Hi Brian!

The word for this week is "natural". We'll be looking at 1 Corinthians 2:14 and 1 Corinthians 15:44-46:

14 The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned.

"Natural" here is the Greek word "psuchikos". Strong's Concordance says: of or belonging to breath; the principal of animal life; the sensuous nature with its subjection to appetite and passion. Now let's look at 1 Corinthians 15:44-46:

44 It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual body. 45 Thus it is written, “The first man Adam became a living being”; the last Adam became a life-giving spirit. 46 But it is not the spiritual that is first but the natural, and then the spiritual.

I like the Amplified Bible for this one:

44 It is sown a natural (physical) body; it is raised a supernatural (a spiritual) body. [As surely as] there is a physical body, there is also a spiritual body. 45 Thus it is written, The first man Adam became a living being (an individual personality); the last Adam (Christ) became a life-giving Spirit [restoring the dead to life]. 46 But it is not the spiritual life which came first, but the physical and then the spiritual.

We are all born with natural, human bodies that have the sin nature, because of Adam's sin,  within us. We are not able to understand the wonderful Word of God. Once we receive Jesus as Lord and personal Savior, we receive that new nature spoken of in 2 Corinthians 5:17-21! We have the Spirit of God living IN us and HE will teach us. We are no longer "natural" beings, but supernatural, spiritual beings who are able to understand the Word of God! "Spiritual" and "spiritually" (from 1 Corinthians 2:14 above) are both the Greek word "pneumatikos". Strong's Concordance says: relating to the human spirit; one who is filled with and governed by the Spirit of God. 

It is important to realize that the unbelievers in our lives are not be able to understand the Word, so we just continue to give them the simple Gospel of  Salvation! Once they receive Jesus as Savior, THEN they can begin to devour the Word and to walk in obedience to it. We operate as the spiritual beings we are, even while we are still in these natural human bodies, UNTIL we receive the new resurrection bodies, in a moment, at the appearing of Jesus for His Church! Here it is sometimes difficult to get this natural, physical body to always do what WE want them to do! How glorious it will be to have that new one! In the meantime, we can speak the Word of God over these bodies and get them in position to walk in health and healing! The Word takes precedence! I LOVE that! You and Kristine can stand in agreement together as you speak this Word over your daughters and fully expect them to walk in continual great health. Know that you always have our agreement, too! The Prayer of Agreement is powerful, but THAT is for another blog post! Here is Hillsong Kids with "Supernatural":

Love and Shalom from the Swoveys! 

Hi Brian! 

The word for this week is "follow". We'll be looking at an Old Testament verse and a  New Testament verse. Let's look first at Hosea 6:3:

3 Then shall we know , if we follow on to know the LORD: his going forth is prepared as the morning; and he shall come unto us as the rain, as the latter and former rain unto the earth.

This is the Hebrew word "radaph". Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon says: to pursue; to attend closely upon; to run after; to pursue ardently; to chase. The New Testament verse is Philippians 3:12:

12 Not as though I had already attained , either were already perfect : but I follow after , if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.

This is the Greek word "dioko". Thayer's Greek Lexicon says: to run swiftly in order to catch a person or thing; to press on; to pursue; to seek eagerly after; to earnestly endeavor to acquire. If we "follow on" or pursue or chase after knowing Him, we WILL! YOU pursued Kristine after you met. You got to know her, and the more you knew her, the more you WANTED to know her! It works exactly the same way with God. We will know Him just as much as we WANT to! The only limits on that is what we might put on ourselves. HE won't! I think that is tremendously exciting! Not only can we pursue knowing Him, but we can use that same intensity to pursue His will and plan and purpose for our lives. Paul tells us in Philippians 3:10 that when we get to know Jesus more, we will also know and understand His power. How it works and how to work it in our lives. You have such a head start with your experience at Target in how to go after what you need to know in order to do well and to advance! With that same commitment to know Jesus, YOU will be able to teach others. I know that you are already teaching your daughters because of the things that they say. The rewards for doing that are priceless! Here is another new song from Hillsong Young and Free called "Pursue":

Love and Shalom from the Swoveys!

Hi Brian!

The word for this week is "power". We'll be looking at these verses: Ephesians 1:19-21; Ephesians 3:20; and Philippians 3:10:

Ephesians 1:19 And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power, 20 Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, 21 Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come:

Ephesians 3:20 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,

Philippians 3:10 That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection ..

The word "power" in each of these portions of Scripture is the Greek word "dunamis". Strong's Concordance says: might, physical power, force, efficacy, energy. NAS Exhaustive Concordance adds: miraculous power, strength. Thayer's Greek Lexicon says: inherent power. This is also the basis for the word translated "strengthens" in Philippians 4:13:

13 I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me.

I also like the Amplified Bible for Ephesians 1:19 because it says "in and for us who believe" instead of simply toward us! Because we have the Spirit of God living on the inside of us, we HAVE His nature, which includes His inherent power! We have all of the strength, energy and vitality that we need to accomplish anything and everything that He has planned for us to do! Of course, because we still live in these mortal bodies, we must give them the care, food and rest that is necessary, but He makes up for whatever we may be lacking! When you find you have sleepless nights taking care of those beautiful babies, EXPECT to have the needed energy, supernaturally, that you MUST have for your "day job"! That is my prayer for you! Because I pray the Ephesians and Colossians prayers for you, Kristine and your lovely girls on a daily basis, I am expecting that for you, too! It was SO good to see you all last week, even for a little while! Have a GREAT rest of your week! Here is Hillsong Young and Free with another new song called "Energy". (Of course! :) )

Love and Shalom from the Swoveys!

Hi Brian!

The word for this week is "bow". We'll be looking at these three verses: Romans 4:11; Philippians 2:10; Ephesians 3:14.

Romans 4:11 For it is written , As I live , saith the Lord , every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.

Philippians 2:10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow , of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;

Ephesians 3:14 For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,

These are all the Greek primary verb "kampto". Strong's Concordance says: to bend or bow the knee; to honour one; in veneration; used of worshippers; to bow oneself. Notice that in the first two verses it will be mandatory that EVERY knee bow! Those who want to AND those who don't will ALL one day bow their knee to the Lord Jesus, and, as Philippins 2:11 goes on to say, they will also declare that "Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father". I LOVE Ephesians 3:14! WE, who are born again, have the opportunity right here and now to do this voluntarily! With our New Covenant with Him (Hebrews 8:26) we now have everything that we will ever need to succeed, prosper, walk in health and wellness, and in the power and authority of the Word, have intimate fellowship with Him, and sure and certain rewards in the next life! We ARE, of ALL people, MOST BLESSED! I am praying daily for you, Kristine, and your beautiful girls to be blessed beyond measure and to be able to walk in the fullness of all that God has planned for you (Jeremiah 29:11 AMP)! I can't wait to see you all again! Have a wonderful and very blessed week! Here is a song we sang in church yesterday called "At The Cross" by Hillsong Worship:

Love and Shalom from the Swoveys!