Thursday, October 31, 2013

Grace for your spirit November 1, 2013

Grace for your spirit
For a day in Your courts is better than a thousand outside.  I would rather stand at the threshold of the house of my God than dwell in the tents of wickedness.  Psalm 84:10

The sons of Korah were Levites and assigned "porters of the temple". Their psalms were designed to boost the worship experience in the temple.  It was their assigned job, but they seemed to really love their tasks.  How great it is, when we would rather be in worship than anywhere else on earth.  In the covenant of Christ, Christians are temples of the Holy Spirit, and priests in His kingdom.  Do our lives show we would rather be in worship than anyplace else?  It is our job, but wouldn't it be great if we really loved our tasks?

Wednesday, October 30, 2013

Grace for your spirit October 31, 2013

Grace for your spirit
I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has strengthened me, because He considered me faithful, putting me into service.  I Timothy 1:12 

Almost everyday, somebody will ask us, "How ya doing?"  "Whatd'ya know?"  Do we usually respond with "Not bad" or "nothin."  What a great opportunity this could be to share or faith and mission for Jesus. How are we doing?  We're doing great because our faith in Christ has strengthened us to overcome, and His faithfulness has made us faithful.  We now have a focus and a mission to serve others.  Let's be ready to give an answer for the hope that is in us at all times, and watch our lives change. 

Tuesday, October 29, 2013

Grace for your spirit October 30, 2013

Grace for your spirit
They shall eat the flesh that same night, roasted with fire, and they shall eat it with unleavened bread and bitter herbs.  Exodus 12:8

The night Israel went free from Egyptian bondage, they put the blood of the lamb on their doorposts so the death angel would pass over. Their passover feast was the sacrificed lamb, bread with no leaven, and bitter herbs.  The lamb of sacrifice, no leaven symbolic of the sin out of their houses, and bitter herbs, symbolic of bitterness of bondage.  Jesus instituted the Lord's supper with only the unleavened bread and fruit of the vine.  Why no lamb or bitter herbs?  Jesus is our lamb, and all our bitterness is taken away by His sacrifice.  Enjoy feasting with Him with the symbolism of His body and His blood.  See you at supper.

Monday, October 28, 2013

Grace for your spirit October 29, 2013

Grace for your spirit
If is disagreeable in  your sight to serve the Lord, choose for yourselves today whom you will serve: whether the gods which your fathers served which were beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living; but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.  Joshua 24:15

People often ask, "Why does God allow suffering?  Why do bad things happen to good people.  Why didn't God create a perfect world without sin, sorrow, sickness, and death?  In fact, God did create a world without sin, sorrow, sickness and death.  That world was changed by man, not God.  Our world was changed by the FALL, the FLOOD, FREEDOM, and FOOLISHNESS.  The fall of man brought sin into the world, The flood changed our world.  Mankind was given freedom to serve the Lord or Satan, and foolishly man chose Satan. That is why there is suffering, bad things, sin, sickness, and sorrow. Here, Joshua encourages good choices for God's people.  What will our choices be?  Let's choose carefully.  We will reap what we sow.

Sunday, October 27, 2013

Grace for your spirit October 28, 2013

Grace for your spirit
But now faith, hope, and love, abide these three, but the greates of these is love.  I Corinthians 13:13

Are our lives motivated by worry, fear, and anger?  That is the wrong motivation for success and happiness, however it is what seems to control most people.  We need an antidote for these diseases.  It may be that we need to take this prescription daily.  I believe the antidote for worry is faith.  The cure for fear is hope, and the remedy for anger is love.  I seem need this almost everyday and I hope it will be of help to someone else also.  Worry>Faith.  Fear>Hope. Anger>Love. Together, we can get through most anything.

Wednesday, October 23, 2013

Great for your spirit October 25, 2013

Grace for your spirit
Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you, and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.  Matthew 28:19-20

This is known as the Great Commission, and the marching orders for every believer.  We have been discipled, baptized, and taught, and now the job passes  to us.  Everyone must allow themselves to be discipled in order to be saved.  Everyone must humble themselves to be joined to Christ in baptism, and submissive enough to be taught. Let's join our "great commission" to their "great invitation", so we may see many come to Christ and be saved in the last day. The greatest compliment to Jesus is to desire others to be a part of His church as well.

What to expect at Northwest Church of Christ

The church building is located on U.S 41 North at Florida Avenue. Just 1/2 mile north of the 41/63 interchange in Terre Haute, Indiana

Sunday Bible Classes: 9:30 AM
Sunday Worship 10:30 AM:
Sunday Evening 6:00 PM:
Wednesday Study 7:00 PM:

Radio Programs
93.7 FM at 7:40 AM & 4:40 PM Tuesday, Thursday & and Sunday's sermon replayed on Wednesday at 7:00 AM

Help for those in need
Right after Thanksgiving, we will begin to collect food for Christmas food baskets.  Any non perishable items that have a holiday flavor are welcome, including canned hams.
We will also begin collecting hats, gloves, scarves, and socks for elementary students.    These will be distributed right after the Christmas break.
BELIEF STATEMENT
We are a fellowship of believers in Christ who believe in one all powerful, all knowing, ever present God. We believe the Bible is God's inspired word, and provides our only standard of right and wrong.

We believe that Jesus Christ, God's Son, died for our sins all the cross, was buried, and rose from the dead for our justification. We believe that mankind is lost without the saving blood of Jesus and that He is the only way to the Father

We believe that saving faith includes repentance, and baptism for the forgiveness of our sins. We believe the baptized believer is a member of the Lord's church and the kingdom of God.

We believe that the Christians should worship properly and share the good news of Jesus until He returns with out heavenly reward

At worship you may expect joyous acappella singing,prayers,communion services, and a lesson from the Bible every Sunday Expect our worship to be warm, uplifting, and orderly, praising the Lord.

Everyone is always welcome. We hope you will be spiritually enriched by your worship visit

Grace; for your spirit October 24, 2013

Grace for your spirit
Know therefore that the Lord your God, He is God, the faithful God, who keeps His covenant and His lovingkindness to a thousandth generation with those who love Him and keep His commandments.  Deuteronomy 32:9

Count the ways He is faithful.  He provides a way of escape, a way of salvation, strength, reward, crown of life, is always faithful, just, right, never lies, and His purpose never changes.  The only way to violate that covenant is by our unfaithfulness, never His.  As Isaiah stated, "The Lord hand is not so short that it cannot save; nor is His ear so dull that it cannot hear. But  your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, And your sins have hidden His face from you so that He does not hear."  Come on back,  He is waiting faithfully.

Tuesday, October 22, 2013

Grace for your spirit October 23, 2013

Grace for your spirit
Help, Lord, for the godly man ceases to be, for the faithful disappear from among the sons of men.  Psalm 12:1

There may be a number of situations where we might cry out to the Lord for help.  If we were sick, suffered the loss of a loved one, lost our house, lost our job, or experienced a painful separation, but is any spiritual concerns on that list?  As we witness the godly and faithful disappearing, see churches closing, and feel faint of spirit ourselves, will we cry to the Lord for help?  When the faithful disappear, the whole world suffers.  Let's be part of the solution. May we all begin to cry out,  "Help, Lord!"

Monday, October 21, 2013

Grace for your spirit October 22, 2013

Grace for your spirit
My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin, and if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.  I John 2:1

We all sin and come short of the glory of God.  That sin will separate us from God and we need someone to bring us back together with God.  Jesus is our savior, our mediator, our propitiation, and our advocate with the Father.  It is spiritual suicide to stand before God without such an advocate.  As the old saying goes, "One who decides to be his own lawyer, has a fool for a client."  Someday we will all stand before God to give an account of our lives.  We will then know the real value of Jesus as our advocate.  Let's try not to irritate Him too much now.  We might even go for doing the things that please Him.

Sunday, October 20, 2013

Grace for your spirit October 21, 2013

Grace for your spirit
Simon answered and said, "Master, we have worked hard all night and caught nothing, but I will do as You say and let down the nets."  Luke 5:5

Simon Peter set a very important precedent for us all with his statement and action.  Although they had been unsuccessful, he was willing to do it again with the Lord's direction and blessing.  The Bible gives us many directions that may seem wrong to us at first.  What should our response be?  "We will do as you say Lord."  "You know more about it that we do". On this occasion, Peter followed the Lord's direction and ended up with more fish than he could pull in.  Let's search the scriptures and change our course to God's direction.

Thursday, October 17, 2013

Grace for your spirit October 18, 2013

Grace for your spirit
Call to Me and I will answer you, and I will tell you great and mighty things, which you do not know.  Jeremiah 33:3

Suddenly it seems that most everyone has an overwhelming desire to be connected.  Cellphones, text messages, facebook, twitter and the like, is consuming our lives.  Some never take their eyes off their mobile devices, even to drive or walk.  We have the need to share our innermost thoughts and want to be "liked".  How much better we would all be if we would turn those connection desires to God.  God has supplied us with a "heavenly mobile device", in the form of prayer.  Our constant connection with God will really help us, plus don't have to beg Him to "like us", and "be our friend".

Wednesday, October 16, 2013

Grace for your spirit October 17, 2013

Grace for your spirit
Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe mint, dill, and cummin, and have neglected the weightier provisions of the law; justice and mercy and faithfulness; but these are the things you should have done without neglecting the others.  Matthew 23:23

The Pharisees at the time of Jesus perfected empty religion.  They didn't change because they felt everything they did was perfectly right. They kept laws down to tithing the herbs of their gardens, but their hearts were evil.  The weightier provision of the law was doing what was right, having mercy on weak, and being faithful in all things. Sometimes we imitate the Pharisees in our churches too.  We select and perfect a few rules, but fail to care about doing right, extending mercy, and being faithful.  If anyone calls us Pharisees, we better take it seriously

Tuesday, October 15, 2013

Grace for your spirit October 16, 2013

Grace for your spirit
And Jesus was saying to them, "Truly I say to you, there are some of those who are standing her who will not taste death until they see the kingdom of God after it has come with power. 
Mark 9:1

This statement by Jesus certainly narrows down the time frame on the coming of His kingdom.  Daniel 2 revealed that His kingdom would be established in the days of the Romans kings, and this was that time. Later in Colossians one, God's word reveal that when we are redeemed, we are transferred into the kingdom of His dear Son.  Just a short time after this statement, they were able to see His kingdom come with power on the day of Pentecost.  The believers didn't debate the coming of His kingdom, they just enjoyed it.  Let's start enjoying it too.

Monday, October 14, 2013

Grace for your spirit October 15, 2013

Grace for your spirit
But we request of you, brethren, that you appreciate those who diligently labor among you, and have charge over you in the Lord and give you instruction    I Thessalonians 5:12

On our spiritual trip, do we know who is driving our car and where they are going?  Whenever we get into a vehicle with anyone, we are putting our lives into their hands.  Do we use any judgment when we make those choices?  We've all probably rode with someone, and made a decision never to do that again.  It is even more important that we use discernment on our spiritual journeys.  When we are fortunate enough to be traveling with people of wisdom and knowledge, let's appreciate them.  When we notice that the devil is our driver, let's get out as soon as possible.

Wednesday, October 9, 2013

Grace for your spirit October 11, 2013

Grace for your spirit
For the time already past is sufficient for you to have carried out the desire of the Gentiles, having pursued a course of sensuality, lusts, drunkenness, carousing, drinking parties and abominable idolatries.   I Peter 4:3

When we become Christians, it is time for our lists and lusts to change. Do our lists make provision for our lusts, or our commitment to God? Too often, we worship on Sunday, but our lists for Monday contain only the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes,  and the boastful pride of life. It takes real effort to transform, but we are a little too lazy to get that done.  What is controlling our lives?  If it is lists, lusts, and laziness, isn't it time to put those in our past?  Let's start a spiritual list, and put Jesus first in our schedules.

Grace for your spirit October 10, 2013

Grace for your spirit
Therefore whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner, shall be guilty of the body and the blood of the Lord.  I Corinthians 11:27

The question is often asked, "Who is worthy to participate in the Lord's supper, or communion?"  Certainly no one is worthy on their own merit, until we are made righteous by the blood of Jesus. Christians, who judge His body rightly, are invited guests at the Lord's table.  This verse is not really about our worthiness, but more about our worthy manner.  What are we thinking?  What is our mind centered on?  The worthy manner is the way we participate.  Every Christian must self evaluate every time, to keep our manner worthy.  It will keep us from being weak, sick, and asleep spiritually

Tuesday, October 8, 2013

Grace for your spirit October 9, 2013

Grace for your spirit
Greet every saint in Christ Jesus.  The brethren who are with me greet you.  All the saints greet you, especially those of Caesar's household.  Philippians 4:21-22

As we follow the journeys of the disciples in the Bible, we can see the importance of close fellowship.  Several times Paul referred to greeting one another with a holy kiss.  The first century churches were lonely outposts in a pagan world.  Paul wrote these words from his Roman imprisonment.  Can you imagine his needs and those disciples who were in Caesar's house?  Many Christians today living in this pagan world are also lonely outposts, in dire need of fellowship.  Our warm and open greeting of one another, may be the most important part of our worship

Monday, October 7, 2013

Grace fory our spirit October 8, 2013

Grace for your spirit
For the eyes of the Lord are toward the righteous, and his ear attend to their prayer.  I Peter 3:12

Did you ever need something and nothing was open?  That never happens with God.  He is not only always open, but ready, willing, and able to help.  James wrote, "The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much" When we connect with God through Jesus Christ, we can be sure that God is watching and listening.  How much more powerful that can be when the church assembles and joins together in those prayers.  Let's not take our prayer times in worship for granted.  There is great power in those assemblies.

Sunday, October 6, 2013

Grace for your spirit October 7, 2013

Grace for your spirit
For Ezra had set his heart to study the law of the Lord and to practice it, and to teach His statutes and ordinances in Israel. Ezra 7:10

Ezra had been a great task for the Lord and His people.  After 70 years in Babylonian captivity, Ezra was called to lead God's back to Israel and reestablish them in their homeland.  Had the people learned their lessons in captivity?  Their ignorance and rebellion against God's laws were still evident.  Ezra was shocked at the unfaithfulness of God's people and he felt a personal responsibility to make a difference, and he did.  Are we ever shocked at the unfaithfulness of God's people?  Do we feel any responsibility to make a difference?  It begins where Ezra began.  May we have the motivation to set our heart on studying, practicing, and teaching God's law and love

Thursday, October 3, 2013

Grace for your spirit October 4, 2013

Grace for your spirit
Therefore, prepare your minds for action, keep sober in spirit, fix your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.  I Peter 1:13

As we walk the Christian life, we are easily distracted from the great tasks we have before us.  It is hard to turn from the lusts of the world and fix our lives completely on Jesus Christ.  We must be sober in spirit, and ready for action.  What kind of action figure are we today? Kids play with action figures like G.I. Joe, Power Rangers, and Transformers.  On the other end of action figures are Barbie, Ken, My little mermaid, and my little pony.  Are we transformed, filled with power, and ready for battle with the Devil, or we concerned with our hair and what we will wear? Let's prepare for battle.  That's what God calls us to do.

Wednesday, October 2, 2013

Grace for your spirit October 3, 2013

Grace for your spirit
It is better to go to a house of mourning than to go to a house of feasting, because that is the end of every man, and the living takes it to heart.  Ecclesiastes 7:2


Do we gain more insights in winning or losing?  While we are feasting and celebrating, we seldom look within to see what we need to improve.  In times of loss, we often gain a new prospective on the changes we need to make.  A sports team may play a lousy game, but if they win by won point they celebrate all the way home.  Another day they may play well but lose by one point, and the trip home is silent. The next time we find ourselves in a house of mourning, may we learn how to take the lessons to heart.

Tuesday, October 1, 2013

Grace for your spirit October 2, 2013

Grace for your spirit
So Peter seeing him said to Jesus, "Lord, and what about this man?"  Jesus said to him, "If I want him to remain until I come, what is that to you?  You follow Me!"  John 21:21-22

This was Peter's response when Jesus told him to follow.  Peter did not say O.K. or I will, or You can count on me. He took his eyes off Jesus and looked at John, saying, "what about this man?"  We can only assume what Peter was thinking.  Would he have to go alone? Would he have to be better than others?  Was he already good enough to have options?  Peter must have forgotten that when you take your eyes off Jesus, you will sink.  When we read the words of Jesus to deny self, take up our cross and follow Him, what do we think?  What about the rest of the church?  Wrong answer.  We need to fix our eyes on Jesus and say "Yes!"