27 Jul 2014
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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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.
Jesus' 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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July 27, 2014
No Matter What....Keep On The Path
Acts 8: 1 - 25
Luke
Saul was one of the official witnesses at the killing of Stephen. A great wave of persecution began that day, sweeping over the church in Jerusalem and all the believers except the apostles fled into Judea and Samaria. (Some godly men came and buried Stephen with loud weeping.) Saul was going everywhere to devastate the church. He went from house to house, dragging out both men and women to throw them into jail. But the believers who had fled Jerusalem went everywhere preaching the Good News about Jesus. Philip for example, went to the city of Samaria and told the people there about the Messiah. Crowds listened intently to what he had to say because of the miracles he did. Many evil spirits were cast out, screaming as they left their victims. And many who had been paralyzed or lame were healed. So there was great joy in that city.
A man named Simon had been a sorcerer there for many years, claiming to be someone great. The Samaritan people, from the least to the greatest, often spoke of him as "the Great One - the Power of God". He was very influential because of the magic he performed. But now the people believed Philip's message of Good News concerning the Kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ. As a result, many men and women were baptized. Then Simon himself believed and was baptized. He began following Philip wherever he went, and he was amazed by the great miracles and signs Philip performed.
When the apostles back in Jerusalem heard that the people of Samaria had accepted God's message, they sent Peter and John there. As soon as they arrived, they prayed for these new Christians to receive the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit had not yet come upon any of them, for they had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. Then Peter and John laid their hands upon these believers, and they received the Holy Spirit.
When Simon saw that the Holy Spirit was given when the apostles placed their hands upon people's heads, he offered money to buy this power. "Let me have this power, too," he exclaimed, "so that when I lay my hands on people, they will receive the Holy Spirit!"
But Peter replied, "May your money perish with you for thinking God's gift can be bought! You can have no part in this, for your heart is not right before God. Turn from your wickedness and pray to the Lord. Perhaps he will forgive your evil thoughts, for I can see that you are full of bitterness and held captive by sin."
"Pray to the Lord for me," Simon exclaimed, "that these terrible things won't happen to me!
After testifying and preaching the word of the Lord in Samaria, Peter and John returned to Jerusalem. And they stopped in many Samaritan villages along the way to preach the Good News to them, too.
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Thoughts....
Today marks my 6th year anniversary for preaching and teaching the Word of God to the world through the world wide web. I've knowingly been living with and sharing the Lord since I was about 4 or 5. And in about 1977, I was baptized with the Holy Spirit which began my outward ministry. With full blown Satanic attacks all along the way, I might add. Know this: One can be definitely assured one has the Lord within them, if one is being attacked by Satan and his assigns. Be assured 'tho', God, Jesus, Holy Spirit will NOT leave you, nor forsake you. Neither will Satan let up. Be prepared! Hold tight to the Lord! Keep on the path of Christ!
Within the first 2 years of preaching from the web, I had reached 10,000 people. The numbers have increased over time. It is my sincerest hope that the Lord will allow me to continue this ministry, and be able to step fully into the vision he has given me to, once again, oversee his family from a ground based church for him and them. I look forward to embracing all that entails....pancake breakfasts! And more....as I listen to him as to what to share; visit shut-ins and those ill; perform baptisms, marriages, and life celebrations; raise the roof and quiet the turmoil; embrace the lost; and provide foundations, while raising to new heights those who choose Jesus as their Savior and make him Lord of their life. Please keep me in prayer, as I continue to 'no matter what....keep on the path' for and with the Trinity! Thank you.
Okay, so let's get started on todays lesson. You should recall, from the last lesson, the persecution of Stephen and about his death. And that Saul, who would later become Paul - a leader in the church he is now persecuting - was there, and that coats were discarded at this feet. Rather symbolic, since later on, people would lay down their lives for Christ as a result of Paul preaching and teaching the Lord saves. But at this time, Saul was persecuting the Christians....to the point of pulling them out of their homes and throwing them into jail.
Scripture tells us all the Christians, except the apostles, fled into Judea and Samaria to preach the Good News about Jesus. We learn that while in Samaria, Philip performed many miracles including casting out evil spirits and healing the sick. As a result many chose to believe in the Kingdom of God, accept Jesus as the Messiah, and be baptized. The Word says there was great joy in the city. Wouldn't it be wonderful if that were true in every city today?!
Simon, not Simon Peter, was a sorcerer who delivered magic. But after hearing the message preached by Philip, he, too, accepted the Lord and was baptized. He followed Philip wherever he went amazed by the miracles he performed.
After learning that folks in Samaria were accepting God's message [recall we learned that message was: The Messiah you are looking for is Jesus." Acts 5 42], the apostles chose to send Peter and John there. Upon arrival, they learned that no one had received the baptism of the Holy Spirit, so they laid hands on them to receive him. Once Simon saw this, he offered to pay for the power to be able to do the same. But Peter rebuked him saying, "May your money perish with you for thinking God's gift can be bought! You can have no part in this for your heart is not right before God. Turn from your wickedness and pray to the Lord. Perhaps he will forgive your evil thoughts, for I can see that you are full of bitterness and held captive by sin." How often do we think that those in high places with power have money and that money can buy everything? And that if we only had money, we would have what others have? Wasn't it the Beatles who sang "Money can't buy you love." You can't buy God's, Jesus', or Holy Spirit's love with money either. But you can have their love by giving them your heart....and mind. And now would be a good time to do that, if you have not already done so.
Apparently the Lord had indeed entered Simon's heart, because you can hear the earnestness in his expression [note the exclamation point] when he says to Peter, "Pray to the Lord for me that these terrible things won't happen to me!" At least that's my interpretation, since he asks for Peter to pray for him. I suppose it could be understood that Simon just did not want to be parted from his money selfishly. Certainly I would think he would not want to die. Maybe I'm an idealist, okay, I probably am an idealist, I'm also trusting, expect the best of everyone....but how can I not....it is Christ in me who believes, and so I do, too. So, I also choose to believe Simon did not want to lose his newly found/received salvation.
What about you? What choices, or decisions, or questions do you have that you might want to act on that would be in opposition to all the Kingdom of God stands for that you want to continue to be a part of while believing?
In the last paragraph we learn from Luke that, 'after testifying and preaching the word of the Lord in Samaria, Peter and John returned to Jerusalem. And they stopped in many Samaritan villages along the way to preach the Good news to them, too.' This brought to mind the reality that when Peter and John headed over to Samaria, it would have not been a quick trip on a plane, or a ride in a car to get them there rather rapidly. So the believers in Samaria were rather ensconced in their belief about the Lord a good time before the apostles showed up to share the baptism of the Holy Spirit. And the trek back to Jerusalem for the apostles would have been slow also. Sooooo different from the lightening speed at which I can share who Jesus is, that he is, and how wonderful he is with the world....not just a neighboring village.
And you? Do you share the Gospel? How do you share the message that the Messiah others are looking for is Jesus? Do you do it grudgingly at a snail's pace? Or do you proclaim boldly? Or simply, by how you live? Do you give the message your voice? Would you walk a mile without a camel to share the Gospel? Would you go through the outback or the bush to share the message that Jesus saves....forgives, grants eternal life to those who remain a member in the Kingdom of God? Would you rebuke, exhort, cast out, heal others by the power of the Holy Spirit within you? Please note: this is NOT by your power or might, but only as Holy Spirit uses you as a vessel through which HE can work, should you choose to accept him and let him.
Would you die for Jesus, if you have not already? Would you cry for Jesus and what he has gone through, and all other Christians, too? Or would you just cry for yourself? Would you get in your car and drive to the store, and, while there say to someone "the Messiah you are looking for is Jesus"? If you were on the bus, or on a plane, would you share him with others? Offer them the gift of salvation? Lay hands on them to receive the Holy Spirit? If not, why not? You need to look at the bigger picture if not. Because this is not about you, it's about HIM. When you are ready to get yourself out of the way and let him in, you will be able to do mighty miracles in his name, just like other Christians who have the Holy Spirit. But if you do it without a full encompassing love for and with the Trinity: God, Jesus, Holy Spirit, then what you are doing may not be of God, Jesus, Holy Spirit. Please be very careful. 'Get your bad-itude out of your attitude.' I just came up with that, but it aligns with what we have learned from Galatians about living our new life with Christ vs. living for hell with Satan. Look up, don't live down.
And so let's think about all that I've talked about so far. Do you go out of your way to preach and teach the Gospel? Do you share with others "the Messiah you are looking for is Jesus"? Do you know who he really is, and who the Holy Spirit is? Did you know about the baptism of the Holy Spirit, or were you taught there is only one baptism? There is only one baptism for remission of sins....that's why we are taught to 'go and sin no more'. However, there is the baptism of the Holy Spirit (Matthew 3:11, Mark 1:7, Luke 3:15-16, John 1:29-34) to become a member in the Kingdom of God, membership in which you CAN lose per John 15, Matthew 3:11-12, Hebrews 6:4-6, Hebrews 10:26-27, James 2, 2 Peter 2:20-26. [Lest there are those who believe I 'harp' on this, it is clear that those preaching the Word of God preached/harped on this and the importance of it's understanding. You CAN lose your salvation. That's foundationally paramount to believing in the first place! Why believe, if there is no hope of forgiveness, or of eternal life?! Jesus was very clear about this in Matthew 13:33-43.] Baptism of the Holy Spirit also gives us an understanding of the Word of God that goes deeper than mere reading. He dwells within us. He give us utterance to preach the Word with a level of explanation beyond what we just read and understand. He is instrumental in our performing miracles, casting out evil spirits, healing the sick. He in us is evidence that Jesus lives, and that he lives in us with Holy Spirit. Did you also know there is a baptism of suffering? Hmmmm.....more homework? See Mark 10:38 to give you a hint.
So as a wrap up, I hope you will choose Jesus, THE Messiah, as your Savior, and make him Lord of your life. When you do, I also hope that no matter what....you will keep on the path of salvation that leads to eternal life. But know this: God forgives. He aparently does not forgive the reprobate mind, that person who continues to sin. And for the record, stubbing your toe with bad words is a sin, just like killing someone. Know this also: All all short of the glory of God. But continue to try, with everything you have in you, to live a life worthy of the calling of God. He sees EVERYTHING. So don't think you only have to look at yourself in the mirror, because you can just as easily lie to yourself as another. Live your life in such a way that you can look God directly in the eye....and keep on the path. Then you will hear him say, "Good job, good and faithful servant."
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Let Us Pray
Father God, Jesus, Holy Spirit, it's not every day that I, and others, can be reminded to stay on the path that leads to eternal life. Thank you for this reminder. Please forgive me of my sins, and help me on this journey....to stay on the path....so I might have no regrets, and I can always look you in the eye. And when I've fallen short of your glory, please forgive me and love me still. Help me to go forth praising you, and loving you, in such a way as to lay my life down, so that I can take you into my very soul. Thank you from the very depth of my being for being able to preach and teach to those in the world everything you share with me. May I always be found worthy of this precious gift, and task, you've given me to share who you are, that you are, and how wonderful you are. Thank you for all the love you have to give to all....mind, body, spirit, and soul. As you embrace those in the world, Father God, Jesus, Holy Spirit, open their hearts and minds to receive what you give me, and to find this site to draw your love and strength from any hour of the day or night. I am honored to be so trusted by you to be able to do this for you. I bow down to you and thank you, as I praise you with all glory. Help folks understand that you, Jesus, left the earth to be able for folks to receive the Holy Spirit, so more workers will permeate the field to bring even more people to God through him. Thank you for living and dying for this to all be able to happen....that even more may accept the truth that you, Jesus, are the Messiah they are looking for. I praise you, I thank you, I love you. Amen. Happy Anniversary!
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Grateful for God's lesson today?
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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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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
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