November 9, 2014

Has God Shown You?

Acts 10: 28 - 35  

 Luke

Peter told then, "You know it is against the Jewish laws for me to come into a Gentile home like this.  But God has shown me that I should never think of anyone as impure.  So I came as soon as I was sent for.  Now tell me why you sent for me."

Cornelius replied, "Four days ago I was praying in my house at three o'clock in the afternoon.  Suddenly, a man in dazzling clothes was standing in front of me.  He told me, 'Cornelius, your prayers have been heard, and your gifts to the poor have been noticed by God!  Now send some men to Joppa and summon Simon Peter.  He is staying in the home of Simon, a leatherworker who lives near the shore.'  So I sent for you at once, and it was good of you to come.  Now here we are, waiting before God to hear the message the Lord has given you." 

"Then Peter replied, "I see very clearly that God doesn't show partiality.  In every nation he accepts those who fear him and do what is right.

***

Thoughts....

Do you remember the lesson from a couple weeks ago about a vision that Peter had while he was on the roof praying?  If not, see Acts 10:9-17.  In the vision Peter heard 'the voice speak' and he called the voice 'Lord'.  What the Lord said was "If God says something is acceptable, don't say it isn't."   

Clearly that was permissible preface to Peter entering the home of a Gentile, namely Cornelius, per todays lesson.  Indeed, Peter told them, "You know it is against the Jewish laws for me to come into a Gentile home like this.  But God has shown me that I should never think of anyone as impure.  So I came as soon as I was sent for.  Now tell me why you sent for me."

Do you think of anyone as impure?  Have you ever considered anyone or anything as unacceptable? 

If you know anything about the Bible, chances are you know that it was written by people experiencing God and inspired by God.  It is documented history of God, Jesus, Holy Spirit designing/divining....sculpting, if you need an image to help you understand....everything and everyone from nothing into being.

Let's turn to Genesis.

1:1  In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. 

1:4  And God saw that it was good.

Throughout Genesis 1, 'God created....', 'God made....', 'God said....', 'And God saw that it was good.'

Then in Genesis 1:26, it says

'Then God said, "Let us make people in our image, to be like ourselves."

Now this next part can be a little tricky.  Some image God as a 2 headed being.  Some as Siamese twins.  Some believe God was married.  Theologians for years have struggled with the following text, which although historically documented, we know when the Bible was compiled, changes were made as a supremacist move for power.  However you think of God, or whatever image you perceive he is, whether he was married or not, and regardless of the supremacist actions for power, the following still reads in Genesis 1:27

'So God created people in his own image;

God patterned them after himself;

male and female he created them.'

I am going to guess, you may have a question as to how 'us', 'our', 'ourselves' from verse 26, can become 'his', 'himself', 'he' in verse 27.  Does it really matter, or, will you be one who stands on accuracy, infallibility, or confusion and lies?

In verse 26 

Clearly, God said "Let us make people in our image, to be like ourselves." 

And in verse 27 we learn 

Clearly, God created people, in his own image, after himself, male and female, he created them.

IF he created male and female, obviously he did, male and female were made in 'our image' 'to be like ourselves'.

Folks, truly, no matter how you look at this, there had to be a 'we' in heaven, or, God had male and female in him.  I don't want to get into a Biblical war here by saying this, but it certainly is something to pray about, and reflect on.  MOST importantly, and what I am trying to present here is that, HE CREATED US IN HIS IMAGE.  Male and female. 

Then what?

'Then God looked over all he had made, and he saw that it was excellent in every way.' 

Let me say that again.

'Then God looked over all he had made, and he saw that it was excellent in every way.'  

What does all this mean? 

Are you looking at your neighbor as yourself?  Or are you looking at your neighbor through judgmental eyes? 

Were you created in God's image?  Male or female?  What does male or female look like?  Male or female looks like God.

What does God look like? 

Does it matter? 

'God looked over all he had made, and he saw that it was excellent in every way.' 

Peter was told by the Lord in Acts 10:15, "If God says something is acceptable to God, don't say it isn't."

And in speaking to Cornelius, Peter, having finally understood the very weird vision he had, told him, "But God has shown me that I should never think of anyone as impure". 

Let me say that again.

"But God has shown me that I should never think of anyone as impure."  

Has God shown you?

Cornelius then went on to explain his vision to Peter and said to him, 'Now here we are waiting before God to hear the message the Lord has given you."

Then Peter replied, "I see very clearly that God doesn't show partiality.  In every nation he accepts those who fear him and does what is right."

Are you showing partiality, pointing fingers at your neighbor?  The one you are supposed to love as yourself?  The one God created just like you....in his image? 

STOP!

A Pharisee, an expert in religious law, tried to trap Jesus with this question:  "Teacher, which is the most important commandment in the law of Moses?"  He was speaking of the Ten Commandments, rules handed down to assist folks to live a Godly life.  Jesus replied, "'You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.'  This is the first and greatest commandment.  A second is equally important: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'  All the other commandments and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments."  Matthew 22:34-40  

And lest you believe that the Laws of Moses were abolished when Jesus came, or died, or went to heaven, read this:

Jesus said, "Don't misunderstand why I have come.  I did not come to abolish the law of Moses or the writings of the prophets.  No, I came to fulfill them.  I assure you, until heaven and earth disappear, even the smallest detail of God's law will remain until its purpose is achieved.  So if you break the smallest commandment and teach others to do the same, you will be the least in the Kingdom of Heaven.  But anyone who obeys God's laws and teaches them will be great in the Kingdom of Heaven.

Jesus goes on to say, "But I warn you - unless you obey God better than the teachers of religious law and the Pharisees do, you can't enter the Kingdom of Heaven at all!"  Matthew 5:17-20   

Ladies and gentleman, please, in the name of God, Jesus, Holy Spirit, I implore you, do not point fingers, do not look at anyone as impure, do not show partiality, and, love your neighbor as yourself. 

Remember this:  

Jesus said, "Stop judging others, and you will not be judged.  For others will treat you as you treat them.  Whatever measure you use in judging others, it will be used to measure how you are judged.  And why worry about a speck in your friend's eye when you have a log in your own?  How can you think of saying, 'Let me help you get rid of that speck in your eye,' when you can't see past the log in your own eye?  Hypocrite!  First get rid of the log from your own eye; then perhaps you will see well enough to deal with the speck in your friend's eye."

Interestingly, the United States of America Federal Government, division of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) affirms this as well.  Under the titled heading of Prohibited Employment Policies/Practices it states the following:

'It is illegal to discriminate against someone because of a person's race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetic information.'

'It is also illegal to retaliate against a person because he or she complained about discrimination, filed a charge of discrimination, or participated in an employment discrimination or lawsuit.'

And finally, I give you a quote from the Preamble to the U.S. Declaration of Independence, written in 1776, which reads:

"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness."

Ladies and gentleman, even the U.S. Federal Government recognizes we have a Creator.  His name is God, Everlasting Father.  Obey him.  

*

"God blesses those who realize their need for him, for the Kingdom of Heaven is given to them.

God blesses those who mourn, for they will be comforted.

God blesses those who are gentle and lowly, for the whole earth will belong to them.

God blesses those who are hungry and thirsty for justice, for they will receive it in full.

God blesses those who are merciful, for they will be shown mercy.

God blesses those whose hearts are pure, for they will see God.

God blesses those who work for peace, for they will be called the children of God. 

God blesses those who are persecuted because they live for God, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs. 

God blesses you when you are mocked and persecuted and lied about because you are my followers.  Be happy about it!  Be very glad!  For a great reward awaits you in heaven.  And remember, the ancient prophets were prosecuted, too."     

***

  Let Us Pray

God, Jesus, Holy Spirit you have shown me.  Even though I knew, you have reinforced in me the importance of sharing this message for all others.  What do you look like?  Do you look male, female, disabled?  What do those titles look like?  Are you a myriad of color?  From what spectrum of colors are these derived?  Where do you come from, what is your national origin?  That's odd to think about regarding you, God.  I wonder if it is odd for others to think about when looking at the brother who is not supposed to be heavy in your eyes.  What is your race, or are you only concerned with how we run the race you set before us?  What is your age, are you without age, however measured, if measured?  Were you born with specific genetic information that made you male, female, a combination of both, or disabled?  What does that look like?  Were you born with genes that prove you are a woman in a man's body, or visa versa?  Most importantly, you were born loved and have shared that love.  May those of us who identify you as our Creator, Savior, Comforter/Teacher, love ALL others the same.  May we all see, as you have shown Peter, that you, God, do not show partiality, that in every nation you accept those who fear you and who do what is right.  May everyone embrace that equality and go forth, not as hypocrites, but as accepting, loving, children of you, God.  May we....all of us....stop pointing fingers, thinking less of others, telling lies, believing the lies of others, and choose to respect and embrace all.  Help everyone, Father God, Jesus, Holy Spirit.  You are holy.  Your kingdom is HERE! if only we would embrace you.  Your will needs to be done.  Give us this day our daily bread - Jesus.  Forgive us our sins, as we DO forgive those who have sinned against us.  Lead us not into temptation, and deliver of from evil.  For THINE....that's you, Father God, YOU ARE the Kingdom, YOU are THE power, and all glory IS you.  Forever and ever.  Amen.  Thank you, God, Jesus, Holy Spirit!  You are in 'this place'....my innermost being....I adore you!  I love you.  I thank you again for all you are to me and all you've done for me.  Like dying, so that I may live.  Thank you!  I love you!  I praise you!  I are most grateful to you.....Amen.       

*** 

Grateful for God's lesson today?

We now have Pay Pal!  See below! 

 Visit our NEW rooms in The Family Room! 

Hey....we have a New Blog....'Truth On Main Street'!

Our Catalog Page is here....'Shoppe'!

Did you know there are 6 plus (!) 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. 

'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!

***

***

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 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, animals, the earth, 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 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!

*