October 4, 2009

 2 Corinthians 12: 6-10

  The Wonderful Thorns 

2 Corinthians

I have plenty to boast about and would be no fool in doing it, because I would be telling the truth.  But I won't do it.  I don't want anyone to think more highly of me than what they can actually see in my life and my message, even though I have received wonderful revelations from God.  But to keep me from getting puffed up, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger from Satan to torment me and keep me from getting proud.  

Three different times I begged the Lord to take it away.  Each time he said, "My gracious favor is all you need.  My power works best in your weakness."  So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may work through me.  Since I know it is all for Christ's good, I am quite content with my weaknesses and with insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities.  For when I am weak, then I am strong.    

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Thoughts...

Isn't God good?! I think he is perfectly wonderful.  I have a memory deficit, and, if I get a thought too far out from when I need to have it, I have to write it down, and then I have to hunt for the paper I wrote it down on when I need it.  If I am lucky, I'll find it.  I REALLY love the Lord every Sunday morning because that is when he gives me the words I share with you.  Just in time...his time.  If he gave them to me a week in advance, and I had to write a sermon or homily, what I call the three part harmony, jokingly, it would all come from me...in my super imperfection.  But he speaks when I get up in the morning after breakfast...okay...sometimes before...and I just go to it.   Bless his heart.   I am so grateful that I can just listen and go.  Listen and go....it's what we are all supposed to be doing.  Listening to him and implementing his directives...his word.  I'm off track...let's get to what he has to say this morning.

How can I say 'the wonderful thorns'?  How can anyone consider insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities....or illnesses, etc., something wonderful?   'Listen up', folks.  Take the first paragraph above.  I think it is pretty wonderful that God speaks when I most need him to, so I don't have to spend extra time writing, and correcting, and wondering how much of me is in something I speak.  And I save time not looking for the papers and rewriting or typing them  on Sunday morning...rarely the night before.  I am so grateful that you don't have to listen to just me or only me.   Here is where you need to be grateful to God...say AMEN!  I'm so imperfect, in listening to me, you'd potentially be following and learning more imperfection.  However, I do give pretty good advice and counsel to others, regardless of how well I follow my own advice or counsel...or God's at times.  That is our...err... my humaness showing.

Recently I needed to go to the Emergency Room for some physical matters that needed to be addressed...don't worry...I'll be here yapping my jaws for a long time to come yet....sorry.  A very dear person that I know and adore, and respect fully, a sister in Christ, my upline in Longaberger (an American basket and pottery company...plug), someone I call friend, came to see me.  She brought me a lovely plant and card...wasn't that sweet?  Anyway, I started sharing my current medical circumstances. and then I pulled out a copy of my progress notes from my Doctor of all the 'dirty words' I've been called.  That's what I refer to as my laundry list of diagnoses.  I get all excited when I show it to people.  And there she was, reading it, shaking her head with what appeared to be pity or sympathy.  I'm like....no....it's not bad!  It's good!  I've seen those looks before.  Why, in the name of all the goodness of God, can people not see the joy I see in that list?  I'm wearing a huge smile, and, I'm radiant, when I show that list.  I want to scream....LOOK AT ME!  Anyone reading that list wonders how I am still alive.  PRECISELY my point!!!  I AM ALIVE!   And ONLY because HE is in me!!!!  I just praise God!!!! 

"For when I am weak, then I am strong", Paul says.  I say it, too.   "So I am glad to boast of my weaknesses".  What you see....or hear...before you is 'the power of Christ working through me'.  I am not just alive, I am walking, and talking, and breathing, and living, and loving, and laughing, and I'm sure some of you would be happy that I not talk so much, or so long, but PRAISE GOD!!!  I CAN!!!  And I will as long as he is in me....and I pray he will never leave...that I will never walk away, that he will never disown me.  

He can you know...disown you.  Even though you ask him to come in, he is not always with you unless you are always with him.  It's all about obeying him.  Yes, he gives you forgiveness of sins, if you ask, but he does not give you eternal life unless you obey.  Food for thought.  

Anyway, getting  back to the topic at hand, I want you to look at your life...lives, if more than one of you are reading this together, or if you are using it for your sermon text sharing it with others.  What is wrong with you physically, emotionally, mentally, spiritually?  Ready to crank it up a notch?  The minute you decide to enjoy what you are going through, you are going to crank it up a notch.  I can just hear you say, "What is she talking about?!"  Heh.  You're about to have what I call a 'step back, Jack' moment.  When you have joy IN your circumstances, Satan roars.  And he will try to get to you, take you down, mess with your head and body, and overall try to 'take you out'.  But you must...MUST..."Press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God."  Philippians 3:14.  You MUST continue to run to Him who gave you life and wants to give you eternal life....his name is God, Jesus, Holy Spirit, Conquerer, Comforter, Royal Majesty...Savior.  You will be cranked up a notch.  But it will take you closer to the one who really matters...Jesus, God, Holy Spirit, LORD.  

I always say I am a powerhouse for the Lord and that is why Satan keeps attacking me and trying to 'take me out'....of the race...for the prize of the high calling of God.  So I tell you HAVE JOY, if you are not well, if things are not going the way you want, if you are insulted, persecuted, if calamities fall all around you.   BELIEVE in the LORD that he WILL see you THROUGH...and he WILL carry you.  He WILL make all things right.  Do NOT give up.  You may not see results on earth...but you will see them in heaven.   So boast about your weaknesses.  And laugh over them.  The messenger is Satan, or is from Satan.  But the message is LIFE in and with Christ.  Rise up, folks.  Raise your eyes to heaven.  Stretch out your arms to reach him.  Now THANK HIM, the one who saves, and gives life, and gives life abundantly.   PRAISE GOD!

Now the next time you see someone having had a stroke, or with a cold, or wheel chair bound, or infirm or in crisis, raise them up, lift them up, tell them about God who saves and gives abundant life, and tell them how they should be praising God for all the wonderful things he has done.  When you see the negatives...there and then will you see all the positives counted for you in heaven, if you will but receive him!  Receive him and live a new life in and with him.  Raise up your voice to the angels and archangels, as you say to him, "Come Lord Jesus, God, Holy Spirit!  Come into my life today!  I want to live for you!  And I want you to live in me!"         

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Let Us Pray 

Come Lord Jesus, God, Holy Spirit!  Come into my life today!  I want to live for you!  And I want you to live in me!  Carry me, uplift me and more importantly, let me lift up to you, so I can help all others in the world.  I am meek, but you are strong.  And since you are in me, because I have now asked, I can be...am...strong.  Let me go forth preaching your message of love, and truth, and wholeness.  Of forgiveness of sins and life everlasting.  Forgive me for anything I've done or said that is not of you.  And lead me on, as I learn more about you through your Word...the New Testament.  Make me whole, so that others can see how great you are...even in and through my unwellness.  I just praise you and thank you Lord.  Help me always praise you and thank you in good times and bad.  "In everything give praise and thanksgiving."  For this is the will of you, Lord.   Alleluia.  Amen!!!  I just love you, Lord.  Thanks.....thanks again.  Amen.     

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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.    

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 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         

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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 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!

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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. - 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.

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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.

* United We Stand by The Brotherhood of Man.   

* As The Deer by Martin Nystrom.     

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