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!