His Will....

FAITH:
Deuteronomy 31:30--32:52

Moses' death was near. He gave the last sermon in the form of a song. He reminded the people of their history and warned them not to repeat their mistakes but instead to trust the Lord. He prophesied their future disloyalty and punishment, as well as God's forgiveness and mercy.

We have no excuse of abandoning God. He protects, provides and leads us like a shepherd. We must always put our faith and trust in Him.

To know the will of God is the highest of all wisdom. Living in the center of God's will rules out all falsemess of religion and puts the stamp of true sincerity upon service to God. You can be miserable with much, if you are out of His will; but you can have peace in your heart with little, if you are in the will of God. You can be wretched with wealth and fame, out of His will; but you can have joy in obscurity, if you are in the will of god. You can have agony in good health, out of His will; but you can be happy in the midst of suffering, if you are in God's will. You can be miserable and defeated in the midst of acclaim, if you are out of His will; but you can be calm and at peace in the midst of persecution, as long as you are in the will of God. The Bible reveals that God has a plan for every life, and that if we live in constant fellowship with Him, He will direct and lead us in the fulfillment of His plan. by Billy Graham

Applying it: Plans rarely turn out as intended. Accidents happen. People move, die, or grow cold toward us. What is your anchor in a changing world? Thank God today for the immense security He provides. Take comfort in God's promises to you.
Exploring it: Trust--Proverbs 3:5-6; Psalms 62:5-8; Romans 3:21-29; Hebrews 3:15--4:3

FRIENDS:
Father, we know you love those of us who need you most and trust you in everything. Please help us not to put our hope into things that change. We want to keep our sights on the one that can never change, and that is you our Heavenly Father. Give us the courage as we face the challenges of each new day. In Jesus' name, amen.

BIBLE CHALLENGE
January 13
Matthew 5:33-48; Acts 8:1-25; Psalms 13; Genesis 31
January 14
Matthew 6:1-15; Acts 8:26-40; Psalms 14; Genesis 32-33

10 THINGS I AM THANKFUL FOR
1. Preachers with a message that inspires you
2. Ladies who dress up for church (not me)
3. A hug from a very senior Saint
4. Spur of the moment "field trips" with a friend
5. How God made our bodies to recover from illness with proper treatment
6. Having just enough
7. Finding another "little gift" hanging from my front door
8. Answered intercessory prayer.
9. Joy for another person.
10. Knowing we have a God to go to with our heart aches.


FOOD:

7 Up Cake with Orange Glaze

1 package white or yellow cake mix
1 small package lemon Jello
4 large eggs
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1 cup 7 Up soda
1 cup chopped pecans, optional

Add pecans to the bottom of a greased and floured bundt cake pan.

In the bowl of a stand mixer, or another large bowl, add the contents
of one yellow boxed cake mix, lemon Jello, eggs, vegetable oil and
7 Up soda. Beat for three minutes on medium speed
(or let the kids whirl it up like crazy until they are
done).

Bake in a 350 degree oven for 45 to 60 minutes, until cake tests done
with a toothpick and barely begins to pull away from sides of pan.
Cool in pan 10 minutes and flip onto a wire rack to cool completely.

Orange Glaze

2 cups confectioner's sugar
4 Tablespoons orange juice
1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Mix together and drizzle over cooled cake.

FUN:
In case there is someone out there that hasn't read one of my favorite jokes, here it is AGAIN.

AN ATHEIST IN THE WOODS

An atheist was walking through the woods.
'What majestic trees!
'What powerful rivers!
'What beautiful animals!
He said to himself.
As he was walking alongside the river, he heard a rustling in the
bushes behind him.
He turned to look and saw a 7-foot grizzly bear charging towards him.

He ran as fast as he could up the path. He looked over his shoulder &
saw that the bear was closing in on him.
He looked over his shoulder again, & the bear was even closer.
He tripped & fell on the ground.
He rolled over to pick himself up but saw that the bear was right on
top of him, reaching for him with his left paw & raising his right paw
to strike him.

At that instant the Atheist cried out, 'Oh my God!'

Time Stopped.
The bear froze.
The forest was silent.
As a bright light shone upon the man, a voice came out of the sky.

'You deny my existence for all these years, teach others I don't exist
and even credit Creation to cosmic accident.' 'Do you expect me to help you out of
this predicament? Am I to count you as a believer'?

The atheist looked directly into the light, 'It would be hypocritical
of me to suddenly ask you to treat me as a Christian now, but perhaps
you could make the BEAR a Christian'?

'Very Well,' said the voice.

The light went out. The sounds of the forest resumed. And the bear
dropped his right paw, brought both paws together, bowed his head &
spoke:


'Lord bless this food, which I am about to receive from thy bounty
through Christ our Lord, Amen