Hi Brian!

We LOVE the video you made of Avery on her bike! We're very proud of her! The word for this week is "soul". The verse we'll be looking at is 1 Thessalonians 5:23:

23 And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. KJV

It takes a little extra study to see what the soul REALLY is because for so many years people have talked about the New Birth as the salvation of souls. The above verse makes it clear that there is a definite distinction between the spirit, the soul and the body. Just as God is a triune being (Father, Son and Holy Spirit), so we are also (spirit, soul and body). We like to say it this way: I AM a spirit. I HAVE a soul. I live in a body (while on the earth). The Greek word for soul is "psuche". Thayer's Greek Lexicon says: the breath of life; the seat of the feelings, desires, affections, aversions. Vine's Expository Dictionary adds this: The language of Heb 4:12 suggests the extreme difficulty of distinguishing between the soul and the spirit, alike in their nature and in their activities. Generally speaking the spirit is the higher, the soul the lower element. The spirit may be recognized as the life principle bestowed on man by God, the soul as the resulting life constituted in the individual, the body being the material organism animated by soul and spirit. Here is Hebrews 4:12:

12 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. KJV

We like to say that the soul is made up of the mind, the emotions and the will. Our spirits were recreated, instantly, at the new Birth, perfectly in the image of God. Our bodies WILL BE changed, instantly, into Resurrection bodies, just like Jesus now has, at the Rapture of the church. That leaves the soul! 3 John 2 tells us that we will walk in prosperity and health, AS our souls prosper! This happens as we renew our minds with the Word of God, and it is progressive! James 1:21 says this:

21 Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls. KJV

The Amplified Bible says it like this:

21 So get rid of all uncleanness and the rampant outgrowth of wickedness, and in a humble (gentle, modest) spirit receive and welcome the Word which implanted and rooted [in your hearts] contains the power to save your souls. AMP

So, by receiving Jesus as Lord and personal Savior, God gave us a brand new spirit. He WILL give us a brand new body when we rise to meet Him in the air. In the meantime, WE must take care of our soul so that we can make those wise choices that line up with the Word of God, putting us in position to have Word of God results! Here is another new song from Hillsong Young and Free called "To My Knees":

[Verse 1]
In the Saviour's love
I find joy beyond compare
Endless peace covers all of me
When You breathe within
You turn winter into spring
Grace dissolves every fear in me

[Chorus]
Your Love brings me to my knees
Brings me to my knees
My King forever
You are all my heart desires
Until the end of time
My soul surrendered

[Verse 2]
In my vacant heart
Lord You came and made a home
You bring light to the dark in me
When I lose my way
I am beckoned into grace
You alone are my everything

[Chorus]

[Bridge]
All the earth sing of mercy never ending
I will worship with all that is within me
Holy Holy, Lord God almighty
King of Heaven, Your's is the glory  (2x)

[Chorus]    [Instrumental Break]     [Chorus]

Love and Shalom from the Swoveys!