December 18, 2011

Holy Life Within

Luke 1: 68 - 75 

Luke

Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and gave this prophecy:

"Praise the Lord, the God of Israel, because he has visited his people and redeemed them.  He has sent us a mighty Savior from the royal line of his servant David, just as he promised through his holy prophets long ago.  Now we will be saved from our enemies and from all who hate us.  He has been merciful to our ancestors by remembering his sacred covenant with them, the covenant he gave to our ancestor Abraham.  We have been rescued from our enemies, so we can serve God without fear, in holiness and righteousness forever. 

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Thoughts.....

Holy life within.....what does that mean to you?  What should it mean?  What can it mean?

In last weeks scriptures, those given at the entry and those provided towards the end with gratitude to Mary, if you read them, would have helped you learn some valuable knowledge.  From before Jesus' existence, and during the time he was 'in utero'....in the womb....before his birth....many knew about him.  God had a plan.

(As a reminder:  Luke 1: 78-79, Luke 1:1-56, for further reference:  Matthew 1:18-25.)

Those who knew about Jesus and God's plan for his life   before   his conception were the following:

God

Angel Gabriel

Mary

Holy Spirit

Abraham, ancestor....many years before he was conceived

Those who knew about Jesus after his conception, but before his birth were the following:

Joseph

Elizabeth's son, who was in her womb (later named John)

Elizabeth, Mary's cousin and John's mom (who was carrying him in the womb)

Zechariah, Jewish Priest and prophet, Elizabeth's husband, John's father

Today we learn more about the baby, Jesus, a mighty Savior.  Reread todays scripture reference above.

As an adult, John proclaimed salvation through forgiveness of sins....a spiritual cleansing....with water baptism as an outward confession.  But Jesus.....Jesus came to baptise with the Holy Spirit and fire....he came to separate the chaff from the grain with his winnowing fork, clean up the threshing floor, store the grain and burn the chaff in a never ending fire.  In simpler terms, he came to divide the good from the evil, the saints from the sinners.  To sort those going to heaven and those going to hell.  To give life and give it abundantly.  To offer eternal life. He did this as Savior....and Lord. 

The people above knew this.  Later the world would learn this.  Have you? 

Where would we be without him?  Where would the world be without the opportunities to be forgiven of sins and the merciful gift of eternal life?   

When does life begin?  At conception?  No.  Before.  We see this clearly with Jesus' AND with John. 

If you have had an abortion, ask God to forgive you....he will.  Then turn your life over to him.  Go to his arms now.  He loves you very much.  He understands the pain that caused you to believe it was your only choice, and the pain of going through the experience....and since.  The emptiness of your arms....your heart....your life.  The guilt.  The same holds true for those who supported or who mandated this decision. 

If you are contemplating abortion, please know that God planned the life within you to be born through you.  Will you say, as Mary, "I am the Lord's servant, I am willing to accept whatever he wants."?  Turn your life over to him and he will show you his plan.  Trust in the Lord with all your heart, mind and soul.  This is not your child to do with as you please.  This is God's child.  A child.  Not a non-entity to be trash canned.  The sperm and the egg are alive.  It is because they are alive that a child lives....and continues to grow.    

Where would you be had you not been born....had your mother and father eliminated you?  You just plain wouldn't be.  Think about that for a minute.

He will cleanse you of your sins, he will forgive all your rebellion.  If you bring him joy, glory, and honor before all, you will see the good he will do for you and you will tremble with awe.  The time will come that he will heal your damage and give you prosperity and peace.  He will give you back your health and heal your wounds.  You will be renewed.  If you turn back to God, make the right choices, speak words that are worthy, he will restore you.  God has a plan for your child's life and for your life.  You will be delivered.  (Excerpts from Jeremiah) 

Deliver the child of God.

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Mary, Did You Know?**

Mary did you know that your baby boy would one day walk on water

Mary did you know that your baby boy would save our sons and daughters

Did you know that your baby boy has come to make you new

This child that you deliver will soon deliver you

Mary did you know that your baby boy will give sight to the blind man

Mary did you know that your baby boy would calm a storm with his hand

Did you know that your baby boy has walked where angels trod

And when you kiss your little baby you've kissed the face of God

Oh Mary did you know

Mary did you know

Bridge:

The blind will see, the deaf will hear

The dead will live again

The lame will leap the dumb will speak

The praises of the lamb oh.....

Mary did you know that your baby boy is Lord of all creation

Mary did you know that your baby boy will one day rule the nations

Did you know that your baby boy was heaven's perfect lamb

And the sleeping child you're holding

Is the great I am

Oh Mary

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For unto us a child is born....and his name is

Wonderful....Counselor.....Prince of Peace

Savior....LORD

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Invite him in to your heart today

Give new meaning to Christmas this year 

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May you be truly merry

Filled with peace, surrounded by love & overcome with joy

By loving him more

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From my family to you 

Merry Christmas!

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God, release Your miraculous power in our lives now, and for all eternity,

Lavish on us Your honor and delight!

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Let Us Pray

Dear Heavenly Father God, please forgive me of my sins, cleanse and prepare my heart and mind, open me to the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, that I may fully love you and worthily magnify your Holy Name.  Let this Christmas be the one that I fully embrace the meaning of Jesus' birth for my life, and for those in the world.  Let this Christmas be the one that I realize the gifts you, God, Jesus, and Holy Spirit are in my life.  Let this Christmas be the one that my life is a gift to you.  Let this day be the one that I make the right decision to insure sacred life lives....in me and in others.  Let this day be the one that I decide to help others who are making very hard decsions to make the right decisions for you and for them....and for the child within them.  I will do this by the life I lead and the decisions I make to honor you and bring glory to your name.  I will open the doors of my heart to be there as others reach out to me for advice...may I only speak life in your name.  Help me be a living testimony to you, your love, and that of my mother's and father's for and in thanksgiving that my mother and father chose to give life to me, that you chose me to be born....to have life....abundantly....even before they knew I could exist.  Help me help myself and others to grow in all the ways necessary to insure the door to heaven opens at the end of our lives....where we will receive the prize of the high calling of God....being in your arms.  God, everyday I will love and honor you, Holy Spirit, and Jesus....Prince of Peace....Savior....Lord....more. Thank you for loving me....and giving me life.  In Jesus' name I pray by and with the power of the Holy Spirit.  Amen.

Lord,LordJesJeJeJJjEJJJ     JJThe LORD is king!  Let the nations tremble!  T***

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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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

10 a.m. - 8 p.m.

Mountain Time

or

TrinityMissions@msn.com

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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Mary Did You Know?

Mark Lowry/Buddy Green

1991 Word Music/a div. of Word, Inc/Rufus Music/ASCAP/ARR/UBP.

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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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