Saturday, November 22, 2008

MITN Chapter II





















1. Now when the man Jesus was born as a baby in Bethlehem of Judea during the reign of Herod the king, astrologers from the East came to Jerusalem to inquire about Him. These astrologers, or “Magi” originated from a religious caste among the Persians who were devoted to divination (or the practice of the magic arts) and to the interpretation of dreams. They came from Southern Arabia, where they had long maintained a tradition of Israelite Messianic expectation that had survived in the region since the days of the Queen of Sheba; and this tradition survived alongside their practice of astrology.

2. When they came to Jerusalem, they began to ask around, “Where is He Who has been born King of the Jews? For we have charted His star in the East through our understanding of the zodiac and have come to worship Him.”

3. But when the news about these Arabic magicians got to Herod, it worried him greatly and, in fact, troubled all of Jerusalem with him.

4. So he called together all the people who were experts in the law, and in Messianic prophecy, and asked them where the Messiah was supposed to be born.

5. “In Bethlehem in Judea,” the learned men replied, “for this is what the prophet Micah has written:

6. ‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are not in any way the least among Judah’s rulers: for out of you will come a ruler who will be the Shepherd of my people Israel.’”

7. Then Herod called for a secret meeting with the Magi in an attempt to find out if what they knew from their astrological charts lined up with what the Scriptures had predicted.

8. But these magicians had no knowledge of the prophetic Scriptures, so he said to them, “Go to Bethlehem and make a careful search for the child. As soon as you locate him, report back to me so that I may go and worship Him.”

9. After they conferred with the king, they went on their way and could actually see the star ahead of them. It literally seemed to move, guiding them to Bethlehem until it appeared to stop over the place where the child was.

10. When they saw the star that they had anticipated for so long, they were absolutely overjoyed. Of all the signs and wonders that they had seen and performed, this was different…this was the most spectacular! And this was proof that the heavens really do declare the glory of God, as David had said, and that even those who were not of the seed of Abraham could see it, even without a knowledge of the Scriptures.

11. On entering the house, they saw the child with His mother Mary and instinctively bowed down and worshipped Him. While everyone else in Israel was oblivious, these Persian magicians were the very first to recognize and worship the King! Then they opened their treasures and presented Him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh, providing Him and His family with enough wealth to last a lifetime.

12. Then they were warned in a dream not to go back to see Herod and returned to their country by an alternate route.

13. After the wise men had gone, an angel from the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, “Get up! Hurry and take the child and his mother to Egypt! Stay there until I tell you to return, because Herod is looking for your child and wants to kill him.”

14. That very night, Joseph obediently got up and took his wife and baby boy to Egypt,

15. where they stayed until Herod died. So the prophecy came true, just as the Lord had promised and the prophet had said, “I called my son out of Egypt.”

16. When Herod became aware that the Magi had more or less tricked him, he was furious. He reacted by giving orders for his men to kill all the boys who lived in or near Bethlehem that were two years old and younger. He based his horrible plan on what he had learned from the Eastern magicians.

17. So another prophecy came true, just as the prophet Jeremiah had said:

18. “In Ramah a voice was heard crying and weeping loudly. Rachel was mourning for her children, and she was inconsolable because they were dead.”

19. Finally, after King Herod died, an angel from the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph while he was still in exile in Egypt.

20. The angel said, “Get up now and take the child and his mother back to Israel. The people who wanted to kill him are no threat to you now because they are dead.”

21. So Joseph obediently got up and left with them for Israel.

22. But when he heard that Herod's son Archelaus was now the ruler of Judea, he was afraid to go there. So the angel spoke to him in another dream and told him to go to Galilee.

23. And, as a result, they went to live there in the town of Nazareth. So yet another prophecy was fulfilled in this action, because the prophet had said, “He will be called a Nazarene.”

47 comments:

NTL said...

I'll say this about the prayer walk
that was held on the property, last night/this morning. God was there, and we showed up.

Anon 4:40, Nov 21, the agreement/unity was so awesome.

Good things are on the way, for us all.

There aren't words to describe the service this coming Sunday, I'm just saying...

Miracles, peace and love to us all.

Anonymous said...

I hate that I missed the prayer walk. But I just finished reading chapter 2. I went back and read chapter 1 agian. I love the way you write, it comes alive in my head. Thanks for taking the time to do this for us. All I can say is please don't stop now. Can't wait for the next one. See you Sunday. MUCH LOVE Keith

Erik said...

Passports ---

Often we think of passports as documents that facilitate movement between geo-political nations. A passport is also a spirit, an ability to move freely in The Kingdom, among nations , including geo-political definitions, but also nations that are comprised of subcultures within and across geo-political definitions. These have been referred to before , some examples - nation of arts, nation of finance, nation of government, nation of anarchists, nation of goth, nation of athletes, nation of religious spirits, nation of reconciliation, nation of Islam, nation of Aryans, nation of (fill in the blank). These are within and across geo-political units.

The passport We have (We, being those who choose to have) is an All Access Pass to facilitate movement among all of God’s creation. This enables crossing and engaging with, and becoming part of various ‘countries’ in the natural, and also engaging and imparting to various nations that cross ‘country’ borders. Geo-political units are approaching obsolescence.

The All Access Pass, Super Passport, is printed on living epistles. ( A laminate with pages to be stamped is included for use). Now, what do We choose?

We (those who choose, regardless of background or current affiliation) can move seamlessly between All Nations. The Disciple can relate to the Pharisee, skin pigmentation is irrelevant, straight can commune with gay, Democrat with Republican, Jewish with Muslim, terrorist with freedom fighter, majority (in nation, society, culture) with minority. Spouse with spouse or ex-spouse regardless of history. Borderless freedom with wisdom – wise as a serpent and gentle as a dove.

All that is required is the basic – Love God with all our heart and soul, and of equal importance, Love others as ourselves, or put differently, Love each other as Jesus Loves Us. This is already within us, The Kingdom is even within each of Us.

The All Access Pass is available by choice, the choice to Love first, before being Loved.

For those who choose, be ready to move, travel across boundaries.

See.

Other note re Uganda – The reality there is of health, prosperity, and nutrition.

Anonymous said...

NTL - cool! Agreement/unity like the creation, eagerly awaiting & expecting the revelation of God's sons?

Anon 4:40, 11/21

Anonymous said...

Bish- Love the look of the blog and the Christmas music flowing from it. I love this time of year so much! Also, I love MITN already! The story of Jesus' birth is my favorite. Looking forward to reading more!!

Anonymous said...

Loving MITN, I have over 100 versions of the Bible, and I enjoy all the diversity of translation. MITN is a wonderful paraphrase (all are to some extent) You make the story come alive! I believe it flows very, very well and the directness and choice of adjectives is incredibly exact - taking the peeling off the original to see all the hidden meaning of the story. I would suggest changing "literally" in V10 it sounds repetitive with a strait through read from V9.
My favorite phrase was "While everyone else in Israel was oblivious, these Persian magicians were the very first to recognize and worship the King!" so true today; as SOZ said most have God in a mental box where the truth cannot be seen.

My suggestion for Mark would be MKITN. I'm sure you have already considered it.

Peace,
Dennis

codios

Anonymous said...

1. "They came from Southern Arabia, where they had long maintained a tradition of "Israelite Messianic expectation..."

I like how that's worded.

2. - "For we have charted His star in the East through our understanding"... I appreciate how the Magi navigated their course to worship the Christ child through THEIR understanding.

4. Wonder if God drew a big steam cloud billowing out of Herod's ears, in His cartoon balloon.

Herod's first reaction? Commanded for all the law experts to appear. "Anybody got GPS on this Messiah kid?!"

Herod didn't have prophetic ears; wouldn't hear adult Jesus explain how all the law and prophets hang on two commandments.

Thank you, Bish. This is all too wonderful for me!

Anonymous said...

Bish,
I checked out the ver. word from my last post - codios

on babel fish translator from Spanish to English it came out as....

coGod

which I would take to mean that you Bishop, and God are co-authoring MITN

too cool......

Peace,
Dennis

ver. word
reembr "remember"

Bishop Jim Swilley said...

Yes, NTL...God was definitely there. Right at the last, after all the prophecy came forth, and we made a big circle and worshipped together, it was nearly too much to take...if it hadn't been 30 degrees I would have stayed longer...I couldn't tell if the Spirit was so strong that I was being translated, or my body was just going numb from the cold...either way, it was unforgettable!

Bishop Jim Swilley said...

Thanks, for the encouragement, Kieth...Chpater III will be posted for tomorrow...

Bishop Jim Swilley said...

Good one, Erik...the earth is the Lord's!

Bishop Jim Swilley said...

Amen, A-6:49...

Bishop Jim Swilley said...

Thanks, A-9:50...more is on the way...

Bishop Jim Swilley said...

P. Dennis...thanks for the input...it means a lot coming from another writer, especially one who has spiritual insight...it takes a village...

You're exactly right about the overused adjective...I try not to do that, but once in a while one slips by me...I changed "literally" to "absolutely" in v. 10 (Rene', if you're reading this, please make a note of it)

You're also right about the initials for Mark In The Now...

Thanks...

Anonymous said...

Thanks Men for your fervent prayer at the midnight hour! There is something so special when "just men" come together in agreement!!! May God richly bless you who allowed the Spirit to use you!

Word ver: reign.....need I say more? He reigns, He reigns! Our God reigns!!!

P. Debye

Bishop Jim Swilley said...

Izumi...always love your attnetion to detail...thanks for the support...

Bishop Jim Swilley said...

Also, P. Ernie...I know you're a blurker (you were outed by your significant other), so in case you're reading this I wanted to say that I appreciate your words about Brazil last night/this morning...great confirmation to what had happened earlier in the evening...

NTL said...

We say it doesn't get any better than this, but it's going to. It's going to get better and better, and fuller and fuller, and more and more and...

Anonymous said...

word ver...blessed...

Take it and speak life to whatever needs life spoken to in your life.

Donald said...

Q: How do I know that the sorriest college football team in the nation is the Arkansas Razorbacks (Piney Woods Rooters)?

A: Mississippi State beat them.

tracy said...

My favorite part is where the magicians were the FIRST to worship Him. The ones religion would have then and still do now- cast out- were the FIRST to worship Him. And yes Donald the Razorbacks stink. And Hey DBA long time no hear...

Larry Usher said...

"I always like to start out with something funny, so..." (Spoken to the sound of Joel Osteen's voice}...

Definition of "castrated"
ans: "Bad fishing accident" (Get it? CAST-rated) OK! Let's go! "This is my Bible, I am who it says I am......."

Sorry, couldn't resist!

Last night was deep & unique. Agreement brings power. There was POWER there last night. What I sensed was meekness(power under Holy Ghost control). The vision I got as we layed hands & prayed over Bishop was that he is the head warrior in a flotilla of canoes, with us at his flanks as in a wedge arrangement. We paddled quietly, smoothly and powerfully through the sunbathed, calm waters of unspoken futures and great expectations. Unseen by our natural eyes were enemies in battles yet to come- victories yet to come- all with a peaceful assurance that all is well now and shall be in the future.

Erik- That entry could be a tract!
It is both exhilarating and unnerving to think of a world without borders, isn't it? Unfortunately, the idea of "ownership" rather than "stewardship" maintains a hold on many. It's the constant idea that if I don't collect many days' manna, I may not make it in the future- so we hoard and live in fear of "loss" or lack. It takes courage to live in the world of God's ownership of everything. May God help us all see through His eyes!

Hey NTL- Thanks for the checklist last night! I was warm and cuddly-cozy toasty!

It is interesting that the Lord had 2 Josephs make sojourns to Egypt, both as a result of dreams, both tremendously inconvenienced, each for the salvation of Israel and the manifestation of "The Plan"!

Bro Larry

ps- This picture is Brenda, a 19 yr old orphan who lives with Sylvia, Pastor Ben's sister-in-law. Lovely girl and now a student at university in Kampala. Pray for her!

Larry Usher said...

RIP JFK & JFK, Jr.

Pamela said...

The blog pictures are beautiful. It gave such a blessed and peaceful feeling as the site opened up.

Thank you Men for bearing the cold to pray Friday night. God acknowledges both your prayers and your personal sacrifices.

Have a blessed evening, See you all ITB Sunday.

Pamela

Larry Usher said...

HOLLIDAYSBURG, Pa. (AP) - Betty James, who co-founded the company that made the Slinky and beat the odds as a single mother in the late 1950s to become a successful executive, has died. She was 90.
She died Thursday, said a spokeswoman for the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia.
In 1945, James and her husband at the time, Richard, founded the company that would later make Slinky, the toy for which she was inducted into the Toy Industry Hall of Fame in 2001.
Initially, James would leave her six children with a caregiver from Sunday through Thursday while she oversaw operations in Philadelphia. But in 1965, she moved the company to her hometown of Hollidaysburg, where although it was sold in 1998 to Michigan-based POOF Products Inc., it remains today.
"She was an icon in the community because of that business," Blair County Commissioner Diane Meling said. "What kid didn't grow up with a Slinky?"
Hundreds of millions of Slinkys have been sold worldwide. James explained the classic toy's success in a 1995 interview with The Associated Press.
"I think really it's the simplicity of it," she said. "There's nothing to wind up; it doesn't take batteries. I think also the price helps. More children can play with it than a $40 or $60 toy."
On its Web site, the Hall of Fame praises James for commitment and perseverance that "allowed children the world over the opportunity to relish the ingenuity and pure fun of a Slinky."

Spent HOURS trying to get that darn thing to "walk" down the stairs! Always ended up getting too tangled and we'd have to buy another...planned repeat business! Smart!

word ver DENTIAL- "Denial of dental problems caused by acute fear of the sound of the high-speed dental drill!"

Larry Usher said...

Hi Pam!

word ver: INKED- "The nerd forgot his pocket penholder and "inked" all over himself, causing him to miss his appointed rounds with the Geek Squad.

Anonymous said...

I am woman hear me roar.
So glad Real Women will be indoors.
Just kidding men.
I'm sure many things were released in the atmosphere last night.
Blessings to all who showed up.

3 following the star to the One.
With a trinty blessing.
How cool is that.

Larry Usher said...

VATICAN CITY (Reuters) - The Vatican's newspaper has finally forgiven John Lennon for declaring that the Beatles were more famous than Jesus Christ, calling the remark a "boast" by a young man grappling with sudden fame.
The comment by Lennon to a London newspaper in 1966 infuriated Christians, particularly in the United States, some of whom burned Beatles' albums in huge pyres.
But time apparently heals all wounds.
"The remark by John Lennon, which triggered deep indignation mainly in the United States, after many years sounds only like a 'boast' by a young working-class Englishman faced with unexpected success, after growing up in the legend of Elvis and rock and roll," Vatican daily Osservatore Romano said.

Gosh, that's a long time to hold a grudge!! Tee hee!

Lar

Larry Usher said...

Hi Laura!

It was cold,
But we were bold,
Upon the Ghost,
we took hold,
Despite the nip,
We had our sip,
Of Love Divine,
And peace sublime.

Me
11/22/08

How'd I do Laura? Be nice!

word ver: "Oh Persee, can you let the poodle out?"

I'm laughin' now! :)

Son of Zadok said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Anonymous said...

Larry

From a poet by trade
I have to say
Kudo's to you
The poet in you is showing through

Son of Zadok said...

ver word: aliso

Also,

Erik, you hit a home-run with those thoughts. My God, it does feel like we've got Holy Ghost Passports now. Our eyes aren't blinded by all the hate and condemnation that is bred in so much of the church today. That's really exciting. I was thinking today what a total miracle it is that God had brought me where I am today. What a miracle in my thought life. You all are such a part of that blessing. Ambassadors indeed. All access granted.

NTL and Larry, theirs something about those late night prayer meetings, I've been in a few and they are charged. But outside in the cold? You all are hardcore, I love it.

Tracy, some of same points you made stood out to me reading MITN. I'm really excited about the blog right now.

Pastor Dennis, that sounds like something I would have said. You know what's funny is that no one thinks they have God inside a box. But we all still do in our own ways. Let us not think our box will never expand again. In all this beautiful revelation it's still grand to just sit back and finally say, "I just don't know", or "Only God knows". Now that God has pulled me outta' the box, I realize in a much more real sense how He can never be placed into one.

Donald, No matter how bad your Razorbacks are, they couldn't be as embarrassed as Michigan. Erik, you thought I'd forget? Love ya bro. I know it's streets of maze in your heaven.

Pastor Debye, I love reading your posts. I always picture your God gifted enthusiasm behind your words when I read them. Black and white letters so can't contain you.

Bishop, I gotta tell you somethin' really cool. At the Nazarene church here in Dayton that my parents used to go to and are visiting again, they have a new Pastor. Well, a friend of my mom's who's living with her presently, was talking last week with him about how much technology was changing the way people were having church. She mentioned my family, and how much we enjoy a church outside of Atlanta who streamed their services. Immediately the Pastor said, "Church In the Now!".
Wow! is that awesome or what. I guess word has it that this man is very into preaching love and talks against the eternal hellfire and brimstone devil doctrines. To what extent I do not know. He said that a real revolution was going on online though. I've got to meet this guy!!
You really are a pastor to pastors Bishop. CITN is blazing a path for the dawning of The Third Church, The Underground Church, The Called Out Ones, The Sons and Daughters of God etc, etc... So many men and woman of God are hearing the word you preach. More than you probably even realize. God is not slack in getting his will accomplished. So many hearing behind the walls of Egypt. My God, these pastors and leaders you are reaching and will continue to reach; their like plump, juicy, golden ears of corn, trapped in their affiliations and denominations in the land of Egypt! Theirs corn in Egypt! Lead them out! Come out of that great mystery! Like Moses led the people out of that captive land! God's Word is not returning void. CITN, you speak to nations!

Son of Zadok said...

The ones hearing are the cobs and all the beautiful ones they reach are the kernels.

POP! POP!

ver: pyrra - (FIRE)

God's gonna set this place on fire!

BE A FIRESTARTER !

Larry Usher said...

Thanks Laura!

Great observations SOZ! Good news gets around!!

Righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Ghost!!

Lar-zerus (one who has returned from the dead zone!)

Son of Zadok said...

I was just checking my email and read one from the GPF. I was looking at some of the pictures from the Chicago ceremony and man I tell ya, those pictures of different religious leaders pouring the waters into the bowel gets me kinda misty eyed. I love that. I think God really loves it to.

Anonymous said...

Again, it's BOWL not bowel!!!

Anonymous said...

Got it, Bish / rene

Son of Zadok said...

***n! I gotta get that right.

BOWL!

BOWL!

BOWL!

GPF must send out their emails on Saturdays. I remember it was before Sunday church when I made that bowl misspell last time. So funny your hear to correct me again anon.

NTL said...

NWS Atlanta, GA
Point Forecast: Conyers GA
33.

Overnight: Partly cloudy, with a low around 28. Calm wind.

Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 55. Calm wind becoming south around 5 mph. 69N 84.03W

What a perfect fall forecast, to get up to in the morning, and come to CITN.

If you are hungry for fresh revelation, you will find it here.

Service starts at 10:00 sharp.

Erik said...

Hey Everybody,

Just sitting around, in pieces of maize and blue, in tatters, wondering how The Wolverines of Heaven could be sacrificed on the gridiron alter today… wait a minute, that’s IT, they sacrificed themselves, yeah… that’s the ticket…. A blood sacrifice for their brothers in the ‘O’ state. Making sure their self esteem is supported, heck, ‘That team up North’ can take it on the chin, and help out those Buckeyes, maybe even help them get to The Rose Bowl … yeah…like all pouring into the GPF Bowl, … man those Wolverines follow the GPF, man are they Blessed Saints :) :):).

SOZ, you are so gracious in victory.

Humble pie is really yicky.. so instead, I choose a different reality. I am sure you understand bro. Got to make the twist so the beloved Maize and Blue are on a broader page, harmony in The Word Made Flesh, bringing together the different worlds where The Wolverine can lie down with the nuts.

Alright, alright, maybe the horror of the season for The Most Winningest Team in college football history is affecting my antenna. No, really, bless those B.. B.. Buck… Buckeyes . OK , I said it, --- WOW, that passport is a hard one, I mean I can love everybody, but THEM too Lord??? OK, OK, I guess The Lord does cover ALL, even That Team to the South.

Hmmmmmm , I guess HS is still working on me with OSU, pray for me.

Love, especially Love you today SOZ.

Son of Zadok said...

Here take my hand Erik. Red and Blue make purple. It's gonna be alright...

Erik said...

OK SOZ, Purple is my color, so, I have hope. Thanks for the hand, I am sure I will need it, especially in the Bowl weeks.

Hope OSU kicks some butt in post season, ... of course in a spiritual and loving way to whatever other team they tear the heart out of, in a good way.

Son of Zadok said...

ver: shalback

Michigan shall be back. hmph..

Uh-oh the ver word is on your side and gettin' all King James on us. Hey, from the verword to God's ears.

Erik said...

SOZ, Thanks for the uplifting words, soothing the taste of humble pie. (Not one of my favorites).

We got to find some time to meet, I may get to Columbus in early 09,or if you get down here,let me know.

Praise God one of us (you) has some sense. I am working through my OSU flaw.

PattiL007 said...

Just have a moment so I wanted to drop in and say Hey, Y'all!

Bishop...the first chapters are music to my ears...a symphony from a master composer as God works through you to translate His Word--LOVE. It comes through loud and clear in your writings--for the first time the world will hear it as it was always intended...LOVE CONQUERS ALL...LOVE IS ALL IN ALL!

(And I got the edit note, too, Rene.)

Clap your hands all ye lands...it's time to praise Him! Halal to Jah!

Erik...I am proud of you for getting yet another stamp on your passport...one that says OSU...and SOZ...you truly are gracious...it certainly does "make purple"--a color which, if you ignore it, will "piss God off..." lol!

Hey to NTL, Izumi/Joy, Laura, Pastor Dennis, Pastor Debye, Rene, Donald, Larry, and Pamela T! Love y'all and hope to have more time to chat soon. Until then...

Blessings Blog Fam!

Word ver: seloh...'nuff said!

Erik said...

Thanks Mystic,my therapist is looking forward to increase in business :) . However,to soothe my pain, I worked on a new chili tonight, and it is the best that has ever been created in the history of mankind!!! Following a killer Shrimp Curry last night.

Funny how nutrition helps soothe the body which soothes the soul.

God folds in Love into the Cake of who we ALL are, which does indeed connect us ALL, and is the balm for ALL irritants, so that we ALL enjoy the connection and engagement with ALL we think of, read of, hear of,meet. Amen !!!!

I am feeling a little better now.

Anonymous said...

Thanks Bish! Hey Larry & Mystic!