"God's Gift of Grace: New Creature Through Grace" by Bishop Brenda Perry

The following is taken from the message breached by Bishop Brenda K. Perry on Sunday, December 11

Bishop Brenda Perry

Text: 2 Corinthians 5:17

"God's Gift of Grace: New Creature Through Grace"

God reconciled us back to Himself, then graciously gave us gifts....that are to be used in the Kingdom, but some people choose not use them for the glory of God.

God drew us to Himself through grace...His drawing lead us to repentance. Before we could receive God's salvation, we had to first to repent. It was our faith and obedience...faith in Jesus Christ and that He would fill us with His spirit, and obedience to repentance, be baptized, and walking according to His Word.

If we are in Christ we have work to do to be like Christ. It does not happen over night, but we continue to strive.

In the fulfilling of God's purpose, we must humble ourselves. When we are in Christ, we are to longer live and practice the old habits of our past. There are behaviors and attitudes that we must give to God and allow Him to work those things out of us...if we are in a new creature through grace.

The grace of God will help us to walk in kindness. We need the grace of God to help our inward man...we have to ask God.

The enemy will try to weary us, to tire us out in order to discourage us. No matter how much praying, fasting, or reading the Word it seems like the enemy keep throwing punches. But the grace of God will step in and give us strength and victory.

The enemy may try to make us depend on our flesh, but naturally and spiritually we must depend on God.

1 Peter 2:3...we must help those who are being born into the Body of Christ. Those who are strong and rooted must take the time to feed those who are unlearned in the things of God. 2 Peter 3:18...as we grow in God we grow in His grace and knowledge. Growth brings us understanding.

When we correct people, our desire should be to bring them back to a merciful God. The grace of God brings us to maturity.

Butter Cauliflower and Coconut Rice

One of the great things about the "Daniel's Fast" is it allows individuals to approach eating from a healthier stand point. But often that ends after the fast due to not knowing how to prepare interesting dishes and meals. So the second great opportunity for those who take part in the fast, you have to stretch out and learn new ways of cooking delicious yet healthy. Nothing is more fun than branching out and adding new cultures to your cooking line up. Indian food, as is the case with Asian food, is fun, filling, an often a great add to your Daniel's Fast meal line up. The recipe bellow is one of those such dishes. For those in the Houston area, you will have no problem finding the spices an ingrediants needed for the dish in area grocery stores (HEB, KROGER'S, Fiesta...) or make a visit to one of the many local Indian stores.

ENJOY!

"Butter" Cauliflower

Prep time
15 mins
Cook time
30 mins
Total time
45 mins

Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients
For the cauliflower:
3-4 C cauliflower, 1 small head
1 tbsp oil
1 - 1½ tbsp tandoori seasoning
juice of half a lemon, about 2 tbsp
½ tsp salt
For the sauce:
2 tbsp oil
1 large onion, diced
4 large cloves of garlic, minced
1 tbsp fresh ginger, grated
2 tsp chilli powder
1 tsp turmeric
1 tsp coriander
¾ tsp cumin
½ tsp cinnamon
1 quart (or a 32 oz can) jar tomatoes, pureed
1 tbsp Agave or Honey
1 can full fat coconut milk
¼ tsp salt + more to taste
Instructions
In a large skillet heat the oil over medium low heat. When hot add the onion and saute until completely softened and some pieces are starting to caramelize and turn dark, 10-15 minutes. Add the garlic and ginger and stir. Add the chilli powder, turmeric, coriander, cumin and cinnamon and stir again. Pour in the tomatoes and stir well. Bring up to a boil and then turn down and simmer while preparing the cauliflower.
Preheat oven to 425 degrees.
To prepare the cauliflower chop into bite sized pieces and lay out on a baking sheet. Drizzle with oil, sprinkle with tandoori seasoning, fresh lemon juice and salt. Toss well to combine. When the oven is hot, place cauliflower in the oven and roast until the edges of the cauliflower are beginning to caramelize and turn dark but the cauliflower is still firm, about 15 minutes.
Meanwhile, stir the sauce occasionally until it thickens, about 20 minutes. Add 1 tbsp of sugar, ¼ tsp of salt and the can of full fat coconut milk(*see note). Stir well.
Once the cauliflower is done, remove from the oven and stir into the sauce. Stir well and serve hot over rice.
Notes
*if you prefer a thicker sauce, do not shake your can of coconut milk before opening, Open the can, and spoon the thicker coconut "cream" off the top reserving the thin clear liquid at the bottom for another purpose.


Coconut Brown Rice

Prep time
5 mins
Cook time
50 mins
Total time
55 mins

Yield: 4-6 servings
Ingredients
1 tbsp coconut oil
1½ C long grain brown rice(jasmine rice is preferable but any kind works)
3 tbsp flaked coconut
1 can full fat coconut milk(or just over 1½ C)
1½ C water
1 tsp honey or alternative
1 tsp sea salt
Instructions
In a medium saucepan heat the coconut oil.
Add the brown rice and stir while cooking over medium heat for 1-2 minutes until the rice begins to toast. Add the flaked coconut.
Stir in the coconut milk, water, honey and salt. Bring to a boil, stir, cover and turn down to a simmer. Simmer rice for 50 minutes then turn off the heat and let the rice sit for 5 minutes before serving.



Modified for New Life's Daniel's Fast
Author: Heidi @ Food Doodles
Photo taken from Heidi @Food Doodles ...you can find many other vegan and vegetarian recipes on her site.