Stand Your Ground

FAITH:

1 Chronicles 20:4-8
4 Later, at Gezer, war broke out with the Philistines. Sibbecai the Hushathite killed Sippai, who was one of the descendants of the Rephaites. So those Philistines were defeated.

5 Later, there was another battle with the Philistines. Elhanan son of Jair killed Lahmi, the brother of Goliath, who was from the town of Gath. His spear was as large as a weaver's rod.

6 At Gath another battle took place. A huge man was there; he had six fingers on each hand and six toes on each foot—twenty-four fingers and toes in all. This man also was one of the sons of Rapha.7 When he spoke against Israel, Jonathan son of Shimea, David's brother, killed him.

8 These descendants of Rapha from Gath were killed by David and his men.

When Saul was king of Israel, there were no giant slayers in their midst; so when Goliath stood against the armies of Israel, the Israelites trembled! There was, however, a young shepherd, whose intimate knowledge of His God inspired and empowered him to fight the evil giant, and defeat him.

David’s victory over Goliath paved the way for those after him to slay the giant’s offspring, who were also giants. So when those giants arose to fight, they already had knowledge that they could be defeated. David’s breakthrough had set a powerful precedent for all of Israel’s “mighty men”.

All around us there are “Goliaths”, evil giants…but none of them are “undefeatable”. In fact, we have an entire Bible full of examples of saints who stood their ground and routed their enemies. Let’s follow their example, and set new precedents fighting the giants of our day. We too can leave a legacy of victory, inspiring our children and grandchildren to victory over the “sons of Goliath”!

FRIENDS:

Father, we believe that when we see you, any suffering that we endured on the face of this earth will be worth it. We believe that the first five minutes we stand in heaven we will know that anything we endured on this globe will be forgotten. Father, Help us to understand and when we cannot understand, help us to trust. In Jesus' name, Amen.

DAILY BIBLE CHALLENGE ~NOVEMBER

1. JOHN 7:37-44; 2 PETER 1:1-11; JOB 1; EZEKIEL 1-3
2. JOHN 7:45-53; 2 PETER 1:12-21; JOB 2; EZEKIEL 4-8
3. JOHN 8:1-11; 2 PETER 2:1-9; JOB 3; EZEKIEL 9-12

~EZEKIEL~

Out of the ruins of Jerusalem came a gutsy preacher named Ezekiel. He was among the Jews taken to Babylon after the fall of his country. He left behind his cityl. He left behind his Temple. He left behind his home.
But he didn't leave his faith.
He announced it to everyone who would listen. For twenty two years he paced the streets proclaiming both sides of the faith.
The bad side? Turn or burn. Forgive me for being so direct, but Ezekiel was.
The good side? Turn and learn. God has a great plan for his people. A great city. Justice will reign and worship will be restored. Unlike Jerusalem, God's city is eternal. Who will be in God's city? Ezekiel answers that with the final words of the book ---- The Lord Is There.
Out of the ruins came Ezekiel. Out of the ruins came the promise. Our of the ruins came the new hope.
Is your life in ruins? Look ahead to God's city: The Lord Is There.

FOOD:

Here's a twist on an old favorite - made a little healthier with chicken. This, believe it or not, is a diet recipe - only 247 calories per serving of the chicken (I use low-fat soup). Serve over noodles.

Chicken Stroganoff

1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts - cut into strips
Flour, salt and pepper
2 tsp. olive oil
1 can (10 ounces) cream of mushroom soup
2 ounces onion soup mix
1/2 cup chicken broth
8 ounces fresh mushrooms
8 ounces reduced fat sour cream

Dredge chicken with flour seasoned with salt (go light on the salt because of the soup) and pepper. Heat oil and saute chicken in frying pan until browned. Place chicken in crock pot, followed by mushrooms.
Combine mushroom soup, onion soup mix and water together in a small bowl; pour over chicken. Cook on low 6 to 7 hours. Add sour cream and turn up to high 15 minutes before serving. Makes 6 servings

Low Cal Cake Dessert

"An easy, quick no-bake cake made with angel food cake, fruit, flavored gelatin, and whipped topping."

1 (10 inch tube pan) angel food cake
1 (3 ounce) package strawberry flavored gelatin
1 (15 ounce) can sliced peaches
3 bananas

1 (5 ounce) package instant vanilla pudding mix
1 (8 ounce) container frozen whipped topping, thawed
1 (20 ounce) can crushed pineapple, drained
Directions:
Break angel food or pound cake into bite size pieces. Put into a 9x13 inch pan (preferably glass).
Dissolve 1 package of flavored gelatin in 1 cup of water and pour over cake pieces, spreading to the edges of pan. Drain the peaches and pour the juice over the gelatin in the pan. Slice bananas on top of gelatin. Arrange peach slices on top of banana slices. If desired, add crushed pineapple.
Prepare instant pudding according to instructions on box and spread evenly over fruit.
Spread whipped topping on top of the pudding. Try to keep the layers separate.
Refrigerate at least 2 hours before serving.

166 Calories per Serving

FUN: