May 31, Daily Scripture

"Let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another."

       - Hebrews 10:24&25

May 30, Daily Scripture

"Now listen, you who say, "Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money." Why you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Instead, you ought to say, "If it is the Lord's will, we will live and do this or that." As it is, you boast and brag. All such boasting is evil. Anyone, then, who knows the good he ought to do and doesn't do it, sins."

          - James 4:13-17

May 29, Daily Scripture

"Work at living in peace with everyone, and work at living a holy life, for those who are not holy will not see the Lord. Look after each other so that none of you fails to receive the grace of God. Watch out that no poisonous root of bitterness grows up to trouble you, corrupting many."

       Hebrews 12:14&15

May 28, Daily Scripture

"Dear brothers and sisters, when trouble comes your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing."

         - James 1:2-4

May 27, Daily Scripture

"Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God's peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus."

         - Philippians 4:6&7

Think about it.... Ok God already knows everything about everyone of us right? Yeah he does.  So why do we need to tell him everything when he already knows it? Well obviously the early church had something figured out. They did form right after Jesus left and had the apostles leading them. They prayed diligently all the time, not only by themselves but together in groups too. Then the Bible also says in many different places to ask God and you will receive.  The Bible is crazy about us talking to our Father in heaven.  Then think about our relationships with other people here on earth. We grow closer to people when we just talk to them and carry on conversations. Maybe God just wants to be with us, feel included in our lives. We shouldn't just include him either, he is the Almighty.  He should be our lives. But we all gotta start somewhere.

May 26, Daily Scripture

Mark 3 talks about how Jesus went into the synagogue on the Sabbath and healed a man's deformed hand.  The Pharisees were watching him closely to accuse him of working on the Sabbath, if he healed the man's hand they would accuse him of working.  Jesus then said in verse 4 "Does the law permit good deeds on the Sabbath, or is it a day for doing evil? Is this a day to save life or destroy it?" 

If healing the man's hand was doing a good deed, then not healing his hand would be doing evil.  I think this is a reminder to us to not pass up opportunities to do good work for the Lord.  If we see an opportunity and pass it up, are we doing evil? 

May 25, Daily Scripture

"If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking.  But when you ask him, be sure that your faith is in God alone."

      James 1:5&6

May 24, Daily Scripture

"And all the believers met together in one place and shared everything they had. They sold their properties and possessions and shared the money with those in need. They worshipped together at the temple each day, met in homes for the Lord's supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity - all the while praising God and enjoying the goodwill of all the people. And each day the Lord added to their fellowship those who were being saved."

         - Acts 2:44-47

This is the way the early church lived, and God was obvious in their lives, moving in ways that showed everyone the power of God.  Read more of Acts if you want to know more about the early church. I think there is a lot we can learn from them. 

May 23, Daily Scripture

"If you are wise and understand God's ways, prove it by living an honorable life, doing good works with the humility that comes from wisdom. But if you are bitterly jealous and there is self ambition in your heart, don't cover up the truth with boasting and lying. For jealousy and selfishness are not God's kind of wisdom. Such things are earthly, unspiritual, and demonic. For wherever there is jealousy and self ambition. there you will find disorder and evil of every kind."

      - James 3:13-16

May 22, Daily Scripture

"Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children. Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. He loved us and offered himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God."

      - Ephesians 5:1&2

To imitate God we have to know what His nature is.  Do you know His nature? Or do you think you know His nature? Studying his word is definitely the place I discover Christ's nature. The other place is in fellowship with other Christians.  

      - Nick

Rusty loves us....PERMANENTLY!!

If you ever wonder if our shepherds love and support Student Ministry, check this out... Rusty Anderson has our logo TATTOOED on his arm. That is what I call a supportive shepherd!! Rusty, You Rock!!

May 21, Daily Scripture

"Therefor I, a prisoner for serving the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of your calling, for you have been called by God. Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other's faults because of your love. Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, just as you have been called to one glorious hope for the future. There is one Lord, one faith, one baptism, and one God and Father, who is over all and in all and living through all."

       - Ephesians 4:1-6

One of the things that just completely amazes me about God's word is that it all intertwines with itself and everything that is holy.  You can get so much out of every sentence in the Bible. For example, in verse 1, Paul is talking about being a prisoner for the Lord and living the life that you are called to live by God.  Jesus talks about how slaves should obey there masters as if working for the Lord.  We are all slaves to Christ when we are saved by Him.  We give our lives over to Him, but don't think of it in a bad way, you are privileged to be God's worker.  It is a joy to be God's servant, and when we are living the way we should be its so clear and so simple.

       - Nick

Hi guys it's Lexi!

I just wanted to say thanks from all the seniors for throwing our amazing party sunday night! And if you didn't help throw it thanks for coming, and if you didn't come then I revoke my thanks. =]

And I know it's random b

ut here is a picture of our youth group being a little crazy with superchic[k]!!!!

NOUSCHE and BOWLING

Ok everyone NOUSCHE is the name and BOWLING is the game! This Thursday the 22 at 8pm were meeting up at Micky's bowling alley at 21st and 145th (the eastland mall) for some amazing quarter mania fun!    Hot Dogs.... pop..... bowling.... everything is a quarter. That's right only $.25.  Well actually there is a $6 dollar cover charge for shoes and everything, but besides that, its all only a quarter.  That's right... you can get 20 hotdogs for only 5 dollars! Be there.. or make me sad...

Nick

May 20, Daily Scripture

"Children, obey your parents because you belong to the Lord, for this is the right thing to do. Honor your father and mother. This is the first commandment with a promise. If you honor you father and mother, things will go well for you, and you will have a long life on earth."

        - Ephesians 6:1-3

Ok so the strategy for having a good life is obey your mother and father. Simply stated right? Well our Lord is our Father too.  And our church is our family as well.  So I believe that we have many fathers and mothers to honor and take advice from. After all, God did promise us this.

       - Nick

May 19, Daily Scripture

"It is good to give thanks to the Lord, to sing praises to the Most High. It is good to proclaim your unfailing love in the morning, your faithfulness in the evening, accompanied by the ten-stringed harp and the melody of the lyre. You thrill me, Lord, with all that you have done for me! I sing for joy because of what you have done. O Lord what great works you do! And how deep are your thoughts."

        - Psalm 92:1-5

Hey guys I'm just going to put a thought in your head, but let God tell you what He wants to out of these verses.  Remember Wade's sermon on Sunday? Remember what he was saying about Christians being "good".  I'm not saying it's bad to be good, its just bad to only try to be good.  (I hope that makes sense) This first part of Psalm 92 is talking about how it is very good to praise God all day long and be thankful for what He has done, but what I want to add is, don't let that be all you do.  Worshiping God is more than just singing Him praises and being thankful.  As Romans 12 says, offer your bodies as living sacrifices to God and that is your spiritual act of worship.  So may we all be good in our thankfulness to God and holy in the way we live our lives.

        - Nick

May 18, Daily Scripture

"My steps have stayed on your path; I have not wavered from following you. I am praying to you because i know you will answer, O God. Bend down and listen as I pray. Show me your unfailing love in wonderful ways. By your mighty power you rescue those who seek refuge form their enemies. Guard me as you would guard your own eyes. Hide me in the shadow of your wings."

       - Psalm 17:5-8

May 16, Daily Scripture

"So then, since Christ suffered physical pain, you must arm yourselves with the same attitude He had, and be ready to suffer too. For if you have suffered physically for Christ, you have finished with sin. You won't spend the rest of your lives chasing your own desires, but you will be anxious to do the will of God. You have had enough in the past of evil things that godless people enjoy - their immorality and lust, their feasting and drunkeness and wild parties, and their terrible worship of idles. Of course, your former friends are surprised when you no longer plunge into the flood of wild and destructive things they do. So they slander you."

        - 1 Peter 4:1-4

May 15, Daily Scripture

"Therefor, I urge you... in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God - this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is - his good, pleasing and perfect will."
- Romans 12:1&2

Worship is not just praising God by singing on Wedneday nights. God made us to worship, and to worship him truly is to live our lives for Him. The only way to do this is to ask God for his hand every day in being more like His son. After all, according to James 4 and Matthew 7, we recieve what God's will is by asking Him for it.
- Nick

Family Festival

Family Festival Rocked! We had so many people from the surrounding community come out and join the fun. Thanks for helping make this such a successful event.

May 14, Daily Scripture

" If it seems we are crazy, it is to bring glory to God. And if we are in our right monds, it is for your benefit. Either way, Christ's love controls us. Since we believe that Christ died for all, we also believe that we have all died to our old life."

         - 2 Corinthians 5:13&14

May 13, Daily Scripture

ANNOUNCEMENT!!!!!! ok everybody come play put put at All Star sports complex at 61 and 169 at 4-o-clock this Saturday the 17th! Bring 5 bucks and a game face cuz this is serious stuff.

"That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life - whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn't life more than food, and your body more than clothing?... Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?"

- Matthew 6:25&27

Tea Party pics!

Guide older women into lives of reverence so they end up as neither gossips nor drunks, but models of goodness. By looking at them, the younger women will know how to love their husbands and children, be virtuous and pure, keep a good house, be good wives. We don't want anyone looking down on God's Message because of their behavior. Titus 2:3-5

We had a "gnarly" time a "fortnight" ago as the Daughters of Anna and the students got together to compare notes over tea and scones. Check out these pics Kara took!

Youth Group Musical pictures

Amazing job everyone! Thanks to Rusty for the pics!

May 12, 2008 Daily Scripture

"What causes the quarrels and fights among you? Don't they come from the evil desires at war within you? You want what you don't have, so you scheme and kill to get it. You are jealous of what others have, but you can't get it so you wage war to take it away from them. Yet you don't have what you want because you don't ask God for it. And even when you ask, you don't get it because your motives are all wrong - you want only what will give you pleasure."
- James 4:1-3

Ok I know that is full of a whole lot of negative stuff, but concentrate on the line where it talks about asking God. I really think there is something to that line.

And I should have said this sooner, but whatever I post alongside the verses is strictly for help to spark some ideas. I'm kinda journaling some of my thoughts for you guys to read. You do not have to follow what I suggest at all. The main thing I want you all to do, is just read God's word and get into it. Let God tell you what He wants to tell you.

- Nick

May 11, 2008 Daily Scripture

"Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful."
- Colossians 3:12-15

Just as we put on clothes everyday, we should put on these virtues as we are preparing for our day. Before you leave your house whether you are going to school, work or to just hang out with some friends, put on all these virtues, especially love. Doing this will start your day off in the right direction and in connection with God's presence. Keep your heads up and ready for whatever God sends your way!

- Nick

May 10, 2008 Daily Scripture

"Do everything without complaining and arguing, so that no one can criticize you. Live clean, innocent lives as children of God, shining like bright lights in a world full of crooked and perverse people. Hold firmly to the word of life; then on the day of Christ's return, I will be proud that I did not run the race in vain and that my work was not useless."

- Philippians 2:14-16

May 9, 2008 Daily Scripture

"Then Jesus said to the crowd, "If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross daily, and follow me. If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it."

- Luke 9:23&24

May 8, 2008 Daily Scripture

"Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of undeserved privilege where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God's glory. We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love."

Romans 5:2-5

- everyone, I am begging you guys, please stay faithful to God and his Word.  When we are disciplined enough to do what He wants us to do, even when we don't want to, that builds character.

- Nick 

May 7, 2008 Daily Scripture

Take some time out of your day today to read this scripture, reflect on it, and spend some quiet time with God. I don't know how I can express how important it is to spend time with Him every day.  Just like any relationship, your relationship with Jesus Christ requires time and effort. No matter where you are at in your walk with Christ I want to encourage you to have a daily quiet time with God.  You can use the scripture I provide or read the Word on your own.  Just do it!!! Trust me, its worth it. 

"Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains. Pray that I may proclaim it clearly as I should. Be wise in the way you act towards outsiders, make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer to everyone."

Colossians 4:2-6

- Nick

 

Excited Me - Nick