Hi Brian! The word for this week is "yokefellow". It's found only once in the New Testament. Philippians 4:1-3: 1 Therefore, my brethren dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, my dearly beloved. 2 I beseech Euodias, and beseech Syntyche, that they be of the same mind in the Lord. 3 And I intreat thee also, true yokefellow, help those women which laboured with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and with other my fellow labourers, whose names are in the book of life. KJV
This is the Greek word "suzugos". Strong's Concordance says: co-yoked, a colleague. Thayer's Greek Lexicon says: yoked together. Vine's Expository Dictionary says: fellow laborer. The Theological Dictionary adds: spanned together in a common yoke. It comes into use for the "companion" or "partner", especially where there is a pair or couple, as in marriage. This word really stood out to me this week with Kristine's continued success in her new business! I know that you two met while working at Target, and that this is a huge change for you from traveling together most mornings. As true "yokefellows" though, you continue to desire what is best for each other, and for your family! I really sense that this new venture is going to actually lead to much more time together than you ever had before. That may not seem so in the beginning, but as God continues to bless what both of your are laying your hands to, some supernatural things are in the works that will make what may seem impossible into a reality! I can't wait to see and hear all that HE has planned for you both and your beautiful girls! Here is Hillsong with "In God We Trust":
Love and Shalom from the Swoveys!
Sunday, February 18, 2018
Hi Brian! The word for this week is "redound". This is found only once in the New Testament!2 Corinthians 4:13-15: 13 We having the same spirit of faith, according as it is written, I believed, and therefore have I spoken; we also believe, and therefore speak; 14 Knowing that he which raised up the Lord Jesus shall raise up us also by Jesus, and shall present us with you. 15 For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God. KJV "Redound" here is the Greek word "perisseuo". Strong's Concordance says: to superabound (in quantity or quality), be in excess, be superfluous, also to cause to superabound or excel. Thayer's Greek Lexicon says: to be over and above a certain number or measure, to be at hand in abundance. The Theological Dictionary of the New Testament says: to be present over-abundantly or to excess, to be more than enough. We've learned from the Word that everything good in our lives comes from God (James 1:17), that HE desires for us to be healthy and prosperous (3 John 2), that He came for the purpose of giving us HIS life to live and to enjoy (John 10:10 AMP), and that He never changes in His goodness toward us (Hebrews 13:8)! Now we see in the verses above that the abundant goodness of God CAUSES Him to be glorified! "Glory" here is the Greek word "doxa", which Thayer's Greek Lexicon says means: opinion, judgment, magnificence, excellence, preeminence, dignity and grace. I desire to live a life like this! A life that brings glory to God and turns all eyes on HIM! Here is Hillsong with "We Glorify Your Name":
Love and Shalom from the Swoveys!
Sunday, February 11, 2018
Hi Brian! The word for this week is "contend". It's found in only one verse in the New Testament. Jude 3: 3 Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints. KJV This is the Greek word "epagonizomai". Actually, the Greek word applies to the entire phrase of "should earnestly contend for". Strong's Concordance says: to struggle for. Vine's Expository Dictionary says: to contend with a thing, as a combatant. It's a compound word consisting of "epi" which means upon or about, intensive, and "agon" which means a contest. The word "earnestly" is added to convey intensive force. Jude was exhorting the believers to not take their faith lightly, but to fight for what they believed. I also like this from the Bible Exposition Commentary:
"I must confess that I sympathize with Jude. In my own ministry, I would much rather encourage the saints than declare war on the apostates. But when the enemy is in the field, the watchmen dare not go to sleep. The Christian life is a battleground, not a playground."
It IS a battleground, but the war has already been won by JESUS. We simply have to 'contend' for that victory so that we can walk freely in it! I like the Passion Translation of this verse: 3 Dearly loved friend, I was fully intending to write to you about our amazing salvation we all participate in, but felt the need instead to challenge you to vigorously defend and contend for the beliefs that we cherish. For God, through the apostles, has once for all entrusted these truths to his holy believers. The Amplified Bible says it this way:
3 Beloved, my whole concern was to write to you in regard to our common salvation. [But] I found it necessary and was impelled to write you and urgently appeal to and exhort [you] to contend for the faith which was once for all handed down to the saints [the faith which is that sum of Christian belief which was delivered verbally to the holy people of God]. AMP There are times when we go along believing and confessing the Word and the results seem to come quickly and abundantly! Then there are other times when there seems to be delays and struggles to actually see the answers. Those are the times when we have to simply remind ourselves and others of the promises and resist the enemies attempts to discourage us and try to get us to quit. THAT is the contending! The Word never fails, but God's timing is PERFECT! When we look back after the fact, we will see that this is true! Another thing to remember if/when you face these times is that you and your family have an army of people standing with you! We love you and your family so much! Here is Hillsong UNITED with "Even When It Hurts":
Love and Shalom from the Swoveys!
Sunday, February 4, 2018
Hi Brian! The word for this week is "good". I would have thought that we would have covered this one already! There are a few different words translated "good" in the Bible. We will cover just one of those today and maybe look at others another time! We'll be looking at these verses: Mark 10:17-18 And when he was gone forth into the way, there came one running, and kneeled to him, and asked him, Good Master, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life? 18 And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God. KJV Luke 6:45 A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh. KJV Luke 10:41 And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: 42 But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her. KJV Romans 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. KJV 2 Corinthians 9:8 And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work: KJV Ephesians 6:8 Knowing that whatsoever good thing any man doeth, the same shall he receive of the Lord, whether he be bond or free. KJV Philippians 1:6 Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ: KJV James 1:17 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 Every one of these is the Greek word "agathos". Strong's Concordance says: good in any sense. Thayer's Greek Lexicon says: It denotes excelling in any respect, distinguished. Vine's Expository Dictionary says: that which, being good in its character or constitution, is beneficial in its effect. Morally honorable, pleasing to God. God is essentially, absolutely and consummately "good". I probably could have shortened this list of Scriptures a bit, but every one of these verses is special and powerful! I especially love that JESUS said to Martha that Mary choosing to sit at His feet to hear Him speak was choosing the GOOD part! I love that HE is working everything out in my life together for GOOD! I also LOVE that there is a "good" work going on inside of me that God HImself, in the person of Holy Spirit, is carrying out on my behalf! All of these Scriptures point us to the author of LIFE, JESUS! And HE gives us GOOD gifts! Here is Hillsong with an older song called "God Is Great":
