April 15, 2012

 Details, Rules, Regs....Changing Things Up  

 Luke 6: 1 - 5

Luke

One Sabbath day as Jesus was walking through some grainfields, his disciples broke off heads of wheat, rubbed off the husks in their hands, and ate the grains.  But some Pharisees said, "You shouldn't be doing that!  It's against the law to work by harvesting grain on the Sabbath."

Jesus replied, "Haven't you ever read in the Scriptures what King David did when he and his companions were hungry?  He went into the house of God, ate the special bread reserved for the priests alone, and then gave some to his friends.  that was breaking the law, too.  And Jesus added, "I, the Son of Man, am master even of the Sabbath." [See for reference:  Deuteronomy 23: 25, 1 Samuel 21: 6, Leviticus 24: 5, 9]   

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Thoughts.....

Teenager moments.....that's what I think of when I read this passage.  Jesus and his disciples essentially did what they wanted, or perhaps I should say his disciples did as they were directed, authorized, or maybe even what they wanted and Jesus covered them, but the Pharisees were all about rules, regulations, details, and mandates to follow THEIR way of life.

Most of us made it through the teenage years, and, many didn't feel a harsh starkness of division between ourselves and our parents.  But many others did.  Many kids had very strict parents who watched their every move.  Others were taught values and what it means to trust and be trusted, and it came naturally.  The Pharisees were like overly strict parents.  Nitpicking at everything a person did....especially Jesus...to negate his efforts, his ministry, to reduce devotion to him.  Jesus was like the parent who lovingly instilled truths and values and trusted, knowing....expecting....the children lovingly listened and could be trusted. 

All of the Old Testament was about mandates, rules, regs, details.  Jesus was about a new way of life...a NEW testament to God.  The way of love, respect, trust. 

I am so glad to have been born during the time after Christ Jesus.  I used to wish I had been born during a time when the United States was a new frontier.  Even though that was still after Christ's birth, I will be forever grateful for the wisdom to have allowed me to be born now.  I cannot imagine now having to have lived during the times of the Old West or the Old Testament.  I cannot fathom all that still goes on across the world today in the name of God in countries who don't know or choose not to worship Jesus and the new way. 

There are times we all must pause and make a choice as to how we will choose to live our life.  'Every step of the journey is the journey.'  'Every step we take, every move we make' he'll be watching us.  And we'll be teaching another with everything we do and don't do, say and don't say.  You don't have to be a parent or a teacher to teach....to instill values, truth, respect, love.  You don't have to demand others live your way of life.  By your life with Christ, how you live it, how you love, will show others the way to a new life.....with Christ. 

In this passage, Jesus was letting the Pharisees and his disciples know it's okay to eat grain for your body, but you must also feed on the bread of life for your soul....receive, trust, believe in Jesus Christ for the answer to the new way of life.  He was also teaching that the Sabbath is not just a day to worship him, but to continue to harvest others into a new way of life.  It's imperative we offer Jesus to others, and then invite them to be one in union with us.  It's imperative we give them a reason why....by how we live and how we love, respect, so they can see Jesus in us and through us.      

In the old way of life, the consecrated bread was only for the Priests.  In the new way of life, Jesus IS the bread of life of which we are all to partake.  And we must feed on every word of God.  Will you choose to newly partake of him today?  Will you choose to renew your relationship with him, if you have fallen away from him?  Will you choose to fine tune how you live to give a better example of who you are with Jesus in and through you, if you have been with him for awhile?  It's never too late.  He's calling you today....this moment....right now.  Won't you say, "Yes, Lord, I am yours....you are the Bread of Life....the Son of Man....the Master....Lord of the Sabbath"?  

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Let Us Pray

Jesus....Son of Man....Master....Lord of the Sabbath....in you I live, with you I breathe, love, and have my being.  Forgive me this day....and every day.  I choose to serve you this day....and every day from this day forward.  Help me to not only eat grain for my sustenance, but receive you, the Bread of Life for my soul.  And feed on every word of God.  I know many churches are about rules and regs, doctrines, dogmas.  But you, Lord, made the way plain and easy for me....for all.  Love you with all my heart, mind, soul, strength, and love my neighbor as myself.  I must worship you, as I feed on every word of God.  O, Lord, may I always hear you and know your will for my life.  May I learn better how to respect you and love you and do for you.  I bow down before you, Lord.  Eliminate my enemies from my presence.  Help me be a better testament to who you are, that you are, and how wonderful you are.  Be my strength in the dark times as well as the light.  Meet my needs, Lord, and help me to meet yours.  "God blesses those who realize their need for him, for the Kingdom of Heaven is given to them."  Thank you.  Thank you that the Kingdom of Heaven is something of which I can really be a part.  That in that with you I can have family.  Thank you for reaching my soul....healing me in all ways, manifested or not as yet.  I believe in you, thank you for believing in me.  Thank you God for being a loving Dad, not a mean Dad.  And thank you also for being a teaching Dad, not a hurtful Dad.  For instilling values with love, respect and trust.  Help me to do the same for all others.  Thank you that I can partake of the Bread of Life as food for my soul.  Thank you for my life....with you.  Help me continue the harvest for you....everyday.  I love you.  Amen. 

Psalm 23

The LORD is my shepherd;  I have everything I need.

He lets me rest in green meadows, he leads me beside peaceful streams.

He renews my strength.

He guides me along right paths, bringing honor to his name.

Even when I walk through the dark valley of death, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me.

Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me.

You prepare a feast for me in the presence of my enemies.

You welcome me as a guest, anointing my head with oil.

My cup overflows with blessings.

Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life,

And I will live in the house of the LORD forever.    

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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    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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