Tuesday, August 31, 2010

Grace for your spirit August 31, 2010

Grace for your spirit
And the jailer reported these words to Paul, saying, "The chief magistrates have sent to release you. Therefore come out now and go in peace." Acts 16:36

Did you ever notice? After the night of singing and praying in the prison, after the earthquake, after the doors of the jail fell off, after Paul and Silas taught and baptized the jailer and everyone else in his house, after the had enjoyed the fellowship together, Paul and Silas went back to jail. They were there the next day when the magistrates came to release them. Why did they go back? It was the right thing to do. Doing great things for God does not exempt us from meeting our responsibilities. Obeying God is not a "get out of jail free" card. Let commit to do the right thing always. God will take care of the rest.

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

Monday, August 30, 2010

Grace for your spirit August 30, 2010

Grace for your spirit And he, having received such a command, threw them into the inner prison and fastened their feet in the stocks.But about midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns of praise to God, and the prisoners were listening to them; Acts 16:24-25

Is there anyplace you have to go that will just ruin your day? Maybe to the doctor, or shopping at the mall, or to your relatives, or even to work? Paul and Silas were arrested on a mission of God, and dumped into prison. It could have ruined their day, if they hadn't turned it into a ministry. Their songs and prayers affected the other prisoners, and God shook the foundations of that prison. Their release led to the conversion of many. On our next "have to" trip, let's turn it into a ministry for Jesus. Who knows the changes we can make in ourselves and those around us. Let the singing and praying begin.

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit

Philippians 4:23

graceforyourspirit.blogspot.com

Friday, August 27, 2010

Grace for your spirit August 27, 2010

Grace for your spirit
And He Himself bore our sins in His body on the cross, so that we might die to sin and live to righteousness; for by His wounds you were healed. I Peter 2:24

The wages of sin is death and we all deserve to die for our sins. Jesus took our place and died for us. In baseball, when the player in the game is not good enough to bat, they bring in a pinch hitter. We are the ones in the game who are striking out. We need a pinch hitter to fill our position for us. Jesus is the perfect sacrifice, and He comes in to do what we cannot do. Thank God for the perfect pinch hitter who hit a home run and stays in the game for us.

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

Thursday, August 26, 2010

Grace for your spirit August 26, 2010

Grace for your spirit
Give, and it will be given to you. They will pour into your lap a good measure--pressed down, shaken together, and running over. For by your standard of measure it will be measured to you in return." Lk 6:38

When you open a can of coffee, it appears to be full. You can pressed the coffee down, shake it together, and then there is room for lots more coffee in that can. This is God's formula and promise to give us back more than we can ever bring to Him. Pick your container and fill it up. God will fill the same container with twice as much in it. Giving is not just about obeying commands, meeting needs or threats, When we rob God, we rob ourselves and break the cycle of return. Bring the biggest container you can find. You will never be disappointed.

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

Wednesday, August 25, 2010

Grace for your spirit August 25, 2010

Grace for your spirit
The next Sabbath nearly the whole city assembled to hear the word of the Lord.But when the Jews saw the crowds, they were filled with jealousy and began contradicting the things spoken by Paul, and were blaspheming. Acts 13:44-45

Paul and Barnabas caused quite a stir preaching the good news in the synagogue. The Jews were excited and begged them to return next week. They followed Paul urging him to continue in the grace of God. The news spread like wildfire, and the next week the place was packed. We would think the Jews would be excited, but it was just the opposite. They turned against Paul and turned against God. If it couldn't be all for them, they didn't want anyone to hear it. Could that attitude be present in our assembly? If our assembly was packed with neighborhood people next week, would we be excited or upset? Let's wake up. The gospel is for all.

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

Tuesday, August 24, 2010

Grace for your spirit August 24, 2010

Grace for your spirit
For thus says the LORD, 'When seventy years have been completed for Babylon, I will visit you and fulfill My good word to you, to bring you back to this place. 'For I know the plans that I have for you,' declares the LORD, 'plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope. Jeremiah 29:10-11

Most of us think we know what is best for us. We want the best and easiest path, and we want it right away. Often the best for us involves a difficult journey with trials and tribulations. God's people thought their captivity in Babylon was all wrong for them, but God had a plan. Babylon was God's way to help them and get them back on track. Like the whale for Jonah, is was more of a new opportunity than punishment. Let's not fight the chastening of the Lord. He has plans for our welfare too. He wants to give us a future and a hope. Go with Him.

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

Monday, August 23, 2010

Grace for your spirit August 23, 2010

Grace for your spirit
Now these were more noble-minded than those in Thessalonica, for they received the word with great eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see whether these things were so. Acts 17:11

Why should we study the Bible every day? We should have a curiosity about the things in the Bible and really want to know more about them. We should be preparing to teach people about God. The biggest and most important reason for daily study is, we really want to be living in God's will. None of us will ever be exempt from stumbling in the dark. We need His lamp at our feet and on our path. Bible study clears our mind, quiets our spirits, lights our way, and lets us center on what God wants us to do. Wouldn't it be great to be counted as noble-minded, and eager to see what God wants for us? Yes it would.

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

Friday, August 20, 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
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
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

Bowling Party
Saturday night, September 11th at 6:00 P.M. This is open to anyone and will be at the Landing Bowling Alley. This is located at 4th and Ft Harrison. Food and refreshments will be available from their restaurant.

Cannon Inn Program
On August 1st we began our Sunday worship program at this assisted living center. The worship service was aided with five of our members helping. We had about 25 residents attending. We were very pleased with our first service and hope the next on the first Sunday in September will be well received as well.

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 August 20,, 2010

Grace for your spirit
Teach me to do Your will,For You are my God; Let Your good Spirit lead me on level ground. Psalm 143:10

Have you ever been in trouble and needed some directions? What we really want is plain, authoritative, energetic, directions. If we are in a burning building, we want someone who knows the way to safety. Our life is a burning building on the way to eternal destruction without the right guidance. Jesus has the guidance for us. He not only knows the way, He is the way. Following Him, we will always be in the middle of God's will. His spirit will always lead me to safe and level ground. Thank you Lord for the directions You have left for us all.

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

Thursday, August 19, 2010

Grace for your spirit August 19, 2010

Grace for your spirit
For it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure. Philippians 2:13

God has a special way to work in all of us to do His will. He gives us our gifts and send them with a instruction manual which is the Bible. We should never assume we know how He works in us, and what He has for us without learning the His will for us. My mom recently bought a new washer. She tossed the manual aside thinking she had ran a washer for years. This one was different, and she thought it was broken. The repair man came out and invited her to read the manual. God invites us to read His manual. It will uncover our gifts and the keys to putting them into action. Invite Him to work in us for His good pleasure.

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

Wednesday, August 18, 2010

Grace for your spirit August 18, 2010

Grace for your spirit
For whoever does the will of My Father who is in heaven, he is My brother and sister and mother." Matthew 12:50

What a great opportunity has been given to us by our Father in Heaven. We don't have to be slaves, or second class citizens, for He has a place for us at His table. We can be His children, His heirs, and fellow heirs with Jesus. When we obey God and do His will, we truly are part of the family of God. From today and throughout eternity, life can be one great family reunion. When we meet with our brothers and sisters in Christ next time, let's savor the special moments together with our brother Jesus. As the song says, "Oh what a foretaste of glory divine".

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

Tuesday, August 17, 2010

Grace for your spirit August 17, 2010

Grace for your spirit
A vision appeared to Paul in the night: a man of Macedonia was standing and appealing to him, and saying, "Come over to Macedonia and help us." Acts 16:9

When the apostle Paul started his trip he had a plan, but the Spirit of God had more in store for him. The Spirit led him a place to see a vision from Macedonia. Responding to this appeal, they journeyed into Europe and points west. Many churches were established and thousands were converted to the Lord. What doors of opportunity are opening for us today? Are we hearing our "Macedonia call" and responding? If we are sitting alone in our spiritual tower, we need to listen for the call of the needy around us. Let's follow the call of the lost, and the struggling brothers in churches. God needs us to be listening.

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

Monday, August 16, 2010

Grace for your spirit August 16, 2010

Grace for your spirit
Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart. Be acceptable in Your sight, O LORD, my rock and my Redeemer. Ps 19:14

THE ARROW AND THE SONG by Longfellow
I shot an arrow into the air, It fell to earth, I knew not where; For, so swiftly it flew, the sight Could not follow it in its flight.I breathed a song into the air, It fell to earth, I knew not where;
For who has sight so keen and strong, That it can follow the flight of song?
Long, long afterward, in an oak I found the arrow, still unbroke;
And the song, from beginning to end, I found again in the heart of a friend .
-------------------------------------------------------
A good deed, a kind word, an act of love, or a sweet song, will come back to us in the heart of a friend. What is in our mouth and in our heart today? Are they acceptable to God and His mission for us?

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

Friday, August 13, 2010

Grace for your spirit August 13, 2010

Grace for your spirit
Therefore, my brethren, you also were made to die to the Law through the body of Christ, so that you might be joined to another, to Him who was raised from the dead, in order that we might bear fruit for God. Romans 7:4

When God created man and woman, they were the only two among all creation. God sent them forth with the command to be fruitful, multiply, and subdue all of creation. When we are a new creation in Christ, we have been saved by the blood of Jesus and created to be His bride. As the bride of Christ, we have been the commission to go forth and multiply. We have been separated from sin, death, wrath, and the Law, to bear fruit for Him. With every new Christian, we do our part to subdue the sin in this world.

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

Thursday, August 12, 2010

Grace for your spirit August 12, 2010

Grace for your spirit
Then it happened as the ark of the LORD came into the city of David that Michal the daughter of Saul looked out of the window and saw King David leaping and dancing before the LORD; and she despised him in her heart. II Samuel 6:16

It was a day of extreme excitement for King David. The Ark of God was coming to Jerusalem. David was celebrating before the Lord. It was a carnival with gifts and treats. Unfortunately, it looked much different from his wife's point of view. As she viewed the event with skepticism, prejudice, and anger, she despised David in her heart. Her attitude cost her dearly. She missed the joy, she ruined the day for her husband, and left herself barren for life. Let's not peek at others with skepticism, prejudice, and anger. Let's come closer, find out the truth, and share the joy.

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

Wednesday, August 11, 2010

Grace for your spirit August 11, 2010

Grace for your spirit
Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of His godly ones. Ps 116:15

We sing in worship, "This world is not my home, I'm just passing through. My treasures are laid up, somewhere beyond the blue". We sing the songs, but as we continue to focus on this world, the world does become our home. It is difficult to say goodbye, but that is what we are all destined to do. We are here to glorify God and prepare to be with Him for eternity. Death is separation from this world for our step into a better place. Revelation reminds us that, "Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord" Godly, blessed, and precious, is how God sees our separation. We need to see it the same way. Let's prepare to celebrate.

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

Tuesday, August 10, 2010

Grace for your spirit August 10, 2010

Grace for your spirit
He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him.He came to His own, and those who were His own did not receive Him. But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to becomechildren of God, even to those who believe in His name, Jn 1:10-12

There is a show on right now called "Undercover boss". A CEO of a company disguises himself as a new employee, and goes into training at one of their local businesses. The cameras are supposedly for a news documentary. The undercover boss get to see how his employees really treat their customers, and employees. Those who do a great job are greatly rewarded by the undercover boss at the end. Jesus became God in the flesh, and lived among His people. Those who received Him well, He gave the right to become children of God. The offer is still open today. Be nice to the boss, The rewards are fabulous.

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

Monday, August 9, 2010

Grace for your spirit August 9, 2010

Grace for your spirit
They feed on the sin of My people And direct their desire toward their iniquity. And it will be, like people, like priest; So I will punish them for their ways And repay them for their deeds. Hosea 4:8-9

The priests were a millstone around the neck of God's people for generations. When the people of the Old Covenant sinned, they brought sacrifices and offerings to the priests. The priests got rich and fat due to the sins of the people. The priests had no interest in the people getting better, and they did nothing to encourage it. Their hypocrisy ran over into their own lives, which additionally perverted the masses. World religions have grown large and corrupt in the very same way. When we keep people in sin, and keep them guilty, we corrupt ourselves and the church for money. Punishment is sure unless we break the cycle with righteousness that only comes in Christ.

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ
Philippians 4:23
graceforyourspirit.blogspot.com

Friday, August 6, 2010

Grace for your spirit August 6, 2010

Grace for your spirit
Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path. Psalm 119:105

When we are stumbling along in the dark, a nice light really helps. When I ask for a light to keep from stumbling, I need it at my feet, not in my face. If I have a spotlight in my face, it is worse than being in the dark. People stumbling along in spiritual darkness need help too. Often, we first want to find out why they are in the dark. With a spotlight in their face, we question them to find our their problem. At that point, a light on the feet and on the path is the real help. Later in the light of Jesus, we can find out why they have been in darkness and how to get into the true light. Give the light that helps, not the light that blinds.

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

Thursday, August 5, 2010

Grace for your spirit August 5,, 2010

Grace for your spirit
Then Elijah said to all the people, "Come near to me." So all the people came near to him. And he repaired the altar of the LORD which had been torn down. I Kings 18:30

Before Elijah called on God to send fire down from heaven, he wanted to repair the alter, and prepare the sacrifice. When the fire would come from heaven, it would consume the sacrifice, and the alter. If the fire didn't consume the sacrifice, it would consume them. That is the symbolism of the animal sacrifice in the Old Testament. It was request to God to consume their sacrifice instead of consuming them. In Christ there is also a similarity. Jesus Christ is our sacrifice. He died for our sins, and the wrath of God poured out on Him instead of us. Thank you God the sacrifice that replaces us. When we honor the sacrifice, we honor God.

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

Wednesday, August 4, 2010

Grace for your spirit July 4, 2010

Grace for your spirit
It came about at noon, that Elijah mocked them and said, "Call out with a loud voice, for he is a god; either he is occupied or gone aside, or is on a journey, or perhaps he is asleep and needs to be awakened." I Kings 18:27

After they cried all day,cut themselves and even broke down the alter....now what? Elijah knew that Baal was no god at all. Elijah knew Baal couldn't send fire or supply anything at all. Before he showed them the real power of the real God of heaven, he thought he would rub it in a little, He mocked them saying that their god might be in the bathroom, or on vacation, or taking a nap. When the real God sent fire on his first request, they would be reminded that the real God is always there for them. Their response opened the windows of heaven for the rain they needed. Where is our phony god when we need him?

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

Tuesday, August 3, 2010

Grace for your spirit August 3, 2010

Grace for your spirit
Elijah came near to all the people and said, "How long will you hesitate between two opinions? If the LORD is God, follow Him; but if Baal, follow him." But the people did not answer him a word. II Kings 18:21

The land of Israel hadn't seen rain for three and a half years. God was angry with the people for their idol worship. It was now crunch time. Would they choose God or an idol named Baal? The people didn't know which to choose. They had tried to serve both God and Baal, and they weren't sure who was the one they should ask for help. We find the same thing in our churches today. Many still go to church and worship God, but much of the time we are loving and worshiping the things of the world. The Bible tells us that when we are a friend of the world, we are an enemy of God. Will fire from heaven have to fall on us to get the point? Choose God right now. His relief package is ready to be delivered.

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

Monday, August 2, 2010

Grace for your spirit August 2, 2010

Grace for your spirit
And He said to them, "Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men." Mt 4:19

Some of Jesus' earliest disciples were professional fishermen. They understood the way to catch fish in large numbers. They would chum the waters with bait and then lower their nets and gently lift the fish out of the water into the boat. Most of us fish with a fishing rod and hook. We hook one and drag it in. Jesus' plan was for more nets, and less hooks. The earliest followers must have wondered what they would be using for bait to bring souls into their nets. They soon got the answer. They were the bait. The same is true for us today. We are all called to be fishers of men. We too are called to be the bait that draws soul into the net for Jesus. We lure the catch in with the aroma of Christ living in us.

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