Monday, December 8, 2008

MITN X, Verses 1-20

1. And in direct answer to the prayer for harvest hands, Jesus summoned to Himself His twelve disciples, and gave them power and authority over rebel spirits, to evict and expel them, and to cure all manner of disease, weakness and infirmity.

2. Now these are the names of the original twelve apostles: first, Simon, who is called Peter or “Rock”, and Andrew, his brother; James, the son of Zebedee, and John, his brother;

3. Philip and Bartholomew (A.K.A. Nathaniel); Thomas and Matthew, known as “The Tax Man”; James, son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus (A.K.A. Judas…not Judas Iscariot);

4. Simon, the Canaanite, who was a Zealot, and perhaps Jesus’ most controversial pick because of his radical political connections and agenda, and Judas (Iscariot), who eventually betrayed Him, even though he had been given the same anointing and authority that the other eleven had received.

5. Jesus sent out this very diverse and eclectic group, charging them with these words: “This Gospel is ultimately for the entire world…that’s the big picture…but it has to begin somewhere. So, for the time being, go nowhere among the Gentiles, and do not go into any town of the Samaritans;

6. Go, instead, to the lost, confused people right here in the house of Israel...the people who speak your language and have your world-view.

7. And tell them, plainly, that the kingdom of/from the heavens is here! Say to them, “The kingdom is ‘at hand’, or as close to you as is the hand at the end of your arm!”

8. And to drive home your point, bring health to them when they are sick. Raise the dead. Touch the untouchables. Take the dominion away from their demons, and set them free. You have been treated generously, so live generously…freely, you have received the kingdom, so, freely, you should give it away!

9. And don’t worry about how you’re going to finance your travel and expenses. In fact, don’t even take any money with you.

10. You don’t need a lot of paraphernalia…just travel light…walk by faith…stay in the now. Everything you need is already inside you, so just do your work, and remember that a good worker is worthy of his food. In other words, don’t worry about going hungry…you’ll have everything you need in the external world because of the abundant overflow from your internal world.

11. And into whatever town or village you go, ask around until you find someone who is open to your message and in the flow with you, and wait for a door to open for you to stay with that person. And then stay there until you leave that vicinity.

12. And as you go into their house…or into any house, for that matter…speak a kingdom blessing over that house.

13. Then if the people in that house are open to your words, let peace and prosperity come to the entire household. But if they are religiously close-minded, and reject you and your message, then your words will not produce fruit for them, and your very own blessing will return to you, and will bless you!

14. In fact, if you are so rejected, don’t just leave the house…leave the entire town, and shake the dust from its streets off of your shoes.

15. I tell you, honestly, that when judgment comes on this nation, it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah than for that town.

16. I say all of this to you because you need to know that I’m really sending you out like sheep in the midst of wolves. And to be able to survive this hazardous work, you’re going to have to develop the flexibility to be wary and wise as serpents when necessary, and to still be innocent and guileless as doves. I realize that no two animals are less similar in temperament than a snake and a dove, so I’m really asking you to do the impossible.

17. So you can’t afford to be naïve. You must be on guard against men whose way or nature is to rebel against God, and the inevitable changes that His kingdom brings; for they will deliver you up to councils, and actually flog you in their synagogues,

18. And you will be brought before governors and kings for My sake, as a witness to bear testimony before them, and, ultimately, to the nations.

19. But when they deliver you up in this way, do not worry, or even be anxious about how or what you are to speak. You’ll know exactly what to say when the time comes, because it will be given to you as revelation in the eternal now.

20. And, aside from what will be happening at that moment in the natural realm, in the larger context, it will cause you to realize that it really is not even you doing the speaking…you will have the awareness that it’s the Spirit of your Father speaking through you!

39 comments:

dgm2007 said...

Bish when you post chapters its like a little bedtime treat. i feel like a kid again.. Not that I've stopped being 5 years old. :) I had to coolest encounter tonight or this morning i don't know. I was just in the library and this random greek guy walks up to me and tells ask me if I'm stressed i said I'm not at all stressed and was reading for pleasure. He then tells me that i look like an awesome person he didn't know why he was talking to me but he wanted me to know that nothing that i did at school mattered beyond who i become and luck as he put it. it may seem trivial but the way he presented himself his humbleness but necessity to share with me what he thought was truth was so interesting. i mean what an experience. i wonder if you guys have had this happen to you. he was like i really don't know why i'm telling you this you just look like an awesome person and i wanted to tell you.. it was so random.. Reminded me of the whole Deep calling into deep.. also the service was awesome i loved that the words started with D. and Pastor Debye you really ministered today 800 gold stars. ;) correction Platinum stars. Cheers to the men and women in uniform and all there support system. also does anyone ever think something... like ask a question and its answered immediately. this keeps happening to me and i just wonder if it happens to anyone else. During service today i thought I love when there is no music and the people sing altogether and like 2 mins later pastor Debye asks for the musicians to quiet down.. thats weird! i could go on but i just wonder if its a part of flow. Im guessing it is but i love the community here. so if you have any experiences plz type. good night good morning and good luck. :)

Son of Zadok said...

Wow, it feels funny stepping up and typing into this empty white box again.

Greetings from the northern front!

I'm sorry if I stayed away to long. I have kept up with all your posts, but I feel like a kid who ran away from home for awhile. Truth be told, God and I just had to seal me up for a little while. But no matter, all of these things are just the Father's preparation for what He is revealing in us.

Reading the Bible today I searched my heart upon Peter's admonition that we so love each other. I questioned myself and whether that is a love realized inside of me for the saints. But standing here speaking, I am reminded of the great love I feel for all of you. Though never meeting, the relationship by the Spirit I feel through your words stirs up a deep reservoir inside of me. I love what was said recently that we just desire to be with those who long to be filled with His Spirit. That desire is strong here.

So much I could say about what God is doing in the body here at Paradox. Let me just state that our numbers have been increased and God has given us a trial space to realize what He is doing in and through us. My prayer is that in all hearts God speaks saying, "Let there be light!"

Bishop, today I came home to watch the service and about 45 minutes in (I'm laughing because I really found this funny), 45 minutes in I'm thinking, "You know, there's not one thing that Bishop has said today that I haven't heard him say before." I was just astounded at how your words and thoughts were being recycled, which many times I appreciate, but today was bewildering. It wasn't until you said that we had a very important election coming up that the light went on; I was watching a previous service! No wonder!

You were talking on many things as you always do, but speaking on the difference between the anointing and the glory was something I needed to hear again. I had thought it over some since first hearing it, but it hadn't cemented in me until today. One thing that stuck out to me while listening was when you had said that you just weren't sure what the glory really was, or something to that effect. In a timely reading of some of the works of J. Preston Eby today I came across this quote.

Glory is nothing more nor less than the expression of God’s nature through a human vessel. That’s what glory is!

May God anoint us all to do what He has purposed for us and may these earthen vessels be filled with His glory!

What truth was set forth in the service yesterday. God in our dreams and decisions, our desires and our denominations. He is the God in our destiny, but what touched my soul the most was God in our darkness. Quick and powerful words indeed. A comfort to many I'm sure.

MITN is so rich and nourishing. Yes and Amen.

Brother Dennis, you are with me in my prayers. God is perfecting you in all suffering. May His sweet presence be close to you.

Larry, loved you in the EACH video today. Shine On!

Donald, "your my boy blue!" - another Will Ferrell movie reference.

Big Love CITN in the GA !

peacemaker said...

What I love about your paraphrase of chapter X is the way you emphasized the "internal" world and ability of the disciples in Jesus' admonition to them. You’ve made it very easy to understand that he doesn’t downplay their outward abilities as he accentuates what is already inside them.
He is letting them know that they already have inherently within themselves everything that pertains to life and God-likeness and the understanding of that attracts what they need materially. Then he charges them to pass that "good news" on to all who will listen.

I know I’ve said this a lot of times before, but this is not like reading history according to someone else’s account. It has a “Now-ness” not evident in any other translation or paraphrase…at least that I’ve ever read.


Peace,
PM

Anonymous said...

12 - I speak God's Kingdom blessing over this house, and all His creation.

Welcome back Bish & Pastor Debye!

Pic 1 - Beautiful and perplexing. (Jesus and 12? I only counted 11 men. Does Jesus count twice? Man/God?)

Verses 8 & 10 are particularly appealing to me.

Like, dear Sensei, thank You for being the abundant mannascript that imparts life to others. I trust that You're always enlightening and infusing me with Your charge. Amen.

10. Extraneous accoutrements are un-necessary. Here, take My Light saber; love that!

16. I've always wondered about the animal comparisons. Why those? (aside from obvious regional/occupational references, I mean) It's easy to understand that a serpent's flexible, but what makes it wise?

My morning koan - JOY!

SCRIBE said...

Hallelujah! and Amen.

Anonymous said...

Beautifull expressed Babe! The words in verses 1-20 reflect our testimony in the NOW! Verses 18-20 in particular.....allowing the Spirit of the Father to give us the words to speak in the moment they are to be spoken, nothing premeditated or contrived....just flow! My God, we are so blessed!

While I am here....yesterday was such an awesome day.....in the am service, after you gave point no. 7...He is in our Divine Nature and then you took it a little farther to...the King of kings, the Lord of lords, the Saviour to saviours, the Messiah to messiahs.....and then...the Spirit of worship came in at the end....words do not do it justice....thank you for your obedience! And then the communion service was equally sweet and majestic....How Great is our God!

Favor, blessing, provision and Divine order to all today!

P. Debye

Pamela said...

WOW!!!! If we could really grasp the power and authority and mandate that God has placed in us and over our lives to do the work for His Kingdom. This is so beautifully written. All are called but few are takers. We are not unique that we are called but we are unique in our personalized plan. God has made us one of kind precious and priceless. Do we know that God may have created us to touch one person? That we may not touch that person directly, but someone we showed kindness to, gave them the gift of the knowledge of his Grace and unconditional love through our prayers for healing, acts of comforting one person, and it could be generations from now that our obedience and act of kindness today will have this ripple effect. It would be awesome if everyone knew just how much power and authority we have in Christ to change a life, a city, a nation, the world. The power of Greater Works has been given to us, placed in us if only we would have faith and believe it to be true. WE ARE THE BODY OF CHRIST, I pray for this revelation to be manifested and realized in everyone.

I love you guys, have an awesome Blessed week. Perform those random acts of kindness you may never know the power it possesses, nor may you see its fruit, but God will. And the Body of Christ will be blessed.

Love, Pamela

Anonymous said...

test

Bishop Jim Swilley said...

Hey bloggers,

My apologies for it taking so long for your comments to appear this morning. After I posted, 2 lengthy adds for Air Jordans appeared on the comments page - which I don't understand, because the word verification is supposed to prevent spam from automatically filling up your comments page - so I changed the setting for a few minutes to try to figure out what was going on (still haven't), and forgot to change it back.

I think we're back on track now...someone, if you're reading this, post something and let me see if it goes through with no problem.

Thanks...

SCRIBE said...

Read your post Bishop:

Hope it goes through and everything is running smoothly now.

Bishop Jim Swilley said...

Thanks, Scribe...

I also wanted to say that I typically look for Jesus pics that don't portray Him as being so blond and anglo/european, but I couldn't resist the one at the top of the post because it is a Louis Comfort Tiffany window, and I'm a huge fan of his work...

Anonymous said...

Bish, the Korea video is cool.

Bishop Jim Swilley said...

Thanks, DGM...glad you're enjoying the MITN posts...

Bishop Jim Swilley said...

Welcome back, SOZ...we were wondering where you've been...

Bishop Jim Swilley said...

Don't apologize for saying it again, PM...it encourages me to keep going...

Bishop Jim Swilley said...

"Mannascript"...that's a good one, Izumi...

Sensei

Bishop Jim Swilley said...

Thanks, babe...

I love you!

Bishop Jim Swilley said...

Thanks, babe...

I love you!

Bishop Jim Swilley said...

Well said, Pamela T...

Anonymous said...

These words are so resident within us that it seems uncanny to see them penned in the language of both that time and today.

Insert our name among the disciples as one who has the advantage of hindsight and then speak the word to everyone around us following the directives laid out in verse seven through fourteen and we will see ourselves for where we are and we will have a good idea of what we should do to progress even further.

Consider for a moment that we are each a part of the other in a real form of existence.

What ever I give to this ministry accomplishes the goal of my choice to follow Jesus as a progressive disciple. There has been much accomplished in ways that I am not conscious of but then it becomes clear when the voice of this house tells me about the world changing activity that I am a part of. I can see that the amount of energy I have been producing is effective so I increase the flow to satisfy the excitement caused by the intake of this information.

Before long it becomes real to me that I am part of something bigger than CITN. I realize that I am an organelle that functions to support the larger organ of the even larger person of Christ. This Christ is all encompassing of the many organs and subsequent organelles comprising that total Christ.

As an organelle my function is to produce energy needed to support the best health of the whole organ. There are other structures that contribute to the health of the organ that I feed and that also give me nourishment. Sometimes my actions to support some other structures are rejected. I must move on to find another structure that will receive what I have to give. This not only supports the whole organ but also ensures my own survival. We either work together or we simply cease to exist.

Then there are also other organs. If they do not receive support from my larger organ or do not give their support to us then we all die unless the failing organ is replaced. With the knowledge of this I choose to remain alert and adapt to the changing conditions around me so that my part will continue to support the whole body. There are attacks from outside destructive forces and some of my fellow organelles fall prey to them but I am not dismayed because I see they are serving the purpose of feeding these forces information that I can use for my own benefit at a later time. I heard the voice of encouragement and responded to it so I am only made stronger.

Because of my persistent action to be effective in my function, the destructive forces that once caused stress for me have been converted into energy by my adaptive capacity to create that process. Other organelles pick up the signal and adapt to the same process.

Finally, the information that I have gathered and utilized so effectively has been transferred to the higher place where it is encoded into a message that will be sent beyond this Christ and live on in another that is created in the same image.

JB

Anonymous said...

Yes sorry I missed service yesterday. It is always good, but when you hear about the serrvice from someone else it always sounds like you missed the best. dgm yes I understand what you mean and it is in the flow because your voice is Gods voice and my voice. All are interchangeble. That is why verse 18 is my desire and prayer because those who sit in the position of authority need to and will hear the voice of the Lord spoken through us. Love to all.

Donald said...

I guess it's great to have you back SOZ, but now I've got to return all the flower money I had collected for you.
I was beginning to think you was dade or somethin'.

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Anonymous said...

We have been given all what the Father has. Makes you wonder why we can't see for ourselves what He has/is giving us. It all boils down to what do you believe???
Miracles are before us, Where is your true belief.
Belief in earthly things or belief in spiritual things.


The crossroad a place between the earthly world and the spiritual world. A place where Belief in the supernatural can take place.
It's up to you.
Believe and you can receive

Unknown said...

Good to see you SOZ...and Donald my thoughts were going there too. You can donate my flower money to CITN.

Yes, dgm2007, tapping into "what is to come" is most cool. I believe that Bishop's transparency in his Spirit walking is helping us all to tap in more and more.

PM and JB, ditto on the NOWness of MITN and the "there-ness". It's like you're standing there "in" his-story, so you can see and feel the scenes as they happened. Which leads to pondering the wholeness of it.

Okay, then...verses 11-15! I love the revelation that they were to wait for a door to open...for someone who "got them". And yet, if the disciples were met in THAT house with religious rejection, they were to assume it was indicative of the WHOLE town...and leave. Effective, time-saving "intelligence" information for the disciples...but whooooeee-scary for the town. Like I said above, I love how MITN actually puts you there!

7pm--Rockdale County Auditorium. Got it.

Linda Luke said...

Welcome home Bish & P. Debye! So glad yall are back!!

The service...streamin was fantastic! There was such a peace and comforting confidence that exuded or flowed from you Bishop! Loved the 'Goodness & Mercy' follow me and that we are kings too! Thank you both for being 'real'! Thanks for the laughter too!

Todays MITN is like going to a place other worldly/heavenly...kinda like Narnia with the power of the WORDS, the Tiffany picture and the music! Such a wonderful experience! Thanks for creating this place!!

...glad to see you back SOZ!

~prayin for you Water Walker...all that you need in this time!

~Love~Joy~Peace!

Sweetest dreams peeps!

Bishop Jim Swilley said...

Absolutely right, Laura...

Bishop Jim Swilley said...

Nice commentary on MITN, Avatar...some of your stuff would make good notes for the Bible In The Now Study Version

Bishop Jim Swilley said...

Donald, your "dade" comment has me singing "Poor Judd is Daid" from Oklahoma in my haid...

Bishop Jim Swilley said...

Actually, it was spelled "Jud"...

JB...what can I say? Your writing is inspired...and thanks for the help while we were gone...

Bishop Jim Swilley said...

You should contribute more often, Centurion...

Bishop Jim Swilley said...

Glad to hear that what we experience ITB tranlsates over the internet, CJ...

Narnia? Cool!

Son of Zadok said...

Thanks for the welcome backs everyone. You all are wonderful!

I Tim. 2:1-6

"I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for ALL MEN ... for this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; who WILL HAVE A-L-L M-E-N TO BE SAVED, and to come to the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; who gave Himself a RANSOM FOR ALL, to be testified in due time."

I just realized today that by believing what God says in His word, and offering up supplications, prayers, and intercessions, that we are able to partake in the blessings that accompany those who have been granted enough faith to believe that all me will be saved. By praying for this we get to take part in the creative word of God that will bring it to pass. What a blessing!

Donald said...

7. And tell them, plainly, that the kingdom of/from the heavens is here! Say to them, “The kingdom is ‘at hand’, or as close to you as is the hand at the end of your arm!”

I try to tell myself and make myself really believe that I am really living in the kingdom right now. But, when I honestly analyze the way that I deal with some situations I have to ask myself if I am not just trying to blow smoke up my own,...well you know.

For instance, if I really believed that I was living in the kingdom right now, would I even for a second get concerned about how this or that will get paid when there doesn't seem to be any possible way for it to happen? Or should I even get a twinge of concern when there are layoffs happening at the company where I just started working less than a year ago?

I will admit that these things don't keep me awake at night like they did in times past and I really don't know of anything that I just truly fret over, but when I get certain reports or see an unexpected bill in the mail I do catch myself thinking that "it just ain't gonna work out."

Oh well, maybe I just answered my own questions. Since these things don't bother me the way they once did, it could be that I am moving into a more secure place in the kingdom. I think a part of me does actually believe it completely, but there is another part of me that tries to contradict that part.

Whatever it is, I've been thinking on it all day.

Unknown said...

Study Version! Cool!
and thanks, Bishop!

Pastor Dennis, you're on my mind and heart.

Izumi/Joy, here's a dove corollary: I'm guessing that anyone who cleans buildings does not consider a dove to be quileless--smile!

Bishop, my fave Chapter 10 line is in verse 8...Take the dominion away from their demons, and set them free.

dgm2007, I thought of you when I saw my wordver: aretense
am not!
are too...
am not!
okay, then, tell me what it is about you!

Anonymous said...

Avatar - re: dove corollary; odd - I always think of peace, first, when I see them.

Thank you for another perspective.

Anonymous said...

AMEN