Hi Brian! The word for this week is "praise". We used one of the Hebrew words for praise (halal) earlier this year. This one is found in these verses: Psalm 28:7 The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in him, and I am helped: therefore my heart greatly rejoices; and with my song will I praise him. KJV Psalm 45:17 I will make Your name to be remembered in all generations; therefore shall the people praise and give You thanks forever and ever. AMP Psalm 86:12 I will praise thee, O Lord my God, with all my heart: and I will glorify thy name for evermore. KJV Psalm 99:3 Let them praise thy great and terrible name; for it is holy. KJV Psalm 107:8, 15, 21, 31 Oh that men would praise the Lord for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men! KJV Psalm 138:2 I will worship toward thy holy temple, and praise thy name for thy lovingkindness and for thy truth: for thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name. KJV Psalm 139:14 I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well. KJV
This is the Hebrew word "yadah". Strong's Concordance says: to use the hand, to worship with extended hand. Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon adds: to give thanks, to laud. The Theological Wordbook of the Old Testament adds: to acknowledge. Where "halal" is a very demonstrative and celebratory form of praise, "yadah" is more of an acknowledgement of Who He is and what He's done. I'm sure you've heard the Pastor of The Spoken Word Church say: "Anything good, give God the credit. Anything bad, don't blame God". We could also say: "Anything good in your life, give God the praise, thanksgiving and worship for it". After all, James 1:17 does say this: 17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning. KJV So, first we acknowledge Him for Who He is and what He's done. This produces that gratefulness and thankfulness that keeps us humble before Him! THEN we celebrate! In fact, that is WHY we celebrate! Here is Hillsong with "For Who You Are":
Love and Shalom from the Swoveys!
Sunday, October 20, 2013
Hi Brian! The word for this week is "vail", in the KJV and "veil" in the Amplified Bible! We'll be looking at 2 Corinthians 3:13-16:
13 Nor [do we act] like Moses, who put a veil over his face so that the Israelites might not gaze upon the finish of the vanishing [splendor which had been upon it]. 14 In fact, their minds were grown hard and calloused [they had become dull and had lost the power of understanding]; for until this present day, when the Old Testament (the old covenant) is being read, that same veil still lies [on their hearts], not being lifted [to reveal] that in Christ it is made void and done away. 15 Yes, down to this [very] day whenever Moses is read, a veil lies upon their minds and hearts. 16 But whenever a person turns [in repentance] to the Lord, the veil is stripped off and taken away. AMP This one is the Greek word "kaluma", and this is the only place in the New Testament that it's found. Strong's Concordance says: a cover. Moses would remove this cover from his face when he went before the presence of the Lord, and then he would cover his face in front of the people so that they wouldn't see when the glory of the Lord that made his face shine faded away. This same type of covering is over the minds and understanding of unbelievers when it comes to the Word of God. That's why, even though Jesus specifically told His disciples what was about to happen to Him, they didn't understand at all until His resurrection when they were born again! THEN they had the ability to understand the Word! 1 Corinthians 2:14 tells us this: 14 But the natural, nonspiritual man does not accept or welcome or admit into his heart the gifts and teachings and revelations of the Spirit of God, for they are folly (meaningless nonsense) to him; and he is incapable of knowing them [of progressively recognizing, understanding, and becoming better acquainted with them] because they are spiritually discerned and estimated and appreciated. AMP So, don't be surprised when your friends who are unbelievers don't understand what you believe! They can't! We are to preach the Gospel to unbelievers and teach the Word to believers! It IS as if they had a cover over their minds! Once they receive the new birth, then the Word will open up to them! One sure confirmation that our children come directly from God is the fact that they CAN understand, with simple child-like faith! As you continue to raise your beautiful daughters according to the Word of God, they will move right into the New Birth so naturally, and THAT is how God intends for it to work! You and Kristine are doing a wonderful job! We LOVE your children, and we love you, too! Here is Hillsong United with "Scandal Of Grace", a song which explains what the disciples of Jesus could NOT understand!
"Scandal Of Grace"
Grace, what have You done? Murdered for me on that cross Accused in absence of wrong My sin washed away in Your blood
Too much to make sense of it all I know that Your love breaks my fall The scandal of grace, You died in my place So my soul will live
Oh to be like You Give all I have just to know You Jesus, there's no one besides You Forever the hope in my heart
Death, where is your sting? Your power is as dead as my sin The cross has taught me to live And mercy, my heart now to sing
The day and its trouble shall come I know that Your strength is enough The scandal of grace, You died in my place So my soul will live
Oh to be like You Give all I have just to know You Jesus, there's no one besides You Forever the hope in my heart [x2]
And it's all, because of You, Jesus It's all, because of You, Jesus It's all, because of Your love And my soul will live
Oh to be like You Give all I have just to know You Jesus, there's no one besides You Forever the hope in my heart [x2]
Love and Shalom from the Swoveys!
Sunday, October 13, 2013
Hi Brian! The word for this week is "mystery". We'll be looking at Colossians 1:26-27: 26 Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints: 27 To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory: KJV This, and every other time mystery is found in the New Testament, is the Greek word "musterion". Strong's Concordance says this: from a derivative of muo (to shut the mouth). Thayer's Greek Lexicon adds: a hidden or secret thing, not obvious to the understanding; a hidden purpose or counsel. Vine's Expository Dictionary says: Not the mysterious (the English word), but that which, being outside the range of unassisted natural apprehension, can be made known only by divine revelation, and is made known in a manner and at a time appointed by God, and to those who are illumined by his Spirit. That brings to mind 1 Corinthians 2:14: 14 But the natural man receives not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. KJV
Without the indwelling Holy Spirit, it is impossible for a person to really understand the Word of God. That's why it seems foolish to unbelievers. They cannot make sense of it. But YOU can! You DO have the Spirit of God living in you, so you are able to comprehend what this Truth means to you and your family! THAT is the mystery! That HE lives in us! One of the ways that the Holy Spirit teaches us is through our Heavenly prayer language. Look at 1 Corinthians 14:2 (both KJV and AMPLIFIED) 2 For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man understandeth him; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries.KJV 2 For one who speaks in an [unknown] tongue speaks not to men but to God, for no one understands or catches his meaning, because in the [Holy] Spirit he utters secret truths and hidden things [not obvious to the understanding]. AMP If we want to continue to grow up in the Word, we must allow the Holy Spirit, our Teacher (Luke 12:12, John 14:26) to make these things clear. Praying in tongues is a perfect way to get attuned to His voice so that He can teach us the Truth! Then the "mysteries" will no longer be so mysterious, but will be so very clear we'll wonder how we missed it before! Here is Hillsong with "In The Mystery":
Love and Shalom from the Swoveys!
Sunday, October 6, 2013
Hi Brian! The word for this week is "redeem". There are to different Greek words translated "redeem" in the New Testament. We find them in Galatians 4:4-5 and in Titus 2:13-14: Gal 4:4-5 But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, 5 To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons. KJV Titus 2:13-14 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; 14 Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works. KJV InGalatians,the word is "exagorazo". Strong's Concordance says: to buy up, i.e. ransom; to rescue from loss (improve opportunity). Thayer's Greek Lexicon adds: to buy off. Vine's Expository Dictionary also adds: to buy out! God created Adam and Eve to have dominion (to rule) over all the works of His hands! When Adam and Eve sinned, they gave the right to the dominion over to satan! He "owned" them, and all the rest of mankind! What Jesus did at Calvary bought out their contract from satan! Jesus paid, in full, for all of us to have the right to come back to the Father! Thank You, Jesus! In Titus, the word for redeem is "lutroo". Strong's Concordance says: to ransom. Thayer's Greek Lexicon adds: to release on receipt of ransom, to liberate by payment of a ransom. Vine's Expository Dictionary also adds: to release on receipt of ransom. The first redeem in Galatians refers to the price that was paid - the precious Blood of Jesus! The second one, in Titus, refers to the freedom obtained BY the paying of the ransom, or the deliverance provided! Together they should give us the confidence that the enemy has NO hold on us! He has no right to keep anyone in bondage, BUT, the choice, as always, is still up to us! We CAN walk in that freedom and deliverance, but it takes an act of our will to accept and receive Jesus as Lord and personal Savior. Then it takes an additional act of our own will to find out what belongs to us as blood-bought children of the Most High God! As you and Kristine continue to grow in your knowledge of your Covenant rights as born again believers, you make it easier for your girls to grow up knowing their authority! After hearing Avery Elise speak about Jesus and pray, YOU have done well! Here is a very old song that I really like. The video quality is not great, but the message of this song is well worth a listen! It's called "The Blood Bought Church" by The Rhema Singers and Band:
VERSE 1
THEY SHALL LIFT UP THEIR VOICE
THEY SHALL SING FOR JOY
THEY SHALL CRY ALOUD AND BE FREE
THEY SHALL GLORIFY THE NAME OF THE LORD
IT’S THE BLOOD BOUGHT THE CHURCH THE REDEEMED
O PICK UP YOUR HEART O ZION OF THE LORD
LET THE EARTH RING FORTH WITH HIS PRAISE
ALL HIS CHILDREN REJOICE FROM THE ISLANDS OF THE SEA
IT’S THE BLOOD BOUGHT THE CHURCH THE REDEEMED
CHORUS
AND WE ARE IN THAT ARMY OF THE LORD
WE’VE BEEN WASHED IN THE BLOOD
AND WE ARE GOING FORTH
THERE IS NOTHING THAT COULD STOP
THIS MIGHTY MOVING FORCE
WITH A SHOUT OF PRAISE A TWO EDGED SWORD
EVERY STRONG HOLD OF BONDAGE
MUST FALL BENEATH OUR FEET
EVERY PRISONER HELD CAPTIVE MUST BE FREED
FOR OUR DELIVERANCE HAS COME THROUGH THE POWER OF THE SON
IT’S THE BLOOD BOUGHT THE CHURCH THE REDEEMED.
VERSE 2:
LET THE EARTH BE SILENT ALL WINDS CEASE TO BLOW
EVERY CREATED BEING FOLD YOUR WINGS
FOR THERE’S A NEW SONG BEING SUNG
WITH A NEW MELODY
IT’S THE BLOOD BOUGHT THE CHURCH THE REDEEMED
