Breadmaking 101

Written By Betty Predmore

1 CORINTHIANS 5: 1-13

(AUGUST 9)

I love homemade bread, fresh from the oven. The smell is so enticing and the taste... oh my mouth is watering!

My husband makes bread for us from time to time. Sometimes it is regular bread. Other times he tosses in some chocolate or banana. He is actually famous for taking his dough and making the most scrumptious cinnamon rolls you could ever taste.

Regardless of what type he is making, it is crucial that his yeast reacts appropriately. If not, the bread will not come out right. And that is a real BUMMER!

Ever since the very old days, Israelite women would use the sourdough method for making their bread. Each week, they would pull of a small portion of the dough and save it. Throughout the week, it had time to ferment. They would then use that piece to start the batch for the next week. This went on all year until the Feast of Unleavened Bread. At that time, they would get rid of any old pieces around their home and start fresh for the new year.

In this portion of Paul's letter to the Corinthians, he is warning them of the dangers of the sexual immorality that has been reported to him. There is a man amongst the believers who is involved with his father's wife, which was a definite NO-NO!

Paul suggests they "hand him over to Satan". What does this mean? Paul is saying that they should exclude him from all fellowship. He is hopeful that if they do this, this man will draw closer to God and walk away from his sinful behavior.

Paul gives his class in Breadmaking:101 when he mentions "the yeast and the dough". The yeast is the ingredient that makes the bread rise. It only takes a little bit of yeast to make the whole loaf rise. A small amount of yeast affects the entire batch. In the same way, a small amount of sin (sexually immoral or any other kind) can affect the whole church.

The Israelite women disposing of the old leaven is symbolic of the church tossing out believers who persist in their sins.

Paul reminds them that they are free to associate with all people outside the church, but within the church they are limited to those who behave in a holy manner. Those who continue to perpetuate sin do not belong in the community of believers. But he was also quick to say that those who are struggling through their sins, trying to overcome them, should not be excluded.

And that, my friends, is Breadmaking: 101.

May be an image of 1 person, food and text

Betty Predmore

Betty Predmore is a writer, blogger, speaker and ministry leaders. She is the founder of Mom-Sense, Inc., a ministry designed for mentorship, connection and service to women of all life circumstances. Through this ministry, women are encouraged and supported with scripture and life application. Mom-Sense helps women overcome life struggles through small group classes with biblical curriculum, individual counseling, bible studies, and other areas of support.

Betty also directs the Imperial Valley Life Center, which is a non-profit faith-based pro life women’s resource center. She has a passion for saving the unborn and supporting mothers through pregnancy and motherhood.

Betty loves to speak at events, sharing the love of Jesus with other women. She does this through practical life application mingled with God’s word, and sprinkled with humor. Having experienced a broken home, divorce, abuse, grief, single motherhood, blended families, and adoption, she uses the broken places and movement of God in her own life to share His word in an inspiring way. She enjoys sharing her blogs on social media as a way of reaching out on a broader spectrum. Betty has many speaking topics which can be found on her website: www.bettypredmore.com

As an author, she has had the opportunity to impact women and reach deep into their hearts with her words of inspiration and encouragement. Through Pondering Virtue and Whispered Grace, she has created wonderful tools for the woman who is seeking direction in her spiritual walk.

Betty serves on the writing team of A Wife Like Me, and is also a contributor to Moms Encouraging Moms and Gift of Thorns. Her blogs have appeared in several magazine publications throughout the years including Southern Faith Magazine, Purposeful Life, and Aspiring Woman Magazine.

While Betty thrives on her ministry opportunities, her greatest blessings come from being a wife to Jim and a mama to their wonderful collection of children, who bring joy, laughter, and an occasional tear to her days.


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