Hi Brian! The word for this week is the Greek word "megaleiotes". Strong's Concordance says: superbness, glory or splendor. Thayer's Greek Lexicon says: majesty. Vine's Expository Dictionary says: denotes splendor, magnificance, magnificent, mighty. The Theological Dictionary of the New Testament says: greatness, glory. It is translated "wonderful" in Acts 2:7-11: 7 And they were all amazed and marvelled, saying one to another, Behold, are not all these which speak Galilaeans? 8 And how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born? 9 Parthians, and Medes, and Elamites, and the dwellers in Mesopotamia, and in Judaea, and Cappadocia, in Pontus, and Asia, 10 Phrygia, and Pamphylia, in Egypt, and in the parts of Libya about Cyrene, and strangers of Rome, Jews and proselytes, 11 Cretes and Arabians, we do hear them speak in our tongues the wonderful works of God. KJV
It is translated "magnificence" in Acts 19:27: 27 So that not only this our craft is in danger to be set at nought; but also that the temple of the great goddess Diana should be despised, and her magnificence should be destroyed, whom all Asia and the world worshippeth. KJV It is translated "mighty power" in Luke 9:42-43: 42 And as he was yet a coming, the devil threw him down, and tare him. And Jesus rebuked the unclean spirit, and healed the child, and delivered him again to his father. 43 And they were all amazed at the mighty power of God. KJV
It is translated "majesty" in 2 Peter 1:16: 16 For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty. KJV I have always had a love for words, and especially in the Word of God. The Greek and Hebrew words have so much more meaning in them than can be found in just one word of our English language. That's why I wanted to go at it backwards this week! A great resource for these words can be found in Rick Renner's "Sparkling Gems From The Greek" volumes 1 & 2. He rewords these words in ways that make more sense and show the fullness of the meanings. I will be sharing some of those in the next few weeks because he does such a great job! In the meantime, I am praising God with you all for the manifestation of HIS magnificence, HIS mighty power, HIS wonderful works and HIS majesty revealed in all of the wonderful blessings, favor, answered prayer, anointing, health and healing, divine appointments and Godly connections that have happened, are happening and will continue to happen for you and Kristine and your beautiful family and home! Here is Hillsong UNITED with "Another In The Fire" again because I LOVE the promise and provision shown in this song!
Love and Shalom from the Swoveys!
Sunday, August 18, 2019
Hi Brian! The word for this week is "accused". We see it in these verses: Matthew 27:11 And Jesus stood before the governor: and the governor asked him, saying, Art thou the King of the Jews? And Jesus said unto him, Thou sayest. 12 And when he was accused of the chief priests and elders, he answered nothing. KJV Mark 15:2 And Pilate asked him, Art thou the King of the Jews? And he answering said unto him, Thou sayest it. 3 And the chief priests accused him of many things: but he answered nothing. KJV Luke 23:9 Then he questioned with him in many words; but he answered him nothing. 10 And the chief priests and scribes stood and vehemently accused him. KJV
These are all the Greek word "kategoreo". Strong's Concordance says: to be a plaintiff, to charge with some offence. Thayer's Greek Lexicon says: to accuse before a judge, absolutely to make accusation. Vine's Expository Dictionary says: to speak against. The Theological Dictionary says: to accuse, more broadly to betray, to make known, to declare. JESUS was the One being 'accused' in these verses! With all of the good and godly things that He did during His ministry, and all of the healings, deliverances and miracles that He performed, including raising people from death, how in the world could these people have missed the Truth so badly? They did because they did not know the Lord or His Word! They did not even recognize JESUS, their very own Messiah (Matthew 17:12 & Acts 13:27)! But some did! Revelation 12:10 And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night. 11 And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death. KJV The 'accuser' here is the enemy, satan. He cannot stand it when the One, True God gets the GLORY that he, himself, so desperately desires! He tries to diminish God in our eyes, and when he can't, he tries to diminish US in our own eyes! When we refuse to see ourselves in any way but the way that God made us to be, the enemy becomes increasingly desperate to try to get us to trip up. BUT, as we stay in intimate fellowship with HIM, the tricks of the enemy will be exposed so that we can resist them, take authority over them, and truly live free of their influence! You have done a tremendous job in keeping your family covered in prayer, in the Word and walking in love with each other. You guys really SHIINE! Here is Hillsong UNITED with "Scandal of Grace":
Love and Shalom from the Swoveys!
Sunday, August 11, 2019
Hi Brian! The word for this week is "head". We'll be looking at these verses: Ephesians 1:20 Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, 21 Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come: 22 And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, 23 Which is his body, the fulness of him that fills all in all. KJV Ephesians 4:14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; 15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: 16 From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplies, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, makes increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love. KJV These are both the Greek word "kephale". Strong's Concordance says: (in the sense of seizing) the head as the part most readily taken hold of. Vine's Expository Dictionary adds:Besides its natural significance, is used metaphorically of the authority or direction of God in relation to Christ, of Christ in relation to the church, of husband in relation to the wife, of Christ in relation to principalities and powers. HE is the head of the Body, of the Church and of all principalities and powers. That is why we can have all confidence in standing with Him on His Word! His Word is TRUTH (John 17:17) and He confirms His Word that we speak with signs and wonders and miracles (Mark 16:20)! We also see this Scripture in Ephesians 5:23: 23 For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body. KJV
The key here is that the husband is not to 'lord it over' his wife and family, but to be as JESUS is in supplying protection, provision and safety! The husband is to be the LEADER of the house and not a bully or taskmaster. YOU fulfill your role so very well! Your integrity has given Kristine and your beautiful princesses such a wonderful environment in which to grow in their gifts, explore new adventures and interests, learn more about God and His Word, and to become all that God has planned for them to be! THIS is why I am completely confident that God is working overtime to set up those situations and circumstances that will allow you to step right up into His next role for you! We can't wait to see how all of that plays out! We love you all! Here is Hillsong UNITED with "Ready or Not":
Love and Shalom from the Swoveys!
Sunday, August 4, 2019
Hi Brian! The word for this week is "blood"! We find it in these verses: Matthew 26:28 For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins. KJV John 6:53 Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you. 54 Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day. 55 For my flesh is meat indeed, and my blood is drink indeed. 56 He that eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, dwelleth in me, and I in him. KJV Colossians 1:12 Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: 13 Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: 14 In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins: KJV Colossians 1:19 For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell; 20 And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven. KJV Hebrews 9:12 Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us. 13 For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh: 14 How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your Heb conscience from dead works to serve the living God? KJV Hebrews 9:22 And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission. KJV 1 Peter 1:18 Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; 19 But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot. KJV These are all the Greek word "haima". Strong's Concordance says: of uncertain derivation,; blood, literally (of men or animals), figuratively (the juice of grapes) or specially (the atoning blood of Christ). Thayer's Greek Lexicon adds: It was anciently believed that the blood is the seat of the life. It serves to denote generation and origin. Vine's Expository Dictionary says: 'blood and flesh' signifies man, humans {"the life of the flesh is in the blood" (Leviticus 17:11)} To drink His blood is to appropriate the saving effects of His expiatory death. I like to meditate on the power and importance of the BLOOD of JESUS often in order to keep this TRUTH at the forefront of my thinking. Hebrews 9:22 (above) states very clearly that without the shedding of blood, there would be NO remission of sins! SO, the Blood that JESUS shed for us is SO vital! When the Old Testament believers brought their sacrifices to the altar for the shedding of THAT blood, they did it in faith for the promised Messiah Who was yet to come! JESUS HAD to shed His blood in order to fulfill the promise of salvation, and when He rose again out of death, He became the first person to be 'born again'! And each one of us who follow His instructions will be saved and become a part of HIS family! Man could never come up with such an extraordinary plan, but GOD can and did!!! And I am so grateful! Here is Hillsong with "At The Cross":
