Hi Brian!

So here is another word that I can't believe we never covered! "Joyful"! We'll be looking at Psalm 100!

1 Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands.
2 Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing.
3 Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.
4 Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.
5 For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations. KJV

This is the Hebrew word "ruwa". Strong's Concordance says: to split the ears with sound, to shout for alarm or joy. Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Concordance says: to shout, to raise a sound, to cry out, to give a blast, to shout a war-cry or an alarm of battle, to sound a signal for war or a march, to shout in triumph (over enemies), to shout in applause, to shout (with religious impulse), to shout for joy. One thing that we can be certain of: we are NOT to be silent! I LOVE praise and worship! Most of my very favorite songs are praise and worship songs! Participating brings me much joy and peace! Greg and I are SO blessed that our Christmas present from our Ewer granddaughters is tickets for us and Jessi to go to the April Brandon Lake concert in St. Paul! 

So hear is one of my favorite songs from one of his concerts called "Rest On Us":

Love and Shalom from the Swoveys!

 Hi Brian!

This week I was greatly blessed by Charles Spurgeons morning devotional from my PC STUDY BIBLE!

The Lord is slow to anger, and great in power."— Nahum 1:3

Jehovah "is slow to anger." When mercy cometh into the world she driveth winged steeds; the axles of her chariot-wheels are red hot with speed; but when wrath goeth forth, it toileth on with tardy footsteps, for God taketh no pleasure in the sinner's death. God's rod of mercy is ever in His hands outstretched; His sword of justice is in its scabbard, held down by that pierced hand of love which bled for the sins of men. "The Lord is slow to anger," because He is GREAT IN POWER. He is truly great in power who hath power over himself. When God's power doth restrain Himself, then it is power indeed: the power that binds omnipotence is omnipotence surpassed. A man who has a strong mind can bear to be insulted long, and only resents the wrong when a sense of right demands his action. The weak mind is irritated at a little: the strong mind bears it like a rock which moveth not, though a thousand breakers dash upon it, and cast their pitiful malice in spray upon its summit. God marketh His enemies, and yet He bestirs not Himself, but holdeth in His anger. If He were less divine than He is, He would long ere this have sent forth the whole of His thunders, and emptied the magazines of heaven; He would long ere this have blasted the earth with the wondrous fires of its lower regions, and man would have been utterly destroyed; but the greatness of his power brings us mercy. Dear reader, what is your state this evening? Can you by humble faith look to Jesus, and say, "My substitute, Thou art my rock, my trust"? Then, beloved, be not afraid of God's power; for by faith you have fled to Christ for refuge, the power of God need no more terrify you, than the shield and sword of the warrior need terrify those whom he loves. Rather rejoice that He who is "great in power" is your Father and Friend.

I was so blessed by this because when I first received JESUS as Lord and Saviour, there was so much pressure put on us to bring people to JESUS. This was definitely my great desire, but I have never been a 'people person'! it has never been easy for me to talk to people I don't know. I would always feel like I wasn't doing enough. When I first read 2 Peter 3:9 I was encouraged!

The Lord does not delay and is not tardy or slow about what He promises, according to some people’s conception of slowness, but He is long-suffering (extraordinarily patient) toward you, not desiring that any should perish, but that all should turn to repentance.

I believe that this is what Charles Spurgeon is emphasizing above! When we show the goodness of God through our lives, HE causes people to see what they need personally to see! He is not in a hurry to judgew, but is patient for everyone to have the opportunity to SEE Him! I LOVE that about HIM! Among many, many other wonderful things! Here is  one of my faavorite oler songs by Hillsong called "God Is Able":

Love and Shalom from the Swoveys! 

Hi Brian!

The word for this week is "impute". It's found in the New Testament in Romans 4:8:

8 Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin. KJV

This is the Greek word "logizomai". Strong's Concordance says: to take an inventory. Thayer's Greek Lexicon adds: to reckon, count, compute, calculate, to take account. So this promise is that even though we do sometimes sin after receiving Jesus as Lord and Saviour, God does not count it to our account, but to JESUS! 2 Corinthians 5:21 says this:

21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him. KJV

The Amplified Bible says it this way:

21 For our sake He made Christ [virtually] to be sin Who knew no sin, so that in and through Him we might become [endued with, viewed as being in, and examples of] the righteousness of God [what we ought to be, approved and acceptable and in right relationship with Him, by His goodness]. AMP

The moment that JESUS became sin with our sin, He accomplished what He came to do! The moment that WE received Him as Lord and Saviour, we BECAME the RIGHTEOUSNESS that belonged to JESUS! When we sin, and we have and will, it is NOT put to our account, but to the ONE Who already paid it all! 1 John 1:9 tells us this:

 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. KJV 

The Amplified Bible has a more accurate rendering as the word 'confess' means to acknowledge or admit! SO, when we acknowledge that we sinned, God acknowledges what JESUS did on our behalf! 

9 If we [freely] admit that we have sinned and confess our sins, He is faithful and just (true to His own nature and promises) and will forgive our sins [dismiss our lawlessness] and [continuously] cleanse us from all unrighteousness [everything not in conformity to His will in purpose, thought, and action].  AMP

When we are with Him in Heaven, we will no longer have our flesh nature and will never sin, but while we are here, this wonderful, powerful PROMISE is that our mistakes are never credited to our account! We just recieve the forgiveness and continue to grow up in Him! HOW BLESSED WE ARE! Here is an older song from Hillsong Worship called "Across The Earth":

Love and Shalom from the Swoveys!

 Hi Brian!

The word that I had for this week is not found directly in the Bible. The word is "anthem". The Webster Dictionary says this about the word: a song or hymn of praise or gladness, a psalm or hymn sung antiphonally or responsively, a sacred vocal composition with words usually from the Scriptures. When I looked up the word in regards to the Bible, this was one answer they gave me:

While the word "anthem" is not in the text of the Bible, several passages are frequently described as anthems by biblical scholars, theologians, and liturgical traditions. These are typically songs or declarations that celebrate God’s character or a major national deliverance. Here is one example:

 Psalm 136: Known as the "Great Hallel," its repetitive refrain—"for his steadfast love endures forever"—is treated as a liturgical anthem of praise. 

Here is that Psalm:

1 O GIVE thanks to the Lord, for He is good; for His mercy and loving-kindness endure forever.
2 O give thanks to the God of gods, for His mercy and loving-kindness endure forever.
3 O give thanks to the Lord of lords, for His mercy and loving-kindness endure forever —
4 To Him Who alone does great wonders, for His mercy and loving-kindness endure forever;
5 To Him Who by wisdom and understanding made the heavens, for His mercy and loving-kindness endure forever;
6 To Him Who stretched out the earth upon the waters, for His mercy and loving-kindness endure forever;
7 To Him Who made the great lights, for His mercy and loving-kindness endure forever —
8 The sun to rule over the day, for His mercy and loving-kindness endure forever;
9 The moon and stars to rule by night, for His mercy and loving-kindness endure forever;
10 To Him Who smote Egypt in their firstborn, for His mercy and loving-kindness endure forever; [Ex 12:29.]
11 And brought out Israel from among them, for His mercy and loving-kindness endure forever; [Ex 12:51; 13:3,17.]
12 With a strong hand and with an outstretched arm, for His mercy and loving-kindness endure forever;
13 To Him Who divided the Red Sea into parts, for His mercy and loving-kindness endure forever; [Ex 14:21,22.]
14 And made Israel to pass through the midst of it, for His mercy and loving-kindness endure forever;
15 But shook off and overthrew Pharaoh and his host into the Red Sea, for His mercy and loving-kindness endure forever;
16 To Him Who led His people through the wilderness, for His mercy and loving-kindness endure forever;
17 To Him Who smote great kings, for His mercy and loving-kindness endure forever;
18 And slew famous kings, for His mercy and loving-kindness endure forever — [Deut 29:7.]
19 Sihon king of the Amorites, for His mercy and loving-kindness endure forever; [Num 21:21-24.]
20 And Og king of Bashan, for His mercy and loving-kindness endure forever; [Num 21:33-35.]
21 And gave their land as a heritage, for His mercy and loving-kindness endure forever;
22 Even a heritage to Israel His servant, for His mercy and loving-kindness endure forever; [Josh 12:1.]
23 To Him Who [earnestly] remembered us in our low estate and imprinted us [on His heart], for His mercy and loving-kindness endure forever;
24 And rescued us from our enemies, for His mercy and loving-kindness endure forever;
25 To Him Who gives food to all flesh, for His mercy and loving-kindness endure forever;
26 O give thanks to the God of heaven, for His mercy and loving-kindness endure forever!
AMP

This is a powerful declaration of GOD and Who He is! I LOVE this! Anthems can, and I believe SHOULD,  be powerful! Many people with wonderful voices have sung our National Anthem for diffferent events, but the one that I prefer was sung by Dave Bray and is a FIGHT SONG, which I believe it should be! (Here is a link to that one: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RALmt2IeWmA ). 

My message for this week came about because of a song that Holy Spirit reminded me of from a few years ago by Hillsong Young and Free called "World Outside Your Window". This is a reminder that the GOSPEL is a POWERFUL weapon of SPIRITUAL WARFARE! And WE WIN! Here is that song:

Love Shalom from the Swoveys!

Hi Brian!

The 'word' for this week is "truth". I was surprised that we hadn't used that one yet, but I guess it is for such a time as this! We'll be looking at two portions from John.

John 8:31 So Jesus said to those Jews who had believed in Him, If you abide in My word [hold fast to My teachings and live in accordance with them], you are truly My disciples. 32 And you will know the Truth, and the Truth will set you free. AMP

John 16:12 I have still many things to say to you, but you are not able to bear them or to take them upon you or to grasp them now. 13 But when He, the Spirit of Truth (the Truth-giving Spirit) comes, He will guide you into all the Truth (the whole, full Truth). For He will not speak His own message [on His own authority]; but He will tell whatever He hears [from the Father; He will give the message that has been given to Him], and He will announce and declare to you the things that are to come [that will happen in the future]. AMP

This is the Greek word "aletheia". Thayer's Greek Lexcion says: verity, truth. The dictionary definition of "verity" says this: In the Bible, verity means absolute, divine truth, reality, or a fundamental, steadfast principle, often translating the Hebrew "emeth" (truth, faithfulness) and Greek "aletheia" (truth, reality). It signifies more than just factual correctness; it's about God's eternal, unchanging truths, embodied in Jesus Christ, found in His Word, and experienced through faith, encompassing integrity and sincerity. 

I believe that the reason Holy Spirit wanted us to look at this now is partly because of all of the misinformation that is being spewed about the situations going on in America these days! There has been a LOT of gross misinformation. To our natural minds it has become so muddled that unless we have a better source of TRUTH, we will be misled into believing and then acting on lies! The key in all of this is found in those two portions of Scripture! Holy Spirit lives IN us to bear witness of the TRUTH that we need to know to operate correctly in this life. So as we seek HIM for the REAL TRUTH, He WILL lead us to it so that we can operate in obedience to HIS will and plan and purpose! Right now, GOD HIMSELF is causing to happen the things that He spoke through ministers and prophetic voices several years ago! So TRUST HIM and HE will give you PEACE concerning these times we live in! Here is Brandon Lake with a new song called "On The Truth":

Love and Shalom from the Swoveys!

Hi Brian!

Today's "Evening Meditation" by Charles Spurgeon is SO clear!

"All they that heard it wondered at those things." — Luke 2:18

We must not cease to wonder at the great marvels of our God. It would be very difficult to draw a line between holy wonder and real worship; for when the soul is overwhelmed with the majesty of God's glory, though it may not express itself in song, or even utter its voice with bowed head in humble prayer, yet it silently adores. Our incarnate God is to be worshipped as "the Wonderful." That God should consider His fallen creature, man, and instead of sweeping him away with the besom of destruction, should Himself undertake to be man's Redeemer, and to pay his ransom price, is, indeed marvellous! But to each believer redemption is most marvellous as he views it in relation to himself. It is a miracle of grace indeed, that Jesus should forsake the thrones and royalties above, to suffer ignominiously below for you. Let your soul lose itself in wonder, for wonder is in this way a very practical emotion. Holy wonder will lead you to grateful worship and heartfelt thanksgiving. It will cause within you godly watchfulness; you will be afraid to sin against such a love as this. Feeling the presence of the mighty God in the gift of His dear Son, you will put off your shoes from off your feet, because the place whereon you stand is holy ground. You will be moved at the same time to glorious hope. If Jesus has done such marvellous things on your behalf, you will feel that heaven itself is not too great for your expectation. Who can be astonished at anything, when he has once been astonished at the manger and the cross? What is there wonderful left after one has seen the Saviour? Dear reader, it may be that from the quietness and solitariness of your life, you are scarcely able to imitate the shepherds of Bethlehem, who told what they had seen and heard, but you can, at least, fill up the circle of the worshippers before the throne, by wondering at what God has done.

I have found at various times in the 46 years since I received JESUS as LORD and SAVIOUR that I was operating on previously received knowledge and NOT on currently meditated on TRUTH! I then remind myself, rather forcefully, that for my FAITH to remain powerful, strong and current, I must stay consistently in the Word of God AND in fellowship with like minded believers! As I am NOT a 'people person' this can be hard for me sometimes! My prayer for you concerning this is that HIS voice will become even clearer to you than it has ever been! That is so needful in these times when so many people have an opinion and they want to share it! Holy Spirit is ALWAYS present IN US to help us discern HIS WILL rather than the ideas of society! In times like this, I like to go back to some simple kids praise! So here, for YOU, are Hillsong Kids with "I Give You My Hallelujah!":

Love and Shalom from the Swoveys!

Hi Brian!

As I was praying for you and your family I was impressed, again, with how much you and Kristine pour yourselves into your girls and give them every opportunity to succeed, especially allowing them to try different things that interest them! This brought to mind again this verse that I am sure we covered before, but is always a good reminder! 

Proverbs 22:6 Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it. KJV

This is a GREAT promise, but in the Amplified Bible it is even better!

Proverbs 22:6 Train up a child in the way he should go [and in keeping with his individual gift or bent], and when he is old he will not depart from it.  AMP

The underlined part is my very favorite part! God MADE them so unique and individually gifted to do GREAT things in their lives! What a great promise! HE celebrates our diversity! He did NOT want clones, but individuals who would love and serve HIM from our own individual personalities. HE desires that WE be uniquely US! You have given each of your girls the space opportunity and freedom to explore those things and find out! I will continue to pray for great WISDOM for you both so that you will have CONFIDENCE that you are doing a GREAT job and that HE is WELL PLEASED! Here is that verse from The Passion Translation!

Proverbs 22:6 Dedicate your children to God and point them in the way that they should go, and the values they’ve learned from you will be with them for life.

And here is another song for you in keeping with that theme! Brandon Lake and Benjamin William Hastings with "More" because when we seek Him first, He is ALWAYS doing MORE! 

Love and Shalom from the Swoveys!

 Hi Brian!

I apologize again for missing the blog! These holidays really messed up my timing! So we will pick up again now with our first post of 2026! We will be looking at a devotional by Charles Spurgeon that has been very encouraging to me! 

"I have prayed for thee." — Luke 22:32

How encouraging is the thought of the Redeemer's never- ceasing intercession for us. When we pray, He pleads for us; and when we are not praying, He is advocating our cause, and by His supplications shielding us from unseen dangers. Notice the word of comfort addressed to Peter—"Simon, Simon, Satan hath desired to have you that he may sift you as wheat; but"—what? "But go and pray for yourself." That would be good advice, but it is not so written. Neither does he say, "But I will keep you watchful, and so you shall be preserved." That were a great blessing. No, it is, "But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not." We little know what we owe to our Saviour's prayers. When we reach the hill-tops of heaven, and look back upon all the way whereby the Lord our God hath led us, how we shall praise Him who, before the eternal throne, undid the mischief which Satan was doing upon earth. How shall we thank Him because He never held His peace, but day and night pointed to the wounds upon His hands, and carried our names upon His breastplate! Even before Satan had begun to tempt, Jesus had forestalled him and entered a plea in heaven. Mercy outruns malice. Mark, He does not say, "Satan hath desired to have you." He checks Satan even in his very desire, and nips it in the bud. He does not say, "But I have desired to pray for you." No, but "I have prayed for you: I have done it already; I have gone to court and entered a counterplea even before an accusation is made." O Jesus, what a comfort it is that you hast pleaded our cause against our unseen enemies; countermined their mines, and unmasked their ambushes. Here is a matter for joy, gratitude, hope, and confidence.

NOTHING in our lives ever takes HIM by surprise! He knows what we face. He knows what we are going through. In fact, He KNOWS what we face even before it happens. And HE has already provided the next step for us to take when we spend time with Holy Spirit and the WORD! Reading this brought to mind this song by Hillsong from a few years ago called "Oceans". I have always loved this song because it is an encouragement to me to step out in faith for each new thing KNOWING that HE is leading, guiding and directing my ev ery step! And YOUR, too! Here is that song! I hope that you are as blessed by it as I am!

Love and Shalom from the Swoveys!

Hi Brian!

I am no musician and I have never had a good singing voice, but for some reason Holy Spirit has always spoken to me through music! He has also often had me use certain songs to share the Word. This week this song by Brook Ligertwood (with Brandon Lake), Honey In The Rock, is what He has given me to share with you! I'm sure you've probably heard it, but it is a powerful declaration of God's provision for every need we will ever have! Here are the lyrics:

[Chorus]
There's honey in the rock
Water in the stone
Manna on the ground
No matter where I go
I don't need to worry
Now that I know
Everything I need You've got
There's honey in the rock

[Verse 1]
Praying for a miracle
Thirsty for the living well
Only You can satisfy

[Verse 2]
Sweetness at the mercy seat
Now I've tasted, it's not hard to see
Only You can satisfy

[Refrain]
There's honey in the rock
There's honey in the rock
There's honey in the rock
There's honey in the rock (Yеah)

[Verse 3]

Freedom where the Spirit is
Bounty in thе wilderness
You will always satisfy, yeah

[Chorus]
There's honey in the rock
Water in the stone
Manna on the ground
No matter where I go
I don't need to worry
Now that I know
Everything I need You've got

[Post-Chorus]
There's honey in the rock
Purpose in Your plan
Power in the blood
Healing in Your hands
Started flowing when You said it is done
Everything You did's enough

[Bridge]
I keep looking, I keep finding
You keep giving, keep providing
I have all that I need
You are all that I need
I keep praying, You keep moving
I keep praising, You keep proving
I have all that I need
You are all that I need
I keep looking, I keep finding
You keep giving, keep providing
I have all that I need
You are all that I need
I keep praying, You keep moving
I keep praising, You keep proving
I have all that I need
You are all that I need
I have all that I need
You are all that I need, yeah

[Chorus]
There's honey in the rock
Water in the stone
Manna on the ground
No matter where I go
I don't need to worry
Now that I know (I know)
Everything I need You've got

[Post-Chorus]
There's honey in the rock
Purpose in Your plan
Power in the blood
Healing in Your hands
Started flowing when You said
It is done
Jesus, Jesus, who You are is enough

[Refrain]
There's honey in the rock
There's honey in the rock
There's honey in the rock
There's honey in the rock

[Outro]
Oh, how sweet
How sweet it is
To trust in You, Jesus
Oh, how sweet
How sweet it is
To trust in You, Jesus
Oh, how sweet
How sweet it is
To trust in You, Jesus
To trust in You, Jesus
We trust in You, Jesus

HE provided for them under the Old Covenant, and OUR Covenant is so much better, more powerful and provided for by the BLOOD of JESUS! The message is, no matter what is happening in the world and BY the world, HE continues to provide for HIS people who put their trust in HIM! All that you and your family have sown into other people including finances, time, energy, wisdom, GOD is MULTIPLYING back to you in every area that you need! I am expecting that 2026 is going to be a year of GREAT FAVOR for you all! We love you all so much and we are very grateful to be a part of your lives! Here is that song!

Love and Shalom from the Swoveys!

 Hi Brian!

As I was praying and reading my Bible Plan yesterday, Holy Spirit spoke to me about you. I was reading in Galatians 6,  verses 4-5 and verses 7-9:

4 Let everyone be devoted to fulfill the work God has given them to do with excellence, and their joy will be in doing what’s right and being themselves, and not in being affirmed by others. 5 Every believer is ultimately responsible for his or her own conscience. 

7 God will never be mocked! For what you plant will always be the very thing you harvest. 8 The harvest you reap reveals the seed that you planted. If you plant the corrupt seeds of self-life into this natural realm, you can expect a harvest of corruption. If you plant the good seeds of Spirit-life you will reap beautiful fruits that grow from the everlasting life of the Spirit. 9 And don’t allow yourselves to be weary in planting good seeds, for the season of reaping the wonderful harvest you’ve planted is coming!

 I have absolutely no doubt that you have been fulfilling the 'work' GOD callled you to do, not only in your buisness, but also in your home and family life. Sports has brought a whole new area of influence for both you and Kristine and you have SO touched people's lives, in some ways that you do not even know! THAT is being the Living Witness that the Word speaks of! 1 Peter 2:12:

1 Peter 2:12 Keep your behavior excellent among the Gentiles, so that in the thing in which they slander you as evildoers, they may because of your good deeds, as they observe them, glorify God in the day of visitation.

The real message that I felt about you came in verses 7-9, especially the last part of verse 9! for the season of reaping the wonderful harvest you’ve planted is coming!

I believe this to be TRUTH for you AND your family. Now AND in your very bright future! Here is Brandon Lake with "Kids" because YOU are one of HIS! 

Love and Shalom from the Swoveys!

Hi Brian!

The word for this week is "confidence". We looked at a different Greek word translated "confidence" before. This time we will be looking at 1 Corithians 7:16:

2 Corinthians 7:16 I rejoice therefore that I have confidence in you in all things. KJV

This is the Greek word "tharrheo". Strong's Concordance says: to exercise courage. Thayer's Greek Lexicon adds: to be of good courage, to be hopeful, confident. The Theological Dictionary of the New Testament says: this word has the basic sense "to dare," "to be bold," "to be of good courage," "to be cheerful or confident," and then  "to trust in," "rely on," and "to be bold against someone or something," "to go out bravely to. I LOVE that our Father is expecting us to be BOLD and CONFIDENT in all aspects of life because of what we KNOW about HIM and HIS WORD! Paul had confidence in the people of the church in Corinth because of their obedience to the word of God. One of the greatest feelings for me is to KNOW that I am bringing joy to HIM when I treasure His Word and put my trust in HIM! Circumstances may not always appear to be in our favor, but our confidence in HIS promises will cause those promises to become REALITY! That brings to mind this verse in Numbers 23:19!

19 God is not a man, that He should tell or act a lie, neither the son of man, that He should feel repentance or compunction [for what He has promised]. Has He said and shall He not do it? Or has He spoken and shall He not make it good?

My prayer for you is that YOUR confidence in HIM will increase to the point that doubt will have no place and then you will see even faster manifestations of His promises in every area of your life! Here is Brandon Lake with "God Is Not Against Me":

Love and Shalom from the Swoveys!

 Hi Brian! 

I am SO sorry that I forgot your blog! We were in Duluth Saturday for a concert, then I was at the Vikings game and then yesterday our grandson had a basketball game and it just dawned on me that today is Tuesday! This week we will be looking at Oswald Chambers' "My Utmost For His Highest" devotional. He is another person who wrote years ago and sometimes the language is a littl obscure, but usually always worth thinking about! 

The Impartial Power Of God

For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified. — Hebrews 10:14

We trample the blood of the Son of God under foot if we think we are forgiven because we are sorry for our sins. The only explanation of the forgiveness of God and of the unfathomable depth of His forgetting, is the Death of Jesus Christ. Our repentance is merely the outcome of our personal realization of the Atonement which He has worked out for us. “Christ Jesus…is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption.” When we realize that Christ is made all this to us, the boundless joy of God begins; wherever the joy of God is not present, the death sentence is at work.

It does not matter who or what we are, there is absolute reinstatement into God by the death of Jesus Christ and by no other way, not because Jesus Christ pleads, but because He died. It is not earned, but accepted. All the pleading which deliberately refuses to recognize the Cross is of no avail; it is battering at another door than the one which Jesus has opened. “I don’t want to come that way, it is too humiliating to be received as a sinner.” “There is none other Name…” The apparent heartlessness of God is the expression of His real heart, there is boundless entrance in His way. “We have forgiveness through His blood.” Identification with the death of Jesus Christ means identification with Him to the death of everything that never was in Him.

God is justified in saving bad men only as He makes them good. Our Lord does not pretend we are all right when we are all wrong. The Atonement is a propitiation whereby God through the death of Jesus makes an unholy man holy.

I LOVE that last sentence! There is NOTHING that we humans can do to EVER deserve God's forgiveness! Every part of it is based SOLELY and COMPLETELY on JESUS and what HE HAS DONE! And it is ENOUGH! SO thankful for that TRUTH! Here is Brooke Ligertwood with one of my very favorites songs about what HE has done! "Ancient Gates":

Love and Shalom from the Swoveys!

Hi Brian!

The word for this week is "trucebreakers". The only place this is found in the Word of God is in 2 Timothy 3:1-5:

2 Timothy 3:1 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. 2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, 4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; 5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. KJV

This is the Greek word "aspondos". Strong's Concordance says: without libation (that usually accompanies a treaty), truceless. Thayers Greek Lexicon adds: without a treaty or covenant; cannot be pursuaded to enter into a covenant, inplacable (not able to be,  not capable of being appeased, significantly changed, or mitigated. Unyielding, relentless, inflexible, uncompromising, ruthless, and inexorable.  

These things are said to be true of people in the time near the end of this age. My prayer for both you and Kristine in your businesses is that Holy Spirit will continue to bring good and Godly people into your lives and your businesses so that you can trust them and count on them! That is all a part of the promises of God to tithers and givers! Here for inspiration is another of my favorite songs from Brandon Lake called  "Kids", because HE doesn't ever let His kids down!

Love and Shalom from the Swoveys!

Hi Brian!

This week I want to use "thanksgiving"  again for obvious reasons! We've already covered this word, so this is a repeat! We will look at 

Colossians 4:2  Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving; KJV

The Amplified Bible says this:

Colossians 4:2 Be earnest and unwearied and steadfast in your prayer [life], being [both] alert and intent in [your praying] with thanksgiving.  AMP

This is the Greek word "eucharistia". Strong's Concordance says: gratitude; actively, grateful language (to God, as an act of worship): Vine's Expository Dictionary adds: "Thanksgiving" is the expression of joy Godward.

As I think about celebrating Thanksgiving this week, one of the things that I am most thankful to God for is that He brought you into Kristine's life at just the right time! When I saw that bright light of joy back in her beautiful eyes, I knew that prayer had been answered! Then to see your marriage so loving and the way you both raise your beautiful young ladies to be who God has called them to be is another joy! I know that we don't see as much of you all as we used to, but know that we are continually praying for you all. Have a greatly blessed Thanksgiving celebration with your family, knowing that you are all greatly loved and appreciated! Here is one of my favorite thankful songs by Brandon Lake called "Gratitude"! 

Love and Shalom from the Swoveys! 

Hi Brian!

This week I want to share a recent devotional from Oswald Chambers' "My Utmost For His Highest".

The Eternal Goal

By Myself have I sworn, saith the Lord, for because thou hast done this thing,…that in blessing I will bless thee.… — Genesis 22:15-19

Abraham has reached the place where he is in touch with the very nature of God, he understands now the Reality of God.

“My goal is God Himself…
At any cost, dear Lord, by any road.”

“At any cost, by any road” means nothing self-chosen in the way God brings us to the goal.

There is no possibility of questioning when God speaks if He speaks to His own nature in me; prompt obedience is the only result. When Jesus says — “Come” I simply come; when He says — “Let go,” I let go; when He says — “Trust in God in this matter,” I do trust. The whole working out is the evidence that the nature of God is in me.

God’s revelation of Himself to me is determined by my character, not by God’s character.

“Tis because I am mean,
Thy ways so oft look mean to me.”

By the discipline of obedience I get to the place where Abraham was and I see Who God is. I never have a real God until I have come face to face with Him in Jesus Christ, then I know that “in all the world, my God, there is none but Thee, there is none but Thee.”

The promises of God are of no value to us until by obedience we understand the nature of God. We read some things in the Bible three hundred and sixty-five times and they mean nothing to us; then all of a sudden we see what God means, because in some particular we have obeyed God, and instantly His nature is opened up. “All the promises of God in Him are yea, and in Him Amen.” The “yea” must be born of obedience; when by the obedience of our lives we say “Amen” to a promise, then that promise is ours.

I am sharing this because it speaks to me of how easily we become more and more like Jesus simply by trusting Him and His nature becomes our own! I didn't pray to become born again until 1980 when I was 25, but I remember certain things that occured in my life that could only have been God even when I didn't know Him. That's why it was so easy for me to believe everything else I saw in the Word. Now, when I look back, there was never a time in my life when He wasn't leading me. I see so much of God's nature in you as you take care of your family! Have a wonderful Thanksgiving with your family! Here is another of my favorite songs by Brandon Lake and Cody Carnes called "Too Good To Not Believe":

Love and Shalom from the Swoveys!

 Hi Brian!

This week I want to share from Kenneth E. Hagin's "Faith Food" devotional. It is just a refresher on something I know that YOU already know, but sometimes reviewing Truths from the Word of God helps bring them to the forefront and that helps renew our complete faith in HIM and HIS WORD!

Praying And Saying

Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them. — MARK 11:24

Faith will work by saying without praying (notice Mark 11:23 doesn’t mention praying), but faith also works by prayer.

However, when you pray it, you still have to say (or confess) it.

Let me repeat that: Faith will work by SAYING it, or it will work by PRAYING it, but when you PRAY it, you still have to SAY it.

Mark 11:23 and 24 brought me off a bed of sickness many years ago. After I had prayed, then I began to say (not think) out loud in my room, “I believe that I receive healing for my body.” Then I specified each thing that was wrong with me: “I believe I receive healing for the heart condition. I believe I receive healing for this paralysis. I believe I receive healing for the incurable blood disease.”

And just in case I had missed anything, I concluded, “I believe that I receive healing from the top of my head to the soles of my feet.”

Within the hour every symptom of physical deficiency disappeared from my body, and I was standing on the floor beside the bed — healed!

Confession: What things soever I desire, when I pray, I believe that I receive them. I confess what I believe. I hold fast to my confession. And I never fail to receive them.

Holy Spirit has been reminding me lately of the simple, powerful TRUTHS that we first learned years ago. I have found that a fresh look at things like this has really deepened my faith and increased my expectation! I hope that it does the same for you! Here is a video version of Brandon Lake's "Tear Off The Roof" song that used scenes from the Chosen movies.

Love and Shalom from the Swoveys!

Hi Brian!

The word for this week is from the song that has been on my heart again! The word is "borders" and it is found in the song: Oceans by UNITED. One of the meanings of the word is: A border is the outermost edge of an area, a line separating one political or geographic region from another. In other words, a border defines the limits of something. This song is about going beyond! Part of the bridge says this:

Spirit lead me where my trust is without borders
Let me walk upon the waters wherever You would call me
Take me deeper than my feet could ever wander
And my faith will be made stronger in the presence of my Saviour

We know after all of our years of studying the Word of God that HE sees us as the indiividuals that HE has created us to be. He sees all that we CAN be if we DARE to believe and to step out in faith! So this song is like a cry to the Lord to help us to expand and extend where we presently are. My prayer for you and your family is that you will all continue to dare to believe that you can do ANYTHING and EVERYTHING that HE has put in your hearts to do! Here is that song:

Love and Shalom from the Swoveys!

Hi Brian!

The word for this week is "violent". We'll be looking at this verse:

Matthew 11:12 And from the days of John the Baptist until the present time, the kingdom of heaven has endured violent assault, and violent men seize it by force [as a precious prize — a share in the heavenly kingdom is sought with most ardent zeal and intense exertion]. AMP

This is the Greek word "biastes". Strong's Concordance says: a forcer, energetic. Thayer's Greek Lexicon says: strong, forceful, using force. The Theological Dictionary adds: brave. I LOVE the Amplified Bible for this verse! There should be nothing passive about our attitude toward study of the Word of God because within is everything we need to walk in power, health, prosperity, success, favor, anointing and Wisdom. My word list says that we have used this word before but I couldn't  find where so I am possibly repeating this, but it IS the leading I had for this week. So as you continue in what you have already been doing, be excited about the results you have to look forward to because I have found that though God is rarely early, He is never late! I believe that so many more good, Godly, powerful, and amazing blessings of favor are headed your way in the coming months! Here, to encourage you in this, is an older song from UNITED called "Wonder":

Love and Shalom from the Swoveys

 Hi Brian!

The word for this week is "passion". We have looked at this one before, but the only "passion" found in the KJV Bible refers to what JESUS went through for us when He gave His life for our salvation. We'll be looking at the dictionary definition for the word this time. 

Genuine passion means having a deep, authentic, and persistent enthusiasm for something, shown through consistent action and a willingness to endure challenges for it. It goes beyond just a fleeting interest and involves a deep, internal commitment that fuels actions, conversations, and the investment of time and energy, even when things get difficult. This contrasts with ego-driven passion, which is often more focused on the idea of success than the work itself. Deep engagement:
It's not just being interested; it's being deeply involved and committed to an activity, subject, or goal.

I believe that JESUS desires for us to have this attitude for everything that He has called us to do. When we do that, it reflects His life IN us! I really love how you and Kristine have given your daughters every opportunity to pursue their interests, knowing that they will find their passion in the things that they are really willing to go all out for. Some people think that the only way to serve the Lord is through becoming a pastor, missionary, or some other 'work' in the church, but excelling in natural things as a believer shows our 'passion' for Him in ways that people can really relate to! Here is one of my very favorite Hillsong songs called "Every Breath":

Love and Shalom from the Swoveys!

Hi Brian!

This week I want to share Charles Spurgeons Evening Devotional. I needed this this week for myself! 

"The Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost." — John 14:26

This age is peculiarly the dispensation of the Holy Spirit, in which Jesus cheers us, not by His personal presence, as He shall do by-and-by, but by the indwelling and constant abiding of the Holy Ghost, who is evermore the Comforter of the church. It is His office to console the hearts of God's people. He convinces of sin; He illuminates and instructs; but still the main part of His work lies in making glad the hearts of the renewed, in confirming the weak, and lifting up all those that be bowed down. He does this by revealing Jesus to them. The Holy Spirit consoles, but Christ is the consolation. If we may use the figure, the Holy Spirit is the Physician, but Jesus is the medicine. He heals the wound, but it is by applying the holy ointment of Christ's name and grace. He takes not of His own things, but of the things of Christ. So if we give to the Holy Spirit the Greek name of Paraclete*, as we sometimes do, then our heart confers on our blessed Lord Jesus the title of Paraclesis*. If the one be the Comforter, the other is the Comfort. Now, with such rich provision for his need, why should the Christian be sad and desponding? The Holy Spirit has graciously engaged to be your Comforter: do you imagine, O you weak and trembling believer, that He will be negligent of His sacred trust? Can you suppose that He has undertaken what He cannot or will not perform? If it be His especial work to strengthen you, and to comfort you, do you suppose He has forgotten His business, or that He will fail in the loving office which He sustains towards you? Nay, think not so hardly of the tender and blessed Spirit whose name is "the Comforter." He delights to give the oil of joy for mourning, and the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness. Trust you in Him, and He will surely comfort you till the house of mourning is closed for ever, and the marriage feast has begun.

* One called alongside

* Exhortation, encouragement, consolation or comfort

I really love this! I was feeling a little overwhelmed this week with so many people needing encouragment from me that I neglected to keep myself encouraged. This made so much sense! Holy Spirit is the ONE Who lives IN us, but He is saying exactly what JESUS would say if He were actually right here. We are NEVER alone. I can imagine that with all that you and Kristine have on your plates, with your individual careers and then four beautiful, talented, hard working pre-teen and teenage young ladies and their interests and needs, you just may sometimes feel overwhelmed. But the POWERFUL Spirit of God is living IN you for the very purpose of whispering exactly what Jesus would say to encourage you! And He does say this in 1 Corinthians 10:13 The Passion Translation:

We all experience times of testing, which is normal for every human being. But God will be faithful to you. He will screen and filter the severity, nature, and timing of every test or trial you face so that you can bear it. And each test is an opportunity to trust him more, for along with every trial God has provided for you a way of escape that will bring you out of it victoriously.

ANd here further encourage you is Brandon Lake with "I Need A Ghost":

Love and Shalom from the Swoveys!

Hi Brian!

This week I want to share a new song by Brandon Lake called "When A Cowboy Prays":

I remember when we were first born again that we knew nothing about the Word at all. We even questioned whether or not WE could pray for someone for healing or if a Pastor had to do it! We have learned SO much about the Word and about our authority as born again believers over the years and now have confidence in our prayers according to the Word! Everyone who has received Jesus as Lord and Saviour HAS this ability within! Here is that song!

Love and Shalom from the Swoveys!

Hi Brian!

The word for this week is "religion". It is only found in a five verses in the New Testament. Two of those are referring specifically to the Jewish 'religion'. Of the others we will be looking at James 1:27:

27 Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world. KJV

This is the Greek word "threskeia". Strong's Concordance says: cerimonial observance. Thayer's Greek Lexicon says: religious worship, especially external. That which consists in ceremonies. Vine's Expository dictionary of New Testament words actually says this: religion in its external aspect. I think that this word packs a powerful punch when taken on with intimate care and powerful expectations of ALL that GOD can do! Here is another new song by Brandon Lake called "But God":

Love and Shalom from the Swoveys!

Hi Brian!

The word for this week is "better". We will be looking at that word in this verse. 

Hebrews 8:6 But now hath he obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also he is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises. KJV

These are both the Greek word "kreitton". Strong's Concordance says: stronger, better, nobler. Thayer's Greek Lexicon says: more useful, more serviceable, more excellent. Vine's Expository Dictionary adds: power in activity and effect. Also, what is adventageous or useful. Israel had a covenant with God under the Old Testament, but the covenant that WE have in the New Testament, provided to us through the death, burial and resurrection of JESUS from the dead is an even BETTER one! The more that we learn and know of this NEW COVENANT, the more powerful it will be in our every day life! Then we find that we are, of all people on the earth, MOST BLESSED! Here is a song by Brandon Lake that declares that there is NOTHING that is BETTER for us than JESUS! "Graves Into Gardens":

Love and Shalom from the Swoveys!

Hi Brian!

This week I want to share Matthew 26:48-54.

48 Now the betrayer had given them a sign, saying, The One I shall kiss is the Man; seize Him. 49 And he came up to Jesus at once and said, Hail (greetings, good health to You, long life to You), Master! And he embraced Him and kissed Him with [pretended] warmth and devotion. 50 Jesus said to him, Friend, for what are you here? Then they came up and laid hands on Jesus and arrested Him. 51 And behold, one of those who were with Jesus reached out his hand and drew his sword and, striking the body servant of the high priest, cut off his ear. 52 Then Jesus said to him, Put your sword back into its place, for all who draw the sword will die by the sword.  [Genesis 9:6.] 53 Do you suppose that I cannot appeal to My Father, and He will immediately provide Me with more than twelve legions [more than 80,000] of angels? 54 But how then would the Scriptures be fulfilled, that it must come about this way? AMP

I have always been greatly affected by the TRUTH in verses 53-54! Jesus could have, at any time, called for those angels and decided to call the whole thing off! He suffered more than we can even imagine, yet, for the love of HIS FATHER and US, He CHOSE to see this through! Hebrews 12:2-3 tells us WHY he did it:

2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.

KJV

Even through His great suffering, which included sweating drops of blood, He desired to please His Father AND to free US to become HIS! Nothing about my life has ever been even remotely as hard as that! To know that HE thinks that I was worth that is the greatest TRUTH of my life! I am SO looking forward to the catching away of the church when we see HIM face to face. In the meantime, I will continue to be about what HE has called and anointed me to do. Here is Brandon Lake again with  a song that I shared last week that got me thinking again along these lines called "King of Hearts":

Love and Shalom from the Swoveys!

Hi Brian!

This week I want to share Joseph Prince's "Daily Grace Inspirations" devotional with you!

The Centerpiece of God’s Heart

Not with the blood of goats and calves, but with His own blood He entered the Most Holy Place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption. Hebrews 9:12

One of the things I love to do when I preach is to unveil Christ in the Old Testament Scriptures. It’s amazing how we can see Jesus unveiled in the Old Testament and what each detail reveals about the perfection of His finished work and His grace toward us. This is why it’s so important to get into His Word and take time to meditate upon the pictures or types that reveal His unwavering and unfailing love for you.

Would you like to see another example of Christ unveiled that will make your heart burn within you? Then look with me at the picture of Christ that is hidden in the ark of the covenant. In the days of the old covenant, God dwelled within the temple in Jerusalem in the Holy of Holies between the two cherubim that are on the ark of the covenant (1 Samuel 4:4).

This was the throne of God. The ark was the centerpiece of His heart and so important to God that He gave the Israelites very specific instructions on how it was to be constructed (Exodus 25:10–22; 37:1–9) because every detail of the ark points to the person and the work of our Lord Jesus Christ.

For instance, the box portion of the ark is made of acacia wood and overlaid with gold. Wood in the Bible speaks of humanity (Isaiah 55:12; Mark 8:24). Acacia wood is known in Israel as incorruptible wood, so this speaks of Jesus’ incorruptible humanity. Gold in the Bible speaks of divinity and deity (Isaiah 2:20; Song 5:11, 14–15). So the wood overlaid with gold speaks of the person of Jesus—He was completely human and at the same time completely God.

Let’s look at the lid of the box, which was made from a solid slab of gold and covered the box. In Hebrew, the lid is called the kapporeth, which means “mercy seat.” God said that He would speak to the high priest from the mercy seat, “from between the two cherubim” (Exodus 25:22). The mercy seat was also the place where the high priest would place the blood of the animal sacrifices, only once in the entire year on the Day of Atonement. Let’s see what the mercy seat was used to cover from view.

Three items were kept in the ark. The first was the stone tablets on which God wrote the Ten Commandments, which we have seen speak of our rebellion and inability to keep God’s laws perfectly. The second was Aaron’s rod. When the people were complaining against God’s appointment of Aaron as the high priest, God caused Aaron’s rod to bud supernaturally to show the people that it was He who had appointed Aaron (Number 17:1–10). Aaron’s rod thus speaks of man’s rebellion against God’s appointed leadership. The final item in the ark was the golden pot of manna, which we have seen speaks of man’s rebellion against God’s provision.

Every item in the ark of the covenant speaks of our sins and rebellion against God! But what did God do with our sins and rebellion? He put them all into the ark and covered them with the mercy seat where the blood of the animal sacrifices was placed. By doing this, He was saying that when He looks down, He cannot see man’s sins and rebellion because the blood on the mercy seat covers them all!

This is the good news! Let me say it one more time to make sure that you did not miss it: God cannot see your sins when the blood of Jesus covers them. That is why in the Old Testament, Israel rejoiced every time their high priest went into the Holy of Holies on the Day of Atonement and placed the blood of the animal sacrifices on the mercy seat. When the blood was on the mercy seat, God could not see His people’s rejection of His laws, His appointed priesthood, and His provision. He could not see the people’s sins and rebellion. He only saw the blood on the mercy seat.

Now, stop and consider the wonder portrayed in this picture of Jesus and His sacrifice. Understand that it was “not with the blood of goats and calves, but with His own blood [Christ] entered the Most Holy Place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption.” His shed blood that covers your sins is the basis of your eternal redemption!

My friend, as you see Jesus unveiled like this and make Him the center of your heart, you will experience peace, joy, and the fulfillment of redemption’s blessings, and reign in life.

I think that this is so interesting and just one more reason to continue reading through the Bible  chronologically. We are SO blessed to have and KNOW the TRUTH! Here is Brandon Lake with another song from his new album called King of Hearts (the album AND the song):

Love and Shalom from the Swoveys!

Hi Brian!

This week I want to share the Charles Spurgeon devotional!

"If we walk in the light, as He is in the light."  — 1 John 1:7

As He is in the light! Can we ever attain to this? Shall we ever be able to walk as clearly in the light as He is whom we call "Our Father," of whom it is written, "God is light, and in Him is no darkness at all"? Certainly, this is the model which it set before us, for the Saviour Himself said, "Be ye perfect, even as your Father who is in heaven is perfect"; and although we may feel that we can never rival the perfection of God, yet we are to seek after it, and never to be satisfied until we attain to it. The youthful artist, as he grasps his early pencil, can hardly hope to equal Raphael or Michael Angelo, but still, if he did not have a noble beau ideal before his mind, he would only attain to something very mean and ordinary. But what is meant by the expression that the Christian is to walk in light as God is in the light? We conceive it to import likeness, but not degree. We are as truly in the light, we are as heartily in the light, we are as sincerely in the light, as honestly in the light, though we cannot be there in the same measure. I cannot dwell in the sun, it is too bright a place for my residence, but I can walk in the light of the sun; and so, though I cannot attain to that perfection of purity and truth which belongs to the Lord of hosts by nature as the infinitely good, yet I can set the Lord always before me, and strive, by the help of the indwelling Spirit, after conformity to His image. That famous old commentator, John Trapp, says, "We may be in the light as God is in the light for quality, but not for equality." We are to have the same light, and are as truly to have it and walk in it as God does, though, as for equality with God in His holiness and purity, that must be left until we cross the Jordan and enter into the perfection of the Most High. Mark that the blessings of sacred fellowship and perfect cleansing are bound up with walking in the light. 

I LOVE this! Our goal is to be LIKE out Father, which causes us to be the very BEST version of ourselves!  Though perfection is NOT possible, reaching for that goal not only puts us in great company, but also causes our desires to line up with HIS and makes us so valuable to all of the people in our lives. All of which is really the theme of this new song by Brandon Lake (and Hulvey) called "Right In The Middle", which is where HE is in all of this life! 

Love and Shalom from the Swoveys!