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.

We welcome and embrace our family of God in 

the United Kingdom, Canada, and

the United States of America!

My site map is not detailed, so, if I've missed someone, or misplaced someone,

let us hear from you via email! 

   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.

***

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.” 

***

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.  

***

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.”

***

“The Kingdom of God is near you now.”

***

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.” 

 ***

July 18, 2010

James 5: 1-6 

  A Day of Reckoning...A Savings Account   

James

Look here, you rich people, weep and groan with anguish because of all the terrible troubles ahead of you.  Your wealth is rotting away, and your fine clothes are moth-eaten rags.  Your gold and silver have become worthless.  The very wealth you were counting on will eat away your flesh in hell.  This treasure you have accumulated will stand as evidence against you on the day of judgment.  For listen!  Hear the cries of the field workers whom you have cheated of their pay.  The wages you held back cry out against you.  The cries of the reapers have reached the ears of the Lord Almighty.

You have spent your years on earth in luxury, satisfying your every whim.  Now your hearts are nice and fat, ready for the slaughter.  You have condemned and killed good people who had no power to defend themselves against you.  

***

Thoughts...

Good morning!  First I want to say, "Welcome! to the UK!".  I have a world map on this site that lets me know the vicinity of a signal indicating someone visiting this site.  I have no idea if those visiting are reading the weekly messages, but I have ascertained...I will try not to assume...that those tapping in on a regular basis are with us in church on a regular basis.  I will not make the statement that those not tapping in are not in church with us, because they may tap in after the map has generated.   They may have even lost a signal entirely and are not able to join us.  So welcome to those with us and please pray for our family who could not join us. 

Ok...today is about a day of reckoning...there are many reckonings in life as in heaven.  The definition of reckoning is 'settlement of an account'.  What account would that be?  Perhaps the account given us when we were birthed on earth.  Let's look at that a moment.  

When we open a savings account, we deposit money into it, expect it will gain interest, and we can withdraw at any time.  Let's consider we are given a savings account when we are birthed.  We can deposit into it.  We can expect, if we do, it will gain interest.  We can withdraw from it, leaving a balance, or withdraw it all, closing it at any time.  We can invest our withdrawals or we can squander our withdrawals.  We can use our withdrawals and investments to sustain our life.  Isn't life with the Lord like that?  

So looking at life as a savings account, literally for your life in heaven, how do you stack up?  What have been your choices up to now and how will you make choices, will you make better choices for your future?  

In todays lesson, James speaks to rich people.  We do not know the ages of these folks.  But in this day and age, we can be wealthy at an early age or take years to accumulate wealth.  Does it matter the age?  It appears these people may be older.  Their fine clothes are moth eaten rags.  Their wealth is rotting away indicating they may have hoarded it for a while.  'Your gold and silver have become worthless', it says.  Perhaps they know about the American Social Security system.  The very wealth they were counting on is going to eat away their flesh.   Could this be because they ate like fatted calves and what they ate is now destroying their immune systems?  People of wealth eat anything they can have...not necessarily what their bodies need.  The treasure they have accumulated will stand in evidence against them.  Because they have not shared it with others, or given back to God???  Pound foolish, not penny wise.

'The cries of the field workers cheated of their pay are heard, and, the wages held back cry out against the person failing to answer the call of God and his will for the people.  The cries of the reapers have reached the ears of the Lord Almighty.'  At this moment, we should all be on our knees praying forgiveness for everything we have done that has been wrong in the eyes of God, and, especially for not giving when and where we knew we should have.  For demeaning others.  For not loving our neighbor as ourself.  For putting others down and seeing them as less than ourselves.  For not giving true wages in return for honorable work.  For not giving to the people who do the Lord's work, and, not giving for the Lord's work to be done.

You may say the people you paid were happy.  Happy to get anything they could perhaps.  Not necessarily happy with what was given.  And was the Lord happy that you have not helped him more?  When was the last time you donated money to any body or any thing?  Have you given anything to any organization giving to others?  Have you ever heard the world is round?  And what you give will be given back many fold?  Is this just about money?  Not necessarily, but it does appear plain in this text that the focus is on that.  Can you give of yourself?  Yes.  Some people believe they are their money.  'A fool and his money will soon be parted.'         

James says, 'You have spent your years on earth in luxury, satisfying your every whim.  Now your hearts are nice and fat, ready for the slaughter.  Slaughter....the end of life...a day of reckoning?  In pigs or cattle, the animals are fattened so more meat can be sold...and bought to pay the farmer.  In the laws of God, slaughter refers to the last day....yours.  Are you ready for your last day...when you will meet your author, your designer, your creator...THE God of heaven and of earth?

'You have condemned and killed good people who had no power to defend themselves against you.'  James says these types of people have killed good people.   Are you saying to yourself that he is talking to others...back then....these words have nothing to do with you?  Are you saying you never killed anybody?  Have you considered their spirit a part of them?  Can you actually say that you have never broken a person's spirit, killed their soul, hurt them beyond measure?

Do you remember your childhood?  Did you ever cry because someone hurt you?  As a young adult did you ever feel as though your spirit had been crushed?  As a mature adult, did you ever walk away from someone with tears in your eyes, or your eyes downcast?  If not, perhaps you are the person of whom James speaks.  Maybe you do have a cold heart, the kind that places this type of pain onto others. 

Perhaps you just didn't pay quality wages to someone.  Perhaps you took advantage of a situation and it caused another pain.  Perhaps you have spoken evil against someone who is acting in the name of God, but because they are not doing it YOUR way, you stir up trouble for them.  Perhaps an overzealous person makes you uncomfortable because you have to realize you are not like them...and you should be.  

People not strong in the Holy Spirit of God would have no way of defending themselves against people like you.  Even some who are are still vulnerable...regardless of age.  Are you the type that preys on them? 

Your day of reckoning may be upon you.  You do not need to be 'old' to die.  No one knows when their time is coming.  Your end time may not coincide with THE end times.  What are you doing to be right with God?  ARE you going to do anything to reconcile yourself to Jesus, who may still be willing to be your Savior?  Will you help the people now?  Will you step out in God's name and help people he sets in your path?  Will you make amends by offering sorrowful apologies?  Will you say, "I'm sorry" to those you have hurt, with sincerity...will they hear and feel that sincerity?  Will you pay them now what you didn't pay them before?  Will it be in money or hugs?  Scared of the interest?  You should be.  

Whether you have debts of financial value, mental, emotional, physical, or spiritual, it is time, the day of reckoning is here.  Now you know.  Now you have to do something about it or suffer the penalties.  Choose this day whom you will serve.  Jesus the Lord, or money.  Money is not the root of all evil.  It is the LOVE of money that leads to evil. 1 Timothy 6:10.  

Let's see what Matthew says in Chapter 6: 19-24:  "Don't store up treasures here on earth, where they can be eaten by moths and get rusty, and where thieves break in and steal.  Store your treasures in heaven, where they will never become moth-eaten or rusty and where they will be safe from thieves.  Wherever your treasure is, there your heart and thoughts will also be.

Your eye is a lamp for your body.  A pure eye lets sunshine into your soul.  But an evil eye shuts out the light and plunges you into darkness.  If the light you think you have is really darkness, how deep that darkness will be!  No one can serve two masters.  For you will hate one and love the other, or be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money."           

And Paul while speaking to us and the Romans in 12: 1-2 says it quite nicely:  "And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God.  Let them be a living and holy sacrifice - the kind he will accept.  When you think of what he has done for you, is this too much to ask?  Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think.  Then you will know what God wants you to do, and you will know how good and pleasing and perfect his will really is."

He goes on to say in Romans 12: 19-21:  Dear friends, never avenge yourselves.  Leave that to God.  For it is written, "I will take vengeance; I will repay those who deserve it, says the Lord.  Instead, do what the Scriputres say:  "If your enemies are hungry, feed them.  If they are thristy, give them somehting to drink, and they will be ashamed of what they have done to you."  Don't let evil get the best of you, but conquer evil by doing good", Paul says in conclusion.   

I say, even more so the strangers who surround you, and the friends who abide beside you.   

So, I say it again, looking at life as a savings account, literally for your life in heaven, how do you stack up?  What have been your choices up to now and how will you make choices, will you make better choices for your future?  A day of reckoning is upon you.  How will you invest?  Will you receive a return on your investment?  Will it be to go into the arms of THE Lord in heaven?  Choose wisely.

***

Let Us Pray

Lord, I have sinned against you in thought word and deed.  By what I have done and by what I have left undone.  I have not loved my neighbor as myself.  I have not loved you with my whole heart.  I am truly sorry, and I most humbly repent.  Please forgive me.  It would be my sincere hope to walk in your ways and do your will to the glory of your name.  I want my walk with you to reflect glory onto you.  Help me.  I want to receive you into my heart...cleanse my heart and mind...so that there is room for you.  Cleanse my body, too.  Let the inspiration of your heart fully fill me to overflowing.  Let me then perfectly love you and thoroughly magnify your Holy Name.  Give me a new life with you and give me the strength to make all the amends I need.  Although I cannot go back in time and make all things right, let my act of asking forgiveness free others whom I have hurt, letting them be released from the power of the pain and memories of the suffering my actions have caused.  Help them have a new joy and a new life without those burdens.  It matters most that they are freed and then that you forgive me.  Help me live a better life in my future and make better choices.  Let me see that the real investments in life are those that bring you glory,  and the opportunity to be in your arms once again...as in life, so in death.  Carry me, Lord, on the days I am weak.  Lead me, on days when I am lost.  Walk beside me everyday I breathe.  And when I stop breathing, let me be in your arms, the arms of love....forever.  I love you, Lord.  Thank you.   Amen.   

*** 

More love.... 

  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 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.  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 Current Cause

It is time to reach into the community and the world around you to see wherein lies the greatest need.  As you choose to focus on these areas, do so with a servant's heart.  Whether the need is for children, adults, or animals, or any cause in between that will help those in need, ask God how you can best serve his needs, what path you must take, and how long you should persevere.  Sometimes we are to be in the lives of others merely as stepping stones.  Sometimes we are to touch those lives forever.  Whatever journey you are called to take, whatever team you will be a member of, know this:  God is with you always...even til the end of time.  He loves you, is grateful for you, and will help you along life's way, especially if you are helping others along theirs, persevering with a servant's heart. 

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

 ***

  Checks or money orders can be made out to

Trinity Missions

or the

Church of the Holy Spirit

and sent to

Trinity Missions

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

Please note Trinity Missions or CoHS in your subject line.

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.

                                                                                                                *