Hi Brian!

I am having to replace my computer this week, so I will have to miss the blog. Still and always praying for your beautiful family to have the very BEST and MOST BLESSED rest of this year and an even better 2025!

LOVE and SHALOM FROM THE SWOVEYS! 

Hi Brian!

The word for this week is "surrender". It is found in this verse in the Amplified Bible:

Romans 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the Gospel (good news) of Christ, for it is God's power working unto salvation [for deliverance from eternal death] to everyone who believes with a personal trust and a confident surrender and firm reliance, to the Jew first and also to the Greek, 17 For in the Gospel a righteousness which God ascribes is revealed, both springing from faith and leading to faith [disclosed through the way of faith that arouses to more faith]. As it is written, The man who through faith is just and upright shall live and shall live by faith.  [Hab 2:4.]  AMP

This is the Greek word "pisteuo". Strong's Exhaustive Concordance says: to have faith (in, upon), to entrust, to put trust in. The "surrender" here is of our own efforts to rely on His ability. When we have confident trust in God and His Word, it becomes easier and easier to let go of the care of this and allow God to do what only GOD can do! And He WILL! ALWAYS! Here is a song by Brandon Lake and Sarah Reeves called "Lost In Your Love":

Love and Shalom from the Swoveys!

Hi Brian!

The word for this week is "garment". There are a few words translated garment but we will be looking at the word found in Isaiah 61:3.

3 To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he might be glorified. KJV

This is the Hebrew word "ma`ateh". Strong's Concordance says: vestment. Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon says: a wrap, a mantle. This is something to be worn, of course, but the real importance of this particular "garment" is found when we look at verses 1-3 together:

1 The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me; because the Lord hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound; 2 To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn; 3 To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he might be glorified. KJV

Isaiah was saying that the Spirit of the Lord was upon him as Prophet to minister to the people. Under our new and better covenant every born again believer has the Spirit of God within them AND upon them to carry out our Ministry of Reconciliation, sharing JESUS with everyone He leads us to. We are anointed to preach the Gospel,  to comfort people with the Word, to lay hands on the sick for healing, to encourage them in praise and worship so that they, too, can realize the presence of God. And in all of this HE is glorified! I have noticed a shifting in the praise and worship leaders and songs that have been coming out lately. A boldness and an anointing that moves people and draws them into His presence. Miracles have been occurring by people simply pouring their hearts out in worship to the King of kings! I believe that as you (we, all of us) continue in this worship, we will step into a deeper awareness of just Who He is - in us - and who WE are - IN HIM! Here is a song that is very personal in worship by Brandon Lake called "Nothing New":

Love and Shalom from the Swoveys!

Hi Brian!

The word for this week is "amazement". It's found in Acts 3:6-10.

Acts 3:6 Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk. 7 And he took him by the right hand, and lifted him up: and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength. 8 And he leaping up stood, and walked, and entered with them into the temple, walking, and leaping, and praising God. 9 And all the people saw him walking and praising God: 10 And they knew that it was he which sat for alms at the Beautiful gate of the temple: and they were filled with wonder and amazement at that which had happened unto him.  KJV

This is the Greek word: ekstasis. Strong's Concordance says: A displacement of the mind. (Bewilderment; ectasy). Thayer's Greek Lexicon says: universally, in Greek writing, any casting down of a thing from its proper place or state; displacement.  2. a throwing of the mind out of its normal state, alienation of mind.Vine's Expository Dictionary says: to turn inside out, to change entirely. What the people saw when the man at the gate received his healing completely amazed them! 

They had never seen anything like that! I believe that when we BELIEVE, something happens to our physical body and our mind! This IS the time of supernatural manifestations of God's GLORY and HONOR and PRAISE! HE wants to work THROUGH us much more than WE desire it! I really believe that people who see you and your family, with all that you do and how well you all do it, are in 'amazement'! Many times it is not our words that reach people, but our simply living a life that gives God the opportunity and the room to DO GOD things! You DO YOU and GOD does GOD and people are blessed, and AMAZED! Just like in this song by Brandon Lake called "Count 'Em"! 

Love and Shalom from the Swoveys!