Recently we had a church fellowship/dinner and I took a dish that I usually make, candied sweet potatoes with marshmallows on top. I put the sweet potatoes in a pot to boil but one looked a little different and shriveled on the end but I cooked it anyway. After cooking them I peeled them and tasted each one to see how they tasted, hmm good. I peeled the different looking one last and tasted it. It was bitter and did not taste good so I discarded it. Those sweet potatoes remind me of something in the Bible. When we repent of our sins and put our trust in Christ Jesus for salvation we are born again or anew by the Spirit of God or the Holy Spirit, (John 3:5&6, Titus 3:5). With that new birth we are released for the penalty of sin and condemnation, (Romans 8:1-3). Another result of that new birth the Holy Spirit dwells in us who can result in more love, joy peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control in our lives, (Galatians 5:22-24). If we continue to grow spiritually and try to do what God wants day by day we will be more Christ like and have more fruit of the Holy Spirit, (John 15:5-10, Ephesians 3:16, 5:18, 1 Thessalonians 4:8). If we do not we may become like that bitter sweet potato, (Galatians 5:16). See you in Church next Sunday.