Hi Brian! The word for this week is "compassed". The Scripture we'll be looking at is found in Hebrews 12:1-2: Heb 12:1-2 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, 2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
This is the Greek word "perikeimai". Strong's Concordance says: to lie all around, to inclose and encircle. The Exegetical Dictionary of the New Testament adds: to be surrounded. Paul meant for this to be an exhortation to not slack off, give up or quit, but to get really serious about finishing our race. He said this about himself in 2 Timothy 4:7-8: 7 I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: 8 Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing. KJV
Thinking about those who have gone on before and knowing that every one of these "witnesses" is on our side and pulling for us to succeed should be an encouragement that we are never alone in this! When we add to this the Truth that we are also surrounded by angels who have been sent to assist us (Hebrews 1:13-14), we should really see ourselves as those who cannot fail, as long as we never give up! The sweetest victories, accomplishments or 'promotions' are usually those that we have worked for, believed for or waited for the longest! You have experienced many, with many more to come! Here is Hillsong Young and Free with a song that we've used before, but I really love that it speaks to the motivation for doing what we do, to bring Him praise with our lives! "Only Wanna Sing":
Love and Shalom from the Swoveys!
Sunday, July 24, 2016
Hi Brian! The word for this week is "promotion" in honor of yours! :) The Scripture we'll be looking at isPsalm 75:6-7: 6 For promotion comes neither from the east, nor from the west, nor from the south. 7 But God is the judge: he puts down one, and sets up another. KJV This is the Hebrew word "ruwm". Strong's Concordance says: a primitive root; to be high actively, to rise up or raise. Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon adds: to be exalted, to be set on high, to be uplifted. I also like Vine's Expository Dictionary which says: state of being on a higher plane; movement in an upward direction. I know that others have received promotions over the years at Target. I also know that your intelligence, preparation, diligence and hard work has been a factor in every promotion. One thing that you have that others may not is the favor of God! Because you give Him first place in your life, every area of that life is blessed by God! All believers have the potential for walking in favor, but many don't add the diligence that is necessary for God to be able put it into motion for them! I am convinced that many of the people that you work with recognize that there is just something different about you! I am expecting that God is going to cause some of those to begin asking you about that difference, if they haven't already! You SHINE! In the home and on the job! Here is Hillsong Young and Free with "Where You Are":
Love and Shalom from the Swoveys!
Sunday, July 17, 2016
Hi Brian! The word for this week is "count". We'll be looking at these two verses: James 1:2 My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; 3 Knowing this, that the trying of your faith works patience. KJV
Philippians 3:8 Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, KJV
This is the Greek word "hegeomai". Strong's Concordance says: to lead, to command (with official authority), to deem, to consider. Thayer's Greek Lexicon adds: a leader of any kind, a guide, a ruler, prefect, president, chief, general, commander, sovereign. Vine's Expository Dictionary adds this: to lead the way, to lead before the mind. How we choose to perceive a situation will determine how we handle it. If we trust the Word of God as Truth (John 17:17), then when we face tests, temptations and trials, we can consider them joyfully, knowing that the results will be in our favor! If we make getting to know Jesus more as a top priority, then other desires, hopes, dreams and aspirations, even good things, will line up behind that goal and, in comparison to the importance of knowing Him, they will SEEM like nothing important. The really wonderful thing about our God and His promises is that when we DO that, He is both willing and able to make ALL of those other things come to pass! Thank YOU, JESUS! Here is an interesting song byHillsong United called "Love Is War". The Lyrics will be after and I am including a link to the Song Story where they explain what went into the writing of the song, which I found very interesting! I hope you do, too!
Hi Brian! Congratulations on your GREAT promotion! We are SO proud of you! :) The word for this week is "fight". We'll be looking at an Old Testament verse and New Testament verse. First we'll look at Psalm 144:1: 1 BLESSED BE the Lord, my Rock and my keen and firm Strength, Who teaches my hands to war and my fingers to fight — AMP This is the Hebrew word "milchmah". Strong's Concordance says: (in the sense of fighting) a battle; war, warfare. Notice that it is the Lord Who is doing the teaching here! He does NOT want us to be passive, but to stand up for what is right and for HIS will and plan and purposes. When we are fighting the right fight, all of the ability of Heaven is at our disposal to win it! The second verse we'll be looking at is 1 Timothy 6:12: 12 Fight the good fight of the faith; lay hold of the eternal life to which you were summoned and [for which] you confessed the good confession [of faith] before many witnesses. AMP The first "fight" here is the Greek word "agonizomai". Strong's Concordance says this: to struggle, literally (to compete for a prize), (to contend with an adversary) or (to endeavor to accomplish something), to enter a contest, to contend with adversaries, to endeavor with strenuous zeal. The second fight, is the Greek word "agon". This, according to Strong's, refers to the place of assembly, the contest held there, the effort. Thayer's Greek Lexicon adds: any struggle with dangers, annoyances, obstacles, standing in the way of faith, holiness, and a desire to spread the Gospel. Being a "doer" of the Word is not always easy and can sometimes be a real struggle. That's where faith, which comes by hearing the Word (Romans 10:17), comes in! Faith is simply trust and confidence in the promise of God, which is worth every moment of the "fight", and trust and confidence in our having His ability to win it! He IS the One who teaches us how to fight the fight! We're being trained by the very BEST! When it comes easily, it's like second nature to us. When it seems harder, we need to remind ourselves that it IS who we are - in Him - and we CAN do it (Philippians 4:13 AMP)! You have proven that over and over again with your success and promotions at Target and with the wonderful job that you and Kristine have already done, and are continuing to do, in raising your beautiful, smart, fun and uniquely individual daughters! We love them and you! Here is another new song from Hillsong United called "Even When It Hurts (Praise Song)":
(Praise
Song)
Take this
fainted heart
Take these tainted hands
Wash me in Your love
Come like grace again
Even when my strength is lost
I'll praise You
Even when I have no song
I'll praise You
Even when it's hard to find the words
Louder then I'll sing Your praise
[Chorus]
I will only sing Your praise
I will only sing Your praise
I will only sing Your praise
Take this mountain weight
Take these ocean tears
Hold me through the trial
Come like hope again
Even when the fight seems lost
I'll praise You
Even when it hurts like hell
I'll praise You
Even when it makes no sense to sing
Louder then I'll sing Your praise
[Chorus]
And my heart burns only for You
You are all You are all I want
And my soul waits only for You
And I will sing till the morning has come
Lord my heart burns only for You
You are all You are all I want
And my soul waits only for You
And I will sing till the miracle comes
[Chorus]
Even when the morning comes
I'll praise You
Even when the fight is won
I'll praise You
Even when my time on earth is done
Louder then I'll sing your praise
I will only sing Your praise
Love and Shalom from the Swoveys!
Sunday, July 3, 2016
Hi Brian! The word for this week is "presence". We'll be looking at three verses. The first is Psalm 16:11: 11 You will show me the path of life; in Your presence is fullness of joy, at Your right hand there are pleasures forevermore. AMP This one is the Hebrew word "paniym". Strong's Concordance says: the face. Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon adds: person, in front of, before. What this verse is saying is that their will be great joy for every person who will develop their fellowship with HIM and spend time in HIS presence! The next example is found in 1 Corinthians 1:28-29: 28 And God also selected (deliberately chose) what in the world is lowborn and insignificant and branded and treated with contempt, even the things that are nothing, that He might depose and bring to nothing the things that are, 29 So that no mortal man should [have pretense for glorying and] boast in the presence of God. AMP This one is the Greek word "enopion". Strong's Concordance says: in the face of (literally or figuratively). Thayer's Greek Lexicon adds this: one who is in sight, in that place which is before, or over against, opposite, anyone and toward which another turns his eyes. On our own, we have nothing to offer Him! Everything good about us came from the Lord when He created us uniquely and individually, and by Holy Spirit when He recreated our spirits in the image of God. There is nothing that WE can boast about ourselves, because the only thing that WE did was to accept what HE already did for us! The third example is found in Acts 3:19: 19 So repent (change your mind and purpose); turn around and return [to God], that your sins may be erased (blotted out, wiped clean), that times of refreshing (of recovering from the effects of heat, of reviving with fresh air) may come from the presence of the Lord; AMP This is the Greek word "prosopon". Strong's Concordance says: in front, the countenance, aspect, appearance. When we spend time just alone with Him (in His presence), He will become more real to us and we will be more aware of Holy Spirit living IN us! THIS is what brings the refreshing and rejuvenation! Also, by being in His presence and waiting on Him (attending to Him and paying attention to Him), we have THIS promise from Isaiah 40:31: 31 But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint. KJV I am always amazed at what a few minutes spent even just singing a praise song that brings my attention back to Him will do for my energy level when I'm tired! HIS presence is the best place to be, and the best news is, He is always right there, INSIDE! We just have to bring our focus back on Him! Here is another new song from Hillsong United called "Street Called Mercy":
