January 17, 2010

 1 Corinthians 1: 1-9

  Be Totally Immersed

1 Corinthians

This letter is from Paul, chosen by the will of God to be an apostle of Christ Jesus, and from our brother Sosthenes.

We are writing to the church of God in Corinth, you who have been called by God to be his own holy people.  He made you holy by means of Christ Jesus, just as he did all Christians everywhere--whoever calls upon the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and theirs.

May God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you his grace and peace.

I can never stop thanking God for all the generous gifts he has given you, now that you belong to Christ Jesus.  He has enriched your church with the gifts of eloquence and every kind of knowledge.  This shows that what I have told you about Christ is true.  Now you have every spiritual gift you need as you eagerly wait for the return our our Lord Jesus Christ.  He will keep you strong right up to the end and he will keep you free from all blame on the great day when our Lord Jesus Christ returns  God will surely do this for you, for he always does just what he says, and he is the one who invited you into this wonderful friendship with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. 

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Thoughts...

First, I want to point out that this is written to the whole church, not just the men.  I say this because recently, and over many years with many instances, I have been told that God called ONLY men to share the gospel message, which indicates that he sent Jesus to save only men.  Beep....wrong answer.  God sent Jesus to save the world..."all Christians everywhere".  And he called ALL of us in the world to receive and share the gospel message.

Second, I want to ask if you have received Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior.  If not, consider doing so.  See the top of the page for more information and prayers. 

Third, if you have accepted Jesus as your Lord and Savior, ask him for all the gifts he wants to give you, and then thank him.  It is important to not only receive the gifts, but to unwrap them everyday that you awaken and many times throughout the day to become and remain holy.  It is only when you are fully clothed by him, in him, and with him with his righteousness, that you will see heaven, that you will be able to share the gospel message.

Fourth, do you eagerly await the return of Jesus?  If not, then you are not righteous with his righteousness, nor are you holy.  You are merely acting out your own self-proclaimed SELF righteousness...and frankly, who made you God?  And you will never be holy.  Nor will you be forgiven of your sins, or be given eternal life.

Seek Jesus Christ as your Savior.  Ask for the spiritual gifts only he can give.  Every moment, eagerly await his return as a lover long gone coming home.  He will ONLY keep you strong and free from all blame, if you keep your eyes fixed on him, living your life by his standards, and you are doing what he has called you to do, as you obey him.

This letter is written to the church in Corinth, but Paul clearly states that it applies to all Christians everywhere.  Let's read it again:

We are writing to the church of God in Corinth, you who have been called by God to be his own holy people.   

May God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you his grace and peace.

I can never stop thanking God for all the generous gifts he has given you, now that you belong to Christ Jesus.  He has enriched your church with the gifts of eloquence and every kind of knowledge.  This shows that what I have told you about Christ is true.  Now you have every spiritual gift you need as you eagerly wait for the return our our Lord Jesus Christ.  He will keep you strong right up to the end and he will keep you free from all blame on the great day when our Lord Jesus Christ returns  God will surely do this for you, for he always does just what he says, and he is the one who invited you into this wonderful friendship with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.  He made you holy by means of Christ Jesus, just as he did all Christians everywhere--whoever calls upon the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and theirs

Know this.  Believe this.  Feel this.  Be immersed in this.

Never let him go.

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Let Us Pray

God, Jesus, and Holy Spirit please come into my life completely.  Forgive me of my sins, heal me and make me whole.  Make me a worthy vessel to receive you.  And then let me receive all you have to give me.  Truth, wisdom, the gifts of eloquence and every kind of knowledge, but only to share you with the world.  Let me not become vain, but feel blessed to be a part of the family of God.  Help me to enter your gates with thanksgiving, praising you and worshiping you, with gladness and newness of heart.  Let me heartfully love you and worthily magnify your holy name.  Let me share with everyone I know that you are my Lord and Savior, and all about who you are, that you are, and how wonderful you are.  Let me realize how much you love me.  And love you fully as a lover long gone coming home.  And please help me to obey you.  Life is so hard for me right now, that sometimes I do not hear you, and, when I do, I am so tired from having to be in the world.  When that happens, please embrace me and renew me with your living water.  On eagles wings or the wings of the dove...your Holy Spirit...raise me to new heights of refreshment, understanding and love, to show your glory, Lord, to the world.  Show me what I can do for you today and everyday to honor you and bring others to you.  I praise you and thank you in all your glory and honor.  Amen.    

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  Benediction...Blessing

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 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 this church, my family and me, and send any amount of money you can to help.  Please note 'Church and Family' on your check or money order, 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 or money orders 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

or

TrinityMissions@msn.com

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.

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