Hi Brian!

The word for this week is "kingdom". There is only one Greek word translated "kingdom" in all of the New Testament. Here are the verses we'll be looking at today:

John 3:3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. KJV

Rom 14:17 For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost. KJV

1 Cor 4:19 But I will come to you shortly, if the Lord will, and will know, not the speech of them which are puffed up, but the power. 20 For the kingdom of God is not in word, but in power. KJV

Col 1:13 Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: KJV

These are all the Greek word "basileia". Strong's Concordance says: royalty, rule, a realm. Thayer's Greek Lexicon adds this: royal power, kingship, dominion, the territory subject to the rule of a king. Vine's Expository Dictionary also adds this: an abstract noun denoting sovereignty. The Theological Dictionary of the New Testament says: refers to the being or nature or state of a king, his dignity, and the expression of this. 

All of the verses above are speaking of the Kingdom of God. The only way to become a member of that kingdom is to be born again, receiving Jesus as Lord and Savior. The kingdom of God is unlike any earthly kingdom! It is not physical, but can, and should, greatly affect the physical realm! The Kingdom of God is not in 'things and possessions, but is in those intangible things that, coming from the inside out, are a real expression of the royalty that we are as members of His family! When Jesus said that all power (authority) had been given unto Him, and THEN instructed His disciples to "Go therefore" (Matthew 28:18), He was revealing to US that we have authority on earth as members of HIS kingdom! We all have certain realms of authority in our lives where WE 'rule'! You do so over certain aspects of your job/career. You also do so as the head of your household, where you have the God-given authority to speak protection, provision and safety over your family, and to receive specific direction from Holy Spirit on how to operate in it. Accepting HIS sovereignty, His rulership, His dominion, His authority over us is the first, and most important, step in walking in OUR authority! I can't wait to visit YOUR 'kingdom' next weekend! Let's use some of our God-given authority this week to speak life, health, strength, endurance, wisdom, ferocity, favor and anointing into and over our VIKINGS so that we can get back to our WINNING ways! :)  Here is another new song from Hillsong Worship called "Look To The Son":

Love and Shalom from  

Hi Brian!

The word for this week is "wonders". We'll be looking at these verses:

Acts 4:29 And now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word, 30 By stretching forth thine hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done by the name of thy holy child Jesus. KJV

Acts 6:8 And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and miracles among the people. KJV

Acts 14:3 Long time therefore abode they speaking boldly in the Lord, which gave testimony unto the word of his grace, and granted signs and wonders to be done by their hands. KJV

This is the Greek word "teras". Strong's Concordance says: an omen. Thayer's Greek Lexicon adds: a miracle performed by anyone. Vine's Expository Dictionary also adds this: something strange causing the beholder to marvel, is always used in the plural, is always rendered 'wonders' and generally follows 'signs'. ( A 'sign' is intended to appeal to the understanding, a 'wonder' appeals to the imagination, a 'power' indicates its source is supernatural). We can see from the verses above that each one if these 'wonders' were the works of Jesus through His people! When we speak the Word into a situation and God confirms that Word with 'wonders', people who witness these 'wonders' begin to dare to dream or imagine that they could also get the help they need! All of these things are to show to the world that OUR God IS God! The One and only! Here is a new song by Hillsong Worship called "Love So Great":

 LOVE SO GREAT

Your love so great

Jesus in all things

I’ve seen a glimpse of Your heart

A billion years

Still I’ll be singing

How can I praise You enough

You are the Lord Almighty

Out shining all the stars in glory

Your love is like the wildest ocean

Oh nothing else compares

Creation calls

All to the Saviour

We are alive for Your praise

In earth and sky no one is higher

Our God of wonders You reign

Not to us

But to Your Name

We lift up

All praise

Love and Shalom from the Swoveys!

Hi Brian!

The word for this week is "behold". There are a few different Greek words translated behold in the New Testament. We'll be looking at one of them, which is found in these verses:

Luke 21:29 And he spake to them a parable; Behold the fig tree, and all the trees; 30 When they now shoot forth, ye see and know of your own selves that summer is now nigh at hand. KJV

Luke 24:39 Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have. KJV

1 John 3:1 Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not. KJV

These are all the Greek word "eido". Strong's Concordance says: to see (literally or figuratively); to know. Thayer's Greek Lexicon adds this: to know, to find, to perceive (with the eyes), to perceive by any of the senses, to notice, discern, discover, to pay attention, observe, inspect, examine, to experience. This word goes beyond simply observing and noticing, as in the challenge game of looking at something and then trying to recall what you saw/observed. This is referring to going beyond just seeing to comprehending the importance and implications of what you see! I think that this is also what Joel Houston is saying in the song he wrote for the new Hillsong album, Let There Be Light, called "Behold (Then Sings My Soul)"! Here is that song:

Verse 1
Behold the Father’s heart
The mystery He lavishes on us
As deep cries out to deep
Oh how desperately He wants us
The things of earth stand next to him
Like a candle to the sun
Unfailing Father
What compares to His Great love

Verse 2
Behold His holy Son
The Lion and the Lamb given to us
The Word became a man
That my soul should know its Saviour
Forsaken for the sake of all mankind
Salvation is in His blood
Jesus Messiah
The righteous died for love

Pre-Chorus 1
It wasn’t over
For He is the risen One

Chorus 1
Then sings my soul
Then sings my soul
How great Your Love is
How great Your Love is

Verse 2
Behold I have a friend
The Spirit breathing holy fire within
My ever present help
Speaking truth when I can’t find it
Light up this broken heart
And light my way
Until my time on earth is done
Oh Holy Spirit
Breathe in me like kingdom come

Pre-Chorus 2
Oh Holy Spirit
Let Your work in me be done

Outro
Then sings my soul my God
He who was and is to come
Prepare the way
Until the work on earth is done
Watch as the clouds He rides swing low
Lift up the sound
As He makes our praise His throne
Behold the Lord our God will lead us home

Love and Shalom from the Swoveys!

Hi Brian!

GREAT game today! The word for this week is "Saviour". I couldn't believe we hadn't used that one yet! It's found in 24 verses in the New Testament, all of them referring to Jesus! Here are a few:

Luke 2:11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord KJV

2 Timothy 1:10 But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel: KJV

Titus 1:4 To Titus, mine own son after the common faith: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ our Saviour. KJV

Titus 2:13 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; KJV

1 John 4:14 And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world. KJV

Jude 25 To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen. KJV

This is the Greek word "soter". Strong's Concordance says: a deliverer, i.e. God or Christ. Thayer's Greek Lexicon adds: preserver. "Soter" comes from the Greek word "sozo", which means, according to Strong's, to save, deliver, protect. Thayer's adds: to keep safe, to rescue, to make well, heal, restore to health. What Jesus accomplished through His death, burial and resurrection covers so much more than us simply escaping an eternity in hell and the lake of fire! What He accomplished, and what we receive when we accept Him as our personal Saviour, affects our entire being, spirit, soul and body! We are made new creatures, with our spirits being recreated in the image of God. We are made members of God's very own family, with all of the authority of Heaven backing us up. We have the full use of His Name as though it was our own, and it IS! Our identity is now found in HIM! The Weber name that you inherited from your parents meant something when it was given to you! What you have accomplished, along with your character, your work ethic, your attitudes and actions toward other people, have increased the value of that name! In JESUS we have been given the Name that is higher than any other name that has ever been given! One day, every person who has ever lived will bow to that Name! And HE is OUR Saviour! What a wonderful and powerful TRUTH that is! Here is Hillsong Worship with a song about our Saviour called "Grace To Grace":

Love and Shalom from the Swoveys!

Hi Brian!

The word for this week is "esteem". We'll be looking at two portions of Scripture with one Greek: word. Philippians 2:3-4 and 1 Thessalonians 5:12-13: 

3 Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. 4 Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. KJV

12 And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you; 13 And to esteem them very highly in love for their work's sake. And be at peace among yourselves. KJV

This is the Greek word "hegeomai". Strong's Concordance says: to lead, i.e. command, to deem, i.e. consider. Thayer's Greek Lexicon adds this: to go before, to deem, account, think. Vine's Expository Dictionary also adds this: to suppose. Being obedient to this instruction involves setting aside differences and looking at each person as precious and valuable, because God does! It also involves appreciating those around you and what they provide to you. When we keep those things in mind, we will avoid strife which opens the door to the enemy to do what he does best: steal, kill and destroy (John 10:10)! When we appreciate the ministers and ministries that bring us the Word of God, then we will be in  a better mindset to REALLY receive Wisdom and understanding from that Word! Here is Hillsong Worship with "I Desire Jesus":

Love and Shalom from the Swoveys!