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Thoughts Archived > Recognize Hope....Receive Promise


15 Dec 2013

 He is not here.  He is risen!

 Luke 24:6

Welcome

to the

Church of the Holy Spirit

 

Current Weekly Sunday Scriptures below!

Peeling back the layers to get to the truths Holy Spirit wants us to know!

 

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throughout the world!

Hello and Welcome....

to our Brother(s) & Sister(s) in the areas of

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Hey, USA, hi! 

We miss all others not with us today and look forward to meeting more!

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let us hear from you via email!

 

PRAY...for all in the world!

'You care for people and animals alike O LORD.' 

Psalm 36: 6b

 

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Who We Are

 

The Church of the Holy Spirit is a Christian church.

We believe in God the Father....our Father, Creator

In Jesus, the Messiah....our Savior and Lord
and in
Holy Spirit, our Comforter, Teacher, and Guide.
 

We believe that God made the heavens, the earth, and all creatures therein.

And that He forgives us of our sins.

 God has given all creatures His son, Jesus, who died on a cross and arose from the dead.

We believe Jesus went to heaven and is now seated at God’s right hand.

His death and resurrection has given us the opportunity to receive the gift of eternal life. 
 
God has given us Holy Spirit to teach, comfort, and guide us.
 
We believe the Bible is the inspired word of God.

 

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Jesus Christ from Nazareth, the man who was crucified, was raised from the dead by God!

Jesus has now become the cornerstone.

"There is salvation in no one else!  There is no other name in all of heaven for people to call on to save them."

 

Acts 4: 10 - 12

Holy Bible New Living Translation

  

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Who are God, Jesus and Holy Spirit?

God is our heavenly Father who created the heavens and the earth.  He lovingly forgives our sins.  God gave us His Son, Jesus, who died on a cross, and arose from the dead.  Jesus now sits at the right hand of God.  He is the Messiah, our Savior.  He can be our Lord, if we believe in him and accept him.  He gave us the opportunity to receive eternal life.  When Jesus went to heaven, Holy Spirit was made available to us to comfort, teach, and guide us. 

God in the beginning:  Genesis 1 & 2
Jesus:  Matthew 1, 2 & 3
Holy Spirit:  John 15:26, 16:5-15

 

 

Are you one with God, Jesus and Holy Spirit?

If you have not accepted the Trinity (God, Jesus, Holy Spirit) into your life to receive all they have to give you, and you would like to, pray this prayer or use your own words from your heart:

“Dear Heavenly Father God, please forgive me of my sins known and unknown.  Jesus, please come into my life, heal me, and make me whole.  Give me a new life in and with you.  I wish to receive all that you have to give.  Baptize me in the fullness of your Holy Spirit, so that I can learn all I can about you, to love you as you love me, so I can love others, and, so I can love myself.  Holy Spirit, please fill me to overflowing with all the fruits and the gifts you have to give me to help me grow in Christ Jesus and be able to share the Trinity with others.  Thank you for giving me this new life.  Please send other Christians to surround me to help me grow and be strong to defeat Satan and the things of the world.  Help me to be worthy of your love.  Thank you God, Jesus and Holy Spirit.  In Jesus name I pray, by and with the power of the Holy Spirit, to dear Heavenly Father God.  Amen.” 

 

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If you have prayed this prayer, or one from your heart, please email us at TrinityMissions@msn.com, so we can agree with you in prayer, praise God, and uplift you with prayer support.  We are thrilled to welcome you into the family of believers and encourage you to find a church home nearby where you can study, grow, and fellowship with others.  Someone may need your support as much as you need them.  We are commanded to come together in fellowship to worship His majesty.

If you choose to fellowship with us via the web, we are honored to welcome you to the Church of the Holy Spirit.  We pray you will be enriched and uplifted in the fullness of the Trinity to their glory.  Stay in touch and let us know how you are doing from time to time.  We hope to have a special page for this purpose.  We now have a page where you will be able to list prayers for all to see, so that we may come together praying as a body of believers, for Jesus said, ‘wherever two or more shall gather, there will I be.’   Don’t forget to send prayers of thanksgiving, as well as petitions of tears.  

 

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You are who God calls ‘The Promise Children’, as in Romans 9:25-26 NLT:

 

“Those who were not my people, I will now call my people.  And I will love those whom I did not love before.  And, once they were told, ‘You are not my people.’ But now he will say, ‘You are children of the living God.”

 

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“The Kingdom of God is near you now.”

 

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The Apostle Paul gave us this “Prayer for Spiritual Empowerment” in Ephesians 3:14-21 NLT.  It reads

“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.”  

Jesus told us to remain in his love in John 15:9-13 NLT:

“I have loved you even as the Father has loved me.  Remain in my love.  When you obey me, you remain in my love, just as I obey my Father and remain in his love.  I have told you this so that you will be filled with my joy.  Yes, your joy will overflow!  I command you to love each other in the same way that I love you.  And here is how to measure it - the greatest love is shown when people lay down their lives for their friends." 

 

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December 15, 2013

Recognize Hope....Receive Promise 

Luke 23: 32 - 43

 

Luke

Two others, both criminals, were led out to be executed with him.  Finally they came to a place called The Skull.  All three were crucified there - Jesus on the center cross, and the two criminals on either side.

Jesus said, "Father, forgive these people, because they don't know what they are doing."  And the soldiers gambled for his clothes by throwing dice.

The crowd watched, and the leaders laughed and scoffed.  "He saved others," they said, "let him save himself if he is really God's Chosen One, the Messiah."  The soldiers mocked him, too, by offering him a drink of sour wine.  They called out to him, "If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!"  A signboard was nailed to the cross above him with these words: "This is the King of the Jews."

One of the criminals hanging beside him scoffed, "So you're the Messiah, are you?  Prove it by saving yourself - and us, too, while you're at it."

But the other criminal protested, "Don't you fear God even when you are dying?  We deserve to die for our evil deeds, but this man hasn't done anything wrong."  Then he said, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your Kingdom."

And Jesus replied, I assure you, today you will be with me in paradise."      

       

 

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 Thoughts....

 

This scene opens with Jesus having been nailed to a cross.  On either side hang two criminals on their own crosses.  The focus is on Jesus.  He is being mocked, handed sour wine.  The soldiers do not believe Jesus is indeed 'King of the Jews' and they nail a sign to the cross above his head as a rebuke which reads 'King of the Jews'.  They are laughing and milling about....watching....waiting....for the final moment he takes his last breath.  They say, "He saved others, let him save himself if he is really God's Chosen One, the Messiah."

One of the criminals hanging on a cross next to him also doesn't believe that he is 'God's Chosen One, the Messiah'.  He scoffs saying, "So you're the Messiah, are you?  Prove it by saving yourself - and us, too, while you're at it!."  Can you hear the derision and scorn, the bitterness and the unrepentant anger in his voice?

But the other criminal hanging on his other side had a fearful retort to the first criminal.  He said to him, "Don't you fear God even when you are dying?  We deserve to die for our evil deeds, but this man hasn't done anything wrong."  Do you see him trembling, tearful, with sorrow on his face?  Can you feel the depth of emotion expressed by his repentant heart? 

And Jesus replied, "I assure you, today, you will be with me in paradise."

"I assure you."  How do those words make you feel when you hear them?  Safe?  Protected?  Secure?  Embraced?  Have you a longing to feel what the repentant sinner felt as he hung on the cross when Jesus said those words?  Jesus promised the repentant sinner that he would be with him in paradise that day.  That day!  Why?  Because the repentant sinner recognized the hope Jesus represented, he believed in God and Jesus, reached for and clung to the opportunity for salvation, and therefore was given the promise of eternal life.  That's right, I said eternal life.  Paradise holds the chosen few....those who repent and cling to God.

Jesus clearly saw and felt the repentant sinner's heart.  Are you repentant....sorry for sins you've committed?  REALLY repentant....REALLY sorry?  God can see into your heart, he knows and feels every beat.  He feels every good and bad thing there....after all....he made you.  What do you want him to see?  What do you want him to feel?

Have you recognized the hope Jesus offers?  Will you reach for it?  Will you cling to the opportunity for salvation?  More importantly, will you accept Jesus into your heart today?  Will you cling to God and Jesus to receive the promise of eternal life?  You must cling.  For if you don't, how will they know you are worthy of eternal life?

In clinging, we grow and bear fruit.  A broken fallen branch ceases to exist and is burned in the fire.  "Anyone who parts from me is thrown away like a useless branch and withers.  Such branches are gathered into a pile to be burned."  John 15:6  You might want to read all of the Gospel of John chapter 15.  In producing fruit you bring great glory to God.  John 15:8

And when you cling, you will be choosing to love and obey.  When you do that, Jesus sees you choosing to remain in his love, and, you will be filled with his joy.  "Yes your joy will overflow!"  John 15:9-11.  

I have often said, 'YOUR end time may come before THE end times'.  Choose this day whom you will serve.  Choose to recognize hope, and have a repentant heart to receive promise.  It is in recognizing, repenting, accepting, receiving, loving and obeying Jesus that you can be sure you will be with him in paradise on that day when the last trumpet sounds....just like the repentant sinner on the cross.   

 

 

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 Let Us Pray

 

God, Jesus, I recognize who you are, that you are, and how wonderful you are!  I see that you are the Messiah....that you can be MY Savior!  I praise you and thank you for all you've done for me.  Please forgive me for all I've done, know and unknown.  I have not loved you with my whole heart.  Help me walk the path you have placed before me so that I may be one with you, and one day be with you in paradise.  I choose to cling to you.  Help me to bear much fruit that will last....help others know you, enter the Kingdom of God, and be with you in paradise.  I want to bring glory to God.  I want to remain in your love and obey you.  I want you to recognize me as your friend, so that together we can do much for the Kingdom of God.  I praise you and thank you....and love you!  Amen 

 

  

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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. 

'All who have been united with Christ in baptism have been made like him.  There is no longer Jew or Gentile, slave or free, male or female.  For you are all Christians - you are ONE in Christ Jesus.'  Galatians 3: 27

 

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

 

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

 

Embrace....Respect....Encourage!

 

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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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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.   

 

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Please consider donating your best gift possible today.

 

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Thank you and may God richly bless you!   

 

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  Our Continual 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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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.

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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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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 and sharing what God puts on your heart, please feel free to share any or all of what I've written, if it will help you, 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!   

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Bible Authors and Minister