Friday, August 29, 2008

Grace for your spirit August 29, 2008

Therefore if you are presenting your offering at the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your offering there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother, and then come and present your offering. Matthew 5:23-24

The goal of the Christian life is to be one with God and man. We need to be reconciled to God through Jesus Christ, and be reconciled to man by the love we have from God. We may never be able to live at peace with everyone, but as far as it depends on us, let’s try to make that happen. We shouldn’t be going through the motions at church, when aren’t truly attempting be reconciled to God and men. Before we worship again, let’s reach out to others. Remember Proverbs 16:7, "When a man’s ways are pleasing to the Lord, He makes even his enemies to be at peace with him." Let’s take that first step.

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit
Philippians 4:23

Thursday, August 28, 2008

Grace for your spirit August 28, 2008

For not knowing about God's righteousness and seeking to establish their own, they did not subject themselves to the righteousness of God. Romans 10:3

Paul knew His countrymen had completely missed the point. God had sent Jesus, so they could have the righteousness that comes from God and be saved. They were unwilling to accept that righteousness because they thought they were already right. When we stand on our own righteousness, we will surely die in our sins. We can claim we are righteous on our own, but where is the evidence? Is there a fire where there is no flame, no light, and no heat? When we learn about Jesus and learn about the righteousness from Him, our own will look like nothing. Come to know Him today.

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit
Philippians 4:23

Wednesday, August 27, 2008

Grace for your spirit August 27, 2008

Now Joseph, a Levite of Cyprian birth, who was also called Barnabas by the apostles (which translated means Son of Encouragement), and who owned a tract of land, sold it and brought the money and laid it at the apostles' feet. Acts 4:36-37

A number of times when the apostles needed encouragement to keep going, this man Joseph was there. He so consistently encouraged them, they gave him the nickname, "Barnabas". All of us need a Barnabas to keep us going in difficult times too. A little boy was trying to hit a ball with a bat. He would pitch the ball into the air, then swing and miss. Time after time he would swing and miss. He looked and his friend who had been watching and his friend exclaimed, "Boy, you are a great pitcher!" How can we all keep going when we miss the ball? Have a Barnabas and be a Barnabas for others.

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit
Philippians 4:23

Tuesday, August 26, 2008

Grace for your spirit August 26, 2008

Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth. II Timothy 2:15

Many of us have been Bible students for years, and know enough verses to teach without ever studying again. Let’s remember that studying God’s Word is not just to learn to quote verses and teach others. We should want to study because we love His Word. We need to be reminded every day about the liberation His Word provides, His Word calms our spirit, regenerates our hope, and builds our faith. We’re always going to need those things to present ourselves approved to God. When we treasure His Word in our hearts, it keep us closer to God, and keeps us from wandering off into sin. Who doesn’t need that everyday? Whatever our challenge are today, let’s start with His Word and prayer.

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit
Philippians 4:23

Monday, August 25, 2008

Grace for your spirit August 25, 2008

Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. Ps 119:105

I heard on a Christian radio station today that a Bible Society is promoting a special event this fall based on Psalms 119. Sunday, October 26th has been designated as "Read Your Bible Day". Then Monday, October 27th will be "Take Your Bible To Work Day." Does it seem wrong to anyone that we designate a day in October to read our Bibles? If Christians are going not going to be reading their Bibles until October 26th, and His word is a lamp and a light, we will be stumbling in the dark a long time. The church in Acts 17, were called "noble-minded", because they searched the scriptures daily and eagerly. I don’t want to walk in the dark until October, How about you?

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit
Philippians 4:23

Friday, August 22, 2008

Grace for your spirit August 22, 2008

And Jesus, crying out with a loud voice, said, "Father, INTO YOUR HANDS I COMMIT MY SPIRIT." Having said this, He breathed His last. Luke 23:46

Many people love a good murder mystery. They like to be kept in suspense guessing who is going to be killed and who will be the murderer. Once they know the answer, they are enthused to share the information with everyone. The gospel is a good murder mystery. People know that Jesus died, but who should be indicted as the murderers? Do we really know the facts? The people responsible for putting Jesus on the cross is every person who ever sinned. We all share with the Jews and the Romans in bearing the responsibility. The big surprise is that no one really killed Jesus. He chose to give up His life on the cross. It’s a great and surprising outcome. Let’s go tell someone.

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit
Philippians 4:23

Thursday, August 21, 2008

Grace for your spirit August 21, 2008

See how great a love the Father has bestowed on us, that we would be called children of God; and such we are. I John 3:1

God sent Jesus to die on the cross for our sins. With that sacrifice He forgives all our sins and we become His children. What great love that takes to overlook all our shortcomings and allows us to be part of His family. When we call on His name as our Father, He ears are attentive to our prayers. People are impressed when one of the President’s daughters simply dials the White House and the President answers. How much more impressive it is when the God of all creation answers our call and is glad to meet our needs. Enjoy the relationship. Enjoy the call.

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit
Philippians 4:23

Wednesday, August 20, 2008

Grace for your spirit August 20, 2008

Serving the Lord with all humility and with tears and with trials which came upon me through the plots of the Jews; how I did not shrink from declaring to you anything that was profitable, and teaching you publicly and from house to house, Acts 20:19-20

The apostle Paul was a marked man. Everywhere he went he had opposition. The Jews, the Gentiles, the Christians, and the Romans didn’t trust him. Paul was given a commission to preach the good news of Jesus, but it was never easy. It was revealed to him what was profitable for people to obey the Lord, and he committed his life to getting that done. What is our focus? Are we focused enough and humble enough to overcome the trials that come our way? May we not shrink back from what we know is true because of difficulties. The lost world needs the good news.

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit
Philippians 4:23

Tuesday, August 19, 2008

Grace for your spirit August19, 2008

As for you, if you walk before Me as your father David walked, even to do according to all that I have commanded you, and will keep My statutes and My ordinances, then I will establish your royal throne as I covenanted with your father David, saying, 'You shall not lack a man to be ruler in Israel.' II Chr 7:17-18

After the temple was built, God issued Solomon an all peril insurance policy on his house for the future. "IF" you keep MY commands, you the kingdom will endure." Solomon forgot the commands of God and didn’t keep the ordinances and statutes. He didn’t pay the premiums and the policy lapsed. Without God’s blessing, his kingdom crumbled and was divided among his enemies. Jesus issued an all peril insurance for us too. "He who believes and is baptized shall be saved". When we trust and obey, we keep His promises active in our life for eternity.

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit
Philippians 4:23

Monday, August 18, 2008

Grace for your spirit August 18, 2008

Suffer hardship with me, as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No soldier in active service entangles himself in the affairs of everyday life, so that he may please the one who enlisted him as a soldier. II Timothy 2:3-4

Every Christian has the message of the gospel entrusted to us. It is our commission to share the message and pass it on to a lost world. Will we fulfill our mission and complete our task? There will be hardship and there will be obstacles. There will always be things that can entangles us and tie us down. If our discipleship is casual and part-time, we will surely fail in our mission. There is no draft in the Lord’s army. We are volunteers for Jesus. May we accept our commission, and commit to please the one who enlisted us.

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit
Philippians 4:23

Friday, August 15, 2008

Grace for your spirit August 15, 2008

Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God. Colossians 3:16

Our worship songs are designed to teach, admonish others, and to exhibit Christ’s Word living in us. When we mean what we sing, the songs do that. When we sing "Give me a heart of a servant", do we really want one? When we sing "Must Jesus bear the cross alone." are we willing to help?. When we sing "I surrender all", have we already decided we won’t surrender anything?. How can we believe we worship in spirit and in truth, when every word we sing is not truthful? God knows it, those around us know, so let’s start taking our worship seriously and the Lord will shine on us. As kids we sang, "O be careful little tongue what you say." Let’s start being careful again.

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit
Philippians 4:23

Thursday, August 14, 2008

Grace for your spirit August 14, 2008

When the unclean spirit goes out of a man, it passes through waterless places seeking rest, and not finding any, it says, 'I will return to my house from which I came.' And when it comes, it finds it swept and put in order. Then it goes and takes along seven other spirits more evil than itself, and they go in and live there; and the last state of that man becomes worse than the first." Lk 11:24-26

As we take steps to obey Christ, we need to be careful to be fully surrendered to Him. When we believe, repent, and are baptized into Christ, we can experience the evil spirit of sin leaving us. That’s a good beginning. Let us then make sure to fill our soul with the His Spirit, so the house won’t be vacant and susceptible to more evil spirits. A vacant house is a hazard. A vacant soul is a disaster. Don’t let the devil have a place in us. Fill it with God

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spiritP
hilippians 4:23

Wednesday, August 13, 2008

Grace for your spirit August 13, 2008

Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. He who loves his life loses it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it to life eternal. John 12:24-25

When a farmers plants a seed, he wants it to die. When it dies, it rots, it germinates, and brings for 30, 60, or 100 grains out of each seed. If it doesn’t die, it remains alone. Jesus wants the same blessing for us, so He gives us instructions to die. Die to this world and gain more in the eternal world. The devil wasn’t a good farmer. If he was, he wouldn’t have wanted Jesus to die, or us. If he can keep us all alive to this world, we will be his for eternity. The call to discipleship is the call to die.

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit
Philippians 4:23

Tuesday, August 12, 2008

Grace for your spirit August 12, 2008

For I have no one else of kindred spirit who will genuinely be concerned for your welfare. Philippians 2:20

This is the apostle Paul’s description of Timothy. He sends this letter to encourage the church at Philippi about Timothy’s arrival. What a resume! He has a kindred spirit. He gets along with people, and is genuinely interested in your problems and your welfare. That is exactly the kind of person every church needs. This kind of person will further the gospel and make every effort to build up all disciples. Any one of us could be a disciple just like Timothy. When we decide to rekindle the spirit that is within us, this will be the results. Just a few of these kinds of people could transform any church. Let’s all decide to be one.

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit
Philippians 4:23

Monday, August 11, 2008

Grace for your spirit August 11, 2008

God has chosen the foolish things of the world to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to shame the things which are strong I Corinthians 1:27

Our excuses for not serving the Lord and mankind are pretty flimsy. We may say we aren’t wise enough, or we are too weak. We might say God is looking for wise people and strong people to do His work. We sometimes boast about our limitations and lack of ability to stay out of His work. God really wants the foolish and the weak to do His work and will. In that case, most of us are perfectly qualified. We just need to give ourselves completely to Christ, then we will be wise and strong through Him. When His power lives in us, we will still be able to boast about how insignificant we are, and still serve with all our heart. May we quit using our mouths for excuses and start using them for service.

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit
Philippians 4:23

Friday, August 8, 2008

Grace for your spirit August 8, 2008

Remember also your Creator in the days of your youth, before the evil days come and the years draw near when you will say, "I have no delight in them"; Ecclesiastes 12:1

This little know passage gives us a picture of life after we are "over the hill". When we are young, we think we will never get old and ill, and we’d rather not think about it. God gives us a poetic picture of the body falling apart. Arms, legs, teeth, eyes, voice, hair, and fears. I don’t see doctor visits and hospital stays in the list, but they certainly should be there. It is urgent that we all establish our faith in our Creator when the times are good, so they will sustain us in the evil days. When we grow in spirit each day, even though the outer man decays, the inner man gets younger every day. Our spirit then gives us the joy we need to counter balance the ills we face. God’s Spirit; don’t get old without it.

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit
Philippians 4:23

Thursday, August 7, 2008

Grace for your spirit August 7, 2008

"The wind blows where it wishes and you hear the sound of it, but do not know where it comes from and where it is going; so is everyone who is born of the Spirit." John 3:8

We can’t see the wind, but we can see the effect of wind. We don’t know where wind comes from, but we know what it does. Jesus uses this picture to explain how the spirit works. The original Greek word in the New Testament for Spirit is pnema. The word primarily denotes the wind. The invisible, immaterial, powerful breath of God. Man primarily searches for material proof of God working, when the real proof is God’s Spirit changing us. We can’t see repentance nor regeneration, but we can all see the results on these things. It’s not a plaque we can put on the wall, or a sign we can wear around our neck, but it is evident when it’s there. Breathe on me, Breath of God. Fill me with life anew.

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit
Philippians 4:23

Wednesday, August 6, 2008

Grace for your spirit August 6, 2008

But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you. John 14:26

The Apostles listened to Jesus, and then Jesus sent them the Holy Spirit to bring them remembrance so they could put His words to use. If they had not followed Him, nor paid any attention, what would they have to remember? Much like the student who never attended classes, took notes, nor studied, then "cramming" at the last minute with a prayer, "Lord help me remember the stuff I never studied". Many a church member has stood at a crossroad in life hoping for Divine guidance and inspiration, when they have spent no time in His Word and have nothing to recall. Let’s fill every minute we can with study of God’s Word. Then, when we call Him for help, the Spirit will have something for us to recall.

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit
Philippians 4:23

Tuesday, August 5, 2008

Grace for your spirit August 5, 2008

Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, Hebrews 12:1

Computer people are always trying to find a way for their computer to run faster. Deleting unnecessary programs and keeping viruses out are two of the best things we can do. I just found out that when you delete something it’s not really gone. Duh! It goes to a recycle bin and now that has to be deleted too. That is much like our Christian race. We need to unload our sins and encumbrances that slow us down. When we confess our sins, we are suppose to be free of them, but are we still carrying them in our recycle bin? Let’s dump that all completely, and then stop downloading things that are sent to us by the world. We’ll be surprised how our race speed increases.

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit
Philippians 4:23

Monday, August 4, 2008

Grace for your spirit August 4, 2008

But Moses said to God, "Who am I, that I should go to Pharaoh, and that I should bring the sons of Israel out of Egypt?" Exodus 3:11

Who are you? You are the one God spared in the Nile while all the other children were being killed. You are the one who learned leadership in Egypt, and the humility of shepherding in Midian. You are the one blessed with a supportive family. You are the one with a shepherd’s staff that will become a staff of God. You are the one that has been in training for this mission for 80 years. You are the one that God will bless because He called you to this mission. The next time we are presented with a call or challenge to serve, instead of shirking by saying, "Who am I?", may we instead look back and thank God for molding us for the job He now wants us to do for Him.

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit
Philippians 4:23

Friday, August 1, 2008

Grace for your spirit August 1, 2008

But sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence; I Peter 3:15

As a story was told, God sent some angels down to earth to see how the people were doing. They reported that 95% of the people were living in sin, totally rejecting God’s directions. 5% were living Godly lives, obeying His word. Should God destroy the 95% or reward the 5%, or both? God decided to send a letter to the 5% encouraging them to reach out to the 95% with a positive conversion message. So you know what the letter said? No? Well I didn’t get one either! The story is fiction, but the principle is true. God has called the sanctified of heart to give an account of the hope that is within us. The letter is the Bible. Get into that 5% and Go !

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit
Philippians 4:23

What To Expect At The Northwest Church of Christ

What to expect at the Northwest Church of ChristPeople you will meetYou will meet Christians who believe in one all knowing, all powerful God, who inspired the Bible to provide our standard of right and wrong. Followers of Christ who believe that Jesus died on the cross for our sins, rose from the dead, and ascended back to the Father. Christians who believe that saving faith includes repentance and baptism by immersion in water for the forgiveness of sins.
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Sunday Morning Worship ActivitiesEnjoy congregational singing without instruments. Prayers will be offered that allows our needs to be brought to Him. Communion service offered every Sunday to remember the Lord’s death until He returns. Lessons from the Bible that will teach us God’s word.You may expect the worship to be warm, friendly, and orderly. No one is ever required to speak or made to feel uncomfortable in any way. We pray you will feel welcome to come and stay.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Questions We Would Like To Help You Answer
1) Is my heart right with God?
2) If today were my last day on earth, do I know for sure if I would go to heaven?
3) If God asked me why He should let me into heaven, what would my answer be?
4) If I could be shown a way from the Bible, that I could stand before God without guiltor fear, would I be interested?