Tuesday, April 30, 2013

Grace for your spirit May 1, 2013

Grace for your spirit
God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.  Philippians 2:9-11

I awakened yesterday morning to breaking news. As the world bowed and praised the bold news, news personalities flew across the country overnight.  Sports heros and entertainment stars rejoiced, and the President called to offer congratulations.  It seems a pro basketball player announced that he was a homosexual.  When football player, 
Tim TeBow bowed his knee to Jesus, alll they could do was "make fun" of Him. Stand by and see who gets the last bow.  It will be Jesus.

Monday, April 29, 2013

Grace for your spirit April 30, 2013

Grace for your spirit
But Peter said, "I do not possess silver and gold, but what I do have I give to you; in the name of Jesus the Nazarene--walk!  Acts 3:6

When we do something in someone's name, we are doing it with their authority, their power, and their approval.  The name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are mentioned numerous times in order to proclaim the power of the Godhead to the world.  In the Great Commission, they were told to go, disciple and baptize in the name.  On the day of Pentecost, the apostles directed them to be baptized in the name of Jesus.  Here the power of healing through the hand of Peter is authorized by Jesus.  Wherever they went they wanted to emphasize that there was no other name under that has been given among men by which we must be saved.  Let's trust in the name of Jesus and go disciple in no other name.

Sunday, April 28, 2013

Grace for your spirit April 29, 2013

Grace for your spirit
Therefore, since we receive a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us show gratitude, by which we may offer to God an acceptable service with reverence and awe.   Hebrew 12:28

None of us can earn a place in the kingdom of Jesus Christ.  We don't show gratitude and service to get a place, we show it as a result of already having the inheritance. Our inheritance is not like an earthly inheritance subject to fluctuation.  Ours is established in eternity and guaranteed to be there for us.  How happy we should be.  We are never behind, never playing catchup, and never disappointed at the end of the day. That kind of optimistic future has the potential to make us  great servants.  Let's obey the gospel and be just that.

Thursday, April 25, 2013

Grace for your spirit April 26, 2013


Grace for your spirit
And all the people said, "His blood shall be on us and on our children.  Matthew 27:25

Interesting phrase, "Let His blood be on us and on our children"  When they wanted to crucify Jesus and they didn't care what the consequences would be, they said it  When they were condemned a short while later, they complained with the same phrase in Acts 5,saying "you intend to bring this man's blood on us."  It is ironic, When we realize that only way we can be saved is by the blood of Jesus to be on us, we should want it.  The Bible proclaims that the blood of Jesus will cleanse us from all sin.  I say in faith and obedience, "Let His blood be on us and our children.", and thank you.

Wednesday, April 24, 2013

Grace for your spirit April 25,2013

Grace for your spirit
But what do you think? A man had two sons, and he came to the first and said, 'Son, go work today in the vineyard.' And he answered 'I will not", but afterward he regretted it and went.  The man came to the second and said the same thing; and he answered, 'I will sir', but he did not go. Which of the two did the will of his father?

Jesus commented about the religious leaders he met saying that they honored Him with their lips, but their hearts were far from Him. Since Jesus knows our hearts, lip service really is a waste of time.  It is fairly easy to learn the right words to repeat, but words alone do not make us a disciple. Jesus also said, "Not everyone who says Lord, Lord, will enter the kingdom, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Let's make a new commitment to do our Father's will, and please Him.

Tuesday, April 23, 2013

Grace for your spirit April 24,2013

Grace for your spirit
And be subject to one another in the fear of Christ.  Wives, be subject to your own husbands, as to the Lord. Ephesians 5:21-22

Many a husband and wife have started fighting over these verses. The husband reads it and says, "Whoopie. I'm the boss".  The wife reads it and proclaims that she will not be a "doormat" to be walked over.  Guess which one is right?  Well, they are both wrong.  They failed to read verse 21 which proclaims that although we have different roles in this world, we are all subject to one another.  I Peter 3, again proclaims that wives be submissive to their husbands, but don't miss verse 7, that says that husbands should do likewise.  When we decide to be truly submissive to everyone, submission to each other will never be a problem.  Let's submit to God, His Word, and the rest will be easy.

Monday, April 22, 2013

Grace for your spirit April 23, 2013

Grace for your spirit
"Simon, Simon, behold, Satan has demanded permission to sift you like wheat; but I have prayed for you, that your faith may not fail; and you, when once you have turned again, strengthen your brothers."

At first glance, this might remind us of the story of Job.  Job, however did not have the advantages of Simon Peter in his test. Simon was warned, he had the assurance that Jesus was praying for his victory, and the promise that he would turn again and be able to strengthen his brothers.  We can be sure that we will be sifted by the devil, but we can also be sure that Jesus is greater than the devil, and Jesus is praying for our victory.  Peter was sifted that night and denied Jesus three times, but soon he led the conversion of 3,000 at Pentecost. When we have overcome, may we praise the Lord, and commit to show others the way to victory in Jesus too.

Sunday, April 21, 2013

Grace for your spirit April 22 2013

Grace for your spirit
What shall I render to the Lord for all His benefits toward me?  I shall lift up the cup of salvation and call upon the name of the Lord. I shall pay my vows to the Lord.  Oh may it be in the presence of all His people.  Psalm 116:12-14

If we were to make an honest list of all the benefits we have received from the Lord, and then made a second list of the ways we have thanked him, would we be a little ashamed?  Maybe we need to make a plan for how we will say thank you to God.  This Psalm gives us a few good plans.  Let's proclaim our salvation, and call upon the name of the Lord to sustain us.  May we generously contribute our time talents, and resources, and may we do it publicly to help motivate others to do the same.  Romans says it this way, "Present your bodies as a living sacrifice."  Let's not wait until next Sunday.  Let's start today. 

Thursday, April 18, 2013

Grace for your spirit April 19, 2013


Grace for your spirit
Do not quench the Spirit.  I Thessalonians 5:19

From Dictionary.com

quench

  [kwench] 
verb (used with object)
1.
to slake, satisfy, or allay (thirst, desires, passion, etc.).
2.
to put out or extinguish (fire, flames, etc.).
3.
to cool suddenly by plunging into a liquid, as in tempering steel by immersion in water.
4.
to subdue or destroy; overcome; quell: to quench an uprising.
5.
Electronics. to terminate (the flow of electrons in a vacuum tube) by application of a voltage.

There are so many things we can do to quench the spirit of God.  Many of them are listed right here in this passage.  When we decide to quit admonishing, helping, encouraging, doing good, rejoicing, and giving thanks, we can quench the spirit that God has given us.   Let us be leaders in firing up the Spirit, not putting it out.  Flame!!

Wednesday, April 17, 2013

Grace for your spirit April 18, 2013

Grace for your spirit
But you, why do you judge your brother?  Or you again, why do you look at your brother with contempt?  For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God.  Romans 14:10

As the song goes. "Lord speak to me that I may speak, in living echos of Thy tone.  As Thou hast sought so let me seek, Thine erring children lost and lone."  Jesus came to lead lost souls to the cross where they could experience forgiveness.  Our words, our tone of voice, and the expressions on our faces, send a message.  When our hearts are filled with contempt and judgment, our faces will be read by all.  Let's commit to be steppingstones to Christ and not stumblingblocks in front of Him.  Lord speak to me. 

Tuesday, April 16, 2013

Grace for your spirit April 17, 2013

Grace for your spirit
Barnabas wanted to take John, called Mark, along with them also.    But Paul kept insisting that they should not take him along who had deserted them in Pamphylia and had not gone with them to the work.  Acts 15:37-38

John Mark had started on the first missionary journey with Paul, but quit along the way.  When it was time for the second trip Paul didn't want him to go.  Paul and Barnabas actually got into a fight over the issue that divided them.  Paul didn't want the quitter, but Barnabas saw potential in him.  We've all probably felt like quitting and letting someone down in the past.  If someone helped us up, then let's be an encourager for someone.  By the way,who was right?  It was Barnabas.  Years later in II Timothy 4:11, Paul wrote, "Bring Mark with you.  He is useful to me for service. 

Monday, April 15, 2013

Grace for your spirit April 16, 2013

Grace for your spirit
And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth.  John 1:14

The coming of Jesus to earth and dying on the cross was the ultimate expression of grace and truth.  The truth is that the wages of sin is death, but truth alone is brutal.  The grace message is that the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus, but grace alone is hypocritical.  We need to know that we are lost, and that His grace redeems us.  God diagnosed our sin problem and sent the remedy in His only Son.  When we take lost souls to Jesus and His sacrifice, grace and truth has a happy ending.  Let's share both.

Grace for your spirit April 15, 2013

Grace for your spirit
Suffer hardship with me as a good soldier of Christ Jesus.  No soldier in active service entangles himself in the affairs of everyday life, so that he may please the one who enlisted him as a soldier.  II Timothy 2:3-4

Can you imagine someone joining the army, going through the induction process and then saying, "O.K. then, I'm going home now.  Call me if you need me for anything?"  As a soldier, we should expect separation, sacrifice, and service to please the one who enlisted us.  Should we expect any less when we join the Lord's army.  After we go through the process of becoming part of His army, do we give that message to the Lord? " We're going home now.  Call us if you need us for anything."  We need the separation from the world, sacrifice and serve in the Lord's army.  As the song says, "Soldiers of Christ, Arise, and put your armor on.  

Thursday, April 11, 2013

Grace for your spirit April 12, 2013

Grace for your spirit
We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ, and we are ready to punish all disobedience whenever your obedience is complete.  II Corinthians 10:5-6

There are three major components of a disciplined body.  The leadership must preach the word, and pit the knowledge of God against all false teaching, taking every thought captive for Christ.  Next the church must desire discipline that we may walk after the Spirit. Finally the church must be obedient walking after the Spirit.  Here the apostle Paul tells the church that the first two are in place, and as soon as their obedience is complete, they may move forward.  May the leaders of our congregations have their hands supported with our faithful obedience

Wednesday, April 10, 2013

Grace for your spirit April 11, 2013

Grace for your spirit
And a poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which amounts to a cent.  And calling His disciples to Him, He said, "Truly I say to you this poor widow put in more than all the contributors to the treasury; for they all put in out of their surplus, but she, out of her poverty, put in all she owned, all she had to live on."  Matthew 12:42-44

Are there any among us that have nothing to give?  Of all the time, talents, and resources that God has blessed us with, can we honestly tell God we have nothing to give.  It may be true that we have nothing left to give, because our appetites get first place.  It may be true that we don't want to give because we think we need it all.  It is not true that we will receive a blessing by living a lie.  When we claim we have nothing to give, we are only hurting ourselves.  God has promised a generous blessing when we are generous, yet we sit there holding onto our last penny.  Trust in the Lord.  That's the source of blessings.

-- 

Tuesday, April 9, 2013

Grace for your spirit April 10, 2013

Grace for your spirit
In everything I showed you that by working hard in this manner you must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He himself said, "It is more blessed to give than to receive."  Acts 20:35 

When we are children and we hear it is more blessed to give than receive, we wonder who would come up with a crazy idea like that.  We can't wait for our next gift and the joy of giving escapes us.  Then as we mature we find more joy in giving and feel the blessings of making others happy.  When people ask me what i want, i usually say nothing, and am anxious to hear what others want.   Christian maturity works the same way.  When we are immature we read scripture and fight against what God wants.  Later as we mature, we start thinking like God thinks, and enjoy the blessings that follow.  Let's work hard to grow up and help those in need.  That's where the real joy is found.

Monday, April 8, 2013

Grace for your spirit April 9, 2013

Grace for your spirit
But if I say, "I will not remember Him or speak anymore in His name," then in my heart it becomes like a burning fire shut up in my bones; and I am weary of holding it in, and I cannot endure it.  Jeremiah 20:9

Jeremiah the prophet had a big problem.  He trying to save Jerusalem but everyone thought he was crazy.  He was mocked and had become a laughingstock among his people.  Most people would have just quit, but the message was so important that when he didn't speak it became like a burning fire shut up in his bones and he had to let it out.  Now we may be familiar with heartburn from spicy food, or a heart on fire in love with our sweetie, but this kind of burning motivates us to proclaim the good news of salvation in Christ.  When that good news takes over a person, one can't help but spread the news.  I wish for a burning in us all.

Sunday, April 7, 2013

Grace for your spirit April 8, 2013

Grace for your spirit
Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God for it is written, "Vengeance is Mine, I will repay" says the Lord.  Romans 12:19 

There are many things we can do to ruin our lives, but among the biggest is seeking revenge.  The desire for revenge grows out of unforgiveness.  While we refuse to forgive others, God refuses to forgive us.  While we seek revenge and carry around our unforgiven sins, we separate ourselves from God and people around us.  When we seek revenge, we seek something that does not belong to us.  Revenge belongs to God, who knows all the facts.  In Matthew 18 we seek a picture of these things.  The man seeking revenge went about choking his debtors, and ended up back in debtor's prison along with his family.  The master revoked his forgiveness, his family suffered because of his sins, and his friends were glad to see him go.  Those things and more are in store for us when we are on the" revenge trail."

Wednesday, April 3, 2013

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 7:40 AM & 4:40PM Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday &
anytime at www.wordpower.us  clicking on weekday morning show

Shults Lewis Children Home
Lunch box chips, fruit cips, and pudding cups for May 19th pickup
Fellowships
5/12-Mother's day dinner noon
6/16-Father's day dinner noon

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 April 4, 2013

Grace for your spirit
Paul stood in the midst of Areopagus and said, "Men of Athens, I observe that you are very religious in all respects.  For while I was passing through and examining the objects of your worship, I found an alter with the inscription, 'TO AN UNKNOWN GOD'.  Therefore what you worship in ignorance, this I proclaim to you.  Acts 17:22-23

In one quick thought, the apostle Paul built a bridge from God, through intellectualism, paganism, idolatry, superstition, and religious to Jesus. Wow, he used wall material for bridge material.  Once a man bought a load of wood and hired a carpenter to build a wall next to a stream on the edge of his property.  He wanted to block his view of a neighbor he hated.  The wise carpenter used the wall wood to build a wooden bridge over the stream.  The neighbor was touched and soon walked over the bridge to make things right, and restored their friendship. "If you build a wall, your world is small, but a bridge of love will conquer all."

Tuesday, April 2, 2013

Grace for your spirit April 3, 2013

Grace for your spirit
Another of the disciples said to Him, "Lord, permit me first to go and bury my father."  But Jesus said to him, "Follow Me and allow the dead to bury their own dead.  Matthew 8:21-22

The call to be a disciple of Jesus Christ is a difficult challenge that many were unable to handle.  Jesus talked of denying ourselves, taking up His cross, and following Him.  Jesus said anyone who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is not fit for the kingdom.  Here this disciple is looking back before he gets started.  If he is allowed to go bury his father, he will have his father's inheritance to fall back on if things don't go well.  Jesus said "No". " Follow Me now, and let the dead bury the dead."  In other words, have faith and trust in Him to take care of the details.  He will !!

Monday, April 1, 2013

Grace for your spirit April 2, 2013

Grace for your spirit
But now in Christ you  who formerly were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For He Himself is our peace who made both groups into one and broke down the barrier of the dividing wall.  Ephesians 2:13-14

Jesus came to earth to break down the walls that divided Jews, Gentiles, races, philosophies, and religions.  His desire was to make many groups into one body.  It must seem weird that as Jesus tore down walls, His followers are proficient as wall builders.  As we look over the walls we have built and see nasty people who need help, perhaps we are the ones that need the help first and foremost.  When we decide to build another wall, we need to make sure that wall is not between us and Jesus, and find ourselves in a labyrinth maze of confusion.