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!

Embracing understanding with open arms...so all may become one.

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Watch for

 The Gathering-Tucson

on the ground

and watch us grow!

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YEA !!

Joyce Meyer is coming to Phoenix, AZ

FREE

February 18th, 19th, 20th. 

Go to

www.JoyceMeyer.org

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Benny Hinn is coming to Phoenix, AZ

NOTE DATE CHANGES

Miracle Crusade

March 25th & 26th

  In Tucson?  Call us for FREE tickets!

Or call Benny Hinn Ministries at 1-800-433-1900.

www.BennyHinn.org

Note:  We are not affiliated, merely helping those in the family of Christ.

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  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 and Teacher.

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 teach, 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, 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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 February 7, 2010

 1 Corinthians 4: 14

  Peter, Paul & The Gang...&...Holy Spirit

1 Corinthians

I am not writing these things to shame you, but to warn you as my beloved children.  For even if you had ten thousand others to teach you about Christ, you have only one spiritual father.   For I became your father in Christ Jesus when I preached the Good News to you.  So I ask you to follow my example and do as I do.

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Thoughts...

 Mornin' everyone. I trust some will be happy about the outcome of Ground Hog day...such as it is. Personally, I love snow...particularly if I am indoors.

'Every'...using this term loosely...Christian religion thinks they are the one true church or religion built by Jesus Christ because of who first preached the message. First, Jesus didn't build a religion or a church. It was built around him, if you will.

One religion states that their church was founded on Matthew 16:18-19, when Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Now I say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church, and all the powers of hell will not conquer it. And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of Heaven."

Another religion uses this reference: John 10:16, "I have other sheep, too, that are not in this sheepfold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice; and there will be one flock with one shepherd."

And then Paul jumps in and says per the scripture above that he is the spiritual father, no matter how many teach others about Jesus. And I'm thinking that Peter and Paul might have duked it out, so to speak. I can just imagine 2 kids in kindergarten saying, "It's mine!" "No, it's mine! And you can't have it!"

The TRUTH of the matter is that ANYONE who receives the utterance of the Holy Spirit is to go forth proclaiming who he is, that he is and how wonderful he is. And that the gift of salvation and eternal life is for all to receive. And all are to share that message.

Let's look at who was hanging out in the upper room first. Go to Luke 24: 13-49. I'll spare you the print out and expect you have a Bible to reference., If not, you NEED to get one. I use the New Living Translation 1996 edition mostly. Jesus appears to Cleopas and another on the road to Emmaus. He breaks bread with them and vanishes...literally. Then the 2 from the road head out to meet the 11 disciples and the other followers of Jesus who were gathered. We don't know how many of the other followers were there at this point. But we know that Jesus also appeared to Mary Magdalene and the other Mary, mother of James per Matthew 28. The girls were told to "go tell my brothers to leave for Galilee and they will see me there". The group do not believe the girls, but say Jesus appeared to Peter.

Ok, so we have quite a few gathered at this point. And Jesus says to them...ALL OF THEM...in Luke 24: 47-49, "With my authority, take this message of repentance to the nations, beginning in Jerusalem: "There is forgiveness of sins for all who turn to me. You are witnesses of all these 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." In John 20: 21-23 "He spoke to them again and said, "Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you." Then he breathed on them an said to them, "Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive anyone's sins, they are forgiven. If you refuse to forgive them, they are unforgiven." Matthew is the only one that shows 'the great commission' at a mountain in Galilee with just the 11, the rest met in an upper room...sorry folks, I will never be able to explain discrepancies in scripture. However my guess is Matt's scribe confused the ascension into heaven with the commission.

Here is my point. There were a BUNCH of people who were told to go and do. Not just one. One whole religion is based on Peter, who Jesus didn't appear to alone, nor did he annoint him solely to go forth, according to scripture. The reference to the other flock that the another religion uses, could better be utilized by Paul, since he preached to the Gentiles, to which this scripture refers. And Paul was a spiritual father, calling himself a manager, but who proclaimed him such? Our Lord did by personal revelation and baptism of the Holy Spirit based on all the wonderful good he did in proclaiming the gospel to many nations. It states in Acts 13 he was dedicated with Barnabas and "sent out by the Holy Spirit". Paul had the most extensive itinerary than any of the others for which we have documentation. Peter never made it to Rome, although Cyprus was a Roman territory.

EVERY one in that room and more that were at Pentecost were baptised in the Holy Spirit and given utterance to go forth. See Acts 1: 12 after the ascension. It states the apostles were present, but also states in 1: 14, "They all met together continually for prayer, along with Mary, the mother of Jesus, several other women, and the brothers of Jesus." It states there were about 120 believers present. Was this the same day of Pentecost? In Acts 2: 1, it says "the believers were meeting together in one place. Suddenly, there was a sound from heaven like the roaring of a mighty windstorm in the skies above, and it filled the house where they were meeting. Then what looked like flames or tongues of fire appeared and settle on each of them. And EVERYONE present was filled with the Holy Spirit and began speaking on other languages, as the Holy Spirit gave them this ability."

Peter states in verse 17 of Acts 2, "...what you see this morning was predicted centuries ago by the prophet Joel: 'In the last days, God said, I will pour out my spirit upon all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, and your old men will dream dreams. In those days I will pour out my Spirit upon all my servants, men and women alike, and they will prophesy. And I wil cause wonders in the heavens above and signs on the earth below--blood and fire and clouds of smoke. The sun will be turned into darkness, and the moon will turn blood red, before that great and glorious day of the Lord arrives. And anyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.' It goes on in verse 32 to say, "This prophecy was speaking of Jesus, whom God raised from the dead, and we all are witnesses of this. Now he sits on the thone of highest honor in heaven, at God's right hand. And the Father, as he had promised, gave him the Holy Spirit to pour out upon us, just as you see and hear today." Peter went on to preach saying, "Each of you must turn from your sins and turn to God, and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, then you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. This promise is to you and to your children and even to the Gentiles--all who have been called by the Lord our God." Acts 2:38-39.

Paul says later to the Galatians in Chapter 2 verse 6 that "the leaders of the church who were there had nothing to add to what I was preaching. (By the way, their reputation as great leaders made no difference to me, for God has no favorites.) They saw that God had given me the responsibility of preaching the Good News to the Gentiles, just as he had given Peter the responsiibility of preaching to the Jews. For the same God who worked through Peter for the benefit of the Jews worked through me for the benefit of the Gentiles. In fact, James, Peter, and John who were known as pillars of the church, recognized the gift God had given me, and they accepted Barnabas and me as their co-workers. They encouraged us to keep preaching to the Gentiles, while they continued their work with the Jews."

So, there was Peter, Paul, and the gang, who were given the gift of the Holy Spirit having been baptised with the Holy Spirit and in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit with water baptism. Gee this is long....again. Let me say a few last words....few? I'll try.

I believe firmly in 2 Cor 1: 21-22 as a definition of ordination as it reads: It is God who gives us, along with you, the ability to stand firm for Christ. He has commissioned us, and he has identified us as his own by placing the Holy Spirit in our hearts as the first installment of everything he will give us."

Acts 11:19-21 reads, "Meanwhile, the believers who had fled from Jerusalem during the persecution after Stephen's death traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch of Syria. They preached the Good News, but only to Jews. However, some of the believers who went to Antioch from Cyrpus and Cyrene began preaching to Gentiles about the Lord Jesus. The power of the Lord was upon them, and large numbers of these Gentiles believed and turned to the Lord." Acts is full of the story of ALL the different people who went out preaching and teaching to Jews and Gentiles alike.

There was no one person who was the cornerstone of any specific group of followers other than Jesus Christ, who was also the foundation of this 'new revolution' thanks to God. Peter was not alone on his journey, and, he was not the only one who spoke with authority. All who had received the Holy Spirit were given utterance to go forth to preach and teach the gospel message...men...and women as well. Just as we today are called to do when we recieve Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior and are baptized in the Holy Spirit. There are many Christian denominations. But there is only one God, Jesus Christ and Holy Spirit. Everyone who is a follower of Jesus Christ must go to him to and ask him for the baptism of the Holy Spirit. Just as we go to man for water baptism, we must go to Jesus and God for the baptism of the Holy Spirit. Once received, we are all to go forth preaching and teaching...sharing the gospel that He lives, we can be forgiven of our sins and be offered the opportunity for eternal life.

I could go on and on....I know....you know. ; ) Read Acts. Research 'spiritual pedigrees' that aren't to be. See all the people who went forth to share the gospel message. Realize how you practice your faith is not the same thing as who you are as a Christian. We all are descendants of the Christian message from somewhere. As long as it is the same Christian message, it should not matter who preached it. No one is better than another. Some may have documented their history better than others, and, some may have burned historical documents to insure their truth is the truth, which may not be the whole truth., And others may accuse a brother of being wrong, when their attacks are as wrong. We must not quarrel, family. We must and are commanded to love. We may not like the truth of another, but that does not give us the right to attack another. It's time we start to just practice our faith in the fullness of what Christ calls us to....love, acceptance, oneness in him. So what if we have a kazillion people preaching the Word. If it is the same Word, we are all one. Doctrines and dogmas designed by man make us different. How we practice our faith makes us unique. But if it is the same God, Jesus and Holy Spirit as theTrinity that we love, honor and praise, then we are one...family.

Ask Jesus into your heart today...start a new life with him and in him. Ask him for the baptism of the Holy Spirit, that he may enter you fully to know THE truth, and let the truth set you free from your sins of the past and be healed in the name of Jesus. Do it today..."there is no other way".

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Let Us Pray

God, Jesus cleanse my heart, mind, body and soul by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit that I may perfectly love you and worthily magnify your holy name. Forgive me of my sins. Heal me and make me whole. O Lord, hear me and give your servant great boldness in preaching. Send your healing power and miraculous signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus. Let me go forth with all the others as one for you and with you, that you may receive all honor and glory. Raise me up on the last day, but in the meantime, fill me with your Holy Spirit to overflowing so that Satan cannot enter the doors of my heart. And Lord, don't let others knock on what is heaven's door of my life. You and I are on a journey to raise up the people to new heights of awareness and knowledge and wisdom. And by the power of the Holy Spirit vested in me, set them on FIRE with tongues of other languages, and holy laughter, earnestness in learning, and boldness in preaching, teaching and healing! To you goes all the glory, dear Heavenly Father God, Jesus and Holy Spirit! Hallelujah! To a new life in you! Thank you! Amen!

 I'll be shorter next week.....I think.  ; )

Oops!

Please...forgive todays delay due to winter storms and computer glitches.  Thank you.

 Talk to Satan....I'm hoarse!

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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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