Friday, March 27, 2015

Fighting Temptation!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:  JESSICA HONC  is the wife of 14 years to Will, and homeschooling mother of three children (and one on the way! YAY!).  She is the Director of Freedom Fellowship Home School Co-op.  Jessica has served in many different capacities at Freedom Fellowship in Silsbee, Texas, such as librarian and children's teacher.
 
 
 
Fighting Temptation
 
I was recently in battle.  That is, I was recently tempted in an area where the enemy knew it was difficult for me to withstand the urge to sin. 
We are all sinners and fall extremely short of the Glory of God.  Coming out of a sinful life and accepting Jesus as your Savior is only the beginning of your walk with God.  I have been saved for over 10 years now and still, I battle with the enemy.  I am certain there are others who may be reading this who have been saved much longer then myself who are still battling with the enemy on a daily basis.  He is the Thief of Hope, the King of Lies, the Great Deceiver, and the Dark Magician who enjoys either hitting you when you are down or puffing you up with pride.
I remember my husband once told my daughter, “Satan already knows he’s got a hold on the drunkard.  He will spend more of his efforts trying to cause the person going to church every day to sin then the person who walks daily into the bar.”
This is so true! Our enemy is a devious little pill.  If you are a recovering addict, he may wait until you are suffering heartache and BAM, you run into one of your old “friends”.  If you struggle with lust, he may try to fill your mind with all kinds of ideas after an argument with your spouse.  If you have a tendency to be prideful and your friend reveals to you they need help with their own battle, you may be tempted to think you are better than them.  The list of the devil’s sneaky ways can go on and on.
When you recognize you are a sinner, repent, accept Jesus as your Lord and begin your walk in the other direction, it is only the beginning.   Life on earth is difficult, Jesus told us it would be.  John 16:33 “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace.  In this world you will have trouble.  But take heart! I have overcome the world!”
As Christians, we must have a battle plan, not just a good defense, but a GREAT defense. The battle strategy that works for me is to:
  1. KNOW my temptations and weaknesses
  2. PRAY daily for God’s guidance and strength
  3. When the enemy attacks, to know how to FIGHT BACK WITH SCRIPTURE OR SONG.
    (Yes, I said song.  Praising our Lord is a POWERFUL weapon.)
No matter how long you have been walking with our Lord Jesus, please know that you are not alone if you continue to struggle with temptation and more importantly, please know that you can WIN!  Have a battle plan.  Practice it.  Be prepared when the enemy thinks he’s going to strike you down and be ready to fight back!
Ephesians 6:12 “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.”

Wednesday, March 11, 2015

Matthew 28:1-10

Good morning, my friends!  It is a great day to be alive and serving the King!  We are in the last chapter of Matthew.  It's exciting and sad at the same time.  To be honest, I am not sure where we will head after this, so be praying for me to have direction! 

I had a whole post prepared last night for today, but in the process of saving it, I accidentally deleted it.  It was a sign that I was trying to do too much at one time, so we will just have to try this again!  As I read through the passage this morning, some different aspects of the resurrection stood out to me.  Everything happens for a reason!☺ 

Go ahead and dive into Matthew 28:1-10 in your own Bible or read it HERE!!!


1 Corinthians 15:17 says, "And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins."  Because of the victorious resurrection of Jesus Christ we can be confident that the ransom has been FULLY paid!  Hallelujah!

The truths we read in this marvelous passage of Matthew is the foundation of Christianity.  It is clearly depicted in all four Gospels that Jesus not only suffered and died on the cross, but indeed, HE ROSE AGAIN!  The resurrection is the seal upon the work of redemption.  I am amazed at the wisdom of God that he understood His creation so well, and knew the nature of humans to be full of unbelief, that He provided many witnesses to testify they had seen the risen Savior.  Many people were (and still are) anxious to disprove that Jesus was the Messiah.   

We are told in scripture that there was a great earthquake and that the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone of the door of the sepulcher, and sat upon it.  Of course signs and wonders would accompany the Son of God as He gloriously and triumphantly rose from the dead as a conqueror because death could not hold Him!

In that moment, I picture the Roman soldiers and every enemy of Christ that was alive to be terrified.  The Bible says that at the sight of the angel the "guards shook and became as dead men!"  I bet they did.  In the last day, we will see this again when every knee bows, not just believers, and every tongue confesses that He is Lord!

There is something so comforting in the angel's words "Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified."  HE IS NOT HERE!  GLORIOUS DAY!  HE IS RISEN!  He defeated death, hell, and the grave!  Every word that was prophesied about the coming, death, and resurrection of Jesus had been fulfilled so every word that is the hope of salvation to believers can be fully trusted as well. 

One last note about this passage.  When the Risen Lord appeared to the women in person He tells them to "Go, tell my brethren."  He was not angry with the disciples for forsaking Him or fleeing, and He had not forgotten them.  Jesus looks at us through these same eyes of love and mercy.  He knows our weaknesses and failures, yet He does not cast us away.  We can trust Him without fear or reservation.  King Jesus invites us to reign in His Kingdom with Him forever!

If you can't view this video here, please go to YouTube and watch "Alive" by Natalie Grant!  It is a perfect ending to this study!

 




Monday, March 9, 2015

Matthew 27:45-56

Just four more days of Matthew: The King and Kingdom!  It has been an incredible study.  There is nothing better than diving in to the Gospel and seeing Jesus our Savior!  The next few days cover some of the most important events in the history of Jesus, and we need to take in every morsel of wisdom about our King and the Kingdom we serve in.

I am at my desk with computer, Bible(s), coffee, pens, highlighters, journal, concordance, and Bible dictionary spread out ready to start.  Are you?  Let's go ahead and read through Matthew 27:45-56.  You can also read it HERE!!!


Can you imagine this 6 hours of agonizing pain?  Jesus became obedient unto death, "and yielded up His spirit."  “Oh to have heard Him say, "Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?” that is, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?”  These words were not spoken from mere physical pain, but expressed under the burden of the sins of the world.  In our place, He was made sin and endured the wrath of God's righteous anger in His very being.  In that moment those incredible words were spoken, the iniquity of us all was laid upon Him.  Isaiah 53:10 says that it pleased the Lord to bruise Him, and put Him to grief.  The burden of our sin, the weight of our transgressions, the heaviness of the curse caused Jesus, The King, to feel forsaken. 

I imagine that many of the Roman soldiers and the large crowd who gathered to mock Jesus saw nothing remarkable about Jesus' death, but a debt had been paid and a way was made for every believer to have life.  The righteousness of God was satisfied!  The death of Jesus made a way for God to be completely Holy and completely merciful.  (I am truly sitting here almost unable to breath!  The weight of the truth of what Jesus has done is almost too much.  It makes me want to cry, yet it makes me want to shout!  I feel like the Psalmist in Psalm 139 who said, "Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain unto it. Hallelujah!)

Victory over Satan!  No wonder the earth quaked!!!!!!  I think everything in the earth trembled because of the amazement that God sent His own Son to be the atonement for the sins of all mankind.  No greater love will we ever know! 

Of all the incredible things that happened that day, let us not forget that "the veil in the Temple was rent in two".  This heavy curtain separated the Holy of Holies which only the priest was allowed to enter.  We need to really get this!  The 3 hours of darkness probably had people on edge.  The earthquake that split rocks probably left them in shock.  But the veil, rent from top to bottom, surely must have pierced their hearts because it declared the end of ceremonial law.  These ordinances and sacrifices had served their purpose in redemptive history but Jesus had come!  The mercy seat was no longer needed.  Performing priests, animal sacrifices, and burning incense no longer a requirement.  The High Priest had come as the Lamb of God and was slain.  It was pleasing before the Lord as is incense to the  nostrils to make Him the True Mercy Seat.

These signs convinced the Centurion and those with him to say, “Truly this was the Son of God!”  My prayer is that this is also our confession!  I'm running to the Mercy Seat where Jesus is calling.  He said His grace would cover me.  His blood will flow freely.  It will provide the healing!


   

Thursday, March 5, 2015

Mt.27:27-44 & Food with Friends

Have you read through the passage yet?  If not, please read it in your Bible or online HERE! 


If any passage ever goes with the title of this study, today would be that day.  We are reading about the King, who for the Kingdom, gave His life!  If you have ever seen The Passion of the Christ, you can somewhat imagine the suffering and torture inflicted upon our King during this cruel and savage account.  How can something be so horrific and so marvelous at the same time?

Can we truly comprehend that Jesus was fully human and capable of feeling this intense physical pain.  He endured this and "died for our sins". (1 Cor. 15:3)  He had already missed a night's sleep and his body fatigued.  He had been taken from Gethsemane to the Jewish council, and from there to Pilate.  He had been tried twice and unjustly condemned.  Jesus had been scourged and beaten, then delivered to Roman soldiers. 

Our King was stripped of His clothes, had a crown of thorns embedded into His head, mocked, spit upon, hit in the head, and led through the city to Golgotha to be crucified between two thieves.  During the crucifixion, He was laid on a piece of wood and nails driven through hands and feet into this wood.  Then, He was left in pain and exhaustion for hours until death.  Even to death, Jesus was perfect.  Could we endure such agonizing torture and still stand blameless before God?  Could we endure this punishment for someone else?

King Jesus "bore our sins in His own body on the tree", "suffered the sin, the just for the unjust", "He was made sin for us, who knew no sin, that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him", "He was made a curse for us", "He was offered to bear the sins of many",  "He was wounded for our transgressions, and bruised for our iniquities", and "The Lord has laid on Him the iniquities of US ALL!"  (1 Pet.2:22, 3:18; 2 Cor. 5:21; Gal.3:13; Heb.9:28; Isaiah 53:5,6)

This is the foundation of the Gospel.  When I read this, I am totally overwhelmed and undone!  My sins are many and great yet Jesus made the atonement.  My sins drove the nails and pressed the thorns into His brow.  Oh, that we might meditate daily on the suffering of our King and may it give us passion to further the Kingdom at all cost!


Sour Cream and Onion Chicken Bites
Boneless skinless chicken tenders
Family size bag Lays Sour Cream and Onion chips
2 eggs
Tony Chachere's seasoning
butter

Prepare a cookie sheet by covering with aluminum foil.  Butter the foil to keep chicken from sticking and for extra flavor.  Cut your chicken up into bite size pieces (we like ours the size of nuggets).  Put chips in a Ziploc bag and crush.  Prepare to eggs and seasoning in a bowl.  Dip chicken pieces in egg and coat with crushed chips.  Place on cookie sheet. Make sure the pieces are not touching.  Bake at 400 for 20-25 minutes.


 
 
 
 


Wednesday, March 4, 2015

Barabbas (Mt.27:11-26)

There is nothing better than waking up to the smell of a fresh pot of coffee and getting your Bible out to spend time in fellowship with the Savior of the World!  Deuteronomy 4:2 says, "Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish ought from it, that ye may keep the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you."  We can trust every word that God intended for us to have is found right in our Bible.  Every time we read, it should become more evident to us that there is authority, clarity, necessity, and sufficiency in the Word of God!  What a wonderful comfort!

We have almost completed the Gospel of Matthew.  I want to say a GREAT BIG Thank You for going on this journey with me!  I am blessed to have Brothers and Sisters in Christ to share the joy of the Word with!  HUGS!  Today, we are reading Matthew 27:11-26.  You can read through it in your Bible or online HERE!!!!

 
 
"He had done no violence, neither was any deceit in His mouth." Isaiah 53:9  The blameless, sinless Jesus stood before Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor.  Would you agree that Pilate governed a jealous and violent people?  He wanted nothing more than to secure favor with them and had little conscience of sin against God.  After several weak attempts to divert the mobs fury from Jesus to Barabbas, and publicly washing his hands of the matter, he condemned Jesus whom he called a "just man".
 
What a representation of many rulers and leaders in the world today!  Have you ever wondered what made Pilate, such a powerful ruler, cower before the people?  The praise of men can easily become and idol and blind people from doing what is right and just.  The sad thing is that men's favor is feeble....here one day, gone tomorrow.  This should be a lesson to us as believers to let our striving be to please and fear God greater than anything or anyone else! 
 
Acts 10:38 says that Jesus "went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil".  So why did the Jews hate Him so much?  He was no robber, murder, or blasphemer of God.  He was innocent of any transgression against the Laws of God and man.  And yet the Jews wouldn't rest until Jesus was dead. 
 
THEY HATED JESUS BECAUSE HE TOLD THE TRUTH!  They hated the light because it made their darkness visible.  Jesus spoke against sin, and they wanted to stay in their sin and not let go.  Human nature is corrupt.  Jonathon Edwards said, "unconverted men would kill God, if they could get to Him."  Many unbelievers flatter themselves that it is the inconsistency and hypocrisy of professing Christians that they dislike, but truly they hate the light. 
 
There is nothing that the heart of man is not capable of doing.  As long as we live, we should not trust our hearts.  Even after salvation, our hearts are still "deceitful above all things and desperately wicked"! (Jer.17:9)  We need to trust in the Word and the guiding of the Holy Spirit!    

Tuesday, March 3, 2015

Matthew 27:1-10

Read through Matthew 27:1-10 in your Bible or online HERE!!!
 
Matthew 27:1-10
These 10 verses really say a lot.  I would think that most people read these verses and mainly focus on Judas committing suicide.  As a matter of fact, my bible titles these verses “Judas Hangs Himself”.  We should remember as we read these verses that God is pretty silent on the issue of “suicide” in the bible, probably for a good reason which we are not equipped to understand.  Suicide is a type of murder, but murder is a forgivable sin.
Moving on……….Judas is usually remembered as the betrayer of all betrayers, the backstabbing friend who got what he deserved.
I really think Judas gets a bad rap, worse than he deserves.  In verses 9 & 10, Matthew tells us a messianic prophecy was fulfilled as prophesied by Jeremiah.  I researched this a bit and found that the exchange of 30 pieces of silver for the Messiah was not only prophesied in the book of Jeremiah, but also in the book of Zechariah. 
Many prophecies were fulfilled while Jesus was on earth.  These fulfilled prophecies authenticate the Word of God, assure us that He will continue to keep His promises, and that we can continue in faith when there is doubt. 
So who are we to judge the one who carries out God’s prophecies; even if he/she does it unknowingly? 
Here are the main things I will remember from these verses from now on:
  1. The leading priests committed premeditated murder. (27:1)
  2. Judas was just a man, human like the rest of us.  He doubted the Messiah and received 30 pieces of silver to turn him into the authorities, NOT to have him murdered.  I contemplate that Judas may have even convinced himself that Jesus would only be jailed once arrested.
  3. Once Judas realized Jesus was condemned to die, the KJV specifically says he “repented himself” & then returned the silver, before dying. (27:3-5)
  4. Unlike Judas, the leading priests (who were fully aware they were sending an innocent man to the worst possible death) DID NOT repent or attempt to take back what they had done. They discussed what to do with the returned silver because they knew it was blood money.
  5. God’s prophecy was fulfilled when the blood money was used to purchase a field made into a cemetery for foreigners.
To be fair, the leading priests played an important part in God’s prophecy too, but…….I have to ask myself, who would God be more likely to forgive?  The man who had a heart of repentance before his death, or the man who died full of pride and with a heart of no repentance?
 
 
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:  JESSICA HONC  is the wife of 14 years to Will, and homeschooling mother of three children.  She is the Director of Freedom Fellowship Home School Co-op.  Jessica has served in many different capacities at Freedom Fellowship in Silsbee, Texas, such as librarian and children's teacher.

Monday, March 2, 2015

Matthew 26:47-75

Rain, rain! Go away! Anyone else feel like singing this?  It's Monday and I am anticipating all we are going to learn this week.  We have almost completed Matthew: The King and The Kingdom.  Think about some of your favorite things you've learned.  God's Word is absolutely amazing!  May the Lord give us such a passion and hunger for truth.  The Word is the church's weapon.  Without it, we are defenseless against the enemy.

If you are ready to begin, read through Matthew 26:47-75.  You can read it online HERE!!!  On your mark.  Get set.  GO!


The suffering of our Lord Jesus Christ is beginning.  He is betrayed by one of His disciples, forsaken by the others, and led away captive by His enemies.  We should be quick to remember as we read this passage that Jesus was "delivered for our offenses"(Rom.4:25). 

The simple fact that Judas Iscariot kissed Jesus showed how close and affectionate the disciples were to him.  In Eastern countries, it is customary that when friend meets friend they salute and kiss one another.  This is exactly what any disciple would have done after a long absence. 

Christians are not well acquainted with the weaknesses of their own heart until they are tried.  "Then all the disciples forsook Him and fled."  Had they forgotten their declaration of willingness to die for Him in the hours and days before?  What they saw before them was the danger they faced.  How many of us under excitement or extreme emotion have promised that we would never be ashamed of Christ?  Are we dependable, faithful, and steady people?  Or are we fervent one day and discouraged the next?  We better be alert, watchful, and prayerful!

We then see Jesus brought before Caiaphas the high priest and pronounced guilty.  Understand that the Jewish priests could trace their lineage back to Aaron, yet were the murderers of Christ.  We need to beware of regarding any minister as infallible.  Their teachings and conduct must be tried by the Word of God.  If it doesn't, you better not follow them! 

Jesus endured so much ridicule.  He was called a glutton, winebibber, and a friend of publicans and sinners.  Soldiers spit in His face and beat him.  How could someone willingly submit to such indignities?  Does it amaze you that everything that happened to Jesus was foretold some 700 years before it occurred?  Isaiah 50:6 says, "I hid not my face from shame and spitting."  We should never be surprised  if we have to endure mockery, ridicule, or even false reports, because we belong to HIM! 

I do want to talk about Peter for just a minute.  Here is something that we must grasp.  The best of saints are still only man.  The flesh is weak, and the devil is active. 

The first step to Peter's fall was pride.  He thought even if everyone else deserted Jesus, he never would.  Then, when asked to pray in the garden, he slept.  Instead of keeping close to Jesus, he forsook Him, and then "followed from afar off".  Here is a thought though....great falls seldom happen to minister without previous backsliding.  I heard a quote one time, I am unsure who the author was, that said, "Men fall in private a long time before they fall publicly."

With Peter, doubt could have easily set in long before this event.  Again, I believe this is a strong warning to urge Christians to keep their heart in check by watching and praying.  We see the immense sorrow Peter's sin brought upon him.  "He went out and wept bitterly."  Conviction and repentance show the difference between a true believer and a hypocrite.  

In our own lives, may we search our own hearts, repent, and seek mercy.  God's compassions fail not. (Lam.3:22)   

Friday, February 27, 2015

Matthew 26:36-46

I am proud to have 4 beautiful young women, Jordan Balla, Stevie Balla, April Justice, and Savannah Justice, writing the Bible study today.  All of the girls have been members of Freedom Fellowship since birth and volunteer in the church nursery and Vacation Bible School.  Savannah is a member of the youth praise team.  Jordan and April are members of the homeschool co-op.  The girls are active in the GSF Athletics program and attend Lantana Christian Academy (Kristi Balla's house).


Please read through Matthew 26:36-46!  You can read it online HERE!!!!


In Matthew 26 : 40-41 it clearly shows how we are unwilling to do so little when Jesus is willing to do anything for us.  Jesus knew what was about to happen and he did it even though they couldn't stay awake.  We need to prioritize.  I don't think I'd be motivated to go die for people who can't stay awake and pray for an hour. In Matthew 26: 39, you can see that Jesus didn't want to do it.  But, in Matthew 26: 42 He chose to.

     Whenever your praying in deep prayer, maybe its a noise you hear, or maybe its the subject your praying about that distracts you.  You stop praying and start thinking about something totally different.  It's really hard to start over, so eventually you forget about prayer and fall asleep.  The disciples tried to pray with Jesus, but kept falling asleep, knowing their leader would be persecuted the next day.  It happens to us all, whether we have something big or small going on in our lives.  We need to make time to pray and worship Jesus.  He is the reason we are here.  It's time to get our priorities straight and focus on what's important, and not the things of this world.
 
     The spirit wants us to stay up and pray.  But, our flesh is weak, and gets distracted.  It's so easy to fall asleep praying.  In Matthew 26: 38, You can see that Jesus was very sad and deeply grieved.  He was almost dying of sorrow.   He couldn't even get his disciples to stay awake and pray for one hour.  Imagine the sorrow he felt.
 
     The answer is simple, the Lord calls all of us for something.  We need to be obedient when He calls.

Thursday, February 26, 2015

Matt. 26:26-35 & Food Wih Friends

Good morning!  I am excited, seriously excited, about today.  This passage of scripture happens to be one of my favorites, and the Chicken Spaghetti recipe that Mitchell is sharing is SO GOOD!  Don't skip over it just because you think that you already have a recipe for it.  It is Chicken Spaghetti with a twist, and I know you will want to try.  I hope y'all have a great study and a fantastic day!  My prayer for every reader is that the Holy Spirit will speak to you through The Word and that He will use you today to further the Kingdom of God!      Love, Tera
 

Jesus Institutes the Lord’s supper

There is so much power and meaning in this part of Matthew, and I for one absolutely love it.  Taking the bread and the cup isn’t just something we do just because it’s called for in a service.  It’s something we do to remember Jesus.  To remember what He did for us, that He died for us, and that He loved us enough to do so.

Jesus said “Take, eat; this is My body.”  He blessed it and broke it and passed it out to the disciples.  He gave thanks for the cup and said “Drink from it, all of you. For this is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.”  He wasn’t passing these out, merely as something to eat or drink, but as representation of Jesus Himself.  It was meant as a meaning of the suffering of Jesus on their/our behalf, and His blood that would flow down on Calvary. 

Taking the cup and eating the bread should be done with an understanding and remembrance.  It’s how we remember what Jesus went through for us.  The bread should remind us of the beating our Savior took for us.  That He was beaten, pierced, and took the stripes for our salvation and redemption.  Drinking the cup is an absolute reminder of His blood, His life, that poured out of his broken body.

His blood flowed for the remission of our sins and made a new covenant available.  His dying on the cross made this possible.  His blood was shed for many.  Not just one, not just for the disciples, but His word says many.  That means you, me, the whole world!

He let his disciples know, that He would not drink of the fruit again with them, until that day when they drank it together in Heaven.  I think Jesus looks forward to the celebration of the Passover in heaven.  The celebration when we all sit with Him gathered at the great supper. 

Jesus also let the disciples know that how well He knew of the coming situation.  He told them, “All of you will be made to stumble because of Me this night”.  He wasn’t condemning the disciples, He was letting them know that the prophecy of His suffering had happen.  I can almost see the look on Peter’s face when he tried to say he would never deny Jesus.  Jesus knew Peter would fail, and gave him an opportunity to take a look into his own weaknesses.  Peter didn’t take it, and instead told him “Even if I have to die with You, I will not deny You!”  Jesus knew Peter, and us far better than we know ourselves.
Reflection
Take the cup, eat the bread, and remember your covenant with the Lord.  When He says “take”, He’s offering.  It will not be forced upon you.  He went willingly to the cross, to make a way to the Father.  Take him in, drink the cup, in remembrance of what he did, and find redemption.  He tells us to eat.  We have to eat to survive physically, just as we have to eat of the bread and take in Jesus into our being spiritually, so that we may live.   
 
CHICKEN SPAGHETTI

3 Large chicken breasts
1/2 to ¾ of a pack of angel hair pasta
1 family size can of cream of chicken soup
1 bushel of green onion (is bushel the right word? Anyways, it’s a whole lot!)
3 cups of cheese
1 small can of chicken broth or chicken bouillon cubes (neither of which are pictured, I’ll explain later)
“Some” butter
Salt and pepper to taste

Dice up the green onion.  If you have a block of cheese, go ahead and shred it.  Cut up the chicken into decent sized cubes.

Heat your oven to 350.

Start a pot of water to boil for the chicken and noodles. I like to salt the water before I add anything.  It really helps with the flavor of whatever you’re boiling, especially pasta!  When it’s boiling, drop in the chicken and bring to a boil.  Pull out the chicken when finished and set aside to let cool.  Drop the noodles in the same water, and cook till done.

Heat a large skillet on medium heat and drop in the onions and sauté till soft.  You don’t want to brown them, just soften them.
 
 
Once they are softened, lower the heat, add the whole can of cream of chicken soup and cook slowly till it is all warmed through.
 
 
Once the chicken is cool enough to work with, chunk it or shred it anyway you want to.  Mine looked like this.
 
 
In a large mixing bowl, add the chicken and soup mixture.  Mix it a little, then start to add the pasta in a little at a time until it’s an even pasta/chicken/soup combo!  Now add about half of the cheese.  If it seems like its not enough, cheese, add more!
 
 
Ok, so here’s where the chicken broth comes in.  It was at this point I forgot I needed chicken broth.  I was a little frantic.  Tonya, as she always does, bailed me out by pulling out these babies right here!
 
 
We mixed one in a cup of water, and the day was saved……Thanks Tonya! Ok, where was I? If it seems a little thick, you can either A) add some chicken broth or chicken bouillon cubes mixed in warm water, or B) Use some of the water you boiled the chicken and noodles in.  Don’t be scared of it, there’s a lot of flavor in there. Get it to a loose, not overly runny consistency.  It’s gonna tighten up in the oven, remember that.  Take a quick taste and add some salt and pepper if needed.
Once everything is combined, add it to a 13X9 baking dish and cover the top with the remainder of the cheese.  Just like before, if it’s not enough, add more!  Bake until the cheese is melted on top, about 15-20 minutes. 
 
 
This is my take on chicken spaghetti.  Try it out, and let me know what ya think!  Enjoy!
 
 
 
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:  MITCHELL SANCHEZ is the husband of 5 years to Tonya, and Dad to 2.  He works in the I.T. Department at Education First F.C.U.  Mitchell attends Freedom Fellowship in Silsbee, Texas ,where he plays the drums on the Praise Team and serves as Director of the Media Department
 
 
 

Wednesday, February 25, 2015

Matthew 26:14-25

It is a glorious day!  I thought I might share some humor with you this morning before we start our Bible Study.  Yesterday afternoon I watched a few YouTube videos of Rob Bell on Oprah (again).  This lead to watching some of his interviews from other places.  My blood was boiling!  If you don't know who this ex-mega pastor is, you should google him so you can see what a growing number of people in America are claiming as the gospel.  Rob Bell believes there is no hell, that everyone is going to heaven, and irreverently thinks God's Word is outdated and not relevant to the culture today. 

Now if you believe the Bible is INDEED God-breathed truth and that Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and forever, then Bell's false teachings should get your wheels turning.  So last night, I was in my bedroom straightening up when one of my girls came in and asked who I was talking to.  I was a little embarrassed because no one was in there with me.  (I didn't realize I was talking out loud and very loudly!)  She started laughing very hard, said she'd been listening to me a few minutes in the hallway, and that if whoever I was laying it out for didn't believe the Bible now there might not be any hope! (I was talking to Rob Bell in this one sided conversation.)

I used to laugh at my mom for having conversations with herself while she was washing dishes, NOW I DO IT!  Oh brother!  My girls thought it was so funny. ☺

Anyway, speaking of the God's Word, we'll be reading Matthew 26:14-25 today so read through this text in your Bible or online HERE!!!  Now, do what I just did and grab some coffee and your journal before we go on!  You will thank me later! (LOL!)
 
 
We read in this passage how our Lord was betrayed and given into the hands of enemies.  The religious leaders who were more than ready to be rid of Jesus were at a loss of how to accomplish this without causing an uproar from the people.  They found their way in the form of one of the disciples, Judas Iscariot.  For the price of 30 pieces of silver, Judas willingly delivered Jesus into their hands.

There are so many things I could say about Judas.  I imagine he would be good friends with a lot of famous mega church preachers today!  A man can enjoy many privileges and high religious esteem, and not be right before God. 

Judas was chosen to be an apostle.  HE WAS CHOSEN!  He was the friend of Jesus.  Judas witnessed miracles and heard Jesus give countless sermons.  Abraham, Moses, David, Isaiah, and other great Men of God never had the opportunity given to Judas.  He was allowed to live in the fellowship of Jesus and the other 11 disciples and served closely with them.  Despite all of this, I have to imagine his heart was never really changed by the truth of Jesus.

When we read about Judas, our hearts should be very humbled as we consider, "Search me, Oh Lord, and try my heart, and see if there be any wicked way in me."  We must not be satisfied until we begin to see that truly our heart and our will has been converted.

Another thing that comes to mind about this passage is this: the love of money is huge snare!  It is like a plague and is an infectious disease being passed about this nation.  "What shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his soul?"  If we aim to be rich, let us be rich in God's grace, mercy, and truth.


Cold any one of us turn into a Judas Iscariot?  Do we have the capability of becoming like this man?  How can we protect ourselves from this horrible predicament?

Have you ever been betrayed by someone who you were very close to?  How did it feel?  How do you think Jesus felt to be betrayed by one of His disciples?  Use the scripture to find the answer!

Come back tomorrow for more on Matthew: The King and the Kingdom and Food with Friends!

Tuesday, February 24, 2015

Matthew 26:1-13

Good morning!  I don't know about you, but this weather is really getting to me!  I am freezing!  As I type, I am dressed like an eskimo under 2 blankets by a roaring fire and still can't seem to warm up.  : ) 

We are less than 2 weeks from completing our study on Matthew.  I have learned so much about King Jesus, his Kingdom, and my role within this glorious kingdom.  God's Word is so good and I am excited about today's study by my friend, Jessica Honc!  My Bible is open to Matthew 26:1-13.  When you are there already, please read through the passage.  You can also read it online HERE!!!  (Love, Tera)


The Plot to Kill Jesus
 
It is almost humorous to read how the chief of priests, scribes, and elders believed they would be able to trick Jesus and how they wanted to wait until after the feast to arrest Him in order to keep a riot from occurring.  Jesus already knew exactly what was going to happen as well as the exact day.
 
There is no "hiding" or "tricking" God.  What we may believe we are doing secretly, or even thinking to ourselves, He is fully aware of.  We cannot surprise Him.  We can, however, affect Him by our response to Him.
 
The Anointing at Bethany
 
The woman who anointed Jesus with expensive oil affected Jesus and the disciples by her response to Him.  To do something which seemed so rash to the others, I cannot conclude that she gave her actions much thought.  She simply reacted to Jesus.  She was blessed for this and in turn, the others were schooled.
 
When we put aside what the world or others may think of us or how they may react to us as we respond to the Holy Spirit, not only can we be pleasing to the Lord and be blessed by our actions, but we can cause those around us to see things in a different light.  In essence, opening their minds and then hopefully their hearts to Jesus. 
 
Let us infect the world with the light that shines within us by thinking less and responding to the Holy Spirit more!
 
 
 
 
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:  JESSICA HONC  is the wife of 14 years to Will, and homeschooling mother of three children.  She is the Director of Freedom Fellowship Home School Co-op.  Jessica has served in many different capacities at Freedom Fellowship in Silsbee, Texas, such as librarian and children's teacher.

Friday, February 20, 2015

Matthew 25:14-30

Good morning!  Hooray, it's Friday!  We have a crazy busy weekend scheduled.  How about you?  I am running a little behind in preparation for my posts so today is going to be a little shorter.  Grab you Bible and let's read Matthew 25:14-30.  You can also read it online HERE!


This parable is a lot like the parable of the ten virgins we read yesterday.  It brings our thoughts to one thing: the second coming of Christ.  The parable of the virgins calls on the church to be vigilant, to watch, and to be ready.  The parable of the talents calls us to be diligent and to get to work!

Anything that can glorify God is a talent.  Our gifts, money, knowledge, time, physical ability, and influence are all from God and should be used to advance His Kingdom.  To hide or misuse the talents would be to neglect opportunities to bring Him glory.

How has God blessed your family with special gifts to share with others?  Do you give your children opportunity to waste the talents, the teachings, and the privileges they have been given?  How are you multiplying your talents and helping your children learn to do that as well?

How does faith relate to works in this parable?  Are men actually "meriting" eternal salvation by their actions?  Compare this parable to Ephesians 2:8-10 to get your answer!

We only have about 2 weeks left in the study of Matthew.  I sincerely appreciate you coming on this journey with me.  Hugs!  My prayer is that the Holy Spirit will use the talents he has entrusted us with to bring glory to our King, Jesus, and to further His Kingdom!

Thursday, February 19, 2015

Matt.25:1-13 & Food with Friends!

I have been looking forward to this day all week!  Naomi Chance is leading us as we begin the 25th chapter in Matthew.  We are so very close to the end, and I just can't believe it.  You are going to want to stick around for the FANTABULOUS Strawberry Cheesecake Recipe that is at the end of the devotion.  It is mouth-watering!  You need a sneak peek don't you!  Here's a picture. (Love, Tera)
 
 
 
We better get underway!  Read Matthew 25:1-13 in your bible or online right HERE!!!
 
 
In this parable Jesus speaks of 5 women prepared to meet the bridegroom and 5 women unprepared. Preparation is not something I’m very good at. I am a dreaded procrastinator at most things. The women in this passage that were unprepared missed the meeting of their bridegroom. In my mind they represent today’s lifeless church, an unprepared church, a church without anointing. There is a platform given to many men/women in this nation but they aren’t preaching life and truth. There is no anointing. They are unprepared to lead people to repentance through the preaching of the cross. Somewhere they have missed the mark and will hear these grievous words in verse 11.
 
The 5 women that were prepared carried with them extra oil. Oil in scripture often refers to anointing of the Holy Spirit. How can we have this wisdom and anointing?
 
The answer I came up with was LIFE! Breath is life. God has made life available in every aspect of our being. Let me show you something that excited me when the Lord revealed it to me!
 
Our body:
In Genesis 2:7 is says:
And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.
God gave you physical life. If you are still breathing he has a purpose for you that only YOU can fill.
 
Our mind:
In 2 Timothy 3:16:
All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness
God gives us scripture to breathe life into our minds.
 
Our Spirit:
In John 20:22:
And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost
God gives us spiritual life through the Holy Spirit. In this verse Jesus is breathing life into the disciples through the spirit. Prayer is our access to the Holy Spirit.
 
We are having prayer meetings at our church for the month of February. Our main focus is on revival for our nation. The first week of it my 15 year old son (bound to a wheelchair and slow of speech like Moses) shared scripture in front of our congregation through the prompting of the Holy Spirit. I only included his disability to tell you this: No matter what your station in life is God wants life flowing from his throne to you; then, from you to the people around you. Even in the little things, such as a scripture or a small word of encouragement. You don’t have to be the wisest woman or the most eloquent with words to spread the gospel, just an obedient servant. He wants you prepared in season and out of season. (2 Timothy 4:2) And it’s only through him that that preparation comes.
 
 
STRAWBERRY CHEESECAKE
1 ¼ c. graham cracker crumbs
¼ c. sugar
1/3 c. melted butter
16 oz. frozen strawberries
1 Tbsp. cornstarch
¼ c. water
3 (8oz) pkg. cream cheese, softened
14 oz. can sweetened condensed milk
¼ c. lemon juice
½ tsp. vanilla
3 eggs
 
Combine graham cracker crumbs, sugar and butter in a bowl. Press into the bottom of ungreased 9 inch springform pan. Refrigerate for 30 min. Preheat oven to 300 degrees and place pan of water in oven for moisture. Place strawberries, cornstarch and water in blender. Cover and puree until smooth. Pour strawberry sauce into saucepan. Bring to a boil over high heat. Boil and stir until sauce is thick and shiny, about 2 minutes. Set aside 2/3 c. sauce and cool. Cover and refrigerate remaining sauce for serving. Beat cream cheese in a mixing bowl with an electric mixer until light and fluffy; gradually beat in condensed milk. Mix in lemon juice and vanilla. Then beat in eggs on low speed until just combined. Pour half of cream cheese mixture over crust; drop half of reserved strawberry sauce by ½ teaspoonfuls on cream cheese layer. Carefully spoon remaining cream cheese mixture over sauce; drop remaining strawberry sauce by ½ teaspoonfuls on top. Cut through top layer only with a knife to swirl strawberry sauce. Bake in preheated oven until center is almost set, 45-50 minutes. Cool on wire rack for 10 minutes. Carefully run a knife around edge of pan to loosen; cool 1 hour longer. Remove from springform pan and refrigerate overnight. Serve reserved strawberry sauce with cheesecake. (can add sugar to strawberry sauce if preferred)
 
 
 
 
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:  Naomi Chance has been married for 16 years to Dale, and is the homeschooling mom of 3 and step-mom to one.  She has 2 beautiful grandsons!  Naomi serves in the Media Department and as Ladies' Ministries Director at Freedom Fellowship in Silsbee, Texas.