Hi Brian!

The word for this week is "rise". We'll look at these verses:


John 5:8 Jesus said unto him, Rise, take up your bed, and walk. KJV

Acts 3:6 Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk. KJV

"Rise" is the Greek word "egeiro". Strong's Concordance says: to waken, rouse (literally from sleep, from sitting or lying, from disease, from death or figuratively, from obscurity, inactivity, ruins). The Theological Dictionary of the New Testament (Kittel's) adds: to stir oneself. 

When Jesus healed someone, they had a part to play. We call that a "corresponding action". In John, the corresponding action for the man with the infirmity was to rise and take his bed out of there! In Acts, the corresponding action for the lame man was to rise up and walk! When we pray or speak the Word of God over any and every area of our lives, we must also have a "corresponding action"!  We must stir ourselves up to do something we couldn't do before! For finances it may mean sowing an uncommon seed. For healing it may mean pushing our bodies to do something we weren't able to do before. In every area we should "stir ourselves" up to pick up and keep moving forward into God's plan for our lives! If you continue to rise in every area of your life in the same strong and consistent way you have been "rising" at Target, you will be successful at everything you set your hands to do and your family will become the most blessed family I know! Here is Hillsong with "Beneath The Waters (I Will Rise)":

Love and Shalom from the Swoveys!

Hi Brian!

The word for this week is "glory". We'll look at two verses in the Old Testament and three in the New Testament.


Psalm 19:1 The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament shows His handiwork. KJV


Psalm 29:2 Give unto the Lord the glory due unto His Name; worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness. KJV

This is the Hebrew word "kabowd". Strong's Concordance says: weight, splendor, copiousness. Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon says: glory, honor, abundance, riches, splendor, dignity, reputation, reverence. The New Testament Greek word is similar! 

John 1:14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth. KJV

John 17:22 And the glory which thou gave me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one: KJV

Col 1:27 To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory: KJV

This is the Greek word "doxa". Thayer's Greek Lexicon says: opinion, estimate, splendor, brightness, magnificence, excellence, preeminence, dignity, grace, majesty (that which belongs to God). Because we have received Jesus as Lord and personal Savior, He now lives IN us, by His Spirit! That means that all that "glory" lives in us, too! That's how God sees us ALL THE TIME! We may not always see ourselves that way, but it is true! 1 John 4:17 tells us this:

17 Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as He is, so are we in this world. KJV

When we dare to see ourselves the way that God sees us, NOTHING will seem impossible to accomplish! I LOVE the Word! I'm so glad that you do, too! Here is Hillsong with "His Glory Appears":

Love and Shalom from the Swoveys!

Hi Brian!

What a great game you saw! GO VIKINGS! The word for this week is "purpose". We find it in these Scriptures:


Rom 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose. KJV

Eph 1:11 In Whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being pre-destinated according to the purpose of Him who works all things after the counsel of His own will: 12 That we should be to the praise of His glory, who first trusted in Christ. KJV

Eph 3:11 According to the eternal purpose which He purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord: 12 In Whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of Him. KJV

2 Tim 1:9 Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began, KJV

This is the Greek word "prothesis". Strong's Concordance says: a setting forth; proposal (intention). Thayer's Greek Lexicon says: the setting forth of a thing, placing it in view. The Theological Dictionary of the New Testament says: to set before; to display, or make known publicly. God has had a plan and "purpose" for our lives from before the foundation of the world (Ephesians 1:4). He desires that we stand in faith on the promises of His Word so that He can confirm that Word with signs following (Mark 16:17 and 20). THIS is the display of HIS power and glory, the setting forth of Who HE is, so that the lost will be drawn to Him through us! You AND your family have an eternal purpose in the eyes of God to be blessed in order to BE a Blessing! You are ALL a blessing to us! We can't wait to see "Fancy Lady" and find out her NEW name! Praying for you all! Here is Hillsong Live with "You". Lyrics follow!

Verse 1:
Invading all my weakness
You wrapped me up in grace
The worst of me succeeded by the best of You

Verse 2
My heart is overtaken
My soul is overwhelmed
The worst of me succeeded by the best of You

Verse 3
My dreams have found their purpose
My future in Your hands
This life would have no meaning if it weren't for You

(PreChorus
So I lay me down
For Kingdom come
Steal all that is within me
Cause all I want in this world is more of You
[ Lyrics from: http://www.lyricsty.com/hillsong-you-lyrics.html ]
Chorus
And the less of me it is You
Increasing as I fade away
Your light for all the world to see
God It is You who breaks the chains
It is You who lights the way
And everything I am cries out for You

Verse 4
Lord make my life transparent
Your life in mine displayed
And let every earthly glory
Go back to You

(PreChorus
So I lay me down
For Kingdom come
Steal all that is within me
Cause all I want in this world Is more of You

Chorus
And the less of me it is You
Increasing as I fade away
Your light for all the world to see
God It is You who breaks the chains
It is You who lights the way
And everything I am cries out for You

Love and Shalom from the Swoveys!

Hi Brian!

The word for this week is "benefits". Psalm 103:2 says this:

2 Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: KJV

This is the Hebrew word "gemuwl". Strong's Concordance says: treatment, an act of good, service. Brown-Driver-Briggs Greek Lexicon says: dealing, recompense. The Theological Workbook adds: reward. When I worked as a Pharmacy Technician at the Marshfield Clinic Pharmacy, I had a tremendous Benefits Package! I had a great hourly wage, sick days (I prefer "well days"!), great insurances and 4 weeks of vacation! I am very confident that your Target package is much greater! As good as those were/are, they do not even begin to compare with God's benefits! Psalm 103:2-5 from the Amplified Bible:

2 Bless (affectionately, gratefully praise) the Lord, O my soul, and forget not [one of] all His benefits —  3 Who forgives [every one of] all your iniquities, Who heals [each one of] all your diseases, 4 Who redeems your life from the pit and corruption, Who beautifies, dignifies, and crowns you with loving-kindness and tender mercy; 5 Who satisfies your mouth [your necessity and desire at your personal age and situation] with good so that your youth, renewed, is like the eagle's [strong, overcoming, soaring]!  [Isa 40:31.] AMP

Gods plans and promises cover every area of our lives with ONLY good things! Remember that Jesus said this in John 10:10:

10 The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance (to the full, till it overflows). AMP

The more we meditate in the Word of God, the more we will understand and realize the scope of all of His wonderful "benefits" to and for us! Some of your benefits that are obvious to others include a great marriage, a wonderful family, happy and healthy children, a great job, a beautiful home and great friends (including your band!). The benefits that aren't so easily seen include health, favor, peace of mind, wisdom and understanding of the Word, authority over works and workers of darkness, and faith! You are THE most blessed person I know! :) Here is Hillsong with an older song we used before called "Blessed"!

Love and Shalom from the Swoveys!