August 28, 2011

 Christ's Joyful Partner  

1 Peter 4: 12 - 19

1 Peter 

Dear friends, don't be surprised at the fiery trials you are going through, as if something strange were happening to you.  Instead, be very glad - because these trials will make you partners with Christ in his suffering, and afterward you will have the wonderful joy of sharing his glory when it is displayed to all the world.

Be happy if you are insulted for being a Christian, for then the glorious Spirit of God will come upon you.  If you suffer, however, it must not be for murder, stealing, making trouble, or prying into other people's affairs.  But it is no shame to suffer for being a Christian.  Praise God for the privilege of being called by his wonderful name!  For the time has come for judgment, and it must begin first among God's own children.  And if even we Christians must be judged, what terrible fate awaits those who have never believed God's Good News?  And "If the righteous are barely saved, what chance will the godless and sinners have?"  (Proverbs 11:31)  So if you are suffering according to God's will, keep on doing what is right, and trust yourself to the God who made you, for he will never fail you. 

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

Thoughts.....

Good morning! 

Peter starts off this morning by saying, "Dear friends".  All to often we think those we communicate with are friends, and some we consider dear friends.  But clearly, the Gospel message throughout the Bible is to not be unequally yoked, to use discernment, be wise.  Here, he alludes to all the Christians to whom he is speaking as being his friends.  Let me say this loud and clear....many will say Jesus is their Lord because they may have accepted him as their Lord and Savior, but there are nearly as many who in their hearts, haven't moved out, so he can move in.  They may have accepted him, but they have not MADE him LORD of their life.  So, point number one would be to look around you....starting with yourself.  Have you made Jesus LORD of your life?  Or are you still on the throne?  Second, are those people in your life, the kind of TRUE Christians whereby they have made Jesus LORD of their life?  'Fess up and clean up'.  How ever do you expect to live a valid Christian life when you have people who surround you wo do not even know who he is, or for those that do, need some exhorting, confessing, and straightening up of their own?  Or you have not made Jesus Lord of your life?  Ehhh?  

Have you talked to Jesus today?  Did you do it yesterday?  And did you bother to listen to anything he had to say?  Have you been in his Word, the Bible, to learn more about who he is, that he is, and how wonderful he is?  Have you read and do you know everything you need to know to have a life in and with Christ?  And are you living it?  Is he IN you?  IN your brain and your heart?  Do you live for him....or yourself?  Do you just decide what you will do everyday without consulting him to see if that is what he wants you to do?  Are you even on the path he set for you?   Hmmmm.  Is Jesus your friend?  Your Lord, your Savior?  By the way, no one knows EVERYTHING they need to know...we are all still with training wheels, just some of us are further down the road with more learned knowledge under our belt.  Some even pay attention to what they have learned.....as we all should! 

Are you going through fiery trials?  Be GLAD!  You are experiencing the cost for being a Christian!  Peter says, "These trials will make you partners with Christ in his suffering, and afterward you will have the wonderful joy of sharing his glory when it is displayed to all the world."  Hallelujah!  Be GLAD....be refined and purified.  He wants to groom us to be the best.  So let us be!  We're in this together, so don't think you are alone in your trials.  We are ALL experiencing some kind of trial.  We are all being pruned.

Peter tells us to "Be happy if you are insulted for being a Christian, for then the glorious Spirit of God will come upon you."  Woo hoo!!  Come Holy Spirit!!!  I've been insulted in churches as well as out.  Watch out....God is watching.  Did God tell you to say what you have or have you just spewed forth?  Shame on you.  Pray for forgiveness.  We are all children of God.  Some of us take it seriously.  Expect to be hurt, if you are a child of God....by the world, not God.   

He goes on to state, "If you suffer, however, it must not be for murder, stealing, making trouble, or prying into other people's affairs."  Please note that just because YOUR sin wasn't mentioned, does not mean it is not a sin....that is if you ARE a Christian.  People who are not Christians do not sin because they don't know Christ, and, so what they do is not wrong for them.....even if it is to those of us who are Christians.  Those who are Christians fall into sin....and fall away, too.  Watchout.....Satan is watching and trying at every turn to grab us and make us one of his and laughs everytime we slip up.  HOLD TIGHT to God......REALLLLLL tight. 

"But it is not shame to suffer for being a Christian."  How do you suffer for being a Christian?  Satan is attacking you at every turn of the road....and during the straight and narrow by-ways.  You can do good, be good, live Godly, and still be attacked and called names, wrongly accused and get into trouble for doing right.  You can be perceived and misperceived.  You can be given wrong information, perform the duty with heartfelt sincerity and someone will come along and tell you that was wrong, even if you did it right.  And you can be bad and wrong.

Let me tell you a story.  I have a friend who was in the military.  Dynamically organizationally skilled and professionally exacting on an executive level.  She was a Chaplain's Assistant.  It did not matter what base she was on, or whom she worked with or for, or what the job was.  She could size up the job, execute it with precision, extend the fullness of her heart into the matter, while embracing everyone with a smile and open arms.  And there would be one.....always one....who appreciated her efforts.  Unfortunately, there were bunches of others who attacked her, accused her, used her, manipulated her, tried to destroy her, and would have preferred she were essentially dead....even the ones who didn't have to work because she did all the work for them (especially higher ups).  She did all this under duress, stress, pain, sorrow, trauma, lack of sleep, overwork, illness, family death, and fear....a huge measure of suffering.

Did you get the part she was a Chaplain's Assistant?  You would presume that the Chaplains were people of God....Christians.  You would presume wrong.  Just because they said they were, does not in fact mean that they truly were....based on the example of how they lived their lives, in and out of their homes and in the pulpit.  You would presume that the others in the office would be Christians.  You would presume wrong.  You might hope that those being given the job would be screened for hiring for such a specific position.  You can hope until the cows come home....but the fact is, there are no guarantees in life, and even this is one of those no guarantee moments.  The rest of the story, I am proud to say on her behalf, is that through it all, she kept her head held high and stood tall, shoulders back, because she knew she was doing right in the eyes of the Lord...and doing for the Lord.  She did not fail, because she kept her eyes on her Lord.  Is she perfect?  Hek no....and she'll tell you the same thing with a laugh and a smile.  But she pressed toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God.  (Philippians 3:14)  And so should we all......."it is not a shame to suffer for being a Christian." 

"Praise God for the privilege of being called by his wonderful name!"

Are you showing the world you are a Christian?  Are you showing GOD you are a Christian?  Who would Jesus say you are?   Can you hold your head high, are you standing with honor, are your shoulders back for the world to see your heart...the one that holds Jesus close....or is supposed to?  His name is wonderful....so is he.  Jesus died for you....to set you free....from Satan and the world.  Jesus rescued you, has offered you salvation.  "There is salvation in NO one else."  Acts 4:12  If you WANT to be forgiven of your sins, you just need to ask him.  If you want eternal life, you have to prove you are serious.  Go and sin no more.  Honor his name.  Ask Holy Spirit into your life.  Go and tell others about him and what he has done in your life.  Be willing to suffer and not count the cost. 

"For the time has come for judgement, and it must begin first among God's own children.  And if even we Christians must be judged, what terrible fate awaits those who have never believed God's Good News?  And if the righteous are barely saved, what chance will the godless and sinners have?" 

The godless are those who never believed.  The message fell on rock and never rooted.  The sinners are those who profess Christianity, who have rooted, have been watered, but storms blow them away.  Even those who are watered and grow deep roots have storms, but they fix their eyes on the Savior....so when the SON shines....he is ever so filling, embracing, uplifting, growth oriented, producing blooming faith and love and COMMITMENT.

And the righteous?  Are those of us with the deep roots.  Every day is a new day.  Every day, we, in our commitment to our Lord, must continue to persevere.  Is it still a struggle?   Sure.  We are in the world, but we must not be OF the world.  Every day we recognize our imperfection.  Everyday we must seek him and embrace him and look up to him.  Everyday we must learn more about him to love him more.  Everyday we must be willing to honor his name as we wear the title of Christian.  We MUST make right choices as we move forward through life WITH him. 

I was always taught 'a sale is not a sale until the money is in your hands'.  Welllllll, based on that, we are "barely saved" as Peter says.  Until we reach his arms in heaven, we are barely saved.  Can we believe with the fulness of our heart that his promises are true and that he will save us?  Yes.  IF we are worthy.

I don't believe in blanket salvation.  I believe that we cannot  just say we are Christians and that because we have SAID we've accepted Jesus, that indeed that is enough.  Everything I've read shows me that I have to be grateful and show him my gratitude by how I live in and with him.  I have to show him I have roots that are being watered and that I'm willing to stick around when the storms blow, so my roots go down deep....clingingly deep.  'The proof is in the pudding' is a statement of old.  Well, if I just SAY I am a child of God, does not make it so.  I can SAY I am the President.  However, those around me can certainly prove I am not.  I would prefer those around me say and KNOW I am a Christian.  More importantly than that, I want God, Jesus and Holy Spirit to KNOW I am a Christian....they shall know me by my actions and the truth will set me free.  Get my point?

"So, if you are suffering according to God's will, keep on doing what is right, and trust yourself to the God who made you, for he will never fail you."   Indeed.....according to God's will.  Do you know what his will is for your life?  Have you asked him?  He'll tell you.  You may not like what he tells you, it may take you out of your comfort zone, therein may be some suffering, but your life WILL work out for your good and his good....and the good of those around you.  And if you are suffering....truly suffering....have you considered it could be because you are doing your will and not God's?  And yet, there are times when we will suffer while doing his will.  Keep on doing what is right and trust yourself....give yourself over to....ENtrust yourself....to the God who made you....he will never fail you....especially when you are called according to his purpose.   

In this last reference, Peter tells us to 'keep on doing what is right' and 'trust yourself to the God who made you'.  THE God...the ONLY GOD there is.  There are many gods....little 'g'.  But only ONE GOD Father Almighty, Maker of Heaven and earth.

I want to go back to Peter saying, "for he will never fail you."  There are times in life when we think God has failed us.  Particulary when we have lost a loved one.  God doesn't fail us....that is not why there is death.  There is death because of our choice making, that of others, and Satan.  I was talking to a delightful and wonderful 80 year old woman yesterday....or was it Friday....anyway, she told me her daughter died at age 41.  She prayed and cried over that.  Then she heard God tell her "her death was not his perfect will, but his permissable will".   Do you understand that?  He does not traumatize and cause death to just pluck people off the face of the earth for the hek of it or to hurt others.  He embraced her daughter as she lay dying, took her into his loving arms, and offered her forgiveness of sins and eternal life.  He gave her permission to 'come home'....so as to not suffer more.  His perfect will may have been for her to have perfect health and continue to honor his name longer with health.  In his perfect will, Adam and Eve would have gotten it right.  In his permissable will, he offered us the opportunity to receive forgiveness of sins and eternal life. 

God will never fail you.  Let me say this again, God will never fail you.  You are more likely to fail him.  Are you responsible in all areas of your life?  Are you honoring him?  Eating nutrtionally right?  Respecting life?  Respecting the environment, critters, and even plants on the earth?  Are you respectful of his money you are using?  Do you love him with the fullness of your whole heart recognizing all good things come from him and care for them?  Are you sharing who he is, that he is and how wonderful he is with others?  Are you praising him with thanksgiving for all he's done for you and with you?  Well, then, God will never fail you. 

But if you do all that so others can say, "Oh, look how good that person is!"  You are in serious trouble.  There is a phrase that kids used to say, "I'd rather see you than be you."  Frankly, I'd rather not even see you, if you are that person.  Luck won't even play a role in your life.  And folks, there are a lot of you in the churches today.  We all need to be praying for our brothers and sisters in Christ while we are praying for ourselves.

May we all be 'partners with Christ in his suffering, and afterward have the wonderful joy of sharing his glory when it is displayed to all the world'.  Amen.

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Let Us Pray

Wow, Lord.  You and Peter sure know how to convict a person.  Help me.  Forgive me of my sins, please, Lord.  Help me to live a righteous life.  A life that brings honor to your name.  A life that brings others to a place whereby they want to know who you are, that you are, and how wonderful you are and accept you as their Lord and Savior.  A life that can instill CHRISTIAN character in others by how I live, and walk, and talk.  Oh, Lord.  We've been on a long journey together.  It hasn't been easy by any stretch of anyone's imagination.  But I've walked it with you, doing for you, and sometimes ill perceiving I am doing it for you and with you.  Please forgive those times I've erred....sinned.  Remembered or forgotten, as seems my path as of late.  I know, that I know, that I know, that I know, that you will NEVER fail me....or forsake me.  Forgive me for failing you.  And those around me.  I have a lot more work to do with you and for you.  Help me do so with love in my heart and a sparkle in my eye....only for you, Lord.  YOU are my God, my Lord and Savior, my Comforter and Teacher....my life.  Thank you so much for alway being there for me.  Wash me anew, please.  Brush me off.  Let every day be a new day with you.  Surround me with folks who love you as I do.  Help me to not stumble or fall.  Help me to do YOUR will to the glory of your name....forever and ever.  Thank you for letting me be your partner in life, even though the suffering has been a bear at times.  To know you will always be there for me is worth it.  I love you, Lord.  Thank 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 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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    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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