Grace And Love Intertwined

Walking Worthy Lesson 5 Therefore remember that you, once Gentiles in the flesh—who are called Uncircumcision by what is called the Circumcision made in the flesh by hands—that at that time you were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world.But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation,having abolished in His flesh the enmity, that is, the law of commandments contained in ordinances, so as to create in Himself one new man from the two, thus making peace,and that He might reconcile them both to God in one body through the cross, thereby putting to death the enmity.And He came and preached peace to you who were afar off and to those who were near.For through Him we both have access by one Spirit to the Father.Now, therefore,

Acts Chapter 8 Now Saul was consenting to his death. At that time a great persecution arose against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles.And devout men carried Stephen to his burial, and made great lamentation over him.As for Saul, he made havoc of the church, entering every house, and dragging off men and women, committing them to prison.Therefore those who were scattered went everywhere preaching the word.Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria and preached Christ to them.And the multitudes with one accord heeded the things spoken by Philip, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did.For unclean spirits, crying with a loud voice, came out of many who were possessed; and many who were paralyzed and lame were healed.And there was great joy in that city. - Acts 8:1-8 http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts8:1-8&version=NKJV Even as they were persecuted and scattered thes

Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.Because of these things the wrath of God is coming upon the sons of disobedience,in which you yourselves once walked when you lived in them.But now you yourselves are to put off all these: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language out of your mouth.Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old man with his deeds,and have put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him,where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcised nor uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave nor free, but Christ is all and in all.Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering;bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do.But above all these thing

Cajun Shrimp in Foil INGREDIENTS: 1 tablespoon Cajun or Creole seasoning 24 (1 pound) cleaned large shrimp 3 ounces fully cooked Turkey/Chicken Andouille sausage (Applegate), very thinly sliced 1 medium zucchini (8 ounces each), sliced into 1/4-inch thick rounds 1 large red bell pepper, seeded and cut into thin strips 1 1/2 cups corn kernels 1/4 cup chopped fresh Italian parsley leaves 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil leaves 1/4 cup dry white wine, such as Pinot Grigio 2 tbsp olive oil DIRECTIONS: In a medium bowl, combine the Cajun seasoning, salt, and pepper. Add the shrimp and toss to coat. Place 4 large (10 x 18-inch) pieces of heavy-duty aluminum foil on a flat surface. Divide the sausage, zucchini, bell peppers, and corn among the foil pieces, placing the vegetables in the center of each. Top each with shrimp (about 6), sprinkle each with 1 tablespoon of the parsley and 1 tablespoon of the basil. Drizzle each with 1 tablespoon of the wine and about 1/2 tabl

My son, do not despise the chastening of the Lord, Nor detest His correction;For whom the Lord loves He corrects, Just as a father the son in whom he delights. - Proverbs 3:11-12 http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs3:11-12&version=NKJV Don't despise God when He chastens us. Don't despise His chastening. He lovingly corrects us. Submit and learn to be a better servant of the Lord.

Walking Worthy Lesson 4 And you He made alive,  who were dead in trespasses and sins,in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience,among whom also we all once conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as the others.But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us,even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved),and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus,that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God,not of works, lest anyone should boast.For we are His workmanship, crea

Acts Chapter 7 Then the high priest said, “Are these things so?”And he said, “Brethren and fathers, listen: The God of glory appeared to our father Abraham when he was in Mesopotamia, before he dwelt in Haran,and said to him, ‘Get out of your country and from your relatives, and come to a land that I will show you.’Then he came out of the land of the Chaldeans and dwelt in Haran. And from there, when his father was dead, He moved him to this land in which you now dwell.And God gave him no inheritance in it, not even enough to set his foot on. But even when Abraham had no child, He promised to give it to him for a possession, and to his descendants after him.But God spoke in this way: that his descendants would dwell in a foreign land, and that they would bring them into bondage and oppress them four hundred years.‘And the nation to whom they will be in bondage I will  judge,’ said God, ‘and after that they shall come out and serve Me in this place.’Then He gave him the covenant of

If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God.Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.When Christ who is  our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory. - Colossians 3:1-4 http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Colossians3:1-4&version=NKJV Let's all focus on Christ and heavenly things not earthly things. I've been guilty of focusing on the earthly. May God help me to shift my focus to the eternal. I died to sin, and my life is hidden in Christ. I will appear with Him in glory when He appears. A Resurrected Focus

Smores Cheesecake Serves 8-10; 1 hour active, 24 hours inactive INGREDIENTS For the crust: 2 1/4 cups graham cracker crumbs (about 36 squares) 1/3 cup granulated sugar 1/2 cup butter, melted For the filling: 2 packages (8 oz each) cream cheese, softened 1 can (14 oz) sweetened condensed milk 2 teaspoons vanilla extract 3 eggs 1 cup mini semisweet chocolate chips 1 cup mini marshmallows For the topping: 1 cup mini marshmallows 1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips 1 tablespoon shortening Report Advertisement PREPARATION Preheat oven to 325°F and lightly grease a 10-inch springform pan. In a small bowl, combine graham cracker crumbs and sugar and stir in the melted butter. Press mixture into prepared springform pan. Set aside. In a medium bowl, beat the cream cheese, milk, and vanilla with an electric mixer until smooth. Add eggs and beat on low until combined. Stir in mini chocolate chips and marshmallows and pour over crust. Bake until center is almost set, about 4

Honor the Lord with your possessions, And with the firstfruits of all your increase;So your barns will be filled with plenty, And your vats will overflow with new wine. - Proverbs 3:9-10 http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs3:9-10&version=NKJV Honor God with our possessions and share. He will in turn bless us.

Walking Worthy  Lesson 3 that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him,the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints,and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty powerwhich He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places,far above all principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come.And He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church,which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all. - Ephesians 1:17-23 http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ephesians1:17-23&version=NKJV I pray we all understand our hope i

Acts Chapter 6 Now in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplying, there arose a complaint against the Hebrews by the Hellenists, because their widows were neglected in the daily distribution.Then the twelve summoned the multitude of the disciples and said, “It is not desirable that we should leave the word of God and serve tables.Therefore, brethren, seek out from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business;but we will give ourselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the word.”And the saying pleased the whole multitude. And they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit, and Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas, a proselyte from Antioch,whom they set before the apostles; and when they had prayed, they laid hands on them.Then the word of God spread, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests were o

For I want you to know what a great conflict I have for you and those in Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh,that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, and attaining to all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the knowledge of the mystery of God, both of the Father and of Christ,in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.Now this I say lest anyone should deceive you with persuasive words.For though I am absent in the flesh, yet I am with you in spirit, rejoicing to see your good order and the steadfastness of your faith in Christ.As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him,rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving.Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ.For in Him dwells al

The Best Lemon Bars Tart, rich and perfection, all rolled into one! Wow your friends with this simple recipe. Hint: No Substitutions! By PATTY SCHENCK Prep: 15 mins Cook: 40 mins Total: 55 mins Servings: 36 Yield: 1 - 9x13 inch pan Ingredients Ingredient Checklist 1 cup butter, softened ½ cup white sugar 2 cups all-purpose flour 4 eggs 1 ½ cups white sugar ¼ cup all-purpose flour 2 lemons, juiced Directions Instructions Checklist Step 1 Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Step 2 In a medium bowl, blend together softened butter, 2 cups flour and 1/2 cup sugar. Press into the bottom of an ungreased 9x13 inch pan. Step 3 Bake for 15 to 20 minutes in the preheated oven, or until firm and golden. In another bowl, whisk together the remaining 1 1/2 cups sugar and 1/4 cup flour. Whisk in the eggs and lemon juice. Pour over the baked crust. Step 4 Bake for an additional 20 minutes in the preheated oven. The bars will

Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the Lord and depart from evil.It will be health to your flesh, And strength to your bones. - Proverbs 3:7-8 http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs3:7-8&version=NKJV Fear God, depart from all sin. This will keep us spiritually healthy and strong.

Walking Worthy Lesson 2 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, To the saints who are in Ephesus, and faithful in Christ Jesus: 2  Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Redemption in Christ 3  Blessed  be  the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly  places  in Christ,  4  just as  He chose us in Him  before the foundation of the world, that we should  be holy and without blame before Him in love,  5  having predestined us to  adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself,  according to the good pleasure of His will,  6  to the praise of the glory of His grace,  by which He  [ a ] made us accepted in  the Beloved. 7  In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to  the riches of His grace  8  which He made to abound toward us in all wisdom and  [ b ] prudence,  9  having made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His

Acts Chapter 5 But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession.And he kept back part of the proceeds, his wife also being aware of it, and brought a certain part and laid it at the apostles’ feet.But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and keep back part of the price of the land for yourself?While it remained, was it not your own? And after it was sold, was it not in your own control? Why have you conceived this thing in your heart? You have not lied to men but to God.”Then Ananias, hearing these words, fell down and breathed his last. So great fear came upon all those who heard these things.And the young men arose and wrapped him up, carried him out, and buried him.Now it was about three hours later when his wife came in, not knowing what had happened.And Peter answered her, “Tell me whether you sold the land for so much?” She said, “Yes, for so much.”Then Peter said to her, “How is it that you have agreed tog

Again the anger of the Lord was aroused against Israel, and He moved David against them to say, “Go, number Israel and Judah.”So the king said to Joab the commander of the army who was with him, “Now go throughout all the tribes of Israel, from Dan to Beersheba, and count the people, that I may know the number of the people.”And Joab said to the king, “Now may the Lord your God add to the people a hundred times more than there are, and may the eyes of my lord the king see it. But why does my lord the king desire this thing?”Nevertheless the king’s word prevailed against Joab and against the captains of the army. Therefore Joab and the captains of the army went out from the presence of the king to count the people of Israel.And they crossed over the Jordan and camped in Aroer, on the right side of the town which is in the midst of the ravine of Gad, and toward Jazer.Then they came to Gilead and to the land of Tahtim Hodshi; they came to Dan Jaan and around to Sidon;and they came to the

Strawberry Shortcake An old-fashioned, tender shortcake with two layers of strawberries topped with whipped cream. By DENYSE Prep: 30 mins Cook: 20 mins Total: 50 mins Servings: 8 Yield: 1 8-inch round cake ZIP 77340 Ingredients 3 pints fresh strawberries ½ cup white sugar 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour 4 teaspoons baking powder 2 tablespoons white sugar ¼ teaspoon salt ⅓ cup shortening 1 egg ⅔ cup milk 2 cups whipped heavy cream Directions Step 1 Slice the strawberries and toss them with 1/2 cup of white sugar. Set aside. Step 2 Preheat oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C). Grease and flour one 8 inch round cake pan. Step 3 In a medium bowl combine the flour, baking powder, 2 tablespoons white sugar and the salt. With a pastry blender cut in the shortening until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Make a well in the center and add the beaten egg and milk. Stir until just combined. Step 4 Spread the batter

Services for our church shut down for the next 2 weeks. Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding;In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths. - Proverbs 3:5-6 http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Proverbs3:5-6&version=NKJV In these uncertain times, we can trust God. Don't lean on our own understanding. It only leads to confusion and lack of faith. Acknowledge God, and let Him direct our lives.

Walking Worthy  Lesson 1 This week we begin our next study, Walking Worthy by Wade Casey from West Main church of Christ in Lewisville, TX. I'll be posting the YouTube videos along with the lessons.  I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, - Ephesians 4:1 http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ephesians4:1&version=NKJV The theme is, obviously, to walk worthy of our calling.  Priscilla and Aquila accompanied Paul on his first missionary journey to Ephesus. Apollos was from the city of Ephesus as wel . He was zealous, good. Yes, at the beginning, he taught people incorrectly, preaching only John's baptism. But once Priscilla and Aquila corrected him, he began to preach Jesus (Ephesians 18:18-28). When Paul returned to Ephesus, he realized that 12 men had received John's baptism. The wrong baptism. Paul taught them the Gospel and they obeyed being baptized into Jesus' name f

Acts Chapter 4 Now as they spoke to the people, the priests, the captain of the temple, and the Sadducees came upon them,being greatly disturbed that they taught the people and preached in Jesus the resurrection from the dead.And they laid hands on them, and put them in custody until the next day, for it was already evening.However, many of those who heard the word believed; and the number of the men came to be about five thousand. - Acts 4:1-4 http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts4:1-4&version=NKJV Peter and John preached Jesus. Five thousand men believed. However the religious leaders didn't like this and had them put in custody. And it came to pass, on the next day, that their rulers, elders, and scribes,as well as Annas the high priest, Caiaphas, John, and Alexander, and as many as were of the family of the high priest, were gathered together at Jerusalem.And when they had set them in the midst, they asked, “By what power or by what name have you done this