Only Get to Use This One Every Four Years

AYITN February 29:

 CREATION’S LONGING!

All around we observe a pregnant creation.  The difficult times of pain throughout the world are simply birth pangs.  But it’s not only around us; it’s within us.  The Spirit of God is arousing us within.  We’re also feeling the birth pangs.  These sterile and barren bodies of ours are yearning for full deliverance.  That is why waiting does not diminish us, any more than waiting diminishes a pregnant mother.  We are enlarged in the waiting.  We, of course, don’t see what is enlarging us.  But the longer we wait, the larger we become, and the more joyful our expectancy. 
(Romans 8:22-25 The Message)


1.Today I will live in the now!  I will live in the now because the Holy Spirit is actively in the process of working to reveal my true identity as a manifested son of God in the earth.  I am aware that something is developing and maturing on the inside of me that is real and alive, and it is increasing in the now!

2.Today I will walk in the revelation that the whole creation of irrational creatures has been moaning together in pains of labor until now, and not only the creation, but I too, groan inwardly.  Because I have and enjoy the first fruits of the Spirit, I continually experience a foretaste of blissful things to come that causes me to wait expectantly for the redemption of my body from sensuality and the grave.

3.Today I will not attempt to resist the emergence of the real me, as I begin to finally live my life from the inside out.  The concept of existing in the eternal present is becoming less abstract to me, and the infilling of the Holy Spirit is becoming more important and precious to me every day, as He produces in me the reality of sonship that cries “Abba! Father!”

4.Today I will communicate a certain confidence that comes from comprehending that I am a child of the Creator and, therefore, I am His heir, which makes me a fellow heir with Christ.  Knowing that I share Christ’s inheritance with Him enables me to gladly share His suffering because I also share His glory!

5.Today I will not allow myself to become frustrated in waiting for my personal manifestation of God’s will, because waiting is a necessary part of the birth process.  The waiting is not decreasing the quality of my life in any way - on the contrary, I am being increased by it!  Through faith and patience I inherit the promises, and while faith is coming to me by hearing the word, patience is being developed in me by counting it all joy!


6.Today I will walk in the Spirit and not in the flesh.


7.Today I will intercede harmoniously with the rest of creation for the Kingdom to come, and today I will live in the now!



Father, help me to pray Your will today.  In Jesus’ name, amen.

God is Love...Really! (AYITN for 2/14)

". . . God is love." (I John 4:8)

Behold what manner of LOVE the Father has bestowed on me, that I should be called a child of God (1 John 3:1)! In this the LOVE of God was manifested toward me, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that I might live through Him. In this is LOVE, not that I LOVED God, but that He LOVED me, and sent His Son to be the propitiation for my sins (1 John 4:9, 10). For God so LOVED me that He gave His only begotten Son, that if I would believe in Him, I would not perish, but would have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son to me to condemn me, but that I, through Him, might be saved (John 3:16, 17). For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die. But God demonstrated His own LOVE toward me, in that while I was still a sinner, Christ died for me (Romans 5:7, 8)!

 

LOVE has been perfected in me in this: I may have boldness in the Day of Judgment, because as He is, so am I in this world. There is no fear in LOVE, but perfect LOVE casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in LOVE. I LOVE Him because He first LOVED me.
(1 John 4:17-19)

Therefore, having been justified by faith, I have peace with God through my Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also I have access by faith into this grace in which I stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And, not only that, but I also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope. Now hope does not disappoint, because the LOVE OF GOD has been poured out in my heart by the Holy Spirit who has been given to me.

(Romans 5:1-5)

Today I will LOVE the Lord my God with all my heart, with all my soul, and with all my mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is similar to the first . . . Today I will LOVE my neighbor as I LOVE myself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets (Matthew 22:37-40). Because of the LOVE of God in me, I will suffer long, and be kind. I will not envy, will not parade myself, and will not let myself be puffed up. I will not behave rudely, nor look out only for my own best interest. I will not be easily provoked, or think evil about others today. I will not rejoice in iniquity, but will rejoice in the truth . . . will bear all things, believe all things, hope all things, and endure all things. LOVE NEVER FAILS (1 Corinthians 13:4-8)!

Today, by His grace, strength and power, I will LOVE my enemies, bless those who curse me, do good to those who hate me, and pray for those who use me for spite, and persecute me (Matthew 5:44). In all these things I am more than a conqueror through Him who LOVES me. For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature shall be able to separate me from the LOVE OF GOD, which is in Christ Jesus my Lord (Romans 8:37-39)! I am LOVED, and today I will live in the now!

Today's AYITN: BE FREE!

Look at the birds, free and unfettered, not tied down to a job description,
careless in the care of God.  And you count far more to him than birds.
(Matthew 6:26 - The Message)

1.Today I will live in the now!  I will live in the now because I am free!  He/she whom the Son makes free is free indeed.  I know the truth, and the truth that I know sets me free.  Where the Spirit of the Lord is (where the Spirit is Lord), there is liberty!

2.Today I will live free from small-mindedness and limited vision.  I will not feel obligated to think on a lower level just because the people around me are inclined to do so.  I can love them unconditionally and still move toward my higher purpose and larger destiny.  Today  I can see the big picture of my life!

3.Today I will live free from religious tradition.  I will gladly discard whatever still exists in my belief system that is archaic, passé, or irrelevant, in an effort to repent my way into the NOW Kingdom where God lives.  My liberated mind will prevent tradition from making the Word in my life ineffective.

4.Today I will free myself from the captivity of living in the past, and from the weight of my own emotional baggage, by practicing the power to forgive.  I will allow myself to breathe today’s fresh air, no longer having to struggle with memories that suffocate my soul and attempt to create a claustrophobic atmosphere for my spirit to contend with.

5.Today I will live free from fear and worry.  I will consider the lilies of the field and will observe the freedom with which the birds of the air demonstrate a faith, a trust, and a confidence that reveal the Kingdom.  I am free to let faith come to me by hearing and hearing by the Word of God.

6.Today I will live free from doubt and unbelief.  I am emancipated to receive the evidence of things not seen and to allow my God-like faith to give substance to those things for which I hope.

7.Today I am free to let God be God, and to allow myself to be His unique workmanship.  He is the only true God, and He has set me free to be the only true me!  I will celebrate my freedom today, and today I will live in the now!


Father, help me to walk in real freedom today.  In Jesus’ name, amen.

Now Hear This

Couple of things...the book ('First, The Good News') is coming along quite nicely...I've taken a few weeks off from looking at it so that I can keep some perspective on the material...when you are immersed in it every day it's easy to get lost in the enormity of all you want and need to say, at least it is for me, anyway...but as of yesterday I've been able to proof it again with some objective eyes, and I must say that I'm really very proud of it so far...I mean, on one level I know I'm kind of asking for trouble in addressing some of the subject matter, but there's really not much of anything left to be said by the religious community that hasn't already been said about me, so it is what it is...the fundamentalists you have with you always...but I know that a lot of people are going to be set free by it, and not just people with same-sex attraction...freedom and authenticity and 'Real People Experiencing the Real God in the Real World' are blessings that everyone should be able to enjoy...I don't think that 2012 will be the end of the world, but I do believe that it will usher in the end of an age, or of an era...everything that can be shaken will be shaken, including the lies and pretensions that much of the modern church is built upon, and this book is some of the fruit of that shaking...I probably have two, maybe three more chapters to write, and when I do I'll post them here...might even finish the next one today...

Things are going well at both CITN locations...surprisingly well, in fact, and I'm not just making a statement of faith in saying that...we really are doing something that hasn't been done before, and even the things that appear to be setbacks (like foreclosures and financial challenges) are in reality all working together for our good...there are still just too many unfulfilled prophecies over the Conyers property, and it's quite possible we may not be able to leave there until they are manifested (yes, CITN EAST is still meeting at 1873 Iris Drive in Conyers, nearly a year after the foreclosure)...

Debye has done a great job ministering on Wednesday nights in January at CITNE, but now that she has finished her series on 'The Power of Agreement', I'll be back on Wednesdays, starting next week...not sure what series I'll be doing yet...may even do something in connection with Black History Month...

Look, I don't don't understand all that's going on with CITNE...God knows I've put those 43 acres on the altar a thousand times and have said goodbye in my heart to all of it, and yet we can't seem to be able to leave it...I mean, if it sells tomorrow I still believe that our steps are ordered, and that God will have something even better for us, but as of right now there are no deals of that nature on the table...

CITN MIDTOWN is doing well, and I really love it...I do, however, need to make some decisions about a permanent meeting place for us...in fact, tonight will be an important service there at The Biltmore House concerning that very issue, and I'm hoping to see many of you there...


Anyway, I'm going to try to get some writing done now...oh, by the way, today's 'A Year In The Now' is a really good one...check it out...if you don't have the book, it's posted on the CITN website (www.churchinthenow.org)...

Peace to you...

Today's AYITN: BIG PICTURE!

While we do not look at the things which are seen,  but at the things which are not seen.  For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal. 
 (2 Corinthians 4:18)



1.Today I will live in the now!  I will live in the now because I have made the decision to see my current circumstances in the light of the spiritual realm.  I will see my life as a whole - something entire and complete.  Although I am making the effort to live in the moment, I always know that there is more to my life than what is happening right now.  Now is certainly important, but it is not all that there is to my life.

2.Today I will be able to regard my present circumstances as important pieces to the puzzle of my life, and I will cooperate with the Holy Spirit in assembling those pieces until the picture is complete.  Seeing things come together to manifest God’s purpose for my life is an enjoyable adventure, even when the process is precarious.

3.Today I don’t have to understand exactly how the plan works for me, because I know that it always works out for me!  In the big picture, all things are working together for my good, and that is all that really matters to me.  I trust in the Lord with all my heart by not leaning unto my own understanding.

4.Today I will not allow negative, limiting voices from my past to create a defeatist mentality in me, because my spiritual eyes are on the big picture.  I am able to maintain a “can do” attitude in all things, regardless of what I may be facing today.

5.Today, even though the big picture is painted in broad strokes, I will not be unaware of how important minute details are to the finished product.  I will pay attention to the still, small voice of God in my inner man, and I will obey all of His instructions, not despising the day of small things (Zechariah 4:10).  His every wish is my command.

6.Today I look at those things that are eternal, because eternity is now.  I do not have to look to the past.  I don’t even have to look to the future.  The big picture is now, and I walk in the revelation of it in the spirit, instead of in the intellect.


7.Today I am unmoved by natural scenarios.  I am a visionary and, therefore, can see what most people can’t.  Because of this ability, I am strong, steady, patient, and focused as I work out my own salvation.  Today I will enjoy seeing my personal path unfold as the big picture of my life manifests the glory of God.  I will not underestimate the importance of today, and today I will live in the now!



Father, help me to begin to see the big picture today.  In Jesus’ name, amen.

Today's AYITN: REJOICE TODAY!

This is the day the Lord has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it. 
(Psalm 118:24)

1. Today I will live in the now!  I will live in the now because I understand and appreciate the energizing power of rejoicing in the now.  Today I joyfully celebrate the present and all of the possibilities that it presents.  I exercise my will—I will rejoice, and I WILL be glad in this day!  Today I choose to wear the garment of praise instead of the spirit of heaviness.  I choose happiness!  I choose joy!

2. Today I will resist the temptation to whine, complain, murmur, grumble, mourn, lament, moan and groan, be depressed, feel sorry for myself, feel down and out, feel dejected, feel discontented, feel oppressed, be sad or even be in a bad mood.  Instead, my merry heart will do me good like a medicine…I will glory in my infirmities (for when I am weak, then I am strong)...I will count it all joy when I fall into various trials...I will leap for joy at persecution...the joy of the Lord will be my strength!

3. Today I will laugh, finding the humor in my current situations.  I will recognize what is funny, and I will not hesitate to enjoy it.  I will not waste today by living in regret, but with joy I will draw water out of the wells of salvation.  I will even find the proper way to appreciate the absurd and the ridiculous.  I will let God use the foolish things of the world to confound the wise around me.

4. Today I will enter the Kingdom by becoming like a little child...laughing... playing... having fun...not taking life too seriously.  I will make the effort to enjoy my day.  I will smile at people.  I will be a pleasure to be with.  People will enjoy my company today because my joy will be both attractive and infectious.  I will be a blessing to others.

5. Today, for the joy that is set before me, I will endure my cross.  I will know the reality of the resurrection and, therefore, will see no situation as hopeless.  Life will always triumph over death.  I will celebrate my life.  The same Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead will live big in me today!

6.  Today I will be optimistic.  I will see the glass half full.  I will think positively.  I will think on those things that are true, honest, just, pure, lovely and of a good report.  I will walk in the Mind of Christ.  I will be proactive in dealing with the people around me and with all of their issues.  My joyful mind will cause me to think like a winner!

7. Today I will be thankful to God and grateful for my life.  I will make melody in my heart to the Lord in an attitude of praise and worship.  I will be renewed by the refreshing laughter of Christ in my spirit.  This is my day that the Lord has made - I will rejoice and be glad in it and, today, I will live in the now!

Father, help me to remember to rejoice today.  In Jesus’ name. Amen.

AYITN for October 31: NO MONSTERS!

You shall tread upon the lion and the cobra, the young lion and the serpent you shall trample underfoot.  (Psalm 91:13)

Behold!  I have given you authority and power to trample upon serpents and scorpions, and (physical and mental strength and ability) over all the power that the enemy [possesses]; and nothing shall in any way harm you.  (Luke 10:19 AMP)

1.Today I will live in the now!  I will live in the now because I am free from every curse—I do not fear demons or witchcraft or any work of darkness.  My light cannot be overtaken and God has not given me a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind!

2.Today I will not be afraid of “the beast,” or of Armageddon, or the sign of 666.  I know that God has given me dominion on this planet and I hold the keys of the Kingdom!

3.Today I will not fear the future.  I declare the end from the beginning!

4.Today I will not fear any accusation from the brethren’s accuser, because I am covered with the blood of Jesus and I am familiar with the word of my testimony.

5.Today I will not be afraid in my house—no plague will come near my dwelling!  I am not afraid of the terror by night or of the arrow that flies by day, nor of the pestilence that walks in darkness, nor of the destruction that lays waste at noonday!

6.Today I will not be afraid of any accident or calamity, for the angel of the Lord sets up camp around me and bears me up in his own hand.

7.Today, even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil for God is with me!  His rod and His staff comfort me today, and today I will live in the now!

Father, keep me safe today.  In Jesus’ name, amen.

GET GOING!: Today's Affirmation from A Year In The Now

Later He appeared to the eleven as they sat at the table; and He rebuked their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they did not believe those who had seen Him after He had risen. And He said to them, “GO into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned. And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.”
(Mark 16:14-18)

1.Today I will live in the now! I will live in the now because I have a command to GO into all the world—into every part of the worlds of every man, woman, boy and girl...into every culture and counterculture...into every mindset and philosophy...into every system and network—and preach the good news without the preferential treatment of anyone!

2.Today I will embrace the call of Christ. Even though I may be rebuked for my unbelief or hardness of heart as the first disciples were, I have still been mandated to go—to go anyway—in spite of my weaknesses and vulnerabilities. The gifts and callings of God are irrevocable and, regardless of what I have or haven’t done, Jesus is still depending on me to give the inhabitants of His world some good news!

3.Today I will go to where the people are—not just where they are geographically, but to where they are mentally, spiritually, emotionally and philosophically. I will speak with the tongue of the learned (Isaiah 50:4), becoming all things to all men (1 Corinthians 9:22).

4.Today I will make some movement, knowing that my steps are ordered of the Lord and that God blesses whatever I put my hand to.

5.Today I will not preach religious tradition or anything that could possibly make people feel alienated from God. My declaration of the Kingdom (“The Kingdom is at hand!”) will make Jesus accessible to those who have been disconnected in their minds. I will go to where the breaches are—and I will repair them!

6.Today I will be a witness, telling my story, finding my voice.

7.Today I will be followed by supernatural signs confirming my words. God will bless my efforts because I believe. My faith will be irresistible to Him today, and today I will live in the now!

Father, help me to get up and get going today. In Jesus’ name, amen.

MENTAL HEALTH!: Today's Affirmation from A Year In The Now

For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a SOUND MIND (2 Timothy 1:7)

1.Today I will live in the now!  I will live in the now because the God Who has recreated my spirit is renewing my mind and restoring my soul.  It is written: “Fear not, for you shall not be ashamed; neither be confounded and depressed, for you shall not be put to shame.  For you shall forget the shame of your youth, and you shall not [seriously] remember the reproach of your widowhood anymore” (Isaiah 54:4 AMP).

2.Today I will be far from oppression or any other dark thing that tries to come against my mind.  It is written: “You shall establish yourself in righteousness (rightness, in conformity with God’s will and order): you shall be far even from the thought of oppression or destruction, for you shall not fear, and from terror, for it shall not come near you” (Isaiah 54:14 AMP).

3.Today I will walk in the light of the glory of God, and that light will shine into every remote corner of my mind and will bring revelation, clarity and understanding to me concerning my circumstances.  It is written: “ARISE [from the depression and prostration in which circumstances have kept you—rise to new life]!  Shine (be radiant with the glory of the Lord), for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon you!” (Isaiah 60:1 AMP).

4.Today I will remain stable, settled and stress-free, even in the midst of confusion and insanity all around me, by keeping my mind stayed on God.  It is written: “You will guard him and keep him in perfect and constant peace whose mind [both its inclination and its character] is stayed on You, because he commits himself to You, leans on You, and hopes confidently in You” (Isaiah 26:3 AMP).

5.Today I will meditate the Word of God, and whatever is good and edifying, I will “think on these things” (Philippians 4:8 KJV).

6.Today I will think positively and remain optimistic, regardless of the influence of negative people in my life.

7.Today I will walk in the blessings of the Mind of Christ, and today I will live in the now!

Father, help me to hold it together today.  In Jesus’ name, amen.

CELEBRATE DIVERSITY!

The affirmation for August 15 from A Year In The Now...

In this new life one’s nationality or race or education or social position is unimportant; such things mean nothing. Whether a person has Christ is what matters, and He is equally available to all.
(Colossians 3:11 Living Bible)

1.Today I will live in the now! I will live in the now because I can confidently celebrate my complete freedom from prejudice, bigotry and all forms of narrow-mindedness. Because I understand the beauty of the diversity of the people of the earth—the spectrum of individuality that God has created for His world--I can enjoy life to the fullest. Diversity is a part of the natural order of things—as natural as the colors of the rainbow or the infinite number of shapes, shadows and shades of spring flowers or autumn leaves. God is good and so is His creation.

2.Today I will recognize that diversity brings new solutions - Kingdom solutions - to the ever-transient environment. I will appreciate the individuality of others, as well as that of my own, because God has called us all to rise above the uninteresting and limiting parameters of sameness. “Now you are the body of Christ, and members individually”
(1 Corinthians 12:27).


3.Today I will exalt life by exalting diversity with all of the opportunities that it presents. I will do what I can to pull down the strongholds of intolerance and division when and where I can, taking dominion and overcoming evil with good!

4.Today, when I look at people, I will be able to see beyond their natural, fleshly appearance.

“Therefore, from now on, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we have known Christ according to the flesh, yet now we know Him thus no longer” (2 Corinthians 5:16).

Man looks on the outward appearance, but God looks on the heart, so today I will choose to see things in the world from God’s perspective.

5.Today I will live and let live, look for the best in others and will love people unconditionally because there is no fear in love. Perfect love casts out fear!

6.Today I will treat everyone with the respect that they deserve. I will do unto others as I would have them do unto me and, in so doing, I will show respect for myself and, ultimately, for the Creator of all the people of the earth.

7.Today I will show the real Jesus to the real world, and today I will live in the now!

Father, help me to be a bridge-builder today. In Jesus’ name, amen.

AUGUST PROMISES: Snow In Summer

From A Year In The Now...

AUGUST

A month to be restored and refreshed.

The heat is on, but help is on the way!

These dog days afternoons are the days the Lord, your Shepherd has made.

He is faithful to lead you to where the cool, green pastures are, and to cause you to lie down beside the peaceful, still waters...

"Like the cold of snow in time of harvest is a faithful messenger to those who send him, for he refreshes the soul of his masters."

(Proverbs 25:13)

No sweat...

Be cool...

Chill out...

Get ready...

Good news is coming like an unexpected arctic breeze from the north.

A miracle is in the making...

Welcome to the surprise of a summer snow!

The Lord is your keeper; the Lord is your shade at your right hand.

The sun shall not strike you by day, nor the moon at night.

(Psalms 121:5, 6)

JULY IN THE NOW (From 'A Year In The Now')

Red, white and blue banners to brighten things up...

Marching bands to move you...

Parades to pick up your spirits...

A dazzlingly deafening display of light, color and noise to excite you as it explodes above your head in the heat of the summer night...

Celebrate it all - all that the summer brings...

Baseball games, barbecued ribs, and bare feet...

Cotton candy, carnivals and convertibles...

Hamburgers, hot dogs, and homemade ice cream...

Long, lazy afternoons, lemonade, and laughing out loud!

Put the top down and go to a drive-in movie...

Remember to ride a roller coaster...

And celebrate life!

Make a joyful noise all the earth!

"When you win, we plan to raise the roof and lead the parade with our banners. May all your wishes come true! (Psalms 20:5 - The Message)

BRIGHT FUTURE!

Last night at CHURCH IN THE NOW MIDTOWN was awesome...pics of it are posted on the CITNM Facebook page...thanks to everyone who came out for the service (and thanks, especially, to all of you who brought all the delicious food!). Also, for those of you in the Houston TX area, I'll be ministering tonight at CORNERSTONE FELLOWSHIP (currently meeting at Grace Lutheran Church 2515 Waugh Drive 77006). Here's today's affirmation from A Year In The Now...

"Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don't get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the times comes."
(Matthew 6:34 – The Message)

Today I will live in the now! I will live in the now because my attention is on the Kingdom, and the Kingdom is always in the now.

Today I will not worry about what's coming up, because the things that I am dreading may not even happen, and the unknown things are impossible to prepare for. But regardless of what tomorrow brings, I will face it with the confident assurance that the Lord perfects all that concerns me.

Today I will run toward the giants that intimidate me, the way David ran toward Goliath. I will not give place to cowardice, but will be aggressive enough to intimidate the thing that is trying to intimidate me!


Today I will have no fear of the unknown, but will anticipate the adventure with appreciation for the attitude of authority that I have attained through accepting the Word of God as an absolute anchor for the soul!


Today I will start making plans to go to a higher level, preparing myself for new responsibilities.


Today I will believe that my latter is going to be greater than my former as I go from glory to glory.

Today I will enjoy the day, believing that tomorrow will be even better. I will protect my dreams and visions today, and today I will live in the now!

Father, help me be ready for what’s ahead, and thank You, in advance, for how good it’s all going to turn out for me.
In Jesus ’name, amen.

Celebrate Pentecost Sunday Today!

In honor of today being Pentecost Sunday I am re-posting the 2nd chapter of the Book of Acts from Acts In The Now. I haven't been working on this project for a while now, but I certainly haven't abandoned it altogether. The Gospels In The Now has been out for a couple of years, and I'm happy (and grateful) to say that it has been very well received. I'm especially grateful that I haven't been burned at the stake as other Bible translators were in the past! TGITN has also turned out to be one of the most successful of any of my books, second only, I think, to A Year In The Now. I'm working on a very different kind of book at the moment, but I still plan on eventually paraphrasing at least the New Testament.

A couple of other things...prints of my painting entitled "PENTECOST" (above) are available at www.churchinthenow.org...and I hope to see many of you today at CHURCH IN THE NOW EAST! I've got a good for you...

I've broken up most of the chapter with an acrostic for the word PENTECOST that I've posted before. Enjoy...



                               PENTECOST IS:



P - ushing limits

(Acts 2:1-4 - Acts In The Now)

For well over a week this group stayed in the Upper Room, praying and communing...connecting...basically, just waiting for whatever, as Jesus had instructed them. Day after day, for hours on end, they had been in the same flow...the same mindset...the same hopeful expectation. So by the time the day of Pentecost finally rolled around, they were all together...all together in one place, physically...all together in one place, mentally…all together in one place, spiritually. Then, suddenly, without warning, a thunderous, earthshaking sound like the blast of a violent windstorm burst out of the heavenly realm, and permeated the entire building where they were meeting.3. And they began to see a manifestation of fire hovering above their heads, which eventually separated into individual flames. Each of these flames somehow resembled a human tongue, and these “tongues of fire” came to rest on each of them. Every last one in the place was filled with the Holy Spirit, and began to speak in other languages as the Spirit enabled him or her.

E - mbracing diversity

(Acts 2:5,6 - Acts In The Now)

Now there were staying in Jerusalem devout Jews, pilgrims from literally every nation in the known world. And when they heard this sonic boom send shock waves through the entire city, a huge crowd of them came together in excited confusion to see what was going on. They traced the sound to the Upper Room, and when they arrived there they became even more disoriented because each one heard their own language simultaneously being spoken.

N - etworking nationals

(Acts 2:7,8 - Acts In The Now)

Utterly amazed, they said "Hey…aren't all these who are speaking Galileans?! How is it possible that each of us hears them fluently speaking in our native language?

T - ranscending culture

(Acts 2:9-11 - Acts In The Now) 

Parthians, Medes and Elamites; residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya near Cyrene; visitors from Rome(both Jews and converts to Judaism); Cretans and Arabs…we hear them declaring nothing but the wonders of God…describing His wonderful works and mercy to all…and we hear and understand what they are saying in our own tongues!"

E - mpowering believers

(Acts 2:12,13 - Acts In The Now) 

Utterly perplexed, they tried to rationalize what it was that they were seeing and hearing, asking one another, "What on earth does this mean?" Some, however, unable to comprehend or accept this phenomenon, simply made fun of them, attacking what they didn’t understand by saying, "Ahhh…this is nothing but a bunch of drunks acting crazy."

C - ommunicating truth

(Acts 2:14,15 - Acts In The Now)

Then Peter, being the first one to speak up, as usual, stood with the Eleven, raised his voice, and boldly addressed the crowd, saying, "Listen, all of you who live here in Jerusalem…and listen, all of you who are here visiting. Let me enlighten you as to what is happening here and now…listen carefully to what I say! You are trying to make sense of this spiritual occurrence with your natural minds, which is why you have opted to believe that these people are just drunk…but you can’t honestly believe that. Not only is it only nine in the morning, but you know full well that drunkenness doesn’t enable anyone to speak fluently about the wonderful works of God in languages that they don’t know!

O - vercoming divisions

(Acts 2:16-18 - Acts In The Now)

No, this is what was spoken centuries ago by the prophet, Joel, when he said, " 'In the days of fulfillment, God says, I will pour out of My Spirit on all people…on the entirety of humanity…and when everyone, everywhere, ultimately encounters a revelation and manifestation of My Spirit, both your sons and daughters together will prophesy, your young people will walk in visionary insight, and your old people will dream the dreams of God. In other words, this outpouring will not favor one generation over the other. Neither will this outpouring have any preference for station or status…it will touch the full range of servitude, from slaves, to the totality of the working class…nor will it discriminate because of gender, for it will be equally experienced by both men and women, alike. I will pour out of my Spirit with full abandon in those days, and they will all prophesy...every one of them!’

S - eeing globalism

(Acts 2:19-21 - Acts In The Now) 

Then, speaking in poetic, prophetic vocabulary, or in the symbolic language of prophecy, (Genesis 1:14 - 16; Isaiah 13:9, 10; 34:4; Amos 8:9; Ezekiel 32:7, 8), Joel went on to say, ‘I will show wonders in the heaven above and signs on the earth below, that will appear as blood, fire, and billows of smoke. The sun will be turned to darkness and the moon to blood before the full manifestation of the great and glorious day of the Lord.’ In this way He used the same imagery that the other Prophets of old employed to speak of the downfall of earthly authorities and governors. And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved from any chaotic fallout that will come as a result of the transition of power, when the earth is no longer ruled by natural thrones and crowns (“suns and moons”), but totally and completely by My Spirit!

T - aking dominion

(Acts 2:22-28 - Acts In The Now)

"People…Israelites and foreign delegates, alike…listen to this…Jesus of Nazareth was a man thoroughly accredited by God to you by miracles, wonders, and signs, which God performed among you here in Israel through Him. I‘m really not telling you anything that you don‘t already know. But to give you some context, allow me to tell the whole story. This man, Jesus, was handed over to you by God's deliberate plan and foreknowledge…in other words, from the eternal perspective…in the God-reality…it was absolutely the Divine will for it to happen exactly as it did. But here in the natural, temporal realm, you, with the help of manipulative men who found a loophole in the law, put Him to death by nailing Him to the cross. In this dimension and reality…from the human perspective…it was simply an unjust execution of an innocent man. But, regardless of what it was on this side of these parallel realities, God raised Him from the dead, totally freeing Him from the agony and authority of death. The obvious truth is that, in the grand scheme of things, it was just impossible for death to keep its hold on Him in any way. David had this to say about Him: 'I saw the Lord before me for all time…and because He was and is beside me at my right hand, nothing in the world can shake me.Therefore my heart (my spirit) is in a state of ecstasy…and my tongue (my speech) is overflowing with expressions of joy. And when my physical life comes to an end, my body will rest peacefully in hope, and in confident expectation, because I know that you will not abandon me to the realm of the dead…you will not allow your Holy One to be contaminated with the stench of death. You have revealed to me all the paths of life…you will fill me to overflowing with joy in Your presence."

Something's Coming/Tonight In Midtown

Happy Thursday!

As I told the congregation at CHURCH IN THE NOW EAST last evening, we have some direction and good news to share with you about the future of our presence in the Conyers/Covington area, which I will talk about more this coming Sunday. We really do believe that the best days of this ministry are ahead of us, and we are committed to seeing much of that unfold in the community we have invested in over the last 26 years.

By the way, if you couldn't be there last night, or weren't able to stream, you might want to get a copy of the teaching "It Seemed Good to the Holy Spirit, and to Us" (order at www.churchintenow.org). It was a continuation of the subject from the previous week about the real meaning of "binding and loosing", and there's some good stuff in there.

Tonight is our second meeting at CHURCH IN THE NOW MIDTOWN, and I am really looking forward to seeing even more new faces in the audience there. Last week's premier service exceeded expectations, but many people come to the opening night of something just because it's an event. Tonight will be another beginning of sorts, because it will show more acurately who is really interested in becoming a part of the Midtown congregation.

CITNM is currently meeting every Thursday at 7 PM in the Imperial Ballroom of the historic Biltmore House, 30 5th street NE in Atlanta (corner of W. Peachtree and 5th). There is FREE COVERED PARKING, and no childcare provided.

In light of all that's happening, I want to share today's affirmations from A Year In The Now:

SOMETHING’S COMING!

"And then God answered, ‘Write this. Write what you see. Write it out in big block letters so that it can be read on the run. This vision-message is a witness pointing to what's coming – it can hardly wait! And it doesn't lie. If it seems slow in coming, wait. It's on the way. It will come right on time.'" (Habakkuk 2:2, 3 – The Message)


Today I will live in the now! I will live in the now because I have a vision, and a vision from God doesn't lie. It lets me know that something good is on the way, and that I must make room for it in my life.

Today I will have faith in my goals and in my ability to reach them. I will write a petition, which will give my faith a focal point, and I will find a word on which to stand to make that petition come to pass.

Today I will have a positive outlook, anticipating the arrival of a long-awaited answer to a prayer. I will not be weary in well doing, knowing that I will reap in due season if I do not faint.

Today I will run with the vision, because the vision is alive and growing – mobile and evolving – and running to keep up with it will be good and healthy for me. I will abandon my comfort zone, and stretch toward the bigger and better breakthrough that is bound to become mine!

Today I will be appreciative of the little things that are a blessing to my life, as I increase my capacity for accepting even greater outpourings of God's love and affection for me. God wants me to be blessed even more than I want to be blessed, and He has written a vision on my heart to make sure that I receive all that He has in store for me!

Today I will not be moved when it looks like I am having a setback. All things are working together for my good, and God's timing will ultimately be perfect – so I will walk in the faith and patience that enables me to obtain the promises! I will not become discouraged, because I will keep my eyes on the big picture.

Today I will keep hope alive by believing for the impossible, seeing the invisible, and feeling the intangible. I will speak of the non-existent things as though they already existed, because the vision in my mind is increasing with the faith in my heart. Something's coming, and it could be here any minute — I will be ready for it today, and today I will live in the now!

Father, write Your vision on my heart today. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Just wanted to check in and tell you all that I love you, that I appreciate all of you who are in covenant with us more than you know, that I'm extremently excited about tonight, and that the best is yet to come!

YOU’RE SPECIAL!

REMEMBER: Church In The Now Midtown's Premier Service is this Thursday evening (June 2) at 7 PM in the Imperial Ballroom of the Biltmore House...enjoy your Memorial Day...here's today's affirmation from A Year In The Now...

"For You formed my inward parts; You covered me in my mother's womb. I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Marvelous are Your works, and that my soul knows very well." (Psalm 139:13, 14)

Today I will live in the now! I will live in the now because there is nobody exactly like me anywhere, nor has there ever been.


Today I will attract uncommon favor to my life — blessed coming in and going out — as people go out of their way to do for me what is out of the ordinary.


Today I will do the rare and unusual, challenging social mores and conventional modes of ministry that attempt to deprive people of their individuality and special-ness. God has called me to confront every system that exalts itself against the knowledge of the God who encourages creativity and applauds originality.


Today I will demonstrate my uniqueness in God by defining my own personal path of destiny, defying the limitations of my ancestral ties, if necessary. My success will openly resist logic, as I allow God to do more for me than I can ask or think, in spite of the negative prophecies spoken by those closest to me.


Today I will have confidence in the importance of my significant contribution to the world. I am supposed to be here. I need to be here. My accomplishments are notable, and my life matters. I will keep moving toward my goals in my own way, breaking the mold if I have to. I will expect the best of myself, as my relationship with my Creator supersedes the traditions of men.


Today I will derive a genuine and workable sense of self-worth by knowing that I am the apple of God's eye. Because of His approval, I am able to face my fears, break new ground, and open new doors for myself. I am ready to go beyond the boundaries of what everyone else expects of me, moving onward and upward, because the power of Christ working in me is bigger than religion, politics, culture, philosophy, doctrines, or anything else that could potentially be binding, limiting, discriminating, narrow, or even mediocre! Christ in me is the hope of glory!


Today I will do something special because I am special, and today I will live in the now!

Father, thank You for creating me in Your image. In Jesus’ name, amen.

GET REAL!

Today's affirmation from A Year In The Now...

"For we do not have a High Priest Who is unable to understand and sympathize and have a shared feeling with our weaknesses and infirmities and liability to the assaults of temptation, but One Who has been tempted in every respect as we are, yet without sinning." (Hebrews 4:15 – AMP)

Today I will live in the now! I will live in the now because I am a real person experiencing the real God in the real world. I will be honest and open before God today — naked, refusing to search for emotional "fig leaves" with which to hide myself!

Today I will remember that faith is not denial. That, even though I believe in the supernatural intervention of God in my life, I am not out of touch with reality. I will call those things that are not as though they are, instead of calling those things that are as though they are not! And when I see the inevitable truth, I will embrace it without reservation.

Today I will find confidence in relating to the humanity of Jesus, recognizing that He was/is just as much Son of Man as He was/is Son of God! He felt hunger and pain in His earth-walk, and experienced every human emotion, being tempted in all points, so that He could empathize with my weaknesses!

Today I will part with my illusions and tell myself the truth concerning the circumstances of my life. Jesus said that the Spirit of Truth would lead me into all truth, so I will not fear what is real. I welcome truth into my life, knowing that the knowledge of it will always set me free.

Today I will be genuine in relating to others. I will not lie. I will not gossip. I will not give compliments that I don't really mean. I will make time to listen. I will value the people in my life enough to tell them the truth, and they will be able to confide in me without fear of breach of confidence.

Today I will confront any traces of sham religion that I find remaining in my life, in my own way, and will exalt my true belief system — not just the one that is the most popular, but the one that demonstrates the theology by which I really live. I will make the Word plain, and approach it with genuine faith.

Today I will serve others with an attitude that exemplifies works of pure gold — not those of wood, hay and stubble. My motivation to be a blessing will be above reproach and beyond question — full of integrity and good fruits. Today I will not waste my time on what is not authentic and actual, and today I will live in the now!

Father, help me to really be real today. In Jesus’ name, amen.

ACCEPT CHANGE!

Thanks to everyone who helped to make our Anniversary Celebration yesterday the great success that it was! Pictures from the service can be seen in the previous post, and more from the picnic can be seen on Facebook.

Congratulations to Pastor Jason Jaros who was installed as the new pastor of Kids In The Now. Congratulations, also, to the graduates (High School, College, Life Skills) who were honored in yesterday's service...WE ARE PROUD OF YOU ALL!

Here are the affirmations from today's A Year In The Now...

"To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven." (Ecclesiastes 3:1)

Today I will live in the now! I will live in the now because, even though my life is going through dramatic changes, I remember that I am still who God says I am, I still have what God says that I have, and I can still do what God says I can do! The constancy of His Word in my heart establishes me so that I can navigate the current of transition without spiritual or emotional shipwreck.


Today I will maintain the flexibility that only comes by enjoying the power of living in the now. I will realize the positive aspects of change by disconnecting from past regrets, and by avoiding fear of the future. My focused allegiance to the now will make change more tolerable — and even enjoyable.


Today I will not get bogged down in the details of change, but will rather channel my vision to the "big picture" of my life, my purpose, my destiny, my path, my life-goals. I will not allow my perception of the day's events to become exaggerated in my mind, and will not overreact when things seem to be changing too fast. My peace will be found in working toward fulfilling my unique role in the earth.


Today I will appropriately manage the relationships in my life which are being affected by my changing seasons. I will build bridges and tear down walls by using God-inspired words and actions to make a positive difference in the people of the world around me, alleviating the fears of those who fear the changes in me.


Today I will seek balance and harmony in my life. I will think like a visionary without being impractical, using my intuitive skills without becoming cynical. I will give myself permission to enjoy a healthy self-esteem, while forbidding myself to feel superior to others in any way, loving myself without becoming self-absorbed, allowing for personal change without compromising my essence and true nature.


Today I will go with the flow. I will not let my dreams and goals ensnare me with unnecessary rigidity. I will keep an open mind, never say never, and remember that the God Who is in control, makes all things possible!


Today I will survive the effects of change by nurturing my spirit, soul, and body – moving toward optimum spiritual, mental, and physical condition in an effort to be and do my best. I will view transition as needful and healthy today. Change is good for me and it is helping me to realize all of my potential. I will remember this today when the ride gets bumpy, and today I will live in the now!


Father, help me to accept change in my life today. In Jesus’ name, amen.

ETERNAL LIFE!

Today's affirmation from A Year In The Now...

"That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, concerning the Word of Life – the life was manifested, and we have seen, and bear witness, and declare to you . . . ETERNAL LIFE . . . therefore let that abide in you which you heard from the beginning. If what you heard from the beginning abides in you, you also will abide in the Son and in the Father. And this is the promise that He has promised us ETERNAL LIFE."
(1 John 1:1, 2; 2:24, 25)

Today I will live in the now! I will live in the now because I am living my life from the inside out: spiritually, first — mentally, second — physically, third. My reality is determined by the eternal part of me, where the fullness of the Godhead lives; I am a spirit being trying to find definition in the material world.


Today I will let that abide in me which I heard from the beginning — those eternal God-words that I heard when I was in Him at the creation of all things. I will base my knowledge on the speech of the spirit – those "I Am" concepts that my finite memory has not contained, but are still a reality in my inner man!
















Today I will be empowered and energized by my awareness of what is eternal in me. The transient events of the day will be trivialized by the triumph of the ever-living, ever-lasting Mind of Christ. The "eternal me" is bigger than the events of this day, so they will not be able to overwhelm or overpower me in any way!


Today I will examine the building blocks of my world-view, and whatever I find in my foundation that is not based on the fundamentals of eternal truths will be challenged to change. I will make the choice to begin to receive my information from the voice of my Creator, rather than from the alternative messages that I have received since my earth-birth.


Today I will take the concept of seeing the big picture to a whole new level, as I focus on the larger ideas of purpose and destiny. My life is more than my current circumstances — I am here for a reason — my life matters because it is a valid and viable part of the grand scheme of things. I will believe this until I can feel it.


Today I will be able to walk through the valley of the shadow of death, and still fear no evil, because I am alive forevermore. Death has no sting for me, because the law of the spirit of life in Christ Jesus liberates me from its grasp, and His eternal love produces fearlessness in me!


Today I will really live my real life, and today I will live in the now!

Father, help me to stay connected to my eternal life today.
In Jesus’ name, amen.