Greater Things In 2017

Transcription

1 Greater Things In 2017 Mt Hebron Missionary Baptist Church 1233 Highway 66 Garland TX (P) (F) Leonard O. Leach, Senior Pastor Join us each morning at 5AM for Prayer Via Conference call Dial in Number: * Access Code #

2 Greetings, I am so glad you have decided to participate in an extended time of prayer, fasting and personal devotion. Fasting has the potential for significant impact in your life; the Holy Spirit can transform your life personally and God can speak to you in new and dynamic ways. There really is no better way to reset our spiritual compass and bring about refreshing in every area of our lives than through prayer and fasting. My hope is that this time of prayer and fasting will refresh you personally as well as our church corporately as we seek God s blessing and direction. Daily devotions, scripture reading and suggested prayers are included in this booklet as a practical guideline to help you navigate through your personal twenty one day journey. As you read over the information, please consider how it applies to you and your personal circumstances and convictions. Finally, it is my prayer that you experience the presence and power of God in an extraordinary way as you commit yourself to Him over the next 21 days. May you be closer to God than ever before as you seek Him first! Getting Started: Pastor Leach As you prepare for the next twenty one days, it can be tempting to start thinking of a laundry list of prayers you d love to see answered. But, to keep this simple, think about the top two or three things most pressing on your heart and focus on those with God. Write them down in the space provided below, and be open to hearing what God wants to show you in these areas. The breakthroughs, miracles, and answered prayers will be by products of drawing closer to Jesus. When praying, make your primary goal to know Jesus more. Pray prayers of total surrender; aim to glorify God with your life. Focus first on Him, such as His goodness and His greatness, and see everything else through that filter. And most simply, make time to pray daily. Don t overcomplicate this! Just talk to God. Have a place and time where you can seek Him every day. If you don t plan to pray, you won t. *If you find it challenging to disconnect from the busyness of your day, try listening to worship music. During this fast, I am praying and believing God for: FASTING GUIDE: The Daniel Fast Though there are many types of Fasts the Daniel fast is a great model to follow and is very effective for spiritual focus, physical discipline, and purification of the body and soul. It is probably one of the most commonly referred to fasts; however, within the Daniel fast there is room for broad interpretation. In the book of Daniel there are two different times where the prophet Daniel fasted. Daniel 1 states that he only ate vegetables and water, and in Daniel 10, though the passage does not give a specific list of foods, it does state he ate no rich (or choice) foods, as well as no meat or wine. So based on these two verses, we can see that either of these, or combinations of the two, constitute a Daniel fast. In addition to food fasting can also include social media, sports, entertainment and shopping among other things. It should be something you are accustomed to so that it is a challenge to give it up. Giving it up for a period of time enables you to focus more on God. When you usually watch television, open your Bible to read and pray instead. However, it is important to mention that there is nothing inherently more spiritual about one type of fast as opposed to another. The foundation of the Daniel fast is fruits and vegetables. Some starchy vegetables and dairy could be included, but 2

3 that depends on the individual. Your goal should be to seek God in prayer about this and follow what the Holy Spirit leads you to do. These are simply guidelines and suggestions on different things you can do. Please do not let what you eat or do not eat become the focus of your fast. Keep the main thing the main thing, which is drawing closer to God. Remember, this is a time to disconnect from your regular patterns and habits in order to connect more closely to God. * Here are a few tips to keep in mind before getting started: Start Where You Are: We are all at different places in our walk with God so, whether you ve fasted before or this is your first time, start where you are. Your personal fast should present a challenge, but it s very important to know your own body, know your options and, most importantly, seek God in prayer and follow what the Holy Spirit leads you to do. Begin and Break the Fast Well: It s important to prepare your body for the fast. We will begin the transition into your fast on week (1): WEEK 1 Exclude meat and limit beverages to water and noncaffeinated herbal teas. *As you prepare for the next week, make your meal somewhat lighter for a few days leading up to week two. Tips: WEEK 2 Acceptable foods include: All fresh fruits & vegetables; All Legumes (beans, peas, lentils, nuts); Whole grains, Nuts & Seeds; Tofu; Herbs & spices. Foods to Avoid: All meats & animal products; All Dairy products; All fried foods (Sautee is acceptable); All solid fats & fast foods. WEEK 3 Acceptable foods include: All fresh fruits & vegetables; All Legumes (beans, peas, lentils, nuts); Whole grains, Nuts & Seeds; Tofu; Herbs & spices. *Drink only water & non caffeinated herbal teas Foods to Avoid: All meats & animal products; All Dairy products; All fried foods (Sautee is acceptable); All solid fats & fast foods; Wine & alcoholic beverages; All sweeteners (incl honey & agave nectar); All leavened bread. If experiencing weakness or headaches during your fast, drink at least 8 glasses of water each day. Often, we do not understand how much our body needs water, especially when fasting. Be careful not to drink too much water, however. Too much liquid can be as bad as not enough. If for any reason you eat something you shouldn't have during the fast, it is better to ask for forgiveness and continue, than it is to stop the fast. Lots of prayer...we need God's strength and guidance. Keep your diet simple. Avoid highly processed foods in favor of simply prepared or raw foods. Set a goal for how long you will do the fast though you may want to continue the Daniel Fast than first intended. You may want to supplement your diet with a multi-vitamin. Warnings: During the time of fasting, you will face temptations; resist them in the name of Jesus. 3

4 When you have finished the fast, eat light meals and slowly build back up to your normal diet. However, it is highly recommended that you continue the healthy diet. (Be careful how you break the fast; your body is so cleansed and detoxified, you will likely get sick if you do NOT reintroduce foods gradually. If you have medical concerns (diabetes etc.) please consult your Doctor before participating in this Spiritual Fast. *Each day during your fast, we encourage you to keep a daily journal. Write any revelations that God gives you about yourself and about life in general. 1) Avoid Distractions --- This is a time to strengthen your relationship with God so avoid secular TV and Radio Listen to Christian Programming 2) Focus on your Faith Worship God through sacrifice and love Him more than His gifts. 3) Take a brisk minute walk each day. If possible walk with others, it will increase the enjoyment, improve fellowship and add accountability to your fitness element. 4) Prepare time (at least 3 times a day) to pray 5) Reserve time for God during the day by studying the Bible. Personal Devotion: Reading your Bible is about connecting to God in a powerful way. It is not about duty but about relationship. His Word is living and active! As you read you are draw closer to God and position yourself to hear from Him. *Here are (3) quick things that can help get the most out of your devotional time with God. 1. Read Consistently: read a little every day don t try to knock out hours of Bible reading or devotions at one time; digest the Word in absorbable chunks. Don t bite off more than you can chew, and certainly don t compare your performance with that of others. If you miss a day, pick up at the next reading, but stay with it and don t give up. 2. Read Prayerfully: Talk to God as you re reading. Don t rush through. If you come across something you don t understand, pause for a moment and ask God about it. Reading prayerfully is making time to talk to God and giving Him time to talk to you. Meditating on God s Word is just as important as reading it. 3. Read Expectantly: Foster an attitude of expectancy. Believe that God is going to speak to you through His Word and be prepared to do something with what He shows you. A simple way to journal is to use the SOAP method (by Wayne Cordiero): Remember, the goal of fasting is not just to do without food. The goal is to draw nearer to God. Important Note: Fasting requires reasonable precautions. If you have any health concerns, please consult your physician prior to beginning your fast, especially if you are taking any medication, have a chronic condition, or are pregnant or nursing a baby. *Adapted with permission from Your Personal Guide to Fasting and Prayer, by Dr. Bill Bright, Campus Crusade for Christ International and Awakening Guide 2012, by Celebration Church. & fhmin.org/awakening 4

5 OVER All Things...Everything comes from you, and we have given you only what comes from you hand. Matthew 6:21 "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Day One - Your Only True Treasure Read Matthew 6:21 Apply Jesus here tells us the most important lesson about money. Our heart, our desire and hope, is tied closely to our treasure. Our money and our heart go together. We all know that, of course, to some extent. But when Jesus calls our attention to this part of our character, he confronts us. He alerts us to the powerful tug that material wealth possesses, an allure that makes us do and act and believe contrary to our Christian confession. We say that we live for heaven. Our pocketbook shows us what we really live for. He calls us to examine where we place our money and our heart: earthly pleasures that fade away or eternal kingdom investments that last forever. 1. Where is most of your treasure? Is that where your heart is? 2. When you give, does that frighten you or excite you? Why? Pray Do For a renewed heart that tells treasure what to do, not more treasure that tells your heart what to do. Look at your bank statement and your credit card statements. Specifically, where does most of your money go? Are those your priorities? Day Two - God's Ownership of Creation Deuteronomy 8:17-18 "You may say to yourself, 'My power and the strength of my hands have produced this wealth for me. ' But remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth... Read Psalm 50, especially 7-15 Apply God is the creator (Gen 1:1), the sole ruler and Lord over all creation. He controls all things in this world, the whole creation (Psalm 50:12). Nothing that we do takes away from God's overruling presence throughout all of creation. It is his to create, and protect, and use for his glory. So whenever we use the resources of the world, we use the resources of God's world. That also means that "the silver is mine and the gold is mine" (Haggai 2:8). When we look at our own finances, we 5

6 tend to forget God's sovereign ownership of creation. We expect him to care for us as if he owes us something. In Job 41: 11, God replies, "Who has a claim against me that I must pay? Everything under heaven belongs to me." Or, we think that we have earned our treasures because of our own abilities (See Deuteronomy 8:17 above). Therefore, God doesn't need our money as if he needed an income. Instead, we need him every moment to sustain us. Our worship, and the dedication of our whole lives to him, is an acknowledgment of his control over everything. It's a thank offering, a giving back of what we have so abundantly received (Psalm 50:14). 1. Do you act like God "owes" you something? Why? 2. What causes you to forget God's loving control of the world? Pray For a renewed heart that daily remembers God's active control of the world and a thankful heart that praises his loving care. Do How might living as if God owns everything influence: the way we shop, the presents we put under the Christmas tree, the vacations we plan, our giving to the needy? Day Three - God's Ownership of His People 1 Corinthians 4:7 "For who makes you different from anyone else? What do you have that you did not receive? And if you did receive it, why do you boast as though you did not?" Read 1 Corinthians 4:7-14 Apply Everything good in our lives comes from God: our abilities, our upbringing, our educational background. We would not be where we are without countless interventions by God on our behalf. Beyond those temporary blessings, God has given his children the greatest gift of all: his only Son. The Corinthian church, and many of us today, practically ignore the full wonder of that claim. The Gospel is a gift. Our union with Christ is all by God's grace. There is nothing we did to deserve it or earn it. In fact, we all were in rebellion against God (Romans 1:18ff, 3:23). And yet Christ died for his people, bearing their sin and giving them his righteousness (2 Cor 5:21). When we forget that, according to Paul, we become prideful and selfish. What if someone loaned us $100,000? Would we resent giving them five bucks? Would we treat all those resources as ours alone? God gives us things of this world to use on his behalf. He didn't have to. But we are his children now; he loves us and gives us what we need and what we can employ to further his kingdom, to spread his grace even more. His goodness includes giving us the joy of commitment to him. 1. Would you treat your things differently if they belonged to someone else? What if you acted as if God owned everything you have: your home, your clothes, your furniture, your money, your time? 2. What have you received from God? How is your life different because of Christ? Pray Pray for a renewed, joyful heart, using the words of Psalm 100. "Know that the Lord is good. It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, the sheep of his pasture." Do Think of ten big purchases that you've made in the past year or so. Discretely (or even just mentally) label them "Provided By and Belonging to God. For His Use Only. 6

7 Day Four - True Security Job 31:24 "I have not put my trust in gold or said to pure gold, 'You are my security'. Read Luke 12:13-21 Apply The rich fool thought that he could trust in his grain. Yet the grain outlasted his own life. He invested his wealth with something it could not give: security. It would always be there to make his life comfortable. But the things of this world are unstable, a pile of sand ready to collapse. God's response to him is blunt: "You fool." "Having lots of money can be like a drug. It can make you feel powerful and giddy. It can convince you that everything is going to be okay. We think that only if we accumulate more and more we will have enough. That day never comes- 'enough' is never reached. When we trust our Lord we can stop hoarding wealth beyond our needs and become 'rich toward God.' The only true security comes from trusting in God's care for his children. As Christians, we can be assured that God loves us because of Christ's work on our behalf. Therefore, we can loosen our grip on our treasures. We see them as temporary and God's kingdom as eternal. 1. How much money do you want left when you die? Why? 2. What does becoming 'rich toward God' look like? Does that reflect your own lifestyle? Why or why not? Pray Pray for a renewed heart that treats money as a mere thing, and treats God as the only true security. Do Look at your long-term goals: home, retirement, children. How much accumulation of wealth is required to meet those goals? What if your lifestyle was greatly simplified-how much less would you need? Would you give away the difference? Day Five - Who Do We Worship? Matthew 6:24-25 "You cannot serve both God and Money Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. " Read Matthew 6:24-34 Apply Jesus personifies wealth as Mammon. He even gives it the status of a false God, an idol, and lays down an all-ornothing claim: if you worship wealth, you won't worship God. Our heart cannot contain two masters, two gods. Worry is an indicator of worship. What you worry about is what you don't want to lose. Therefore, Jesus says that worrying about money and your future is an indicator of a lack of trust in God. Worse, it shows that the heart's true hope is in wealth. "His words are so uncomfortable that even those of us who say we love him and fight to defend Scripture's authority find ourselves looking for ways around what he says. "Research has shown that many people do not give because they are afraid. The only way to ever stop worrying about money is to break its stranglehold on your heart by becoming generous. When you give money away, you stop worshipping it. 7

8 1. If you gave until it lowered your lifestyle, would you be worried? Of what? 2 What would you give up to become enormously rich? Would you give up friends and family? Would you give up your time? Christ? What would you give up just to be 'comfortable'? Pray Pray for a renewed heart that worships Christ alone and rejects the idol of Mammon. Do Catch yourself worshipping money-daydreaming, or worrying about it. Worship Christ instead using the same loving terms: "If I only had more of Jesus...", "With more of Christ in my life we could...", "I hope my new job gives me plenty of time to serve Jesus..." etc. Day Six Contentment Hebrews 13:5 "Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, 'Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you. ' " Read Hebrews 13:1-6 Apply In the midst of exhorting Christians to live according to the gospel the writer to the Hebrews actually commands contentment. Just as contentment is a result of trusting God, it is also the means of trusting God. To be discontent is to accuse God with being either unloving or impotent. Contentment with our life is therefore as important a virtue as love, hospitality, mercy, or fidelity. Sadly, we live in a culture of discontent. Every day we see an average of 3,500 ads, each trying to convince us that what we have is not good enough. We need something new, something better, something more fashionable. Desires become hopes, which become wants, which become 'needs'. "I've just got to have that new HDTV wide-screen TV." Once the newness wears off, it's time for another new thing. Paul advises Timothy to stay focused on the lasting joy of contentment. "But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it." (1 Tim 6:6) 1. Are you content with what you have? If not, then why? 2. How do you handle the pressure to 'keep up', or conform to a higher standard of living? Pray For a renewed heart that is content with God's provision, that isn't always looking to new things for satisfaction. Do Carefully look at a few ads today. What type of 'salvation' or 'better life' do they promise (approval, peace of mind, comfort! prestige, etc.)? How do they entice people into thinking that their life isn't good enough without this thing? 8

9 Day Seven - Money at the Root 1 Timothy 6:10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Read 1 Timothy 6:6-10 Apply This famous passage is central to our view of money. Paul claims that money is at the bottom of a wide variety of sin and idolatry. Money is like a spice in the smorgasbord of sinful desires. In other words, few people lust after mere dollar bills. Instead, money plays into idolatries of security, or comfort, or approval, or power. We like money because it gets us something we want. Even the scrooge, always counting his coins, is actually counting his security, counting the thing he trusts in rather than God. The warning flags are up. As a Christian, we are free to use money, but we should use it with caution, understanding its dangerous ability to turn our hearts from Christ to the things of this world. Jesus goes so far as to call Mammon "unrighteous" (Luke 16:9).7 "We so badly want to believe that mammon has no power over us, no authority of its own. But by giving the descriptive unrighteous to mammon, Jesus forbids us from ever taking so naive a view of wealth. We must be more tough minded, more realistic." 1. Take an honest look at some of your most intense desires. Does money play a role in them? In what way does it play a role? 2. What do you think about people who have a lot more money and possessions than you do? Are they better people, more secure, live a better life? Pray Pray for a renewed heart that recognizes the power of money to turn your desires away from Christ and is able to counter that power by remembering the beauty of Christ. Do Take one alluring aspect of money and write a list of the ways it affects your life. For example, "The ways that I act like money gives me pleasure are..." or "The ways that I act like money makes me better than other people are..." 1 Timothy 6:18...do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. Day Eight - The Antidote Read 1 Timothy 6:6-9, Apply Paul has already warned us about the dangerous side of money in this passage. He now turns to the Biblical use of money, by urging Timothy to teach the rich in Ephesus: to invest their treasure into eternal purposes. The purpose of wealth is to do good with it. What a noble and high calling. Note that he doesn't command the rich to become poor. Instead he commands the rich to be generous, "rich in good deeds." They give up one type of riches to gain another. And in doing that, they break the enslaving grip that treasures have on our heart. In short, the antidote for money's poisonous effect in our lives is generosity. It's an antidote of drinking the sweet medicine of trusting in God's control of the future, trusting in the "life that is truly life." This is first of all a generosity of the heart. The heart has to turn from loving good deeds more than loving riches. But that is a measurable turning. The desire to give is easily quantified-when money actually leaves the account and goes to God's kingdom. 9

10 1. John Newton's method was to figure out what a "barely decent" lifestyle was (home, food, clothing), and then to give one penny away for every penny spent on oneself. What would your life be like if you followed that method? 2. What do you think about people who have a lot more money and possessions than you do? Are they better people, more secure, live a better life? Pray Do Pray for a renewed heart that recognizes the power of money to turn your desires away from Christ and is able to counter that power by remembering the beauty of Christ. Take one alluring aspect of money and write a list of the ways it affects your life. For example, "The ways that I act like money gives me pleasure are..." or "The ways that I act like money makes me better than other people are..." Day Nine - The Motive 2 Corinthians 8:8,9 I want to test the sincerity of your love. For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich. Read 2 Corinthians 8:1-15 Apply In one of the first recorded church fundraising letters in history, Paul appeal to one single motive for giving: the grace of Christ. Christians don't give because they should (although they do) or because it frees their life from the idolatry of Mammon (although it does). Christians give because they know that God gave everything, even his own Son Jesus Christ, for their sakes. Grace is the motivation for giving. Giving is a response to a gift of sheer grace. Just as those who are forgiven much also forgive, those who have been given much (peace with God, eternal life, the love of Christ, the indwelling Spirit, and more) give in return. The Macedonians understood that grace so much that even in the midst of their own difficult circumstances they happily gave beyond their ability (8:1-4). They begged to give more. 1. Do you beg God to be able to give more than you do now? What is your goal? 2. What typically motivates your giving? Guilt, duty, expectation of God's blessing or thankfulness? Pray Do Pray for a renewed lifestyle that places a priority on giving. Give away some cash (not a check) this week simply because you love Jesus. Don't let anyone know about it or claim it on your taxes. Day Ten - A Cheerful Giver 2 Corinthians 9: 7 "Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. Read 2 Corinthians 9:6-15 Apply When Christians give, as we saw yesterday, they give motivated by grace. A reluctant gift or a guilt-manipulated gift is not generosity. It's paying a "God tax," it's fulfilling an obligation. A generous lifestyle, however, is a life of freedom, of simplicity, of joy, of fruitfulness, of purpose. There is a satisfaction to pleasing God, to bringing joy and honor to him. A 10

11 Christian should smile as they give, they should want to give. We should see giving like a roller coaster ride: it feels adventurous and risky, but it's really safe. We think we are going to plummet, but God holds onto us tightly (9:8). Anything that much fun becomes contagious. Many Christians experience that thrill; once they make giving a priority, it becomes more and more joyful. 1. Is giving money a-way fun for you? If yes, then when did that joy begin? If not, then why not? 2. Do you desire to give more than you do now (see yesterday's passage)? What stops you from giving? Pray Do Pray for a renewed lifestyle that expresses grace, that holds onto possessions loosely, that finds joy in giving. As you give, either on Sunday or at another time, use the act of giving as a specific act of worship. Day Eleven - Starting Somewhere Leviticus 27:30 A tithe of everything... belongs to the LORD. Read Leviticus 27:30-33 Apply In the Old Testament, all believers were required to give a tenth of income to God's work and the poor. The tithe is still a minimum guideline for our giving. The tithe (or ten percent) guideline makes many Christians feel guilty. Some of that guilt, as we saw yesterday, is false. However, as one observer states: "...some of us should feel legitimately guilty about what we put in the offering plate. Relative to the wealth that has been placed in our care, few of us give sacrificially. We are greedy and giving God the leftovers. The law has a legitimate 'role to bring us to the righteous God at the foot of the cross, where we meet a gracious loving Christ. It is the love of Christ that we are responding to, that motivates us to be great givers and deep lovers. What about grace? The tithe is not a law that brings us merit in God's eyes. It shows us that we need the grace of Christ to cover our greed, to set us free from self-service. We then can see the tithe just like every other law of God) as a means of expressing gratitude. That's what Leviticus says the tithe was for anyway. 1. Do you tithe your income? Do you give away more than ten percent, or less? 2. What would it take to move your giving up one level, giving away a few percent more next year? Pray Pray for a renewed lifestyle that moves up each year in giving to biblical proportions, from nothing to tithing to beyond. Do What is your income level? What is ten percent of the gross? How does that compare to your giving? Day Twelve - Proportion 1 Corinthians 16:2 On the first day of every week, each one of you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with his income. - Read 1 Corinthians 15:58-16:4 11

12 Apply After a lengthy discussion of the glories of resurrection in Christ, Paul places an important "therefore" in 15:58. Because we know for sure that death is defeated at the cross, we can fearlessly stand firm in faith and move out in ministry into the world. When we worship, we respond to the hope of the gospel by committing our lives to the wonderful God that we believe in. Worship is, in short, giving. To worship, we must not only give him our praise, our attention, our sins, our fears, our burdens, and our hearts, but also our money. So Paul advised the Corinthians to offer their gifts as an act of worship "on the first day of the week" (Sunday). This regular, planned offering ensured not only the right proportion of generosity, but also that the gifts were used as a joyful, praise filled response to grace. For that reason, Christians have always seen regular Sunday offerings as a normal means of giving. 1. Do you give each week just to "pay for your seat" at church, or to worship? 2. Is your giving regular, or sporadic? How would regular giving increase both the proportion and the joy of generosity? Pray Pray for a lifestyle of consistent, regular giving to the Lord what he has called you to give. Do Take the amount that you feel God calls you to give and divide it by 12 (monthly) or 52 (weekly). Commit to giving that regular amount at worship, doubling on weeks you may be out of town. Giving by check instead of cash helps by keeping a record of consistency. (For self-employed freelance people, you may need to base giving on whenever income arrives rather than a set weekly amount). Day Thirteen - Investing in the Kingdom Luke 12:33 "Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for your- selves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will not be exhausted." Read Luke 12:22-34 Apply Only two things from this world will never pass away: God's Word and people. When we invest our resources into people. We are making an eternal decision. Jesus tells us that giving cannot be a losing investment. Are you spending on things that will pass away, or investing in a cause that will make a difference forever? As the hymn writer puts it: "Fading is the worldlings pleasure, all his boasted pomp and show/ Solid joys and lasting treasure, none but Zion's children know." God's kingdom will never end, billions of years after every 'safe investment on earth has disintegrated. Giving money to the poor, according to Jesus, is not throwing money away; rather, it is the only reasonable thing to do. 1. What do you consider 'safe' in this world? How does that compare to the safety of God's eternal kingdom? 2. Do you have the same concern for the poor as Jesus did? Why or why not? Pray Pray for a renewed lifestyle that sees people as more eternal than things and thereby puts more effort, time and money into people for the sake of Jesus Christ. Do Find a person that you know that has a practical need. Try to meet (at least part of) that need by getting rid of something that you have. Don't give away something worn out; give away something you like. 12

13 Day Fourteen - Sacrifice of First fruits 2 Corinthians 8:3 "For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability. " Read Deuteronomy 26:1-4, 9-11 Apply The idea of 'first fruits' giving is to offer up to God the first rewards of our labor in acknowledgment that what we have is a gift from God. The first fruits were the choicest, the best of the harvest. The Israelites were saying, "God, you've given us this bounty, so know we give it back to you. "Giving the first fruits is also a sacrifice. They could be sold for a higher price than the rest of the harvest. In giving them away, God's people trusted Him to provide a continued harvest. It was therefore a sacrificial pledge; a promise that all things belong to God. Christ gave sacrificially, and so Christian giving is sacrificial giving. His first fruits were the pledge of the Holy Spirit, the guarantee of the full harvest of his promise. Christians has always continued this practice, giving 'off the top' sacrificially, trusting that the Lord will provide. 1. What would be the 'first fruits' of your life: your pre-tax income, your investments, your time, your abilities, your 'earning potential'? How are those a gift from God? 2. What kind of a plan could you create to give first to God in everything? Pray Do Pray for a renewed lifestyle that seeks to give God the first of everything in all areas of life. How could you encourage other Christians to help each other give first to God? How could our church community do that? Day Fifteen - Outgiving God Malachi 3:10 "Bring the whole tithe... test me in this, "says the LORD Almighty, and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it." Read Malachi 3:8-12 Apply God dares you to trust Him in giving. He doesn't simply command obedience. He shows us how wildly generous he is, how quick to give out his favor. Then he says: if you belong to me, do likewise. Giving is an adventure that is rewarding beyond your wildest dreams. The joy of trust flows into every area of our life: from finances, to career, to the future, to relationships, to hard times. When we live according to our solid grasp of God's goodness our whole lives are more free and steadfast. We gain a courage that can withstand trials when we believe that Jesus Christ is committed to fulfilling his plan of redemption in us. As the late missionary Jim Elliot said, "He is no fool who gives up what he cannot keep in order to gain what he cannot lose. "You can never out give God. 1. How does this passage address Christians today? How does it address you? 2. What are some ways that God has acted in your life following greater commitment to him and greater offering of yourself? Pray For a renewed church that hungers to give and that sees God's Do remarkable outflow of his favor. Take God's dare. Give away at least ten percent of your pre-tax income. See what happens. 13

14 Day Sixteen - Outpouring of Grace 2 Corinthians 9:6 "Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously." Read Corinthians 9:6-10 Apply God promises that he will pour out even more abundant grace into our lives to the degree that we commit to him. This certainly does not mean that God pays us back. If we give $100 he may not give us $1,000 back, as some people have misunderstood passages like this to mean. But in every instance he gives us (individually and as the church community) something even more precious. Himself. Giving builds your relationship with God because, as we've seen already, it builds hope, trust, belief, and commitment to him. The real gain is a closer walk with Jesus Christ, a greater union of your life with his. Paul also states the converse: whenever Christians, individually or together, hold back, they damage their relationship with Christ. They act without courage; they deny his goodness. 1. The idea of 'sowing and reaping' is common in Scripture. Where else does it apply? 2. Do you give because you are motivated that God will reward you in this life somehow? Or does something else motivate your giving? 3. If you were generous, but your financial situation stayed the same (or became even worse), would you stop trusting God? Why or why not? Pray For a renewed church that sows generously, with abandon. Do To sow generously implies giving until it actually lowers our current lifestyle. What would it take to lower your lifestyle? Day Seventeen - Adventure I Chronicles 29:14 "But who am I, and who are my people, that we should be able to give as generously as this? Everything comes from you, and we have given you only what comes from your hand." Read 1 Chronicles 29:1-20 Apply David beautifully expresses a heart of gratitude here in this passage. We too should marvel at even the ability to be generous. It is one of God's good gifts to us, a sure sign of our understanding of His grace. Giving to God's kingdom, laying down our earthly treasures at his feet, has no end. It is a roller-coaster ride through life, an adventure. And yet it is an adventure that is safe within the loving arms of the almighty God. Only the gospel of new life in Christ can sustain such a life-long experience. To paraphrase G. K. Chesterton: "Every person wants two things in life: adventure and security. Only in Christianity do you get both." 1. Where does your ability to be generous come from? Were you always as generous as you are now, or have you grown in that area? 14

15 2. How do you live both adventurously and with security as a Christian? 3. As a community, how can we live with a greater sense of adventure? Pray Do For a renewed church that recognizes the adventure of the Christian life, the thrill of being a colony of God's people in the world. What is one thing that you are frightened to do for God? Commit to praying for the grace to do that within the next six months. Unite with other Christians (in your fellowship group or friends) to help each other complete your plan. Day Eighteen Pleasing God Philippians 4:15,18-19 "... the gifts you sent are a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God. And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus. Read Philippians 4:10-20 Apply Giving to the work of ministry is really an offering to God himself. When the Philippians gave to Paul they were actually offering their resources to further God's kingdom. They gave so that his ministry of advancing the claims of the Gospel would progress. All giving is used by God in this way. Money is never meant to be stored up in some type of bank account but instead used for God's kingdom purposes. When the church has hoarded wealth, it has strayed far from God's purposes and needs to repent. He doesn't desire extravagance; He doesn't need worldly success. He is a giving Lord who constantly pours out the fragrant offerings given to him back into people so that they would know him. For example, Paul, the recipient of the Philippian's gift, used that gift to praise God for them. He rejoiced not only for the support, (which he needed), but also for the proof it gave of their changed life. According to his calling, he used their gift to spread the gospel to even more people. 1. When you give, do you think of your offering going to God, or just going to pay the church's bills? 2. What is a better use of God's resources: luxuries or necessities? Why should Christians live a 'wartime lifestyle' instead of a 'comfort lifestyle?'11 Pray For a renewed church that constantly gives out as much as it receives, based on the needs of people surrounding the church. Do Pick something of your own that someone has given to you (not that thing you keep in the back of your closet!) and give it to someone who needs it. Day Nineteen Community of Care Acts 2:44-47 All the believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved." Read Acts 2:

16 Apply The first Christians instinctively knew that their possessions needed to be shared with their brothers and sisters in Christ. Why? They had seen Jesus live in the same way. This radical unselfishness stood out as much to the people of their time as it would to modern people. Such an astounding display of generosity and mutual care, mixed with the wonders of the Holy Spirit, pierced the hearts of many. Giving changes the world. There is no more powerful evidence of the transformation of the gospel than radical generosity. 1. Most people feel that modern Christians could never share their possessions like the Christians in Acts Is that true? (If not why not?) 2. In a world where some philanthropists give away millions to charitable causes (often for the fame and recognition it receives), how generous would 'ordinary' Christians have to be to catch the attention of the world? 3. How could our giving bring attention to Jesus instead of ourselves? Pray For a renewed church that is so generous that the whole city would notice. Do As you read biographies of Christians, notice how generous they were (or weren't). Try to explain how their use of money fit into their life as a whole. Day Twenty Praise to God 2 Corinthians 9:11 You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion... your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God. " Read 2 Corinthians 9:11-15 Apply When we can bless others with our generosity, the praise goes to God. People who receive the generous grace of Christians are able to praise God "because of the surpassing grace God has given" (verse 14). They know that such a financial gift comes from an even greater source the grace of God in Jesus Christ. Giving is just a part of a lifestyle of generosity. Christians always give' of their heart, their time, their hope, and their prayers. Day Twenty One - Adventure As we close this twenty-one day study of biblical stewardship, we reflect on all the different ways that we can give of ourselves. Jesus died for us to set us free from this life of death. By putting to death the old, we take on the new life found in Christ. We trust that God will provide us the strength to be content in all situations (see Phil. 4:11-13) so that we can in turn sacrifice joyfully for the sake of the gospel. 1. Are you content enough in all situations to willingly be generous "on every occasion?" 2. How does giving of your financial resources encourage greater giving of your whole life to God? 3. Looking back, what has been the greatest lesson that you've learned? How do you think and act differently toward God? Pray Do For a renewed church, full of people with renewed hearts, that is free to risk everything for the sake of the gospel. Look for other books on Christian stewardship to continue growing in your understanding. 16

17 Resources Consulted: 1 Idea from Firstfruits: Managing the Master's Money, Lillian V. Grissen (Orland Park, IL: Barnabas Foundation, 1992) 2 Adapted from an idea in Firstfruits, 3 "Money and the Meaning of Life: and interview with Jacob Needleman", Michael Malone. Fast Company, June/July 1997., 4 Matthew: IVP New Testament Commentary,Craig Keener (Downers Grove: IVP, 1997) Comment on 6:24;5 Behind the Stained Glass Windows: Money Dynamics in the Church, John and Sylvia Ronsvalle (Grand Rapids: Baker, 1996) 6 Statistic from New York Times research quoted in "Why The Devil Takes Visa", Rodney Clapp. Christianity Today, October 7, The NIV translates 'unrighteous' in this verse as 'worldly,' which somewhat weakens the point of Christ's claim. 8 The Challenge of the Disciplined Life, Richard Foster (New York: Harper San Francisco, 1985) 9 Ron Voss, quoted in: Behind the Stained Glass Windows: Money Dynamics in the Church, John and Sylvia Ronsvalle (Grand Rapids: Baker, 1996) 10 Jim Elliot quoted in Ronald Blue, "How to Have More Money To Give," Money for Ministries, edited by Wesley K. Willmer (Victor Books, 1989) 11 Adapted from a study guide question by John Piper based on "Money: The Currency of Christian Hedonism", chapter five of Desiring God (Expanded edition. Sisters, OR: Multnomah Press, 1996) This devotional has been repurposed for use by Gashland Evangelical Presbyterian Church in Kansas City, Missouri by permission of Redeemer Presbyterian Church in New York City, NY. 17

18 MAIN DISHES ONE PAN MEXICAN QUINOA INGREDIENTS: 1 tablespoon olive oil 2 cloves garlic, minced 1 jalapeno, minced 1 cup quinoa 1 cup vegetable broth 1 (15-ounce) can black beans, drained and rinsed 1 (14.5 oz) can fire-roasted diced tomatoes 1 cup corn kernels 1 teaspoon chili powder 1/2 teaspoon cumin Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste 1 avocado, halved, seeded, peeled and diced Juice of 1 lime 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro leaves DIRECTIONS: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium high heat. Add garlic and jalapeno, and cook, stirring frequently, until fragrant, about 1 minute. Stir in quinoa, vegetable broth, beans, tomatoes, corn, chili powder and cumin; season with salt and pepper, to taste. Bring to a boil; cover, reduce heat and simmer until quinoa is cooked through, about 20 minutes. Stir in avocado, lime juice and cilantro. Serve immediately. VEGGIE MEATLOAF Ingredients 3 1/2 cups chopped portabella mushrooms 2 cups chickpeas, drained and divided 1 cup chopped broccoli florets (make the pieces small - not minced but not chunky) 1 cup shredded zucchini 4 Xl eggs (use egg replacer Ener-G Egg Replacer works well in most recipes requiring eggs) 2 Tbl Montreal Steak Seasoning 1/2 cup chopped onion (make the pieces small - not minced but not chunky) 2 Tbl minced garlic 18

19 2 Tbl Worcestershire (regular or vegetarian as regular contains anchovies) 1/2 cup chopped red peppers (make the pieces small - not minced but not chunky) 1 1/2 cup unseasoned bread crumbs (use whole grain Tortillas - 4 tortillas make about 1 cup of breadcrumbs) 3 slices wheat bread torn into small pieces (substitute with Tortillas) 2 Tbl milk (almond milk) 3 Tbl spicy ketchup glaze Spicy Ketchup Glaze 1 cup ketchup (all natural / fast friendly) 2 Tbl soy sauce 1 tsp hot sauce (tabasco) 1 tsp salt 1 tsp black pepper 1/4 cup brown sugar (fast friendly sweeteners incl. agave, maple syrup or coconut sugar) 2 Tbl white vinegar 1 Tbl liquid smoke Instructions Preheat oven to 350F, rack in the middle. Line a rimmed large baking sheet with parchment paper and lightly spray. Make the spicy ketchup glaze by adding all ingredients in a bowl, mixing and setting aside. Place 1 cup of chickpeas in a bowl and using a masher, mash them until they form a chunky paste. In a large bowl add the mushrooms, whole chickpeas, mashed chickpeas, broccoli, zucchini, peppers, onions, garlic and steak seasoning; mix to combine. Add in the eggs, Worcestershire, breadcrumbs, milk and ketchup glaze and using your hands, mix until combined. The mixture will be very wet. Slowly add in the bread pieces until the mixture holds shape. Place the mixture in the center of your parchment paper, form a loaf /pressed tightly together. Bake the veggie meatloaf for 25 minutes. Remove from the oven and brush with a thick layer of the spicy ketchup glaze. Bake another 10 minutes, remove from the oven, brush with another thick layer of the glaze. Bake for a final 10 minutes (Til glaze is thick & dark SPAGHETTI SQUASH Ingredients: 1 small spaghetti squash (about 3-4 pounds) 2 tablespoons butter (use olive oil for fast) 2 cloves garlic, finely minced 1 Can Roasted diced tomatoes (or Rotel for zest) 1/4 cup finely minced parsley (or basil) 1/2 teaspoon salt (or to taste) 1/4 cup shredded Feta cheese (omit for fast) DIRECTIONS: 1. Preheat oven to 375F. Pierce squash a few times with sharp paring knife (to let steam escape). Bake spaghetti squash for 60 minutes, or until a paring knife pierces easily through skin with little resistance. Let squash cool for 10 minutes. 2. Cut squash in half, lengthwise. Use a fork to remove and discard the seeds. Continue using fork to scrape the squash to get long, lovely strands. If the squash seem difficult to scrape, return the squash to bake for an additional 10 minutes. 3. Heat a large saute pan with the butter and the garlic over medium-low heat. When garlic becomes fragrant, add parsley, salt and spaghetti squash strands. Toss well, sprinkle in the parmesan cheese and taste to see if you need 19

20 additional salt. The spaghetti squash should have a slight crunch (i.e. not mushy) - but if you like it softer, cover the pan and cook 2 more minutes. CHIPOTLE BLACK BEAN BURGERS 1 (15-ounce) can black beans, rinsed and drained 1 cup mashed cooked sweet potatoes (about 1 large sweet potato, peeled) ¼ cup oat flour or brown rice flour ½ tablespoon dried parsley ¼ teaspoon chipotle chile pepper seasoning ¼ teaspoon garlic powder ¼ teaspoon salt 1/8 teaspoon pepper Preheat oven to broil setting. With a potato masher or fork, mash black beans in a large bowl, leaving about ¼ of the beans whole. Mix in sweet potatoes, oat flour, parsley, chipotle chile pepper seasoning, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Scoop out 1/3 cup of bean mixture, and place on an 11 x 17-inch baking sheet that has been rubbed with olive oil. Flatten and shape into a circle with spatula. Repeat with the remaining bean mixture to make 6 burgers. Broil 4 inches from heat about 7-8 minutes or until golden brown. Flip burgers carefully with spatula. Broil 2-3 more minutes, and serve. Yield: 6 servings (serving size: 1 burger VEGETABLES ETHIOPIAN CABBAGE DISH Ingredients 1/2 cup olive oil 4 carrots, thinly sliced 1 onion, thinly sliced 1 teaspoon sea salt 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin 1/4 teaspoon ground turmeric 1/2 head cabbage, shredded 5 potatoes, peeled and cut into 1-inch cubes Directions Heat the olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Cook the carrots and onion in the hot oil about 5 minutes. Stir in the salt, pepper, cumin, turmeric, and cabbage and cook another 15 to 20 minutes. Add the potatoes; cover. Reduce heat to medium-low and cook until potatoes are soft, 20 to 30 minutes. GARLIC ROASTED POTATO 2 pounds medium boiling potatoes, peeled and cut into chunks 3 tablespoons olive oil 5 to 6 large rosemary sprigs (about 5 inches long) or 2 teaspoons of rosemary 4 large garlic cloves, smashed and peeled DIRECTIONS: 1 Preheat oven to 450 F with a 4-sided heavy sheet pan in upper third. 2 Toss ingredients with 1 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper. Spread in 1 layer on hot pan and roast 20 Minutes. Loosen potatoes with a metal spatula and turn, arranging pale potatoes around outer edge of pan and golden potatoes in center (for even roasting). 20

21 3 Roast 15 minutes, then loosen and turn potatoes over again. Roast until potatoes are golden and cooked through and edges are crisp, about 10 minutes more. GARLIC ROASTED BRUSSELS SPROUTS Ingredients 1 pounds Brussels sprouts 2 garlic cloves, minced ½ tsp cayenne pepper (optional) 4 tbsp olive oil 2 tsp lemon juice salt to taste Instructions Preheat oven to 400 F. Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil, add the Brussels sprouts and cook for two minutes. Drain well and place the Brussels sprouts in a large bowl. Add the minced garlic, cayenne pepper and olive oil and gently toss to coat. Transfer the Brussels sprouts to a baking pan and sprinkle with salt. Bake for minutes, shaking pan occasionally, until sprouts are quite brown and crisp on the outside and tender on the inside. Adjust the taste with more salt if necessary, drizzle with lemon juice, toss to combine and serve. APPETIZERS VEGAN BLACK BEAN QUESADILLAS 1 (15 ounce) can great Northern beans, drained and rinsed 3/4 cup diced tomatoes 1 clove garlic 1/3 cup nutritional yeast 1 teaspoon ground cumin 1/4 teaspoon chili powder salt to taste 1 pinch cayenne pepper, or to taste 1/2 cup black beans, drained and rinsed 1/4 cup diced tomatoes 1 tablespoon olive oil, or as needed 8 whole grain tortillas cooking spray Directions Blend great Northern beans, 3/4 cup tomatoes, and garlic in a food processor until smooth; add nutritional yeast, cumin, chili powder, salt, and red pepper flakes and blend again. Transfer bean mixture to a bowl. Stir black beans and 1/4 cup tomatoes into bean mixture. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Place a tortilla in the hot oil. Spread about 1/4 cup filling onto the tortilla. Place another tortilla on top of filling; cook until filling is warmed, about 10 minutes. Spray the top tortilla with cooking spray and flip quesadilla to cook the second side until lightly browned, 3 to 5 minutes. Repeat with remaining tortillas and filling. 21

22 Great Northern Bean Dip 1 (15.5-ounce) can great northern beans, rinsed and drained 2 tablespoons water ¼ cup roughly chopped green onions 1 clove garlic, minced 1 tablespoon chopped fresh oregano or 1 teaspoon dried oregano ¼ teaspoon salt Instructions Place ingredients in a food processor or blender, and pureé until smooth. Yield: 8 servings (serving size: 2 tablespoons) Recipe Notes Use as a dip for fresh vegetables. SOUPS SMOKY BBQ CHILI WITH FLAT & CRISPY CORNBREAD ingredients: 1 tsp extra virgin olive oil 1 sweet onion, peeled and chopped 4 garlic cloves, peeled and chopped 1 red pepper, chopped 1 jalapeno pepper, seeded and chopped (optional) 2.5 tbsp chili powder, or to taste 1 tsp ground cumin 1 tsp smoked paprika (optional) 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper (or crushed red pepper flakes) 1/2 cup dry/uncooked black eyed peas 3/4 cup dry/uncooked black beans 6 cups vegetable broth 1 (28-oz) can diced tomatoes, liquid drained 2 tbsp tomato paste, to thicken 1 tbsp chia seeds (or ground flax), to thicken 1 cup frozen corn 2 tbsp your fav BBQ sauce 1/2 tsp kosher salt, or to taste couple handfuls of chopped spinach, or other greens like collard, kale, etc 1. Soak the beans in water overnight or for at least 3-4 hours. This part is optional, but it helps reduce cook time and makes the beans more digestible. Rinse and drain beans before using. In a large pot, add the oil and sauté the onion and garlic over medium-low heat for about 5-6 minutes, until translucent. 2. Add in the pepper and optional jalapeno and sauté for another 3-5 minutes. 3. Stir in the spices (chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, cayenne) and sauté on low another couple minutes. If you want, you can add just a bit for now and then add the rest to taste after it has cooked. 4. Add the dry black beans and black eyed peas, broth, and drained diced tomatoes. Stir well. Now stir in the tomato paste. Simmer on low with the lid ajar for about 2.5 hours, checking often to make sure it doesn t dry out. If it does, add a bit more broth to thin out. 5. About 15 minutes before it s done cooking, stir in the chia seeds, corn, and chopped greens. The chia helps 22

23 thicken the chili. Also stir in the BBQ sauce, starting with 1 tbsp at a time and tasting as you go. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Can be made 2-3 days in advance and frozen if preferred. Note: You can probably use canned beans, but you won t need as much broth. I would add it slowly. Ingredients 1/4 cup + 2 tbsp cornmeal 1/4 cup + 2 tbsp whole wheat pastry flour (or flour of choice) generous 1/4 tsp kosher salt 2 tbsp organic cane sugar 3/4 cup water 1/2 tbsp coconut oil, melted (or oil of choice or earth balance) 1/2 tbsp coconut oil (for coating skillet) FLAT & CRISPY CORNBREAD Instructions 1. Preheat oven to medium broil (#3 on my oven). Place an 8-10 inch cast-iron skillet in the oven to pre-heat. In a microwave-safe bowl, whisk together the dry ingredients (cornmeal, flour, salt, sugar). Now whisk in the water and melted 1/2 tbsp coconut oil. 2. Microwave batter on high for 60 seconds. Batter will have thickened up a bit and cooked around the edges. Whisk vigorously until all clumps are gone. Place back in microwave and heat on high for another 20 seconds. Remove and whisk well until no clumps remain. 3. Carefully remove the cast iron skillet from the oven. Add 1/2 tbsp of coconut oil. Move it back and forth to coat bottom and edges. 4. Pour batter into the skillet and quickly spread it around with the back of a large spoon. It s ok if it doesn t touch the edges perfectly. This will depend on the size of your skillet 5. Place skillet in the oven and broil over medium heat for 10 minutes, watching it very closely as oven temperatures will vary! I kept an eye on it the entire time. When edges start to blacken (for me, after 10 minutes) remove carefully and gently flip it over using a flat metal spatula. Bake for an additional 2 minutes on the other side watching very closely. 6. Remove and let it sit in the skillet for 3-5 minutes. Place on cutting board and slice into 4-6 pieces. You can slice off any blackened edges if necessary, but a little bit adds to the fun. ROASTED CAULIFLOWER SOUP Ingredients 2 heads cauliflower, broken into florets olive oil cooking spray 1/4 cup olive oil 1 large onion, chopped 4 cloves garlic, chopped 6 cups water salt and ground black pepper to taste Directions *Place the cauliflower florets into a large bowl of lightly salted water; allow to stand for 20 minutes. Drain well, and arrange on a sheet of heavy aluminum foil on a baking sheet. Spray the olive oil cooking spray evenly on the cauliflower. *Preheat the oven's broiler and set the oven rack about 6 inches from the heat source. *Broil the cauliflower until browned, 20 to 30 minutes. *Meanwhile, heat olive oil in a large soup pot, and cook the onion until translucent, about 5 minutes; stir in the garlic and roasted cauliflower. Pour in the water, season with salt and black pepper, and simmer until all the 23

24 vegetables are tender, about 30 minutes. Blend the soup in the pot with an immersion hand blender until creamy and smooth. HEARTY VEGAN SLOW-COOKER CHILI 1 tablespoon olive oil 1 green bell pepper, chopped 1 red bell pepper, chopped 1 yellow bell pepper, chopped 2 onions, chopped 4 cloves garlic, minced 1 (10 ounce) package frozen chopped spinach, thawed and drained 1 cup frozen corn kernels, thawed 1 zucchini, chopped 1 yellow squash, chopped 6 tablespoons chili powder 1 tablespoon ground cumin 1 tablespoon dried oregano 1 tablespoon dried parsley 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper 2 (14.5 ounce) cans diced tomatoes with juice 1 (15 ounce) can black beans, rinsed and drained 1 (15 ounce) can garbanzo beans, drained 1 (15 ounce) can kidney beans, rinsed and drained 2 (6 ounce) cans tomato paste 1 (8 ounce) can tomato sauce, or more if needed 1 cup vegetable broth, or more if needed Directions Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat, and cook the green, red, and yellow bell peppers, onions, and garlic until the onions start to brown, 8 to 10 minutes. Place the mixture into a slow cooker. Stir in spinach, corn, zucchini, yellow squash, chili powder, cumin, oregano, parsley, salt, black pepper, tomatoes, black beans, garbanzo beans, kidney beans, and tomato paste until thoroughly mixed. Pour the tomato sauce and vegetable broth over the ingredients. Set the cooker on Low, and cook until all vegetables are tender, 4 to 5 hours. Check seasoning; if chili is too thick, add more tomato sauce and vegetable broth to desired thickness. Cook an additional 1 to 2 hours to blend the flavors. BLACK-EYED PEAS AND POTATO SOUP 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil 1 cup chopped onion 1 cup sliced carrots 1 cup sliced celery 2 cloves garlic, minced 4 cups Vegetable Broth or water 1 (15-ounce) can black-eyed peas, rinsed & drained 2 cups cubed potatoes 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley or 2 teaspoons dried parsley 1/2 tablespoon dried chives 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper 24

25 1/8 teaspoon pepper Heat olive oil in a large stock pot over medium heat. Add onions, carrots, and celery. Cook until vegetables are softened. Stir in garlic, and cook 1 minute. Add vegetable broth, black-eyed peas, potatoes, parsley, chives, cayenne pepper, salt, and pepper. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat, cover, and simmer 30 minutes. Yield: 6 servings (serving size: about 1 cup) TOMATO BASIL SOUP 1/2 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil 1/2 cup chopped onions 3 (14.5-ounce) cans diced tomatoes 1/2 cup water 1 clove garlic, minced 1 ½ teaspoon dried basil 1 teaspoon salt 1/8 teaspoon pepper Toasted pumpkin seeds, optional Toasted sunflower seeds, optional Heat olive oil over medium heat in a large skillet. Add onions, and cook until soft and translucent. Add tomatoes, water, garlic, basil, salt, and pepper. Cook 20 minutes. Place mixture in a food processor or blender, and purée until desired consistency is reached. Return to skillet, and cook 5-10 more minutes. Sprinkle pumpkin and/or sunflower seeds on top, if desired. Yield: 4 servings (serving size: 1 1/4 cups) WHITE BEAN CHILI 4 (1 lb) cans great Northern Beans, drained 3 cans vegetable broth 1 cup water 1 1/4 c. onion, chopped 1 yellow bell pepper 2 cloves garlic, minced 1/2 tsp. salt 1 (4oz) can chopped green chilies 1 1/2 tsp. cumin 1tsp. dried oregano 1/4 tsp. ground red pepper 1/4 tsp ground cloves Place all ingredients in large (5 quart) heavy pot. 2. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer at least 30 25

26 SALADS Warm + Roasted Winter Salad Bowl Ingredients: FOR THE SALAD: 1 cup uncooked rainbow or regular quinoa cups water 3/4 pound Yukon Gold potatoes, chopped into 1/2-inch chunks (about 2 1/2 cups) 1 pound fresh green beans, trimmed and chopped into 1-inch pieces (about 3 cups) 2 extra-large or 3 large garlic cloves (peel left on) 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil 1 cup stemmed and finely chopped kale (I used lacinato, but curly works fine too) 3 green onions, thinly sliced 3 tablespoons pepita seeds (I added a handful of sesame seeds at the last minute too) Sliced avocado FOR THE DRESSING: 1/4 cup red wine vinegar 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard 1/4 teaspoon pink Himalayan salt or fine grain sea salt Freshly ground pepper, to taste Directions: Preheat oven to 400F and line one extra-large (or 2 large) baking sheets with parchment paper. Place the chopped potatoes, green beans, and garlic cloves (leave the peel on) onto the baking sheet. Toss with the oil and season with a generous amount of salt and pepper. Spread into an even layer. Roast for 15 minutes, remove from the oven and flip, and continue roasting about more minutes until the potatoes and beans are tender and golden. Watch closely during the last 10 minutes to avoid burning. Meanwhile, cook the quinoa by adding the quinoa into a medium pot along with 1.5 cups water. Bring to a low boil, reduce heat to medium-low, cover with lid, and cook for minutes until the water is absorbed and the quinoa is fluffy. Remove from heat, fluff with a fork, and leave the lid on to keep warm. Prepare the dressing by whisking the dressing ingredients together in a small bowl. Set aside. Chop the kale and green onions. When the vegetables are finished roasting, remove garlic cloves and set aside. Spoon the potatoes and beans into a large serving bowl. Stir in the quinoa and the other chopped vegetables. Trim the end off each garlic clove and push the roasted garlic out. Finely chop or mash the garlic. Whisk the garlic into the dressing until combined. Pour all of the dressing onto the vegetables and toss to coat. Season with salt and pepper to taste and serve immediately. Leftovers can be reheated in a saucepan with some oil and the salad will keep in the fridge for a few days. Apple Pear Cucumber Salad Ingredients 1 For the Dressing 2 tablespoons whole grain mustard 2 tablespoons fresh dill, chopped ( or 2 tsp dried) 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar 1/2 teaspoon brown sugar 4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil 2 For the Salad 2 tart apples, crunchy ( Gala, Pink Lady, Braeburn) 26

27 1 pear ( Anjou, Bartlett, etc.) 1 seedless cucumber ( or seeded) 1 small sweet onion Directions For the Dressing:. Mix together the mustard, dill, vinegar, sugar and olive oil. Set aside. For the Salad:. Core and slice apples and pears into thin slices, leaving skin on for color and flavor. Slice cucumber into rounds (if using cucumber with seeds, cut in half lengthwise, scrape out seeds, and cut into half moon slices). If cucumber is waxed, peel it; otherwise leave skin on. Slice onion any way you like. Add all to bowl with dressing and toss to coat. Crispy Sesame Ginger Marinated Tofu Ingredients 14 ounces organic extra firm tofu (Nasoya works great and low fat is also okay to use) 3 Tbl soy sauce 1-2 scallion, sliced thin (white and green parts) 2 garlic cloves (smashed with back of knife or garlic press) 1 inch fresh ginger, sliced 1 tsp dried lemongrass or fresh lemongrass (optional but recommended) 1 teaspoon sesame oil salt and pepper, to taste Directions Whisk all ingredients except for tofu in a 9x9 inch square baking dish. Drain and slice tofu in half lengthwise to make two thinner slabs. Blot with a paper towel. Preheat non-stick skillet over medium heat and spray with non-stick spray. Slide tofu slices onto skillet an grill for about 4-5 minutes per side, flipping carefully with a large spatula. Brown it nicely to give it color and texture. Slip tofu slices into marinade, and turn with spatula at least once. While the tofu is sitting in the marinade, cut each slab 3 times lengthwise and widthwise with a sharp knife to make 16 squares per slab. Toss carefully. Marinate for 30 minutes (remove garlic & ginger slices before serving) warm, room temperature or chilled. DRESSINGS LEMON POPPY SEED INGREDIENTS ½ Cup Olive Oil 3 Tablespoons Lemon Juice 1 Tablespoon Dijon Mustard 1 Tablespoon Poppy Seeds 1 Tablespoon Maple Syrup *Add everything to a clean jar, screw on the lid, and shake like crazy until mixed well. 27

28 BALSAMIC VINAIGRETTE ½ Cup Olive Oil ¼ Cup Balsamic Vinegar 1 Tablespoon Dijon Mustard 1 Tablespoon Agave ¼ teaspoon Garlic Powder ¼ teaspoon Salt (Pepper to taste) *Add everything to a clean jar, screw on the lid, and shake like crazy until mixed well. CHIPOTLE LIME DRESSING 1 Chipotle Pepper in Adobo Sauce 3 Tablespoons Lime Juice 3 Tablespoons Vegan Mayonnaise (Such as Vegenaise) 1 Tablespoon Agave ¼ teaspoon Smoked Paprika ¼ teaspoon Garlic Powder *Add everything to a clean jar, screw on the lid, and shake like crazy until mixed well. CREAMY RANCH DRESSING ½ Cup Vegan Mayonnaise (such as Vegenaise) ½ Cup Non-Dairy Sour Cream or Non-dairy Plain Yogurt ½ Cup Non-Dairy Milk (such as almond or soy milk) 2 Tablespoons Apple Cider Vinegar 2 teaspoons Dried Parsley 1 teaspoon Dried Chives ½ teaspoon Onion Powder ½ teaspoon Dried Dill ¼ teaspoon Garlic Powder ¼ teaspoon Salt *Add everything to a clean jar, screw on the lid, and shake like crazy until mixed well. CHERRY TOMATO DRESSING 1 Cup Cherry Tomatoes ¼ Cup Red Wine Vinegar ¼ Cup Olive Oil 1 Tablespoon Agave ½ teaspoon Smoked Paprika ½ teaspoon Onion Powder ¼ teaspoon Garlic Powder ¼ teaspoon Salt (pepper to taste) BREAKFAST BREAKFAST SCRAMBLE Ingredients 1 box firm tofu 1 zucchini, diced small 1 tomato, diced B 28

29 ½ onion, diced 1 red bell pepper, diced 2 green onions, finely sliced 1 tablespoon fresh cilantro, minced 1 clove garlic, minced Salt and pepper to taste / Tomato paste if desired Instructions 1. Spray pan with 100% olive oil spray 2. Add all ingredients and Sautee until vegetables are soft and ready to eat. 3. Salt and pepper to taste POTATO AND GREEN ONION FRITTATA Ingredients 1/4 cup olive oil 1 onion, finely chopped 4-5 green onions, chopped with the green and white parts separated 4 cloves garlic, minced 2 medium potatoes, shredded (or 2 cups of frozen shredded potatoes) 2 tsp. salt, divided 1/2 tsp. pepper, divided 2 lb. firm tofu 2-3 Tbsp. soy sauce, to taste Instructions 1. In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the onion and the white part of the green onions and sauté for 2 to 3 minutes. 2. Add the garlic and heat for another 30 seconds. 3. Increase the heat to medium-high and add the potatoes, 1 tsp. of the salt, and 1/4 tsp. of the pepper. Cook for 10 to 15 minutes, flipping the potatoes regularly until they are well-browned. 4. Blend the remaining salt and pepper, the tofu, and soy sauce in a food processor until they are creamy. 5. Pour creamy mixture and the green part of the green onions over the fried potatoes and mix. Pour this mixture into a large, oiled pie or tart pan. 1. Bake for 30 to 40 minutes or until the center is firm. Allow the frittata to cool for 10 minutes then invert onto a serving plate. PINEAPPLE CITRUS MUFFINS 1 cup old-fashioned rolled oats 1 cup oat flour (see Recipe Notes) 1 cup unsweetened applesauce ½ cup diced pineapples ¼ cup chopped pecans or walnuts ¼ cup Date Honey ¼ cup flaxseed meal 2 teaspoons unsweetened coconut flakes 2 teaspoons grated orange zest ½ teaspoon ground ginger Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly rub 8 cups of a 12-cup muffin tin with olive oil, and set aside. Combine all ingredients in a large bowl, combine well. Fill muffin tin cups, about 1/3 full. Bake 20 minutes, or until muffin tops are lightly browned. Serve warm. Yield: 8 servings (serving size: 1 muffin) 29

30 SMOOTHIES MANGO SMOOTHIE Ingredients US METRIC 1 cup frozen mango 1 bananas (large) 1 tbsp chia seeds 1/2 cup orange juice 1/2 cup almond milk (or coconut milk) *Place in blender and blend till frothy ENJOY! *Add everything in blender and blend until smooth, scrape sides as needed APPLE PIE GREEN SMOOTHIE Ingredients 1/2 cup water 1/2 cup unsweetened unpasteurized apple juice 1 tablespoon walnuts 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract or maple extract pinch ground nutmeg 1/2 English cucumber 2 cups spinach 1 apple, chopped and frozen 1/4 avocado, chopped and frozen 4-6 ice cubes INSTRUCTIONS Place in your blender in the order of the ingredients listed, then blend for 30 seconds or until smooth. CHERRY LIMEADE SMOOTHIE Ingredients 1 ripe nectarine or peach, sliced 1 heaping cup fresh or frozen cherries (add less ice if using frozen) 3/4 cup almond milk (or sub water or other non-dairy milk) 1-2 limes, juiced (depending on preferred tartness) Handful of ice OPTIONAL: 1 Tbsp chia seeds 1 handful of spinach Instructions Add all ingredients to a blender and blend until creamy and smooth. Taste and adjust flavors as needed, adding more cherries for sweetness and more lime for tart. Yields 2 small smoothies or one large smoothie. Optional: Freeze leftovers into popsicles. 30

31 BLUSHING APPLE SMOOTHIE INGREDIENTS ½ cup pitted fresh cherries ½ English cucumber 1 apple ½ cup fresh raspberries 1 tablespoon chia seed ½ cup water 6-8 ice cubes INSTRUCTIONS: Place in your blender in the order of the ingredients listed, then blend for 30 seconds or until smooth. Spicy Mango Lime Smoothie Ingredients: 1/2 freshly squeezed lime 1/2 banana 1/2 cup diced frozen mango 1/4 jalapeno, chopped 1 cup almond milk 1 tablespoon flaxseed 2 tablespoons hemp seeds Directions: Combine all ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth. SNACKS BANANA STACKS Ingredients: 2 large ripe bananas ¼ cup almond butter or all-natural peanut butter Peel bananas, and cut into ¼ to ½-inch slices (about 12 per banana). Spread about 1 teaspoon almond / peanut butter or on half of the slices. Top with the remaining slices. Yield: 4 servings (serving size: about 4 stacks) *Recipe Notes 3 Great for an after school snack for your children. 4 Add a layer of date honey to each stack. 5 Sprinkle each stack with cinnamon. 6 Add chopped dates or raisins to tops of stacks. Put in freezer until firm (3-4 hours) for a cool treat! PETITE PECAN PIES 8 Medjool dates 8 pecan halves Remove pits from dates, and stuff one pecan half into each date. Yield: 4 servings (serving size: 2 pies) Recipe Notes Medjool dates are the largest variety and work best with pecan halves. If you use smaller pecan pieces, you could use the smaller Deglet Noor dates instead. 31

32 KALE CHIPS Ingredients 1 bunch kale 1 tablespoon olive oil 1 teaspoon seasoned salt Directions Preheat an oven to 350 degrees Line a non-insulated cookie sheet with parchment paper. With a knife or kitchen shears carefully remove the leaves from the thick stems and tear into bite size pieces. Wash and thoroughly dry kale with a salad spinner. Drizzle kale with olive oil and sprinkle with seasoning salt & any other seasoning you like to spice it up! Bake until the edges brown but are not burnt, 10 to 15 minutes. PLANTAIN CHIPS 2 green plantains 2 teaspoons extra-virgin coconut oil, melted ½ teaspoon salt ¼ teaspoon cinnamon Yield: 4-5 servings (serving size: about 1/2 cup) Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Line an 11 x 17-inch baking sheet with parchment paper. Trim ends of plantains. Score the plantains vertically in three places without cutting through to the fruit. Remove the peel and discard, along with the trimmed ends. Cut plantains in ¼ slices (should make about 3 cups). In a large bowl, add plantain chips, coconut oil, salt, and cinnamon. Stir well to coat. Place plantain chips on the baking sheet in rows. Cook 15 minutes. Flip, and then bake another minutes. Serve immediately. Recipe Notes If the plantains are fully ripened (peel is black), they ll be too soft to make good chips. Plantain chips do not get as crispy as potato chips. You may need to remove some chips before the others are done cooking if they start to brown faster. Store uneaten chips in the refrigerator in a sealed container. To reheat, place in an oven or toaster oven at 400 degrees for about 5-7 minutes or until heated through. RICE CAKE PEANUT BUTTER & RAISINS Rice Cake 1Tablespoon Peanut Butter 1 Tablespoon Raisins DESSERTS Walnut Baked Apple with Cinnamon Spice Ingredients: 1/2 cup dried apricot, diced 3/4 cup walnuts, divided 1 teaspoon cinnamon 1 cup water 1/4 cup apple juice 32

33 2 teaspoons vanilla 4 apples, cored tsp coconut butter, manna or oil Directions Slice off the top third of each apple. Core the apples, leaving the bottom peel intact. Preheat oven to 350 degree F. In a small bowl, toss apricots and 1/2 cup walnuts in cinnamon. In a saucepan combine water, apple juice, and vanilla. Place apples in baking dish and fill with apricot and walnut mix. Drizzle with apple juice mixture. Dot each apple with 1 teaspoon coconut butter/manna or coconut oil. Bake 45 minutes to an hour, basting occasionally. Top with reserved walnuts and sprinkle with extra cinnamon to taste. Itty Bitty Carrot Cake Cookies Ingredients: /2 cup whole wheat pastry flour (I m sure other flours would work!) 1/4 cup regular oats 1/4 cup unsweetened coconut 1/2 tsp baking powder 1/4 tsp kosher salt 1/4-1/3 cup chopped walnuts 1/2 cup shredded carrots, packed 1/4 cup raisins, soaked in water overnight 1/4 cup pure maple syrup, room temperature 1/4 cup coconut oil, warmed for about 25 seconds in microwave 1/2 tsp fresh ginger, grated Pinch of ground cinnamon 1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract Instructions 1. Preheat oven to 350F and line 1 baking sheet with parchment or a non-stick mat. 2. Whisk together the flour, cinnamon, baking powder, salt, and oats in a large bowl. Add in the nuts, coconut, raisins, and shredded carrots. 3. In a small bowl mix the maple syrup, softened coconut oil, vanilla, and freshly grated ginger. Add this to the flour mixture and stir until combined. 4. Drop about 1 heaping tablespoon of dough onto lined baking sheet, leaving about 2 inches between each cookie. Shape into a ball with hands. Bake for about 12 minutes and cool for 10 minutes on a baking rack NO BAKE ELVIS BARS Ingredients: FOR THE CRUST: 1.5 cup whole almonds 2 tablespoons coconut oil 2 tablespoons coconut nectar syrup (see note) 1 tablespoon almond butter or peanut butter 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon pinch of fine grain sea salt, to taste FOR THE MIDDLE LAYER: 2 medium ripe bananas, peeled 1/4 cup coconut oil, softened slightly 2 tablespoons almond butter or peanut butter 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract pinch of fine grain sea salt, to taste FOR THE CHOCOLATE DRIZZLE: (Omit drizze during fast) 33