Hi Brian!

I'm glad you're having a wonderful time in London! The word for this week is "guide". John 16:13-14 says this:

13 Howbeit when He, the Spirit of truth, is come, He will guide you into all truth: for He shall not speak of Himself; but whatsoever He shall hear, that shall He speak: and He will show you things to come. 14 He shall glorify me: for He shall receive of mine, and shall show it unto you. KJV

The Amplified Bible says this:

13 But when He, the Spirit of Truth (the Truth-giving Spirit) comes, He will guide you into all the Truth (the whole, full Truth). For He will not speak His own message [on His own authority]; but He will tell whatever He hears [from the Father; He will give the message that has been given to Him], and He will announce and declare to you the things that are to come [that will happen in the future]. AMP

The phrase "He will guide" is the Greek word "hodegeo". Strong's Concordance says: to show the way, teach. The Theological Dictionary of the New Testament says: to lead, to show the way, to instruct. The Truth that Jesus was speaking about here is the Word of God. Look at John 17:17:

17 Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth. NKJV

Then we see this in 1 John 2:20:

20 But you have been anointed by [you hold a sacred appointment from, you have been given an unction from] the Holy One, and you all know [the Truth] or you know all things. AMP

Also, 1 John 2:27:

27 But as for you, the anointing (the sacred appointment, the unction) which you received from Him abides [permanently] in you; [so] then you have no need that anyone should instruct you. But just as His anointing teaches you concerning everything and is true and is no falsehood, so you must abide in (live in, never depart from) Him [being rooted in Him, knit to Him], just as [His anointing] has taught you [to do]. AMP

The Pastor, Teacher or  Minister of God will present the anointed Word, but it is only the Guide, Teacher, Instructor, the Holy Spirit Himself, Who can teach this Word to us individually! He will lead us from one verse to another and tie it all together as we spend time in the Word and time in His presence. Before I start to study the Word, I will pray this from Psalm 25:5:

5 Guide me in Your truth and faithfulness and teach me, for You are the God of my salvation; for You [You only and altogether] do I wait [expectantly] all the day long. AMP

Allow this personal Guide to lead, guide and instruct you in the Word and you will find the Word of God becoming more real and logical than it has ever been! Then, as you and Kristine teach your children, trust that the same Holy Spirit will "guide" them into the Truth, too! Here is Hillsong Live with "To Be Like You":

Love and Shalom from the Swoveys!

Hi Brian!

The word for this week is "rest". This was what Jesus instructed His apostles to do when they returned from their two-by-two missionary trip. We see it in Mark 6:30-31:

30 The apostles [sent out as missionaries] came back and gathered together to Jesus, and told Him all that they had done and taught. 31 And He said to them, [As for you] come away by yourselves to a deserted place, and rest a while — for many were [continually] coming and going, and they had not even leisure enough to eat. AMP

This is the Greek word "anapauo". Strong's Concordance says: to repose, by implication, to refresh. Thayer's Greek Lexicon says: to cause or permit one to cease from any movement or labor in order to recover and collect his strength, to give rest, refresh. Vine's Expository Dictionary adds: to take or enjoy rest. Jesus knew that after they had given so much of themselves to others, they needed to rest and recharge. This is what we are praying for you and Kristine as you take your well-deserved vacation! You both give so much of yourselves every day for your careers and your family. I know that you will miss your girls, but they will be in excellent hands, and as you take the time to do this, THEY will benefit even more! We are also praying for your protection, provision and safety; for supernatural favor and anointing; for wonderful opportunities to see and do everything you would like to; and for plenty of fun and relaxation! That MUST mean that those Vikings will get in line this week! We love you both very much! Have fun! Here to send you off, is Hillsong Live with  "You Crown The Year":

Love and Shalom from the Swoveys!

Hi Brian!

The word for THIS week is God's response to the up and down and up and down and ... of the game yesterday! The word is "consolation"! 2 Thessalonians 2:16 says this:

16 Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself and God our Father, Who loved us and gave us everlasting consolation and encouragement and well-founded hope through [His] grace (unmerited favor), 17 Comfort and encourage your hearts and strengthen them [make them steadfast and keep them unswerving] in every good work and word. AMP

This  is the Greek word "paraklesis". Strong's Concordance says: imploration (an appeal or entreaty), hortation (exhortation), solace. Thayer's Greek Lexicon adds: a calling near; admonition; encouragement; comfort; a persuasive discourse, stirring address -  instructive, admonitory, consolatory; a powerful hortatory discourse. This reveals that in order to receive the comfort we need from whatever the situation we face, we MUST spend time in His presence! Then, in Philemon 7, we see that this consolation also comes by spending time listening to anointed ministers and in the presence of like-minded believers!

7 For we have great joy and consolation in your love, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed by you, brother. NKJV

Next we see, in Hebrews 6:17-18, that it also comes from spending in the Word of God:

17 Wherein God, willing more abundantly to shew unto the heirs of promise the immutability of his counsel, confirmed it by an oath: 18 That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us: KJV

I also like this one in the Amplified Bible:

17 Accordingly God also, in His desire to show more convincingly and beyond doubt to those who were to inherit the promise the unchangeableness of His purpose and plan, intervened (mediated) with an oath. 18 This was so that, by two unchangeable things [His promise and His oath] in which it is impossible for God ever to prove false or deceive us, we who have fled [to Him] for refuge might have mighty indwelling strength and strong encouragement to grasp and hold fast the hope appointed for us and set before [us]. AMP

So, in times like these, the only REAL consolation is found in refocusing out attention on things that really matter, like God, His Word, and your family! And, of course, praying for a better game next week! I am SO looking forward to seeing you and your family and going to the home opener! Here, to refocus and encourage us ALL, is Hillsong London with "Centre Of My Life":

Love and Shalom from the Swoveys!

Hi Brian!

It was so wonderful spending time with your family! The word for this week is "righteous". We'll also cover righteousness. We'll be looking at these three Scriptures first: Romans 3:10, Romans 5:19 and James 5:16.

Rom 3:10 As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: KJV

Rom 5:19 For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous. KJV

James 5:16 Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much. KJV

"Righteous" here is the Greek word "dikaios". Strong's Concordance says equitable in character; innocent; holy. Thayer's Greek Lexicon adds: one who is such as he ought to be; virtuous; faultless; guiltless; approved of God; acceptable to God. Romans 3:10 is the sure indication that we ALL need a personal Savior! On our own, we can never be righteous (Isaiah 64:6)! By Jesus being made sin with our sin, we have the right to be made righteous with His righteousness! This is the Greek word "dikaiosune". Strong's Concordance says: equity of character, justification. Thayer's Greek Lexicon adds: the state of him who is such as he ought to be; the way in which a man may attain to a state approved of God; integrity; virtue; purity of life; uprightness; correctness in thinking, feeling and acting. We can never reach this state without receiving Jesus as Lord and personal Savior. 2 Corinthians 5:21 says this:

21 For He has made Him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him. KJV

And Titus 3:4-5 says this:

4 But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, 5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; KJV

So our new righteousness is of God and sets us in position to operate in the New Covenant as equal heirs with our righteous Savior (Romans 8:17)! One of the promises of righteousness is found above in James 5:16! The word avails, in reference to this verse in James, means: to have power, according to Thayer's Greek Lexicon! When we, as righteous believers in Jesus, pray in line with the Word of God, we can KNOW without doubt that our prayers are answered (1 John 5:14-15)! Being made righteous with His righteousness give us the privilege and the right to stand in the presence of God as though we have never done anything wrong! Have a great week righteous man of God! Here is Hillsong Chapel with "Cornerstone":

Love and Shalom from the Swoveys!

Hi Brian!

The word for this week is "master". We'll be looking at 6 different Greek words. The first is found in Luke 13:25:

25 When once the Master of the house gets up and closes the door, and you begin to stand outside and to knock at the door [again and again], saying, Lord, open to us! He will answer you, I do not know where [what household — certainly not Mine] you come from. AMP

This is the Greek word "oikodespotes". Strong's Concordance says: the head of the family. Thayer's Greek Lexicon says: master of the a house. So YOU are an oikodespotes! As the master, or head, of your family, you are responsible to God for protecting and providing for you family. From the joy that is obvious in your family, YOU are doing a great job of it! The next is found in John 13:13:

13 You call Me the Teacher (Master) and the Lord, and you are right in doing so, for that is what I am. AMP

This is the Greek word "didaskalos". Strong's Concordance says: an instructor. Thayer's Greek Lexicon says: used of one who is fitted to teach. As the head, or master, of your family, you are also called upon to teach your family the Word of God. These two verses are instructions for parents about their children. Ephesians 6:4 and Proverbs 22:6:

4 Fathers, do not irritate and provoke your children to anger [do not exasperate them to resentment], but rear them [tenderly] in the training and discipline and the counsel and admonition of the Lord. AMP

6 Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it. KJV

Your children will have other "teachers' throughout their lives, but none who will care as much for their well-being as you and Kristine! The next "master" is found in Matthew 23:8:

8 But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren. KJV

This is the Greek word "kathegetes". Strong's Concordance says: a guide, teacher.  In this verse Jesus is saying that God alone is this type of "master" or teacher. This is also shown in 1 John 2:27:

27 But as for you, the anointing (the sacred appointment, the unction) which you received from Him abides [permanently] in you; [so] then you have no need that anyone should instruct you. But just as His anointing teaches you concerning everything and is true and is no falsehood, so you must abide in (live in, never depart from) Him [being rooted in Him, knit to Him], just as [His anointing] has taught you [to do]. AMP

We are blessed to have so many good Bible teachers available to us, but the only One Who can actually teach us what this Word means to us individually is the TEACHER Himself, by the Holy Spirit Who lives IN us! The next "master" is found in Mark 11:21:

21 And Peter remembered and said to Him, Master, look! The fig tree which You doomed has withered away! AMP

This is the Greek word "rhabbi". Strong's Concordance says: My master, as an official title of honor. According to Matthew 23:8, this should also be reserved for Jesus!  The next is found in Luke 9:33 where Peter addressed Jesus after the transfiguration:

33 And it occurred as the men were parting from Him that Peter said to Jesus, Master, it is delightful and good that we are here; and let us construct three booths or huts — one for You and one for Moses and one for Elijah! not noticing or knowing what he was saying. AMP

This is the Greek word "epistates". Thayer's Greek Lexicon says:  a superintendent or overseer. The Theological Dictionary says: can denote a herdsman, a taskmaster, an overseer, a leader. This is more of a position of authority and responsibility. Peter did not yet understand what Jesus was here for, but He DID recognize that no person he had ever encountered did the things that Jesus had done!  The last one is found in Ephesians 6:9:

9 You masters, act on the same [principle] toward them and give up threatening and using violent and abusive words, knowing that He Who is both their Master and yours is in heaven, and that there is no respect of persons (no partiality) with Him. AMP

This is the Greek word "kurios". Strong's Concordance says: supreme in authority, i.e. controller. Thayer's Greek Lexicon says: he to whom a person or thing belongs, about which he has the power of deciding; master, lord. The Theological Dictionary says: combines the two elements of power and authority. A true realization of the unity of the two arises only in encounter with God, who creates us with absolute power but is also the absolute authority before which it is freedom rather than bondage to bow. There is only ONE Who is qualified to be THIS Master! When we acknowledge HIM as our own Lord and Master, then we are in position to be lifted and find favor and be successful! 1 Peter 5:6 calls this being humble! As you continue to submit to your Master and Commander, Jesus, He will cause YOU to be the very best master and teacher that you could possibly be! This will cause you to have success and victory in every area of your life! Here is an older song from Hillsong Chapel Called "This Is Our God":

Love and Shalom from the Swoveys!