Hi Brian!

It was so good to see you and your family this weekend! The word for this week is "seek". The verses we'll be looking at are: Matthew 6:33; Luke 11:9; and Colossians 3:1:


Matt 6:33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.  NKJV

Luke 11:9 So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.  NKJV

Col 3:1 If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God  NKJV

This is the Greek word "zeteo". Thayer's Greek Lexicon says: to seek in order to find; to seek by thinking, meditating, reasoning; to inquire into; to aim at; to strive after. There is an intensity involved with seeking! It is much more than just looking for, but involves a determined desire for whatever it is we are "seeking"! The Amplified Bible is good here!


Matt 6:33 But seek (aim at and strive after) first of all His kingdom and His righteousness (His way of doing and being right), and then all these things taken together will be given you besides. AMP

Luke 11:9 So I say to you, Ask and keep on asking and it shall be given you; seek and keep on seeking and you shall find; knock and keep on knocking and the door shall be opened to you.AMP

Col 3:1 IF THEN you have been raised with Christ [to a new life, thus sharing His resurrection from the dead], aim at and seek the [rich, eternal treasures] that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. AMP

Hebrews 11:6 is also very good:


Heb 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. NKJV

This is the Greek word "ekzeteo". Strong's Concordance says: to search out, i.e. to investigate, crave, demand. Thayer's Greek Lexicon adds: to scrutinize and to require. The Amplified Bible:

Heb 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please and be satisfactory to Him. For whoever would come near to God must [necessarily] believe that God exists and that He is the rewarder of those who earnestly and diligently seek Him [out]. AMP

I have made it a fun goal to continually learn something new about HIM! It makes the Bible Plan more interesting and it also helps to talk about the Word with someone else. It is SUCH a blessing to know that you and Kristine are involved in a great church that teaches the Word! THAT makes "seeking" Him so much easier! Here is Kari Jobe with "The More I Seek You":

Love and Shalom from the Swoveys!

Hi Brian! 

The word for this week is "trust". The first Scriptures we'll look at are these:

Ps 18:2 The Lord is my Rock, my Fortress, and my Deliverer; my God, my keen and firm Strength in Whom I will trust and take refuge, my Shield, and the Horn of my salvation, my High Tower. AMP

Ps 18:30 As for God, His way is perfect! The word of the Lord is tested and tried; He is a shield to all those who take refuge and put their trust in Him. AMP

Ps 91:4 [Then] He will cover you with His pinions, and under His wings shall you trust and find refuge; His truth and His faithfulness are a shield and a buckler. AMP

This is the Hebrew word "chacah". Strong's Concordance says: to flee for protection, to confide in. Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon says: to seek refuge, to flee for protection. With all that is happening in he world today, it is so encouraging to know that we can have absolute trust in the One, True, Most High, Living, Almighty God of the Bible to protect us from all the works of the enemy. This happens WHEN we put our complete trust in Him! These Scriptures reveal another Hebrew word translated "trust":


Ps 37:5 Commit your way to the Lord [roll and repose each care of your load on Him]; trust (lean on, rely on, and be confident) also in Him and He will bring it to pass. AMP

Ps 56:3 What time I am afraid, I will have confidence in and put my trust and reliance in You. AMP

Ps 56:11 In God have I put my trust and confident reliance; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me? AMP

This is the Hebrew word "batach". Strong's Concordance says: to hasten for refuge [but not so precipitately (at break neck speed) as "chacah"]; to trust, to be confident, to be sure. Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon says: to trust, to have confidence in , to be bold, to be secure. It doesn't make any difference how big the problem we face, when we have this kind of trust in Him, then we will operate with a supernatural calmness that will baffle the people around us who don't know Him or His Word! That provides many opportunities to answer why! One of the clues that you and Kristine already operate in a high degree of trust in Him is the boldness and confidence that you have instilled in Avery! Children SO pick up on the moods and emotions of their parents! With your continual growth in the Word of God, "Fancy" should be even more confident and unafraid! We can't wait to meet her! Here is a fun and faith-filled song from Hillsong's new Cornerstone album called "Praise Him":

Love and Shalom from the Swoveys!

Hi Brian!

The word for this week is "grow". We will be looking at these three verses:


Eph 4:15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: KJV

1 Peter 2:2 As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby: KJV

2 Peter 3:18 But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen. KJV

"Grow" here is the Greek word "auzano" or "auxanoo". Strong's Concordance says: to grow, i.e. enlarge. Thayer's Greek Lexicon says: to cause to grow, to augment, to grow, increase. Vine's Expository Dictionary "to grow or increase" of the growth of that which lives, naturally or spiritually. Signifying to make increase, said of giving the increase, the effect of the work of God. The  Theological Dictionary of the New Testament says: to bring to growth, to promote, to raise one's position, to rise in repute and power, to increase. Both you and Kristine understand what it takes to learn, grow, increase, get promoted and to earn a great reputation in your work! It takes diligence, commitment and hard work to attain what you both have attained. Growth in the things of God comes the same way! As you can see, all of these verses show that growth involves the Word of God! A look at each in the Amplified Bible shows this even more!


Eph 4:15 Rather, let our lives lovingly express truth [in all things, speaking truly, dealing truly, living truly]. Enfolded in love, let us grow up in every way and in all things into Him Who is the Head, [even] Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One). AMP

1 Peter 2:2 Like newborn babies you should crave (thirst for, earnestly desire) the pure (unadulterated) spiritual milk, that by it you may be nurtured and grow unto [completed] salvation, AMP


2 Peter 3:18 But grow in grace (undeserved favor, spiritual strength) and recognition and knowledge and understanding of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ (the Messiah). To Him [be] glory (honor, majesty, and splendor) both now and to the day of eternity. Amen (so be it)! AMP

As you continue to grow in the Word, you will find that this affects your life in every area, including your work! I can't wait to hear about all the new promotions! Here is Hillsong with "Greater Than All" from their new Cornerstone album:

Love and Shalom from the Swoveys!

Hi Brian!

The word for this week is "feet"! The three verses we'll be looking at are these:


Luke 10:39 And she had a sister named Mary, who seated herself at the Lord's feet and was listening to His teaching. AMP

Eph 1:22 And He has put all things under His feet and has appointed Him the universal and supreme Head of the church [a headship exercised throughout the church],  [Ps 8:6.] 23 Which is His body, the fullness of Him Who fills all in all [for in that body lives the full measure of Him Who makes everything complete, and Who fills everything everywhere with Himself]. AMP

Rom 10:14 But how are people to call upon Him Whom they have not believed [in Whom they have no faith, on Whom they have no reliance]? And how are they to believe in Him [adhere to, trust in, and rely upon Him] of Whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without a preacher? 15 And how can men [be expected to] preach unless they are sent? As it is written, How beautiful are the feet of those who bring glad tidings! [How welcome is the coming of those who preach the good news of His good things!] AMP

This is the Greek word "pous". Vine's Expository Dictionary says this: besides its literal meaning, is used, by metonymy*, of "a person in motion". It is used in phrases expressing subjection; of the humility and receptivity of discipleship; of obeisance and worship. *Dictionary definition of metonymy: A figure of speech in which one word or phrase is substituted for another with which it is closely associated, as in the use of Washington for the United States government or of the sword for military power.* In Luke we don't actually know where in that house Mary sat, but we know that she DID put herself in subjection to His teaching! In Ephesians we know that this is referring to everything being under the full authority of Jesus, and of His Body, which WE are members of! Therefore, all things are under our authority through His Name and His Word. I have always liked these verses in Romans, which were taken from Isaiah 52:7, and really fit the description above of "a person in motion"! AS you and your family continue in God's Word, you are just like Mary! You are in subjection to His will! As you stand on and confess God's Word in faith you are taking your rightful place of authority. As you share the Good News with other people, you are God's Word in motion, taking His Life to others! What a lot of wonderful Truths are contained in the word "feet"! I LOVE the Word and I am so glad that YOU do, too! Here is Hillsong with "Alive In Us":

Love and Shalom from the Swoveys!

Hi Brian!

The word for this week is "order". There are several words translated order in both the New and Old Testaments. We will be looking at the Hebrew word "taxis". We find this in 1 Corinthians 14:40 and in Colossians 2:5:


1 Cor 14:40 Let all things be done decently and in order. KJV

Col 2:5 For though I be absent in the flesh, yet am I with you in the spirit, joying and beholding your order, and the stedfastness of your faith in Christ. KJV

"Taxis", according to Strong's Concordance, means: regular arrangement; (in time) fixed succession (of rank or character); official dignity. Thayer's Hebrew Lexicon adds: due or right order. Vine's Expository Dictionary also adds this, specifically for Colossians 2:5: a military significance. Let's look at both of these verses in the Amplified Bible:

1 Cor 14:40 But all things should be done with regard to decency and propriety and in an orderly fashion. AMP

Col 2:5 For though I am away from you in body, yet I am with you in spirit, delighted at the sight of your [standing shoulder to shoulder in such] orderly array and the firmness and the solid front and steadfastness of your faith in Christ [that leaning of the entire human personality on Him in absolute trust and confidence in His power, wisdom, and goodness]. AMP

I also really like the Message Bible for Colossians 2:5:

Col 2:5 I'm a long way off, true, and you may never lay eyes on me, but believe me, I'm on your side, right beside you. I am delighted to hear of the careful and orderly ways you conduct your affairs, and impressed with the solid substance of your faith in Christ. THE MESSAGE

I know that neither you nor Kristine would have had the success you've had in your careers if you didn't know how to properly order your life! Now you add the leading of the Spirit of God to your natural strengths and abilities and you both are simply destined for more success! When you carry that over into your family life, your children are learning what it takes to succeed, too! How exciting to know that you are well on your way to raising children who will do well AND be able to find God's will for their lives! You are both an inspiration and we love you! Here is Hillsong with a new song called "Running":

Love and Shalom from the Swoveys!