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Listen while you read: "The Comforter Has Come"1 (Lyrics) |
Because our generous neighbour continually shared the bounty from her pear tree, I had to come up with ways of using the things. You can only eat so many pears.
Anyway, I found a recipe for pear mincemeat and made it every summer when the pears arrived. Last year, someone gave us a half-dozen pears, and mincemeat memories reared in my head.
Of course, I had to rework the recipe, because the original called for baskets full of fruit. Then, I found that I didn't have some of the ingredients. I figured that I needed a cup of raisins, a quarter of a cup of lemon juice, one cup each of apple and orange juice, a couple of cups of sugar replacement, and assorted spices.
Well, I ended up buying a bag of raisins, a quart each of the juices, and a bottle of cloves. The whole mess boiled down to one pie filling that cost me only about $20.00 and three hours' stirring time. It didn't taste that great either. (I can buy a jar of mincemeat for $4.99).
Don't we all get carried away by grandiose schemes and memories into mayhem? We plan great plans and dream great dreams only to discover that the whole thing was a waste of time and effort.
Proverbs 16:9 – A man's heart plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps. (NKJV)
Luke 14:28 – For which of you, wishing to build a farm building, does not first sit down and calculate the cost [to see] whether he has sufficient means to finish it? (AMP)
What are we jumping into today? Have we counted the cost, not only in dollars but in health, relationships, and results?
Prayer: Lord, stop us in our tracks when we scheme and plan contrary to Your plans and Your results. Amen.
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Thursday, April 18, 2024 – In East Asia — Pray for more partners who become trainers in our house church planting network in East Asia. We are asking God for around ten of these trainers for each district in our region. May the Lord grant them courage in their next step of faith.
stressful travel ahead: "April 17, 2024: Please pray that our upcoming travel will be okay. A few problems have arisen with..." 
Good advice Brenda.
Thanks! A good lesson with a smile included!
I enjoyed this. It made me laugh out loud! Thanks.
Dear Brenda,
Thank you for your prayer.
AMEN and then AMEN! Thanks Brenda for the very timely reminder!!!
(Texas)
Hi Brenda
Well it was so great to read your devotions for today. Thank you.
Wonderful message Brenda. I began to read and thought to myself, ‘this sounds like Brenda.’
Guess I know you pretty well.
Be glad when you’re not as busy (you too, I’m sure).
Thanks Brenda…on the flip side, I guess to be contrary as is often associated with the name “mary”, did you not enjoy reliving those mincemeat making days? and I wondered about the possibiity of paring down the recipe and buying bulk ingredients for a smaller batch. Just usually my nature to see the flip side of things.
Was so enjoying the hymn “The Comforter Has Come”, that came along with your devotional today, that it took me a while before I noticed it was another good devotional from Brenda.
Been there, done that Brenda, and too late realizing the cost and the effort were more than if I had gone to the grocery store, but alas we would not have had the experience and the delicious aroma in our kitchen while making the ‘from scratch’ variety. Just as counting the cost in following Christ, how much more we appreciate the cost when we have had to struggle to get there, not to mention the cost to Christ for redeeming us. Thank you.
(B.C.)
Dear Brenda,
Your devotional sounds like something I do. Nice to know there are others like me. I tend to over think and plan sometimes too far ahead, and then get frustrated when things have not turned out the way I planned them.
Our son was coming home and instead of waiting to see his plans when he got here, I prepared a lot of food and wound up throwing most of it out. I guess we can plan all we want; however we need to remember God is in charge and if we confide in Him and rely on God, all will work out… according to His divine plan. Thank you so much for your devotional.