I am posting this blog early. We are leaving for vacation, to the mountains of Tennessee. I will have no internet service – thus – I am unable to post this on Sunday!

LESSON FROM A KING

(Recipe: Hawaiian Chicken)

What difficulty are you facing this morning? What decision do you have to make? What battle are you fighting this week? In my quiet time this morning, I came across an amazing verse. In 2 Chronicles 20 we find King Jehoshaphat in a situation with his enemy. The armies of the Moabites, Ammonites and some Meunites have declared war on him. A messenger warns him they are on the march.

Jehoshaphat is terrified (well who wouldn’t be!). He begs the Lord for guidance. He ordered everyone to start fasting. He did all the right things in preparing for this battle. Standing before the people he prays, “O Lord….you alone are the God who is in heaven. You are ruler of all the kingdoms of the earth. You are powerful and mighty; no one can stand against you……(he reminds God of all he has done, then says)….We can cry out to you to save us and you will hear us and rescue us. We do not know what to do, but we are looking to you for help.”

God’s Spirit came upon Jahaziel and these were the words God gave him to encourage the King with. “”Do not be afraid! Don’t be discouraged by this mighty army, for the battle is not yours, but God’s. Tomorrow, march out against them. You will find them coming up through the ascent of Ziz at the end of the valley that opens into the wilderness of Jeruel.

But you will not even need to fight. Take your positions; then stand still and watch the Lord’s victory. He is with you, O people of Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid or discouraged. Go out against them tomorrow, for the Lord is with you.!”

King Jehohaphat and all the people bow low with their face to the ground, worshiping the Lord.

The next day they go out into the wilderness. The King reminds them to “Believe in the Lord your God, and you will be able to stand firm. Believe in his prophets, and you will succeed.” As they marched, they sang. As they sang their enemy, having reached the wilderness, started fighting among themselves, and ALL were killed. “Not a single one of the enemy had escaped.”(vs. 24).

Their impossible battle had been won! God had given them victory! All that was required was – faith. Verse 28 says, “They marched into Jerusalem to the music of harps, lyres, and trumpets, and they proceeded to the Temple of the Lord."

I don’t know what your battle might be today, but one thing I am certain of. YOU do not need to fight it. Simply take up your position of prayer and faith. Stand still and watch what God will do for you. Don’t be afraid. Don’t be discouraged. Face your battle squarely because “…..the Lord is with you.” Offer your praise to God as you watch and see what he will do for you today.

Hawaiian Chicken

10 skinned chicken pieces

1 18-oz. bottle of Russian Dressing

1 18-oz. jar of apricot jam

1 package of dry onion soup mix

Place chicken in casserole. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Pour dressing over chicken. Spread jam over next. Last, sprinkle with the soup mix. Bake in a slow oven (325) for one hour, or until appears done.

Words from Psalm 18

(Recipe: Zuchinni Patties)

In my quiet time today I was reading from Psalm 18. As I came upon verses 29 and following, I saw anew the wonderful message of encouragement God desires to share with us. Let me share this Psalm with you from the NLT (New Living Translation), starting with verse 29:

“In your strength I can crush an army; with my God I can scale any wall. God’s way is perfect. All the Lord’s promises prove true. He is a shield for all who look to him for protection. For who is God except the Lord? Who but our God is a solid rock? God arms me with strength, and he makes my way perfect. He makes me as surefooted as a deer, enabling me to stand on mountain height. He trains my hands for battle; he strengthens my arm to draw a bronze bow. You have given me your shield of victory. Your right hand supports me; your help has made me great. You have made a wide path for my feet, to keep them from slipping.”

As you meditate on this Psalm, consider what God is saying to you. When we are feeling weak, we can count on God’s strength. Because God is perfect, we can claim every promise he has written for us in his Book. When we are feeling threatened, God protects us. When we feel like we are standing on sand, God assures us He is our Rock. When we don’t know what to do, or have questions about life, we can trust God, for his way is perfect. God gives us rough roads to walk, mountains to climb and battles to fight, but even in these he will not leave us alone. It is through adversity that we grow in our walk with God. God gives us his “shield of victory” and offers his hand of support.

What challenge are you facing today? What difficulty are you dealing with? What mountain do you have to climb? Be assured, dear friend, God will not leave you alone. He is walking the journey with you. Rest in His strength. Rest in His love. Claim His victory.

Zuchinni Patties

2 cups shredded Zuchinni

2 beaten eggs

¼ cup diced onion

½ cup flour

½ cup parmesan cheese

½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese

salt to taste

With a paper towel, squeeze all moisture out of the Zuchinni. Place all ingredients in a bowl, and mix well.

In a large frying pan, add 2-3 Tbsp. cooking oil. Form patties (4-6) and fry SLOWLY on a low heat. When one side is a golden brown, turn over. Cooking time is approximately 5-6 minutes per side. Serve with a dollop of sour cream.

AN UNUSUAL MINISTRY

(Recipe: Frozen Coffee Drink)

Several years ago I was praying and asking God to give me a new ministry I could become involved with. I had retired from my previous full-time ministries at my church, even though I was still involved in their Bible studies as a student. I enjoyed this time of fellowship and study, but it wasn’t fulfilling, at least not in the way that I desired it to be. I began to ask God to open up something new for me; some way in which I could share my faith and have an impact in the lives of people. GOD ANSWERED MY PRAYER.

While driving to the grocery store one winter morning, listening to a Christian radio station, I heard this brief and quick announcement about an on-line ministry that Campus Crusade has. While driving, I tried writing down the web address they gave for this ministry (something I DON’T recommend – driving and writing!!) I needed this address so I could check it out further when I got home.

I did. I was impressed. I knew this was what God wanted me to be doing. I made application with this organization, was accepted as an on-line ministry, and my life has not been the same since.

Every morning, via the internet, I have the awesome opportunity of speaking to people of all ages from around the world, and encouraging them – no matter where they are in their spiritual journey. I have spoken to the depressed, the angry, the lost. I have spoken to men, women, teenagers and children. I have dialoged with those of another religion and other cults. I have had the privilege of leading some to Christ. One man in particular, came to know Jesus. He in turn led his wife to the Lord; they in turn led their neighbor. I have had the privilege of naming a little boy in India, whom I named “Samuel”. After many months of interaction with a couple in Indonesia they named their new daughter after me – “Marilyn.” For the past 6 months I have been in dialog with a Muslim. He longs to have the same assurance of heaven that I do, yet he is being severely misled by his Quran. I have been very forthright with what I believe, and what the Bible teaches. He tries to convince me otherwise. We have had many discussions about the Quran and the Bible. I am amazed he still communicates with me. I am praying one day he will come to know Jesus personally.

Since I began this ministry I have spoken to 7,574 people!! I have personally carried on further conversation (if even one time) with 5,111 of these people. WHO WOULD HAVE THOUGHT!!! People, there is much work to be done for the Kingdom. There are many different ways we can be used by God – even sitting in front of our computer. There is a world that is lost and dying, and there is opportunity for you and I to share the Good News with them. Every day I have the privilege of sharing this message of hope with someone.

If you are interested in being used by God in this same kind of ministry, please contact me. I will give you further information. You can contact me through this blog, or by emailing me at Marilyn.Meiners@gmail.com.

FYI – I have NEVER heard this invitation repeated over the radio again. I truly do believe that God answered my prayer by giving me this “once-in-a-lifetime” opportunity which I gladly took advantage of. What does God have for you to do? What are you willing to ask God for? How are you willing to serve Him?

Colossians 3:23-24 – “Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people. Remember that the Lord will give you an inheritance as your reward, and that the Master you are serving is Christ.” (NLT)

FROZEN COFFEE DRINK

¾ cup strong coffee – cool

3 tbsp. sugar

1 cup milk

2 cup ice

blender

Blend these ingredients until the ice is crushed. You can flavor your drink with 3 Tbsp. Caramel Syrup or 3 Tbsp. Hershey Chocolate Syrup. When blended, pour into 2-16 oz. glasses.

DON’T COUNT ON TOMORROW

(RECIPE: Chicken & Rice Bake)

I have been thinking about eternity and the assurance we can have in knowing that some day we can spend all of eternity with God in heaven. Yes, we can know this. We do not have to doubt. We do not have to wonder. We do not have to ‘hope’ that we make it into heaven. We can know for certain.

Remember the many wonderful lessons Jesus taught us in the Bible, the many miracles he performed, how over and over again he talked about bringing men into His Kingdom. This is what he lived for. Making certain that everyone would accept the gift of eternal life that Jesus offered. He died so that this might happen.

Jesus told us how we can be certain of eternal life. We simply need to read God’s love letter to us – the Bible. John tells us in John 20:30-31 (Good News Translation), “In his disciples' presence Jesus performed many other miracles which are not written down in this book. But these have been written in order that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that through your faith in him you may have life.” Sounds like a sure thing to me!

Do you have this assurance? 2 Corinthians 6:2 (New Living Translation) tells us, “ For God says, At just the right time, I heard you. On the day of salvation, I helped you. Indeed, the "right time" is now. Today is the day of salvation.”

Today is all you can be certain of. There is no guarantee you have tomorrow. If you are not completely assured you have eternal life, why not ask God to give this assurance to you today. Simply confess your sin, repent of your sin, acknowledge that Jesus is the only way to the Father, and invited Jesus into your life to be your Lord and Savior.

TODAY

Today is for certain

Today is sure

You’ve been given today

To come to the Lord.

Yesterday is over

Yesterdays don’t last,

I can’t base my future

On living the past.

Tomorrow is a gamble

Tomorrow may not come,

God calls “today”

To find life through His Son.

Don’t worry over yesterday

Or wait for tomorrow to come,

Jesus is calling you today

To find rest in his home.

Jesus died for you yesterday

But lives for you today

So you can spent tomorrow

Forever living with the Lord.

CHICKEN RICE BAKE

2 large cans white chicken (or 2 cups cooked chicken breast, cut into small pieces)

1 can cream of chicken soup

1 can cream of celery soup

1 cup cooked rice (the old-fashioned kind, not instant)

¾ cup mayonnaise

1 tsp. lemon juice

1 tsp. salt

3 hard cook eggs, chopped

Combine all together and mix well. Pour into a 9 x 13 pan. Top with 1 Cup crushed corn flakes mixed

with ¼ cup melted butter.

.

Bake at 350- for 45 min.