Why can we rejoice in our persecution according to Matthew 5:10-12? 1. Because God told us and we can trust Him at His word even when we must walk by faith and not by sight. 2. Because those who receive persecution and respond this way are identified as citizens in God’s kingdom (Mt. 5:10; cf. Ac. 14:22). 3. Because suffering for Jesus is an unspeakable privilege of having fellowship with the One who suffered so much for us (Phil. 3:10; Ac. 5:40-41, 16:25; Heb. 11:24-25). 4. Because persecution strengthens believers. Throughout history the church is always the strongest when it undergoes persecution. God knows that persecution moves us to leave our comfort zones, be able to better defend our faith, have greater missionary zeal, be more dedicated to personal and group prayer and count the cost with greater intensity. 5. Because persecution results in reward in heaven. To those persecuted, Jesus promised in verse 12, “For your reward in heaven is great.” Only God can take our reproach and dishonor and turn it into praise and glory.

Randy Smith

CATEGORY	CUISINE	TAG	YIELD
Grains, Eggs		Breads, Desserts, Holiday	4	Servings

INGREDIENTS

1 1/2	c	All purpose flour
1	ts	Ground cinnamon
1/2	ts	Baking powder
1/4	ts	Baking soda
1/4	ts	Ground cloves
1	c	Dried cranberries, dried pitted cherries, or
		Snipped dates
1/2	c	Dried blueberries OR raisins
1/3	c	Chopped hazelnuts OR pecans
2		Eggs
3/4	c	Packed brown sugar
1/2	c	Orange juice
1/3	c	Cooking oil
		Brandy
	8	servings each.

INSTRUCTIONS

Grease bottom and sides of four 4 1/2 x 2 1/2 x 1 1/2-inch loaf pans.
(Greasing the sides only partway up will result in nicely rounded tops and
prevent unwanted rims along the edges.) Set aside.
In a large mixing bowl, stir together flour, cinnamon, baking powder,
baking soda, and cloves. Add cranberries or cherries, blueberries or
raisins, and hazelnuts or pecans.
In a medium mixing bowl, beat eggs; stir in brown sugar, orange juice, and
cooking oil.  Stir into fruit mixture. Spoon about 3/4 cup of the batter
into each pan, stirring batter often.
Bake loaves in a 300 degree F oven about 40 minutes or till a toothpick
inserted near the center of each loaf comes out clean. Cool the loaves in
the pans on wire racks for 10 minutes. Remove loaves from pans. Cool
thoroughly on wire racks.
Wrap loaves in brandy-moistened cheesecloth. Over-wrap with foil. To mellow
flavors, store in the refrigerator for up to 8 weeks. Remoisten cheesecloth
with about 1 Tablespoon of brandy once a week or as needed. Makes 4 loaves,
From:  THE JOY OF HOLIDAY BAKING, Better Homes and Gardens, 11/90 Posted
by:  Karin Brewer, Cooking Echo, 6/92
From Gemini's MASSIVE MealMaster collection at www.synapse.com/~gemini

A Message from our Provider:

“Jesus: more relevant than we could ever comprehend”