Hi Brian!

The word for this week is "crown". Here are the verses we'll be looking at!

John 19:5 So Jesus came out wearing the thorny crown and purple cloak, and Pilate said to them, See, [here is] the Man!

1 Corinthians 19:25 Now every athlete who goes into training conducts himself temperately and restricts himself in all things. They do it to win a wreath that will soon wither, but we [do it to receive a crown of eternal blessedness] that cannot wither. 

1:12 Blessed is the man that endures temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.

2 Timothy 4:8 [As to what remains] henceforth there is laid up for me the [victor’s] crown of righteousness [for being right with God and doing right], which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me and recompense me on that [great] day—and not to me only, but also to all those who have loved and yearned for and welcomed His appearing (His return).

1 Peter 5:4 And [then] when the Chief Shepherd is revealed, you will win the conqueror’s crown of glory.

"Crown" in all of these instances is the Greek word "stephanos". Thayer's Greek Lexicon says: a mark of royal or exalted rank, the wreath which was given to victors in public games, that which is an ornament and honor to one, (spiritually) the reward of righteousness. The soldiers who placed the crown of thorns on the head of Jesus did it to mock Him Who was called the King of the Jews. The reward for an athlete is given publicly as the reward for the diligent hard work done in private that resulted in the victory! When WE stand on the Word through every situation, WE receive this "crown" of HIS eternal life (zoe), here, in this life, and then, in the life to come, we receive the rewards for the things we did while in the body that were in obedience to His Word and His Spirit! Overcomers, conquerors or victors in this life are those who refuse to quit or give up! They are NOT perfect people, but people who choose HIM as their #1 priority, and, when they miss it and fail or fall, they get right back up and go again.The awards and rewards we receive in this life are fun, exciting and rewarding, but not nearly as much as those we WILL receive when we see HIM face to face! 

Praying for this to be a most blessed week for you and your beautiful family! Here is a song I just recently heard called "Victor's Crown" by Darlene Zschech, Israel Houghton and Kari Jobe! 

You are always fighting for us
Heaven's angels all around
My delight is found in knowing
That You wear the Victor's crown
You're my help and my defender
You're my Saviour and my friend
By Your grace I live and breathe
To worship You

At the mention of Your greatness
In Your Name I will bow down
In Your presence fear is silent
For You wear the Victor's crown
Let Your glory fill this temple
Let Your power overflow
By Your grace I live and breathe
To worship You

Hallelujah
You have overcome
You have overcome
Hallelujah
Jesus You have overcome the world

You are ever interceding
As the lost become the found
You can never be defeated
For You wear the Victor's crown
You are Jesus the Messiah
You're the Hope of all the world
By Your grace I live and breathe
To worship You

Every high thing must come down
Every stronghold shall be broken
You wear the Victor's crown
You overcome
You overcome

At the cross the work was finished
You were buried in the ground
But the grave could not contain You
For You wear the Victor's crown

Love and Shalom from the Swoveys!