This is my take aways from This Weeks Message. Like when I read the Bible and a year later read the same passage and get something new. You may have had something that stands out that I did not take away. What speaks to me may be different than what this message says to you. We are blessed to have a Senior Pastor that preaches God’s word. The Bible is the living word of God. How wonderful it is to have God speak to us personally, in each and every day and each phase of life we are living.
What tree are you swinging in? The tree of Life or the tree that leads to a yoke of bondage, the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. The tree of life, God’s perspective a Biblical view of the world or a worldly view of life. The forbidden tree’s roots come from the attitude of the fall. Isaiah 14:14 I will be like the most high God, I will raise my throne above God’s stars…” Lucifers folly. Focusing on self.
But, the fruit of the tree of life, the fruit of the Spirit. In our DANIEL class, the speaker reminds us the fruit your bear is the tree you are. You may say you are an apple tree but if you produce bananas, no matter what you say, you are a banana tree. Your fruit, your actions show everyone what kind of tree you are.
Let’s focus on transforming our minds, transforming our lives and bearing Godly fruit. Romans 12:1-3 Present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy [separated for God’s work] and acceptable to God which is your reasonable [doable, not impossible] service. And do not be conformed to this world, [don’t swing from the wrong tree] but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. [studying God’s word]
The tree of life results in fellowship with God. Entering into His presence, having a relationship with the LORD of heaven and earth. Fellowship with God results in innocents.
You don’t know my life, the things I have done the things, I have said. Christ died for us where we were, where we are, sinners. For all have sinned, but Jesus died for us anyway. What a friend we have in Jesus, all my sins and griefs to bear. When we ask for forgiveness, our sins are forgiven, forgotten as far as the east is from the west. We are innocent, God sees us through, Jesus glasses. The Message version puts it like this. Because of the sacrifice of the Messiah, his blood poured out on the altar of the cross, we are free p eople – free from the penalties and punishments chalked up by all our misdeeds. And not just barely free, either, abundantly free. Eph. 1:7-10
Our transformed life, the process of becoming a new creation, brings new actions anointed by God, empowered by God. Whatever your calling, the Holy Spirit will empower you, beyond your natural ability. Present your bodies a living sacrifice to work in the kid’s church, nursery, being in the productions; not an actor, not singer, then be in the crowd scenes. Maybe you are called to teach, I was, and I questioned God, ME? So far so good. We are on our third book, Daniel. 4.C. on the outline We should look for ways to serve others. Others like what we used to be, e.g. an alcoholic, drug addict, abused or an abuser, addicted to pornography? Help others to overcome this fallen world, full of fallen people. But now we are free, abundantly free. Help others free become free through the power of the blood Jesus shed for us. (4.D). Grace was God’s idea! Unmerited favor. We did not deserve it, we could not earn it! (E.) We must choose, yes make up your mind, like Daniel in Chapter 1:8, he resolved not to defile himself.
I heard recently that this is 2025, you no longer have to choose; you can do whatever is right in your own eyes. This is a lie from the pit of hell. It never works out good.
I have decided to follow Jesus. You have to choose to accept the saving grace God gives us, or live and die in your sins.
Galatians 4:6-8a. “Because you are his sons, God sent his Son into our hearts, the Spirit that calls out ABBA FATHER. 7. So, you are no longer a slave to sin, but God’s child and since you are God’s child. God also made you’re an heir.8. Formerly, when you did not know God, you were slaves, to those who by nature are not gods. But now you know God – or rather known by God.”! Choose to receive adoption as sons and daughters of God.

May God richly bless you this year !

Who do you say that I Am
“Jesus said to them, But who do you say that I am?” (Matthew 16:15-16) Peter answered and said You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.
We should ask Him the same question, Who do you, Jesus, say that I am?
I Corinthians 3:1 begins “Do you not know and understand” It is important to know who we are and are becoming as a new creation in Christ Jesus. Our identity in Christ, if we know who we are it is easier for us to know what to do and how to act.
Here are some verses that answer, Who we are?
I am a child of God John 1:12
I am righteous, not because of what we have done, but because God has transferred His righteousness to us. KJV says,” Therefore, being justified by faith, we have peace with God, through our Lord Jesus Christ.” Romans 5:1 I heard justified defined as, just as if I had not sinned.
I am the temple of God I Corinthians 3:16 “The Spirit of God dwells in you”
I have access to God’s wisdom James 1:5 You should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.
I am not condemned by God Romans 8:1” Therefore, there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.
I am Christ’s ambassador 2 Corinthians 5:20 “We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, .. The Message version says “We’re Christ’s representatives. God uses us to persuade men and women to drop their differences [differences between them and God] and enter into God’s work of making things right between them. We’re speaking of Christ himself now; Become friends with God; he’s already a friend with you.”
I am completely forgiven Colossians 1:13-14 [ amp] “For He has rescued us and has drawn us to Himself from the dominion of darkness and has transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, in whom we have redemption [because of His sacrifice, resulting in] the forgiveness of our sin [and the cancelation of sins’ penalty]”
I am loved by God “For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son, that whosoever believes in him should not perish but have everlasting life.” John 3:16 [nkjv]
I am a friend of God Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends. John 15:13
I am chosen “ But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.” 1 Peter 2:9

When Jesus was praying in the garden of Gethsemane, he instructed Peter, James and John to go a little further then pray while he went on alone to pray. After some time, he checked on the disciples and found them sleeping. They had not done what was asked of them, in his hour of need, to pray.
It is not wrong to rest, to sleep when tired, but when God wants you to pray, it is not time to sleep. He will give you rest later, right now pray.
When we pray, we are in His presence. Adam experienced God’s presence daily. Genesis tells us that they would walk together in the Garden of Eden in the coolness of the evening.
He traded obedience, He was told not to touch nor eat the fruit of this tree. He had no need for knowledge of evil. It does not say Adam was deceived, it says Eve was deceived and took the fruit of the tree of knowledge of Good and evil. Then she gave it to him. He willingly took it and ate. By one man sin entered the world and So, God gave His only Son to give us, while we were still sinners, forgiveness of sin.
New life began that Christmas morning and finished on a hill called Mount Calvary. There He died for our sins so we could be forgiven of our sins. His blood cleanses us, His stripes heal us. When we repent, when we turn over control of our life, he is faithful to forgive us our sins. If you have not prayed for forgiveness, it is not hard, there is nothing any one of us could do to earn forgiveness, it is a gift from God. You just need to open your heart to his forgiveness and Love. Then you will begin a new life knowing God’s presence.
Recently, the longing for His presence, in a deeper way, has repeatedly come to mind. All we have to do is take the time to worship, pray, and bask in His presence. We, too, can walk with God, walk in the Spirit. Peter encourages us to walk in His steps, one step at a time, steps placed in front of us by him. His ways are higher than our ways.
When we do things in our own strength we miss out on the miraculous. By waiting on the Lord to direct each and every step, action, or word we can remain in His Presence.
Stop what you have planned, and ask God, “What do you have planned?” Walking in the Spirit, in his steps there is joy unspeakable, indescribable. It will leave you speechless. The wonder of God’s love for you and those you meet along the way. Remain in His presence.
I will end with a link to a song by Sandi Patty, “In His Presence” https://youtu.be/Pv7uKCEaOhk
In His Steps,
Brad

The growth of becoming a new creation in Christ, sanctification. Everyone grows at a different rate and works through different convictions as the Spirit leads. But as we walk in the Spirit and walk in faith, the end result is becoming more Christ like. That is an ongoing process that will only be completed when we meet Him face to face. The verse in Ezekial is what brought this to mind Chapter 36:26 "I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh." Paul also talks of this in many places "being transformed" This is a good study if you are not familiar with it.

"All flesh will come to bow down before me says the Lord. Then they shall go forth and behold the corpses of the men who have transgressed against me. For their worm shall not die, and their fire shall not be quenched, and they shall be an abhorrence to all flesh." (Isaiah 66:24). Every knee will bow, prepare for that day, now! When this life is over it will be too late. God will accept those who know Him. Those that reject Christ Jesus will be rejected and will die an everlasting death.

On this day of Thanksgiving let us remember the one from whom all blessings flow.
https://youtube.com/watch?v=xRqe_0T5Nic&si=jM2rk9RAHD-hI1Bk click here and listen "WORTHY IS THE LAMB"