The word for this week is "strife". I would rather cover a more positive and happy word, but avoiding strife is vital to staying in position to receive God's very best! Here are two examples for strife from the New Testament: Philippians 2:3 Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. KJV James 3:14 But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth. 15 This wisdom descends not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish. 16 For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work. KJV
This is the Greek word "eritheia". Strong's Exhaustive Concordance says: intrigue; faction. Thayer's Greek Lexicon adds this: a desire to put oneself forward; a partisan and factious spirit. A dictionary definition of "faction" is 1) dissension and 2) a small party within a larger group that is often contentious and self-seeking. This has happened in churches, workplaces and in families. James 3 above tells us that this attitude is devilish. It is certainly one of his many tactics. He would love nothing better than to divide and conquer God's people in any way possible! When we recognize the danger of strife, we can avoid it at all costs in our families by choosing always to believe the best of each other and by refusing to give in to selfishness! This CAN be hard on our flesh, but SO worth the effort to keep the peace! As far as dealing with others, we will need to be sensitive to the Holy Spirit about when to remove ourselves from the situation and when to stay and continue to BE the Light they need to see. We all have emotions and the nature of the flesh to deal with simply because we are human beings! When we make LOVE our priority, we will see strife eliminated! I have NEVER experienced strife in your home! You and Kristine and your girls have always made us feel so welcome and loved! I so enjoy being in THAT atmosphere! I am going to add prayer against strife in your family, work, friends and church to my prayer list for you both! I desire that you continue to be BLESSED beyond measure and I KNOW that Jesus does! Here is an older song from Hillsong called "All of My Days":
Love and Shalom from the Swoveys!
Sunday, October 19, 2014
Hi Brian! The word for this week is "riches". There are two Greek words translated "riches" in the New Testament. The first on is found in Mark 10:23: 23 And Jesus looked round about, and saith unto his disciples, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God! This one is the Greek word "chrema". Strong's Concordance says this: something useful or needed, wealth. Thayer's Greek Lexicon adds this: a thing, matter, event, business, specifically money. The Theological Dictionary adds this: objects of value, capital. The key word in this verse that changes "riches" from a blessing to a problem is the word "have". One of the meanings of this Greek word "echo" is to hold fast, to hold on, to cling to, according to Vine's Expository Dictionary. The wonderful blessings of God in our lives include wealth and possessions, but if we cling to these, rather than to HIM, then the riches become an idol in our lives and they can get our eyes, and our faith, off of HIM and onto ourselves! The second "riches" in the New Testament is found in these two verses. Ephesians 1:18 and Philippians 4:19: 18 By having the eyes of your heart flooded with light, so that you can know and understand the hope to which He has called you, and how rich is His glorious inheritance in the saints (His set-apart ones), AMP 19 And my God will liberally supply (fill to the full) your every need according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus. AMP
This is the Greek word "ploutos". Strong's Concordance says: wealth, money, possessions, abundance. Thayer's Greek Lexicon adds: abundance of external possessions, fullness, plenitude (the condition of being full or complete). THESE are the riches or the wealth that comes from trusting in the God of the Bible and doing things HIS way! We KNOW where they came from, and we put our trust completely in HIM, and in His Word, rather than in our own ability alone. This type of "riches" is what Proverbs 10:22 is speaking of: 22 The blessing of the Lord — it makes [truly] rich, and He adds no sorrow with it [neither does toiling increase it]. AMP I know that whatever natural "riches" that you and your family have came about because of your trust in God which gives you great favor, and your very hard work, consistency and integrity! My prayer for you is that your blessings will continue to MULTIPLY as you keep God and His Word as your #1 priority! Riches will never HAVE you! Here is an older song from Hillsong that I have been singing all day! It's called "Better Than Life":
"Better Than Life"
Better than the riches of this world Better than the sound of my friends voices Better than the biggest dreams in my heart and that's just the start Better than getting what I say I need Better than living the life that I wan't to Better than the love anyone could give Your love is
You hold me now in Your arms and never let me go
And You oh Lord made the sunshine and the moonlight in the nightsky You give me breath and all Your love I give my heart to You Because I can't stop falling in love with You I'll never stop falling in love with You
Better than the riches of this world Better than the sound of my friends voices
Better than the biggest dreams in my heart and that's just the start Better than getting what I say I need Better than living the life that I wan't to Better than the love anyone could give Your love is
You hold me now in Your arms and never let me go
And You oh Lord made the sunshine and the moonlight in the nightsky You give me breath and all Your love I give my heart to You Because I can't stop falling in love with You I'll never stop falling in love with You
You hold me now in Your arms and never let me go You hold me now in Your arms and never let me go
And You oh Lord made the sunshine and the moonlight in the night sky You give me breath and all Your love I give my heart to You Because I can't stop falling in love with You I'll never stop falling in love with You
Love and Shalom from the Swoveys!
Sunday, October 12, 2014
Hi Brian! I am sorry you had to see such a bad game today! The Vikings NEED the word for this week! It is "overcome". In the Old Testament, we'll be looking at Numbers 13:30: 30 And Caleb stilled the people before Moses, and said, Let us go up at once, and possess it; for we are well able to overcome it KJV
This instance was after Moses had sent the 12 spies in order to have them come back and encourage the people concerning the wonderful things they saw in this most productive land! Instead, some allowed fear to enter in and lost sight of the TRUTH that it was only through their God that they had arrived at where they were in the first place! They said it was too much and it couldn't be done! Joshua and Caleb held a different, more Godly perspective! "Overcome" here is the Hebrew word "yakol". Strong's Concordance says this: to be able. Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon adds this: to prevail; to endure; to have power; to accomplish; to have strength; to be a victor. In the New Testament, we'll be looking at these three verses: John 16:33 These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world. KJV 1 John 2:14 I have written unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I have written unto you, young men, because ye are strong, and the word of God abideth in you, and ye have overcome the wicked one. KJV 1 John 4:4 Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world. KJV
"Overcome" in all three of these instances is the Greek word "nikao". Strong's Concordance says: to subdue. Thayer's Greek Lexicon adds this: to conquer; to carry off the victory; to come off victorious. The Theological Wordbook of the New Testament adds this: This denotes victory; supremacy; success. There is NO failure when we do things God's way, and in His timing, and with His strength, wisdom and ability! We CAN do ALL things, through HIM (Philippians 4:13). Here is an older song by Hillsong United called "Take Heart":
Love and Shalom from the Swoveys!
Sunday, October 5, 2014
Hi Brian! The word for this week is "believe". That's another word that I am surprised we haven't had yet! It is found a few times in the Old Testament, but many, many times in the New Testament. It is the same Greek word for most of them. We'll be looking at these: Mark 9:23 Jesus said to him, "If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes. NKJV Mark 11:23 For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, 'Be removed and be cast into the sea,' and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says. 24 Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them. NKJV John 11:40 Jesus said to her, "Did I not say to you that if you would believe you would see the glory of God?" NKJV John 20:30 And truly Jesus did many other signs in the presence of His disciples, which are not written in this book; 31 but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name. NKJV
"Believe" in each of these verses is the Greek word "pisteuo". Strong's Concordance says this: to have faith in; to entrust (especially one's spiritual well-being to Christ). Thayer's Greek Lexicon adds this: to be persuaded of; place confidence in. The Theological Dictionary of the New Testament adds: to trust, also to obey. Finally, Vine's Expository Dictionary adds: reliance upon, not mere credence. This belief is stronger than simply agreeing that it's so, but involves being convinced. The more that we prayerfully study the Word of God, the stronger our "belief" in it will be! THEN we will begin to see some immediate answers to prayer and manifestations of what we "believe"! I really love how much clearer the Word is to me now than when I first began to study it. Knowledge comes layer, built upon layer! POWERFUL! Here is a new song from Hillsong Worship called "This I Believe (The Creed)":
