Friday, April 29, 2011

Grace for your spirit April 29, 2011

Grace for your spirit
For I will go through the land of Egypt on that night, and will strike down all the firstborn in the land of Egypt....The blood shall be a sign for you on the houses where you live; and when I see the blood I will pass over you, and no plague will befall you...Exodus 12:12-13

The morning paper reported a death in every house in Egypt that night. The announcement came as a shock to many, but others were completely prepared. God had told the people that if they killed a lamb, and put the blood on their door posts, their first born son would live. Otherwise, he would die. That night a lamb or a son died in every house. Don't ignore the truth today. We all need the blood of the Lamb on our hearts in order to live with God eternally. Let's bring The Lamb of God into our houses today.

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

Thursday, April 28, 2011

Grace for your spirit April 28, 2011

Grace for your spirit
Therefore be on the alert, for you do not know which day your Lord is coming. Matthew 24:42

The other night a storm was coming, and tornado warnings were issued. My wife was packed for the basement with water and food prepared. I was watching the same reports she was watching. She had a backpack on and I was sitting around with no pants on. Which one describes you? We are all equally warned that the Lord is going to return. Some of us are making preparations, and others of us are not yet clothed and in our right mind. He may not be coming right now, but as they say, "better safe than sorry."

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

Wednesday, April 27, 2011

Grace for your spirit April 27, 2011

Grace for your spirit
For My people have commited 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

The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are often described as "living water". We need the living water of His Spirit in order to live. When we turn our back on God, we forsake the regeneration available by His living water. Step number two in a two step blunder, is the attempt to replace divine water with our own brand of renewal. That kind of thinking just won't hold water. Our reservoirs are broken and when we need some water, there is none there. Let's fill in those useless cisterns, and turn our attention to the fountains of living water that never dry up.

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

Tuesday, April 26, 2011

Grace for your spirit April 26, 2011

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

I weigh in at my doctor's office every Monday. I had a bad week, and I didn't want to hear the bad news, so I thought I would skip it this week. Then I remembered what people say to me about Sunday worship. They say they are not doing well spiritually, so they think they will skip worship this week. That's a big mistake. It seems at the times we need it the most, we avoid it the most. I decided to practice what i preach. I went. It wasn't as bad as I thought, and I feel better, with a better week to follow. Be in worship on Sunday. It is one of the best things we can do to improve our "weak" week.

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

Monday, April 25, 2011

Grace for your spirit April 25, 2011

Grace for your spirit
A good name is to be more desired than great wealth, favor is better than silver and gold. Proverbs 22:1

Reputation is what people think we are. Character is what we really are. Eventually, character rises to the top and it becomes our reputation. Good character is best built when we have given ourselves fully to Christ. When the spirit of Christ dwells in us, we will have His character, and His reputation. That should be our goal instead of worldly wealth. May we live transparent lives so people may see what we are at all times, and may everyone see that our reputation and character is exactly the same.

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

Thursday, April 21, 2011

Grace for your spirit April 21, 2011

Grace for your spirit
And there arose a fierce gale of wind, and the waves were breaking over the boat so much that the boat was already filling up. Mark 4:37

Whatever the apostles were supposed to be doing that night they couldn't keep their mind on it. The storm, the wind, and the waves kept them afraid. Even with Jesus was in the boat with them, their faith wavered with each blast of wind. Recently I was attempting to teach a Bible class during a fierce wind storm. With every blast of wind that hit the building, the attention of the class was diverted from study to storm watching. Life can be like that. May we not let the distraction of life deter us from doing God's will every day.

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

Wednesday, April 20, 2011

Grace for your spirit April 20, 2011

Grace for your spirit
So every good tree bears good fruit, but the bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot produce bad fruit, nor can a bad tree produce good fruit. Matthew 7:17-18

One of the best known verses in the Bible is "Judge not,that ye be not judged". If is often quoted by those defending themselves. It is certainly true that we cannot judge the heart or the motives of anyone. God, however, has give us the His Word that we might be fruit inspectors for Him. When we see those who claim to be good trees bearing bad fruit, we are called to help those producing the bad fruit. We certainly can judge the fruits if they are ungodly. Let's help those in distress to bear good fruit, and leave the rest of the judging to God.

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

Tuesday, April 19, 2011

Grace for your spirit April 19, 2011

Grace for your spirit
O satisfy us in the morning with Your lovingkindness, that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days. Psalm 90:14

Everywhere we shop or eat these days, they ask us to fill out a survey. They offer discounts, and chances to win prizes for letting them know how we feel about their business. Are we satisfied customers? What about our spiritual lives? How do we rate our experiences with God, the church, and those who serve us? When we approach our spiritual lives with a positive spirit, and the desire to be uplifted by the Lord, most of the time we will be satisfied customers. If we aren't being filled with His lovingkindness, singing with joy and gladness, before we complain too much, let's look at the effort we are putting forth to satisfy God.

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

Monday, April 18, 2011

Grace for your spirit April 18, 2011

Grace for your spirit
Flee immorality. Every other sin that a man commits is outside the body, but the immoral man sins against his own body. Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own ? for you have been bought with a price; therefore glorify God in your body. I Corinthians 6:18-20

There are many ways to glorify God, but the baseline for all good deeds is a life committed to holiness. When we decide that moral purity is our choice, we violate the basic principle of Christianity. We belong to Christ, and we do not have the right to make any choices outside of His will. God created us, He lost us, and He bought us back with the blood of His Son. This price was great, and our responsibility is great. May we glorify God with His choices, then we can bear fruit and let our light shine.

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

Friday, April 15, 2011

Grace for your spirit April 15, 2011

Grace for your spirit
All nations whom You have made shall come and worship before You, O Lord, and they shall glorify Your name. Psalm 86:9

Ultimately everyone will come. Some in salvation, some in condemnation. Teach me now, so i can glorify you sooner and better. There was a saying during World War II that there were no atheists in foxholes. If that is true, there will certainly be no non believers at the judgment day. When we all stand before the judgment seat of God, and we see the reality of eternity before us, every knee will bow, and every tongue will confess. As God's judgment fell on the nations throughout time, glory was given, but too late. Let's make our decision to glorify Him now, and enjoy the benefits now and forever.

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

Thursday, April 14, 2011

Grace for your spirit April 14, 2011

Grace for your spirit
As the living Father sent Me, and I live because of the Father, so he who eats Me, he also will live because of Me. This is the bread which came down out of heaven; not as the fathers ate and died; he who eats this bread will live forever." John 6:57-58

When Moses led God's people from Egypt, their lives were sustained by a miracle from heaven. How do you feed three million people everyday in the desert? The answer was manna. Manna was a bread-like substance that fell from heaven every night. It fed them until they reached the promised land forty years later. It was temporary salvation, because they all eventually died. Jesus called Himself the spiritual manna from heaven. He came down to fill our souls, and keep us until we reach our promised land in heaven. When we partake of this spiritual manna, we will live forever. With this manna, we will all make it the promised land. Thank you Lord for providing the way.

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

Wednesday, April 13, 2011

Grace for your spirit April 13, 2011

Grace for your spirit
And he cried out and said, 'Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus so that he may dip the tip of his finger in water and cool off my tongue, for I am in agony in this flame.' Luke 16:24

We often hear people talking about those who have died by saying, "they are in a better place". In life whether we obey God or not is often vague. In death what happens to us is often vague as well. Is everyone going to a better place after death? Is there a difference between those who live obeying Christ and those rejecting Him? God's Word shows us there is a big difference between comfort and agony. There is a place that is better with God, and there is a place that is horrible away from the presence of the Lord. We can say that those who have died are in a better place, when they have truly trusted and obeyed the Lord during life.

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

Tuesday, April 12, 2011

Grace for your spirit April 12, 2011

Grace for your spirit
When the woman saw that she had not escaped notice, she came trembling and fell down before Him, and declared in the presence of all the people the reason why she had touched Him, and how she had been immediately healed. Luke 8:47

Here is a story of a woman at the end of her robe. With a terminal disease, she was ill, broke, and discouraged. Just by touching the hem of Jesus' garment, all this changed. She decided not to be healed and hide, but rather to share and proclaim. She had benefited by the power of Jesus, and she made a choice to bring encouragement to others as well. When we have been touched by Jesus physically, emotionally, or spiritually, let's not hide it under a bushel. Let's help shine His light onto other people, and give others the hem of hope.

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

Monday, April 11, 2011

Grace for your spirit April 11, 2011

Grace for your spirit
Do not be bound together with unbelievers; for what partnership have righteousness and lawlessness, or what fellowship has light with darkness? II Corthians 6:14

God desires that we come out of the world and be separate and do not touch the unclean. It is often difficult for Christians to understand which friends they should keep and which friends they should stay away from. We certainly shouldn't want to stay in any relationship where they have a more negative influence on us, that we a positive influence on them. There is a story of a new convert that asked a preacher this question once, and the preacher responded this way. "You live the Christian life everyday, and the friends you shouldn't have will leave you." Good advice. Let's take it

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

Friday, April 8, 2011

Grace for your spirit April 8, 2011

Grace for your spirit
Even though I was formerly a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent agressor, yet I was shown mercy because I acted ignorantly in unbelief; and the grace of our Lord was more than abundant, with the faith and love which are found in Christ Jesus. I Timothy 1:13-14

The apostle Paul had quite a past and a lot to feel guilty about. He fought against Christianity with all his heart. After his conversion, he could only talk about the abundant grace, faith and love that covered him. He could have served Jesus out of guilt for his past, but he preferred to be driven by grace. Guilt comes and guilt goes, but grace sustains, transforms, and motivates us all the time. Guilt is from us, and grace is from God. Many have started a ministry based on guilt, and when they felt better it was over. When we are driven by grace, we will never get over it. Let's not dwell on our past failures. Let's dwell on God transforming grace.

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

Thursday, April 7, 2011

Grace for your spirit April 7, 2011

Grace for your spirit
I wrote you in my letter not to associate with immoral people; I did not at all mean with the immoral people of this world, or with the covetous and swindlers, or the idolater, for then you would have to go out of the world. I Corinthians 5:9-10

God directs us to be in the world, but not of the world. His search for purity in the body of Christ is never ending, but He also understands that we will never reach the lost of the world from our ivory tower. He gives the power of the Divine Nature to insulate us from the evil in the world. God wants us to be insulated not isolated. Like a thermos keeps coffee hot on a cold day, His Holy Spirit insulates our spirit to stay hot in a cold world. With that Godly SCUBA gear, we can plunge into a hostile environment for Jesus.

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

Wednesday, April 6, 2011

Grace for your spirit April 6, 2011

Grace for your spirit
My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. Hosea 4:6

When we survey the Biblical history of God's people, the pattern between lack of knowledge and failures to obey are obvious. When people failed to study, learn, and apply God's laws and principles, they were always led away from God and His will. King Josiah discovered the book of law in the temple, and the people didn't recognize it. Lack of knowledge, lack of participation, had brought them to ruin. The church should be known for Bible knowledge, Bible study, and Bible living. When we see our empty Bible classes and worship services, our future blessings are in doubt. If we don't learn from history, we are most certainly destined to repeat it.

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

Tuesday, April 5, 2011

Grace for your spirit April 5, 2011

Grace for your spirit
For as many as are the promises of God, in Him they are yes; therefore also through Him is our Amen to the glory of God through us. II Corinthians 1:20

This letter to the church in Corinth was Paul's defense of his ministry. He had so many trials and tribulations, that many people wondered if he was the real thing. It is true that he had troubles, but he balanced them with the magnificent and precious promises that he had from the Father. Not only did he have a basket full of promises, but they all were labeled YES! Not only did he have a YES from God, but he had the promises sealed in his heart by the Holy Spirit. Why was Paul so positive in a negative world? He knew all the promises were Yes, and Amen. People in this world will promise us lots of things and never come through, but that is not true with God. Read His promises again. Listen for His Yes, and then say Amen!

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

Monday, April 4, 2011

Grace for your spirit April 4, 2011

Grace for your spirit
Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself upo for her. Ephesians 5:25
Loving our wives is a com
mand of God. When someone decides they don't want to love their wives anymore, they are in rebellion against God. Christ gave us the example as He showed His love and sacrifice for His bride, the church. When we know Christ as Lord, and wish to obey Him, loving our wives is not an option. If we decide to marry someone who does not know Christ, he may never know how to maximize his love, and he will choose another model for love. Those models could be from a country song, a movie, a TV show, or the boys at work. Let's let Christ be our guide and example in all the decisions we make.

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

Friday, April 1, 2011

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 Philippians
10:30 AM Worship Services
6:00 PM Bible Study studies in topical studies affecting our Christians living

Wednesday
7:00 PM Bible Study Studies on grace

Mother's day is coming
We will have our yearly Sunday cookout to honor all of our ladies. This year Mother's day is May 8th. Make plans to invite your friends and family for that day

Participating in the commodity program for Shults Lewis Children Home
This Spring we are collecting Pancake mix and syrup. The pickup date will be May 29th.

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

Grace for your spirit April 1, 2011

Grace for your spirit
But like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all your behavior; because it is written, "YOU SHALL BE HOLY, FOR I AM HOLY." I Peter 1:15-16

Words of a song can often give us great direction in following God's Word. As a kid, our church often sang, "Take time to be Holy." The words give us the menu for that time. The first verse is "Take time to be Holy; Speak oft with thy Lord. Abide in Him always, and feed on His Word. Make friends of God's children; Help those who are weak, forgetting in nothing His blessings to seek. I hope we can find a few good tips to help us to be more like God wants us to be today. He wants us to be like Him. Let's pay attention to the psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs. They have great messages for us all.

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