September 2, 2018

   Holy Spirit Is For Everyone   

Acts 19: 1-7

Acts 

While Apollos was in Corinth, Paul traveled through the interior provinces.  Finally, he came to Ephesus, where he found several believers.  Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed, he asked them."

"No," they replied, "we don't know what you mean.  We haven't even heard that there is a Holy Spirit."

Then what baptism did you experience?: he asked. 

And they replied, "The baptism of John."

Paul said, "John's baptism was to demonstrate a desire to turn from sin and turn to God.  John himself told the people to believe in Jesus, the one John said would come later."

As soon as they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. Then when Paul laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they spoke in other tongues and prophesied.  There were about twelve men in all.

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 Thoughts....

I'm just going to give you some references and a few notes.  I'd like to hear from you to learn if you like the format I've been using for the summer, outlines and references, OR, if you prefer I expound on those references, in story format, as I've done for years, to help better understand what the Lord is trying to say. 

Your feedback is paramount!  Please take the time to drop me a quick email as to what works best for you. 

MelindaRNorstad@msn.com

Please put COHS in the subject line !

Ok, here we go for this week....

Joel 2:28-32            OT Prophecy

Luke 2:15-16           John Introduces Jesus and Holy Spirit

Luke 2:21-22           Jesus receive Holy Spirit

Luke 24:49              Jesus' promise to send Holy Spirit

Acts 2:1-4                Holy Spirit comes

Acts 2:17-21            Confirmation of Holy Spirit for all

Acts:181-7               Action to receive - willingness to receive

Gal 5:22-26              Living your new life rightly - Fruits of Holy Spirit

1 Cor 12:1-11           Living your new life fully - Gifts of Holy Spirit

1 Cor 13:1-13           Core foundational strength

John 15:1-17             Remaining in his [Jesus'] love

NOTE:  Laying on of hands is NOT necessary to receive the baptism of Holy Spirit as evidenced in many places, Acts 2:1-4 being one.  Holy Spirit came before water baptism, too.  All you need to do is let God, Jesus, Holy Spirit know you believe in them, are willing/want to receive Holy Spirit into your life with all the fruits and gifts he has to give you.  

ALSO NOTE:  If you have been told Holy Spirit was only for the original 12 Apostles, that's not scripturally true.  The believers were more than 'the 12'. 11 Disciples and 2 followers, Cleopus and another, and other followers, received Holy Spirit in one part of scripture.  

If Holy Spirit appeared to Peter, Peter would have owned the story, but he remains an anonymous participant when it states 'the 2' from Emmaus.

The proclamation/command was to ALL followers, not just the 11/12.

Paul was never one of the twelve, but he received the baptism of the Holy Spirit.

RE:  Did Christ really return?  Yes.  1 Cor 15:1-11 outlines a few of the many who saw him after his death, proving he is THE Lord and Savior come.  All other scriptures rest on that truth of many, and support his truths, such as baptism of the Holy Spirit being for everyone, just as he, Jesus, is for everyone.        

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  Let Us Pray

Father God, Lord Jesus, Holy Spirit, please forgive me of my sins and cleanse me as a new vessel by which you alone can fill me to overflowing.  Be with me this day and everyday as I go forth.  Holy Spirit, I may not have understood well the enormity of the importance of you in my life.  I understand now, not just the command to wait for you, but in that command, the importance of receiving you into my life and that I should go forth sharing who you are, that you are, and how wonderful you are to others.  For the longest driest time in my life, Satan had attempted to pull me into the valley of the evangelicals and others professing Christianity who are letting Satan into their midst and allowing him to be the bidder of all things in life.  I do not need to buy a prayer shawl to pray to, you, God. It will not take me closer to you.  I do not need to buy a horn of a ram or any other such thing for you to hear my call.  I thank you, God, that you instilled in me a right foundation whereby I instinctively....by Holy Spirit, knew this.  I pray others will learn to receive Holy Spirit to not be swindled also.  I do not have to donate money to buy someone a better airplane to go to places to preach the Gospel, when the Gospel is already preached in those areas, and a less expensive plane will do just fine....or commercial flying.  Nor do I need to spend hard earned money that you have granted me to receive for such, to help others purchase properties all over the world, to help the needy, when they actually build themselves homes, when you have given it to me to help myself, my family, and those around me right here where I live....in the United States of America.  It astounds me the lengths that Pastors, Ministers, Priests will go to and ask for in your name.  It astounds me further that they are listening to Satan, letting him in.  Drawing them away from your truths.  How can certain Evangelicals call themselves Christian and then vote for someone who is so far from what a Christian is defined as per Galatians 5:22-26 and demand that their followers do the same?  So much is going wrong in Christianity and how you intended, dear God, while you, and many of us, can clearly see Satan's actions in such.  So many have left the churches, disillusioned, believing those who are hypocrites can church alone.  But God, that is not directed by the Holy Spirit, that is directed by Satan.  The believers are being led to believe that practicing their faith without fellowship that you command is ok, when we need the strength of the body to pray together.  To rise up as in one voice all over the world to stop such satanic a wedge amongst the body of believers.  So, Holy Spirit come!  Arise in us who first believed and then all the others, that there might be another mighty outpouring of you, Holy Spirit!  Let us not believe any one of us is greater or better than another.  That money donated does not align us one over another, that worldly actions should not define whether one tv evangelist is better than one without connections, that we should all defer to you, God, Jesus, Holy Spirit, and realize YOU in our everyday, and, not attempt to make self greater than you.  Holy Spirit show those who have been deceived where they have been deceived and that they are creating further deception by including the body of believers in their actions.  Help them learn your truths again to set them free.  Humble them and retain those in your fold whom have turned from their sins and turned back to you.  Help me, to insure I not get lost again, believing I can't, when I can....preach you, find you, cling to you, and go forward raising you to new heights of glory. Help me be so close that I can feel your breath on my face, the beat of your heart in mine. Heal me, so I may be there for you for years to come, and therefore for others on your behalf.  Thank you for giving me utterance, that I may preach YOU, in season and out.  May all others who hear your word do the same....by HOLY SPIRIT within.  I praise you.  I thank you.  I love you.  Amen!        

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 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!

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

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 "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, 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 ! 

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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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