Hi Brian!

This week I want to share a devotional from my PC Study Bible by Charles Spurgeon. 

"Let every man abide in the same calling wherein he was called." — 1 Corinthians 7:20

Some persons have the foolish notion that the only way in which they can live for God is by becoming ministers, missionaries, or Bible women. Alas! how many would be shut out from any opportunity of magnifying the Most High if this were the case. Beloved, it is not office, it is earnestness; it is not position, it is grace which will enable us to glorify God. God is most surely glorified in that cobbler's stall, where the godly worker, as he plies the awl, sings of the Saviour's love, ay, glorified far more than in many a prebendal stall where official religiousness performs its scanty duties. The name of Jesus is glorified by the poor unlearned carter as he drives his horse, and blesses his God, or speaks to his fellow labourer by the roadside, as much as by the popular divine who, throughout the country, like Boanerges, is thundering out the gospel. God is glorified by our serving Him in our proper vocations. Take care, dear reader, that you do not forsake the path of duty by leaving your occupation, and take care you do not dishonour your profession while in it. Think little of yourselves, but do not think too little of your callings. Every lawful trade may be sanctified by the gospel to noblest ends. Turn to the Bible, and you will find the most menial forms of labour connected either with most daring deeds of faith, or with persons whose lives have been illustrious for holiness. Therefore be not discontented with your calling. Whatever God has made your position, or your work, abide in that, unless you are quite sure that he calls you to something else. Let your first care be to glorify God to the utmost of your power where you are. Fill your present sphere to His praise, and if He needs you in another He will show it you. This evening lay aside vexatious ambition, and embrace peaceful content.

Charles Spurgeon lived and ministered in the 1800s, so his language is sometimes difficult, but he always has something important to impart. In this selection he is encouraging every believer to serve the Lord in the capacity in which HE created them to function. I remember a time when some of our partners thought that everyone should be 'in the ministry' without realizing that if that were to happen, there would be no one left to finance the Gospel! We glorify the Lord most when we are obedient to His Word and fully committed to sharing the TRUTH with everyone HE brings into our lives or across our paths! You and Kristine see so many more people than I will ever see in person. The light that shines from you both, and your girls, is what will draw unbelievers to the JESUS in you! THAT is the MOST vital ministry! Here is another new song from Hillsong UNITED called "On Repeat":

Love and Shalom from the Swoveys!

Hi Brian!

The word for this week is "longing". We'll be looking at the Hebrew word found in Psalm 107:1-9:

1 O give thanks unto the Lord, for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.
2 Let the redeemed of the Lord say so, whom he hath redeemed from the hand of the enemy;
3 And gathered them out of the lands, from the east, and from the west, from the north, and from the south.
4 They wandered in the wilderness in a solitary way; they found no city to dwell in.
5 Hungry and thirsty, their soul fainted in them.
6 Then they cried unto the Lord in their trouble, and he delivered them out of their distresses.
7 And he led them forth by the right way, that they might go to a city of habitation.
8 Oh that men would praise the Lord for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!
9 For he satisfieth the longing soul, and filleth the hungry soul with goodness. KJV

This is the Hebrew word "shaqaq". Strong's Concordance says: to course like a beast of prey, to seek greedily. Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon says: to run, to run about, to rush, to run to and fro, to be eager or greedy or thirsty. Roving, ranging, longing, rushing out upon. I have run into so many people over the years who wonder why they don't hear from God or why they don't understand the Word. Deuteronomy 29:29 in the Amplified Bible tells us this:

29 The secret things belong unto the Lord our God, but the things which are revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may do all of the words of this law.

He does not reveal these 'secret things' to any but the diligent seekers who really desire to know! To know HIM and HIS WORD! THESE are those who LONG for Him and HE satisfies that longing, as Psalm 107 says, and fills their hungry souls! The reason that the Word of God is real to you, and you have developed a firm foundation on it, is because you DESIRED to know! Then you followed on to go after it. You were hungry and thirsty to know more and to know HIM more! As you maintain that '"longing", He will continue to show you more and more of those 'secret things'! Here is Hillsong Worship and Cody Carnes with "Hope of the Ages":

Love and Shalom from the Swoveys!

Hi Brian!

The word for this week is "renewed". We will be looking at these verses: Psalm 103:2-5:

2 Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: 3 Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases; 4 Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies; 5 Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle's. KJV

This is the Hebrew word "Chadash". Strong's Concordance says: to be new; to rebuild. Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon says: to be new, to make anew, to repair, to renew oneself. Psalm 103 is a great reminder of all that God has done for us, and continues to do! One of the greatest blessings as we grow older is that we can count on His LIFE in us to slow down that aging process! Both in the body and the soul! As your lovely, lively and very energetic young ladies continue to excel at all that they do, you and Kristine can count on this promise to maintain a high level of energy and stamina, as you do all in the natural to be healthy, renew your mind with the Word of God and stay in close fellowship with Holy Spirit. Here is The Passion Translation of verse 5:

You satisfy my every desire with good things. You’ve supercharged my life so that I soar again like a flying eagle in the sky!

I like that! Here is Hillsong Worship with  "All Things New":

Love and Shalom from the Swoveys!

Hi Brian!

This week we're looking at a phrase. It is "pearl of great price" and is found in Matthew 13:45-46:

Matthew 13:45 Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls: 46 Who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it. KJV

"Pearl" is the Greek word "margarites". Strong's Concordance says: from 'margaros' (a pearl oyster); a pearl. The Theological Dictionary says: pearls are regarded as precious stones in antiquity. The word for pearl becomes a figure of speech for what is of supreme worth. "Of great price" is the Greek word "polutimos". Strong's Concordance says: very costly. Thayer's Greek Lexicon says: very valuable. Vine's Expository Dictionary says: Of great value, very precious. We see that "pearls" were considered to be precious stones. Comparing the Word of God to pearls shows the great value that is put upon the Word by God Himself! The successful fulfillment of the Word of God gives all GLORY back to HIM! When we treat the Word of God as precious and powerful, the Word will BE precious and powerful for us! Here is "Taya Gaukrodger" of Hillsong with a song from her new album called "JESUS Over Everything":

Love and Shalom from the Swoveys!