Header Graphic
Thoughts Archived > The Journey Begins


8 Jan 2012

                                                                                           

 

January 8, 2012

The Journey Begins

Luke 2: 41 - 51 

 

 

Luke

Every year Jesus' parents went to Jerusalem for the Passover festival.  When Jesus was twelve years old, they attended the festival as usual.  After the celebration was over, they started home to Nazareth, but Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem.  His parents didn't miss him at first, because they assumed he was with friends among the other travelers.  But when he didn't show up that evening, they started to look for him among their relatives and friends.  When they couldn't find him, they went back to Jerusalem to search for him there.  Three days later they finally discovered him.  He was in the Temple, sitting among the religious teachers, discussing deep questions with them.  And all who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers.

His parents didn't know what to think.  "Son!" his mother said to him, "Why have you done this to us?  Your father and I have been frantic, searching for you everywhere."

"But why did you need to search?" he asked.  "You should have known that I would be in my Father's house."  But they didn't understand what he meant.

Then he returned to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them; and his mother stored all these things in her heart.  So Jesus grew both in height and in wisdom, and he was loved by God and by all who knew him.    

 

***

 

Thoughts.....

 

I can only imagine what living this must have been like.  As I look around at the world today, I wonder about the children and how they will 'turn out'.  I wonder what parents think, and, if they know where their children are.  On a local news program at night, it opens with the voice of one of the news reporters saying, "It's 10 o'clock.  Do you know where your children are?"  I wonder how different the world might be if all the children were as dedicated as Jesus was as a child....if we, as children, had been in a church or synagogue studying about God, listening with an insatiable desire to learn, while at the feet of the masters early on in life. 

Three days without knowing where their son was.....how agonizing.  What would you do?

Found at the feet of the masters....what relief.  What would you think?

And Jesus telling them they should have known where he was. 

I think we get complacent and forget where our children come from.....who really planted the seed that allowed them life.  We get so ingrained in everyday living that we forget that our children are a gift from God.  We forget that our job is to care for them and about them.  And we forget to tell them who their Heavenly Father is.  In this documented part of history, it is the child who reminds the parents from whom he came and who is his true Father.

Would you find your child in Heavenly Father's house?  Have you told your child, or any child, about God, Jesus, Holy Spirit?  If not, why not?  Isn't that what we are on earth to do....share the Gospel of Jesus Christ? 

This is a lesson for all of us with or without children.  All of us should be so closely listening to God, so one with him in relationship, that we are able to hear his voice, so we know, that we know, that we know, that we know....who he is, and where he is,  and we, too, can go forth as Jesus did.    

That is what the journey is like....hearing him, learning, responding to him, following his lead, knowing, sharing.

Jesus knew the journey started with God.  He stepped to the beat of a different drum.  He began a different journey the day his parents ventured for home.  Perhaps he knew home as a different place, besides the Temple, it might have been in his heart with God.

Jesus' journey as the newborn King began the day he stayed behind to study at the feet of the religious teachers.  Although only 12 years old, all were amazed at his understanding.  When was the last time you studied the Bible?  Or directed/supported your children to study it...learn the words and the heartfelt messages, the learned teachings available?   Helped them understand who he is, that he is, and how wonderful he is?  Would anyone be amazed at your understanding, or more amazed at your lack of it?

Do you know God, Jesus, Holy Spirit?  You may say you know who they are, but do you really KNOW them?  Don't you think it is time to get to know them better and have a relationship with them?  We never know when our time will come, when our life will end, and we have to answer for what we've done....and not done.  We cannot be fooled into thinking anymore that we are 'ok'.  This is not a test or a dress rehearsal.  This is the real thing.  So, if you have not been on the journey with them, it's time for your journey with them to begin.  At 12 years old, Jesus knew it was time for his journey to begin.  How old are you?  Your end time may come before the end times.  Either way, are you ready to meet your Father in Heaven and answer him as to where you have been?

Let your journey begin.....I hope you will choose to follow along this year, as we learn more about Jesus' journey.

  *

    *** 

 

Let Us Pray

 

Dear God, thank you for showing me in the Bible how Jesus' journey began, so I can follow in his footsteps....listening to those who know more about you than I, and reading the Bible to learn more as well.  Help me begin this new journey with you, so that I may fully love you and worthily magnify your Holy Name.  I am so grateful for the little lessons as well as the long.  Help me become a person who is willing to listen to all you have to say and to go forth as you direct.  I have so much to learn.  Thank you for opening the doors to that learning and for embracing me where I am at, as you carry me to where I need to be, and give me wings to soar for and with you.  May my life be a testament to who you are, that you are, and how wonderful you are, so others will want to get to know you.  May everything be done to bring you glory and thanksgiving.  Thank you for loving me, trusting me, and caring for me.....and giving me my Lord and Savior, Jesus.  And thank you, Jesus, that I have this moment in time to say thank you to you for giving me the opportunity to receive eternal life and forgiveness of sins.  Please forgive me, Lord, and help me, that I may do better and be better for you, myself, and others.  Let the journey begin...anew!  Alleluia!  Thank you.  I love you.  Amen 

God, thank you for receiving my friend and sister in Christ Jesus, Debra, into your loving arms in heaven.  I am grateful that she answered your call, and thank you for answering her call.  Her life as a servant and missionary was a testament to the wonder of you.  I am so thankful I have been able to serve her and you.  Alleluia.  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         

 

*** 

  

Scroll down to read Jesus' Prayer of Thanksgiving...'The Unforced Rhythms 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. 

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

 

***

  

 

 

***

 

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."

 

***

 

  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!   

 

 ***

 

  Checks or money orders can be made out to

Trinity Missions

or the

Church of the Holy Spirit

and sent to

Note New Address 

Trinity Missions

P.O. Box 85074

Tucson, Arizona  USA

85754

 *

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 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."

 

***

  

 

 

*** 

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.

 *  *  

Bible Authors and Minister