Wednesday, March 31, 2010

Grace for your spirit March 31, 2010

Grace for your spirit
But now faith, hope, love, abide these three; but the greatest of these is love. I Corinthians 13:13
This passage in I Corinthians 13 shows how we can change things when we have the right kind of love. The love that is patient, kind, not jealous,not arrogant, does not act in the wrong way, does not take into account a wrong suffered, rejoices in the truth, bears, believes, hopes and endures through all things. The kind of love God has for us. The Agape! I heard the Gaither Vocal Band sing a song the other day about love. They sang, "If coal can turn to diamonds, and sand can turn to pearls. If worms can turn into butterflies, then love can turn the world. When we love like God has called us to love, we can turn the world. It certainly takes faith, and hope to do it, but the greatest force for change is love.

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit
Philippians 4:23
graceforyourspirit.blogspot.com

Monday, March 29, 2010

Grace for your spirit March 29, 2010

Grace for your spirit
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Phil 4:6-7
Sometimes when we are overcome with trials and tribulations, we forget the basics of our relationship to God. We forget to pray, and give our requests to God. We forget to look to Him for peace, and the guarding of our hearts. We begin to lose our sense of humor, our good sense, our Christian principles, and finally we start to lose our minds. Of all the things I've lost, I miss my mind the most. This past week, my life has been a trial over something so trivial as email troubles. I thought I could solved it myself, and I was a total failure until I gave it all tot he Lord. The peace that passes all understanding sure is nice. MY we all remember to put God frist in our trials. His grace puts everything back into perspectives. We all start to feel better, then everyone around us feels better too. Thank you God for your marvelous grace.

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

Grace for your spirit March 30, 2010

Grace for your spirit
So when it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and when the doors were shut where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in their midst and said to them, "Peace be with you." John 20:19

The night Jesus rose from the dead, He went to see His apostles. They were hiding in their room. They were afraid of the Jews, in fact, they were afraid of everything. All their hopes and dreams seemed to be gone with the death of Jesus. What would they do know? Where would they go? Would they be the next to be killed? What would be the perfect words to help them? Jesus said it. Peace be with you!! It made all the difference. There are times when we will step into a situation where people are afraid of everything. A place where hopes and dreams have been swallowed up by struggles. We may think, we don't know what to say. Let me suggest we say what Jesus said, "Peace be with you." Often God's leaders spoke that way to troubled souls. It worked for them, and I think it can work for us too.

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit
Philippians 4:23
graceforyourspirit.blogspot.com

Monday, March 22, 2010

What to expect at the Northwest Church of Christ

MEMBERS OF CHRIST'SCHURCH
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

Opportunities At Northwest Church of Christ

The church is on the West Side of U.S. 41 North at Florida Ave. Just 1/2 North of the 41/63 interchange in Terre Haute, Indiana.

Sunday
9:30 AM Bible Classes on the book of Romans
10:30 AM Worship Services
6:00 PM Bible Study studies in John and Acts

Wednesday
7:00 PM Bible Study Studies in John and Acts

Benevolence Successes
We collected $450.00 for the relief efforts in Haiti. The money was sent to an orphanage supported by the Estes Church of Christ in Henderson, Tn.
In December we filled food basket
Ten boxes of gloves, hats, scarves, and socks were delivered to local schools,
shelters and community centers
$100.18 was collected for the needed in our change for change jar
We also filled eight boxes for the Samaritan Shoe Box program oversees
and participated in the commodity program for Shults Lewis Children Home

Monday, March 22, 2010

This a most unusual Monday for me. This is the first week day in about 10 years that I have not published a 'grace for your spirit.' I truly enjoy touching those in the internet world with scripture. It really extends the walls of our local ministry. I have just completed a five week series on forgiving others. Today, I have had an excellent opportunity to put the principles into practice. Someone stole my email account, stole my address book, stole my security, and stole my ministry. This has been a difficult day for me as I answer the phone about 100 times, trying to explain to my friends that I am not in London wanting their money. It is a good day to turn the other cheek and go the extra mile. I'm sure David, as he hid in caves, trying to keep from being killed by King Saul, would have loved problems like I have today. Say a little prayer for me. Say a bigger prayer for them. I am mostly sorry that I have violated your privacy and broke our bond.

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

Alert to all my friends

As of 3/22/10, my email account was hacked into and cancelled. I will no longer have that email address, and I no longer have my address book. It will be some time before I can restore daily grace for your spirit devotionals. Do not send anyone any money. It is a scam. If you know the address of anyone on my list, please contact them for me. I have no email. Thank you

Friday, March 19, 2010

Grace for your spirit March 19, 2010

Grace for your spirit
Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, know that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing James 1:2-4

I walked a mile with pleasure,
She chatted all the way,
But left me none the wiser,
For all she had to say.

I walked a mile with sorrow,
And ne're a word said she,
But oh the things I learned from her,
When sorrow walked with me

Robert Browning Hamilton

And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. Thank you Lord


The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you spirit
Philippians 4:23
graceforyourspirit.blogspot.com

Thursday, March 18, 2010

Grace for your spirit March 18, 2010

Grace for your spirit
When Jesus had finished these words, the crowds were amazed at His teaching; for He was teaching them as one having authority, and not as their scribes. Matthew 7:28-29
Last week my mother asked me to figure her taxes. I did them two ways, and she owed $4.00. She denied my conclusion. She said she owed nothing. She went to the tax office and asked them to figure them. The clerk complied and said to her, "you owe $5.00." She paid it without a word. Why? She accepted the authority of this state official. Authority is a lawful right to dictate and enforce obedience. God gave Jesus the authority, the Holy Spirit gave us the authority of scriptures to teach, and finally, authority was given to ministers, and servants to lead and teach. Without it, nothing will be accomplished. When we let the church and the world, drain the authority from the scriptures, and our teachers, we will fail. May we honor God in our lives by accepting and obeying His authority, and the authority of those He has chosen. It is our only path to the right Christian walk.


The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit
Philippians 4:23
graceforyourspirit.blogspot.com

Wednesday, March 17, 2010

Grace for your spirit March 17, 2010

Grace for your spirit
And all the more believers in the Lord, multitudes of men and women, were constantly added to their number, to such an extent that they even carried the sick out into the streets and laid them on cots and pallets, so that when Peter came by at least his shadow might fall on any one of them. Acts 5:14-15
There are believers, non-believers and make believers. True believers are obvious because their faith develops a trust that is shown in good works. The people in the first century church demonstrated such faith by the way they lived. The world is also filled with non-believers. They do not honor God, or believe in the resurrected Christ. They live in the service of the devil, and their commitment to Satan is obvious. The third group is the one that causes most of our troubles. They are the make believers. They may have their name on a church roll, and have been through many religious rites, but it is superficial. There is not enough faith to develop trust, and not enough trust to create good works. Make believers cannot please God. Jesus called the make believers "lukewarm". Neither hot nor cold. These are the ones He wished to spit out of His mouth. Let's choose to be hot believers, and let the world know it with the works we display. This is the life that gives glory to God.


The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit
Philippians 4:23
graceforyourspirit.blogspot.com

Tuesday, March 16, 2010

Grace for your spirit March 16, 2010

Grace for your spirit
Concerning him we have much to say, and it is hard to explain, since you have become dull of hearing. For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you have need again for someone to teach you the elementary principles of the oracles of God, and you have come to need milk and not solid food. Hebrews 5:11-12
A grandma was helping her granddaughter learn her colors. She would point at a color and ask the little girl what it was. After a while, the little girl looked up and said, "Grandma, shouldn't you know these by now? Exactly when did we become dull of hearing and quit learning? When did the elementary principles of Christianity slip away from us? Now that we have reach the point in our lives when we should be teaching others, are we unequipped?. Sadly, this is the case for too many who should be mature in the faith. Let's us not be ashamed forever. May we confess that we have let our brains go into neutral, and appeal to God to get us back to solid food. There is always another generation coming along that needs the insight for living. Will we have it for them? Restore my spirit Lord, it needs restored.


The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit
Philippians 4:23
graceforyourspirit.blogspot.com

Monday, March 15, 2010

Grace for your spirit March 15, 2010

Grace for your spirit
Whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father who is in heaven will also forgive you your transgressions. Mark 11:25
An old proverb is told about two monks walking through the woods, when they came to a river.
Beside the river was a young woman who wanted to cross. One of the monks picked her up and carried her safely across. The monks continued on their way. About an hour down the road, the other monk said, You know, it was a violation for you to touch that woman." The other replied, "I put her down an hour ago. Isn't it time for you to put her down now?". Is there anything we need to put down? When we come to our Father in prayer asking for forgiveness, are we still carrying resentment and unforgiveness about others? Many times we are still carrying resentment about things that no longer exist. Isn't it time to put things down? Let's do that, and God will open the floodgates of grace in our prayers.

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit
Philippians 4:23
graceforyourspirit.blogspot.com

Friday, March 12, 2010

Grace for your spirit March 12, 2010

Grace for your spirit
Therefore whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner, shall be guilty of the body and the blood of the Lord. I Corinthians 11:27
When we approach the Lord's supper, God's appeal for us is to eat in a worthy manner. None of us can make ourselves worthy to feast with the Lord. Jesus does that when He gives us His righteousness. Our part is to check our attitude. When we partake of the bread and fruit of the vine, is our mind in the right place? Have we examined ourselves carefully, and have we judged rightly what Jesus has done for us? Proper spiritual preparation allows us to leave the supper built up, instead of feeling guilty. When we approach the Lord's Supper the next time, let's be prepared to enjoy a great communion with our Lord.

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit
Philippians 4:23
graceforyourspirit.blogspot.com

Thursday, March 11, 2010

Grace for your spirit March 11, 2010

Grace for your spirit
Now Eliab his oldest brother heard when he spoke to the men; and Eliab's anger burned against David and he said, "Why have you come down? And with whom have you left those few sheep in the wilderness? I know your insolence and the wickedness of your heart; for you have come down in order to see the battle." I Sanuel 17:28
Do you need a lot of encouragement to do a great job? It seems nobody was behind David when he came to the camp of Israel. The Philistine giant, Goliath, had been challenging anyone to fight him, and David was going to volunteer. His brother insulted him. Saul said he was too young and couldn't do it. Goliath was even offended at the thought of fighting a little boy with sticks. None of that slowed David. He was serving God, and he knew God was with him in this challenge. The victory changed the course of David's life. If he had asked for a vote of confidence, or even a happy thought, he would have quit. Let's trust in the Lord like he did that day. We will have to face many Goliaths without encouragement. Let's trust in the Lord.

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit
Philippians 4:23
graceforyourspirit.blogspot.com

Wednesday, March 10, 2010

Grace for your spirit March 10,2010

Grace for your spirit
That in a great ordeal of affliction their abundance of joy and their deep poverty overflowed in the wealth of their liberality. For I testify that according to their ability, and beyond their ability, they gave of their own accord, II Corinthians 8:2-3
Haven't your heard? There's a recession on. How many times have we heard those words in the recent past? The Apostle Paul was on a journey to raise funds for the oppressed church in Judea. When he passed through Macedonia, he wasn't expecting much financial help from them, due to their deep poverty. Rome had turned a "gold medal" city into a hole of poverty for the Christians. Part of their persecution was unemployment, and theft of property. Paul was pleasantly surprised to see the depth of their commitment. A commitment that overcame affliction with joy. They had given themselves to the Lord, and begged for the opportunity to help others. That is what happens to people who trust in the Lord completely with their possessions. They knew the secret to riding out their depression was generosity. Have we learned that yet? It's our move.

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit
Philippians 4:23
graceforyourspirit.blogspot.com

Tuesday, March 9, 2010

Grace for your spirit March 9, 2010

Grace for your spirit
And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. Romans 8:28
There are thousands of pieces that are used to construct a ship, but it is doubtful that any of them will float alone. If we throw each part into the sea one at a time, they will sink to the bottom, but when they are all put together by the builder, it will be sea worthy. There are thousands of things that happen in our lives. Some are bad, some are good, and at times, we all face some very bad times. We often wonder, how these bad times can work out for good. Most of the time, no one has the answer except God. Why is there sickness, pain, and death? The answer is right here. God causes all things to work together for good to those who love Him and are called according to His purpose. Love Him, walk in His purpose, and on our worst day, we can know God will cause our boat to float.

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit
Philippians 4:23
graceforyourspirit.blogspot.com

Monday, March 8, 2010

Grace for your spirit March 8, 2010

Grace for your spirit
But according to His promise we are looking for new heavens and a new earth, in which righteousness dwells. Therefore, beloved, since you look for these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, spotless and blameless. II Peter 3:13-14
Does a hope of a eternal home in heaven change the way we live? If we are making plans to spend an eternity with God, does it help us make key decisions in life? The Scripture tells us that when we have such a hope, we purify ourselves and treat each other better too. We also prepare to be found by Jesus in the way that would please Him. Is anyone aware of the preparations we are making to live where righteousness dwells? At our funeral, when the preacher talks about our new dwelling place in heaven, will our family and friends be puzzled? Most people make preparations for a long trip in this world, and talk about it a lot. If we are planning to be in heaven eternally, it should change our plans, our conversations, and our lives for the better. Let's all fix our hope on that today.


The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit
Philippians 4:23
graceforyourspirit.blogspot.com

Friday, March 5, 2010

Grace for your spirit March 5, 2010

Grace for your spirit
As He was getting into the boat, the man who had been demon-possessed was imploring Him that he might accompany Him. And He did not let him, but He said to him, "Go home to your people and report to them what great things the Lord has done for you, and how He had mercy on you." Mark 5:18-19
The man who had his life saved by Jesus, now clothed and in his right mind, wanted to go with Jesus and the apostles. Jesus said no, and gave him a different challenge. A challenge to go home and tell his story. Why, do you suppose? This man, from the east side of Galilee, may not have been readily accepted in the places where Jesus was heading. It might have discouraged him. This man, who was already "leaps and bounds" ahead of the apostles in faith and works, may have been hampered by their very presence. This man, could now go where none of the other apostles could go and be accepted. Like this man, let's all ask God which way He wants us to go, and heed His direction. It may not be the way we wanted to go in the first place, but let's trust God who knows best.


The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit
Philippians 4:23
graceforyourspirit.blogspot.com

Thursday, March 4, 2010

Grace for your spirit March 4, 2010

Grace for your spirit
For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren; and these whom

He predestined, He also called; and these whom He called, He also justified; and these whom He justified, He also glorified. Romans 8:29-30
Do we like to be surprised about the end of things we experience? We ask people not to tell us how the movie ends? We don't want to ruin it. We don't want to hear the score of the big game so we can enjoy it later with the outcome in suspense. How about our eternal life? Do we want to wake up on the judgment day and be surprised? God has prepared a path for us to walk on that will help us eliminate surprises at the end. First, we are conformed to the image of His Son, when we are called to walk on the path He has prepared. On the path, we are justified by the blood of Jesus, and with Jesus as our Lord, God brings us to glory. The way to walk has been planned ahead of time. Whether we walk on it, is up to us. If we walk in the footsteps of Jesus, yield to His justification, there will be no surprises at the gates of glory.


The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit
Philippians 4:23
graceforyourspirit.blogspot.com

Wednesday, March 3, 2010

Grace for your spirit March 3, 2010

Grace for your spirit
When we are slandered, we try to conciliate; we have become as the scum of the world, the dregs of all things, even until now. I Corinthians 4:13
How much respect do we demand in our Christians walk? Are we willing to look foolish at times, look weak, live without honor? Can we stand people slandering us for our decision to be His disciple? When we choose to walk in the path of Jesus, many will consider us the scum of the earth too. Jesus was slandered, but He didn't demand His rights of respect. When Joseph was slandered and falsely accused in Egypt, he went to prison. He lived in the shadow of slander, but trusted in the Lord and was blessed. Many followers of God have spent their lives being treated badly. What was Paul's answer to slander? He answered kindly, and used his kind answer as a bridge to testify of His salvation in Christ. Let's not be offended, or be offensive. Let's go on the offense with Jesus.

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit
Philippians 4:23
graceforyourspirit.blogspot.com

Tuesday, March 2, 2010

Grace for your spirit March 2, 2010

Grace for your spirit
Therefore consider the members of your earthly body as dead to immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed, which amounts to idolatry. Colossians 3:5
A living will is a statement of your wishes in case you are dying. If you are dying, do you wish to be resuscitated? Do you wish extraordinary measures to sustain your life? It helps your family make the difficult decisions in case of emergency. It is only natural in most cases to wish to keep you alive and bring you back. As Christians, we need to have a living will about our lives of sin. Christ has called us to die to sin, be buried in baptism, and arise to walk in newness of life. We need to be dead to all the evil desires of the flesh. Often our family and friends will apply extraordinary measures to bring us back from the dead. Part of our testimony of life in Christ, needs to be a living will. When I'm dead to worldliness, I will be alive in Christ. Don't try to resuscitate me back into my sinful ways.

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit
Philippians 4:23
graceforyourspirit.blogspot.com

Monday, March 1, 2010

Grace for your spirit March 1, 2010

Grace for your spirit
And He came to the disciples and found them sleeping, and said to Peter, "So, you men could not keep watch with Me for one hour? "Keep watching and praying that you may not enter into temptation; the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak." Mt 26:40-41
It was crunch time for Jesus. The enemy was about to arrest Him in the garden, and He was spending time in prayer. He asked His closest apostles to keep watch and pray. They didn't understand the urgency of the hour, and dozed off at their watch. The things Jesus was asking of them now, was the least of the challenges they would face in the coming days. If they couldn't watch and pray now, how would they react at the time of His death? How about us? Can we stay awake for an hour in the service of the Lord? Jesus asks us to be aware of the critical time we live in and stay alert. There is very little we couldn't accomplish if we could stay focused on His mission. The flesh is always going to be weak, but if the Spirit is weak we are in deep trouble. May we all rekindle the Spirit living in us, so we will not enter into temptation. Let's keep watching and praying.


The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit
Philippians 4:23
graceforyourspirit.blogspot.com