Hi Brian! I hope you're having a great weekend! The word for this week is "key/keys". We find them in these verses: Luke 11:52 Woe unto you, lawyers! for ye have taken away the key of knowledge: ye entered not in yourselves, and them that were entering in ye hindered. KJV Rev 3:7 And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write; These things saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth; KJV Matt 16:19 And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. KJV Rev 1:18 I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death. KJV This is the Greek word "kleis". Strong's Concordance says: as shutting a lock, literally or figuratively. It comes from another Greek word "kleio", which means to close according to Strong's Concordance! These keys represent the authority of God. In Luke, Jesus is reprimanding the lawyers because they had access to the Truth, through knowledge of God's Word, but they didn't want it. As if that wasn't bad enough, they hindered others from finding the Truth of the Word. There are pastors and ministers in churches today who have rejected or resisted the Truth of the authority of the Word and therefore have never taught their congregations these things. In Matthew, when Peter responded to Jesus' question about Who He was, Jesus revealed a key to him! He said that Peter did not come up with that answer on his own or through study, but that God Himself had revealed this Truth to Him. These "keys" that Jesus spoke of to Peter were referring to the revealed knowledge of the Word that now gives every believer the authority over all the power of the enemy! We now have the right and authority to "bind" the enemy from harming our life and loved ones, and we have the right and authority to loose and release the Life and Power of God into every situation, expecting VICTORY! The vital "key" is to meditate the Word of God until the Truth rises up so big in us that doubt has no chance to succeed in discouraging us. Jesus said THIS about that in John 15:7: 7 If you live in Me [abide vitally united to Me] and My words remain in you and continue to live in your hearts, ask whatever you will, and it shall be done for you. AMP That is the "key" to our walking in all of the authority of the Kingdom of God as His ambassador! HIS power at work in and through US, as His representatives! Here is Hillsong Worship with "I Will Boast In Christ", because HE is the Source of all of this power and authority!
Love and Shalom from the Swoveys!
Sunday, May 21, 2017
Hi Brian! The word for this week is "kindles" or in the KJV "kindleth". It's found only once in the New Testament. James 3:5: 5 Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth! KJV This is the Greek word "anapto". Strong's Concordance says: to enkindle. It comes from the Greek word "hapto", which means:to fasten; to set on fire (according to Strong's Concordance). Vine's Expository Dictionary adds: to light up. The Amplified Bible says this for James 3:5: 5 Even so the tongue is a little member, and it can boast of great things. See how much wood or how great a forest a tiny spark can set ablaze! AMP The Kenneth Wuest translation of the Bible says this: 5 Even so the tongue also is a small member [of the human body] and boasts great things. Behold, how great a forest a little fire sets ablaze. The New Testament: An Expanded Translation by Kenneth S. Wuest Finally, we have the Message Bible! James 3:5 A word out of your mouth may seem of no account, but it can accomplish nearly anything — or destroy it! THE MESSAGE I like this one the best! The words of our mouth are so very powerful! We are actually, right now, living in the results of the words we have spoken over time previously! The very best way to change our situations and circumstances is to begin to speak, OUT LOUD, the promises of God from His Word, and the promises that He has spoken to you by His Spirit! I hope that this song, from Hillsong, will is added inspiration! "Say The Word":
Love and Shalom from the Swoveys!
Sunday, May 14, 2017
Hi Brian! The word for this week is "oath". There are a couple of verses in the New Testament using this word. We'll be looking at these: Luke 1:73 The oath which he sware to our father Abraham, 74 That he would grant unto us, that we being delivered out of the hand of our enemies might serve him without fear, 75 In holiness and righteousness before him, all the days of our life. KJV Hebrews 6:17 Wherein God, willing more abundantly to shew unto the heirs of promise the immutability of his counsel, confirmed it by an oath: 18 That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us: 19 Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into that within the veil; KJV James 5:12 But above all things, my brethren, swear not, neither by heaven, neither by the earth, neither by any other oath: but let your yea be yea; and your nay, nay; lest ye fall into condemnation. KJV These are all the Greek word "horkos". Strong's Concordance says: a limit, i.e. sacred restraint. Vine's Expository Dictionary adds this: an enclosure, that which restrains a person.It also adds, in reference to Hebrews 6, the confirmation of a compact among men ("the oath is final for confirmation"). Also in reference to God's oath to Abraham (confirming His promise, which cannot be changed). These are all in reference to our having an assurance that we can count on God and His promises. In James, though, we see that we are NOT to swear by an oath, but that our word should be enough. Some people have used their "I swear" to try to convince of their truthfulness and sincerity. The exhortation is to be a person of such integrity and reliability that no one will doubt what we will do! People should be able to count on us, making it very important that we only say what we really mean and then DO what we say! That's especially important with children! When they can count on us to be true to our word, they will strive to do the same! Although sometimes their understanding of what they THINK they hear can lead to some pretty funny stories that we will be reminding them of as they get older! :) I love the confidence that your girls have in you and Kristine and your love for and protection of them. They are free to be the best of themselves that they can be! Here is Hillsong with a song about the confidence we have in Him ALWAYS being the same! "From The Inside Out":
Love and Shalom from the Swoveys!
Sunday, May 7, 2017
Hi Brian! The word for this week will actually be two words that make up this phrase: "fiery darts". "Darts" is only found one place in the New Testament, and I want to share the whole section of Scripture that this comes from! Ephesians 6:12-18:
12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. 13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. 14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; 15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: 18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; KJV "Darts" is the Greek word "belos". Strong's Concordance says: a missile, spear or arrow. "Fiery" is the Greek word "puroo". Strong's Concordance says: to kindle, to be ignited, to be inflamed. Thayer's Greek Lexicon says: to burn with fire, to set on fire. Vine's Expository Dictionary says this: metaphorically of the darts of the evil one; "fire-tipped" would perhaps bring out the verbal force of the word. We know that satan does not use physical weapons. His goal is to steal the Word out of our hearts and replace it with doubt, fear and unbelief. The ONLY way that he can stop us is to get us to stop standing on the Word of God. I have heard it put this way, and it the very best description I have heard: The "fiery darts" are thoughts, ideas and suggestions. They are sent like missiles, attacking our thought life. They are set on fire with the things that the enemy knows, from past experience, are our areas of weakness. Verse 16 above tells us that it is the "shield of faith" that puts out those fiery darts! Faith comes by hearing the Word of God (Romans 10:17). So, when those darts start flying at us, we recognize the lies and reject them. Then we replace them with what the Word REALLY says! It is an ongoing battle, because the enemy keeps coming back at us, but it is a battle that we will win every time, if we just keep hearing and speaking the Word of God! Here is Hillsong Worship with "Your Word":
