Hi Brian!

The word for this week is "disciple". We'll be looking at Matthew 10:24-25:

24 The disciple is not above his master, nor the servant above his lord. 25 It is enough for the disciple that he be as his master, and the servant as his lord.  KJV

This is the Greek word "mathetes". Strong's Concordance says: learner, pupil. Vine's Expository Dictionary says: it denotes one who follows one's teaching (as: the disciples of John; the disciples of Jesus). A disciple was not only a pupil, but an adherent, thus spoken of as an imitator of their teacher. The Theological Dictionary of the New Testament says: used of those who direct their minds to something. (A unique aspect of New Testament discipleship is that it is commitment to the person of Jesus. His teaching has force only when there is first this commitment to His person).  The dictionary definition of adherent is: a person who follows or upholds a leader, cause, etc.; supporter; follower, sticking; clinging; adhering to.  This would bring us to Luke 14:26-27 & 33:

26 If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple.27 And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple. 33 So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsakes not all that he has, he cannot be my disciple. KJV

Of course this doesn't mean that we are actually to hate those people in our lives, but that, in comparison to how much we love and commit and adhere to Jesus, it would SEEM so. The unexplainable Truth of this adhering to Him, though, is that when we DO this, we will actually be able to love those people in our lives with a greater, deeper and more powerful love than if we didn't. This love is a more selfless love, an unconditional love and a love that will never give up or quit. The love of 1 Corinthians 13:8 that never fails! This love is evident in the quiet way that you go about being the head of your household, protecting, providing for, preferring and honoring Kristine (and she you) and your girls. There is so much strength in this kind of love that can only come from Jesus Himself! That right there is as much a preaching of the Gospel as if you stood on your roof, or on a downtown street, and shouted "Jesus is Lord"! I believe that HE wants you to know that you have made such an impression on all of those in your realm of influence simply by being YOU, in HIM. His disciple! Here is Hillsong UNITED with "Greatest Of These":

Love and Shalom from the Swoveys!

Hi Brian!

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

1 Corinthians 10:26 For the earth is the Lord's, and the fulness thereof. KJV

Galatians 4:4 But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, 5 To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons. KJV

Ephesians 1:22 And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, 23 Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all. KJV

Ephesians 3:19 And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God. KJV

This is the Greek word "pleroma". Strong's Concordance says: repletion or completion, i.e. what fills (as contents, supplements, copiousness), or what is filled (as a container). Thayer's Greek Lexicon adds: abundance. Every good thing about the earth came FROM God and belongs TO God! This also means that it belongs to US as heirs of God and joint (equal) heirs with Jesus (Romans 8:17)! 

The fulness of time referred to in Galatians 4 gives me great confidence that God's timing is going to ALWAYS be perfect! His timing for everything to do with your family, home, career, band, interests and goals will be perfect for you! 

The fulness of Him on the earth is the entire Body of Christ (the Church) doing their own individual part, in obedience to His calling and plan and purpose, and HE pulls it all together! Not one of us is responsible for the fulness, but for the one unique part that we have in that fulness, and this all comes together as we commit to walk in love with each other. (Remember that the two most important commandments are that we Love the LORD with all of our hearts and each other as He has love us (Mark 12:28; John 13:34 and 15:12). I believe that the upcoming blessings that God has for you and your family will far outweigh any and all of the tests, trials, situations and circumstances that you have faced recently! The devil hates when God's people are blessed, but he cannot stop it! HA! Here is Hillsong UNITED with one of my favorite songs from their new "Wonder" album called "Not Today":

Love and Shalom from the Swoveys!

Hi Brian!

The word for this week is "justice". It's found only in the Old Testament, so we'll be looking at Hebrew words. The verses we'll look at are Genesis 18:19 and Proverbs 21:3. 

Genesis 18:19 For I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the Lord, to do justice and judgment; that the Lord may bring upon Abraham that which he hath spoken of him. KJV

Prov 21:3 To do justice and judgment is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice. KJV

Here we have the Hebrew word "tsedaqah". Strong's Concordance says: rightness. Brown-Driver-Briggs says: righteousness: in government, in cause, ethically, vindicated; justification, salvation. This same word is translated righteousness in Genesis 15:6:

6 And he believed in the Lord; and he counted it to him for righteousness. KJV

Then we have Proverbs 1:1-3:

1 The proverbs of Solomon the son of David, king of Israel; 2 To know wisdom and instruction; to perceive the words of understanding; 3 To receive the instruction of wisdom, justice, and judgment, and equity; KJV

This is the Hebrew word "tsedeq". Strong's Concordance says: the right (natural, moral or legal), prosperity, used of the attributes of God! Brown-Driver-Briggs says: what is right or just or normal. 

We know that the standards of the world are not the same as the standards of our God, but that will never change the standards of God! He is still looking for those who will teach their children the right things, the Godly standard. It is also still His will that we find out how He wants things done, and then that we do it His way! I love that one of the meanings of the second Hebrew word is do what it "normal"! That would be Heaven's standard of 'normal'! Your home is a reflection of the standards of Heaven and the attributes of God! We love to visit your family because no matter how much noise and toys and laughter and fun is going on, there is a peace, joy, love and calm about it! THAT would be God's standard of 'normal'! You both do it well! Here is Hillsong UNITED with "Future Marches In":

Love and Shalom from the Swoveys!

Hi Brian!

The word for this week is "dream". We find two different Greek words in the New Testament translated "dream". The first is found in a few places in Matthew, all referring to Joseph. One of them is Matthew 1:19-20:

19 Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privily. 20 But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. KJV

This one is the Greek word "onar". Vine's Expository Dictionary says: a vision in sleep, in distinction from a waking vision. The Lord spoke to Joseph directly in these "sleeping visions", giving him reassurance and specific directions. The other is found in Acts 2:17:

17 And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams: KJV 

This is the Greek word "enupnion". Strong's Concordance says; something seen in sleep. Thayer's Greek Lexicon says: what appears in sleep, an ordinary dream. Of course the dictionary definition of dream is: a series of thoughts, images, and sensations occurring in a person's mind during sleep.

These dreams of older men are not the same as the dreams that Joseph had where the Lord spoke directly to him. These dreams usually are symbolic & have some meaning that God will reveal over time. Since YOU are not an old man, the prophecy here says that you young men will see visions! I have had visions that were almost like a movie projector showing scenes on a wall, and I have had visions that are like daydreams, where I see things play out clearly in my mind. I had the distinct impression as I was praying about this word, that God is going to be revealing some things to you in some of these ways, if He hasn't already. Now when they happen, you'll know that it's a "God thing"! As the song "Shadow Step" says - expect the unexpected! Here is another new song from the Hillsong UNITED "Wonder" album called "Glimmer In The Dust":

Love and Shalom from the Swoveys!

Hi Brian!

The word for this week is "voice". We'll be looking at three verses: Luke 19:37-38, John 10:3-5:and Acts 4:24:

37 And when he was come nigh, even now at the descent of the mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works that they had seen;  38 Saying, Blessed be the King that cometh in the name of the Lord: peace in heaven, and glory in the highest. KJV

3 To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out. 4 And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice. 5 And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers. KJV

Acts 4:24 And when they heard that, they lifted up their voice to God with one accord, and said, Lord, thou art God, which hast made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all that in them is: KJV

These are all the Greek word "phone". Strong's Concordance says: a tone, an address. Thayer's Greek Lexicon adds: a sound, the sound of uttered words, speech,. The Theological Dictionary says: the main purpose is for articulate human speech. Phone is both the voice and the sound made by it.  Jesus said in John 10:3-5 that His people (sheep) KNOW His voice! The more time that we spend in fellowship with Him, the more we will recognize His still small voice within us! The other two verses speak about the people using their own voices to praise Him. We are all learning the importance of NOT giving voice to the evil report and not speaking out those things that we do NOT want to have happen. Giving our voices over to praise and worship is a GREAT way to keep control of our words! Our voices! Here is Hillsong UNITED with another new song called "Future Marches In":

Love and Shalom from the Swoveys!