Wk 44 Fall Y'all Finale

🌻CELEBRATE

BIG THANK YOU to...

Dia

Arnedda

Lexi and each of you for coming and being part of the community of Cornerstone!

Just as in Lexi’s words...

Community is important in our Christian Walk, we need each other.

So, many thanks to you who came to be encouraged and lifted up.

Obedient Generosity

When You Give

Beware when giving

Giving in Charity is desired “to, the poor”

Our giving is for Father not one another.

Matthew 6:3–4 NLT

3 But when you give to someone in need, don’t let your left hand know what your right hand is doing. 4 Give your gifts in private, and your Father, who sees everything, will reward you.

Jesus said, “When you give . . . your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you” (Matt. 6:3–4).

FATHER SEES YOU— That’s ALL that matters.

When we give, we are not simply adding to the Church budget; we are giving a thank offering to the Father Himself.

Thus, we must give “as unto the Lord” (Col. 3:23).

Colossians 3:23 NLT

23 Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people.

Our ultimate goal in giving is to please Father.

Are you aware that your giving is to the Lord?

Let’s ask Father...to be pleasing to Him in our giving.

UPDATE💐

Harvest Party at Creek Forest Apartments

OUTREACH IS NOV. 1st. Set-up at 11am.

Food at 12noon, Over at 2pm.

CITY EVENTS

Okmulgee Bridges Workshop needs you to fill the room Nov. 8th, 4pm to 6:30pm downtown in the Mabrey Bank Community Room.

RSVP to me or to [e-mail]

FAITHLINK AT THE SQUARE: Connecting Hearts in Gratitude. Nov. 9th at 6pm at Council House Square.

This is a Community of Churches Thanksgiving Gathering to hangout

Canopy, lawn chairs, tables, food, and just hanging out with the Body of Christ.

Wed MidWeek Circle is Back each Wednesday

FIRE PIT FELLOWSHIP 630pm

GRAB your — Our Daily Bread today!

LAST WEEK

We were out Visiting Family we hadn’t seen for almost a year...getting away was much needed.

LEXI DID GOOD? yes, yes, yes

I LOVED IT WHEN SHE SAID..

“When we live in connection with others—Jesus’ image is magnified”

What does that mean?

Proverbs 27:17 NLT

17 As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend.

People help us have “Light bulb” moments in life!!

[Aha! Moments!]

SAY IT!

She went on to say...

“Fear and Isolation goes hand in hand!!”

Satan wants to control our thoughts, bring doubt, and isolate us, but we serve a bigger God.

A God who sets us free is a giver of Goodness.

He gives us His peace, joy, strength and healing.

God does this through trusted friendships, like that of Naomi and Ruth!

Naomi was a Judean woman who moved to Moab with her husband, Elimelech, to escape a famine. They had two sons, who married Moabite women, one of whom was Ruth. 

After the deaths of Naomi's husband and sons, she decided to return to Judah, urging her daughters-in-Law to stay in Moab and find new husbands.

While Orpah chose to stay, Ruth famously declared her loyalty to Naomi, saying, “Where you go, I will go, and where you stay, I will stay. Your people will be my people, and your God my God” (Ruth 1:16).

even like David and Jonathan

The friendship between David and Jonathan was not merely a personal alliance but was deeply rooted in their shared faith in God.

Their covenant was a spiritual bond, reflecting their mutual commitment to uphold God's will. Jonathan's recognition of David's divine anointing and his willingness to submit to God's plan, even at personal cost, underscores the spiritual depth of their relationship.

LEXI ENDED WITH...

PRACTICAL WAYS TO BUILD COMMUNITY

let’s review...

Show up

Be honest

Serve others

Pray together

Show up—get out of bed

the faithfulness you put into the relationship will grow good fruit

Satan wants to destroy what Christ has brought to life

Be honest—to yourself, others, and God

He’s not looking for perfection, but He does want to see you washed by his love and transformed by His Word.

Plus, he wants to see you placed in the Body of Christ.

Why? Well that’s #3.

Serve others—changes lives, even yours

Other people’s stories change us

Pray together—Prayer changes things

I BELIEVE THAT LEXI HEARD THE SPIRIT OF GOD — Don’t YOU?

SHE PUT THE KINGDOM OF GOD IN PLAY!

and that is what this series has been about!

WOW!

PRACTICE Saying... “WOW!”

[Everyone say WOW with me on 3...1-2-3-”WOW!”]

HOW ABOUT THE KINGDOM OF GOD AT THIS TIME IN 2025?

Did you know, when it comes to the Halloween treat index — Americans plan to spend an average of $296 this year, according to Empower research.

[Everyone say it with me 1-2-3-...WOW!]

More than half (52%) are tightening budgets though, even as nearly 2 in 5 say they tend to overspend.

[Everyone say it with me 1-2-3-...WOW!]

The Younger generations however are leaning on tech to help: 

1 in 4 plan to use AI to find deals, generate costume ideas, or plan themed travel.

‌[Everyone say it with me 1-2-3-...WOW!]

Here’s how the spending adds up:

 Candy: $58

 Children’s costume(s): $56

 Adult costume(s): $46

 Home and yard decorations: $52

 Parties and entertainment: $51 

‌[Everyone say it with me 1-2-3-...WOW!]

Altogether, seasonal spending is projected to reach a record $13.1 billion — a 13% jump from last year.

[Say it one more time 1-2-3-...WOW!]

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I think we can say that what we spend our time and money on — reveals our passion!

If you’re a follower of Jesus, you’re an ambassador for him.

The Bible says it very clearly: “We are Christ’s ambassadors” (2 Corinthians 5:20 NLT).

2 Corinthians 5:20 NLT

20 So we are Christ’s ambassadors; God is making his appeal through us. We speak for Christ when we plead, “Come back to God!”

What is an ambassador?

(n.) an accredited diplomat sent by a state as its permanent representative in a foreign country:

Simply put, an ambassador is a representative sent out on a mission to build relationships.

There are all kinds of ambassadors—political, economic, cultural, business, and goodwill ambassadors. And the Bible says...

there are spiritual ambassadors—that’s you and me!

So, we are talking about walking in the Kingdom TODAY!

As an ambassador of Jesus, we have three roles.

First, you represent Jesus in the world. 

That should affect everything about how you live.

Philippians 1:27 says, “Be sure that you live in a way that brings honor to the Good News of Christ” (NCV).

Philippians 1:27 NLT

27 Above all, you must live as citizens of heaven, conducting yourselves in a manner worthy of the Good News about Christ. Then, whether I come and see you again or only hear about you, I will know that you are standing together with one spirit and one purpose, fighting together for the faith, which is the Good News.

As you go about your day, it’s a good phrase to keep in mind: 

Remember who you represent. When you’re at work, playing a sport, or stuck in traffic—remember who you represent. And, as Ephesians 4:1 says, “Live a life worthy of the calling you have received” (NIV).

Ephesians 4:1 NLT

1 Therefore I, a prisoner for serving the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of your calling, for you have been called by God.

Second, you’ve been given a mission. 

In the Message paraphrase, Jesus prays, “In the same way that you gave me a mission in the world, I give them a mission in the world” (John 17:18).

When you’re on a mission, that’s all that matters. You’re there to get the job done—not to take a vacation.

You have a mission to accomplish.

And of all the missions in the world, the most important mission of all is helping people get to know God and settle their eternal destiny.

The apostle Paul said this, “I don’t care about my own life. The most important thing is that I complete my mission, the work that the Lord Jesus gave me— to tell people the Good News about God’s grace” (Acts 20:24 NCV).

Acts 20:24 NLT

24 But my life is worth nothing to me unless I use it for finishing the work assigned me by the Lord Jesus—the work of telling others the Good News about the wonderful grace of God.

Third, you have been given authority to speak. 

Sometimes you may not feel confident talking about God to other people.

But Jesus has authorized you to speak about him: 

“Go, then, to all peoples everywhere and make them my disciples: baptize them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, and teach them to obey everything I have commanded you” (Matthew 28:19-20 GNT).

Matthew 28:19–20 NLT

19 Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. 20 Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

Remember: If you’re a follower of Jesus, you’re his ambassador.

That means you represent him, you have a mission from him, and you’re authorized to tell the Good News about him!

Talk It Over

Think about your daily life. Are there times you represent Jesus well?

When is it a struggle?

Do you live your life like you’re on a mission?

What changes can you make to be more focused on your mission?

Is it difficult or easy for you to share the Good News with other people?

How does it help you to remember that Jesus has authorized you to tell others about him?

Are you ready to settle your eternal destiny

Are you ready to get to know God and settle your eternal destiny today?

If you’ve never made the choice to accept Jesus and give your life to him, you can pray a prayer confessing sin, asking forgiveness, and accepting Christ in your life .

There’s nothing magical about the words.

But these matters is your heart are.

Let’s Pray:

“Father, I know I need a fresh start. I confess my sins and ask you to forgive me. Your Word says if anyone believes in Christ, they’re a new creation. So here I am. I believe and I’m asking to be made new. Let the old me pass away. Fill me with your Spirit and lead me into the life you’ve meant for me all along. I receive Jesus now as my Lord and Savior. In his name I pray. Amen.”

If you just prayed to accept Jesus, please talk with me today.

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Sweet scare—BOO!: 

Chocolate is putting a bite in Halloween spending —

Cocoa prices have more than doubled since early 2024. 

Nearly 3 in 5 Americans say rising costs are changing how much they spend,

Choosing “fun-size” bags over full-size bars.

Fun-size is up $5 and

48-pack of full-size bars topping $50 (a $10 jump).

So, Non-chocolate candy is now making up about a third of U.S. candy sales, but...

Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups still rule the trick-or-treat stash.