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.