He is not here.  He is risen!

  Luke 24:6

Welcome

to the

Church of the Holy Spirit

Current Sunday Scriptures below!

Archived Scriptures in The Family Room!

 Who We Are 

The Church of the Holy Spirit is a Christian church.

We believe in God the Father, Jesus the Son

and

Holy Spirit the Comforter, Teacher and Healer.

We believe that God made the heavens and the earth,

 and gave all creatures His son, Jesus,

who died on the cross to forgive our sins

 and

to give us eternal life.

We believe Jesus went to heaven, he is now seated at God’s right hand,

 and

that God gave us Holy Spirit to comfort and guide us.

 

We believe the Bible is the inspired word of God.

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Who are God, Jesus and Holy Spirit?

God is our heavenly Father who created heaven and earth.  He gave us His Son, who died on a cross to allow our sins to be forgiven and give us eternal life becoming our Lord and Savior.  When Jesus died, Holy Spirit was made available to us to comfort, teach and guide us.

God in the beginning:  Genesis 1:1

Jesus:  Matthew 1, 2 & 3

Holy Spirit:  John 15:26

Are you one with God, Jesus and Holy Spirit?

 If you have not accepted the Trinity into your life and you would like to, pray this prayer or use your own words from your heart:

“Dear Heavenly Father God, Jesus, and Holy Spirit, please forgive me of my sins known and unknown.  Please come into my life, heal me and make me whole.  Give me a new life in and with you.  I wish to receive all that you have to give.  Baptize me in the fullness of your Holy Spirit, so that I can learn all I can about you to love you, and others, as you love me.  So I can love myself.  Thank you for giving me this new life.  Please send other Christians to surround me to help me grow and be strong to defeat Satan and the things of the world.  Help me to be worthy of your love.  Thank you God, Jesus and Holy Spirit.  In Jesus name I pray by and with the power of the Holy Spirit to dear Heavenly Father God.  Amen.” 

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If you have prayed this prayer, please email us at TrinityMissions@msn.com, so we can agree with you in prayer, praise God, and uplift you with prayer support.  We are thrilled to welcome you into the family of believers and encourage you to find a church home nearby where you can study, grow and fellowship with others.  Someone may need your support as much as you need them.  We are commanded to come together in fellowship to worship His majesty.

If you choose to fellowship with us via the web, we are honored to welcome you to the Church of the Holy Spirit.  We pray you will be enriched and uplifted in the fullness of the Trinity to their glory.  Stay in touch and let us know how you are doing from time to time.  As the website grows, we will have a special page for this purpose, and, you will be able to list prayers for all to see, so that we may come together as a body of believers, for ‘wherever two or more shall gather, there will I be.’   Don’t forget to send prayers of thanksgiving, as well as petitions of tears.  

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You are who I call ‘The Promise Children’, as in Romans 9:25-26 NLT:

“Those who were not my people, I will now call my people.  And I will love those whom I did not love before.  And, once they were told, ‘You are not my people.’  But now he will say, ‘You are children of the living God.”

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“The Kingdom of God is near you now.”

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The Apostle Paul gave us a “Prayer for Spiritual Empowerment” in Ephesians 3:14-21 NLT.  It reads

“When I think of the wisdom and scope of God’s plan, I fall to my knees and pray to the Father, the Creator of everything in heaven and on earth.  I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will give you mighty inner strength through his Holy Spirit.  And I pray that Christ will be more and more at home in your hearts as you trust in him.  May your roots go down deep into the soil of God’s marvelous love.  And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love really is.  May you experience the love of Christ, though it is so great you will never fully understand it.  Then you will be filled with the fullness of life and power that comes from God.

Now glory be to God!  By his mighty power at work within us, he is able to accomplish infinitely more than we would ever dare to ask or hope.  May he be given glory in the church and in Christ Jesus forever and ever through endless ages.  Amen.”  

Jesus told us to remain in his love in John 15:9-13 NLT:

“I have loved you even as the Father has loved me.  Remain in my love.  When you obey me, you remain in my love, just as I obey my Father and remain in his love.  I have told you this so that you will be filled with my joy.  Yes, your joy will overflow!  I command you to love each other in the same way that I love you.  And here is how to measure it - the greatest love is shown when people lay down their lives for their friends.” 

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April 26, 2009

Luke 24:35-49 

Surprised or Blessed?!

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 Luke

Then the two from Emmaus told their story of how Jesus had appeared to them as they were walking along the road and how they had recognized him as he was breaking the bread.  And just as they were telling about it, Jesus himself was suddenly standing there among them.  He said, "Peace be with you."  But the whole group was terribly frightened, thinking they were seeing a ghost!  "Why are you frightened?" he asked.  "Why do you doubt who I am?  Look at my hands.  Look at my feet.  You can see that it's really me.  Touch me and make sure that I am not a ghost, because ghosts don't have bodies as you see that I do!"  As he spoke, he held out his hands for them to see, and he showed them his feet.

Still they stood there doubting, filled with joy and wonder.  Then he asked them, "Do you have anything here to eat?"  They gave him a piece of broiled fish, and he ate it as they watched.

Then he said, "When I was with you before, I told you that everything written about me by Moses and the prophets and in the Psalms must all come true.  Then he opened their minds to understand these many Scriptures.  And he said, "Yes, it was written long ago that the Messiah must suffer and die and rise again from the dead on the third day.  With my authority, take this message of repentance to all the nations, beginning in Jerusalem.  There is forgiveness of sins for all who turn to me.  You are witnesses of all those things. 

And now I will send the Holy Spirit, just as my Father promised.  But stay here in the city until the Holy Spirit comes and fills you with power from heaven."  

*** 

Thoughts...

Although I titled this, 'surprised or blessed', some might have been floored, in shock, astounded, overwhelmed, on top of frightened, as Jesus said.  But they could have also been thrilled, excited, elated, overcome with joyous emotion that their friend, their brother, their rabbi, savior lives! 

Think about this scenario.  Jesus was beaten, scourged, spit on, worn out carrying a cross on which he was to be hung.  He was hung on the cross with nails in his feet and hands.  He had a crown of thorns pressed into his skull, and stabbed in his side with a sword.  The man died.  His body was removed from the cross and buried in a cave.  A stone was rolled in place to secure the entrance and guards holding sentry in front to insure no one stole the body.  And yet...he managed to escape.  Dead.  He had to have gone to hell, because he arose from hell on the third day.  He appeared to Mary Magdalene.  He appeared to Peter and Cleopas after that.  And then he appeared...literally out of nowhere...to all the disciples and many followers.  He further proved who he was by his hands and feet which had nail holes.  If that wasn't enough, he ate food to prove to them that he was alive.  Dude....I'd be a little freaked had I been there.      

Embodied, corporeal, incarnate.  They all essentially mean the same thing.  Spirit in body.  When he died, he did not just leave his body to death and decay.  Maybe that is why no one can find it in an archeological dig.  He...his body and spirit...went to hell, and he came back to the living plane of existance called earth, with life in him.  He lived.  We say, 'he lived, he died, he rose again'.  If he rose again, we must be talking about him rising from which, death on the cross, from hell, into heaven?  Whoa...that's another day.  Food for thought.  But in this instance, we know for a fact, he died, he went to hell, he arose from hell, he appeared to not just one or two...and not in a dream.  In real awake life status.  On a road, in a room.  Out of nowhere.  He proved who he was, and, that he was the fulfillment of the prophecy from the Old Testament and the Psalms.  the Messiah...the Savior.  There will be further proof.  Stay tuned.

But how would you feel, if today Jesus came to you?  How would you react,  if he entered your room, or started walking along side you?  How would you respond to him if he showed up at the dinner table or in front of the refrigerator, saying, "Dude, what's up?  Got anything to eat?"  Would you freak out and run?  Or would you say, "Hey, man, good to see you!"  "How are you?"  "How's things?"  I don't think I would want to ask, "So, how is life treating you?"  But I would be overjoyed, and enraptured with love and emotion....gratitude....feeling blessed...special...embraced.   And ever so thankful.

Do you know Jesus well enough to start in with casual conversation?  Have you invited him into your life and been talking to him regularly, so that to see him would be just like seeing your brother, or father, or friend and hangin' out?  Or would he be a stranger and a frightening phenomenon?  He did not come into the world to scare you or ridicule and frighten you.  He came into the world to save you, give you a new life and an abundant life in and with him.  To be your Savior, your LORD, your friend.

Consider all that he has done for you.  He walked the earth, was mocked, beaten and scourged.  The details are above and in scripture.  He was nailed to a cross and died on that cross for you...a stranger...hoping to be your brother, your friend, your lover, your savior, your LORD.  He loved you so much to let his life become for you eternal life and forgiveness of sins.  Isn't it time to let him be all that he wants to be for you?  Isn't it time to come out of the cold of life into the warmth of his embrace?  Isn't is time to tell him how tired you are and how painful life has been?  Isn't it time to say, "Come."?  He's waiting to hear from you.  He wants to come into your life.  He will not necessarily physically meet you at the refrigerator.  But if he does, offer him some food and water.  He gives the same to you everyday you turn to him.  Everytime you open the New Testament, he is the bread in the word and the water in the cleansing of the old thoughts to make room for the water of the new through Holy Spirit.  

Ask him into your life today.  And don't feel like you have to say some lofty prayers.  Prayers are offered above and below if you do not know what to say.  But it's okay to just say, "Hey, Dude...Jesus...what's up?   Just do it!   Don't put it off...do it today...do it now.  We never know when our last breath will be.  Be ready for him when he calls.  You can't get to heaven without him.  Call on him today.  Know what it is like to live everyday with a savior...THE SAVIOR...the only one who gives new life, erases the old by forgiveness of sins, and gives eternal life.  'What a friend we have in Jesus!'   

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Let Us Pray

 Dude, Jesus, like what's up, man?  I'm kind of a mess, man...Jesus.  I've kinda screwed up my life.  I'm told that you will forgive me of my sins and make all things right.  I don't know if I am worthy, but I'd sure like to hope that you can fix me so I am.  Oh, wait.  I was told once that I am worthy the first time around, but then I have to go and sin no more.  I don't know if I can do that, but I'd like to try.  I don't want to be one of those with a reprobate mind that you finally toss into the fiery furnaces.  I want to be better and do better.  I know that if I am honestly trying to be one with you and reading and growing that you will stay by my side and continue to help me.  Oh boy do I need help.  So, will you forgive me of my sins, please?  It would please my family a lot to have me as one of your family.  It would please me, too, I guess, tho' I am not quite sure.  I know you will show me the right way to live and how to make right decisions.  I sure need to know how to make right decisions.  I'm told that all I have to do is ask.  So I did.  Oh, I guess I am supposed to ask if you will be my Savior.  So will you...be my Savior?  Based on my life, it sure looks like I need one.  I know it won't be easy to follow you and be as good as you.  But I want to try.  I am tired of the pain of my old life.  People are dying right and left and being hurt.   I am as guilty as the rest of causing pain.  I don't want to cause any pain or feel pain any anymore.  It hurts so bad inside some days, man....Jesus.  Help me.  Please.  I need you.  Please.  Thank you.  I know because I have asked, you have heard.   And I know that when I ask, you will give.  The most important thing right now is that you forgive me of my sins.  The rest, I know, you will put into place and help me along life's way.  Thank you.. .a lot.  It means a lot to me....no...it means everything...the world to me.  Really.  Help me be strong and not be a sissy about all this, and not let others put pressure on me to do things their way.  I want to do things YOUR way.  From now on I am yours, easy or not.  Make me strong enough to not drown in the testing waters, but be cleansed by them.  Thanks again, man...Jesus.  And thank you God, and Holy Spirit.  Even though I don't know a lot about you, I know you are now going to be with me forever...as long as I obey you.  Help me please to obey you and learn all I can about you, so that I can tell others about your saving grace.  And thanks for helping me to make my family happier.  I've been really lost, but now I've found you.  More importantly....maybe....you've found me.  Don't lose me now, my brother.  Can I call you 'my brother' now?  Don't lose me now.  And don't let me lose you.  I guess this is where I say amen.  But you won't go away will you?  You'll be close enough to talk to right?  But hey, none of that showing up at the refrigerator stuff yet, okay?  I'm not quite ready for that yet.  But I'll help others in your name.   Just make it real clear to me who they are, while I am helping myself and you are helping us both.  Love you, man...Jesus.  Sorry, I don't mean to be disrespectful, it's just like where I come from and what I'm used to.  I'll get better, Jesus.  You'll see.  I know I will because I now have you helping me.  And Jesus, thank you.  Now I can say, amen.  Amen.                     

***

Jesus Christ is risen!

He is risen indeed!

Alleluia!

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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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 Checks can be made out to

Church of the Holy Spirit

and sent to

Church of the Holy Spirit

P.O. Box 86076

Tucson, Arizona

85754-6076

If you have any questions, we can be reached at:

1-866-402-GIFT

10 a.m. - 6 p.m.

Mountain Time

As we grow, you will have options for allocating your gifts.

In the meantime, we hope you will trust us to direct them to where the need is the greatest.

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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