Two or More Friends Together

Meditate on this:

Jesus said…"I also tell you this: If two of you agree here on earth concerning anything you ask, my Father in heaven will do it for you. For where two or three gather together as my followers, I am there among them." Matthew 18:19-20

Jesus promised. He is with us when two or more are gathered together. Friends together. Gather together…and pray. He has promised to not abandon us. He is with us…ahead of us, with us, behind us…always.

Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the LORD will personally go ahead of you. He will be with you; he will neither fail you nor abandon you." Deuteronomy 31:8 (& Hebrews 13:5)

Don’t be afraid. Fear is a powerful emotion.

Don't be afraid of those who want to kill your body; they cannot touch your soul. Fear only God, who can destroy both soul and body in hell. Matthew 10:28

The soul is the important thing. It is forever. For everyone. As the Hebrew people were taught by Moses after God gave them the Ten Commandments:

These are the commands, decrees, and regulations that the LORD your God commanded me to teach you. You must obey them in the land you are about to enter and occupy, and you and your children and grandchildren must fear the LORD your God as long as you live. If you obey all his decrees and commands, you will enjoy a long life. Listen closely, Israel, and be careful to obey. Then all will go well with you, and you will have many children in the land flowing with milk and honey, just as the LORD, the God of your ancestors, promised you. Listen, O Israel! The LORD is our God, the LORD alone. And you must love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your strength. And you must commit yourselves wholeheartedly to these commands that I am giving you today. Repeat them again and again to your children. Talk about them when you are at home and when you are on the road, when you are going to bed and when you are getting up. Deuteronomy 6:1-7

Love means doing what God has commanded us, and he has commanded us to love one another, just as you heard from the beginning. 2 John 1:6

Love God…love others. Give God the respect and love He deserves. Fear is respect.

Sound the alarm in Jerusalem! Raise the battle cry on my holy mountain! Let everyone tremble in fear because the day of the LORD is upon us. Joel 2:1

Prayer ~ Lord God, I love You with all my heart, soul, mind and strength. Help me to follow Your commandments and to love those around me…as I love You and myself.

Daily Bible Reading: John 6

Friday’s Feast at the King’s Table

It is soup weather again—and time for a combination of my favorites…fish tacos and soup. This soup blends friends like avocados and chilis.

Mick’s Taco Fish Soup       8 servings

8 corn tortillas, cut into 1/2 inch strips

Vegetable oil for frying

Kosher salt, freshly ground black pepper and chili powder

2 pounds fish fillets, rockfish, red snapper or cod is a good choice

¼ tsp cumin powder, or more if desired

2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

2 limes, juiced, plus lime wedges for garnish

1 pablano chili (mild) or serrano chili (if you prefer-hot), chopped

3 cups vegetable broth with ½ tsp thyme, 2 bay leaves, and two cloves chopped garlic

6 cups boiling water

1 green onion, sliced, for garnish

4 ripe tomatoes, cut into chunks, for garnish

2 ripe avocados, peeled and cut into chunks, for garnish

Cilantro leaves, for garnish

Grated cheddar cheese, if desired, for garnish.

Cut up the fish into pieces about 1” by 2”, sprinkle with cumin, cover with chopped chili pepper, drizzle with the lime juice and olive oil and set aside in the refrigerator to marinate about 15 minutes while you chop the green onion, tomato, and avocado.  

For the tortillas: Heat about 1/4-inch vegetable oil in a deep skillet over medium-high heat. Cut the tortillas into 1/2-inch wide strips. Fry the tortilla strips in batches and drain them on paper towels; season with salt, pepper and chili powder while they are still hot. 

For the soup: Heat the broth, water and seasonings to boil and simmer until the meat and vegetable are in the bowls. Saute the marinated fish over medium heat for a few minutes, using the lime-oil marinate. Cook just until the fish are no longer raw, but not falling apart.

Divide the fish equally into eight servings and place each in the bottom of a large soup bowl. Top with some onion, tomato, avocado, and cilantro leaves. Ladle in the hot broth and squeeze in a lime wedge. Top with tortilla strips and add cheddar cheese, just like a taco. Serve and enjoy.

© 2019 Text and photos by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

Unless otherwise indicated, all scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc. Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations taken from the NASB. Copyright by The Lockman Foundation

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