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!