MERRY CHRISTMAS BRIAN! 

I'm so sorry that in the midst of all the Christmas fun I forgot to write the blog for this week! I saw some of the photos and know that you had a very fun time with family! I will get back to the blog next week! 

Love and Shalom from the Swoveys!

 Hi Brian!

The wordf for this week is "throne". we know what that means to us, but we'll be looking at some verses that talk about the throne that JESUS has!

Luke 1:30 And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God. 31 And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS. 32 He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: 33 And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end. KJV

Acts 7:48 Howbeit the most High dwelleth not in temples made with hands; as saith the prophet, 49 Heaven is my throne, and earth is my footstool: what house will ye build me? saith the Lord: or what is the place of my rest? 50 Hath not my hand made all these things? KJV

Hebrews 1:8 But unto the Son he saith, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of thy kingdom. KJV

Hebrews 4:15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. KJV

Hebrews 12:1 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, 2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. KJV

These are all the Greek word "thronos". Strong's Concordance says: a stately seat, by implication, power or a potentate. Vine's Expository Dictionary  says: a seat of authority. This is representing all of the authority of God! He IS the ultimate authority in every area of life! Then HE says THIS about US in Ephesians 2:4-6:

4 But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, 5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) 6 And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus. KJV

WE are seated IN HIM and HE is seated on His Throne of Grace! There is no higher or safer place that we could be! Here is the last new song on the new Hillsong Worship album called "All To Him":

Love and Shalom from the Swoveys!

Hi Brian!

The word for this week is "restored". The same Greek word is translated "restored" in all of these New Testament portions of Scripture:

Matthew 12:13 Then saith he to the man, Stretch forth thine hand. And he stretched it forth; and it was restored whole, like as the other. KJV

Mark 3:5 And when he had looked round about on them with anger, being grieved for the hardness of their hearts, he saith unto the man, Stretch forth thine hand. And he stretched it out: and his hand was restored whole as the other. KJV

Mark 8:25 After that he put his hands again upon his eyes, and made him look up: and he was restored, and saw every man clearly. KJV

Luke 6:9 Then said Jesus unto them, I will ask you one thing; Is it lawful on the sabbath days to do good, or to do evil? to save life, or to destroy it? 10 And looking round about upon them all, he said unto the man, Stretch forth thy hand. And he did so: and his hand was restored whole as the other. KJV

These are all from the Greek word "apokathistemi". Strong's Concordance says: to reconstitute ( in health, home or organization). Thayer's Greek Lexicon says: to be in its former state. Vine's Expository Dictionary says: restoration to a former condition of health. Includes the renewal of the covenant. Giving or bringing a person back. Before JESUS, by His Word and by the Spirit of God, created all that we see, He already had HIS plan in place to buy us back from the enemy! To "restore" us to the fellowship that we were always meant by Him to have! The place where we receive this restoration is in His presence! That 'secret place'! When we spend time there, WE are changed, renewed, restored and empowered! Here is Hillsong Worship with another new song that is my favorite! "Song For His Presence":

Love and Shalom for the Swoveys!

 Hi Brian!

The word for this week is "correction". It's found only once in the New Testament. 2 Timothy 3:16-17:

16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works. KJV

This is the Greek word "epanorthosis". Strong's Concordance says: a straightening up again, i.e. rectification, reformation. Thayer's Greek Lexicon says: restoration to an upright or a right state; correction, improvement. Vine's Expository Dictionary adds: improvement  of life and character. The Theological Dictionary of the New Testament adds: reestablishment, amendment. This is just one of the many powerful things that the Word of God will do in, for and through us when we take the time to read, study and meditate on it! With our personal Teacher, Holy Spirit, we can't help but succeed at whatever we put our hands to in faith and with consistency! It takes a willingness to submit to HIM as He 'corrects' us by the Word! It also involves the surrender of our will to His, which is why I love this new song from Hillsong Worship called "Resurrender". It is a continual surrendering of our will to His, and I love the line that says "You're calling, we're coming! We're not walking, we're running!"

Love and Shalom from the Swoveys!