Hi Brian!

The word for this week is "salt"! I have been hearing that word a lot in church and now among my ministry friends, so we'll look at it here! We'll be looking at Matthew 5:13 and Mark 9:50:

Matt 5:13 You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste (its strength, its quality), how can its saltness be restored? It is not good for anything any longer but to be thrown out and trodden underfoot by men. AMP

Mark 9:50 Salt is good (beneficial), but if salt has lost its saltness, how will you restore [the saltness to] it? Have salt within yourselves, and be at peace and live in harmony with one another. AMP

This is the Greek word "halas". Strong's Concordance says: salt; figuratively, prudence. Thayer's Greek Lexicons adds this: salt with which food is seasoned; a symbol of lasting concord; wisdom and grace exhibited in speech. The Theological Dictionary of the New Testament says: "Salt was significant in the ancient world of religion as a symbol of endurance and worth. It was thus used in worship and the  making of covenants." It also adds that even in the New Testament it still denoted (figuratively) moral worth. So many times even born again believers get caught up in the dos and don'ts of religion and forget to just BE who God made us to be! We are new creatures (2 Corinthians 5:17), with the Spirit of God living IN us and He wants to live out THROUGH us! THIS is the "salt"! Walking in love, in peace and joy, in wisdom and understanding of the Word of God is the "salt" factor. It shows in our jobs, among our friends and among other believers. I think it's interesting how the world has turned something that the Word says is good (salty speech) into something bad (laced with profanity and obscenities - according to the Marine Corps Dictionary)! Staying in the Word and in fellowship with the Holy Spirit and with like-minded believers will help us to maintain that good saltiness and not become stale and lifeless! Here is Hillsong with "The Difference". He's the difference in US and WE can be the difference too those around us! 

Love and Shalom from the Swoveys!

Hi Brian! 

The word for this week is "sorrows". There are a few different words translated "sorrows" in the Bible, but we'll be looking at only the one found in Isaiah 53:3-4:

3 He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not. 4 Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. KJV

This is the Hebrew word "mak`ob". Strong's Concordance says: anguish or affliction. Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon adds: pain (physical or mental). The Theological Wordbook of the Old Testament says this: sorrow, grief, affliction, pain. These are ALL things that Jesus took upon Himself that actually belonged to us! He was made sin with our sin and sick with our sickness, disease, weakness and infirmity. It was all for us! Knowing this really brings John 3:16-17 alive!

16 For God so greatly loved and dearly prized the world that He [even] gave up His only begotten (unique) Son, so that whoever believes in (trusts in, clings to, relies on) Him shall not perish (come to destruction, be lost) but have eternal (everlasting) life. 17 For God did not send the Son into the world in order to judge (to reject, to condemn, to pass sentence on) the world, but that the world might find salvation and be made safe and sound through Him. AMP

Jesus did all of this for this reason: Hebrews 12:2:

2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. KJV

WE are the joy that was set before Jesus! He did it ALL for us! He WAS a man of sorrows, but NOW He is the King of all kings and the Lord of all lords! Here is a song from Hillsong that tells this story! It's called "Man of Sorrows":

Love and Shalom from the Swoveys!

Hi Brian!

I'm so glad you were blessed by the blog last week! I wanted a way to honor your "blessings"! This week the word is "provoke". We'll be looking at two verses of Scripture where the original words are different! The first is found in Ephesians 6:4:

4 And, you fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. KJV

"Provoke to wrath" is the Greek word "parorgizo". Strong's Concordance says: to anger alongside, i.e. enrage. Thayer's Greek Lexicon adds: to rouse to wrath, to exasperate, to anger. The Amplified Bible says this:

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

It's an awesome responsibility to bring up children in such a way that they will understand right from wrong, and how to be disciplined, without making them fearful or discouraged! Children who are nurtured will be, like your girls, open, loving, bold, happy, inquisitive and free to be themselves because they KNOW that they are loved! The next example is more like that! Hebrews 10:24:

24 And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: KJV

In this verse, "provoke unto" is the Greek word "paroxusmos". Strong's Concordance says: incitement to good or dispute (in anger). This "provoking" in Hebrews 10:4 is "unto love and good works"! Vine's Expository Dictionary adds: a stimulation. The Amplified Bible is even more clear:

24 And let us consider and give attentive, continuous care to watching over one another, studying how we may stir up (stimulate and incite) to love and helpful deeds and noble activities, AMP

This is followed by verse 25:

25 Not forsaking or neglecting to assemble together [as believers], as is the habit of some people, but admonishing (warning, urging, and encouraging) one another, and all the more faithfully as you see the day approaching. AMP

One of the important roles of a local church family is to "provoke" or inspire each other to continue growing up in the things of God and to become all that God intends for us to become! Not belonging to a good local church will hinder spiritual growth and will deprive believers of the multiplied power of agreement in prayer. This is important enough that Jesus has Paul emphasize this! AND, he says that it is "much more" important in these last days before the return of Jesus for the Church! I am very glad that you and your family have found the local church that is right for you! I KNOW they are blessed to have the Weber family! Here is Hillsong Young and Free (youth) with "Alive":

Love and Shalom from the Swoveys!

Hi Brian!

It was so good to see you and your family yesterday! The word for this week is "quiver"! We will be looking at one passage of Scripture, Psalm 127:3-5:

3 Lo, children are an heritage of the Lord: and the fruit of the womb is his reward. 4 As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth. 5 Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them: they shall not be ashamed, but they shall speak with the enemies in the gate. KJV

"Quiver" here is the Hebrew word "ashpah". Strong's Concordance says: arrow case (which is obvious, of course!). But how many of this wonderful heritage will fill a quiver? Look at these two photos to get an idea:

Quite a difference, right? The key is that  you, Kristine and Jesus will decide how big of a quiver YOURS is! There is no perfect size for "A" family, but there IS a perfect size for YOURS! You and Kristine are wonderful parents! We are so blessed to watch the interaction with your girls, see your family photos and to hear all of the big and little stories of your lives. It is a joy and a privilege to pray for you and our prayer will continue to be that all of God's riches and best blessings flood your lives! Here is another song from Hillsong Kids called "Royalty":

Love and Shalom from the Swoveys!