Hi Brian!

The word for this week is "incorruptible". We find it four times in the New Testament:

1 Corinthians 9:25 And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. KJV

1 Corinthians 15:52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. 53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. KJV

1 Peter 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, 5 Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. KJV

1 Peter 1:23 Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever. KJV

This is the Greek word "aphthartos". Strong's Concordance says: undecaying (in essence or continuance). Thayer's Greek Lexicon says: uncorrupted, not liable to corruption or decay. Louw and Nida Greek/English Lexicon adds this: pertaining to being not subject to decay and death - imperishable, immortal. 1 Corinthians 9:25 is speaking of our eternal rewards for running our race well! Athletes strive for perfection to win a medal, a trophy, a prize and the fame and fortune that comes with it. Our rewards will be revealed in Heaven. Theirs will be left here! 1 Corinthians 15:52 is speaking of our future resurrection body! Our bodies are changing now as we age. At the moment of the catching away of the Church by Jesus, these aging, mortal bodies will be changed in an instant of time to bodies that will be perfect in every way! I am REALLY looking forward to that day! :) 1 Peter 1:3-5 is revealing that though we WILL have a harvest of good and Godly things right here, in this life, the ultimate rewards are being reserved for us right now in Heaven! 1 Peter 1:23 reveals the TRUTH that, though we were born into this world a natural human being with the sin nature passed down from Adam, when we receive Jesus as Lord and Savior, we are reborn by God's perfect seed! His life, His nature and His ability (reminds me of an old SWC song!) are imparted to us as we become that new creation that never existed before. All of this was accomplished by the incorruptible and incomparable Word of the Living God! I think this is one of my all time favorite 'words'! Here is Hillsong with "Love So High":

Love and Shalom from the Swoveys!

Hi Brian!

The word for this week is "unchangeable". It is found only once in the New Testament. Hebrews 7:24:

24 But this man, because he continues ever, has an unchangeable priesthood. KJV

This is the Greek word "aparabatos". Strong's Concordance says:not passing away, untransferable. Thayer's Greek Lexicon says: not to be violated, unchangeable and therefore not liable to pass to a successor. Vine's Expository Dictionary adds: unalterable. The Theological Dictionary of the New Testament says: immutable. The dictionary definition of immutable is: unable to be changed (fixed, set, rigid, inflexible, permanent, established). This word was used at the end of legal contracts! We can COUNT on JESUS! Hebrews 13:8 says:

"Jesus Christ, the same yesterday, and today, and forever"

HE never changes! His WORD never changes! His PROMISES never change! We can have full confidence that what He promises today will be exactly the same tomorrow! Hebrews 7:25 further emphasizes this:

25 Therefore He is able also to save to the uttermost (completely, perfectly, finally, and for all time and eternity) those who come to God through Him, since He is always living to make petition to God and intercede with Him and intervene for them. AMP

In this ever changing world in which we live, having an unchangeable and never failing Source of supply should give us the boldness we need to keep pressing on towards fulfilling what HE has called us to do! Here is Hillsong Worship with "Behold (Then Sings My Soul)". One of the lyrics says: "the things of earth stand next to HIM like a candle to the sun"! Now THAT really puts things into perspective! Nothing is to difficult for Him, or for us, when we are "IN HIM"! 

Love and Shalom from the Swoveys!

Hi Brian!

The word for this week is "variableness". It's found in one place in the New Testament. James 1:17:

17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning. KJV

This is the Greek word "parallage". Strong's Concordance says: transmutation (dictionary definition:  to completely change the form, appearance, or nature of (someone or something). It also says: fickleness. Thayer's Greek Lexicon adds this: variation, change. Vine's Expository Dictionary adds: a change, a transmission from one condition to another.

I like the J.B. Phillips translation:

17 But every good endowment that we possess and every complete gift that we have received must come from above, from the Father of all lights, with whom there is never the slightest variation or shadow of inconsistency.

Though we welcome change and variety in many aspects of our lives, knowing that God NEVER changes gives us an extraordinary confidence! His steadiness and consistency gives us such a strong and steady base to grow our faith and boldness from! When we develop these characteristics in ourselves, then we become the steady influence for others. I see that in your home! You and Kristine have such a system of consistency in place that you are in position to handle anything unexpected that might come up. Your beautiful daughters have faith and freedom! Faith in the love and protection that you provide for them, and freedom to be, and grow into, themselves and who God wants them to be! You both are doing a fine job! Here is Hillsong United with a love song to Jesus! "I Adore You":

Love and Shalom, and HAPPY BIRTHDAY, from the Swoveys!

Hi Brian!

The word for this week is "quench". We'll be looking at these two verses in the New Testament:

Ephesians 6:16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. KJV

1 Thessalonians 5:18 In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. 19 Quench not the Spirit. KJV

"Quench" in both of these verses is the Greek word "sbennumi". Strong's Concordance says: to extinguish. Thayer's Greek Lexicon says this: to suppress, stifle. We learned in Adult Bible Study this week that the "fiery darts" referred to in Ephesians are actually thoughts, ideas and suggestions! The only weapon that satan actually has is the lie. He has no authority over the life of a believer, so the only thing that he can do is to try to get us to BELIEVE something contrary to the Word of God. He does this by bringing those thoughts, ideas and suggestions, hoping that we will fall for them and receive them. Our weapon against his weapon is to quench (extinguish) his attacks by faith. That faith comes by hearing (and hearing and hearing) the Word of God (Romans 10:17).

In 1 Thessalonians the instruction is, first of all, to give thanks to the LORD in everything. (Not FOR everything, but IN everything). NOT being thankful can be one of the things that will 'quench' (suppress or stifle) Holy Spirit. He is a Gentleman and will not force Himself into our lives, but will fellowship with us when we make ourselves available to Him. The promise in Thessalonians of what we can expect if we don't suppress or stifle Holy Spirit, and His plans and purposes for our lives, is found in verse 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

I love having the boldness and confidence that Holy Spirit is leading and that His plans are always GOOD ones (Jeremiah 29:11)! I can step out in the 'deep water' knowing that He's got me! I believe that we are going to see even more evidence of His favor and anointing in the coming months! Here is Hillsong United with a great 'stepping out in faith' song! "Oceans - Where Feet May Fail":

Love and Shalom from the Swoveys!