Hi Brian!

The word for this week is "worship". I was surprised to find we hadn't had this one yet! First we'll look at the Old Testament in Psalm 95:6 and Psalm 96:9:

6 O come, let us worship and bow down: let us kneel before the Lord our maker. KJV

9 O worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness: fear before him, all the earth. KJV

This is the Hebrew word "shachah". Strong's Concordance says: to prostrate, in homage to royalty or to God. Vine's Expository Dictionary adds: "the act of bowing down in homage is generally done before a superior or ruler. This was the Hebrew attitude concerning worship. 

We've looked at praise before and have seen that praise is anything but quiet! It is vocal and demonstrative in several different ways and forms. Sometimes with singing, sometimes with instruments and other times with dance, or ALL of these! Worship is more of an attitude of presenting ourselves before Him and acknowledging that He IS LORD! In the New Testament we see that Jesus admonished the woman at the well when she questioned Him about the proper place to worship with this in John 4:23-24:

23 But the hour comes, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeks such to worship him. 24 God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth. KJV

This is the Greek word, "proskuneo". Strong's Concordance says: to fawn or crouch to, i.e. prostrate oneself in homage (do reverence to , adore). The Theological Dictionary of the New Testament adds this: to bow; to kiss; to serve; to worship. Under our new and better Covenant, we are to worship God "in spirit and in truth"! In spirit is by the Holy Spirit Who lives in us and in truth means according to His Word, which IS Truth! John 17:17:

17 Sanctify them [purify, consecrate, separate them for Yourself, make them holy] by the Truth; Your Word is Truth. AMP

The more that we know and understand His word (Truth) and spend time in fellowship with Him by His Spirit, the more pleasing our worship is to HIM! I love the song "Oceans (Where Feet May Fail)" by Hillsong United because it is a song of worship, and also a song of commitment to HIM in faith and trust and confidence that HE will do what His Word promises! 

Love and Shalom from the Swoveys!

Hi Brian!

The word for this week is "casting". There are seven Greek words translated "casting in the KJV New Testament. We'll be looking at the one found in 1 Peter 5:7.

7 Casting all your care upon him; for he cares for you. KJV

 This is the Greek word "epirrhipto". It's a compound word that means: to throw upon, according to Strong's Concordance. The first part of the word is the Greek word "epi" that Strong's Concordance says means: superimposition [of time, place, order], as a relation of distribution, i.e. over, upon. The second part of the word is the Greek word "rhipto". Strong's Concordance says: through the idea of sudden motion; to fling. Vine's Expository Dictionary says: to throw with a sudden motion, to jerk, throw down. I like the Amplified Bible for this verse:

7 Casting the whole of your care [all your anxieties, all your worries, all your concerns, once and for all] on Him, for He cares for you affectionately and cares about you watchfully. AMP

I like the "sudden" part of the definition, because I believe He is telling us that He doesn't want us to spend even one second holding on to a troubling thought, word, situation or circumstance! Some people are wondering "what does the fox say?",  ;) but WE should be asking ourselves, "What does the WORD say?" in each and every situation we find ourselves! Anything that is contrary to the wonderful promises (2 Peter 1:4) of His Word should be IMMEDIATELY cast, flung, jerked, or thrown away from us and ONTO Him! HE can handle it and WE should not have to! That leaves us free to meditate the Word as we see in Joshua 1:8, and be completely successful in all that we do! Here is Hillsong with "Where We Belong":

Love and Shalom from the Swoveys!

Hi Brian!

The word for this week is "stand"! There are a few Greek words translated stand in the New Testament, but we'll be looking only at the one found in Ephesians 6:10-17. I'm using the entire passage because it really all goes together! 

10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.  13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. 14 Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God;

This is the Greek word "histemi". Strong's Concordance simply says "to stand", but Thayer's Greek Lexicon says this: to cause or  make to stand; to place, put, set. It also adds: to make firm, fix, establish. Vine's Expository Dictionary adds this definition as it pertains to these verses: steadfastness. When we really know and understand what the Word of God says about any particular situation or circumstance, we WILL be able to "stand" strong, without wavering, as we wait to see the complete manifestation of the promise! It's also interesting that the word "withstand" in verse 13 above is this Greek word, "anthistemi" which means to "stand" against or to oppose, according to Strong's Concordance. There is a lot of standing going on in these verses! Standing strong for and in HIM and His Word, and standing, with the same tenacity, AGAINST the enemy and his lies and tricks and strategies! And we are able to do it all "in the power of HIS might"! I also REALLY like these verses from the Amplified Bible:

11 Put on God's whole armor [the armor of a heavy-armed soldier which God supplies], that you may be able successfully to stand up against [all] the strategies and the deceits of the devil. 12 For we are not wrestling with flesh and blood [contending only with physical opponents], but against the despotisms, against the powers, against [the master spirits who are] the world rulers of this present darkness, against the spirit forces of wickedness in the heavenly (supernatural) sphere. 13 Therefore put on God's complete armor, that you may be able to resist and stand your ground on the evil day [of danger], and, having done all [the crisis demands], to stand [firmly in your place]. 14 Stand therefore [hold your ground], having tightened the belt of truth around your loins and having put on the breastplate of integrity and of moral rectitude and right standing with God, 15 And having shod your feet in preparation [to face the enemy with the firm-footed stability, the promptness, and the readiness produced by the good news] of the Gospel of peace.  [Isa 52:7.] 16 Lift up over all the [covering] shield of saving faith, upon which you can quench all the flaming missiles of the wicked [one]. 17 And take the helmet of salvation and the sword that the Spirit wields, which is the Word of God. AMP

 Yay God! These are powerful promises and instructions from our powerful God! We LOVE standing with you and your family in prayer! Here is a real song of commitment from Hillsong United called "The Stand":

Love and Shalom from the Swoveys!

Hi Brian!

The word for this week is "bright". There are three Greek words translated "bright" in the New Testament. The first is found in Matthew 17:5. This is the account of the transfiguration and the verse comes after Peter offered to make tabernacles for Jesus, Moses and Elijah. 

5 While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him. KJV

This is the Greek word "photeinos". Strong's Concordance says: lustrous, i.e. transparent or well-illuminated. Thayer's Greek Lexicon adds: light; composed of light; of a bright character. Vine's Expository Dictionary adds: full of light. THIS was the presence of God! The next "bright" is found in Luke 11:36:

36 If your whole body therefore be full of light, having no part dark, the whole shall be full of light, as when the bright shining of a candle does give you light. KJV

This "bright" is the Greek word "astrape". In all references it means, basically, lightning! It is THAT bright! "Full of light" in this verse is "photeinos" from above! We CAN be filled with the same brightness, by the Spirit of God IN us, as was present in the cloud that day on the mount! The last one is found in Revelation 22:16:

16 I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star. KJV

This one is the Greek word "lampros". Strong's Concordance says:radiant; limpid [dictionary definition:(of a liquid) free of anything that darkens; completely clear, transparent, glassy, crystal clear, cystalline, transluscent, unclouded]; magnificent, sumptuous. Thayer's Greek Lexicon adds: brilliant; splendid. THIS is referring to the brightness of the glorified Jesus Who has been given the Name that is above every name! I LOVE how that brightness will affect us when we finally see Him face to face! 1 John 3:2:

2 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it does not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when He shall appear, we shall be like Him; for we shall see Him as He is. KJV

What a day THAT will be! Until then, we DO have the brightness of His presence IN us to lead, guide and direct us moment by moment and day by day! Here is a new song from Hillsong Young and Free called "Brighter":

You shine brighter

Than any star in the sky

Your light shining

Through the dark of the night

Jesus forever

I find all that I am

In Your love, love, love

You are with me

In every step that I take

Your love for me

You have called me by name

Jesus forever

I find all that I am

In Your love, love, love

Let the music play

Hear us praise Your name

See the darkness fade

Dance the night away

We have found our place

In the Savior's grace

Dance the night away

Your light is taking over me

I find freedom

In the light of Your love

Everlasting

You are more than enough

Jesus forever

I find all that I am

In Your love, love, love

Let the music play

Hear us praise Your name

See the darkness fade

Dance the night away

We have found our place

In the Savior's grace

Dance the night away

Your light is taking o-o-over me

Your light is taking o-o-over me

I'm dancing 'cause

Your love has set me free

Your light is taking o-o-over me

All of my heart and soul

To You alone

You are the one I want now

Forever

All of my heart is Yours

Forevermore

You are the one I want now

Forever

All of my heart and soul

To You alone

You are the one I want now

Forever

All of my heart is Yours

Forevermore

You are the one I want

Let the music play

Hear us praise Your name

See the darkness fade

Dance the night away

We have found our place

In the Savior's grace

Dance the night away

Your light is taking o-o-over me

Your light is taking o-o-over me

I'm dancing 'cause

Your love has set me free

Your light is taking o-o-over me

Love and Shalom from the Swoveys

Hi Brian!

The word for this week is "fire"! We know that in the natural fire can be both beneficial and very destructive, depending on the situation and the use or misuse! The same is true in the spiritual sense! The first verse we'll be looking at is found in Hebrews 12:29:

29 For our God [is indeed] a consuming fire. AMP

This is our God! He IS a fire! His presence consumes sin and all of it's consequences! In Luke 3:16 we see that John prophesied what would happen in the lives of born again believers, beginning in the upper room on the Day of Pentecost! 

16 John answered them all by saying, I baptize you with water; but He Who is mightier than I is coming, the strap of Whose sandals I am not fit to unfasten. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire. AMP

This "fire" is the presence of the Spirit of God IN us and UPON us as we receive this infilling. When we stay filled with the Spirit, the fire of His presence will help us to avoid evil and sin. This "fire" is also the power to DO the works that Jesus did! John 14:12:

12 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believes on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father. KJV

We ARE to be about our Father's business of sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ and we carry that out in our everyday lives! THAT is normal Christian living! Then we have this promise in Hebrews 1:7:

7 And of the angels he says, Who makes his angels spirits, and his ministers a flame of fire. KJV

Many people believe that this is referring ONLY to angels. Although the first part specifically speaks to angels, who DID serve as the messengers under the Old Covenant, WE are the ministers of the this new and better Covenant that we have (Hebrews 8:6)! Look at 2 Corinthians 5:18-19:

18 But all things are from God, Who through Jesus Christ reconciled us to Himself [received us into favor, brought us into harmony with Himself] and gave to us the ministry of reconciliation [that by word and deed we might aim to bring others into harmony with Him]. 19 It was God [personally present] in Christ, reconciling and restoring the world to favor with Himself, not counting up and holding against [men] their trespasses [but cancelling them], and committing to us the message of reconciliation (of the restoration to favor). AMP

WE are His new messengers and HE makes His messengers a flame of fire! HIS anointing is within us and upon us and the fire (for GOOD) of His presence and His power is available to us to minister to others! YOU are a flame of fire, with the presence and power of God flowing out of you, even when you don't say anything! Expect to see people react to that presence of God in you! Here is a new song from Hillsong's new youth group (Young and Free) called "Wake":

Love and Shalom from the Swoveys!