Banquet With The King

Daily Devotional focusing on spiritual "food" at the King's Banquet Table. In 2024 this blog will explore verses to meditate on as we examine our "choices" daily, pursuing a deeper relationship with God as we grow in Christian maturity. This web page has had over 230,000 page views by people in over 135 different countries who are seeking God through His Word. God has promised if you seek Him, you will find Him. May you be blessed reading Banquet With The King.

Sunday, September 30, 2012

September 30 – Keeping the Sabbath

And it happened that He was passing through the grain fields on the Sabbath, and His disciples began to make their way along while picking the heads of grain. The Pharisees were saying to Him, "Look, why are they doing what is not lawful on the Sabbath?" And He said to them, "Have you never read what David did when he was in need and he and his companions became hungry; how he entered the house of God in the time of Abiathar the high priest, and ate the consecrated bread, which is not lawful for anyone to eat except the priests, and he also gave it to those who were with him?" Jesus said to them, "The Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath. So the Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath." Mark 2:23-28 NASB Also in Matthew 12:1-8.

The story of David eating the showbread, the consecrated bread, is in 1 Samuel 21:1-6. This special bread was given to David to preserve his life, and that of the men with him, although with a closer look at the story it seems that David may have been alone as he lied to Abiathar about being there on the king’s business. The story of Abiathar goes on in the next chapter of Samuel with King Saul commanding the death of that priest and eighty-four other priests because they gave bread to David. Such brutality over bread. You might argue that it was special bread consecrated to God—but was that worth eighty-five people losing their lives? I would like to think that God is more merciful—but Saul was vengeful.

The showbread was to be eaten before the face of God—in His presence, to enjoy His hospitality. It is a way of saying, Lord I want to be transformed by seeing your face. The bread was replaced daily with fresh bread and that bread given to David was “day old” bread. We are depending on God for survival and fellowship with God is necessary. Don’t be satisfied with an old moldy relationship with the Lord. Make it a fresh daily. One commentary I read said that human traditions are never more important than God’s word itself. I agree. God didn’t forbid people other than priests eating the showbread. It was just a sacred tradition, and Leviticus 24:9 tells us that the showbread was to be eaten in a holy place by the priest.

Are we so caught up in daily life that we forget about keeping the Sabbath that was made for us, as Jesus reminds us with those red letter words? God created man on the sixth day and then He rested on the seventh day of creation. See Genesis 1:26-Genesis 2: 3. The celebration of the Sabbath is an awkward thing for some Christians. Do we celebrate the Sabbath on the day of Jesus resurrection, Sunday, or on Saturday in keeping with the Ten Commandments given to Moses? Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy. "Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is a sabbath of the LORD your God; in it you shall not do any work, you or your son or your daughter, your male or your female servant or your cattle or your sojourner who stays with you. For in six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth, the sea and all that is in them, and rested on the seventh day; therefore the LORD blessed the sabbath day and made it holy. Exodus 20:8-11 NASB. No work on Saturday or Sunday seems an impossibility for most of us. How do we honor God with this Sabbath question?

Dear Lord—Show us how and when to celebrate the Sabbath for we want to worship and honor You. Is every day the Sabbath day?

Saturday, September 29, 2012

September 29 – Patch It Up – Find Life

No one sews a patch of unshrunk cloth on an old garment; otherwise the patch pulls away from it, the new from the old, and a worse tear results. No one puts new wine into old wineskins; otherwise the wine will burst the skins, and the wine is lost and the skins as well; but one puts new wine into fresh wineskins. Mark 2:21-22 NASB

Jesus was teaching practical things. The ladies listening identified with what He was saying knowing that sewing a new patch on an old garment would ruin it. Likewise the men also listening understood about putting new wine in new wineskins. What was Jesus really teaching in these red letter verses? He was telling people that His teaching was different than the Law given by Moses. Rules and regulations were replaced by grace. Put fresh teachings into new hearts. Grace. Unmerited favor from God. We don’t deserve His love and attention. We need grace. Our righteous acts are worthless—look at Isaiah 64:6… For all of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous deeds are like a filthy garment; And all of us wither like a leaf, And our iniquities, like the wind, take us away. NASB Some translation says filthy rags. That is how worthless our best actions are in God’s eye. His grace really is amazing. He is holy and pure. My best actions are like putting a new patch on an old pair of jeans or new wine in old wine skins—although wine is either in bottles or boxes now. See John 1:17, …grace and truth are realized through Jesus Christ.

Let Jesus show us the way for He is the Way, the Truth and the Life, just as He said to Thomas as recorded in John 14:6, Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.” NASB.

Jesus, I trust You to show me the Truth about the Way to Life. Everlasting Life.

Friday, September 28, 2012

September 28 – To Fast or Not To Fast?

John's disciples and the Pharisees were fasting; and they came and said to Him, "Why do John's disciples and the disciples of the Pharisees fast, but Your disciples do not fast?" And Jesus said to them, "While the bridegroom is with them, the attendants of the bridegroom cannot fast, can they? So long as they have the bridegroom with them, they cannot fast. But the days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast in that day.” Mark 2:18-20 (Similar to Matthew 9: 14-15) NASB

To fast or not to fast? Jesus’ disciples weren’t disciples of John or of the Pharisee—so they weren’t in mourning for John, who had just been taken prisoner by Herod. Nor were they doing the twice weekly pious fasting of the Pharisees. Jesus’ disciples were joyous because He was with them. The Jews were only required to fast three times a year: on the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur), the day before Purim, and the 9^th of Ab commemorating the fall of Jerusalem.

Fasting was a solemn time. Jesus’ disciples were feasting on His words—just what we should be doing, too. These red letter words are tasty to our souls. Jesus was telling the Pharisees—and anyone listening—that He was the bridegroom. The bridegroom has such a wonderful custom attached to that title in Hebrew history and customs. The bride and bridegroom were “betrothed” to each other—but not married until the bridegroom had built a house for them to live in. Generally this was an additional room or rooms on his father’s house. The father was the inspector of the new home and it wasn’t ready until he said it was completed. Then and only then did the father send for the bride to come to that new home—and then the wedding celebration began! I love that whole concept. So Jesus is the bridegroom—and His bride is the church. When He was “taken away” or crucified, died and buried you can be sure that the disciples were fasting—they must have been pretty upset that Jesus was killed. They likely feared for their own lives, too. Too scared to eat—that would be fasting. Then when Jesus rose from the dead, they could hardly believe it—who would? Who could believe it at first? But when He appeared to them, and ate with them by the Sea of Galilee, they had a feast on the fish He provided. No fasting then. I rarely fast now, but I do believe that it is a useful exercise to help me focus on Jesus and His power and it is then that I truly feast on His Word—especially the red letter words.

Dear Jesus—help us to know when to fast and when to feast. We look forward to that ultimate feast in Heaven with You when the Heavenly Father calls us all to our new home that You are preparing for us.

Thursday, September 27, 2012

September 27 – Calling Another Disciple

And He went out again by the seashore; and all the people were coming to Him, and He was teaching them. As He passed by, He saw Levi the son of Alphaeus sitting in the tax booth, and He said to him, "Follow Me!" And he got up and followed Him. And it happened that He was reclining at the table in his house, and many tax collectors and sinners were dining with Jesus and His disciples; for there were many of them, and they were following Him. When the scribes of the Pharisees saw that He was eating with the sinners and tax collectors, they said to His disciples, "Why is He eating and drinking with tax collectors and sinners?" And hearing this, Jesus said to them, "It is not those who are healthy who need a physician, but those who are sick; I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners." Mark 2:13-17 NASB

Follow Me—Jesus was again calling another disciple. This time it was Matthew, or Levi, the tax collector that Jesus asks to follow him. Tax collectors were not liked since they were known to overcharge others to line their own pockets. So from smelly fish to smelly money Jesus surrounded himself with downcast ordinary people. If He had chosen His disciples from the righteous pious people, would others have chosen to follow Him? Would you? The brash Peter changed as he became one of Jesus’ closest disciples and Matthew gave back money to those he had overcharged, demonstrating the change in his life after meeting Jesus. Have you met Jesus and allowed Him to change you? Do you consider yourself a disciple of Jesus?

Shortly after I became a born again Christian I went to visit my sister who was married to a US Air Force officer and living in Mississippi. We were sitting having a glass of iced tea on hot summer afternoon and she said to me, “You’ve changed. What’s happened in your life?” My thought was that I was the same as ever…and then I realized that I didn’t have the same sarcastic tongue and attitude that was always looking down on others that she had known of me as we were growing up. So I shared with her that I had been born again…and then she told me that she had, too. It was a wonderful moment—to know that we would share eternity together! She has already gone to our eternal home…and I know I will follow her one day—because we both followed Jesus when He called. Follow Me. We were sinners—like everyone else in this world. In Romans 3:23 it says … for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God….But although we all are condemned to death, we have a great assurance in Romans 6:23, For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. NASB This assurance from God continues… But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." Romans 5:8, and "that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved." Romans 10:9 NKJV

A free gift. Who isn’t looking today for something “free”? This is the best free gift anyone could ever offer or receive. Actually everyone will have eternal life…it is just where they will be. Heaven or hell? It is up to you to choose for yourself. No one else can choose for you…not your parents, siblings, friends, teacher, priest, or minister. You choose your own destiny. Jesus is calling you. Are you listening? I did and I’m glad I listened and responded, “Yes.” I’ll follow You.

Jesus—Again I thank you for being my Savior…for the gift of eternal life…for calling me and for listening when I called out to You.

Wednesday, September 26, 2012

September 26 – Yom Kippur

The LORD spoke to Moses, saying, "On exactly the tenth day of this seventh month is the day of atonement; it shall be a holy convocation for you, and you shall humble your souls and present an offering by fire to the LORD. "You shall not do any work on this same day, for it is a day of atonement, to make atonement on your behalf before the LORD your God. "If there is any person who will not humble himself on this same day, he shall be cut off from his people. "As for any person who does any work on this same day, that person I will destroy from among his people. "You shall do no work at all. It is to be a perpetual statute throughout your generations in all your dwelling places. "It is to be a sabbath of complete rest to you, and you shall humble your souls; on the ninth of the month at evening, from evening until evening you shall keep your sabbath." - Leviticus 23:26-32 NASB

Yom means "day" in Hebrew and Kippur comes from a root that means "to cover or hide"; a secondary meaning is "to obliterate (sin)" and hence "to expiate", so Yom Kippur has come to mean "day of atonement". Traditionally this is the day that Moses received the second set of Ten Commandments stones. It is a very sacred day.

No work today—just focus on God and His atonement for our sins. Pray and fast. Yom Kippur is a day of fasting—from twenty minutes before sunset to after sunset on the following day. On the afternoon before Yom Kippur the Jews have a large meal since they will be fasting for the next twenty five hours. It is required that no work be done on that day, and much of the day is spent in the synagogue praying during the traditional five prayer services. On this day the repentance of the prior ten days ends and the people rely on God to take away their sins—they know they can’t do it themselves. Great concept. Reminds me of Jesus “taking away our sins” as He died on the cross.

Heavenly Father, We worship You—and thank you for your plan that Jesus takes away our sins.

Tuesday, September 25, 2012

September 25 – Faith of Friends

When He had come back to Capernaum several days afterward, it was heard that He was at home. And many were gathered together, so that there was no longer room, not even near the door; and He was speaking the word to them. And they came, bringing to Him a paralytic, carried by four men. Being unable to get to Him because of the crowd, they removed the roof above Him; and when they had dug an opening, they let down the pallet on which the paralytic was lying. And Jesus seeing their faith said to the paralytic, " Son, your sins are forgiven." But some of the scribes were sitting there and reasoning in their hearts, "Why does this man speak that way? He is blaspheming; who can forgive sins but God alone?" Immediately Jesus, aware in His spirit that they were reasoning that way within themselves, said to them, "Why are you reasoning about these things in your hearts? Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, 'Your sins are forgiven'; or to say, 'Get up, and pick up your pallet and walk'? But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins" He said to the paralytic, "I say to you, get up, pick up your pallet and go home." And he got up and immediately picked up the pallet and went out in the sight of everyone, so that they were all amazed and were glorifying God, saying, "We have never seen anything like this." Mark 2:1-12 NASB

I love this story—the faith of friends. They were so sure that Jesus could heal their friend that they carried him to the home where Jesus was staying, likely Peter’s home in Capernaum. Finding it so crowded that they couldn’t get in the door, they climbed up on the roof and took away the roofing material, probably date palm fronds, and lowered their friend on his pallet down to Jesus’ feet. Do you think Jesus laughed—or at least smiled at the persistence of these friends? I think a huge smile came over his face as the palm fronds were removed. In His compassionate way, Jesus healed that young man—and that probably brought joy and healing to his friends, too. The crowd probably moved aside to let the healed man out of Peter’s house. Let him out to spread the news—yet another healing! Jesus was amazing. The Pharisees may not have thought so at the time. They just thought that Jesus was blaspheming.

We don’t need to let our friends down through the roof for Jesus’ healing—but we do need to share with others that they too can have the peace, joy, strength, love and healing that Jesus has to offer. Are you seeking His peace, joy, love, strength, or healing? It is available for the asking—get into prayer with the Master. Put a smile on His face as you ask offer worship to Him and ask for Him to work in your life.

Dear Jesus—I worship You with all my heart and strength—and I ask today that You would have compassion and mercy on…me and on my friends. Thank you.

Happy Birthday, Liberty!

Monday, September 24, 2012

September 24 – Be Cleansed—But Don’t Tell

And a leper came to Jesus, beseeching Him and falling on his knees before Him, and saying, "If You are willing, You can make me clean." Moved with compassion, Jesus stretched out His hand and touched him, and said to him, "I am willing; be cleansed." Immediately the leprosy left him and he was cleansed. And He sternly warned him and immediately sent him away, and He said to him, "See that you say nothing to anyone; but go, show yourself to the priest and offer for your cleansing what Moses commanded, as a testimony to them." But he went out and began to proclaim it freely and to spread the news around, to such an extent that Jesus could no longer publicly enter a city, but stayed out in unpopulated areas; and they were coming to Him from everywhere. - Mark 1:40-45 NASB

Be cleansed—but don’t tell anyone. Don’t tell! How could this leper keep this healing to himself? He had spent years staying away from the public—living an “unclean” existence that some equated with sin. Now he was a free man. Free from disease—free from sin. And Jesus was the reason—the great physician. Give Him the glory and praise. How could he not tell everyone he met? Everyone had known that he had been a leper. Leprosy wasn’t something from which people were normally healed. People had to know—they had to be told. That very action drove Jesus to staying away from populated areas, and yet people kept on coming to Him. He was a healing magnet. People were seeking physical healing—heal me—that will make everything better.

Is that what we want when we go to Jesus in prayer now? Heal me—that will make everything better. Heal my mother, my sister, my daughter, my friend—heal me. Give health, healing, a job, a home, a baby, a safe trip. Like those people in Bible times we are self-centered. Give me....We want our needs fulfilled. We may think that when we ask for prayers for others that we are being compassionate—but is that really what Jesus wants? Think about it. He wants us to share Him with others, so He answers our prayers, just like the leper. Then, unlike the leper, He wants us to tell others what He has done for us.

· What has God been doing in your life this week?
· How do you see Him working?
Share those answers with someone…with anyone.
By telling others what God is doing in YOUR life, you are sharing good news!

Dear Jesus, Thank you for healing that leper—and for working in our lives.

Sunday, September 23, 2012

September 23 – I Came to Preach

In the early morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house, and went away to a secluded place, and was praying there. Simon and his companions searched for Him; they found Him, and said to Him, "Everyone is looking for You." He said to them, "Let us go somewhere else to the towns nearby, so that I may preach there also; for that is what I came for." And He went into their synagogues throughout all Galilee, preaching and casting out the demons. Mark 1:35-39 NASB

That’s what I came to do…to preach. So let’s go. Let’s get on with it. That is what Jesus was saying. He wasn’t sticking around Capernaum, although it was a nice little town and He and the disciples were comfortable there in Peter’s home. It was time to move on. So He and the disciples went all over Galilee where Jesus preached and cast out demons. Powerful stuff. Jesus spent some time praying, alone, before He headed out to into the countryside to do His work.

That is a good example to us—before we face a difficult task, pray. Get up early. Jesus didn’t wait until the middle of the day to pray—He got up early while it was still dark. When was the last time you got up early to pray? It’s been a while for me. I get up at what I consider early—6:30 AM on most days—and now that the days are getting shorter this fall, it is not so light at 6:30 or 7 in the morning. He withdrew away from Peter’s house to a secluded place to pray. He could really focus on His time with His Heavenly Father without distractions of Peter’s household and the disciples. What do you suppose He prayed? Maybe He asked for strength, for power over the demons? He himself was all powerful and He is our source of strength, so did He need to ask for more? Whatever He needed, the Heavenly Father provided. Jesus likely glorified God the Father in His prayer, too. So Jesus went to the towns of Galilee—like Gennesaret, Magdala, Tiberias, Hammath, Cana, Jotapata, Hannathon, Nazareth—and many others, preaching and casting out demons. Jesus was a compassionate person. It tells us in Matthew 4:23 that on this preaching trip around Galilee that Jesus healed every kind of disease and every kind of sickness among the people. News spread about Jesus miraculous powers to heal and a great multitude of people followed Him from Galilee, Decapolis, Jerusalem, Judea and from beyond the Jordan River.

We don’t have the red letters telling us just what Jesus said when prayed, preached, or when He healed people. We just know that He didn’t just talk at people—preaching at them. He did the right thing—the compassionate thing—He healed people of all kinds of sickness.

Are you looking for Jesus’ red letters—just to see what He spoke to others? People now as in His time hang onto His every word. He is worthy of our time, focus, and our compassion on others, just like Him.

Jesus, we worship You and seek You—that we would know what Your Father’s will is for our lives. Open our eyes and hearts to know You.

Saturday, September 22, 2012

September 22 – Follow Me

As He was going along by the Sea of Galilee, He saw Simon and Andrew, the brother of Simon, casting a net in the sea; for they were fishermen. And Jesus said to them, "Follow Me, and I will make you become fishers of men." Immediately they left their nets and followed Him. - Mark 1:16-18 (also Matthew 4:18-20) NASB

One of the earliest songs I remember—and it is still being taught to kids today—“I will make you fishers of men, if you follow me.” The kids pantomime casting fishing line and cranking it in. Kids love action songs. They really get into the fishing!

Fishing at the Sea of Galilee

Simon, who was also known as Peter, and his brother, Andrew, used fishing nets that were huge circular nets with weights at intervals. They would cast them out into the water and trap the fish inside the net, then pull it into the boat. They responded immediately by leaving their smelly old fishing nets and following Jesus. Immediately, not a few hours later or the next day. They heard Jesus call and they responded.

Jesus was commanding Simon Peter and Andrew to come with Him—to leave their fishing nets—their way of live and come alongside of Him—to literally FOLLOW Him. He was calling them to serve.

Listen. Have you heard Jesus call you? Follow Me. Serve others by doing what I ask of you. How are you responding to His call?

Jesus, we hear you calling—and we leave our nets and fishing poles to follow you.

Today is the First Day of Fall – Welcome Fall!

Friday, September 21, 2012

September 21 – Feasting on the Red Letters

… Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of God, and saying, "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel." Mark 1:14-15 NASB

In many Bibles the words of Jesus are written in red. So if we are to feast on a banquet of Jesus’ teachings, we’ll be studying those red letter words. What do you think He meant when He said “the time is fulfilled?” God the Father had a plan—that His Son would be born of a woman and live a human life. Jesus was that only begotten Son and so that special time that God had planned was happening—fulfilled. He was the “kingdom”—as promised in the Old Testament. He was the Messiah who was sent by God. Jesus was calling people to repent and believe that He was the Messiah.

Imagine the Sea of Galilee, the water glistening in the sunlight. Jesus is walking along the shore—just enjoying the sunshine, fresh air and watching the people there along the water. Others may have been just out enjoying the seaside—and they heard Jesus preaching, so they gathered around Him—feasting on those red letter words. KINGDOM OF GOD IS AT HAND. REPENT. BELIEVE. Is this the man who had been baptized by that fellow John a few weeks ago in the Jordan River? Now He is living in Capernaum. Where is He from? From Nazareth, you say. What does He do? He’s a carpenter. He doesn’t sound like any carpenter that I’ve ever known. Repent? Believe? What Kingdom—the Romans rule here. Now if we could have a new ruler that would be good—let’s listen to what He’s saying.

The red letters words help us to focus on just what was spoken by Jesus. Those could likely be the most important words that we’ll ever read in our lifetime. Repent means to change one’s mind, to turn back. According to the Blue Letter Bible, repentance (metanoia, 'change of mind') involves a turning with contrition from sin to God. Believe means to think to be true, to be persuaded of, to credit, place confidence in. To “believe” in Jesus means to assuredly know that He is the Son of God. Did the people at the Sea of Galilee repent and believe? We don’t know, but we do know that He met some fishermen and changed their lives. We’ll look at those red letter words tomorrow. For now, search your own hearts and see how Jesus’ words “repent” and “believe” challenge you.

Dear Jesus—let me hear your words deep in my soul, not just in my ears—and help me respond to them and share them with others. You are my Messiah.

Blue Letter Bible. "Dictionary and Word Search for metanoeō (Strong's 3340)". Blue Letter Bible. 1996-2012. 21 Sep 2012. < http:// www.blueletterbible.org/lang/lexicon/lexicon.cfm? strongs=G3340 >

Blue Letter Bible. "Dictionary and Word Search for pisteuō (Strong's 4100)". Blue Letter Bible. 1996-2012. 21 Sep 2012. < http:// www.blueletterbible.org/lang/lexicon/lexicon.cfm? Strongs=G4100&t=KJV

Thursday, September 20, 2012

September 20 - Gather in Summer Fruit

Then all the Jews returned from all the places to which they had been driven away and came to the land of Judah, to Gedaliah at Mizpah, and gathered in wine and summer fruit in great abundance. - Jeremiah 40:12 NASB

Coming home! What a joy it must have been for the Jews to return to their homeland—and at a time when there was an abundance of fruit. God was providing and sustaining them. God has a way of caring for His chosen people. He just loves those who love Him—and even those who don’t. God is love. We have come to know and have believed the love which God has for us. God is love, and the one who abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him. 1 John 4:16 NASB. Do you know God and His love? Seek Him, like you would a prize or treasure—and when you find Him, you will be so happy. But there is more to finding God than happiness, for much happiness is fleeting. Knowing God brings a peace deep within your soul that can’t be taken away even in the difficult times. I know—I seek and find Him every day. Let me know if you find Him, too.

This is the best time of the year—with all the fresh fruits and vegetables available. There is nothing like a freshly sliced peach—unless it is Peach French Toast, fresh out of the oven with a little powdered sugar sprinkled on top. Eat it outside on your deck or patio in the fresh cool morning air and enjoy this last little bit of summer.

Overnight Peaches and Cream French Toast
Do all the prep work before hand, then just pop it in the oven when you are ready to eat! So easy!
Makes about 12 servings.
Ingredients
1 cup brown sugar packed
1/2 cup butter cubed
4 fresh sliced peaches, or a quart of canned peaches, drained
1 loaf Texas Toast cubed, I used all but about 4 slices
8 oz. cream cheese or goat cheese, cubed into small squares
12 eggs
1 1/2 cups half and half or coconut milk creamer
1 tsp. vanilla

Instructions
In a small saucepan, combine the brown sugar and butter. Cook and stir over medium heat until sugar is dissolved; pour into a greased 9x13 baking dish.

Arrange peaches in dish. Place half of the bread cubes over peaches. Layer with cream cheese and remaining bread. Place the eggs, cream and vanilla in a blender; cover and process until smooth. Pour over top. Cover and refrigerate overnight.

Remove from the refrigerator 30 minutes before baking. Bake, uncovered, at 350° for 50-60 minutes or until a knife inserted near the center comes out clean. Enjoy with a sprinkle of powdered sugar.

Wednesday, September 19, 2012

September 19 – Continue Repentance

"Therefore I will judge you, O house of Israel, each according to his conduct," declares the Lord GOD. "Repent and turn away from all your transgressions, so that iniquity may not become a stumbling block to you.” - Ezekiel 18:30 NASB

I tell you, no, but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish. - Luke 13:3 NASB

For ten days between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur the focus of spiritual life is on repentance. The word “repent” appears 38 times in the NASB translation of the Bible. It has several different meanings and these are not the same in the Old Testament and the New Testament. The “repent” as we read it in Ezekiel is actually found 1299 times in the Hebrew Bible, according to the Strong’s Lexicon, meaning to turn back or to return. In the Luke verse and 34 other times in the Greek, “repent” means to change one's mind for better, heartily to amend with abhorrence of one's past sins. That is what I imagine that the Jews were aiming for in their repentance, not just turning back, but to change their minds that they wouldn’t make the same mistake in the coming year.

How about you? Do you find that you make the same mistakes over and over—and have to seek repentance. Consider this verse…that, in reference to your former manner of life, you lay aside the old self, which is being corrupted in accordance with the lusts of deceit, and that you be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and put on the new self, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth. Ephesians 4:22-24 NASB. So be renewed in the spirit of your mind. I like that. A new year and a renewing of my mind. Likewise another verse gives us hope in Christ. Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come. 2 Corinthians 5:17 NASB Are you feeling “renewed”?

Thank you, Jesus, for this reminder that I can have my mind “renewed” and be refreshed. Please give me Your peace and strength as You renew my mind with Your loving words.

Tuesday, September 18, 2012

September 18 – Again a Happy New Year

Leviticus 23:24 Speak to the sons of Israel, saying, in the seventh month on the first of the month you shall have a rest, a reminder by blowing of trumpets, a holy convocation. (NASB)

Blow those trumpets! The festival was set to run for two days because of the uncertainty of the moon—imagine trying to predict just when the new moon would appear—so the day of the festival was given two days. Surely one of them would have the new moon—so that they could celebrate the New Year. This also strengthened the observance of each day—making it one long day so that the holiness of both days was fixed. On the second night people ate new fruit and wore new clothes.

Happy New Year—a good year. May you be inscribed for a good year in the Book of Life. Typical prayer during Rosh Hashanah "Who is like unto you, O God...And You will cast all their sins into the depths of the sea." Biblical passages including readings about the birth of Isaac (birth after barrenness), the binding of Isaac to be sacrificed (rescue from sacrifice), the birth of Samuel (birth of children to remind us of the birthday of the world), and a reading from Jeremiah that includes the deliverance of the people of Israel from exile (demonstrating God’s love for his people).

The shofar horn is sounded several times during the convocation and as part of the benediction or berakhot. The principles of Judaism are reflected in that closing: the acceptance of God as King of the universe; an acknowledgment that God intervenes to reward the good and punish the wicked; and the recognition that God revealed Himself to the Israelites at Sinai and will reveal Himself again when He brings about the end of days. The reward of the judgment was that the names of the righteous that past year would be written in the Book of Life. The names of the wicked would be written in the Book of Death. If a person was not totally righteous or totally wicked they had ten days until Yom Kippur to repent and be sealed in the Book of Life for that year.

Heavenly Father – hear the sound of the trumpet—the shofar—praising you and acknowledging You as God and King. May our names be inscribed in Your Book of Life because we believe in Jesus as Your Son and our Savior.

Monday, September 17, 2012

September 17 – Feast of Trumpets - Happy New Year – Rosh Hashanah

Numbers 29:1 Now in the seventh month, on the first day of the month, you shall also have a holy convocation; you shall do no laborious work. It will be to you a day for blowing trumpets. (NASB)

Blow those trumpets. The seventh month in the Hebrew calendar is Tishri. The Days of Awe or the High Holy Days, includes Feast of Trumpets; the month of Elul (prior to Tishri); and Yom Kippur, or Day of Atonement, ten days after the Feast of Trumpets. The month of Elul is a time of preparation for atonement, a time of introspection and inspection. This year the Hebrew New Year, also called Feast of Trumpets or Rosh Hashanah, which is also considered a judgment day, is on September 17-18, 2012. It actually began at sunset on September 16^th.

Blow those trumpets. God commanded the Israelites to blow their trumpets. Typically the shofar horn or trumpet is blown every morning during the month of Elul, except on Shabbat. This is to wake people up to the coming judgment. Numbers 10:10 states: Also in the day of your gladness and in your appointed feasts, and on the first days of your months, you shall blow the trumpets over your burnt offerings, and over the sacrifices of your peace offerings; and they shall be as a reminder of you before your God. I am the Lord your God. (NASB) God is Lord and King—He is the center of this feast—the center of life and judgment. As King he would be coroneted, as other kings and this often occurred in the fall.

Blow those trumpets. Have a holy convocation or sacred assembly. This would occur in the synagogue rather than in homes. The celebration would focus on the God and King who is creator and would continue to renew his creation. This commemoration of the birthday of the world is intertwined with God judging all living beings creating a period of repentance. That is what is occurring in this Days of Awe—personally looking into our hearts to see what we’ve done in our lives in this past year—and what we need to change to improve our lives in the coming year. Although this is a public convocation, it has personal time, too. So during Elul the Israelites took time for inspecting their lives. Now celebrate the New Year with foods like apples dipped in honey to remind us of the sweet life we desire for the coming year. Feast on festive foods and on the Word of God, our creator and judge.

God of Heaven and Earth—be merciful to us in your judgment.

Sunday, September 16, 2012

September 16 – Dates

Exodus 3:8 - "So I have come down to deliver them from the power of the Egyptians, and to bring them up from that land to a good and spacious land, to a land flowing with milk and honey, to the place of the Canaanite and the Hittite and the Amorite and the Perizzite and the Hivite and the Jebusite. NASB

Ezekiel 20:6 - On that day I swore to them that I would bring them out of Egypt into a land I had searched out for them, a land flowing with milk and honey, the most beautiful of all lands. NIV

A land flowing with milk and honey. This keeps being repeated about the land of Palestine, the new home of the Hebrew people. A land where date trees grow and produce date honey. The date tree was useful to the Israelites back in Moses time and even now since it has many uses—from the palm fronds for roofing material, the leaves for baskets, boards for homes and fibrous material for ropes and mattresses, as well as the dates for food. God provided just the right foods for the Israelites as they came into the Promised Land—flowing with milk and honey. There are over 200,000 date palms now in Israel producing about 12,000 tons of dates a year.

As with the other six healing fruits of Israel there are medicinal value to dates for strengthening and energizing the whole system. They are rich in vitamins and minerals including iron. Dates are known to help with allergies, hepatitis, tuberculosis, anemia, and to alleviate depression and anxiety. Another miracle food!

My favorite way to eat dates, other than just fresh, or in date nut bread, is in an appetizer that is simply a pitted date, filled with cream cheese and wrapped with bacon, then broiled until the bacon is done. Yum! The sweet and salty combination is so satisfying! Savor dates today--as well as God's words.

Do you like dates? How about the other healing fruits of Israel, the wheat, barley, grapes, figs, pomegranates, olives, as well as the dates? God so blessed the Israelites with a land of wheat and barley, of vines and fig trees and pomegranates, a land of olive oil and honey, as described in Deuteronomy 8:6-8. In verse 10 it says: When you have eaten and are satisfied, you shall bless the LORD your God for the good land which He has given you. (NASB) Have you “blessed” the Lord for the food that He has provided for you? What does it mean to “bless the Lord”? The Bible tells us in 61 verses (NASB) to “Bless the Lord”. Bless means to make somebody or something holy: to bestow holiness on somebody or something. Here are some examples:

Psalm 103:1 Bless the LORD, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless His holy name.
Psalm 103:2 Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget none of His benefits;
Psalm 115:18 But as for us, we will bless the LORD From this time forth and forever. Praise the LORD!
Psalm 135:20 O house of Levi, bless the LORD; You who revere the LORD, bless the LORD. NASB

So to “bless” the Lord, we need to recognize His purity and holiness, to have a great respect for Him, to glorify and praise Him—to praise His very name. I remember singing Psalm 103 in choir in High School, back when religious songs could be sung in public schools. It was awesome to sing— Bless the LORD, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless His holy name…. All that is within me bless His Holy Name. Do we do that? Are you willing to dig deep within you and praise God?

Be prepared--You too, be ready; for the Son of Man is coming at an hour that you do not expect. Luke 12:40 NASB. The Feast of Tabernacles is coming—as you wait for the Bridegroom, are your lamps full of oil? Remember the story of the ten virgins and only five of them had extra oil for their lamps and went to the wedding when the Bridegroom arrived. See Matthew 25. Be prepared.
Lord Jesus, I praise you. I praise your Holy Name—with all of my heart, and all of my soul and all of my might. Blessings upon You.

Saturday, September 15, 2012

September 15 – Olives for Oil

Jacob set up a stone pillar on the spot where God had spoken with him. He poured a drink offering on it and anointed it with oil. Jacob dedicated the place where God had spoken with him, Bethel (God’s-House). Genesis 35:14-15 (The Message)

Is anyone among you in trouble? Let them pray. Is anyone happy? Let them sing songs of praise. Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up. If they have sinned, they will be forgiven. Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective. James 5:13-16 (NIV)

Can you imagine picking olives from trees that are 2000 years old? Well—it happens every year on olive trees in many Mediterranean countries, including Israel. It is amazing that the trees have produced fruit for all those years. They are knurled and twisted—and oh the stories those trees could tell, if only they could talk.

Oil from the olives is like a like a miracle medicine being useful externally, as well as an important ingredient in cooking. It is suppose to be good for arthritis, joint pain or backaches when massaged in addition to a few drops of cayenne powder, lavender or chamomile oil. Home remedies for colds, coughs and sore throats include rubbing the chest with olive oil or crushing black olives in olive oil, warming slightly and applying to neck. Cover with a soft cloth and then a warm water bottle.

Olive oil in food adds vitamins and minerals, including vitamins A and E, calcium and magnesium, as well as amino acids, omega 3 and other antioxidants. It can be used in many cooked or sautéed dishes as well as in salad dressings. The oil that is pressed from the olives first is the best and will be labeled as First Press. Since the oil from ripe black olives is more alkaline and thus better for our bodies, it is best to purchase that, not oil extracted from green unripe fruit.

One of the uses of oil, as eluted to in the scripture above, is for anointing. Jacob and others used oil, probably olive oil, for anointing places and things, as well as people. Jesus was anointed with expensive oil in an alabaster jar shortly before his crucifixion, as told in the books of Mark (14) and John (11). The book of James tells us to anoint others when praying for them—a custom that has continued today. Are you needing prayer? It doesn’t matter if it is a physical, emotional or spiritual need, prayer can make a difference. Ask a friend or pastor to pray for you and to anoint you with oil. It likely will be olive oil. Believe, ask, pray and you will be blessed.

Dear Jesus, please give us your peace, strength, health in our bodies and minds, and hope with your healing touch. We praise you for you are still the great physician, as well as our counselor, friend, savior…and God.

Friday, September 14, 2012

September 14 - Pomegranates

Numbers 20:2-12 There was no water for the congregation, and they assembled themselves against Moses and Aaron. The people thus contended with Moses and spoke, saying, "If only we had perished when our brothers perished before the LORD!”Why then have you brought the LORD'S assembly into this wilderness, for us and our beasts to die here? "Why have you made us come up from Egypt, to bring us in to this wretched place? It is not a place of grain or figs or vines or pomegranates, nor is there water to drink." Then Moses and Aaron came in from the presence of the assembly to the doorway of the tent of meeting and fell on their faces. Then the glory of the LORD appeared to them; and the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, Take the rod; and you and your brother Aaron assemble the congregation and speak to the rock before their eyes, that it may yield its water. You shall thus bring forth water for them out of the rock and let the congregation and their beasts drink." So Moses took the rod from before the LORD, just as He had commanded him; and Moses and Aaron gathered the assembly before the rock. And he said to them, "Listen now, you rebels; shall we bring forth water for you out of this rock?" Then Moses lifted up his hand and struck the rock twice with his rod; and water came forth abundantly, and the congregation and their beasts drank. But the LORD said to Moses and Aaron, "Because you have not believed Me, to treat Me as holy in the sight of the sons of Israel, therefore you shall not bring this assembly into the land which I have given them." - NASB

The Israelites had been through the desert from Egypt to the Promised Land, but they were afraid of the giants in the land and didn’t trust God to help them. Now they wanted water, grain, figs and pomegranates…but there was only their rebellious spirit to feed their hunger. God tells Moses to “speak” to the rock to get water, but Moses strikes it instead. They get water…but because of Moses anger and the rebellious spirit of the people, except for Calab and Joshua, no one ever get to go into the Promised Land. That should makes us want to stop and look at our own spirit. Are we treating God as holy? Are we being rebellious or defiant towards God? That kept all those Israelites out of their Promised Land. Does my defiance keep me from having a good relationship with God or with others? Does your attitude towards God create a barrier between you and Him…or between you and others?

The pomegranate is used as a decorative ornament in many places in the Bible, and still in Israel today. For examples see Exodus 28:33, 1 Kings 7:18, 2 Kings 25:17. The pomegranate is said to have 613 seeds, the same number as the commands or promises of God in Torah. In Christian art the pomegranate fruit, broken or bursting open, is a symbol of the fullness of Jesus' suffering and resurrection.

As a powerful anti-oxidant pomegranate juice was tested and has become a useful product for treating coronary disease. Additionally, since pomegranate seed oil was found to cause breast cancer cells to self-destruct it has been studied for prevention and treatment of breast cancer. That is an amazing study. See more on pomegranates at http://www.greenearthgrocer.com/common/news/store_news.asp?task=store_news&sid_store_news=20&storeID=5P9LR2WTRES92J2200AKHMCCQA2L5D23

When you cut into a pomegranate, cut off the top and bottom ends, then lightly score the skin or rind in several sections. Put the fruit in a bowl of cold water for several minutes, then holding it under the water, break the sections apart. The seeds will sink while the membranes and rind will float. Discard the membranes and rind, then pour the seeds out into a colander, rinse, drain and dry. The seeds are great in spinach or green leaf lettuce salads. Top with some roasted pecans, blue cheese or goat cheese, and bottled raspberry vinaigrette dressing. Tasty!

Are we merely decorative as the pomegranate, or are we filled with God’s promises? Check out your own life. Do you know that the Feast of Trumpets is coming soon? This is the next feast that is prophetically to be fulfilled. The Passover was fulfilled when Jesus died for our sins at just the exact time as the Passover lamb was sacrificed in the Temple. The Feast of Unleavened Bread was fulfilled at Jesus burial. The First Fruits was fulfilled at Jesus resurrection. Pentecost was fulfilled when the Holy Spirit was given to Jesus’ followers. The next feast in the Jewish year is Rosh Hashanah, the New Year or Feast of Trumpets celebrating God as King, possibly the birthday of the world, intertwined with beginning a time of repentance as God is in the process of judging all things. So to all of you—I wish you a Happy New Year—a good year. May you be inscribed for a good year in the Book of Life.

Our friend, Mark, who has leukemia, is going to begin undergoing radiation treatments this weekend. His father has asked that we pray that the rapture will happen right at the time or just after his son’s treatment—what a witness to those in the hospital. “Where has Mark gone?” He’s been raptured! Only our Heavenly Father knows the hour or the day—Jesus tells us that in Matthew 24:36, But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father alone. NASB. Jesus also tells us to “be ready”, so whether it is this year or ten years from now…we need to be prepared. Tell others about Jesus’ sacrifice for them and give an account for the hope that you have. Are you ready? Is your name in the Book of Life?

Heavenly Father—we wait with hopeful anticipation for the day that You send Jesus to rapture His church. When that time comes Lord we want to be ready, and to be doing your will and your work.

Thursday, September 13, 2012

September 13 - Figs

Numbers 13:23-27 Then they came to the valley of Eshcol and from there cut down a branch with a single cluster of grapes; and they carried it on a pole between two men, with some of the pomegranates and the figs. That place was called the valley of Eshcol, because of the cluster which the sons of Israel cut down from there. When they returned from spying out the land, at the end of forty days, they proceeded to come to Moses and Aaron and to all the congregation of the sons of Israel in the wilderness of Paran, at Kadesh; and they brought back word to them and to all the congregation and showed them the fruit of the land. Thus they told him, and said, "We went in to the land where you sent us; and it certainly does flow with milk and honey, and this is its fruit. - NASB

The land flowing with milk and honey…figs, grapes, and pomegranates. An easy place to have a feast! Let’s sit at the King’s feet today and feast. This is fall and there is an abundance of food just waiting for us to harvest and enjoy! Figs are ripe twice a year—early summer and late summer. The late summer ones are the best since that is a fresh sweet crop that has grown over the summer. The fig fruit is actually the flower grown inward, so all the inner crunchiness is part of that flower, along with the soft sweetness of the outer fruit. What a delectable creation. God is so creative in the variety of foods He made for us!

Figs have so many nutrients that they have been used medicinally as well as just for food. Even in Isaiah’s time figs were used for healing. In those days King Hezekiah became mortally ill. And Isaiah the prophet the son of Amoz came to him and said to him, "Thus says the Lord, 'Set your house in order, for you shall die and not live.'" Then Hezekiah turned his face to the wall and prayed to the Lord, and said, "Remember now, O Lord, I beseech You, how I have walked before You in truth and with a whole heart, and have done what is good in Your sight." And Hezekiah wept bitterly. Then the word of the Lord came to Isaiah, saying, Go and say to Hezekiah, 'Thus says the Lord, the God of your father David, "I have heard your prayer, I have seen your tears; behold, I will add fifteen years to your life. ...Writing of Hezekiah king of Judah after his illness and recovery: ... O Lord, by these things men live, And in all these is the life of my spirit; O restore me to health and let me live! "Lo, for my own welfare I had great bitterness; It is You who has kept my soul from the pit of nothingness, For You have cast all my sins behind Your back. ... "It is the living who give thanks to You, as I do today; A father tells his sons about Your faithfulness. The Lord will surely save me; So we will play my songs on stringed instruments All the days of our life at the house of the Lord." Now Isaiah had said, "Let them take a cake of figs and apply it to the boil that he may recover." - Isaiah 38:1-5, 9, 16-17, 19-21 NASB I prefer to eat fresh figs rather than use them externally, but they obviously do have a value for healing. Those figs gave King Hezekiah an additional fifteen years of life.

Figs must be harvested when they are ripe. Sunlight and water are very important to their growth and ripening. If they don’t have enough water the figs will fall off the tree or become small, hard and inedible. We’re like that, too. If we don’t get enough water, physically or spiritually, we dry up and get hard. Hard to live with. Grumpy. We need to have “living water” every day. Jesus is the source of that living water. Even in the Old Testament living water was mentioned in relation to the Lord. O Lord, the hope of Israel. All who forsake You will be put to shame. Those who turn away on earth will be written down, because they have forsaken the fountain of living water, even the Lord. Jeremiah 17:13 NASB. Of course in the New Testament we think of Jesus interaction with the woman at the well and their discussion of living water. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture said, 'From his innermost being will flow rivers of living water.' John 7:38 NASB. I thirst regularly for that living water…and for figs. I certainly don’t want have my name recorded as one who has abandoned or forsaken the living Lord. Do you?

Lord, thank you for creating such wonderful, refreshing and nutritious foods as the fig and for proving Yourself as the living water.

Wednesday, September 12, 2012

September 12 – Grapes

For there is no good tree which produces bad fruit, nor, on the other hand, a bad tree which produces good fruit. For each tree is known by its own fruit. For men do not gather figs from thorns, nor do they pick grapes from a briar bush. The good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth what is good; and the evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth what is evil; for his mouth speaks from that which fills his heart. - Luke 6:43-45 NASB

Grapes grow on grape vines—all over the world in many different varities.

I love the Aesop’s Fables stories about the antics of the fox. One of those is The Fox and the Grapes. The fox was walking along through an orchard one hot late summer day when he came upon a bunch of ripe grapes that grown up into a high branch. “Just the thing to quench my thirst,” he thought. So he took a run and jumped up towards the grapes, but he just missed. So he tried again and again to jump higher, but with no success. One more time he tried to reach those tempting grapes. At last he had to give up and walked away with his nose in the air, saying, “I’m sure those are sour.” The moral of the story: It is easy to despise what you cannot get.

My son has grapes that have grown up high into an elm tree that is near his grape arbor. The grapes way up in that tree seem to look the sweetest and ripest—yet they were beyond reach. We just had to imagine those were sour and we didn’t want them. This past year, Mike, has wisely kept the vines trimmed so that they haven’t grown up into the elm tree—and all the grapes are within reach to harvest. Are they ever tasty!

Just like Jesus words in Luke, grapes don’t grow on briar bushes; we don’t produce fruit that is unlike us. If we are thorny, like the briar bush, we won’t be giving any encouragement or sweet words to those around us. May our words, likewise the mediations of our hearts be like those grapes that Mike has grown, tasty, sweet and juicy.

Dear Lord, Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O LORD, my rock and my Redeemer. (Psalm 19:14 NASB)

Chicken Salad with Grapes (favorite variation for September)

1 pound skinless, boneless chicken breasts, cooked; leftover, poached or roasted; cooled and diced
½ cup walnuts, toasted for ~10 minutes at 350 degrees F., coarsely chopped (takes out bitterness)
½ cup diced sweet onion
1 rib celery, diced small
½ pound fresh grapes- use your favorite variety, cut them up if they are larger than bite size
1 small apple, diced small
¾ cup mayonnaise, preferably olive oil mayo
2 Tbsp red wine vinegar
1 Tbsp curry powder, optional
1 tsp each fresh basil and thyme, chopped fine
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

In a medium mixing bowl place the chicken, onion, celery, grapes, apple and walnuts. Mix mayonnaise, vinegar and seasonings. Gently together stir so that all contents are lightly covered. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving. Can be served on a bed of lettuce, in a lettuce wrap or on bread. Serves 4-6.

Tuesday, September 11, 2012

September 11 - Wheat and Barley

Pause today and remember the event of 9/11. Pray that God will forgive our nation for turning our back on Him. May He heal our land as we humble ourselves as in 2 Chronicles 7:14: ...and My people who are called by My name humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, will forgive their sin and will heal their land. - NASB

Ruth 2:23 - So she stayed close by the maids of Boaz in order to glean until the end of the barley harvest and the wheat harvest. And she lived with her mother-in-law. NASB

Wheat and barley. Grains grown for breads—although you’ll find wheat flour in lots of other foods. Barley isn’t as commonly used as wheat, but it has a great nutritional value. Both grains are good sprouted and the barley or wheat water are also high in vitamins and proteins. Both wheat grass and barley grass, from the sprouted seeds, are high in B vitamins, even the anti-cancer B17 vitamin. Wheat and barley are good for improving the immune system, stimulating the production of new red blood cells, helps with digestive disorders, strengthens the brain and heart, and overall boosting the energy of the body. Sounds like miracle foods. God made these grains special—and they can be used in such a wide variety of ways. Whole grains retain the most nutrients for the body, so the less processing the better.

Try sprouting some grain—but it must be purchased specifically for sprouting. Grains that have been irradiated are good for grinding, but will not sprout. They soften up when soaked, but don’t sprout. Are we like that? Do we soften up a bit when soaked in water or kind words, but we don’t “sprout” and give others good encouragement? Think about when you’ve been soaked in kindness from others—do you then share more kindness with those around you? Are you gleaning wisdom from others, sort of like Ruth gleaned the barley and wheat from Boaz’ fields, and then are you sharing that wisdom—or just hiding it away waiting for a rainy day? Do you forget it as soon as you turn away? Let your light shine. That is what Jesus taught on the hillside near the Sea of Galilee—in what we know as the Sermon on the Mount. You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden; nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven. Matthew 5:14-16 NASB

Lord, we want to let our light shine for You. Help us to sprout with enthusiasm and give us words of encouragement to share with others.

Sprouting Grain

Inspect and sort about 1/3 to 2/3 cups of grain to be sure that it is free of rocks or field debris. Rinse the grain several times until the water is clear. Then cover the grain with cool water. Let sit for about an hour, drain. Then cover with a couple of cups of cool water and let soak for 24 hours, away from direct sunlight. Strain this water off the grain and save for drinking. It is full of vitamins and minerals so serve one glass for an adult and a half glass for children over five a couple of times a week. Younger children can have a smaller portion of grain water mixed with juice. It can also be used to water your plants.

Place the rinsed soaked grain in a sprouting tray or in a wide mouth glass jar. Lay the jar on its side at an angle, and cover the mouth of the jar with an open weave cloth to allow for plenty of air flow. Let the seeds sit for 24 hours, use if sprouted, or rinse and allow another 24 hour period. Continue rinsing at least once or twice a day until the sprouts are the desired length. The moisture and warmth of the kitchen will encourage mold growth, so grow only the amount of sprouts that can be used within a couple of days. Refrigerate any unused sprouts. They are tasty in salads or breads.

Monday, September 10, 2012

September 10 - Feasting in the Land of Promise

Deuteronomy 8:6-8, 10 Therefore, you shall keep the commandments of the LORD your God, to walk in His ways and to fear Him. For the LORD your God is bringing you into a good land, a land of brooks of water, of fountains and springs, flowing forth in valleys and hills; a land of wheat and barley, of vines and fig trees and pomegranates, a land of olive oil and honey….When you have eaten and are satisfied, you shall bless the LORD your God for the good land which He has given you. NASB

When I was in Israel I got a book The Seven Healing Fruits of Israel by Shoshanna Harrari that uses the fruits of this scripture passage as the basis for healing. There are many other foods that are grown in Israel and everywhere around the world that are healthy and healing to eat, but God specifically directed Moses to mention these foods to the Hebrew people as they were getting ready to go into the promised land.

These seven fruits as mentioned in the scripture are: wheat, barley, grapes, figs, pomegranates, olives, and dates (date honey). All of them have seeds—which have a nutritional value in themselves and affect the pH of the food. It has been suggested that there is a link between the pH or acid-alkaline balance in our bodies and illness. Some foods may appear to be acidic, like lemons, but when they are digested they are actually alkaline. Similarly meats may test as alkaline before digestion, whereas they are actually acidic when assimilated into our bodies. Most vegetables and fruits are more alkaline. This is a good argument for eating less meat and eating more fresh fruits and veggies.

Lord God—Thank you for creating such a wonderful variety of foods, especially those that are healing to our bodies. Help us to use these foods to bring glory to You.

Sunday, September 9, 2012

September 9 – Believe and Be Healed

Matthew 10:1, 7-8 - Jesus summoned His twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal every kind of disease and every kind of sickness. - And as you go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand. Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, cast out demons. Freely you received, freely give.

Luke 10:8-9 Whatever city you enter and they receive you, eat what is set before you; and heal those in it who are sick, and say to them, 'The kingdom of God has come near to you.' NASB

The word “Heal” appears 38 times in the NASB. Jesus is the great physician—a healer both of the physical and spiritual realms. There have been many instances in my lifetime of people being miraculously healed—and then other times that thousands of prayers have been lifted up and the person was not healed. It is hard to understand why. We can only trust that God that He has a plan—and rely on Him to see us His will and His way. In Luke 10, Jesus told seventy of his followers to go to every city and to heal the sick. He sent them to cities before He went there. There had to be a lot of faith in those followers and in the people that they visited. Jesus healed numerous people throughout the Gospels and those who believed were healed—or those who were healed became believers. Read through the Gospels for yourself and note all the times that Jesus healed people, physically and spiritually. There are at least fifteen occurrences of physical healing of blind, deaf, dumb, lame, crippled with some noted in more than one Gospel, like the healing of Peter’s mother-in-law in Matthew 8, Mark 1, and Luke 4. Then there is also the miraculous raising of three people from the dead that I didn’t count as healings—although someone might.

One of the first miraculous healing that I observed was a friend of mine who had a blind spot in her eye and had been to a healing prayer service. Her vision was restored! The next experience of prayer and healing was with my own husband—just a small thing. He had food poisoning from left-over meat in a sandwich and had felt miserable at work for a couple of hours. When he got home I placed my hand on his stomach and prayed. He immediately threw up and was feeling better. Another time recently I prayed for a friend, a young believer, who was having a migraine headache while at the city park and didn’t have her medicine with her—her headache and nausea instantly went away! She was so thrilled! God is good.

Are you looking for healing? We can only ask and trust that Jesus hears our prayers. We can’t manipulate Him into doing our will. We can take care of ourselves by eating well and getting enough rest—but even then sometimes we catch colds or get something, like a migraine. Our bodies just wear out, too. For example, once the cartilage is gone between our joints—it is gone and only painful joints remain for which sometimes surgery is not an option. We can only trust, pray and know that the kingdom of heaven is at hand—in our risen Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. So believe…and be healed.

Lord, we know that You hear our prayers and whether we pray once or a thousand times, we trust that You are still the great physician and will heal as we’ve asked, either now or in eternity.

Saturday, September 8, 2012

September 8 – What Are You Reading?

Act 8:26-31, 37 - But an angel of the Lord spoke to Philip saying, "Get up and go south to the road that descends from Jerusalem to Gaza." (This is a desert road.) So he got up and went; and there was an Ethiopian eunuch, a court official of Candace, queen of the Ethiopians, who was in charge of all her treasure; and he had come to Jerusalem to worship, and he was returning and sitting in his chariot, and was reading the prophet Isaiah. Then the Spirit said to Philip, "Go up and join this chariot." Philip ran up and heard him reading Isaiah the prophet, and said, "Do you understand what you are reading?" And he said, "Well, how could I, unless someone guides me?" And he invited Philip to come up and sit with him….And Philip said, "If you believe with all your heart, you may (be saved and baptized)." And he answered and said, "I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God." NASB

What are you reading? Do you understand what you are reading? A couple of very important questions. Studying God’s Word is such a privilege—and any book in the Bible is worthy of your time. Reading through the Bible is a noble endeavor. I will admit that I have not read every word of the Bible—though I have started many reading programs over the years, beginning with “Read it Through in 72”, meaning 1972! I have a One Year Bible, where the Bible is presented in reading sections for each day of the year—but I haven’t made it through the entire year yet.

Have you tried to read the entire Bible? I’ve done a lot of topical studies, so I have read from every book of the Bible, just not every word in every book. That is on my Bucket List! So if you want a recommendation on where to begin reading the Bible, I’d say with the book of John in the New Testament. Then read the other gospels, Matthew, Mark and Luke. In the Old Testament my favorite book is Ruth, so that is a great place to start. The Psalms are beautiful and Proverbs is full of wisdom. Keep track of the books as you read them. Going through Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy are good background and historically very important, as is the book of Acts—so just enjoy each book as you read it. An important point to remember is to PRAY each time before you read and ask God to give you inspiration and understanding of His word. It is amazing how much that helps when you get to verses that are hard to understand. Just as the Ethiopian court official asked Philip to explain the scripture, it is good to find someone to help you understand scripture. Either study it with a friend, or seek out someone who knows scripture and then take it verse by verse to let God tell you what He is saying. Feast on His Word!

Lord Jesus—Give us inspiration and understanding, as well as wisdom, as we study Your Word. Help us to apply it to our lives and use it like Philip to lead others to know You as their savior.