Bad biscuits, good biscuits
Several years ago, I divided the youth into two groups and asked each group to follow written instructions to make biscuits.
The first group, mixed the ingredients into dough, formed the biscuits and then sprinkled baking powder (a type of leaven) on top of them.
The second group mixed the ingredients into dough and then mixed baking power into the dough by kneading it thoroughly.
The first group was disappointed to see that their biscuits never rose. We used them later in the year as hockey pucks. The second group had wonderful biscuits to share with the whole group.
The point? The leaven had to be kneaded into the dough for it to be effective.
Here, in this parable, the woman has taken leaven and kneaded it into three large batches of flour. When leaven is mixed into the dough, the life in the yeast causes all the dough to rise.
Prayer prompts and discussion starters:
- Ask God to deeply knead His grace into your heart.
- Plead with Him to make your heart pliable and receptive to the work of His hands.
- Pray for more grace. Ask Him to make pliable the hearts of all His children.
- Ask Him to soften your heart to the plight of those who don’t know Him.
- Ask Him to prepare the hearts of those who don’t know Him.
Grace :) Hmm ... The day before yesterday, was the day when, through His Word, He made me realize the meaning of grace. That day was like another birthday for me :) I had given my life to Jesus 10 years ago, but I had never understood His grace. I know now that it was because I never really experienced a father's love (see previous comment :p). I was thus living under the law of the old covenant, seeing God as the Judge (that's how I called my first son: Daniel ...). I was trying to do stuff to redeem myself. When I was praying, I was praying "Oh Lord, I am guilty, I sinned". I was always thinking of things that I did wrong years ago. I was fearful (I was afraid of the dark, afraid my kids would have to pay for my sins etc), I had even lost the assurance of salvation. Last Thursday, the Lord did something amazing: through His Word, He freed me from this burden, by showing me His Grace and Love. Finally I understood that I am His daughter and that he loves me unconditionally. Not only that, but He sees no stain upon me! Grace! I understood that all I ever have to do is surrender, I just have to say 'yes'; that's what Philippians 2:12 & 13 is about: God does all the work in me, on my will and my acts, my job is to say 'yes' and 'work it out'. What a revelation that was to me. All the guilt is gone, the fear is gone, the heavy burden is gone. Grace upon grace, upon grace, ... Now I can tell you: it is so much better to live under grace than under the law. Jesus' burden is so light! I can't wait to get to know my Father better! And I'm not even afraid of the dark anymore :) Halleluia
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