Hi Brian!
The word for this week is "persuasive". We find it in this portion of Scripture in the New Testament:
1 Corinthians 2:4 And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power: 5 That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God. KJV
The Amplified Bible says this:
1 Corinthians 2:4 And my language and my message were not set forth in persuasive (enticing and plausible) words of wisdom, but they were in demonstration of the [Holy] Spirit and power [a proof by the Spirit and power of God, operating on me and stirring in the minds of my hearers the most holy emotions and thus persuading them], 5 So that your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men (human philosophy), but in the power of God. AMP
This is the Greek word "peithos". Strong's Concordance says: persuasive". Thayer's Greek Lexicon adds: skillful.The Theological Dictionary says this: The sense is that Paul's preaching does not derive its power from rhetorical skill. The TRUTH of the matter is that God can and will use anyone (and anything - a donkey comes to mind) to get HIS Truth to the people who need to hear it! Someone can have great speaking skills and end up saying nothing of value, while someone else who has no speaking skills can speak the WORD of HIS POWER and make His Truth known! He revealed to me that you have spoken HIS TRUTH to people in your own way who had no idea that you were actually speaking HIS TRUTH! He desires to do much more of this through you both, so don't be surprised at the new opportunities that present themselves! The peace, joy, love, enthusiasm, hard work, tenacity, caring, interest, support and encouragement of your whole family has touched more lives that you even realize yet! So keep up the great GOD WORK and He will continue to be confirm His Word and be glorifed in and through you all! We love you all so much! Here is one of my favorite worship songs that I just feel led to share with you again. "Every Breath":
Love and Shalom from the Swoveys!
