Friday, May 28, 2010

Grace for your spirit May 28, 2010

Grace for your spirit
But in the morning, when the wine had gone out of Nabal, his wife told him these things, and his heart died within him so that he became as a stone. I Sam 25:37

Nabal was a man who was harsh and evil in all his dealings. His own wife considered him to be worthless and a man of folly. Although he was greatly blessed with riches and a beautiful wife, he had a emotional and spiritual heart of stone. He refused to help others in need. When he rejected the needs of David, his whole household was almost wiped out. The news of what his heart of stone almost cost him, frightened him so badly, his physical heart died, and became as a stone too. His story ends with two dead hearts. A dead spiritual heart and a dead physical heart. Let's work to keep both hearts healthy, and live a good life of joy and helpfulness.

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

Thursday, May 27, 2010

Grace for your spirit May 27, 2010

Grace for your spirit I am sending you to them who are stubborn and obstinate children, and you shall say to them, 'Thus says the Lord GOD.' As for them, whether they listen or not--for they are a rebellious house--they will know that a prophet has been among them. Ezek 2:4-5

Unfortunately, this is the commission for nearly every worker for the Lord. We are sent to people who should listen and obey, but they will not. Often, they pretend to stand up and obey, but inside they are still living the rebellious life. When only the exterior complies, and the heart is still rebellious, sin is the result. A mother was trying to get her little boy to sit down. She yelled at him repeated and finally whipped him into compliance. As he sat beside her, the little boy was heard to say, "I may be sitting on the outside, but I'm still standing on the inside." What are we doing on the inside? Is it for us, or for our Master?

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit

Philippians 4:23

graceforyourspirit.blogspot.com

Wednesday, May 26, 2010

Grace for your spirit May 26, 2010

Grace for your spirit
Because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying, "Abba! Father!" Galatians 4:6

When Jesus was struggling in the garden before His crucifixion, He cried out to God, saying, "Abba Father". When Paul wanted us to know the personal relationship with God through our adoption as sons, he gave us the right to cry out "Abba Father". Abba is name used to exhibit a very personal relationship. Someone has said, "Anyone can Father a child, but it takes someone special to be a Daddy." The name Abba carries the emotion of Daddy. It is a close loving relationship. We don't have to call on a Father we hardly know. We can appeal to a loving Father who loves us. Let's call more often.

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

Tuesday, May 25, 2010

Grace for your spirit May 25, 2010

Grace for your spirit And let us consider how to stimulate one another to love andgood deeds, 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 10:24-25

The gathering together of the Lord's church is designed to build each other up. Finding new ways to stimulate, and encourage others. When churches fail to make this their goal, and only want to only please themselves, disagreements and fights are often the result. Surprise! Some people don't come to the services to fight. They come to worship and be edified. If I visited your house, and you and your spouse got into a fight, when you looked for me, I'd be gone. As the "little ones" observe our fights, they will be gone too. Let's stop the disagreemenst and stop the drain of those searching for love and encouragement.

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit

Philippians 4:23

graceforyourspirit.blogspot.com

Monday, May 24, 2010

Grace for your spirit May 24, 2010

Grace for your spirit
I will set no worthless thing before my eyes; I hate the work of those who fall away; It shall not fasten its grip on me. Psalm 101:3

The Psalmist is encouraging himself and all of us to live a holy life. The world around us seeks to bring us down, and cause us to lose our commitment to the Lord. It takes focus all the time. He commits to sing, give heed to the blameless way, walk with integrity, and keep his eyes off worthless things. He further commits to stay away from the grip of those who fall away. This is a full time effort. We have plenty of opportunities to set worthless things before our eyes today. While we watch worthless things, it robs us of the effort to walk in the way of the Lord. Let's keep the worthy things of God before our eyes. The rest will take us down.

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

Friday, May 21, 2010

Grace for your spirit May 21, 2010

Grace for your spirit
Now as they observed the confidence of Peter and John and understood that they were uneducated and untrained men, they were amazed, and began to recognize them as having been with Jesus. Acts 4:13

Jesus did not select His apostles from the "upper crust" of society, or from the halls of education. He chose fisherman and tax collectors, who would exhibit a humble spirit like Himself. He chose men who could humble themselves until exalted by the Master. Those who heard the apostles preach knew they didn't have the credentials or the background, but their power of wisdom and knowledge could not be denied. The masses realized that they must have been with Jesus. Their powerful teaching led people to Jesus, just like He wanted. We shouldn't try to escape service and ministry due to our ignorance and lack of training. We are just the people Jesus is looking for today.

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

Thursday, May 20, 2010

Grace for your spirit May 20, 2010

Grace for your spirit
I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Mt 28:20
He is able to save forever those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them Hebrews 7:25

Semper Fidelis is Latin meaning "always faithful". It has been used by many organizations throughout the centuries, most notably, the United States Marines Corps. Often the phrase is reduced to "Semper Fi". Of all the organizations that have used the term, the one who hasn't used it is God's family. No human organization can ever measure up to the faithfulness of Jesus. He is always faithful until the end of time. He is always able to come to our aid, and He is always able to meet our needs. May we pattern His church after His example. Let's commit to be faithful to Him, and faithful to our brethren, always Semper Fi.

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

Wednesday, May 19, 2010

Grace for your spirit May 19, 2010

Grace for your spirit This precious value, then, is for you who believe; but for those who disbelieve," The stone which the builders rejected, this became the very corner stone," and "A stone of stumbling and a rock of offense"; for they stumble because they are disobedient to the word, and to this doom they were also appointed. I Peter 2:7-8

When the apostles first preached of the resurrected Christ, they pictured him as the chief cornerstone of the kingdom. Every teaching began with building on the truth of Jesus Christ, for the building to stand. It was long prophecied that many would reject the building of the kingdom on Jesus. Some would set aside the precious stone of God, not believing in Him. The reality came to be that we must either build on the chief cornerstone, or stumble over it. Generations have had to make that choice. When we fail to believe in Jesus as Lord and Savior, we are destined to fall over Him and be doomed. When we create our own stone, our building will fall.

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit

Philippians 4:23

graceforyourspirit.blogspot.com

Tuesday, May 18, 2010

Grace for your spirit May 18, 2010

Grace for your spirit
You husbands in the same way, live with your wives in an understanding way, as with someone weaker, since she is a woman; and show her honor as a fellow heir of the grace of life, so that your prayers will not be hindered. I Peter 3:7

In the preceding verses, God directed women to be submissive, to live a life of chaste and respectful behavior, to develop a hidden quality that would be pleasing to God, and do right without being frightened by an fear. Many women object to such direction and wonder, what about the men? Here it is: Men are directed to do everything in the same way, plus live with women in an understanding way, and honor our women as fellow heirs of the grace of life. When men fail to do this, their prayers will be hindered. Men, have your prayers lost their power? Look around the house, and double check your submission. In the first century, when God first called all people into submission, it was the men that had the biggest adjustment, not the women. Today it seems like everyone chokes on humility.

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

Monday, May 17, 2010

Grace for your spirit May 17, 2010

Grace for your spirit
just as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord, and you have become her children if you do what is right without being frightened by any fear. I Peter 3:6

We all need positive role models and mentors to guide us through the troubled waters of life. Sarah is one good example. She is referred to 56 times in the Bible for our guidance. She was not afraid to obey her husband, and suffer hardship to complete the will of God in her life. She left her happy home at age 65 to follow her husband's dream revealed to him by God. Through her faith and trust, she became the mother of Isaac, and started the family of promise. She did it by doing right, without being frightened by any fear. What great things does God have planned for us? If we are always afraid, we may never know. If we are afraid to submit, to trust, and to walk after the His Spirit, the devil will help us do the wrong things. Let's find out what is right, make a renewed commitment to do right, and not be frightened by any fear.

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

Friday, May 14, 2010

Grace for your spirit May 14, 2010

Grace for your spirit
Yet you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow. You are just a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away. James 4:14

There is a theory called, "The Butterfly Theory", that supposes that a butterfly continually flapping its wings on one side of the world, can be the cause of a tornado on the other side of the world. It examines how insignificant things can have great effects. God's Word encourages us not to be boastful about how important we are, and what we will accomplish by ourselves. In fact, our life in just a little bit of steam, that appears for a little while and then fades. However, when we combine our life with what the Lord wills for us, our steam can really make a positive difference. Water boils and creates steam at 212 degrees. When the water is 211 degrees, it is just hot water. One degree makes all the difference. Let's not leave a legacy of just being in hot water. Let's create some steam with the Lord to change the world around us today.

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

Thursday, May 13, 2010

Grace for your spirit May, 13 2010

Grace for your spirit
Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the earth forthree years and six months. James 5:17

Elijah the prophet had a nature like ours? Is this the Elijah that called down fire on Mt. Carmel? Is this the Spirit of Elijah Jesus was talking about living in John the Baptist? Is this the Elijah that appeared on the Mount of Transfiguration with Jesus and Moses? How could he have a nature just like ours? We usually remember Elijah's mountaintop victories, but we forget he was sometimes afraid and depressed. Under the juniper tree and seeking for God on Mt Horeb, we see the fragile nature we can identify with today. Like us, he had his down days. Unlike us, he connected with God with prayer and turned the world upside down. We have bad days, but with prayer we can certainly change our lives, and the lives of others.

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

Wednesday, May 12, 2010

Grace for your spirit May 12, 2010

Grace for your spirit

For I have no one else of kindred spirit who will genuinely be concerned for your welfare. For they all seek after their own interests, not those of Christ Jesus. But you know of his proven worth, that he served with me in the furtherance of the gospel like a child serving his father. Phil 2:20-22

This was Paul's description of Timothy. He was a kindred spirit with Paul, and with the disciples of Christ wherever he went. He served in the gospel as a child serves his father. Paul and Timothy were not physically related, but the were related in the spirit of Jesus. Paul referred to Timothy as his child in the faith. When Timothy arrived, it would be like having Paul with them, indeed, it would be like the visit with the Spirit of Jesus. I can imagine that Timothy looked for such a kindred spirit for himself in his travels. He hoped he could find a child in the faith to trust in the furtherance of the gospel. We need to be such a child, and we need to be searching for another to be a kindred spirit for tomorrow.

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit

Philippians 4:23

graceforyourspirit.blogspot.com

Tuesday, May 11, 2010

Grace for your spirit May 11,, 2010

Grace for your spirit
Never pay back evil for evil to anyone. Respect what is right in the sight of all men.If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men. Romans 12:17-18

This is a subject that was never taught where I went to school. The most consistent events at our high school were the fights that took place over behind the Methodist church at 3:30. You would be taunted all day, until you agreed to fight. We are still unlikely to learn to not get even, not to take revenge, and not return evil for evil today. The world teaches to get even and pay back. When we pay back evil for evil, we become evil. When we don't respect what is right, we are wrong. When we won't live at peace, it leads to revenge, and revenge only belongs to God, not us. If we don't overcome evil, it will overcome us. As Barney would say to Andy, "We've got to nip it Andy. Nip it in the bud" The whole chapter of Romans 12, give us the "nip it" formula. Read it.

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

Monday, May 10, 2010

Grace for your spirit May 10, 2010

Grace for your spirit
Now I want you to know, brethren, that my circumstances have turned out for the greater progress of the gospel, so that my imprisonment in the cause of Christ has become well known throughout the whole praetorian guard and to everyone else, Philippians 1:12-13

Talk about "blooming where you're planted". The Apostle wrote this letter from his imprisonment in Rome. He reported that the progress of the gospel was great. What a mission field. Even the guards loved it. In fact, at the end of the letter, Paul sends a greeting from all the saints in Caesar's household. Would our letter from Jail sound anything like this? Usually we spend our time thinking about what we would do for the cause of Christ if we could be anywhere but where we are now. God may have placed all of us where we are, to do our best work for Him. Let's quit wishing we are somewhere else, doing something else, and start serving Him right where we are today. Plant God's seed in good soil, add grace, and bloom.

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

Friday, May 7, 2010

Grace for your spirit May 7, 2010

Grace for your spirit
She made a vow and said, "O LORD of hosts, if You will indeed look on the affliction of Your maidservant and remember me, and not forget Your maidservant, but will give Your maidservant a son, then I will give him to the LORD all the days of his life, and a razor shall never come on his head." I Samuel 1:11

In one of the darkest periods of Israel's history, God was already working on a solution. With no righteous leaders, Israel had ran away from God. There was a woman name Hannah who was in distress because she had no children. She made this vow to God for a child if the Lord would bless her. The results of that vow was a child named Samuel, who became the greatest judge in the history of Israel. He led his people back to the Lord. It began with the faithfulness of one woman. What commitments are we willing to make today for the Lord? We don't know what the long reaching results will be, but God can make it work for good when we love Him and are called according to His purpose.

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

Thursday, May 6, 2010

Grace for your spirit May 6, 2010, 2010

Grace for your spirit
You see and hear that not only in Ephesus, but in almost all of Asia, this Paul has persuaded and turned away a considerable number of people, saying that gods made with hands are no gods at all. "Not only is there danger that this trade of ours fall into disrepute, but also that the temple of the great goddess Artemis be regarded as worthless and that she whom all of Asia and the world worship will even be dethroned from her magnificence." Acts 19:26-27

What was the real issue with Paul's preaching against idolatry? Were they concerned that the idols they made weren't really gods at all? Were they worried that the temple and goddess of their city would be dethroned? Or was in really about their real god, money? The goddess Artemis brought visitors to town by the truckloads, and everyone wanted a little idol to take home with them. This had made the silversmith's union very wealthy. The domino effect would be a tragedy for their income, the income of other trades, and the Ephesian Chamber of Commerce. They hoped the commotion would turn the tide against the gospel, and run Paul out of town. Often we can become involved in idolatry today without realizing it. When our little gods are threatened by the truth of Jesus, how do we react? Is our treasure in gods, or in The God of Heaven?

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

Wednesday, May 5, 2010

Grace for your spirit May 5, 2010

Grace for your spirit
When the righteous increase, the people rejoice, But when a wicked man rules, people groan. Proverbs 29:2

Deep down inside most people want to do the right thing, and want to be around people who do right. We enjoy associating with honest, truthful, hardworking, helpful people. It makes life more enjoyable and there is rejoicing. We enjoy leaders in the country, the home, and the church that lead consistent lives. It makes us happy. In any setting when we are ruled by wicked men, life becomes a groan. May we pray that God will give us righteous leadesr in our world, our homes, and our church. May we support those who are right, and strive to be right ourselves when that leadership falls to us. Life is a lot more fun when we are rejoicing rather than groaning.

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

Tuesday, May 4, 2010

Grace for your spirit May 4, 2010

Grace for your spirit
And I came to Jerusalem and learned about the evil that Eliashib had done for Tobiah, by preparing a room for him in the courts of the house of God. Nehemiah 13:7

When Nehemiah returned to Jerusalem to rebuilt the walls and the city, he was confronted by enemies that didn't want to see the city rebuilt. One of the foremost enemies was Tobiah the Ammonite. He and all the Ammonites had been specifically excluded from the assembly of God. Unfortunately, Eliashib the priest was related to Tobiah, and while Nehemiah was away, Eliashib prepared a place for him in the house of God. When Nehemiah returned, he found that family relationships had trumped the directions from God. How often we see this in the church today?We have the Word of God on one hand, and the pressures of our worldly family and friends on the other hand. Which will we choose? Because we often make the wrong choices, we need spiritual leaders to help us remember and do the right things.

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

Monday, May 3, 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

Mother's Day Cookout
Everyone is welcome for our honor to all ladies on Sunday May 9th at noon

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

Grace for your spirit May 3, 2010

Grace for your spirit
The things which you have heard from me in the presence ofmany witnesses, entrust these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also. II Timothy 2:2

The next generation of teachers and leaders in the church must be nurtured and trained. It is unlikely they will just read the word and fill the need. We must model it, and walk with them. There is a cell phone commercial I saw recently that illustrates the importance of our decisions. A young man sees a woman on a train. He flashes forwarded to their son being inaugurated as President, then back to his birth, their wedding, and back to the present. He quickly changes his ticket, and gets on the train with her. That decision to change his ticket and ride with her, changed everything in his life. The decision that we make today to ride along with the next generation can change everything in our life, their lives, and the future of the Lord's church. Let's not just throw a Bible at them. Let's change our ticket and ride.

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