Hi Brian!

The word for this week is repentance. We'll be looking at two different Greek words here. The first is found in 2 Corinthians 7:9-10:

9 Now I rejoice, not that ye were made sorry, but that ye sorrowed to repentance: for ye were made sorry after a godly manner, that ye might receive damage by us in nothing. 10 For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death. KJV

This is the Greek word "metanoia". Strong's Concordance says: reversal of decision. Thayer's Greek Lexicon says: a change of mind. Vine's Expository Dictionary says: 'In the New Testament the subject chiefly has reference to repentance from, and this change of mind involves both a turning from sin and a turning to God.' So, even though repentance under the Old Covenant showed up in a tearing of clothes and a showing of emotional sorrow, the New Covenant gives us the promise of continual forgiveness for sin as we confess (acknowledge) the sin and then turn away from it! The second Greek word is found in Romans 11:29:

29 For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance. KJV

This is the Greek Word "ametameletos". Strong's Concordance says: irrevocable. Vine's Expository Dictionary says: unregretted, without a change of purpose. So, where we CAN change our thinking to agree with God and get on the right track, God is ALWAYS on the right track and will NEVER change the His Word or His ways! What He has promised us does not change with our attitudes and behaviour because it was never based on us, but on Him and out of His great love! When WE get back on track when we've missed it, God, His Word, His promises, His gifts and His calling on our lives is right where we left them! Such a wonderful confidence that gives me! I desire to get 'off track' less and less and to take more advantage of this blessed life He's given. But, WHEN I do, I 'repent' quickly and get right back!  Here is Hillsong Young and Free with another song from their new album called "Heart of God":

Love and Shalom from the Swoveys!

Hi Brian! 

It looks like you and your family are having a great time in Chicago! The word for this week is "advocate". It's found only one time in the New Testament. 1 John 2:1:

My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: KJV

This is the Greek word "parakletos". Strong's Concordance says: an intercessor, consoler. Thayer's Greek Lexicon adds: summoned, called to one's side, called to one's aid, one who pleads another's case before a judge, a pleader, counsel for the defense, legal assistant. Also a helper, succorer. This is reassurance for us that if/when we sin after the new birth, when our spirits are made new and the sin nature is gone, HE is still pleading our case before the Father so that His blood will continually cleanse us from ALL sin! When we meditate on this Truth so that it becomes real to us, then the enemy will no longer be able to get us to accept condemnation for our shortcomings and failures. The goal is to no longer have consciousness of sin, but one of righteousness. To know who we are as children of the Most High God who are seated IN HIM in those heavenly places (Ephesians 2:6)! This is one of the most freeing Truths that I have ever learned! That I am not defined by my limitations, but by HIS work in me! I AM who HE says I am, whether I look like it or not! Children raised with this reality will truly believe that they CAN DO ANYTHING (Philippians 4:13 AMP)! Here is Hillsong Young and Free with "Every Little Thing":

VERSE 1: Your favour waits within the future My dreams are small compared to Yours Why should I worry about tomorrow when I know That all I gotta do is trust You Lord CHORUS: Every little thing is gonna be alright Every little thing is gonna be just fine Whether I can see it now I know You will work it out for good Every little thing Everything will be alright VERSE 2: Behind the scenes and in the details You plan the perfect way for me Why would I dwell upon the road’s uncertainties When all I gotta do is look to You

Love and Shalom from the Swoveys!

Hi Brian! 

The word for this week is "arise". We'll be looking at two verses in particular, both from the Old Testament. 

Psalm 68:1 Let God arise, let his enemies be scattered: let them also that hate him flee before him. KJV

Micah 7:8 Rejoice not against me, O mine enemy: when I fall, I shall arise; when I sit in darkness, the Lord shall be a light unto me. KJV

These are both the Hebrew word "quwm" (koom). Strong's Concordance says: a primitive root: to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative). Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon says: to rise, to stand, to stand up, to become powerful, to be established, to endure, to persist. Vine's Expository Dictionary adds this: Sometimes used in an intensive mood to signify empowering or strengthening. In a military context, it may mean to engage in battle. When we put our trust in God as our Protector and Defender, we are trusting the the ONE Who has never failed and Who has the Name at which every other name bows down! His enemies scatter in all directions when HE comes on the scene. I love Romans 8:31:

31 What then shall we say to [all] this? If God is for us, who [can be] against us? [Who can be our foe, if God is on our side?] AMP 

I also like this paraphrase of that verse:

If God is for us, then it doesn't do anyone, any good to be against us! Why? Because they will ultimately fail! No one can defeat GOD! Then in Micah we see the attitude that a born again believer should have if they know their authority! We will all face situations, circumstances, tests, trials, temptations and problems, but we never have to give in to them! 1 Corinthians 10:13 tells us this:

13 For no temptation (no trial regarded as enticing to sin), [no matter how it comes or where it leads] has overtaken you and laid hold on you that is not common to man [that is, no temptation or trial has come to you that is beyond human resistance and that is not adjusted and adapted and belonging to human experience, and such as man can bear]. But God is faithful [to His Word and to His compassionate nature], and He [can be trusted] not to let you be tempted and tried and assayed beyond your ability and strength of resistance and power to endure, but with the temptation He will [always] also provide the way out (the means of escape to a landing place), that you may be capable and strong and powerful to bear up under it patiently. AMP

So, the warning to the enemy is, 'don't ever think you've won over me, because I will just get back up and see YOU defeated'! Besides, we know the end of the book and what his future holds! WE can always get back up, but he cannot! Knowing these things should cause us to operate in all things without fear! Here is Hillsong Worship again with a song that I have really taken a liking to! "Who You Say I Am":

Love and Shalom from the Swoveys!

Hi Brian!

The word for this week is "separate". We'll be looking at Romans 8:35-39:

35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? 36 As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. 37 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. 38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, 39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. KJV

"Shall separate" is the Greek word "chorizo". Strong's Concordance says: to place room between, to part, to go away. Thayer's Greek Lexicon says: to divide, to put asunder, to go away. Vine's Expository Dictionary says: to separate oneself, to depart. Next to the Truth found in 2 Corinthians 5, that we are made completely new creations at the New Birth, this Truth is the most exciting and empowering! We really are who God says that we are, even though we sometimes don't look or act like it. We really can do what God says that we can, even when we make mistakes. Nothing that the enemy can do, no trick or trap or scheme or strategy, can ever actually harm us in any lasting way. Jesus always gives us a way of escape (1 Corinthians 10:13) and restores us right back to where we were before we stumbled! There is such freedom in knowing that we are in a permanent relationship with the God of the universe and that nothing can ever change that relationship. I will, for all of eternity, be a child of the living God! Nothing that I do or anyone else does can ever cause me to be 'unborn again'! All I ever have to do when I cause what seems to be a separation, by my choices, is to change my thinking to agree with God (repent). The deeper that we can get this Truth inside of us, the less time satan will ever be able to keep us out of 'fellowship' with the Lord! In His presence and in fellowship with Him is where we find the answers to every question and the solution to every problem! It's no wonder that the enemy tries to get us to believe the opposite! The very best thing that you and Kristine can instill in your beautiful little ladies, beside the Truth that they can do anything they set their hearts to, is that no one can ever take them out of God's hands and His heart! There is no greater LOVE and no greater freedom than this! Here is a new song by Hillsong Young and Free called "More of You":

Love and Shalom from the Swoveys!