Hi Brian!

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

Galatians 5:6 For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth anything, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love. KJV

Galatians 6:15 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature. KJV

James 5:16 Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. KJV

In all cases the Greek word is "ischuo", which means: to have or exercise force, to be strong, to be robust, to be in sound health, to have a power evidenced in extraordinary deeds, to exert or wield power. In both cases in Galatians the reference is to the Old Covenant requirement of circumcision to be able to receive the rights of that Covenant. Galatians is revealing that this New Covenant is entered into by faith and that by doing so we become new creatures. In James we find that prayer is effective and powerful! The Amplified Bible is especially good here:

James 5:16 The earnest (heartfelt, continued) prayer of a righteous man makes tremendous power available [dynamic in its working]. AMP

1 John 5:14-15 tells us how to KNOW that we have answers to our prayer .... :

14 And this is the confidence (the assurance, the privilege of boldness) which we have in Him: [we are sure] that if we ask anything (make any request) according to His will (in agreement with His own plan), He listens to and hears us. 15 And if (since) we [positively] know that He listens to us in whatever we ask, we also know [with settled and absolute knowledge] that we have [granted us as our present possessions] the requests made of Him. AMP

... and James 5:16 tells us how this comes about! I know that you and Kristine know how to pray and that you have seen great results from your prayers. But what is most exciting is that you have taught, and continue to teach, your children to pray! The power of prayer is as explosive as the explosion of dynamite and by your girls knowing how to pray, you have given them the key to be overcomers in every situation that they face! Well done again! We are so proud of you both and the beautiful family that you have! Here is HIllsong UNITED with another song from their new album (Wonder) called "Rain/Reign":

Love and Shalom from the Swovey!

Hi Brian!

Happy Father's Day to one of the very best Dads that I know! I hope your day is wonderful! The word for this week is "necessary". We'll be looking at these two portions of Scripture:

1 Corinthians 12:22 Nay, much more those members of the body, which seem to be more feeble, are necessary: KJV

Hebrews 9:22 And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission. 23 It was therefore necessary that the patterns of things in the heavens should be purified with these; but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these. KJV

This is the Greek word "anagke". Strong's Concordance says: constraint, distress. Thayer's Greek Lexicon adds: necessity, imposed by the external condition of things or by the law of duty; calamity, distress, straits. The dictionary definition for 'necessity' is: the fact of being required or indispensable or essential. Speaking of the human body, the feet are essential for balance, for walking and running, yet the feet of most people do not look as though they could handle the job! They appear to be small and weak, yet they are created to carry the weight of the entire body! The verses in Hebrews remind us that the shedding  of blood was required to deal with sin, the shedding of Messiah's (perfect, sinless representative of both God and man) blood was 'necessary'! It is essential for us to recognize HIM and then to receive the free Gift of salvation. YOU are essential to Kristine and to Avery, Ellyson, Georgia and Reagan! It is such a joy to see THEIR joy! Well done, man of God! You are necessary! Here is Hillsong UNITED with another of the songs from their new album (Wonder) called "Shadow Step":

Love and Shalom from the Swoveys!

Hi Brian!

The word for this week is "itching". It's only found once in the entire Bible, but it's a very important word to know for growing up in the things of God! 2 Timothy 4:3-4:

3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; 4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. KJV

This is the Greek word "knetho" (knay'-tho). Strong's Concordance says: to tickle. Thayer's Greek Lexicon adds: to scratch, make to itch. The Exegetical Dictionary NT says this: in order to have their ears tickled. The Amplified Bible says this for verses 3-4:

3 For the time is coming when [people] will not tolerate (endure) sound and wholesome instruction, but, having ears itching [for something pleasing and gratifying], they will gather to themselves one teacher after another to a considerable number, chosen to satisfy their own liking and to foster the errors they hold, 4 And will turn aside from hearing the truth and wander off into myths and man-made fictions. AMP

In order to really grow to maturity in the Word of God, we must be as ready to hear the Word of correction as we are to hear the promises and encouragements! Proverbs 3:12 says this:

12 For whom the Lord loves He corrects, even as a father corrects the son in whom he delights.

Sometimes it isn't just correction that people won't receive. It may be a pet doctrine that they have or belief that they are unwilling to let go of, even if it contradicts the Word of God. I remember that from the very first meeting that our Pastor taught when they came home from Tulsa, he instructed everyone to NOT believe what he was teaching until we checked it out in our own Bibles to see if it was so. Just like the Bereans from Acts 17:10-11:

10 And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea: who coming thither went into the synagogue of the Jews. 11 These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.

So, having "itching ears" will lead someone to search for those who teach what they want to hear, rather than searching for those who teach what the Word of God says! I am glad that He led you and Kristine to a church that teaches the Word! Knowing the Word will set us free and keep us free (John 8:31-32)! Here is another newsong from Hillsong UNITED called "Shape Of Your Heart":

Love and Shalom from the Swoveys!

Hi Brian!

The word for this week is "beautiful"! We'll be looking at these three verses:

Matthew 23:27 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men's bones, and of all uncleanness. KJV

Acts 3:10 And they knew that it was he which sat for alms at the Beautiful gate of the temple: and they were filled with wonder and amazement at that which had happened unto him. KJV

Romans 10:15 And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things. KJV

These are all the Greek word "horaios". Strong's Concordance says: belonging to the right hour or season (timely), i.e. flourishing. Thayer's Greek Lexicon adds: any definite time, point of time, moment. The religious leaders referred to in Matthew 23 SHOULD have been as valuable to the people through Wisdom, knowledge and understanding as they looked to be on the outside, with all of their fancy robes and finery, but they were not. The Word of God had been taught to them from a very young age, but they didn't get it, and therefore couldn't share it! I think it is very significant that the man who finally received his healing, after sitting at this gate every day, even when JESUS was ministering, would receive his healing while sitting at the gate that was called timely and flourishing! And knowing that TODAY is the Day of Salvation (2 Corinthians 6:2), whenever someone takes their "beautiful" feet out to share the Gospel, it is timely! The right time, the right season, and a definite time for flourishing, after someone becomes a new creation!  Though the people you share the Gospel with, especially family members, may not recognize your "beautiful" feet yet, they WILL one day, and YOU will have affected their eternity! Here is a new song from the upcoming Hillsong United album, called "Wonder":

Love and Shalom from the Swoveys!