Hi Brian!

I think that Rick Renner's "Sparkling Gems From The Greek - Volume 2" devotional  for today is excellent advice for ending the past year and beginning the new one powerfully!

FORGET THE PAST

…forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto the things which are before…. — Philippians 3:13

Well, today one year is closing, and another year is about to begin. Is your year ending the way you prayed it would? Or do you need to make alterations in your heart quickly to get back on track with what God wants to do in your life so you can start the next year right?

Many times as I’ve come close to the end of a calendar year, I’ve wondered if I was going to accomplish everything I sensed the Lord instructing me to do in that year. But if it’s too late to do what you should have done this year, it’s time for you to forget those things that are behind and to reach forth unto the things that are before you (see Philippians 3:13). The word “forget” in this verse is the Greek word epilanthanomai, which depicts something that is done with, accomplished, and no longer an issue before you. The word “behind” is the word opiso, which describes something that no longer has relevance in your life. It is old, antiquated, outdated, and no long applicable.

Rather than focus on things of the past that no longer have relevance in your life, it’s time for you to “reach forth” unto those things that are before you. The words “reach forth” are translated from the Greek word epikteinomai, and it pictures a runner in a race — running with every ounce of strength he can muster to get around that final bend in the stadium one last time and finish as the winner! His whole body and eyes are fastened on that goal as he leans forward and runs with all his might to break through that finish line.

Today is your last day to make wrongs right and to do things that you know you ought to do. This year is closing in a mere matter of minutes or hours. But before you is a glorious new beginning! The Holy Spirit wants to divinely energize you to run your race in the new year with your eyes and your whole being fixed on the goal. It may be challenging, but if you’ll surrender to the Holy Spirit’s control, He’ll take you where you never could have gone by yourself!

When you lay your head on your pillow tonight and say farewell to this year, make sure that you also welcome the new year with faith, confidence, and commitment that in this new year you will accomplish every dream, goal, and desire that God has put in your heart to accomplish over the next 12 months!

I LOVE this idea! I know of so many people who carry baggage around of disappointments and then no longer have the energy to reset and begin again! I know that this is probably not you or Kristine, but I believe that, especially this coming year, you are going to encounter people with that mindset and this will help you to encourage them! I am praying that this next year will be the VERY BEST and MOST BLESSED year for you and your family! Here is another new song from Brandon Lake that I LOVE because kids sing with him on part, but also because of the promise that he mentions about God: "You don't ever let your kids down". 

Love and Shalom from the Swoveys!

 Hi Brian!

MERRY CHRISTMAS to you and your beautiful family! We have family things going on so I am simply posting this Christmas greeting for you and one of my favorite Christmas songs! I'll be back to regularly scheduled blog posting next week! Until then, here is Hillsong with "We Have A Saviour":

Love and Shalom from the Swoveys! 

Hi Brian!

This week I want to share Charles Spurgeon's evening devotional with you! 

"I am the door: by Me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture." — John 10:9

Jesus, the great I AM, is the entrance into the true church, and the way of access to God Himself. He gives to the man who comes to God by Him four choice privileges.

1. He shall be saved. The fugitive manslayer passed the gate of the city of refuge, and was safe. Noah entered the door of the ark, and was secure. None can be lost who take Jesus as the door of faith to their souls. Entrance through Jesus into peace is the guarantee of entrance by the same door into heaven. Jesus is the only door, an open door, a wide door, a safe door; and blessed is he who rests all his hope of admission to glory upon the crucified Redeemer.

2. He shall go in. He shall be privileged to go in among the divine family, sharing the children's bread, and participating in all their honours and enjoyments. He shall go in to the chambers of communion, to the banquets of love, to the treasures of the covenant, to the storehouses of the promises. He shall go in unto the King of kings in the power of the Holy Spirit, and the secret of the Lord shall be with him.

3. He shall go out. This blessing is much forgotten. We go out into the world to labour and suffer, but what a mercy to go in the name and power of Jesus! We are called to bear witness to the truth, to cheer the disconsolate, to warn the careless, to win souls, and to glorify God; and as the angel said to Gideon, "Go in this thy might," even thus the Lord would have us proceed as His messengers in His name and strength.

4. He shall find pasture. He who knows Jesus shall never want. Going in and out shall be alike helpful to him: in fellowship with God he shall grow, and in watering others he shall be watered. Having made Jesus his all, he shall find all in Jesus. His soul shall be as a watered garden, and as a well of water whose waters fail not.

I really love this! THIS is who we are IN HIM! We have only begun to find what belongs to us as children of GOD! HE is ALWAYS desiring to BLESS us! The more that we truly understand and BELIEVE this, the more HE is glorified THROUGH us and people take notice! Here is another new song from Brandon Lake called "Miracle Child":

Love and Shalom from the Swoveys!

Hi Brian!

The word for this week is "confidence". We'll be looking at these portions of Scripture from the New Testament:

Acts 28:30 And Paul dwelt two whole years in his own hired house, and received all that came in unto him, 31 Preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching those things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ, with all confidence, no man forbidding him. KJV

Hebrews 3:4 For every house is builded by some man; but he that built all things is God. 5 And Moses verily was faithful in all his house, as a servant, for a testimony of those things which were to be spoken after; 6 But Christ as a son over his own house; whose house are we, if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end. KJV

1 John 2:27 But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him. 28 And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming. KJV

1 John 3:18 My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth. 19 And hereby we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before him. 20 For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things. 21 Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God. KJV

1 John 5:13 These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God. 14 And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: 15 And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him. KJV

These are all the Greek word "parrhesia". Strong's Concordance says: all out-spokenness, frankness, bluntness, publicity, assurance. Thayer's Greek Lexicon says: freedom in speaking, unreservedness in speech, free and fearless confidence, cheerful courage. Vine's Expository Dictionary says: rendered 'confidence' in the KJV, is in all such instances rendered 'boldness' in the RV. The Exegetical Dictionary of the New Testament says: openness, publicness, candor, joyous confidence. I LOVE that our GOD desires for us to have this powerful confidence in HIM and in HIS WORD! We were meant to operate in this confident boldness in every area of life as we continue in His Word and in fellowship with HIM. I really like several of the songs in Brandon Lake's new album, "Coat of Many Colors". The song for you today is "Adoption Song". It is all about who we are IN HIM. Adopted into His family! Part of the chorus says:

I am adopted, I am beloved
It's my inheritance, I'm a child of God
So when the liar starts mouthing off
I'll sing in confidence my adoption song

Here is that song with the lyrics:

Love and Shalom from the Swoveys!

Hi Brian!

The word for this week is "count". We have used a different form of this word in the past. Today we are looking at these Scriptures:

Job 31:4 Doth not he see my ways, and count all my steps? KJV

Psalm 87:6 The Lord shall count, when he writeth up the people, that this man was born there. Selah. KJV

Psalm 139:17 How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! how great is the sum of them! 18 If I should count them, they are more in number than the sand: when I awake, I am still with thee. KJV

These are all the Hebrew word "caphar". Strong's Concordance says: to score with a mark as a tally or record, i.e. to inscribe, also to enumerate, to recount, to celebrate. Brown-Driver-Briggs Herew Lexicon says: to count, to recount, to relate, to number, to take account of, to reckon, to be numbered, to count exactly or accurately. Vine's Expository Dictionary says: to number, count, proclaim, declare. The Theological Wordbook of the Old Testament says: is used of general mathimatical activity. One can count objects, people, periods of time, actions, thoughts. As well, it is emplyed with a negative to indicate innumerable things. 

In particular, today we are looking at the negative as we look at the lyrics of the song for today! Brandon Lake has a song on his new album called "COUNT 'EM". He uses this in referring to the number of wonderful miracles, healings, deliverances that JESUS and HIS people (including US) have done! Because we "Can't Count 'Em"! 

Lov and Shalom from the Swoveys!

Hi Brian!

This week we are using a word that we have used before, but it was a long time ago! The word is "power" and we will be looking at these Scriptures:

Matthew 28:18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. KJV

Mark 2:9 Whether is it easier to say to the sick of the palsy, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Arise, and take up thy bed, and walk? 10 But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, (he saith to the sick of the palsy,) 11 I say unto thee, Arise, and take up thy bed, and go thy way into thine house. KJV

The "power" we looked at before was the Greek word "dunamis" where we get the word dynamite, but this is an even more 'powerful' word! It is the Greek word "exousia". Strong's Concordance says: force, capacity, competency, freedom, mastery, delegated influence. Thayer's Greek Lexicon says: power of choice, liberty of doing as one pleases, leave or permission, physical or mental power, the ability or strength with which one is endued, which he possesses or exercises, the power of authority and of right. The power of rule or government. Vine's Expository Dictionary says: denotes freedom of action, right to act; used of God, it is absolute, unrestricted. The Theological Dictionary says: denotes the absolute possibility of action that is proper to God alone as the source of all power and legality. In relations to Christ's person and work it denotes the divinely given right and power to act along with the related freedom. As regards the church, this derives its authority (or enablement) from Christ. Believers receive their right as such from Him.

When Jesus went about healing and delivering in His ministry, He had the "power" to do so! When Jesus sent out His disciples, He gave them HIS "power" to operate as He would. For us who have been born again and filled with Holy Spirit, this "power" is ours to use as He would have and is within us and upon us just as it was with JESUS! It is such an awesome privilege to operate as HIS body, under HIS authority! The song I want to share with you today is by Brandon Lake and is called "Tear Off The Roof":

Love and Shalom from the Swoveys!

Hi Brian!

The word for this week is "thankful". I can't believe that we haven't used that one over all these years! We'll be looking at these verses in the New Testament:

Romans 1:20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: 21 Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. KJV

Colossians 3:14 And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness. 15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful. KJV

In Romans we have the Greek word "eucharisteo". Strong's Concordance says: to be grateful, to express gratitude towards. Thayer's Greek Lexicon adds: to give thanks. In Colossians we have the Greek word "eucharistos". Strong's Concordance says: well favored, grateful. Thayer's Greek Lexicon says: mindful of favors, grateful, thankful to God. Vine's Expository Dictionary says: gracious, agreeable, thankful. Then we have Psalm 100:4:

Psalm 100:4 Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name. KJV

In this reference we find the Hebrew word "yadah". Strong's Concordance says: To use, to hold out the hand, to  to revere or worship with extended hands, intensively. Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon says: to give thanks, to laud, to praise. Vine's Expository Dictionary says: This word is found frequently in the Book of Psalms as an expression of thanks or  praise. The Theological Dictionary says: to acknowledge, to extol. 

Gratitude to God for all of the blessings in our lives comes so naturally when we have spent time in His presence and in His Word! We are better able to recognize the blessings then! After spending over 40 years in the Word and in His presence, I have grown to appreciate His hand in so many areas and in extraordinary ways! There are many things that I thank Him for every day. You, Kristine and your lovely ladies are one of those BLESSINGS that I am so very thankful for! I know that we don't get to see you all as much as we used to, but we pray for you every day and keep up with all of the wonderful and exciting things that happen. We also keep up with the times that call for extra prayer and agreement! Thank you all for including us and making us feel like family! I pray that you all have a wonderful and very BLESSED family time this Thanksgiving, making memories and having fun! Today I am going to share a song that Roxy shared with us that is so uplifting and fun! "Praise" by "Elevation Worship":

Love and Shalom from the Swoveys!

Hi Brian!

The word for this week is "true". We'll be looking at these verses in the New Testament:

John 4:23 But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. 24 God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth. KJV

John 15:1 I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. KJV

Romans 3:3 For what if some did not believe? shall their unbelief make the faith of God without effect? 4 God forbid: yea, let God be true, but every man a liar; as it is written, That thou mightest be justified in thy sayings, and mightest overcome when thou art judged. KJV

In both references in John we have the Greek word "alethinos". Strong's Concordance says: truthful. Thayer's Greek Lexicon says: that which has not the name and semblance, but the real nature corresponding to the name, real and true, genuine. Vine's Expository Dictionary says: denotes true in the sense of real, ideal, genuine. Used of God, declaring the full meaning of His Name, He is "very God" in distinction from all other false gods. He is true to His utterances, He cannot lie. The Theological Dictionary says: sincere, true, correct, sure and certain, reliable, righteous, real. 

In Romans we have the Greek word "aleethees". Strong's Concordance says: not concealing. Thayer's Greek Lexicon says: not hidden, unconcealed. Vine's Expository Dictionary says: manifest. The Theological Dictionary says: constant, valid, trustworthy, sincere, genuine. 

In going through the Bible we see that mankind fell away from the TRUE God they once knew and began to worship any number of man made things, idols, false gods. When they turned away, they ceased to teach and train their children to follow the TRUE God, so there were whole groups of people who never knew HIM! When we heard, and then believed, we became TRUE worshippers! The TRUTH of Who HE is was revealed to us and as we pursued to know Him more, He revealed more and more of Himself! The unbelief of people did not change GOD. Our belief in HIM changed US! 1 John 3:2 says this:

2 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. KJV

I believe that as we spend time in His presence, He reveals more and more of Himself. As we receive that revelation, we become more and more like Him! HERE and NOW! Not perfectly, as we will be then, but progressively. Acts 4:13:

13 Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus. KJV

That is something that is so evident with you and Kristine! You have become more and more like JESUS! The love, the joy, the wisdom, the 'realness' of who you are in Him. The way that you treat others, the way you are training your daughters, you are representing JESUS as He truly is! The way that you love and honor us! Thank you SO very much for allowing us to spend time in your home! Those times have been some of the most peaceful and restorative times! Your generosity (thank you so very much for the ticket to the Vikings game) is humbling! We love you all and appreciate you so much and we are praying and expecting that every year is going to be blessed beyond measure in every area! Here is another older song that Brooke Ligertwood brought back in her new album. The song is "I Will Exalt You", but we always sing "I Exalt You" as a present TRUTH and not as a future promise to do so! 

Love and Shalom from the Swoveys! 

Hi Brian!

This week I want to share again from Charles Spurgeon's evening devotional. This is SO good! 

"Be thankful unto Him, and bless His name." — Psalm 100:4

Our Lord would have all His people rich in high and happy thoughts concerning His blessed person. Jesus is not content that His brethren should think meanly of Him; it is His pleasure that His espoused ones should be delighted with His beauty. We are not to regard Him as a bare necessary, like to bread and water, but as a luxurious delicacy, as a rare and ravishing delight. To this end He has revealed Himself as the "pearl of great price" in its peerless beauty, as the "bundle of myrrh" in its refreshing fragrance, as the "rose of Sharon" in its lasting perfume, as the "lily" in its spotless purity.

As a help to high thoughts of Christ, remember the estimation that Christ is had in beyond the skies, where things are measured by the right standard. Think how God esteems the Only Begotten, His unspeakable gift to us. Consider what the angels think of Him, as they count it their highest honour to veil their faces at His feet. Consider what the blood-washed think of Him, as day without night they sing His well deserved praises. High thoughts of Christ will enable us to act consistently with our relations towards Him. The more loftily we see Christ enthroned, and the more lowly we are when bowing before the foot of the throne, the more truly shall we be prepared to act our part towards Him. Our Lord Jesus desires us to think well of Him, that we may submit cheerfully to His authority. High thoughts of Him increase our love. Love and esteem go together. Therefore, believer, think much of your Master's excellencies. Study Him in His primeval glory, before He took upon Himself your nature! Think of the mighty love which drew Him from His throne to die upon the cross! Admire Him as He conquers all the powers of hell! See Him risen, crowned, glorified! Bow before Him as the Wonderful, the Counsellor, the mighty God, for only thus will your love to Him be what it should.

It is only when we see HIM in all of HIS GLORY and HONOR that we can really be aware of 

the powerfully high place that He has raised us up to! We are seated IN HIM in the realm of the Spirit!  Look at Ephesians 2:4-7:

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: 7 That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. KJV

We have to watch that we don't try to bring HIM down to our level, but that we allow HIM to raise us up to HIS! Simply by being in the Word, praying, praising and fellowshipping with HIM we allow HIM to show us who we are, what we have and what we can do, all through the power of HIS sacrifice and love! When we really realize just how we look in the spiritual realm, we will keep the devil on the run and we will shine with HIS presence! Here is another older song from Brooke's new album called "King of Kings":

Love and Shalom from the Swoveys!

 Hi Brian!

The word for this week is "bless". We will be looking at several verses in the Psalms that speak to our blessing HIM! 

Ps 16:7 I will bless the Lord, who hath given me counsel: my reins also instruct me in the night seasons. KJV

Ps 26:12 My foot standeth in an even place: in the congregations will I bless the Lord. KJV

Ps 34:1 I will bless the Lord at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth. KJV

Ps 63:4 Thus will I bless thee while I live: I will lift up my hands in thy name. KJV

Ps 96:2 Sing unto the Lord, bless his name; shew forth his salvation from day to day. KJV

Ps 103:2 Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: KJV

Ps 115:18 But we will bless the Lord from this time forth and for evermore. Praise the Lord. KJV

Ps 145:1 I will extol thee, my God, O king; and I will bless thy name for ever and ever. 2 Every day will I bless thee; and I will praise thy name for ever and ever. KJV

Ps 145:1 I will extol thee, my God, O king; and I will bless thy name for ever and ever. 2 Every day will I bless thee; and I will praise thy name for ever and ever. KJV

These are all the Hebrew word "barak". Strong's Concordance says: to kneel, to bless God as an act of adoration. Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon says: to bless, to kneel. The Theological Wordbook of the Old testament says: to kneel, bless, praise, salute. We know that He is worthy of and deserves all of our praise and worship. We also know that we CAN BE a blessing to Him by doing so. 1 John 4:19 tells us this:

19 We love Him, because He first loved us.

We love HIM with the LOVE that HE has put inside of us! We also can BLESS Him because He has already BLESSED us! Isn't that just like GOD to already provide inside of us what He desires to receive back FROM us? He has given us SO much, even what we give back to Him has first come FROM Him! I am feeling REALLY BLESSED today! I hope that you are, too! I see so many great BLESSINGS coming to you and your beautiful family in the coming moonths because of how you have honored HIM and been a BLESSING TO Him! So hear is another new song from Brooke Ligertwood's "Eight" album called, of course, "Bless God":along with "Every Chance I Get":

Love and Shalom from the Swoveys!

Hi Brian!

The word for this week is "stronghold". It's actually two words and we'll be looking at Nahum 1:7:

7 The Lord is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; and he knoweth them that trust in him. KJV

This is the Hebrew word "ma'owz". Strong's Concordance says: a fortified place, a defence. Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon says: a place or means of safety, a protection, a refuge, a stronghold, a harbor. THIS type of stronghold is of God for our benefit. The enemy also tries to put up 'strongholds' against us, BUT GOD! HE ALWAYS has a 'stronghold' FOR us!  A way of escape. We can count on it! We can count on HIM! This song from Brooke Ligertwood's new album 'Eight' called "Authority" speaks to that! 

Love and Shalom from the Swoveys!

Hi Brian!

The word for this week is "heritage". We'll be looking at one verse in the Old Testament. 

Ps 119:111 Thy testimonies have I taken as an heritage for ever: for they are the rejoicing of my heart. KJV

This is the Hebrew word "nachal". Strong's Concordance says: to inherit, to occupy, to bequeath. Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon says: to get as a possesion, to acquire, to inherit, to possess, to have or take possession. We can receive an inheritance from a relative or friend who has passed from this life into the next by order of their Last Will and Testament. THEY have given, but WE must do the receiving or possessing! Our Heavenly Father sent Jesus, the LIVING WORD OF GOD, to us, and JESUS gave Himself, and His Word, to us when He rose into Heaven with the instructions to take the Gospel into all the world. His 'testimonies' are HIS WORD! All of Psalm 91 refers to the WORD of GOD! WE possess that Word by taking it and meditating on it (Johsua 1:8 AMPC) until it becomes real to us and we believe it! That is how we TAKE our heritage, or inheritance, of the WORD. When we do that, everything else in our lives will fall into the proper place that HE has planned and purposed for us. I know that I have shared this song recently, but it is one of my favorites and it fits with this post! "Brooke Ligertwood" with Like Incense -  Sometimes By Step":

Love and Shalom from the Swoveys!

Hi Brian!

The word for this week is "enough". We used it once before (10 years ago!) from the Old Testament. This time we will be looking at the New Testament. Matthew 10:24-25a:

24 The disciple is not above his master, nor the servant above his lord. 25 It is enough for the disciple that he be as his master, and the servant as his lord. KJV

This is the Greek word "arketos". Strong's Concordance says: satisfactory. Thayer's Greek Lexicon says: Sufficient. Vine's Expository Dictionary says: Suffice. The thought in this verse is that God desires for us to get to know Him by spending time in the Word and in fellowship with Holy Spirit so that we can be like Him! The Amplified Bible says this in Ephesians 5:1:

1 THEREFORE BE imitators of God [copy Him and follow His example], as well-beloved children [imitate their father]. AMP

The really powerful TRUTH about this is that we don't have to TRY to 'imitate' Him, as we continue to grow up in the Word, we DO become LIKE Him! Others see it and it is 'enough'! It is exactly what HE expects of us and delights in! Now for something else that is POWERFULLY "ENOUGH", here is Brooke Ligertwood from her new album with "Calvary Is Enough"! 

Love and Shalom from the Swoveys!

Hi Brian!

For this week I want to share Charles Spurgeon's devotional from my PC Study Bible! I LOVE this and the Scripture  made me think of you!

"A man greatly beloved." — Daniel 10:11

Child of God, do you hesitate to appropriate this title? Ah! has your unbelief made you forget that you are greatly beloved too? Must you not have been greatly beloved, to have been bought with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot? When God smote His only begotten Son for you, what was this but being greatly beloved? You were called by grace and led to a Saviour, and made a child of God and an heir of heaven. All this proves, does it not, a very great and superabounding love? Since that time, whether your path has been rough with troubles, or smooth with mercies, it has been full of proofs that you are a man greatly beloved. If the Lord has chastened you, yet not in anger; if He has made you poor, yet in grace you have been rich. The more unworthy you feel yourself to be, the more evidence have you that nothing but unspeakable love could have led the Lord Jesus to save such a soul as yours. The more demerit you feel, the clearer is the display of the abounding love of God in having chosen you, and called you, and made you an heir of bliss. Now, if there be such love between God and us let us live in the influence and sweetness of it, and use the privilege of our position. Do not let us approach our Lord as though we were strangers, or as though He were unwilling to hear us—for we are greatly beloved by our loving Father. "He that spared not His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?" Come boldly, O believer, for despite the whisperings of Satan and the doubtings of thine own heart, thou art greatly beloved. Meditate on the exceeding greatness and faithfulness of divine love this evening, and so go to thy bed in peace.

YOU are a man greatly beloved!!! First of all by GOD, and then by family, friends, acquaintences and US! From the first time that we met you, and I saw the peace, joy and confidence returned to my precious Goddaughter's face, you became beloved! I hope that you have never felt unworthy, as he says above, or doubted the Father's extreme LOVE for YOU! Here is an older song from Hillsong UNITED that could be you singing to God or Him singing to you! "Deepy Loved":

Love and Shalom from the Swoveys!

Hi Brian!

The word for this week is "incense". We'll be looking at two portions of Scripture for this one. First Luke 1:9-12:

9 According to the custom of the priest's office, his lot was to burn incense when he went into the temple of the Lord. 10 And the whole multitude of the people were praying without at the time of incense. 11 And there appeared unto him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of the altar of incense. 12 And when Zacharias saw him, he was troubled, and fear fell upon him. KJV

This one is the Greek word "thumiama". Strong's Concordance says: an aroma, i.e. fragrant powder burnt in religious service. Thayer's Greek Lexicon is similar: an aromatic substance burnt. Vine's Expository Dictionary says: denotes "fragrant stuff for burning, incense". In connection with the tabernacle, the "incense" was to be prepared from stacte, onycha, and galbanum, with pure francincense, an equal weight of each; imitation for private use was forbidden. This was done all through the Old Testament and under the Old Covenant. It was part of their worship to the Lord. This was Zacharias' job when the angel of the Lord appeared to Him. The other verse we'll look at is Psalm 141:2:

2 Let my prayer be set forth before thee as incense; and the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice. KJV

This is the Hebrew word "qetoreth". Strong's Concordance says: (sweet) incense, perfume. Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon says: incense, smoke, the sweet smoke of sacrifice, perfume. David desired that his prayer and worship would be as precious and wonderful to the Lord as the sweet smelling incense. That IS what our prayer and worship is to Him now! Nothing external means as much to Him as what He receives from our hearts when we spend time in His presence. Even our momentary words of praise and thanskgiving reach His heart and bring Him joy! Nothing means as much to Him as YOU and the delight He has in your intimate fellowship together! That one on one connection that each one of us has with HIM that is uniquely our own! My prayer is that YOUR times with Him will be more powerful and meaningful than ever as He continues to lead, guide and direct you through this beautiful life and beautiful family that He has given you! Here is one of my very favorite songs by Hillsong called "Like Incense: Sometimes By Step". I am also very excited for the upcoming release of Brooke Ligertwood's "Eight" which will include this song again! 

Love and Shalom from the Swoveys!

Hi Brian!

The word for this week is "joint-heirs". We find it in these verses in the New Testament:

Romans8:16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: 17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together. KJV

This is the Greek word "sugkleronomos". Strong's Concordance says: co-heir, participant in common. Thayer's Greek Lexicon says: a fellow-heir. Vine's Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words says: co-inheritor with.  This REALLY is the best way to spend this time waiting and looking for HIS RETURN! The Amplified Bible says this:

 For as many as are being constantly led by God's Spirit, these are sons of God. For you did not receive a spirit of slavery again with resulting fear, but you received the Spirit who places you as adult sons, by whom we cry out with deep emotion, Abba, [namely] Father. The Spirit himself is constantly bearing joint-testimony with our [human] spirit that we are God's children, and since children, also heirs; on the one hand, heirs of God, on the other, joint-heirs with Christ, provided that we are suffering with Him in order that we also may be glorified together, for I have come to a reasoned conclusion that the sufferings of the present season are of no weight in comparison to the glory which is about to be revealed upon us.

Here is Hillsong with "Desert Song":

Love and Shalom from the Swoveys!

Hi Brian!

The word for this week is "refreshing". We find this verse in the Old Testament in Isaiah 28:12.

Isaiah 28:12 To whom he said, This is the rest wherewith ye may cause the weary to rest; and this is the refreshing: yet they would not hear.  KJV

This is the Hebrew word "Marge`ah". Strong's Concordance says: rest. Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon says: rest, repose, place to rest. The Theological Word Book says: resting place. The next verse where we find "refreshing' is in Acts 3:19:

19 Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord; KJV

This is the Greek word "anapsuxis": Strong's Concordance says: a recovery of breath, revival. Thayer's Greek Lexicon says: a cooling, refreshing. Vine's Expository Dictionary says: obtaining relief. The Theological Dictionary of the New Testament says: to refresh, to relieve, to strengthen. I wanted to share this with you this week because you and Kristine put so much of yourselves in everything you do, especially for your family! I have been seeking the Lord about how to better pray for you and this word came up. So, I am praying that you will receive this powerful and very needful "refreshing" supernaturally from HIM as you continue to follow where He leads you! Especially during your family vacation coming up! May this be your very best, most fun, most relaxing, most fulfilling time together that you have ever had and may Holy Spirit fill you to overflowing with fresh life, new ideas, great encouragement, peace, joy and LOVE! Here is another song I like by Hillsong UNITED called "All This Future":

Love and Shalom from the Swoveys!

Hi Brian!

This week I have been thinking about Psalm 150.

1 Praise ye the Lord. Praise God in his sanctuary: praise him in the firmament of his power.
2 Praise him for his mighty acts: praise him according to his excellent greatness.
3 Praise him with the sound of the trumpet: praise him with the psaltery and harp.
4 Praise him with the timbrel and dance: praise him with stringed instruments and organs.
5 Praise him upon the loud cymbals: praise him upon the high sounding cymbals.
6 Let every thing that hath breath praise the Lord. Praise ye the Lord.

There are so many ways to bring praise to the Lord! Of course it begins in the heart and then is expressed in ways that vary from each individual. I do not play an instrument, but I can clap my hands. I do not have a great singing voice, but I can bring a great 'joyful noise'! As I was meditating on this I started doing word studies of the various instruments found just in this Psalm. In verse 3 the Hebrew word for 'psaltery' is "nebel". Strongs Concordance mentions a lyre. Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon mentions a harp, lute, and guitar! Then, of course, we have stringed instruments in verse 4! So you are well equipped to bring wonderful praises! I am looking forward to one day, way in the future, hearing you play in Heaven! I also know that I WILL have a wonderful voice there, so we will all make beautiful praises to JESUS! Just something wonderful to look forward to! Have a great week! Here is another of my favorite songs! Brooke Ligertwood with "Fear Of God":

Love and Shalom from the Swoveys!

Hi Brian!

The word for this week is "worshipper". We find it in John 4:21-23:

John 4:21 Jesus saith unto her, Woman, believe me, the hour cometh, when ye shall neither in this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem, worship the Father. 22 Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship: for salvation is of the Jews. 23 But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. 24 God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth. KJV

This is the Greek word "proskunetes. Strong's Concordance says: an adorer. This word comes from the Greek word for 'worship' found in this and the other three verses, which is "proskuneo". Strong's Concordance says: to fawn or crouch, i.e. prostrate oneself in homage (do reverence to). Thayer's Greek Lexicon says: of homage shown to men of superior rank; of homage rendered to God and the ascended Christ. Vine's Expository Dictionary says: to make obeisance, do reverence to. I think that one of the saddest things to see is when those who don't yet know the One, True God are paying homage and giving reverence to objects of creation and not the Creator! I even think of those prophets of baal who spent the whole day dancing and reverencing their dead idol, even to cutting themselves to try to get their 'god' to answer. When all the time the real GOD, who made them, was right there for them to turn to! I am SO very thankful that HE caused my friends to share the Gospel with me and then HE made it clear and real to me that they were telling me the TRUTH! Now I am a true 'worshipper', woshipping HIM in spirit, by the Holy Spirit in me, and TRUTH by His Word! I believe that I am THE most blessed person! My prayer for you and your beautiful family is that HE will reveal HIMSELF to you all more and more every day and that your intimate worship of HIM and fellowship with HIM will be sweeter every day! Here is another favorite somg of mine from Hillsong UNITED called "Clean":

Love and Shalom from the Swoveys!

Hi Brian!

I apologize for not having the blog up yet for this week! I simply lost track of what day it was! I usually begin working on it on Sunday and then add to it and post on Monday because you always use to read it on Tuesday. We got home from our grandsons' football game last night and I didn't think of it. I will be posting it later today! 

Hi again Brian! 

I have been thinking about you and Kristine a lot this past week as we began the adventure of having two high school football players in our grandsons, a granddaughter who plays high school soccer and basketball and another granddaughter who excels in music. (We have yet to hear her play publicly because her competitions have only been before judges as this point). As I was thinking of all the juggling that you have to do to make sure that each of your daughters has the best possible opportunities to excel, I was reminded of a song by Michael W. Smith called "Secret Ambition". If you're not familiar with it, he speaks of Jesus as a "Paragon". The dictionary definition of "paragon' is:  a model of excellence or perfection. Jesus was exactly that, pleasing some and scaring others! I have shared with you many times how the Lord has shown me that your family has reached SO many people, ministering to them of God's LIFE, LOVE, CARE and ATTENTION, most likely without even mentioning HIM specifically. It is just who you are and how you live! So now you have become an example for us! Our part as grandparents is much smaller than yours, but we have learned how to pray more specifically, encourage, love, appreciate, attend and celebrate them. Thank you for your excellent examples! You and Kristine are PARAGONS of support and encouragement! Here is Michael W. Smith with that song! We love and appreciate you both so much, and your lovely ladies. It has been SO fun to see them again! On a side note, it won't be long before I am the shortest one of us all again!  :)

Young man up on the hillside

Teaching new ways

Each word winning them over

Each heart a kindled flame

Old men watch from the outside

Guarding their prey

Threatened by the voice of the paragon

Leading their lambs away

Leading them far away

Nobody knew His secret ambition

Nobody knew His claim to fame

He broke the old rules steeped in tradition

He tore the holy veil away

Questioning those in powerful position

Running to those who called His name

But nobody knew His secret ambition

Was to give His life away

His rage shaking the temple

His word to the wise

His hand healing on the seventh day

His love wearing no disguise

Some say, "Death to the radical

He's way out of line."

Some say, "Praise be the miracle

God sends a blessed sign.

A blessed sign for troubled times."

Nobody knew His secret ambition

Nobody knew His claim to fame

He broke the old rules steeped in tradition

He tore the holy veil away

Questioning those in powerful position

Running to those who called His name

But nobody knew His secret ambition

Was to give His life away

Love and Shalom from the Swoveys! 

Hi Brian!

This week I wanted to share this from Rick Renner's "Sparkling Gems From The Greek" Volume One.

Never Forget To Look At the Children!

One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity. — 1 Timothy 3:4

Once while traveling on an airplane, I sat next to a lady who had taught public school for thirty-five years. I asked her, “What can you tell about a family by the way a child behaves in school?”

She answered, “Everything! I can usually tell by the way a child acts if his or her home is peaceful or tormented; if the parents pay attention to their kids or ignore them; and if the father and mother have a good relationship. Almost everything can be determined by watching a child’s behavior. It’s usually a mirror of what’s happening at home.”

Of course, I know there are unique situations in which parents do everything right in raising their child, yet the child still becomes indifferent toward God and develops a rebellious and disrespectful attitude toward others. But often rebellious children are a symptom of a deeper problem in the family. If only one of the children in a family is rebellious and unmanageable, you might be able to dismiss the situation as a freak development or an attack of the devil. But if every child exhibits the same disturbing behavioral problems, you can surmise that something is not right in that home.

Paul considered the condition of the home so important that he wrote that a leader must have “…his children in subjection with all gravity” (1 Timothy 3:4). This is important to understand, because what happens in a person’s home is usually the true picture about what kind of leader he is going to be. So when I personally look for new leaders or for people who will represent me and my ministry, I look at their children to see if they are respectful and understand authority. If the children aren’t being taught this at home, it may be a sign that this parent doesn’t value the things I count as important.

But what age of children are we talking about? The word “children” that Paul uses in First Timothy 3:4 is the Greek word tekna, the word used to describe children who are still under parental guidance at home. After a child grows into a young adult and leaves home, the parent is no longer responsible; however, as long as the child remains at home and under the authority of his or her parents, those parents have a God-given parental responsibility to teach that child how to live and how to act toward others.

Paul says in this verse that a leader’s children should have “gravity.” The word “gravity” is the Greek word semnotes. It presents the idea of a person who carries himself with dignity and treats other people with courtesy and respect.

Through the years, I’ve learned that the way a person’s children speak to each other and to others outside the home is very revealing about what’s really happening behind closed doors in that home. As noted above, children usually mirror the true situation in a home. In other words, how they speak, carry themselves, and treat others usually reflects the quality of relationships in their home.

If parents are constantly arguing and screaming at each other until it has become a pattern and a way of life, the children will usually speak to each other exactly the same way in that home. When siblings engage in chronic patterns of strife, name-calling, and mutual accusation, these destructive patterns probably exist in their parents’ marital relationship as well. Children repeat what they see their parents do.

I’ll never forget the time I was called upon to mediate a very difficult situation between a husband and wife whose marital problems could no longer be hidden. On the surface, they always smiled and acted deeply in love. However, the behavior of their children let me know that serious problems existed in that marital relationship.

Those kids frequently told each other:

“I hate you!”

“I wish you were dead!”

“I can’t stand you!”

“I’ll be so glad when you grow up and move out of this house!”

“I think you stink!”

It was very revealing to me that the children spoke so freely to each other like this and that no one at home stopped it. It told me that it was probably the kind of language spoken by everyone in the home — including Dad and Mom.

Then the true story came to light, and the facade of marital bliss this couple tried to project was removed. The truth was that this husband and wife fought like cats and dogs. He yelled and she screamed; he threatened and she threw objects. That house had been filled with strife, discord, quarreling, and squabbling for many years. This long-term destructive behavior was exactly what those kids mirrored in their own behavior and conversations with each other.

If a home is filled with love, respect, and teamwork, this is also evident in the way the children conduct themselves. For instance, just recently a leader and his family came to our home for dinner. I watched that leader’s children interact with each other all evening while they were at our home. By watching those children, I knew exactly what I needed to know about this family. Those children possessed a respect and courtesy for each other and for other people that had been passed down to them by their parents’ example.

When children are disrespectful toward authority and resentful when they’re asked to do something they think is too low for them to do, it usually means they come from a home where a servant mentality is nonexistent. If their parents were true servants, their children would reflect that servant mentality themselves. Leaders who are servants most often have children who are servants.

So if you’re looking for someone to serve in your church or to hire for a job, never forget to take a good look at the potential candidate’s children. If you see a house full of children who are content to sit and watch other people work, be careful. You may be inviting someone who lacks a servant’s heart into your team of leaders. Certainly there are exceptions to the rule, but you will most often find that what you see in the children is what you’ll experience with the parent as well.

I am certain this Sparkling Gem has raised questions for you. My prayer is that it raises a warning flag to make you think twice about your own children and to cause you to move more slowly when choosing a leader who has disrespectful children. I’m NOT saying that a potential leader whose children are rude and disorderly can’t be used. But you should enter that relationship with both eyes wide open.

If your own children are disrespectful toward each other and toward authority, maybe you need to ask the Lord to help you analyze the real situation in your life and your home so He can show you what is out of order. Then once He reveals it to you, determine to start taking the proper steps to put things in good shape!

My Prayer for Today

Lord, thank You for speaking to me through today’s Sparkling Gem. I ask You to help me truthfully evaluate the situation in my life and honestly analyze how I am doing at rearing my children. It is difficult for me to be honest with myself about my performance as a parent, so I need You to give me the grace to see the truth as You see it. After You show me where I have erred, please quickly teach me how to bring correction into the situation. I am willing to be corrected, and I am waiting for You to help me clearly see the situation. I determine this day to do whatever is required to put my home in good working order.

I pray this in Jesus’ name!

My Confession for Today

I confess that I am growing and developing as a parent. My parental skills are getting better and better all the time. My home is filled with love; my children speak with kindness and respect; and I am rearing them to be godly leaders for the next generation. With God’s Word as my guide and the Holy Spirit as my Teacher, I am leading my family in a way that pleases God and that is an example to others.

I declare this by faith in Jesus’ name!

I thought of you and Kristine and your girls when I read this! I'm sure they have their moments of just being kids, but what I have witnessed in your family is so much love, encouragement, respect, sharing, giving, appreciating, comforting, supporting and challenging! That last being essential in becoming the best at whatever they may choose to do! You both have done SO well in raising these bright, precious, energetic, talented, loving and giving and competitive young ladies! They all have a very bright future because of what you as parents have instilled in them! They are a joy to be around and we appreciate you all so much! Here are Hillsong Kids with "This Is Living Now":

Love and Shalom from the Swoveys! 

Hi Brian!

This week I want to share Joseph Prince's "Daily Grace" devotional! 

Selah Moments

LORD, how they have increased who trouble me! Many are they who rise up against me. Many are they who say of me, “There is no help for him in God.” Selah But You, O LORD, are a shield for me, My glory and the One who lifts up my head. Psalm 3:1–3

As you read what happened to David as he cried out to God in the verses above, notice the selah in the psalm. You will find such “selah moments” throughout David’s psalms. That means David paused . . . and listened.

In those moments, David turned his eyes from his troubles and looked to his God. In those moments, I believe he remembered afresh that he did not have to fight his battles because the Lord of hosts fought for him (1 Samuel 17:45–47). He remembered afresh the God who had delivered him from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear, the God who overcame Goliath without sword or spear. And as he looked to the Lord, he strengthened himself in the Lord (1 Samuel. 30:6), and that’s when things started to change.

Change came when he shifted his focus away from his painful and dire circumstances and allowed himself to be absorbed instead in the grace of the Lord, when he paused and tuned in to what the Lord was encouraging him with on the inside. I believe that in those few moments of meditating on God’s goodness and mercy, he heard the Lord say to him, “David, why are you worried about all these people coming against you? I am your shield. I am the glory and the lifter of your head.” That was what brought about David’s turning point in the situation. God’s comfort came to David as he chose to selah.

Does it seem like your enemies have increased and many are rising up against you? Have you been getting one bad report after another from the doctor? Maybe they have found a lot more to be concerned about than you were previously aware of. And now your heart is heavy because it feels like maybe even God can’t help you.

At times like this, do what David did. Selah. Pause and choose to run to the Lord in the presence of your enemies.

When David came back to the psalm, his enemies were still there. But he could rise up and declare, “But You, O LORD, are a shield for me, my glory and the One who lifts up my head.”

In your selah moments with the Lord, you will find your turning point and victory. Don’t remain discouraged. Don’t run away from Him. Run to Him and worship Him.

This was such a blessing to me! I am SO not a "people person"! I love being with my family, your family, Nick and Nathalie's family and my church family. Being around other people, not so much! Knowing that I have the right and the freedom to run right into the presence of the LORD gives me such an awarenesss of God's great peace and of His LOVE! In order to have needs met, prayers answered and the peace that passes our understanding, I know that I must have some "me time" that involves being in HIS presence and really listening and learning! Being able to stand on the Word for your family and friends builds such confidence to be able to pray for others that HE brings into our lives! You and your beautiful family have affected so many people that you don't even yet realize! I forsee more and more people being affected strongly by your steadfastness, your joy, your Wisdom and understanding, your willingness to help others and your hard work and integrity. Spending time in the "secret place" of HIS presence prepares us for anything and everything to come! Praying for you all every day! Here is Hillsong with "Song For His Presence":

Love and Shalom from the Swoveys!

Hi Brian!

This week I want to share again from Charles Spurgeon's devotional!

"Him that cometh to Me I will in no wise cast out." — John 6:37

No limit is set to the duration of this promise. It does not merely say, "I will not cast out a sinner at his first coming," but, "I will in no wise cast out." The original reads, "I will not, not cast out," or "I will never, never cast out." The text means, that Christ will not at first reject a believer; and that as He will not do it at first, so He will not to the last.

But suppose the believer sins after coming? "If any man sin we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous." But suppose that believers backslide? "I will heal their backsliding, I will love them freely: for Mine anger is turned away from him." But believers may fall under temptation! "God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it." But the believer may fall into sin as David did! Yes, but He will "Purge them with hyssop, and they shall be clean; He will wash them and they shall be whiter than snow"; "From all their iniquities will I cleanse them."

"Once in Christ, in Christ for ever,
Nothing from His love can sever." "I give unto My sheep," saith He, "eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of My hand." What sayest thou to this, O trembling feeble mind? Is not this a precious mercy, that coming to Christ, thou dost not come to One who will treat thee well for a little while, and then send thee about thy business, but He will receive thee and make thee His bride, and thou shalt be His for ever? Receive no longer the spirit of bondage again to fear, but the spirit of adoption whereby thou shalt cry, Abba, Father! Oh! the grace of these words: "I will in no wise cast out."

Once we have received JESUS as LORD and personal SAVIOUR, we need NEVER be afraid to be REALLY REAL with Holy Spirit! He KNOWS all about each of us anyway, so it does absolutely no good to try to hide from HIM! Be REAL! Be HONEST! Be attentive to His Word and you will NEVER lack the WISDOM that comes from GOD alone! Here is Hillsong with "Sure Thing":

Love and Shalom from the Swoveys!

Hi Brian!

This week I want to share this devotional for today by Charles Spurgeon again. 

The blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin." — 1 John 1:7

"Cleanseth," says the text—not "shall cleanse." There are multitudes who think that as a dying hope they may look forward to pardon. Oh! how infinitely better to have cleansing now than to depend on the bare possibility of forgiveness when I come to die. Some imagine that a sense of pardon is an attainment only obtainable after many years of Christian experience. But forgiveness of sin is a present thing—a privilege for this day, a joy for this very hour. The moment a sinner trusts Jesus he is fully forgiven. The text, being written in the present tense, also indicates continuance; it was "cleanseth" yesterday, it is "cleanseth" to-day, it will be "cleanseth" tomorrow: it will be always so with you, Christian, until you cross the river; every hour you may come to this fountain, for it cleanseth still. Notice, likewise, the completeness of the cleansing, "The blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin"—not only from sin, but "from all sin." Reader, I cannot tell you the exceeding sweetness of this word, but I pray God the Holy Ghost to give you a taste of it. Manifold are our sins against God. Whether the bill be little or great, the same receipt can discharge one as the other. The blood of Jesus Christ is as blessed and divine a payment for the transgressions of blaspheming Peter as for the shortcomings of loving John; our iniquity is gone, all gone at once, and all gone for ever. Blessed completeness! What a sweet theme to dwell upon as one gives himself to sleep.

"Sins against a holy God;
Sins against His righteous laws;
Sins against His love, His blood;
Sins against His name and cause;
Sins immense as is the sea-
From them all He cleanseth me."

We all 'miss it' now and then and 1 John 1:9 is our promise!

1 John 1:9 If we [freely] admit that we have sinned and confess our sins, He is faithful and just (true to His own nature and promises) and will forgive our sins [dismiss our lawlessness] and [continuously] cleanse us from all unrighteousness [everything not in conformity to His will in purpose, thought, and action]. AMP

The word 'confess' here is the Greek word "homologeo". Strong's Concordance says: to assent, to acknowledge. Vine's Expository Dictionary says: to speak the same thing, to admit. So, all we must do is to acknowedge the sin and then receive the guaranteed forgiveness! That way we are able to stay in intimate fellowship with HIM at all times! Here is Hillsong with "You Saw Me":

Love and Shalom from the Swoveys!

Hi Brian!

Today's "My Utmost For His Highest" devotional by Oswald Chambers is an interesting one!

The Notion Of Divine Control

How much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask Him? — Matthew 7:11

Jesus is laying down rules of conduct for those who have His Spirit. By the simple argument of these verses He urges us to keep our minds filled with the notion of God’s control behind everything, which means that the disciple must maintain an attitude of perfect trust and an eagerness to ask and to seek.

Notion your mind with the idea that God is there. If once the mind is notioned along that line, then when you are in difficulties it is as easy as breathing to remember — Why, my Father knows all about it! It is not an effort, it comes naturally when perplexities press. Before, you used to go to this person and that, but now the notion of the Divine control is forming so powerfully in you that you go to God about it. Jesus is laying down the rules of conduct for those who have His Spirit, and it works on this principle — God is my Father, He loves me, I shall never think of anything He will forget, why should I worry?

There are times, says Jesus, when God cannot lift the darkness from you, but trust Him. God will appear like an unkind friend, but He is not; He will appear like an unnatural Father, but He is not; He will appear like an unjust judge, but He is not. Keep the notion of the mind of God behind all things strong and growing. Nothing happens in any particular unless God’s will is behind it, therefore you can rest in perfect confidence in Him. Prayer is not only asking, but an attitude of mind which produces the atmosphere in which asking is perfectly natural. “Ask, and it shall be given you.”

I love this reminder! There is nothing that can ever come against us that JESUS didn't already know about, AND have the answer to and the way out of! When we get it firmly in our hearts (spirit, soul and body) that our GOD is ALWAYS FOR us, nothing will ever be able to shake us from our faith and confidence IN HIM! We also have this powerful promise in Romans 8:28:

We are assured and know that [God being a partner in their labor] all things work together and are [fitting into a plan] for good to and for those who love God and are called according to [His] design and purpose. AMP

No matter how things APPEAR to be, when we stand on the promises in His Word, things change! His Word is unchangeable! TRUTH is unchangeable, but 'facts' are ALWAYS subject to change when the Word of God is applied, stood upon and celebrated! Here is an older song from Hillsong called "God Is Great":

Love and Shalom fom the Swoveys!

Hi Brian!

I was reading Charles Spureon's Evening Devotional and wanted to share this with you! 

"And God divided the light from the darkness." — Genesis 1:4

A believer has two principles at work within him. In his natural estate he was subject to one principle only, which was darkness; now light has entered, and the two principles disagree. Mark the apostle Paul's words in the seventh chapter of Romans:

 "I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me. For I delight in the law of God after the inward man: but I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin, which is in my members."

 How is this state of things occasioned? 

"The Lord divided the light from the darkness." 

Darkness, by itself, is quiet and undisturbed, but when the Lord sends in light, there is a conflict, for the one is in opposition to the other: a conflict which will never cease till the believer is altogether light in the Lord. If there be a division within the individual Christian, there is certain to be a division without. So soon as the Lord gives to any man light, he proceeds to separate himself from the darkness around; he secedes from a merely worldly religion of outward ceremonial, for nothing short of the gospel of Christ will now satisfy him, and he withdraws himself from worldly society and frivolous amusements, and seeks the company of the saints, for 

"We know we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren." 

The light gathers to itself, and the darkness to itself. What God has divided, let us never try to unite, but as Christ went without the camp, bearing His reproach, so let us come out from the ungodly, and be a peculiar people. He was holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners; and, as He was, so we are to be nonconformists to the world, dissenting from all sin, and distinguished from the rest of mankind by our likeness to our Master.

There IS a point to be made here for separating from the DEEDS of darkness, but if/when the believer separates himself FROM the world, then where will his 'ministry' ever manifest and bear fruit? After all, every believer has been called into the full time "Ministry of Reconciliation"(2 Corinthians 5:18)! That is, telling the world of their need for a Saviour, and then introducing them to JESUS! No, JESUS said THIS to the Father in John 17:15-18:

15 I do not ask that You will take them out of the world, but that You will keep and protect them from the evil one. 16 They are not of the world (worldly, belonging to the world), [just] as I am not of the world. 17 Sanctify them [purify, consecrate, separate them for Yourself, make them holy] by the Truth; Your Word is Truth. 18 Just as You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world. AMP

The world is where we are needed. And NOT just from a pulpit or "preaching" on a street corner, although IF Holy Spirit directs you to, then there is great reward in your obedience! BUT, we have found that MOST of the time people will listen to people they know, trust and are familiar with, such as co-workers, classmates, and friends. Your life shines through all that you all do and the way you carry yourselves and CARE! Your love, respect, care, hard work, discipline, commitment and PRESENCE is what reaches the heart of people to where they desire to know what makes YOU, YOU! You all do it so well! Through your place IN THIS WORLD! Role models!!! We love you all so much! Here are Hillsong Kids with "Never Walk Alone":

Love and Shalom from the Swoveys!

Hi Brian!

I received so much in today's website devotional from Joseph Prince!  This should be our attitude and action in every 'battle', not jkust for health and healing, but every time the enemy TRIES to attack! We are operating, always, from that place of strength and victory! 

Do Not Fear

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; my cup runs over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life. Psalm 23:4–6

Even if you are walking through a dark valley and the shadow of death looms over you, keep speaking the promises of Psalm 23:4–6 over yourself. Know that you do not have to fear, for the Lord is with you.

Notice that the Lord prepares a table before you in the presence (not in the absence) of your enemies. The apostle Paul referred to the holy Communion as “the Lord’s table” (1 Corinthians 10:21).

That means even when the symptoms are in your body, and even when the pain is there, the Lord wants you to come to His table and eat. By partaking of the holy Communion, you eat and receive of all that our Lord Jesus has done for you on the cross. His body was broken so that yours might be whole.

It is human nature to feast and celebrate only after we see that our problems have been solved and our enemies eradicated. But that’s not what God wants you to do. He loves you so much, and right now He says to you, “Rest. Sit down. Eat. For I will fight your battle. I will defeat your enemies!”

As you eat at His table, see yourself getting supernaturally stronger. See the tumor shriveling up. See His health flowing into your body.

Don’t be afraid of your enemies. They might be all around you, but you can eat from the Lord’s Table with joy, knowing that surely, goodness and mercy and His unfailing love follow after you all the days of your life! If you look up the Hebrew word for follow in Psalm 23:6, you will see that it is radaph, which means “to chase, hunt, or pursue.”

See your Daddy God’s goodness and love chasing you down wherever you go. Even if you have to undergo surgery, chemotherapy, or an organ transplant, He is right there with you. In the operating theater, He is there. In the intensive care unit, He is there.

Do not fear—He is with you, and your enemies have no power over you!

AMEN!!! Here is Hillsong with "At The Cross":

Love and Shalom from the Swoveys!