Happy Thanksgiving-- "The Skit Guys" Video Thanksgiving: God's Goodness

7 Things You Might Not Have Known About the Pilgrims by Nathan Cherry here.

In this humorous yet sentimental Thanksgiving video, we are reminded that no matter how messy our lives get, we should always be thankful for God's goodness. Enjoy!

Skit Guys - Thanksgiving: God's Goodness from skitguys on GodTube.

World Vision's Christmas Catalog

Order World Vision's Christmas Gift Catalog here.Go here to give a gift of thirteen small farm animals to a third world family.

Fight for Joy: Shining like lights in a dark world-- Philippians 2:12-18 Questions for Reflection and Discussion

Dig Deeper

In Philippians 2:12-30 the Apostle Paul unpacks the theology of the first half of the chapter  (the example of Christ’s humility and exaltation of Christ for God’s glory) by practically explaining what it looks like to “Make your attitude that of Christ Jesus”. (Philippians 2:12-18) He follows up this lesson with two godly examples: Timothy and Epaphroditus. (Philippians 2:19-30)  

Philippians 2:12 instructs “work out your salvation with fear and trembling.” “Working out” salvation cannot be understood as “working for” salvation as evidenced by the clear teaching found elsewhere throughout the Scriptures. (See for example-- Ephesians 2:8-9, Titus 3:5, and Romans 4:2-4.) The ESV Study Bible explains the meaning of working out one’s salvation here “in terms of progressively coming to experience all of the aspects and blessings of salvation.” What additional insights do the following Scriptures provide for better understanding working out of one’s salvation?

Philippians 1:6; 3:12-14--

James 2:18--

Romans 6:1-19--

Galatians 5:6--

Ephesians 2:10--

Read Philippians 2:13. In what ways is the understanding of “God working in you…” the key to living the Christian life?

Compare the command of Philippians 2:14 with Jesus warning in Matthew 15:11 and James’ caution in James 3, “controlling the tongue.” In what ways is our tongue (speech) an indicator of our spiritual condition?

Application

In what tangible ways is the Holy Spirit leading you to fight for joy by shining like a light in a dark world?

Memorize This

Philippians 2:4-5— Everyone should look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others. Make your attitude that of Christ Jesus. © HCSB

Thanksgiving Food Drive-- tonight (11/22) 4 PM and tomorrow (11/23) at 7 AM

Thanksgiving Food Drive tonight 11/22 @ 4 & tomorrow @ 7 am-- help pack & deliver boxes to area families pic.twitter.com/SGgLZXFNs9
— Mike Miller (@emikemiller) November 22, 2013

Remembering C. S. Lewis

Today fifty years ago, on the same day President Kennedy was assassinated, writer, professor, intellectual and Christian apologist C. S. Lewis quietly passed away. His writings continue to encourage Christians and challenge skeptics. David Mathis wrote a moving tribute to Lewis on Desiring God's blog here. 

The folks at the Discovery Institute put together a three part video presentation outlining Lewis' critique of scientism and Darwinism. You can watch the first, The Magician's Twin: C. S. Lewis the the Case against Scietism, below and view the others here. 

It's in you!

  It’s in you!

Remember this classic Gatorade commercial featuring Payton Manning, Derek Jeter and Yao Ming promoting the “It’s in You” campaign? Philippians 2:5 instructs us to “Make your own attitude that of Christ Jesus.” How’s that possible? Well, it’s in you… or more accurately, He’s in you!!! “For it is God who is working in you, enabling you both to desire and to work out His good pleasure” Philippians 2:13.

This doesn't mean we are sit back passively, but rather we are to “work out (never “work for”) our salvation with fear and trembling” (verse 12). In this Sunday’s upcoming conversation we’ll pick up this discussion with Philippians 2:12-18. 

Another Great Example of Others First-- Olivet Middle School's Football Team

Thank You NMBC!

@OCC_shoeboxes @TintonTim Thank You! pic.twitter.com/0lmNiG7Wyf

— Mike Miller (@emikemiller) November 20, 2013

Fight for Joy: Jesus Attitude Philippians 2:5-11 Questions for Reflection and Discussion

Dig Deeper

In Philippians 2:5 the Apostle Paul writes, “Make your own attitude that of Christ Jesus.” The word attitude is a verb from the Greek word phroneō translated elsewhere “think, regard, mind, and savor.” Bottom line-- a “Jesus attitude” results from savoring the example and exaltation of Christ. Take time this week to savor the example and exaltation of Christ.

Fully God, became a man-- “God with skin on”

John 1:1-2, 14; John 8:48-59; John 10:22-39; John 18:6 and John 20:28--

Philippians 2:6--

Colossians 1:15-19--

Hebrews 1:3--

Humility of Christ

Matthew 20:28; Mark 10:45--

Romans 15:3--

Philippians 2:7-8--

Exaltation of Christ

Matthew 25:31--

Acts 4:12--

Philippians 2:9-11--

Revelation 4:8-11--

Application

How does the example and exaltation of Christ motivate you toward a “Jesus attitude”?

Memorize This

Philippians 2:4-5— Everyone should look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others. Make your attitude that of Christ Jesus. © HCSB

Samaritan's Purse Philippines Emergency Relief Update

It’s been nearly a week since the deadly super typhoon—one of the most powerful ever recorded—slammed into the Philippines. The winds leveled tens of thousands of homes. In some places, tsunami-like storm surges swept up to one-mile inland, causing more destruction and loss of life. At least 580,000 people have been displaced.

Samaritan’s Purse deployed disaster response specialists, including water and nutrition experts, to the region immediately after the storm. Community water filters, protective tarps, blankets, hygiene kits, and emergency family food packets are being rushed to affected areas. (More)

Click here to donate to the Samaritan’s Purse Philippines Emergency Relief fund. 

"Others above yourself..."

Philippians 2:2-4  Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves,  not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. NIV

Help Filipino victims of Super Typhoon Haiyan

The Christian Post reports International Christian relief agencies based out of the United States are sending assistance to central and eastern Philippines, which was devastated by one of the strongest typhoons on record, Haiyan, that may have killed more than 10,000 people and affected more than 25 million others. 

Samaritan’s Purse immediately deployed disaster response specialists, including water and nutrition experts, to the region. Our multinational team is coordinating relief efforts on the Leyte and the neighboring island of Samar, working with local Christians to deliver relief to those most in need. Community water filters, protective tarps, blankets, hygiene kits, and emergency family food packets are being rushed to affected areas. You can donate to Samaritan's Purse's Philippines Emergency Relief work here. 

Fight for Joy: Philippians 2:1-4 Grace >-- Questions for Reflection and Discussion

Dig Deeper

In Philippians 2:1-10 the Apostle Paul defines what it looks like to “Live your life in a manner worthy of the gospel” (Philippians 1:27), namely by following the example of Christ (Philippians 2:4). In the first four verses he lays out the proper motivation for doing so in four “if” statements. The conditional cause, “if any” is used as a figure of speech “assumed for the sake of argument” (HCSB Study Bible Notes). In other words, one who is truly saved can be assured of encouragement in Christ, consolation of love, fellowship with the Spirit, affection and mercy. Therefore, being a beneficiary of these incredible blessings, the Christian’s motivation for looking out for the interests of others is the grace he has received.

Take a closer look at these four “blessings” of salvation. How does the knowledge and assurance of each provide a motivation for obedience?

“encouragement in Christ”

1 John 2:1--

John 14:20,26--

“consolation of love”

Ephesians 3:18-19--

“fellowship with the Spirit”

Ephesians 1:13--

Romans 8:26-27—

“affection and mercy”

Philippians 1:8—

1 Timothy 1:16--

Application

In what tangible ways is the Holy Spirit leading you to look out for the interests of others ?

Memorize This

Philippians 2:4-5— Everyone should look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others. Make your attitude that of Christ Jesus. © HCSB

Veteran's Day Thank You Idea for Your Family

Parents of elementary aged students-- Here’s an idea for you to use this Veteran’s Day (Monday, November 11^th) as an opportunity to cultivate a spirit of gratitude and honor toward those who serve our country.  First, watch this video together as a family then make a list of all the veterans you know. If you are not sure of the veterans in our church family, be ready to make note of those who stand when they are recognized this Sunday.

Then, pick up a “Thank You for Starting” card at Club252 check-in Sunday morning or download the template free here. Have your children write notes in the cards. You can bring these cards to church with you Sunday or deliver them to veterans Sunday afternoon or Monday. 

Use this list for idea starters:

• ·         Generic thanks for their service and sacrifice.
• ·         List the things in life they are thankful for.
• ·         A simple picture of their family with “thank you” written on it somewhere.

The Start of Sacrifice from Journey Box Media on Vimeo.

Mission Week 2013: NMBC Local Mission Partner Update

What is the value of one soul? We were challenged by this video at the conclusion of this year's Mission Week. A huge THANK YOU to my NMBC family for your generosity! 

Sunday we heard from our local mission partners Frank & Melodi Schultz serving with World Impact in Newark, Lorrie Erli serving with Solutions Pregnancy and Health Center, Harry Flaherty serving with New Jersey's Fellowship of Christian Athletes, and David Mannon serving with International Students, Inc. at Rutgers University. You can listen to their mission updates here: