New Community Church - NC New Community Church, Elizabeth City NC http://newcommunity.church Sun, 07 Jul 2024 06:00:00 +0000 Sun, 07 Jul 2024 06:00:00 +0000 hourly 1 3600 SnapPages.com 90-Day Giving Challenge http://newcommunity.church/blog/2025/06/08/90-day-giving-challenge Sun, 08 Jun 2025 08:01:00 +0000 http://newcommunity.church/blog/2025/06/08/90-day-giving-challenge

"Test me in this"

Introduction

Malachi 3:10 says, “Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the LORD Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it.”

We know that tithing for 90 days can seem like a huge challenge, but as with everything we do, we don’t want something from you, we want something for you! This reading plan is designed to take you on a journey over the next 90 days as you test God’s word. We will look at questions about tithing as well as how giving can strengthen our relationships with God. Our prayer is that after 90 days you will have a better understanding of giving and a stronger relationship with God.
]]> Day 4 http://newcommunity.church/blog/2025/05/22/day-4 Thu, 22 May 2025 13:11:51 +0000 http://newcommunity.church/blog/2025/05/22/day-4

What is a tithe?

Read: Matthew 19:16-26 
Through the story of the rich young ruler, we can see how giving makes us more like Jesus, but with a different result than the poor widow. This young ruler was anxious to talk with Jesus. He wanted to be a good person; perfect in fact! He just didn’t know how to actually be perfect. We soon find out that this guy has completely missed the point. After talking with Jesus, he walks away disappointed. He was really counting on his wealth to save him. He may not have said it in so many words, but his inability to part with his money spoke for him. In instructing us to tithe, God is reminding us that our money can’t save us. Jesus reminds us that there is only one who is perfect and He is the only way to salvation. A true sign that we’re trusting God with our lives is if we’re trusting Him with our money. 
Ask God to forgive you for relying on your money instead of Him. Ask Him to continue to show you how to honor him first with your finances.
]]> Day 3 http://newcommunity.church/blog/2025/05/22/day-3 Thu, 22 May 2025 13:11:01 +0000 http://newcommunity.church/blog/2025/05/22/day-3

What is a tithe?

Read: Mark 12:41-44 
God designed the tithe to make us more like Christ. In the story of the widow’s offering, we see the hearts of two different types of people. Many of the rich people gave large sums of money. Then we have a poor widow that gave all the money she had. The point of this story is not how much the people gave, but their hearts behind it. Think about how much faith it took for the widow to give the last of her money. Do you think she probably had to trust that God was going to continue to provide for her? Do you think that made her a little more like Jesus? 
Pray that God would continue to make your heart more like His. Ask Him to show you how He wants you to handle your finances.
]]> Day 2 http://newcommunity.church/blog/2025/05/22/day-2 Thu, 22 May 2025 12:58:50 +0000 http://newcommunity.church/blog/2025/05/22/day-2

What is a tithe?

Read: Exodus 20:3, Matthew 6:19-21 
The first commandment God gives to Moses is that we are to have no other gods before Him. In the book of Matthew, Jesus tells us that our heart will be where our treasure is. For many of us, money becomes our god.  Money has our hearts, not God. Think of it as a string that goes from your heart to your wallet. Giving is an act of worship. It helps us cut that string. We not only thank God for all He’s given to us by giving back some of it, but we also ensure that we are worshiping God and not our money. How are you honoring God with your money? How does how you spend your money show what you worship? 
Ask God to forgive you for worshiping money. Ask Him to show you how you can honor Him with your finances.
]]> Day 1 http://newcommunity.church/blog/2025/05/22/day-1 Thu, 22 May 2025 12:57:39 +0000 http://newcommunity.church/blog/2025/05/22/day-1

What is a tithe?

Read: Leviticus 27:30, Proverbs 3:9-10
A tithe simply means a tenth. As we see from these verses, we are told to honor God with our “first fruits.” While God is the provider and owner of everything we have, He only asks for a tenth of it back. For us, this means that God asks us to give 10% of our income. That number may seem pretty intimidating at first, but don’t worry. As we continue through the Bible, we will see that God is more concerned with our heart behind giving.
Ask God to prepare your heart for this journey. Pray that He speaks to you through His word and reveals your next step in giving.
]]> Day 40: Faith in Action pt. 2 http://newcommunity.church/blog/2024/07/26/day-40-faith-in-action-pt-2 Fri, 26 Jul 2024 06:00:00 +0000 http://newcommunity.church/blog/2024/07/26/day-40-faith-in-action-pt-2
Scripture:
  • Matthew 7:24-27 Those people who are listening to Me, those people who hear what I say and live according to My teachings—you are like a wise man who built his house on a rock, on a firm foundation. When storms hit, rain pounded down and waters rose, levies broke and winds beat all the walls of that house. But the house did not fall because it was built upon rock. Those of you who are listening and do not hear—you are like a fool who builds a house on sand. When a storm comes to his house, what will happen? The rain will fall, the waters will rise, the wind will blow, and his house will collapse with a great crash.

  • Matthew 5:16 You are like that illuminating light. Let your light shine everywhere you go, that you may illumine creation, so men and women everywhere may see your good actions, may see creation at its fullest, may see your devotion to Me, and may turn and praise your Father in heaven because of it.

Consider:
  • What is the difference between the wise man and the foolish man?

  • How well is your faith being translated into action?

  • What is one action you can do today to shine for God?

Prayer focus:
  • Pray for the Lord to give you a solid faith foundation.
  • Pray for family members to have a solid foundation in Christ.
  • Pray for our church to be a compelling presence for Christ!
]]> Day 39: Faith in Action pt. 1 http://newcommunity.church/blog/2024/07/25/day-39-faith-in-action-pt-1 Thu, 25 Jul 2024 06:00:00 +0000 http://newcommunity.church/blog/2024/07/25/day-39-faith-in-action-pt-1
Scripture:
  • James 2:26 Removing action from faith is like removing breath from a body. All you have left is a corpse.

  • James 1:22 But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.

  • James 2:17 So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.

Consider:
  • What is James’ blunt teaching in these verses? Why this emphasis?

  • How well is your faith being translated into action?

  • What is one action you can do today to serve others?

Prayer focus:
  • Pray for God to reveal any action steps He wants you to take.
  • Prayer for greater faith.
]]> Day 38: Church pt. 3 http://newcommunity.church/blog/2024/07/24/day-38-church-pt-3 Wed, 24 Jul 2024 06:00:00 +0000 http://newcommunity.church/blog/2024/07/24/day-38-church-pt-3
Scripture:
  • Acts 4:32-35 During those days, the entire community of believers was deeply united in heart and soul to such an extent that they stopped claiming private ownership of their possessions. Instead, they held everything in common. The apostles with great power gave their eyewitness reports of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. Everyone was surrounded by an extraordinary grace. Not a single person in the community was in need because those who had been affluent sold their houses or lands and brought the proceeds to the emissaries of the Lord. They then distributed the funds to individuals according to their needs.

Consider:
  • What do you notice about the description of the first church?

  • What can we put in to practice in our context?

Prayer focus:
  • Pray for others in the church by name. Be specific.
  • Pray that the Lord strengthen His church globally.
  • Pray for our (NCC) church partners in Cuba.
]]> Day 37: Church pt. 2 http://newcommunity.church/blog/2024/07/23/day-37-church-pt-2 Tue, 23 Jul 2024 06:00:00 +0000 http://newcommunity.church/blog/2024/07/23/day-37-church-pt-2
Scripture:
  • 1 Corinthians 12:27 You are the body of the Anointed, the Liberating King; each and every one of you is a vital member.

  • Romans 12:4-5 For in the same way that one body has so many different parts, each with different functions; we, too—the many—are different parts that form one body in the Anointed One. Each one of us is joined with one another, and we become together what we could not be alone.

Consider:
  • What is the function of the church in these verses?

  • Have you found your place in the body of Christ?

  • What part has God designed you to be?

Prayer focus:
  • Pray for others in the church by name. Be specific.
  • Pray that the Lord strengthens His church globally.
  • Pray for our (NCC) church partners in Cuba.

]]> Day 36: Church pt. 1 http://newcommunity.church/blog/2024/07/22/day-36-church-pt-1 Mon, 22 Jul 2024 06:00:00 +0000 http://newcommunity.church/blog/2024/07/22/day-36-church-pt-1
Scripture:
  • Hebrews 10:24-24 Let us consider how to inspire each other to greater love and to righteous deeds, not forgetting to gather as a community, as some have forgotten, but encouraging each other, especially as the day of His return approaches.

Consider:
  • What is the clear teaching in this Scripture?

  • How are you doing with gathering together weekly with other believers?

  • What is an action step you can take this week to increase Christian fellowship?

Prayer focus:
  • Pray for others in the church by name. Be specific.
  • Pray that the Lord strengthen His church globally.
  • Pray for our (NCC) church partners in Cuba.
]]> Day 35: Children of God http://newcommunity.church/blog/2024/07/21/day-35-children-of-god Sun, 21 Jul 2024 06:00:00 +0000 http://newcommunity.church/blog/2024/07/21/day-35-children-of-god
Scripture:
  • Galatians 3:26 It is your faith in the Anointed Jesus that makes all of you children of God.

  • Romans 8:14 If the Spirit of God is leading you, then take comfort in knowing you are His children.

  • Romans 8:15 You see, you have not received a spirit that returns you to slavery, so you have nothing to fear. The Spirit you have received adopts you and welcomes you into God’s own family. That’s why we call out to Him, “Abba! Father!” as we would address a loving daddy.

Consider:
  • What is our true identity in Christ?

  • Why does that matter practically?

  • How can you embrace being God’s child today?

Prayer focus:
  • Praise God for your position as His child with all that entails.
  • Pray that He will allow you to embrace being a child of God.
  • Lift up your requests to Him, knowing that He cares for you.
]]> Day 34: Rest pt. 3 http://newcommunity.church/blog/2024/07/20/day-34-rest-pt-3 Sat, 20 Jul 2024 06:00:00 +0000 http://newcommunity.church/blog/2024/07/20/day-34-rest-pt-3
Scripture:
  • Psalm 46:10 “Be still, be calm, see, and understand I am the True God. I am honored among all the nations. I am honored over all the earth.”

  • Psalm 52:5-7 My soul quietly waits for the True God alone because I hope only in Him. He alone is my rock and deliverance, my citadel high on a hill; I will not be shaken. My salvation and my significance depend ultimately on God; the core of my strength, my shelter, is in the True God.

Consider:
  • What is the value of being still and quiet before the Lord?

  • Why is it so difficult to sit in silence?

Prayer focus:
  • Spend one whole minute in silence before the Lord. 
  • Pray that God calms your soul and gives you His peace.
]]> Day 33: Rest pt. 2 http://newcommunity.church/blog/2024/07/19/day-33-rest-pt-2 Fri, 19 Jul 2024 06:00:00 +0000 http://newcommunity.church/blog/2024/07/19/day-33-rest-pt-2
Scripture:
  • Matthew 11:28-30 Come to Me, all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Put My yoke upon your shoulders—it might appear heavy at first, but it is perfectly fitted to your curves. Learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble of heart. When you are yoked to Me, your weary souls will find rest. For My yoke is easy, and My burden is light.

Consider:
  • What kind of rest can only Jesus bring?

  • How does connecting ourselves to Jesus bring true soul rest?

Prayer focus:
  • Thank the Lord for his rest. 
  • Pray for rest, renewal and soul refreshment for yourself and others.

]]> Day 32: Rest pt. 1 http://newcommunity.church/blog/2024/07/18/day-32-rest-pt-1 Thu, 18 Jul 2024 06:00:00 +0000 http://newcommunity.church/blog/2024/07/18/day-32-rest-pt-1
Scripture:
  • Genesis 2:1-3 So now you see how the Creator swept into being the spangled heavens, the earth, and all their hosts in six days. On the seventh day—with the canvas of the cosmos completed—God paused from His labor and rested. Thus God blessed day seven and made it special—an open time for pause and restoration, a sacred zone of Sabbath-keeping, because God rested from all the work He had done in creation that day.

  • Exodus 20:8-11 You and your family are to remember the Sabbath Day; set it apart, and keep it holy. You have six days to do all your work, 1but the seventh day is to be different; it is the Sabbath of the Eternal your God. Keep it holy by not doing any work—not you, your sons, your daughters, your male and female servants, your livestock, or any outsiders living among you. For the Eternal made the heavens above, the earth below, the seas, and all the creatures in them in six days. Then, on the seventh day, He rested. That is why He blessed the Sabbath Day and made it sacred.

Consider:
  • Why did God rest after the creation?

  • Why did God weave a Sabbath rest into the 10 commandments?

  • How am I doing with following the Lord’s rhythm of rest?

Prayer focus:
  • Thank the Lord for his rest. 
  • Pray for rest, renewal and soul refreshment for yourself and others.
]]> Day 31: Faith pt. 3 http://newcommunity.church/blog/2024/07/17/day-31-faith-pt-3 Wed, 17 Jul 2024 06:00:00 +0000 http://newcommunity.church/blog/2024/07/17/day-31-faith-pt-3
Scripture:
  • Romans 10:17 So faith proceeds from hearing, as we listen to the message about God’s Anointed.
  • Luke 17:5 The Lord’s Emissaries: 5 We don’t have enough faith for this! Help our faith to grow!
  • Romans 1:17 You see, in the good news, God’s restorative justice is revealed. And as we will see, it begins with and ends in faith. As the Scripture declares, “By faith the just will obtain life.”

Consider:
  • What is the basis of our faith?

  • How is our faith strengthened?

  • What is our role for faith in others?

Prayer focus:
  • Ask the Lord to strengthen your faith.
  • Seek the Lord’s guidance on who you can share your faith with.
  • Praise God for his gift of faith!
]]> Day 30: Faith pt. 2 http://newcommunity.church/blog/2024/07/16/day-30-faith-pt-2 Tue, 16 Jul 2024 04:00:00 +0000 http://newcommunity.church/blog/2024/07/16/day-30-faith-pt-2
Scripture:
  • Ephesians 2:8-9 For it’s by God’s grace that you have been saved. You receive it through faith. It was not our plan or our effort. It is God’s gift, pure and simple. You didn’t earn it, not one of us did, so don’t go around bragging that you must have done something amazing.

  • Romans 10:14-17 How can people invoke His name when they do not believe? How can they believe in Him when they have not heard? How can they hear if there is no one proclaiming Him? How can some give voice to the truth if they are not sent by God? As Isaiah said, “Ah, how beautiful the feet of those who declare the good news of victory, of peace and liberation.” But some will hear the good news and refuse to submit to the truth they hear. Isaiah the prophet also says, “Lord, who would ever believe it? Who would possibly accept what we’ve been told?” So faith proceeds from hearing, as we listen to the message about God’s Anointed.

Consider:
  • What is the role of faith in salvation?

Prayer focus:
  • Thank the Lord for his gift of faith leading to salvation.
  • Pray that God will lead people you know to faith in Christ.
]]> Day 29: Faith pt. 1 http://newcommunity.church/blog/2024/07/15/day-29-faith-pt-1 Mon, 15 Jul 2024 07:00:00 +0000 http://newcommunity.church/blog/2024/07/15/day-29-faith-pt-1
Scripture:
  • Hebrews 11:1-3 Faith is the assurance of things you have hoped for, the absolute conviction that there are realities you’ve never seen. 2 It was by faith that our forebears were approved. 3 Through faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God; everything we now see was fashioned from that which is invisible.

  • Hebrews 11:6 Without faith no one can please God because the one coming to God must believe He exists, and He rewards those who come seeking.

Consider:
  • What is the role of faith in our lives?

  • Where is an area where you need more faith?

Prayer focus:
  • Ask the Lord to give you more faith.
  • Declare the truth of who God is today. 
  • Praise Him!
]]> Day 28: The Gospel pt. 4 http://newcommunity.church/blog/2024/07/14/day-28-the-gospel-pt-4 Sun, 14 Jul 2024 06:00:00 +0000 http://newcommunity.church/blog/2024/07/14/day-28-the-gospel-pt-4
Scripture:
  • Romans 8:1 Therefore, now no condemnation awaits those who are living in Jesus the Anointed, the Liberating King.

  • Romans 5:1 Since we have been acquitted and made right through faith, we are able to experience true and lasting peace with God through our Lord Jesus, the Anointed One, the Liberating King.

  • Titus 3:7 All of this happened so that through His grace we would be accepted into God’s covenant family and appointed to be His heirs, full of the hope that comes from knowing you have eternal life.

  • I Corinthians 15:57 Thank God, then, for our Lord Jesus, the Anointed, the Liberating King, who brought us victory over the grave.

Consider:
  • What is so good about the good news here?

  • What perspective does this give you about your own faith walk?

Prayer focus:
  • Praise God for His gift of eternal life.
  • Thank Him for what He did for you on the cross.
  • Pray for many to receive salvation; pray specifically for someone.
]]> Day 27: The Gospel pt. 3 http://newcommunity.church/blog/2024/07/13/day-27-the-gospel-pt-3 Sat, 13 Jul 2024 06:00:00 +0000 http://newcommunity.church/blog/2024/07/13/day-27-the-gospel-pt-3
Scripture:
  • Romans 3:10-13 Here’s what Scripture says: No one is righteous—not even one. There is no one who understands the truth; no one is seeking after the one True God. All have turned away; together they’ve become worthless. No one does good, not even one. What comes out of their mouths is as foul as a rotting corpse; their words stink of flattery. Viper venom hides beneath their lips.

  • Romans 3:23 You see, all have sinned, and all their futile attempts to reach God in His glory fail.

  • Jeremiah 17:9 The heart is most devious and incurably sick. Who can understand it?

Consider:
  • What does the Bible reveal about the human condition apart from Christ?

  • What perspective does this give you about your own faith walk?

Prayer focus:
  • Praise God for His redemption through Jesus.
  • Thank Him for what He did for you on the cross.
  • Pray for many to receive salvation; pray specifically for someone.

]]> Day 26: The Gospel pt. 2 http://newcommunity.church/blog/2024/07/12/day-26-the-gospel-pt-2 Fri, 12 Jul 2024 06:00:00 +0000 http://newcommunity.church/blog/2024/07/12/day-26-the-gospel-pt-2
Scripture:
  • John 14:6 I am the path, the truth, and the energy of life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.

  • Acts 4:12 There is no one else who can rescue us, and there is no other name under heaven given to any human by whom we may be rescued.

  • Romans 10:9 So if you believe deep in your heart that God raised Jesus from the pit of death and if you voice your allegiance by confessing the truth that “Jesus is Lord,” then you will be saved!

Consider:
  • Why is it essential to come to God through Jesus?

  • Why does it matter that Jesus is Lord?

Prayer focus:
  • Confess Jesus as Lord once again today. 
  • Thank Him for what He did for you on the cross.
]]> Day 25: The Gospel pt. 1 http://newcommunity.church/blog/2024/07/11/day-25-the-gospel-pt-1 Thu, 11 Jul 2024 06:00:00 +0000 http://newcommunity.church/blog/2024/07/11/day-25-the-gospel-pt-1
Scripture:
  • John 3:16 For God expressed His love for the world in this way: He gave His only Son so that whoever believes in Him will not face everlasting destruction, but will have everlasting life.

  • Romans 5:8 But think about this: while we were wasting our lives in sin, God revealed His powerful love to us in a tangible display—the Anointed One died for us.

  • Ephesians 2:8-9 For it’s by God’s grace that you have been saved. You receive it through faith. It was not our plan or our effort. It is God’s gift, pure and simple. You didn’t earn it, not one of us did, so don’t go around bragging that you must have done something amazing.

Consider:
  • What is your definition of the Gospel?

  • What is the role of the free gift of God’s grace?

  • Did we deserve to receive God’s grace?

Prayer focus:
  • Worship the Lord for his grace, salvation and forgiveness.
]]> Day 24: Prayer pt. 5 http://newcommunity.church/blog/2024/07/10/day-24-prayer-pt-5 Wed, 10 Jul 2024 06:00:00 +0000 http://newcommunity.church/blog/2024/07/10/day-24-prayer-pt-5
Scripture:
  • Mark 11:24 So listen to what I’m saying: Whatever you pray for or ask from God, believe that you’ll receive it and you will.

  • Matthew 21:22 If you believe, whatever you ask for in prayer will be granted.

  • Matthew 17:20 …I tell you this: if you had even a faint spark of faith, even faith as tiny as a mustard seed, you could say to this mountain, “Move from here to there,” and because of your faith, the mountain would move. If you had just a sliver of faith, you would find nothing impossible.

Consider:
  • What does Jesus emphasize about prayer? Why?

  • What is a request that you need bold faith for today?

Prayer focus:
  • Ask the Lord to give you more faith.
  • Consider a prayer that only God could answer. Pray in faith!
]]> Day 23: Prayer pt. 4 http://newcommunity.church/blog/2024/07/09/day-23-prayer-pt-4 Tue, 09 Jul 2024 06:00:00 +0000 http://newcommunity.church/blog/2024/07/09/day-23-prayer-pt-4
Scripture:
  • Romans 8:26-27 A similar thing happens when we pray. We are weak and do not know how to pray, so the Spirit steps in and articulates prayers for us with groaning too profound for words. Don’t you know that He who pursues and explores the human heart intimately knows the Spirit’s mind because He pleads to God for His saints to align their lives with the will of God?

Consider:
  • What is the Holy Spirit’s role in prayer?

  • How is this truth comforting?

Prayer focus:
  • Thank the Lord for His prayers on your behalf. 
  • Raise up any prayer needs for yourself or loved ones.
]]> Day 22: Prayer pt. 3 http://newcommunity.church/blog/2024/07/08/day-22-prayer-pt-3 Mon, 08 Jul 2024 06:00:00 +0000 http://newcommunity.church/blog/2024/07/08/day-22-prayer-pt-3
Scripture:
  • I Timothy 2:1-4 So, first and foremost, I urge God’s people to pray. They should make their requests, petitions, and thanksgivings on behalf of all humanity. Teach them to pray for kings (or anyone in high places for that matter) so that we can lead quiet, peaceful lives—reverent, godly, and holy— all of which is good and acceptable before the eyes of God our Savior who desires for everyone to be saved and know the truth.

Consider:
  • What kinds of prayers are mentioned here?

  • What do we learn about God’s desire here?

Prayer focus:
  • Pray for various requests.
  • Pray for our government and leaders. Be specific. 
]]> Day 21: Prayer pt. 2 http://newcommunity.church/blog/2024/07/07/day-21-prayer-pt-2 Sun, 07 Jul 2024 06:00:00 +0000 http://newcommunity.church/blog/2024/07/07/day-21-prayer-pt-2
Scripture:
Matthew 6:9-13
9  Your prayers, rather, should be simple, like this:
Our Father in heaven,
        let Your name remain holy.
10     Bring about Your kingdom.
    Manifest Your will here on earth,
        as it is manifest in heaven.
11     Give us each day that day’s bread—no more, no less—
12     And forgive us our debts
        as we forgive those who owe us something.
13     Lead us not into temptation,
        but deliver us from evil.
    [But let Your kingdom be,
        and let it be powerful
        and glorious forever. Amen.]

Consider:
  • What do you learn about prayer from Jesus’ example?

  • What are some categories of prayer that He includes here?

Prayer focus:
  • Use this prayer as a template. Briefly pray through each section.
    • Praises to God.
    • May your will be done in my life and on the earth.
    • Please meet my needs today.
    • Forgive me, Lord.
    • Help me not to be tempted or give into evil.
    • Thanks to you God!
]]>