Hi Brian!

The word for this week is "obey". We'll be looking at two of the Greek words translated "obey". The first is found in Matthew 8:27 and the second in Acts 5:29:

Matthew 8:27 But the men marvelled, saying, What manner of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey him! KJV

Acts 5:29 Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men. KJV

In Matthew we have the Greek word "hupakouo". Strong's Concordance says: to hear under (as a subordinate), i.e. to listen attentively; by implication, to heed or conform to a command or authority. Thayer's Greek Lexicon adds: to submit to. In Acts we have the Greek word "peitharcheo". Strong's Concordance says: to be persuaded by a ruler, i.e. to submit to authority, to conform to advice.

The meanings of the two words seem almost the same, but the difference is in the choice! The disciples of Jesus were shocked that the wind and the sea, the elements, obeyed His commands! The great revelation that WE have is that those same elements MUST obey when WE speak HIS WORD, in His Name! Peter and the other apostles recognized the authority of Jesus and refused to be intimidated by those who had no REAL authority! It is our responsibility to find out who WE are - IN HIM - and what authority WE have in His WORD and His NAME. And then it is also our responsibility to know when to stand up to those who use their God-given authority to demand that we go against God's Word. HE is always our first priority! Here is Hillsong Young and Free again with another new song called "Uncomplicated":

Love and Shalom from the Swoveys!