Hi Brian! We are SO happy that your babies are home with you! The word for this week is "staggered". This is found only in Romans 4:20: 20 He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God; KJV This is the Greek word "diakrino". Strong's Concordance says: to separate thoroughly; to withdraw from; to hesitate. Thayer's Greek Lexicon adds this: to strive with or dispute. It also adds to be at variance with oneself, to doubt. This verse is speaking of Abraham who obeyed God even when he had no understanding of how God would accomplish what He had promised. WE have Abraham's example to combine with our New Covenant promises that are better than his were (Hebrews 8:6)! You and Kristine "staggered not" when it came to the promises of God concerning your babies and now they are home! You are both very accustomed to handling pressure, deadlines and details. I have no doubt that you are well equipped and well prepared to handle anything and everything that comes with an expanded family and double babies! The encouragement here is to remember to get the rest you need, not just physical sleep, but the spiritual "rest" that you will need in order to stay strong in faith, staggering NOT! THAT rest is found in Isaiah 28:11-12: 11 For with stammering lips and another tongue He will speak to this people, 12 To whom He said, "This is the rest with which You may cause the weary to rest, "And, "This is the refreshing"; NKJV
Add this verse to Jude 20: 20 But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost, KJV 20 But you, beloved, build yourselves up [founded] on your most holy faith [make progress, rise like an edifice higher and higher], praying in the Holy Spirit; AMP I know that YOU know that you and your family are covered in prayer on a daily basis, but your personal fellowship with HIM is what will keep your faith strong and ready! We love you and all of your "ladies"! Can't wait to see you all! Here is a new song by Hillsong Worship called "Calvary":
Love and Shalom from the Swoveys!
Sunday, July 20, 2014
Hi Brian! The word for this week is "vessels". The verse we'll be looking at is 2 Corinthians 4:6: 7 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us. KJV "Vessels" here is the Greek word "skeuos". The Theological Dictionary of the New Testament says: a vessel or container. It also adds this: "In a transferred sense some people are the tools of others, the body is the vessel of the soul." WE, as born again believers, are God's "tools" to spread the Good News of the Gospel. The treasure that we have is the presence of the Holy Spirit within us! We are carriers of HIS life! The God of the Bible chose to use us "earthen vessels" to pour Himself through in order to reach the unreached. The Amplified Bible says this: 7 However, we possess this precious treasure [the divine Light of the Gospel] in [frail, human] vessels of earth, that the grandeur and exceeding greatness of the power may be shown to be from God and not from ourselves. AMP WE are simply channels through which He pours Himself in order to continue to "seek and save that which is lost" (Luke 19:10)! Here is a new song from Hillsong called "Broken Vessels: Amazing Grace":
Love and Shalom from the Swoveys!
Sunday, July 13, 2014
Hi Brian! Congratulations to you and your family! Your new daughters are beautiful! The word for this week is "words". I can't believe that we haven't used that one yet! The verse we'll be looking at is found in John 15:7: 7 If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. KJV 7 If you live in Me [abide vitally united to Me] and My words remain in you and continue to live in your hearts, ask whatever you will, and it shall be done for you. AMP "Words" here is the Greek word "rhema". Strong's Concordance says: an utterance. Thayer's Greek Lexicon adds this: that which is or has been uttered by the living voice. The Theological Dictionary of New Testament Words also calls it: active word. Vine's Expository Dictionary says this: "The significance of rhema (as distinct from logos) is exemplified in the injunction to take "the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God,"Eph 6:17; here the reference is not to the whole Bible as such, but to the individual scripture which the Spirit brings to our remembrance for use in time of need, a prerequisite being the regular storing of the mind with Scripture." So, when we live and "abide" in His presence, by the Holy Spirit within us, AND we meditate on the Word of God until it become real to us (Joshua 1:8), THEN the words we speak out of our mouths will be HIS Words, which are active and powerful! This is the same Greek word found in Hebrews 11:3 speaking of creation! 3 Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear. KJV
God's words, spoken out of HIS mouth, created the world around us! His words spoken out of OUR mouths will create those things that are needful for us! As you and Kristine continue in God's Word, and then speak those good and Godly things that you desire over your family, His Words coming from YOUR mouths will create those things in and for your family! Here is a song from the new Hillsong Worship album called "No Other Name":
Love and Shalom from the Swoveys!
Sunday, July 6, 2014
Hi Brian! The word for this week is "faileth" in the KJV. It is found in 1 Corinthians 13:8a. The New King James Version says this: 8 Love never fails. NKJV
This is the Greek word "pipto". Both Strong's Concordance and Thayer's Greek Lexicon have: to fall. Thayer's adds: to be cast down from a state of prosperity; to perish, come to an end, disappear, cease. Even though there will be many things we no longer need when we leave this life, the love of God found in this verse, which is "agape", will never cease! This is an eternal force of love that is the kind of Love that God has for us, and that caused Him to send Jesus to save us! This love, and the results of operating in it, will never cease to have the power of God working in it! It may not always appear to be so at the time we choose to walk in it, but it IS truth! I know that YOU have already chosen to operate in this love because the atmosphere in your home is filled with love! As you continue to choose love, your life and family will continue to flourish and prosper and succeed! Here is another new song from Hillsong Young and Free called "Love Goes On":
