As fall approaches and a chill pierces the air, we look for warm meals like soups, stews and my favorite, chicken and dumplings. * Many of these recipes start with making a stock so, let’s get cooking!
WHAT IS STOCK USED FOR?
Besides soups and stews, it’s great for sauces, gravies and braising. Now admittingly, I don’t cook all those things, but I do use stock often as a substitute for water to infuse more flavor into my dishes. What can we do with left over chicken stock? Freeze it in ice cube trays to use for flavoring whenever it’s needed!
WHAT DOES COOKING STOCK HAVE TO DO WITH THE LORD?
Think about how chicken stock is made.
1. PICK A CHICKEN
Back on the farm in 1901, they simply went to the chicken coop and picked a chicken to make stock. The age of the chicken didn’t matter. Both young and full-grown chickens would do. Our age doesn’t matter with the Lord either. He loves us all and picks us to be used for His purpose at any age. Unlike the chicken, we just have to volunteer for the job.
Who has saved us and called us with a holy calling,
not according to our works,
but according to His own purpose and grace
which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began,
1 Timothy 1:9
2. HEAT IT UP
Why heat it up? To tenderize the chicken! So too, can “heated” situations tenderize our hearts. Although no one likes the “heat,” when our situations get “heated” our emotions boil, don’t they? As they boil, our reactions such as anger, impatience or anxiety rise to the surface.
By acting in faith to give our reactions to the Lord, He can tenderize our hearts and create the new ingredients He longs to use to enhance our lives.
My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials,
knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience.
But let patience have its perfect work,
that you may be perfect and complete,
lacking nothing,
James 1:2-4
3. WATCH FOR IMPURITIES
The impurities in the chicken stock includes proteins and fats that rise to the surface. How about the impurities in us? Perhaps the reactions that rise to the surface when our emotions boil for one. However, our impurities can be anything that keeps us from being all that our loving Lord designed us to be.
Let’s face it. Through the years, all of our heated situations have created impurities in our hearts. At least they have in mine. The Lord uses the heat of the trials to identify and remove the impurities in order to make us the person He intended us to be.
But those things which proceed out of the mouth
come from the heart,
and they defile a man,
Matthew 15:18
4. STRAIN OR SKIM?
In 1901 they produced a clearer stock by straining it after cooking. This process removed some of the impurities that had risen to the surface. However, to remove all of those, rather than strain, it’s best to skim during the cooking process. This ensures the clearest stock with enhanced flavors free from undesirable elements.
How about us?
It’s just as important for us to skim too! As our reactions to heated situations rise to the surface, with the Lord’s help, we can skim them out. Left to boil, our reactions continue to be part of our hearts and minds. Continually removing them keeps our relationships with others and the Lord clear of undesirable elements.
RESULTS?
In order to have the best results, we need to allow the heat to do its’ job. Without heating the chicken, we wouldn’t have stock to use to enhance other ingredients, would we? So, if things in our life get heated, don’t panic and look for the off switch!
By faith, let’s withstand the heat knowing that the Lord loves us, He is in control and will use it all for our good. His results will enhance both our lives and the lives of others.
In this you greatly rejoice,
though now for a little while,
if need be, you have been grieved by various trials,
that the genuineness of your faith,
being much more precious than gold that perishes,
though it is tested by fire,
may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ,
1 Peter 1:6-7
REFLECTION
Are you feeling the heat?
PRAYER
Heavenly Father, as I write James 1:2-4 and say it aloud, reveal to me how my emotions boil and react to “heat.” Use the “heat” of the trials to make me to be who You designed me to be enhancing both my life and the lives of others. In Jesus name. Amen.
IN FAITH, LET JESUS USE THE HEAT
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*For information on making Jesus Christ your Savior, email me or visit, http://www.peacewithgod.net/
*Find recipe for Chicken & Dumplings @ Faith – RECIPE FOR PEACE – DianeLese
Photo chicken only, Andreas Goellner
Photo strainer only, Jordane Mathieu
