Hi Brian!

The word for this week is "signs". We'll be looking at three different portions of Scripture: Exodus 10:2; Luke 21:25-27; and Mark 16:17-18.

Exodus 10:2 And that you may tell in the ears of your son, and of your son's son, what things I have wrought in Egypt, and my signs which I have done among them; that you may know how that I am the Lord. 

This is the Hebrew word "owth". Strong's Concordance says: a signal, as a flag, beacon, monument, omen, evidence. Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon adds: a remembrance, a miraculous sign, a warning. In the case of these signs to Egypt, which are also referred to as plagues, these were a strong warning to Pharaoh and all of Egypt that the God of the Hebrews truly was GOD and should be obeyed and honored. Though Pharaoh refused to acknowledge Him, many Egyptian people did! 

Luke 21:25 And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; 26 Men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken. 27 And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.

This is the Greek word "semeion". Strong's Concordance says: an indication, especially ceremonially or supernaturally. Thayer's Greek Lexicon adds this: a mark, token. That by which a person or a thing is distinguished from others. There have been many "signs" in the heavens lately that, taken all together, point to the God of the Bible about to do something extraordinary! Things like the blood moons and the occurrence of the planets aligned as at the time of the Bethlehem Star (Have you watched that documentary yet? Fascinating!). Then we have THIS instruction and promise to born again , Spirit-filled believers!

Mark 16:17 And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; 18 .They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover. 

This is the same Greek word "semeion". Thayer's Greek Lexicon adds this: miracles and wonders by which God authenticates those sent by him. God loves to prove Himself to those who believe in Him and trust in Him! These signs are to get the attention of the lost so that they can turn to Him and receive their salvation! These are specific things that are undeniably God, but He also shows Himself strong in our lives by the evidence of His favor and blessing. Your lives, family, careers, are on display for all of those around you to see, and when they see, they see the evidence of HIM! I am praying for continued favor, anointing, blessing, protection, provision and safety for you, Kristine and your beautiful girls, and for all of those who are affected by your lives and the "signs" they see! Here is Hillsong United with "Nova":

Love and Shalom from the Swoveys!

Hi Brian! 

I hope your birthday party for Georgia and Reagan was a success! The word for this week is "stayed". The particular Hebrew word we'll be looking at for stayed is found in Isaiah 26:3:

You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You: because he trusts in You. 

This is the Hebrew word "camak". Strong's Concordance says: to prop; to lean upon or take hold of. Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon adds this:  to rest; to support; to uphold; to lean against; to brace oneself; to sustain; to refresh; to revive. This same Hebrew word is the root for the word "uphold" found in Psalms 37:17; 37:24 and 119:116. THESE refer to the Lord's part in supporting us. Isaiah is speaking of our responsibility to lean on, trust in and rely on Him and on His promises. The Amplified Bible says this of Isaiah 26:3:

3 You will guard him and keep him in perfect and constant peace whose mind is stayed on You, because he commits himself to You, leans on You, and hopes confidently in You. AMP

I know that you and Kristine have faced some situations where you were forced to keep your minds stayed on Him, and you received the promised peace that many people marvel at! I want to use this to encourage you to remember those times and the results of your faith so that the enemy will not ever be able to trip you up and get an advantage over you. I am confident that your lives, your joy, your family, your peace, and the favor of God upon you is attracting the attention of hurting people who will come to you for counsel. And YOU are well able to help! Here is Hillsong United with "The Stand":

Love and Shalom from the Swoveys!

Hi Brian!

The word for this week is "walk", in honor of Reagan's first steps! :) There are a few different Greek words translated walk in the New Testament. This week we'll be looking at one of them found in these verses:

Gal 5:25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. KJV

Gal 6:15 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature. 16 And as many as walk according to this rule, peace be on them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of God. KJV

Phil 3:16 Nevertheless, whereto we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing. KJV

This is the Greek word "stoicheo". Strong's Concordance says: to march in military rank (keep step), i.e. to conform to virtue and piety. Thayer's Greek Lexicon adds this: to go in order. The Theological Dictionary of the New Testament says this: to be in agreement. Vine's Expository Dictionary adds: used of walking by the Spirit, in an exhortation to keep step with one another in submission of the heart to the Holy Spirit (resulting in unity and harmony in the church).

 REAL unity in a church, or a family or work team, comes when everyone knows what is expected and are committed to seeing it through. I know that you've seen the benefit of this in your career when your team has had success, and you've probably seen the negative effects when some choose to go their own way. A household can be in chaos when there is no "walking" order! If there are no rules set in place, then there is no standard and everyone will do what is right in their own eyes, as in Judges 17:6 and 21:25. I love that you and Kristine have established an order in your home that is unique to your own family, and that you are in agreement in doing so. The peace and joy that are evident when we visit is a result of that. When everyone knows the order, then you can all "walk" together in harmony! Here is a song from Hillsong's "God Is Able" album called "Narrow Road":

Love and Shalom from the Swoveys!

Hi Brian!

We are praying for a great week for Kristine and for you and the girls! The word for this week is "resist". We'll be looking at these two verses:

James 4:7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. KJV

1 Peter 5:8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: 9 Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world. KJV

This is the Greek word "anthistemi". Vine's Expository Dictionary shows that this is a compound word with "anti" meaning against, and "histemi" meaning to cause to stand. Strong's Concordance adds: to oppose. Thayer's Greek Lexicon says: to set against. The Word of God reveals to us that we have supernatural weapons that work against the enemy (2 Corinthians 10:4). In order for these weapons to work effectively, we must first of all recognize the works of the enemy, and then set ourselves against him, refusing to accept any report that is contrary to what the word of God says belong to us. Putting the Word as our final authority buts us in submission to God so that when we resist the enemy, the promise is that he WILL flee from us! I love this expanded translation from Rick Renner's "Sparkling Gems":

"Stand firmly against the devil! That's right - be unbending and unyielding in the way you resist him so that he knows he is up against a serious contender. If you'll take this kind of stand against him, he will tuck his tail and run like a criminal who knows the day of prosecution is upon him. Once you start resisting him, he'll flee from you in terror!"

Now THAT is a powerful promise! Here is a very old song by the Christians rock group, Petra, called "Now Weapon Formed Against Me". The quality isn't great, but the message is good! 

Love and Shalom from the Swoveys!