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, June 30, 2019

Gentleness

Memory Verse -

But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things! Galatians 5:22-23

Gentleness. A mild disposition. In other translations, gentleness is translated as meekness. It is related to humility, calmness, quietness and tranquility. It is part of that fruit of the Spirit that shows love to others in a gentle and tender way.

Paul wrote to the church as Colossae—teaching them, as he taught the Galatians, that we must be gentle people demonstrating that quality of gentleness in our lives—as part of our personality.

Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Make allowance for each other's faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony. And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful. Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives. Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom he gives. Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts. And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father. Colossians 3:12-17

Take my yoke.
Charleston SC museum yoke.
Carry a heavy burden in a gentle way.

As Jesus taught a crowd of people, He declared that He himself was gentle.

Then Jesus said, "Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light." Matthew 11:28-30

Gentle at heart. That is Jesus. If we are to be like Jesus, how can we show gentleness? How do we intentionally apply this gentleness to our lives? Intentionally gentle. We all make choices every moment of every day. We can choose to be humble, serve others and glorify God…or we can choose to be arrogant and glorify ourselves. The obvious choice, if we are to put Jesus first in our lives is to intentionally love our neighbor as ourselves…putting them first. Treating others as we would treat Jesus Himself. Is this beginning to sound familiar? Love our neighbor as ourselves? Yes, going back to Jesus teaching about the Ten Commandments…love God and our neighbors.

Here we are at the last day of June…a;most half of the year has gone by…only 177 days until Christmas. What are your milestones during the year? Easter, Memorial Day…your birthday…Summer Solstice, 4^th of July, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day…Christmas Day? Whatever day is important to you the best is yet to come! That will be the day of Christ’s return…but we don’t know the hour or the day. We aren’t meant to know the day, but Jesus gives the warning…be alert…keep watch. Don’t fall asleep. Remember the disciples, Peter, James and John, who went to the Garden of Gethsemane with Jesus on the evening of the Last Supper. Jesus told them to watch and pray…but it was late at night, they were full from a wonderful Passover Meal…and they fell asleep while Jesus prayed. See Matthew 26:36-45 and Mark 14:32-41. Just like His disciples, Jesus warns us to stay awake. So what is so bad about going to sleep? We all need rest and we can’t possibly stay awake 24 hours a day. So rest when you can…but when you are awake…be on the alert. Be ready because we don’t know the hour or the day. Does that mean that we live only to wait for Jesus’ return? No…but we aren’t to waste our time with meaningless activity. Then again…remember Solomon’s evaluation of life…

I observed everything going on under the sun, and really, it is all meaningless—like chasing the wind. Ecclesiastes 1:14

Is life meaningless? That is something everyone has to decide for themselves. In the meantime…life goes on. There is sunrise and sunset…just as they sang in “Fiddler on the Roof”…

Sunrise, sunset

Swiftly fly the years

One season following another

Laden with happiness and tears….

The years fly by swiftly…so quickly that they begin to melt into one another. Watch and pray. Stay alert. Time will go by before you know it…and you’ll be resting with the Lord. Waiting…waiting…waiting. One side of the grave or the other. Waiting for the time when the dead in Christ will rise first. Will that be you?

In the meantime…how are you doing memorizing this scripture? As you claim it and apply it to your life, it should become part of you…and part of your memory. Can you share this fruit of the Spirit in a gentle loving way with others around you?

But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things! Galatians 5:22-23

Prayer ~ Jesus, help us to be gentle in all our relationships with others. As this year is passing before us, we are watching and waiting. Simply waiting…for Your return. Hopeful that more people every day will believe in You as their Lord and Savior. Come quickly Lord.

Daily Bible Reading: 2 Chronicles 19-23

All scripture quoted from the New Living Translation (NLT) unless otherwise noted.

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Saturday, June 29, 2019

Do You Consider Yourself Faithful

Memory Verse -

Faithful. Faithful to God…faithful to your spouse or significant other…faithful to your work commitment…faithful to friends…faithful to yourself…faithful to home, school, volunteer responsibilities? What does it really mean to be faithful? If the Holy Spirit is producing this fruit in your life…how are you showing it…using it...producing it in your relationships? The Strong’s Lexicon describes faithfulness as truth. Consider it an act of being truthful…to yourself and others. Jesus declared that to His disciples, particularly Thomas and Philip, after His resurrection that He is the Truth.

Jesus told him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me. John 14:6

God is faithful…just as He proclaimed to Moses when He gave Moses the second copy of the Ten Commandments and made a covenant with him.

Then the LORD came down in a cloud and stood there with him; and he called out his own name, Yahweh. The LORD passed in front of Moses, calling out, "Yahweh! The LORD! The God of compassion and mercy! I am slow to anger and filled with unfailing love and faithfulness. I lavish unfailing love to a thousand generations. I forgive iniquity, rebellion, and sin. But I do not excuse the guilty. I lay the sins of the parents upon their children and grandchildren; the entire family is affected--even children in the third and fourth generations." Moses immediately threw himself to the ground and worshiped. And he said, "O Lord, if it is true that I have found favor with you, then please travel with us. Yes, this is a stubborn and rebellious people, but please forgive our iniquity and our sins. Claim us as your own special possession." The LORD replied, "Listen, I am making a covenant with you in the presence of all your people. I will perform miracles that have never been performed anywhere in all the earth or in any nation. And all the people around you will see the power of the LORD--the awesome power I will display for you." Exodus 34:5-10

Morning Glory Flowers in Israel.
Give God the glory...forever and ever.
He is Faithful.

God has not changed…and will not change. He is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow. Faithful. May you be like Him. I think when we are faithful to God, obedient to hear His voice in our lives, live according to His word and His will, then we will be faithful to ourselves and others.When you are tempted...look away.Don't desire what you know is wrong. Be honest with yourself and God. Just as Jesus taught in the parable of the shrewd manager, honesty is an important element of faithfulness.

If you are faithful in little things, you will be faithful in large ones. But if you are dishonest in little things, you won't be honest with greater responsibilities. Luke 16:10

Peace be with you, dear brothers and sisters, and may God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you love with faithfulness. Ephesians 6:23

Prayer ~ Lord God, Great is Your faithfulness; Your mercies begin afresh each morning. Lamentations 3:23. I thank you…and I praise You.

Daily Bible Reading: 1 Kings 22; 2 Chronicles 18

All scripture quoted from the New Living Translation (NLT) unless otherwise noted.

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Friday, June 28, 2019

Goodness – Who is Really Good?

Memory Verse -

Goodness. Who is really good? Jesus was address as “Good Teacher” and here is His response.

Once a religious leader asked Jesus this question: "Good Teacher, what should I do to inherit eternal life?" "Why do you call me good?" Jesus asked him. "Only God is truly good. But to answer your question, you know the commandments: 'You must not commit adultery. You must not murder. You must not steal. You must not testify falsely. Honor your father and mother.'" The man replied, "I've obeyed all these commandments since I was young." When Jesus heard his answer, he said, "There is still one thing you haven't done. Sell all your possessions and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me." But when the man heard this he became very sad, for he was very rich. Luke 18:18-23

Does goodness mean doing good deeds? Will that get us anywhere? Matthew has recorded virtually the same story, except the person was concerned with good deeds. Jesus has the same response. Obey.

Someone came to Jesus with this question: "Teacher, what good deed must I do to have eternal life?" "Why ask me about what is good?" Jesus replied. "There is only One who is good. But to answer your question—if you want to receive eternal life, keep the commandments." "Which ones?" the man asked. And Jesus replied: "'You must not murder. You must not commit adultery. You must not steal. You must not testify falsely. Honor your father and mother. Love your neighbor as yourself.'" "I've obeyed all these commandments," the young man replied. "What else must I do?" Jesus told him, "If you want to be perfect, go and sell all your possessions and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me." But when the young man heard this, he went away sad, for he had many possessions. Matthew 19:16-22

Jesus point was not that He was good…or that we can attain goodness, or eternal life through being good—but that we needed to be obedient, kind and generous. Goodness is uprightness within one’s heart—to show kindness. It is interesting to note that goodness uses different Greek words in the Old and New Testaments. It is basically being pure, good, kind, pleasant and upright. Think about the last verse of Psalm 23.

Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will live in the house of the LORD forever. Psalm 23:6

In memorizing this verse may God’s goodness be part of your life always…both as you receive and show God’s love. But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things! Galatians 5:22-23

Prayer ~Lord, I so look forward to being in Your presence continually—filled with the Holy Spirit. Give me wisdom and words of encouragement for others that we would all stand firm in You, Christ. May those I meet that don’t know You, see You in me…and may I be so bold as to share the goodness of Your Good News with them.

Daily Bible Reading: 1 Kings 20-21

Friday’s Feast at the King’s Table

Food safety is so very important in the summer to keep bacteria from growing and contaminating your foods. You’ve probably heard the essential ones:

· Keep hot foods hot and cold foods cold.

· Wash your hands and keep your preparation surfaces clean, too.

· Don’t allow cross-contamination between raw meats and other raw foods.

· Use a thermometer and cook to the right temperature.

· Refrigerate unused foods in one (if over 90 degrees outside) or two hours after beginning to serve the food.

· Check web sites like the Center for Disease Control (CDC) for more information. foodsafety.gov

Today I’m sharing a recipe of a dish that is a favorite…and not available at many restaurants in the Pacific Northwest. It is loved and served at many places in South Carolina.

Old Charleston Style Shrimp & Cheesy Grits

This recipe was adapted from one at allrecipes.com. Another popular way to serve shrimp and grits in Charleston is with the shrimp cooked in a BBQ sauce. Very rich. Try it at Laura Alberts restaurant if you are ever in Daniel Island, near Charleston, SC.

Charleston Farmers Market
Good place to get fresh peppers for this dish!

This will serve six adults. If they are not pepper lovers, then omit the peppers and serve to four or five people.

Ingredients

1 cup coarsely ground grits

3 cups water

½ teaspoon *salt

1½ cups half-and-half

1½ cup shredded sharp Cheddar cheese

2 pounds uncooked shrimp, peeled and deveined

salt to taste

1 pinch cayenne pepper, or to taste

1 lemon, juiced

1 pound andouille sausage, cut into 1/4-inch slices

5 slices bacon

1 green bell pepper, chopped

1 red bell pepper, chopped

1 yellow bell pepper, chopped

1 cup chopped onion

1 clove garlic, minced

1/4 cup coconut oil (or butter)

1/4 cup all-purpose flour

1½ - 2 cups chicken broth

1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce

Directions

1. Put on some good jazz music. Peel and devein the shrimp.

2. Sprinkle shrimp with salt and cayenne pepper; drizzle with lemon juice. Set aside in a bowl.

3. Bring water, grits, and salt to a boil in a heavy saucepan with a lid. Stir in half-and-half and simmer until grits are thickened and tender, 15 to 20 minutes. Set aside and keep warm. Add more half-and-half if they are too thick.

4. Place andouille sausage slices in a large skillet over medium heat; fry sausage until browned, 5 to 8 minutes. Remove skillet from heat.

5. Cook bacon in a large skillet over medium-high heat, turning occasionally, until evenly browned, about 10 minutes. Retain bacon drippings in skillet. Transfer bacon slices to paper towels, let cool, and crumble.

6. Cook and stir green, red, and yellow bell peppers, onion, and garlic in the bacon drippings (or use coconut oil or oil of choice) until the onion is translucent, about 5-8 minutes.

7. Stir shrimp and cooked vegetables into the andouille sausage and mix to combine.

8. Melt coconut oil or butter in a saucepan over medium heat; stir in flour to make a smooth paste. Turn heat to low and cook, stirring constantly, until the mixture is medium brown in color, 8 to 10 minutes. Watch carefully, mixture burns easily. You are actually making a roux which is basically the thickening for many southern dishes like gumbo.

9. Pour the fat-flour mixture into the skillet with andouille sausage, shrimp, and vegetables. Place the skillet over medium heat and pour in chicken broth, bacon and Worcestershire sauce, cooking and stirring until the sauce thickens and the shrimp become opaque and bright pink, about 8 minutes. Add more broth if you want thinner gravy.

Just before serving, mix sharp Cheddar cheese into grits until melted and grits are creamy and light yellow. Serve shrimp mixture over cheese grits. Oh my goodness! Enjoy! Serve this up with some Fried Green Tomatoes and a tall glass of sweet tea and you’ll feel like you are Southern Heaven.

All scripture quoted from the New Living Translation (NLT) unless otherwise noted.

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Thursday, June 27, 2019

God’s Ultimate Kindness

Memory Verse -

A Plea for Jerusalem...and all of Israel.
Show Kindness - Pray
Photo from Jerusalem

We seek to know God—to know His kindness. Paul teaches a great lesson about the nation of Israel demonstrating the deep love and kindness that God had…and still has towards His chosen people.

But some of these branches from Abraham's tree—some of the people of Israel—have been broken off. And you Gentiles, who were branches from a wild olive tree, have been grafted in. So now you also receive the blessing God has promised Abraham and his children, sharing in the rich nourishment from the root of God's special olive tree. But you must not brag about being grafted in to replace the branches that were broken off. You are just a branch, not the root. "Well," you may say, "those branches were broken off to make room for me." Yes, but remember—those branches were broken off because they didn't believe in Christ, and you are there because you do believe. So don't think highly of yourself, but fear what could happen. For if God did not spare the original branches, he won't spare you either. Notice how God is both kind and severe. He is severe toward those who disobeyed, but kind to you if you continue to trust in his kindness. But if you stop trusting, you also will be cut off. And if the people of Israel turn from their unbelief, they will be grafted in again, for God has the power to graft them back into the tree. You, by nature, were a branch cut from a wild olive tree. So if God was willing to do something contrary to nature by grafting you into his cultivated tree, he will be far more eager to graft the original branches back into the tree where they belong. I want you to understand this mystery, dear brothers and sisters, so that you will not feel proud about yourselves. Some of the people of Israel have hard hearts, but this will last only until the full number of Gentiles comes to Christ. And so all Israel will be saved. As the Scriptures say, "The one who rescues will come from Jerusalem, and he will turn Israel away from ungodliness." Romans 11:17-26

I see the lesson from this passage as to not feel so proud and special that I am a child of God. I don’t deserve God’s kindness, but I will continue to trust Him.

For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God's glorious standard. Yet God, with undeserved kindness, declares that we are righteous. He did this through Christ Jesus when he freed us from the penalty for our sins. For God presented Jesus as the sacrifice for sin. People are made right with God when they believe that Jesus sacrificed his life, shedding his blood. This sacrifice shows that God was being fair when he held back and did not punish those who sinned in times past, for he was looking ahead and including them in what he would do in this present time. God did this to demonstrate his righteousness, for he himself is fair and just, and he declares sinners to be right in his sight when they believe in Jesus. Romans 3:23-26

Trust God. He has a plan—and He has generously and kindly included us Gentiles into His family. Kindness. Do you feel it? Can you share it?

Kindness is at the center of the list of the fruit of the Spirit. As you memorize this verse, focus on each fruit…4 before KINDNESS, 4 after KINDNESS. Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.

Prayer ~ Lord God—Since You chose me to be the holy people You love, I must clothe myself with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Colossians 3:12. Help me to do just that…and to show undeserved kindness to those around me…to love my neighbor as myself.

Daily Bible Reading: 1 Kings 17-19

All scripture quoted from the New Living Translation (NLT) unless otherwise noted.

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Wednesday, June 26, 2019

Where is Your Patience?

Memory Verse -

Patience – How do you apply this Fruit of the Spirit to your life…to the situation in which you currently find yourself?

God is patient.

Don't you see how wonderfully kind, tolerant, and patient God is with you? Does this mean nothing to you? Can't you see that his kindness is intended to turn you from your sin? Romans 2:4

God shows His patience and kindness even to those with whom He is angry.

For God said to Moses, "I will show mercy to anyone I choose, and I will show compassion to anyone I choose." So it is God who decides to show mercy. We can neither choose it nor work for it. For the Scriptures say that God told Pharaoh, "I have appointed you for the very purpose of displaying my power in you and to spread my fame throughout the earth." So you see, God chooses to show mercy to some, and he chooses to harden the hearts of others so they refuse to listen. Well then, you might say, "Why does God blame people for not responding? Haven't they simply done what he makes them do?" No, don't say that. Who are you, a mere human being, to argue with God? Should the thing that was created say to the one who created it, "Why have you made me like this?" When a potter makes jars out of clay, doesn't he have a right to use the same lump of clay to make one jar for decoration and another to throw garbage into? In the same way, even though God has the right to show his anger and his power, he is very patient with those on whom his anger falls, who are destined for destruction. He does this to make the riches of his glory shine even brighter on those to whom he shows mercy, who were prepared in advance for glory. Romans 9:15-23

If God has such patience with us, how can we not have patience with those around us? People—especially kids—can be so trying! Solomon wrote about being patient. Patience is a virtue. Be patient and have self-control. Those two qualities are interrelated. If you are patient with others…you likely are showing self-control.

Better to be patient than powerful; better to have self-control than to conquer a city. Proverbs 16:32

A city? How about conquering just one person…or one situation. I learned long ago the concept of choosing your battles carefully—but that is not always easy to apply. My tongue can often jump into a situation before my brain engages and there I am in the midst of a battle. Unless I yield to God…to doing things His way, it is likely that I will not conquer that stronghold—that city or relationship under siege. No patience there…no self-control.

Paul wrote about making allowances for other’s faults. Recently I was upset with someone close to me…offended that I just didn’t feel respected. Then I selfishly realized that I was the one not showing respect. Who am I to feel that I am always the one who is right!? Wrong. And I need to take criticism humbly—and not be so offended. Be patient with others!

Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other's faults because of your love. Ephesians 4:2

Apple Blossoms
Look for the harvest to come.
Have patience.

Be patience with God. He has a plan…and we don’t know the hour or the day when Christ Jesus will return.

Dear brothers and sisters, be patient as you wait for the Lord's return. Consider the farmers who patiently wait for the rains in the fall and in the spring. They eagerly look for the valuable harvest to ripen. You, too, must be patient. Take courage, for the coming of the Lord is near. Don't grumble about each other, brothers and sisters, or you will be judged. For look—the Judge is standing at the door! For examples of patience in suffering, dear brothers and sisters, look at the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. We give great honor to those who endure under suffering. For instance, you know about Job, a man of great endurance. You can see how the Lord was kind to him at the end, for the Lord is full of tenderness and mercy. James 5:7-11

Be patient with yourself as you memorize this verse. Write it out, say it out loud or sing it.

Prayer ~ Lord, Please continue to show us patience and we long for Your return. We understand that You aren’t really being slow about Your promise, as some people think. No, You are being patient for our sake. You do not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent.

2 Peter 3:9

Daily Bible Reading: 1 Kings 16; 2 Chronicles 17

All scripture quoted from the New Living Translation (NLT) unless otherwise noted.

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Tuesday, June 25, 2019

Apply Peace

Memory Verse -

Tranquil peace...while fishing by a lake in South Carolina.

How do you apply peace to your life?

May God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you grace and peace. All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us. 2 Corinthians 1:2-4

Our God is merciful—full of mercy—full of compassion towards us. He takes pity on us—lowly, disobedient creatures that we often are. In spite of our shortcomings, He loves us and shows us His grace—that unmerited favor—undeserved approval. And He gives us His peace.

We need God’s peace—that state of tranquility when you know that you are saved. It is also a contentment that we feel knowing that we are secure and safe in God’s love.

Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again--rejoice! Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do. Remember, the Lord is coming soon. Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God's peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:4-7

Can you say that you have actually experienced God’s peace? If not, ask for it. Remember that Jesus promised whatever you ask for in His name, God will give you (John 14:13). The peace from God that I have experienced—especially during distressful time has truly exceeded anything I could understand. A tranquil feeling that washed over me to my very soul. God is good—full of mercy and compassion.

Some churches have a time of sharing the Peace of God…a friendly greeting…during their Sunday morning services. It is a brief time of heartfelt fellowship, but it is an expression of love and genuine caring of most of the Christians I have encountered in those rituals. Even if your church doesn’t have that ritual observance, I hope that you greet others around you…sharing God’s love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control with them. God’s peace abounds where there is love.

Prayer ~ Lord Jesus Christ, as we come boldly to the throne of our gracious God, may we receive Your mercy, and find grace to help us when we need it most. Hebrews 4:16. May Your grace, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with all of us. 2 Corinthians 13:14. Show us ways to let Your love flow through us to others around us—sharing Your peace, grace and mercy.

Now may the Lord of peace himself give you his peace at all times and in every situation. The Lord be with you all. 2 Thessalonians 3:16

Daily Bible Reading: 1 Kings 15; 2 Chronicles 13-16

All scripture quoted from the New Living Translation (NLT) unless otherwise noted.

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Monday, June 24, 2019

Joy for The Most Important Wedding

Memory Verse -

Write out the verse again…and say it out loud. Can you repeat it to someone in your family, a friend or work associate? Challenge yourself. Find some joy in your accomplishment of committing it to memory. Below is a scripture passage that is a favorite of mine…and brings joy to my very soul when I think about the Bridegroom, Jesus, coming to bring us to His banquet—the wedding feast. Keep watch!

The Bridegroom is Coming

Have you got oil for your lamp?

Then the Kingdom of Heaven will be like ten bridesmaids who took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. The five who were foolish didn't take enough olive oil for their lamps, but the other five were wise enough to take along extra oil. When the bridegroom was delayed, they all became drowsy and fell asleep. "At midnight they were roused by the shout, 'Look, the bridegroom is coming! Come out and meet him!' "All the bridesmaids got up and prepared their lamps. Then the five foolish ones asked the others, 'Please give us some of your oil because our lamps are going out.' "But the others replied, 'We don't have enough for all of us. Go to a shop and buy some for yourselves.' "But while they were gone to buy oil, the bridegroom came. Then those who were ready went in with him to the marriage feast, and the door was locked. Later, when the other five bridesmaids returned, they stood outside, calling, 'Lord! Lord! Open the door for us!' "But he called back, 'Believe me, I don't know you!' "So you, too, must keep watch! For you do not know the day or hour of my return. Matthew 25:1-13

I love this parable that Jesus told His disciples about the kingdom of heaven. Only found in the book of Matthew, it gives us Protestants a view into the Jewish customs. The Jewish couple is betrothed—promised in marriage to each other, but their wedding doesn’t take place until their home is prepared. The bridegroom goes to his father’s house and adds on a room—or rooms depending on his wealth. When his father says that the home is ready for the bride, he sends the bridegroom to get her. Meanwhile the wedding party, including those ten virgins, have been preparing for the wedding at the bride’s home—helping her get ready. On this day…my wedding anniversary…I love to reread this story that Jesus told about being ready for the most important wedding of all time!

I just imagine the bride’s preparations are complete and now these ten girls all curled up, sleeping while they are waiting for the bridegroom’s procession. "He is coming!" They are awakened suddenly, excited, jumping up and down, bumping into each other, and some discover they don’t have enough oil. The important point is that the five wise girls who planned ahead had enough “oil” to light their lamps and the others didn’t.

The bridegroom arrives at the bride’s home and after observing some religious ceremonies he whisks her away to their new home, at his father’s house—where the wedding ceremony and the festivities take place. The bride’s maids in waiting would come out with oil lamps to light up the entrance as the groom and his guests arrived. After the bridegroom procession entered his father’s house, the doors were shut and no other guests were received. Then the bride and groom would be seated under a colorful canopy and for the next three to five days the father of the groom hosted an elaborate and elegant banquet. The wedding feast. Those who are ready go with the bride and groom—those who aren’t ready miss out altogether. Moral of the story—be ready. The unprepared girls had to go buy more oil—and when they arrived at the wedding feast the door was locked and they were not allowed to enter. Thus they were left out in the cold—the Lord didn’t know them.

The bride symbolically represents the church, the bridegroom is Christ, and the ten virgins are said to be representative of the professing Jewish remnant on earth at Christ’s return. The oil is symbolic for the Holy Spirit—so be wise… keep yourself filled. Be ready—again, BE PREPARED! We don’t know the hour or the day that Christ, the bridegroom, will return and take us to His feast. That is The Banquet we don’t want to miss!

Read the passage in John 14:1-3…Do not let your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father's house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you. If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also. This is Jesus’ promise to us that He is preparing a place for us in heaven—in His Father’s house—just like the Jewish bridegroom in this scripture in Matthew. Share your joy with others. The joy that Jesus gives us as we wait for His return.

Prayer ~ Lord God, thank you for your plan to have Your Son prepare a place just for us—His bride. We so look forward to the great wedding feast in Your Heavenly home one day.

Daily Bible Reading: 2 Chronicles 10-12

All scripture quoted from the New Living Translation (NLT) unless otherwise noted.

Biblical search from Blue Letter Bible - http://v3.blueletterbible.org/search.cfm.

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Sunday, June 23, 2019

How Do You Show Your Fruits of the Spirit?

Memory Verse -

A friend of mine remarked about how hard it was to memorize this verse, but stressed the importance of applying it to our lives. Well—of applying all good scriptural principles to our lives. So what is the point of memorizing scripture if we’re not actively using it?! Good point. So let’s try this again.

Write the verse.

But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives:

love,

joy,

peace,

patience,

kindness,

goodness,

faithfulness,

gentleness,

and self-control.

There is no law against these things!

Galatians 5:22-23

Now write this five times again. I just did…and my hand is aching! I find that repeatedly writing out the verse totally helps me to memorize it. Say it. Hear it. See it as your hand writes it. That is using at least three senses and the more senses you use the better it is for memorizing. OK…now how can you apply this scripture to your life?

First of all there has to be a relationship to the Holy Spirit. Evaluate your relationship with this third person of our God. Do you rely on the Holy Spirit to guide you day by day…minute by minute? Are you listening to that still small voice of the Holy Spirit? Do you believe that the Holy Spirit can produce these things in your life? How do you put this scripture to use?

Consider how you show and share these things with others:

Love –

Joy –

Peace –

Patience –

Kindness –

Goodness –

Faithfulness –

Gentleness –

Self-Control –

Blossom and grow.

Love is tough. Although it is basic to life…it is sometimes just plain hard or awkward to show love. Think about how you react to someone close to you. Maybe they don’t hear clearly what you just said. Their mind maybe on some other wavelength or project than what you are talking about. Do you snap at them…or do they growl at you? I’m amazed at the value of a smile…and a simple “please” or “thank-you” in a regular relationship—not one with a stranger or customer service person. Just a regular family member or work associate. They are people too…deserving of hugs everyday…and of common courtesy. Being polite is never old-fashioned, outdated, or rude. It is an expression of love. Can you show this Fruit of the Spirit today? Love one another…just as Jesus taught.

Prayer ~ Thank You, God for loving us and for teaching us to love each other. I can do this…I can love others. Help me with the other fruits of the Spirit—to allow those fruits to blossom and grow within me.

Daily Bible Reading: 1 Kings 12-14

All scripture quoted from the New Living Translation (NLT) unless otherwise noted.

Biblical search from Blue Letter Bible - http://v3.blueletterbible.org/search.cfm.

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