Hi Brian!

The word for this week is "quicken". It's found only once in the New Testament. Romans 8:11:

11 But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwells in you. KJV

This is the Greek word "zoopoieo". Strong's Concordance says: to re-vitalize. Thayer's Greek Lexicon adds: to cause to live, to make alive. The same Holy Spirit Who raised the lifeless body of Jesus from the dead lives IN us! I LOVE that one of His responsibilities is to revitalize MY mortal body! I am REALLY looking forward to that resurrection body that will never age and can move at the speed of thought, but for now, it's a GREAT promise that I can count on this body to be healthy and active for as long as I need it! The Old Testament"quicken" is very similar. It's found 12 times, all in the Psalms. All but 3 of those are found in Psalm 119, the Psalm that is all about the Word of God. We'll look at Psalm 119:159:

159 Consider how I love thy precepts: quicken me, O Lord, according to thy lovingkindness. KJV

This is the Hebrew word "chayah". Strong's Concordance says this: to live; to revive. Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon expands on that a little: to live, to sustain life, to live prosperously, to live forever, to be restored to life or health. The Holy Spirit and the Word of God together are a mighty force for good in every area of our lives! Our physical bodies, our finances, our families, our careers, our interests and our ministries are all included in this. This just reminds me once again of the Scripture I used in Adult Bible Study this week: John 10:10:

10 The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance (to the full, till it overflows). AMP

I LOVE that! HIS plan is always for our GOOD! Some believers think that this life should always be serious, and nothing could be further from Truth! Loving our lives is what causes others to notice that there IS something different about us. We are praying that you, Kristine and your girls will continue to enjoy your lives, your families, your careers, your interests, your friends, and to walk in an abundance of health and prosperity, being an excellent witness to the grace and glory of God! Here is another new song from Hillsong Young and Free called "Back To Life":

VERSE
Here in my heart You have found Your place
Replacing fear with Your freedom
You lift me up
You lift me up

When all seems lost in my brokenness
I call Your Name and You answer
Held by Your love
Held by Your love

CHORUS
In the night
Through the struggle through the trial
You have made my burden light
You have brought me back to life again

VERSE
Your love it wipes every tear away
You calm the storms that surround me
You carry me
You carry me

Your light breaks through in my darkest hour
Your love is strong in my weakness
You are enough
You are enough

PRE-CHORUS
You won't let go
So I will follow
All I am
Yours now and forever
You won't let go
So I will follow
With all I am

Love and Shalom from the Swovey!