This Sunday New Series!

This Sunday begins our brand new series, “Living With Purpose!” We will be diving into our significance in God as well as our primary and secondary purpose in this life. God has given us His Son, His Word, His Mercy, and His Kingdom; we need to not allow the enemy to convince us we are merely random and our lives do not matter.

The greatest tragedy in life is not death, it is life lived apart from God's intended purpose. Be careful what voices you let define you, assign your value, and determine your purpose and potential because honestly if they did not make/create you, they really do not know. Therefore, the most important discovery in life is when we realize God, not others, is who holds the limits of our purpose, potential, and existence.

Psalm 139:13-18 says:

13 For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb.

14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.

15 My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth,

16 your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.

17 How precious to me are your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them!

18 Were I to count them, they would outnumber the grains of sand.

Benefits of The Gifts

When you understand your spiritual gift you will:

1) Be more confident. Because you can now sense God’s grace in an area He put in you to do.

2) Be more committed. Because you know you are doing what God has gifted you to do.

3) Experience greater joy/peace. Because you know you are operating in the place you belong.

4) Understand other people and their gifts better. Why they act the way they do.

5) Sense your partnership with the Lord heightened and more effective.

Motivational (Grace) Gifts This Sunday!

Here are the gifts we will be looking at this Sunday from Romans 12:4-8

  • Prophecy– Have spiritual insight. The eyes of the body.

  • Serving – Motivated to help people. The hands of the body.

  • Teaching – Motivated to research, study and validate truth. The minds of the body.

  • Exhorting – Motivated to encourage people. The mouthpiece of the body.

  • *Giving *– Motivated to give generously. The arms of the body because of the supplies they carry.

  • Admin – Motivated to lead others. The feet of body as they take us where we need to go.

  • Mercy – Motivated to comfort the hurting. The heart of the body.

For Sunday!

1 Corinthians 12:8-11 (NKJ)

8 for to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit,

9 to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healings by the same Spirit,

10 to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues.

11 But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills.

Gifts of Healing:

The Holy Spirit empowers you to effectively pray for Supernatural correction of physical, mental, emotional, or spiritual disorders.

Working of Miracles:

Supernatural power from the Holy Spirit to transcend or counteract natural forces or facts.

Prophecy:

Supernatural power from the Holy Spirit to "forth-tell" the inspired Word of God; for the purpose of edification, exhortation, and comfort.

Discerning of Spirits:

The Supernatural ability to perceive the 'spirit' or motivational force behind a behavior; whether it is demonic or divine; Godly or ungodly; Truthful or deceptive.

It's Time To Rise!

Prov 29:18 says, "Where there is no vision, the people cast off restraint." It is so important we do not lose SIGHT of who we are as God's people and as a Godly nation. I believe there is a demonic (not political) agenda at work in this country to blind us from our true identity in Christ and make us comfortable with and a participant with worldly values. Think of all the media out there; now think of the shows and images being piped through to us -- how much righteous identity does it portray? If a man sleeps with another man's wife, LOVE didn't win selfishness did. The enemy wants Christians involved in his values and system so we will have no authority to speak against it. How do you ask God to tear down something that we are a part of? Why are we constantly shown the "rewards" of sexual sin? Not every temptation we face or feeling we have becomes ok as long as we call it 'love'. God is love so please don’t call ‘love’ what God calls something else. Let us return to who God says we are. Let us go upward for our identity into the Kingdom of God (Grace) rather than downward into the animal kingdom (instinct).

Randy Linn Will Be Missed...

Randy Linn was such a joy for me to know and grow in Christ with. He added so much to Grace Church these past 15 years as did Chris, Jenna, and Jason. He will truly be missed by me, Stacy, our children, and of course the entire Grace Church family who knew him. Every area around here he touched and got involved with – he heightened; including serving faithfully on the Board of Directors these past several years, facility, and ushering. We know that he is fully happy and healthy now with the Lord, but he is a great loss to our church family.

Services will be held at Grace Church on Friday, July 24th at 10:00am.  If you would like to assist in any way with the service or meals, please contact Rebecca Lair at 390-1000.

This Sunday ~ Holy Spirit

Join us this Sunday as we continue unpacking the wonderful 3rd Person of the Godhead: The Holy Spirit!! What a blessing this series has been so far, as the Lord has taken the lead on it. Even last week, more than talk about or teach the gifts, HE had us operating in them (both corporately and individually one to another)! This week we will look at the mystery of the promised ‘baptism of the Holy Spirit’ which John the Baptist said Jesus would bring us. Here’s some early reading for you to ponder:

Acts 8:12-17

Acts 19:1-8

Apparently the apostles didn’t know (sarcasm) that once you believed on Jesus and got water baptized, there was nothing left to do but sit in a pew and be bored… They said there was more out there if you wanted to receive it – the baptism of the Holy Spirit!

Holy Spirit's Importance!

Roles of the Holy Spirit:

1) He convicts us (John 16:8)

2) Guides us into all Truth (John 16:13 )

3) Regenerates us (John 3:5-6)

4) Lives inside us (John 14:17 )

5) Testifies of Jesus (John 15:26 )

6) Sanctifies us (Romans 5:16 )

7) Empowers us (Acts 1:8)

8) Fills us (Ephesians 5:18 )

9) Teaches us to pray (Jude 1:20 )

10) Bears witness (Romans 8:16 )

11) Produces fruit (Galatians 5:22-23 )

12) Teaches us (John 14:26 )

13) Gives us joy (1 Thess 1:6)

14) Comforts us (Acts 9:31 )

15) Distributes Spiritual Gifts (1 Corin 12:4)

16) Anoints us for ministry (Acts 10:38 )

17) Washes and renews us (Titus 3:5)

18) Unites us (Ephesians 4:3)

19) Seals us (Ephesians 1:13 )

20) Quickens our mortal bodies (Romans 8:11 )

21) Reveals deep things of God (1 Corin 2:10 )

22) Reveals all that’s ours in Christ (1 Corin 2:12 )

23) Is the Spirit of Jesus in us (John 14:16-18 )

24) Baptizes us into body of Christ (1 Corin 12:13 )

25) Brings liberty (2 Corin 3:17 )

26) Transforms us (2 Corin 3:18 )

27) Grants everlasting life (Galatians 6:8)

28) Gives access to our Father (Ephes 2:18 )

29) Strengthens us (Ephes 3:16 )

30) Sheds God’s love abroad in our hearts (Rom 5:5)

Steve Eden | Senior Pastor Grace Church | Choctaw, OK http://gracechurch.community

Roles of the Holy Spirit in our lives!

He convicts us of righteousness, guides us into all Truth, regenerates us, testifies of Jesus, He’s our sanctifier, our source of true worship, He empowers us, fills us, helps us, comforts us, teaches us, He is our inner witness, He is the executive producer of the Kingdom of God on Earth & in us, He anoints us for ministry, He distributes spiritual gifts to us. He washes, renews, and unites us (Other Churches & individuals), He seals us, transforms us, and shows all that’s freely ours in Christ.

Holy Spirit Sunday!

Join us as we continue getting familiar with the Holy Spirit this Sunday!

Some key roles that reveal the absolute importance of the Holy Spirit in the believer's life: He convicts us, guides us into all Truth, regenerates us, testifies of Jesus, sanctifies us, is our source of true worship. He empowers, fills, helps, comforts, and teaches us. He is our inner witness, distributes Spiritual gifts, anoints us for ministry, washes us, renews us, and unites us. He seals us, transforms us, and shows us all that’s freely ours in Christ. He is the executive producer of the Kingdom of God (His redemptive rule) in the Earth.

This Sunday's New Series

Ever wondered about the role of the Holy Spirit? It seems we run the spectrum from those who think He's the silent partner of the trinity to those who think he's there to knock them down or make them emotional. Well this Sunday we will go straight to the bible and look in depth at the Holy Spirit and everything He is to every believer! We MUST have Him! Join us!

Steve Eden | Senior Pastor Grace Church | Choctaw, OK http://gracechurch.community

Fathers day!

Ever since getting the revelation that God is my Heavenly Father, I have to say Father’s Day is one of my all time favorite services every year! It is such a meaningful time to honor God as our Father – His faithfulness, His steadfastness, His love, and even yes His discipline and training of us throughout the course of our lives. From the parable of the prodigal son (I call the parable of the perfect father), the life of Jesus, and throughout the New Testament readings, it never ceases to reveal what a wonderful, wonderful Father our God is!! Come on and Join us ~ the River is flowing and the water is fine!

Family Principles

This Sunday wraps up the series, “Principles of Successful Family”! I truly have loved the moving and refreshing of God’s Spirit we have been experiencing in our services!! There is clearly a river of renewal flowing this summer! Here’s where we are at in the series:

1) Communication

2) Identification

3) Security

4) Patience

5) Humility

6) Parental Presence

7) One flesh mindset

This Sunday!!

Here’s a few nuggets we’ll be using this Sunday in the continuation of, “Principles of Successful Family”!! We will be talking about the principles of Security and Patience.

Building Security:

1 – Sow, communicate, and model life-long commitment.

2 – Tell the Truth even if it hurts.

3 – Practice God’s law of increase.

4 - Be a man or woman of your word.

5- (Guys) Pray w/ your wife and children each day.

6 – (Guys) Pray for your wife and children each day.

7- Plan your future together & talk about it.

8 Keep honor & love alive daily!

James 1:2-4 says: My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. 4 But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.

Start seeing what your trials do FOR you rather than TO you. Problems alone won't perfect/mature you, but learning to respond in the patience and understanding of Christ will.

Communication Keys

1) Honor and validate one another when you communicate. 2) Yelling is not honoring. 3) Communication is not a battle to see who's right. 4) Executing verbal vengeance is not effective communication. 5) Listen with the intent to understand their view. 6) Even if you are 100% right in your point; make sure your 100% right in your attitude. 7) Always allow Jesus to change your heart before you try to change theirs. 8) Always seek to understand before seeking to be understood. 9) Practice a one-flesh mindset - whatever falls on you falls on me. 10) Remember you have a common enemy and it’s not each other.