Meditate.
Then Jesus took the loaves, gave thanks to
God, and distributed them to the people. Afterward he did the same with the
fish. And they all ate as much as they wanted. - John 6:11
 |
| Loaves and Fishes Mosaic Near the Sea of Galilee where Jesus fed the 5,000 |
Jesus was specific about giving thanks to
God for food. It’s a Jewish custom to pray before and after the meal—giving thanks
for the food and God’s provision. Here in this Scripture passage before a crowd of 5,000 men and their
families Jesus publicly gave thanks for the food—for a meager five loaves and
two fish. God multiplied it to feed all those people and the disciples gathered
up twelve baskets of scraps. Save the leftovers. Nothing was to be wasted. The crowd
was amazed. It was a miracle. Was Jesus the Prophet—the ruler for whom they had
been waiting? No. He was God providing them with spiritual food and a free
meal.
Do you pray and give thanks to God before
your meals? It is a custom with my family. We do that before every meal…no
matter where we are. Before the COVID-19 isolation when we enjoyed meals inside
of a restaurant we always prayed over our food. Now most of our mealtime
blessings are at home. We are still thankful for God’s provision—for food,
home, each other and His presence in our lives. Paul wrote in his first letter
to the church at Thessalonica:
Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be
thankful in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you who belong to
Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
Imagine how God loves hearing a joyful
thanksgiving prayer for all He has provided for you--including the fish and the bread.
Prayer
~ Lord God, let the peace that comes from Christ rule in our hearts. For as
members of one body we are called to live in peace. And always be thankful. From
Colossians 3:15. Thank You, Lord, for life, health, family, friends, Your
abiding love and the food You so generously provide.
Verse
of Salvation ~ As for us, we can't help but thank God for you, dear brothers
and sisters loved by the Lord. We are always thankful that God chose you to be
among the first to experience salvation—a salvation that came through the
Spirit who makes you holy and through your belief in the truth. 2 Thessalonians
2:13
Friday’s
Feast at the King’s Table
Carrot cake has been a favorite of mine for
like forever. Would the Lord have blessed it like He blessed the fish and loaves
before eating it? Of course—especially on my recent birthday. My niece actually
made me a carrot cake for my birthday this year. It was the best! This recipe
was given to me by a dear friend when we lived in Okinawa and I treasure it…and
memories of our friends.
14 Carot Carrot Cake
2 cups flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
11⁄2
teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
4 eggs
2 cups sugar
11⁄2
cups oil
2 cups grated raw carrots
1 (8 ounce) can crushed pineapple in
juice, drained
1⁄2
cup chopped nuts (walnuts or
pecans)
1 cup raisins
Vanilla Cream Cheese Frosting
1⁄2 cup butter
1(8
ounce) package cream cheese, softened
1
teaspoon pure vanilla
1
lb confectioners' sugar (sifted)
Cake: Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease and flour three 9-inch round
cake pans or one 13-x9-inch pan. Sift together flour, baking powder, soda, salt and cinnamon. Set
aside the dry ingredients. In mixing bowl, using an electric mixer, beat eggs
and add sugar. Let stand until sugar dissolves, about 10 minutes. Stir in oil,
carrots, drained pineapple and nuts. Stir in dry ingredients and beat until
well blended--3 minutes or so. Turn into cake pans. Bake at 350°F for 35 to 40
minutes or until cake springs back when lightly touched. Cool in pans about 10
minutes, then turn onto wire racks to cool completely before frosting.
Frosting: Combine butter, cream cheese and vanilla in large bowl and
beat until well blended. Add powdered sugar gradually, beating vigorously. If
frosting is too thick, thin with a few drops of milk to spreading consistency.
© 2020 Text, photos and paintings 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.
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