Tuesday, November 25, 2008

Grace for your spirit November 25,2008

Enter His gates with thanksgiving And His courts with praise Give thanks to Him, bless His name. For the LORD is good;His lovingkindness is everlasting And His faithfulness to all generations. Ps 100:4-5

When we truly understand our relationship with God, no one will have to make us be thankful. We will know that He made us, and we are His sheep in His pasture. We will be thankful, and we will WANT to come into His presence with joyful song. As Christians, we should be the leaders in thanks giving. Let’s not let any special opportunity to lead the way escape us. Wherever we may gather this week, let’s make sure God gets the glory. May God bless you all this Thanksgiving weekend. May God’s grace be with your spirit, and may that grace be generously poured out on the people you are with this week.

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

Monday, November 24, 2008

Grace for your spirit November 24, 2008

A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another." John 13:34-35

Just after Judas Iscariot had left the supper to betray Jesus. Right before the apostles would hide and scatter in the garden. The day before Jesus would suffer and die at the hand of the Romans, Jesus gave them the command they would need the most in the coming days. In the days to come when they would have good reason to be angry and show bitterness toward everyone, Jesus said, "Love one another, like I have loved you." "Let the world know you are My disciples with the love that you have for each other." Good direction for us in our difficult days too.

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

Friday, November 21, 2008

Grace for your spirit November 21, 2008

Therefore all that they tell you, do and observe, but do not do according to their deeds; for they say things and do not do them. Matthew 23:3

Have you ever heard anyone say to their children, "Do what I say, not what I do!!" How does that usually work for them? They lose respect for their parents, and usually end up follow their examples, not their words. The same is true in spiritual leading. When Jesus came to the earth, the religions leaders he met were the Pharisees. They said, but did not do. Jesus gave everyone a warning about them. Just because they had the titles, and the books of Law, didn’t mean they were good examples. What would Jesus say about our lives before others. "Do not live like they do?" We may have the truth, and know the truth, but living the truth is a must for a disciple of Christ.

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

Thursday, November 20, 2008

Grace for your spirit November 20, 2008

Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord. I Corinthians 15:58

No one wants to play a game with someone who either doesn’t care, or someone who crushes them without mercy. Have you every played ping pong with someone who won’t even swing at the ball? Or with someone who slams every shot down your throat? I want to play with someone who returns the ball and helps me with my skills as I improve my play. I can improve my game, so sometime in the future, I can help another. The same is true with our Christian walk. When we start, we’re not very good, and it is nice to have someone who cares about our walk as well as theirs. Every disciple of Christ is called to disciple another. Get in the game. Play with passion and compassion.

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

Wednesday, November 19, 2008

Grace for your spirit November 19, 2008

And when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch And for an entire year they met with the church and taught considerable numbers; and the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch. Acts 11:26

Was Antioch the first place that disciples were called Christians, or was it also a church where the disciples were primarily identified by their Christian lives. How about us? How do people primarily identify, and speak of us? We may be Christians, Union members, Republicans, Democrats, Shriners, Americans, and bingo playing electricians. This Gentile church was so on fire for the Lord, and it appears that being Christians was their primary vocation, and everything else was their avocation. What about us? May Christ so dwell in us, so that the first thing people think of is Jesus, and He is always in first place.

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

Tuesday, November 18, 2008

Grace for your spirit November 18, 2008

For those whom the Lord loves He disciplines, and He scourges every son whom He receives. Hebrew 12:6

God’s love is not always a soft, fuzzy, pampering pillow for us to rest on. Like any good parent, love sometimes must discipline, and chasten us back into the right paths. Every child knows that discipline for the moment seems to be sorrowful, but later the results are wonderful. When mom comes in and puts medicine on our wound, it stings and it smells bad. We think, this can’t be good for us. Don’t wash it off, because when it sinks in, we will enjoy the results. May we never judge God’s love by the surface application. Let’s judge it by what it accomplishes in our life.

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

Monday, November 17, 2008

Grace for your spirit November 17, 2008

A woman named Lydia, from the city of Thyatira, a seller of purple fabrics, a worshiper of God, was listening; and the Lord opened her heart to respond to the things spoken by Paul. Acts 16:14

The first person Paul baptized in Europe was Lydia. She had been a worshiper of God, she was listening to the teaching, and then something happened. The Lord opened her heart to hear the gospel. I baptized an 84 year old man this week. He had always believed in God, worshiped Him in his own way, was a good family man, and a good worker. Recently, the Lord opened his heart to hear the gospel, and desired to be baptized. His faithful wife of 64 years was excited and so was everyone else. Pray that the Lord opens another heart today and then be ready to preach the good news of Jesus.

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

Friday, November 14, 2008

Grace for your spirit November 14, 2008

But now, O LORD, You are our Father, We are the clay, and You our potter; And all of us are the work of Your hand. Isaiah 64:8

Scripture draws this analogy of the potter and the clay several times. Is the clay equal to the potter? No. Can the pot ask the potter why he made him this way? No. Can the potter remake it or cast it aside? Yes, as he wishes. Since we are cracked pots in the hands of our potter, we must accept God’s sovereign choices, or we will regret it. God does not owe us any explanation for the ups and downs of our life. Right now, everything may not be just like we want it. This is not the time to shout at the potter. When we submit to Him and His sovereign choices in our lives, we will live to enjoy it. Rebel and talk back, we will end up in the dumpster. Let’s choose the potter’s loving hand.

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

Thursday, November 13, 2008

Grace for your spirit November 13, 2008

Now the serpent was more crafty than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said to the woman, "Indeed, has God said, 'You shall not eat from any tree of the garden'?" Genesis 3:1

Most of us know the story about Eve in the Garden of Eden. She was surprised by the tempter coming to her in the form of a serpent. As a result she fell into temptation. We might have a plan to stay away from snakes in order to avoid the plots of the devil, but will it work? Adam didn’t see the snake, nor did he debate with the devil over what God said. He simply was led into sin by his mate. Adam knew his Master, his mission, and his mate. He allowed his mate to overshadow the influence of His Master and mission, and sin overtook him. Let’s not be naïve. The temper works in many ways. Sometimes he comes right at you, sometime you send your friends and relatives. Be on guard.

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

Wednesday, November 12, 2008

Grace for your spirit November 12, 2008

For we did not follow cleverly devised tales when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of His majesty. II Peter 1:16

When Peter preached, he didn’t make up fancy stories so the people would like him and his style. The apostles didn’t come with excellent speech, nor fabulous shows of wisdom, because they wanted people to see the power of God in their message. We shouldn’t assemble to enjoy the preacher, rather we should be eager to hear the message from God. It is fine to have a great orator, but God’s Word should never take second place to the preacher. Peter knew he was really an insignificant pebble next to the mighty rock of Jesus. As an eyewitness of His majesty, Peter just let that majesty overflow to his listeners. When we behold His majesty, may the same spirit flow from our lips.

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

Tuesday, November 11, 2008

Grace for your spirit November 11, 2008

Yet now I urge you to keep up your courage, for there will be no loss of life among you, but only of the ship. Acts 27:22

For many days and nights, this ship carrying the apostle Paul was driven by a great storm. 276 lives were thrown together in a desperate situation with one promise and one hope. Don’t give up the ship. Many decisions were made, some right, some wrong. Some complained, some almost gave up, some doubted, but the ship still went on as promised. When we become Christians, God places us His Ship of Hope. Sometimes, our ship hit’s the storms of life, and it may seem hopeless. God’s message is the same for us. Don’t give up the ship. It is the only way to salvation. We may make mistakes, have doubts, fight, complain, and almost give up. But remember this one thing. Don’t give up the ship. Victory will soon be seen.

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

Monday, November 10, 2008

Grace for your spirit November 10, 2008

Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children; Ephesians 5:1

One day a church had a new family move in. They were the Tate family. Ro Tate wanted to change everything around. Dick Tate wanted to take over everything. Agi Tate was always stirring things up. Frus Tate kept everyone on edge, and Medi Tate was always in some kind of a trance, never willing to do anything. Fortunately, one member of the family was a great addition to the body. That was Ima Tate. Imi Tate chose God to be her role model. She was determined to imitate Jesus in her walk of love, sacrifice, and purity. Everyone in the church begin praying that the rest of the Tates would start imitating Ima too. Their pray was, "As Ima follows Christ, be an imitator too."

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

Friday, November 7, 2008

Grace for your spirit November 7, 2008

But God said to him, 'You fool! This very night your soul is required of you; and now who will own what you have prepared?' Luke 12:20

Did you ever see anyone is class at school who held up their textbook, and put a magazine or comic book inside the book? They read their lesson through the comic book, and when the test came, they failed miserably. This fool had been reading his Bible through his bankbook. His bankbook was his measure of his life’s condition. Suddenly his eternal test came and his bank balance just didn’t matter anymore. When we determine to lay up our treasures in heaven, reading God’s gold instead our counting ours, we will be eternally rich. Jesus said, "Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you."

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

Thursday, November 6, 2008

Grace for your spirit November 6, 2008

Every person is to be in subjection to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God. Therefore whoever resists authority has opposed the ordinance of God; and they who have opposed will receive condemnation upon themselves. Romans 13:1-2

The election is over, and we have elected new leaders. As Christians, whether we fought for a candidate or not, we now have one new road to take. Be in subjection to the governing authorities. God does not want us to be afraid, angry, or rebellious. He wants us to make a renewed effort to serve Him with all our heart. This passage was written when Rome was burning Christians at the stake. Do we think God doesn’t know how to make things work for good for His people now? Let us not resist the Lord, rather trust in Him, and fear not.

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

Wednesday, November 5, 2008

Grace for your spirit November 5, 2008

Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name; you are Mine! When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they will not overflow you When you walk through the fire, you will not be scorched, Nor will the flame burn you. Isaiah 43:1-2

The Lord really is our shepherd and has paved the way for our abundant life. Through the cross of Christ, God has redeemed us. He knows our name, and we belong to Him. When we go through the floods, or the fires, or whatever, He will guard and protect us. Our ransom has already been paid and we have received His free gift. Time and time again, God fulfilled these words with His faithful children, and still does today. Yes, the Lord really is our shepherd. We shall not want. Trust in Him.

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

Tuesday, November 4, 2008

Grace for your spirit November 4, 2008

My brethren, do not hold your faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ with an attitude of personal favoritism. James 2:1

Isn’t it only natural to show personal favoritism to rich people over the poor? We may have selfish personal motives by preferring important people, but isn’t that just the way everybody acts? God is looking for something better among those of us with faith. He wants our faith to work for good, not promote evil selfish motives. Most of the time our favorites will not return our favors, instead they often take advantage of those who bow and scrape for them. Besides all of that, God has a specific word for such personal favoritism. He calls it sin. Quit it.

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

Monday, November 3, 2008

Grace for your spirit November 3, 2008

Not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near. Hebrews 10:25

It is so easy to get off track with our church attendance. Just a quick decision to go in another direction can be permanent. I walk in the mall everyday. In one store there is an escalator that takes my walk to the second floor. For a while it was out of order and I took a different path. Long after it was fixed I was still walking a different way until I saw a friend from the second floor. They expressed concern for my absence and encouraged me to come on up. I was touched, and now I’m back on the escalator. Hear the "Psalm of the Escalator". Many get away from worship and develop a new path. Just a little encouragement may touch a heart, and get a soul back on the right path.

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

Saturday, November 1, 2008

What to Expect at the Northwest Church of Christ

MEMBERS OF CHRIST'S CHURCH
1)Believing that the church is the called out of Christ; and the fellowship of the saved
2)Believing in one eternal all-knowing, all-powerful Godhead of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. 3)Believing that Jesus was made flesh, born of a virgin, and lived with us without sin
4)Believing that Jesus died on the cross for our sins, was buried, rose from the dead, and ascended back to heaven
5)Believing the Bible is God’s inspired word that provides our standard of right and wrong, and the way of salvation
6)Believing that man is a sinner and lost without the saving blood of Jesus
7)Believing that saving faith includes repentance, and baptism byimmersion for the forgiveness of sins
8)Believing that only baptized believers are members of the church and the kingdom of God
9)Believing that all Christians should worship properly as Scripture directs.
10)Believing that Christians should share the good news of Jesus, and serve others until Jesus returns with our heavenly reward
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Sunday Morning Worship Activities
Enjoy 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

Worship and Study Opportunities

Worship and Study Opportunities
Northwest Church of Christ. US 41 N @ Florida Ave Terre Haute, In
The Church is located on the West Side of U.S 41 North,
One half mile North of the 41-63 interchange in Terre Haute
Sunday 9:30 AM Classes in Jude
Sunday 10:30 AM Worship Services
Sunday6:00 PM Classes on Love
Wednesday 7:00 P.M. Classes on God's Mercy & Our Ministry
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Sunday Morning Continuing Series at the Worship Hour
Am I a member of Christ's church?

December 8th, at 6:30 we will have our annual Christmas party at the Golden Corral Buffet.
Food, games, white elephant gifts, and songs. Bring your family and your friends.

Start thinking about bringing in non perishable food items for our holiday food baskets, and warm winter hats, gloves, mittens, scarves, and socks, for elementary students.