Grace And Love Intertwined

“And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.” Philippians 1:6 ESV http://bible.com/59/php.1.6.esv “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” 2 Corinthians 5:17 ESV http://bible.com/59/2co.5.17.esv According to 2 Corinthians 5:17, we, as New Testament Christians, are a new creation. The old has gone. The new has come. Our old life with its sinful habits is gone. Now we live a new life serving Christ and others.  And, according to Philippians 1:6, God will complete good works in us. Meaning we won't be perfectly holy until we're in heaven.  But we should still strive to live godly, holy lives every day. And we don't have to do this by our own efforts. God will help us to live godly, holy lives if we ask Him. He empowers us to live a righteous life. God will always work on our behalf, empowering us to live for Him and do His good will. Lean

“When Jesus had spoken these words, he went out with his disciples across the brook Kidron, where there was a garden, which he and his disciples entered. Now Judas, who betrayed him, also knew the place, for Jesus often met there with his disciples. So Judas, having procured a band of soldiers and some officers from the chief priests and the Pharisees, went there with lanterns and torches and weapons. Then Jesus, knowing all that would happen to him, came forward and said to them, “Whom do you seek?” They answered him, “Jesus of Nazareth.” Jesus said to them, “I am he.” Judas, who betrayed him, was standing with them. When Jesus said to them, “I am he,” they drew back and fell to the ground. So he asked them again, “Whom do you seek?” And they said, “Jesus of Nazareth.” Jesus answered, “I told you that I am he. So, if you seek me, let these men go.” This was to fulfill the word that he had spoken: “Of those whom you gave me I have lost not one.” Then Simon Peter, having a sword, drew

Just in time for Halloween. Spooky Witches' Fingers. Spooky Witches' Fingers Prep
35  Cook
20 minutes Ready In
1 h 15 minutes  Recipe By:Sandra "This is a traditional Christmas cookie recipe that we have had in our family for years. All I did was change the shape to make them look like fingers for our annual Halloween party. The cookies make a great conversation piece. My guests loved them!" Ingredients 1 cup butter, softened 1 cup confectioners' sugar 1 egg 1 teaspoon almond extract 1 teaspoon vanilla extract  2 2/3 cups all-purpose flour 1 teaspoon baking powder 1 teaspoon salt 3/4 cup whole almonds 1 (.75 ounce) tube red decorating gel Directions Combine the butter, sugar, egg, almond extract, and vanilla extract in a mixing bowl. Beat together with an electric mixer; gradually add the flour, baking powder, and salt, continually beating; refrigerate 20 to 30 minutes. Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C

“Likewise, my brothers, you also have died to the law through the body of Christ, so that you may belong to another, to him who has been raised from the dead, in order that we may bear fruit for God.” Romans 7:4 ESV http://bible.com/59/rom.7.4.esv “and you are Christ’s, and Christ is God’s.” 1 Corinthians 3:23 ESV http://bible.com/59/1co.3.23.esv “You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him.” Romans 8:9 ESV http://bible.com/59/rom.8.9.esv “So let no one boast in men. For all things are yours, whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas or the world or life or death or the present or the future—all are yours, and you are Christ’s, and Christ is God’s.” 1 Corinthians 3:21-23 ESV http://bible.com/59/1co.3.21-23.esv “Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, f

“When Jesus had spoken these words, he lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, “Father, the hour has come; glorify your Son that the Son may glorify you, since you have given him authority over all flesh, to give eternal life to all whom you have given him. And this is eternal life, that they know you the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent. I glorified you on earth, having accomplished the work that you gave me to do. And now, Father, glorify me in your own presence with the glory that I had with you before the world existed.   “I have manifested your name to the people whom you gave me out of the world. Yours they were, and you gave them to me, and they have kept your word. Now they know that everything that you have given me is from you. For I have given them the words that you gave me, and they have received them and have come to know in truth that I came from you; and they have believed that you sent me. I am praying for them. I am not praying for the world but f

Potato Sausage Casserole Recipe TOTAL TIME: Prep: 20 min. Bake: 65 min. MAKES:6 servings Ingredients 1 pound bulk pork sausage 1 can (10-3/4 ounces) condensed cream of mushroom soup, undiluted 3/4 cup milk 1/2 cup chopped onion 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/4 teaspoon pepper 3 cups sliced peeled potatoes 2 cups (8 ounces) shredded cheddar cheese Minced fresh parsley, optional Directions Preheat oven to 350°. In a large skillet, cook sausage over medium heat until no longer pink; drain and set aside. Combine soup, milk, onion, salt and pepper. In a greased 2-qt. baking dish, layer half of the potatoes, soup mixture and sausage. Repeat layers. Cover and bake 60-65 minutes or until potatoes are tender. Sprinkle with cheese; bake, uncovered, 2-3 minutes or until the cheese is melted. Garnish with parsley if desired. Yield: 6 servings. Potato Sausage Casserole

“I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at length you have revived your concern for me. You were indeed concerned for me, but you had no opportunity. Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me.” Philippians 4:10-13 ESV http://bible.com/59/php.4.10-13.esv “But godliness with contentment is great gain, for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content.” 1 Timothy 6:6-8 ESV http://bible.com/59/1ti.6.6-8.esv Being content with what we have. I admit it's hard, even for me. But we are to be content according to these verses. Instead of chasing after the next technology or fashion trend, we should learn t

The Reality of Hell Jesus spoke on hell while He was here on earth during his earthly ministry many times. Here are a few bible verses on the reality of hell. ''If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body be thrown into hell. And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body go to hell. Matthew 5:29-30 ESV And if your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you enter life crippled than with two hands to go to hell, to the unquenchable fire. And if your foot causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life lame than with two feet to be thrown into hell. And if your eyes causes you to sin, tear it out. It is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye than with two eyes to be thrown into hell 'where their worm does not die and t

““I have said all these things to you to keep you from falling away. They will put you out of the synagogues. Indeed, the hour is coming when whoever kills you will think he is offering service to God. And they will do these things because they have not known the Father, nor me. But I have said these things to you, that when their hour comes you may remember that I told them to you.  “I did not say these things to you from the beginning, because I was with you. But now I am going to him who sent me, and none of you asks me, ‘Where are you going?’ But because I have said these things to you, sorrow has filled your heart.  Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you. And when he comes, he will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment: concerning sin, because they do not believe in me; concerning righteousness, because I go to the Fath

Broccoli Casserole Recipe by: Helen "I get a lot of requests for this dish. Originally submitted to ThanksgivingRecipe.com." Ingredients  2 (10 ounce) packages frozen chopped broccoli  2 (10.75 ounce) cans condensed cream of mushroom soup  2 cups instant rice  3/4 cup chopped onion  1/4 cup butter  1 (16 ounce) jar process cheese sauce salt to taste ground black pepper to taste Directions Cook rice as directed on box. Saute onions in margarine until done. Cook broccoli as directed on package and drain. Mix together broccoli, soup, rice, onion, butter or margarine, and cheese. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Place in a 9 by 13 inch oven proof dish. Bake for 30 to 40 minutes at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). We used fresh broccoli, not frozen, and Velveeta cheese, not the cheese sauce. Broccoli Casserole

“We ask you, brothers, to respect those who labor among you and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, and to esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Be at peace among yourselves.” 1 Thessalonians 5:12-13 ESV http://bible.com/59/1th.5.12-13.esv Respect those who labor among you. Be at peace with all.  This is what we should be doing. Respecting those who labor among us meaning fellow Christians, our brothers and sisters in Christ. There should be no gossip, slander, division or fights among us, but only unity, peace and love. We should strive to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.  “eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” Ephesians 4:3 ESV http://bible.com/59/eph.4.3.esv And, as New Testament Christians, we should live among peace with all, even with our enemies and those who have hurt us.  “If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat, and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink, for you wil

““I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, j

Cinnamon Monkey Bread  If you’ve ever heard of or tried monkey bread, you’ll be thrilled to see this recipe. If not, let us let you in a little secret: monkey bread is one of the best breakfast/desserts we’ve ever made. Basically a cake comprised of mini cinnamon buns, our monkey bread is super easy to make (thanks to refrigerated biscuit dough) and seriously fun, since we get to shake the living daylight out of it to get everything thoroughly coated in a dangerously good cinnamon sugar mixture. If that hasn’t already piqued your interest, we pour a brown sugar glaze over all of our cinnamon balls and then bake it to caramelized perfection. We’re drooling just sitting here, so excuse us while we go to pull ourselves off a piece or ten… 

 CINNAMON MONKEY BREAD Serves 8 Ingredients 3 (16 oz.) packages refrigerated buttermilk biscuit dough 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature 3/4 cup sugar 1/2 cup brown sugar 2 teaspoons cinn

“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God,” Ephesians 6:10-17 ESV http://bible.com/59/eph.6.10-17.esv According to this passage,