We’ve
all heard that it takes 21 days to form a new habit. Time to shed an old habit—and
take up a new one. The beginning of a month is always a good starting point.
What old habit would you like to trade in for a new one? I’m sure you are long
past the nail biting or foot shaking kid type habit. A couple of years ago I
blogged about a challenge. That is one way to change a habit.
Imagine
yourself sitting around a big table—reclining as they did in Jesus’ time—and
feasting at a meal with other Christians. Please pass the hummus…and the pita
bread. Would you like more water, wine, or tea? Laughter. Smiles. A joyous
meal. Tomorrow, come to my house. I’m cooking up some lentil soup. It will be a
tasty meal. Did you hear that the gentleman across the street just accepted
Jesus as his Savior? Ah. Here he is now—and he has his wife and son with him.
Praise God! Our fellowship is growing.
Building
relationships is the key to a growing fellowship. Those relationships with
others and with God depend on spending time together—just as the early
Christians did. Time of worshipping, studying the scriptures, fellowshipping,
sharing meals, and generously giving to others. If they needed clothes, food,
or help with a project—I’m sure they shared with each other. Time together and
shared resources bonds people to each other, socially and spiritually.
Think
about your group of friends. Do you share meals, scripture, and fellowship?
Actually, consider those with whom you want to be friends. A few years ago, I was at a ladies’ conference when the speaker, Lucy
Luginbill, mentioned a book she had just read, “Friendships Don’t Just
Happen” by Shasta Nelson who encouraged ladies, but it could apply to
men as well, to intentionally establish circles of friends. Without the
epidemic threat of isolation, we can now interact with people, real time and
face to face, so we have that opportunity to establish new friendships. Those
new companionships give them and us the possibility to do as Jesus taught…to
love others as we love ourselves. Start a new habit today intentionally
building a relationship with God and with others in that God has brought into your
midst. Then joyfully start new friendships like those in early Christian
fellowship as Luke described in the book of Acts.Time to intentionally
start new relationships...
with God and with others.
Twenty-one
Day Challenge:
We
aren’t to put money, or career, home, or even family before God. That may be a
real challenge for some people. So, I challenge you to put God first
every day for twenty-one days. That’s the length of time it takes to change a
habit. No better habit that to put God first in your life. Intentionally develop
a deeper friendship relationship with Him and with other Christians. Begin
today and evaluate your progress on August 22nd.
They
worshiped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord's
Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity—all the while
praising God and enjoying the goodwill of all the people. And each day the Lord
added to their fellowship those who were being saved. Acts 2:46-47
Let
us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted
to keep his promise. Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of
love and good works. And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some
people do (or are
in the habit of doing), but encourage one another, especially now that
the day of his return is drawing near. Hebrews 10:23-25
Prayer
– Lord, You were marvelous at creating friendships. It isn’t that easy for
me…but I am willing to try. Then I think of the quote from Yoda…“Do or do not.
There is no try.” Wise advice. Your advice also rings in my head…“Do unto
others as you would have them do to you. (Matthew 7:12)” I think that includes
making and keeping friends. Show me how to intentionally do that. You, Jesus, are the
one that I most want to develop a closer, deeper relationship.
Meditate.
Consider God’s guidance in scripture. Read God’s word and listen to what He is
saying.
Verses
of Salvation ~ But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die
for us while we were still sinners. And since we have been made right in God's
sight by the blood of Christ, he will certainly save us from God's
condemnation. For since our friendship with God was restored by the death of
his Son while we were still his enemies, we will certainly be saved through the
life of his Son. So now we can rejoice in our wonderful new relationship with
God because our Lord Jesus Christ has made us friends of God. Romans
5:8-11
Friday’s
Feast at the King’s Table
Hummus
2 cups cooked garbanzo beans (start with 1 cup dried, soak and cook in 4 cups
of water for at least three hours) OR 1 can garbanzo beans (15 oz.) drained,
reserve liquid
1/4 cup tahini (sesame butter)
1 Tbsp olive oil
Juice of 1/2 lemon or about 2 Tbsp
6 cloves garlic, grated with microplane grater (or more if preferred, never too
much garlic)
1 tsp sea salt
2 Tbsp
horseradish (optional)
pepper to taste
paprika or fresh parsley to garnish
Chop
garbanzos in food processor; blend in the rest of ingredients, including some
of the reserved liquid until smooth and it reaches your desired consistency.
This gets better with age, so prepare it a day before if you like. Pour into
serving bowl & sprinkle with paprika or parsley. Serve with triangles of
soft pita bread, crisp pita chips, sliced cucumber, carrots, celery, sliced
fresh sweet pepper or sliced apples.
© 2025 Text, photos, and illustrations by Mickey M. Hunacek. All
rights reserved.
Recycled portions from February 8, 2023 Banquet With The King blog
All scripture quoted from the New Living Translation (NLT) unless
otherwise noted.
New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale
House Foundation.
Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream,
Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Biblical search from Blue Letter Bible - http://v3.blueletterbible.org/search.cfm.
Books by Mickey M.
Hunacek
Available as e-books or paperbacks at Amazon.com
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