Hi Brian! Yay! Vikings WIN! The word for this week is "thing". There are a few words translated "thing" in the New Testament, so we may have to cover this one again sometime. For today, we will be looking at these three portions of Scripture: Luke 10:41-42; John 1:1-3; Philippians 3:13-14: Luke 10:41 And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: 42 But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her. KJV John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 The same was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. KJV Phil 3:13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, 14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. KJV
This is the Greek word "heis" and it is actually referring to the number. Strong's Concordance says: a primary numeral; one. Thayer's Greek Lexicon adds: emphatically, so that others are excluded. The Theological Dictionary of the New Testament adds this: single; "once-for-all"; unique. In Luke Jesus was explaining to Martha that in all the good things she was doing to bless people, the MOST important thing she SHOULD have been doing was listening to HIM as He spoke the Word to them. When WE put the Word first place, everything else in life will fall right into place! That doesn't mean to be lazy, but rather, to be focused on giving HIM the top priority. We see in John that there was NOT one thing that has ever been made or created that doesn't have it's origin in Jesus, the Word of God! In Philippians we see that Paul thought it was the MOST important thing he could do to keep pressing on toward the goal of fulfilling the call of God on his life. With your career, your band, your beautiful wife and your four lovely daughters, there will be many important decisions you will have to make, but if HE is your "one thing" then you will have all of the wisdom you need to make the right choices in all of the others! You have been doing a wonderful job in this life so far, so the evidence is there that you HAVE been doing the "right" things! Here is Hillsong Worship with a song from their new album called "One Thing", which is very appropriate for this week!
Love and Shalom from the Swoveys!
Sunday, October 18, 2015
Hi Brian! The word for this week is "judge". We'll be looking at Matthew 7:1-2: 1 Judge not, that ye be not judged. 2 For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again. KJV This is the Greek word "krino". Strong's Concordance says: to decide, to try, to condemn, to punish. Thayer's Greek Lexicon adds: to separate, put asunder, to pronounce an opinion, to pronounce judgement, to subject to censure. We are told here NOT to do this. This same Greek word is translated "condemn" in John 3:17: 17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. KJV I especially like this one from the Amplified Bible: 17 For God did not send the Son into the world in order to judge (to reject, to condemn, to pass sentence on) the world, but that the world might find salvation and be made safe and sound through Him. AMP Just as Jesus was not sent to condemn us, He has not sent us to condemn others. I know of some Christians who seem to have made it their life's work to find out and condemn sin in other believers. The only thing we are told to do if we see a fellow believer sin is found Galatians 6:1: 6 Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted. KJV
I know that you don't have a problem with this, but I believe that you will have an opportunity to minister to others who do! Here is a new song from Hillsong Worship called "Open Heaven/River Wild:
Love and Shalom from the Swoveys!
Sunday, October 11, 2015
Hi Brian! The word for this week is "just". Three of the verses we'll look at say similar things. Romans 1:17; Galatians 3:11 and Hebrews 10:38: Romans 1:17 For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith. KJV Galatians 3:11 But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith. KJV Hebrews 10:38 Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him. KJV These are all the Greek word "dikasios". Strong's Concordance says: equitable in character or act; innocent. Thayer's Greek Lexicon adds: righteous; one who is such as he ought to be; upright; virtuous; faultless; guiltless; acceptable to God. Of course none of this refers to who we WERE, but rather who we ARE - IN HIM! He has made us righteous with His righteousness because we have received Jesus as our Lord and personal Savior. He was made sin with our sin so that we could be in this wonderful position! When we DO sin after the New Birth, we go to 1 John 1:9 and receive our forgiveness, and find that HE is just! 1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. KJV And then we are instructed in Philippians 4:8 how to keep thinking right. I like the Amplified the best for this one: Philippians 4:8 For the rest, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is worthy of reverence and is honorable and seemly, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely and lovable, whatever is kind and winsome and gracious, if there is any virtue and excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think on and weigh and take account of these things [fix your minds on them]. AMP
In the realm of the Spirit, we are perfect in His sight, new creatures that never existed before the New Birth (2 Corinthians 5:17). Now we need to keep renewing our minds by meditating on the Word of God to find out more and more of what being just and righteous in His sight means, and how to walk this out before the lost so that they will be drawn to Him! Here is Hillsong United with one of my favorite songs: "Search My Heart". One of the lines is: "without You I am nothing." Now THAT thought will keep us humble before Him!
Love and Shalom from the Swoveys!
Sunday, October 4, 2015
Hi Brian! That was an exciting game, and oh so close! The word for this week is "zealous". It's related, of course, to the word "zeal" that we had recently. We'll be looking at two different portions of Scripture. . The first one is found in Titus 2:13-14: 13 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; 14 Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works. KJV This is the Greek word "zelotes". Thayer's Greek Lexicon says: to imitate emulously (ambitiously), to strive after. The second verse is found in Revelation 3:19: 19 As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent. KJV This one is the Greek word "zeloo". Strong's Concordance says: to have warmth of feeling for or against. Thayer's Greek Lexicon adds: absolutely to be heated or to boil, to desire earnestly, to strive after, busy oneself about, to exert oneself for. In Titus, Paul is telling us the type of attitude that Jesus is looking for in His people. In Revelation, Jesus is telling us this Himself! In fact, just before this, in verses 15-16, He tells us exactly what He thinks of an attitude that is less than "zealous"! 15 I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. 16 So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth. KJV He desires that we be excited for the things of God, and that it shows so that others can see it! This is why not every born again believer should be involved in "everything" just because others are. If we spread ourselves too thin, we will have nothing that attracts people toward HIM! The solution is to BE who God has called US, individually, to be, fully thriving in His presence, and allowing HIM to work through us to reach the lost. I have found that if something comes up that I cannot pour my whole heart into, then I will step aside and simply pray for those whom He puts in that position. THEY will be able to do it "zealously" and HE will be greatly pleased! You and Kristine are doing such a wonderful job of allowing your daughters to try different things in order to find what they really enjoy doing, have a passion about and can be "zealous" over! This allows God to further guide and direct them to what He desires for them to do. What a wonderful plan He has and what a great blessing it is to watch it all play out! In keeping with that theme, Here is Hillsong United with "Take It All":
