Banquet With The King

Saturday, June 22, 2019

The Loving Spirit - Gives Love

This Week’s Memory Verse:

But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things! Galatians 5:22-23

God is love. 1 John 4:8

Love is a basic emotion that everyone desires. Even the kid who wants to be accepted into a gang is desiring acceptance as a form of love. Abused children seek the love of their abusing parent--even knowing that they will be hit or beaten again. Babies without physical touch and love will die. These are proven examples of people's need for love--you can Google any of these and find the glaring statistics. Since God is love and people need love, does that mean they will seek God? Or believe in Him? Oh that it were that easy. Consider all the times you've heard about, known of others, or experienced it yourself...looking for love in all the wrong places.

God is love. He loved everyone in the world so much that He willingly allowed His only Son to die a humiliating and excruciating death to be a sacrifice for all the mistakes that mankind had made and will make. That is a lot of love. How many of us would give up our first born or only son to pay for the errors that others made--even for the errors of enemies? Few people will lay down their lives for a friend. But God blesses us with the Fruit of the Spirit--and that first one is love.

Fruit of Love from the Spirit. ...the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love....

Three things will last forever--faith, hope, and love--and the greatest of these is love. 1 Corinthians 13:13

We prove ourselves by our purity, our understanding, our patience, our kindness, by the Holy Spirit within us, and by our sincere love. 2 Corinthians 6:6

Is there any encouragement from belonging to Christ? Any comfort from his love? Any fellowship together in the Spirit? Are your hearts tender and compassionate? Philippians 2:1

For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.
2 Timothy 1:7

Just as all these parts work together...so are the gifts of the Spirit.

Love is the central gift--made up of all the parts.
Fountain in Charleston, SC.

Prayer ~ Father God, Thank You. I praise You for keeping Your promises. You loved me…and the world…so much that You willingly gave up Your one and only Son as a sacrifice. I am overwhelmed with gratitude, respect and love for You.

May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all. 2 Corinthians 13:14

Daily Bible Reading: Proverbs 30-31

All scripture quoted from the New Living Translation (NLT) unless otherwise noted.

Biblical search from Blue Letter Bible - http://v3.blueletterbible.org/search.cfm.

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Friday, June 21, 2019

First Day of Summer Give Us Joy and Peace

This Week’s Memory Verse:

Fruit of joy and peace. Joy to the world…all year long. That is a blessing we all seek. David express the joy and peace of the Lord in this Psalm below.

You can be sure of this: The LORD set apart the godly for himself. The LORD will answer when I call to him. Don't sin by letting anger control you. Think about it overnight and remain silent. Interlude Offer sacrifices in the right spirit, and trust the LORD. Many people say, "Who will show us better times?" Let your face smile on us, LORD. You have given me greater joy than those who have abundant harvests of grain and new wine. In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, O LORD, will keep me safe. Psalm 4:3-8

There is little in life we can be sure of…but the joy and peace that the Lord gives is a comforting assurance. May this scripture give you peace and rest as you sleep tonight and all through the summer.

Prayer ~ My prayer is that You, Lord, will continue to touch the lives of those who have read this blog—even if it was only one time. Bless and guide them. May they seek You, Your promises for them and feel Your presence in their lives. You are what matters in this existence we have here on earth…and especially in the Kingdom to come. I praise You—for You are my Lord, my Savior, and my God. King of Kings…Lord of Lords.

I could have no greater joy than to hear that my children, as well as other family and friends, are following the truth. 3 John 1:4. Lord Jesus, thank you for revealing to us that You are the Truth, the Way and the Life.

Daily Bible Reading: 1 Kings 10-11; 2 Chronicles 9

Friday’s Feast at the King’s Table

Water

Be careful not to get dehydrated in this summer heat. Even without the heat we need to drink 8-10 glasses of water a day. Drink additional water, sports drink or for children, Pedialyte, to replace lost fluids. Water—cool clear water—is the best. God created it—it is good.

Nojito

If you are looking for a refreshing summer beverage, consider a Cuban drink made with limes and mint, Nojito. If you add rum, it is call a Mojito, and it was said to be Ernest Hemingway's favorite drink. This will serve two people--or just one if you are thirsty.

10-12 fresh mint sprigs

1 lime, juiced, saving a slice for garnish

1 Tbsp Agave syrup

12 oz. sparkling water

Mull or crush together mint, lime juice and agave together. Add ice, pour sparkling water over mixture and serve with a sprig of mint and slice of lime.

Enjoy.!

All scripture quoted from the New Living Translation (NLT) unless otherwise noted.

Biblical search from Blue Letter Bible - http://v3.blueletterbible.org/search.cfm.

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Thursday, June 20, 2019

Kindness and Patience

This Week’s Memory Verse:

Fruits of kindness and patience.

There are so many verses in the Bible about God’s kindness. He is full of kindness—and it is overflowing onto us. I picture Him with a kind and gentle face—welcoming us into His forever home—a place that we don’t deserve to be…but a place to which Jesus has opened the door.

The LORD is righteous in everything he does; he is filled with kindness. Psalm 145:17

God is a fountain of kindness and patience.
He showers us with blessings.

Fountain at Manito Park
Spokane, Washington

He has showered his kindness on us, along with all wisdom and understanding. Ephesians 1:8

Yet God, with undeserved kindness, declares that we are righteous. He did this through Christ Jesus when he freed us from the penalty for our sins. Romans 3:24

So God can point to us in all future ages as examples of the incredible wealth of his grace and kindness toward us, as shown in all he has done for us who are united with Christ Jesus. Ephesians 2:7

Kindness needs to be a quality for which we strive…or at least desire. Once again, it is given as a gift—but if you want it…ask for it.

If your gift is to encourage others, be encouraging. If it is giving, give generously. If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly. Romans 12:8

Never let loyalty and kindness leave you! Tie them around your neck as a reminder. Write them deep within your heart. Proverbs 3:3

Patience. The classic comment from most Christians is…Don’t pray for patience unless you are ready to accept challenges. Parenting brings lots of challenges on its own—just dealing with the upbringing of strong-willed children. Similar confrontations occurs in some business situations—dealing with people just gives opportunities for conflicts, disputes and personal oppositions. Patience is a real virtue. Someone remarked to me once that I had a lot of patience. Yah. Sure. It came from challenges in parenting. I found that it was easier to choose my battles and to be patient even amid frustrating confrontations. That appeared to be seen as patience. OK. Patience can take the form of conflict resolution. Consider it is only the patience of God towards humankind that allows this world to keep going. He has been so patient with us. Mankind has been so terrible towards God throughout history…but He keeps on patiently waiting for people to come to Him…to believe and to repent of their sins. When will we ever learn? Time will run out someday for everyone.

Prayer ~ May God, who kindly gives patience and encouragement, help each of us to live in complete harmony with each other, as is fitting for followers of Christ Jesus. Romans 15:5 .

Thank You, God, for giving Your one and only Son and for the opportunity for everyone in the world—throughout all time—to believe in Him. I humbly look forward to seeing You in Heaven someday…and for now, help me to tell others Your good news. Open the eyes and ears of more people today that both Jews and Gentiles would understand that Jesus is the Messiah of all. It is Your patience towards everyone that will allow more people to be saved. Glory be to the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

Daily Bible Reading: Ecclesiastes 7-12

All scripture quoted from the New Living Translation (NLT) unless otherwise noted.

Biblical search from Blue Letter Bible - http://v3.blueletterbible.org/search.cfm.

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Wednesday, June 19, 2019

Faithfulness and Goodness

This Week’s Memory Verse:

How are goodness and faithfulness related? They are both fruits of the Spirit.

Goodness is that desire to do good or be good, as explained in the Vine Expository Dictionary of the Blue Letter Bible. We can choose to do the right thing…to do something good for others—but like Jesus when He was cleansing the Temple—getting rid of the cheaters—that may not have seemed like a good thing to do. He was taking care of His Father’s business. If we were to do the same type of thing today we would be hauled off to jail. Our actions expressing goodness need to have kindness involved! Think about what Jesus Himself said….

"Why do you call me good?" Jesus asked. "Only God is truly good.” Mark 10:18

Only God is truly good. John gave some advice for us to consider in his Epistle.

Dear friend, don't let this bad example influence you. Follow only what is good. Remember that those who do good prove that they are God's children, and those who do evil prove that they do not know God. 3 John 1:11

Follow what is good.

Faithfulness – having faith, a belief or conviction that God exists, that Jesus is the Messiah.

Throughout the Bible we are taught about God’s faithfulness…and then about those who are faithful to God.

For the LORD is good. His unfailing love continues forever, and his faithfulness continues to each generation. Psalm 100:5

So the LORD must wait for you to come to him so he can show you his love and compassion. For the LORD is a faithful God. Blessed are those who wait for his help. Isaiah 30:18

If you plan to do evil, you will be lost; if you plan to do good, you will receive unfailing love and faithfulness. Proverbs 14:22

Look at the proud! They trust in themselves, and their lives are crooked. But the righteous will live by their faithfulness to God. Habakkuk 2:4

Jesus' faithfulness demonstrated on the cross.
No greater love than this.

God is faithful and we are the beneficiaries of His faithfulness. He expects faithfulness on our part to be true to Him…to be obedient and devoted. Jesus showed such a great love towards us when He gave Himself on the cross. What more can we give but our love, faithfulness, and obedience?

Prayer ~ Lord, The apostles said to the You, "Show us how to increase our faith." You answered, "If you had faith even as small as a mustard seed, you could say to this mulberry tree, 'May you be uprooted and thrown into the sea,' and it would obey you!" Luke 17:5-6. Lord, grant me wisdom and increase my faith that I would be pleasing to You and bring You glory and honor.

Daily Bible Reading: Ecclesiastes 1-6

All scripture quoted from the New Living Translation (NLT) unless otherwise noted.

Biblical search from Blue Letter Bible - http://v3.blueletterbible.org/search.cfm.

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Tuesday, June 18, 2019

Gentleness and Self-Control

This Week’s Memory Verse:

Fruit—soft or crunchy—is a basic food providing us with nourishment and sustenance. The Holy Spirit produces fruit in our lives that are qualities of character that we should value in our lives, sustaining our spiritual life with essential traits that reflect Jesus. These fruits are a gift from God through the Holy Spirit to those who honor God. Peter describes seeking the quality of self-control along with other qualities and makes a profound statement about our productivity along with the usefulness of knowledge of Jesus Christ.

By his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. We have received all of this by coming to know him, the one who called us to himself by means of his marvelous glory and excellence. And because of his glory and excellence, he has given us great and precious promises. These are the promises that enable you to share his divine nature and escape the world's corruption caused by human desires. In view of all this, make every effort to respond to God's promises. Supplement your faith with a generous provision of moral excellence, and moral excellence with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with patient endurance, and patient endurance with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love for everyone. The more you grow like this, the more productive and useful you will be in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But those who fail to develop in this way are shortsighted or blind, forgetting that they have been cleansed from their old sins. 2 Peter 1:3-9

Think of people that you know who are self- controlled. Do you think it is really their own “control” or are they allowing Christ to guide their lives? The Christian friends I can recall who express a high level of self-control are apparently not “self” controlled, but their lives are so Christ centered that they exhibit the very character of Jesus Christ when confronted with challenges so that their emotions are stable and they don’t make hot headed decision. Self-controlled under adverse situations. That was how Jesus was. Think of His response to His arrest in the Garden of Gethsemane. “Put the sword away.” “I am the one you are seeking.” Self-control. Not striking back. Honorably submissive. Not running from danger.

The quality of gentleness is also an admirable virtue. Paul is speaking here to new Christians in Colossae. The same advice is valid for all Christians throughout all time—that includes us. Be renewed—choose to have gentleness…meekness or humility…be part of your character. This is not a weakness—but strength as a gift from God. It is mentioned several times in association with humility in the books of the New Testament. You can check that out yourself in a word search on the Blue Letter Bible or Gateway Bible web sites.

Put on your new nature, and be renewed as you learn to know your Creator and become like him. In this new life, it doesn't matter if you are a Jew or a Gentile, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbaric, uncivilized, slave, or free. Christ is all that matters, and he lives in all of us. Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Make allowance for each other's faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. Colossians 3:10-13

How would you rate yourself in the area of gentleness? Are you kindly caring towards other—no matter their age, nationality, status in life… or even their own demeanor? Can you treat others with gentle words and actions? You do know that words and actions originate within each of our own thoughts? So, how is your thought life today? Are you thinking gentle and self-controlled thoughts?

Prayer ~ Lord God, I hear Your words of gifts of the Holy Spirit which include gentleness and self-control. These are qualities that I see and hear in You as I study Your Word. You told us that You are gentle…Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. Matthew 11:29. Give rest to my friends, family, neighbors and those reading this and seeking to know more about You. Additionally, You showed self-control continually with Your disciples…and even with the Pharisees…who just didn’t seem to get Your message when You were trying to teach them something about Yourself and the Kingdom of God. Please reveal more of Yourself to me today. I praise You Jesus—You are my Lord and Savior…a living example of gentleness and self-control. Holy Spirit, grant me these qualities and make these part of my character that I would bring glory and honor to the Lord God.

Daily Bible Reading: Proverbs 27-29

All scripture quoted from the New Living Translation (NLT) unless otherwise noted.

Biblical search from Blue Letter Bible - http://v3.blueletterbible.org/search.cfm.

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Happy 54th Anniversary Mary & Rick R.

May God continue to bless and guide you...as you seek and serve Him!

Monday, June 17, 2019

Nail Your Passions to the Cross

This Week’s Memory Verse:

Paul was speaking to the church at Galatia, which is a region in north central Asia Minor settled by the Gauls or Celtic people in about 3 BC. This area is now in modern Turkey, near Ankara. Throughout the book of Galatians Paul was teaching that sinful man can’t be sanctified…made right with God who is pure…on his own. It must be a work of God Himself. Salvation is by God’s grace

So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won't be doing what your sinful nature craves. The sinful nature wants to do evil, which is just the opposite of what the Spirit wants. And the Spirit gives us desires that are the opposite of what the sinful nature desires. These two forces are constantly fighting each other, so you are not free to carry out your good intentions. But when you are directed by the Spirit, you are not under obligation to the law of Moses. When you follow the desires of your sinful nature, the results are very clear: sexual immorality, impurity, lustful pleasures, idolatry, sorcery, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissension, division, envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and other sins like these. Let me tell you again, as I have before, that anyone living that sort of life will not inherit the Kingdom of God. But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things! Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there. Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit's leading in every part of our lives. Let us not become conceited, or provoke one another, or be jealous of one another. Galatians 5:16-26

This is powerful. Nail your passions to the cross…and let them be crucified there. Jesus died on the cross for those very sins. He gave up His life, His purity, so that our ugly sinfulness could be crucified on His cross…and we can now be pure. Totally pure so that we can stand before our pure Heavenly Father. No sin can be in His midst. That is what the plan of salvation is all about. Our sins willingly crucified with Christ makes us pure, righteous and children of God—now capable of standing in the presence of our Holy God…our Heavenly Father. What an amazing gift that we have been given! There is nothing we can do to earn this salvation. God gives it to us.

Will you…or have you…accepted this gift of salvation? Will you share this concept with others?

Prayer ~ Lord Jesus, Thank You seems hardly enough for the gift of salvation that You have given to me. Thank You for taking my sins…my very sinful nature…to the cross where it was crucified with You. Holy Spirit, fill me with Your fruits of the Spirit…love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. May they overflow in my life and give God the honor, praise and glory.

Daily Bible Reading: Proverbs 25-26

All scripture quoted from the New Living Translation (NLT) unless otherwise noted.

Biblical search from Blue Letter Bible - http://v3.blueletterbible.org/search.cfm.

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Sunday, June 16, 2019

Happy Father’s Day

Tell Me About Your Father….

In that day you will not question Me about anything. Truly, truly, I say to you, if you ask the Father for anything in My name, He will give it to you. Until now you have asked for nothing in My name; ask and you will receive, so that your joy may be made full. These things I have spoken to you in figurative language; an hour is coming when I will no longer speak to you in figurative language, but will tell you plainly of the Father. John 16:23-25

My father loved to fish.

Today is Father’s Day in the United States. Some other countries celebrate and honor fathers on different days than the third Sunday in June. So tell me about your father…. Did/does he believe in God? Is/was he respectful of your mother…you, or your siblings? Was he encouraging to you as you were growing up? Did he have a sense of humor? Did you respect him?

Jesus had a deep respect for His Father…our Heavenly Father. He knew Him well and it was obvious that the Heavenly Father also respected His Son. Ask for anything in Jesus’ name and you will receive it so that you will be filled with joy. Anything? That’s what Jesus said.

- Again I say to you, that if two of you agree on earth about anything that they may ask, it shall be done for them by My Father who is in heaven. Matthew 18:19

- So ask away—but look also at your motives when you ask. Is it for yourself, your prosperity? Will it be helpful to others?

Jesus is offering to give you whatever you want. How will you respond to Him today?

Prayer ~ Thank You Jesus for sharing details about our Heavenly Father and His love for us. Continue to guide our hearts and minds that we would keep our eyes fixed on You and what is true, honorable, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent and worthy of praise. May we share and show love, peace, joy, kindness, goodness, mercy, gentleness and self-control in all that we think, say and do so that we would bring honor to You, the Holy Spirit and above all…our Heavenly Father. All Glory, Honor and Praise to You, God.

Daily Bible Reading: 1 Kings 9; 2 Chronicles 8

This Week’s Memory Verse:

All scripture quoted from the New Living Translation (NLT) unless otherwise noted.

Biblical search from Blue Letter Bible - http://v3.blueletterbible.org/search.cfm.

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Saturday, June 15, 2019

Redirect Your Thoughts

This Week’s Memory Verse…

And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. Philippians 4:8

If you are ever wondering what to think about—to redirect your thoughts… Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. Think about God. I know that when I catch myself drifting off into thinking about something that will either lead me into temptation (chocolate or some deeper desire that could lead to sin) if I focus on the Lord that temptation is erased from my thoughts. At the very least it is pushed aside. Reciting scripture from memory is powerful. A good reason to have a few encouraging verses in the back…or front…of your mind. Self-encouragement. You don’t have to depend on anyone to be there—just train yourself to respond. Verse…or scripture in song.

Great is the LORD! He is most worthy of praise! No one can measure his greatness.

Psalm 145:3

You are in the ultimate control of your own mind. There may be some influences…but ultimately you are the one who is in control of your thought life. Is a sinful nature or the Holy Spirit influencing your thinking?

Life and peace...a new life letting the Holy Spirit influence you.

So letting your sinful nature control your mind leads to death. But letting the Spirit control your mind leads to life and peace. Romans 8:6

Think…focus on these things…what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.

How much love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control do you have in your life today?

Prayer ~ Lord Jesus, through Paul You have reminded us of one final thing. We are to fix our thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. To think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. Philippians 4:8. You are excellent and worthy of praise. Help us to focus our attention on You…for You are worthy of our praise. How can we say that You are the center of our lives…that we put You first…if we don’t fix our thoughts on You?

Daily Bible Reading: Psalm 134, 146-150

All scripture quoted from the New Living Translation (NLT) unless otherwise noted.

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Friday, June 14, 2019

Admirable Thoughts

This Week’s Memory Verse…

Right, pure, lovely, and admirable. Focus on those qualities. We always want to be right—at least generally speaking. That is what so many arguments or disagreements are about…selfishly wanting to be right…whether they are or not. Some people go to court knowing that they are not right…but wanting to be proven right. In this context right is right. Like righteousness—right living before God. It is associated with purity, the quality of being lovely and admirable.

Teach me your ways, O LORD, that I may live according to your truth! Grant me purity of heart, so that I may honor you. Psalm 86:11

We prove ourselves by our purity, our understanding, our patience, our kindness, by the Holy Spirit within us, and by our sincere love. 2 Corinthians 6:6

Loveable and gracious.

How lovely on the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news, who announces peace and brings good news of happiness, who announces salvation, and says to Zion, "Your God reigns!" Isaiah 52:7 NASB

Admirable…of good repute or a good reputation.

My son (grandsons, daughter, granddaughters) do not forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my commandments; for length of days and years of life and peace they will add to you. Do not let kindness and truth leave you; Bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. So you will find favor and good repute in the sight of God and man. Trust in the LORD with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight. Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and turn away from evil. Proverbs 3:1-7 NASB

Then you will find favor with both God and people, and you will earn a good reputation. Proverbs 3:4 NLT

These are qualities that are all worthy of us investing time and energy…and prayer. As James taught… applicable prayer can achieve great results.

Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another so that you may be healed. The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much. James 5:16 NASB

Put these qualities into practice...think about what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable.

Prayer ~ Lord, we are filled with hope and look forward to the glorious resurrection that You have promised. May more and more people open their hearts to You—even today—to understand the Scriptures. Give us all wisdom to understand You more fully and grace to seek and apply the qualities of righteousness, purity, loveliness and admiration to our lives.

Daily Bible Reading: 2 Chronicles 6-7; Psalm 136

Friday’s Feast at the King’s Table

Today is Grandgirl Lydia’s Birthday. Her favorite meal is smoked ribs. How’s that for a seven year old’s birthday wish! Look at the size of that rib!

Smoked Ribs

Allow a rack of beef ribs, uncut, to come to room temperature while you are preheating the smoker to 220 degrees F. Rub the ribs with olive oil and then a dry rub mixture of herbs and spices. Smoke for several hours until the internal temperature is at least 160 degrees. Cook to 195 degrees, when the meat is fatty, as that it will make it even more mouthwatering. Allow the meat to rest for about ten minutes before serving with a tossed green salad, potato salad, baked beans, cornbread and herbal iced tea. Enjoy! Hmmmm--what's for dessert? Strawberry shortcake?

Dry Rub Seasoning - You can use a commercial seasoning—but making your own is economical Vary the seasonings to suit your own taste..

1 tsp ground black pepper

1 tsp ground coriander

1 tsp ground yellow mustard

2 tsp ground cumin

1 Tbsp kosher salt

1 tsp smoked paprika

1 Tbsp sweet paprika

1 tsp ground dried rosemary

1 tsp dried marjoram

1 tsp dried ground thyme

1 tsp ground cinnamon

2 tsp sugar

Mix seasons thoroughly and store in an airtight container for up to 1 year.

Happy 7^th Birthday, sweet grandgirl Lydia!

All scripture quoted from the New Living Translation (NLT) unless otherwise noted.

Biblical search from Blue Letter Bible - http://v3.blueletterbible.org/search.cfm.

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Thursday, June 13, 2019

True and Honorable

This Week’s Memory Verse…

True and honorable. True, telling the truth. Honorable or dignified. Those words describe our Savior, Jesus Christ. Fix your thoughts on Him.

Those who are dominated by the sinful nature think about sinful things, but those who are controlled by the Holy Spirit think about things that please the Spirit. Romans 8:5

Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth. Colossians 3:2

We are each called to be honorable, dignified…to be like Jesus. Truth and honor in action.

Women must likewise be dignified, not malicious gossips, but temperate, faithful in all things. 1 Timothy 3:11 NASB

Older men are to be temperate, dignified, sensible, sound in faith, in love, in perseverance. Titus 2:2 NASB

Likewise urge the young men to be sensible; in all things show yourself to be an example of good deeds, with purity in doctrine, dignified, sound in speech which is beyond reproach, so that the opponent will be put to shame, having nothing bad to say about us.

Titus 2:6-8 NASB

Living like Jesus is the best goal we can have. We can have confidence—pure hope—in the days ahead. Perfect casts out fear. Our love grows more perfect as we trust and live in God. This is so beautiful!

All who confess that Jesus is the Son of God have God living in them, and they live in God. We know how much God loves us, and we have put our trust in his love. God is love, and all who live in love live in God, and God lives in them. And as we live in God, our love grows more perfect. So we will not be afraid on the Day of Judgment, but we can face him with confidence because we live like Jesus here in this world. Such love has no fear, because perfect love expels all fear. If we are afraid, it is for fear of punishment, and this shows that we have not fully experienced his perfect love. We love each other because he loved us first.

1 John 4:15-19

God is love. Isn’t love what we need most in life?

Are you like a fragrant rose?

Are you like a prickly cactus?

Prayer ~ Lord, I do want to focus on the true and honorable things…on You. Just as Paul wrote to Timothy…Think about what I am saying. The Lord will help you understand all these things. 2 Timothy 2:7. May the Holy Spirit direct my thoughts, words and actions for You are the best. Change me from a prickly pear cactus into a beautiful rose…with only a few protective thorns.

Thank you for examples in my life of beautiful roses…like dear Flo. Please continue to bless her…and bless us through her—for she is gracious and filled with unfailing love from You.

Daily Bible Reading: 1 Kings 8; 2 Chronicles 5

All scripture quoted from the New Living Translation (NLT) unless otherwise noted.

Biblical search from Blue Letter Bible - http://v3.blueletterbible.org/search.cfm.

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Wednesday, June 12, 2019

Focus

This Week’s Memory Verse…

Fix your thoughts. FOCUS.

Paul has such good advice to the church at Philippi. Focus on one thing—again one final thing. Not the past…but the future. Then Paul teaches Timothy the importance of focusing one’s attention. It is so well stated…that I certainly couldn’t say it any better. I especially like what he wrote to Timothy to focus on reading the Scripture. That effort should fix a person’s attention on what is important—God’s word which is above all…true, honorable, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent and certainly worthy of praise. Paul also encourages Timothy to use common sense and not waste time. Focus…Give your complete attention.

No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead….Philippians 3:13

Do not waste time arguing over godless ideas and old wives' tales. Instead, train yourself to be godly. "Physical training is good, but training for godliness is much better, promising benefits in this life and in the life to come." This is a trustworthy saying, and everyone should accept it. This is why we work hard and continue to struggle, for our hope is in the living God, who is the Savior of all people and particularly of all believers. Teach these things and insist that everyone learn them. Don't let anyone think less of you because you are young. Be an example to all believers in what you say, in the way you live, in your love, your faith, and your purity. Until I get there, focus on reading the Scriptures to the church, encouraging the believers, and teaching them. Do not neglect the spiritual gift you received through the prophecy spoken over you when the elders of the church laid their hands on you. Give your complete attention to these matters. Throw yourself into your tasks so that everyone will see your progress. Keep a close watch on how you live and on your teaching. Stay true to what is right for the sake of your own salvation and the salvation of those who hear you. 1 Timothy 4:7-16

Just as the sunflower follows the sunlight...
we need to follow Jesus' teachings.

Read that carefully again. Keep a close watch on how you live and on your teaching. Stay true to what is right.... If we follow Paul’s advice, we will be following Jesus’ command to pay attention—to focus on His teachings as He taught those following Him and especially His disciples.

So pay attention to how you hear. To those who listen to my teaching, more understanding will be given. But for those who are not listening, even what they think they understand will be taken away from them." Luke 8:18

Are you listening to Jesus’ teaching…are you hearing what He taught?

Prayer ~ Lord…Open my ears to hear and my eyes to see—both are gifts from the LORD. Proverbs 20:12. You said…Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand! Matthew 11:15. Anyone with ears to hear must listen to the Spirit and understand what he is saying to the churches. To everyone who is victorious I will give fruit from the tree of life in the paradise of God. Revelation 2:7. Lord, please give me understanding…and bless me with the fruit from that Tree of Life. I look forward to a future—an eternal lifetime with You. I’m focusing on You.

Daily Bible Reading: 1 Kings 7; 2 Chronicles 4

All scripture quoted from the New Living Translation (NLT) unless otherwise noted.

Biblical search from Blue Letter Bible - http://v3.blueletterbible.org/search.cfm.

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Tuesday, June 11, 2019

One Final Thing

This Week’s Memory Verse…

One final thing. There is always that last word of advice that you want to give those you really care about when you are ending a letter, text message, e-mail or phone call. One more thing…. Paul was addressing his “dear brothers and sisters” in the church at Philippi. They had become dear to him. Treasured. Close to his heart. Consider other believers, friends or family members that you are dear to your heart. Who are they? Why are they dear to you? Is it just a family tie or are they such close friends that they feel like family? Is it something about their character that is pure, wholesome, or an endearing quality, like a precious sense of humor? Do they always make you feel loved and valued? That is the kind of people I treasure in my life. Family and friends that I know care about me…and about whom I care deeply.

What can you do to create those bonds of value with others in your life? Oh, to be more like Jesus is the thought that comes to my mind. Most people loved Jesus dearly…and many followed Him. But were they following Him because He was a charismatic individual, because of His healing touch, His generous nature—feeding more than 5,000 people at one time—or because of His love for them? Wasn’t that love shown through His healing touch, His mercy, His honest teaching and kindness to others? The Pharisees were often rude and obnoxious to Jesus and His words to them weren’t particularly kind to them, although He gave the wisdom of the key to eternal life to Nicodemus. How can we show the kind of love that Jesus showed? He told us to love one another. How do we do that?

Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for orphans and widows in their distress and refusing to let the world corrupt you. James 1:27

I am writing to remind you, dear friends, that we should love one another. This is not a new commandment, but one we have had from the beginning. 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 1:5-6

Creating fun family memories - painting a group mural!

Doing what God has commanded us to do. That is love. That is the final word we give to those who are dear to us. Care. Caring for others…caring for our neighbors—those around us—like we care about ourselves. I don’t know about you…but I make sure I have three good meals a day, clean clothes to wear, a sturdy house in which to live…create fun times with family and friends and take time to worship God regularly. That caring…that is love. Jesus matters most to me. That is what life is about. I care about how I live…so I need to care about how others live, too. Love God…love others. Do you?

Prayer ~ Dear Jesus, I care about You. I choose to have You be the cornerstone of my life. You are more important to me than anything else—than anyone else. You are more important to me than family, home, church, friends, savings, material possessions…than life itself. I so look forward to the day that You return and take Your church home with You. You are the cornerstone of that very church…that group of people that are Your followers. Thank You for revealing this truth to me…and for allowing me to put You first in my life.

Daily Bible Reading: 1 Kings 5-6; 2 Chronicles 2-3

All scripture quoted from the New Living Translation (NLT) unless otherwise noted.

Biblical search from Blue Letter Bible - http://v3.blueletterbible.org/search.cfm.

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