Hi Brian!

The word for this week is "kind". We'll be looking at two portions of Scripture today:

Luke 6:35 But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil. KJV

Ephesians 4:31 Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: 32 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you. KJV

This is the Greek word "chrestos". Strong's Concordance says: employed, useful in manners or morals. Thayer's Greek Lexicon says: properly, fit for use, useful, virtuous, good, manageable, mild, pleasant. Vine's Expository Dictionary says: serviceable, good, pleasant, gracious, kind.

We also see a form of this word in 1 Cor 13:4:

 Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, KJV

This is the Greek word ""chrestologia". Strong's Concordance says: to show oneself useful;, act benevolently. Thayer's Greek Lexicon says: to show oneself  mild, to be kind, use kindness.  

God's people MUST develop and learn to thrive in an atmosphere of KINDNESS! Kindness in the face of ill treatment may be hard on the flesh, but it will reap great rewards from the Father for doing things the WORD'S way, and will eventually have HIS kind of effect on those who have treated us poorly! I know that your family has experienced some of this, and also seen GOD work in your behalf when you let it go! He is SO faithful to us and to His Word! Here is TAYA (Gaukrodger) with "Narrow Road":

Love and Shalom from the Swoveys!

Hi Brian!

The word for this week is "define". It's only found in one verse (Hebrews 4:6-7) in the Bible in two different translations. 

6 Seeing therefore it remaineth that some should enter thereinto, and they to whom the good tidings were before preached failed to enter in because of disobedience, 7 he again defineth a certain day, Today, saying in David so long a time afterward (even as hath been said before), Today if ye shall hear his voice, Harden not your hearts. American Standard Version

6 Seeing therefore it remains that some should enter therein, and they to whom the good news was before preached failed to enter in because of disobedience, 7 he again defines a certain day, today, saying through David so long a time afterward (just as has been said),  "Today if you will hear his voice, Don't harden your hearts." World English Bible

This is the Greek word "horizo". Strong's Concordance says: to mark out or bound, to appoint, decree, specify. Thayer's Greek Lexicon adds: to mark out limits, to determine. The Theological Dictionary of the New Testament adds this from the same Word used in Acts 17:24-28: We find limitation of time in Hebrews 4:7 and of time and space in Acts 17:26-27.

24 God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands; 25 Neither is worshipped with men's hands, as though he needed any thing, seeing he giveth to all life, and breath, and all things; 26 And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath (determined) the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation; 27 That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us: 28 For in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring. KJV

I searched for this word when I saw this lyric from TAYA's "In This Place" from her new album. 

Find me
And break my habit of hiding
And may Your promise define me
In my wandering

We may feel 'off' some days and may find ourselves busy, distracted, worn out or discouraged, but if we allow His Pomises, in the Word, to define who we are and what we can do, then we will ALWAYS be able to pick ourselves up, brush ourselves off and get at it again! Here is that song:

Love and Shalom from the Swovys!

Hi Brian!

This week I want to share this from Rick Renner's "Sparkling Gems From The Greek - Volume 2". 

GUTS AND GUMPTION

Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. — Matthew 5:15

In yesterday’s Sparkling Gem, we looked at different ways to shine our light into the darkness and positively influence the world around us. God wants you to be a positive influence in all areas of your life. However, to have the kind of colossal effect that God wants you to have on other people, you cannot hide your God-given gifts, talents, and abilities. Instead you must put them on full display so you can be the blessing God intends for you to be!

With this truth in mind, I want us to look at Matthew 5:15 where Jesus said, “Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick….” At first glance, the word “candlestick” in this verse might give the impression of a candle or candlestick like we use today, but these kinds of candles and candlesticks didn’t exist in New Testament times. Rather, the word “candlestick” in Matthew 5:15 is the Greek word luchnia, which refers to an elevated stand on which an oil lamp is placed. These oil lamps were exactly the kind of lamps described in yesterday’s Sparkling Gem.

The word luchnia, or “candlestick” is used 12 times in the New Testament to depict this kind of elevated lamp stand. In fact, it is precisely the word John used in Revelation 1:12 and 13 to describe the “seven golden candlesticks” he saw during his vision of Jesus. When John recorded that he saw Jesus standing in the “midst of the seven golden candlesticks” (verse 13), it meant that Jesus was standing in the middle of seven golden elevated stands that had oil lamps resting on top of them. Some scholars suggest that these seven golden lamps may be a reference to a Jewish menorah. Whether this is true or not is not verifiable by Scripture, but one thing is sure — the Greek word luchnia means these oil-burning lamps were sitting on some kind of elevated stand so they could give maximum light.

During the time of the New Testament, it was customary for homes, palaces, businesses, and public buildings to place brightly burning lamps on pedestals because a higher position provided superior light that could illuminate the entire environment. The higher the lamp, the less darkness in a room. Thus, when Jesus said, “Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick…,” He was telling us that we must lift our lamps — our gifts, talents, and personal influence — as high as possible. When they are elevated in a highly visible position, God can use us to “give light unto all that are in the house.”

If you keep your light at table level, you’ll illuminate the people around the table. If you keep it in the corner, you’ll illuminate people who are in the corner. But if you lift that same light high, elevate it, put it on a pedestal, and make it visible, it will illuminate everyone in the room where it previously touched only a handful. The amount of light given is the same, but the elevated position of the light makes the light much more effective.

Allow me to share an example from my own life that is integrally tied to the very book you are reading right now. Years ago, I knew God wanted me to write books that would be read around the world. I thought and dreamt about it constantly, but I would also second-guess myself. I would think, Who am I to think people would read something I wrote? Instead of developing my gift and writing books that would shine light into the lives of other people, I only dreamt about it. But one day the Holy Spirit spoke to my heart and told me that it was time to quit dreaming and to start actually using my gifts — elevating them and believing in them — so they could become a blessing to people.

If I had never dared to write or to elevate and promote what I had written, it is doubtful that you would have ever discovered the book you are holding in your hands right now. For my dream to come to pass, I had to accept that my light was needed in the lives of other people, and then I had to elevate it out of the shadows and allow God to use it in His perfect timing to edify and bless others.

The truth is that there are many people who are more talented writers than I, but they’re not known because their gifts are still hidden under a bushel and they therefore have not reached a larger audience. Although their skills are tremendous and loaded with power, they remain unknown and will remain unknown until they are willing to do whatever is required according to the Lord’s instruction to elevate those gifts and put them on a lamp stand where they will be seen and appreciated. Only then will they begin to affect more than the small handful gathered around the table or the few who are sitting in their corner, metaphorically speaking.

If your light is going to be a blessing to the world, then you must dare to lift your light high and put in on a pedestal where people will see it and be affected by it. Once you’ve silenced intimidation and made that bold decision, you begin to fulfill your dream of reaching and illuminating a larger audience.

The believers who have influence in the world — such as those who write the songs you sing, the books you read, or the sermons you hear preached on TV — are not necessarily the most gifted, talented, or anointed people. The truth is that they had the nerve to step out by faith to elevate their abilities, regardless of how good or inferior their abilities were, and today they are renowned and influential. They had the guts and gumption to get their light out from under a bushel and let it shine — and that’s why they have influence and not someone else. A great part of their success is due to their willingness to step out from obscurity to let their light begin to shine.

Jesus said, “Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house” (Matthew 5:15). Are your gifts, talents, abilities, and influence giving light to the people around you in all spheres of your life, such as your home, your work, your school, or your church? Think of how deeply satisfying it would be for you to know that people were blessed because you let your light shine!

God has given you everything you need to make that kind of difference in the lives of other people. He has given you the oil and the fire of the Spirit, but you are the only one who can decide to put that light out on a lamp stand where it will be a blessing to others. No one can make that decision for you.

So what are you going to do — keep your gifts, talents, and potential influence a secret, or put your light on a pedestal so it can give light to everyone in the house? There’s one thing for sure — a part of the success in God that you dream about will come as a result of your willingness to step out from obscurity and let your light begin to shine!

I LOVE this! It is such a challenge to the introvert in me to be more vocal and available to share the Gospel with people outside of our family and church family! My natural 'comfort zone' is fairly small! So I am counting on the supernatural supply from Holy Spirit of more 'guts and gumption' in my life this next year. I know that you and your family are involved with people on so many different levels and areas of interest. My prayer for you all in this next year is that Holy Spirit will reveal to you just how great an impact you all have on the people around you just by being your special selves! I know that you are all a tremendous blessing to me! Here is TAYA with another new song from her new album. "Glory Hallelujah":

Love and Shalom from the Swoveys! 

Hi Brian!

The word for this week is "merciful". It is amazing to me that with all of the words we've covered, there are still some that we never have! We'll be looking just at the New Testament for these:

Luke 6:36 Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful. KJV

Matthew 5:7 Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. KJV

Hebrews 2:16 For verily he took not on him the nature of angels; but he took on him the seed of Abraham. 17 Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people. 18 For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted. KJV

In Luke we have the Greek word "oiktirmon". Strong's Concordance says: compassionate. {The Dictionary definition of "compassionate" is they feel or show pity, sympathy, and understanding for people who are suffering} Vine's Expository Dictionary says: pitiful, compassionate for the ills of others. In Matthew and Hebrews we have the Greek word eleemon", Strong's Concordance also defines this as compassionate (actively). Vine's Expository Dictionary says: not simply possessed of pity, but actively compassionate, used of Christ as a High Priest and of those who are like God. Many people have concerns for the well being of others, but the truly merciful person will put action to their compassion! JESUS showed the height of compassion when He took upon Himself OUR sins, sicknesses, shortcomings and problems! HE is TRULY "merciful"! Because HE lives IN us, then WE can choose to be merciful, too! Here is Hillsong -TAYA with "Mercy":

Love and Shalom from the Swoveys!