Hi Brian!

The word for this week is "refuge". We'll be looking at this one portion of Scripture in the New Testament:

Hebrews 6:17 Wherein God, willing more abundantly to shew unto the heirs of promise the immutability of his counsel, confirmed it by an oath: 18 That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us: 19 Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into that within the veil; 20 Whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made an high priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec. KJV

This is the Greek word "katapheugo". Strong's Concordance says: to flee down (away). Thayer's Greek Lexicon says: to flee away, flee for refuge. Vine's Expository Dictionary says: of "fleeing" for refuge to lay hold upon hope. The dictionary definition of "refuge" is: a condition of being safe or sheltered from pursuit, danger or trouble; shelter or protection from danger or distress. With all that is going on in this world, we have the sure and certain future waiting for us as we simply continue to be the light in this world for those who have not yet received the LIGHT (JESUS) for themselves! All of the blessing of this life of faith and obedience to the Word of God is to shine the light of God's presence so that others will see His hand upon us and want what, or WHO we have. I love that part, or intent, of His promise! It serves to make every day more exciting as we see the affect on others of His life in and through us! Here is another new song from Hillsong UNITED called "Days Like These (TRUST U)":

Love and Shalom from the Swoveys!

 Hi Brian!

The word for this week is "depths". We find it in several place in the Old Testament. We'll be looking at the one found in Psalm 130:1:

Out of the depths have I cried unto thee, O Lord. KJV

This is the Hebrew word "ma`amaq". Strong's Concordance simply says: a deep. The Theological Wordbook of the Old Testament says: of literal waters and figurative. The Passion Translation says this: 

Lord, I cry out to you out of the depths of my despair! 

Even knowing what we know about the Word of God and what belongs to us as children of God, as human beings we sometimes feel our own natural lack. THAT is when we turn to Him in honesty, for He already knows what we think and how we feel, and just call out for His mercies that are new every morning! Then we do like David did time after time and remind ourselves of past victories and of the promises of God that have not changed or ever even been moved by the works of the enemy or the things going on in the world in which we live. With that in mind, here is another new song by Hillsong UNITED called "Deeper Water":

Love and Shalom from the Swoveys!

Hi Brian!

The word for this week is "existing". It is found in the New American Standard version of Philippians 2:5-8:

5 Have this mind in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: 6 who, existing in the form of God, counted not the being on an equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in the likeness of men; 8 and being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, becoming obedient (even) unto death, yea, the death of the cross. ASV

This is the Greek word "huparcho". Strong's Concordance says: to begin under, to come into existence, be present or at hand. Thayer's Greek Lexicon says: to make a beginning, to come forth, to be there, be at hand. Viine's Expository Dictionary says: to be in existence. We know from the Word of God that Jesus "existed" in Heaven with the Father before He came to earth to live as a man. He lived as a man without sin, becoming the ONLY perfect sacrifice for the sins of all mankind! He is the difference between eternal life and eternal death for those of us who have received Him as Lord and Saviour! Here is a new song by Brooke Ligertwood called "Ancient Gates"  that says THIS about HIM: "He exists in everlasting light". And He does! I hope you enjoy this song as much as I do! 

Love and Shalom from the Swoveys!

 Hi Brian!

I hope you have all had a great week! AND I hope that it is finally warming up there! Here is another new song from Hillsong UNITED called "Deeper Water":

Love and Shalom from the Swoveys!

 Hi Brian!

We are leaving on vacation to Florida very early tomorrow morning and won't be back until next Thursday. I am going to just share some new music with the "Minstrel" for this week and next! First of all I have a new song from Hillsong UNITED written by Joel Houston called "All This Future": 

Love and Shalom from the Swoveys!