Hi Brian!

The word for this week is "perseverance". It is found only once in  Ephesians 6:18-20:

18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;19 And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel, 20 For which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak. KJV

This comes right after the exhortation to put on the full armour of God, and THIS is what the armour is for! "Perseverance" is the Greek word "proskarteresis". Strong's Concordance says: persistancy. The Theological Dictionary of the New Testament says: 'Perseverance in prayer and intercession is part of the spiritual warfare. Prayer, which has its roots deep in the life and power of God, knits the church together with a firm bond. It is not just a pious discipline but serious work which demands persistence.' This comes from the Greek word "proskarteresis" which Strong's Concordance says: to be earnest towards, to persevere, to be constantly diligent, to attend assiduously to or to adhere closely to. Vine's Expository Dictionary says: to be strong toward, to endure, to be continually steadfast with a person or thing, to continue in prayer. 

You and Kristine KNOW about perseverance, and how to be diligent, steadfast, persistent and disciplined! I really believe that as God's people practice this persistance in prayer and in standing on the Word in the authority that He has given us, we are just on the verge of seeing some powerful moves of God among the people that we have been praying for and sharing the word with! This IS, to me, the most exciting time to be alive! Praying for continued blessing, favor, anointing and success for you and your whole family! Here is a combo of a new and an old song from Hillsong called "Hosanna/ For Those Who Are To Come":

Love and Shalom from the Swoveys!

 Hi Brian!

The word for this week is "interpret". It's found in these New Testament Scriptures:

1 Corinthians12:30 Have all the gifts of healing? do all speak with tongues? do all interpret? KJV

1 Corinthians 14:5 I would that ye all spake with tongues, but rather that ye prophesied: for greater is he that prophesieth than he that speaketh with tongues, except he interpret, that the church may receive edifying. KJV

1 Corinthians 14:13 Wherefore let him that speaketh in an unknown tongue pray that he may interpret. KJV

1 Corinthians 14:27 If any man speak in an unknown tongue, let it be by two, or at the most by three, and that by course; and let one interpret. KJV

Strong's Concordance says this: To explain thoroughly, to translate. Thayer's Greek Lexicon says: To unfold the meaning of what is said, explain, expound. The Theological Dictionary says: To indicate, to express. The verses that we have above are all referring to the 'interpretation" of unknown tongues so that those hearing can understand what is being said. Another form of the word is found in the account  of the the disciples who walked unkowingly with Jesus after His resurrection! Luke 24:27:

Luke 24:27 And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself. KJV

Here the word is "expounded'! Jesus explained in depth from the Word just who HE was and is! If we just make the decision to press into His presence a little more each day, the understanding will be present in our lives as naturally as drinking water! We were designed that way! Thank You, JESUS! Here is Hillsong with "See The Light":

Love and Shalom from the Swoveys!

Hi Brian!

The word for this week is "aloud". We will be looking specifically at one Hebrew word translated "aloud". It's found in these verses:

Psalm 51:14 Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, thou God of my salvation: and my tongue shall sing aloud of thy righteousness. KJV

Psalm 59:16 But I will sing of thy power; yea, I will sing aloud of thy mercy in the morning: for thou hast been my defence and refuge in the day of my trouble. KJV

Psalm 132:16 I will also clothe her priests with salvation: and her saints shall shout aloud for joy. KJV

Psalm 149:5 Let the saints be joyful in glory: let them sing aloud upon their beds. KJV

These are all the Hebrew word "ranan". Strong's Concordance says: to creak or emit a stridulous sound, to shout usually for joy. Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrrew Lexicon says: something with a piercing cry. Vine's Expository Dictionary says: to sing, shout, cry out. It occurs approximately 50 times in the Hebrew old Testament, with about half of these uses being in the Book of Psalms, where there is a special emphasis on 'singing' and 'shouting' praises to God. According to the Theological Dictionary, it is often used to express joy, exultation, which seems to demand loud singing, especially when it is praise to God. I LOVE the TRUTH that God loves our praises, and He loves them LOUD! Whenever I am tempted to feel weary, out of sorts or fearful, I really do SING ALOUD! Especially in the car! Something happens when we do this uninhibitedly! It seems to release and stir up the boldness, confidence and faith that is within by God's Word and His Spirit! Here is Hillsong with "Awake My Soul":

Love and Shalom from the Swoveys!

 Hi Brian!

The word for this week is "abhor'. We find it in one place in the New Testament. Romans 12:9:

Rom 12:9 Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good. KJV

This is the Greek word "apostugeo". Strong's Concordance says: to utterly detest. Thayer's Greek Lexicon says: to dislike, have a horror of. Vine's Expository Dictionary says: to shudder, to hate. Romans 12 begins by telling us not to be conformed to the world (thinking, speaking and acting as the world does) but to be transformed by God's Word to think, speak and act like HIM! This is one of the ways that we can accomplish this. The more time that we spend in the presence of God and in His Word, the more that we will be changed from the inside out to be more and more like JESUS. We will begin to really LOVE what HE loves and also to HATE, or ABHOR, what HE abhors! NOT from a judgemental aspect, but from an awareness of how GOD views things. When we THINK like HIM, then we will SPEAK like HIM and ACT like HIM! That's when we will consistently see HIS results in every area! That makes it totally worth our time and effort! 

It was so great to see all of your this weekend! We didn't get as much time to talk to the adults as we would have liked, but the time with the girls and Theo was priceless!  We hope to be able to see more of you all soon! in the meantime, here is Hillsong with one of my favorite songs called "Every breath". 

Love and Shalom from the Swoveys!