December 27, 2009

 James 2: 14-24

  New Beginnings...Blessed Endings

   Proving You Are A Christian 

James

Dear brothers and sisters, what's the use of saying you have faith if you don't prove it by your actions?  That kind of faith can't save anyone.  Suppose you see a brother or sister who needs food or clothing, and you say, "Well, good-bye and God bless you; stay warm and eat well" - but then you don't give that person any food or clothing.  What good does that do?

So you see, it isn't enough just to have faith.  Faith that doesn't show itself by good deeds is no faith at all-it is dead and useless.

Now someone may argue, "Some people have faith; others have good deeds."  I say, "I can't see your faith if you don't have good deeds, but I will show you my faith through my good deeds."

Do you still think it's enough just to believe that there is one God?  Well, even the demons believe this, and they tremble in terror!  Fool!  When will you ever learn that faith that does not result in good deeds is useless?

Don't you remember that our ancestor Abraham was declared right with God because of what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar?  You see, he was trusting God so much that he was willing to do whatever God told him to do.  His faith was made complete by what he did-by his actions.  And so it happened just as the Scriptures say:  "Abraham believed God, so God declared him to be righteous."  He was even called 'the friend of God.'  So you see, we are made right with God by what we do, not by faith alone. 

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Thoughts...

This is simple really.  'If you're going to talk the talk, you need to walk the walk.'  And, for the record, 'if you are going to walk the walk, you need to be talking the talk'. 

In 1 John 2: 1-6 it states:  "My dear chldren, I am writing this to you so that you will not sin.  But if you do sin, there is someone to plead for you before the Father.  He is Jesus Christ, the one who pleases God completely.  He is the sacrifice for our sins.  He takes away not only our sins but the sins of all the world.

And how can we be sure that we belong to him?  By obeying his comandments.  If someone says, "I belong to God", but doesn't obey God's commandments, that person is a liar and does not live in the truth.  But those who obey God's word really do love him.  That is the way to know whether or not we live in him.  Those who say they live in God should live their lives as Christ did." 

Today, you have an opportunity to make a better choice.  It's something I say all the time...make a better choice....to myself, to my pets, to my friends and to my clients, to the body of believers.  That's all life essentially boils down to...will you make the choice to love the Lord with your whole heart, or only give him occasional lip service?  Who are you in the home....who are you in the world?  Who are you to God?  Are you the same always?  "Oh....woops", you say?  

We are ending a year...2009.  Soon we will begin a new year in our life....2010.  Let us look back on our journey and see how we have lived...and loved.  Have we lived right?  Have we loved well?  Have we awakened in the arms of our Lord every morning and asked him how we can best serve his needs?  Have we ended the day enfolded in his embrace receiving thanks and giving thanks?  

Who is God to you?  Is Jesus your Lord and Savior?  Who do you want them to be to you in your future?  Your future....every moment could be your last, you know.  Are you worried about your end time or the end times?  If you worry about your end time, you'll make better choices.  You'll put God, Jesus, and Holy Spirit first in your life.  You'll have a new beginning and a blessed ending.  You'll be proving you are a Christian...by how you talk, and how you walk.

Not worried about your end time or the end times?  I feel sorry for you.  Life is so great on the son's side of the street.  Even when it feels like the son isn't 'shining'...you will know he is there, working behind the scenes...carrying you....waiting for you to go to him...to make all things right and better.  He will help you make a better choice.  And when he lives in you...you will live for him.  And you will have life, and have it abundantly.  Will that life be manifested on this earth?   Maybe.  But you will definitely see it manifested at your end time.   Yes, IF you have proved you are a Christian....to them...and only to them.  Though your actions and choices will affect those around you, it is only God, Jesus and Holy Spirit who are taking notes...err....well it should be.  So, make a better choice...make the right choice...and choose whom you will serve this day.  Choose God...and prove to him who you are and what you believe in.

Integrity is defined as this:  "Integrity as a concept has to do with perceived consistency of actions, values, methods, measures, principles, expectations and outcome." (Wikepedia)  It's the outcome you need to be most worried about it seems to me.  That 'end time' thing.  And the American Heritage Dictionary defines integrity this way:  "Steadfast adherence to a strict moral or ethical code; soundness; quality or condition of being whole or undivided; completeness."  Steadfast...complete...in his arms of love.  

Is it easy?  No, I won't lie to you.  It is not easy.  Is it worth it?  Absolutely.  I believe it is.  Matthew 5: 3 reads, "God blesses those who realize their need for him, for the Kingdom of heaven is given to them."  It is said, 'as prayers go up blessings come down'.  So 'press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God.  Phil. 3:14  Pray it is not too late to make a better choice...turn your life back to God, or turn your life toward a better path moving closer to him, if you have lost your way.  Filled to over flowing already?  Praise God.  Praise him in all things for this is his will.  And 2010 will be a new beginning for you.  For all of us, as the stone makes ripples across the water of life.  Stand strong, stand tall, stand as the mighty oak for and with Christ and all good things will be yours now and forever.  Amen   

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Let Us Pray

Lord, I may be having an 'oh woops' moment here.  It seems I may not have been loving you with my whole heart...not giving you my life fully.  I want to.  Please help me.  2009 has been a wallapaloosa.  And not necessarily in a good way.  I'd sure like to be blessed in 2010 to the point where the world sees you getting all the glory.  And I am excited that that is indeed going to happen as I thank you...right here...right now for all the blessings you are going to flow upon me, the best of which is you in my life..you having been born, and dying, so that I may have a new life and an eternal life.  Do help me be a better person for you and others around me and be able to be a witness...give testimony...to who you are in my life and the blessings you have bestowed upon me.  I know life is not about material things, but I have to say, Lord, it sure would be nice to not have to worry if I am going to have money for toilet paper, housing expenses, medical bills...or if I will have to live on the street, destitute and alone...afraid.  It would be even nicer to rejoice knowing all my needs are met, and, that I can raise up a holy nation of believers for and with you.  Leave a legacy.  Love a lot.  Help me to do that, Lord.  Love you fully...accept you into my life fully...making better choices by keeping my eyes fixed on you...these are the first steps.  Let's make the rest a history of joy everlasting.  In your arms, Lord, is where I want to be and need to be always.  Help me convey that to others around me...showing them...proving to them I am a Christian.  Let this little light of mine shine for all the world to see that you are in me.  As I say goodbye to yesterdays, let me remember that I may not have tomorrow, but I have today, as the prose goes.  Let me make of the timber of my life a mansion overflowing with blessings for generation after generation by which to be embraced.  I love you, Lord.  Thank you for all my yesterdays, good and bad.  And thank you for all the wondrous tomorrows we have yet to walk together...heart to heart....hand in hand.  May I be a blessing to you and others in your name always.  Thank you...for showing me how to prove my love to you.  And how to be a better Christian.  To blessed endings and new beginnings....I rejoice!  Amen               

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'Sleep in heavenly peace....sleep in heavenly peace.'

May we all sleep in heavenly peace...tonight and every night knowing that Jesus Christ has been born the newborn King, and that he is Lord over our lives. The gift of God for the people of God.  Rejoice and be glad in him forever.  Jesus....... 

Merry Christmas everyone...and may you have a very happy new year...as you embrace the Light of the world, Jesus. 

Mistletoe, blessings & hugs,

Melinda 

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 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 resouces 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 Rythms 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.  

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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 regulary to us or gifting us, so that we can further the work and carry out the will of the Father as proclaimed in Matthew 28:16 NLT

 to

 "Go and make disciples out of all the nations

baptising 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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  Our Current Cause

My family and I, and the church, are in crisis and could desperately use your prayers and financial support.  Due to medical concerns, employment crisis, and economic devastation,  I do not have funding to meet everyday expenses right now for the church, or family, and home, nor those necessary to keep this website afloat, for those shut-in or needing spiritual support, nor the ability to help others along the way.  But I am confident that, with your help, balance can be achieved.  As God touches your heart, I hope you will pray earnestly for this church, my family and me, and send any amount of money you can to help.  Please note 'Church and Family' on your check, and, I will see that all funds get divided appropriately.  The church, I and my family, as well as to those to whom we reach out, will be sincerely grateful for anything you can do to help.  

Please accept my sincerest thanks....and may God bless you!

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 Checks or money orders can be made out to

Church of the Holy Spirit

and sent to

Church of the Holy Spirit

P.O. Box 86076

Tucson, Arizona

85754-6076

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

1-866-402-GIFT

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Mountain Time

or

TrinityMissions@msn.com

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.

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    One last thing....

 Jesus' Prayer of Thanksgiving

'The Unforced Rythms 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.

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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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