Hi Brian,

Great win today! The word for this week is "happy"! We'll be looking at two verses today. John 13:17 and 1 Peter 4:14:

17 If you know these things, happy are you if you do them.

14 If you be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are you; for the spirit of glory and of God rests upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified.

"Happy" here is the Greek word "makarios". Strong's Concordance says this: supremely blessed, fortunate, well off. Ephesians 1:3 tells us this about the blessings that come from God:

3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:

HE has already blessed us, but in order to walk in and appropriate those blessings, there is something that WE must do! When we read the surrounding verses in John 13, we can see that Jesus was referring to NOT thinking more highly of ourselves, but of submitting to one another and  loving one another with a selfless kind of love. 1 Peter 4:14 tells us that we will be greatly blessed when we suffer persecution (ridicule, gossip, rumors and innuendos). When other people misunderstand our motives for wanting them to be saved, they may spread lies about us. I have had that happen to me. It can hurt if those doing the persecuting are family members of friends. But the rewards from God, or the blessings, are so much greater! As we continue to walk in love with these people, our attitude will go along way in winning them over to HIM! I pray that 2015 will find you with many opportunities to share Jesus with people in every area of your life! I also pray for a supernatural response from them! I also pray that 2015 will be the very best, blessed, and prosperous year yet for you and your beautiful family! Here is Chris Tomlin with "Happy Song":

Love and Shalom from the Swoveys!

Hi Brian!

The word for this week is "holy"! We'll be looking at Luke 1:35:

35 And the angel answered her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy—the Son of God.

This is the Greek word "hagios". Strong's Concordance says: sacred,  blameless, consecrated. The Dictionary definition of "consecrated" is to declare or set apart as sacred. We like to say it this way: "Set apart FROM the world, and set apart UNTO God!"  Peter 1:16 says this:

16 Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.

Jesus kept Himself separated from the world's way of thinking, speaking and acting. He kept Himself separated unto God the Father by spending time in His presence, off by himself, away from the crowd. When Jesus DID come back among the people, they KNEW that He had been with God! We each need to take the time that is necessary to get into that place of fellowship with Him that causes the things of God to become more important and the Word of God to become more real! We were designed by God to BE that way! Here is another Hillsong take on a familiar Christmas song, "O Holy Night", because that WAS a night set apart for God's purposes! 

Love, Shalom and Merry Christmas from the Swoveys!

Hi Brian,

The word for this week will again be "light". We'll be looking at a different Greek word found in 2 Corinthians 4:4 & 6:

 4 In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. 6 For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

In verse 4 and the last part of verse 6, the Greek word is "photismos". Both Strong's Concordance and Thayer's Greek Lexicon say: enlightenment, illumination. As born again believers, we have the ability to come to know and understand the Word of God. Unbelievers do not! Look at 1 Corinthians 2:14:

14 But the natural, nonspiritual man does not accept or welcome or admit into his heart the gifts and teachings and revelations of the Spirit of God, for they are folly (meaningless nonsense) to him; and he is incapable of knowing them [of progressively recognizing, understanding, and becoming better acquainted with them] because they are spiritually discerned and estimated and appreciated.

WE have the Holy Spirit living in us, the greatest Teacher! We CAN, and SHOULD, 'progressively recognize, understand and become better acquainted with' the promises in the Word of God! As our knowledge and understanding of the Word grows, so does our faith IN the Word! We will find that we are able to stand strong in any and every situation, immoveable, because His Word will be so real! As you and Kristine continue to be diligent in the Word, you will be passing a legacy of faith to your girls that will enable THEM to be even stronger in the Word than you are! Like Abraham, God is trusting you to teach your children (Genesis 18:19). It is already evident that you are! I love how precious and unique they each are! Wonderful blessings from God! Here is another Christmas song from Hillsong called "The Reason Why":

Love and Shalom from the Swoveys!

Hi Brian!

What an exciting game! The word for this week is "light". We'll be looking at these two examples: John 8:12 and John 12:36:

12 Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that follows me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life. KJV

36 While ye have light, believe in the light, that ye may be the children of light. These things spake Jesus, and departed, and did hide himself from them. KJV

These are both the Greek word "phos". Strong's Concordance says to shine or to make manifest. Thayer's Greek Lexicon adds: anything emitting light. Vine's Expository Dictionary says: to give light. "Life" in the first verse is the Greek Word "zoe", which is the absolute fullness of life which God has within Himself. This "life" that is in us, John 1:4 says, is the "light" of men! God's life in a person can be seen. We look different! When we're in fellowship with Him, we shine! People like to be in our presence! They are drawn to us! That's how God intended for it to be. After all, we ARE His children, and children reflect their parents! The result of the love and care that you and Kristine have poured into your girls is revealed in the love and joy that pours out of them! They are loved and it shows! THAT'S the "light" that sets them apart from other kids. We, as "children of light", are also a reflection of our Heavenly Father. Spending time in His presence causes that light to shine brighter. People will KNOW that "we have been with Jesus" (Acts 4:13). I am praying that the light that is in you and all of your girls will so affect everyone you know that they will ALL be drawn to Jesus! Have a most blessed week! Here is Hillsong with "Children of the Light":

Love and Shalom from the Swoveys!