Hi Brian!

Great win today! The word for this week is "heritage". There a few different words translated heritage in the Bible. Today we'll be looking at the one found in Psalms 127:3 and Isaiah 54:17:

3 Lo, children are an heritage of the Lord: and the fruit of the womb is his reward. KJV

17 No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and their righteousness is of me, saith the Lord. KJV

This is the Hebrew word "nachalah". Strong's Concordance says: something inherited; heirloom, estate, portion. Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon adds this: possession, property. The Theological Wordbook of the Old Testament also adds: giving or receiving property which is part of a permanent possession and as a result of succession. As children of God, we HAVE a "heritage"! These are Old Covenant promises, and we know from Hebrews 8:6 that our New Covenant is better!

 6 But now He has obtained a more excellent ministry, inasmuch as He is also Mediator of a better covenant, which was established on better promises. NKJV

From the two verses above we know that part of our inheritance includes having children and having God's protection! When a born again husband and wife desire children, they can COUNT on it being in line with God's will and part of their promised inheritance! They can stand on 1 John 5:14-15 and EXPECT to have them! 

14 And this is the confidence (the assurance, the privilege of boldness) which we have in Him: [we are sure] that if we ask anything (make any request) according to His will (in agreement with His own plan), He listens to and hears us. 15 And if (since) we [positively] know that He listens to us in whatever we ask, we also know [with settled and absolute knowledge] that we have [granted us as our present possessions] the requests made of Him. AMP

You and Kristine have been abundantly blessed in THIS part of your heritage in the Lord! I believe, as I was praying over this, that you are going to be in position to minister to a couple, or couples, about this very thing! The other part of your heritage, involving protection from the attacks of the enemy, is just as true and settled as the first one! You can count on it! There is so much more involved in what we have inherited from the Lord! After all, we ARE joint, equal heirs with Jesus (Romans 8:17)! Everything that belongs to Him also belongs to us! THAT is for another blog! I pray that you have a wonderful, blessed, happy and very prosperous week! Here is a new Christmas song from Hillsong Worship called "Peace Has Come":

Love and Shalom from the Swoveys!

Hi Brian!

THAT was a fun game to watch! So close! The word for this week is "persevere". The two verses we'll be looking at are both from the Amplified Bible:

1 Timothy 4:16 Look well to yourself [to your own personality] and to [your] teaching; persevere in these things [hold to them], for by so doing you will save both yourself and those who hear you. AMP

2 Timothy 2:10 Therefore I [am ready to] persevere and stand my ground with patience and endure everything for the sake of the elect [God's chosen], so that they too may obtain [the] salvation which is in Christ Jesus, with [the reward of] eternal glory. AMP

In the first verse it is the Greek word "epimeno". Strong's Concordance says: to stay over, to remain. Thayer's Greek Lexicon says: still to abide. Vine's Expository Dictionary adds: to continue long. In the second verse it is the Greek word "hupomeno". Strong's Concordance says: to stay under; to undergo; have fortitude. Thayer's Greek Lexicon adds: to bear bravely and calmly. The Theological Dictionary says: to stand firm and Vine's Expository Dictionary adds: to bear up courageously. The dictionary definition of perseverance is: steadfastness in doing something despite difficulty or delay in achieving success. The world's idea of perseverance is to hold on for dear life when things get tough. The Bible idea is to hold on to HIM and the promises in His Word. A vital part of THIS perseverance is faith. We know that faith comes by hearing (and hearing  and hearing) the Word of God (Romans 10:17). When we know what the Word promises concerning each situation we face, we can then cast the care of that situation on Him and simply live in the expectation of the victory (1 Peter 5:7)! This doesn't make sense to those who are not born again or those Christians who don't know the Word. This is how we can live our lives before them in the peace, joy and confidence that will cause THEM to ask US about that hope in us (1 Peter 3:15)! I am fully expecting that 2015 is going to be the best year yet for your family! I am blessed to be a part of it! We love you all so much! Here is Hillsong Live with "Thank You" in honor of this week's Holiday! Have a wonderful and very blessed Thanksgiving! 

Love and Shalom from the Swoveys!

Hi Brian!

The word for this week is "perform". We've had this word before from the New Testament. Today we'll be looking at the Old Testament and two different Hebrew words. The verses we'll be looking at are Jeremiah 1:12 and Jeremiah 11:5. 

Jeremiah 1:12 Then said the Lord unto me, Thou hast well seen: for I will hasten my word to perform it. KJV

Jeremiah 11:5 That I may perform the oath which I have sworn unto your fathers, to give them a land flowing with milk and honey, as it is this day. Then answered I, and said, So be it, O Lord. KJV

The first verse contains the Hebrew word "`asah". Strong's Concordance says: to do or make in the widest sense. Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon adds: to fashion; to accomplish; to produce; to act with effect; to attend to; to put in order; to bring about; to bring to pass. When we stand on God's Word, He will see to it that it comes to pass! The Amplified Bible accurately defines "hasten":

12 Then said the Lord to me, You have seen well, for I am alert and active, watching over My word to perform it. AMP

OUR part is to find out what the Word of God has to say about each and every situation that we face. When we know what He has said about it, then we can KNOW that HE will see to it that it happens! What great confidence that brings! Jeremiah 11:5 contains the Hebrew word "quwm" for "perform". Strong's Concordance says this: to rise. Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon adds: to stand; to be powerful; to come on the scene; to maintain oneself; to fulfill; to establish; to carry out. He desires to carry out or fulfill every promise He has made to us, but there are sometimes conditions to be met. We see this here if we look at verse 4 also. Here it is from the Amplified Bible:

4 Which I commanded your fathers at the time that I brought them out of the land of Egypt, from the iron furnace, saying, Listen to My voice and do according to all that I command you. So will you be My people, and I will be your God, 5 That I may perform the oath which I swore to your fathers, to give them a land flowing with milk and honey, as it is this day. Then I answered, Amen (so be it), O Lord. AMP

I like this also from the Message Bible:

 4 The terms are clear. I made them plain to your ancestors when I delivered them from Egypt, out of the iron furnace of suffering. "'Obey what I tell you. Do exactly what I command you. Your obedience will close the deal. You'll be mine and I'll be yours. 5 This will provide the conditions in which I will be able to do what I promised your ancestors: to give them a fertile and lush land. And, as you know, that's what I did.'" "Yes, God," I replied. "That's true." THE MESSAGE

One example of this is 1 John 1:9 where we are promised that IF we confess our sin, HE will forgive our sin AND cleanse us from ALL unrighteousness. Another great example is found in John 15:7:

7 If you live in Me [abide vitally united to Me] and My words remain in you and continue to live in your hearts, ask whatever you will, and it shall be done for you. AMP

So, we can have complete confidence that when we stand on His Word AND when we obey His Word, HE will do everything necessary to carry it out! Whatever you and Kristine may face concerning your life, your family, your jobs, your friends or anything else that concerns you, HE has a promise that covers it! Have a great and very blessed week! Here is Chris Tomlin and Kari Jobe with "Revelation Song":

Worthy is the, Lamb who was slain 
Holy, Holy, is He 
Sing a new song, to him who sits on 
Heaven's mercy seat 
[2X] 

Holy, Holy, Holy 
Is the Lord God Almighty 
Who was, and is, and is to come 
With all creation I sing 
Praise to the King of Kings 
You are my everything 
And I will adore You 

Clothed in rainbows, of living color 
Flashes of lightning, rolls of thunder 
Blessing and honor, strength and glory and power be 
to You the only wise King 

Holy, Holy, Holy 
Is the Lord God Almighty 
Who was, and is, and is to come 
With all creation I sing 
Praise to the King of Kings 
You are my everything 
And I will adore You 

Filled with wonder, awestruck wonder 
At the mention of your name 
Jesus your name is power 
Breath, and living water 
Such a marvelous mystery 
Yeah... 

Holy, Holy, Holy 
Is the Lord God Almighty 
Who was, and is, and is to come, yeah 
With all creation I sing 
Praise to the King of Kings 
You are my everything 
And I will adore You 
[3X]

Love and Shalom from the Swoveys!

Hi Brian! 

The word for this week is "inspiration"! We find it in two portions of Scriptures, one from the Old Testament and one from the New. 

Job 32:8 But there is a spirit in man: and the inspiration of the Almighty gives them understanding. KJV

2 Timothy 3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works. KJV

In Job we have the Hebrew word "neshamah", Strong's Concordance says: a puff; vital breath; divine inspiration and intellect. Brown-Driver-Briggs adds: the breath of God. In 2 Timothy we have the Greek word "theopneustos". Strong's Concordance says: divinely breathed in. The definitions are very similar! There are many natural things that can inspire us to work harder, do better, be nicer, give more, love more and so on. However, I believe that it is only the divine inspiration that comes directly from the heart of God that will cause us to be able to stick to something until we fully accomplish what we are supposed to accomplish! Jerry O'Dell once made a comment that I have never forgotten! He said this: "When we want what God wants, for the same reason He wants it, then we cannot fail!" I LOVE that! We KNOW from His Word that He desires for us to prosper and be well:

3 John 2 Beloved, I wish above all things that thou may prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospers. KJV

He desires that we walk in love:

 Ephesians 5:1 THEREFORE BE imitators of God [copy Him and follow His example], as well-beloved children [imitate their father]. 2 And walk in love, [esteeming and delighting in one another] as Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us, a slain offering and sacrifice to God [for you, so that it became] a sweet fragrance.AMP

He desires that we operate in HIS strength:

Philippians 4:13 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

He also desires that we enjoy the fullness of HIS life that is in us:

John 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

When we desire these things, and others promised in the Word, for the same reason that God desires them, which is that we will be bright lights in and to the world, representing Who HE is to them, so that they will desire to know HIM, then we will not fail to walk in them! My prayer for you is that you will continue to grow in knowledge, understanding and love for the Word of God so that His "inspiration" will be strong in you and His life and light will continue to be seen in you! Here is Hillsong with "I Surrender":

Love and Shalom from the Swoveys!

Hi Brian!

Great win today! The word for this week was a puzzler to me! I heard the word "rifle" as I was praying and that word was nowhere in the Bible. When I started looking for words in the Concordance that sounded like it, I found this in Zechariah 14:2:

2 For I will gather all nations against Jerusalem to battle; and the city shall be taken, and the houses rifled, and the women ravished; and half of the city shall go forth into captivity, and the residue of the people shall not be cut off from the city. KJV

"Rifled" here is the Hebrew word "shacac". Strong's Concordance says: to plunder. Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon adds: to spoil.  In fact, the four other times this Hebrew word is found it is translated "spoil or spoiled".  The situation described here in Zechariah takes place after the Rapture, or catching away, of the church. These are some of the things that will occur during the time of the Tribulation. All of the nations will come against Israel. Verses 3-5 tell us what else will happen at the end of this seven year time period:

3 Then shall the Lord go forth, and fight against those nations, as when he fought in the day of battle. 4 And his feet shall stand in that day upon the mount of Olives, which is before Jerusalem on the east, and the mount of Olives shall cleave in the midst thereof toward the east and toward the west, and there shall be a very great valley; and half of the mountain shall remove toward the north, and half of it toward the south. 5 And ye shall flee to the valley of the mountains; for the valley of the mountains shall reach unto Azal: yea, ye shall flee, like as ye fled from before the earthquake in the days of Uzziah king of Judah: and the Lord my God shall come, and all the saints with thee. KJV

That last line, "all the saints with thee" refers to all of us who will be in Heaven during the Tribulation. When it's all over, Jesus Himself will descend from Heaven, with US, and He will begin His 1000 year reign from Jerusalem. THAT will be an awesome time on the earth! The horrible things that will occur during the Tribulation have already begun to happen, on a much smaller scale, all over the world. There already are women and children being sold into slavery, Christians and Jews murdered for their faith, houses and properties being plundered, or "rifled", natural disasters and catastrophic events occurring. The Bible tells us that these are just the beginnings of the "birth pangs" that signal the time of the second coming of Jesus (Matthew 24:6-8). The great good news for US is that we WON'T be here to witness the fullness of this! I Thessalonians 4:16-18 and 1 Corinthians 15:51-52 tell of the catching away of the church. In the meantime, we, walking in the authority of the Name of Jesus and the Word of God, can and will walk in the supernatural protection, provision and safety of Psalm 91! No "rifling" occurring in OUR lives and families! Thank You Jesus! Here is Hillsong with "Mighty To Save":

Love and Shalom from the Swoveys!