Hi Brian!

The word for this week is "restored". The same Greek word is translated "restored" in all of these New Testament portions of Scripture:

Matthew 12:13 Then saith he to the man, Stretch forth thine hand. And he stretched it forth; and it was restored whole, like as the other. KJV

Mark 3:5 And when he had looked round about on them with anger, being grieved for the hardness of their hearts, he saith unto the man, Stretch forth thine hand. And he stretched it out: and his hand was restored whole as the other. KJV

Mark 8:25 After that he put his hands again upon his eyes, and made him look up: and he was restored, and saw every man clearly. KJV

Luke 6:9 Then said Jesus unto them, I will ask you one thing; Is it lawful on the sabbath days to do good, or to do evil? to save life, or to destroy it? 10 And looking round about upon them all, he said unto the man, Stretch forth thy hand. And he did so: and his hand was restored whole as the other. KJV

These are all from the Greek word "apokathistemi". Strong's Concordance says: to reconstitute ( in health, home or organization). Thayer's Greek Lexicon says: to be in its former state. Vine's Expository Dictionary says: restoration to a former condition of health. Includes the renewal of the covenant. Giving or bringing a person back. Before JESUS, by His Word and by the Spirit of God, created all that we see, He already had HIS plan in place to buy us back from the enemy! To "restore" us to the fellowship that we were always meant by Him to have! The place where we receive this restoration is in His presence! That 'secret place'! When we spend time there, WE are changed, renewed, restored and empowered! Here is Hillsong Worship with another new song that is my favorite! "Song For His Presence":

Love and Shalom for the Swoveys!