August 14, 2011

 Honoring Him From Within  

1 Peter 3: 13 - 22

1 Peter 

Now who will want to harm you if you are eager to do good?  But even if you suffer for doing what is right, God will reward you for it.  So don't be afraid and don't worry.  Instead, you must worship Chirst as Lord of your life.  And if you are asked about your Christian hope always be ready to explain it.  But you must do this in a gentle and respectful way. Keep your conscience clear.  Then if people speak evil against you, they will be ashamed when they see what a good life you live because you belong to Christ.  Remember, it is better to suffer for doing good, if that is what God wants, than to suffer for doing wrong!

Christ also suffered when he died for our sins once for all time.  He never sinned, but he died for sinners that he might bring us safely home to God.  He suffered physical death, but he was raised to life in the Spirit.

So he went and preached to the spirits in prison - those who disobeyed God long ago when God waited patiently while Noah was building his boat.  Only eight people were saved from drowning in that terrible flood.  And this is a picture of baptism, which now saves you by the power of Jesus Christ's resurrection.  Baptism is not a removal of dirt from your body, it is an appeal to God from a clean conscience.

Now Christ has gone to heaven.  He is seated in the place of honor next to God, and all the angels and authorities and powers are bowing before him.    

 JesJeJeJJjEJJJ     JJThe LORD is king!  Let the nations tremble!  T*** 

Thoughts.....

Gracious people of Christ, thank you for putting up with the errors in last weeks Scriptures, Thoughts, and Prayers.  And for the delays which kept me from correcting them.  They are now corrected....hopefully completely....and have been made available through 'Scriptures....Archived' in 'The Family Room'.  As great as the computer is, I have still not found a way to insure absolute safety when storms (specifically lightening, but I take no chances) are within 5 miles.  Last week....well....they were overhead.  I felt absolute conviction to 'hang up the phone'.  Yes, I'm still on dial up.  Don't laugh.....it's cheaper.  And I use an antenna for television.  I figure I can only watch one station at a time, and I can't decide which shows to watch sometimes from the airways.  I'd be a basket case trying to decide from the myriad of stations on cable.  Laugh.  And starve to death with the rates!  Ok...let's get on with todays messaage.

Peter says, "Who will want to harm you if you are eager to do good?"  Peter never went to the schools I went.  Or worked where I worked, or met some of the people I have met in my life.  How about you?  Are you 'feelin' the love'?  Many days it seems that the more good I do, the more I am under attack by the devil...Satan....for trying to do what God calls me to do.....be good and do good.

Peter goes on to say, "But even if you suffer for doing what is right, God WILL [my emphasis], reward you for it."  Hallelujah.  Somebody is listening and paying attention, and, what I do and how I live is worth something.  And you can bank on the same thing for yourself, if you are a Christian.  Christian defined by someone who has accepted Jesus as their Lord and Savior and is OBEYING him.   I say that because MANY people will say that they have accepted Jesus.  I ask, accepted him as what?  People accepted Elvis, the Dodge Charger, and Ted Bundy.  People SAY many things.  How do they act, how do you act?  Do you LIVE your faith?  Do you act?   Or act out your faith as evidenced by fruits of the Spirit?  The one and only HOLY Spirit.  Do you obey God, Jesus and Holy Spirit?  When they say 'jump', do you say, 'how far?'  Are you in a constant battle for your salvation?  If so, back to the drawing board, ya'll.

But 'you know what?  Reemphasizing what Peter tells us, he says, even if you and I are suffering for doing right, God will reward you and I for doing right.  'Doing....right' is the key.  We not only have to do, we have to do right.  He goes on to say, "don't be afraid and don't worry".

Then he gives us a directive, "you MUST worship Christ as Lord of your life".  Ok, so you are reading along and you say you are doing right.  You are doing good....being good.  And then you read, "you MUST worship Christ as Lord of your life".  Did I hear an "oops"?  This sentence compels us to take a deep look at what we really do on a daily basis....moment by moment....and ask ourselves. "Am I really worshiping Christ as LORD of my life?"   Oh boy.  Ok, so you pray a quick prayer to get you through the day that has just started, and you've stubbed your toe already on the bed and you are calling out to him, and the driver in front of you causes you to call out to him again, and at the end of the day after many calls on your part, none too nice, but many demanding, you are grateful to be in bed and have the day be over, but......big BUT....but.....have you WORSHIPED him?  Have you taken the time to say thank you to him?  Have you told him how grateful you are that he died for you today?  Yet?  Have you told him how much you love him?  Do YOU?!  Have you just spent time with him....and talked to him.....and LISTENED?   He craves to be loved by you.   Not much differently than you crave to be loved....hopefully by him.  Maybe it's time to spend some time with him today.  Maybe you need to find time everyday.....MAKE time everyday.....put him first....show him he is Lord of your life. 

Gosh, I'm only on the 4rth sentence....I'll try and be less wordy.  I know....I'm hearin' you.  But honestly I am at the mercy of the Lord when I sit to type on Sunday mornings.  Trust me on this. 

"And if you are asked about your Christian hope, always be ready to explain it.  It.....what is it?  What is your Christian hope?  Resurrection salvation.  We are ALL called to be ministers of Christ.  We are ALL called to share the salvation message that he lived, he died, and he arose from the dead.....he then was raised to new heights of glory:  he now sits at the right hand of God.  He died for every single person on the earth at any time in history.  Including those who died before him.  Now THAT's interesting.  Keep reading......... 

Peter tells us we must explain our Christian hope in a gentle respectful way, keeping our consciences clear.  Keeping our consciences clear means that we must live our faith walk, not just SAY we are Christians.  We must also represent him in an accurate way.  Much like any business in marketing.  Everything must be stated accurately without blemish, so that there will be no liablility, no fall out.  With Jesus, we don't have to embellish the truth...but when we share the truth, the truth will set them free...and us, too.  Free from bondage to sin....to live a new life in Christ Jesus...if we accept him as Lord and Savior. 

If people speak evil against you, they will be ashamed [at some point, we hope] when they see what a good life you live because you belong to Christ, says Peter.  He reminds us, "it is better to suffer for doing good, if that is what God wants, than to suffer for doing wrong!"  I've got a question.  Why would God NOT want us to do good?  I want you to read the scriptures very carefully with Holy Spirit.  He is the truth and no liar, so you don't need anyone to tell you what the scriptures say.  "But you have received the Holy Spirit, and he lives with you, so you don't need anyone to teach you what is true.  For the Spirit teaches you all things, and what he teaches is true - it is not a lie."  1 John 2:27 

This does not refer to God wanting us to not do good.  This refers to us suffering for doing good.  So, then another question might be, why would God want us to suffer for doing good?  Maybe to teach humility?  How often have you done something you think is great, someone may applaud you in some way and you get proud about what you have done?  Pompous?  Arrogant?  Believed the accolade was due you?  Hmmmmmm.........humilty.  Think about it. 

"Christ also suffered when he died for our sins once for all time.  He never sinned, but he died for sinners that he might bring us safely home to God.  He suffered physical death, but he was raised to life in the Spirit."  Look at ALL the good Jesus did on the earth.  Then look how he suffered on the cross......for us.  Why in the world would God want his son to suffer?  How unthinkable!  Until we see the gift they both gave us....you and I....and the whole world.  Speaking of humility.....any chance this caused you to eat some humble pie in thought over what Christ did for you versus what you most recently got prideful about?

"So he went and preached to the spirits in prison - those who disobeyed God long ago when God waited patiently while Noah was building his boat.  Only eight people were saved from drowning in that terrible flood."  What is Holy Spirit telling you about what this scripture means?  Did he preach to them AFTER he was raised to life in the Spirit?  And what does that mean?  Was that after he was baptized, after he came back from the 40 days in the desert?  Was it during his life or after his death?  Was it while he was gone before he arose on the 3rd day?  Was it while he walked the earth after his 3 day journey?  Was it after he went to heaven?  I hear you saying, "WHAT?"  I told you to keep reading.......  The major points here are that Jesus preached to people who disobeyed God and that God waited patiently.  God was probably hoping he could save the world.  God still waits patiently, and, if we are to emulate Christ....and we are....we need to be preaching to those who disobey God...still....always.  Christians and non-Christians.   

And who were the spirits in prison?  Those who disobeyed God long ago when God waited patiently while Noah was building his boat.  I love a good mystery, don't you?  Ok.  So even though Jesus hadn't died on the cross yet when Noah, some umpteen many years prior to his birth, obeyed God and built a boat, Jesus spoke to the folks that didn't survive....that would be all but 8.  And.....what kind of prison was it?  Is he speaking literally or figuratively?  Were they in a physical prison or a spiritual prison....or both?   What is Holy Spirit telling you about what this scripture means? 

"And this is a picture of baptism, which now saves you by the power of Jesus Christ's resurrection. Baptism is not a removal of dirt from your body; it is an appeal to God from a clean conscience."  So why in the world did Peter jump to this thought after the last about people in prison YEARS before Jesus died on a cross?  How did he jump from being eager to do good, worshiping, to Christ's suffering, to people in prison, and now baptism?  At first read, it is scattered, and I thought, 'what's this guy thinking?'  But it's a pattern of non-salvation living vs salvation living.  And it is a comment on how water baptism can be figurative rather than literal.  Much like circumcision didn't need to be literal, it was a removing of the old skin....old sin nature....and putting upon new....a healed new creature having received Jesus Christ.  A removal of the old crown of self, and a bareing for the new crown of Christ. 

Jesus not only died for those who came after him, but he died for those who came before him who had not had the opportunity to be saved, because they didn't know him or nor had they heard the salvation message.  Just as the writings of the apostles and prophets were made available to us, now long past his life, God had a plan to save those before him, too.  It doesn't really matter to me when he preached to the people in prison.  It does not matter whether they were in a physical or spiritual prison....a prison brought on because they did not have THE salvation of Jesus Christ.  It does matter to me that I noticed the words 'disobeyed God'.  The folks that died disobeyed God.  Not a good thing.  Yet Jesus was allowed to still offer them the salvation message.  AFTER they were long dead.  I could see him offering it to faithful folks who died loving God.  But he offered it to those who disobeyed God.  MAYBE they disobeyed God because they hadn't heard all about him.  Maybe they disobeyed God because they didn't have Christian hope. They couldn't have had Christian hope because Jesus hadn't been born.....nor died.....and so did not have opportunity to believe in him and receive him as their Lord and Savior.  Maybe they just plain didn't believe.  But God's a pretty good guy to do this.  Jesus is a pretty good guy to do this.  Flash Gordon, Star Trek folks, and those that came after.....regarding time travel.....they've got NOTHING on God and Jesus.  THESE guys have it down pat. 

So this is a mystery that I hope you'll research, to see if you can tell when Jesus spoke to the disobeyed dead.  Maybe you will learn more about the importance of the salvation message....the why.

Peter goes on to say, "Now [NOW] Christ has gone to heaven.  He is seated in the place of honor next to God and all the angels and authorities and powers are bowing before him."  Point one:  Peter makes reference to 'now' Christ has gone to heaven.  Is this still part of the Noah story, indicating that Jesus spoke to these people before he was raised to heaven.....how and when?  Did he do time space travel/bi-locate somehow when he was alive?  The plot thickens.  And WOW.......we've heard of angels, who are these authorities and powers bowing before him?  I thought God, Jesus and Holy Spirit were the only ones in authority and with power!  Great stuff in this book they call the Bible.  And I go to the library to read mystery?  Gee, every page of the Bible is mystery to learn and grow from.  To raise the Trinity and be raised by them. 

I hope you will honor God, Jesus and Holy Spirit.  I hope you will bow down to them.  I pray you will fully receive them into your heart honoring them from within, suffering or not, holding onto Christian hope always.  And share, who they are, that they are, and how wonderful they are to everyone, so all can be saved, calling Jesus LORD and SAVIOR.  Just think what the world would be like if REAL Christians...those who live out their faith....were all over the earth.  God's peace that passes all understanding would prevail because all God's people would be honoring him from within.  Instead of just with their mouths....or not.           

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Let Us Pray

Oh, Lord, I've heard it said, that 'all God's children get weary when they roam' and that it makes them all want to come home.  Indeed, Lord, I pray that the world will find you and that all will come home in their hearts to you, giving themselves to you fully, loving you with their whole hearts, obeying you, and loving their neighbors as themselves.  And me, too.  Help me to make sure I am loving you and living you with my whole heart.  That what proceeds from my mouth be words by which you would be honored.  Let me and everyone insure that starts at home....including our conversations with you.  And actually, Lord, since you are IN everyone who receives you, every time I speak to a child of yours, I MUST speak as though I am speaking to you....because I am....even if they are not....portraying that you are within.  And for those who are not Christians, how will they see you, seek you, find you, unless I show them...and others like me?!  So help me....all.....to walk with you, and talk with you to learn, to know how to best live THE Christian life.  Let me do it with grace and love, being gentle, respectful, humble and kind.  Let me emulate you.  Let me exhort only when there is reason to exhort.  And let me share what I know calmly and with a smile, not an attack from my lips.  I know there were 12 apostles who spread out to share the Gospel, and I believe one of the reasons for that is because there are many types of people who respond to many types of worship and presentation of understanding.  Some may be liturgical, some may be demonstrative, some may be quiet, some may bold.  May all realize that it is not how one worships, but that one worships....YOU.  There are many laws that have arisen over time called doctrines in churches.  Some are from you, some are not.  May people be prayerful and discerning.  May everyone find some church community they are comfortable with and feel safe in, and be well fed spiritually, so they will hear and KNOW that YOU...and no one else....is the head of THE church...which is their body, the temple that holds you within.  Help them, and me, fully embrace that and realize that not only are we the temple that holds you within, we are also vessels from which to pour you to the world.  May we all pour YOU generously.  Thank you for being God....MY God.  For being born, living, dying, and living again, Jesus.  Thank you for being my Lord and Savior.  And thank you Holy Spirit for bringing all truths to light as my Teacher and Comforter.  I am so grateful for your baptismal fire.  Thank you.  I love you.  May all in the world say....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 Rhythms 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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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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