New Life's Blog

Why Do You Need to Go to Church?

To Whom it May Concern:

I was reading a book on How to Grow as a Christian, where it states that we need to go to church. Well that's where I have to differ, because it does not sit well with me when the church's concern is one's income. I have been to several churches and they always ask about income. I tell them I will give what I can and their response is, "You have to give at least ten percent of your income." I understand that the church needs funds to operate, but to tell someone that they need to give ten percent is not right ... I have decided to go online and do my Bible Studies and use the Internet to obtain information about following Christ, and to learn about God. I have friends and relatives who are good Christians and they will stand with me to honor Christianity. Thank you for taking the time to read this. Peace be with you and may God bless you.

Sincerely, 
Finding My own Way

I was moved by this letter because it reflects on the frustrations of so many Christians today. I want to encourage you to look at the idea of church attendance from a different perspective. It's so important to really understand the Lord's teachings about the body of Christ and what the Bible says about going to church.

Most of my reply to this letter is contained in this examination of what the Bible says about church attendance, I hope you too will look deeper into the question of what the Bible says about going to church.

What does the bible say about church attendance?

The Bible tells us to meet together as believers and to encourage one another.

Hebrews 10:25 
Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching. (NIV)

The reason I encourage Christians to find a good church is because the Bible instructs us to be in relationship with other believers. If we are part of Christ's body, we will recognize our need to fit into the body of believers. The Church is the place where we come together to encourage one another as members of Christ's body. Together we fulfill an important purpose on the Earth.

As members of the body of Christ, we belong to each other.

Romans 12:5 
... so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. (NIV)

It is actually for our own good that God want us in fellowship with other believers. We need each other to grow up in the faith, to learn to serve, to love one another, and to practice forgivness. Though we are individuals, we still belong to one another.

Background

When you give up on attending church, what's at stake? Well, to put it in a nutshell: the unity of the body, your own spiritual gorwth, protection and blessing are all at risk when you're disconnected from the body of Christ.

Christ's body is made of many parts, yet it is still one unified entity.

1 Corinthians 12:12 
The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body. So it is with Christ. (NIV)

1 Corinthians 12:14-23 
Now the body is not made up of one part but of many. If the foot should say, "Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body," it would not for that reason cease to be part of the body. And if the ear should say, "Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body," it would not for that reason cease to be part of the body. If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be? But in fact God has arranged the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be. If they were all one part, where would the body be? As it is, there are many parts, but one body.

The eye cannot say to the hand, "I don't need you!" And the head cannot say to the feet, "I don't need you!" On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, and the parts that we think are less honorable we treat with special honor. (NIV)

1 Corinthians 12:27 
Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. (NIV)

Unity in the body of Christ does not mean total conformity and uniformity. Although maintaining unity in the body is very important, it is also vital to value the unique qualities that make each of us an individual "part" of the body. Both aspects, unity and individuality, deserve emphasis and appreciation. This makes for a healthy church body, when we remember that Christ is our common denominator. He makes us one.

Spiritual Growth

We develop the character of Christ through bearing with one another in the body of Christ.

Ephesians 4:2 
Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. (NIV)

How else will we grow spiritually unless we interact with other believers? We learn humility, gentleness and patience, developing the character of Christ as we relate within the body of Christ.

In the body of Christ we exercise our spiritual gifts to serve and minister to one another.

1 Peter 4:10 
Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms. (NIV)

1 Thessalonians 5:11 
Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing. (NIV)

James 5:16 
Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective. (NIV)

We will discover a satisfying sense of fulfillment when we begin to carry out our purpose in the body of Christ. We are the ones who miss out on all the blessings of God and the gifts of our "family members," if we choose not to be a part of Christ's body.

Protection & Blessing

Our leaders in the body of Christ offer spiritual protection.

1 Peter 5:1-4 
To the elders among you, I appeal as a fellow elder ... Be shepherds of God's flock that is under your care, serving as overseers—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not greedy for money, but eager to serve; not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. (NIV)

Hebrews 13:17 
Obey your leaders and submit to their authority. They keep watch over you as men who must give an account. Obey them so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no advantage to you. (NIV)

God has placed us into the body of Christ for our own protection and blessing. Just like every earthly family, it's not always fun. We don't always have warm and fuzzy feelings in the body. There are difficult and unlovely moments as we grow together as a family, but there are also blessings that we will never experience unless we become relational and connected in the body of Christ.

Need One More Reason to Go to Church?

Jesus went to church as a regular practice. Luke 4:16 says, "He went to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, and on the Sabbath day he went into the synagogue, as was his custom."(NIV) It was his custom—his regular practice—to go to church. The Message Bible puts it like this, "As he always did on the Sabbath, he went to the meeting place." If Jesus made it a priority to meet together with other believers, shouldn't we, as his followers, do so also?

Resolution

So, if you are disillusioned with church, perhaps the problem is not "church in general," but rather the type of churches you have experienced thus far.  Perhaps you have never attended a healthy, balanced Christian church? They really do exist. I would encourage you not to give up, but continue to search for a Christ-centered, biblically-balanced church. But as you search, remember also, churches are imperfect. They are full of flawed people. However, we can't let other people's mistakes keep us from a genuine relationship with God and all of the blessings he has planned for us as we relate within his body.

 

 

 

Email from Pastor Sean

New Life Christian Fellowship

 

Dear New Life Family

 

I have two incredible things to share with you that I know will bring your life Healing and Purpose.   

 

First, on Sunday, May 17 at 10 am we welcome Richard Roberts as our guest minister.  This service promises to be one of the highlights of the year for everyone.  Richard Roberts continues the work the healing of the whole man, that God called his father Oral Roberts to.  Now more than ever we must take advantage of every window of opportunity that opens for us to find healing and be touched by unique ministries such as this one.  Don't waste another minute letting the pain, and injuries of life control you.  

 

Second, I believe that no life is complete without the discovering the singular purpose for which God created you.  Our Wed. night pastor's bible study has opened the way for each of us to find our destiny based on God's perfect design.  We begin a series based on the best selling book "THE PURPOSE DRIVEN LIFE" by Rick Warren.  If you have read this book you know it points us to principles that are essential for every believer.  If you haven't had the chance to read it, then please join us this week and watch as your life is transformed by the power of the word of God.  

 

Also, we wish all of our Mothers a Happy Mothers Day this week.  We would like to present all of our mothers with a free gift to show our appreciation for all you do.  Join us this Sunday and together we will 'Become the Miracle' that Christ made possible.  

 

In Love,

Pastor Sean Mooney 

 

New Life Christian Fellowship

2104 Underwood

La Porte TX 77571

 

 

***Please take a moment to send the following e-mail out to your entire contact list of friends, family, co-workers, neighbors, place on your facebook, myspace and twitter, etc... 

No virus found in this incoming message.
Checked by AVG - www.avg.com
Version: 8.0.238 / Virus Database: 270.12.18/2098 - Release Date: 05/05/09 13:07:00

Ding You Got Mail :)

Hi again, here's the email I sent yesterday

Hello Family,

 

   Pastor Sean and I are striving to make New Life the place that God desires it to be we have added the following things this week to make your New Life family better

 

1.       The Heart of New Life (see attached) is the staff’s way of keeping track of your family and your needs

2.       The New Life Staff Blog  www.angelamooney.typepad.com/newlifesblog

3.       The New Life prayer email is pray@newlifeinternet.net  will be ready tomorrow evening, this prayer email system goes directly to the pastoral staff’s cell phones and we can pray for you and your family the second we receive it.

 

As these things are new, there may be some glitches so bear with us as we work out the kinks in the coming weeks,

 

We love you so much,

Angela Mooney

From my email

This is without a doubt, The MOST Incredible video I have seen.!!! How did they hold the mom back to do this!!? It doesn't matter who you are, or how busy you are. This is a 'must watch' video, and I hope you'll pass it along.

http://www.childdrowningprevention.com/index.html

The Email Box

 

> Jesus and Satan were having an on-going argument about who was better

> on the computer. They had been going at it for days, and frankly God

> was tired of hearing all the bickering.

>  Finally fed up, God said, 'THAT'S IT! I have had enough. I am going

> to set up a test that will run for two hours, and from those results,

> I will judge who does the better job.'

>  

> So Satan and Jesus sat down at the keyboards and typed away.

>  

> They moused.

>  

>  They faxed.

>  

> They e-mailed.

>   

>  They e-mailed with attachments.

>  

> They downloaded.

>  

> They did spreadsheets!

>  

> They wrote reports. 

>  They created labels and cards.

>  

>  They created charts and graphs.

>  

>  They did some genealogy reports

>  

>  They did every job known to man.

>  

> Jesus worked with heavenly efficiency and Satan was faster than hell.

>  

>  Then, ten minutes before their time was up, lightning suddenly

> flashed across the sky, thunder rolled, rain poured, and, of course,

> the power went off..

>  

>  Satan stared at his blank screen and screamed every curse word known

> in the underworld.

>  

>  

> Jesus just sighed.

>  

>  Finally the electricity came back on, and each of them restarted

> their computers. Satan started searching frantically, screaming:

>  

>  'It's gone! It's all GONE! 'I lost everything when the power went

> out!'

>  

>  Meanwhile, Jesus quietly started printing out all of his files from

> the past two hours of work.

>  

>  Satan observed this and became irate. 

>  

>  'Wait!' he screamed. 'That's not fair! He cheated!

> How come he has all his work and I don't have any?'

>  

> God just shrugged and said . . .

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

>  

>  JESUS SAVES

>  

>  (This is one of the best clean jokes I've seen in a while! )

Now Thats Funny

 

> As a young minister in Kentucky , I was asked by a funeral > director to > hold a graveside service for a homeless man, who had no > family or friends. The funeral was to be held at a new > cemetery way back in the country, and this man would be the > first to be buried there. I was not familiar with the > backwoods area, and I soon became lost. Being a typical > man, I did not stop to ask for directions. I finally > arrived an hour late. I saw the backhoe and the open grave, > but the hearse was nowhere in sight. The digging crew was > eating lunch. I apologized to the workers for my tardiness, > and I stepped to the side of the open grave. There I saw the > vault lid already in place. > > I assured the workers I would not hold them up for long, as > I told them that this was the proper thing to do. The > workers gathered around the grave and stood silently, as I > began to pour out my heart and soul. As I preached about > 'looking forward to a brighter tomorrow'and > 'the glory that is to come,' the workers began to > say 'Amen,' 'Praise the Lord,' and > 'Glory!' The fervor of these men truly inspired me. > So, I preached and I preached like I had never preached > before, all the way from Genesis to Revelations. > >   > > I finally closed the lengthy service with a prayer, thanked > the men, and > walked to my car. As I was opening the door and taking off > my coat, I heard one of the workers say to another, 'I > ain't NEVER seen nothin' like that before, and > I've been puttin' in septic tanks for thirty > years!'No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG - http://www.avg.com Version: 8.0.138 / Virus Database: 270.5.2/1561 - Release Date: 7/18/2008 6:35 PM The information contained in this message and any attachments is intended only for the use of the individual or entity to which it is addressed, and may contain information that is PRIVILEGED, CONFIDENTIAL, and exempt from disclosure under applicable law. If you are not the intended recipient, you are prohibited from copying, distributing, or using the information. Please contact the sender immediately by return e-mail and delete the original message from your system.

God's Very Own Medicine - Tea Tree Oil

 

Today Australian Tea Tree Oil is known to be an effective antiseptic and fungicide and promotes tissue healing. The following is some suggested therapeutic uses for this oil. This information is for educational purposes only. For serious or persistant problems consult a physician.

General Use

Externally: Tea Tree oil may be applied directly to the skin to stimulate regeneration of injuries and fight bacterial and fungal infection. If you have sensitive skin, you may want to dilute it with a little olive oil. A Massage Oil can also be used as a carrier oil since it is formulated especially for skin absorption. Internally: To fight infections (bacterial or fungal) take a few drops well diluted with water.

Specific Uses

Acne - Dab on pure or add to warm water and rinse. You can add it to any facial wash you use.

Athlete's Feet - Being a fungal based problem, Tea Tree Oil does a great job eliminating the problem. Put 2-3 drops in your palm and add a carrier oil or lotion and apply at least once a day.

Boils - Wash the area surrounding the boil thoroughly and then apply full strength with a cotton swab two to four times each day for four days. A gauze pad saturated with the oil may also be applied directly to the boil for up to twelve hours.

Bug Buster - We keep a spray bottle mixed with 15 drops of Tea Tree Oil and a quart of water to repel insects. In the summer ants tend to come in our patio door or along the exposed wall. When we see that begin, we spray our natural Bug Buster several times a day for several days and they'll find somewhere else to go. Natural doesn't work fast like chemicals, but then it doesn't kill a little bit of you either! Another favorite bug repellant is Clove Oil.

Burns - Being a non-greasy and volatile oil, Tea Tree Oil is excellent for burns. Any of the oil which has not been absorbed within 10 minutes will evaporate, allowing the skin to breathe. Speedy treatment is essential. The burn should be put under cold running water or packed in ice for one minute. Then, alternate applications of Tea Tree Oil and cold water for ten more minutes. The oil may be poured from the bottle directly over the burn. The oil can be applied liberally twice daily for three to four days if necessary.

Cankers (Mouth Ulcers) - Apply the oil full strength directly to the canker sore several times until sore heals. One or two applications are reported to do the trick for most people.

Cold Sores - Apply the oil full strength daily for a week.

Cuts - Clean the wound and apply the Tea Tree Oil directly to the cut two to three times the first day. You can continue to apply the oil twice daily for up to seven days thereafter.

Dandruff - Add Tea Tree to your shampoo for dandruff, dry or oily scalp, and itchy scalp. Use 10 drops to an 8 ounce bottle.

Diaper Rash - Apply 2-3 drops of oil mixed in your palm with a carrier oil (not baby oil - it contains mineral oil which causes Vitamin A deficiencies).

Disinfectant - Use 15 drops to quart of water in a spray bottle. Use on countertops or for general cleaning. Tea Tree Oil along with Sunshine Concentrate will give you all the cleaning and laundry supplies you need in your home.

Ear Aches - Rub two or three drops of the oil on the outer ear or dilute three drops of the oil in one teaspoon of olive oil and put a few drops of the diluted mixture in the ear twice daily.

Fleas - Use 10 drops to 8 oz. of water and spray on animal's coat as you rub it in. It will be good for their skin also. This needs to be done daily until the problem is under control in the home. After all fleas are gone you can put it in a spritzer bottle and give your animal a spritz all over once or twice a day if fleas are in the area.

Fungus Nails - Andrew Weil, M.D. in "Natural Health, Natural Medicine", says Tea Tree Oil will clear up fungal infections of both toenails and fingernails even if they are resistant to strong systemic antibiotics.

Gums/Teeth - Add 2 drops to a little water and swish around mouth --- or add a drop to your toothbrush and apply while you brush. Does a great job for receding gums, pyorrhea, gingivitis, plaque, and bad breath from dental sources.

Infected/Sore Nails - Applied several times a day.

Insect Bites and Stings - As soon as possible, apply the oil full strength directly to the bite with a finger or cotton ball.

Laundry Disinfectant: Add one teaspoon per load to disinfect laundry such as diapers or to prevent transmission of fungal infections.

Lice - Mix five drops of Tea Tree Oil in a teaspoon of shampoo and wash the hair. Repeat this treatment twice daily until the lice are gone. 

Mites - Cats and dogs get ear mites. They are not transmittable to humans, but infestations are very contagious with pets in contact with other animals. We have used TEA TREE OIL diluted. I use 10 drops in a tablespoon of olive oil (you can use another kind). Then I take a small eyedropper and squirt it in one ear at a time, instantly covering the opening with the ear flap. I spend a full minute massaging the ear to keep the animal from shaking it all out before it gets into the ear canal and begins doing its work. Massage as long as you can and rub the animal's head to make it a plesant experience so you can repeat this twice a day for a week. Consistency equals results.

Pimples - Apply full strength with a cotton swab two to four times each day for four days.

Scalp Problems - Itchy, dry, scaly or oily scalps can be helped with Tea Tree Oil. Use as shown above under "Dandruff."

Sinus & Bronchial Congestion - Rub a few drops of the oil on the nose and sinuses and/or rub the oil on the chest. The vapors may be inhaled by adding five drops of the oil to a bowl of steaming hot water or to a vaporizor.

Skin Problems - Use one teaspoon in a tub of bath water for a very invigorating bath. It is reported to help sooth and disinfect the skin in cases of psoriasis, eczema and so forth.

Splinters - First, soak the afflicted area in hot water to soften the skin. Then, apply Tea Tree Oil full strength. Remove the splinter with a sterilized needle. Clean the cut, dry the area and reapply the oil. For deep slivers, Black Ointment, pine tar or lily of the valley herb applied to the area and covered with a dressing will help to draw the sliver to the surface.

Sunburn - Dilute one part Tea Tree Oil with ten parts of olive oil or coconut oil and spread freely over the affected areas. This is reported to be soothing and pain-relieving and to reduce blistering and peeling. People have also applied tea tree oil full strength to sunburn.

Thrush in Infants (Mouth) - Dilute a few drops of tea tree oil in the child's saliva to reduce the strong taste and paint onto the afflicted areas with a swab. This can be repeated twice per day for two days. Discontinue if there is no improvement.

Ticks and Leeches - Apply Tea Tree Oil to the live tick or leech and surrounding skin. Leave for 20 minutes. The tick may fall off. If not, remove it carefully (make certain no part of the tick is left in the skin). Continue applying the oil to the bite three times per day for up to seven days.

Vaginal Yeast Infections - Use one teaspoon of the oil in a 500 ml. douche daily. You can also soak a tampon in the oil and insert. It can also be taken internally. See the directions for Candida Albicans.

The Meaning of Life

CREATION On the first day, God created the dog and said: 'Sit all day by the door of your house and bark at anyone who comes in or walks past. For this, I will give you a life span of twenty years.' The dog said: 'That's a long time to be barking. How about only ten years and I'll give you back the other ten?' So God agreed. On the second day, God created the monkey and said: 'Entertain people, do tricks, and make them laugh. For this, I'll give you a twenty-year life span.' The monkey said: 'Monkey tricks for twenty years? That's a pretty long time to perform. How about I give you back ten like the Dog did?' And God agreed. On the third day, God created the cow and said: 'You must go into the field with the farmer all day long and suffer under the sun, have calves and give milk to support the farmer's family. For this, I will give you a life span of sixty years.' The cow said: 'That's kind of a tough life you want me to live for sixty years. How about twenty and I'll give back the other forty?' And God agreed again. On the fourth day, God created man and said: 'Eat, sleep, play, marry and enjoy your life. For this, I'll give you twenty years.' But man said: 'Only twenty years? Could you possibly give me my twenty, the forty the cow gave back, the ten the monkey gave back, and the ten the dog gave back; that makes eighty, okay?' 'Okay,' said God, 'You asked for it.' So that is why for our first twenty years we eat, sleep, play and enjoy ourselves. For the next forty years we slave in the sun to support our family. For the next ten years we do monkey tricks to entertain the grandchildren. And for the last ten years we sit on the front porch and bark at everyone.

Life has now been explained to you.

From My Email

To my sisters in the Lord...

There comes a time in every woman's life when she has to take a close look at herself.  Not at her circumstance, not at what she did, not how unfair life is, or at who made you do it.   She has to just look at herself in all her glory and imperfection.   Have you ever admired a woman who has been through changes in her life?  Or have you made up in your mind that she is just messed up.  Before you make this mistake, take a closer look.   A woman who has endured the most unusual life is someone of wisdom, someone who has been chosen by God to go through things that have made her stronger.

Think of all the great women in the Bible: Mary Magdalene, Ruth and Naomi, the woman with an issue of blood, and Esther, to name a few.    Mary was a prostitute, a very uneasy woman. But by the time Jesus was done with her, she was His closest follower.    Esther was unfortunate in marrying an abusive man, but by the time God was done with her, she had married one of the wealthiest men in t he land.

Women are so quick to beat the next one down instead of trying to hold her up.   Before you wonder,' What's up with her?' ask yourself, 'What's up with me?'   That woman could be my mother, sister, aunt, in-law, stepmother, niece, grandmother, great-grandmother, neighbor, friend, or co-worker, etc. That woman could be ME.

Women are the carriers of life, not the channels of death.  Let's build and encourage each other, as did Ruth and Naomi.  Pass this to all the women in your life.  Encourage and love, forgive and forget, and trust that the woman that receives this will be touched in some way.

May the peace and love of Christ be upon you!

I read this everyday!

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