Hi Brian!

I think that it's appropriate to have the word for t his week be "memorial"!  We'll look at 3 verses for this today. Exodus 3:15:

15 And God said moreover unto Moses, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, The Lord God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, hath sent me unto you: this is my name for ever, and this is my memorial unto all generations. KJV

This is the Hebrew word "zeker". Strong's Concordance says: a memento, recollection, commemoration. This comes from the Hebrew word "zakar" which Strong's says this about: to mark (so as to be recognized), i.e. to remember, by implication, to mention. What is the Name? Verse 14 tells us that:

14 And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM has sent me unto you. KJV

You can't get any more powerful Name than THAT! his very Name was to spark remembrance in them of WHO he was and all that He had already done for them! Many times they did NOT remember and it cost them dearly! The next verse is found in Joshua 4:7:

7 Then you shall answer them, That the waters of Jordan were cut off before the ark of the covenant of the Lord; when it passed over Jordan, the waters of Jordan were cut off: and these stones shall be for a memorial unto the children of Israel for ever. KJV

This was when the LORD parted the Jordan River for the Israelites to pass over. he instructed them to take these stones from the river bed so that they would always remember, o seeing them, what He had done for them, again! This is the Hebrew word "zikrown", which also comes from the word "zakar". Strong's says: a memento (a memorable thing, day or writing). Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon says: a memorial, a reminder, a remembrance. His Name SHOULD be enough to cause us to remember all that He's done, but sometimes we need a physical point-of-contact to assist our faith. The stones were to be that for the Israelites. Then we see this in the New Testament in Matthew 26:13:

13 Verily I say unto you, Wheresoever this gospel shall be preached in the whole world, there shall also this, that this woman hasdone, be told for a memorial of her. KJV

This was speaking of the woman who had anointed the head of Jesus with the costly ointment that HE said was preparation for His burial! "Memorial" here is the Greek word "mnemosunon". Strong's Concordance says: a reminder, i.e. as record. Vine's Expository Dictionary says: denotes "a memorial", that which keeps alive the memory of someone or something. This should give us confidence that HE never misses a thing! Even if we never get credit for the good that we do here on this earth, HE will remember and our rewards will be GREAT in Heaven! God was pleased with and trusted Abraham because He knew that Abraham would teach his children the ways of the LORD, and enforce them! I know that you and Kristine are "reminding" your children of the Lord, His Word and His Ways because we hear Avery speak of Him! Excellent parents do this! Here is Hillsong Live with a song we've used before, but it is very appropriate! The song is called "Greater Than All":

Love and Shalom from the Swoveys!

Hi Brian!

The word for this week is "live". Specifically, the word live from these verses:


Luke 4:4 And Jesus answered him, saying, It is written, That man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God. KJV

John 14:19  Yet a little while, and the world sees me no more; but you see me: because I live, you shall live also. KJV

Rom 1:17 For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith. KJV

Gal 2:20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ lives in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave Himself for me. KJV

This is the Greek word "zao". Thayer's Greek lexicon says: to be among the living; to enjoy real life, i.e. to have true life and worthy of the name -- active, blessed, endless in the kingdom of God. This isn't just breathing and with a heartbeat! God fully intends for us to REALLY live this life to the fullest! Look at John 10:10 from the Amplified Bible:

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

THAT is the life that Jesus desires for us to LIVE! Where He is Lord and His Word is given the preeminence, then LIFE results and we can LIVE it! It is so very obvious that in your household, this quality of life is being lived! Your daughters are filled with such joy and Kristine has a peace and joy that just radiates from her! It is such a tremendous blessing to visit your home! Well done, man of God! Here is a little bit different type of praise song from Hillsong London called "Centre Of My Life":

Love and Shalom from the Swoveys!

Hi Brian!

The word for this week is "shine". There are many words translated shine throughout the Bible, but we'll be looking at the one in 2 Corinthians 4:6 from today's Bible Plan!

6 For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. KJV

This is the Greek word "lampo". Strong's Concordance says: to beam, i.e. radiate brilliancy. Vine's Expository Dictionary says: to shine as a torch. Kittel's Theological Dictionary of the N.T. says: to shine, to light up. The Amplified Bible shows these definitions in verse 6:

6 For God Who said, Let light shine out of darkness, has shone in our hearts so as [to beam forth] the Light for the illumination of the knowledge of the majesty and glory of God [as it is manifest in the Person and is revealed] in the face of Jesus Christ (the Messiah). AMP

We have that same light of His presence in us that Jesus had in Himself! Matthew 17:2 says this:

2 And was transfigured before them: and His face did shine as the sun, and His raiment was white as the light. KJV

2 Corinthians 4:7 calls this light of the presence of God a treasure that WE have in these bodies, or earthen vessels! Our instructions for this are found in Matthew 5:16:

16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. KJV

The people around you who observe your life and your family DO see the Light of Jesus in you! This is what will eventually draw them towards Him! You and Kristine are doing an awesome job of raising godly children that love Jesus and His love most certainly does SHINE! Here is a song from Hillsong United called "Light Will Shine":

Love and Shalom from the Swoveys!

Hi Brian!

The word for this week is "fail". That sounds like such a negative word, but the Scriptures we'll be looking at are not! Deuteronomy 31:6, Deuteronomy 31:8 and Joshua 1:5:

Deut. 31:6 Be strong, courageous, and firm; fear not nor be in terror before them, for it is the Lord your God Who goes with you; He will not fail you or forsake you. AMP

Deut. 31:8 It is the Lord Who goes before you; He will [march] with you; He will not fail you or let you go or forsake you; [let there be no cowardice or flinching, but] fear not, neither become broken [in spirit — depressed, dismayed, and unnerved with alarm]. AMP

Josh 1:55 No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will not fail you or forsake you. AMP

This is the Hebrew word "raphah". Strong's Concordance says: to slacken. He will NOT let loose of us! Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon says: to sink, to relax, to let drop, to withdraw, to abandon, to forsake. The GREAT good news is that God will not EVER let us go! There will ALWAYS be a way out for any and every situation we may find ourselves in (1 Corinthians 10:13)! It will take time, diligence and discipline to be able to walk in the fullness of the blessing of God, but we will never be without Him! We can have just as much fellowship time with Him as we want to have, the choice is ours! The more we get to know Him (Philippians 3:10 AMP), the more faith we will have in these promises that He will NOT fail!  Here is a new song from the Hillsong United "Zion" album called "Oceans (Where Feet May Fail)! WE may fail HIM on occasion, but when we reach out, He will pull us right back on our feet! AMEN! 

Love and Shalom from the Swoveys!