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Thoughts Archived > Baptism of Suffering


29 Mar 2009

 


 


March 29, 2009


Mark 10: 35-40  


The Baptism of Suffering    


 


 


Mark


James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came over and spoke to him.  "Teacher, " they said, "we want you to do us a favor."


"What is it?" he asked.


"In your glorious Kindgom, we want to sit in places of honor next to you," they said, "one at your right and the other at your left."


But Jesus answered, "You don't know what you are asking!  Are you able to drink from the bitter cup of sorrow I am about to drink? Are you able to be baptized with the baptism of suffering I must be baptized with?"


"Oh yes," they said, "we are able!" 


And Jesus said, "You will indeed drink from my cup and be baptized with my baptism, but I have no right to say who will sit on the thrones next to mine.  God has prepared those places for the ones he has chosen."


 


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Thoughts...


 


Have you been going through suffering?  Will it be worth it in the end?  Is it the baptism of suffering in and with Jesus or have you just been suffering on your own?  You do not need to 'suffer for nothing' or  alone.  You can suffer for someone...Jesus...and receive forgiveness of sins and eternal life. 


In todays economy, in the world with its sin, we are just one of the many.  We toil and we sweat and we get a roof over our head most of the time, and food in our stomachs, and hopefully other bills paid.  But is it enough?  Are you yearning for more?  For an easier way of life?


Jesus said his way was not easy, but was worth it.  And with him to turn to, look up at, and lean on, being taught how to live a better life...being carried when the road is long and rough...is easier than going it alone without him.  


Do you want to stop being one of the many, but be counted as someone and be chosen by God?  You, too, can be chosen, if you only believe and obey.  What do I mean?  Believe that Jesus was sent by God, that he died for us, allowing us to receive forgiveness of sins and eternal life, if we accept him into our life.  Believe that he then arose from the dead and ascended into heaven.  And that he then sent his Holy Spirit to live in us and give us all his fruits and gifts to help us on our way in life to live and live abundantly, and do as he did and more.  


Essentially we die to our own selfish desires and take on a new life with Christ doing for others and sharing the gospel message as we grow in and do for him.  


All scriptures up to this point give us examples of how to do as he did.  Accept God, Love all, Obey the Trinity (Our Father in heaven, who is God, Jesus the Son and Savior, and Holy Spirit the Teacher and Comforter) and go forth Teaching and preaching the gospel.  Something I mentioned last week coined as 'ALOT' to help us remember how to walk our perfect walk and the size by which we should embrace him and it.


If we are outwardly focused...looking outside ourselves...our self issues will not be as large and will become more managable by the efforts of better balance, focus, priority, and time management.  It's amazing how looking up at God first, at his other children second, and then at ourselves can do for our today and our tomorrow.


I understand that it may be hard to do that when your own suffering seems so great right now.  But I encourage you to trust in God who ordered the world to bring order to your life.  As you learn to listen to him, and obey him, he will direct the steps on your path for your journey.   


You've had a drink or more of sorrow, not his, but your own.  Look at Jesus' life and see how sorrowful it was.  Read any of the Gospel accounts to learn about what he went through....for you.  Each of these men told the same story by way of  their memory and experience.  Realize you are not alone.  Many have been and are where you are now.  Even Jesus.  That's why he knows what you are going through and why.  And has the answers as to how to rise above it all.  Reach out to him today, won't you?  He's waiting just for you.  Because he loves you.  Even if you don't love yourself right now.  Go on now...     


Next week the story will continue to unfold as we celebrate him making his triumphal entry into Jerusalem.  You may wonder why this is triumphant when he is about to be hung on a cross and die.   Stay in touch, as we learn more about who he is, that he is, and how wonderful he is.   


 


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Let Us Pray


 


God, Jesus, Holy Spirit I need help.  My life is tough right now.  I'm unsure of my future.  But I am told you can help me.  Please help me.  Please forgive me of my sins.  I want to receive all you have to give me.  I know I will suffer differently, for the better.  Instead of just suffering for myself..by myself.  Come into my life, won't you?  Raise me to new heights for your glory...not my own.  Help me to be a better person.  Live a better life.  And know what you need me to do for you as a way of saying thanks.  Help me to experience you being wonderful in my life.  Help me experience joy again instead of sorrow and fear.  I'm so tired of having fear and sorrow hang over me.  Please remove those things of Satan that I don't need to carry anymore and have Holy Spirit fill all those areas left void in me by Satan leaving, with everything Holy Spirit has to give me so that Satan can never enter those areas again.  I know that by Satan's leaving, he's going to huff and puff and try to break down this new house built for you within me.  Keep him away from me and send your angels to surround me.  Send mature Christians to come along side me and help me be strong and so that I can have fellowship with them.  Let me never forget that you are now my Lord and Savior.  I worship you and praise you.  Thank you.  All glory and honor is yours now and forever.  Choose me, please.  Amen.


 


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Psalm  23


Confidence In God's Grace


 


The Lord is my Shepherd;  I shall not want.


He maketh me to lie down in green pastures:  he leadeth me beside still waters.


He restoreth my soul:  He leadeth me on the paths of righteousness, for his name's sake.


Yea tho' I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil:  for thou' art with me;  thy rod and thy staff, they comfort me.


Thou' preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies:  thou' anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.


Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life:  and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.  


Amen. 


Taken from The Book of Psalms, American Bible Society, KJV (1611).


            


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Scroll down to read Jesus' Prayer of Thanksgiving...'The Unforced Rythms of Grace'.


 


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Definition of a Christian:  Anyone who believes in God, Jesus and Holy Spirit, and accepts Jesus as Lord and Savior.  Regardless of church name or religious affiliation.  


 


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If you feel that the Church of the Holy Spirit has inspired or helped you, we'd like you to prayerfully consider tithing regulary to us or gifting us, so that we can further the work and carry out the will of the Father as proclaimed in Matthew 28:16 NLT


 to


 "Go and make disciples out of all the nations


baptising them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.


Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you.  And be sure of this:


I am with you always, even to the end of the age."


 


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  Our Current Cause


We have a family in crisis who could desperately use your prayers and support.  The Mom, a good Christian woman, is young still...she just turned 50, and she has 3 young children under 15.  She has just been diagnosed with Stage 3 Breast Cancer.  Her husband died 3 years ago from Cancer, and her Mother, who has her own health issues, is trying to care for her and her children and help her along life's way.  They do not have enough money to meet their everyday expenses right now.  But I am confident that, with your help, we can find some balance for them.  If this touches your heart, we hope you will pray earnestly for her to be healed, and pray for her family.  And, if you would, please send any amount of money you can to help them.  Please note 'Elizabeth and kids' in your note line on your check and we will see that all funds go directly to them.  Please consider reaching out to help them.  I know they will be sincerely grateful for anything you can do to help.  


Please accept our sincerest thanks....and may God bless you.


 


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Church of the Holy Spirit


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Church of the Holy Spirit


P.O. Box 86076


Tucson, Arizona


85754-6076


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We will be integrating Pay Pal soon for your convenience.


 


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  One last thing....


 


Jesus' Prayer of Thanksgiving


'The Unforced Rythms of Grace'


 


"Abruptly Jesus broke into prayer:  "Thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth.  You've concealed your ways from sophisticates and know-it-alls, but spelled them out clearly to ordinary people.  Yes, Father, that's the way you like to work."


Jesus resumed talking to the people, but now tenderly.  "The Father has given me all these things to do and say.  This is a unique Father - Son operation, coming out of Father and Son intimacies and knowledge.  No one knows the Son the way the Father does, nor the Father the way the Son does.  But I'm not keeping it to myself; I'm ready to go over it line by line with anyone willing to listen."


"Are you tired?  Worn out?  Burned out on religion?  Come to me.  Get away with me and you'll recover your life.  I'll show you how to take a real rest.  Walk with me and work with me - watch how I do it.  Learn the unforced rhythms of grace.  I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you'll learn how to live freely and lightly.



Matthew 11:  25-30


  The Message


 


And the people said,


"Amen."


 


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I now write most prayers in the position of ' I ' (first person) because most people are sitting at their computer alone, not in groups, and it allows those reading and praying to personalize the prayer as coming from them going to God.  Variations may appear on holidays when families may wish to use the prayer provided.


 


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Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright 1996.  Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189.  All rights reserved.


Scriptures may be taken from the New Living Translations website.


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Bible Authors and Minister