Hi Brian!

I am so sorry that I completely missed the blog again last week! These Monday holidays seem to trip me up lately! The word for this week is "irksome". It is found twice in the Amplified Bible and it caught my eye! Here are the two places:

Philippians 3:1 FOR THE rest, my brethren, delight yourselves in the Lord and continue to rejoice that you are in Him. To keep writing to you [over and over] of the same things is not irksome to me, and it is [a precaution] for your safety. AMP

1 John 5:3 For the [true] love of God is this: that we do His commands [keep His ordinances and are mindful of His precepts and teaching]. And these orders of His are not irksome (burdensome, oppressive, or grievous). AMP

These are two different Greek words that have similar meanings. In Philippians it is the word "okneros". Thayer's Greek Lexicon says:  to be slow or hesitant. Vine's Expository Dictionary says: to be loath or slow to do a thing. Paul is sayng that even if he has to keep writing these instructions to them, he doesn't mind because his heart is turned toward them to help them! In 1 John 5:3 they give the definition which is burdensome, oppressive or grievous. This came from the Greek word "barus". Anything that the Word of God instructs us to do is ALWAYS for our own good and will result in God's blessings in our lives. 

I know that by now you and Kristine have faced many things with four unique young ladies that you have had to deal with, and many times differently with each different personality! Yet Holy Spirit has given you the needed wisdom in each circumstance! You have both done a tremendous job of obeying Proverbs 22:6:

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 PROMISE is that all of your time, energy and creativity is not in vain and WILL produce the desired results! Well done! The only song that comes to mind for this is Brandon Lake's "Kids" for HE "will never let His kids down"!

Love and Shalom from the Swoveys!

Hi Brian!

The first blog post we did spoke about fathers and what a good father you were (are). This week we are looking a two verses that speak about fathers.

Ephesians 6:4 Fathers, do not irritate and provoke your children to anger [do not exasperate them to resentment], but rear them [tenderly] in the training and discipline and the counsel and admonition of the Lord. AMP

Colossians 3:21 Fathers, do not provoke or irritate or fret your children [do not be hard on them or harass them], lest they become discouraged and sullen and morose and feel inferior and frustrated. [Do not break their spirit.] AMP

I was never raised to know Jesus and I was never close to the father I grew up knowing! Everything that Greg and I learned about parenting came after we recieved Jesus in 1980 when Trevor was 2 1/2 and Kori was 1! We missed some time there, but God was gracious to teach us quickly! It has been such a joy to watch our children become wonderful parents. It has also been a real joy to watch you and Kristine raise your beautiful young ladies to love Jesus, to step out and try things, to work hard for what they want, and to LOVE others! They always show us so much love even though we don't see them as often now. All of that is the fruit of being a GOOD father! They will never have a hard time receiving the love that Heavenly Father has for them because they have been and are now loved so well by you both! So the message is that you are doing such a wonderful job at fatherhood and as you keep up that GOOD WORK, you will continue to reap the fruit of that! Here is a song by Brandon Lake called "Daddy's DNA" which speaks of how our Heavenly Father sees us! 

Love and Shalom from the Swoveys!

Hi Brian!

This week I have still had my mind on the concert that we went to. Holy Spirit has continued to show me things and bring back to my remembrance things that I have known, but sometimes let slip away! It has been such a rejuvination for me! Then I read this from Charles Spurgeon  today and it really ministered to me! 

"The only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth." — John 1:14

Believer, YOU can bear your testimony that Christ is the only begotten of the Father, as well as the first begotten from the dead. You can say, "He is divine to me, if He be human to all the world beside. He has done that for me which none but a God could do. He has subdued my stubborn will, melted a heart of adamant, opened gates of brass, and snapped bars of iron. He hath turned for me my mourning into laughter, and my desolation into joy; He hath led my captivity captive, and made my heart rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory. Let others think as they will of Him, to me He must be the only begotten of the Father: blessed be His name. And He is full of grace. Ah! had He not been I should never have been saved. He drew me when I struggled to escape from His grace; and when at last I came all trembling like a condemned culprit to His mercy-seat He said, 'Thy sins which are many are all forgiven thee: be of good cheer.' And He is full of truth. True have His promises been, not one has failed. I bear witness that never servant had such a master as I have; never brother such a kinsman as He has been to me; never spouse such a husband as Christ has been to my soul; never sinner a better Saviour; never mourner a better comforter than Christ hath been to my spirit. I want none beside Him. In life He is my life, and in death He shall be the death of death; in poverty Christ is my riches; in sickness He makes my bed; in darkness He is my star, and in brightness He is my sun; He is the manna of the camp in the wilderness, and He shall be the new corn of the host when they come to Canaan. Jesus is to me all grace and no wrath, all truth and no falsehood: and of truth and grace He is full, infinitely full. My soul, this night, bless with all thy might 'the only Begotten.'"

There is such FREEDOM in serving JESUS! Freedom to BE who HE has made us to be without trying to live up to the expectations of others! I LOVE this in Proverbs 16:7:

7 When a man’s ways please the Lord, He makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.

If my goal is pleasing HIM, He has promised to deal with others on my behalf! I LOVE that! Here is a song that we sang at the concert by Pat Berrett called "Praise The Lord Forever" that has a similar message! 

Love and Shalom from the Swoveys!

P.S. We had to change internet providers a while ago and I don't remember if I gave you my new email address. It is:

r_swov@yahoo.com

Hi Brian!

This week I am sharing Joseph Prince's "Daily Grace Inspirations" devotional becauase I LOVE it! 

Come Back to Simplicity

But I fear, lest somehow, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, so your minds may be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. 2 Corinthians 11:3

Several years ago, the Lord began to speak to me about healing in a very strong way. He led me to read a verse I believe articulates clearly His will for us. It was written by the disciple whom Jesus loved, the disciple who was an eyewitness as Jesus went about healing all who came to Him, the disciple who leaned on Jesus’ bosom and knew the heartbeat of His love:

Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers. —3 John 1:2

What I want you to see is this: John was writing to the well-beloved Gaius, a believer. John knew that Gaius’s soul was already prospering.

If you have invited Jesus into your heart to be your Lord and Savior, then you have received the gift of eternal life and can have full assurance that heaven is your home (Romans 10:9–11). Whatever challenges you might be faced with on the outside, your soul, which is eternal, has begun prospering.

But it wasn’t enough for John to know Gaius’s soul was prospering. John prayed that Gaius would also “prosper in all things and be in health.” In other words, you can pray for your outward, physical body to be healthy even as your soul is healthy in Christ.

You can be sure God’s will is for you to be healthy because His Word declares it. Since His will is for you to be “in health,” don’t go with human tradition or man’s opinion that says it is sometimes His will for you to be sick.

Don’t let man’s conjectures and theories cause you to believe the lie that maybe God wants you to endure the sickness in your body so you can learn to trust Him more or grow in patience. Because of what Jesus did at Calvary, we can be sure sickness is never from God. Healing is!

Come back to the simplicity of declaring like a child, “Jesus loves me, this I know, for the Bible tells me so.” In the same way, how do I know Jesus wants us walking in His health and wholeness? For the Bible tells me so.

AMEN! Here is a song that tells of GOD'S unwavering support of US and our CHILDREN! This is called I Know A Name" by Brandon Lake and it speaks very clearly to Who WE are when WE ARE in HIM!

Love and Shalom from the Swoveys!

Hi Brian!

I was meditating this week on God as my Father. Knowing this really meant a lot to me when I first understood it because I was never very close to the Dad I grew up with. It was such a lack in my heart when I would see my friends with their dads. Here are some Truths about God as our Father:

Knowing God as a loving Father highlights His compassion, care, and intimate relationship with believers, often described as a "good father" who gives good gifts, provides for needs, and offers secure adoption. Key verses highlight this, such as Romans 8:15 (calling him "Abba"), 1 John 3:1 (being called children), and Psalm 103:13 (compassion).

 
Key Scriptures on God as a Loving Father Intimacy & Adoption: "For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, 'Abba, Father'" (Romans 8:15, NKJV).

The Father's Love:
"See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are" (1 John 3:1, ESV).

Compassion: "As a father shows compassion to his children, so the Lord shows compassion to those who fear him" (Psalm 103:13, ESV).

Provision & Goodness: "If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!" (Matthew 7:11, NIV).

Protection: "Even if my father and mother abandon me, the Lord will hold me close" (Psalm 27:10, NLT).

Loving Care: "Look at the birds of the air... yet your Heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?" (Matthew 6:26, NIV).

Joyful Affection: "He will take delight in you with gladness. With His love, He will calm all your fears. He will rejoice over you with joyful songs" (Zephaniah 3:17, NLT).

The Prodigal Son’s Father: The parable in Luke 15:11-32 illustrates a father’s joy, grace, and immediate forgiveness upon the return of his son.

 
Key Aspects of God as Father He is "Abba": This term signifies an intimate relationship, equivalent to "Daddy," showing access and closeness (Galatians 4:6).

He provides and protects: God knows what his children need before they ask and protects them from trouble (Matthew 6:8, Psalm 32:7).

He is the "Father to the fatherless": God sets the lonely in families and acts as a defender (Psalm 68:5).

I LOVE watching you with your girls! I know that you come from a good, loving family, but I really see the effects of your Heavenly Father in and upon you! And I also see the effects of YOUR fatherhood in them! I just wanted you to know the blessing that you and your family are to us! And here is a song that also speaks to me and my life with my Heavenly Father. It's by Brandon Lake and it is called "Adoption Song":

Love and Shalom from the Swoveys!

Hi Brian!

This week I smply want to share a song wityh you that I particularly love! This is by Brook Ligertwood and is called "Ancient Gates"! Here is that song!

Love and Shalom from the Swoveys! 

Hi Brian!

I am SO happpy that you and your family had such a wonderful vacation! And I took one from the blog last week because we left on Sunday and I forgot to do one before we left! So here is our after vacation restart! 😁

This week I want to share a very good devotional I read by Joseph Prince from his "Daily Grace Inspirations".

This Is Our God!

God is love. 1 John 4:8

How we see God is important because a faulty perception of God can result in a lifetime of fear and bondage. Too many people have a wrong impression of God because for generations people have portrayed Him as hard, angry, unfeeling, and condemning, just waiting for man to trip up.

These portrayals of God cause many sincere people to have an unhealthy fear of God. And when they believe that God is against them and out to punish them, they find it impossible to break out of their sins, addictions, anxieties, and fears.

My friend, if you’ve been shown a God of judgment and anger all your life, let the Scriptures reveal to you His true nature:“But you, Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness” (Psalm 86:15 NIV).
“The Lord our God is merciful and forgiving” (Daniel 9:9 NIV).
“O LORD, Your tender mercies and Your loving-kindnesses . . . they are from of old” (Psalm 25:6).

This is our God! Our God is love! He is slow to anger, gracious, and patient. He is full of forgiveness, loving-kindness, and tender mercies. Thank God we can go to the Holy Word for the truth!

If you want to further understand the true nature of God, just look at Jesus. He said, “He who has seen Me has seen the Father. . . . The words that I speak to you I do not speak on My own authority; but the Father who dwells in Me does the works” (John 14:9–10).

Have you ever seen Jesus provoked and angry with sinners, prostitutes, or tax collectors? Did He berate the woman at the well who had five husbands, or the woman who was caught in adultery?

Now, He was at times angry with the self-righteous, hard-hearted, grace-resisting scribes and Pharisees, but He was always kind and loving toward the sinners and outcasts of society. That’s the nature of your heavenly Father!

Jesus demonstrated such graciousness that His haters sarcastically labeled Him “a friend of sinners” to cast aspersions on His integrity (Matthew 11:19). But what was intended to be a derogatory label is really a beautiful picture of His grace.

Grace doesn’t shun the sinner; grace pursues the sinner. Grace doesn’t picket against those who fall short; grace embraces them into wholeness and brings about real inward transformation for them. Grace does not condemn those struggling against sin; grace produces holiness in them.

Sinners found hope, joy, and liberty in Jesus. He showed them His grace and His grace transformed them from living a life of sin to living a life of holiness. He never condoned their sins. A thousand times no. How could He, when He gave His life to save them from their sins!

We see an example of our Lord’s love for sinners when He befriended the corrupt tax collector, Zacchaeus. He invited Himself over to Zacchaeus’s home, loved him, and showed him grace. Before the night was over, Zacchaeus stood in the presence of all his dinner guests and said to Jesus, “Look, Lord, I give half of my goods to the poor; and if I have taken anything from anyone by false accusation, I restore fourfold” (Luke 19:8).

That’s the power of grace! Grace changes people’s lives from the inside out. Jesus gave Zacchaeus no commandments, no condemnation, no laws . . . just grace, grace, and more grace. And Zacchaeus’s heart was forever transformed. Grace produces true holiness.

I LOVE this! When we were first born again, so many believers and even leaders would stress that we MUST pass out tracts, share the Gospel everywhere, visit hospitals and jails and nursing homes. This hurt so many people and kept them from sharing the Gospel. Each one of us is responsible for sharing what we know when HOLY SPIRIT brings people into our lives and across our path! Wer are to be ourselves and to DO 1 Peter 3:15:

15 But in your hearts set Christ apart as holy [and acknowledge Him] as Lord. Always be ready to give a logical defense to anyone who asks you to account for the hope that is in you, but do it courteously and respectfully. AMPC

But give reverent honor in your hearts to the Anointed One and treat him as the holy Master of your lives. And if anyone asks about the hope living within you, always be ready to explain your faith TPT

Sharing the Gospel should be as easy for us as sharing any GOOD NEWS! Never forced, but always ready! Here is a song I love by Brandon Lake with "Rest On Us":

Love and Shalom from the Swoveys!

Hi Brian!

The word for this week is "quarrel". We'll be looking at Colossians 3:13:

Colossians 3:13 Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. KJV

This is the Greek word "momphe. Strong's Concordance says: blame, fault. Vine's Expository Dictionary adds: an occasion of complaint. The Theological Dictionary says: reproach or complaint. I have found over the years that when I deal with contentious people, if I keep in mind Proverbs 15:1 and operate in it, things always calm down and turn out so much better! And that IS how born again believers should act toward other believers! 

Praying that your trip with you wonderful family will be above and beyond all that you can ask, think or even imagine! Also praying for protection, provision, safety, FAVOR with God and man, great food, great fun and and all around WONDERFUL time!!! Here to celebrate with you is Brandon Lake with "Just Like Heaven!"

 

Love and Shalom from the Swoveys!

Hi Brian!

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

“Abba, Father!”

For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father.” The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God. Romans 8:15–16

I love it when I’m in Israel and I hear little children running around in playgrounds, calling out, “Abba! Abba!”, and jumping into their daddies’ embraces. To the Jews, Abba is the most intimate way in which you can address your father.

It’s a beautiful picture of the truth that through Jesus, you have received the Spirit of sonship by whom you cry out “Abba, Father.” Did you notice that the Holy Spirit refused to translate the original Aramaic word “Abba” into English?

In Abba’s arms, a child is most secure, protected, and loved. No enemy can pull a child out of his or her Abba’s strong arms.

That’s the image God wants us to have when we pray to Him and call Him “Abba.” Of course, you can call Him “Daddy” or “Papa,” or whatever term helps you to see God as a warm, loving, and caring Father.

Unless you can see Him as your Abba Father, you will continue to have a “spirit of bondage again to fear” (Romans 8:15), referring to the Old Testament fear of God. It’s a slavish fear of judgment and punishment that brings you into bondage and makes you afraid of God.

But God doesn’t want you to fear Him. He wants you to have a Spirit of sonship! Too many believers are living with an orphan, fatherless spirit. If you are entangled with all kinds of fears, guilt, and worries today, what you need is a good heavenly dose of the Father’s love for you!

Something amazing happens in your spirit when you see God as your Father. If my daughter, Jessica, has a nightmare, all she has to do is cry out, “Daddy!” and Daddy is there!

Jessica doesn’t have to go, “O Father that liveth and inhabiteth the next room, I plead with thee to come to me at this time of peril, that thou mayest rescue me from this nightmare!” All she has to do is to cry out, “Daddy!” and I’m there.

Similarly, in your moments of weakness you don’t have to approach God with perfect prayers. You just cry out, “Daddy!” and your heavenly Father runs to you!

You are not coming before a judge. You are coming before your Father, your Daddy God, who embraces and loves you just the way you are.

Take time to come to your Abba Father today. Believe that He loves you unconditionally today. See Him welcoming you with a smile on His face and with outstretched arms. Run into His embrace, bask in His perfect love for you, and let it melt away every worry, fear, and insecurity.

When you believe and receive your Father’s love for you, it will put unshakable peace and strength in your heart!

I LOVE this! I never had a close relationship with the 'dad' I grew up with. It is SUCH a BLESSING to me to know that GOD is now my FATHER and that HE loves ME SO VERY MUCH! I know that you have a great dad you grew up with, but I also KNOW that your Heavenly Father is very real to you because YOU are SUCH a WONDERFUL father to your four BEAUFTIFUL young ladies! I just want to encourage you to continue to stay close to your Heavenly Father and there will not be ANYTHING that the enemy can do to take you by surprise or to harm what (WHO) God has blessed your life with ! Here is another song by Brandon Lake called "Kids":

Love and Shalom from the Swoveys!

Hi Brian!

This week I want to share a part of Psalm 68 from our Spoken Word Bible Reading Plan! Here are verses 1-11:

1 God is [already] beginning to arise, and His enemies to scatter; let them also who hate Him flee before Him! 2 As smoke is driven away, so drive them away; as wax melts before the fire, so let the wicked perish before the presence of God. 3 But let the [uncompromisingly] righteous be glad; let them be in high spirits and glory before God, yes, let them [jubilantly] rejoice! 4 Sing to God, sing praises to His name, cast up a highway for Him Who rides through the deserts—His name is the Lord—be in high spirits and glory before Him! 5 A father of the fatherless and a judge and protector of the widows is God in His holy habitation. 6 God places the solitary in families and gives the desolate a home in which to dwell; He leads the prisoners out to prosperity; but the rebellious dwell in a parched land. 7 O God, when You went forth before Your people, when You marched through the wilderness—Selah [pause, and calmly think of that]!

8 The earth trembled, the heavens also poured down [rain] at the presence of God; yonder Sinai quaked at the presence of God, the God of Israel. 9 You, O God, did send a plentiful rain; You did restore and confirm Your heritage when it languished and was weary. 10 Your flock found a dwelling place in it; You, O God, in Your goodness did provide for the poor and needy. 11 The Lord gives the word [of power]; the women who bear and publish [the news] are a great host.

I REALLY love this Psalm! I especially love the wonderful things that GOD causes to happen to bless US, His people! We can COUNT on HIM! Not because we, in ourselves, are so good, but because HE IS! You can count on Him for FAVOR, for BLESSING, for His anointing within you and upon you, for the leading, guiding and direction that comes to us through Holy Spirit! And verse 11 is especially pertinent to you as a father of BEAUTIFUL daughters! Your daughters are carriers of LIFE, even and especially when they are simply being their best selves! You and Kristine are doing a WONDERFUL job of raising them to be warriors, to be fierce and unrelenting in the face of evil, to be kind and considerate of others, to be hard workers for their goals and dreams, and to LOVE LIFE! Here is a song I really love from a few years ago by Hillsong called "As You Find Me":because at out BEST and at our WORST, HE still loves us and finds ways to BLESS US! 

Love and Shalom from the Swoveys!

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!