THURSDAY BIBLE STUDY

THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MATTHEW

Chapter 9: Yeshua again got into the boat, crossed over the lake and came back to His own city. Some men brought to Him a man lying on a stretcher, paralyzed. When Yeshua perceived their faith, He said to the paralytic, “Son, have courage. Your sins are forgiven.” Some of the scribes then said to themselves, ‘This man is a blasphemer.’ But Yeshua knew their thoughts, and said, “Why do you think evil in your hearts? Now, which is easier to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven’ or to say, ‘Get up and walk’? Buy in order that you may know that the Son of Man has authority here on earth to forgive sins,” He said to the paralytic, “Get up! Take your pallet and go back home!” And he got up and went home. As the crowds saw this happen, they were awe-stricken, and praised Elohei Who had given men such power.

Yeshua heals paralytic

Pharisees call Yeshua a blasphemer

As Yeshua went further along, He noticed a man sitting at the tax office, Mattityahu (Matthew) by name, and He said to him, “Follow Me!” And he got up and followed Him. Then, while Yeshua sat at table in Mattityahu’s home, many tax-collectors and notorious sinners came and sat down with Yeshua and His disciples. When the Pharisees saw this, they said to His disciples, ‘Why does your rabbi (teacher) eat with tax-collectors and men of bad repute?’ Yeshua overheard it, and replied, “People who are well don’t need rofe (healer), but those who are sick. Go then, and try to understand this saying, ‘What I delight in is mercy, not sacrifice’. And I have not come to call the guiltless to repentance, but the sinful.”

Yeshua eats with Mattityahu

The disciples of Yochanan (John the Baptist) came to Yeshua and asked, ‘Why is it that we and the Pharisees fast often, but your disciples don’t fast at all?’ Yeshua answered, “Can a wedding party be in mourning as long as the bridegroom is present? No! But there will come a day when the bridegroom will have been taken from them. Then they will fast. Also, no one sews a piece of new cloth onto an old garment, for the patch may tear the garment and a worse rent is made. Nor does anyone put new wine into old wineskins, for the skins may burst and the wine run out, and the wine-skins be made unfit. New wine is out into new wineskins; thus both are reserved.”

Pharisees question Yeshua

While he was yet talking to them, a ruler came up to Him, prostrated himself, and said, ‘My daughter has just now died. Won’t You come and lay Your hand on her, so she will come back to life?’ Yeshua got up and followed him, and so did His disciples. At this, a woman who has suffered 12 years from a hemorrhage approached Him from behind and touched the edge of Hs robe. For she said to herself, ‘If I can only touch His garment, I shall be healed’. Then, Yeshua, turning, saw her and spoke to her, “Daughter, be of good cheer! Your faith has made you well.” And from that very hour, the woman was well. When Yeshua came to the ruler’s home, He saw the flute players and the crowd making an uproar. He spoke to them, “Go! Leave! For the girl is not dead, but is sleeping.” They just laughed at Him. Then, after he had sent the people out, He went in and took the girl by the hand, and she got up. And this news spread out into all the land.

Yeshua heals ruler's daughter

As Yeshua was passing along from there, He was followed by 2 blind men who kept crying and saying, ‘Take pity on us, O Son of David!’ But He went into the house and the blind men followed Him. Then Yeshua said to them, “Do you believe that I can do this?” They answered Him, ‘Yes, Lord.’ Then he touched their eyes and said, “Be to you according to your faith!” Then their eyes were opened. Yeshua ordered them sternly not to let anyone know about it. But when they left Him, they made it known throughout the whole countryside.

Yeshua heals two blind men

Hardly had they left Him when there was brought to Him a man who was controlled by a demon and unable to speak. As soon as the demon was driven out of him, the man talked. And the people were astonished, and said, ‘Never has anything like this been seen in Israel’. The Pharisees, however, said, ‘He casts out devils with the help of the prince of demons’.

Yeshua heals a mute man

Pharisees accuse Jesus of being in league with the devil

Thereafter Yeshua went on into the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues and preaching the Good News of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and bodily weakness. As Yeshua looked upon the crowds that came, He was filled with compassion for them because they were distressed and needy, like sheep without a shepherd. He said to His disciples, “The harvest is truly great, but the workmen are few. Pray, therefore, the Lord of the harvest, that He send out workmen into His harvest.”

Yeshua teaching in their synagogues

Crowd mentality = "fitting in"

A good Shepherd protects his flock ... "laying down his life" for those in his care.

SHEEP INFORMATION: http://www.sheep101.info/201/behavior.html

There is a very good reason that Yeshua referred to sheep when sorrowing after mankind. This article is a good description of sheep behavior … and it parallels the behavior patterns of human beings too. So ask yourself: are you a disciple of Yeshua – or a religious sheeple following anything and anyone who comes down the pike to tickle your ears and suit your fancy? The days are getting shorter; it’s time to decide.

**Matthew 8: https://jeastofeden.blogspot.com/2017/12/thursday-bible-study-matthew-8.html

THURSDAY BIBLE STUDY - Matthew 8

THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MATTHEW

Chapter 8: When Yeshua came down from the mountain He was followed by great crowds. A leper came up to Him, fell on his knees and cried, ‘Adonai, if You want to, You can heal me!’ Yeshua stretched out His arm and touched him, and said, “I will. Be clean!” And at once he was cured of his leprosy. Then Yeshua said to him, “Tell no one, but go and show yourself to the priest, and as a witness to them offer the gift that Moshe (Moses) commanded” (Leviticus 14:3).

When He came back to Capernaum, a captain of the Roman army came up to Him and said to Him imploringly, ‘Adonai, my son is sick in bed, paralyzed, and in great pain.’ Yeshua said to him, “I will come over and heal him.” The captain replied, ‘I am not worthy, Adonai, to have You come under my roof. But speak only a word of command and my son will be healed. For though I am a man who has to take orders, I have soldiers under  me, and when I say to one – ‘Go!’, he goes; and to another – ‘Come!’, he comes; and to my servant – ‘Do this!’, and he does it.’ When Yeshua heard this, He was amazed and said to His followers, “Indeed, I tell you, that not even in Israel have I found so great faith. And I tell you that many will come from the East and from the West, and they will sit down to feast with Abraham and Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven, but the sons of the kingdom shall be put out into the outer darkness, and there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” Yeshua then said to the captain, “Go, and be it to you as you have believed!” And the boy was healed that very hour.

When Yeshua came to Simon’s house (Peter), Yeshua saw Simon’s wife’s mother lying down sick with fever. Then He touched her hand and the fever left her, and she got up and waited on Him. In the evening, they brought Him many who were possessed by demons, and with a word He drove out the evil spirits, and all who were ill He made well again. In this way He fulfilled the words of the prophet Isaiah, “He took our infirmities upon Himself, and took away our diseases” (Isaiah 53:4).

Yeshua, seeing the great crowds around Him, then gave orders to cross over to the far side of the lake. At this, a scribe came to Him and said, ‘I will go with You, Rabbi (Teacher), wherever You want to go’. Yeshua answered him, “Foxes have holes and birds in the air have roosts, but the Son of Man has not a place where He can lay His head.

Another man – one of his followers – said to Him, ‘Adonai, let me first go and bury my father’. But Yeshua answered him, “Follow Me, and let the dead bury their own dead!”

He then went into a boat, and His disciples came in after Him. A terrible storm came upon them, and the waves dashed over the boat, but He was asleep. His disciples went over to Him and awakened Him, crying out, ‘Save us, Adonai! We shall perish!’ He said to them, “Why are you afraid, you of little faith?” Then he got up and rebuked the sea, and there was great calm. And the men, dumbfounded, said, ‘What kind of Man is this, for both the winds and the waves obey Him?’

When He had reached the other side, the land of the Gadarenes, He met two demon-possessed men who were just then coming out of the tombs. They were so violent that no one could pass that way. Then, all at once, they set up a cry, ‘What do You want of us, You Yeshua, bar Elohei (Son of God)? Have You come here to torment us before our appointed time?’ Now there was, quite some distance from them, a large drove of pigs feeding. The demons then entreated Him, saying, ‘If You are going to drive us out, let us go into the drove of pigs’. He answered them, “Go!” And they left the men and went into the animals. But suddenly the whole drove of pigs rushed down the slope and into the sea, and they drowned there in the water. Those who fed the pigs then fled, and came back to town and told everything, also what happened to the men who had the evil spirits. The whole town then turned out to meet Yeshua, but on seeing Him, they begged Him to go away from their countryside.

**Matthew 7: https://jeastofeden.blogspot.com/2017/11/the-gospel-accordng-to-matthew.html

Homemade Kombucha Tea

A week ago following Thanksgiving we were visiting our niece Brenda at her mother’s house and enjoying our visit very much with Cheryl & Mike too. The 3 introduced us to Kombucha Tea – we had never heard of it, but we immediately took to it! It’s tart and slightly bitter with a sweet/sour tangy vinegary taste: and we had several glasses of it. It was introduced to us at just the right time too – I had just that day said to my husband that I needed to find something else to drink besides coffee and Lipton’s Peach flavored Iced Tea all day long; I don’t drink pop, and even though I do have an occasional beer or glass of wine … I certainly can’t drink those options all day long! So Kombucha came into our lives at just the right time ;-)

And Cheryl, singing the praises of the probiotic wonders of Kombucha Tea, sent a gallon jar of homemade brew home with us to get our own stash started. Bless her :-D

So today I started our brew and it’s doing its fermenting thing right now. In about 3 days’ time we should be sampling our own fermented tea – I used loose leaf Jasmine black tea, homegrown blueberries, and grated ginger-root in my fizzy brewed concoction. We can’t wait to start sipping it! Both recipes are good ‘medicines’: blueberries are a proven ‘superfood’ low in calories and high in nutrients and are the King of antioxidant (delay of cell damage) foods – 1 cup of blueberries has 4 grams of fiber, 24% of vitamin C, 36% of vitamin K, and 25% of manganese. And 1 cup of blueberries is only 84 calories. Vitamin C can prevent and treat the common cold; can help with the absorption of iron in the body (really important to people like me who are severely anemic); also helps increase red blood cell counts, strengthen weakness in the body, ease sore arms & legs, renew flagging energy, and help with gum disease. Vitamin C helps decrease the risk of developing a urinary tract infection; can help prevent heart attacks and/or strokes; can prevent Alzheimer’s disease; can help prevent diabetes. Vitamin C may slow down the age-related progression of Macular Degeneration (loss of sight); and increases bone density. Vitamin K is essential in regulating normal blood clotting, and assists in transporting calcium efficiently throughout the body. Vitamin K is also necessary for bone health and also helps to prevent calcification (hardening) of arteries. Manganese is a trace mineral required for the body to function smoothly - crucial for a healthy metabolism & digestion, the absorption of calcium, proper function of the thyroid glands and sex hormones, and it seeks out and neutralizes rouge radicals roaming the body intent on damaging the body. Blueberries are a ((((WINNER!)))) in every sense of the word.

Ginger root is one of the healthiest and most delicious spices on the planet – even just a whiff of the freshly grated root is enough to make a person feel good ;-) Ginger has been renown since ancient days for its traditional and alternative medicinal qualities. It has been used to aide digestion, reduce nausea, and help fight the common cold. Ginger has a powerful anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effect (prevent or stop cell damage to the body). Ginger may help to reduce muscle soreness and pain; and can help treat indigestion. Ginger may lower cholesterol levels, and improve brain function. Fresh ginger can also help lower the risk of infections as it is said to inhibit the growth of many different types of bacteria in the body; ginger is also very effective against gum diseases … and is effective against infections of the lungs and respiratory tract (perfect for people like me who have weak lungs). Ginger is another superfood that is a ((((WINNER!))))

Here is the recipe I used … again, compliments to Cheryl ;-) I am posting Amanda Maguire’s recipe at (http://www.picklesnhoney.com/2012/04/25/how-to-make-kombucha/) with my pictures that I took while making the recipe:

INGREDIENTS

·         1 Kombucha Scoby (the "mother")

·         2 C. Kombucha Liquid from Previous Batch, taken from the top of the jar

·         12 C. Water

·         5 Bags of Organic Green or Black Tea (or 5 Tbs. looseleaf tea)

·         1 C. Sugar (I used Raw Turbinado)

·         1 Gallon Glass Jar

·         Clean Cloth or Paper Towels

·         Rubber Band

·         Glass Jars with Plastic Lids for Bottling

·         Fruit for Flavoring the Kombucha (optional)

The fermented 'starter mix' from Cheryl which I am using today to start my own batch of Kombucha Tea.

Ready - Set - GO!

INSTRUCTIONS

1.   In a large pot, bring 12 cups of water to a boil.

Boiling water.

2.   Add 1 C. of sugar to the boiling water and stir to dissolve.

3.   Turn off the stove and add 5 bags of organic green or black tea (or 5 tablespoons of loose leaf tea). I used green tea.

4.   Cover the pot to prevent the mixture from evaporating and allow it to come to room temperature. This will take some time, but it’s important that the mixture has cooled before moving on to the next step or you’ll kill all that good bacteria in the kombucha liquid.

Bringing Tea mixture to room temperature.

5.   Once the water/sugar/tea mixture has cooled to room temperature, remove the tea bags and pour the mixture into a large glass jar (I used a 1 gallon biscotti jar from Williams Sonoma).

Spongy starter floating on top of the fermented tea given to me by Cheryl; I removed it from this jar and put it into a bowl to use as starter in my new batch of Kobacha tea. I found the middle of the fleshy ‘mushroom’ and tore it apart horizontally to make 2 pieces – 1 for each ½-gallon jar. The scoby feels as weird as it looks.

Preparing the Kombucha mix; I used two ½-gallon jars because I didn’t have a large gallon jar.

6.   Using clean hands, add the kombucha scoby to the tea mixture, followed by 2 cups of the reserved kombucha. It's okay if the scoby sinks to the bottom of the jar.

Blending of the old and new teas ... with the divided scoby. The previous fermented mixture is pungent, and the scoby looks and feels like a rubberized alien entity.

7.   Cover the top of the jar with a clean dish towel or 2 layers of paper towels and secure it with a rubber band. This will keep fruit flies and other bugs out, while still allowing air to circulate.

The fermenting process begins with my homemade batch …

8.   Place the jar in a warm, dark spot (I chose the top, back shelf in my pantry) where it won’t be disturbed, and allow it to to sit for about 7 days before taking a peek. You should see a thin, cloudy-looking film growing over the top of the mixture – this is a new baby scoby!

9.   Insert a straw below the baby scoby and taste the kombucha. You'll know it's ready to bottle when it has an apple cider vinegar taste and isn't overly sweet.

10.     If the kombucha still tastes sugary, allow the mixture to ferment for 3-7 more days, tasting every so often until it meets your taste preferences.

11.     Once the kombucha is ready, prepare your glass jars. You can add a small amount of fresh or frozen fruit (for example, a tablespoon or two of blueberries, strawberries, ginger, whatever you like) to the empty jars.

The scobyless Kombucha Tea Cheryl made and gave to me ready to be poured into the fruited jars.

.Homegrown blueberries and freshly grated  ginger root - these teas are gonna be delish as well as healthy.

2 blueberry jars and 2 ginger-root jars waiting for the fermented liquid.

12.     Pour the kombucha into the jars, straining out the yeast strands if you like.

Straining the Kombucha liquid to remove the scoby debris.

13.     Fill the jars to the very top and make sure to use plastic lids (metal can erode). The less air in the jar, the more natural carbonation will take place and the more fizzy your finished product will taste. Fruit will also create carbonation.

Looking good ...

14.     Allow the bottled kombucha to ferment for 1-3 more days in a warm, dark spot, making sure to "burp" (loosen the lids a bit to release pressure build-up, then tighten up again … not too tight though) the jars every so often to release any pressure. This is important, as the jars can explode if carbonation builds up!

All the jars of my homebrewed Kombucha Tea has been prepared and set to fermenting: the large jars for another week - the smaller jars for 3 days. CAN'T WAIT!

15.     After the 2nd fermentation, move the bottled kombucha to the fridge to prevent further fermentation.

16.     Enjoy (and repeat this process for your next batch)!

NOTES

If at any point during the process you notice green mold forming in the mixture, toss it and start over. This can happen when the liquid isn’t acidic enough, which is why it’s so important to add that full 2 cups of the bottled kombucha. The time it takes for the kombucha to ferment is very much dependent on environmental factors and it’s not an exact science. If you find, for example, that the kombucha tastes acidic enough at 6 days instead of 7, for example, go ahead and move on to the bottling process. I personally find that 10 days is about how long it takes to get the right flavor. Each time you brew kombucha, a new scoby will grow on top. It's a good idea to save a few as back-ups in case something happens to your original scoby. To do this, simply add your leftover scoby to a glass jar, cover with finished kombucha liquid, and close the jar using a lid (not a towel) to prevent the kombucha liquid from evaporating (a metal lid is okay as long as the liquid isn't touching it). Store the jar in a warm, dark place.

HAPPY SNOWBABY

This morning we decided to take the Highlander into snow country to see how it would handle in high country weather this time of year – it handled GREAT!

And this snowbaby got her ‘snow fix’ – TWICE ALREADY before my birthday ;-) Previous snowy daytrip to Lake Tipsoo in October (https://jeastofeden.blogspot.com/2017/10/snow.html)

I thank Elohim every day for my husband – HE’S THE BEST! OX :-D

This daytrip was the beginning of the Shabbat weekend – PERFECT!

Once we got past Longmire the snowfall started deepening.

Love, LOve, LOVE snow!

Not too deep yet, but it's welcomed by this snowbaby.

Crossing the expansive bridge spanning the glacial fed riverbed. Despite all the packed white, there was little icy topcoat.

We have been coming here for decades and don't remember ever seeing the road this snow-packed. It's not really very icy though and perhaps that’s why it hasn’t been scraped clear by the snowplow.

Usually the snow plow keeps this road snow-and-ice-free ...

Our new car did great in the snow and ice :-D Actually it handled better than the 4x's did; even the Tundra.

BLUEBERRY-PECAN FEATHER PANCAKES

I woke up this morning itching to do something (activity helps me think through difficult situations), so I decided to make fancy pancakes – I don’t eat them because my body doesn’t process nuts well no matter how finely they are crushed, but the king of our castle does; and the process of making them will help me process yesterday’s complications.

So … I gathered the ingredients and set to work. The pancakes are good without the added berries and buts, but I wanted something festive for the holiday season. I chose pecans and homegrown blueberries. My fella tells me these pancakes are YUMMY! And I believe him ;-)

This recipe is a good pancake recipe. It makes a nice puffy pancake instead of those thin flat ones. If you prefer thin pancakes, just omit the baking powder when following the recipe ;-)

BLUEBERRY-PECAN FEATHER PANCAKES (about 10 pancakes)

2 cups all-purpose Flour – 2 TBSP. Baking Powder – 2 TBSP granulated white Sugar – 1 teaspoon Sea Salt – 2 eggs – 2 cups milk – 4 TBSP. cooking Oil – 1 cup fresh or frozen Blueberries (thawed and well drained) – ½ cup crushed nuts (I used Pecans, but you can use any type of nut)

Heat griddle to 325-degrees. To test griddle for correct temperature before dropping pancake mix, sprinkle lightly with a few drops of water – if the drops bubble and dance across the surface, the heat is just right.

Beat eggs with hand beater until light and fluffy; beat in remaining ingredients – just ‘til smooth. Don’t overbeat or you will have rubber pancakes instead of fluffy ones. Add blueberries and nuts. Grease heated griddle if necessary.

Pour about1/4 cup of batter from a measuring cup, or from a pitcher onto the hot griddle. Cook pancakes until puffed, golden brown, and dry around the edges. Turn and cook other side until golden brown. To keep pancakes hot, stack them on a hot plate with paper towels in between; place on a cookie sheet in a 250-degree oven or in a warming oven until ready to serve.

Break out the butter and syrup and dig in!

THE GOSPEL ACCORDNG TO MATTHEW

THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MATTHEW

Chapter 7: Yeshua said, “Don’t be finding fault with others and they will not be finding fault with you. For you will be criticized in exactly the same way that you pass judgement, and it will be measured back to you just as you measure it out to others. Just why do you take notice of a speck in your brother’s eye, but are not concerned about the stick in your own eye?Or why do you say to your brother, ‘Let me remove the speck from your eye’, when you have a stick in your own eye? You hypocrite! Pull out the stick from your own eye first, then you can see better to take out the speck from your brother’s eye!

You must not give holy things to dogs, nor cast your pearls before wild hogs. They might turn on you and tear you to pieces.

Ask, and it will be given to you. Seek, and you will find. Knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks will receive, and everyone who seeks will find, and everyone who knocks will have the door opened to him. Or is there any one of you who would give your son a stone if he should ask you for bread? Or in case he should ask you for a fish, would you ten give him a snake? Well then, if you – although you are evil – know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will Elohim give good things to those who keep on asking Him?

So, whatever you want people to do to you, do likewise for them, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.

Go in through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and they are many, indeed, who go in through that gate. But the gate that leads to life is small, and the way is narrow, and there are few that find it.

Small gate

Wide gate

Be on the lookout for false prophets who come to you dressed up like sheep, but at heart are like devouring wolves. You can recognize them by their fruits. Do men pick grapes from thorn trees, or figs from thistles? No! The fact is that every good tree bears good fruit, whereas a rotten tree produces poor fruit. A good tree cannot produce bad fruit, and a poor tree cannot produce good fruit. Every tree that does not produce good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Yes, you can recognize them by their fruits.

Not every one who says to Me, ‘Adonai, Adonai’, will get into the kingdom of heaven, but only they who do the will of Elohim. Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Adonai, Adonai, did we not prophesy in Your Name? And do many miracles in Your Name?’ And then I will say to them very plainly, ‘I have never known you; go away from Me, you lawbreakers!’

Everyone, therefore, who hears these sayings of Mine and obeys them, will be like a wise man who built his house on a stone foundation. And the rain fell, and the river rose, and the winds howled and beat against the house, and yet it did not fall; for it was built on a rock. But, on the other hand, everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, but does not follow them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on sand. And the rain fell, and the river rose, and the winds howled and beat against the house, and it fell with a great crash.”

When Yeshua had ended His sermon, the crowds were much astonished at His teaching. For he did not teach them as their own scribes, but as One Who had authority.

**Matthew 6: https://jeastofeden.blogspot.com/2017/11/thursday-bible-study_23.html