See that you do all I command you; do not add to it or take away from it. Deuteronomy 12:32 NIV
Mandarin Orange Pie
1 graham cracker crust
1 small container whipped topping (Cool Whip)
1 can sweetened condensed milk
1 can mandarin oranges (11 oz)
1/3 cup “Minute Maid” juice
Heat crust 5 minutes at 325 degrees. Drain, then mash with fork 2/3 of oranges and place in a large bowl. (save remainder whole for garnish) Add whipped topping, sweetened condensed milk and juice. Beat on low until well blended. Pour into graham cracker crust and refrigerate. Garnish with remaining mandarin oranges if desired.
This is a quick, easy holiday treat. It’s delicious. There is only one problem with the above recipe. I didn’t give you the full instructions. This is a recipe given to me by one of my best friends. The pie is delicious. I made it for the first time a few years ago, and it turned out wonderfully. When I tried it another year at Thanksgiving it was a flop. It never got firm enough to eat. My father enjoyed eating it with a spoon.
I gave you the recipe just as I had it written down. Why did the recipe fail? I called my friend’s wife to ask her and she quickly saw my error. You see, I was using 1/3 cup of Minute Maid “orange” juice. I should have been using 1/3 cup of Minute Maid (or any brand) “lemon” juice. It makes all the difference in the world. There must be something about the acid in the lemon juice, which helps in the gelling process.
So why do I share this? Well, it gives you another pie recipe you can try, but really to illustrate that, if you don’t follow the directions carefully, your recipes will fail. So it is in the Christian life, or any life for that matter. God has a plan. He has spelled it out in His Word. If we follow it, we will experience rich reward. His first command is to “love the Lord with all our heart”. Then, we are told to “love your neighbor as yourself”. The rest of the commands are in the Book. We aren’t saved by what we do or don’t do and we don’t remain saved by our works (we are saved by faith), but Jesus said “If you love Me, you will do as I command.” So our proper response to God’s love is obedience. In fact, it’s how life works best.
Is there something God is calling you to do? Why not demonstrate your love for Him through your obedience?
And, feel free to try out the recipe of the day! You can actually substitute other fruits for the mandarin oranges. Just don’t forget the lemon juice!
