Hi Brian!

I am very excited for the Weber family's new adventure! Such a wonderful blessing and perfect timing! God is GOOD! SO, in honor of the building of your new home, the word for this week is going to be "builder". It is only found once in the New Testament. Hebrews 11:8-10:

8 By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went. 9 By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise:10 For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God. KJV

"Builder" here is the Greek word "technites", pronounced (tekh - nee`-tace). Strong's concordance says: an artisan, a founder. Thayer's Greek Lexicon says: an artificer, craftsman. Vine's Expository Dictionary adds: one who does a thing by rules of art, architect. These verses from the 'faith' chapter, or, as some call it, the Hall of Faith, are very appropriate for your new situation! We will be praying up the 'builders' of your home, and everyone they will have working with them. Everyone who has any part to play in the building of your home will be covered with prayer for Wisdom, Anointing, skill, honesty, meticulousness, thoroughness, creativity, artistry and FAVOR! Your new  home will be all that you and Kristine and your beautiful girls can dream of, and so much more! Thank You, JESUS! Here is Hillsong Kids with another song from their new album called "Heaven Is Our Home":

Love and Shalom from the Swoveys!

Hi Brian!

The word for this week is "shake". The particular Greek word we'll be looking at is found in these two portions of Scripture. 

Matthew 28:2 And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it. 3 His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow: 4 And for fear of him the keepers did shake, and became as dead men. KJV

Hebrews 12:26 Whose voice then shook the earth: but now he hath promised, saying, Yet once more I shake not the earth only, but also heaven. 27 And this word, Yet once more, signifieth the removing of those things that are shaken, as of things that are made, that those things which cannot be shaken may remain. 28 Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear: 29 For our God is a consuming fire. KJV

These are both the Greek word "seio". Strong's Concordance says: a primary verb; to rock (vibrate sideways or to and fro), to agitate in any direction, to cause to tremble, to throw into a tremor of fear or concern. Those watching over the tomb were trembling in fear as they saw the angel of the Lord! They were in such fear that they fainted! In Hebrews we see that the Lord's voice causes things to shake, both in the spiritual realm and in the natural. When this shaking happens, we who are in fellowship with the Lord, in the Word of God and in prayer, praise and worship, will NOT be 'shaken', but all those things that are not important will fall away. Only what is real and true will remain at the forefront of our lives. In that place is where we will have full confidence that we are on a firm foundation that cannot be moved! As we see people tremble in fear all around us for the things that are happening on the earth, we will be the stable ones to whom they can come for help! And I fully expect that your beautiful, sweet, funny, smart, loving little ladies will be strong 'rocks' that their friends will turn to, also! You and Kristine have done to well in training them! That is one reason that I like this song from the new Hillsong Kids album called "As The World Shakes".

Love and Shalom from the Swoveys!

Hi Brian!

That was a great win and a fun game! So glad you are having a fun time with your lovely ladies! The word for this week is "ashamed". We'll be looking at just one of the Greek words translated 'ashamed' this time. It is found in these verses:

Luke 9:26 For whosoever shall be ashamed of me and of my words, of him shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he shall come in his own glory, and in his Father's, and of the holy angels. KJV

Romans 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. KJV

Hebrews 2:11 For both he that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified are all of one: for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren, 12 Saying, I will declare thy name unto my brethren, in the midst of the church will I sing praise unto thee. KJV

Hebrews 11:16 But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city. KJV

These are all the Greek word "epaischunomai". Strong's Concordance says: this is a compound word from 'epi' which is a preposition relating to direction, in this case towards, and 'aischos', which means to feel shame. Thayer's Greek Lexicon says of 'aischos': to disfigure, dishonor, make ashamed. Vine's Expository Dictionary says: to have a feeling of fear or shame which prevents a person from doing a thing, the feeling of shame arising from something that has been done, the possibility of being ashamed. The dictionary definition of 'ashamed' is: feeling embarrassed, guilty or distressed because of something said or done. Luke is saying that if we allow ourselves to be ashamed of the Lord, His Word or His ways, then He will also be ashamed of us. But then Hebrews says that He is not ashamed to be our God or to call us His brethren! The other side of that is that He is PROUD to call us His own! And then we have the verse in Romans that WE declare! We are NOT ashamed of the Gospel, because that Gospel contains the power for our Salvation in every area of life! (Salvation here being the Greek word "soteria", which we've covered before and is deliverance, preservation, safety). The more that we learn and know about the Lord, His Word and His ways, the more real and logical it becomes! Instead of being embarrassed or distressed about that, I find myself being more distressed and sad for the condition of those who don't know Him and don't want to! They have no idea what they are missing out on! Such a blessed and favored life! It has been such a blessing to watch God's favor and blessing on your family because you and Kristine have chosen to put Him first and to TRUST!  And now your girls are doing the same! Well done! We love you all! Here is Hillsong UNITED with an older song called "I'm Not Ashamed":

Love and Shalom from the Swoveys!

Hi Brian!

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

Luke 4:36 And they were all amazed, and spake among themselves, saying, What a word is this! for with authority and power he commandeth the unclean spirits, and they come out. KJV

Luke 9:1 Then he called his twelve disciples together, and gave them power and authority over all devils, and to cure diseases. KJV

The first two verses are the Greek word "exousia". Strong's Concordance says: privilege, force, capacity, competency, freedom, mastery, delegated influence. Thayer's Greek Lexicon says: power of choice, liberty of doing as one pleases, physical and mental power, ability and strength with which one is endued, the power of rule of government. The Theological Dictionary says ability, then the right, authority or permission. So authority involves not only the permission or freedom to use delegated power, given from one with the higher authority, but also all of the capability to exercise that power. That includes all of the ability, intelligence, wisdom, strength, competence and intuitiveness to carry it out well! This is what JESUS was saying in Matthew 28:18-20, where "exousia" is translated "power":

18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. 19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen. KJV

All power was given to JESUS as He conquered satan, and HE gave that to US as His body, His church and His bride! We have His ability and His permission to use it! When we find what the Word of God says is ours and we declare it to be so, then He confirms what WE say, as though He had said it Himself. We are believing for a most blessed, favored, protected, fun and thoroughly enjoyable vacation for you and all of your beautiful ladies! Have a wonderful time! We can't wait to see the pictures! Here is Hillsong Kids again with "This Is Living". I especially like this verse as we think about Disney World! 

You lift me up fill my eyes with wonder
Forever young in Your love
This freedom’s untainted with You
No moment is wasted

Love and Shalom from the Swoveys!