Trans4mation Church Pastor Jim Balzano

The prize you want is the pursuit that you choose. What the church pursues is what the church values. The pursuit of political power in our nation runs rampant. We, His church, are in pursuit, but it is not of the power of this world. Using the church in the book of Acts this message reminds us, His church, what we should be pursuing.

God‘s presence would lead the Israelites out of Egypt manifested by a pillar of fire, a cloud, and an angel of the Lord. As they followed His presence they would be lead out of Egypt. However, the way into the promised land was the same as the way out of the land of captivity. As we exit 2020 and head into 2021 we must remember that we leave one by the presence of God and enter the other by the presence of God.

The sons of Israel were captive in Egypt for hundreds of years until God began to liberate them. Using Moses, to pronounce judgment against Egypt God would use darkness as one of His judgments. God sent darkness over the land of Egypt, but the Bible says the sons of Israel had light in their dwellings. Darkness could not invade the houses of Israel for the God who is light illuminates their darkness. This Christmas let us remember Jesus is the light that illuminates our darkness today

Jesus told Pilate He came to testify to the truth. John said Jesus came to the earth full of grace and truth. Jesus was the testimony of truth about and for God. Yet, there were those who would attempt to suppress that truth. Even today there are those who would suppress the truth of God. We, as believers, live according to the truth presented by Jesus of this amazing God, who loves us so much. This is a reminder of one of the purposes for which God took on humanity.

Peter fished all night and caught nothing. It was a night of futility, but joy came in the morning in the presence of Jesus. And Jesus came with a directive word to offset the futility of Peter's night. It is a directive word of God that will often cause us to see things on the other side that we may not have seen. As we navigate these uncertain times He still provides a directive word to His people. Allow this message to cause you to hear his directive word and see what you might not have seen

Trying times have a way of causing discouragement, frustration and overwhelming anxiety. They can rob you of sleep, steal the words from your mouth and bring a crisis of faith. Psalm 77 is a Psalm of Asaph, who found himself in such a state. What did he do? He remembered! His present situation caused him to call to mind the strength, might and power of his God. The God who gave him victory in the past would be the same God who gave him victory in the present. This message will encourage you during difficult times to say: “I will remember!” You may have a troubled present but take heart. In Christ you have an overcoming history.