Updated: Mar 6, 2020
Song of Praise: Doxology
Scriptures: Genesis 3:1-16 & Matthew 1
Devotional:
Have you ever read through a long list of names in the Bible and thought, "Why in the world are all of these names in here?", " What purpose do these names serve"?
Aside from an occasional chuckle at a mispronunciation, these names serve a great purpose.
They reveal to us that God always keeps His promises, and that God uses trials to produce great blessing.
In a way, these names are similar to the rainbow that God placed in the sky. After Noah and his family were preserved during the great global flood, a gorgeous rainbow appeared in the sky for the very first time.
Just like that rainbow, these names remind us that God can not go back on His word. Never again will God destroy the Earth, instead, He would save it.
How would God save the Earth from its doom? He would send a baby. Not just any ol' baby, no Sir! He was going to send His very own son, Jesus.
When you read through the verses in Matthew, did you give attention to the names of the women?
Why did those regular women make Matthew's list?
Those regular women gave birth to regular babies, however, these regular women were the very-great-grandmothers of the long awaited Messiah.
All the way back in Genesis, we read about Eve.
Eve was the very first woman that God created.
Her role was to help her husband, Adam, by fulfilling God's commands; by being fruitful and multiplying, filling the earth and subduing it.
When Eve entered into sin, God placed a curse upon her.
Eve would still fulfill the command to multiply and fill the Earth, but now the task would be painful and perilous.
Instead of joyfully aiding her husband in kingdom building, she would war against him, desiring his role. Fellowship between Eve and God was broken, and so was the fellowship between Eve and her husband.
After many, many, generations of women giving birth to many babies, finally! There was one woman, that gave birth to the baby; the one that everyone was waiting for.
This Mother was named Mary, and she gave birth to the promised Messiah.
After God had placed the curse on Eve, every birth story became an excruciating one. No doubt, Mary's birth story was no exception.
The pain she experienced was a reminder of God's judgment toward Eve's disobedience.
Shortly after a mother gives birth, the memories of the pain vanish.
The great joy of new life wipes away the hours of painful toil.
So it is with the blessing of Jesus' birth.
He came to remove the curse of sin and death, and has begun to make all things new.
Eve's disobedience created broken relationships. Christ's obedience restores fellowship between the Creator and creation, and between creature and it's fellow creation.
The record of names found in Matthew disclose to us God's careful plan as it unfolded throughout history.
From one Mother to the next, God was using women, despite their curse, to bring forth the Messiah who would remove the curse once-and-for-all.
Table Talk Questions:
What was the curse that God placed on Eve?
Why do we have so many names listed in scripture?
How has Jesus renewed fellowship between us and Himself, and between us and other people?
Benediction:
May the Lord bless you and keep you;
May the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you;
May the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.
Numbers 6:24â€-‬26
Today's Meal
Ericha's Fresh Chili, Sweet Cornbread, Chili sides, & Black Forest Poke Cake
Recipes:
Ericha's Fresh Chili
Prep and Cook Time: about 45 minutes
Serves: 6-8
1 pound Hamburger
2 cans Black Beans
1 can Northern Beans
1 can Kidney Beans
1 bottle V8 Tomato Juice
1 can diced (Fire-Roasted preferred) Tomatoes
1 Onion (finely chopped)
1 stalk Celery (finely chopped)
1 Green Pepper (finely chopped)
1 Jalapeno, optional (finely chopped)
¼ cup chopped fresh Cilantro, optional but highly encouraged
¼ cup uncooked Quinoa
3 Tablespoons Chilli powder
1 ½ teaspoon Salt to taste
1 teaspoon Pepper
½ teaspoon Garlic powder
Instructions:
In a large pot brown hamburger with your diced onion, salt, and pepper.
Drain your beans well, and add to pot, along with other ingredients.
Simmer for at least 30 minutes before serving, allowing for all the flavors to marry.
Sweet Cornbread
Prep and Cook Time: about 45 minutes
Yields: 1- 8 inch skillet
4 cups Self-Rising Corn Meal (I prefer yellow corn meal)
2 ½ cups Buttermilk* see tips for making your own
2 Eggs
½ cup Vegetable Oil
½ cup Sugar
Instructions:
Preheat oven to 400 F
Combine buttermilk, egg, vegetable oil and mix.
Add cornmeal, sugar and mix completely.
Pour into a hot skillet or pan.
Bake at 400 F for 20-30 minutes or until top is lightly browned.
Black Forest Poke Cake
Prep and Cook Time:1 ½ hours
Yields: 1- 9x13 cake
Cake:
1 Devil's food Chocolate Cake mix
2 Eggs
¾ cup Milk
½ cup Oil
1 can (21 ounces) of Cherry Pie Filling
Instructions:
Preheat the oven to 350° F.
In a mixing bowl, combine the cake mix, eggs, milk, and oil. Mix well. Bake in a prepared 9x13 pan until the cake is fully baked, about 35-40 minutes. Allow the cake to cool completely and then, using the end of a wooden spoon handle, poke holes in the top of the cake. Spread the canned cherries evenly over the top. Frost, store or serve.
Frosting:
1 container of whipped topping (cool whip) Filling
2 Cups powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions:
In a mixing bowl, combine all ingredients until fluffy. Frost over the cooled cake and cherries. Cover and place in the fridge until ready to serve.