Hi Brian!

The word for this week is "unction". It's found only one place in the Bible. 1 John 2:20:

20 But ye have an unction from the Holy One, and ye know all things. KJV

This is the Greek word "chrisma". Strong's Concordance says:an unguent or smearing, i.e. the special endowment of the Holy Spirit. Thayer's Greek Lexicon says: used of the gift of the Holy Spirit. Vine's Expository Dictionary of the New Testament says: translated "anointing" in the RV Bible. That believers have "an anointing from the Holy One" indicates that this anointing renders them holy, separating them to God. It also adds that Holy Spirit is the all efficient means of enabling believers to possess a knowledge of the truth.

One of the biggest changes that I noticed in my life upon receiving the unction, or the infilling of the Holy Spirit, is how clear the Word of God became! The more time I spent (as the Amplified Bible says) 'hearing, receiving, loving and obeying it', the more that knowledge would just flow! The Word became so logical that I wondered why everyone didn't see things the same way! That's why I really love above where it says "Holy Spirit is the all efficient means of enabling believers to possess a knowledge of the truth". He lives IN us, but WE must make the choice whether His presence has any bearing on our lives! And He uses the Word to bring knowledge and understanding to us. John 8:31-32 shows us this:

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.

YOU have that same "unction", the Holy Spirit", living IN you. That's why you are so successful on your job, with your band and as a husband and father! Your gifts and talents, in HIS hands, result in favor, promotions, success and prosperity. THAT is how you can plan and orchestrate a vacation with 4 children that results in such happy memories and fun times! It takes work and commitment to do the things that you do, but with HIS presence IN you, you will always be successful! The unction! Here is Hillsong an older song called  "Savior King":

Love and Shalom from the Swoveys!

Hi Brian!

Have a wonderful, safe, blessed and very fun vacation! I apologize for being late on this! We have had quite the chaotic week! Blessed, though! The word for this week is "valiant". It's found only once in the New Testament. Hebrews 11:34:

34 Quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens. KJV

This is the Greek word "ischuros". Strong's Concordance says: forcible. Thayer's Greek Lexicons says: strong, mighty, of living beings: strong, either in body or in mind. The Theological Dictionary says: strong and powerful. Hebrews 11 is sometimes called the "Hall of Faith". After this description of faith in verse 1 ...

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. KJV

... it goes on to mention those, through the years, who have operated in this same faith, believing as TRUTH those things that they could not yet see, because the Word of God (either heard or written) said it was so! Our "fight" is the fight of faith spoken of in 1 Timothy 6:12:

12 Fight the good fight of faith KJV

This fight is actually the fight to keep our thoughts on the Word when the enemy tries to bring thoughts of doubt and unbelief. You and Kristine have been valiant in your faith fights over the years and now this is showing up in your beautiful daughters whom you have taught to pray and believe! That is quite a valiant legacy that you are creating! I am so proud of you both and love your family so much! Enjoy the rest of your vacation! Here is a very old song that we used to sing during Praise and Worship at The Spoken Word Church! It is Kent Henry with "Victory Song":

Through our God we shall do valiantly.

It is He who will tread down our enemies

We'll sing and shout His victory.

Christ is King,

For God has won the victory

And set His people free.

His word has slain the enemy.

The earth shall stand and see that...

Through our God we shall do valiantly.

It is He who will tread down our enemies

We'll sing and shout His victory.

Christ is King! Christ is King!

Christ is King

Love and Shalom from the Swoveys!

Hi Brian!

Happy Resurrection Day! It was nice to see Avery and Elle this weekend! We really missed you and Kristine, Georgia and Reagan though! The word for this week is a quirky one! It is "quit" and it only found once in the New Testament! 1 Corinthians 16:13:

13 Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong. KJV

This is actually the whole phrase "quit you like men" that comes from the Greek word "andrizomai". Strong's Concordance says: to act manly. Thayer's Greek Lexicon says: to make a man of or make brave, to show oneself a man or be brave. Vine's Expository Dictionary says: to play the man. In the Theological Dictionary of the New Testament it says that Paul is using this in an exhortation to steadfastness in the faith. The Amplified Bible says it that way:

13 Be alert and on your guard; stand firm in your faith (your conviction respecting man's relationship to God and divine things, keeping the trust and holy fervor born of faith and a part of it). Act like men and be courageous; grow in strength!  [Ps 31:24.]  AMP

The Complete Jewish Bible is fun!

13 Stay alert, stand firm in the faith, behave like a mentsh, grow strong. 14 Let everything you do be done in love. CJB

"Mentsh" is a Yiddish word that means, according to Merriam-Webster Dictionary, a person of honor and integrity. So, if I call YOU a "mentsh" or "mensch", you will know that I am complimenting you highly as a man of honor and integrity! And since this refers to a person, Kristine is one, also! We love you both and your beautiful family! Here is Hillsong with an older song about honoring God called "I Give You My Heart":

Love and Shalom from the Swoveys!

Hi Brian!

The word for this week is a funny sounding one! "Jangling". It is actually the phrase "vain jangling", and is found in 1 Timothy 1:5-10: 

5 Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned: 6 From which some having swerved have turned aside unto vain jangling; 7 Desiring to be teachers of the law; understanding neither what they say, nor whereof they affirm. KJV

This is the Greek word "mataiologia". Strong's Concordance says: random talk, i.e. babble. Thayer's Greek Lexicon says: empty talk. The Theological Dictionary of the New Testament adds this: empty prattle. In verse 4 Paul had mentioned 'endless genealogies and fables. In other words, these people were speaking of all sorts of meaningless and unimportant things rather than speaking the Truth of the Word of God so that they could grow up in the things of God! The Amplified Bible says this:

5 Whereas the object and purpose of our instruction and charge is love, which springs from a pure heart and a good (clear) conscience and sincere (unfeigned) faith. 6 But certain individuals have missed the mark on this very matter [and] have wandered away into vain arguments and discussions and purposeless talk. 7 They are ambitious to be doctors of the Law (teachers of the Mosaic ritual), but they have no understanding either of the words and terms they use or of the subjects about which they make [such] dogmatic assertions. AMP

And then the Message Bible says this:

5 The whole point of what we're urging is simply love — love uncontaminated by self-interest and counterfeit faith, a life open to God. 6 Those who fail to keep to this point soon wander off into cul-de-sacs of gossip. 7 They set themselves up as experts on religious issues, but haven't the remotest idea of what they're holding forth with such imposing eloquence. THE MESSAGE 

I really like the way the Message Bible says that when people get off into areas self-interest and meaningless talk, they are not far from stepping into "cul-de-sacs of gossip! We have a powerfully simple message to share of the great Love of the Father that caused Him to give His only son to save us! When we don't stick to that is when the temptation to get involved in careless, meaningless and baseless talk comes. Our words are so very powerful that we need to make a conscious decision to speak the Word into our lives and then HE can confirm that Word with signs and wonders and miracles! I LIKE the sound of THOSE words! Here is Hillsong United with "Say The Word":

Love and Shalom from the Swoveys!

Hi Brian!

The word for this week is "knit". This is actually a phrase, "knit together" and is found in Colossians 2:2 and 19:

2 [For my concern is] that their hearts may be braced (comforted, cheered, and encouraged) as they are knit together in love, that they may come to have all the abounding wealth and blessings of assured conviction of understanding, and that they may become progressively more intimately acquainted with and may know more definitely and accurately and thoroughly that mystic secret of God, [which is] Christ (the Anointed One). AMP

19 And not holding fast to the Head, from Whom the entire body, supplied and knit together by means of its joints and ligaments, grows with a growth that is from God. AMP

This is the Greek word "sumbibazo". Strong's Concordance says: to drive together, unite (in association or affection), to infer, show, teach. Thayer's Greek Lexicon adds: to cause to coalesce, to join together, put together, to cause a person to unite with one in a conclusion or come to the same opinion. This same Greek word is translated "compacted" in the KJV , but "knit" in the Amplified Bible in Ephesians 4:16:

16 For because of Him the whole body (the church, in all its various parts), closely joined and firmly knit together by the joints and ligaments with which it is supplied, when each part [with power adapted to its need] is working properly [in all its functions], grows to full maturity, building itself up in love. AMP

God never meant for there to be 'lone rangers' in the Body of Christ! In fact, He never meant for mankind to be alone, that's why He created "them" male and female (Genesis 1:27 and 5:2) and then instructed them to have families to fill the earth. Under the New Covenant, born again believers are united together by a supernatural bond that is described in the verses above. This "knitting together" makes the natural family bond even more powerful when the family members are all part of His Body, too! I have an even greater love and interest in your family because we ARE all family! Knit together by the Spirit of God in the Love of God! We love you all so much and we are so very proud of you and Kristine and the wonderful job you are doing in raising your beautiful daughters! Here is a very old song from Hillsong that mentions this "family" that we are all a part of! "God Is In The House":

Love and Shalom from the Swoveys!