring to a close or fulfillment. In John 17:23 we see that the reason for the Holy Spirit living is us is to cause us to be made complete, to be in unity with Him. This reminds me of Philippians 1:6 (Amplified):
6 And I am convinced and sure of this very thing, that He Who began a good work in you will continue until the day of Jesus Christ [right up to the time of His return], developing [that good work] and perfecting and bringing it to full completion in you.
It is HIS work to cause us to become like Him, but He can only do that when we cooperate by spending time in the Word and in His presence. So many people strive to be a "better Christian" when He simply desires that we love Him and His Word and allow the Holy Spirit to complete the work He began! Our spirits are made perfectly in His image at the New Birth. The "perfecting" that He does is with our souls (mind, emotions, and will). In 2 Corinthians 12:9 we see that His strength will take over when we get to the end of ours! There isn't anything that we can't accomplish with this in mind! Look at Philippians 4:13 (Amplified):
13 I have strength for all things in Christ Who empowers me [I am ready for anything and equal to anything through him Who infuses inner strength into me; I am self-sufficient in Christ's sufficiency].
He "infuses" us with His strength! We can count on it! Then Philippians 3:12 shows us that being made "perfect" in Him is a life-long process of growing up in the things of God! We will not "arrive" at this completeness until we see Him face to face, but we can get closer every day! It has been such a blessing to see the growth in you and in your family! To hear Avery talk and sing about Jesus is evidence of the importance that you and Kristine are giving to HIM! Here is a group I just found out about called Go Deep with the song "My Righteousness":
Love and Shalom from the Swoveys!
The word for this week is "perfect". As with many English words used in the Bible, there are a few Greek words translated perfect. We will be looking at the one found in these verses from the English Standard Version: John 17:23:
23 I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me.
2 Corinthians 12:9:
9 And He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness."
Philippians 3:12:
12 Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me.
This is the Greek word "teleioo". Strong's Concordance says: to complete, to accomplish, to consummate. Thayer's Greek Lexicon says: to carry through completely; to accomplish, to finish, bring to an end; to add what is yet lacking in order to render a thing full; to bring to the end (goal) proposed; to bring to a close or fulfillment. In John 17:23 we see that the reason for the Holy Spirit living is us is to cause us to be made complete, to be in unity with Him. This reminds me of Philippians 1:6 (Amplified):
6 And I am convinced and sure of this very thing, that He Who began a good work in you will continue until the day of Jesus Christ [right up to the time of His return], developing [that good work] and perfecting and bringing it to full completion in you.
It is HIS work to cause us to become like Him, but He can only do that when we cooperate by spending time in the Word and in His presence. So many people strive to be a "better Christian" when He simply desires that we love Him and His Word and allow the Holy Spirit to complete the work He began! Our spirits are made perfectly in His image at the New Birth. The "perfecting" that He does is with our souls (mind, emotions, and will). In 2 Corinthians 12:9 we see that His strength will take over when we get to the end of ours! There isn't anything that we can't accomplish with this in mind! Look at Philippians 4:13 (Amplified):
13 I have strength for all things in Christ Who empowers me [I am ready for anything and equal to anything through him Who infuses inner strength into me; I am self-sufficient in Christ's sufficiency].
He "infuses" us with His strength! We can count on it! Then Philippians 3:12 shows us that being made "perfect" in Him is a life-long process of growing up in the things of God! We will not "arrive" at this completeness until we see Him face to face, but we can get closer every day! It has been such a blessing to see the growth in you and in your family! To hear Avery talk and sing about Jesus is evidence of the importance that you and Kristine are giving to HIM! Here is a group I just found out about called Go Deep with the song "My Righteousness":
Love and Shalom from the Swoveys!
Sunday, March 11, 2012
Hi Brian!
The word for this week is "pleasant". There are several words translated pleasant in both the Old and New Testaments. We will be looking at one of those words this week. We find it in these verses: Psalm 133:1; Psalm 135:3; Psalm 147:1; Proverbs 22:18; Proverbs 24:4.
Psalm 133:1 Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!
Psalm 135:3 Praise the Lord; for the Lord is good: sing praises unto His name; for it is pleasant.
Psalm 147:1 Praise ye the Lord: for it is good to sing praises unto our God; for it is pleasant; and praise is comely.
Proverbs 22:18 For it will be pleasant if you keep them in your mind [believing them]; your lips will be accustomed to [confessing] them.
Proverbs 24:4 And by knowledge shall its chambers [of every area] be filled with all precious and pleasant riches.
Love and Shalom from the Swoveys!
The word for this week is "pleasant". There are several words translated pleasant in both the Old and New Testaments. We will be looking at one of those words this week. We find it in these verses: Psalm 133:1; Psalm 135:3; Psalm 147:1; Proverbs 22:18; Proverbs 24:4.
Psalm 133:1 Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!
Psalm 135:3 Praise the Lord; for the Lord is good: sing praises unto His name; for it is pleasant.
Psalm 147:1 Praise ye the Lord: for it is good to sing praises unto our God; for it is pleasant; and praise is comely.
Proverbs 24:4 And by knowledge shall its chambers [of every area] be filled with all precious and pleasant riches.
In all of these references the Hebrew word is "na`iym". According to Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon, this word means: pleasant, delightful, sweet, lovely, agreeable, beautiful. It can also mean singing, sweetly sounding, musical. I guess we can see why this would be YOUR word! The verses in Proverbs are speaking of the the wonderful results of spending time in the Word of God and sowing it into our lives. Psalm 133 speaks of the blessing of fellowship we can have with like-minded believers. Psalm 135 and 147 are speaking of praise and worship! Hearing the Word of God in song is so very powerful and an excellent tool for learning and growing in the things of God. Your gift and talent for music is such a rich blessing from God that you have already used to be such a blessing to your family! I am convinced that God has more for you along those lines as you continue to grow in the Word! Hearing that Avery is ALREADY singing "Jesus Loves Me" is a pretty good sign that she is hearing that at home AND that she may have some of those same gifts and talents and anointing! What an awesome responsibility and a wonderful privilege you have to nurture her and watch her grow! You are an awesome father and it shows! Here is Hillsong with "Hallelujah":
Love and Shalom from the Swoveys!
Sunday, March 4, 2012
Hi Brian!
The word for this week is "hasten". In the KJV it is found only in the Old Testament. The verse we'll be looking at is Jeremiah 1:12:
12 Then said the LORD unto me, You Thou hast well seen: for I will hasten My Word to perform it.
This is the Hebrew word "shaqad". Strong's Concordance says: a primitive root; to be alert, i.e. sleepless; hence to be on the lookout. Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon says: to wake, to watch, to awake, to be alert, to keep watch, to be wakeful over. I also found something interesting in the Theological Workbook of the Old Testament! A form of the word "shaqad" is found in verse 11. It is the Hebrew word "shaqed" and means either almond of almond tree in all of the above mentioned sources. Verse 11:
11 Moreover the word of the LORD came unto me, saying, Jeremiah, what seest thou? And I said, I see a rod of an almond tree.
Here is why this is interesting (from TWOT):
The idea of watchfulness which is basic to the root affords the key to the explanation of the Hebrew name for the almond tree. This tree, which in Israel blooms as early as January and February and is affectionately looked upon as the harbinger of spring, is appropriately enough called "saqed" "the waker."
This name for the almond forms the basis for God's vivid object lesson on the occasion of Jeremiah's call (Jer 1:11-12). The almond rod, shaqed, is a reminder to Jeremiah that God will be watchful and punctual, shoqed, in carrying out what he has promised. The point of this is reinforced later in Jeremiah (Jer 31:28) when God refers to this passage (cf. also Jer 1:12 and Jer 44:27) which forms the basis of Jeremiah's ministry. Dan 9:14 indicates that this symbolism had impressed itself on Daniel.
Love and Shalom from the Swoveys!
The word for this week is "hasten". In the KJV it is found only in the Old Testament. The verse we'll be looking at is Jeremiah 1:12:
12 Then said the LORD unto me, You Thou hast well seen: for I will hasten My Word to perform it.
This is the Hebrew word "shaqad". Strong's Concordance says: a primitive root; to be alert, i.e. sleepless; hence to be on the lookout. Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon says: to wake, to watch, to awake, to be alert, to keep watch, to be wakeful over. I also found something interesting in the Theological Workbook of the Old Testament! A form of the word "shaqad" is found in verse 11. It is the Hebrew word "shaqed" and means either almond of almond tree in all of the above mentioned sources. Verse 11:
11 Moreover the word of the LORD came unto me, saying, Jeremiah, what seest thou? And I said, I see a rod of an almond tree.
Here is why this is interesting (from TWOT):
The idea of watchfulness which is basic to the root affords the key to the explanation of the Hebrew name for the almond tree. This tree, which in Israel blooms as early as January and February and is affectionately looked upon as the harbinger of spring, is appropriately enough called "saqed" "the waker."
This name for the almond forms the basis for God's vivid object lesson on the occasion of Jeremiah's call (Jer 1:11-12). The almond rod, shaqed, is a reminder to Jeremiah that God will be watchful and punctual, shoqed, in carrying out what he has promised. The point of this is reinforced later in Jeremiah (Jer 31:28) when God refers to this passage (cf. also Jer 1:12 and Jer 44:27) which forms the basis of Jeremiah's ministry. Dan 9:14 indicates that this symbolism had impressed itself on Daniel.
Jeremiah 1:11-12 in the Amplified Bible says:
11 Moreover, the word of the LORD came to me, saying, Jeremiah, what do you see? And I said, I see a branch or shoot of an almond tree [the emblem of alertness and activity, blossoming in late winter]. 12 Then said the LORD to me, you have seen well, for I am alert and active, watching over My Word to perform it.
This should give us great confidence in standing on the Word for anything! I have found through experience that God is RARELY early, but He is NEVER late! He is watching for the best possible time to manifest the answer! Just as Avery has confidence in your word to her, that you WILL do what you say, we can have complete confidence that OUR Father will also do what he says He will do. That's why we can praise Him with great joy BEFORE we see it! Here is Hillsong with "His Love":
Love and Shalom from the Swoveys!
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