Monday, October 20, 2008

Hey bloggers,

Happy Monday! Great weekend at CITN...I'd like to hear your feedback from both Saturday and Sunday...

And here's a little more from Paul's revelation as interpreted in The Message (Philippians 4:4-9)


4-5. Celebrate God all day, every day. I mean, revel in him! Make it as clear as you can to all you meet that you're on their side, working with them and not against them. Help them see that the Master is about to arrive. He could show up any minute!

6-7. Don't fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God's wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It's wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life.

8-9. Summing it all up, friends, I'd say you'll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious—the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse. Put into practice what you learned from me, what you heard and saw and realized. Do that, and God, who makes everything work together, will work you into his most excellent harmonies.

38 comments:

Larry Usher said...

Great pics again Bishop!

Meditating on the good, noble, just, lovely is simply NOT optional for the child of God that wants the best! It is a must! To do otherwise is to give place to the adversary/adversarial in this world, and to deny the real "man in the mirror" who is seated WITH God enjoying love, fellowship and all the benefits of sonship.

Enjoyed having my daughter over to spend the day & night. What a blessing to have your child pat the couch next to her and say "Sit Daddy, I want to show you something." Priceless!

Y'all have a blessed good evening and a blessed tomorrow!

Love,

Daddy Larry

word ver: NZZHHESH- "Nazarene's Hair Holds Established Sectarian Honor" (Try THAT on for size!) TeeHee!

Son of Zadok said...

CITN Your on TBN right now, the Kim Clement sermon.

Corn In Egypt !

Son of Zadok said...

And I know some of you don't care, I'm just letting you know. If it were up to me Bishop you'd be on TBN preachin' every week, but whatever. Haha.

Son of Zadok said...

Well it's over. But your grill was up there front and center Bishop. Who am I kidding though right. TBN would ride you out on a rail!

You Heretic!

I kid, because I love.

I guess God will have to raise up a new network. Ah who even knows? I often wonder what direction TBN will take after it passes down to the sons. God can do anything He wants with it I'm sure. God will get His Gospel out into the world in His perfect timing by whatever means He sees fit.

"If believing in a God who is loving enough and powerful enough to save all of His creation makes me a heretic. Sign me up!"

Anonymous said...

My Declaration of Faith
PHILIPPIANS 4:4-23

I will rejoice in the Lord always. Again I say, I will rejoice in Him!
I let my gentleness be made known to all through my actions and not empty words.
The Lord is very near to me. Therefore, I will not allow myself to become nervous or worried. No matter what situation I find myself in, I have a loving heavenly Father who will intervene on my behalf. When I present my prayers and petitions to Him, with thanksgiving, He causes everything to work for my good
The peace of God, which is beyond human understanding, guards my heart and my mind in Christ Jesus.
He hears my every prayer and covers me with a shield. He is willing and well able to care for me. So what do I have to worry about?
My spirit remains in the ascendancy in my life. I stay in complete control over my thought processes. I will think only on those things that are true, noble, right, and pure. Only those things that are admirable and praiseworthy will be allowed to enter my mind. Other things that cross my mind will just have to pass by and keep on going.
I put into practice everything that I have learned, or heard from my teachers whom God has appointed for me.
Throughout all of this, I have the assurance that the God of peace is ever with me.

I greatly rejoice in the Lord because of my Father’s favor. There are many who are concerned about my well-being.
Not that I am in want, but, to the contrary, I know what the secret of being content in any situation I find myself in. I know what to do when I find myself in adverse circumstances and I know what to do when I am living in God’s abundance. I have learned, in any and every circumstance, the secret of facing every situation as a conqueror, whether well fed or hungry, whether having all sufficiency and enough to spare, or not having a dime to my name. The secret is this: I can do all things through the power of Christ that is within me. With His anointing, there isn’t a single circumstance that can hold me down! I am self-sufficient in His sufficiency.

I am wise to share in the process of giving and receiving that God has established in the earth. I faithfully support ministries that are advancing the kingdom in the earth, and every gift that I give is a deposit into my HEAVENLY ACCOUNT.
I do all that I can to ensure that the ministries I support are amply supplied and more. It is my heart’s desire that, through me and others of the same heart, God’s financial blessings will shower over these ministries in so much abundance that they will have no idea what to do with all of the excess. It is desire to see God’s ministers living like true ambassadors of heaven.
When I present my offerings with this heart attitude, they go up before the Lord like a sweet fragrance. This is what makes my offerings acceptable for an abundant return. Because of my persistent and joy-filled generosity, I have God’s Word that He will supply all of my needs according to His riches in glory through Christ Jesus. He sees to it that all my giving returns to me me overflowing with His abundance. In this, I give glory to God, my Father, forevermore! Amen!

THE GRACE OF OUR LORD JESUS BE WITH YOU ALL. AMEN.
THE GRACE OF MY LORD JESUS IS ALWAYS WITH MY SPIRIT.
Destiny

Anonymous said...

Wonderful Monday word on the blog!
Whatever is a good report
Think on these things....YES
I will meditate on that.

I was driving down the road yesterday after church and saw fireworks! Someone had a great display in the middle of the afternoon. God is so GOOD!
Celebrating the Lord's goodness

My insight on the sign for Glory is
In the beginning..GOD SAID
Let there be light...when he said it is the "clap" and then the Glory

Anonymous said...

Good day, Sonshine!

Happy Monday!

Wow... where to begin... the pics...

1). Reminds me of Psalm 127:3,4 The Message Bible says it like this: Don't you see that children are God's best gifts? the fruit of the womb his generous legacy? Like a warrior's fistful of arrows are the children of a vigorous youth. Oh, how blessed are you parents, with your quivers full of children!

At the nexus of the heart, it looks like a butterfly; reminds me of Hebrews 7:12. Also, the word "metaneo".

Water Walker said...

I was searching and I found a link that didn't look as though it was generated from CITN, however it isn't bad, just a little suspicious and maybe someone on staff (Jane or Robyn or Rene) may want to know the origin of this (wiki on CITN).

Here is the link

http://www.aboutus.org/ChurchInTheNow.org

Anonymous said...

I know today's reading from the message was for me.
Thanks Bishop for giving that message.

Anonymous said...

Good morning, thanks so much for the opportunity to be apart of the EACH program, I have volunteered before, but my husband had not. He signed up and now will be a part of the Media team. Thanks for the word yesterday. You are a blessing to me and my family. Have a nice day. Love the picture of the grand baby. Michele

Anonymous said...

Pic 2 - Reminds me of your painting, "PEACE", Bish.

Pic 3 - Reminds me of a tuning fork and musical notes. (like Ps. 19:1 - The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament shows His handiwork.)

Anonymous said...

Saturday was great and it was a great word from Pastor Debye, everytime I hear about the 3 fold cord i get more and more revelation. I have started my first day of answering the phones and it makes me feel so good knowing i am able to give back because i receive so much from being here at CITN.

Now Sunday just blew my mind because it was the best time ever. I was so deeply helped with the explaination of glory and the annointing. I have never really heard it taught that way but it felt right in my spirit. Its like you always have known something but then when you hear it its like what you knew. that may sound crazy but it hard to put that in words. The after worship service was so inspiring that I was singing all the way home and when I made a mistake and threw my purse in our outside dumpster i just knew that same spirit would flow and help was on the way. It was, and with the help of the police and a friend we were able to retreive it and all is well. Thanks for allowing the Spirit to flow through you to us for i received that 100 return.

Unknown said...

More later, but this scripture has preserved or restored my mental health on more than a few occasions!

Anonymous said...

“Your ears shall hear a word behind you.
Saying, ‘THIS IS THE WAY….walk in it…”
Isaiah 30:21

October 20, 2008
Today is The Way…

Dear friends,

Journey to Happiness

The first step on the journey of happiness is to take responsibility for your life. You can never be mentally, emotional or spiritually healthy until you stop letting other people control your actions, thoughts and emotions.

At the same time happiness isn’t found by concentrating all your energy on yourself. Selfishness is a sure path to unhappiness. Happiness is created in learning how to have healthy relationships. It is discovered in accepting that there are rules that make life work, instead of basing right and wrong on your immediate feelings. It is discovered in work that uses your talents. It is ultimately discovered in a relationship with your CREATOR.

Happiness is Forgiveness
And Forgiveness is a process……. Sometimes we think of forgiveness as an all-or-nothing kind of thing, once done, forever done. But forgiveness is most often a process towards Happiness, that we make progress in one step at a time.
Willing is not the same as wanting. We may be willing to forgive, but not want to. Just like Happiness, we may be willing to experience Happiness by forgive, but want not.
The injury done to us may be so painful and fill us with suck a rage that forgiveness just can’t be all-or-nothing. What we can do however, is start. We can start thinking one forgiving thought a day. We can resist one hateful, resentful thought a day. We can continue further by acting out, however small that action may be a forgiving action every day. The process can continue as make a list of all the reasons why not forgiving is hurting us more than it hurts others. It can on as we learn to pray for those we are trying to forgive.

All of a sudden we will that the unattainable HAPPINESS FORGIVENESS has been ACCOMPLISHED. But of coursed it wasn’t all of sudden at all.

Today, My Dear Brothers and Sisters I pray for Courage to begin the journey of HAPPINESS, by processing FORGIVENESS and FAITH TO BELIEVE in it.

HAPPY MONDAY
Love Destiny
BISHOP
Pictures: #1- The heart represent forgiveness and hands Picture #2- recognized the act of forgiveness, take it to the Father, and the Father picture(#3) give us the WHOLE EARTH.

Jesus Groupie said...

I missed Saturday at my son's little league football game and school's annual carnival. Missed Sunday preaching at another church, but between my wife and my mother, I didn't miss too much of Sunday. Hey Ma, I am glad about your purse and it will multiply because of your faithfulness. I love this CITN family because it is a direct reflection of the one true God. I'm smiling right now.

Larry Usher said...

Checking in. Nursing a sore throat today, hard to talk, which is difficult for me! Ha!

SOZ- loved the part about "Sign me up." and the ideas you share!

Anonymous 3:47- read aloud the confessions! Thanks for posting!

Nancy- thanks for the reminder about the Glory and fireworks! Woke up today singing songs about Glory-just naturally sprang up!

Hi Izumi/Joy! Ah, children! What is better?! Always love your interpretations of pics, etc.

Destiny: Loved the following quotes:

You can never be mentally, emotional or spiritually healthy until you stop letting other people control your actions, thoughts and emotions.
Happiness is created in learning how to have healthy relationships. It is discovered in accepting that there are rules that make life work, instead of basing right and wrong on your immediate feelings. It is discovered in work that uses your talents. It is ultimately discovered in a relationship with your CREATOR. Great!

Hey Machion! Sounds like a full weekend! Right back at ya! CITN was certainly abuzz this weekend...God in the house!

Blessings,

Larry

Larry Usher said...

Just thought this was funny!

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) - Down to their last chance, the Tampa Bay Rays left no doubt they were World Series-worthy, after all. The young Rays completed a stunning run to their first pennant, holding off the defending champion Boston Red Sox 3-1 Sunday night behind Matt Garza's masterful pitching in Game 7 of the AL championship series.
The Rays nearly let it slip away when they blew a seven-run lead late in Game 5 and lost meekly Saturday night. But when rookie David Price struck out J.D. Drew with the bases loaded to end the eighth inning, Tampa Bay showed it had plenty of resolve, too.

THE RAYS DROPPED THE "DEVIL" FROM THEIR NAME before the season and came out with a new identity: Gone were the laughable losers who finished last in the AL East in nine of their first 10 seasons, the snowbird specials whose quirky Tropicana Field filled with transplanted Bostonians whenever the Red Sox visited.

David vs Goliath! Hey- drop the "devil" and things turned right around!! LOL!

Question: If Colin Powell were a truck driver what would he be called?

Ans.: Semi-Colin

Barrack' favorite football team:

o...'Bama, I guess.

My bad, my jokes aren't always the best.

One more-

What does a Scotsman and Bonnie & Clyde have in common?

They both got "kilt".

Alright smarty, you think you got game? Then bring it!!! ;)

Bro Lar

word ver: AZSGWSCS- "Alpha and Omega Says God Will Stifle Critics Surely"

Anonymous said...

Accck! I WILL COMMUNICATE AND PREVAIL. (last night, I wrote a looong response & somehow, it got deleted from my screen.) Today, it's been the phone, laundry, etc.

Here's what I wanted to share about Sunday's service.

Loved the scenic drive over to Conyers; was already "there" in the Spirit, before I actually set foot in the tabernacle.

Loved praise and worship. Don't know the name of the song Cindy Stanfield sang - but love in any language - WOW. (there was such peace on her)

Appreciate Pastor Jimmie's psalmist anointing.

Appreciate Pastor Debye's revelation about the 3-fold cord; her gifts of edification and administration.

Appreciate Calvin's revelation about 7x7. (seemed to flow with the topic of veils, Feast of Tabernacles and walking out backwards)

Appreciate P. Scott & Judah's gifts of exhortation.

Love the Word - 2 Cor. 3 - "What remains is much more glorious."

This may sound too far out there, but here's what delayed my response regarding yesterday's teaching.

Amongst other "Godcidences" - as Larry says, I laughed out loud while reading the One Year Bible, New Living Translation. 2 Cor.3:1-18 is offered on Aug. 29th - my youngest daughter's birthday!

Anyway, this statement, "That old system of law, etched in stone, led to death, yet it began with such glory that the people of Israel could not bear to look at Moses' face," reminds me of Jesus being the Rock Who was carved on the mountaintop.

Did Abraham already see the Day Spring forth (John 19:34) in Gen. 22:7? and Psalms 114?

Was Elijah there, too?

Did God's glory remain on the law of condemnation because it fulfills Isaiah 55:11?

From before the beginning of the world, the Word goes out & cannot
return to God void, but must please Him & prosper everywhere
"it" (He - "that holy thing" in Luke 1:35) is sent.

Re: The veil topic reminds me of God's tabernacle and the bride of Christ.

October 20, 2008 4:07 PM

Bishop Jim Swilley said...

Beautiful, Izummi...

Larry, with your jokes there's not just corn in Egypt...it's here in abundance on the blog, too...

Bishop Jim Swilley said...

One too many "m"'s, IzuMi...my bad.

Bishop Jim Swilley said...

And thanks, everyone else...good to hear from you on this quiet Monday...

Ebony said...

Did anyone else see the image of a fetus in the first picture of the fireworks?

Son of Zadok said...

More thoughts from Sunday:

So I told you all how my parents have embraced total reconciliation now, but they are gradually seeing more clearly the significance of what that truth means. They have still been going to the same fundamentalist charismatic church. You know how it is, you build relationships at church. They have visited Paradox, but the praise is pretty much a loud hard rock sound right now and too much for my mom, but they still have been visiting occasionally because the word preached their is so good. Well yesterday at my parents church they kind of went from seeing the "men that looked like trees" to seeing "men themselves". What I'm trying to say is the revelation of the truth really hit them yesterday in a clearer way, hard. At their church they were just railing against homosexuality, an attitude they have felt free to express themselves in the past. I know you've heard the speeches before, raising up the standard against them, take our country back, and the like. Funny how your attitude changes when you realize God really does love us all the same. Then a lady who's sister had died was talking in front of the church, sobbing because her sister never prayed the sinner's prayer and was in most likely in hell. God that poor woman, I should find out who she is and talk to her. Anyway, my parents just sat their the whole time with their spirit screaming out, no, no, no, this is not right!
Well, They also tape CITN now as well using realplayer and as soon as they got home Bishop you were talking about your neighbor and it really, really ministered to them both. They said it was a complete and total God thing. When my mom talked to me, telling me the story, she broke out into tears because of the pain she felt for those in the church who think they are doing God's work, but are really full of judgment and hate. I told her I understood and that I had experienced a similar strong sorrow driving down the road once when I was overcome with grief for the condition of the church and prayed and repented in stead for them.
So we are only one family, but as a case study you can see what's going on in the world today. I just wanted to share that because you were surely in the Spirit yesterday Bishop and the word was right on time.

ver: ytime - Yes, right on time.

I've got more to add to this story, but I'm going to finish it later tonight.

Love you all so much! God bless you .

Son of Zadok said...

That ver word kind of blew me away. I had typed ,right on time, and then scrolled down to put it through and their it was.

Wild..

Larry Usher said...

Yah Izumi- There was just such a cornucopia of blessing/word/worship yesterday! I had forgotten about Calvin's revelation-awesome! God is seen in both His creation and in His creation's creations!

Bishop- A merry heart does good like a medecine! Doth though not perceiveth it? :)
I loved your thing about the fasting yesterday- SO funny!
I remember back as a kid in the Presbyterian church the minister would say "Grant we pray thee...whatever(he didn't say whatever...) and me and my brother would look at each other and just couldn't hardly stifle the laughs! "Grant we pray thee? What the HECK does THAT mean?? A laugh is never so good as when it has to be held in!

Was meditating on the following scripture last night(Phil 2:5) and noticed in The New Int'l Version that it says, "Your attitude should be the SAME AS that of Jesus Christ". And this follows:
Who, being of the very nature of God...whoa, wait right there a minute! "Who being in the very nature God...and we are instructed to have the SAME attitude? hmmmm?
...continuing: , "did not consider equality with God as something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness." How were we made by God? God took a pile of dirt/clay and BREATHED(His Spirit) into the clay and man was formed...taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.
We ARE Spirit beings walking around in clay suits, WITH the likeness and nature of God upon us(Glory).
Going back to verse 2 we see the catalyst: ...then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit but in humility consider others better than yourselves.
Jesus humbled Himself, I think sometimes our flesh is the great humbler and God can use it at a moment's notice to deflate our "baloon" of self-righteousness or arrogance. Thank God He chastens with a loving hand!

Blessings,

Larry

Son of Zadok said...

"A laugh is never so good as when it has to be held in!"

Larry, that's so true.

Ebony, pic 1, I see that now yes.

Anonymous said...

Thanks Bish. (understood what you meant about Colin Powell; I often say nothing)

Correction: Genesis 22:13. Don't know if it's significant, but this reminded me of the anointing (glory) poured from rams' horns.

Whew. All that from one service. Time travel. If it weren't for grace, I'd probably still be outside at the lavers.

(peculiar segue - I saw you walking towards the building, yesterday, CLo. Your shirt reminded me of a maple tree in autumn. In a good way. Not that it had anything to do with worship or anything - Clergy Appreciation month)

Anyway, I love that the anointing was for a specific purpose. Moses "absorbed" the glory of God. Wow...

Don't get me started on the Nicodemus reference. Sooo much to say. (Woohoo!)

And there's really cool (to me, at least) stuff about Peter/Rhoda. (Rebuttal, really).

Bish, LOVED your sentiment about God's GLORY being greater than His kingdom, the difference between a temple and a tabernacle, the Jacob & Esau references, "All" being a controversial word & the truth about the veil being taken away when one turns to the Lord.

Larry - you crack me up.

Ebony, that is so awesome! (Another veil hits the dust.) I also see Hebrews 13:15 & John 12:38 in that same pic.

Glad you can't hear my tummy growling. (God: "Go eat something" - here, it's "sketti night")

Come bless the Lord!
Come bless the Lord!
Oh that men would praise Him!

hugs,

Izoooooomi

Unknown said...

Okay, Larry1:34am, "Sit Daddy, I want to show you something." That was a warm fuzzy God/Us picture too. And reminds me of Friday's "What's Next, Papa?"
I bow to the master of word ver interpretation and admit I smile at your corny jokes!

Soz, cool about your parents. I know it gives you joy--I'm so glad you shared.

Destiny, that's some good stuff at 3:47am!

Nancy, cool Big Bang theory.

Sweet day. I'm still wanting to check out Gen. Powell--hopefully back later.

NTL said...

Hey it's good to be back home again.

Miracles, peace and love to us all.

Teezy313 said...

Good stuff Bishop!

Bishop Jim Swilley said...

Yes, I see it, Ebony...now that you mention it.

Linda Luke said...

Hiya all! Just got in a few minutes ago from a client meeting~been trying to get back here all day! The glory continues~another wonderful word in the now! I am telling you it is so wonderful and true how your world changes when your thinking changes! =)

I've had a wonderful blessed day! I feel that it is so much to do with the power flowing thru the connection here~and Teezy's confirmation word! Thank and thanks again! Our God is greater than great!

It makes you want to go out and be a blessing all the more!

I hope everyone has had a fantastic day as well! In agreement still with all the prayer requests! Love reading and get so much from each persons post! I missed yall today! There truly is an addiction to this place!

I pray and speak blessings, favor, love, peace and joy from the Fathers hand in heaven on each and everyone of you and yours!

Love, love, love and lotsa of it!

Sweet dreams~

Pamela said...

Hi everyone, I finally got time today to post something. First Sat was awesome being a part of each and seeing so many involved. Sunday was great Bishop. It is great that we get it and we are living the "ultimate scenario". But it is even "more awesomer" :) that everyone even those that don't know it yet are saved by his sacrifice, healed by his stripes, and saved by his grace everyday all day long. And it is when we take the veil off ourselves and they see the Christ revealed in us, that they are curious, and wanting what the Holy Ghost is trying to reveal. All we need to do is Love, and they will come to the Lord and will not have to be dragged.
I also wanted to say that I appreciate what you said about Making the sign of the Cross, and others dancing and being different as they come to the alter but they are all relevant and matter. First I wanted to say that I make the sign of the cross not as a former Catholic, but as when I followed Catholicism, I always felt connected only in what I took from that doctrine that Jesus Loved me, was born of the Virgin Mary, loved everyone, suffered and died for me. I always talked to God always thought it did not make sense to use a go between to talk to the father, so I avoided the confessional as much as possible. But, when I make the sign of the cross, I acknowledge I am aware that I am in the presence of Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, and I give them all reverence. I also am acknowledging my covenant with God. Than I took what you said when my Best Friend said to me "I don't have a testimony". I told her she did, and not all testimonies like pieces of art are bold and full of tremendous colors and darkness and light, but hers was quiet and steadfast, because she always knew who and what the Lord meant to her. That she could reach those that my testimony could not. And her testimony was just as sacred and powerful as mine. Love you all, Pamela

Linda Luke said...

hahaha Bro Lar! Enjoy your words!

....in case you still have a sore throat~gargling with warm salty water several times heals it quickly. Blessings~

Erik said...

Hi,

Yes, thinking and meditating on all that is wonderful, excellent, loving and best case. We create our own reality. God says so.

The beauty of God, the Love that infuses, to praise naturally, effortlessly. Yes, it is harmonizing. Finding the best in every thing and every one. That is so often accompanied by seeing it from God’s and their perspective, then, after blending in our own. Ahhhh, it is music to our ears, the voice of angels to our souls. The euphoria of God.

I love the sermon on the mount, it frees us and releases us. We can jump off the cliff of the law into the arms of Love. Choose to go above with The Anointed One, The Wholeness rather than be rolled under by the separatist, inconsiderate law. Spirit over letter. Consciously reveling in The Spirit. Choosing to see the excellence in every one and every thing, God in all. -- Blessed sanity.

----------------------------------------

PS – I do enjoy those who speak with intelligence and sovereignty as Colin Powell does. I had the opportunity to hear him in person, his intelligence is enhanced by his humility and straightforwardness. I believe that is part of the reason he resigned. Praise God he has wisdom he shares (regardless of the candidate any one votes for). Either way, I hope both men seek his counsel.

Erik said...

I want to know what God knows.

Anonymous said...

SOZ - Not sure if I agree laughter let out helps when you watch someone like Rowan Atkinson.

Today is about over and tomorrow's
adventure will soon begin.
So for now good night all my blogger friends.

Anonymous said...

'Night, Laura

'Night, JohnBoy