SAVOR - DAY 4
1 Kings 19:5-13
Have you ever been tired? I mean really tired? I'm talking about the kind of tired that is more than just being physically fatigued. This is the kind of tired that you feel deep in your mind, heart, and soul. I can definitely remember different seasons of my life where I have felt this. The prophet, Elijah, did as well! At the end of an incredibly long day, after King Ahab's wife, Jezebel, wanted Elijah to be killed, he ran away feeling overwhelmed, discouraged, and frustrated. He was depleted mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. Then he tells God that he's had enough and to let him die! So what does God do? He gave Elijah a snack and then a nap.
In 1 Kings 19:5-6 (ERV) it says, "Then Elijah lay down under the bush and went to sleep. An angel came to him and touched him. The angel said, 'Get up and eat!' Elijah looked around, and by his head there was a cake that had been baked over coals and a jar of water. He ate and drank and then went back to sleep."
God knows that rest is so incredibly important. There are examples all throughout Scripture of rest being modeled. In our culture today, rest is not always honored and it can even be seen as a sign of weakness. However, rest is not weakness, but it is a form of strength. When we overlook rest it affects every area of our life; our health both mental and physical, our ability to function, our attitude, and our relationships. When we are tired and rundown our dependence on God suffers.
Look at Elijah after he had the contest on Mt. Carmel with the prophets of Baal. He ran down the mountain and killed all of the prophets. Then went back up the mountain and continually looked for rain, even while he was praying. Instead of trusting and depending on God, Elijah just kept on doing stuff. Like Elijah, we just keep on going, keep on doing, and keep on thinking that we have to keep up this pace. We lose our perspective and stop depending on God!
So back to the story of Elijah! In 1 Kings 19:8-10, Elijah basically tells God that he's been working his heart out, he's gone above and beyond, yet no one cares. God then says to Elijah,
“Go out and stand before me on the mountain,” the Lord told him. And as Elijah stood there, the Lord passed by, and a mighty windstorm hit the mountain. It was such a terrible blast that the rocks were torn loose, but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. And after the earthquake there was a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire there was the sound of a gentle whisper. When Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his cloak and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave. 1 Kings 19:11-13
Did you catch that? Elijah heard the quiet and then and only then was he able to listen for God. Through all of our hustling and striving and working and doing – God is looking down on us and saying – You do not have to prove anything to me! I already know you!
Without the sacred rhythm of rest in our lives we will not be able to hear his gentle whisper – His small still voice telling us that you are valuable, you are chosen, and you are loved.
It's important to know that the story of Elijah does not end with him resting. He went on to do many more amazing things for God – just continue reading 1 Kings to find out what he does. When we stop and rest and listen for God, that is not the end for us either. Once rested and recovered, we will go on to do many incredible things for God.
In closing, I can't help but remember the words of Jesus in Matthew 11:28-30 in The Message translation:
“Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion?
Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life.
I’ll show you how to take a real rest.
Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it.
Learn the unforced rhythms of grace.
I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you.
Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.”
Summer W
Have you ever been tired? I mean really tired? I'm talking about the kind of tired that is more than just being physically fatigued. This is the kind of tired that you feel deep in your mind, heart, and soul. I can definitely remember different seasons of my life where I have felt this. The prophet, Elijah, did as well! At the end of an incredibly long day, after King Ahab's wife, Jezebel, wanted Elijah to be killed, he ran away feeling overwhelmed, discouraged, and frustrated. He was depleted mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. Then he tells God that he's had enough and to let him die! So what does God do? He gave Elijah a snack and then a nap.
In 1 Kings 19:5-6 (ERV) it says, "Then Elijah lay down under the bush and went to sleep. An angel came to him and touched him. The angel said, 'Get up and eat!' Elijah looked around, and by his head there was a cake that had been baked over coals and a jar of water. He ate and drank and then went back to sleep."
God knows that rest is so incredibly important. There are examples all throughout Scripture of rest being modeled. In our culture today, rest is not always honored and it can even be seen as a sign of weakness. However, rest is not weakness, but it is a form of strength. When we overlook rest it affects every area of our life; our health both mental and physical, our ability to function, our attitude, and our relationships. When we are tired and rundown our dependence on God suffers.
Look at Elijah after he had the contest on Mt. Carmel with the prophets of Baal. He ran down the mountain and killed all of the prophets. Then went back up the mountain and continually looked for rain, even while he was praying. Instead of trusting and depending on God, Elijah just kept on doing stuff. Like Elijah, we just keep on going, keep on doing, and keep on thinking that we have to keep up this pace. We lose our perspective and stop depending on God!
So back to the story of Elijah! In 1 Kings 19:8-10, Elijah basically tells God that he's been working his heart out, he's gone above and beyond, yet no one cares. God then says to Elijah,
“Go out and stand before me on the mountain,” the Lord told him. And as Elijah stood there, the Lord passed by, and a mighty windstorm hit the mountain. It was such a terrible blast that the rocks were torn loose, but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. And after the earthquake there was a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire there was the sound of a gentle whisper. When Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his cloak and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave. 1 Kings 19:11-13
Did you catch that? Elijah heard the quiet and then and only then was he able to listen for God. Through all of our hustling and striving and working and doing – God is looking down on us and saying – You do not have to prove anything to me! I already know you!
Without the sacred rhythm of rest in our lives we will not be able to hear his gentle whisper – His small still voice telling us that you are valuable, you are chosen, and you are loved.
It's important to know that the story of Elijah does not end with him resting. He went on to do many more amazing things for God – just continue reading 1 Kings to find out what he does. When we stop and rest and listen for God, that is not the end for us either. Once rested and recovered, we will go on to do many incredible things for God.
In closing, I can't help but remember the words of Jesus in Matthew 11:28-30 in The Message translation:
“Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion?
Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life.
I’ll show you how to take a real rest.
Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it.
Learn the unforced rhythms of grace.
I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you.
Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.”
Summer W
Homemade Carrot Cake
2 ½ cups all purpose flour
1 ½ teaspoons baking soda
1 ¼ teaspoons baking powder
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
½ teaspoon salt
2 cups sugar
4 large eggs
1 cup vegetable oil
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cups grated (small pieces) carrots (do not use packaged pre-shredded carrots, they are too dry)
¾ cup chopped pecans
¾ cup sweetened coconut (we used Baker's Angel Flake sweetened coconut)
1 8oz. can crushed pineapple put in a strainer and let the liquid drain off….I press with a fork to remove not all, but a bit more liquid.
FOR THE CREAM CHEESE FROSTING (THIS RECIPE CAN BE EASILY DOUBLED IF YOU PLAN TO DO A LOT OF PIPING)
2 sticks unsalted butter, slightly softened
16 oz cream cheese (Not reduced fat)
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
½ teaspoon salt
6 to 6 ½ cups confectioners' sugar
Instructions
FOR THE CARROT CAKE
Preheat oven to 350℉
Line the bottoms of 3 (8 inch) or 2 (9 inch) round pans with wax or parchment paper, grease with shortening and flour the paper and pans for easy release when turning out……carrot cake has a tendency to stick so be sure to use the paper.
Whisk together for 30 seconds the flour, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt. Set Aside.
In the bowl of your mixer, add 2 cups sugar , 4 eggs, 1 cup oil and 1 tsp. vanilla. Mix 2 to 3 minutes at medium speed until well blended and light colored.
With a spoon stir in the flour mixture until moistened, then add the carrots, pecans crushed pineapple and coconut.
Bake 35 minutes at 350 degrees or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Refrain from opening the oven door or touching the center of the cake to test for doneness until very near the end of baking time or it could cause the cake to sink slightly in the center.
Makes 6 ½ cups batter
Cool cake layers in pan for 10 minutes on a wire rack then turn out. Cool completely before frosting.
FOR THE CREAM CHEESE FROSTING
Cut the butter into slices and add to the bowl of your mixer. Beat on low to medium speed until the butter is softened and smooth.
Cut the cold cream cheese into pieces and add to the butter, beating at low to medium speed until incorporated. If you are using a hand mixer you may need to soften the cream cheese a bit more.
Add the vanilla. Gradually add the powdered sugar beating on low speed until blended.
Increase mixing speed and mix until fluffy. Don't over beat or it will become too soft. If it becomes too soft, just refrigerate a short while to firm it up a bit.
This frosting will pipe best if used while still chilled. You can make it in advance, refrigerate and when ready to use let it soften slightly (do not microwave) and remix.
Will frost a 3 layer 8 inch cake
1 ½ teaspoons baking soda
1 ¼ teaspoons baking powder
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
½ teaspoon salt
2 cups sugar
4 large eggs
1 cup vegetable oil
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cups grated (small pieces) carrots (do not use packaged pre-shredded carrots, they are too dry)
¾ cup chopped pecans
¾ cup sweetened coconut (we used Baker's Angel Flake sweetened coconut)
1 8oz. can crushed pineapple put in a strainer and let the liquid drain off….I press with a fork to remove not all, but a bit more liquid.
FOR THE CREAM CHEESE FROSTING (THIS RECIPE CAN BE EASILY DOUBLED IF YOU PLAN TO DO A LOT OF PIPING)
2 sticks unsalted butter, slightly softened
16 oz cream cheese (Not reduced fat)
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
½ teaspoon salt
6 to 6 ½ cups confectioners' sugar
Instructions
FOR THE CARROT CAKE
Preheat oven to 350℉
Line the bottoms of 3 (8 inch) or 2 (9 inch) round pans with wax or parchment paper, grease with shortening and flour the paper and pans for easy release when turning out……carrot cake has a tendency to stick so be sure to use the paper.
Whisk together for 30 seconds the flour, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt. Set Aside.
In the bowl of your mixer, add 2 cups sugar , 4 eggs, 1 cup oil and 1 tsp. vanilla. Mix 2 to 3 minutes at medium speed until well blended and light colored.
With a spoon stir in the flour mixture until moistened, then add the carrots, pecans crushed pineapple and coconut.
Bake 35 minutes at 350 degrees or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Refrain from opening the oven door or touching the center of the cake to test for doneness until very near the end of baking time or it could cause the cake to sink slightly in the center.
Makes 6 ½ cups batter
Cool cake layers in pan for 10 minutes on a wire rack then turn out. Cool completely before frosting.
FOR THE CREAM CHEESE FROSTING
Cut the butter into slices and add to the bowl of your mixer. Beat on low to medium speed until the butter is softened and smooth.
Cut the cold cream cheese into pieces and add to the butter, beating at low to medium speed until incorporated. If you are using a hand mixer you may need to soften the cream cheese a bit more.
Add the vanilla. Gradually add the powdered sugar beating on low speed until blended.
Increase mixing speed and mix until fluffy. Don't over beat or it will become too soft. If it becomes too soft, just refrigerate a short while to firm it up a bit.
This frosting will pipe best if used while still chilled. You can make it in advance, refrigerate and when ready to use let it soften slightly (do not microwave) and remix.
Will frost a 3 layer 8 inch cake