Hi Brian!

The word for this week is "pretence" . We had this word about 8 years ago when we first started this blog, but it is especially important now, in this time we are living in! It's found in 3 portions of Scripture in the New Testament. 

Matthew:13 But woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men: for ye neither go in yourselves, neither suffer ye them that are entering to go in. 14 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye devour widows' houses, and for a pretence make long prayer: therefore ye shall receive the greater damnation. KJV

Mark 12:38 Beware of the scribes, which love to go in long clothing, and love salutations in the marketplaces, 39 And the chief seats in the synagogues, and the uppermost rooms at feasts: 40 Which devour widows' houses, and for a pretence make long prayers: these shall receive greater damnation. KJV

Philippians 1:14 And many of the brethren in the Lord, waxing confident by my bonds, are much more bold to speak the word without fear. 15 Some indeed preach Christ even of envy and strife; and some also of good will: 16 The one preach Christ of contention, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my bonds: 17 But the other of love, knowing that I am set for the defence of the gospel. 18 What then? notwithstanding, every way, whether in pretence, or in truth, Christ is preached; and I therein do rejoice, yea, and will rejoice. KJV

These are all the Greek word "prophasis". Strong's Concordance says: An outward showing, a pretext. Thayer's Greek Lexicon adds: a show. The scribes and Pharisees were great pretenders in that day. They represented the learned scholars of the Bible, but they didn't actually KNOW the Word. They had memorized portions and could recite, but it was all empty words to them. They LOVED their positions of honor, rather than loving the Lord their God! That became increasingly obvious to the general public when they came out so vigorously AGAINST Jesus! They, of all people, SHOULD have been expecting the Messiah to come, and SHOULD have recognized Him when He did. Instead, they were so fearful of losing their respectable, and well paying, positions that they tried with all their might to stop JESUS! They did NOT know the LORD, so they had to PRETEND to be 'spiritual'!  I especially like the example given in Philippians 1! Paul was saying that SOME were preaching the Gospel that they KNEW, and with a right heart and attitude. He also said that SOME were preaching in order to Lord it over people and to try to get a 'step up' on Paul, since he was imprisoned at the time! I LOVE Paul's answer! Verse 18:

8 What then? notwithstanding, every way, whether in pretence, or in truth, Christ is preached; and I therein do rejoice, yea, and will rejoice. KJV

Paul's only concern was that the GOSPEL be preached so that EVERYONE could have the opportunity to be born again! THAT attitude will ALWAYS receive the BLESSING of Almighty God! There is a song on the new Hillsong Young and Free album, "All My Best Friends", called "Best Friends" that speaks of young people today tired of pretending! They want the REAL TRUTH! There is no better time than right now to get the TRUTH to them, because they will always affect those around them! Hunger for the presence of God among young people has ALWAYS fueled great revival! HALLELUJAH! Here is that song! 

Love and Shalom From the Swoveys! 

Hi Brian!

The word for this week is a little odd! We'll be looking at the word "porch". It's found in these New Testament verses:

Matthew 26:71 And when he was gone out into the porch, another maid saw him, and said unto them that were there, This fellow was also with Jesus of Nazareth. 72 And again he denied with an oath, I do not know the man. KJV

Mark 14:68 But he denied, saying, I know not, neither understand I what thou sayest. And he went out into the porch; and the cock crew. KJV

John 10:23 And Jesus walked in the temple in Solomon's porch. KJV

Acts 3:11 And as the lame man which was healed held Peter and John, all the people ran together unto them in the porch that is called Solomon's, greatly wondering. KJV

Acts 5:11 And great fear came upon all the church, and upon as many as heard these things. 12 And by the hands of the apostles were many signs and wonders wrought among the people; (and they were all with one accord in Solomon's porch. 13 And of the rest durst no man join himself to them: but the people magnified them. KJV

In  Matthew the word is "pulon". Strong's Concordance says: a gateway, doorway of a building, a prtal, a vestibule. Thayer's Greek Lexicon adds: a large gate of a palace, the anterior part of a house. In Mark the Greek word is "proaulion". Strong's Concordance says: a compound word meaning a forecourt, a vestibule (alleyway). Vine's Expository Dictionary says: the exterior court, between the door and the street. In John and Acts we have the Greek word "stoa". Strong's Concordance says: a colonnade or interior piazza. Thayer's Greek Lexicon says: a portico, a covered colonnade where people can stand or walk protected from the weather and the heat of the sun. Vine's Expository Dictionary says: is used of the porches at the pool of Bethesda, the covered in the Temple colonnade called "Solomon's Porch". With each Greek word used there is a slightly different picture of what we are speaking of. In all of these, the porch was a place to go to either get away, to get comfortable, to hide, or to be seen and heard. 

The song we'll be hearing this week is a new one by Hillsong Young and Free, the Youth Group of Hillsong Church. Listening to this took me back to when Kori was in High School. Her whole group of friends were, for the most part, good kids who loved just coming to our place in the summer and hanging out. We had a 24' pool, picnic tables and Kori had a trampoline. They would just bring their own cases of soda and snacks, play music and sit around on one of the three picnic tables and talk. We were happy that they were here so we could keep an eye, and ear, on things! Young people now have a much more complicated life with all that is going on in the world, but some things don't change! Kids are still looking for answers, want to have fun and friends. Your beautiful daughters, with their different and unique personalities, interests, dreams and goals, will present you and Kristine with some challenges and tons of good times! This song is called "World Outside Your Window" and speaks of reaching those young people! 

Love and Shalom from the Swoveys!

Hi Brian!

The word for this week is "elements". We see it in these verses:

Galatians 4:3 Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage under the elements of the world: KJV

Galatians 4:9 But now, after that ye have known God, or rather are known of God, how turn ye again to the weak and beggarly elements, whereunto ye desire again to be in bondage? KJV

2 Peter 3:10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. KJV

2 Peter 3:12 Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat? KJV

These are all the Greek word "stoicheion". Strong's concordance says: something orderly in arrangement, a serial constituent, a proposition. Thayer's Greek Lexicon says: any first thing, from which others belonging to some series or composite whole take their rise, an element, first principle, the letters of the alphabet, the material causes of the universe, the heavenly bodies, the rudiments, primary and fundamental princicples. Rick Renner's original  "Sparkling Gems From The Greek" mentions these elements in this devotional from Novermber 30:

Are You Living Only for Today Or Living Also for Eternity?

Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness? — 2 Peter 3:11

One day I was standing at the foot of the Great Pyramid of Giza in Egypt with my wife and sons. We had spent that entire week floating down the Nile River, touring all the sites of ancient Egypt, many of which were more than 4,000 years old. We were amazed at how well the condition of these ancient locations had been preserved. Finally we stood at the foot of the ancient, massive Great Pyramid of Giza. It, too, was in marvelous condition, considering that it had been standing there for so many thousands of years. It was very evident that the Great Pyramid had been built solidly so it would stand as an eternal remembrance to the Egyptian king who built it.

As I stood there with my family, I told my sons, “This pyramid has stood here for thousands of years, but a day is coming in the future when it will be completely dissolved. When the final Day of the Lord comes, the Bible tells us that everything that exists on the earth will melt with fervent heat, and the earth and all its works will be burned up. Boys, that means a day is coming when none of these monuments will exist any longer. Everything built by man will vanish, including these monuments that have stood the test of time for thousands of years. The only thing that will last is what people have done for Jesus Christ.”

The scripture I referred to as I talked to my sons was Second Peter 3:10. This verse says that when the Day of the Lord comes, “…the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.”

According to Peter, when the Day of the Lord comes at the very end of the age, everything we presently see and know will be changed. Even the heavens as we currently know them will pass away. The words “pass away” are from the Greek word parerchomai, which pictures something that is temporary and will soon be passing away. Peter says that the present heavens will pass away with a “great noise.” The words “great noise” are from the Greek word hroidzedon. This word describes a sound so loud that it is nearly deafening to those who hear it. It further carries the idea of a tremendous hissing, sizzling, cracking sound that rushes all about or a noise so thunderous that no one can escape it.

When these events transpire, the heavens and all “the elements” shall melt with a fervent heat. The word “elements” is the Greek word stoicheion, and it refers to everything that exists — from the heavenly bodies in the sky overhead to the mountains, the earth, the buildings constructed by man, and even the smallest atomic particles. Absolutely nothing will survive the transforming, purifying fire that will melt everything.

The word “melt” in this verse is from the Greek word luo, which normally means to loose. But in this case, it pictures the dissolving of matter and the complete dissolution of the earth’s elements.

This melting of the elements will occur because of a “fervent heat” that will be manifested on the Day of the Lord. The words “fervent heat” come from the Greek word kausoomai, which depicts a fire so intense that nothing escapes its blaze. It was used by medical writers to convey the idea of a fever that consumed a victim. This is an intense, raging, blazing, blistering, burning fire that consumes and hence purges everything it touches. Absolutely nothing will survive this fire when Jesus purifies this present world and creates a new heaven and a new earth.

I spoke these words to my sons because I wanted them to know that the only thing to survive this life will be what we do for Jesus Christ. We tend to think that our houses, buildings, and the things we construct in life will live forever. But the truth is, even the structures that are built to survive through the ages of time will eventually pass away. Since only that which is done for eternity will outlast this world, we can see why Peter asked the question, “Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness?” (2 Peter 3:11).

A day is coming when all the material possessions you own and hold to be dear will be “dissolved.” The word “dissolved” is from the Greek word luo, which is the same word mentioned above in Second Peter 3:10 to describe the complete dissolution of everything that presently exists. By using this word, Peter alerts us to the fact that nothing we presently own will last forever. In light of this truth, how should we view our material possessions, and how should we prioritize our lives?

Too often we devote the bulk of our time to our homes, gardens, cars, businesses, or other worldly affairs. Although we must give attention to the basic things that are necessary to life, we make a huge mistake if we focus on these temporal matters while neglecting the eternal spiritual issues that will pass from this life into the next. Only what is done for the Lord will last. Everything else will be left behind in a world that will one day be consumed with a fervent heat. Since everything will be dissolved, as Peter tells us, doesn’t it make sense that we invest in our spiritual futures as well as in our present lives?

How should this knowledge affect the way you live? Peter asked, “Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be…?” In other words, since the heavens and the earth and everything in them are temporary and will one day pass away, what should have your greatest attention and devotion?

Unsaved men in today’s world live for the present. Often they do great philanthropic works because they want their names to be remembered in future generations. Their desire is to have people revere them, place their names on buildings, name streets after them, and so forth.

However, every building that bears a person’s name will one day evaporate. The pyramids that have stood before us for centuries will one day be gone. Those who live only for the present or to impress men will be the greatest losers of all, for everything they have lived for will burn up and pass away, never to be remembered again. On the other hand, those who live for eternity, walk by faith, and obey what the Word of God tells them to do will make a name for themselves that will be remembered in Heaven for all of eternity. These are the biggest winners in life!

The message I conveyed to my sons that day in front of the pyramids is the same message I want to impress upon you today: Take the time to consider your priorities in life. Are you investing in eternity, or are you consumed with natural things that won’t survive that consuming fire, which will one day melt everything that exists? Since what you do for Jesus is the only thing that will survive, don’t you think it would be wise to prayerfully consider your life to see if you are investing as much in eternity as you are investing in the present?

No matter where we are in life, or what we all are doing at the moment, when JESUS appears for us, none of this will be what is on our minds and hearts! Knowing this, as we go about our daily lives, we should always be aware of the importance of our fellowship with HIM! When JESUS is our top priority, it will make everything else we are involved with fall into proper perspective. It will also allow us to enjoy every aspect of this life to the fullest! I have often heard this saying: "It doesn't cost to serve the Lord, it pays". THIS would be that result. I hope that you all are really enjoying your blessed life as much as it appears that you are! It is a joy to see the things that you and Kristine share and to feel a part of it all! Know that we are praying for you all every day and believing God with you for all of your dreams and goals to be fulfilled beyond all that you can imagine! Here is Hillsong Young and Free with a new song called "Indescribable":

Love and Shalom from the Swoveys!

Hi Brian!

The word for this week is "schism". It's found in only one place in the Bible! 1 Corinthians 12:25:

25 That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another. KJV

This is the Greek word "schisma". Strong's Concordance says: a split or gap. Thayer's Greek Lexicon says: a cleft, rent, division, dissension. The Theological Dictionary of the New Testament says: discord. Vine's Expository Dictionary says: division, the contrary condition to that which God has designed for a local church in "tempering the body together". The Amplified Bible says this:

25 So that there should be no division or discord or lack of adaptation [of the parts of the body to each other], but the members all alike should have a mutual interest in and care for one another.  AMP

THIS is how JESUS intends for us to operate as His body in the earth! The church has never really had this great unity, as is evidenced by the plethora of different denominations and divisions. Even in the days of the early church they had arguments and divisions among them because of differences of opinion on what the TRUTH was. I do truly believe, though, that we are seeing a greater unity among born again believers than ever before, mainly because of the current attacks against the church and the very fundamentals of the Word that this nation was actually founded on! Ephesians 5:27 tells us that the Lord Himself is preparing us and will present us to Himself in great form!

27 That He might present the church to Himself in glorious splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such things [that she might be holy and faultless]. AMP

1 Corinthians 12:27 says this:

27 Now you [collectively] are Christ's body and [individually] you are members of it, each part severally and distinct [each with his own place and function] AMP

When we each do our own part, always loving, respecting and supporting each other, HE is able to work through each and every one of us to show Himself strong! Here is Darlene Zschech (formerly of Hillsong) with "One Hope":

Love and Shalom from the Swoveys!

Hi Brian!

The word for this week is "perilous". It's found only one time in the Bible, in 2 Timothy 3:1:

3 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. KJV

This is the Greek word "chalepos". Strong's Concordance says: difficult, dangerous, furious, through the idea of reducing strength. Thayer's Greek Lexicon says: hard to do, hard to take, hard to approach, hard to bear, troublesome. Vine's Expository Dictionary says: painful, grievous. The Amplified Bible says this in 2 Timothy 3:1:

1 BUT UNDERSTAND this, that in the last days will come (set in) perilous times of great stress and trouble [hard to deal with and hard to bear]. AMP

We ARE living in those 'last days'! The next verses go on to describe just what this will look like.

2 For people will be lovers of self and [utterly] self-centered, lovers of money and aroused by an inordinate [greedy] desire for wealth, proud and arrogant and contemptuous boasters. They will be abusive (blasphemous, scoffing), disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy and profane.  3 [They will be] without natural [human] affection (callous and inhuman), relentless (admitting of no truce or appeasement); [they will be] slanderers (false accusers, troublemakers), intemperate and loose in morals and conduct, uncontrolled and fierce, haters of good.  4 [They will be] treacherous [betrayers], rash, [and] inflated with self-conceit. [They will be] lovers of sensual pleasures and vain amusements more than and rather than lovers of God.  5 For [although] they hold a form of piety (true religion), they deny and reject and are strangers to the power of it [their conduct belies the genuineness of their profession]. Avoid [all] such people [turn away from them].  AMP

None of the things that we see going on in the world today came as a surprise to God! He warned us that these things were coming! And even though they are, as the Amplified Bible says, "hard to deal with and hard to bear", they are NOT impossible for us to deal victoriously with! God's Word works in every situation, and as we continue in His Word, led daily by Holy Spirit, God will manifest Himself in our lives so that those observing us will SEE the evidence and ask us about this great hope that they see in us. Our maintaining peace and joy in the midst of all the chaos and uncertainty will speak much louder than any words! I really love seeing the videos and posts of your family simply living your blessed lives! THAT is the picture of godly joy, peace, prosperity, love, fun, family and hope that the world needs to see! Thank you both for sharing that wonderful encouragement! We love you all so much! Here are Hillsong Kids with "This Is Living Now":

Love and Shalom fom the Swoveys!