Hi Brian!

The word for this week is "likeness". We find it in these verses in the New Testament:

Romans 6:4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. 5 For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: KJV

Romans 8:2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. 3 For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: KJV

Philippians 2:5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: 6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: 7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: 8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. KJV

These are all the Greek word "homoioma". Strong's Concordance says: a form, a resemblance. Thayer's Greek Lexicon says: that which has been made after the likeness of something, a figure, an image, a representation. The Theological Dictionary of New Testament words says: what is similar, a copy with the stress on the aspect of similarity, It also says this: "Christ is not just a heavenly being with an external human form; he is fully and truly human, but not a sinner. The point is similar in Philippians 2:7, where Christ, taking servant form, is born in human "likeness." The sense here is closer to that of form, but in the background are the two thoughts that he who is the full image of God becomes the image of man, and that the image means likeness rather than full identity, since Christ differs from all others by his consistent obedience (verse 8). Behind the statement lies the message of John 1:14, namely, that God has entered human history. It is not implied that he has ceased to be God; even in his humanity Christ is at the same time a being of another kind." 

I also want to add this from Rick Renner's "Sparkling Gems From The Greek - Volume 1 (December 23):

Paul goes on to say that Jesus “…was made in the likeness of men.” The phrase “was made” is the Greek word ginomai, which means to become, indicating that this was not Jesus’ original form but it became His new form. This clearly describes the miracle that occurred when God became a man. Jesus had always existed in the form of God, not the form of man. But taking upon Himself human flesh, He was formed in the womb of the Virgin Mary and became a man.

God literally took upon Himself the “likeness” of a man. The word “likeness” is the Greek word homoioma, which refers to a form or resemblance. This refers not only to Jesus’ being made in the visible likeness of men, but also in the human likeness of men. In other words, when Jesus appeared on this earth, He came in the actual form of a man and was just like man in every way.

Jesus was so completely made in the “likeness” of men that Hebrews 4:15 declares He was even tempted in every way that men are tempted. It says, “For we have not a high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.”

So we see that when God the Father sent His Son into the world, Jesus left His heavenly home and took upon Himself human flesh. And because of this great exchange, He has stood in our place; He has felt what we feel; He is touched with the feeling of our infirmities; and He intercedes for us with great compassion as our High Priest.

Every time that I learn a new, seemingly 'little', Truth about JESUS, I realize how much He DESIRES for US to KNOW HIM! Every new thing that we learn about HIM also causes us to learn something more about who WE are IN HIM! For that reason I am going to share Hillsong's "Who You Say I Am" again! Have a wonderfully blessed Thanksgiving celebration with all of your precious family! We can't wait to se the new family photo! We love you all so much! 

Love and Shalom from the Swoveys!

Hi Brian!

WOW! What a comback that was! The word for this week is "access", but I want to use a great Greek scholar's take on it, because it is SO interesting! This is from Rick Renner's "Sparkling Gems From The Greek - Volume 2".

Instant Access

For through him we both [Jew and Gentile] have access by one Spirit unto the Father. — Ephesians 2:18

In today’s technologically sophisticated, interconnected society, it’s so easy to pick up the phone, call anywhere in the world, and make an immediate connection to whomever you are calling. But when my family first moved to the Soviet Union to follow God’s call on our lives, placing an international phone call was quite a difficult task!

First of all, all international phone calls had to be “scheduled” and “ordered” in advance. In the city where we lived, it took three days to order a phone call to the United States. We would call the operator, tell her that we’d like to place a call to America, and give the number we wanted to call. The operator would respond, “Your call will come in three days” — however, she couldn’t tell us what time the call would be placed — so on that third day, we didn’t dare leave the house for any reason, because the call could come at any unknown minute.

If the call came through, and the number was busy, we couldn’t simply say, “Can we try another number?” That call was our only chance! If the line was busy, we had to schedule another call and wait for another three days. The connections were so horrible that often we had to yell and scream for our voices to be heard — if we actually connected to the person we were calling. Furthermore, special agents were on the phone line with us, listening to our conversations in order to monitor what we were saying. They were so obviously listening in that once I asked the agent to get off the phone, and he answered by telling me it was his job to listen!

Connecting was so difficult in those days! Finally, someone suggested that we purchase a satellite phone with a gigantic antenna. I would dial the call on a huge black box, and Denise would hold a gigantic antenna and point it this way and that way toward the sky, trying to figure out its optimal position so we could get the best possible connection. The antenna was huge! Denise and I must have looked like quite the sight as we stood in the front yard with a giant, umbrella-shaped antenna and a huge satellite phone, trying to figure out how to best connect with our families in the United States!

I’ve often thought of those difficult days of poor communication during my morning prayer times — when all I have to do is open my heart, express my faith, and I am instantly and effortlessly connected to Heaven! There are no three days of waiting and no waving of a giant antenna trying to find the correct “channel” that connects me to Heaven. All it takes is a single moment of faith, and an instant connection is made. I call it “instant access” to the throne of God.

This “instant access” is referred to in Ephesians 2:18, where the apostle Paul wrote that through Christ we have “access” by the Holy Spirit unto the Father. Today I want to talk to you about this word “access.”

The word “access” is the Greek word prosagoge. It is a Greek word that was used to describe individuals who had free entrance, access, or unhindered approach to a king’s court. There was no need for pleading or begging and no waiting in long lines to be recognized. It was an unhindered approach at any time and any moment. This means that when you are in Christ Jesus, the Holy Spirit provides a way for you to immediately connect with the Father at any time!

I don’t know the details of what you are facing today, but if you are in Christ Jesus, I can assuredly tell you that you have immediate access to the Father through the Spirit. Thank God, you don’t have to order a heavenly phone call and wait for three days to get through to the throne. You don’t have to worry that your connection will be put off again and again. Your position in Christ guarantees you instant, immediate access to the Father at any time and at every moment!

Isn't that just the most exciting thing? When I was growing up we had a party line. Every home on the line had a different ring so that we would know when the call was for us. We could also tell when some of the nosy neighbors were listening in on our calls! It is such a blessing to be able to communicate one on one with our Father God, instantly AND privately! As an extremely private person, I REALLY value that aspect, along with the INSTANT ACCESS! Here is Hillsong with an older song called  "None But Jesus":

Love and Shalom from the Swoveys!

Hi Brian!

Because I first posted this yesterday and am simply updating today, I can say "what a great win last night"! The word for this week is "oracles". We find it in these four portions of Scripture:

Acts 7:38 This is he, that was in the church in the wilderness with the angel which spake to him in the mount Sina, and with our fathers: who received the lively oracles to give unto us: KJV

Romans 3:1 What advantage then hath the Jew? or what profit is there of circumcision? 2 Much every way: chiefly, because that unto them were committed the oracles of God. KJV

Hebrews 5:12 For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat. KJV

1 Peter 4:11 If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen. KJV

These are all the Greek word "logoin". Strong's Concoirdance says: an utterance (of God). Thayer's Greek Lexicon says: a little word, a brief utterance. Vine's Expository Dictionary says: a diminutive of logos, denotes a divine response or utterance, it is used of the contents of the Mosaic Law, all thew written uttereances of God through OT writers, the substance of Christian doctrine, the utterances of God through Christian teachers. The Theological Dictionary says: Means saying, pronouncement, oracle.Used for God's Word. Under the Old Covenant the priests had to receive answers from God through the Urim and Thumin in the breastplate. Under our new and better Covenant, we have received the written Word of God, but we also have access to the Spirit of God, Who reveals mysteries and secrets, or oracles, as we pray in the Spirit! All of the Wisdom and Knowledge of Heaven is available to us IF we choose to pursue it! We truly are living in the best and most exciting time to be alive! My prayer for you and Kristine is that God will continue to reveal Himself and His great Wisdom to you every day as you pursue Him AND the things that He has called you to do. Here is Hillsong with "Your Word":

Love and Shalom from the Swoveys!

Hi Brian!

The word for this week is "active". The Greek word we're looking at is "energes". Strong's Concordance says: active, operative. Thayer's Greek Lexicon says: at work, active. Vine's Expository Dictionary says: in work, energetic, powerful, effectual. We find this word translated as these in three Scriptures in the New Testament: 

Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. KJV

1 Corinthians 16:9 For a great door and effectual is opened unto me, and there are many adversaries. KJV

Philemon 6 That the communication of thy faith may become effectual by the acknowledging of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus. KJV

Hebrews 4:12 from the Amplified Bible says this:

12 For the Word that God speaks is alive and full of power [making it active, operative, energizing, and effective]; it is sharper than any two-edged sword, penetrating to the dividing line of the breath of life (soul) and [the immortal] spirit, and of joints and marrow [of the deepest parts of our nature], exposing and sifting and analyzing and judging the very thoughts and purposes of the heart.

THAT is the POWER of the Word of the Living God! And WE have full accesss! 1 Corinthians 16:9 from the Amplified Bible:

9 For a wide door of opportunity for effectual [service] has opened to me [there, a great and promising one], and [there are] many adversaries. 

Of course there were/are many adversaries operating all around us in this life, but they have NO authority over us IF we ACTIVELY use our EFFECTUAL and OPERATIVE authority over them! Philemon 6 from the Amplified Bible says this:

6 [And I pray] that the participation in and sharing of your faith may produce and promote full recognition and appreciation and understanding and precise knowledge of every good [thing] that is ours in [our identification with] Christ Jesus [and unto His glory].

Actively LIVING our faith is one of the most powerful and effective ways for us to reach people so that they can see and understand clearly the difference that they see in us! All in all, I believe that you and your family are already very active, operative, energizing and effective in sharing the LOVE of JESUS with those in your realms of influence! Here is a new song from the Hillsong Worhip "Awake" album called "He Shall Reign":

Love and Shalom from the Swoveys!