Making Congee with a Chinese Student - Adzuki Bean Congee & Chicken Congee

     Many years ago I made a congee when my acupuncturist gave me an article on making it for its health benefits.  One time when I was in Chinatown, I ordered chicken congee, and it was fabulous!  But I haven't made much since then. 

  This summer we are going to host a family from Taiwan for  a month, and last weekend a Chinese friend told me about how she makes breakfast congee for her family.  I was talking with Justin the Chinese student who's been boarding with us this quarter about congee.  My friend likes to make her congee with rice, oatmeal,  and many different kinds of beans. 

Justin told us that congee made with just white rice is very popular for breakfast in China. He told me that it's common to also have it with beans and different vegetables, but pumpkin congee is his favorite. 

 So this week we have been experimenting with making congee!  A few nights ago we made it with just adzuki beans, but last night  we made it with adzuki, garbanzo, and black beans.  

Below is both a breakfast congee and chicken congee for dinner!

 Adzuki Bean Congee (Breakfast)

1.  Put 1 cup of white rice into a crock pot.  (If you want to, you can use 1/2 cup of white and 1/2 cup of brown rice).

2. Then put in 1/4 cup of adzuki beans and 1/4 cup garbanzo  beans, and 1/4 cup of black beans. My Chinese friend Janet told me you  can add as many different kinds of beans as you like to this--I would suggest just using 1/8 of a cup of each kind if you have a lot! 

3.  Last of all add 10 cups of water, 2 t of salt and 3 peppercorns.

4.  Turn the crockpot on low and let it cook all night. 

In the morning it will be ready to eat!  You can add some gluten free tamari and sesame oil to it, but I just like it with just a bit more salt and pepper.  

Making Chicken Congee (Dinner)

1.  Chop up 1 1/2 pounds of chicken leg/thighs through the bone. 

2. Put 1 cup of rice into a crock pot (you can 1/2 of brown/white if you like)

3. Then 10 cups of water and add 3 t of chicken bouillon, 1 t salt, and 4 peppercorns. 

4.  Add vegetables of your liking:  1/2 cup of  shitake mushrooms, 1 to 1 1/2 cups of chopped nappa cabbage, and 1 chopped carrot.

5.  Cook on low for 8 to 10 hours.

6.  Garnishes:  Prepare a plate of sliced green onions and cilantro that people can spoon onto their bowl of chicken congee.  Also have available gluten-free tamari and sesame oil to drizzle over the top.  Let each person add any additional salt or  pepper.

Other Chinese recipes on this blog:

Note about Internet recipes:  For the past 6 years we've hosted international students. Whenever I've made something, they have tasted it, and given me recommendations to make it taste more authentic.  Most of these Internet recipes have been tweaked by their suggestions.

BEEF RECIPES:
Delicious Gluten Free Beef Broccoli Stir-Fry  (Modification of Internet recipe)
The Best Gluten Free Mongolian Beef Stir-Fry  (Modification of Internet recipe)
The Best Gluten Free Ginger Beef Stir-Fry (Modification of Internet recipe)

CHICKEN RECIPES:
Gluten Free Chinese Almond Chicken Stir-Fry   (Modification of Internet recipe)
Amazing Gluten Free Chinese Cashew Chicken Stir-Fry   (Modification of Internet recipe)
Gluten Free Garlic Chicken Stir-Fry  (Modification of Internet recipe)
Gluten Free Chinese - Chicken Broccoli Stir-Fry  (Modification of Internet recipe)
Gluten Free Chinese - Spicy Kung Pao Chicken Stir Fry  (Modification of Internet recipe)
Gluten Free Chinese - Authentic Chinese BBQ Chicken  (From my Bible Study friend Rose)
Rose's Chinese Yellow Curry with Chicken & Vegetables  (From my Bible Study friend Rose)
Gluten Free Chinese - Fantastic Soy Sauce Chicken  (Modification of Internet recipe)
Rose's Authentic Stir-Fried Chicken & Vegetables (Made Gluten Free!)
Gluten Free Sweet & Sour Chicken (From my daughter-in-law's family cookbook)

TOFU RECIPES:
Tofu & Vegetable Stir-Fry  (Modification of Internet recipe)
Orange "Beef" Tofu Stir- Fry  (Modification of Internet recipe)

FISH RECIPES:
Steamed Scallion Ginger Fish with Stir-Fried Bok Choy  (Modification of Internet recipe)
Fantastic Mahi & Vegetable Stir Fry   (Modification of Internet recipe)
Tasty Gluten Free Sweet & Sour Fish  (From my daughter-in-law's family reunion cookbook)

NOODLES & RICE:
Gluten Free Chinese Fried Rice    (From my Come & Dine Cookbook)
The Cheung's Gluten Free Chow Mien  (My Bible study friend Rose taught me this)

SOUP RECIPES:
Chinese Chicken Soups  - Bok choy chicken, chicken & spinach, and chicken & cabbage
Gluten Free Chinese Hot Pot  (Combination of Internet & Yingying a student from China)
Making Congee with a Chinese Student  (Recipe from a Chinese friend & a student)
Chinese Egg Drop Soup   (From my Syre School Cookbook)

SALAD RECIPES
Gluten Free Chinese Chicken Cabbage Salad  (From my Heritage School Cookbook)
Rose's Refreshing Cucumber Salad  (From a Bible study friend)
Chinese Mandarin Salad & Thai Peanut Dressing   (Dressing is from my friend Judi)

What is Paul's First Exhortation in 1 Timothy 2:1?

First of all pray.  That’s what the Apostle Paul said in 1 Timothy 2:1-2a:

 I exhort, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercessions, thanksgivings be made on behalf of all men; on behalf of kings and all who are in high position,...

I like how straightforward Paul is here. Prayer is not a last resort, but it should be our first course of action. In chapter 3 of the Life-Study of 1 Timothy Witness Lee points out that in this section Paul is reminding his co-worker that in God's work prayer is first and teaching is second.  On page 28 he describes the differences between the different types of prayer listed in the above verse, and I particularly liked the one he gave on intercession:

 The Greek word rendered "intercessions" means approach to God in a personal and confiding manner, that is intervening, interfering, before God in others’ affairs for their benefit (Lee, Witness. Life-Study of 1 Timothy. Anaheim: Living Stream Ministry, 1980, Print).

  Paul mentions here that our prayers are not just for our own needs and problems but on behalf of kings,  political rulers,  and for others' salvation. The phrase on behalf of makes me visualize the kind of prayers that can intervene or interfere in a nation or person's desperate situation.

   During these past few weeks I’ve been reading a book called The Meaning and Purpose of Prayer (from a conference Witness Lee gave on prayer in 1956!)  This excerpt on page 30 relates how important our prayer and intercession is to God.:

  “If man does not pray, God will not work; if no one prays, God has no work to do. At any given time God must find some people or a person to co-work with Him to pray for what He intends to do on earth….The extent to which we pray is the extent to which God works. Those whom we touch in prayers are those on whom God works, what we pray for is what God does, and how we pray is how God fulfills. This is a great principle of prayer" (Lee, Witness. The Meaning and Purpose of Prayer. Anaheim: Living Stream Ministry, 2013, Print).

You can  also listen to live excerpts from these messages on 1 & 2 Timothy, Titus, and Philemon on The Life-Study of the Bible with Witness Lee.  You will enjoy listening to both  the excerpts  from these spoken messages and the helpful and enlightening commentary of the radio hosts.

List of Other Life-Studies on 1 & 2 Timothy, Titus, & Philemon:

What is Paul's First Exhortation in 1 Timothy 2:1?
How Can You Be Nourished With the Words of the Faith in 1 Timothy 4:6?
Looking at the Church's Decline in 2 Timothy
From the Life-Study of 2 Timothy - How Did Paul Inoculate the Church Against Decline?
Why is the Word Healthy Used So Much in the Epistle to Titus?
Why  Should You Avoid Questionings in Titus 3:9?
What Does the Account of Onesimus Show Us in the Book of Philemon?

Other Related Posts on Prayer:

From the Life-Study of Matthew:
What is the Crucial Significance of Lord's Prayer in Matthew 6:9-13?
Have You Seen the Battle Between the Two Kingdoms in Matthew 12:26-28?

From the Life-Study of Luke:
Why is Persistent Prayer Important in Luke 18:1-8?

From the Life-Study of Acts:
How is Acts a Book on God's Move & Prayer?
Seeing God's Move & Satan's Frustration in Acts 14

From the Life-Study of Galatians:
How Do We Practically Enjoy Grace in Galatians 5:18?

From the Life-Study of Ephesians:
How Do We Apply the Armor of God in Ephesians 6?

From the Life-Study of Philippians:
Why Does Paul Put Anxiety and Prayer Together in Philippians 4:6?

From the Life-Study of Colossians:
From the Life-Study of Colossians - What Happens When We Pray?
What is Christ Doing at the RIght Hand of God in Colossians 3:2?

Other Posts:
Why Prayer Matters
Calling on the Lord Makes a Difference! 
Hearing God   (From Collected Works of Watchman Nee, Vol. 18 - Tell Him)

Delores's Chicken & Tortilla Casserole (Made Gluten Free)

You can never have too many enchilada recipes!   I'm always up to trying another one because I love enchiladas!  Last Saturday I made this Mexican enchilada recipe from my Come & Dine Cookbook that  the moms from our church did up years ago as a fundraiser in order to  help send our kids to Bible camp. 

This recipe comes Delores who is like most moms a great cook. Her recipe was not a gluten free recipe, so I took out the can of mushroom soup and replaced it with sour cream and some extra seasonings.  So taste the sauce and get it to where you like it!  

Delores's Chicken & Tortilla Casserole

1.  Prepare vegetables & cheese:
(1)  Slice 1/3 cup of green onions.
(2)  Slice 1 can of black olives.
(3)  Grade 2 cups of jack/cheddar cheese

2.  Cook chicken or turkey in water to cover and then chop up 4-5 cups for casserole. Set aside.

3. Cut 8-10 corn tortillas into 1/2" strips. Set aside. 

4.  Prepare sauce: - Put in a large bowl: 
(1)   Put 10 oz of sour cream  and stir in 1 12 oz jar of green salsa, and 1 4 oz can of diced green chilies. 
(2)  Then stir in 3/4 t of cumin, 1/2 T of chili powder, and 1 t of salt. 
(3)   Last of all add the cubed chicken or turkey, olives, and green onions. 
(4)  Taste and make any adjustments. 

5.  Assemble in a 9 x 13 pan:
(1)  Grease the bottom of the pan and arrange tortilla strips along the bottom of it.
(2)  Cover evenly with half of the chicken mixture. 
(3)  Sprinkle cheese over the top.
(4)  Top with another layer of tortilla chips.
(5)  Spread the rest of the chicken mixture over the top.
(6)  Sprinkle cheese evenly over the top.

6.  Bake uncovered in a 350 oven for 45-50 minutes.

Other Mexican recipes on this blog:

Mexican Casseroles
Texas Style Gluten Free Stacked Enchiladas  (From my Come & Dine cookbook)
Acapulco Delight - A great Mexican Enchilada (From my Heritage School Cookbook)
Michelle's Favorite Vegetarian Enchiladas   (From my daughter)
Kathy's Baked Chili & Chips Casserole  (From my church cookbook, Come & Dine)
Gluten Free Mexican Quinoa Casserole  (From an Internet search)
Fiesta Gluten Free Tamale Pie   (From my church cookbook, Come & Dine)
Authentic Chicken Enchiladas Verde  (From a church friend)
Rebecca's Favorite Chicken & Chile Enchiladas  (From a church friend)
Delores's Chicken & Tortilla Casserole (Made Gluten Free)  (From my church cookbook, Come & Dine)

Tacos, Chimichangas  & Etc.
Rachel Ray's Recipe for the Best Fish Tacos   (From Food Network)
Fantastic Baked Chimichangas  (From my Syre School Cookbook)
Authentic Chicken Flautas  (My hispanic friend Abbie taught me how to make these!)

Delicious Chicken Fajitas  (A mix of many recipes)
Fabulous Vegetarian Gluten Free Fajitas   (From an Internet search)
Easy Gluten Free Baked Taquitos  (From a newspaper clip)

Beans & Rice
The Best Homemade Refried Beans  (From an Internet search)
Texas Pinto Beans & Rice  (From my Texas airport cookbook)

Mexican Chicken & Beef
Anna's Pollo Guisado (Mexican Braised Chicken)  (From a church friend in Phoenix)
Fantastic Gluten Free Carne Asada!  (From an Internet search--a combination of sites)
Belizean Chicken, Black Beans & Rice, and Belizean Coleslaw  (From my daughter's family)

Soups
Mexican Chicken Soup- A Great Remedy for Colds & Flu  (I got this over 25 years ago from a Mexican cookbook)
Bethany's Crowd Pleasing Tortilla Soup  (From a friend in Califiornia)
Southwest Turkey Soup   (From my Syre School Cookbook)

Salads
Baja Salad with Black Beans & Quinoa  (My own version of something I ate in Seattle)
Mexican Salmon & Mango Salad  (Modification of a Betty Crocker recipe)

What Does Salvation in Sanctification of the Spirit Mean in 2 Thessalonians 2:13?

     Do you ever gloss over the word sanctification when you read it?  Paul talks about sanctification quite a bit in 1 & 2 Thessalonians. This week the phrase "salvation in sanctification of the Spirit" caught my attention: 

But we ought to thank God always concerning you, brothers beloved of the Lord, because God chose you from the beginning unto salvation in sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth.  

2 Thessalonians 2:13

And in chapter 4 in the Life-Study of 2 Thessalonians I liked Witness Lee's clear explanation of what sanctification in salvation actually means:   

God has selected us unto salvation in sanctification and not merely to have our sins forgiven….A person who prays in this way can be saved and have the forgiveness of sins. But this is not sanctification.  After we experience forgiveness, we need to undergo the process of sanctification. The Lord intends to sanctify us, to transform us….In verse 13 Paul tells us that sanctification is of the Spirit….You need to realize that the Spirit is in you to sanctify you…..The Spirit indwells you with just one goal---to sanctify us, to transform us, to change us metabolically. This is sanctification of the Spirit (Lee, Witness. Life-Study of 2 Thessalonians. Anaheim: Living Stream Ministry, 1982,  Print).

What spoke to me was that sanctification is a process that begins when we're regenerated. And every day the Lord is working to sanctify us, to spread His holy life and nature into all the parts of our being.     The line I bolded above really jumped out at me. I don't think I ever thought before that the Spirit's one goal was to totally transform me by sanctifying me day by day. 
    
    And I was just thinking to myself how does the Spirit sanctify me? And right away I remembered that awesome verse in John 17:17:  Sanctify them in the truth; Your word is truth! So now whenever I think about sanctification I think of God's Spirit saturating me through His word.

You can  also listen to live excerpts from these messages on 1 Thessalonians on Life-Study of the Bible with Witness Lee.  

What Does 1 Thessalonians 1:9 Say About God?
What Does God's Salvation in 1 Thessalonians 1:9-10 Accomplish in New Believers?
Why Does Paul Put Faith, Love, & Hope Together in 1 Thessalonians 1:3?
How Does God Preserve Us Complete in 1 Thessalonians 5:23?
What Does Sanctification in Salvation Mean in 2 Thessalonians 2:13?

Rosie's Gluten Free Pineapple Upside Down Cake

I remember pineapple upside down cake when I was a kid. I haven't made one for years, but I had some pineapple I needed to use up, and thought I would try a recipe from my daughter-in-law's cookbook.  This is from her Aunt Rosie, whose photography you can check out on Simply Rosie. You will be oohing and aahing at these photos!  They are truly unique, beautiful, and  artistic!

What can I say about a cake topped with warm pineapple oozing with brown sugar and butter?  Oh and I forgot to say I whipped up a can of coconut cream to put on the top!  That was double deliciousness!

Rosie's Gluten Free Pineapple Upside Down Cake

1.  Prepare topping: 
(1)  Put 3-4 T of butter into an 8 x 8 pan and put into a 350 degree oven and let it melt.
(2)  Sprinkle 1/2 cup of brown sugar over the top of the butter
(3)  Arrange 1 20 oz can of drained pineapple slices over the top; reserve 1/2 cup of the juice for cake batter (or add water to make it 1/2 a cup).

2.  Prepare dry ingredients - In a small bowl put:
 1 cup gluten free flour mix (1/3 c sorghum, 1/3 cup rice flour, and 1/3 cup tapioca starch/flour, 1 1/2 t baking powder, and 1/2 t of salt.

3.  Make cake:
(1)  Cream butter and shortening:  Cream 1/3 cup butter for about 2 minutes and then slowly add 1/2 cup of sugar and let it beat until light and fluffy about 3 more minutes.
(2)  Then add 1 egg and 1 t vanilla and beat for about a minute.
(3)  Add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture alternately with 1/2 cup of pineapple juice beating after each.

4.  Bake:  
(1)  Spread batter over the pineapple
(2)  Then bake at 350 for 35-40 minutes

Note:  In Rosie's recipe, she beats everything all together in one bowl and uses 1 cup of milk in place of the pineapple juice.  I saw that in a few other places and so I tried it yesterday when I made this cake again.  

Other Gluten Free Baking & Desserts on This Blog:

Breads: 
Gluten free & Low-fat Banana Bread  (From my daughter-in-law's family reunion cookbook)
Celebrate Fall With Gluten Free Pumpkin Bread   (A friend's recipe)
Delicious Gluten Free Zucchini Bread   (From my Heritage School Cookbook)
My Favorite Gluten Free Cranberry Nut Bread    (From my daughter-in-law's family cookbook)

Cakes:
Gluten Free German Apple Cake   (From my grandmother)
You Won't Believe It's Gluten Free Carrot Cake    (From my daughter's husband's grandma)
Judi's Super Moist Gluten Free Chocolate Cake   (From a church friend)
Judi's Gluten Free Orange Chiffon Cake       (From a church friend)
Marilyn's Spectacular Gluten Free Oatmeal Cake    (My mother-in-law's--she's a great cook!)
Delicious Gluten Free Rhubarb Cake     (From my daughter-in-law's family reunion cookbook)
Grandma's Gluten Free Applesauce Cake  (From an Internet search tastes like my grandma's!)
Old Fashioned Gluten Free Banana Cake      (From my grandma)
Rosie's Gluten Free Pineapple Upside Down Cake    (From my daughter-in-law's family)

Cookies:
Gluten Free Cowboy Oatmeal Cookies  (From my Heritage School Cookbook)
Mom's Go To For Gluten Free Peanut Butter Cookies   (From my Heritage School Cookbook)
The Best Gluten Free Recipe for Snickerdoodles  (From my Heritage School Cookbook)
Gluten Free Rocky Road Brownies     (From a church friend)
Mark's Famous Chocolate Chip Cookies - Made Gluten Free!    (From my daughter-in-law's family reunion cookbook)
Judi's Gluten Free Oatmeal Craisin & Coconut Cookies       (From a church friend)

Cornbread & Rolls:
Beth's Amazing Gluten Free Cornbread   (From my Heritage School Cookbook)

Crisps & Pies:
Lena's Rhubarb Crunch (A crisp with a gluten free top and bottom crust!) (My daughter-in-law's mother.  She's an amazing cook, which I think most of us moms become after a few years!)
Delicious Gluten Free Apple Crisp  (From my Heritage School Cookbook)
Ginger's Outrageous Apple Pie  (From a church friend)
The BEST Lemon Meringue Pie with Mrs. Lauralicious Gluten Free Pie Crust  (Internet)

Desserts with Fruit:
Sensational Gluten Free Strawberry Shortcake   (From the back of Costco's organic sugar)

Terrific Gluten Free Strawberry & Peach Trifle  (Modified from an Internet search)
My Favorite Gluten Free Strawberry Cheesecake   (From my Heritage School Cookbook)
Just Like Grandma's (But Only Gluten Free) Blueberry Cobbler (My husband's grandma)

Holiday Cookies & Baking:
Old Fashioned Gluten Free Pumpkin Cookies  (Modified from back of the Libby's can)
Incredible Gluten Free Gingerbread Cookies  (From my Heritage School Cookbook)
My Grandkids Favorite Gluten Free Peppermint Sugar Cookies  (From Syre School Cookbook)
Our Favorite Pumpkin Pie   (Modified from back of Libby's pumpkin can)
Perfect Gluten Free Pumpkin Cheesecake  (From back of cream cheese box)
Gluten Free Polish Fruitcake   (Modified from Internet search)
Old Fashioned Gluten Free Gingerbread Cake  (From my Heritage School Cookbook)

Muffins:

Banana Nutty Muffins   (From my daughter-in-law's family reunion cookbook)
Gluten Free Tremendous Pumpkin Muffins    (From my Heritage School Cookbook)
Bursting with Blueberries Gluten Free Muffins  (From my Heritage School Cookbook)
Toni's Outrageous Gluten Free Corn Muffins  (From back of a Bob's Red Mill package)
Sassy Gluten Free Apple Cinnamon Muffins   (From my Heritage School Cookbook)

 Puddings & Ice Cream:  

Dairy Free Strawberry Coconut Ice Cream (And other ice cream favorites!)  (From searches)

Baked Coconut Pudding  (Something I worked out from my Aunt Sue's rice pudding recipe)
Tangy Lemon Pudding   (From Internet search)

How to Enjoy the Bountiful Supply of the Spirit in Philippians 1:19

   Have you ever wondered what the basic thought of the Bible is?  Take at look at this statement  that begins Chapter 36 of the Life-Study of Philippians:  The basic thought of the Bible is that the Triune God desires to work Himself into man so that man may take Him as life and live Him.  Then Witness Lee points out that instead of taking the Bible as food Christians come and pick up ethics, culture, religion, and philosophy. 

He gives 2 classic verses on the Bible being food—

With some of my grandkids checking out crabs!

Thy words were found and I did eat them.  Jeremiah 15:16

Man shall not live by bread alone but by every word that proceeds out through the mouth of God. Matthew 4:4

In Chapters 35-37 of the Life-Study of Philippians Witness Lee shares about how praying the word or pray-reading as he calls it is a great way to receive the bountiful supply of the Spirit.  These excerpts come from pages 318-320: 

The best way to eat the word is to  pray-read….When we read the word, we should mingle our reading with prayer. As we exercise our eyes and our mind, we should also exercise our spirit to touch the Spirit. Then all that is in the Word will become in our experience the bountiful supply of the Spirit….In their time of personal devotions some Christians may read Psalm 133. As they read, they may begin to analyze and to ask about the precious ointment, the beard, the skirts, the dew, and Mount Hermon. Instead of receiving the bountiful supply, they are left with many unanswered questions.  But if we pray-read Psalm 133, we shall take this portion in the way of life.  As we pray-read, we may say, ‘Behold, amen! How good and how pleasant, amen.’ By taking the Word in this way, we shall apply the all-inclusive Spirit to our inner being  (Lee, Witness. Life-Study of Philippians. Anaheim: Living Stream Ministry, 1980, Print).

     Like most of us learned along the way, the foods that we eat contain germ killing elements.  And as we eat, we’re not even aware that this process is taking place.  By eating properly, our body can fight disease. Isn't it amazing that it’s the same for maintaining our spiritual health?  At the end of this chapter brother lee encourages us to come to the word of God prayerfully every day.  So in more ways than one we are what we eat!

You can listen to excerpts from the Life-Study of Philippians given in 1980 on The Life-Study of the Bible with Witness Lee.  The commentary is excellent.

Blog Update 5/22/14:  Check out the  new free book put out by Bibles for America called A Life of Forbearance But Without Anxiety. 

Other Posts on the Life-Study of Philippians:

What is the Bountiful Supply of the Spirit in Philippians 1:19?
What Does It Mean to Magnify Christ in Philippians 1:20-23?
How Does Religion, Philosophy & Culture Relate to Philippians 3:5-6?
Have You Ever Wondered What Gaining Christ is in Philippians 3:8?
Why Does Paul Put Anxiety and Prayer Together in Philippians 4:6?
What's Paul's Secret in Philippians 4:12?
What Does It Mean to Live Christ in Philippians 1:19-21?
From the Life-Study of Philippians:  What's the Theme of the Bible?
What is the Sacrifice of Faith in Philippians 2:17?

How Does God Preserve Us Complete in 1 Thessalonians 5:23?

   Do you know what an active-passive verb is? It’s a verb that has both an active and passive component. Are you going huh? Because that’s what I was doing when I was in college and  heard Witness Lee go over it when he gave the spoken messages of the Life-Study of Ephesians.

    Here's an example of an active-passive verb:  In Ephesians 5:18 it says, “Be filled in spirit.”  He told us that the active part is the being, and the passive part is the filling.  But what's interesting about this kind of verb is it shows our side and God's side.  We have to take the initiative to be filled because God can’t do this work without our cooperation. You'll see active-passives throughout the New Testament.

   And in 1 Thessalonians 5:23 he shares there is a crucial active-passive verb.  And the God of peace Himself sanctify you wholly, and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved complete without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 

   In chapter 19 of the Life-Study of 1 Thessalonians, which is entitled Cooperation with the Divine Operation, Witness Lee gives a great definition of the active-passive verb usage in this verse:

The command “be preserved” may be regarded as an active-passive verb.  This means that we take the initiative to be preserved.  However, God is the One who preserves our spirit, soul, and body.  Therefore, we take the initiative, but God does the work of preserving our entire being.  Therefore, we should pray, “Lord, I long to have my spirit, soul, and body preserved.  However, I cannot do this work.  I take the initiative, Lord, to ask You to do this (Lee, Witness. Life-Study of 1 Thessalonians. Anaheim: Living Stream Ministry, 1982, Print).

This matter of our cooperation is really vital in our Christian experience. I like when he just admitted that he couldn't do it, and just asked the Lord to do it it  Him.  That makes me think about a message I heard recently on Living Stream Ministry’s website.  The brother was talking about how critical it is for us to take the words that we hear either from the Bible or from a message and make it a prayer back to the Lord.  Have you ever thought that our prayers are the way we cooperate with the Lord, and they give Him a way to carry out His word? 

You can  also listen to live excerpts from these messages on 1 Thessalonians on Life-Study of the Bible with Witness Lee.  

What Does 1 Thessalonians 1:9 Say About God?
What Does God's Salvation in 1 Thessalonians 1:9-10 Accomplish in New Believers?
Why Does Paul Put Faith, Love, & Hope Together in 1 Thessalonians 1:3?
How Does God Preserve Us Complete in 1 Thessalonians 5:23?
What Does Salvation in Sanctification of the Spirit Mean in 2 Thessalonians 2:13?