Hi Brian!

I hope you two enjoyed your special weekend! The word for this week is "diligently". The only place this particular Greek word is translated diligently in the New Testament is in Hebrews 11:6:

6 But without faith it is impossible to please Him: for he that comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him. KJV

This is the Greek word "ekzeteo". Strong's Concordance says: to search out, i.e. investigate, crave, demand, worship. Thayer's Greek Lexicon adds: to scrutinize; to require. In order to be born again, a person must believe (trust, rely) on Jesus and what He accomplished through His death, burial and resurrection. It takes more than this to have intimate fellowship with Him. Hosea 6:3a tells us this:

3 Then shall we know, if we follow on to know the Lord KJV

The Amplified Bible puts it this way:

3 Yes, let us know (recognize, be acquainted with, and understand) Him; let us be zealous to know the Lord [to appreciate, give heed to, and cherish Him]. AMP

In order to really know Jesus, we must make the same "determined purpose" that Paul tells us of in Philippians 3:10a:

10 [For my determined purpose is] that I may know Him [that I may progressively become more deeply and intimately acquainted with Him, perceiving and recognizing and understanding the wonders of His Person more strongly and more clearly], AMP

THIS is where the diligence comes into play! I know that when you were getting to know, and love, Kristine, you did more than just say hello at work! You put effort, determination and "diligence" into pursuing her. ( WE are so glad that you did and that you never gave up! :) ) This is the same effort that is required to really know the God of the Bible the way that we MUST in order to have and walk in these rewards, which includes walking 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

 KNOWLEDGE and PURSUIT are the keys! Finding a good local church was a great decision that you two made. Continuing in your personal study is another! Everything that you are able to learn about HIM, and put into practice in your life, will also ensure that your beautiful daughters will grow up to love and want to know Him, too! THAT is great parenting! We love you and your beautiful family! Here, to celebrate ALL of your "babies" is Hillsong Kids with "King Of Majesty":

Love and Shalom from the Swoveys!

Hi Brian!

The word for this week is "sound". The particular Greek word that we'll be looking at is "sophronismos" It's found in 2 Timothy 1:7:

7 For God has not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. KJV

Strong's Concordance says of this word: discipline; self-control. Thayer's Greek Lexicon adds: an admonishing or calling to soundness of mind, to moderation. Vine's Expository Dictionary adds: saving the mind; discipline. The Theological Dictionary says this: a regulated life. The Amplified Bible is pretty accurate on this word:

7 For God did not give us a spirit of timidity (of cowardice, of craven and cringing and fawning fear), but [He has given us a spirit] of power and of love and of calm and well-balanced mind and discipline and self-control. AMP

My prayer for you and Kristine, as you get closer to welcoming those baby girls home, is that this "sophronismos" that God has already blessed you with will be  manifest in abundance for you! Especially the calm! I know that the love is already there in abundance! We can't wait to meet the new additions to your beautiful family! Here is a very calming song from Hillsong United called "Bones":

Love and Shalom from the Swoveys!

Hi Brian! 

Happy Father's Day to one of the best fathers I know! The word for this week is "deep". We'll be looking at 1 Corinthians 2:9-10:

9 But as it is written, Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. 10 But God has revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searches all things, yea, the deep things of God. KJV

This  is the Greek word "bathos". Strong's Concordance says: profundity (Dictionary: great depth or intensity of a state, quality or emotion); mystery. We see this same Greek word translated "depth" in Romans 8:33 and Ephesians 3:17-19:

33 O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out! KJV

17 That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; 19 And to know the love of Christ, which passes knowledge, that you might be filled with all the fullness of God. KJV

The things of God, the promises of God, the Word of God are mysterious and unfathomable to the unbeliever! They cannot be understood by the intellect.  1 Corinthians 2:13 tells us this:

14 But the natural man receives not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. KJV

So, because you ARE born again, with the Spirit of God living in you, you CAN understand all of the "deep" things of God. It takes a diligent commitment to do so, and YOU already know how to be diligent! As you use the same principles that have brought you success as a Buyer for Target and apply them to your study of the Word of God, YOU will gain understanding of the Word that you may never have thought possible! HE wants to spend time with you and to increase your capacity to see and hear more clearly than ever before! What a blessed life we have! :) Here is Hillsong Accoustic with  "Sinking Deep":

Love and Shalom from the Swoveys!

Hi Brian!

The word for this week is "strengthen". Actually, the KJV has "strengtheneth" if you ever needed to look it up. It's found in the New Testament only in Philippians 4:13:

13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. KJV

This is the Greek word "endunamoo". Strong's Concordance says: to empower. Thayer's Greek Lexicon adds: to make strong, endue with strength. Vine's Expository Dictionary also says: increased in strength. My very favorite translation for this verse is found in the Amplified Bible. It says this:

13 I have strength for all things in Christ Who empowers me [I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him Who infuses inner strength into me; I am self-sufficient in Christ's sufficiency]. 
AMP

The Dictionary definition for "infuse" is: to cause to be permeated with something that alters usually for the better. If we are infused with HIS strength, then we truly are "ready for anything and equal to anything"! There is nothing that you and Kristine will face as you welcome your babies into the world that God hasn't already equipped and empowered you both to handle! Remember to stay in fellowship with Him, full of the Word and filled with the Spirit and YOU will amaze the people around you with your Wisdom, strength and peace! God is GOOD and YOU are BLESSED! Here is Hillsong United with "You Are My Strength":

Love and Shalom from the Swoveys!

Hi Brian!

The word for this week is "wonder". We're going to look at the one found in Acts 3:1-10:

1 Now Peter and John went up together into the temple at the hour of prayer, being the ninth hour.
2 And a certain man lame from his mother's womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask alms of them that entered into the temple;
3 Who seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple asked an alms.
4 And Peter, fastening his eyes upon him with John, said, Look on us.
5 And he gave heed unto them, expecting to receive something of them.
6 Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk.
7 And he took him by the right hand, and lifted him up: and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength.
8 And he leaping up stood, and walked, and entered with them into the temple, walking, and leaping, and praising God.
9 And all the people saw him walking and praising God:
10 And they knew that it was he which sat for alms at the Beautiful gate of the temple: and they were filled with wonder and amazement at that which had happened unto him. KJV

This is the Greek word "thambos". Strong's Concordance says this: to dumbfound; stupefaction (by surprise), astonishment. The people witnessing this miracle were left speechless because they had seen this man sitting at the same gate every day! He MUST have been there when Jesus Himself entered the Temple, but he wasn't ready to receive. We have the same Holy Spirit living in us that Peter had. Jesus said that we would do the works that He did, and even greater works (John 14:12). I am ready for the manifestation of the power of God that will leave people in WONDER and amazement! Don't be surprised when an opportunity to do a similar thing presents itself to YOU! This man wasn't delivered because Peter and John were apostles or ministers. He was healed and delivered because he was ready to receive from the manifested power of God! I can't wait to hear the glory reports!Here is a new song from Hillsong Young and Free called "End of Days":

Love and Shalom from the Swoveys!