The Great Awareness Church

Author: Ray Lane

  • Each Day Is A Gift

    Each Day Is A Gift

    “This is the day the Lord has made, we will rejoice and be glad in it.” Psalm 118:24

    Notice the phrasing, “we WILL rejoice”. It speaks to a determination to be joyful for no other reason than it is another day.
     
    “Rejoice in the Lord always, again I will say, rejoice!” Philippians 4:4

    Notice, it is not a suggestion, not something Paul is saying would be good to try. It is a commandment to rejoice. It doesn’t end in a question mark; it ends in an exclamation point!
     
    Joy is a choice. It is not based on circumstance; it is a choice. You may be in a dark period, as hard as it is, we are told to rejoice. Wait on the Lord, He will bring you out of the darkness, but while you are waiting, rejoice. When unfortunate things happen during the day, we are told not to react but to respond. We are still to have joy. And this is a practice, something that you can become better at IF YOU LET THE HOLY SPIRIT WORK. The fruit of the Holy Spirit is Love, Joy, Peace. It is fruit, it is grown, it takes time; let the Holy Spirit work.
     
    When you find yourself reacting, pause, take a deep breath, ask God to forgive you, He will, and then move forward with joy once again. Each day is an opportunity to grow. If you look at each day with this mindset, that you have a chance to practice joy, to grow more like Jesus, that the day really is a blessing, then joy will flow from that. We started a fast in our small group, and we are 1 and ½ days in, all water, no juice or anything, just water. It’s that time in the fast where you get a headache as the body tries to adjust, and it hurts. My head hurts, I don’t feel like doing anything, and if I let myself, I would be grumpy. But I realize, even tired, hurting, it is a chance to rejoice. An opportunity to practice what I preach. Practice Philippians 4:4. I can move into this day with a great attitude and try to bless others. Our circumstances don’t determine our joy-we do. Peter was in a Roman prison and singing songs of praise. Today really is the day the Lord has made…let us REJOICE!
     
    Have a blessed week!
     
    Brian
    “The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all.”2 Corinthians 13:14 (NKJV)

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  • So Where Do We Go From Here?

    So Where Do We Go From Here?

    Last Sunday, I shared a message about the tribulation period beginning this year, 2026, taken right from Old Testament prophecy, and looking around at the world around us. Although some were bothered, most people were glad because they knew, they could feel, that things were spiraling toward that time, but were unsure what that would look like. If you missed it, go to our YouTube channel @TheGreatAwarenessChurch and subscribe. That sermon, and all my past sermons, are there.
     
    But the question now is, where do we go from here? What is next? Thankfully, Jesus DOES NOT LEAVE THAT TO GUESSING. He clearly shares how we are to live during these times, both in His letters to the churches in Revelation and also in His end-times discourse in Matthew 24 and 25. This Sunday, we will look at what comes next and what Jesus Himself shares in Matthew 24 and 25. It will be a very surprising sermon to many. At the end of the day, the Bible tells us how this story ends. The Bible tells us how we should be living. For believers, the Holy Spirit is actively working to grow us to be more like Jesus. That process never ends. We will keep growing until we die. At least, that is the plan. If you are not growing, you are dying. I choose growth. I choose Jesus. I choose to love God and love others. I truly believe in my heart, and I am willing to die on that hill, that these are good choices. And I hope you make them too. Love Jesus, love others, keep growing.
     
    I hope you can be there on Sunday; it is going to be an eye-opening time. 900 Cripple Creek Drive, Lawrenceville. It is a sweet fellowship, small, intimate, and like family. If you can’t be there, we stream it live each week on our YouTube channel. I hope to see you there!!!
     
    Have a blessed week!

    Pastor Brian

    P.S. The purpose of the Great Awareness Church is to get Christians ready for Jesus’s coming. We preach Scripture and challenge our congregation to grow that relationship with Jesus. Join us! It is a real “coffee house” type feel. Please join us this Sunday at 10:30…we will have coffee and donuts for you! 900 Cripple Creek Drive, Lawrenceville. Or Stream it live on our YouTube channel @TheGreatAwarenessChurch

    P.P.S. My book, “The Last Instructions of Jesus (Before He Comes Again)”, is a deep dive into Revelation 2 and 3, Jesus’ last words and it is a game changing book. You can click on this link below to order or go online to Amazon, Barnes and Noble, etc. Get yours today!

    https://www.westbowpress.com/en/bookstore/bookdetails/867418-the-last-instructions-of-jesus
    “The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all.”2 Corinthians 13:14 (NKJV)

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  • My Most Important Sermon

    My Most Important Sermon

    It has been a remarkable week in the news. We just took over another country Venezuela is rich in oil and gold. Yes, we took out an evil dictator, but don’t be deceived, we just took over this country. Whoever we allow to rule there will have to be “our guy”. I assure you, China and Russia are not looking at this as a “drug bust of a known dealer”. They see this as an act of aggression, an act of war. We seized two oil tankers this week, one of them Russian. Trump is talking about taking over Greenland. Our enemies see Trump as someone very dangerous who must be stopped and they are plotting against us. China is not scared, I assure you, they are positioned, and they are waiting for the right moment.

    On the home front, it is not much different. Trump has till November to push the envelope, till the mid-terms, I get it, but that pushing is galvanizing the left. Just like Charlie Kirk’s murder has galvanized the right, this shooting in Minnesota of the woman by the ICE agent may galvanize the left. The left no longer worries about Democratic policies, it is about stopping Trump. We are in World War 3, the only thing missing from it being called WW3 is us being attacked. Is that time eminent? What does that mean? More importantly, WHAT DOES SCRIPTURE HAVE TO TELL US ABOUT THIS TIME? Believe it or not, Scripture is clear. God is not caught off guard. We know how this all ends and a quick look at some key prophecy in Scripture will give us clarity on what the next 10 years hold. I will be going over that Scripture on Sunday.

    Join us this Sunday! As I go to the scripture, go to specific prophecy that speaks to this time, and share what is next. Want to know what happens over the next 10 years? The Bible is clear. Tune in Sunday to find out. Either come to our service live at 900 Cripple Creek Dr., Lawrenceville, GA or tune in to our YouTube channel @TheGreatAwarenessChurch. 10:30 Eastern, this Sunday. A sermon you DO NOT want to miss. Talk to you then!

    Pastor Brian

    P.S. The purpose of the Great Awareness Church is to get Christians ready for Jesus’s coming. We preach Scripture and challenge our congregation to grow that relationship with Jesus. Join us! It is a real “coffee house” type feel. Please join us this Sunday at 10:30…we will have coffee and donuts for you! 900 Cripple Creek Drive, Lawrenceville. Or Stream it live on our YouTube channel @TheGreatAwarenessChurch

    P.P.S. My book, “The Last Instructions of Jesus (Before He Comes Again)”, is a deep dive into Revelation 2 and 3, Jesus’ last words and it is a game changing book. You can click on this link below to order or go online to Amazon, Barnes and Noble, etc. Get yours today!

    https://www.westbowpress.com/en/bookstore/bookdetails/867418-the-last-instructions-of-jesus
    “The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all.”2 Corinthians 13:14 (NKJV)

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  • Merry Christmas

    Merry Christmas

    Merry Christmas from The Great Awareness Church! Tomorrow at 5:30 PM, we’re gathering for our Christmas Eve Worship Service, same place as always, 900 Cripple Creek Drive, Lawrenceville, GA 30043. This will be a heartfelt evening of worship, communion, and a reading of the story of Jesus’ birth, reminding that He is the reason we celebrate this season. It will be a beautiful and meaningful time together. All are welcome! Bring your family, friends, and anyone who needs hope, peace, or a place to belong this Christmas.


    Because One Matters – Christmas Giving
    We’re also helping Because One Matters, a local closet serving children in need right here in Lawrenceville. They are currently critically low on toiletries. The most needed items include, toothpaste, and shampoo and conditioner. Clothes will also be helpful as well. You can bring donations to our Christmas Eve service or to our Sunday service this week!


    We pray this season has been a Spirit-filled time full of joy, peace, and God’s presence, even in the holiday rush. Merry Christmas! Remember… Jesus loves you, and there’s nothing you can do about it.


    We hope to see you tomorrow!
    “The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all.”2 Corinthians 13:14 (NKJV)

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  • My Friend Jeff

    My Friend Jeff

    I have a core group of guys that I have been friends with since high school-over 40 years now. Two of them are Jewish, but the other four have been growing their faith in Jesus. It has only been the last few years for a couple of them, but they are all growing. It is neat to see. My friend Jeff is one of those guys.

    Jeff is a simple man, much like the Lynyrd Skynyrd song. He is a handyman who loves to fish and just live life with his girlfriend. Very easy to get along with, and has had quite a few friends over the years. Just a good guy, not sure there is anyone out there who doesn’t like him. Yesterday he posted a video which was the acceptance speech by Jelly Roll at the Dove Awards and put in the caption, “loving me some Jelly Roll right now”. I listened to the speech and it was challenging people to reach out to the “least of these” because the reason he is there is because people reached out to him when he was the least of these. It is from the book of Matthew and ironically, I am preaching from that this week. I don’t know Jelly Roll personally, I don’t know much about him. But his speech, what I heard, was a good gospel message. It’s a good challenge to Christians.

    So why do I share this? Because Jeff has friends that I as a pastor will never reach, and so do you. And Jelly Roll has a platform that is much bigger than any platform I am likely to have, so we ALL have a part to play. Time is running short, Jesus is coming soon. It is time for every Christian to do their part-right where they are-right where God has placed them. When you hear a great message, see a powerful reel, re-post it. Share it with your friends, don’t keep it to yourself. In your relationships, start trying to ask open ended questions that lead them to talking about Jesus. I am trying to weave this question into all my conversations, “How is your relationship with Jesus?” Then let them talk. If that is too bold, you can re-post. Work on your relationship with Jesus, read your Bible and pray. But don’t keep that relationship to yourself, share Jesus right where you are, in whatever ways you can. Sin is growing, the answer, the ONLY answer, to sin- is Jesus. The world needs more Jesus. Help spread the word-you have a part to play in this great drama of life. Time to get rolling with it!

    Have a blessed week!
    Brian

    P.S. The purpose of the Great Awareness Church is to get Christians ready for Jesus’s coming. We preach Scripture and challenge our congregation to grow that relationship with Jesus. Join us, we’d love to have you! It is a real “coffee house” type feel. Please join us this Sunday at 10:30…we will have coffee and donuts for you! 900 Cripple Creek Drive, Lawrenceville, GA 30043. Or Stream it live on our YouTube channel @TheGreatAwarenessChurch


    P.P.S. My book is finally out, “The Last Instructions of Jesus (Before He Comes Again).” You can click on this link to order or go online to Amazon, Barnes and Noble, etc. It is a deep dive into Revelation 2 and 3, Jesus’ last words. EVERYONE who has read it has ordered copies for other people…it is a game changing book. So click on the link below and get yours today!
    “The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all.”2 Corinthians 13:14 (NKJV)

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  • We Give the Devil Too Much Credit!

    We Give the Devil Too Much Credit!

    In Matthew 28:18 Jesus stated this very powerful statement, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.” So if Jesus now has ALL authority, how much authority does the devil have? None. All is all. If Christ has ALL authority, then the devil has none.

    The devil we face is a defeated devil, Jesus won that victory on the Cross. The devil can only mess with you if you invite him in. You do that with opening doors in your life like seances, drugs, fornication, etc. This then gives him power when we cling to shame and guilt and keep these things in the dark. The devil and his demons can only mess with you in the dark, if you bring things into the light, he can not mess with you. Not as a believer. So it is CRITICAL that we embrace what Christ did on the cross and we bring our junk into the light, and Jesus is that light.

    Most people walk around with a great wound. Something happened when they were young, some tragedy, an absent or an abusive parent, or maybe bullying at school. Something happened that made you feel worthless, horrible, etc. Satan came in at that time and convinced you that the way you feel in that moment is who you really are. And because the feeling is real, it is easy to believe it. God tells you that you are special and precious but the lies are easier to believe while in pain. So we cover up that feeling with a mask or control mechanisms but we still have this deep hurt, it is hidden in the shadows of our heart. And since we don’t bring it into the light, it stays an open door for the devil to mess with you. Those moments when you are alone, or someone hurts you in that deep wound, the devil and his demons come again telling you, “see, you are worthless, no one loves you” or reinforcing whatever that lie surrounding that deep wound is. The ONLY answer to the deep wounds in our lives is JESUS. Jesus can heal the deep wound, but you have to take it into the light. Bring it before Him in prayer and ask Him to release it, to heal the wound, and to begin to embrace the truth- you are LOVED by the Savior…that is the TRUEST thing about you.

    Jesus came and saved us, but we still often cling to shame and guilt instead of walking in the victory He has already won. It is like He opened the jail cell and freed you but you choose to stay in the cell. Stop doing that. Embrace that your past is gone, you don’t have to carry any shame or guilt anymore. He took care of that. But you MUST embrace it. Otherwise, you stay in chains by your own design. How crazy is that?

    This Sunday we will talk deeper about healing the deep hurt, I hope you can join us, 10:30 Sunday at 900 Cripple Creek Drive Lawrenceville or online at our YouTube channel,
    @TheGreatAwarenessChurch. Have a blessed week and see you Sunday!

    Pastor Brian

    P.S. The purpose of the Great Awareness Church is to get Christians ready for Jesus’s coming. We preach Scripture and challenge our congregation to grow that relationship with Jesus. Join us! It is a real “coffee house” type feel. Please join us this Sunday at 10:30…we will have coffee and donuts for you! 900 Cripple Creek Drive, Lawrenceville. Or Stream it live on our YouTube channel @TheGreatAwarenessChurch.

    P.P.S. My book is finally out, “The Last Instructions of Jesus (Before He Comes Again).” You can click on this link to order or go online to Amazon, Barnes and Noble, etc. It is a deep dive into Revelation 2 and 3, Jesus last words and EVERYONE who has read it has ordered copies for other people…it is a game changing book. So click on the link below and get yours today!

    https://www.westbowpress.com/en/bookstore/bookdetails/867418-the-last-instructions-of-jesus
    “The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all.”2 Corinthians 13:14 (NKJV)

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  • Time to Plan Next Year!

    Time to Plan Next Year!

    Aaahhh…that time of year again. Time to wind down one year, praise God for His blessings and plan next year. I love this time of the year. The Bible says, “The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord directs the steps” Proverbs 16:9. Seems to say we need to plan things in. Or does it?

    How did Jesus gameplan? He was clear on His mission, and He knew the Cross was His destiny. But how did He strategize His years? He got more done in 3 years than possibly anyone else ever, changed the world in 3 years-what was His secret? We are going to find out this Sunday! We are going to go straight to Jesus Himself to see how we should be planning our days and how we should allow God to direct our steps. It will be a very freeing sermon I hope, i know it has freed me up. And I look forward to sharing it with everyone.

    Please try to be there, Sunday, 10:30 AM at 900 Cripple Creek Dr., Lawrenceville. It will be a blessing. We have donuts, coffee and a warm fellowship. We hope to see you there! If you are far away, we stream it live on our YouTube channel @TheGreatAwarenessChurch 10:30 on Sunday. Then we save it on the channel so if you are tied up that day and time, log in during the week and check it out. Look, 2026 is upon us. What will your year look like? Wouldn’t you like to know how Jesus would handle 2026 if it was Him? Come this Sunday and find out. It is too much for me to write up in this tip, you just have to show up and listen. Hope to see you there!

    Pastor Brian

    P.S. The purpose of the Great Awareness Church is to get Christians ready for Jesus’s coming. We preach Scripture and challenge our congregation to grow that relationship with Jesus. Join us! It is a real “coffee house” type feel. Please join us this Sunday at 10:30…we will have coffee and donuts for you! 900 Cripple Creek Drive, Lawrenceville. You can also stream it live on our YouTube channel @TheGreatAwarenessChurch or check it out on our website https://thegreatawarenesschurch.org

    P.p.s. My book is finally out, “The Last Instructions of Jesus (Before He Comes Again).” You can click on this link to order or go online to Amazon, Barnes and Noble, etc. It is a deep dive into Revelation 2 and 3, Jesus’ last words and EVERYONE who has read it has ordered copies for other people…it is a game changing book. So click on the link below and get yours today!

    https://www.westbowpress.com/en/bookstore/bookdetails/867418-the-last-instructions-of-jesus
    “The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all.”2 Corinthians 13:14 (NKJV)

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  • Happy Thanksgiving!

    Happy Thanksgiving!

    We are so thankful for what the Lord is doing in our church and in each and every one of us individually. He is great and greatly to be praised!

    Just a friendly reminder, we will not be gathering this upcoming Sunday after Thanksgiving, 11/30. We felt as though we should give those who serve some time off and have everyone spend time with their family, and most importantly, God. Let this time be a time of rest, in the Word, in prayer, and giving thanks for all Jesus is and what He has done. We cannot wait to see you! We will be gathering again on Sunday, 12/7, at 10:30 AM, as always.

    900 Cripple Creek Drive, Lawrencville, GA 30043.

    See you there! Be blessed!

    Pastor Brian

    P.S. The purpose of the Great Awareness Church is to get Christians ready for Jesus’s coming. We preach Scripture and challenge our congregation to grow that relationship with Jesus. Join us, won’t you? It is a real “coffee house” type feel. Please join us this Sunday at 10:30…we will have coffee and donuts for you! 900 Cripple Creek Drive, Lawrenceville. Or stream it live on our YouTube channel @thegreatawarenesschurch

    My book is finally out, “The Last Instructions of Jesus (Before He comes Again).” You can click this link to order, or go to Amazon, Barnes & Noble, etc. It is a deep dive into Revelation 2 and 3, Jesus’ last words, and EVERYONE who has read it has ordered copies for other people…it is a game-changing book. Click the link below and get yours today!

    https://www.westbowpress.com/en/bookstore/bookdetails/867418-the-last-instructions-of-jesus

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  • We Are ALL On A Journey

    We Are ALL On A Journey

    Life is a journey. We are all on our own, different and unique journeys. Some are at high points in the journey, some at low points, and some are in between. We should never be critical and judge another’s journey because soon enough, we will likely be where they are. Whether you are in a high time, a low time, or a time of waiting…there is a SPECIFIC purpose for it and God has a plan AND a reason for it.

    None of us are better than anyone else; we are all fellow journeyman on this road of life. We should encourage each other along the way because ALL of us have, or will, experience all 3 phases-high, low, and middle. Each phase is part of God’s preparation for what God has for you. There are lessons to learn, growth to happen, and ideally a subtle growth in our trust and our thankfulness of the living God who cares SO MUCH about you, that He would orchestrate events for your benefit and growth. Wow, that the Creator of the universe would engineer even small details in my life for my benefit….WOW! Praise the Lord.

    This Sunday, I will be preaching from an amazing piece of Scripture in 1 Kings, and we will look at the journey of life through the life of the prophet Elijah and see what lessons we can glean for our own walk today. Whether things are going your way, or you are struggling, or you are just in a time of waiting, there are specific actions that you should be taking in each phase of life that will make for a better journey going forward. Please come, it is a valuable message that will bless you. Sunday at 10:30 at 900 Cripple Creek Drive, Lawrenceville. Would love to see you there!

    Brian

    P.S. The purpose of the Great Awareness Church is to get Christians ready for Jesus’s coming. We preach Scripture and challenge our congregation to grow that relationship with Jesus. Join us, won’t you? It is a real “coffee house” type feel. Please join us this Sunday at 10:30…we will have coffee and donuts for you! 900 Cripple Creek Drive, Lawrenceville. Or stream it live on our YouTube channel @thegreatawarenesschurch

    My book is finally out, “The Last Instructions of Jesus (Before He comes Again).” You can click this link to order, or go to Amazon, Barnes & Noble, etc. It is a deep dive into Revelation 2 and 3, Jesus’ last words, and EVERYONE who has read it has ordered copies for other people…it is a game-changing book. Click the link below and get yours today!

    https://www.westbowpress.com/en/bookstore/bookdetails/867418-the-last-instructions-of-jesus

    Want to receive our weekly newsletter? Sign up below.

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  • What If??

    What If??

    What if Jesus really is coming soon? People look around and see all the obvious signs, and often I hear them say, “Jesus is coming soon”, but is it just a statement? Do you really believe it? Do your actions show that you believe it? It may be THE most important question to consider.

    What if He is coming soon? What if the church age is about to end? Who do you know who still does not know Jesus? If you read Revelation 2 and 3, Jesus’s last words to the end times church, He constantly steers them back to a relationship with Him. HOW IS YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH JESUS? That is really the follow-up question. How is that

    relationship? Is it strong? Are you spending time with Him? Do you think that Jesus wants to go deeper in your relationship with Him? What does that look like?

    To me, I not only believe He is coming soon, but I am changing my life around to match that belief. I’m prioritizing the relationship with Jesus AND getting serious about the Great Commandment (Love God, Love others) and the Great Commission (Make disciples of all nations). You may say, Brian, what if you’re wrong? What if it is 50 years from now? 100? I would answer you with this: what’s my downside to working on my relationship with Jesus? There IS NONE! If I am right, I am making the most of the days I have left. If I am wrong, I am growing my relationship with Him, loving on others, and making disciples….I am gathering rewards in Heaven. There just is NO negative to working on your relationship with Jesus.

    So, where are you at? Where is that relationship? What is one thing you can do today to spend more time with Jesus? Read some Scripture, block off time to pray, get involved in a Bible believing church, join a small group at church, do something. Do one thing to start growing that relationship with Jesus, which will also grow you as a person-and if you ain’t growin’, you’re dyin’. So grow, grow that relationship with Jesus this week. Until next week, be blessed!

    Pastor Brian

    P.S. The purpose of the Great Awareness Church is to get Christians ready for Jesus’s coming. We preach Scripture and challenge our congregation to grow that relationship with Jesus. Join us, won’t you? It is a real “coffee house” type feel. Please join us this Sunday at 10:30…we will have coffee and donuts for you! 900 Cripple Creek Drive, Lawrenceville. Or stream it live on our YouTube channel @TheGreatAwarenessChurch

    My book is finally out, “The Last Instructions of Jesus (Before He comes again).” You can click on this link to order or go online to Amazon, Barnes and Noble, etc. It is a deep dive into Revelation 2 and 3, Jesus’ last words, and EVERYONE who has read it has more ordered copies for other people…it is a game-changing book. So click on the link below and get yours today!

    https://www.westbowpress.com/en/bookstore/bookdetails/867418-the-last-instructions-of-jesus

    Want to receive our weekly newsletter? Sign up below.

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