Hi Brian!

The word for this week (because "google" isn't IN the Bible :) ) is "search". We will be looking at two words from the Old Testament and one from the New Testament. The first one is found in Psalm 139:23-24 and in Proverbs 25:2:

Ps 139:23 Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: 24 And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. KJV

Prov 25:2 It is the glory of God to conceal a thing: but the honour of kings is to search out a matter. KJV

This is the Hebrew word "chaqar". Strong's Concordance says: to examine intimately. Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon adds: to investigate. We have confidence that God will be very thorough in HIS examination of US! We need to use that same diligence when we want to understand His Word! The next word is found in Jeremih 29:13:

Jer 29:13 And you shall seek me, and find me, when you shall search for me with all your heart. KJV

This is the Hebrew word "darash". Strong's Concordance says: to tread or frequent, to follow for pursuit, to seek or ask. Brown-Driver-Briggs adds: to inquire, to require, to demand. This really infers an attitude of diligence that will not quit until satisfied! We would be demanding the diligence of ourselves so that we can get to the point where the understanding of Who He is comes! This makes me think of Paul in Philippians 3:10 (AMP) when he says: "For my determined purpose is.." Without that determination, we cannot really know Him! The last one is found in John 5:39:

John 5:39 Search the scriptures; for in them you think you have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me. KJV

This is the Greek word "ereunao". Strong's Concordance says: to seek, to investigate. Thayer's Greek Lexicon adds: to examine. Here Jesus is speaking to the religious leaders who SHOULD have known Him from what the Word of God had prophesied of Him! When we come to know Him and understand the New Testament, we can study the Old Testament and see Jesus throughout every book! We have such an advantage because we now have the Holy Spirit living IN us to teach us this Word! How blessed we are! Here is Hillsong United with "Search My Heart". We change the words when we sing it from "draw me close", to "I draw close" because it is OUR responsibility to draw near to Him and then He WILL draw near to us (James 4:8)! 

Love and Shalom from the Swoveys! 

Hi Brian!

The word for this week is "tidings"! We'll be looking at Luke 1:19 and Luke 2:10:

Luke 1:19 And the angel answering said unto him, I am Gabriel, that stand in the presence of God; and am sent to speak unto thee, and to shew thee these glad tidings. KJV

Luke 2:10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. KJV

This is the Greek word "euaggelizo". Strong'sConcrodance says: to announce good news ("evangelize") especially the Gospel. Thayer's Greek Lexicon says: to bring good news, to announce glad tidings. Vine's Expository Dictionary says: used of any message designed to bring cheer to those who receive it. Luke 2:11-14 goes on to declare what this good message is:

11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. 12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, 14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. KJV

Now THAT was good news they heard! This same word is used in Luke 8:1:

8 And it came to pass afterward, that He went throughout every city and village, preaching and shewing the glad tidings of the kingdom of God: and the twelve were with Him, KJV

And also in Romans 10:15:

15 And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things! KJV

What the angel told to Zacharias was good news for them! A son would be born to them! What the angel told the shepherds was good news for us ALL! Our Savior had been born into the world! OUR "good tidings" are that the Savior Who had been born had also died FOR US, and rose from the dead victorious over the enemy! The price for sin had been paid once for all! For all people and for all time! The only thing left for people to do is to believe that He did what He said He would do, and to declare Him as their LORD! Then THEY can share these "good tidings"!  Here, just for YOU, because it's Christmas, is Hillsong with "Born is The King (Its Christmas)":

Love and Shalom from the Swoveys!

Hi Brian!

It was so good to see you and your family today! The word for this week is "healed". We'll look at two portions of Scripture,one from the Old Testament and one from the New Testament. 

Isa 53:4 Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. 5 But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. KJV

1 Peter 2:24 Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed. KJV

In Isaiah, which is the prophesied promise of what Jesus was going to do, we have the Hebrew word "rapha`", which is also one of the Covenant names of God: Jehovah Rapha. Strong's Concordance says: a primitive root; to mend, i.e. to cure. Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon adds: to heal, to make healthful. Vine's Expository Dictionary adds: restoring to normal. In 1 Peter, speaking of the fulfillment of the prophesied promise, we have the Greek word "iaomai", which means basically the same thing. Strong's Concordance says: a primary verb; to cure. Vine's Expository Dictionary adds: made whole. Notice that Isaiah says "are healed" and Peter says "were healed". Let's look at both from the Amplified Bible:

Isa 53:4-5 Surely He has borne our griefs (sicknesses, weaknesses, and distresses) and carried our sorrows and pains [of punishment], yet we [ignorantly] considered Him stricken, smitten, and afflicted by God [as if with leprosy].  [Matt 8:17.] 5 But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our guilt and iniquities; the chastisement [needful to obtain] peace and well-being for us was upon Him, and with the stripes [that wounded] Him we are healed and made whole. AMP

1 Peter 2:24 He personally bore our sins in His [own] body on the tree [as on an altar and offered Himself on it], that we might die (cease to exist) to sin and live to righteousness. By His wounds you have been healed. AMP

Here Peter says "have been healed". What the believers under the Old Covenant were looking forward to have happen, WE can look back and say "It is finished"! I AM healed! We are never, from God's perspective, the sick trying to get healed. We ARE the healed seeking to maintain that health by rejecting every attack of the enemy and refusing to allow it to stay on our bodies!  It IS a faith fight, but THAT fight is one we surely win IF we don't give up! That is what I'm doing today! I'm proclaiming the victory because HE already provided it! Here is a song I use often for health and healing by Sarah Hart Pearsons called "It is Finished". YouTube wouldn't load the video, so you'll have to follow the link. The lyrics are below.

http://youtu.be/YcwKWqNW5oY

IT IS FINISHED

Grace says, "You are loved"

In response I say, "Thank You, thank You Lord"

This is sweet salvation, this is sweet salvation

Grace says, "You are healed"

In response I say, "Thank You, I receive"

This is sweet salvation, this is sweet salvation

I believe because You said it

But I trust because I  know You

It is finished, it is done

You have risen, I have won

It is finished, it is done

Now I'm singing hallelujah

Grace says, "You're redeemed"

In response I say, "Thank you I believe"

This is sweet salvation, this is sweet salvation

Grace says, "You are cleansed"

In response I say, "Thank you, I forgive"

This is sweet salvation, this is sweet salvation

grace says, "You are loved"

Grace says, "You are healed"

Graces says, "You're redeemed"

Grace says, "You are clean"

It is finished, it is done

Jesus said it, the work is done

It is finished, it is done

Now I'm singing hallelujah, hallelujah

Love and Shalom from the Swoveys!

Hi Brian!

The word for this week is "alleluia". It is found only 4 times in the Bible, all in the 19th chapter of Revelation. Revelation 19:1-6:

19 And after these things I heard a great voice of much people in heaven, saying, Alleluia; Salvation, and glory, and honour, and power, unto the Lord our God: 2 For true and righteous are his judgments: for he hath judged the great whore, which did corrupt the earth with her fornication, and hath avenged the blood of his servants at her hand. 3 And again they said, Alleluia. And her smoke rose up for ever and ever. 4 And the four and twenty elders and the four beasts fell down and worshipped God that sat on the throne, saying, Amen; Alleluia. 5 And a voice came out of the throne, saying, Praise our God, all ye his servants, and ye that fear him, both small and great. 6 And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying, Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth. KJV

This is the Greek word "allelouia". It is a compound of the Greek word "halal", which we have covered before as "praise". Strong's Concordance says: to shine, to make a show, to boast, to be clamorously foolish, to rave, to celebrate, to stultify (make to appear foolish). The second half of "allelouia" is the Greek word "Yahh", which is a Name for God and is a contraction for the Name "Jehovah", according to Strong's Concordance. Jehovah means "the Eternal, Self-existing One", according to Strong's, and is the Covenant Name of God. All of the Names that follow "Jehovah" show a need that He is meeting, such as health, protection, salvation. So, basically, "allelouia" means to "praise the God of the Covenant"! We would most commonly say "Hallelujah", as we see in the Amplified Bible:

1 AFTER THIS I heard what sounded like a mighty shout of a great crowd in heaven, exclaiming, Hallelujah (praise the Lord)! Salvation and glory (splendor and majesty) and power (dominion and authority) [belong] to our God! 2 Because His judgments (His condemnation and punishment, His sentences of doom) are true and sound and just and upright. He has judged (convicted, pronounced sentence, and doomed) the great and notorious harlot (idolatress) who corrupted and demoralized and poisoned the earth with her lewdness and adultery (idolatry). And He has avenged (visited on her the penalty for) the blood of His servants at her hand.  [Deut 32:43.] 3 And again they shouted, Hallelujah (praise the Lord)! The smoke of her [burning] shall continue to ascend forever and ever (through the eternities of the eternities).  [Isa 34:10.] 4 Then the twenty-four elders [of the heavenly Sanhedrin] and the four living creatures fell prostrate and worshiped [paying divine honors to] God, Who sits on the throne, saying, Amen! Hallelujah (praise the Lord)! 5 Then from the throne there came a voice, saying, Praise our God, all you servants of His, you who reverence Him, both small and great!  [Ps 115:13.] 6 After that I heard what sounded like the shout of a vast throng, like the boom of many pounding waves, and like the roar of terrific and mighty peals of thunder, exclaiming, Hallelujah (praise the Lord)! For now the Lord our God the Omnipotent (the All-Ruler) reigns! AMP

As you continue to freely praise HIM without restraint, I believe that all of the aspects of HIS person and the blessings of the Covenant will become more real to you every day! I saw this on Facebook and thought you would like this Christmas version of Leonard Cohen's "Hallelujah" performed by Cloverton:

I've heard about this baby boy
Who's come to earth to bring us joy
And I just want to sing this song to you
It goes like this, the fourth, the fifth
The minor fall, the major lift
With every breath I'm singing Hallelujah
Hallelujah

A couple came to Bethlehem
Expecting child, they searched the inn
To find a place for You were coming soon
There was no room for them to stay
So in a manger filled with hay
God's only Son was born, oh Hallelujah
Hallelujah

The shepherds left their flocks by night
To see this baby wrapped in light
A host of angels led them all to You
It was just as the angels said
You'll find Him in a manger bed
Immanuel and Savior, Hallelujah
Hallelujah

A star shown bright up in the east
To Bethlehem, the wisemen three
Came many miles and journeyed long for You
And to the place at which You were
Their frankincense and gold and myrrh
They gave to You and cried out Hallelujah
Hallelujah

I know You came to rescue me
This baby boy would grow to be
A man and one day die for me and you
My sins would drive the nails in You
That rugged cross was my cross, too
Still every breath You drew was Hallelujah
Hallelujah 

Love and Shalom from the Swoveys!

Hi Brian!

Wow, what a game! The word for this week is "Emmanuel". It's found only once, in the New Testament, in Matthew 1:23:

23 Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us. KJV

This Greek word is "Emmanouel" and, as the verse says, it means "God with us", according to Strong's Concordance. The Exegetical Dictionary NT adds that this is a transliteration (the spelling of a word in one language with the alphabet of another language) of the Hebrew word "Immanu 'el", which means the same thing. Isaiah 7:14 says this:

14 Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel. KJV

It was important that Jesus be born of a virgin with God as His Father so that He could be 100% God and 100% sinless man at the same time! As the bloodline always passed through the father, His had to be God! The perfect mediator between both (1 Timothy 2:5)! John 1:1-14 declares it clearly:

1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 The same was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. 4 In him was life; and the life was the light of men. 5 And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not. 6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. 7 The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe. 8 He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light. 9 That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world. 10 He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not. 11 He came unto his own, and his own received him not. 12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: 13 Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. 14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth. KJV

He came to live AMONG us so that He could give His life FOR us and then, by His Spirit, live IN us! This Christmas song, by Hillsong, should mean so much more in the light of what God has done for us in Jesus! It's called, of course, "Emmanuel"!

Love and Shalom from the Swoveys