Hi Brian!

The word for this week is "beckoning". It's found in these two verses:

Acts 12:17 But he, beckoning unto them with the hand to hold their peace, declared unto them how the Lord had brought him out of the prison. And he said, Go shew these things unto James, and to the brethren. And he departed, and went into another place. KJV

Acts 13:15 And after the reading of the law and the prophets the rulers of the synagogue sent unto them, saying, Ye men and brethren, if ye have any word of exhortation for the people, say on. 16 Then Paul stood up, and beckoning with his hand said, Men of Israel, and ye that fear God, give audience. KJV

This is the Greek word "kataseio". Strong's Concordance says: to sway downward; to make a signal. Vine's Expository Dictionary says: shaking the hand, expresses more vigorously the act of 'beckoning' (as compared to the Greek word 'neuo', which refers to a nod of the head). The dictionary definition of 'beckon' is to signal, summon or direct by a gesture of the hand or head. Though these verses speak of Peter and Paul gesturing to the people, it brings to mind a scene at the end of The Visual Bible: Matthew where Bruce Marchiano, as JESUS, is 'beckoning' with his hand to "Come,follow me"! I LOVE that DVD and that scene! There is such joy in his face and his invitation that I am confident is exactly how JESUS Himself would be. I think of this whenever I am tempted to get down on myself for something. I know that as much as I want to know Him, HE wants fellowship with me even more! His love for me is deeper than mine for Him! HE so loved each of us that He chose the cross to buy us back to Himself. There is a song on the new Hillsong Young and Free album "3" called "Let Go" that speaks of His "unrelenting chase" for us. 

VERSE 1

I close my eyes and colours fly

There’s no hiding from Your grace

I can’t deny Your heart for mine

And its unrelenting chase

PRE-CHORUS 1

I was on the edge of deception

Caught up in my own hesitation

Until Your love took over me

CHORUS

So I let go and I let love

Show me life like it’s supposed to be

An oasis here awaits us

All the freedom I’ll ever need

TAG

Now I’m alive

Oh la la Oh la la

When I let go then I find life

Oh la la Oh la la

La la la la la

VERSE 2

The higher way is calling me

To a life unlike before

The Father’s heart is beckoning

And I can resist no more

PRE-CHORUS 2

Lead me in the ways of devotion

I don’t want to get caught in the motions

My heart is only for You Lord

Love and Shalom from the Swoveys!

Hi Brian!

The word for this week is "eloquent". It's found in only one place in the New Testament. Acts 18:24:

24 And a certain Jew named Apollos, born at Alexandria, an eloquent man, and mighty in the scriptures, came to Ephesus. KJV

This is the Greek word "logios". Strong's Concordance says: fluent, i.e. an orator. Thayer's Greek Lexicon says: learned, a man of letters, skilled in speech. Vine's Expository Dictionary says: from 'logos: a word'. primarily meant a man skilled in literature. Much more frequently used among the Greeks of one who was erudite (having and displaying great knowledge) than one who was skilled in words. I really like the distinction that Vine's makes between the usual idea of one who 'has a way with words' and one who actually has a great knowledge of the Word. Which is much more important! Even in natural things I would rather speak to someone who has a 'working knowledge' of something I'm asking about than someone who just knows how to present it well. Verses 25-26 go on to say:

25 This man was instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in the spirit, he spake and taught diligently the things of the Lord, knowing only the baptism of John. 26 And he began to speak boldly in the synagogue: whom when Aquila and Priscilla had heard, they took him unto them, and expounded unto him the way of God more perfectly. KJV

Apollos REALLY knew the Word that he knew, he just needed to know more of it. My desire is to do both! To know what I know so well that I can teach it to someone else, and to never stop learning more! That attitude where the Word of God is concerned will affect every area of life. That same attitude is necessary to excel in anything that we do! You did not excel in and reach the levels of promotion in your career that you have by simply knowing how to speak well. You had to know your stuff, and you have to keep learning more. God honors that attitude! Here is Hillsong with "To Know Your More":

Love and Shalom from the Swoveys!

Hi Brian!

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

Matthew 4:23 And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people. 24 And his fame went throughout all Syria: and they brought unto him all sick people that were taken with divers diseases and torments, and those which were possessed with devils, and those which were lunatick, and those that had the palsy; and he healed them. KJV

Matthew 14:1 At that time Herod the tetrarch heard of the fame of Jesus, KJV

Mark 1:27 And they were all amazed, insomuch that they questioned among themselves, saying, What thing is this? what new doctrine is this? for with authority commandeth he even the unclean spirits, and they do obey him.28 And immediately his fame spread abroad throughout all the region round about Galilee. KJV

These are all from the Greek word "akoe". Strong's Concordance says: hearing (the act, the sense or the thing heard). Thayer's Greek Lexicon adds this: a thing heard, instruction (namely oral: the preaching of the Gospel), report, hearsay, rumor. Jesus never did anything FOR fame! He simply did what the Father desired as He (JESUS) was led by the Spirit. Fame came to JESUS as people were healed and set free during His ministry on earth! That IS the purpose for our giving testimonies of all of His "wondrous works"! When we brag on JESUS, the fame and attention goes to Him and people are drawn to Him. That IS our job here on earth, after all! But even more than our words, our lives reflect Him. When your diligence, faithfulness and hard work in your career results in success for your company, Jesus is glorified. When your love for your family is on display, Jesus is glorified! When your children’s unique personalities are allowed to shine through, Jesus is glorified! HE gets His fame THROUGH us, and it is as much by what people see in us as by what we say! I believe that you and Kristine and your beautiful daughters are continually making Jesus FAMOUS! Here is Hillsong Worship with another new song that mentions His fame. It’s called "Lettered Love":

Love and Shalom from the Swoveys!

Hi Brian!

The word for this week is "vessel". We see it used in these verses: 

Acts 9:15 But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel: 16 For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name's sake. KJV

2 Timothy 2:21 If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master's use, and prepared unto every good work. KJV

2 Corinthians 4:6 For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. 7 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us. KJV

These are all the Greek word "skeuos". Strong's Concordance says: a vessel, implement, equipment or apparatus. When JESUS breathed on His disciples in John 20:21-22, they became 'vessels' that carried the Spirit of God within them! 

John 20:21 Then Jesus said to them again, Peace to you! [Just] as the Father has sent Me forth, so I am sending you. 22 And having said this, He breathed on them and said to them, Receive the Holy Spirit! AMP

THIS is the "treasure" that we carry inside of our "earthen vessels"! When we were "endued with power from on high" (Luke 24:49 and Acts 1:8), we allowed the Spirit of God to have even more access to us, becoming better and more powerful "vessels"! As we consistently release our will to conform to His, we become those vessels of honor that show forth HIS glory and draw people to Him! From the time I was born again I have heard sermons on going about 'witnessing' to get people born again. What we are REALLY supposed to do is to be so filled with His presence in these earthen vessels that HE shines forth in everything that we do. Your life, your success, your love for your family and others, your care of other people, even sometimes just your presence, is where people see the JESUS that they need! You LIVE the Word so well! I believe that God has some powerful things planned for you and Kristine and your beautiful girls in this coming year that will be beyond your best dreams! I'm praying for that! In the meantime, here is a new song from Hillsong called "New Wine" that serves as a commitment of our "vessels" for the Master's use! 

Love and Shalom from the Swoveys!

Hi Brian!

The word for this week is "rudiments". It's found in two places in Colossians 2. Verses 8 and 20:

8 Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.

20 Wherefore if ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances, 21 (Touch not; taste not; handle not; 22 Which all are to perish with the using;) after the commandments and doctrines of men?

This is the Greek word "stoicheion". Strong's Concordance says: something orderly in arrangement, a serial (fundamental, basal, initial) constituent. Thayer's Greek Lexicon says: the elements, rudiments, primary and fundamental principles. The Theological Dictionary of the New Testament says that the word used in Colossians means: religious ordinances, which are inadequate as a basis for human existence. They also add this: "It is delusional for Christians to think that such things can sustain them. By dying and rising again with Christ they are free from this delusion and the bondage it entails." Religion has always been used as a way to control people or to bring them under subjection to the ideas of man instead of the Truths of God's Word. It takes diligence and commitment to dig into the Word the way that you do, rather than just follow some code or doctrine, but the rewards of that diligence is freedom and the real power that comes from the One Who lives inside of you! Paul said, in Philippians 3:10 (AMP) that as we get to know JESUS, we will also know the power that is available to us through Him! I really like The Passion Translation of these verses from Colossians:

8 Beware that no one distracts you or intimidates you in their attempt to lead you away from Christ’s fullness by pretending to be full of wisdom when they’re filled with endless arguments of human logic. For they operate with humanistic and clouded judgments based on the mindset of this world system, and not the anointed truths of the Anointed One.

20 For you were included in the death of Christ and have died with him to the religious system and powers of this world. Don’t retreat back to being bullied by the standards and opinions of religion— 21 for example, their strict requirements, “You can’t associate with that person!” or, “Don’t eat that!” or, “You can’t touch that!” 22 These are the doctrines of men and corrupt customs that are worthless to help you spiritually. 23 For though they may appear to possess the promise of wisdom in their submission to God through the deprivation of their physical bodies, it is actually nothing more than empty rules rooted in religious rituals

I am so glad that you and Kristine found a church that teaches the Word of God! I am excited to see what He is going to continue to do for and through you and your family! Here is another new song from Hillsong's "There Is More" album called "Touch of Heaven":

Love and Shalom from the Swoveys!