Exodus 34:6-7 KJV [6] And the LORD passed by before him, and proclaimed, The LORD, The LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth, [7] keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, and that will by no means clear the guilty; visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children, and upon the children’s children, unto the third and to the fourth generation.
This sauce is thick and rich. Our favorite. It makes the exact amount of sauce for a one pound package of spaghetti. Many of us will have the ingredients on hand. It is pantry and crock pot friendly.
1 lb. Italian sausage or meatballs
Granulated onion – just shake it in!
Granulated garlic – just shake it in!
Two, 15 oz. cans diced tomatoes
One 15 oz. can tomato sauce
One 6 oz. can tomato paste
One tablespoon brown sugar
Two bay leaves
Two teaspoons dried oregano
Two teaspoons dried basil
One teaspoon sea salt
1/2 teaspoon thyme
If you are using sausage, brown and drain first. Add all ingredients to crock pot, stir to combine, cook on high for 4 hours. Do NOT add water to this sauce! So very good with homemade garlic bread.
We always keep a bag of Sam’s Club frozen meatballs in our freezer. Always. Fifteen go into this recipe. They can be used in this sauce, as well as for many Pinterest recipes using meatballs. Very, very thrifty.
sage
Last week’s Proverb was a beautiful exhortation to obedience. This week, we take a peek at the underbelly – the ego of man – that forever stands in the way of true fellowship with God, and meaningful spiritual growth. Proverbs 3: 7-8, is one of the most well known and beloved of all the Proverbs.
What a barrier man’s ego is! Think of all the nations of the world, the religions of the world, all people – everywhere – completely, 100%, full of themselves. How did the Apostle to the Gentiles, Paul, handle the ego problem? This is especially important, because Paul, by anyone’s standards, would have had something to preen about. Paul was educated by Gamaliel, a preeminent Rabbi, one of only seven in history, and the very first to be dignified with the title – “Rabban.”
The title “Rabban,” which, in the learned hierarchy until post-Hadrianic times, was borne only by presidents of the highest religious council, was. first prefixed to the name of Gamaliel.
1 And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God.
2 For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and Him crucified.
3 And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling.
4 And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man’s wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power:
5 That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.
There are copious statistics demonstrating the benefits of strong Christian faith and its health benefits. Certainly, many followers of Christ have met an early death through religious persecution. But the facts are clear – those that follow the wisdom of God are healthier than those that follow the wisdom of the world. The statistics relating to sexually transmitted diseases, abortion, and substance and alcohol abuse are evidence enough.
Man second guesses God all the time. When presented with the Word – they respond – “Well, I don’t know about that.”
Or – “To me, God isn’t like that.”
How about – “Well, I believe this part of the Bible, but I don’t go for that other stuff. That’s not the God I believe in.”
There’s a sardonic saying out there – “I’m just not that into you.” Perhaps a more appropriate expression would be – “I’m really into myself.”
Daniel Iverson
Daniel Iverson (b. Brunswick, GA, 1890; d. Asheville, NC, 1977) wrote the first stanza and tune of this hymn after hearing a sermon on the Holy Spirit during an evangelism crusade by the George Stephans Evangelistic Team in Orlando, Florida, 1926. The hymn was sung at the crusade and then printed in leaflets for use at other services. Published anonymously in Robert H. Coleman’s Revival Songs (1929) with alterations in the tune, this short hymn gained much popularity by the middle of the century. Since the 1960s it has again been properly credited to Iverson. Iverson studied at the University of Georgia, Moody Bible Institute, Columbia Theological Seminary, and the University of South Carolina. Ordained in the Presbyterian Church in 1914
http://www.hymnary.org/text/spirit_of_the_living_god_fall_fresh
*** note from sage – technically this is not a hymn, but a chorus
sage
Groan . . . the Proverbs 31 woman. Did any woman ever achieve what Solomon so glowingly describes as the “virtuous woman?” It is important at the outset – to fully recognize that Proverbs 31 describes the entirety of all the phases of a woman’s life. The young children at home phase, is different than the older lady volunteer stage. Proverbs 31 covers all, and I mean ALL stages of a woman’s life, and should not intimidate you, nor prevent you from striving to become a Proverbs 31 woman. A little at a time!
The particular focus of this article, really affects me personally. Most people who don’t know me very well, would scoff at the notion that I could ever be idle. Here is my confession. I like to be idle. Far too frequently, as a matter of fact. When I sense that people are trying to pressure me into doing something (usually perform) that I don’t really want to do, my sinful sense of self preservation looms up, and tells me to withhold, and not do anything.
Here are all the lyrics to my theme song, written by the genius, Irving Berlin:
[1st verse:]
Every time
I see a puppy upon a summer’s day
A puppy dog at play
My heart is filled with envy
That’s because
My heart is yearning to pass the time away
Like that pup
‘Cause I’m all fed up
And tho’ it’s wrong to be
I long to be
[chorus:]
Lazy
I want to be lazy
I want to be out in the sun
With no work to be done
Under that awning
They call the sky
Stretching and yawning
And let the world go drifting by
I want to peep
Through the deep
Tangled wildwood
Counting sheep
‘Til I sleep
Like a child would
With a great big valise full
Of books to read where it’s peaceful
While I’m
Killing time
Being lazy
[2nd verse:]
Life is short
And getting shorter with each day that goes by
And how the time does fly
Before you know, it’s over
That’s why I’m
In such a hurry to pack my things and fly
To a spot
Where it’s nice and hot
And hear the birdies sing
While I’m being lazy.
Yes, that’s me. I would rather read all day, then engage with people. When my children were young, I used to lock them out, and take a long hot bath every night, and read.
Is there any hope for idlers like me? Like you? Yes, there is.
It came as a cold, hard, fact to me, that my idleness, was in reality – escapism. Escape from all kinds of things. Things that annoy, frustrate, irritate, and bring on feelings of impatience. ESCAPE!! That’s what TV, internet, books, or any activity we substitute for what we should be doing really is. Escapism. That’s not to suggest that you don’t need rest and relaxation. I’m sure there’s enough of you reading this post who understand what I’m talking about. Idleness is deliberately choosing to do other than what is needed.
Sometimes, a great many people need my help. And, often, I just don’t want to. No fancy analysis needed. I’m idle. I like to do, what I like to do, when I like to do it. This is not the service life – it is the selfish life.
There is hope for idlers, the same hope there is for everyone. The closer we walk to the Lord, the more we will become like Him, and we will feel less and less like escaping from everything. Truly, He can cure every ill, even our self created ones.
My very favorite Bible Verse:
Often, conservative Christians don’t discuss money situations, because it can be unseemly in the Body of Christ to dwell on such matters. Yet, the Lord does address money and all its entanglements. In today’s Proverb study, we examine what the Lord has to say about standing in for someone else – with money. And this is something that many believers will have to face in their lives, either within their own family, or in needing to advise someone else. And how good it is know that the answer to ALL of life’s questions can be found in our King James Bibles!
SU’RETY, noun Certainty; indubitableness. – In law, one that is bound with and for another; one who enters into a bond or recognizance to answer for another’s appearance in court, or for his payment of a debt or for the performance of some act, and who, in case of the principal debtor’s failure, is compellable to pay the debt or damages; a bondsman; a bail. http://webstersdictionary1828.com/
Co-signing loans are just the beginning of this problem. Our government makes a regular habit of surety to strangers! Not just strangers – but downright hostile, rogue nations and terrorist states. And, any reasonable person knows that this will come back to bite us. If you want to help someone – make them a gift. Don’t sign away in the expectation of repayment. The Bible is clear on this. Surety should not be practiced by individuals – or sovereign nations.
Believers should hate the very idea of being indebted. We should hate the very idea of our country being indebted. If you would not consider putting up bail, or co-signing a loan for a total stranger – then our elected officials should not consider bailing out failing banks, corporations, nations, or any other “stranger” entity. Churches that take on debt in the “if you build it they will come” strategy of “church growth” are also being surety for strangers. They are anticipating that new church buildings and extravagant venues will offer a return in increased church memberships – never thinking that those who come for the glossy trappings will not actually be adding to the body of Christ at all. In fact, they may detract from it. Many churches have gone bankrupt by being surety for strangers.
Only Jesus Christ is qualified and capable of providing surety for anyone. And He does it perfectly, because He is the provider of everything. He backs us up, He intercedes for us, and He is our guarantor.
9 For the law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better hope did; by the which we draw nigh unto God.
20 And inasmuch as not without an oath He was made priest:
21 (For those priests were made without an oath; but this with an oath by Him that said unto Him, The Lord sware and will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec:)
22 By so much was Jesus made a surety of a better testament.
23 And they truly were many priests, because they were not suffered to continue by reason of death:
24 But this man, because He continueth ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood.
25 Wherefore He is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by Him, seeing He ever liveth to make intercession for them.
Psalm 23:4 KJV Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; Thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
Then answered I them, and said unto them, The God of heaven, he will prosper us; therefore we his servants will arise and build: but ye have no portion, nor right, nor memorial, in Jerusalem.
Nehemiah 2:20
Favor is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised.
Proverbs 31:30
Last Friday’s Proverb stressed the tendency of mankind to put their trust in man’s wisdom rather than in the Lord’s wisdom. The inherent sinful pride of people causes them to think highly of their own intellect and logic, which only leads to misery. This week the focus is fear of the wicked, and the proper Christian response to it.
25 Be not afraid of sudden fear, neither of the desolation of the wicked, when it cometh.
It does not say if the desolation of the wicked comes. It says when it comes. Avoiding the truth will cause people to be blindsided by the tactics of the evil one. Choosing to rely on our own resources will allow fear to overcome us when the desolation of the wicked comes. But verse 25 is an imperative for believers. “Be not afraid.” It does not say if you are afraid. Fear should never enter into the hearts of the faithful. When our hearts are filled with the Holy Spirit – there is no room for fear.
Satan and the media he controls, love to instill fear in the hearts of Christians. He wants us to fear him. When we fear him and what he does, it gives him power over us. He will use this fear to cause us to stumble, the same as he uses every weakness he can find to spoil the Christian’s testimony and undermine the work of the Church in spreading the Gospel.
If the Lord is our confidence – we will not stumble. Period.
The New Testament opens our understanding even further . . .
And from the Psalms. . .
So as we watch the news, troll the internet, and read the paper, it would serve us well to remember who the media is in service to. They work steadfastly with one goal in their collective mind – to bring forth the kingdom of anti-Christ. We as believers should be just as single-minded, with Christ Jesus as our only Sustainer. Remember when Peter went out onto the sea, to meet the Lord as He walked upon the water. Peter too, could walk on the water as long as his vision was completely filled with Jesus Christ. It was only when he took his eyes off of the Lord, that he began to sink. . .
Hebrews 13:5 KJV Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.
Daily Bible study will increase our faith.
This thrifty meal is perfect for busy, chilly, days. Many of us will have the ingredients on hand. I always keep apple juice and sausage in the freezer. And Granny Smith apples in the fridge.
We buy several gallons of apple cider when it is available in the fall, and store it. But apple juice works just fine.
1 lb. Sauerkraut (I only use ALDI German kraut in the glass jar) If you use the ALDI kraut, it does not need rinsing, but rinse and squeeze out other kinds of kraut.
1 lb. Smoked Polish sausage
3 Granny Smith apples, peeled and sliced
1/2 c. Packed brown sugar
3/4 t. Sea salt
1/8 t. Black pepper
1/2 t. Caraway seeds (necessary IMO)
3/4 c. Apple juice or cider
Spray the inside of crock, and place half the kraut in the bottom, spreading it evenly.
Cut sausage into 2 in. pieces and place in crock. Add the rest of the ingredients, then cover everything with the rest of the kraut.
Do not stir!
Cook on high for 3 to 3 & 1/2 hours, or low, for 6-7 hours.
Normally, I serve rye bread with this savory dish. But since I had the cider…
If you have apple cider, serve your kraut dish with apple cider bread …
This yummy recipe came directly from
breadmachinediva.com
sage
The theme of last Friday’s Proverb, was man’s ego, and the idea that we should trust God before anything or anyone else – including ourselves. Today the theme is honoring God without reservation.
Honoring the Lord with your substance means something deeper than throwing money in the basket every week. Your substance could be in reality – entirely different than actual money. We all need to realize that the Lord knows what is most important to each and everyone of us. If we have something, that we selfishly guard and hold to ourselves – that is not honoring to the Lord.
What are the “firstfruits”? It could be anything! It’s not just when you get a raise in pay- it is anything the Lord has added unto you.
Your barn may be your kitchen cabinets and refrigerator. Notice that the Lord never promises gold. He promises what will sustain you. He promises what you really need – not what you think you need.
How about the presses full of “new wine?” This will disappoint some, but the wine here is not fermented. “Tirosh,” (in the Hebrew) or “unfermented wine,” is health- giving purple grape juice. So much, in fact – that it is bursting out of its container. This is very important symbolically. Flowing new wine is mentioned throughout prophecy as being part of Christ’s millennial reign.
And it shall come to pass in that day, that the mountains shall drop down new wine, and the hills shall flow with milk, and all the rivers of Judah shall flow with waters, and a fountain shall come forth of the house of the Lord, and shall water the valley of Shittim.
Joel 3:18
If you do those things, the Word says that you will be blessed. Not with wealth! Remember that God told Abram that He, God Himself, was Abram’s reward. Anything else is fleshly and material. Even in the face of calamity and affliction, the Christian must keep in mind that God always sends what is needed. If chastening is needed – that too is a blessing. Your barns will be filled with plenty. But remember – your barn – is not the same as anyone else’s barn. It is unique to you.
I truly believe Gap Theory was dreamed up to squeeze millions of years, cave men, and dinosaurs into the Bible. Job clearly references dinosaurs, and most every culture globally has an oral and/or visual record of dragons.
https://creationmoments.com/sermons/is-there-a-gap-in-genesis-one-2/
