When Our "sacrifice" Is Not Really A Sacrifice

I'm sure you have heard people say, and may have even said it yourself, "let's sacrifice and come to service...". I can say I've been guilty of that plenty of times. But the other day in prayer I had one of those revelatory moments that sort of slaps you in the face.

Me coming to church, spending time in prayer, giving my time to do ministry is not a SACRIFICE. As a matter of fact it, is one of the most arrogant statements a Christian can make. How dare I say, "I'm going to sacrifice and come give God a few minutes of my." I can't be serious. Me coming, for example to prayer, is a necessity. My life depends on it. My salvation depends on the time I spend with God. Taking of the need for my soul is not a sacrifice but a dire need!

Jesus showed us what sacrifice is when He gave His life for our redemption. A sacrifice is what I give God - me. I give me to God as a sacrifice so that He can burn away the stuff that keeps me from being effective in His work. The sacrifice is the selfish will I surrender to Him so that I can learn His. But me "pressing my way" to do what benefits me can in no way be compared to a sacrifice. Maybe we can say a denial to self.

I've never heard anyone say, "I'm going to sacrifice and take care of my body so that I can enjoy a wonderful and fruitful life" or "I'm going to sacrifice and take this great paying job that is perfect so that me and my family can enjoy a very comfortable life with wonderful paid vacations and luxurious international hotels." If we hear someone say that we would think they were a snob trying to rub it in our face. Now imagine how we sound to God. "God I'm going to sacrifice and spend time with you so I can get clarity in my life, enjoy healing in my mind, spirit and body. I would rather stay home and complain about how confused I am. Gosh my body hurts so bad, I really should stay in instead of being in fellowship with my brothers and sisters who will cover me in prayer. Well, let me sacrifice and leave my pity party." Ok, I want to just roll on the floor with laughter right now. But we have all had that one or something similar.

Here is a little FYI for you and me, when we "sacrifice and come to church, spend time with God or whatever else we complain about we are not doing God a favor. We are doing us a favor. Plan to make this year a year were you do yourself a favor and go God where God is.

ON TO THE FOOD:

I hope you have enjoyed the recipes that have been shared during this Daniel's Fast. If you have one you would like to share, please feel free to email it to us at global_relations@newlifetemplechurch.com

Mashed White Beans with Spinach and Olives

Ingredients:
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 medium onion (diced)
4 cloves garlic (chopped)
1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
1 cup vegetable broth
2 (19 ounce) cans white beans (drained and rinsed)
4 sprigs thyme (or 1/2 teaspoon dry)
2 sprigs rosemary (or 1/2 teaspoon dry)
2 sprigs oregano (or 1/2 teaspoon dry)
1 bay leaf
salt (sea salt if you use salt) and pepper to taste
1/2 cup vegetable broth
1/4 cup kalamata olives (pitted and coarsely chopped)
1 (8 ounce) package fresh spinach (rinsed and coarsely chopped)
1/2 lemon (juice)

Directions:
1. Heat the oil in a pan.
2. Add the onion and saute until lightly golden brown, about 10-12 minutes.
3. Add the garlic and pepper flakes and saute until fragrant, about a minute.
4. Add the broth, beans, herbs, salt and pepper and simmer. covered, until the beans start to break down, about 20 minutes.
5. Remove the herbs and mash half of the beans.
6. Add as much broth as needed to get the beans to your desired consistency.
7. Mix in the olives and the spinach.
8. Cook until the spinach just wilts, remove from heat and hit it with a splash of lemon juice.

Veggie Sandwich

1 small onion

1 big tomato

1 large portobello mushroom

seasoning of choice (Mrs. Dash, sea salt, Nature's Seasoning...)

4 slices of Ezekiel Bread (which ever flavor you like)

Extra Virgin Olive Oil or PAM Olive Oil Spray

Cut onions into 1 inch rings, tomatoes and portobello. Place onions and portobellos in a hot greased skillet (cast iron or grill is best), season and cook until they start to become tender or your desired preference. Remove from skillet and add tomatoes. Cook on both sides for about 45 seconds each side. Brush oil on bread and grill in skillet for about 35 seconds. Top your bread with your grilled veggies and enjoy with some nice tea like lemon ginger.

Remember we would love to hear from you. So if you have a recipe idea please share it with us. Or if there is a dish that has been mentioned on here and you have tried it, let us know how it turned out.

Until next time...

Blessings!!!

Mel

For Best Results

Well it's day 3 of our 2011 Daniel's Fast...are you excited yet!

At this moment an old song by James Cleveland comes to mind. In the James Cleveland fashion he told a story before the song. Culminating phrase that brought about the "jumps and screams" was "for best results...". If you want the best results when baking a cake you have to "follow the directions."

As we come to the midway point of the first week of the fast, don't just settle for a result. But hunger and thirst for THE BEST RESULT. It hit me this morning, fasting is not the same as consecrating. Fasting is doing without food. People fast for reasons other than "faith based reasons". But to consecrate is to dedicate our whole man as a sacrifice unto God. For best results on this fast each person must be willing to spend time with God - in prayer and in His word. We have to allow our mind and spirit to be drenched by Him.

Remember the enemy is going to send people, moments, things to distract you during this fast. He wants us to get angry, frustrated about things we can't control, focus on the negative or deny ourselves the fellowship with our church family. He's going to do his best make us to busy to spend time with God. He's going to tell us a little tv is ok, when in fact we know it will be hours. But for BEST RESULTS we must be willing to get to the place where God is moving. So let's find that place and stay there until we see the end results that God is waiting for us to witness.

Are You Ready To Eat?

Well, here are todays recipes. Who knows maybe you will want to keep them in your lunch/dinner rotation after the fast. Hope you enjoy.

Greek Vegetable Stew

from 2010 Daniel Fast list

2 tablespoons oil
2 onions, chopped
1 pound green string beans, broken in half
1 package frozen or fresh spinach
4 cups water
6 zucchini, chunked
4 yellow squash, chunked
2 cups celery leaves
4 tomatoes, quartered
1 teaspoon salt (kosher or Natures season)
8 slices lemon
1 tablespoon dried oregano
3 tablespoons fresh basil
2 cloves chopped garlic
2 tablespoons lemon juice

Lightly brown onions in a hot dry skillet in 2 Tablespoons oil. Add oregano & garlic. Cook 1 minute. Add 4 cups water and tomatoes. Cook 10 minutes. Add remaining ingredients. Cook covered for 40 minutes, stirring occasionally. Serve with a lemon slice in each bowl.

Eight servings.

Tex-Mex Lettuce Wraps

2 avocados

3 tomatoes chopped

1/2 jalapeno diced (optional)

1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro

1 can of black beans

1 small can of sweet corn

2 tsp fresh lime juice

6-8 large lettuce leaves (try butter lettuce for a nice sweet taste)

In a medium bowl mash avocados. Add other ingredients and mix well. Spread mixture onto lettuce leaves.

If you have a recipe you have tried and would like to share with us, please email global_relations@newlifetemplechurch.com. If you want to share a word of encouragement with us, please feel free to do just that. Until Thursday my friend...

Stay blessed!

Mel

It can be done when we come together

Well, one could say that the Daniel Fast is well on its way. And I pray that even though this is the second day, you are experiencing a refreshing in your spirit.

The first evening pray was good. There was a nice showing of members who came out to take part in the service and prepare the "house" for great happenings in 2011. I know that we have said that we want to set the foundation for the healing service on Sunday, 16 January. But what if God wants to start doing things now. What if He is just seeing if we really want Him to do what He so longs to do for our church every time we come together.

Today a lady came to the church in desperate need of prayer. She said that she was 52 years old and had been using drugs since she was 15 years old. And then she said, "I'm just tired..." Wow! this is exactly what we are believing God to do, send the tired, wounded and hurting to be HEALED! But are we ready?

After praying for the lady, she told me that what she was sharing with me was the first time she had shared this, I assumed with church "folks". She said she had hid this from people, yet she was struggling to be free even though she had the gift of speaking in tongues (I wont even go there). Several times I invited her to our evening prayers because I believe that God wants to start healing now. I believe God can began the work if we come together expecting Him to do it! I'm truly believing God that this lady will return with a testimony saying that God has destroyed the strong hold that has held her in bondage for 37 years. This is a moment for the woman with the "issue of blood" to be made hold.

Today's recipe:

Well, I would like to share two recipe that I came across. Of course I've made adjustments to bring it inline with the foods allowed on our fast. For the original copy of these or other recipes visit daniel-fast.com

Stir Fry Vegetables with Brown Rice

Ingredients:

1 tablespoon sesame oil 4cups greens, chopped (kale,

3 green onions, finely chopped 3 tablespoons fresh ginger, minced

4 cups fresh broccoli, chopped 1⁄2 pound fresh green beans, chopped

2 carrots, peeled and sliced on diagonal

2 cloves garlic, minced

Preparation:

bok choy, spinach, collards, etc)

1 can sliced water chestnuts, drained

3 cups cooked brown rice

2 balsamic vinegar

11⁄2 cupspeas(if frozen run under water to thaw)

1⁄2 cup toasted sliced almonds

1.Heat a deep skillet or wok over medium heat for about 1 minute. Add oil and heat for 1 minute.

2.Add green onions and ginger. Sauté for 5 minutes. 3.Add broccoli, green beans, carrots, and garlic. Stir fry for 8-10 minutes. 4.Add greens and toss for about 2 minutes or until greens are wilted. 5.Stir in water chestnuts, brown rice, balsamic vinegar, peas and almonds. 6.Serve as complete meal.

Yield: four servings

Tip: Serve this dish as a complete main dish along with a side of sliced fruit such as oranges, pineapple or mango. This is also a great recipe to double and then use the leftovers for lunch. Merely heat in the microwave or eat at room temperature.

Bean Curry and Rice

This is an easy recipe and you can adjust the spices to your liking. You might also consider adding mushroom, carrots or other vegetables.

Ingredients:

1can garbanzo beans, drained and rinsed (15 ounce) 1 can kidney beans, drained and rinsed (8 ounce)

1/2 cup raisins salt and pepper to taste

8 cups cooked brown rice 2 tablespoons olive oil

1 large white onion, chopped 1/2 cup dry lentils

2 cloves garlic, minced 3 tablespoons curry powder

1 teaspoon ground cumin 1 pinch cayenne pepper

1 can crushed tomatoes (28ounce)

Preparation:

1. Prepare the brown rice according to package directions so you have enough for

8 servings.

2. Heat the oil in a large pot over medium heat, and cook the onion until tender.

3. Mix in the lentils and garlic, and season with curry powder, cumin, and

cayenne pepper. Cook and stir 2 minutes.

4. Stir in the tomatoes, garbanzo beans, kidney beans, and raisins. Season with

salt and pepper.

5. Reduce heat to low, and simmer at least 1 hour, stirring occasionally.

Yield: eight servings

Until tomorrow...

God's blessings be up on you!

Mel

It's On!

Today begins our 2011 Daniel Fast. For some its a new endeavorer, and for others it is almost like a spiritual holiday where we experience a time of consecration, purification, refreshing and preparation for the remainder of the year.

This year we as we enter into the most exciting "holiday" for New Life Temple Church, I invite you to join us here as we share words of encouragement and menu ideas.

If you are able to, please do your best to attend the prayer services. These services will help to prepare our heart and mind as a family/body for what we are believing God to do Sunday, 16 January. The results of that service will not be depend on Bishop Perry, but upon each of us making the sacrifice to come together humbly in a spirit of unity and seek God's face. In the end I believe that if we do that He will hear us and heal "our land".

On the natural side:

The Daniel Fast is a great time to do a physical body cleansing. For a whole year (and for many-all your life) we have filled our body with toxins. As we are "fasting" from those pleasurable foods that are more often bad for us, why not consider adding a detoxing program with that. Visit your community health store (family owned or national chain) and talk to one of their staff persons about doing a 7-14 day cleansing. And if you really want to do some good for your body consider doing a 21-30 day cleanse. Warning- for those of you with special medical conditions, please consult your doctor on the best program for you.

Many blessings to each of you as we move forward to a great moment.

See you tomorrow for some recipe ideas!

Mel

40 Days of Purpose - week 3

Fellowship is probably one of the most rewarding things in a believer can experience with in the church family, but often one of the hardest things to keep alive within the church family.

Every human being craves fellowship. We long to belong to...not just take part in. So why do we fight so hard against the very thing we crave, long for, and enjoy? All of the ugly flaws of human nature get in the way. And unfortunately, those flaws follow us in into our relationships with our spiritual family.

But I love how Rick Warren reminds us that we must LOVE our spiritual family even in those most unlovable moments...one day we too will need love. But we have to keep a key factor in mind, we must do our best never to let our hurts, disappointments, frustrations, and all those painful moments fester into a painful sore. Instead we must deal with the issue, resting on the mercy and grace that has been given to us, and stepping forward to protect the fellowship and unity with our family.

It is impossible to enjoy fellowship alone. But is possible to be alone even in the midst of fellowship. Just because we are surrounded by family does not mean we have entered into fellowship. Step out of the box...its the only way to enjoy few0lloship.

40 Days of Purpose - week 2

There are times when we know a thing, but our busy lives, trials, and many other distractions cause us to loose our focus. We know we have a God ordained purpose that He expects us to live in and out, but we become distracted.

That distraction can hinder our purpose as we serve God, our family, our church and our community. We become so bogged down with LIFE, that we forget how to live. And when this happens in a church...it pollutes the breath of God from flowing freely through the body.

As our church revisits the 40 Days of Purpose in our weekday service, you can feel and hear the breath returning. Of course there are those who will find such refreshing strange, but for those who are open and willing they will be come the opening to filter in His presence.

Each week, I'm moved with the enthusiasm of even the young adults who are coming to the knowledge that God delights in them - He desires that they walk in their purpose, not when they are old enough, but NOW!

There is nothing so wonderful as seeing guest feel apart...when guest know they are welcomed its a sign that fresh breath is blowing.

Having the small groups to meet on sight at the church complex may be a different concept, but it allows for guest and members to enjoy the growth and experience together. Hearing the testimonies each Wednesday when the groups come together is wonderful opportunity to witness the effects of fresh breath flowing back into the body.

It was great hearing that God takes pleasure in me! Now, time to remind ourselves that He wants us to know how to love each other as members of God's family.

Join us next Wednesday at 7:30pm for a great time of fellowship and growth.

Exactly, What Are We Doing?

I know it has been a long while since I have sat down to write...but I'm back. I'll try and make my post short and sweet. Having said that...

There were two point made during Bible Study (3 September, 08) that really stood out. I would like to call them "meat questions". They pack a hard punch when one sits and think about them.
1. If Jesus being the Word (John 1) had to use the Word, how much more should we? Let that just simmer for a moment. How can we as Christians even think to survive without reading, using or saying the Word?
2. "Sometime we don't have victory because we don't want to let go of some things." In other words, sometimes we would rather suffer than to forgive, let go of baggage, change our surrounding, get over forgotten issues, and on and on. What might be the something keeping you from your victory.

I can say that both points were able to find a "spot in my bed". What about you?