There are times when some people loves surprises...birthdays and holidays--or just special occasions when you get to see someone you haven't seen for a long time. But Jesus is saying don't be so surprised when people rise from the dead--literally come out of their graves and live again...or face eternal judgment--the fire pit of hell. We have a choice as to which it will be for us...eternal life or eternal death. I have chosen to believe in Jesus as my Savior and Redeemer--so I've chosen life. It's not a hard choice, but it isn't always an easy choice for some people. They don't feel worthy...they feel like they'd have to give up too much to follow Jesus...or they just wait too long. Jesus is telling us not to be surprised...that includes the timing. Earlier, after His baptism, Jesus said..."The time promised by God has come at last!" The Kingdom of God is near! Repent of your sins and believe the Good News! Mark 1:15 NLT. Jesus was indeed talking about those physically dead raising from their graves. There are other examples of this in scripture. Jesus raised His friend Lazareth from the dead as it is recorded in John 11:1-45. It is prophesied...Many of those whose bodies lie dead and buried will rise up, some to everlasting life and some to shame and everlasting disgrace. Daniel 12:2 NLT. For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. 1 Thessalonians 4:16 NASB. The dead will rise first. Perfect bodies from ashes and dust. What a sight that will be!
RSVP: Jesus is offering us an invitation to avoid a surprise. Know what is going to happen to you--eternal life in a resurrected, restored body...or eternal judgment in a fiery pit. Your choice. How will your respond to Jesus' invitation?
Prayer~ Lord Jesus, as it is written in Isaiah 26:19...Your dead will live; their corpses will rise. Those who lie in the dust, awake and shout for joy, for Your dew is as the dew of the dawn, and the earth will give birth to the departed spirits. I praise You Jesus, for Your gift of eternal life--with no surprises, no strings attached.
Friday's Feast at the King's Table
We had some wonderful seafood recently at an oceanside restaurant as the sun was setting. No surprise that it was a beautiful evening. One of the things on the menu which everyone tasted and enjoyed was the Garlic Corn Soup. I've adapted a couple of recipes to create my version of this tasty soup. Enjoy.
Garlic Corn Soup
4-5 ears corn
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon coconut oil
1 small onion or 1/2 medium onion, finely diced
2 cloves garlic, grated
1-2 teaspoons fresh thyme, chopped
Salt and pepper
4 cups chicken stock or vegetable stock
2 tablespoons chopped fresh chives, for garnish
Garlic oil (Over low heat, cook 1 head of garlic, pealed and smashed, in 1 cup olive oil for about 15 minutes. Cool to room temperature.)
Roast the corn on a BBQ, in the husks, if possible, or roast at 350 degrees for 30 minutes. Cut the corn kernels from the cob; reserve all of the juice from the cob, as well as the cobs.
In a soup pot, melt the coconut oil and add the olive oil. Let the onions cook over low heat in the covered soup pot to sweat, until tender, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic in the last couple of minutes, then add the corn kernels except for the reserved kernals. Sweat for an additional 5 minutes. Add the thyme, season with salt and pepper and stir. Remove from the heat and allow to cool, reserve about 1/2 cup of the corn. Pour into a blender and blend until smooth. Add the stock, the reserved corn and cobs and simmer until the corn is tender, about 20 minutes.
Remove the cobs. Serve in individual bowls, garnising with chives and a swirl of garlic oil.
© 2014 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.
All scripture quoted from the New American Standard Bible (NASB) unless otherwise noted.
All scripture quoted from the New American Standard Bible (NASB) unless otherwise noted.
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