Hi Brian!

The word for this week is "relief". It's only found once in the Bible in Acts 11:29-30:

29 Then the disciples, every man according to his ability, determined to send relief unto the brethren which dwelt in Judaea: 30 Which also they did, and sent it to the elders by the hands of Barnabas and Saul. KJV

This is the Greek word "diakonia". Strong's Concordance says: attendance (as a servant), aid, service. Thayer's Greek Lexicon says: service, ministering. The Theological Dictionary says, regarding the Greek word: The first meaning is 'waiting at table', 'providing for physical sustenance'. A wider meaning is 'the discharge of a loving service (Stephanas as an example in 1 Corinthians 16:15). It is linked with works, faith, love and patience in Revelation 2:19. Acts of care, all that edifies, and preaching itself (Acts 6:4) the offering of the Gospel as the bread of life. In general, anything that we do for another that helps them in any way would be considered "diakonia", or relief. Some of the greatest acts of love involve simple things that are not hard to do, but sometimes don't even occur to us to do them! You and Kristine have always made us feel so welcome in your home and so loved when we see you! THAT is diakonia to us! And the really wonderful thing about that is that you have brought up your lovely ladies to be loving and considerate, too! It is such a joy to be around you all! But with all of that, I think that the Lord would say that the very BEST act of love (relief, diakonia) would truly be the sharing of the Gospel (the Bread of Life)! As Living Epistles, living out the Word of God so that others can see HIM in you, you are constantly providing what ALL need! A breath of HIS Life! Here is Hillsong UNITED with "Relentless":

Love and Shalom from the Swoveys!