We Love God!

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

I…remind you what the true ministry of the Holy Spirit looks like. It’s not chaotic, flashy, and flamboyant (like a circus). It’s usually concealed and inconspicuous (the way fruit develops). We cannot be reminded too often that the Holy Spirit’s primary role is to exalt Christ, especially to elicit praise for Christ from His people. The Spirit does this in a uniquely personal way, first of all by reproving and convicting us - showing us our own sin, opening our eyes to what true righteousness is, and making us sense deeply our accountability to God, the rightful Judge of all (John 16:8–11). The Holy Spirit indwells believers, empowering us to serve and glorify Christ (Rom. 8:9). He leads us and gives us assurance of our salvation (vv. 14–16). He prays for us with groanings too deep for words (v. 26). He seals us, keeping us secure in Christ (2 Cor. 1:22; Eph. 4:30). The Spirit’s daily presence is the source and the secret of our sanctification as He conforms us to the image of Christ.

John MacArthur

Those in the world do not respond well to pain. They fear it, despise it and run from it. They struggle with why God would allow suffering. They see no purpose in it. They make themselves out to be a victim and with bitter hearts blame the world for their misfortunes. They fret, overreact, whine, and complain. They throw massive pity-parties. They lose peace and joy and move further away from God. On the other hand, Christians know from the Bible and experience that God sovereignly permits suffering to enter our lives. We trust His goodness and wisdom and remain under the trial until it accomplishes God’s designed work in our lives. Since His primary goal is to make us holy, God gets our attention through the trial and then is continually refining our character. We don’t minimize the pain and sorrow, but know deep inside through faith that good will come out of it. We can therefore give thanks for all things and maintain our joy and peace despite apparently unfavorable circumstances. Do you see the diametrically opposed contrast to the world?

Randy Smith

We Love God!

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

Artichokes With Flair

January 27, 2023

CATEGORY	CUISINE	TAG	YIELD
Dairy		Casserole	4	Servings

INGREDIENTS

1		8.5-oz artichoke hearts
		drained
2		10-oz frozen chopped
		spinach cooked and
		drained
1		8-oz cream cheese
1		Stick butter
1/2	lb	Bacon, cooked and crumbled
		Parmesan cheese

INSTRUCTIONS

Quarter drained artichoke hearts and spread over bottom of an 8x8
casserole. Spoon spinach over artichokes. Melt butter and cream  cheese
in a small saucepan. (Cream cheese will be lumpy.) Pour and  spread
over spinach. Sprinkle crumbled bacon over cream cheese  mixture.
Sprinkle well with Parmesan cheese. Bake at 350Ã¸ for 30  minutes or
until bubbly. Yield: 4 to 6 servings.  ROBYN DICKEY  From <Traditions:
A Taste of the Good Life>, by the Little Rock (AR)  Junior League.
Downloaded from Glen's MM Recipe Archive,  http://www.erols.com/hosey.

A Message from our Provider:

“The church is prayer-conditioned.”

Nutrition (calculated from recipe ingredients) ---------------------------------------------- Calories: 720 Calories From Fat: 518 Total Fat: 58.4g Cholesterol: 134.4mg Sodium: 1640.1mg Potassium: 1017.6mg Carbohydrates: 21.5g Fiber: 11.5g Sugar: 1.2g Protein: 33.6g