September 27, 2009

John 17

Live It Now! 

John

The Prayer of Jesus

When Jesus had finished saying all these things, he looked up to heaven and said, "Father, the time has come.  Glorify your Son so he can give glory back to you.  for you have given him authority over everyone in all the earth.  He gives eternal life to each one you have given him.  And this is the way to have eternal life--to know you,  the only true God, and Jesus Christ, the one you sent to earth.  I brought glory to you here on earth by doing everything you told me to do.  And now, Father, bring me into the glory we shared before the world began.

"I have told these men about you.  they were in the world, but then you gave them to me.  Actually, they were always yours, and you gave them to me; and they have kept your word. Now they know that everything I have is a gift from you, for I have passed on to them the words you gave me, so they are my glory!  Now I am departing the world; I am leaving them behind and coming to you.  Holy Father, keep them and care for them--all those you have given me--so that they will be united just as we are.  During my time here, I have kept them safe.  I guarded them so that not one was lost, except the one headed for destruction, as the Scriputres foretold.

And now I am coming to you.  I have told them many things while I was with them so they would be filled with my joy.  I have given them your word.  And the world hates them because they do not belong to the world, just as I do not.  I'm not asking you to take them out of the world, but to keep them safe from the evil one.  They are not part of this world any more than I am.  Make them pure and holy by teaching them your words of truth.  As you sent me into the world, I am sending them into the world.  And I give myself entirely to you so they also might be entirely yours.

I am praying not only for these disciples but also for all who will ever believe in me because of their testimony.  My prayer for all of them is that they will be one, just as you and I are on, Father--that just as you are in me and I am in you, so they will be in us, and the world will believe you sent me.

I have given them the glory you gave me so that they may be one, as we are-I in them and you in me, all being perfected into one.  Then the world will know you sent me and will understnd that you love them as much as you love me,.   Father, I want these whom you've given me to be with me, so they can see my glory.  You gave me the glory because you loved me even before the world began!

O righteous Father, the world doesn't know you, but I do; and these disciples know you sent me.  And I have revealed you to them and will keep on revealing you.  I will do this so that your love for me may be in them and I in them."   

***

Thoughts...

As many times as I read a scripture reference is as many times I see and learn something new.  Even though the words never change, a different time, a different situation arises and God knows just what I need.  And he'll come into my heart through his Word. 

I am facing a difficult situation and I was looking at the stacks of books on my footstool rather lost in thought and I sighted the New Living Translation New Testament on the top of the stack.  It's entitled, 'Live It Now! New Testament'.  Indeed!  Live it now!  "Live what now?", you say?  Your testimony!  Your life for Jesus.  Stop waiting for tomorrow to be better, right, perfect.  Live your testimony for Jesus Christ NOW.   Start living today, right now. 

In paragraph four above (John 17:20), Jesus prays...he prays...I am praying not only for these disciples but also for all who will believe in me because of their testimony.  Example:  'I was lost, but now I am found.'  Our testimony is our life, or lifestyle, or life choices as it was (were), versus now made different by Christ now in us and our new life, lifestyle, or life choices.   We are to be a living testimony to Jesus Christ.  We are to show others Christ in us.  It is not enough to say, I pray, or I go to church, or I believe.  He calls us to act out our belief, our faith, our trust, our love.  

Haven't fallen in love with him yet?  Oh, my friend, you are in for a wonderful life, if you will.  How you do that is to get into the Word, the Bible, read deep and often.  Find out by what is written by him and others about who he is, that he is and how wonderful he is.  Don't seek him for what he can give you or do for you.  Seek him because of the gratitude you have for him, because he allowed himself to die on a cross for your sins to be forgiven, and, given you the opportunity for eternal life.  Thank him by how you live your life as an example of him in you, and, that will show others who his is, that he is, and how wonderful he is...if you do it for him...to give him glory, not for yourself.  And you can point people to the Word, show them the right path to walk.  Guide them and direct them.   Surround them with God's love exuding from within you.  Lift them up in prayer, and yourself...be strengthened by it.  Gather with other believers...it's a command to have fellowship, so you will stay protected in a circle of love.   Find a good Bible teaching church, if you have not already.  If this web site is your only means of  fellowship, add prayers on the prayer page, and let us get to know you.  Feel free to call me toll free, if you need someone to listen or pray with directly.  And if the Lord calls me home, keep praying, my friend.  Just because my end may have come, doesn't mean yours is not right around the corner.  Stay true to our Lord, so he can say he knew you and can introduce you to our Father, God, in heaven.  

This is Jesus' love and direction for us.  This is his prayer for us.  Embrace it.  Let us not let him down, or God, or Holy Spirit.  Jesus lived, and died, and lives anew...just for me, and just for you.  Honor him, respect him, be holy for him, so that he will get the glory.  Praise him!  Glory be to God in the highest, and peace on earth, good will toward all.                   

***

Let Us Pray 

Oh, God, the world does not know you, but I do...isn't that Jesus' prayer, too?  Some days I don't think I know you at all, and others I feel we are one, you are so closely embraced in my heart, my mind and my soul.  Just like with Jesus.  God, I call on you right now, to make me one with you fully, so that I know that whatever happens in my life, it is of you and not of the devil, Satan...the fowler.  I will know how to make better choices and live a better testimony of my life for you.  I will show others 'the way, the truth and the life'.  I will be able to direct them to the Bible, it's truths about who you are, that you are, and how wonderful you are, and what you have done for the world of those called to you.  And I will then be able to show them not only your life, but mine lived out as a living example that you live and you do live in me.  And then you will get the glory and I can praise you forever and ever and ever....again...more...always.  I am so grateful that you died for me, so that I may live eternally.  Let me now follow the directions you have given in your NEW Testament, so that I can have eternal life and your light will shine through me.  I am sorry that you had to die for me, a sinner in the world, I am saddened by that....deeply.  I can't change that, but I can keep you from feeling you are being nailed to a cross again by living a right life for and with you.  Help me, Father God, Jesus, and Holy Spirit.  Help me to live as one with you.  Care for all those I love.  Give them a new life, a cherished and protected life.  Never leave them, please.  They need you now more than ever.  Holy Father, keep them and care for them--all those you have given me--so that they will be united just as we are.  I guarded them so that not one was lost.  Take them home, and me home, only when the time is your time...then and only then will it be the right time...in God's time.  I love you, God, Jesus and Holy Spirit.  So do those you've given to me.  Make all things right, God.  Please keep us all safe until you call us home...and may it not be soon.  We have lots more work to do for you.  Please give us that time.  Heal us and make us whole to be able to step forth for and with you...together.   We praise you, and we thank you, and love you. Amen.             

***

United We Stand*

There's nowhere in the world that I would rather be, than with you my love.

And there's nothing in the world that I would rather see, than your smile, my love.

For united we stand, divided we fall, and if our backs should ever be against the wall,

We'll be together, you and I. 

And if the world around you falls apart my love, then I'll be here.

And if the going gets too hard along the way, just you call, I'll hear.

For united we stand, divided we fall, and if your backs should ever be against the wall, 

We'll be together, you and I.    

As the Deer*

As the deer panteth for the water, so my soul longeth after Thee.

You alone are my hearts desire, and I long to worship You.

You alone are my strength, my shield,

To you alone may my spirit yield. 

You alone are my hearts desire, and I long to worship You.

You're my friend and You are my brother, even though You are the King.

I love You more than any other, So much more than any thing.

You alone are my strength, my shield,

To You alone may my spirit yield.

You alone are my hearts desire, and I long to worship You.    

 ***

 Benediction

Let us hear from Paul as he prays:  

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 resouces 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.  Ephesians 3:14-21 NLT         

*** 

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

***

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.  

***

***

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."

***

  Our NEW Current Cause

My family and I, and the church, are in crisis and could desperately use your prayers and financial support.  Due to medical concerns, employment crisis, and economic devastation,  I do not have funding to meet everyday expenses right now for the church, or family, and home, nor those necessary to keep this website afloat, for those shut-in or needing spiritual support, nor the ability to help others along the way.  But I am confident that, with your help, balance can be achieved.  As God touches your heart, I hope you will pray earnestly for the church, my family and me, and send any amount of money you can to help.  Please note 'Church and Family' on your check, and, I will see that all funds get divided appropriately.  The church, I and my family, as well as to those to whom we reach out, will be sincerely grateful for anything you can do to help.  

Please accept my sincerest thanks....and may God bless you!

***

 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. - 8 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.

  ***

    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."

***

***

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.

***

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.

* United We Stand by The Brotherhood of Man

* As The Deer by Martin Nystrom 

 *