Hi Brian!

The word for this week is "carry". There are a few different Greek words for "carry" in the New Testament. Here are a few:

Mark 6:55 And ran through that whole region round about, and began to carry about in beds those that were sick, where they heard he was.  KJV

Luke 10:4 Carry neither purse, nor scrip, nor shoes: and salute no man by the way. KJV

John 21:18 Verily, verily, I say unto thee, When thou wast young, thou girdedst thyself, and walkedst whither thou wouldest: but when thou shalt be old, thou shalt stretch forth thy hands, and another shall gird thee, and carry thee whither thou wouldest not. KJV

1 Timothy 6:7 For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. KJV

In Mark we have the Greek word "periphero". Strong's Concordance says "to convey around, transport hither and thither. Thayer's Greek Lexicon says: to bear about everywhere with. In Luke we have the Greek word "bastazo". Strong's Concordance says: to lift. Thayer's Greek Lexicon says: to take up with the hands, to take up in order to carry or bear. In John we have the Greek word "phero". Strong's Concordance says: to bear. Thayer's Greek Lexicon says: to move by bearing, to move to, to bring forth, to lead or conduct. In 1 Timothy we have the Greek word "ekphero". Strong's Concordance says: to bear out. Thayer's Greek Lexicon says: to bring forth, to lead out, to produce. In all of these slightly varied meanings we still have the idea of something moved from one place to another, for whatever reason. There have been a few times in our lives when others had to "carry" us. Our mothers carried us in the womb. As babies and even as toddlers, our parents or care givers had to "carry " us from one place to another. Even when we were older there may have been times when we had to be carried someplace because we couldn't make it under our own power. Then there may be times when we are going through things and someone has to "carry" some of our responsibilities until we are able to get back into it. Then there WILL BE a time when our work here is done, our race is run and we have accomplished all that God has put us here to accomplish. THEN HE or the angels will "carry" us to HIM! There is a new song by TAYA (Gaukrodger - Hillsong worship leader) that speaks of the desire to be "carried" when things get tough! BUT, we must make the determined purpose that we will NOT allow the enemy to push us into calling for an "early carry"! Holy Spirit will, at those times and when we call on Him, lift us up in the Spirit and ease the burden of things until we can build ourselves back up through the Word, Prayer, Praise and Worship and fellowship with HIM! Here is the song by TAYA called "Carry Me Home":

Love and Shalom from the Swoveys!