We Love God!

God: "I looked for someone to take a stand for me, and stand in the gap" (Ezekiel 22:30)

Naturally, the sluggard begins the day by staying in bed when he should be starting his work. Proverbs 6:9, “How long will you lie down, O sluggard? When will you arise from your sleep?” Next the sluggard will invent any reason to prevent working. Proverbs 22:13, “The sluggard says, ‘There is a lion outside; I shall be slain in the streets!” Rather than beginning his work he simply pacifies himself with his preposterous excuses and return to his bed. Proverbs 26:14, “As the door turns on its hinges, so does the sluggard on his bed.” Once the sluggard finally rolls out of bed, he is even too lazy to provide for his needs to survive. Proverbs 19:24, “The sluggard buries his hand in the dish, and will not even bring it back to his mouth.” Though the sluggard may be too lazy to eat, often, due to his slothfulness, he has no food to eat. Proverbs 20:4, “The sluggard does not plow after the autumn, so he begs during the harvest and has nothing.” Eventually, his laziness leads to a lack of food, a lack of food to deteriorated health, and deteriorated health to death. Proverbs 21:25, “The desire of the sluggard puts him to death, for his hands refuse to work.” His neglect of responsibilities is evident in his health, but also in the care of his house. Proverbs 24:30-31, “I passed by the field of the sluggard, and by the vineyard of the man lacking sense; and behold, it was completely overgrown with thistles, its surface was covered with nettles, and its stone wall was broken down.” His life is simply a selfish pursuit of his laziness. Though he may wish a nobler lifestyle, steps are never taken to accomplish his goal because he’s a dreamer. Proverbs 13:4, “The soul of the sluggard craves and gets nothing.” He thinks his life is okay, but unfortunately he is greatly deceived. Proverbs 26:16, “The sluggard is wiser in his own eyes than seven men who can give a discreet answer.” What the sluggard really needs is stern rebuke of wisdom. The slug is compared to another animal, one that is very industrious. Proverbs 6:6-11, “Go to the ant, O sluggard, observe her ways and be wise, which, having no chief, officer or ruler, prepares her food in the summer, and gathers her provision in the harvest. How long will you lie down, O sluggard? When will you arise from your sleep? ‘A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest’ – and your poverty will come in like a vagabond, and your need like an armed man.”

Randy Smith

How would we feel if we pray on Wednesday nights for revival, but it comes to a church down the road? How would we feel if another church is baptizing more converts? How would we feel if the decrease in our ministry might be needed for great success elsewhere in the church? I can provide countless examples, but the point is clear. Are we in this for ourselves – Grace Bible Church, our family our own identity, own kingdom – or are we solely about the Lord’s glory and ultimately His kingdom? Pride is all about me and my circles. Humility is all about Christ and being content if He receives all the glory, even if that means my actions are unappreciated or overlooked.

Randy Smith

We Love God!

God: "I looked for someone to take a stand for me, and stand in the gap" (Ezekiel 22:30)

Peppered Pear-raspberry Salsa

January 28, 2023

CATEGORY	CUISINE	TAG	YIELD
Fruits, Grains		Condiment, Fruit	10	Servings

INGREDIENTS

3		Anjou pears, peeled and
		cored seeded and chopped
		1/4-inch dice
3		Serrano pepper, minced
1	c	Sweet white wine
1/2	c	Raspberry vinegar
1		Lime, juiced
1	pt	Fresh raspberries, 1/2-inch
		pieces
1	t	Finely grated fresh ginger
1/2	t	Crushed red pepper flakes

INSTRUCTIONS

Place pear pieces in a small, deep, preferably glass bowl. Add the
chiles, wine, vinegar and lime juice. Cover and refrigerate  overnight.
Drain and discard the marinade and chile pieces, reserving  2
tablespoons of liquid. Add the raspberries (cut fruit that is too
large) to the pears. In a small bowl, mix together the reserved
liquid, ginger and pepper flakes. Pour this over the fruit. Stir
gently to coat. Serve immediately or cover and refrigerate no more
than 2 hours prior to use. This salsa will not keep. Makes about  1+1/2
cups.  kitpath@earthlink.net 8/27/98 [per 1/4 cup: 79 cals, 0.4g fat]
NOTES : The heady contrast between spicy hot and sweet makes this
unusual salsa a fascinating complement to roast poultry or pork.  TIP:
Underripe pears would be too graining for this salsa. Substitute
canned pears in their own juice, if necessary.  Recipe by: SALSA by P.
J. Birosik (MacMillan 1993)  Posted to KitMailbox Digest  by Roberta
Banghart <bobbi744@acd.net>  on Aug 24, 1998, converted by MM_Buster
v2.0l.

A Message from our Provider:

“Have you thanked God today?”

Nutrition (calculated from recipe ingredients) ---------------------------------------------- Calories: 53 Calories From Fat: 2 Total Fat: <1g Cholesterol: 0mg Sodium: 4.3mg Potassium: 64.1mg Carbohydrates: 13.4g Fiber: 2.1g Sugar: 6.5g Protein: <1g