The Big Leagues

by Charles R. Swindoll Read 1 Kings 18:41--46 

The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much. 

Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the earth for three years and six months. Then he prayed again, and the sky poured rain and the earth produced its fruit. (James 5:16b--18) 

We read about Elijah and we say, "Wow, he's in the big leagues. He's a spiritual giant. I'm a pygmy in comparison to him. He's in another world entirely." 

Not true. Look again. James doesn't say, "Elijah was a mighty prophet of God." He doesn't say, "Elijah was a powerful worker of miracles." He doesn't say, "Elijah was a model no man can match." James says, "Elijah was a man with a nature like ours." 

That means he was flesh and blood, muscle and bone. As we're about to see, he got really discouraged, and he had some huge disappointments. He had faults and failures and doubts. He was just a man, with a nature like yours and mine. He may have been a man of heroism and humility, but let's not forget his humanity. Elijah was our kind of man! 

So, what kind of man was Elijah? Well, he wasn't afraid to square off with the king of the land or take on the prophets of Baal. The guy had guts, no question. But he wasn't too powerful to pray or too confident to wait or too sophisticated to see rain in the tiny cloud or too proud to pull up his robe and run like a spotted ape down the mountain in the rain and mud, like the roadrunner, thinking, "C'mon, Ahab . . . catch me if you can!" 

No wonder Elijah is the kind of man we admire. Isn't it exciting to know we serve the same God he served? Isn't it thrilling to think we can trust the same God he trusted? And what kind of God is that? He's the God who makes promises and keeps them.

Peanut Butter Cupcakes

Courtesy of the Barefoot Contessa

Ingredients:

12 tablespoons (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature

2/3 cup granulated sugar

2/3 cup light brown sugar, packed

2 extra-large eggs, at room temperature

2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

1 cup buttermilk, shaken, at room temperature

1/2 cup sour cream, at room temperature

2 tablespoons brewed coffee

1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour

1 cup good cocoa powder

1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda

1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

Kathleen's Peanut Butter Icing, recipe follows

Chopped salted peanuts, to decorate, optional

Directions: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line cupcake pans with paper liners.

In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, cream the butter and 2 sugars on high speed until light and fluffy, approximately 5 minutes.

Lower the speed to medium, add the eggs 1 at a time, then add the vanilla and mix well. In a separate bowl, whisk together the buttermilk, sour cream, and coffee. In another bowl, sift together the flour, cocoa, baking soda, and salt.

On low speed, add the buttermilk mixture and the flour mixture alternately in thirds to the mixer bowl, beginning with the buttermilk mixture and ending with the flour mixture. Mix only until blended. Fold the batter with a rubber spatula to be sure it's completely blended.

Divide the batter among the cupcake pans (1 rounded standard ice cream scoop per cup is the right amount). Bake in the middle of the oven for 20 to 25 minutes, until a toothpick comes out clean.

Cool for 10 minutes, remove from the pans, and allow to cool completely before frosting.
Frost each cupcake with Peanut Butter Icing and sprinkle with chopped peanuts, if desired.

Kathleen's Peanut Butter Icing:

1 cup confectioners' sugar

1 cup creamy peanut butter

5 tablespoons unsalted butter, at room temperature

3/4 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

1/4 teaspoon kosher salt

1/3 cup heavy cream

Directions: Place the confectioners' sugar, peanut butter, butter, vanilla, and salt in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a paddle attachment. Mix on medium-low speed until creamy, scraping down the bowl with a rubber spatula as you work. Add the cream and beat on high speed until the mixture is light and smooth.

Faith Personified

by Charles R. Swindoll Read 1 Kings 17:24  

When the woman saw that her son was alive, she didn't see Elijah. She saw the Lord.

"Elijah, I've heard you talk about the God of heaven. I've heard you refer to Him in various ways. But now, when I look at this miracle, I know that you speak the truth." 

If you wish to be a man or woman of God, it is essential that you face the impossible situations of life with faith, as Elijah did. 

If you are a young person who desires to live a godly life that will leave its mark upon this world, you must learn early to stand in the shadow of your Savior, trusting Him to work through the trials you encounter, through the extreme circumstances you cannot handle. 

The God of Elijah is your God. He is still the God of impossible situations. He still does what no earthly individual can do. 

Trust Him to do that! Elijah approached the impossible with calmness and contentment, with gentleness and self-control, with faith and humility. 

As I've mentioned from the beginning, Elijah was heroic in exploits of faith, but he remained a model of humility. 

Examine your own life for these character traits and take them one by one before God. 

You might say to the Lord, for example, "Lord, today I want to do what You say regarding contentment; I want to have a calm and gentle spirit. I don't simply want to call myself a Christian. I want to be known as a genuine servant of God because my life demonstrates the truth I say I believe. 

Help me this day to face everything and deal with everyone with a gentle and quiet spirit. 

Help me to be content, even though things don't go my way. 

Help me today with diligence, Lord. I tend to lose sight of the goal as the day wears on. I'm a good starter, but I don't finish well. 

Help me to do a quality piece of work and not to give in to the mood of the moment. 

And, Lord, help me, when You begin to bring to pass these qualities in my life, not to call attention to them, but just to let them flow out of my life in glory to You. Help me to become Your servant, Your man, Your woman." That is how we personify a life of faith.

Neely's Wet BBQ Ribs

Recipe courtesy Patrick and Mark Neely

Sauce:

32 ounces ketchup
16 ounces water
6 ounces brown sugar
6 ounces white sugar
1 tablespoon freshly ground black pepper
1 tablespoon onion powder
1 tablespoon dry mustard powder
2 ounces lemon juice
2 ounces Worcestershire sauce
8 ounces apple cider vinegar
2 ounces light corn syrup
3 to 4 pounds spare ribs
2 ounces Neely's Seasoning Mix, recipe follows

Combine all of the sauce ingredients in a stockpot or large Dutch oven. Bring to a boil over high heat, stirring frequently to prevent sticking. Reduce temperature to low and simmer, uncovered, for at least 30 minutes. Meanwhile, trim the spare ribs, removing the upper brisket bone and any excess fat; this will produce a St. Louis-style rib. Rinse the ribs and season with Neely's Seasoning, and then cover and refrigerate for 4 to 12 hours.


Neely's Seasoning Mix:

4 ounces paprika
2 ounces sugar
1 teaspoon onion powder
Mix all ingredients together in a bowl.

Place a disposable drip pan under the grates of the barbecue and heat to high. Wipe grates with oil to prevent sticking.

When grates are hot, place ribs over drip pan, cover and reduce heat to low.
Baste ribs while cooking. Baste once 20 minutes before ribs are done, and a second time 10 minutes later.

Average sized ribs are cooked rare in 25-30 minutes, medium rare in 35-40 minutes, and well done in 45-50 minutes. These times will vary according to the grill used and the size of the ribs. Small ribs may require less cooking time, while large ribs may need a little more time on the grill. Adjust accordingly

Sunny Broccoli Pasta Salad

INGREDIENTS

Dressing

1/2 cup light mayonnaise or salad dressing
1/3 cup milk
1 tablespoon cider vinegar
2 teaspoons sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt

Salad

5 oz. (1 1/2 cups) uncooked pasta nuggets (radiatore)
8 slices bacon
2 cups small broccoli florets
1 cup small cauliflower florets
1/4 cup chopped red onion
1/4 cup golden raisins
3 tablespoons shelled sunflower seeds

DIRECTIONS

1. In small bowl, combine all dressing ingredients; blend with wire whisk until smooth. Refrigerate while cooking pasta.

2. Cook pasta to desired doneness as directed on package. Drain; rinse with cold water to cool. Drain well.

3. Meanwhile, cook bacon until crisp. Drain on paper towels. Crumble bacon.

4. In large bowl, combine cooked pasta, bacon and all remaining salad ingredients. Pour dressing over salad; toss gently to coat. Cover; refrigerate at least 30 minutes to blend flavors.

All Your Heart

by Charles R. Swindoll Read 1 Kings 17:20--22  

That was some prayer. Elijah was not able to say, "Let this child's life return to him, as it happened to Enoch, as it happened to Isaac, as it happened to Moses," because there was no precedence for this particular miracle. 

So Elijah said, "Lord, I'm trusting You for a miracle. I'm asking You to perform the impossible." He then waited. Everything, at that epochal moment of faith, rested in the Lord's hands. 

You may be in the process of placing your own life before the Lord in this way. Things are critical, and only a miracle can breathe new life into your situation. Circumstances are totally out of your control. So you take it to your special place, and, standing in the shadow of your God, you lay it out before Him, prostrating yourself before Him, pleading for His intervention, trusting completely in His miraculous power, refusing to lean on your own understanding. 

Dr. Raymond Edman, in his little book, In Quietness and Confidence, writes about a godly man who faced just such a trial. This is how he met it: He was quiet for a while with his Lord, then he wrote these words for himself: 

First, He brought me here, it is by His will I am in this strait place: in that fact I will rest. 

Next, He will keep me here in His love, and give me grace to behave as His child. 

Then, He will make the trial a blessing, teaching me the lessons He intends me to learn, and working in me the grace He means to bestow. 

Last, in His time He can bring me out again---how and when He knows.

 Can you make these four statements? If you can . . . will you? 

1. I am here by God's appointment. 

2. I am in His keeping. 

3. I am under His training. 

4. He will show me His purposes in His time. 

By God's appointment, in God's keeping, under His training, for His time. What an outstanding summary of what it means to trust in the Lord with all your heart!

Incredible Associations

By Charles R. Swindoll Read 1 Kings 17:10--16 

Elijah had walked into a situation that was, from all human perspective, impossible. But the good news is that he saw beyond the difficulty. He handled the problem with faith, not fear. Elijah was determined that those initial first-impression blues were not going to get him down. 

The widow had her eyes on the impossibilities: a handful of flour, a tiny amount of oil, a few sticks. Elijah rolled up his sleeves and focused only on the possibilities. 

How could he do that? Because he was an emerging man of God. He had been to Cherith. He had seen the proof of God's faithfulness. He had survived the dried-up brook. He had obeyed God, and, without hesitation, he had walked to Zarephath. 

You can't talk the talk if you've never walked the walk. 

You can't encourage somebody else to believe the improbable if you haven't believed the impossible. 

You can't light another's candle of hope if your own torch of faith isn't burning. 

When Elijah saw the near-empty flour bin and oil jug, he said, almost with a shrug, "That's no problem for God. Get in there and fix those biscuits. And fix some for you and your son too." 

Then he told her why. Listen to these confident words of faith: "The bowl of flour shall not be exhausted, nor shall the jar of oil be empty, until the day that the LORD sends rain on the face of the earth." 

What a promise! That woman must have looked at Elijah, this tired, dusty stranger, with wonder and bewilderment, as she heard words like she'd never heard before. 

Have you ever spent time in the presence of a person of faith? Ever rubbed shoulders with men and women of God who don't have the word "impossible" in their vocabulary? 

If not, locate a few strong-hearted souls. You need them in your life. These are the kind of incredible associations God uses to build up our faith!

A Graduation Wish

The high school commencement speaker was the president of a large corporation. He was chosen for the occasion because of his success. Yet his speech came with a most unusual wish for the graduates. 

The speaker told the students sitting before him in their graduation gowns, “If I could have one hope for you as you go out into the world, it would be this: I hope you fail. I hope that you fail at something that is important to you.” 

He went on to say how his own early life had been one failure after another, until he learned to see failure as an effective teacher. Many of the songs of Israel were born in seasons of failure. Out of desperation came the cry, “As the deer pants for the water brooks, so pants my soul for You, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God” (Ps. 42:1-2). 

Sometimes we are not ready to see the wonder of God’s wisdom and strength until we are gasping for breath in the exhaustion of our own strength. A recurring story of the Bible is that mountains of faith rise from the valleys of failure. 

Before discovering the high ground we are looking for, we may need to see the failure of the dreams we hold in our hearts and trust instead in the love, wisdom, and guidance of our God. — Mart De Haan 

The lessons we learn from our failures Are lessons that help us succeed, And if we are wise and we heed them, Then failure is just what we need. —D. De Haan

Berry Cheesecake Dessert

Ingredients:
2-1/4 cups graham cracker crumbs
1/2 cup butter, melted
2 packages (8 ounces each) cream cheese, softened
1 cup sugar
3 eggs
2 cups (16 ounces) sour cream
1 package (3 ounces) strawberry gelatin
1 cup boiling water
3/4 cup cold water
1 quart fresh strawberries, sliced

Directions: In a bowl, combine the cracker crumbs and butter. Press onto the bottom and 1 in. up the sides of a greased 13-in. x 9-in. x 2-in. baking dish. In a large mixing bowl, beat cream cheese and sugar until smooth. Add eggs; beat on low speed just until combined. Pour into the crust.

Bake at 350° for 30-35 minutes or until the center is almost set. Carefully spread sour cream over the top. Bake 10 minutes longer. Cool on a wire rack.

Meanwhile, in a small bowl, dissolve gelatin in boiling water. Stir in cold water. Refrigerate for 45 minutes or until thickened but not set.

Carefully pour a third of the gelatin over sour cream layer. Arrange strawberries over gelatin; pour remaining gelatin over berries. Cover and refrigerate for 4 hours or until set. Yield: 12-15 servings.

Angels Watching Over Us

The Reverend John G. Paton, a missionary in the New Hebrides Islands, tells a thrilling story involving the protective care of angels. 

Hostile natives surrounded his mission headquarters one night, intent on burning the Patons out and killing them. John Paton and his wife prayed all during that terror filled night that God would deliver them. 

When daylight came they were amazed to see the attackers unaccountably leave. They thanked God for delivering them.  

A year later, the chief of the tribe was converted to Jesus Christ, and Mr. Paton, remembering what had happened, asked the chief what had kept him and his men from burning down the house and killing them. 

The chief replied in surprise, "Who were all those men you had with you there?" The missionary answered, "There were no men there; just my wife and I." 

The chief argued that they had seen many men standing guard-hundreds of big men in shining garments with drawn swords in their hands. They seemed to circle the mission station so that the natives were afraid to attack. 

Only then did Mr. Paton realize that God had sent his angels to protect them. The chief agreed that there was no other explanation. Could it be that God had sent a legion of angels to protect His servants, whose lives were being endangered?" 

 This illustration was taken from Billy Graham's book on angels. It certainly sounds familiar, doesn't it?  

When the servant of the man of God got up and went out early the next morning, an army with horses and chariots had surrounded the city. "Oh, my lord, what shall we do?" the servant asked. "Don't be afraid," the prophet answered. "Those who are with us are more than those who are with them." And Elisha prayed, "O LORD, open his eyes so he may see." Then the LORD opened the servant's eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha (1 Kings 6:14-17). 

 Praise him, all his angels, praise him, all his heavenly hosts. Praise him, sun and moon, praise him, all you shining stars. Praise him, you highest heavens and you waters above the skies. Let them praise the name of the LORD, for he commanded and they were created (Psalm 148:2-5). ...

The morning stars sang together and all the angels shouted for joy (Job 38:7). Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation? (Hebrews 1:14).

Strawberry Shortcake

Strawberries
4 pints strawberries, sliced
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup water
Whipped Cream
2 cups heavy cream
1/4 cup sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla

Biscuits
4 cups all-purpose flour
8 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon cream of tartar
1 teaspoon salt
4 teaspoons sugar
1 cup shortening*
1 1/3 cups cold buttermilk
*Use butter or vegetable shortening such as Crisco--Do not use margarine.

Directions:

Strawberries:

Place the sliced strawberries into a bowl with the sugar and water—Mix well. Squish the berries gently with your hands—just enough to get the juices flowing. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for several hours. Remove 20 minutes before serving for best flavor.

Whipped Cream
Pour the cream into the bowl of your electric mixer and whip until it begins to thicken.
Add the sugar and vanilla, and continue whipping until soft peaks form and it is doubled in volume.

Biscuits
Sift the flour, baking powder, cream of tartar, salt, and sugar into a medium-sized bowl.
Cut the shortening into ½-inch pieces and add them to the flour mixture. Use a pastry cutter to “cut” the shortening into the flour until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. (Alternatively, you can do this with your hands, working the shortening into the flour with a pinching and tossing motion.)

Add the buttermilk and mix gently just until blended.

Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead it gently two or three times so that it comes together into a cohesive mass. You can add a bit more flour if the mixture is very wet, but avoid overworking the dough.

Gently roll or pat the dough to a thickness of one inch. Use a 3 1/4 ” biscuit cutter to cut rounds.
Place the biscuits close together on a parchment-lined cookie sheet and brush with milk.
Bake in a 450-degree oven for 18 to 20 minutes or until puffed and golden. Cool to room temperature.

Assembly

Forget the diet! Pile your biscuits high with lots of berries, juice, and cream--Then enjoy every single bite without guilt.

1. Cut the biscuit in half and place the bottom on a dessert plate.
2. Spoon on a generous helping of strawberries and juice. Top with cream--and a few more berries if you wish.
2. Add the biscuit top and repeat the process.
3. Serve immediately

Preparation time: 45 minutes plus 2+ hours downtime.
A Barbara Adams Beyond Wonderful recipe

Refreshing Iced Tea

Prep: 5 min., Cook: 5 min., Steep: 5 min. To make this version sweet, stir 1/4 to 1/2 cup sugar into the hot tea, stirring until dissolved.

Ingredients
3 cups water

2 family-size tea bags

Ice cubes

Garnish: halved lemon and lime slices

Preparation:

Bring 3 cups water to a boil in a medium saucepan; add 2 family-size tea bags, and remove mixture from heat. Steep 5 minutes. Remove and discard tea bags.

Pour tea into a 1/2-gal. heatproof container, and add ice cubes to fill; stir. Serve over additional ice, and garnish, if desired.

Yield
Makes 2 qt.

Priscilla Kendrick, Hendersonville, North Carolina

Psalms 42:1

As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God.

Fill My Cup, Lord

Words and Music by Richard Blanshard John 4:14 "But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst;but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life."  

Like the woman at the well 

I was seeking 

For things that could not satisfy: 

And then I heard my Savior speaking: 

"Draw from my well that never shall run dry".

 

Chorus

Fill my cup Lord, I lift it up, Lord! 

Come and quench this thirsting of my soul; 

Bread of heaven, Feed me till I want no more 

Fill my cup, fill it up and make me whole! 

 

There are millions in this world who are craving 

The pleasures earthly things afford;

 But none can match the wondrous treasure 

That I find in Jesus Christ my Lord.

The Brook Has Dried Up

by Charles R. Swindoll (Read 1 Kings 17:5--7) 

One morning Elijah noticed that the brook wasn't gushing over the rocks or running as freely as it had in days past. Since that single stream of water was his lifeline, he checked it carefully. 

Over the next few days he watched it dwindle and shrink, until it was only a trickle. 

Then one morning, there was no water, only wet sand. The hot winds soon siphoned even that dampness, and the sand hardened. Before long, cracks appeared in the parched bed of the brook. No more water. The brook had dried up. 

Does that kind of experience sound familiar to you? At one time you knew the joy of a full bank account, a booming business, an exciting, ever-expanding career, a magnificent and exciting ministry. But the brook has dried up. 

At one time you knew the joy of using your voice to sing the Lord's praises. Then a growth developed on your vocal chords, requiring surgery. But the surgery removed more than the growth; it also took your lovely singing voice. The brook has dried up. 

Your partner in life has grown indifferent and has recently asked for a divorce. There's no longer any affection and no promise of change. The brook has dried up. 

I've had my own times when the brook has dried up, and I've found myself wondering about the things I've believed and preached for years. What happened? Had God died? No. My vision just got a little blurry. My circumstances caused my thinking to get a little foggy. I looked up, and I couldn't see Him as clearly. To exacerbate the problem, I felt as though He wasn't hearing me. The heavens were brass. I would speak to Him and heard nothing. My brook dried up. 

That's what happened to John Bunyan in seventeenth-century England. He preached against the godlessness of his day, and the authorities shoved him into prison. His brook of opportunity and freedom dried up. 

But because Bunyan firmly believed God was still alive and at work, he turned that prison into a place of praise, service, and creativity as he began to write Pilgrim's Progress, the most famous allegory in the history of the English language. Dried-up brooks in no way cancel out God's providential plan. Often, they cause it to emerge.