Hi Brian!

The word for this week is "hallelujah". This is actually the Hebrew word. Found in Psalm 111:1 and 112:1, Psalm 104 and 105 at the end, Psalm 106 and 135 both beginning and end, and Psalm 146-150. Here are a few of those:

Psalm 111:1 Praise ye the Lord. I will praise the Lord with my whole heart, in the assembly of the upright, and in the congregation. KJV

Psalm 112:1 Praise ye the Lord. Blessed is the man that feareth the Lord, that delighteth greatly in his commandments. KJV

Psalm 104:35 Let the sinners be consumed out of the earth, and let the wicked be no more. Bless thou the Lord, O my soul. Praise ye the Lord. KJV

Psalm 105:45 That they might observe his statutes, and keep his laws. Praise ye the Lord. KJV

Psalm 106:1 Praise ye the Lord. O give thanks unto the Lord; for he is good: for his mercy endureth forever. KJV

Psalm 106:48 Blessed be the Lord God of Israel from everlasting to everlasting: and let all the people say, Amen. Praise ye the Lord. KJV

Psalm 135:1 Praise ye the Lord. Praise ye the name of the Lord; praise him, O ye servants of the Lord.
KJV

Psalm 135:21 Blessed be the Lord out of Zion, which dwelleth at Jerusalem. Praise ye the Lord. KJV

"Praise ye the Lord" in all of these verses is "halal", from which we get the English word "hallelujah"  and which according to Strong's Concordance, means: To be clear, to shine, to make a show, to boast, to be clamorously foolish, to rave, to celebrate, also to 'stultify' (cause to appear foolish). We SHOULD be having a great celebration every time we praise HIM! Every good thing in our lives came from and through HIM! The new Hillsong Kids album has a fun song called "I Give You My Hallelujah", so I'm using that one today! 

Love and Shalon from the Swoveys!

Hi Brian!

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

Titus 2:11-14 For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,12 Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;13 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;14 Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.  KJV

Jude 24 Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, 25 To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen. KJV

These are both the Greek word "soter". Strong's Concordance says: a deliverer, God or Christ. Thayer's Greek Lexicon adds: preserver.  It comes from the Greek word "sozo". Strong's Concordance says: to save, to deliver, to protect. Thayer's Greek Lexicon adds: to save, to keep safe and sound, to rescue from danger and destruction, to save a suffering one. JESUS not only took our sin upon Himself, He also BECAME all that we will ever need! He is our BEST Friend! And, He lives IN us! There is SO much more to what JESUS has done for us and in us, and it will take us eternity to find it all out! Here is Hillsong Kids with a new take on an old song called "My Best Friend": \

Love and Shalom from the Swoveys!

Hi Brian!

The word for this week is "haughty". We find it in these verses in the New Testament:

Luke 1:51 He has shown strength and made might with His arm; He has scattered the proud and haughty in and by the imagination and purpose and designs of their hearts. AMP

Rom 1:28 And since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God gave them up to a debased mind to do what ought not to be done. 29 They were filled with all manner of unrighteousness, evil, covetousness, malice. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, maliciousness. They are gossips, 30 slanderers, haters of God, insolent, haughty, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, 31 foolish, faithless, heartless, ruthless. 32 Though they know God's decree that those who practice such things deserve to die, they not only do them but give approval to those who practice them. ESV

2 Tim 3:1 But know this, that in the last days grievous times shall come. 2 For men shall be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, haughty, railers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3 without natural affection, implacable, slanderers, without self-control, fierce, no lovers of good, 4 traitors, headstrong, puffed up, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God; 5 holding a form of godliness, but having denied the power therefore. From these also turn away. ASV

James 4:6 But He gives us more and more grace (power of the Holy Spirit, to meet this evil tendency and all others fully). That is why He says, God sets Himself against the proud and haughty, but gives grace [continually] to the lowly (those who are humble enough to receive it).  AMP

These are all the Greek word "huperephanos". Strong's Concordance says: to show oneself above others, is always used in the NT in the evil sense of 'arrogant, disdainful, haughty', also rendered proud. Thayer's Greek Lexicon says: with an overweening estimate of one's means and merits, despising others or even treating them with contempt. The Theological Dictionary says: insolent, arrogant and boastful. It seems as though most of these are referring to the character of people without God during the 'last days', the time just before JESUS returns for the church.  We see so much evidence of this in almost every realm of life these days! It seems especially evident on social media sites. I believe that the very best way to avoid ever coming off as haughty is to continually remember that everything good in our lives comes from God! We simply add diligence to the Wisdom, knowledge, understanding, gifts and talents, abilities, favor and godly connections that He has provided. When we maintain a thankful and grateful attitude, the thought of looking down on someone never enters in! Also, realizing that HE sees every person as precious and valuable helps, too! And love never fails, so we will continue to walk in His blessing! Here is Hillsong with an older song called "One Way":

Love and Shalom from the Swoveys!

Hi Brian!

Great win! The word for this week is 'hypocrite(s)'. Jesus used this word when he spoke to the religious leaders of His day who should have known and spoken the Truth, but they did not! We'll be looking at these verses:

Matthew 6:2 Thus, whenever you give to the poor, do not blow a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites in the synagogues and in the streets like to do, that they may be recognized and honored and praised by men. Truly I tell you, they have their reward in full already.  AMP

Matthew 6:5 Also when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by people. Truly I tell you, they have their reward in full already.  AMP

Matthew 6:16 And whenever you are fasting, do not look gloomy and sour and dreary like the hypocrites, for they put on a dismal countenance, that their fasting may be apparent to and seen by men. Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full already.  [Isa 58:5.] 17 But when you fast, perfume your head and wash your face, 18 So that your fasting may not be noticed by men but by your Father, Who sees in secret; and your Father, Who sees in secret, will reward you in the open. AMP

Matthew 15:6-8 So for the sake of your tradition (the rules handed down by your forefathers), you have set aside the Word of God [depriving it of force and authority and making it of no effect]. 7 You pretenders (hypocrites)! Admirably and truly did Isaiah prophesy of you when he said:  8 These people draw near Me with their mouths and honor Me with their lips, but their hearts hold off and are far away from Me.  AMP

Matthew 23:13 But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, pretenders (hypocrites)! For you shut the kingdom of heaven in men's faces; for you neither enter yourselves, nor do you allow those who are about to go in to do so. AMP

Mark 7:6 But He said to them, Excellently and truly [so that there will be no room for blame] did Isaiah prophesy of you, the pretenders and hypocrites, as it stands written: These people [constantly] honor Me with their lips, but their hearts hold off and are far distant from Me. AMP

These are all the Greek word "hupokrites". Strong's Concordance says: an actor under an assumed character (stage player), a dissembler. Thayer's Greek Lexicon says:  one who answers, an interpreter. An actor, stage-player. In  Vine's Expository Dictionary we see this: primarily denotes one who answers. The Theological Dictionary of the New Testament says: the term conveys the sense of evildoer or apostate. The sayings of the false teachers are deceitful, for they contradict the Truth of God! 

There will always be those who are NOT sincere and who pretend to be something that they are not. Their hypocrisy does not change the Truth! God's Word is TRUTH (John 17:17)! The Spirit of God within gives us the ability to discern the difference. There is such a difference in the lives of those who are taught, and believe, God’s Word! It is such a blessing to know that you and Kristine, and now your beautiful daughters, treasure and trust the Word of God! There IS no higher authority! Here is Hillsong with "Forever Reign":

Love and Shalom from the Swoveys!

Hi Brian!

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

Mark 5:20 And he departed, and began to publish in Decapolis how great things Jesus had done for him: and all men did marvel. KJV

John 3:7 Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again. KJV

John 5:20 For the Father loveth the Son, and sheweth him all things that himself doeth: and he will shew him greater works than these, that ye may marvel. KJV

These are all the Greek word "thaumazo". Strong's concordance says: to admire. Thayer's Greek Lexicon says: to wonder, to be admired. People were astounded by what they saw manifest in the lives of ordinary people when they came in contact with JESUS! The Amplified Bible is great for these verses:

Mark 5:20 And he departed and began to publicly proclaim in Decapolis [the region of the ten cities] how much Jesus had done for him, and all the people were astonished and marveled. AMP

John 3:7 Marvel not [do not be surprised, astonished] at My telling you, You must all be born anew (from above).  AMP

John 5:20 The Father dearly loves the Son and discloses to (shows) Him everything that He Himself does. And He will disclose to Him (let Him see) greater things yet than these, so that you may marvel and be full of wonder and astonishment. AMP

We will, and should, always be in awe of the presence of the Lord, and of His Word, His ways and His plans and purposes. But the more time that we spend in His presence and doing the Word that we know, the more real His presence will become. At that time we won't have to be astonished and surprised by what He does, but WE will be able to walk in the same power! Jesus said that we would do the works that He had done, and even greater works! John 14:12:

John 14:12 I assure you, most solemnly I tell you, if anyone steadfastly believes in Me, he will himself be able to do the things that I do; and he will do even greater things than these, because I go to the Father.  AMP

We have the most exciting life to look forward to! Not just in Heaven, but in the here and now as we continue to DO what HE has given us to do! Here is Hillsong Young and Free with another new song called "First Love":

Love and Shalom from the Swoveys!