Hi Brian!

The word for this week is "passion". We find it only one time in the entire Bible. Acts 1:3:

To whom also he shewed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God: KJV

Strong's Concordance says this:  to experience a sensation or impression (usually pain). Thayer's Greek Lexicon adds this:  to be affected or have been affected, to feel, have a sensible experience, to undergo evils, to suffer, to be afflicted. This is referring specifically to the suffering that Jesus endured during His trial and crucifixion. Everything that He endured physically was really nothing compared to the horror of having God the Father turn away from Him when He (Jesus) became sick with OUR sicknesses and became sin with OUR sin! He knew before He ever arrived in Jerusalem exactly what was before Him to do, and out of His great love for US, He went ahead and suffered it all! We're told in Hebrews 12:2 that Jesus did this "for the joy that was set before him"! That joy was being able to legally claim US as His own! What a wonderful new life we have now, with the full authority of Heaven backing us up when we declare His Word! His "passion" delivered our promise! Here is Hillsong Young and Free with "Passion":

[PASSION

Verse 1: Aodhan King]

In the grove, when your cup seemed too much

With the worst yet to come

I was on your mind

On the cross, as the crowds cursed your name

Heaven's eyes turned away

Still you thought of me

[Pre-Chorus]

I know you love me so

[Verse 2: Aodhan King]

Through it all, you were thinking of me

Even death couldn't keep all your love for me

But you died, so that I could have life

There's no greater love than this

[Pre-Chorus]   (2x)

[Verse 3: Karina Wykes]

Your love is still the same

Beginning and forever

I sing of all your passion won for me

I sing of all your love first done in me

Your love will never change

Beginning and forever

I sing of all your passion won for me

I sing of all your love first done in me

[Refrain]        I found you    (6x)

[Verse 4: Karina Wykes]

You're brighter than the sun

Risen from the shadows

Seated on the throne of majesty

Higher than the skies and all the sea   (2x)

[Refrain] (6x) [Outro: I love you  (6xs)

Love and Shalom from the Swoveys!

Hi Brian!

What an exciting week this has been! The word for this week is "eyes". We won't be looking at the verses that speak of the physical eyes. Instead we'll be looking at these two portions of Scripture:

Matthew 13:15 For this people's heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them. 16 But blessed are your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear. KJV

Ephesians 1:18 The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints, 19 And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to usward 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. KJV

"Eyes" here is the Greek word "ophthalmos". Strong's Concordance says the eye (literally or figuratively), vision. Vine's Expository Dictionary adds this: sight, from a root signifying penetration, sharpness. The Theological Dictionary of the New Testament also adds this: This word means "apple of the eye", figuratively "what is most dear", seeing with the eyes of the heart, human perception or judgment, divine perception. Also noted is this: "the crucial point is spiritual rather than sensory perception. God grants enlightenment to the eyes of the heart." When we meditate on the Word of God, our Teacher, Holy Spirit, is able to give us understanding of the Word and how to put it into practice in our lives. We have to have that clear perception of the Word as God's final authority before we can seriously expect to stand on it in faith. The verses in Ephesians, above, are a part of the prayer that I pray for you, Kristine and your daughters, (along with those in Ephesians 3 and Colossians 1). I pray for the understanding of His Word and the leading, guidance and direction of Holy Spirit in the specifics of putting it into practice! John 8:31-32 gives us this promise:

31 So Jesus said to those Jews who had believed in Him, If you abide in My word [hold fast to My teachings and live in accordance with them], you are truly My disciples. 32 And you will know the Truth, and the Truth will set you free.

My prayer for you today is that you will continue to have the eyes of YOUR heart enlightened so that you will know, always, what belongs to you as a blood covenant partner with God through the blood of Jesus! Then you will be able to continue to teach the Word to your girls and the eyes of their understanding will see clearly what God has for them! Here is another new song from the Hillsong Young and Free album "Youth Revival" called "In Your Eyes":

 IN  YOUR EYES

Verse]

Skylines and crowded streets

Calling my attention

The limelight and empty dreams

Grieving my affections

But there is a perfect Voice

Waiting above the noise

Jesus my only choice

When all the lights are screaming

[Chorus]

Then I

I get lost in Your eyes

And find the clarity to life

The world when all the colors rage

But I'm not gonna look away, no

I get lost in Your eyes

[Verse 2]

I've read all the glossy guides

To living in contentment

I've heard all the pretty lies

And all of them are vacant

But You are a love unique

My heart, my identity

Jesus you're all I need

And see the rest is nothing

Love and Shalom from the Swoveys!

Hi Brian! 

The word for this week is "example". We'll be looking at these verses: 

John 13:15 For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you. KJV

This is the Greek word "hupodeigma". Strong's Concordance says: an exhibit for imitation, or warning. Vine's Expository Dictionary also adds this: a thing shown, a specimen denoting an example given. Then we have this:

1 Tim 4:12 Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity. KJV

This is the Greek word "tupos". Thayer's Greek Lexicon says of this: the mark of a stroke; print; a figure, image; form; the pattern in conformity to which a thing is made. 

Both of these words refer to something or someone who demonstrates to another the way to think, speak or act. The accounts in the Word show us both how to act, and sometimes how not to act. We have seen you grow from someone who knew very little about the Word of God into someone who is a living example of what the Word is saying. You are a wonderful example to other husbands of how a wife should be loved, respected, cherished, protected and provided for. You are also a wonderful and loving example of how children should be trained with guidance and discipline, but also with the freedom to become who God has made them to be. I am sure that you are an example at work to others coming up after you and to your friends and family of how to believe God and His Word and to walk in faith. It's an awesome responsibility to be a living example of God's Word in action and you do it very well! We hope to see you and your beautiful family again soon! Here is another new song from Hillsong Young and Free called "Falling Into You":

[Verse 1]
I've lived my life to the limit
Well I'm at the end of myself
I see the end that I know below me
Your love is waiting to catch
[Chorus]
I'm falling into you
Cause no one's gonna
Love me like you do (alright)
I've got nothing to lose
So I can't stop, won't stop
Falling into you (alright)
[Verse 2]
The rush I've felt in the free-fall
As I lost control of my life
Jesus, I've found that
You've always had me
Your love is never in doubt
[Bridge]
I wanna love you like you love me
I wanna love you like you love me
[Chorus]
[Bridge]
[Chorus 2x]
[Outro]
I'm falling into you

Love and Shalom from the Swoveys!

Hi Brian!

It was so good to see you and Kristine and the girls! We love being in your home. There is such an atmosphere of love and fun! The word for this week is "safety". We'll be looking at these verses:

Leviticus 25:18 Wherefore ye shall do my statutes, and keep my judgments, and do them; and ye shall dwell in the land in safety. KJV

Psalm 4:8 I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for thou, Lord, only makest me dwell in safety. KJV

Proverbs 11:14 Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellors there is safety. KJV

Proverbs 21:31 The horse is prepared against the day of battle: but safety is of the Lord. KJV

In the first two verses we have the Hebrew word "betach". Strong's Concordance says: a place of refuge, safety: both the fact (security) and the feeling (trust). Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon adds this: security, securely. In the last two verses we have the Hebrew word "teshua". Strong's Concordance says: rescue. Brown-Driver-Briggs adds: salvation, deliverance. The Theological Wordbook of the Old Testament also adds this: to make wide, to make sufficient. In all of these instances, it is obedience to the Word, sometimes through counsel or counselors, that puts us in the position to be able to have faith, trust and confidence that no matter what we encounter, HE will provide the rescue, deliverance or way of escape! Having this confidence really makes it easier to be bold and to step out into the unknown! I love the way you both encourage your girls to try new things and give them the opportunity to find what they really enjoy to do and can pour themselves into! It is so fun watching them all grow into their own, unique personality! The song for this week is another new song from Hillsong Young and Free's Youth Revival album called "Trust":

TRUST

[Verse 1]

When it doesn't go my way

I know that it is not the end

I'm trusting you have better plans

I haven't even dreamt of yet

I know that You will follow me

When everything's against me

I put all my hope in You

[Chorus]

Jesus I will trust You,   I will trust you

I know you never fail,   I will trust you

Jesus I will,    Jesus I will

[Verse 2]

I do not know how the story ends

But I know that You finished it

I close my eyes and just let go

And fall into my only Hope

There's safety in the falling

When I surrender fully

I put all my hope in You

[Chorus]

Jesus I will, I will,   Jesus I will, I will

[Bridge]

Now everything I know,   Is God you're in control

In every little detail,   You are close

I'll never be alone,   Here in the unknown

The power of Your Presence,   Fills my soul   (x2)

[Chorus]   (x2)

Jesus I will, I will,   Jesus I will, I will

[Chorus]

Love and Shalom from the Swoveys!

Hi Brian!

I hope that you and Kristine are having a wonderful trip! The word for this week is "reign". We'll be looking at these Scriptures:

Romans 5:17 For if by one man's offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.) KJV

Romans 5:21 That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord. KJV

Revelation 5:10 And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth. KJV

In all three of these examples, "reign" is the Greek word "basileuo". Strong's Concordance says : to rule. Thayer's Greek Lexicon adds: to be king,to exercise kingly power. With what Jesus accomplished through His death, burial and resurrection, there should never be a time when we who are born again find ourselves "under the circumstances"! WE are to exercise that kingly power to get free, stay free, and then to help others get their freedom too! Jesus always intended for us be able to "reign" as kings and priests in this life, bringing  glory and attention to HIM! One thing that I have noticed about all of the pictures that either you or Kristine post is that you always have FUN! Your love and joy as a family just shines for all to see and, knowing that you love Jesus and His Word, people recognize that and HE gets attention! Well done! Here is another new song from Hillsong Young and Free called "Never Alone":

NEVER ALONE

[Verse]

In the dark You lift my eyes

For this journey You designed

You're likening me

Let my heart align with You

In Your Word and in Your Truth

Your voice calling me

Faith in the unseen

[Chorus]

Oh You reign in my soul

Oh You reign in my soul

I will never be alone

I will never be alone

Oh You reign in my soul

Oh You reign in my soul

I will never be alone

I will never be alone

[Verse]

Though my word may fall in faith

You alone are sovereign still

Constant in my trust

On the Earth Your kingdom bring

All creation brings You praise

Jesus You are Life

Your name lifted high

[Chorus]

[Bridge]

My soul revived in your broken hands

Gracious blood hold my sin and shame

Now forever until the end

Oh, You reign,  Oh, You reign    (x2)

[Chorus] (x2)

Love and Shalom from the Swoveys!