December 30, 2012

  Jewels For The Journey  

Luke 11: 33 - 36

Luke

No one lights a lamp and then hides it or puts it under a basket.  Instead, it is put on a lampstand to give light to all who enter the room.  Your eye is a lamp for your body.  A pure eye lets sunshine into your soul.  But an evil eye shuts out the light and plunges you into darkness.  Make sure that the light you think you have is not really darkness.  If you are filled with light, with no dark corners, then your whole life will be radiant, as though a floodlight is shining on you.

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Thoughts.....

I hope the celebration of Jesus' birth was heartfelt for you this year.  Did you know that the 12 days of Christmas start on the day we celebrate Christmas and end on January 6th, Epiphany?  January 6th is the day we commemorate the visit by the wise men to the baby, Jesus.  That gives you extra days to celebrate the anniversary of Jesus' birth!  Need to make more cookies?!

Todays lesson is a group of intertwined thoughts....jewels for the journey, if you will....that Jesus shared with the crowds.  As you read todays lesson, I hope, as did Jesus, that you will look at your life to see if you have truly received him and all he has to give you....and that you are radiating him and all that he imparts into the world.

"No one lights a lamp and then hides it or puts it under a basket.  Instead, it is put on a lampstand to give light to all who enter the room."

Jesus is referring to himself when he speaks of the light.  You should be glowing Jesus Christ....emitting his life lessons, his love, his forgiveness, his embrace, his opportunity for salvation and eternal life to all.  As a Christian, he is in you, and you are his light to the world...he lights the way to a new life with him, forgiveness of sins, and eternal life through you. 

Many accept Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior.  Some go to church, some do not.  We are commanded to have fellowship, to be surrounded by believers, to worship, praise, and adore him.  Go to church.  Be church 24/7 for him....be the temple that houses him, be the lamp that emits him....his light.

Many accept Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior and then walk on....away.   As if they have nothing else to do except to say, 'Ok, ya, I believe, so there."  Don't say things you do not mean.  It's meaningless to God, Jesus, Holy Spirit to hear only those words.  SHOW them with your gratitude for all they've done for you.  Good works won't save you, but good works will show your gratitude to them, and give examples that indeed you are a Christian....a thankful, glad, obedient, loving, blessed, Christian willing to do for and with them.....to help others see who God, Jesus, Holy Spirit are....in you.  Be the light.  Don't hide. 

Many accept Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior and then walk on....away....for good.  Maybe no one was there to be that Christian we are all supposed to be to build them up, surround them with his love and loving ways.  To teach them about all Holy Spirit has available to them, to give them meaning to what a faith walk can really mean to their lives.  Help others for God, Jesus, Holy Spirit.  Be the light that lights up their life, the path.  Help them receive the fullness of his light.

Many accept Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior and go to church every Sunday and the bar directly after, or the shopping outlet, giving not a care, except that others see that they are the 'good Christian that goes to church on Sunday'.  They may even adorn themselves in finery, fancy hats, lots of jewelry....which is WAY different than receiving and wearing the brilliant light of Christ....sharing his 'jewels for the journey'.  These are the folks that are most apt to give the torn dirty clothes to others in need, opened or stale food to those who are without.  The know all about righteousness.....SELF righteousness....everybody is beneath them.  Apparently, even God. 

Many accept Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior and go to church every Sunday and do it humbly, with love, excitement at being in a sanctuary set apart for worshiping their Savior, and being amongst a majority of heartfelt believers.  They are a brilliant light in the world who may be recognized or not by the mainstream.  They are more deeply concerned that God, Jesus, Holy Spirit recognize them, yet also concerned they are found by others seeking and needing The Light shining so brightly through them.  They love, they give, they teach, they nurture, they impart and bestow all of the Trinity to and for others. I know a gal, whose name is Beth Davis, that emulates this daily.  I cannot help but think of her, as I describe the true meaning of a Christian in the world....someone who lives, loves, breathes, and emits THE Light of Christ in the world to others.    

Be a light to the world.  Receive Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, and then go forth with him brightly shining the way to him. 

"Your eye is a lamp for your body.  A pure eye lets sunshine into your soul.  But an evil eye shuts out the light and plunges you into darkness.  Make sure that the light you think you have is not really darkness."

What do you see?  Do you read Scripture?  Look at porn?  Do you watch wholesome TV or violent garbage?  Hard to find wholesome TV anymore.  How do you see/perceive/regard others?  Is everyone your equal or are some beneath you?  Do you love equally?  Do you even love?  When you look out around you...what do you see?  Scathing hypocrisy, crippling attitudes, filthy streets, people who do harm?  Are you a party to it?  What is your attitude?  Do you support this way of life?  Or do you choose to see the best in people, attempt to eliminate hypocrisy by the way you choose to live, have a stellar positive attitude, keep your life and your yard clean, and love others?  Is the glass half empty or half full for you? 

How you see/view/perceive things is how you begin to let sunshine into your soul.  If everything is negative, you will not understand the brilliance of light and life that Jesus is and let him in to help you overcome all negativity, ugliness, hurt, pain, sorrow, distress, destruction, disease.  Jesus healed people first by forgiving them of their sins, so they would be a pure vessel, have a pure eye, to let him....the son....shine....into their soul.  Have you let him into your soul....your life, or just your mouth, your head?  You see, "an evil eye shuts out the light and plunges [will keep you] in darkness".  Ask Jesus to come into your life today and then ask him to forgive you of your sins, heal you....make you whole.

Based on the previous thoughts on those who accept Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior, do you REALLY have The Light in you, or is it darkness attempting to imitate The Light.  Satan is quite the deceiver.  If your life does not align with who a Christian is and how they are to act, being a light in the world for God, Jesus, Holy Spirit, then you are really not a child of God in the fullness of all that can mean, and may even be a child of darkness, regardless of how happy and/or wealthy you are. 

There is an evil that is pervading the universe called Satan....and his assigns, his demons, are everywhere.  They are talking about things that SOUND Christian, but they are not backed by Jesus Christ's principles in their entirety, as outlined in the New Testament.  Just because something is a little good....or a lot good....does not mean it is of God....THE God of all creation who created the heavens and the earth, the God of all salvation, the Father of THE Jesus Christ, Lord and Savior of the world, and THE Holy Spirit.  Example:  All the folks who practice the 'law of attraction' are not practicing Christianity.  They are practicing the 'law of attraction'.  They may attempt to attach it to biblical tithing.  It is not the same.  It is not from the principle of giving in the Bible.  It is from the principle of 'giving to get' or 'giving that gets', which is a selfish principle of Satan, not a self-LESS principle of God, Jesus Christ and Holy Spirit.  They are spreading good in the world, you might say.  But they are not planting seeds of or for Christian principle.  There is a HUGE difference. 

There are churches out their preaching to the Jews about the Savior of the world and how to be saved, as they should be doing per Scripture.  We all should as Christians, as God gives us opportunity and utterance through Holy Spirit.  Yet Satan has CHRISTIANS believing they have to practice in Jewish tradition and flock to Jerusalem, become a Jew, in essence or substance, to be ultimately saved when Christ returns for his second coming.  He's already come a second time.  NOTHING in Scripture indicates we are to go back to a time when he wasn't here, practice Judaism, or become a Jew to convert Jews, or live in Jerusalem to be saved when Jesus returns the final time....commonly referred to as his second coming (he came to us the second time when he arose on the third day after his death from hell).  It's all HOGWASH and Satan is just laughing his caboose off.  Some of the finest, most authentic churches in the world are falling prey to this.

Folks, if you read Scripture....the NEW TESTAMENT....when Jesus walked and gave us a way to have our sins washed away, you would know this for yourself.  You say that scholars of Christianity support this new idea.  This is not new revelation from God, this is Satan getting into the hearts and minds of believers everywhere to twist the truth of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  Like those churches who say they KNOW when the world is going to end.  Yup, well, that hasn't worked so well has it?  Or those that say all of Christianity is wrong because Jesus wasn't born on December 25th.  Folks, all of Christianity knows he wasn't born on December 25th, it is merely a date set aside for all Christians to come together to celebrate him universally.  It does not matter WHEN he was born, it only matters THAT he was born, AND that he died, taking our sins upon himself, so that we may be forgiven, AND that he arose to heaven, so that we can be given the opportunity to rise to eternal life. 

Somehow the evil of Satan has pervaded the eyes of many good and upstanding Christians.  The light of truth, the truth of THE Light is being shut out.  Many are being/have been plunged into darkness.

Many times folks make decisions they think are right, yet they have not aligned it with Scripture....listened to God, Jesus, Holy Spirit as to whether their decision is right....they haven't even asked the Trinity!  Are you living your life in a way that aligns with Scripture?  Do you walk as Paul indicated to the Galatians?  See Galatians Chapter 5 verses 16-26.  See Matthew Chapter 4:1-11.  Even Jesus was tempted by Satan with his lies.  Anyone can make Scripture mean anything they want it to.  The key here is that it shouldn't mean what THEY want it to.  It should mean what HOLY SPIRIT wants it to mean to them.  Even Christians can fall and listen to false prophets....and become one....because the Antichrist....Satan....is so prevalent in the world.  It is very hard to discern false prophets/prophecy.  Satan has learned that God-abiding Christians are easy prey because they are so trusting.  Be wary and pray earnestly.  Put on your armor....Ephesians 6:10-18....I cannot stress this enough in the times we are living in.  "Make sure that the light you THINK you have is NOT REALLY DARKNESS."  Receive THE Light who is Christ Jesus and live in a way so that he can glow through you. 

"If you are filled with light, with no dark corners, then your whole life will be radiant, as though a floodlight is shining on you."    

"You must feed on every word of God."  "You must worship the Lord your God; serve only him."  From Matthew 4.  "You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your strength, and all your mind.  And, love your neighbor as yourself."  "Do this and you will live!"  From Luke 10:25-28.     

Be filled with THE Light, Jesus, and have no dark corners.  Then your whole life will be radiant, as though a floodlight is shining on you/through you.  Even in times of darkness, make sure you have and emit THE Light, Jesus. 

May your new year be lit anew with the only light that saves....Jesus Christ. 

May we all have a happy and blessed new year....AMEN!

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 you 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....

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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As we reach the end of the year, we get closer to the time when we worship His Majesty by sharing in the joy of the anniversary of the birth of his Son, Jesus Christ.  There is no better time than now to let God, Jesus, and Holy Spirit know how grateful you are for them being there for you, Jesus being born, all the Trinity has done for you and will do, and being fed the Word of God.

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May your Christmas be merry and bright! 

 *** 

Let Us Pray

Dear Heavenly Father God, Creator of all life; Jesus, Lord and Savior of the universe; Holy Spirit, Comforter and Teacher to all, hear my prayer.  Please forgive me of my sins.  Please heal me and make me whole.  Please heal my loved ones, mind, body, spirit and soul.  Cleanse me, that I may be a pure vessel for your light....that I may see things with your pure eyes.  Be THE Light in me that shines you upon the world, and lights the path to you for all to see.  Also please light the path for the journey you wish for me to be on, as I go forth for you.  Keep my eyes focused on you, that I not see evil.  I want you, Jesus, to be the only son/sun shining in my soul.  Please protect me from all evil, and let me not plunge into darkness.  I want to not think I have you, but KNOW I have you in my life, in the whole of my being.  Let your light shine!  Let my whole life be radiant for you and for others.  Let me be your light in the world, first for you, then to and for my family, and then for all the rest of the world with you.  Thank you for loving me, and my family, living and dying for us....so one day, we can all be together again in heaven, forgiven for our sins, given eternal life.  My gratitude is immeasurable....for all eternity I will praise you and thank you for this and so much more.  I love you.  Thank you.  Amen.

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 Visit our NEW rooms in The Family Room! 

And watch for more....

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."

***

  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! 

BesidesBesid   

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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 from the Praise Hymn soundtracks.  Mark Lowry/Buddy Green c 1991 Word Music/a div. of Word, Inc/Rufus Music/ASCAP/ARR/UBP

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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