May 12, 2013

  A Story From Heaven....Or a Parable? 

Luke 16: 19 - 31

Luke

Jesus said, "There was a certain rich man who was splendidly clothed and who lived each day in luxury.  At his door lay a diseased beggar named Lazarus.  As Lazarus lay there longing for scraps from the rich man's table, the dogs would come and lick his open sores.  Finally, the beggar died and was carried by the angels to be with Abraham.  The rich man also died and was buried, and his soul went to the place of the dead.  There, in torment, he saw Lazarus in the far distance with Abraham.

"The rich man shouted, 'Father Abraham, have some pity!  Send Lazarus over here to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am in anguish in these flames.'

"But Abraham said to him, 'Son, remember that during your lifetime you had everything you wanted, and Lazarus had nothing.  So now he is here being comforted, and you are in anguish.  And besides, there is a great chasm separating us.  Anyone who wanted to cross over to you from here is stopped at its edge, and no one there can cross over to us.'

"Then the rich man said, 'Please, Father Abraham, send him to my father's home.  For I have five brothers, and I want him to warn them about this place of torment so they won't have to come here when they die.'

"But Abraham said, 'Moses and the prophets have warned them.  Your brothers can read their writing anytime they want to.'

"The rich man said, 'No, Father Abraham!  But if someone is sent to them from the dead, then they will turn from their sins.'

"But Abraham said, 'If they won't listen to Moses and the prophets, they won't listen even if someone rises from the dead."  

 ***

Thoughts.....

Happy Mother's Day to all the Mom's out there!  May you be blessed beyond measure!

Jumping right in to todays lesson, does it matter if todays lesson is a story from heaven or a parable?  To some, a story from heaven would give more validity that there is 'a' God, that 'he does exist' as the M&M candy guys might say.  THE God does live.  If Jesus is God come down from heaven, manifested as human on earth, we can expect....believe....the lesson is a story from heaven.  If Jesus is 'just' God's son come down from heaven, manifested as human on earth, we can also expect....believe....the lesson is a story from heaven.  But some cannot reach this depth of understanding as it might appear to be a form of (re?-)incarnation or similar from a secular or 'voodoo' perspective.  For those that can't grasp the concept, precept, truth, one can look at todays lesson as a parable.  The outcome of belief could be essentially the same, however, the outcome of the world would be a little different.  Salvation rests on the truth that God IS, and Jesus did live and walk the earth, died for your sins, and arose to heaven....still lives, and, Holy Spirit can live in us today.

The first paragraph indicates Lazarus, splendidly dressed, living in luxury, did nothing to help the beggar.  And the diseased beggar lying at his door, longing for scraps from his table, was helped only by the dogs who would come and lick his open sores.

Look around you folks.  We are very close to what occurred during 'the great depression' in America.  Genocide in Russia and Africa and elsewhere.  Chemical warfare is killing more.  Let's look for a moment at what Jesus said in Matthew 24:6-12:  "And wars will break out near and far, but don't panic.  Yes, these things must come, but the end won't follow immediately.  The nations and kingdoms will proclaim war against each other, and there will be famines and earthquakes in many parts of the world.  But all this will be only the beginning of the horrors to come.  Then you will be arrested, persecuted, and killed.  You will be hated all over the world because of your allegiance to me.  And many will turn away from and betray each other.  And many false prophets will appear and will lead many people astray.  Sin will be rampant everywhere, and the love of many will grow cold."    This was prophesied by Jesus, or envisioned, or he just plain knew....coming from him....pretty much all the same.  And he said it somewhere between his 30th and 33rd year.  Fast forward to 2013.  Wow.  Tell me this is not now multiplied, amplified, a kazillion times every day. 

The rich man's love for his neighbor was certainly cold.  He certainly turned away from and betrayed the man God gave him.  And why did God place the beggar at his doorstep?  Maybe to help give the rich man a chance to look at his life, how far off the path he'd strayed, or to open his eyes to his own failings veiled as successes.  To give him an opportunity to make a better choice, a right choice, to get back on the right path of righteousness, so he could have the opportunity to receive forgiveness of sins and potentially receive eternal life.  He could have helped the diseased beggar.  We know that the beggar had sores, he was longing for scraps, so he was hungry. The beggar needed shelter, we can presume clean clothing, since it mentions the rich man's clothes and not the beggars....how many beggars do you know who are splendidly clothed?  The rich man could have helped the beggar.  God could have helped the rich man.  He tried to by sending the beggar.  He tried by providing the history of Moses and the prophets, we later learn.  Did God help the beggar?  Yes.  He embraced him in his arms in heaven.

The beggar died and was carried by the angels to be with Abraham, the Old Testament leader and prophet already in heaven.  The rich man also died and was buried.  Interesting to note that the beggar was lifted up [whereby God would be praised and honored] and the rich man was buried [where he could be honored in death for his life].  The rich man's soul 'went to the place of the dead'.  Scripture goes on to tell us about the rich man:  'There, in torment, he saw Lazarus in the far distance with Abraham.'  We now have a name for the beggar, Lazarus. 

"The rich man shouted, 'Father Abraham, have some pity!  Send Lazarus over here to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am in anguish in these flames.'  [Say 'FLAMES'.]

But Abraham said to him, 'Son, remember that during your lifetime you had everything you wanted, and Lazarus had nothing.  So now he is here being comforted, and you are in anguish.'

Let me stop here for a moment.  Do you get the importance of doing the right thing in life as a result of reading this, versus doing the 'wrong' thing?  Do you understand there is more to the 'glory story' than mere written words?  That there really is a cause and effect cycle in the 'Circle of Love'?  That God really does see, know, and understand what we do and why we do, and that he has the power to cut us off, and out of his will, so to speak?  Whether this is a story from heaven or a parable....you need to pay attention.  Back to Matthew 24:13....'But those who endure to the end will be saved.'  Lazarus endured.  Will you? 

I realize that Matthew 24 is all about the end times.  I'll say it again, 'YOUR end times will most likely come before THE end times', just like they did for Lazarus and the rich man.  Who will you be most like?  Remember we learned you must be hot, there can be no lukewarm, or cold, in the Kingdom of God, regarding your passion of commitment.  The rich man was cold, yet in flames.  Lazarus was 'hot for God' and received Heaven's embrace. 

Continuing on....

Abraham spoke to the rich man saying, 'Son, remember that during your lifetime you had everything you wanted, and Lazarus had nothing.  So now he is here being comforted, and you are in anguish.  And besides, there is a great chasm separating us.  Anyone who wanted to cross over to you from here is stopped at its edge, and no one there can cross over to us.'   This last sentence should bring much peace to those having been abused in the world. 

Is Jesus trying to tell us that if we have everything in life we will not enter Heaven?  I don't think so.  I think he is trying to make the point about balance, as I spoke of last week.  If you receive, you receive because God provided....give back to God with praise and thanksgiving.  Give to that person on the street in need.  Give to that homeless shelter, or clothing bank in your neighborhood.  Give to the church a gift of thanksgiving for someone taking the time to reach you, teach you.  Give to the animal sanctuary of your choice to help provide abundant life.  Is someone crying?  Offer to hold them.  Has someone fallen?  Offer them a helping hand, whether it be literally, emotionally, financially, or spiritually.  Dismayed about that family member who cannot seem to succeed....to your standards?  Remember God's standards....give. 

"Then the rich man said, 'Please Father Abraham, send him to my father's home.  For I have five brothers, and I want him to warn them about this place of torment so they won't have to come here when they die.'  How nice that the rich man has a heart for his family.  But it's too late.  Will it be too late for you?  Who is your family?  All those God put on this earth. 

"But Abraham said, 'Moses and the prophets have warned them.  Your brothers can read their writings anytime they want to.'  Just like you can now read those writings, and the writings of Jesus, and others, since he arose to heaven.  But will you?  And if you do, will you put into practice what you have learned?

We are under the new law....the NEW Testament.  But to understand the importance of Jesus life, death and resurrection, to give it validity so to fully embrace it, it is important to read the old law....the OLD Testament.  Most of what I preach and teach is from the New Testament.  The New Testament is how we are to live today.  My brain is so small....I cannot possibly remember the way folks used to live AND remember how I am supposed to live today.  I focus on the New to not get confused by the Old.  The New Testament provides joy and hope....with promise, if you obey.  Let me say that last part again....IF YOU OBEY.  The rich man didn't obey.  Lazarus apparently did.  Yes, that brings us to a topic for another day about believing IN suffering. 

The rich man replied to Abraham with exclamation, he was in such earnest to save his family from the torment he was suffering.  He says,  'No, Father Abraham!  But if someone is sent to them from the dead, then they will turn form their sins.'  Jesus was sent from Heaven and arose from the dead....have you listened yet?  Have you turned from your sins and asked forgiveness?  Have you accepted Jesus as your Savior and made him Lord of your life?  Will this story make a difference for you to make some new decisions?  Even if you are already a Christian, look at your life.  Is it time to do some things differently, make better choices?       

"But Abraham said, 'If they won't listen to Moses and the prophets, they won't listen even if someone rises from the dead."  Herein lies the full point.  Many do not listen.  I say it again, have you listened yet? 

For the Jews, the truth was in their own words, given by their own ancestors and prophets, and they wouldn't believe.

Folks, God is real.  Heaven and Hell are real places.  Sin is sin, but it can be forgiven, if you've not got a reprobate mind (see previous 'Thoughts' from last week).  Ask God to forgive you.  You CAN choose to go and sin no more.

Jesus wasn't just born in a stable.  He was raised from the dead as the prophets foretold! 

Jesus spoke this his-story from Heaven, or parable, to the Jews and the Gentiles in his midst.  In doing so, he offered his own upcoming truth.  There is saving grace.  Salvation grace is nothing new.  It's not some newfangled new age idea.  Abraham went to Heaven and was able to speak to the rich man in hell.  Lazarus went to Heaven and was provided protection and embraced with an eternal home.  Now you have the opportunity to get to Heaven because Jesus died for your sins to set you free.  You, too, can have eternal life by asking forgiveness for your sins and obeying God.   

Will you choose to be part of the Story From Heaven?  OR will you die and thirst for the Living Water?  Do you want to be with your family at the end of life?  Do you want your family to suffer and burn in hell or be lifted to a new life in Heaven, also called Paradise?  If you want to go to Heaven, and you want your family to be with you, you need to ask forgiveness for the sins you have committed, obey God, and share with your family (all those in the world) what you learn as you read the Bible, specifically paying attention to how you should live your life today as outlined in the NEW Testament. 

This saving grace has been told and foretold for hundreds of thousands of years.  Many have already joined the ranks of those saved.  You, too, can be one of them.  Decide this day whom you shall serve.....Heaven's Master or Hell's.  Will you be triumphant or continue to be lost for life?  Only you can decide for your life.  Only you and God, Jesus, and Holy Spirit will know for sure the path you have chosen.  Walk the walk while you talk the talk.  Otherwise you will be banished from Heaven for ever.  Doesn't this give new meaning to fearing God?

God, Jesus, Holy Spirit stand in the wings....waiting to embrace you with loving arms.  They are so excited in anticipation to have you 'come home' to them in your heart....and then into Heaven when the last trumpet blows for your life.  I'm excited to know I may have a new sister or brother.  I hope I'll see you 'there'....in heaven one day.  I will pray you choose Heaven.  I will pray you will be blessed with joy, peace, love, and yes, abundant prosperity.  Be sure you share a portion of all of the blessings God has given you with all of God's children in the world (2 legged, 4 legged, winged, etc.) in thanksgiving for all he has given you.  May you be blessed beyond measure as you walk with THE Trinity....God, Jesus, Holy Spirit.   

***

Let Us Pray

"All God's people get weary when they roam, don't it make you wanna go home?"  "A....men, A....men, A....men, Amen, Amen."  Thank you, God, Jesus, Holy Spirit for offering a new life, a new way, a new testament for me and those in the world.   Please forgive me of my sins.  Thank you.  Please heal me and make me whole.  Thank you.  Please help me live right and share how wonderful you are, and all you have to offer others, starting with forgiveness of sin, and then sharing about eternal life.  Everyday I learn something new.  Everyday I am brought to a new level of learning, growing, as I reach....out....for you.  Please help me along this road, help me not stray from the path you want me to be on.  PLEASE speak loudly, so I don't miss the steps.  Life is a critical junction at all times, and I cannot afford to miss any steps at this point.  Though I fear I have already.  Make all things right, please.  Correct any errors I've made along the way.  I don't want to be outside of your will....I want to obey you.  I want to be where I need to be to help those you need me to help.  As I help myself....with....WITH....you.  I don't want to live the life of a diseased beggar in the world, nor do I want to live the life of the rich man who ignored his neighbor.  I do want to be humble, but I also would like to be financially prosperous to raise up the church and help others, while also having my needs met...meager as they are.  Send the workers, Lord, the harvest is great.  I'm here....continue to send me.  I am very grateful for all your love and care over my life, for giving me life, for offering me eternal life.  Help me press [walk the journey with you] toward [moving forward WITH you] the mark [obeying you] for the prize of the high calling of you [to receive eternal life in Heaven], God.  Thank you.  I love you.  Amen.                 

THANK YOU, GOD!

Dear God,

I want to thank You for what you have already done.

I am not going to wait until I see results or receive rewards;

I am thanking you right now.

I am not going to wait until I feel better or things look better;

I am thank you right now.

I am not going to wait until people say they are sorry or until they stop talking about me;

I am thanking you right now.

I am not going to wait until the pain in my body disappears;

I am thanking you right now.

I am not going to wait until my financial situation improves;

I am going to thank you right now.

I am not going to wait until the children are asleep and the house is quiet;

I am going to thank you right now.

I am not going to wait until I get promoted at work or until I get the job;

I am going to thank you right now.

I am not going to wait until I understand every experience in my life that has caused me pain or grief;

I am thanking you right now.

I am not going to wait until the journey gets easier or the challenges are removed;

I am thanking you right now.

I am thanking you because I am alive.

I am thanking you because I made it through the days difficulties.

I am thanking you because I have walked around the obstacles.

I am thanking you because I have the ability and the opportunity to do more and do better. 

I'm thanking you because, Father, You haven't given up on me. 

Amen.

Anonymous

*** 

Grateful for God's lesson today?

We now have Pay Pal!  See below! 

 Visit our NEW rooms in The Family Room! 

And watch for more!

Did you know there are over 4 years of 

'Scriptures....Archived'?

For when you need The Word any time of day or night!

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!   

Teach tolerance....reach in acceptance....worship as one!

***

***

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."

***

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, all they have done for you and will do, and, show thankfulness for being fed the Word of God, so you can know and obey him.   

Through your donations,

 people will be able to continue to hear the Gospel of Jesus Christ spread throughout the world,

and lives will be changed!

Not only will people hear the Gospel preached, but healings will be manifested, food and housing provided,

water will quench thirsts, and medical care provided. 

Please consider donating your best gift possible today.

We now offer Pay Pal as a way to donate immediately and safely.  You'll find that option as you scroll down on this page.

Thank you and may God richly bless you!   

***

  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   

 ***

  Checks or money orders can be made out to

Trinity Missions

or the

Church of the Holy Spirit

and sent to

Trinity Missions

2321 S. Lazy A Place

Tucson, AZ

85713

USA

OR

You can now donate securely through Pay Pal!

No gift is too small or too large to the Lord. 

 *

If you have any questions, we can be reached at:

520-883-6604

Monday - Friday

10 a.m. - 6 p.m.

USA 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.  I encourage you to pray your own prayers as well.

***

  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.

*** 

NOTE:  I said it long ago, but let me say it again.  If you are wanting to lead a group, start a church, or are confined in an institution, or live in a country where the Gospel is not preached, and you don't know what to say or how to say it, and yet feel led to share, teach, or preach, besides just reading straight out of the Bible, please feel free to share any or all of what I've written, as long as you include where it comes from, due to copyright laws.  Jesus gave God's love and healing freely, as well as his message.  Our responsibility is to get the Word out to those who need to hear it.  If what I've written....by the power and direction of the Holy Spirit....or what he has said through me....has helped you, it may help others that you know.  You are welcome to share it.  God calls all of us to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ with the world.  Please share it with the fullness of love that God, Jesus, Holy Spirit....and I....have given it.  Amen!   

 *