Hi Brian!

The word for th is week is "agree". It's found in these verses:

Matthew 18:19 Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching anything that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven. KJV

Matthew 20:13 But he answered one of them, and said, Friend, I do thee no wrong: didst not thou agree with me for a penny? KJV

These are both the Greek word "sumphoneo". Strong's Concordance says: to be harmonious, to accord, to be suitable, to concur. Thayer's Greek Lexicon adds: to sound together. The Theological Dictionary of the New Testament says: to agree with or be in harmony with. It is used for musical harmony, and also for the fitting together of stones in a building. In Matthew 20:13 the man who had done the hiring had come into agreement with each of the men that he had hired. In Matthew 18:19 we see one of the most powerful prayers that we can pray in the Prayer of Agreement! The prayer of agreement is only powerful when all parties 'agreeing' are in complete harmony and one accord, without wavering! I really like the Amplified Bible for this one! I am adding verse 20 also because it gives a little insight on the extent of the needful "agreement".

Matthew 18:19 Again I tell you, if two of you on earth agree (harmonize together, make a symphony together) about whatever [anything and everything] they may ask, it will come to pass and be done for them by My Father in heaven. 20 For wherever two or three are gathered (drawn together as My followers) in (into) My name, there I AM in the midst of them. AMP

In order to 'make a symphony' together, two people have to have the same goals and vision for what they are asking. They must both get their faith by hearing and hearing God's Word, and by praying in the Spirit, which builds up your faith (Jude 1:20). A husband and wife team is one of the most powerful forces that there is! You already have the same goals for your life and family. As you both continue to grow your faith, your prayers of agreement should be manifesting answers quicker than ever before! I am continuing to expect bigger, better and quicker answers to all prayers for you and your beautiful family! Here is Hillsong with the song that just won them a Grammy award! What a Beautiful Name!

Love and Shalom from the Swoveys!

Hi Brian!

It looks like the "sign of remarkable events soon to happen" from last week's blog didn't involve the Vikings.  I understand some other wonderful blessings have been taking place for you and your family, though! So that wonderful, exciting, miraculous finish last week was a sign of personal blessings to happen soon! I am increasing my expectations for remarkable events in my life, too! The word for today is found only once in the Bible. It is "immutable" and it is found in Hebrews 6:16-19:

16 For men verily swear by the greater: and an oath for confirmation is to them an end of all strife. 17 Wherein God, willing more abundantly to shew unto the heirs of promise the immutability of his counsel, confirmed it by an oath:18 That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us:19 Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into that within the veil; KJV

This is the Greek word "ametathetos". Strong's Concordance says: unchangeable. Thayer's Greek Lexicon says: not transposed, not to be transferred, fixed, unalterable. I like the Amplified Bible for this one, though it is a little wordy:

16 Men indeed swear by a greater [than themselves], and with them in all disputes the oath taken for confirmation is final [ending strife]. 17 Accordingly God also, in His desire to show more convincingly and beyond doubt to those who were to inherit the promise the unchangeableness of His purpose and plan, intervened (mediated) with an oath. 18 This was so that, by two unchangeable things [His promise and His oath] in which it is impossible for God ever to prove false or deceive us, we who have fled [to Him] for refuge might have mighty indwelling strength and strong encouragement to grasp and hold fast the hope appointed for us and set before [us]. 19 [Now] we have this [hope] as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul [it cannot slip and it cannot break down under whoever steps out upon it — a hope] that reaches farther and enters into [the very certainty of the Presence] within the veil,  AMP

In other words, the very unchangeable nature of God gives us confidence that everything He has promised in His Word WILL come to pass in our lives if we will lay hold of them in faith and refuse to give up or quit! We can count on Him and His Word! We are praying for blessings stacked upon blessings for you and all of your beautiful ladies! Here is Hillsong with "Anchor":

Love and Shalom from the Swoveys!

Hi Brian! 

That was the best sports experience I have ever had in person, and being with all of you made it extra special! I have been watching replays and interviews and reliving that moment! :) In keeping with this theme, the word for this week is "miracle"! We'll be looking at these verses from the New Testament:

Luke 23:8 And when Herod saw Jesus, he was exceeding glad: for he was desirous to see him of a long season, because he had heard many things of him; and he hoped to have seen some miracle done by him. KJV

John 4:54 This is again the second miracle that Jesus did, when he was come out of Judaea into Galilee. KJV

John 6:14 Then those men, when they had seen the miracle that Jesus did, said, This is of a truth that prophet that should come into the world. KJV

Acts 4:16 Saying, What shall we do to these men? for that indeed a notable miracle hath been done by them is manifest to all them that dwell in Jerusalem; and we cannot deny it. KJV

These are all the Greek word "semeion". Strong's Concordance says: an indication, especially supernaturally. Thayer's Greek Lexicon adds: a sign, a mark, a token, that by which a person or a thing is distinguished from others and known. Signs portending remarkable events soon to happen. (I LIKE that one!) Everyone seems to be referring to this last game as the "Miracle in Minneapolis"!  I am choosing to agree with that, which, in the light of our study today, must mean that what we saw on Sunday is a "sign of remarkable events soon to happen"! Now we certainly know not to EVER give up! Here is Hillsong with "All The Power You Need":

Love and Shalom from the Swoveys!

Hi Brian!

This ia a special edition of the blog! The word for this week is  "WIN"! (I thought that would be appropriate for this coming week!) It is found only once in the New Testament, in Philippians 3:7-9:

7 But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. 8 Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, 9 And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: KJV

"Win" here is the Greek word "kerdaino". Strong's Concordance says: to gain. Thayer's Greek Lexicon says: to acquire. The Theological Dictionary of the New Testament says this: gain advantage, to profit. Louw and Nida Greek-English Lexicon says: to gain by means of one's activity or investment: to earn, to gain, to make a profit. I like the last one the best because it shows that this involves commitment, determination, work, and a never quit attitude! All of that in THIS verse is for the purpose of gaining the knowledge of Christ, Who He is and then who we are - in Him. It is invaluable, worth everything we have, to be a born again believer in JESUS, filled with His Spirit and walking in obedience to His Word. All things are possible to us if we will simply go hard after knowing Him, refusing to settle for less than ALL that He has provided FOR us! With that same intensity, the Vikings have a choice! WE can win, or we can lose, SO LET'S JUST WIN! 

Here is Hillsong with "Running":

"Running"

Ready at the line looking out
Looking out to all that's ahead
When every heart confesses Your name
We're pressing on towards that day
We're never gonna stop
We're never gonna stop

Letting go of every mistake
Throwing off the chains of restraint
And all that will remain
A passion for Your name
Burning as we run this race
We're never gonna stop
We're never gonna stop
We're never gonna stop
We're never gonna stop

We are running
Chasing after all that You are
We are running
'Cause all that You are
Is all that we want now

Every stride is taken in faith
Every step compelled by Your grace
We're taking up our cross
No matter what the cost
We give it all to go Your way
We're never gonna stop
We're never gonna stop

We are running
Chasing after all that You are
We are running
'Cause all that You are
Is all that we want now
[x2]

Onwards we draw towards Your light
Desperate we seek
To know You more and more
Further we look beyond ourselves
To Your love
To Your love
[x2]

'Cause we are running
We're chasing after all that You are
We are running
'Cause all that You are
Is all that we want now

We're running
Chasing after all that You are
We are running
'Cause all that You are
Is all that we want now

And THIS:

Love and Shalom from the Swoveys!