Hi Brian!

The word for this week is "ambassador". It's found in these verses:

Proverbs 13:17 A wicked messenger falleth into mischief: but a faithful ambassador is health. KJV

Ephesians 6:20 For which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.KJV

In Proverbs we have the Hebrew word "tsiyr". Strong's Concordance says: a hinge (as pressed in turning); also a throe (as a physical or mental pressure); also a herald or errand-doer. Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon says : an envoy, a messenger. In Ephesians we have the Greek word "presbeuo". Strong's concordance says to be a senior, i.e. act as a representative (figuratively, preacher). Thayer's Greek Lexicon says: 1) to be older; 2) to act as an ambassador. Vine's Expository Dictionary adds: there is a suggestion that to be an ambassador for Christ involves the experience suggested by the word "elder". The Dictionary definition of ambassador is: a diplomatic official of the highest rank, sent by one sovereign or state to another as its resident representative. A diplomatic official of the highest rank sent by a government to represent it on a temporary mission. WE are called to fill this role on earth, representing Heaven as our 'home country' to those who are unfamiliar with it! This is one of the reasons that  we are to understand and walk in Kingdom of God principles here. When people see in our lives the results and rewards of doing things God's way, they will be inclined to want to know how and why things work that way for us. That is all a part of the "Good News" that is the Gospel, and why Paul said this in Romans 1:16:

16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believes; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. KJV

"Salvation" is the Greek word "soteria" and means: deliverance, rescue, safety, preservation. THIS is the message we are to bring! You and your family are GREAT ambassadors, showing the principles of Heaven by walking in love, health, prosperity, joy, peace, strength, wisdom and Godly favor!  People are watching, and you all SHINE! Here is Hillsong with another new song from their "There Is More" album called "Be Still":

Love and Shalom from the Swoveys!

Hi Brian!

The word for this week is "habitation". We'll be looking at Ephesians 2:19-22.

19 Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God; 20 And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief cornerstone; 21 In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: 22 In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit. KJV

This is the Greek word "katoiketerion". Strong's Concordance says: a dwelling place. Thayer's Greek Lexicon says: an abode. Vine's Expository Dictionary says: implying a more permanency, (the Church as the dwelling place of Holy Spirit). I LOVE God's plan for HIS Church! We each have Holy Spirit living IN us, and when we meet together, the force of His LIFE in us is compounded! That's what makes the prayer of agreement so powerful! Matthew 18:19-20 says this:

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. 20 For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them. KJV

And that brings us to the powerful family unit! Each member of a family that have received JESUS as Lord and Saviour has Holy Spirit living IN them. If they have received the Infilling of Holy Spirit, then they have been endued with power from on high! The family that is in the Word, in faith, walking in love, is one of the most powerful forces that the enemy will ever encounter! THAT is why he hates families and comes against them whenever he can. Your precious little family is a powerhouse of God's might and His Word and His works! He LIVES in you AND among you! What an exciting life HE has given to us! Here is Hillsong with "O Praise The Name":

Love and Shalom from the Swoveys!

Hi Brian!

The word for this week is "quiet". There are four verses in the New Testament, with three different Greek words! They are:

Acts 19:36 Seeing then that these things cannot be spoken against, ye ought to be quiet, and to do nothing rashly. KJV

1 Thess 4:11 And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you; KJV

1 Tim 2:1 I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; 2 For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. KJV

1 Peter 3:3 Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel; 4 But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price. KJV

In Acts 19:36 the Greek word is "katastello". Strong's Concordance says: to put down; quell. Thayer's Greek Lexicon says: to put down or keep down one who is roused or incensed; to repress, restrain, appease, quiet. In 1 Thessalonians 4:11 and 1 Peter 3:3-4 we have the same Greek word, "hesuchazo". Strong's Concordance says: to keep still; to refrain from labor, meddlesomeness or speech. Thayer's Greek Lexicon says: to rest, to hold one's peace. Vine's Expository Dictionary says: tranquility arising from within, causing no disturbance to others.  In 1 Timothy 2:1 we have the Greek word "eremos". Strong's Concordance says: stillness, tranquil. Vine's Expository Dictionary says: indicates tranquillity arising from without. So we have instructions to control ourselves and our response to situations so that we don't 'fly off' and do something that we may later regret! Good advice! Then we have the instruction to allow the peace of God, which is actually a fruit of the born again spirit (Galatians 5:22-23) and comes from within, to dominate our lives so that we can minister to people and be an influence on them for good and for God! Then we have the instruction to pray for our leaders so that we can have a peaceful and tranquil environment in which to operate as the ambassadors for JESUS that we are called and commissioned to be! One of the things that I have noticed most about your home is that both you and Kristine, in the midst of all the wildness of having four happy, fun and active girls running around, operate with a peace and a calmness that allows those beautiful and unique daughters to be themselves, yet with a firmness that keeps them channeled in the right direction! I think that you have mastered this "quietness", that really has nothing to do with the volume of the voices and the laughter, but everything to do with the love, acceptance, nurturing, and confidence building that you both do! It is a joy to be with you all and I hope that we see you all again soon! Here is another new song from Hillsong's "There Is More" album called "You Are Life":

VERSE 1: You have come And we have found life Everlasting Now alive To know Your freedom Never ending PRE CHORUS: You alone have made a way for us In Your love You are life CHORUS: I’m living in the light of my Saviour Dancing in the arms of forever I’m singing like I’m walking on water You are life Alive in me VERSE 2: From greyest skies To living colour You have called us In Your life Your light uncovered The world to see now POST - CHORUS: I give my life to follow ‘Cause Your love is all I want now You are life You are life Alive in me BRIDGE: For all the world to find Your love For all the world to see that You are God Forever be lifted high The One who holds the universe And every beating heart across the earth Jesus be lifted high

Love and Shalom from the Swoveys!

Hi Brian!

The word for this week is "death". That doesn't sound like a subject anyone would want to discuss, but it really interests me because of the lyrics of one of the new Hillsong songs! Here are some of the verses we'll be looking at!

Mark 14:33 And he taketh with him Peter and James and John, and began to be sore amazed, and to be very heavy; 34 And saith unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful unto death: tarry ye here, and watch. KJV

John 5:24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life. KJV

Rom 5:10 For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life. KJV

Rom 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

Rom 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. KJV

Rom 8:2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. KJV

1 Cor 15:54 So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. 55 O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? KJV

2 Tim 1:10 But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel: KJV

Rev 1:18 I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death. KJV

In every verse above we are looking at the Greek word "thanatos". Thayer's Greek Lexicon says: that separation of the soul (we know that it is actually the spirit/soul combination) by which the life on earth is ended; death comprises all the miseries arising from sin, including physical death and of a life consecrated to God and blessed in Him on earth. Vine's Expository Dictionary adds this: the separation of man from God (Adam died on the day he disobeyed God and hence all mankind are born in the same spiritual condition, from which those who believe in Christ are delivered); Death is the opposite of life, it never denotes nonexistence. As spiritual life is conscious existence in communion with God, so spiritual death is conscious existence in separation from God. Sinners alone are subject to this death. The Theological Dictionary of the New Testament adds this: Even now, however, death robs life of its true quality. It imposes fear (Hebrews 2:15). It casts a shadow and darkness (Luke 1:79).It reigns over what is carnal (Romans 8:6). Christ's death and resurrection are the event by which death itself is destroyed! THAT is what we are speaking of and to here! WE deserved death, but while we were all yet sinners, Christ died for US! He did it to release us from certain death and restore to us GOD'S eternal LIFE! Now we who are In Him can fully expect the force of His eternal LIFE to flow into every area of life! AMEN! Here is Hillsong Worship with the song "The Passion", which mentions that what JESUS did caused 'death' to DIE! 

Love and Shalom from the Swoveys!