Memory Scripture of the Week:
Our Father in heaven, may your name be kept holy.
May your Kingdom come soon.
May your will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.
Give us today the food we need,
and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us.
And don't let us yield to temptation, but rescue us from the evil one.
Matthew 6:9-13 [Focus on a phrase each day.]
And forgive us our sins, as we have
forgiven those who sin against us.
Forgiveness is a big thing. Jesus words are recorded
about forgiveness in both Matthew and Luke.
If you forgive those who sin
against you, your heavenly Father will forgive you. But if you refuse to
forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins. Matthew 6:14-15
Do not judge others, and you
will not be judged. Do not condemn others, or it will all come back against
you. Forgive others, and you will be forgiven. Luke 6:37
Did I read that right? If I refuse to forgive
other I will NOT be forgiven. Yes. That is what it says. Pretty stiff punishment.
If we want others to forgive us…we have to forgive them. It goes both ways. When
you get down to the basics…forgiveness…and when you get God involved, it is
serious business. If God won’t forgive you then to me that indicates eternal
damnation. Personally I want to spend eternity—beginning now—with God, not
without Him.
These kind of go along with the Golden Rule about
treating others the way you want to be treated. That is what I try to teach my
grandchildren…not just “be nice” but treat others the way you want to be
treated. No one really wants to be hit, bit or have their hair pulled—so don’t
do that to those around you! Forgive and be forgiven. Good message to start off
this New Year. Where do you stand with forgiving
others?
Prayer ~ Lord, You are awesome and wise above all. Thank You for
this lesson on forgiveness. I am eager to learn more about You and Your plan
for each of us...for mankind that I would be able to live to please You...day
by day...moment by moment. Forgive me for not forgiving myself and others the
way I should. Open my eyes to see ways I can express that forgiveness and build
better relationships with others.
Daily Bible Reading: Job 29-31
Feasting at the Table of the King
I’ve started off the year with a cold—one
of those that has an associated hacking cough—but no fever. This was a family
cold…we’ve shared it. Grandkids, kids, and now Grandma. Rest, lots of fluids,
plenty of oranges and orange juice, fresh pineapple, chicken soup with garlic.
Lemon and honey. Elderberry syrup and Vicks vapor rub. I’ve tried all my home
remedies. With my daughter’s advice I went out to Pinterest and found yet
another home remedy, since I’m still coughing after having been to the doctor
for steroids and an inhaler. This bronchitis is hard to beat. Several people
posted eating six cloves of garlic a day to cure colds, cancer and heart
disease.
Of course I’ve roasted garlic before—and
advice NOT to do it in the microwave. I burned the cute ceramic pot that was
just for that purpose. The best way I’ve found to Roast Garlic is to
slice off the tops, drizzle with olive oil and cook it in the InstaPot or
pressure cooker for 10 minutes (plus 10 minutes natural release). Then broil
the whole garlic pods for about 5 minutes. They are nice and soft and so easy
to eat. Of course, some people advice that by cooking the garlic you lose nutrients.
Yes. Logically that must be true—but it is a tasty way to prepare garlic so
that you can eat six cloves a day.
Alternatively use Garlic Infused
Honey. Peel fresh garlic and place in a sterile glass jar. You’ll probably
want to start with a pint sized jar. Pour raw honey over the garlic and store
in the refrigerator. It is best to let it steep for a week. Then you may eat
the garlic whole or use the infused honey as you desire. A teaspoon of it makes
a good cough syrup. The garlic can also be chopped or crushed, but then it was
advised to strain the honey. I plan to consume it all—discarding nothing!
Yesterday morning I used my marvelous
micrograter and grated a clove of garlic—and one for my hubby—and added each to
a teaspoon if honey. Whoa! That garlic was so hot that my tongue felt like I
actually burned it. The taste was overwhelmingly strong…I ate some fresh orange
slices and that helped take away the sting—but I tasted garlic most of the day!
Both the honey and garlic are good antioxidants, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory
agents. Good health here I come!
© 2019 Text and Photos by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights
reserved.
All scripture quoted from the New Living Translation
(NLT) unless otherwise noted.
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