March 27, 2011

 Matthew 5: 1 - 16 

 Jesus Prepares All For The Journey  

Matthew

One day as the crowds were gathering, Jesus went up the mountainside with his disciples and sat down to teach them.  This is what he taught them: 

"God blesses those who realize their need for him, for the Kingdom of Heaven is given to them.

God blesses those who mourn, for they will be comforted.

God blesses those who are gentle and lowly, for the whole earth will belong to them.

God blesses those who are hungry and thirsty for justice, for they will receive it in full.

God blesses those who are merciful, for they will be shown mercy.

God blesses those whose hearts are pure, for they will see God. 

God blesses those who work for peace, for they will be called the children of God.

God blesses those who are persecuted because they live for God, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.

God blesses you when you are mocked and persecuted and lied about because you are my followers.  Be happy about it!  Be very glad!  For a great reward awaits you in heaven.  And remember, the ancient prophets were persecuted, too.

"You are the salt of the earth.  But what good is salt if it has lost its flavor?  Can you make it useful again?  It will be thrown out and trampled underfoot as worthless.  You are the light of the world - like a city on a mountain, glowing in the night for all to see. Don't hide your light under a basket!  Instead put it on a stand and let it shine for all.  In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, who that everyone will praise your heavenly Father."

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Thoughts.....

As I open today, I ask you to remember to continue to pray for the people in the world who suffer from the effects of the earthquake and tsunami:  for those who are nearing their end, that God be swift and merciful.  Those still holding onto hope will be found.  And all who are suffering will be healed.  May God bless them all.

Last week I mentioned that you may wish to read 'The Beatitudes'.  Today I have little to say, as Jesus essentially says it all.  In his teaching, commonly called 'The Sermon on the Mount', we learn how he prepares the people for the journey with him.  He lets them know the walk will not be easy, but it will be worth every step.  Do you find your life situation described among his blessings?  Envision yourself being blessed!  Ask him to come into your life now, so you can receive all that he has to give.  Haven't accepted him as your Lord yet?  Now might be a good time.  He so wants you to be blessed. 

I believe we all take for granted the little and big blessings in our lives.  I'd like you to consider, at the end of each day this week, thinking about and perhaps writing down all the blessings you received each day.  Not just the happy moments, or peace filled moments, but also the stress filled moments, and those of upset.  I'd like you to find God in each situation.  You may ask how you can find God in moments of upset.  Ask me that at the end of the week, if you still need an answer.  Trust God on this journey, and you will learn some things.

As a Christian, defined as one who has accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, and whom you have chosen to obey, you are the salt of the earth.  You are the light of the world.  Don't hide....get out and share the light within....it is the light of Jesus.  The world awaits him and he awaits you going into the world to share who he is, that he is, and how wonderful he is.  Proclaim the Gospel that Jesus is the Lord and he saves.  Go forth in his name:  "Let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father."  Be a Christian in action, not just in verse.  

Do you need Jesus?  Are you mourning?  Are you gentle and lowly?  Are you hungry and thirsty for justice?  Do you need mercy?  Is your heart pure?  Do you work for peace?  Are you persecuted?  You will be blessed.  Whatever your situation, God is there, in the midst, wanting to bless you.  Look to the Savior and receive him now.  He so wants to see your joy, your peace, to encourage you on the journey.    

I will pray that you will look up to Jesus who has offered you salvation.  I will pray you will see the blessings in your life.  May your life be rich in all the ways that matter.  And may you embrace the Trinity....God, Jesus, Holy Spirit....and never let them go.     

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Let Us Pray

Dear God, Jesus, Holy Spirit, be in my heart and in my loving, my head and in my understanding, my mouth and in my speaking, my eyes and in my seeing.  Thank you for all the blessings you have bestowed upon my life so far.  Thank you for warning me of how life will be on the journey and what to expect, so as to be better prepared.  I know I want you in my life fully.  I know I cannot get to the end without you.  Embrace me, please, in the fullness of your love and protect me always.  Keep me safe from the world of enemies that seek to entrench me.  Make me bold to speak forth your truths in your name, proclaiming your Gospel with love, that you came to save all who choose to believe in you and obey you mightily.  Please embrace and uplift me, so that I may raise you to new heights of glory.  Take my hand, lead me on, keep me whole.  Thank you so very much.  I love you.  Amen.       

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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         

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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. 

It is not how we worship, but that we worship....the Trinity!   

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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 regularly to us or gifting us, so that we can further the work and carry out the will of the Father as proclaimed in Matthew 28:19-20 NLT

 to

 "Go and make disciples out of all the nations

baptizing 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

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, 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!   

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Trinity Missions

or the

Church of the Holy Spirit

and sent to

Note New Address 

Trinity Missions

P.O. Box 85042

Tucson, Arizona

85754

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If you have any questions, we can be reached at:

1-866-402-GIFT

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Please note Trinity Missions or CoHS in your subject line.

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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.

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    One last thing....

 Jesus' Prayer of Thanksgiving

'The Unforced Rhythms 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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