There is a song we sing at NLC that makes this verse a declaration. You are probably familiar with it (you can listen to it here), its one of my favorite songs. There is something about singing the words"If God be for us, who can stand against us." that brings all of my problems into focus. If your anything like me then you know how easy it is to focus so much on the problems you have you forget the promise God has given. Stop telling God how big your problems are and start telling your problems how big your God is. There is no situation to great, no relationship to far gone, no mistake to far from grace. The God you serve is BIG. Take a minute today and thank God that he is bigger then anything you face.

This weekend is sure to be one of the greatest of the year so far! Here are 7 reasons why this weekend is going to rock at NLC Newington:

Roman Archer
Newington Location Pastor
Next Level Church
roman@nlc.tv
www.nlc.tv

I'm so proud of our church! We have been in the greatest season of NLC's history and the blessings of God have been all over us! Each week as a staff we stand at a wall within our offices (the salvation wall) where we put the names of those who have given their life to Jesus Christ that weekend up and EVERY week I'm in awe of how God is moving at NLC! In the month of April ALONE, we had over 80 people give their life to Christ! HOW AWESOME IS THAT?? This weekend we start a series I'm beyond excited for - I truly believe this will go down as one of the most powerful and life changing series that we've ever had. The series is titled "Mr. And Mrs. Betterhalf" and whether you are married, dating or single this series will rock your world. This weekend my wife is making her NLC speaking debut and is going to help me on the topic of what a women wants. This series will end on Father's day talking about what a man wants, should be a shocker :) Really hope you make attending God's house on the weekends a non-negotiable in your life. I promise you will end up somewhere in life, where that is, is up to you! I also know that each of you know someone who has a rocky relationship. You need to beg them to be at NLC for the next month! I can assure you God will rock their world and will forever be thankful that you invited them.

A few other things that you need to know!

It’s easy to get distracted. Hebrews 12:2 tells us where our focus should be as we traverse life’s many obstacles, on Jesus and the example he left for us. The temptation is to allow our gaze and focus to begin to shift onto other things. For many people its the busyness of life, others its pleasures of life, and yet some its the people in our lives. Pastor Josh made a profound statement during week two of our Valley series, this is what he said:

"The quickest way for us to lose focus of Jesus and what he has for us is to begin to focus on other people."

Inevitably people will fail us and let us down and with it our hope falter. Rather we are called to fix our eyes on Jesus and place our hope in Him. Take a minute today, right now even, and ask God to help you to fix your eyes on him.

The next few weeks at NLC Newington are an absolute "don't miss"! We close out our current teaching series "The Valley" with a message on how more isn't always better. Come ready to leave with a healthier sense of gratitude for all we have been given.

Next week is Mother's Day and is going to be awesome! We will be celebrating Mothers day by Kicking off a brand new series called "Mr. & Mrs. Betterhalf" a series on dating, marriage, & family. To kick it off Pastor Josh will be co-teaching the message with his very own better half Jen Gagnon. It’s going to be awesome as they discuss what it is a girl really wants in a guy.

We will also be celebrating with families with baby dedications. Baby dedication is more than an event. It is an opportunity for you to take some time at the beginning of your journey as a parent to really think about what will matter the most in the life of your child; to really talk together and decide what you value and what you can do today that will have the greatest impact on your child’s future. We will honor the family during the experience and pray with them as they navigate the waters of parenthood. If you would like to dedicate your child or would like more info on baby dedications be sure to visit www.nlc.tv/baby-dedication.

As always, if I can serve you in anyway or be praying for anything specific please don not hesitate to let me know. The best is yet to come! See you this weekend!

Roman Archer
Newington Location Pastor
Next Level Church
roman@nlc.tv

Its easy to think worship is just what we do on Sundays. We take one hour a week to start the week and we reserve that for our time of worship. We draw a line down the middle and try and separate our lives from what happens during that one hour in church. We draw a line between the sacred and the secular. A line between Sunday morning and what happens the rest of the week. After all, they are two different things, right?

Here is what I know to be true - Real worship is not contained to an enviroment but rather a lifestyle. The Bible exhorts us to live our lives in a posture of worship rather then keeping it confined to a place of worship. To offer our entire lives up to God as worship. That means what you do Monday morning is just as important as what happens Sunday morning. That means how you handle that job you don't like very much is worship to God. Your parenting is worship to God. Your marriage is worship to God. Your schoolwork is worship to God. Your conversations are worship to God. What you do when no one is looking and no one will ever know is worship to God.​

It's with that understanding the Bible tells us to live our lives different. To take every opportunity as a chance to honor God and worship Him. Wherever this message finds you today, take a moment and pray that you would live your life and your day in such a way that would please your Heavenly Father.

The weekend is upon us once again and I hope that you make church a priority this weekend. Set the tone for your week by being connected to Gods church. We are continuing in week two of our current teaching series "The Valley' and Pastor Josh will be speaking on the things that so often steal our faith. If you find yourself in a season or a valley of weak faith then don't miss this weekend. Gods church is meant to be a place of life and purpose so invite someone to join you this weekend and come anticipating for Him to do something special in your heart!

For the most up to date location specific news visit NLC Newington's Facebook page by clicking the link below. By liking the page the latest posts will be sent directly to your wall. www.facebook.com/NLCNewington

Can't wait to see you at either 9:15 or 10:30am!

Roman Archer
Newington Location Pastor
Next Level Church
roman@nlc.tv

The wordabidemeansto remain orto continue. Are you remaining and continuing in God’s Word? Salvation happens at a moment in time, but it’s demonstrated over time.Got it?

Declaring and confessing Christ as Lord of your life is the first step on a long journey. It’s easy to treat accepting Christ as the finish line to our faith when the truth is it’s the starting point. Jesus is clear that we are to have an ongoing relationship with him. How do we do that? How do we abide in Christ?

“Abiding” involves continuing in Jesus’ words and what God’s Word has revealed about Him: that He is God; that He’s our Substitute; that He’s the only Hope of Salvation; that He’s Lord; that He’s the purpose for life itself. It involves studying His word, the Bible, so that we might learn more about Him. It involves prayer that we might learn to hear His voice and submit to His will. It also involves staying plugged in to Gods church and community with other believers. My prayer for you is that you would learn to “abide in Christ” and that your relationship with Him would be ever growing.

This past weekend we had 65 people confess Christ as their savior across all locations! I am so proud to be part of a church that invests and invites those far from God to be filled with life in Christ! Don’t miss this week as we start a new teaching series titled “The Valley”. See you at 9:30 or 10:15!

Roman Archer
Newington Location Pastor
roman@nlc.tv

http://www.facebook.com/events/387528917942640/

2 Timothy 3:3

I’m more convinced than ever that God’s work in my life is a direct answer to the prayers of people.

When I was growing up I can remember my mom praying for me everyday. Sometimes she would pray out loud, other days she would just let me know she was praying for me. I don't think a day went by that she didn't cover her children in prayer. She called out to God for me!

My mom went to be with the Lord early in 2008 but the mark that her prayers made on my life was indelible. I thank God for her ministry in my life.

The lifetime lesson I learned from her is that we don’t have to go through the Christian life alone. The Lord places people around us, sometimes unexpected friends, who pray for us—who lift up our name before “the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need” (Hebrews 4:16).

Timothy had such a friend in Paul. Paul says, “I remember you constantly in my prayers night and day.” And we learned that this past week in the story of Ruth & Naomi. Do you realize that people who might not even know you are praying for you?

Every week as a staff, we hit our knees and pray. Do you know who we are praying for? You! We are praying that God would allow us to reach you and impact your life. We ask God to cultivate in our hearts an understanding of what it would really mean to minister to you and to care for you and to build into your lives hope and truth and faith in God’s Word.

You have friends who love you and pray for you. We are your friends and we love you and we pray for you. Persevere in doing what is right—someone is praying for you. If there is something specific we can be praying about for you please do not hesitate to email me: roman@nlc.tv. Can't wait to see you all this weekend! The best is yet to come!

Roman Archer
Newington Location Pastor
www.nlc.tv
roman@nlc.tv

Have you ever faced something that you felt like you would never have victory over? Maybe it's a broken relationship, a difficult work and financial situation, a spiritual rut, or maybe your just discouraged and emotionally broken. There are times we all face something that is simply to big to face alone. The Bible gives wisdom that often times its not that we cant get victory, we just cant get it alone. Quite simply: We need others. There is an advantage in having people in your corner, praying for you, challenging you, encouraging you, and sharing Godly wisdom with you. President Woodrow Wilson once said "We should not only use all the brains we have, but all that we can borrow."

I am so thankful for the relationships available through our nlcGroups. If your facing something right now thats to big for you, and your not part of a nlcGroup, can I encourage you to get plugged in today? Our nlcGroups are small groups of people who have committed to meet together regularly, study Gods word together, pray together, and encourage and challenge one another. Its that simple. You need to be in relationship with other Christ-followers in order to experience all that God has for you! Here is my challenge to you: If you are not part of a nlcGroup but want to give it a shot, email me at roman@nlc.tv, I will help you find a group and even attend the first week with you if you'd like. You have nothing to lose & so much to gain!

Don't miss this weekend at NLC Newington as we are kicking off a much anticipated new teaching series "Ancient Heroes". This series is going to build right up until Easter Sunday. I can't wait to see you tomorrow!

Roman Archer
Newington Location Pastor
Next Level Church
roman@nlc.tv

The Bible is clear that "we reap what we sow". In other words, we get what we give. Here is the bottom line: We harvest only what has been planted.  I mean, how clear is that?  You can't harvest stuff if you don't plant it. Farmers never decide to skip the planting and just pray for corn! Good results spring from good choices; you know what comes from bad choices! Too often we forget that we're planting every day.

I want to encourage you to make some good decisions this week. Start by making sure God is a priority to you and your family this weekend by being in church. We have an awesome weekend planned as we finish up our current teaching series "Because You Asked". Our nlcKids team has been hard at work in the office all week preparing an awesome time for your kids to learn about God in a relevant and fun way. It's going to be a great weekend! Plant some good seed...

P.S. The first person at our Newington Location this weekend who finds me and explains the NLC core value "We are Ruth's Chris not Wal-Mart" will get a $25 Visa Gift Card. Hint: You can find all of our core values online at www.nlc.tv

Roman Archer
Newington Location Pastor
roman@nlc.tv
603-749-4005

We pray when we think we need to pray. When a crisis hits, when we get bad news from the doctor, when we are laid off, when we are having problems with our marriage or problems with our children, what do we do? We pray. And that is good. It’s what we should do.

But what about when things are going well? When the bills are paid, when the job is looking good, when there is no bad news from any front, do you pray then? Is it because you think you don’t need to? Is it because of self-confidence?

Failure to pray actually can be a sin. Sin isn’t just breaking a commandment, though it includes that. There is also the sin of omission. James 4:17 tells us, “Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin."

Allen Robbins

One reason people fall away from the faith is because they have built their faith on the wrong foundation. Sometimes we build our faith on a church. We become very passionate about our church and may even develop a my-church-is-better-than-your-church attitude. But there are a lot of great churches in the world. We believe so strongly in this truth that one of our core values as a church is "We will not compete but complete other churches." We will often go out of our way to bless churches in our communities.

Or we may have a favorite Bible teacher or may like one pastor better than another. This even happened with first-century believers. The apostle Paul warned, "For when one says, ‘I am of Paul,' and another, ‘I am of Apollos,' are you not carnal? Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers through whom you believed, as the Lord gave to each one?" (1 Corinthians 3:4-5).

There is nothing wrong with liking a certain pastor or enjoying a church that you are a part of. But don't build the foundation of your faith on these things. Churches will disappoint you, because they are run by people. And people make mistakes. Sometimes they are misunderstood too.

Pastors will disappoint you as well, because they are human like everyone else. So if you build your foundation on a church or on a pastor, you can fall away one day, because those people might mess up.

Writing to the church at Corinth, Paul pointed out, "For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ" (1 Corinthians 3:11). It is all about you and God. And when you stand before Him one day, He will want to know what you did with Jesus—not whether everyone you knew who claimed to be a Christian behaved like one.

So don't build your foundation on people. Build your foundation on Jesus Christ.

When we are facing difficult times, sometimes we begin to feel as though our situation is hopeless. If friends and family try to encourage us, we might respond with, "But you don't understand." It's easy to feel isolated and alone in the face of a difficult situation.

Our loved ones might or might not understand, but the Lord always understands. He always cares. And he assures us that nothing is too hard for him.

Consider this …

What challenges are you facing? An illness? A rebellious child? Marriage problems? Financial challenges? Whatever it is, remember that God is bigger.

As you turn your problem over to God, remember that his answer might not be what you are expecting. And his timing might seem ever so slow. But he will be with you throughout the process. And his plan … and his time … are always the best plan and the best time. No matter how things appear right now, he will work all things together for good. He loves you … and nothing is too hard for him.

When he arrives, Elisha tells him he will be healed if he walks over to the Jordan River and washes himself 7 times. Namaan responds in the way most of us would... that's stupid! How will that help? What makes that river better than the river's next to my house? I walked for days to hear...that? Seriously? And then, in verse 13, Namaan's friends spoke the words that I think many of us need to hear today...

"But his officers tried to reason with him and said, “Sir, if the prophet had told you to do something very difficult, wouldn’t you have done it? So you should certainly obey him when he says simply, ‘Go and wash and be cured!’”

Wow. How many times have we ignored or disobeyed God in the small steps because they aren't what we expected or they seem to simple? I know I have done it many times.

What is the 1, simple, clear, next step that Jesus is telling you to take today? Go take it. Whether it makes sense or not. Go. Now.

Allen Robbins/Portland Location Pastor

I wanted to remind you of some amazing events happening soon:

1)This Dec we will be partnering with the Root Cellar to help give out toys to children in the community.  We are asking that you bring your new gift to the theater and drop it off at the green tent when you arrive.  We have a great team of people waiting to collect your toys.  Remember that there is a $30 limit.  

2)Our women's group will be launching Dec 3 from 11-1.  We are planning an amazing time of food, games, and group discussion.  For more info you can email:meagan@nlc.tv.

3)NLCstudents is happening Nov 21 from 6-8.  We are planning an awesome event for all students in grades 6-12 including pizza, group discussion, xbox, and tons of games.  The student who brings the most new friends (5 person min) will win a $50 gift card to BestBuy.  The address is 1338 Broadway South Portland.

4)NLC Portland will be celebrating it's Christmas experience on Sat morning (Christmas Eve) @ 10 am.  This experience is going to be epic!  You won't want to miss it.  More info to come......

For more information on any of these please email:allen@nlc.tv

I hope your week is off to a great start! Please remember to pray for the thousands of people still without power at this time. A few opportunities I wanted to make sure you knew about:

• Tomorrow night at 7:00pm is the variance meeting for our building. There has been a lot of prayer and work going into this night. Once the zoning is approved we can move forward with the purchase of this amazing facility. Here is what we are asking you to do: PRAY! We want to invite you to join us in prayer at the building during the time the meeting is happening. The address is 436 Route 108 Somersworth, NH. Even if you cant make it there please pray from where ever you find yourself.

• I still can't believe all the people that attended church online this weekend! Hundreds of people logged on this past weekend and were able to connect with other NLC'ers in real time, chat with an online location pastor, give, and experience this weeks message in real time with other people. It was awesome! The next online experience will be happening tomorrow night at 7:00pm. Log onto www.nlc.tv and click on the link in the bottom left hand corner to experience church like you never have before!

Remember: Bold prayers honor God, and God honors bold prayers!

Pastor Roman Archer
Newington Location Pastoe
roman@nlc.tv
603-749-4005

We would love to hear your thoughts on the new site at web@nlc.tv - Be sure to use this great tool to invite your friends to be a part of a move of God! Remember, everything we do at NLC is done with one purpose in mind: loving people far from God and moving them to life in Christ, and this website is no exception!