"UPDATED - My Heart Experience" - καρδία - heart, (figuratively) the feelings

The English spelling is kardia
It is pronounced  kar-dee'-ah
Definition - Prolonged from a primary κάρ kar (Latin cor, “heart”); the heart, that is, (figuratively) the thoughts or feelings (mind); also (by analogy) the middle: - (+ broken-) heart (-ed).

As I was researching this word and it's origin, I found that our word "cardiac" which means "related to the heart" came from this Greek word καρδιά, kardia, for "heart". 

I also found that the human embryo in it's first days following conception will begin to grow muscle tissue that will eventually become the heart. This tissue begins in the form of two tubes called endocardial tubes forming on the sides of the embryo. The two endocardial tubes are pushed into the thoracic cavity, begin to fuse together, and complete the fusing process at approximately 22 days.

This is when the heart actually begins to beat. Interestingly enough, it starts beating at the same rate of the mother(approx. 70 to 80 beats per minute)BPM.

<sup>Over the next month the BPM will speed up to an addition of 100 BPM faster than the mother's heartbeat. Then over the next five weeks it will slow back down to a rate of 145 BPM. What is pretty cool is that the unborn child's heart can continue at this pace allowing for the availability of the nutrients needed to grow and develop so quickly.

Update 7/22/2014 - "My Heart Experience"
"Almost a year after I first wrote this post on August 1, 2013, the mother of my children and the woman I had been married to for 19 years suddenly passed away in her sleep. Her heart muscles had become weak and damaged. My children and I went through the most difficult time of our lives and yet the Lord sustained us. Many days we felt most definite that our hearts would give out and we would surely die as we went without sleep and food over this time of grief. But I can testify to you wholeheartedly today that our Lord was giving us the exact numbers of heart beats and care that was needed to survive this life changing event and He still continues daily in my family's life. No one else will ever be able to do what God has done in His infinite wisdom and love."

Is it possible that Jesus had this in mind when the Greek word for "heart" was chosen in the following passage. Do you think that he knew how we get when allot of things and changes are happening in our lives and we get agitated, troubled or afraid? Our heart rate increases and we get ready to take action sometimes before we even have time to think things through.</sup>


Peace I leave with you, my peace I give to you: not as the world gives, give I to you. Don't let your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. John 14:27

 <sup>Remember that He offers us a peace that is greater than any that the world around us can offer. He can offer more than all those vacation commercials or week long cruises can ever offer. His peace is there for you anytime and anywhere if you believe in him.

As I thought about the unborn child's heart rate speeding up over the first month after the heart begins to beat for the very first time, I couldn't help but think about the new believer who knows for the first time that his heart is made whole.

Allot of challenges and trials can come during the strength building days following the experience of new birth in Christ. The battle is on for the very heart, mind and soul of the believer. They may feel their hearts beating like a race horse in the battle for their new life. I'd like to encourage you, if your heart has been made new in Christ and you or even someone you know is going through these changes, be strong and take peace in the promises of Jesus.

Don't let fear take control or cause you to become discouraged. Because just as the unborn child gains their strength while their heart is racing away and then slows down, your heart also will gradually become secure in the peace of God's presence and your heart will become conditioned to slow down . A new believer's strength is going to increase in those trying times as he/she learns to depend on the great Comforter which Jesus promises to all who believe in verse twenty-six. 

The Greek word "parakletos" which translates "Comforter" means consoler, intercessor and advocate. Our great "parakletos" is the Holy (sacred) Spirit of God! Calm down, take comfort in the peace of God's Spirit with you.</sup>


But the Comforter (parakletos), which is the Holy Ghost, who the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said to you. John 14:26

παράκλητος
paraklētos
par-ak'-lay-tos
An intercessor, consoler: - advocate, comforter.


Shalom. Peace.

κηρύσσω - to herald, proclaim, publish

Preach the word; be instant; in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. 2Timothy 4:2

Let's take a look at a few of the words used in this scripture recorded in St. Timothy's challenge to the believers of his day.

Upon first impression in the King James version it would appear that Timothy was addressing preachers, but a quick look into the Greek will indicate that everyone can acheive his call to action. The first word in verse two is the word "Preach". Let's take a look at this in the Strongs Hebrew and Greek Dictionary.

κηρύσσω
The English spelling is kērussō
It is pronounced  kay-roos'-so
Of uncertain affinity; to herald (as a public crier), especially divine truth (the gospel): - preach (-er), proclaim, publish.

Overall in the definition from Strong's Dictionary we can see the preacher's position in the heralding of the truth, but when it comes to proclaiming or publishing, do you think that could mean that any believer who decides to take a stand for the divine truth would be included? When most people take a stand for something that they believe in they typically make it known in some form or another. Wouldn't you agree?

That takes me to the next word that caught my attention. This word in the KJV is "instant".  If I told you to go and be instant, would you know what I meant by this statement? I thought about this and realized that I needed to look into this a little further and learn what the Greek word actually implied. As I searched the Greek dictionary I was surprised at what I found. Here's the definition from Strong's Greek and Hebrew Dictionary.

ἐφίστημι
The English spelling is ephistēmi
It is pronounced  ef-is'-tay-mee
To stand upon, that is, be present (in various applications, friendly or otherwise, usually literally): - assault, come (in, to, unto, upon), be at hand (instant), present, stand (before, by, over).

First Timothy tells us to proclaim the divine truth and then he says to be present or stand. Of course this is still refering to the previous challenge that he gives us to proclaim. Timothy wasn't going to leave any doubt in the mind of those believers that were reading his letter to their congregations. He says to stand in season and out of season. Someone may ask, if they weren't familiar with farming or hunting, "What's a season anyways?". In this case the words "in season" which comes from the Greek word "eukairōs"  actually  would be defined as "opportunity" or "convenient".  Then the words "out of season" which comes from the Greek word "akairōs" actually would be defined as "inopportunity".

What is Timothy telling the believers then?

Literally, he said,"Proclaim the truth, stand up and be present when it is a good time and even when it's not."

I was visiting out of state one Christmas with some friends and relatives and one of them suggested we go fishing at a near by creek, so I joined him in hopes that we could get back just in time to eat the turkey that was cooking in the oven. We went down the road a few miles and pulled over into a parking lot. I was not very familiar with this area or it's laws when it came to fishing, but I assumed that this guy I was with, who lived there, would be informed as to what we could and couldn't do. We grabbed our stuff and headed over a hill down to a big creek to do some fishing. About a half hour into our fishing, a man in a military uniform appears at the top of the hill and in not so nice a manner orders us to bring our things and make our presence at the top of the hill in the parking lot. I looked at the guy and he just shrugged his shoulders.

The man in uniform informed us that not only were we fishing in a designated trout stream on federal property without a license, but it was also out of season for trout fishing. Then he informed us that we would be going straight to jail if we had any trout in our cooler. That was a very big IF!  He ordered us to open the cooler and after confirmation of our catch, he let us go with only a warning. What he didn't know was, that the guy I was with had caught, and then let squirm out of his hands, one of the biggest trout I have ever seen just about ten minutes after we had arrived at the creek. I have never felt so disappointed that we lost a record trout, yet blessed as I did on that day when we got back just in time to eat some Christmas turkey.

I was present that day, it was out of season and I certainly hadn't researched the facts about fishing in the state of Georgia. When that officer declared us guilty of our offences, he certainly did a good job of teaching me the laws. It has been many years since and I still vividly remember most of what that man had to say to us as if it were yesterday.

I guess, you could say that he was proclaiming the truth and he was certainly present to back up the laws in season and out of season.

How could we apply this to our spiritual life today? Is it our responsibility to declare the truth to the future generations who, like myself on that day, may be ignorant of the spiritual truths?

ἐν - position or state

Greek - ἐν
The english spelling is en
It is pronounced en
Definition : A primary preposition denoting (fixed) position (in place, time or state), and (by implication) instrumentality (medially or constructively)

This word is used in the following scripture,

And he said unto him, Well, thou good servant: because thou hast been faithful in a very little, have thou authority over ten cities. Luke 19:17


As I studied this word in the context of this passage, I came to realize that it was the present state of the man as a trustworthy servant prior to his Master's return that made him valuable to his master. The reason that this became evident to me was because of the Greek word that follows this. That is the word doulos.

Let's take a look at the literal translation of this word and see how it might apply to our lives today.

Greek - δοῦλος
The english spelling is doulos
It is pronounced doo'-los
Definition: a slave (literally or figuratively, involuntarily or voluntarily; frequently therefore in a qualified sense of subjection or subserviency): - bond (-man), servant.

And he said unto him, Well done, thou good servant: because you have been faithful in your state or position as my servant in subjection without authority (submissive and humble), I now give you the privilege of controlling ten cities. (exalted and lifted up)

When I thought about the pound of money left with the servants, I couldn't help but wonder how this may apply to someone today who has basically nothing to invest or use for God from a material standpoint. What came to my mind was that each of us, no matter how much or little we own, all have been given the body that contains our spirit as long as we are alive. So I asked myself,"What am I doing with my body to profit my Master?"

Are we not told that we will stand before our God one day in chapter 25 of Matthew? If so, then it makes sense that what we are doing now on earth makes the difference in the judgement on that day. It wouldn't be right for a person to be mistreated at this time of examination and judgement just because he had no money or material possessions to somehow invest and make gains. But what each one of us has received from our Master Jehovah, when He left us, is our body. We all can create profit for our Lord with the deeds of our bodies, it's true. But His Spirit must be living in us before we can know how to please Him.

If not, we may attempt to do the right thing, but we will be like the servant that wrapped his coin in a cloth and carried it around, but never acomplished a thing of any worth. God shows His servant who is trustworthy and dedicated to Him how to make gains for the kingdom of God. Those are the profits that Jesus spoke of in this passage when we take in consideration the Greek words today (en doulos), in position of subjection. Are you waiting until life gets better? You may, as I know I have, put off using my time, my hands, my feet and my voice to bring an increase in the kingdom of God. What else would God really want more from us than the spreading of His Word? Everything else on this earth will parish and fade away one day. It's the faithful servant (bondslave to God) that will be rewarded with much more authority in the perfect Kingdom that awaits all who repent and profess to believe in Jesus, God's Son who rose from the grave to go and prepare a kingdom.

No man can serve two masters....Matthew 6:24

Faithful, en doulos, to our master first and all the other things will follow as God chooses.

Let's pray,"Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven..." Shalom!

πράσσω - perform repeatedly

G4238

Greek - πράσσω

English spelling is prassō

It is pronounced pras'-so

A primary verb; to “practise”, that is, perform repeatedly or habitually (thus differing from G4160, which properly refers to a single act); by implication to execute, accomplish, etc.; specifically to collect (dues), fare (personally): - commit, deeds, do, exact, keep, require, use arts.

The following is a scripture containing the word prassō .

John 3:20 - For every one that does evil hates the light, neither comes to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.

When I first read this scripture years ago, the words that I have highlighted really bothered me because I knew that I made decisions at times to do things that were wrong. Yet I knew in my heart that I had a love for Jesus and that He was truly the light that came into the world as stated in the previous verse.

In prior verses I found that whoever didn't believe in the only Son of God was judged already by his love for darkness, shadiness more than the light that was manifest to man. Why? Because their deeds were hurtful or evil. Yes, that does describe my human nature, yet I do believe in and love the Son of God, but sometimes I mess up and do something that's hurtful to another without thinking about it, only to find myself asking whoever I hurt to forgive me later. Couldn't everyone identify somehow with the way I was feeling about the words "that does" found in this verse. This is how it is worded in the KJV version which has been used since the 1600's?

I thank God for the literal Greek translation that is so readily available to me today, that helps me to understand how I can make human mistakes and yet I continue moving to the light instead of away from the light. I can say that I am not among those described as hating the light, as stated in the last part of verse twenty.

....neither comes to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.

The apostle John explains in his own language, that everyone who "prassō phaulos" hates the light; not "poieō phaulos". The Greek words prassō phaulos translate to literally say that all "who practices, performs repeatedly foul or wicked (evil) " detests the light.

Before I spent time researching the literal translation from the Strong's Hebrew and Greek Dictionary, it was as though John was saying that all who do wrong indeed hate the light and do not go to the light. Now I know that my feelings were right in that I loved and was indeed "going to" the light, even when I made mistakes along the way.

The key is recognizing our evil deeds, accepting God's reproval and going on towards the light so that our deeds may manifest that they are committed to Jehovah. Don't run away when you mess up! God reproves our wrong deeds, because He loves us and wants the best for our lives in eternity.

πληρόω - to cram, to satisfy

G4137

Greek - πληρόω

The English spelling is plēroō

It is pronounced play-ro'-o

Definition from Strong's Hebrew and Greek Dictionary - to make replete, that is, (literally) to cram (a net), level up (a hollow), or (figuratively) to furnish (or imbue, diffuse, influence), satisfy, execute (an office), finish (a period or task), verify (or coincide with a prediction), etc.: - accomplish, X after, (be) complete, end, expire, fill (up), fulfil, (be, make) full (come), fully preach, perfect, supply.

This word is found in the following scripture.

For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. Galations 5:14

It was nice to see that the literal Greek translation for the word plēroō which is used in this passage means to cram full or to satisfy. When I thot about the law being crammed or leveled up to the point of satisfaction it brought a new sense of relief in my spirit, just as it did for those who received this message in Galatia from Paul back in the day. I also thot about the satisfaction we feel when we have acheived something that we know is well done. It seems much easier to satisfy the law of God, knowing it is wrapped up in one word or motive. Doesn't it?

Interestingly enough, the satisfying of the law is summed up to just "one word" and this one word actually means something much greater when we look at the literal Greek meaning behind "one word". Let's look a little deeper into the actual meaning of the word "word" which holds the key to fulfillment of the entire law in the eyes of God.

For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. Galations 5:14

Greek - λόγος

The English spelling is logos

It is pronounced log'-os

Definition - something said (including the thought); by implication a topic (subject of discourse), also reasoning (the mental faculty) or motive; by extension a computation; specifically (with the article in John) the Divine Expression (that is, Christ): - account, cause, communication, X concerning, doctrine, fame, X have to do, intent, matter, mouth, preaching, question, reason, + reckon, remove, say (-ing), shew, X speaker, speech, talk, thing, + none of these things move me, tidings, treatise, utterance, word, work.

In this research we find that this scripture would be understood to mean that the whole law is crammed or satified in one single motive or intention and that is to show much love for those who are near to us, just as we also love and care for ourselves. If you care to verify the full meaning of this scripture yourself, as I have, you can obtain a free copy of Strong's Hebrew and Greek Distionary available online.

απαλλάσσω - deliver

G525

Greek - απαλλάσσω

English spelling is apallassō

It is pronounced ap-al-las'-so

Definition from Strong's Hebrew and Greek Dictionary = to change away, that is, release, (reflexively) remove: - deliver, depart.

The following is a scripture in which this word is found.

Luke 12:58 When you go with your adversary to the magistrate, as you are in the way, give diligence that you may be delivered from him; lest he hale you to the judge, and the judge deliver you to the officer, and the officer orders you to prison.

In our time, you might say that Luke was a diligent follower of Jesus and he kept up with every tweet that Jesus posted. He left out no details of this very important message for the followers of Christ. In previous verses Jesus had told them that they would be expected to use what was given them or they can expect punishment, rather than reward. After hearing this, I can only imagine that Luke began to pay very close attention and record this for us in the scriptures to follow.

The use of this word apallassō, in reference to the release from an opponent who is taking you to court, may appear as basic common sense for most people. If you have ever had to stand before a judge to defend yourself, you know how it feels to be accused and dragged down by an opponent while the judge decides who is right or wrong. When the accuser is not being truthful, it may not end the way you had thought it would.

In the previous verses Jesus has been telling His followers that they need to be awake and watching for the coming of their Lord. According to the Greek translation, this can apply to the condition of their spirit and the readiness to stand before their Lord.

As we relate the scriptures prior to verse fifty-eight, we can see that the judge in this verse refers to God and the adversary will be satan. Satan will be doing all he can to cause us to be found guilty before God. Jesus also warns us that there will be division between relatives because of our beliefs and doing what is right according to the Word. In vewrse fifty-seven Jesus says to his disciples,"why even of yourselves do you not make the right decisions?". He said that the signs are there for you to know, but you still allow yourself to be set up for the adversary's attack before the day of judgement.

Jesus wants us all to make the right decisions right now and every day of our lives and find deliverance from our opponent before that day of judgement comes, for it is a day when we will not escape some form of punishment, as is described to His followers in the previous verses. To whom much is given, much will be expected. See Luke 12:46 -48

αδικέω - to be unjust

G91

αδικέω

English spelling is adikeō

It is pronounced ad-ee-keh'-o

Definition from the Strong's Hebrew and Greek Dictionary - to be unjust, that is, (actively) do wrong (morally, socially or physically): - hurt, injure, be an offender, be unjust, (do, suffer, take) wrong.

The following scripture gives us an example of the Greek word adikeō.

He that has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches; He that overcomes will not be hurt of the second death. Revelation 2:11 NKJV

In order to get the full meaning of this use of the word adikeō as it is used in this text, we must also do a little research into the words that come just prior to this word. Even though the words "shall not be hurt" seem clear enough, what I learned was quite interesting as I researched the Greek translation for this phrase. The words "shall not" come from the following combination in the Greek translation. I included this definition also that you may view for your full benefit.

G3364

ου μή

English spelling is ou mē

It is pronounced oo may

Definition from the Strong's Hebrew and Greek Dictionary - a double negative strengthening the denial; not at all: - any more, at all, by any (no) means, neither, never, no (at all), in no case (wise), nor ever, not (at all, in any wise). Compare G3378.

As you can see, the Greek language used this combination to create a stronger denial than in a typical use of the words "not" or "no" in a sentence. Comparing the instructions for a child to not open the door and to instruct a child to not ever walk in the street, we see the vast difference of the word "not" and it's purpose. The first use is mere guidance which comes with little consequence if not followed (unless it was the car door, of course), but the second instruction is a matter of life or death.

It is in this manner of speech that God has spoken to John concerning the assurance of the church of Smyrna that they which prevail "will not at all be unjust at the second death", at a time when we all stand before God at the Great White Throne of judgement. This is also documented in the scriptures found in Matthew 25, beginning with verse thirty-one.