Hi Brian!


Your word for this week is "fruit"! John 15:8 says this:


8 Herein is My Father glorified, that you bear much fruit; so shall you be My disciples.


"Fruit" here, according to Thayer's Greek Lexicon, means: 

1.  the fruit of trees
2. (Metaphorically) that which originates or comes from something; an effect or result

• a. work, act, deed
• b. advantage, profit, utility
• c. praises which are presented to God as a thank-offering
• d. to gather fruit

John 15:16 (AMP) says this:

16 You have not chosen Me, but I have chosen you and I have appointed you [I have planted you], that you might go and bear fruit and keep on bearing, and that your fruit may be lasting [that it may remain, abide], so that whatever you ask the Father in My Name [as representing all that I AM], He may give it to you.

Then we see result or effect of having the Holy Spirit living in us in Galatians 5:22-23 (AMP):

22 But the fruit of the [Holy] Spirit [the work which His presence within accomplishes] is love, joy (gladness), peace, patience (an even temper, forbearance), kindness, goodness (benevolence), faithfulness, 23 Gentleness (meekness, humility), self-control (self-restraint, continence). Against such things there is no law [that can bring a charge].

And finally Hebrews 13:15 (AMP):

15 Through Him, therefore, let us constantly and at all times offer up to God a sacrifice of praise, which is the fruit of lips that thankfully acknowledge and confess and glorify His Name.

The "fruit" of having Jesus as Lord in your life is very evident! And the fruit of having YOU for a husband and father is very evident in the smiles of Kristine and Avery! Keep up the great "fruit-bearing"! You are a blessing! Here is Hillsong with The Difference (We've used this song before, but it seems appropriate!):

Love and Shalom from the Swoveys! 

Hi Brian!


The word for this week is "strength"!  There are a few words translated "strength" in the Bible, but we are looking at only one of them today! This is found in Mark 12:30:


30 And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength: this is the first commandment.


The word "strength" here is the Greek word "ischus", which means force, ability, might, power, strength, according to Strong's Concordance, Thayer's Greek Lexicon and Vine's Expository Dictionary. This love for the Lord is much more than just emotion! We are to put all of ourselves into keeping Him as our #1 priority. I like the Message Bible for this verse:


30 So love the Lord your God with all your passion and prayer and intelligence and energy.


I have found it to be so true that when I do put Jesus first in my life, there is more than enough time, energy, love and anything else that is needed to love my "loved ones" more, and better, than ever before! What we give to Him, He gives back in abundance! You will find that you will have so much more ability, might, power, and strength to accomplish whatever you lay your hands to! HE has an abundant supply of everything we may need! Revelation 5:12 contains the same word for strength!


12 Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour and glory, and blessing.


Here is another song from Hillsong United called "You Are My Strength":

Love and Shalom from the Swoveys!

Hi Brian!


The word for this week is "precious"!  There are a couple of words translated precious in the New Testament, but we will be looking at just one of them. We find it first in James 5:7:


7 Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waits for the precious fruit of the earth, and has long patience for it, until he receives the early and latter rain.


Then 1 Peter 1:18-19:


18 You must know (recognize) that you were redeemed (ransomed) from the useless (fruitless) way of living inherited by tradition from  [your] forefathers, not with corruptible things [such as] silver and gold, 19 But [you were purchased] with the precious blood of Christ (the Messiah), like that of a [sacrificial] lamb without blemish or spot.


Then 1 Peter 2:7:


7 Unto you therefore which believe He is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner.


2 Peter 1:3-4 says this:


3 For His divine power has bestowed upon us all things that [are requisite and suited] to life and godliness, through the [full, personal] knowledge of Him Who called us by and to His own glory and excellence (virtue). 4 By means of these He has bestowed on us His precious and exceedingly great promises, so that through them you may escape [by flight] from the moral decay (rottenness and corruption) that is in the world because of covetousness (lust and greed), and become sharers (partakers) of the divine nature.


"Precious" in these verses is the Greek word "timios". Strong's Concordance says: valuable, costly, honored, esteemed, beloved, dear. Thayer's Greek Lexicon says: held as of great price, precious, held in honor. He is precious to us, His Word is precious to us, His blood is precious, the blessings we have received from Him are precious! You have been blessed with a precious wife and a precious daughter! You see them as precious and it shows! That makes YOU precious, too! 


Here is a song by Hillsong that speaks of the precious blood of Jesus! It is called "To Know Your Name"

Love and Shalom from the Swoveys!

Hi Brian! 


Your word for this week is "victory"! How appropriate is that after the game today! 1 John 5:4:


4 For whatsoever is born of God overcomes the world: and this is the victory that overcomes the world, even our faith.


"Victory" here is the Greek word, "nike". Strong's Exhaustive Concordance says that this is a primary word meaning conquest, the means of success, victory. The word "overcomes" is found twice in this verse and is the Greek word "nikao", which is taken from "nike". According to Strong's it means: to subdue, conquer, overcome, prevail, get the victory. Thayer's Greek Lexicon says: to conquer, to carry off the victory, to come off victorious. What a great word! Then verse 5 says this:


5 Who is he that overcomes the world, but he that believes that Jesus is the Son of God.


Every born again believer has the potential to be victorious in every situation in life. We need to develop the faith that gives us the victory by hearing the Word of God (Romans 10:17) and by praying in the Spirit (Jude 20). When that faith, trust and confidence rises up inside of us, we will speak God's Word into situations and see them change for our benefit! I LOVE the Word! Here is Hillsong Live with God Is Able:

Here is a link for the lyrics if you would like them:

http://www.newreleasetuesday.com/lyricsdetail.php?lyrics_id=69441

Love and Shalom from the Swoveys!

Hi Brian!


The word for this week is "patience". There are two words translated "patience" in the New Testament. One of them is found in James 5:7:


7 Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waits for the precious fruit of the earth, and has long patience of it, until he receive the early and latter rain.


This is the Greek word "makrothumeo", which means: to be long-spirited, to persevere patiently and bravely, to not lose heart, according to Thayer's Greek Lexicon. The other word can be found in Hebrews 10:36:


36 For you have need of patience, that after you have done the will of God, you might receive the promise.


This is the Greek word "hupomone", which means: cheerful or hopeful endurance, constancy, patient continuance, according to Strong's Exhaustive Concordance; and steadfastness, constancy, endurance, according to Thayer's Greek Lexicon. 


Both of these words give the idea of never giving up, no matter how things may look. Anyone can "believe" when things are going good; but it takes faith (trust and confidence in God and His Word) and patience to endure, never giving up, when we face tests or trials. I know that you haven't advanced to this point in your career without having developed patience! James 1:4 is for you!


4 But let patience have her perfect  work, that you may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.


That sounds like a great promise to me! Here is "Stronger" by Hillsong United:

Love and Shalom from the Swoveys!