GET GOING!

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!



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!


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).


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.


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!


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


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.

(The above passages taken from A YEAR IN THE NOW by Jim Swilley, Church in the Now)
http://www.churchinthenow.org/

Shining Brighter!

Today I will remember that the spirit of man is the candle of the Lord searching the hidden rooms of the heart, so I will walk by the light of my recreated spirit, under the authority of the Lordship of Jesus, eternally crowned in the Kingdom of my heart, to reveal the internal dreams, visions, and prophetic revelations that have not yet been brought to light!
The light will reveal the next part of the path that lies ahead. Turn up the lights! Let the adventure begin!- Jim Swilley (A Year In The Now)

But the path of the [uncompromisingly] just and righteous is like the light of dawn, that shines more and more (brighter and clearer)
until [it reaches its full strength and glory in] the perfect day . . . ." (Proverbs 4:18 – AMP)

...let your light shine before all men!

"I am the light of the world.  Anyone who follows Me will never walk in the darkness but will have the light of life." - John 8:12

Let The Children Come

Then little children were brought to Jesus for him to place his hands on them and pray for them. But the disciples rebuked those who brought them.

Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these."
Matthew 19:12-14 (New International Version)

Kingdom of the Spirit (a note on Acts 1:3-8)

I find it interesting in verse 3 that for forty days Jesus spoke to them of the kingdom of God...it reminds me of the 40 years wandering in the desert, where Moses spoke of the things of God. Jesus gave the disciples many convincing proofs that He was alive...as well did God His proofs in the desert.

v.4...also enjoy the fact that very often Jesus gave spiritual food while people were eating regular food, a relaxing and generally inviting and receptive environment for spiritual things to conceive in the heart.

v.5...always enjoy the comparison of water and the Holy Spirit...the natural with the supernatural.

v.6, 7, 8...in these verses the disciples are still looking for a natural, visible kingdom to be restored when Christ's intent is restoration of a spiritual kingdom, continuing to reiterate about the coming of the Holy Spirit, like He did in His final discourse before the cross..."when He comes He will...", and, "if I don't go away, He can't come."

When they ask about kingdom restoration Jesus says, "you will receive power and be my witnesses."

-------
Here are the verses from Acts 1:3-7
After his suffering, he presented himself to them and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God. 4 On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: "Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. 5 For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit."
6 So when they met together, they asked him, "Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?"

7 He said to them: "It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."
(Today's New International Version)

Showers of blessings!

Enjoy the abundant and bountiful blessings of the Kingdom life that Jesus Himself is lavishing upon you in an amazing display of extravagant grace. He daily loads you with His benefits, so don't forget to thank Him for them today.*

Today may you flourish like an olive tree in the courts of God, Word-watered by the King Himself.*

*(paragraphs above taken from or adapted from 'A Year In The Now', by Jim Swilley)

The greater work of LOVE

If LOVE is the more excellent way, is this part of the "greater works" comment of Jesus possibly? When all else fails...LOVE.

You know I just thought...the "greater works" may actually be this LOVE, this oneness, the ultimate flow...for Paul mentioned after the list of great works/gifts (miracles, prophecy, etc.), ..."yet I show you a better/GREATER way! Love/Charity."
Jesus prayed that we all be made one...possibly a greater work than miracles themselves...

"No greater LOVE has any man than this, that he lay down His life for His friends." - Jesus Christ

"Acquire the courage to believe in yourself. Many of the things that you have been taught were at one time the radical ideas of individuals who had the courage to believe what their own hearts and minds told them was true, rather than accept the common beliefs of their day." - Ching Ning Chu

“I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” (Galatians 2:20) Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by Biblica

Righteousness Consciousness!

I believe God is confirming to me something today about "righteousness consciousness".
...that we have already received eternal redemption, and that the conscience (yours and mine) has already been cleaned by the blood of Jesus.


From Hebrews chapter 9:

6When everything had been arranged like this, the priests entered regularly into the outer room to carry on their ministry. 7But only the high priest entered the inner room, and that only once a year, and never without blood, which he offered for himself and for the sins the people had committed in ignorance. 8The Holy Spirit was showing by this that the way into the Most Holy Place had not yet been disclosed as long as the first tabernacle was still standing. 9This is an illustration for the present time, indicating that the gifts and sacrifices being offered were not able to clear the conscience of the worshiper. 10They are only a matter of food and drink and various ceremonial washings—external regulations applying until the time of the new order.

The Blood of Christ

11When Christ came as high priest of the good things that are already here, he went through the greater and more perfect tabernacle that is not man-made, that is to say, not a part of this creation. 12He did not enter by means of the blood of goats and calves; but he entered the Most Holy Place once for all by his own blood, having obtained eternal redemption. 13The blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer sprinkled on those who are ceremonially unclean sanctify them so that they are outwardly clean. 14How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, CLEANSE OUR CONSCIENCES from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God!

So, what I see is this: 
He died ONCE FOR ALL v.12
OBTAINED eternal redemption for us v.12
SANCTIFIED us v.13
CLEANSED our consciences v.14
(look at all the past tense verbs used)
...SO THAT (in order to)...serve the living God! v.14


What do YOU see?..thoughts anyone?