Graceland Christian Church

The Preparation Period

The Preparation Period
Preparation in the Bible generally refers to the process of getting oneself or something else ready for a specific purpose. Preparation is not a one time event but an ongoing process of growth, learning, and aligning our lives with God's will and Word. Today, I want to share with you and hopefully give you a better understanding of some tools God uses to prepare us for future ministry. Being prepared means that we keep ourselves ready for upcoming events. 2 Timothy 4:2 says - Be ready in season and out of season. This was a charge given to Timothy by his spiritual father Paul, instructing him to preach the Word of God and be prepared to do so at all times regardless of circumstances. In the times in which we live in, there are things happening that no one thought they would experience, tragedies that are shaking the world but they shouldn't be shaking God's church. Instead, we as the body of Christ must continue to let God work deep within us so that we can be a life line to those experiencing such grief and heart ache.

Don't Quit

Don't Quit
   In the Scriptures, the concept of "don't quit" is closely related to perseverance, endurance, and steadfastness in faith, especially during difficult times. Throughout Scripture we have tremendous examples of believers who in the natural had every reason to just quit trusting God's promises but they didn't and left us an example of hope, strength, and encouragement as we also will face challenges and difficult times. God's Word emphasized the importance of faith, perseverance, and reliance of God to overcome adversity and fulfill His purpose. There are a million reasons why we could quit running our race with Jesus but they would all be for something temporary. In order to endure to the end, we must value "eternal" life more than anything or anyone else! Nothing in this life is worth losing the abundant and eternal life Jesus paid for us to have. I pray that God's Word today renews your mind and will to reject every offer the devil sends your way. Christians must never let quitting even be an option, keep pressing in by faith and keep your eyes on the finish line!
 

Sanctification

Sanctification
 
Sanctification = The process of God's grace by which the believer is separated from sin and becomes dedicated to God's righteousness. When a person gets saved, their heart is instantly changed but not the flesh. We were born with a "sin nature" that we will live with til the moment we enter into eternity with Jesus. Only Jesus can cleanse us from the moral and spiritual filth we have allowed to pollute our hearts. Sanctification is for "ALL" Christians. Salvation and justification are talked about a lot within churches but not sanctification. I believe it's because salvation and justification are paid for at the cross but sanctification will cost the believer. A believer who allows sanctification in their lives is a person that their actions and lifestyle line up with God's Word. I pray we all return to God after today and let Him transform our lives by the power of the Holy Spirit. The result of sanctification brings upon the believer the glory of Christ.

A message from Bro. David

Thank you for joining us today!

Why Wouldn't He?

Why Wouldn't He?
 
The question today is.... Why wouldn't God exalt us to know His majesty and to live in His glory? God makes promises to "all" His children and cannot ever break them. The problem is that we christians put limits on God, we limit the time we spend with Him in prayer, the study of His Word and true christian fellowship and then we question God as to why we don't see His power working in our lies. I want to encourage you today through examples in the scriptures that when our lives line up with His Word that He will deliver us, empower us, sanctify us, and use us to show the world around us that there is nothing impossible with our God! So, we should never listen to the lies of the devil that God cannot get glory from our lives. It was in some of the darkest times in the disciples lives that God used them the greatest, so, if He did it through them, why wouldn't He do it through you and me? His promises endure forever to those who love and trust in Him. Be encouraged that God will do what He promised you!

A Message From Pastor Joshua West

Pastor Joshua West is ministering to us today. Thank you for joining us!

A Message From Bro. David

Thank you for joining us today. We pray that you have a blessed week!

Being Obedient To The Holy Spirit

Being Obedient To The Holy Spirit
 
Obedient means to willingly follow and submit to God's authority and will as expressed by His Word. This involves "actively" listening to God's instructions and responding positively, aligning one's will with His. God still speaks today as loud as He ever did through His Word - the Bible, and His voice - the Holy Spirit. The problem with Christians (not all) is that they do not position themselves to hear His Word, and when they do hear it, they refuse to obey it because of the cost of following. I want to encourage you today to be obedient to what you hear in your spirit, stop looking or thinking of what you will lose in the natural. Following the Holy Spirit's directions in life often hurts the flesh for a season but the end results will always be beneficial! Stop wandering what it would be like if you obeyed God and step out in faith and you will see results. If you want to be successful in life, the key is to be obedient. God knows what He is doing in you, trust His Word. We will never see the fulness of God's plan for our lives unless we trust and obey. When we obey God, the windows of heaven open and God pours out His blessings to show us His favor.

God Predetermines The Events Of Life

God Predetermines The Events Of Life
Predetermine = 1. To establish or decide in advance. 2. The belief that God, before the creation of the world, decided the eternal destiny of every one of His children. Unlike natural parents, God is able to bring to pass everything that He has planned for each of us, "if" we give Him something to work with! There's a song called "What if", it says - "what if the door swings open to all I've been praying and hoping for, what if fear didn't keep you from trying?" God will put a vision or a dream in your heart and give you faith to pursue it, but like Joseph and everyone else, God never shows us what's in between the promise and the promise land. It takes faith in His will to receive the promise! Today, we will be praying for the graduating seniors, praying they will hold on to Jesus and His will for their future, that they would trust Him with all their hearts and never let His hand go!

Are You Prepared?

Are You Prepared?
 
Prepared = To keep yourself ready for upcoming events. Jesus tells us in His Word that distressing times are coming to this world and we have been witnessing these things in our generation. In our natural life we can be good about preparing for upcoming events such as having company, weddings, going to work or school, etc., but when it comes to things that we have no control over such as temptations, sudden tragedies, etc., we have been given specific instructions through God's Word as to how to be ready. We live in a sinful world where troubles are guaranteed to come our way. Jesus taught us that we can be ready to overcome and have victory over all the temptations, troubles, and lies that the devil throws at us! Being prepared eliminates fear and worry in the Christian life. Praise Jesus that we can have His peace in this troubled world.