Hi Brian!

The word for this week is "plain". This is found only in Habbakuk 2:2-3:

2 And the Lord answered me, and said, Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that reads it. 3 For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry. KJV

This is the Hebrew word: "ba'ar". Strong's Concordance says: to dig, to engrave, to explain. Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon says: to make plain, to distinct, to make clear, to declare. The Theological Dictionary says the same. The Amplified Bible says this:

2 And the Lord answered me and said, Write the vision and engrave it so plainly upon tablets that everyone who passes may [be able to] read [it easily and quickly] as he hastens by. 3 For the vision is yet for an appointed time and it hastens to the end [fulfillment]; it will not deceive or disappoint. Though it tarry, wait [earnestly] for it, because it will surely come; it will not be behindhand on its appointed day.

As I was praying about what to share this week, I remembered what was posted of Avery diagramming basketball plays. This Scripture came to mind and I thought of how well you and Kristine have taught and trained all of your girls to express themselves freely, and to really press in and learn and know and do! That is one of the many reasons that each one of them has had success in their interests and endeavors. I LOVE when I see others putting the WORD into practice, and receiving the BEST results! So many people take Bible TRUTHS and make them apply only to 'church' things! God means for us all to use HIS Spiritual princples to affect every area of life so that we CAN be those living witnesses and examples of what being a DOER of the WORD looks like! You all do it well! Here are Hillsong Kids again with "This Is Living":

Love and Shalom from the Swoveys!

Hi Brian!

The word for this week is "burden". There are four different Greek words translated in the New Testament as "burden". We'll be looking at one of them from these two verses: 

Matthew 11:30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. KJV

Galatians 6:5 For every man shall bear his own burden. KJV

These are both the Greek word "phortion". Strong's Concordance says: an invoice as a part of freight; a task or service. Thayer's Greek Lexicon says: a burden or load. Vine's Expository Dictionary says: something carried, something to be borne. The Theological Dictionary says: Jesus chides the Pharisees for imposing overheavy burdens with their interpretation of the law, which leads people away from God by substituting risualistic requirements for the real concerns of justice, mercy and faith, i.e. a right relationship to others and to God. In contrast, Jesus Himself promises rest to those who accept His light 'phortion', the discipleship which means fellowship with Himself and unity with the will of God. 'Light" here means light in weight or easy to bear. 

Many denominations, though they may have begun with the Truth, have themselves added 'burdens' , restrictions, requirements, rules, regulations, and doctrines that go beyond the freedom that our New Covenant has given us. They would be like modern day Pharisees! The only commandment that a born again believer has is found in Luke 10:27:

 And he replied, You must love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself. 

This fulfills all of the other commandments when we DO this! Doing what JESUS commands us to do frees us from all of those other heavy 'burdens'! We are then free to be led by Holy Spirit in every decision we make, led out with joy and led forth with peace! That makes a very light 'burden'! Here is Taya Gaukrodger of Hillsong UNITED with a new song called "For All My Life":

Love and Shalom from the Swoveys! 

 Hi Brian!

The word for this week is one that we looked at 8 years ago! I am going to just post it here again:

The word for this week is "minstrel"! It's found in only one verse in the Bible, 2 Kings 3:15:

15 But now bring me a minstrel. And while the minstrel played, the hand and power of the Lord came upon [Elisha]. AMP

This is the Hebrew word "nagan". Strong's Concordance says: to thrum, i.e. beat a tune with the fingers; espec. to play on a stringed instrument; hence, to make music. Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon says: to play or to strike strings, to play a stringed instrument. So, YOU are a minstrel! "Nagan" is also translated in other places in the Old Testament: play, player, or played and all on instruments. In the verse above, Elisha received the power and anointing of the Lord when the minstrel played. When David played his harp for Saul, the evil spirit left him and he was refreshed (1 Samuel 16:23). 

{YOU have been given a gift and you have the Holy Spirit in you, anointing you for service and ministry! I know that the time will come when God will use your gift to be a specific blessing to someone and draw them closer to Himself! Your faithfulness to Him and your diligence in the Word have put you in a position to be used mightily by Him! It begins with your family and friends and only God knows where He will take you from here! We will continue to pray every day for you and your family and for you all to have opportunity to use your God-given gifts and talents for Him!}

As I was praying about what the Lord wanted me to share with you this week, I kept getting the word "minstrel" again! There really isn't any more to be said about the meaning of the word, but I believe that He is going to use this gift in you in the near future in some powerful ways! This will begin in your personal worship and overflow into other things! I am excited to hear how this all plays out! In the meantime, here is one of my very favorite worship songs to encourage you! "Every Breath":

Love and Shalom from the Swoveys!

 Hi Brian!

The word for this week is "belong". It's found in only one spot in the New Testament . Mark 9:39-41:

39 But Jesus said, Forbid him not: for there is no man which shall do a miracle in my name, that can lightly speak evil of me. 40 For he that is not against us is on our part. 41 For whosoever shall give you a cup of water to drink in my name, because ye belong to Christ, verily I say unto you, he shall not lose his reward. KJV

This is the Greek word "este". Strong's Concordance says: you are. Thayer's Greek Lexicon sends us to the Greek word "eimi" where we see these: denotes any kind of possession or connection, of things which one owns, it is mine, to be something to someone, to be connected with one, to be related to. So anyone who treats us well because we "belong" to JESUS will be blessed! I like that! It's not hard for me to pray for those who do not treat us well because I know that they are headed for trouble for that! Our God treasures US so very much! Here is another new song by Brooke Ligertwood called "I Belong To Jesus":

Love and Shalom from the Swoveys!