Hi Brian!

It was so wonderful to spend time with your family this weekend! The word for this week is "sight". There are a few different words translated "sight" in the Bible, but the one we'll be looking at is found only one time. 2 Corinthians 5:7 says this:

7 (For we walk by faith, not by sight:) KJV

This is the Greek word "eidos". Strong's Concordance says: a view, form. Thayer's Greek Lexicon says: the external appearance, form, figure, shape. The verses before and after say this:

6 Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, while we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord: 7 (For we walk by faith, not by sight:) 8 We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord. KJV

This is speaking of believing something because the Word says so, even when our natural mind says it can't be! The Theological Dictionary of the New Testament says this: The point is that we are to walk in a sphere in which there is no visible form. Walking by faith, then, is really just believing what the Word says, and ordering our lives by it, no matter how things appear to be. It was hard for the disciples of Jesus to do this UNTIL they saw Him for themselves! That's one of the reasons that Jesus said this in John 20:29:


29 Jesus said unto him, Thomas, because you have seen me, you have believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed. KJV


That's us! We have not seen Heaven, but we believe because the Word of God says so, and we believe that when our spirit and soul leave our body, we WILL be in the presence of the Lord immediately! Why do we believe this? Because the Word says so! We DO know how to operate in supernatural faith! Now we have to apply that principle to every area of life and to every promise found in the Word of God. Faith comes by hearing the Word of God (Romans 8:17) and faith acts by believing the answer instead of the problem! There is NEVER a dull moment walking with God! Here is another new song from the Hilllsong United album Zion called "A Million Suns":

Love and Shalom from the Swoveys!

Hi Brian!

The word for this week is "mercy". In the New Testament we see many times where people would call out to Jesus to "have mercy on" them or someone they cared about. This is the Greek word "eleeo". Strong's Concordance says: to be compassionate (by word or deed). Thayer's Greek Lexicon adds: to succor the afflicted, to bring help to the wretched. Vine's Expository Dictionary says: to feel sympathy with the misery of another, especially as manifested in act. The dictionary definition of compassion is: sympathetic consciousness of others' distress together with a desire to alleviate it. That brings us to the two Scripture passages for today. The first one is  found in Matthew 9:12-13 and shows the response of Jesus to the Pharisees who questioned His association with "publicans and sinners".


12 They that be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick. 13 But go ye and learn what that means, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance. KJV

The second one is found in Matthew 12:7 and is the response of Jesus to the Pharisees, again, as they questioned His disciples plucking corn to eat on the Sabbath.

7 But if ye had known what this means, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice, ye would not have condemned the guiltless. 8 For the Son of man is Lord even of the sabbath day. 

This "have mercy" is the Greek word "eleos". This is the noun form of the word and refers to the outward action of "eleeo". The Scripture that Jesus wants them, and us, to understand is found in Hosea 6:6:

6 For I desired mercy, and not sacrifice; and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings. KJV

This is the Hebrew word "checed". Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon says: goodness, kindness, faithfulness. Vine's Expository Dictionary says: loving-kindness; steadfast love; grace; mercy; faithfulness; goodness; devotion. The One, True God, Who has given us very much mercy, desires for us to give that same mercy to others! I have dealt with so many people lately who have made it their life's work to point out the mistakes and deficiencies of others. Jesus never said to "go into all the world and tell them they are awful sinners."  He DID say to "go into all the world and preach the Gospel" (Mark 16:15). That's the Good News that God is not holding any sin against us, because Jesus has already paid the price for sin and the sin nature! All that is left is the choice to receive that gift or to reject it! Mercy, mercy, mercy is the message! Here is a new song from Hillsong United called, of course,  "Mercy, Mercy"! It is so new that the only video available is a lyric video:

Love and Shalom from the Swoveys!

Hi Brian!

The word for this week is "mastery". 1 Corinthians 9:25:

25 And every man that strives for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. KJV

The entire phrase "to strive for the mastery"  is the Greek word "agonizomai". It's only found this one time as "mastery". Strong's Concordance says: to struggle, literally (to compete for a prize), figuratively (to contend with an adversary). It is also found translated as fight, labor fervently, strive. Thayer's Greek Lexicon says: to enter a contest; to contend with adversaries; to contend with difficulties and dangers; to endeavor with strenuous zeal. Here is the entire passage with verses 24-27:

24 Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receives the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. 25 And every man that strives for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. 26 I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beats the air: 27 But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway. KJV

And here is the same from the Amplified Bible:

24 Do you not know that in a race all the runners compete, but [only] one receives the prize? So run [your race] that you may lay hold [of the prize] and make it yours. 25 Now every athlete who goes into training conducts himself temperately and restricts himself in all things. They do it to win a wreath that will soon wither, but we [do it to receive a crown of eternal blessedness] that cannot wither. 26 Therefore I do not run uncertainly (without definite aim). I do not box like one beating the air and striking without an adversary. 27 But [like a boxer] I buffet my body [handle it roughly, discipline it by hardships] and subdue it, for fear that after proclaiming to others the Gospel and things pertaining to it, I myself should become unfit [not stand the test, be unapproved and rejected as a counterfeit]. AMP

And here is the same from the Message Bible:

24 You've all been to the stadium and seen the athletes race. Everyone runs; one wins. Run to win.25 All good athletes train hard. They do it for a gold medal that tarnishes and fades. You're after one that's gold eternally. 26 I don't know about you, but I'm running hard for the finish line. I'm giving it everything I've got. No sloppy living for me! 27 I'm staying alert and in top condition. I'm not going to get caught napping, telling everyone else all about it and then missing out myself. THE MESSAGE

I  know that the message here is NOT a new one to you! It IS what you do every day in order to be the very best at your job! You incorporate the same drive, tenacity and commitment to your band, your family, and as a husband and father. I thought it would be an encouragement to you to know that when you do this in all of these areas that God has positioned you, you DO bring honor and glory to Him! You will be rewarded in Heaven for all of these things that He's called you to do, as well as any preaching of the Gospel, prayer and ministry to others that you do! Here is a song I've used before, but it just seems appropriate! Hillsong United with "Run":

Love and Shalom from the Swoveys!

Hi Brian!

It's a Birthday week! The word for this week is "carnal". The first Scripture that comes to mind for me is 2 Corinthians 10:4:

4 (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) KJV

This is the Greek word "sarkikos". Thayer's Greek Lexicon says: having the nature of the flesh; pertaining to the flesh, i.e. to the body. Vine's Expository Dictionary adds: governed by human nature, instead of by the Spirit of God. The Amplified Bible makes it clear:

4 For the weapons of our warfare are not physical [weapons of flesh and blood], but they are mighty before God for the overthrow and destruction of strongholds, AMP

I really like the idea of using God's weapons of prayer, praise, the Name of Jesus and the Word of God MUCH better than relying on natural, physical strength! Another Scripture that comes to mind is 1 Corinthians 3:1-4:

1 And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ. 2 I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able. 3 For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men? 4 For while one saith, I am of Paul; and another, I am of Apollos; are ye not carnal? KJV

Again, the Amplified Bible is clearer:

1 HOWEVER, BRETHREN, I could not talk to you as to spiritual [men], but as to nonspiritual [men of the flesh, in whom the carnal nature predominates], as to mere infants [in the new life] in Christ [unable to talk yet!] 2 I fed you with milk, not solid food, for you were not yet strong enough [to be ready for it]; but even yet you are not strong enough [to be ready for it], 3 For you are still [unspiritual, having the nature] of the flesh [under the control of ordinary impulses]. For as long as [there are] envying and jealousy and wrangling and factions among you, are you not unspiritual and of the flesh, behaving yourselves after a human standard and like mere (unchanged) men? 4 For when one says, I belong to Paul, and another, I belong to Apollos, are you not [proving yourselves] ordinary (unchanged) men? AMP

For the born again believer, carnal here doesn't necessarily mean sinful, but it IS speaking about someone who hasn't grown enough in the Word of God to be able to control their human nature to obey the Word. The Holy Spirit is the One responsible for working the "good work" (Philippians 1:6)  in us, but He uses the Word of God that we put inside. We have all had, as Jesse Duplantis so aptly puts it, a "fit of carnality" where we slip and loose our temper, get discouraged, hesitate to forgive, and so on. The great thing about growing in the Word, and counting on the Holy Spirit inside, is that it only takes a moment to recognize it, confess it, and get right back into fellowship with God and growth in the Word! I have to say that the moment I first met you I felt inside that YOU were the man that God had chosen for Kristine! Watching your growth in the Word, and the way that you love and protect  your family, is one of my greatest joys! I know that our prayer for Kristine to have the life that God intended has been answered abundantly! I pray that you have a wonderful Birthday Week! Our gift to you will continue to be this little blog for as long as it is a blessing to you! We love you Brian! Here is a fun kids song by Hillsong Kids called "I'm really Happy":

Love and Shalom from the Swoveys!

Hi Brian!

The word for this week is "blessed". Here are the verses we'll be looking at:


Psalm 1:1 Blessed is the man that walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful. KJV

Psalm 33:12 Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord: and the people whom He has chosen for His own inheritance. KJV

Psalm 34:8 O taste and see that the Lord is good: blessed is the man that trusts in Him. KJV

Psalm 84:4 Blessed are they that dwell in Your house: they will be still praising You. Selah. KJV

Psalm 112:1 Praise ye the Lord. Blessed is the man that fears the Lord, that delights greatly in His commandments. KJV

This is the Hebrew word "'esher". Strong's Concordance says: happiness. Vine's Expository Dictionary says: blessed; happy; and "Basically, this word connotes the state of "prosperity" or "happiness" that comes when a superior bestows his favor (blessing) on one. In most passages, the one bestowing favor is God Himself!" We see above that we receive this happiness and prosperity when we avoid certain things, when we trust in Him, when we fear the Lord (reverence and respect), when we delight to obey His Word; and nations are blessed when they make the One, True God, THEIR God! That IS how the United States began and that is why we have been the most blessed nation on the planet! Look at Psalm 1:1 from the Amplified Bible:


Psalm 1:1 BLESSED (HAPPY, fortunate, prosperous, and enviable) is the man who walks and lives not in the counsel of the ungodly [following their advice, their plans and purposes], nor stands [submissive and inactive] in the path where sinners walk, nor sits down [to relax and rest] where the scornful [and the mockers] gather. AMP

The next time you hear the word "blessed", think "happy, prosperous and enviable (or to be envied)"! I am going to  use a confession that I have heard your father-in-law say to other people: "YOU are the most blessed person I know!" As you continue to become the man of God that He has called you to be, you and your family will walk in that most-blessed status! And I have been most blessed watching you grow in Him! Here is an older song from Hillsong that has been influenced by Psalm 84 above! I've used it before and it is called simply "Blessed"!

Love and Shalom from the Swoveys!