March 7, 2010

 1 Corinthians 15: 35-58

  Death With The Life Giving Spirit  

1 Corinthians

But someone may ask, "How will the dead be raised?  What kind of bodies will they have?"  What a foolish question!  When you put a seed into the ground, it doesn't grow into a plant unless it dies first.  And what you put in the ground is not the plant that will grow, but only a dry little seed of wheat or whatever it is you are planting.  Then God gives it a new body--just the kind he wants it to have.  A different kind of plant grows from each kind of seed.  And just as there are different kinds of seeds and plants, so also there are different kinds of flesh--whether of humans, animals, birds, or fish.

There are bodies in the heavens and there are bodies on earth.  The glory of the heavenly bodies is different from the beauty of the earthly bodies.  The sun has one kind of glory, while the moon and the stars each have another kind.  And even the stars differ from each other in their beauty and brightness.

It is the same way for the resurrection of the dead.  Our earthly bodies, which die and decay, will be different when they are resurrected, for they will never die.  Our bodies now disappoint us, but when they are raised, they will be full of glory.  They are weak now, but when they are raised, they will be full of power.  They are natural human bodies now, but when they are raised, they will be spiritual bodies.  for just as there are natural bodies, so also there are spiritual bodies.

The Scriptures tell us, "The first man Adam, became a living person."  But the last Adam--that is, Christ--is a life giving Spirit.  What came first was the natural body, then the spiritual body comes later.  Adam, the first man, was made from the dust of the earth, while Christ, the second man, came from heaven.  Every human being has an earthly body just like Adam's, but our heavenly bodies will be just like Christ's.  Just as we are now like Adam, the man of the earth, so we will someday be like Christ, the man from heaven.

What I am saying, dear brothers and sisters, is that flesh and blood cannot inherit the Kingdom of God.  These perishable bodies of ours are not able to live forever.

But let me tell you a wonderful secret God has revealed to us.  Not all of us will die, but we will all be transformed.  It will happen in a moment, in the blinking of an eye, when the last trumpet is blown.  For when the trumpet sounds, the Christians who have died will be raised with transformed bodies.  And then we who are living will be transformed so that we will never die.  For our perishable earthly bodies must be transformed into heavenly bodies that will never die.

When this happens--when our perishable earthly bodies have been transformed into heavenly bodies that will never die--then at last the Scriptures will come true:  Death is swallowed up in victory.  O death, where is your victory?  O death, where is your sting?"  For sin is the sting that results in death, and the law gives sin its power.  How we thank God, who gives us victory over sin and death through Jesus Christ our Lord!

So, my dear brothers and sisters, be strong and steady, always enthusiastic about the Lord's work, for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless.

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Thoughts...

There are no secrets any longer.

Jesus said, "I assure you, those who listen to my message and believe in God who sent me have eternal life.  They will never be condemned for their sins, but they have already passed from death into life.  And I assure you that the time is coming, in fact it is here, when the dead will hear my voice--the voice of the Son of God.  And those who listen will live!"  John 5: 24-25

And for those who lived in the land where death casts its shadow, a light has shined.  Matthew 4 :16 

And the light's name is Jesus!

For a child is born to us, a son is given to us.  And the government will rest on his shoulders.  These will be his royal titles:  Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.  Isaiah 9: 6

Remember what King David said about Jesus:  'I know the Lord is always with me.  I will not be shaken, for he is right beside me.  No wonder my heart is filled with joy, and my mouth shouts his praises!  My body rests in hope.  For you will not leave my soul among the dead, or allow your Holy One to rot in the grave.  You have shown me the way of life, and you will give me wonderful joy in your presence.'  Acts 2: 25-28 

Praise God!  Ask Jesus into your life today, and receive with him the promise of everlasting life!

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Let Us Pray  

Almighty God, to you all hearts are open, all desires known and from you no secrets are hid:  Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love you, and worthily magnify your holy Name; through Christ our Lord.  Amen.

With all our heart and with all our mind, let us pray to the Lord:

For the aged and infirm, for the widowed and orphans, and for the sick and the suffering, let us pray to the Lord.  Lord, have mercy.

For the poor and the oppressed, for the unemployed and the destitute, for prisoners and captives, and for all who remember and care for them, let us pray to the Lord.  Lord, have mercy.

For all who have died in the hope of the resurrection, and for all the departed, let us pray to the Lord.  Lord have mercy.

For deliverance from all danger, violence, oppresssion, and degradation, let us pray to the Lord.  Lord, have mercy. 

For the absolution and remission of our sins and offenses, let us pray to the Lord.  Lord have mercy.

That we may reach the end of our lives with faith and hope, without suffering and without reproach, let us pray to the Lord.  Lord, have mercy.

For the peace from above, for the loving kindness of God, and for the salvation of our souls, let us pray to the Lord.  Lord, have mercy.

For the peace of the world, for the welfare of the holy church of God, and for the unity of all peoples, let us pray to the Lord.  Lord, have mercy. 

Defend us, deliver us, and in thy compassion protect us, O Lord, by thy grace.  Lord, have mercy.

In the communion of saints, let us commend ourselves, and one another, and all our life, to Christ our Lord.  To thee, O Lord our God we pray.  Amen.

Eternal God, heavenly Father, you have graciously accepted us as living members of your Son our Savior Jesus Christ, and you have fed us with spiritual food.  Send us now into the world in peace, and grant us strength and courage to love and serve you with gladness and singleness of heart; through Christ our Lord who lives with you, now and forever.  Amen. **          

Our Father, you are in heaven.

I hallow, revere and adore you and your name.

May your kingdom come...and surround me, uplift me, embrace me.

May I only do your will, not mine.

On this earth, while I live, like when I will live in heaven.

Give me today my daily bread....who is Jesus.

And God, please, I beg of you, forgive me of all my sins, all those awful things in your eyes that I've done wrong to you, others, and myself.  Some intentional, others not intentional.  I have been wrong.

I do emphatically and forevermore forgive those who have sinned against me, hurt me, defiled me, and who have attempted to abuse and destroy me mentally, emotionally, physically and spiritually, including myself against myself. 

And do not let me be led, nor follow those who choose to make evil choices and temptations on any level, and deliver me from such as may be my past or my present.

For yours is the kingdom I want to be a part of, unto your power I want to submit, unto you is who I choose to give glory, and to you should all honor and praise be given.

Forever and ever.  Amen.

Thank you, God, Jesus, and Holy Spirit for loving me and offering me forgiveness of my sins and eternal life.  May I prove worthy of your offering and your love.  Please help me to know how to best show you how much I love you and how grateful I am.  I do love you.  Thank you.   Amen.

***

Sing these songs with love and praise, adoration and humility:

I CAN ONLY IMAGINE

I can only imagine what it would be like when I walk by your side

I can only imagine what my eyes will see when your face is before me

I can only imagine

I can only imagine

I can only imagine what it would be like when I walk by your side

I can only imagine what my eyes will see when your face is before me

O surrounded by your glory

What will my heart feel

Will I dance for you Jesus or on order to be still

Will I stand in your presence to my knees will I fall

Will I sing Hallelujah

Will I be able to speak at all

I can only imagine

I can only imagine

I can only imagine

When that day comes and I find myself standing in the sun

I can only imagine

When all I will do is forever...forever worship you

I can only imagine

I can only imagine

O surrounded by your glory

What will my heart feel 

Will I dance for you Jesus or on order to be still *

Will I stand in your presence to my knees will I fall

Will I sing Hallehujah

Will I be able to speak at all

O surrounded by your glory

What will my heart feel

Will I dance for you Jesus or on order to be still *

Will I stand in your presence to my knees will I fall

Will I sing Hallelujah

Will I be able to say anything at all

I can only imagine.  

JESUS, LOVER OF MY SOUL  *

It's all about you, Jesus

And all this is for You

For you glory and Your fame

It's not about me

As if You should do things my way

You alone are God

And I surrender to Your ways

Jesus, lover of my soul

All consuming fire is in Your gaze

Jesus, I want You to know

I will follow You all my days

For no one else in history is like You

And history itself belongs to You

Alpha and Omega, You have loved me

And I will share eternity with You

  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."

***

  Our Current Cause

I am very excited to share that The Gathering will be 'on the ground' soon in Tucson!  I would sincerely appreciate all prayers focused for this cause and for those involved in the greater picture.  As I attempt a new church plant here in the desert, may streams of prayers, love and financial support flow to achieve this cause.  This is a mountain that I am going to climb, and, I expect all believers everywhere to rise up with me to support this endeavor and do the same.  As I endeavor on this journey, I will be better prepared to help you on yours...to raise up a sanctuary for the ever living ever loving Lord God Almighty, Lord and Savior for the world Jesus Christ, and Comforter, Teacher, Indwelling Fire, Spirit Wind, the Holy Spirit.  I pray you will join with me to provide prayer and financial support for this humbling and annointed journey.  To God goes all the honor and glory!   Alleluia!  Amen.          

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

***

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Trinity Missions

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Church of the Holy Spirit

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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."

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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.

**  Part of todays prayers were taken from The Book of Common Prayer 1977

* I CAN ONLY IMAGINE sung by Rita Springer and from the Worship Together CD 1998.  No further information is available, and there may be a discrepancy in the lyrics where indicated by an asterik due to my inability to accurately hear the lyrics sung.  Forgive me.  

* JESUS, LOVER OF MY SOUL

Music and lyrics by Paul Oakely c  1995 Kingsway's Thankyou Music (PRS)  All rights in the Western Hemisphere administered by EMI Christian Music Publishing p 1998 Worship Together

From the Worship Together CD

 *