Hi Brian!

The phrase for today is one that stood out to me from one of the new Hillsong Worship songs. It is "jail breaker". Although that specific phrase isn't found, the essence of it is found in these two portions of Scripture! 

Acts 5:16-25

16 There came also a multitude out of the cities round about unto Jerusalem, bringing sick folks, and them which were vexed with unclean spirits: and they were healed every one. 17 Then the high priest rose up, and all they that were with him, (which is the sect of the Sadducees,) and were filled with indignation, 18 And laid their hands on the apostles, and put them in the common prison. 19 But the angel of the Lord by night opened the prison doors, and brought them forth, and said, 20 Go, stand and speak in the temple to the people all the words of this life. 21 And when they heard that, they entered into the temple early in the morning, and taught. But the high priest came, and they that were with him, and called the council together, and all the senate of the children of Israel and sent to the prison to have them brought. 22 But when the officers came, and found them not in the prison, they returned, and told, 23 Saying, The prison truly found we shut with all safety, and the keepers standing without before the doors: but when we had opened, we found no man within. 24 Now when the high priest and the captain of the temple and the chief priests heard these things, they doubted of them whereunto this would grow. 25 Then came one and told them, saying, Behold, the men whom ye put in prison are standing in the temple, and teaching the people. KJV

Acts 12:1-10

 1 Now about that time Herod the king stretched forth his hands to vex certain of the church. 2 And he killed James the brother of John with the sword. 3 And because he saw it pleased the Jews, he proceeded further to take Peter also. (Then were the days of unleavened bread.) 4 And when he had apprehended him, he put him in prison, and delivered him to four quaternions of soldiers to keep him; intending after Easter to bring him forth to the people. 5 Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him. 6 And when Herod would have brought him forth, the same night Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains: and the keepers before the door kept the prison. 7 And, behold, the angel of the Lord came upon him, and a light shined in the prison: and he smote Peter on the side, and raised him up, saying, Arise up quickly. And his chains fell off from his hands. 8 And the angel said unto him, Gird thyself, and bind on thy sandals. And so he did. And he saith unto him, Cast thy garment about thee, and follow me. 9 And he went out, and followed him; and wist not that it was true which was done by the angel; but thought he saw a vision. 10 When they were past the first and the second ward, they came unto the iron gate that leadeth unto the city; which opened to them of his own accord: and they went out, and passed on through one street; and forthwith the angel departed from him. KJV

These are both the Greek word "phulake". Strong's Concordance says: a guarding place. Thayer's Greek Lexicon says: the place where captives are held. In both of these instances the Lord sent angels to release them from prison, or jail, as the song says! The message: when we trust in the Lord, HE will get us out of any bad situation, and then He will use that to make the Gospel known, reaching people! I have often thought about the 'what ifs' of being thrown in jail and have commited that IF I would ever find myself in that situation, I would sing praises to the Lord and speak His word BOLDLY and LOUDLY so that all would have an opportunity to hear and be saved! In these situations, the Lord released them supernaturally so that they could continue doing that very thing OUTSIDE of prison and the people continued to be set free! So, here is that song called "Freedom":

Love and Shalom from the Swoveys!

 Hi Brian!

This week we are looking at a phrase found in Psalm 91:1:

Psalm 91:1 He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. KJV

This phrase comes from the Hebrew word "cether". Strong's Concordance says: a cover. Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon says: covering, a shelter, a hiding place. The Theological Wordbook of the Old Testament says: He himself is ever a place of refuge and protection from all dangers for the believer. I really like the Amplified Bible for Psalm 91 and I speak that over my life and family! 

1 HE WHO dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall remain stable and fixed under the shadow of the Almighty [Whose power no foe can withstand]. 2 I will say of the Lord, He is my Refuge and my Fortress, my God; on Him I lean and rely, and in Him I [confidently] trust! 3 For [then] He will deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the deadly pestilence. 4 [Then] He will cover you with His pinions, and under His wings shall you trust and find refuge; His truth and His faithfulness are a shield and a buckler. 5 You shall not be afraid of the terror of the night, nor of the arrow (the evil plots and slanders of the wicked) that flies by day, 6 Nor of the pestilence that stalks in darkness, nor of the destruction and sudden death that surprise and lay waste at noonday. 7 A thousand may fall at your side, and ten thousand at your right hand, but it shall not come near you. 8 Only a spectator shall you be [yourself inaccessible in the secret place of the Most High] as you witness the reward of the wicked. 9 Because you have made the Lord your refuge, and the Most High your dwelling place,  [Psalm 91:1,14.] 10 There shall no evil befall you, nor any plague or calamity come near your tent. 11 For He will give His angels [especial] charge over you to accompany and defend and preserve you in all your ways [of obedience and service]. 12 They shall bear you up on their hands, lest you dash your foot against a stone.  [Luke 4:10,11; Hebrews 1:14.] 13 You shall tread upon the lion and adder; the young lion and the serpent shall you trample underfoot.  [Luke 10:19.] 14 Because he has set his love upon Me, therefore will I deliver him; I will set him on high, because he knows and understands My name [has a personal knowledge of My mercy, love, and kindness — trusts and relies on Me, knowing I will never forsake him, no, never]. 15 He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him. 16 With long life will I satisfy him and show him My salvation. AMP

That 'secret place' is that place where we are aware of His presence. We do that through prayer, praise & worship, study and meditation of the Word and in intimate fellowship with Him by Holy Spirit Who lives in us! That is the place of our greatest protection from the works of the enemy and the negative things of the world. Hillsong Worship has a new song that is all about this powerful 'place'! And, of course, it is called "Secret Place":

Love and Shalom from the Swoveys!

Hi Brian!

The word for this week is "surround". We find it in Psalm 32:7:

7 You are a hiding place for me; You, Lord, preserve me from trouble, You surround me with songs and shouts of deliverance. Selah [pause, and calmly think of that]! AMP

This is the Hebrew word "cabab". Strong's Concordance says: to revolve, to surround, to border. Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon says: to turn, to turn about, to go around, to encircle, to encompass, to envelop, to transform. What I love the most about this is how much greater our omniscient (all-knowing), omnipotent (all powerful) and omnipresent (everywhere present) God is than any human being we know! When we support each other, we can only walk alongside of each other, but His presence surrounds us! In His presence we are covered on all sides and in every aspect! The more that we meditate on His presence IN us, the more confident we become that there really is nothing that is impossible for us to accomplish with God on our side! Here is a new song from Hillsong Worship called "Surrounds Me" that speaks of this great confidence! 

Love and Shalom from the Swoveys!

 Hi Brian!

This week I want to use a devotional by Charles Spurgeon again. This one makes me think of you and Kristine!

In order to learn how to discharge your duty as a witness for Christ, look at His example. He is always witnessing: by the well of Samaria, or in the Temple of Jerusalem: by the lake of Gennesaret, or on the mountain's brow. He is witnessing night and day; His mighty prayers are as vocal to God as His daily services. He witnesses under all circumstances; Scribes and Pharisees cannot shut His mouth; even before Pilate He witnesses a good confession. He witnesses so clearly, and distinctly that there is no mistake in Him. Christian, make your life a clear testimony. Be you as the brook wherein you may see every stone at the bottom—not as the muddy creek, of which you only see the surface—but clear and transparent, so that your heart's love to God and man may be visible to all. You need not say, "I am true:" be true. Boast not of integrity, but be upright. So shall your testimony be such that men cannot help seeing it. Never, for fear of feeble man, restrain your witness. Your lips have been warmed with a coal from off the altar; let them speak as like heaven-touched lips should do. "In the morning sow thy seed, and in the evening withhold not thine hand." Watch not the clouds, consult not the wind—in season and out of season witness for the Saviour, and if it shall come to pass that for Christ's sake and the gospel's you shall endure suffering in any shape, shrink not, but rejoice in the honour thus conferred upon you, that you are counted worthy to suffer with your Lord; and joy also in this—that your sufferings, your losses, and persecutions shall make you a platform, from which the more vigorously and with greater power you shall witness for Christ Jesus. Study your great Exemplar, and be filled with His Spirit. Remember that you need much teaching, much upholding, much grace, and much humility, if your witnessing is to be to your Master's glory.

The underlined parts are so what you do and how you live your lives! You don't have to preach. Your life of love and care for others, the way that you are raising your beautiful young ladies, your hard work, ready smiles and joy for life are so evident and speak louder than any spiritual sounding words ever could! You are an inspiration to me every day with the things that you post! It is a blessing and a privilege to be able to pray for you all and to see the answers to those prayers played out every day! We love you all so much! Here is a new song from Hillsong Worship with Cody Carnes called "Hope of the Ages":

Love and Shalom from the Swoveys!