Thursday, January 8, 2009

It Only Takes a Spark

Hey bloggers,

First, let me just say that I love 2009! Secondly, in case you're wondering, I haven't abandoned MATTHEW IN THE NOW...I'll be back on schedule with it next week. Right now I'm focused on the subject of prayer because of what is happening at CITN every night. Those of you local bloggers who haven't participated in this call to prayer really need to come out to meet with us tonight and/or tomorrow night...you seriously don't know what you're missing, and you need to connect with where we are on the journey. The attendance has been the greatest we've ever had for intercession, but it's not the same without you! Also, there's a lot of new stuff here everywhere (I'm enlarging my borders), so check it all out.

See you tonight,

Peace!


“Prayer does not change God, but it changes him who prays.”
- Søren Kierkegaard

13 comments:

Anonymous said...

While on the subject of Prayer; I have posted this before but I think it would fit well now.

A PRAYER

I Praise you Father God because you are omnipotent.
There is “nothing” too hard for you.
I Trust you Father because you are omniscient.
There is nothing that you do not know and always have known.
I Thank you Father God for the comfort and peace I receive
by the fact that you are omnipresent, and no matter where I am,
you are there whether I am living in heaven, or going through hell, you are
there.
You never change, never make a mistake, or are out-witted or overpowered
(even by Satan). Your redemptive purposes for mankind will be successful.
You never fail.
I Praise and Thank you Father that you are altogether Righteous, and
everything you do is fair and just and You are not a respecter of persons and
You do not show partiality. And so You will have ALL People to be saved and
come to knowledge of the truth. For You Father God have revealed Your
grace for the salvation of ALL people Through Christ.
You are always giving. Your mercy never ends or runs out.
You do not keep Your disdain forever.
Even Your punishment and correction is in Your red-hot love* and desire for
our purification and perfection, to become like Jesus who is the perfect
representation of Your nature and ways.

Your Spirit is as a fire of love. A fire among us and within us; for You Heavenly
Father are a consuming fire and Your fire will not be quenched until it has
thoroughly purged ALL, and burned up all the chaff. Then You will bring all the
wheat into the barn. You will see that nothing is wasted. You will see that the
fiery trial of our faith will bring us forth as much more precious than gold as it is
purified in the fire. All our sin and death will be cast into your consuming and
purifying fire. And finally the last enemy that will be destroyed will be death and
there will be no state of death (separation from fellowship with You) at all
anywhere in all space, time and eternity.
Then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written; Death is swallowed up
in victory.
O death, where* is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?
Amen, Praise God!
You love us while we are still sinners – missing the goal of Your best for us -
but You love us too much to leave us in that destructive and painful state. You
are always good to all and desire only good in all You do, and you love even
your enemies and those who don’t love you back.
Help us be like you Father God.

You are the Almighty God who works ALL things out in accordance with Your
will and desire and pleasure. Having made known to us the mystery and
secret of Your will, according to Your good pleasure which You purposed,
designed and planned beforehand in Yourself: You planned for “the maturity
of the times and the climax of the ages” to unify ALL things and consummate
them in Christ, both things in heaven and things on the earth.
ALL things are done according to Your plan and decision; and You Father
God chose us to be Your own people in union with Christ because of Your
own purpose, based on what You had decided from the very beginning.
Our heart plans our course, but You Lord direct our steps. Many are the plans
in all our minds, but it is Your purpose Lord, that will be done. So then our
steps are established by You Lord, and You delight in our way; For You are
The Lord God Almighty, declaring the end from the beginning and from
ancient times things not yet done, saying, 'My counsel shall stand, and I will
accomplish ALL my purpose,'
Through Your Son, Jesus Christ, You decided to bring THE WHOLE universe
back to Yourself. You made peace through Jesus blood on the cross and so
brought back to Yourself ALL things, both on earth and in heaven.
For this reason You raised him to the highest place above and gave him the
name that is greater than any other name. And so, in honor of the name of
Jesus ALL beings in heaven, on earth, and in the world below will bow on their
knees, and ALL will openly proclaim and give praise that;

“Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”

Thank you heavenly Father that you have given us your Spirit and Grace for
this purpose; for we know that NO ONE can say that Jesus is Lord, but by the
Holy Spirit. So then it depends not on human will or exertion, but on You
Father God, who has mercy. So You have mercy on whomever You will, and
You harden whomever You will - So that we might show them love and grace
overcoming evil with good, bringing You Honor and Glory.
For You Father God have consigned us ALL to disobedience and unbelief,
that You may have mercy on us ALL and give us the “Gift of faith” through
Jesus Christ.

For the Creation fell into subjection to failure and unreality, not of its own will,
but because God willed it to be so. Yet there was the hope - confident
expectation that creation itself would one day be set free from its slavery to
decay and would share the glorious freedom of the children of God.
So then, as the one mans sin condemned ALL people; in the same way the
one mans righteous act sets ALL people free and gives them life.
And just as ALL people were made sinners as the result of the disobedience
of one man, “Adam” in the same way they will ALL be put right with God as the
result of the obedience of the one man. “ JESUS CHRIST “
I Praise You God, through The Lord Jesus Christ, by the gift of Your Holy Spirit!
Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How
unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways!
For from him and through him and to him are ALL things.
To him is glory forever. Amen.
I know and believe that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh,
And Jesus IS The Savior of the world.
You are light, and light dispels all darkness, darkness cannot overcome light.
You are love, and You love the whole world.
Love never fails.
ALL good things come from You,
And even the bad are not out of Your control.
Your grace is sufficient; for all our needs, weakness, sickness, pains, and
sins. Jesus took all that on himself and overcame and provided Grace for it all
for us ALL,
He took a beating and so we were healed,
He died so we can live.
Thank you Jesus.
Because You loved us You gave Your life for us ALL saying “Father forgive
them” then You said “it is finished” so the world will be completely saved
through You. You accomplished Your purpose and plan. You did not fail. You
will irresistibly draw ALL people to Yourself.
For You are the good shepherd; You will seek until You bring every last one
home; that where You are we will be also.
You Father have given ALL things to Jesus, so that He might restore them
ALL back to You. Jesus will lose nothing. So that we can ALL rejoice together
forever.

Enable me Father to go and share this wonderful “Good News” with all I come
in contact; not only in word but also in deed; filled with the love of the Holy
Spirit-The Spirit of Christ overflowing in my heart with love for all mankind.
Help me Father to let them know that You were Personally present in Christ,
reconciling and restoring the world to favor with Yourself. You were not
counting up and holding against people their trespasses, mess ups and
failures but canceling them.
And now; You are personally present through Christ in us and have
committed to us the message of reconciliation and of the restoration to favor
and salvation for the whole world. Because You love them ALL.
God help them to have ears of understanding to hear that this is the truth as
we speak.
Help me heavenly Father to put today’s concerns in Your great and awesome
hands and just trust You for all things.
May Christ Jesus be Lord of my life through the gift of the Holy Spirit: my
corrector, helper, comforter, teacher, enabler and Guide; that I might bear the
good fruit of the Holy Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness,
faithfulness, gentleness, self-control, all flowing into me and then flowing out of
me.
Thank You Heavenly Father for Your written Word in The Holy Bible. And also
Your living Word in Christ and Christ in us.
Show me and teach me the truth in Your message by Your Spirit in my inner
person, and help me apply it to my life.
May I always honor your name and bring glory to you. May Your Kingdom Rule
and Your will be done in my life.
I know You will provide all that I need today.
Help me when I am tempted to do wrong.
Protect me from evil.
I forgive all those who have sinned against me,
As you have forgiven me.
The Universe and all that is in it, seen or unseen
Are under Your great and awesome power and control.
You are God and there is no other.
Protect us from idols (wrong thinking of what and how and who you are).
Praise God! Him and Him only do I worship!
" I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me"
" ALL things are possible with God"
And it is in the Spirit of Christ and the name of Jesus I pray,
It is so, Amen.

Rev. Dennis D. Caldwell

http://www.completerestorationinchrist.org/a_prayer.html

Anonymous said...

I love 2009 also! I moved to North Ga in Sept 2007, just after joining CITN. I had been attending for about 5 years. The past year was tough in some ways, but what does not kill you makes you stronger. This year-- my constant faith for last year-- has kicked in: I feel more confident at work, I am more grateful for the beautiful North GA landscape, and I am committed to (and taking action) to getting healthier. When my raise comes, I will get internet at home. This is giving me a true and natural attitude of gratitude. My mantra for 2009-Bless me, so I can be a Blessing. "You can change your life by changing the way you think." North Georgia.

Unknown said...

Watching for the spark...
Still listening and limiting my words...

dgm2007, your comment yesterday about speaking and God listening was a confirmation to me. Thanks.

okay, wordver: sushor
[which was not up before I posted above--!]
"s[h]ush or" I'll have to start listening...got it.

Unknown said...

Ricardo Sanchez' Moving Forward just shuffled in...awesome version...wow!

Y--E--S!!!

---back to quiet--(big smile--)

Iris said...

Changing the neuropaths...

Feeling the feeling you want to attract.

Feel the kindness to attract kindness.

Feel the joy to attract joy.

Feel the love to attract love.

What is it you want to attract, and change your mind...

Love your message last night Bishop...

Changing my story
Iris

Iris said...

It's amazing how just a spark of a thought can change your story for the good or the bad....

JR said...

Its me again. I would just like to say that I see only good things for
Church In The Now and myself in 2009. I would also like to say to Bishop Swilley that over the last
couple of days I've watched some
of the archived messages on the CITN website particularly the
Going Organic: Finding The Simplictiy That IS In Christ
and I realized that Jesus has
always been the only thing I
ever focused on in my Christian
life and that all the religious
formulas in RELIGIOUS Christian
churches, well I never got them, other than Jesus Is Lord And Savior. That's all I have to say about that. The only other thing I would like to say is that I would just like to make a suggestion to add Lets See How Far We've Come
by Matchbox 20 to the blog playlist. That being said.
Peace

Anonymous said...

Happy to say that I have a job to have a day off tomorrow to be able to come to the prayer festivities.

Pamela said...

Prayer week has been awesome and The Word on Forgiveness is priceless. Thanks Bishop.

I have known for sometime that forgiveness has been a major component to my healing over the past couple of years. I was writing in my journal on Monday about Self-love, Self-esteem, and self-forgiveness. I was writing through it knowing that I am still working in this area. I hope that you address this in this series. We are so much harder on ourselves than God is. Why do we beat ourselves up? If God forgives the murderer, he forgives us. Not everyone who is reading this has self-love, self-esteem issues, but I know many do. I believe that this is a 3 chord situation that determines our confidence in who we are in the Lord and in the world. Thanks so much about the re-writing grievance part. I have seen part of the series you are referring to and I have it Tivo'ed and have planned to sit down and watch the entire recordings. I did watch the first day, and it was so cool. When I pray for others or with others and am writing prayers I always include forgiveness as a basis and renewing of the mind to release the strongholds and open the receiving of blessings and healing.

And as a start I am saying if my latter is going to be better than my former I have to accept this and be thankful for this for my ex as well. He did the best he could, and so did I. I learned some valuable life skill lessons to bring into my future. I learned what I want, what I need, and that God has and will use these difficult situations and experiences to build my character, strengthen my resolve, and help be a blessing to others through the compassion for others who have gone through similar situations. God through this healing process has been preparing me for who he has chosen for me. Because I know my latter in all situations will be greater than my former and I will have worked through the old ways and know that I am knew and he has created a new better version of me on a daily basis. I will be a blessing to others because of my past; my prayers for others will be deep and spiritually connected that I can know faithfully that God will answer these prayers, because I believe and I had the courage to be honest, forgive, and ask God to heal these areas of my life and turn them around so they will be a blessing to others. It has made me a better person. I love you guys have an awesome and blessed day. Pamela T.

Anonymous said...

Back from prayer. Tonight was a night of release for me. A past situation that has held me back since I was a teen has been lifted. For me personally when someone wanted to hug me I would shrug away. I never felt right about hugs but tonight a few of my friends came and hugged me and a warmth of friendship hit me one I really haven't felt since I was a teen. You know the the feeling the one that says you are accepted & loved. It just feels great knowing you have great friends.
Being free and being yourself not trapped by something that has held you back.
Release your Mind and be Free !!!

Anonymous said...

I know this week is about prayer. But I really think all of us need to read about how non-Christianity people are getting back their blessings by way of tithing.

Official Newsletter for Getting Everything You Want in Life.

Kettly, here's another great question on tithing.

** ***

Hi Tom and Diane,

I have been wrestling with this question for quite a few days. In a
couple of your e-mails you talk about the importance of tithing to
the success of your program. Well, I have no problem with donating
money to worthy causes but I do not believe in organized religion.
Been there, done that and got the bumper sticker. So, if tithing
means giving to a church, I'm not going to be able to make it work.
Let me know what you think.
Sincerely,
Al

** ** **

Al,

I used to feel the same way. I thought that tithing was the
world's biggest con game. I remember lyrics from a Hank Williams
Jr. song I loved. "All those preachers on TV with a suit and tie
and vest...they want you to send your money to the Lord, but they
give you their address."

I didn't get it.

Tithing is not something you are required to pay a church or a
temple or a mosque so you can get to heaven. Or so you can get
rich. That's absurd. And in fact, I'm sure the Universe would
reject any offering made in the spirit of investment.

Tithing is a chance for us to demonstrate in the most practical way
we have, that we recognize that we are not in charge. Tithing
demonstrates that we surrender our will to the will of the Ultimate
Creative Force of Creation.

Now, you are in fact part of that Force. But not all of it. You
do not ever see the whole picture, so you don't get to decide all
the when's, where's and how much. You don't even get to decide the
how.

Tithing is for you. It is your joy. It frees you to let the
Universe do the heavy lifting. Once you grasp the empowerment of
tithing. Once you understand the far reaching effects tithing has
on your success. Once you realize you are not in charge, you move
to a higher more powerful level of success.

Your good will flow to you like never before.

Tithing is a brilliant and deliriously joyful experience. It is as
close as we humans come to true love. You are giving the most
important thing you have in this physical world, money. And you
are giving it strictly out of love and gratitude.

It's a beautiful thing, tithing.

We tell you to tithe out of love to that person, place or
organization that leads you to spiritual growth and enlightenment.
It can be a church. It can be a temple or a mosque. It can be a
neighbor or a friend or a recording artist. Give where you find
comfort, direction and encouragement.

Deciding what you give is fixed, 10%.

Deciding where you give is up to you.

Good Luck & Great Adventures

Tom & Penelope

After reading this article asks yourself this question.
How do I give to the God?
Meditate on your answer before, you answer.

Always KettlyOfficial Newsletter for Getting Everything You Want in Life.

Kettly, here's another great question on tithing.

** ***

Hi Tom and Diane,

I have been wrestling with this question for quite a few days. In a
couple of your e-mails you talk about the importance of tithing to
the success of your program. Well, I have no problem with donating
money to worthy causes but I do not believe in organized religion.
Been there, done that and got the bumper sticker. So, if tithing
means giving to a church, I'm not going to be able to make it work.
Let me know what you think.
Sincerely,
Al

** ** **

Al,

I used to feel the same way. I thought that tithing was the
world's biggest con game. I remember lyrics from a Hank Williams
Jr. song I loved. "All those preachers on TV with a suit and tie
and vest...they want you to send your money to the Lord, but they
give you their address."

I didn't get it.

Tithing is not something you are required to pay a church or a
temple or a mosque so you can get to heaven. Or so you can get
rich. That's absurd. And in fact, I'm sure the Universe would
reject any offering made in the spirit of investment.

Tithing is a chance for us to demonstrate in the most practical way
we have, that we recognize that we are not in charge. Tithing
demonstrates that we surrender our will to the will of the Ultimate
Creative Force of Creation.

Now, you are in fact part of that Force. But not all of it. You
do not ever see the whole picture, so you don't get to decide all
the when's, where's and how much. You don't even get to decide the
how.

Tithing is for you. It is your joy. It frees you to let the
Universe do the heavy lifting. Once you grasp the empowerment of
tithing. Once you understand the far reaching effects tithing has
on your success. Once you realize you are not in charge, you move
to a higher more powerful level of success.

Your good will flow to you like never before.

Tithing is a brilliant and deliriously joyful experience. It is as
close as we humans come to true love. You are giving the most
important thing you have in this physical world, money. And you
are giving it strictly out of love and gratitude.

It's a beautiful thing, tithing.

We tell you to tithe out of love to that person, place or
organization that leads you to spiritual growth and enlightenment.
It can be a church. It can be a temple or a mosque. It can be a
neighbor or a friend or a recording artist. Give where you find
comfort, direction and encouragement.

Deciding what you give is fixed, 10%.

Deciding where you give is up to you.

Good Luck & Great Adventures

Tom & Penelope

After readings this articles. Asks yourself this question?
Do I offer my all to God? Or my half!
Do I give because I am required to pay God? Or because it is a chance I have to show or demonstrate my love thankfulness to God?

Meditate hard and good before you answered.
God Bless
Kettly

Anonymous said...

I did not know my comment posted twice. By pasting it to copy, I press the cursor down to fast. I thought it only goes once, when I go back to see how it posted I see it went in two times.
Sorry about that!
God bless
kettly

Bishop Jim Swilley said...

It's cool, Kettly...it needed to be posted twice!