Friday, April 30, 2010

Grace for your spirit April 30, 2010

Grace for your spirit
Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.
But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven Matt 6:19-20

A Christian counselor asked a troubled couple to bring in their bank and credit card statements. He wanted to see where their treasures were going. It is often true that we can tell much about our lives by the way we use our money. When Jesus invited many to the great supper, some could not come because of their possessions, pursuits, and their personal relationships. God's Word tells us that true happiness is in sharing with others. Do our financial records show a pattern of storing up our treasures for ourselves, or using the blessings God has given us to enrich the lives of others? When our treasures are all on earth, they can easily become our idols, and cause us lots of trouble. Invest in the Lord.

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

Thursday, April 29, 2010

Grace for your spirit April 29, 2010

Grace for your spirit
If then you regard me a partner, accept him as you would me. Philemon 17

The Apostle Paul had a big challenge for Philemon. Philemon's slave had stolen from him, and ran away. Later, that slave named Onesimus met Paul in Rome and became a Christian. Paul felt it was right for the runaway slave, now a Christian, to return to his owner and make things right with him. What kind of reception would he receive when he returned? Not as Master to slave, or crook to authority, but now Christian brother to Christian brother. Christian brother to church leader. Forgiveness and acceptance can be a challenge when it is this personal. Paul makes it very personal when he challenged him to accept Onesimus as he would accept the Apostle himself. How about us? Are we willing to accept our worst enemy as we would our best Christian friend and brother? Could we seek their welfare, bear their burdens, and believe the best for them equally? Well, that is exactly what God calls us to do. Let's do it. Our other brothers and sisters are watching.

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

Wednesday, April 28, 2010

Grace for your spirit April 28, 2010

Grace for your spirit
For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, Romans 1:18

Should we be looking over our shoulder to see if the wrath of God is close to us? Do we find ourselves suppressing the truth of God, so we can live like we want to live? When we know the right thing to do and don't do it, to us it is sin. When we know we need to come to Christ in order to be saved from the wrath of God, but decide to forget about it, we continue to live in unrighteousness and ungodliness. Through the blood of Jesus, we can be saved form the wrath of God. It is available to everyone, except those who suppress that truth to be unrighteous. May we be seekers of truth and lovers of righteousness. Facing the wrath of God alone is far more than any of us can stand.

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

Tuesday, April 27, 2010

Grace for your spirit April 27, 2010

Grace for your spirit
The Spirit and the bride say, "Come " And let the one who hears say, "Come " And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who wishes take the water of life without cost. Revelation 22:17

The River of Life was the great blessing in the Garden of Eden. When Adam and Eve were barred from the garden they were barred from that river. That river reappears in heaven as the blessing of eternal life. In between the Garden in Eden and the garden in heaven, water is often used as a source of blessings and the lack of it as a curse. Have you ever noticed all the hymns we sing related to water? The human body needs water, and the eternal soul needs the living water of God. God wants everyone to taste of His eternal water and live with Him eternally. Here at the end of the Bible, His Spirit calls us all to come. His bride, the church, calls on everyone to come. The ones who have heard say come. All the calling is for the thirsty to come to the river of God and enjoy the refreshment of eternal life freely. If we miss the call, we will be mighty thirsty for eternity.

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

Monday, April 26, 2010

Grace for your spirit April 26, 2010

Grace for your spirit
For My people have committed two evils: They have forsaken Me,the fountain of living waters, to hew for themselves cisterns, broken cisterns,that can hold no water. Jeremiah 2:13

Have you ever noticed how many times in the Bible that God uses water as a picture of blessings and curses? Jeremiah was a prophet in Judah to people who had rejected God and were in deep trouble. God had the living waters to bless them, but they had cut themselves off from those blessings. They rationalized that they could sustain themselves, but they were mistaken. The things they were counting on would not be there when they needed them. The cistern of blessings they thought they had, could not and would not hold water. When their lives dried up, they would not have anything, and God would be far away as well. Have we committed those evils? When we think we don't need God, and think we can handle it ourselves, we have those two evils. Let's not wait until we are dying of thirst, to keep our fountains from God flowing freely.

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

Friday, April 23, 2010

Grace for your spirit April 23, 2010

Grace for your spirit
Therefore encourage one another and build up one another, just as you also are doing. I Thessalonians 5:11

The next time we are reading the New Testament, notice how many times we see the words, "one another". The focus of Christ's church is "one another". Love, greet, encourage, admonish, forgive, be kind, honor, prefer, receive, salute, stimulate,and be of the same mind to one another. The list goes on and on. Activities of the church are not just about me. They should be focused on me helping others. Too many of us ask, "what do I like", or what's in it for me"? We should be asking, "how can I help others, or what's in it for them"? Some things like Bible classes, evening worship, pitch in dinners, serving the weak, and reaching the lost, may not be for us. Let's look at those things again. Is there anyone we can help if we make the effort for them?

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

Thursday, April 22, 2010

Grace for your spirit April 22, 2010

Grace for your spirit
These are the men who are hidden reefs in your love feasts when they feast with you without fear, caring for themselves;clouds without water, carried along by winds; autumn trees without fruit, doubly dead, uprooted; Jude 12

Reefs are hidden rocks or coral, that are just below the surface of the ocean. Although they are often unseen, they can sink a boat, or cut your skin when not avoided. The book of Jude reminds us of the many ways people fall away from the Lord. Worldly people, disguised as prophets slide in just under the surface often unnoticed. They are the hidden reefs that sink our ships of faith. The book calls for faithfulness, vigilance, and strength to overcome, so we will not become a faith fatality. The devil will never let up. We can't let up either. Let's stay alert, and build ourselves up in the faith each day.

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

Wednesday, April 21, 2010

Grace for your spirit April 21, 2010

Grace for your spirit
Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. Colossians 3:23-24

Many of the letters in the New Testament deal directly with our personal behavior. It is not enough to be a Christian on Sunday in worship service. God wants us to take the behavior home with us and with us when we go to work. When I first starting walking in the path of Jesus, I had a specific problem with a tyrant boss. I was tempted to be in rebellion against his authority, and not do my best for him. I found it necessary to post this verse in my briefcase so I could read it the first thing each day. We may feel like a slaves today, with the temptation to rebel. When we do, let's put these verses before us, to help us remember that our real boss is the Lord. He'll give us grace to do right.

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

Tuesday, April 20, 2010

Grace for your spirit April 20, 2010

Grace for your spirit
But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed. Isaiah 53:5

The prophet Isaiah spoke about the sacrifice of Jesus 700 years before the cross, as though it had already occurred. In fact, God always knew our transgressions, our sins, our need for peace, and the wounds that needed healed. The abuse that Jesus suffered for us was necessary for Him to bear our sins, give us His righteousness, and heal us. With every whip, every slap, every punch, every nail, and every sword, He was meeting our needs. Since God knew from before the foundation of the world that we would need His righteousness, He also knows our needs for tomorrow. Through the sacrifice of Jesus, God credits righteousness to us even before we sin. Thanks be to God for such a great gift of grace.

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

Monday, April 19, 2010

Grace for your spirit April 19, 2010

Grace for your spirit

Since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, each of us is to exercise them accordingly: if prophecy, according to the proportion of his faith; if service, in his serving; or he who teaches, in his teaching or he who exhorts, in his exhortation; he who gives, withliberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness. Romans 12:6-8

I just double checked. Criticism is not a gift of grace. It takes no special skill to destroy. If I am going to tear down a building, unskilled labor can wreck it. When I want to build a new one, I want people who know a building trade. God has given all his children building trades of grace. Grace to speak, serve, teach, exhort, give, lead, and show mercy. When we exercise those building trades of grace, the body will be built and souls will be strengthened. If you feel you have the gifts of destruction, discouragement, and discord, bury them in the depths of the sea. They are from the devil, not the Lord.

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit

Philippians 4:23

graceforyourspirit.blogspot.com

Friday, April 16, 2010

Grace for your spirit April 16, 2010

Grace for your spirit
Don't call me Naomi, " she told them. "Call me Mara, because the Almighty has made my life very bitter. Ruth 1:20

Naomi had just returned to Judah from Moab. It had been a bad trip. Her only two sons died there, and now a daughter in law named Ruth had returned with her. They had no visible means of support nor any prospects. In her tribulation, Naomi chose a path of righteous living for her and Ruth over other ungodly options. She was repaid richly for her faithfulness. A kinsman redeemer blessed her life, married Ruth, and produced a child that would begin the family of King David. As they placed the child in her lap, the women said to Naomi, "Blessed is the Lord who has not left you without a redeemer today." Ruth and this child would bless her in her old age. Naomi took the "high road". God has provided a redeemer for us too in Jesus. It is the only right road for us for true blessings.

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

Thursday, April 15, 2010

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

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
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
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

Grace for your spirit April 15, 2010

Grace for your spirit
For the love of money is a root of all sorts of evil, and some by longing for it have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.

For the past sixty years, the song, "I want money", has been recorded in almost every genre. Maybe you've heard it somewhere. It goes like this:
The best things in life are free, but you can keep 'em for the birds and bees. Now give me money.
Your lovin' give me such a thrill, but your lovin' don't pay my bills. I want money.
Money don't get everything it's true. What it don't get I cannot use. I want money
Money, money, money, gimme money, that's what I want.
That kind of focus on money can be very destructive. Most everything we do in life is about being successful and having more money. No wonder our spiritual lives are filled with ruin and destruction. We can make a living with money, but we make a life with God.

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

Wednesday, April 14, 2010

Grace for your spirit April 14, 2010

Grace for your spirit

Professing to be wise, they became fools. And exchanged the glory of the incorruptible God for an image in the form of corruptible man, and of birds, and four-footed animals, and crawling creatures. Roman 1:22-23

When man claims that he does not know God, it is for his own convenience. If men acknowledge God, then they must be subject to His power and direction. This is something men don't want to do. They want their god to be convenient. Man's favorite god is himself. When a man makes himself god, then he thinks he is in totally in control of his destiny. He thinks he is wise, when actually he is a fool. This is the birth of humanism. Humanism is not made up of nice guys who like others. Humanism is a religion where we are the centers of our own righteousness. Everything we do it inherently right in our eyes, because we are god. These thoughts put us on a slippery slope where there is no restrictions on our sins, and we move farther and farther from God. We must trust in God. Denying Him can only bring ruin in our lives.

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit

Philippians 4:23

graceforyourspirit.blogspot.com

Tuesday, April 13, 2010

Barry Wright Baptism

One day I invited a man to our worship. He was amazed that we didn't sing with instruments and immediately offered to buy us a organ. He had never even heard the term a cappella. Later at a local restaurant, he continued to give me a hard time about it. As he talked, a voice broke in from across the restaurant. This man said he went to an a cappella church. I introduced myself to him and we became acquainted. Later, I visited him in the hospital and he expressed interest in studying the Bible and being baptized. After being baptized and worshiping with us, he met a Christian girl and they have been married. Through these relationship, his brother began attending. This man also requested Bible study and baptism. Last night, he was baptised with with ten of his family present. It was his birthday and his New Birth day. Praise the Lord. All this started with criticism in a public restaurant. Criticize me some more.

Grace for your spirit April 13, 2010

Grace for your spirit

I am under obligation both to Greeks and to barbarians, both to the wise and to the foolish. So, for my part, I am eager to preach the gospel to you also who are in Rome. Romans 1:14-15

The Apostle Paul starts his defense of the gospel to the Romans with an entirely new concept. He is ready to teach the good news without boundaries. His path would not be just to Jews, but wherever the Spirit led him. He would not stop with barbarians, Greeks, or even the tyrants in Rome. He would become wise to the wise and foolish to the foolish, that he might lead others to Christ. His position was extremely unpopular with everyone. It was a totally new concept to feel obligated to go into the whole world, and preach to every creature. Have we put limitations on the kind of people we want in our church? Do we show partiality? Have we "red lined" our city to stay away from the wrong kind of people? If so, we have missed the mind of Paul, and the mind of Christ. Let's go with the same obligation. Go ye, does mean, go me.

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit

Philippians 4:23

graceforyourspirit.blogspot.com

Monday, April 12, 2010

Grace for your spirit April 12, 2010

Grace for your spirit
For you were formerly darkness, but now you are Light in the Lord; walk as children of Light Ephesians 5:8

As a kid, I was taken to Chicago to see a Cinerama movie. It was so cool. Nothing like the crummy theaters in our town. An usher with a fancy uniform looked at your ticket, and led you to your seat. Holding a flashlight, he lit the way and showed us the way to our reserved seats. He would shine the light on the floor and tell us to watch our step. As Christians, we are ushers in the kingdom of God. We have come out of the darkness and into the light, and we can show others the way to their places. We all can be seated in heavenly places, but it is easier if there is someone to light our way to the true light. Jesus encouraged us to let our light shine before men. It is the way we glorify our Father in heaven.

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

Friday, April 9, 2010

Grace for your spirit April 9, 2010

Grace for your spirit
When they came back from the tomb, they told all these things to the Eleven and to all the others. It was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the others with them who told this to the apostles. Lk 24:9-10

While most of the disciples were at home watching and waiting on that resurrection morning, there were some people who were working. The women were at the tomb to render service to their Lord. Because they were there, they got to run with the good news of the resurrection of Christ, they heard from angels, and they got to see Jesus. Those who were waiting at home, missed all these blessings. The same is true in the church today. When we will work and serve as directed, we will be blessed with great insights. Too many people are sitting, waiting for a blessing. Others are watching to make sure no one does anything wrong. Let's be the workers for the Lord, not shirkers . We will be blessed.

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

Thursday, April 8, 2010

Grace for your spirit April 8, 2010

Grace for your spirit
He has no stately form or majesty, that we should look upon Him, nor appearance that we should be attracted to Him. He was despised and forsaken of men, A man of sorrows and acquainted with grief; And like one from whom men hide their face He was despised, and we did not esteem Him. Isaiah 53:2-3

This was the portrait that the Messianic prophet Isaiah, painted for us 700 years before Jesus walked the earth. When we think about what Jesus looked like, we are usually drawn to the traditional portrait painted by men. He was painted the way men would have liked Him to look. Tall, dark, and handsome. In reality, the beauty of Jesus was in His spirit. He was easy to reject and abuse by the world, because He did not have a "winning appearance." He wanted to win the souls of men by the things that He suffered, and by the Spirit that was in Him. He was the true picture of a suffering savior, not a majestic king. We do not find our way into His kingdom on our looks, but only by His Spirit.

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

Wednesday, April 7, 2010

Grace for your spirit April 7, 2010

Grace for your spirit
Dealing out retribution to those who do not know God and to those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. These will pay the penalty of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power, II Thes 1:8-9

Most people who live in rebellion against God, try to minimize the predictions of a coming judgment day. They try to deny that there will be a day of God's revenge. Even to the point of denying that there is a hell, and if there is, it won't be that bad and won't be that long. What does the Bible say? Yes there will be a day. Yes those who don't know God, and don't obey the gospel, will pay the penalty of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord. Penalty, eternal, destruction, away from God. Those things add up to a sad forever. Let's know God and obey His gospel today, and spread that news to everyone. We all still have a chance.

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

Tuesday, April 6, 2010

Grace for your spirit April 6, 2010

Grace for your spirit
But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh in regard to its lusts. Romans 13:14

When we put on Christ, we take on being a new man of the Spirit. Part of the new man requires that we lay aside our old man of the flesh. Too many times, we take off the old man, put let that man hang around, just in case we want him back. That is making a provision for the flesh. If we make a commitment to completely give us chocolate cake, would it make any sense to always have a big chocolate cake in our house? Would we have chocolate cake recipes on the refrigerator? Would we hang around with friends who always ate chocolate cake for every meal? If we did those things, our commitment to stay away from chocolate cake would be in deep trouble. When we make a commitment to leave the lusts of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the boastful pride of life, let's identify our weaknesses, and make NO provision for them. God's grace will provide the rest.

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

Monday, April 5, 2010

Grace for your spirit April 5, 2010

Grace for your spirit

So Jesus said to them, "Children, you do not have any fish, do you?" They answered Him, "No."And He said to them, "Cast the net on the right-hand side of the boat and you will find a catch." So they cast, and then they were not able to haul it in because of the great number of fish. John 21:5-6

When Jesus first called His apostles by the Sea of Galilee, they had been fishing all night, and had nothing. At His direction, they cast their nets and were overwhelmed. Then Jesus called them to be fishers of men. After Jesus went to the cross, some of His discouraged apostles went fishing again. Jesus needed to get them out of their boats and back into ministry. He used the same kind of miracle. At His direction, they were once again catching fish. The message Jesus wanted them to get was clear. There would be no success without His blessing, and their blessings would come fishing for men. They would soon leave their nets permanently, and spread the good news to the whole world. Have we been disappointed and returned to our old paths? Jesus wants us to realize that we will only be successful when we are walking with Him, and walking with Him, we will be fishers of men.

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit

Philippians 4:23

gracefpryourspirit.blogspot.com

Friday, April 2, 2010

Grace for your spirit April 2, 2010

Grace for your spirit

The angel said to the women, "Do not be afraid; for I know that you are looking for Jesus who has been crucified.He is not here, for He has risen, just as He said. Come, see the place where He was lying. Matthew 28:5-6

Christianity is the only religion with an empty tomb. All of the other so called great men, and religious leaders died and were buried. People visit their graves and pay homage to the leaders. Christians have no such grave to visit, because our Savior rose to join His Father in Heaven. A thousand years before Christ, King David wrote Psalms about not being abandoned in the grave. The people thought he was talking about himself. In the first gospel sermon on Pentecost, Peter told them to look at David's tomb, and note that his body was still there. David's prophecy was talking about Jesus. It was God's plan for Jesus to rise, and He did. Praise the Lord. In His resurrection, death died for Him, and for us. We can now live with Him forever. Let's serve our risen Savior and worship Him.

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit

Philippians 4:23

graceforyourspirit.blogspot.com

Thursday, April 1, 2010

Grace for your spirit April 1, 2010

Grace for your spirit
The fool has said in his heart, "There is no God " Psalm 14:1

God's Word has a lot to say about what a fool is, and what a fool does. Jesus warned us in the Sermon on the Mount to never call anyone a fool, because we never know all the facts, and their trial is not over yet. However, when God calls you a fool, you really are one. There are many attributes God applies to the fool. Fools despise wisdom, reject discipline, lose their temper, talk too much, and alway think they are wise. When anyone pledges to be an atheist, denying the existence of God, exchanging the truth of God for a lie, then they are the biggest fools of all. Atheism is a religion with a true holiday. April Fool's Day. I hope you don't celebrate.

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