Hi Brian! 

It was SO good to see you and your family yesterday, AND for the Vikings to win! The word for this week is "transformed". It's found in two places in the New Testament. 

Romans 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. KJV

2 Corinthians 11:14 And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. 15 Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works. KJV

These are two different Greek words and the difference is very important to us! In Romans it is the Greek word "metamorphoo". Thayer's Greek Lexicon says: to change to another form. The moment we receive Jesus as Lord and Savior, the Spirit of God recreates our human spirit into the image of God (2 Corinthians 5:17). When we use the Word of God to renew our minds, our thinking is changed so that we also think like Him! That is the ONLY way we can consistently act like Him! The Theological Dictionary of the New Testament adds this (I am pasting it in exactly here): This is not mystical deification but a re-attainment of the divine likeness. It does not take place by rituals but by the ministry of the Spirit. It is not for an elite few but for all Christians. It is not just a hope for the future (cf. 1 Corinthians 15:44 ff.) but begins already with the coming of the Spirit as a deposit. It carries with it an imperative (Romans 12:2). Set in the new aeon, Christians must reshape their conduct in accordance with it. This takes place as their minds and wills are renewed by the Spirit. They are thus to become what they are.
(from Theological Dictionary of the New Testament, abridged edition, Copyright © 1985 by William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company. All rights reserved.)

I LOVE this! When we are faithful to put God's Word in, He is faithful to use that Word and cause it to become so real to us that our own thoughts line up perfectly with His! In 2 Corinthians 11 the word is the Greek word "metaschematizo". Strong's Concordance says: to transfigure or disguise. The Theological Dictionary here says: to change the appearance of. This is NOT a changing to another form, but the "appearance" of another form (like a mirage!). The devil and and his "minions" can "APPEAR" to be something other that what they are, but they can never BE something other than what they are! WE can! Thank You, Jesus! Keep putting the Word of God into your heart and the Spirit of God will transform YOU from the inside out, more and more into His image every day! Here is Hillsong Live with "King Of Heaven":

Love and Shalom from the Swoveys!

Hi Brian!

The word for this week is "above". There are several different Greek words translated "above" in the New testament, so I'm sure we'll have to look at this word again sometime. The one we're looking at this week is found only one time. Ephesians 3:20-21:

20 Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, 21 Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen. KJV

This is the Greek word "huperekperissou". It's a compound word made up of three Greek words. The first is "huper", which means: super, over, beyond, according to Thayer's Greek Lexicon. The second is "ek", which means: from out of, forth from, also according to Thayer's. The third is "perissos". Thayer's says this: exceeding some number or measure or rank or need; over and above; more than is necessary; superadded; superior; extraordinary; surpassing; uncommon. Taken all together, Thayer's Greek Lexicon says of huperekperissou: superabundantly; beyond measure; exceedingly. The Amplified Bible says this for Ephesians 3:20-21:

20 Now to Him Who, by (in consequence of) the [action of His] power that is at work within us, is able to [carry out His purpose and] do superabundantly, far over and above all that we [dare] ask or think [infinitely beyond our highest prayers, desires, thoughts, hopes, or dreams] —  21 To Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations forever and ever. Amen (so be it). AMP

So, as you and Kristine continue to dream and plan for your future, and that of your family, remember that NO dream is too big for the God who loves you and to Whom you belong! As we often hear at The Spoken Word Church, God is 100% able and at least 100% willing! Start making those dreams a little bigger and imagining even bigger and better things! He is waiting on us to really "get it" and to go after HIM, and all that He has for us! Can't wait to see you and your family again next weekend! Have a great and very blessed week! Here is Newsboys with "God's Not Dead":

"God's Not Dead (Like A Lion)"

Let love explode and bring the dead to life
A love so bold to see a revolution somehow

Let love explode and bring the dead to life
A love so bold to bring a revolution somehow

Now I'm lost in Your freedom
In this world I'll overcome

[2x]
My God's not dead
He's surely alive
He's living on the inside
Roaring like a lion

Roaring, He's roaring, roaring like a lion

Let hope arise and make the darkness hide
My faith is dead I need resurrection somehow

Now I'm lost in Your freedom
In this world I'll overcome

[2x]
My God's not dead
He's surely alive
He's living on the inside
Roaring like a lion

Roaring, He's roaring, roaring like a lion
He's roaring, He's roaring

[3x]
Let heaven roar
And fire fall
Come shake the ground
With the sound
Of revival

[4x]
My God's not dead
He's surely alive
He's living on the inside
Roaring like a lion

He's roaring, He's roaring, He's roaring like a lion [2x]

Love and Shalom from the Swoveys!

Hi Brian!

The word for this week is "wait". Look at Isaiah 40:31:

31 But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint. KJV

This is the Hebrew word "qavah " (kaw-vaw'). According to Strong's Concordance, this is a primitive root word that means: to bind together, to collect, to expect. Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon adds: to look for, to hope, to look eagerly for, to linger for. The Theological Word Book of the Old Testament says: to look for with eager anticipation, to wait with steadfast endurance and patient and confident hope. This type of expectation and confident hope can only come by faith in the Word of God, and in the GOD of the WORD! Romans 10:17 tells us this:

17 So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. KJV

Spending time in that "secret place" of Psalm 91, where we are aware of His presence through prayer, praise & worship, study & meditation of the Word, and intimate fellowship with HIM actually IS "waiting" on the Lord! When we do this, not only will we be filled with faith and confidence in the Word and in His faithfulness, but Isaiah 40:31 promises us that we will be renewed in our physical body and also in our souls (mind, emotions and will). I LOVE how the plans and purposes of God affect every area of our lives for GOOD! He IS a GOOD God! Here is Isaiah 40:31 from the Amplified Bible:

31 But those who wait for the Lord [who expect, look for, and hope in Him] shall change and renew their strength and power; they shall lift their wings and mount up [close to God] as eagles [mount up to the sun]; they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint or become tired.  AMP

Here is Hillsong United with "Stay and Wait":

Who spoke the Earth and sky to form
Who sets the sun and calls the dawn
Who breathed me out of dust to life
The will to trust or run and hide

I will stay should the world by me fold
Lift up your name as the darkness falls
I will wait and hold fast to your word
Heart on Your heart and my eyes on You

Who loved me through my rebel way
Who chose to carry all my shame
Who breaths in me with endless life
The king of glory Jesus Christ

I will stay should the world by me fold
Lift up your name as the darkness falls
I will wait and hold fast to your word
Heart on Your heart and my eyes on You

God of wonder and God of grace
Let my soul stand always to praise You
Fix my eyes on Your perfect way
And I'll never look back

I will stay should the world by me fold
Lift up your name as the darkness falls
I will wait and hold fast to your word
Heart on Your heart and my eyes on You

Who lifts the poor and heals the blind
Who trampled death for all mankind
Who stands for all with arms stretched wide
My King forever Jesus Christ

Love and Shalom from the Swoveys!

Hi Brian!

Great Vikings win today! The word for this week is "shaken". It is found in a few places in the New Testament. The one we're looking at today is found in 2 Thessalonians 2:1-2:

1 Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him, 2 That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand. KJV

This is the Greek "saleuo". Strong's Concordance says : to waver, rock, agitate, topple or destroy; also to disturb, to incite. Thayer's Greek Lexicon adds: to overthrow, to cast down from one's secure and happy state. Although these specific verses are speaking about believers being shaken or unsettled in their faith because some were saying that the Rapture of the Church had already taken place, God does not  want us to be shaken or unsettled by anything that happens in this world, or in our personal lives. Being calm and at peace in the face of serious situations and circumstances is an attitude that will draw hurting people to you to find out how you do it! Calm and steady is definitely a character trait that YOU possess in abundance! That's one of the reasons that Kristine is so free to be herself! You are providing a wonderful and very healthy environment for your girls to grow into the women of God that HE intends for them to be! My prayer for you is that you will continue to abound in this gift and that if you ever find yourself at the end of YOUR ability in that area, you will trust in Holy Spirit to pick you up as your Standby (John 14:16 AMP)! You are such a blessing to know and we love and appreciate you so much! I wanted to use Hillsong Worship's new song "Depths" because it is SO peaceful, but it hasn't been released on You Tube yet, so here is another new song called "Mountain":

Love and Shalom from the Swoveys!