Meditate.
Then Jesus called to the crowd to come and hear. "All of you listen," he said, "and try to understand. It's not what goes into your body that defiles you; you are defiled by what comes from your heart." ... Then Jesus went into a house to get away from the crowd, and his disciples asked him what he meant by the parable he had just used. "Don't you understand either?" he asked. "Can't you see that the food you put into your body cannot defile you? Food doesn't go into your heart, but only passes through the stomach and then goes into the sewer." (By saying this, he declared that every kind of food is acceptable in God's eyes.) And then he added, "It is what comes from inside that defiles you. For from within, out of a person's heart, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, wickedness, deceit, lustful desires, envy, slander, pride, and foolishness. All these vile things come from within; they are what defile you." Mark 7:14-15, 17-23
Any kind of food is acceptable to eat. Still there are some foods that you want to be sure to pray over…to consecrate…before you eat them. By this scripture it is all right to eat foods that you wouldn’t normally eat…like my young grandson suggested…fried tarantulas, gator kabobs, silkworms or even grilled chicken feet. When a friend of mine found a chicken foot in the tasty soup she was enjoying in Portugal, that was the end of the meal for her. Even some people in the old days flavored their chicken soup with chicken feet. I discovered that you can buy them in some stores, like a local Mexican grocery.
Does your diet
honor the Lord? How many candy bars have you eaten this month…that you didn’t
hand out at Halloween? Do you give thanks before chomping down those
chocolates? What foods do you refuse to eat? Brussels sprouts? Try cooking them
in chicken broth (without chicken feet!). It is amazing how they are not bitter
when cooked that way.
Those who worship the Lord on a special
day do it to honor him. Those who eat any kind of food do so to honor the Lord,
since they give thanks to God before eating. And those who refuse to eat
certain foods also want to please the Lord and give thanks to God. Romans
14:6
It is
interesting to note that in the Old Testament people were encouraged to give
thanks…a blessing…after the meal and it was actually for the land, not actually
for the food.
So obey the commands of the LORD your
God by walking in his ways and fearing him. For the LORD your God is bringing
you into a good land of flowing streams and pools of water, with fountains and
springs that gush out in the valleys and hills. It is a land of wheat and
barley; of grapevines, fig trees, and pomegranates; of olive oil and honey. It
is a land where food is plentiful and nothing is lacking. It is a land where
iron is as common as stone, and copper is abundant in the hills. When you have
eaten your fill, be sure to praise the LORD your God for the good land he has
given you. But that is the time to be careful! Beware that in your plenty you
do not forget the LORD your God and disobey his commands, regulations, and
decrees that I am giving you today. Deuteronomy 8:6-11
Now the Jewish ritual is not just a simple prayer, but depends specifically on the foods that were consumed. There is a long list of foods and blessings available in Jewish resources and on-line. Google it.
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| Loaves and fishes. Can you feed 5,000 today? |
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
Jews today have
a traditional blessing before their meal that is dependent on the food that is
to be served. Likewise, after the meal a specific grace is offered for the
particular foods eaten, particularly in accordance with the seven food groups
listed in Deuteronomy 8.
No matter
whether you give thanks before, after, or both, and no matter what you eat or
drink…
So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. 1 Corinthians 10:31
Prayer ~
Lord God, Thank You for the bounty of the wonderful meals You have provided.
May You be glorified—for You are worthy of glory and praise.
Verse of Salvation and Thanksgiving ~ But giving thanks is a sacrifice that truly honors me. If you keep to my path, I will reveal to you the salvation of God. Psalm 50:23
Friday’s Feasting at the King’s Table
We can’t live on bread alone—but here’s a variety of cornbread
that my family enjoys especially for Thanksgiving dinner.
Corn Casserole
1 regular can whole kernel corn, drained
1 can creamed corn – not drained
1 box Jiffy corn muffin mix
1 stick butter, melted
1 cup sour cream
Mix all of the ingredients above together. Bake at 350 degrees in a 9X13 pan for 50 minutes.
For additional zing—especially if serving as part of a Mexican meal, add a can of chopped green chilies or a teaspoon of chili powder. Top with grated cheese, if desired.
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