Join us December 24th at 10:00am for our Christmas service.  The sermon will be “Christmas Lights”.  There will be no Christmas Eve evening service.

Alpha Course Begins 6:00 PM Tuesday, January 9

The Alpha Course is a wonderful opportunity to learn, ask questions, enjoy good food, and meet new people.  If you would like to register for the course or want additional information, contact Bob or Marian Musser (486-7105), Mike Hejmanowski (968-6743), or Lisa Smallwood.

Pastor Ryan will be on vacation from December 25th thru January 2nd .   If you need anything during this time, contact one of the church deacons or call the church office.

Pray for a special anointing of the Holy Spirit on the team as they seek opportunities to share the Christmas love story with their friends.  Pray for Spirit-led conversations.  Pray that people will have open and understanding hearts in this region that has very few believers or churches.

SIMPLIFY
Rising Above- Week 3

Matthew 6:25-34 (NLT)

“God’s kingdom only can be sought when it is sought first; he who does not seek God’s kingdom first does not seek it at all.”  Kierkegaard

Warning Systems for Your Life

i. When Close RELATIONSHIPS Begin to SUFFER.

2 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 12:2 (NIV)

 ”The health of this great country will not be primarily determined by what happens in the White House, but rather by what happens at your house.”  Barbara Bush

ii. When There Is a Diminished JOY.

10 And Nehemiah continued, “Go and celebrate with a feast of choice foods and sweet drinks, and share gifts of food with people who have nothing prepared. This is a sacred day before our Lord. Don’t be dejected and sad, for the joy of the LORD is your strength!”  Nehemiah 8:10 (NLT)

TRUTH: The devil TARGETS and SABOTAGES your joy.

12 Restore the joy of your salvation to me, and provide me with a spirit of willing obedience.   Psalms 51:12 (GW)

iii. When Acquiring Your Dream Requires COMPROMISE.

17 For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want.  Galatians 5:17 (NIV)

22 The blessing of the LORD makes a person rich, and he adds no sorrow with it. Proverbs 10:22 (NLT)
Three Simple Principles

1. The Principle of MARGINS.

“The choice before us is plain: Christ or chaos, conviction or compromise, discipline or disintegration.” Peter Marshall

2. The Principle of PRUNING.

8 The LORD says, “I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you. 9 Do not be like a senseless horse or mule that needs a bit and bridle to keep it under control.”  Psalms 32:8-9 (NLT)

11 For I know the plans I have for you,” says the LORD. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.    Jeremiah 29:11 (NLT)

23 Search me [thoroughly], O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! 24 And see if there is any wicked or hurtful way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.  Psalms 139:23-24 (AMP)

3. The Principle of SABBATH.

8 “Remember to observe the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. 9 Six days a week are set apart for your daily duties and regular work, 10 but the seventh day is a day of rest dedicated to the LORD your God. On that day no one in your household may do any kind of work. This includes you, your sons and daughters, your male and female servants, your livestock, and any foreigners living among you.       Exodus 20:8-10 (NLT)

Sabbath accomplishes three purposes:

• It restores your FAITH.
• It restores your FOCUS.
• It restores your FLAME.

LONDON: The days in London are getting shorter and colder, making it more challenging to do on-the-streets evangelism.  Pray that the 6 members of the BIC London team will have perseverance to seek new opportunities to share the gospel with Muslims.  (1 out of every 5 people in the world is Muslim)

• Pray for specific opportunities to share the good news of Christ’s death and resurrection with un-churched friends, neighbors, and coworkers.
• Pray that NLC will continue to be a church that reaches people from all walks of life who will find help, healing, and hope as they connect to Jesus and His Family at NLC.
• Pray for your small group.  Pray that God would richly bless its leaders and that there would be a greater commitment to biblical community at NLC.
• Pray for continued spiritual growth and a deeper passion to know and love God more.
• Pray that each of our ministries at NLC will continue to fulfill their purpose.  Pray that those not currently serving in a ministry would sense the leading of the Holy Spirit to find a ministry where they can use their passion, gifts, talents, and abilities to serve others.
• Pray that God would stir our hearts with a passion to see NLC grow and at some point plant other churches.

There are various ways one can help with Alpha.  If you would like to help with the Winter Alpha Course (which starts the 2nd week in January) Contact:  the church office (240-0060) or Bob and Marian Musser (486-7105)

Small Group study notes for Week of Dec. 10-16, 2006: Why Does God Let Us Struggle?

Why Does God Let Us Struggle?
Rising Above- Week 2
December 10, 2006

“When peace like a river attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea-billows roll;
Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say,
‘It is well, it is well, with my soul.’”

12 Dear friends, don’t be surprised at the fiery trials you are going through, as if something strange were happening to you.  1 Peter 4:12 (NLT)

33 “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”   John 16:33 (NIV)

Five Reasons God Allows Me To Struggle:

1. There Is GOOD in the Struggle.

“The Divine ‘goodness’ differs from ours, but is not sheerly different: it differs from ours not as white from black but as a perfect circle from a child’s first attempt to draw a wheel. But when the child has learned to draw, it will know that the circle it then makes is what it was trying to make from the very beginning.” C.S. Lewis

2. God’s LOVE Includes Struggle.

5 And you have forgotten that word of encouragement that addresses you as sons: “My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, 6 because the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes everyone he accepts as a son.” 7 Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father?   Hebrews 12:5-7 (NIV)

3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.  2 Corinthians 1:3-4 (NIV)

3. Struggles and Tests INCREASE Our Faith.

2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. 4 Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.  James 1:2-4 (NIV)

4. Struggles Prompt Us to CHANGE.

“One of God’s most effective tools to increase our motivation beyond good intentions is pain. If we never struggle, we will probably never change.” Wayne Cordeiro

5. Struggles Develop Proven CHARACTER.

8 Although he was a son, he learned obedience from what he suffered.  Hebrews 5:8 (NIV)

10 And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.  1 Peter 5:10 (NIV)

MEMORY VERSE:

31 but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.  Isaiah 40:31 (NIV)

 

Come celebrate Christmas with us Sunday, December 24 at 10am. There will be a Christmas concert by our children and youth.

More details will be available soon…