Scriptures: Psalm 1, Isaiah 61:1-3, & Matthew 28:18-20
Song of Praise: Doxology
Devotion:
The Psalmist begins his book with sedulous care, comparing the nature of the Righteous man against the Wicked.
"He is like a tree
planted by streams of water
that yields its fruit in its season,
and its leaf does not wither.
ln all that he does, he prospers.
The wicked are not so,
but are like chaff that the wind drives away."
The most fundamental thing to a person is their standing before God.
The righteous man bears fruit, but the wicked disappear.
They are more like an indecisive breeze than a sturdy oak, planted by the stream.
Fruit is inevitable for the healthy tree; it cannot help but produce what it is meant to produce.
Though the branches need occasional pruning, fruit will be borne by the healthy tree.
God has designed His creation to be fruitful and to multiply, this was the mandate that he gave to Adam.
In Matthew's Gospel, Jesus tells His disciples that they must go and make disciples of all nations.
Jesus has won the celestial battle against His enemies, and now the sturdy oaks in His kingdom have become quite fruitful, shooting up saplings along their tree skirts, and scattering seeds amongst them.
Kingdom expansion is now the task at hand.
The righteous man flourishes in his God given, kingdom building task, not because of his own might or intellect, but because of Jesus' authority.
"The earth is the LORD’s and the fullness thereof,
the world and those who dwell therein"
Psalm 24:1
Jesus owns it all; all we need to do is get busy 'getting'.
Famine follows the wicked, because chaff is void of sustenance.
There is no fruit for the wicked, only hunger.
"The LORD of hosts will prepare a lavish banquet for all peoples on this mountain; a banquet of aged wine, choice pieces with marrow, and refined, aged wine."
Isaiah 25:6
Because of Jesus, we are made righteous and are established. We do not live in famine or fear a sudden gusts of wind. The prepared feast of the Lord is as sure as Christ's bodily resurrection, and as bountiful as an orchard at harvest.
Table Talk Questions:
What is the righteous man compared to in Psalm 1?
What is the wicked man compared to in Psalm 1?
How has Jesus made us righteous and spared us from famine?
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 6:24-26
Meal: Amanda's Crock-Pot Carnitas, Taco Sides, Chips & Salsa, & Elaine’s No-Bake Cheesecake
Recipes:
Amanda's Crock-Pot Carnitas
Prep and Cook Time:8 hours
Serves:10
3-5 pound Pork Shoulder or large Pork Loin
32 ounce Beef Broth
Vegetable Oil
Corn Tortillas
Cheddar cheese (optional)
Sour cream (optional)
Pice de Gallo/ Salsa (optional)
Additional Taco fixings of your choice
Instructions:
Put pork shoulder (or large pork loin) and beef broth in crock pot and cook on low for 8 hours.
Once done shred the pork shoulder (or large pork loin) and put back in the crock pot.
Fry the tortillas in the vegetable oil, make sure you lightly brown both sides.
Top the tortillas with shredded pork shoulder (or large pork loin) and add toppings as wanted.
Elaine's No-Bake Cheesecake
Prep and Cook Time: 2 ½ hours
Serves: 16
¾ cup Butter
½ cup Sugar
1 box Graham Crackers
50 Marshmallows (about 1 pound or 1 bag)
¾ cup whole fat Milk
2-8 ounce blocks of Cream Cheese, softened
1 pint Heavy Whipping Cream
1 can crushed Pineapple
1 can Cherry Pie Filling
Instructions:
Crust:
mix together melted butter, sugar and graham cracker crumbs. Add to a 9x13 pan, pressing them into a crust.
Filling:
In a large saucepan, melt marshmallows and milk.
Add the cream cheese and mix well.
Whip your heavy cream until stiff peaks form
Fold into your marshmallow mixture.
Add in your drained pineapple, and pour over your crust.
Refrigerate for at least 2 hours before adding the cherry filling to the top of the cheesecake.
Store in fridge until you are ready to serve.