Hi Brian!

The word for this week is "abolish". It's found only once in the Bible. Isaiah 2:17-18:

17 And the loftiness of man shall be bowed down, and the haughtiness of men shall be made low: and the Lord alone shall be exalted in that day. 18 And the idols he shall utterly abolish. KJV

This is the Hebrew word "chalaph". Strong's Concordance says: to slide by; to hasten away; to pass on; to spring up; to pierce; to change. Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon adds: to pass through; to grow up; to go on from; to overstep; to transgress; to alter; to renew. In this instance the word is telling us that in the last days the Lord will be exalted as LORD and HE will get rid of all idols that people had been putting in the place in their lives that only HE deserves. That day is coming sooner than we even realize, but it will be all and only GOOD! To be rid of all that exalts itself against the One, True God will be glorious! One thing that I particularly love about God's Word is that it can have both positive and negative connotations, depending on the use. Vine's Expository Dictionary says that the Hebrew word "chalaph" also means to renew, as in Isaiah 40:31 and Isaiah 41:1:

31 But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint. KJV

41 Keep silence before me, O islands; and let the people renew their strength: let them come near; then let them speak: let us come near together to judgment KJV

My personal take on all of this is that there WILL be a day when God alone will be ruling and reigning, with us right with Him. Until that day, though, WE can have His will and His way in our lives by our own decision to put aside anything and everything that would be contrary to His Word and His will and to keep HIM first place in our lives. As we do that, we will be walking in His blessing even in the midst of chaos, as we see going on right now! Yes, some things are different, but we have had more blessings pour into our lives now than ever before! GOD is GOOD! All the time! Here are Hillsong Kids with the perfect song for this! "My Number One":

Shalom from the Swoveys!

Hi Brian!

We are currently on the road with our two oldest grandsons, Dawson and Landon, celebrating Dawson's 13th Birthday (April 26). For obvious reasons we were not able to take them to the Mall of America as planned, so we are heading to South Dakota for some sight seeing, horseback riding, zip lining and whatever else we think looks like fun! Instead of a word study or devotional this week, I am going to share with you the three prayers of Paul that I pray for you (and your family)!

Ephesians 1:16-23:

16 I do not cease to give thanks for Brian, making mention of Brian in my prayers. 17 [For I always pray to] the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, that He may grant Brian a spirit of wisdom and revelation [of insight into mysteries and secrets] in the [deep and intimate] knowledge of Him, 18 By having the eyes of Brian's heart flooded with light, so that Brian can know and understand the hope to which He has called Brian, and how rich is His glorious inheritance in the saints (His set-apart ones), 19 And [so that Brian can know and understand] what is the immeasurable and unlimited and surpassing greatness of His power in and for Brian who believes, as demonstrated in the working of His mighty strength, 20 Which He exerted in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His [own] right hand in the heavenly [places], 21 Far above all rule and authority and power and dominion and every name that is named [above every title that can be conferred], not only in this age and in this world, but also in the age and the world which are to come. 22 And He has put all things under His feet and has appointed Him the universal and supreme Head of the church [a headship exercised throughout the church], 23 Which is His body, the fullness of Him Who fills all in all [for in that body lives the full measure of Him Who makes everything complete, and Who fills everything everywhere with Himself].

Ephesians 3:14-21:

14 For this reason, I bow my knees before the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, 15 For Whom every family in heaven and on earth is named [that Father from Whom all fatherhood takes its title and derives its name]. 16 May He grant Brian out of the rich treasury of His glory to be strengthened and reinforced with mighty power in the inner man by the [Holy] Spirit [Himself indwelling Brian's innermost being and personality]. 17 May Christ through Brian's faith [actually] dwell (settle down, abide, make His permanent home) in Brian's heart! May Brian be rooted deep in love and founded securely on love, 18 That Brian may have the power and be strong to apprehend and grasp with all the saints [God’s devoted people, the experience of that love] what is the breadth and length and height and depth [of it]; 19 [That Brian may really come] to know [practically, through experience for himself] the love of Christ, which far surpasses mere knowledge [without experience]; that Brian may be filled [through all his being] unto all the fullness of God [may have the richest measure of the divine Presence, and become a body wholly filled and flooded with God Himself]! 20 Now to Him Who, by (in consequence of) the [action of His] power that is at work within Brian, is able to [carry out His purpose and] do superabundantly, far over and above all that Brian [dares] ask or think [infinitely beyond Brian's highest prayers, desires, thoughts, hopes, or dreams]— 21 To Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations forever and ever. Amen (so be it).

And Colossians 1:8-14:

9 For this reason we also, from the day we heard of it, have not ceased to pray and make [special] request for Brian, [asking] that Brian may be filled with the full (deep and clear) knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom [in comprehensive insight into the ways and purposes of God] and in understanding and discernment of spiritual things— 10 That Brian may walk (live and conduct himself) in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to Him and desiring to please Him in all things, bearing fruit in every good work and steadily growing and increasing in and by the knowledge of God [with fuller, deeper, and clearer insight, acquaintance, and recognition]. 11 [We pray] that Brian may be invigorated and strengthened with all power according to the might of His glory, [to exercise] every kind of endurance and patience (perseverance and forbearance) with joy, 12 Giving thanks to the Father, Who has qualified and made Brian fit to share the portion which is the inheritance of the saints (God’s holy people) in the Light. 13 [The Father] has delivered and drawn Brian to Himself out of the control and the dominion of darkness and has transferred Brian into the kingdom of the Son of His love, 14 In Whom Brian has his redemption through His blood, [which means] the remission of his sins.

The very best personal prayers that we can pray for you, and then we pray in the spirit by the power of the Holy Spirit! We are expecting some extraordinary manifestations of God's power, His favor, His anointing, His protection, provision and safety, His Wisdom, knowledge and understanding, and His infinite love for you and your family! We love you all so much! Here is Hillsong with one of my favorite older songs called "Desert Song":

Verse 1: This is my prayer in the desert When all that's within me feels dry This is my prayer in my hunger and need My God is the God who provides Verse 2: This is my prayer in the fire In weakness or trial or pain There is a faith proved of more worth than gold So refine me Lord through the flame Chorus: I will bring praise I will bring praise No weapon formed against me shall remain I will rejoice I will declare God is my victory and He is here Verse 3: This is my prayer in the battle When triumph is still on its way I am a conqueror and co-heir with Christ So firm on His promise I'll stand Bridge: All of my life in every season You are still God I have a reason to sing I have a reason to worship Verse 4: This is my prayer in the harvest When favour and providence flow I know I'm filled to be emptied again The seed I've received I will sow

Love and Shalom from the Swoveys!

Hi Brian!


The word for this week is "guile". We find it in all of these New Testament verses:

John 1:47 Jesus saw Nathanael coming to him, and saith of him, Behold an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile! KJV

2 Corinthians 12:16 But be it so, I did not burden you: nevertheless, being crafty, I caught you with guile. KJV

1 Thessalonians 2:3 For our exhortation was not of deceit, nor of uncleanness, nor in guile: 4 But as we were allowed of God to be put in trust with the gospel, even so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God, which trieth our hearts. KJV

1 Peter 2:1 Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings, 2 As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby: KJV

1 Peter 2:22 Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: KJV

1 Peter 3:10 For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile: KJV

Revelation 14:5 And in their mouth was found no guile: for they are without fault before the throne of God. KJV

These are all the same Greek word, "dolos". Strong's Concordance says that this is from an obsolete primary verb meaning: to decoy, to compare, to trick, use wiles, bait. Vine's Expository Dictionary says: a bait, snare, deceit, subtlety. The Dictionary definition is: insidious and deceitful cunning, crafty and artful deception, duplicity. Though there is a lot of this type of deceit going on in the world today, I believe that we have the advantage of having the Spirit of God living IN us, exposing these things and enlightening us to tactics so that we will not be tricked, fooled, cheated or deceived, but will always be able to make the very best wise, informed decisions! This is something that I have added to my prayers for all of my loved ones, including all of my much loved God family! We are believing that the rest of 2020 will be the best and most blessed months of your lives! Here is Hillsong Worship with "He Shall Reign":

Love and Shalom from the Swoveys!

Hi Brian!

The word for this week is "conquerors". It is found only in Romans 8:37:

Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. KJV

This is the Greek word "hupernikao". Strong's Concordance says:  to vanquish beyond, gain a decisive victory! Vine's Expsoitory Dictionary says: to overcome, prevail. I found this very ineteresting from the Theological Dictionary! {So great is the victory that is secured by the loving work of Christ that Paul in Romans 8:37 finds nikᜠtoo weak a term. He thus adopts the rare hypernikáœ. In every test we win the supreme victory; we are "more than conquerors."} It is so exciting to me to know that our God is NEVER the God of 'just enough' or 'a little to get by'. He IS the ALL CONSUMING GOD of all the universe! There is NO lack with Him and no shortage! There is nothing that we can ever face that HE hasn't already seen through to the victory! And He will continue to lead us each step of the way as we dare to believe His Word and obey His instructions! We have been beyond blessed this year, even with all that has been happening, and THIS has only just begun! Here is Hillsong with "One Day":

Love and Shalom from the Swoveys!