BLESSED ARE THE MEEK…WHAT?

 When I finished cleaning up the house this morning, I lay on the floor with a thick quilt over me.  It’s good for your posture and it’s so warm!

 

Praying, I asked the Lord if I please Him.  A Psalm came to my mind, “Fret not thyself because of evil doers, neither be thou envious against the workers of iniquity. For they shall soon be cut down like the grass and wither as the green herb.  Trust in the Lord and do good, so shalt thou dwell in the land and verily thou shalt be fed.  Delight thyself also in the Lord and he shall give thee the desires of your heart…” I memorized this Psalm because I heard my mother say it so many times as I grew up.  It was “her Psalm” so now it is mine.  King James Version, of course, is what I always heard.  My own “version” changes the thee and thou and thyself words to you and yourself now…

 

But then I kept quoting as I lay on the floor, “…but the meek shall inherit the earth, and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace…” and I thought about Jesus and the Sermon on the Mount.  “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.” Without looking up meek, I began to guess at the meaning of that word.  The meek do not parade themselves (I’ve done that).  A meek person is humble, (I’ve been arrogant).  The meek give room for another’s place, putting themselves after.  In traffic, I remember taking off furiously from a light a few years ago.  A man in a sporty car next to me tried to get into the one lane ahead first.  In my Explorer Sport, (much older than his sports car) I beat him.  I didn’t feel kind after that.

 

Meekness is virtue.  Meekness puts God’s will as priority and others next.  Meekness adjusts desires so that greed, envy, “self-promoting” habits and pride are overcome…at least the prayer is that these evil tendencies are conquered.  It gives room in your soul and mine for peace.  “But the meek shall inherit the earth and shall delight themselves in the overflowing of peace.” Psalm 37:11. NKJV.

 

As I was praying on the floor, warm blanket pulled high, the words of Jesus, “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.” I am sure is true.  The earth is more important if it is thought of as the eternal state of the earth.  My spirit, my soul is eternal.   While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.” 2 Corinthians 4:18

CHRISTMAS DEVOTIONAL By Charlotte Paris

Guest Author is my sister, Charlotte The Prophecy: Isaiah 7:14; “The Lord himself with give you a sign.  A virgin shall conceive and bear a son and shall call his name Emmanuel.” The Fulfillment: Matthew 1:22,23 “Now all this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, behold a virgin shall be with child and shall bring forth a son and they will call his name Jesus. The Love of God: John 3:16;  “God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten SON. That whosoever believes in Him will not perish but have everlasting life.” 2020 has been a year of turmoil, confusion, of fear and stress. For the whole world! But right now, REDIRECT how you think. Shake yourself. The beacon of Christmas is on display for everyone in the world to see right now. The light and hope that you need is right in front of you!  LOOK AT IT!  It is Waving at you. Trying to get your attention.  Don’t miss it! Look unto Him and LIVE! JESUS SAID: “I am come that you might have LIFE and have it more abundantly.”  Are you living an abundant life? If not, you might be missing a crucial ingredient. Prophecy for-told that a Messiah, a Deliverer, would come one day and save his people. That He would come into the world as a baby, born to a virgin. He would live on this earth as a man so he could understand what mankind goes through. But his purpose was not just to understand us, he came to SAVE US!  To bridge the gap between a holy God and sinful man.  Only a perfect sacrifice was good enough to do that. Only Jesus was perfect!   Because he was God in the flesh, only He could PAY THE PRICE and set us free from our GREATEST BURDEN:  SIN!  Sin separates us from God, and we needed God! So let’s get real ... on this Christmas why do we even need this baby, say nothing of ADORE him?   And what does that have to do with the stress of 2020 anyway! WELL, as it turns out, A LOT! We don’t adore him because he was a cute, chubby baby, or because the manger scene is such a charming tradition with the animals in the stable and that star above it. So, I’ll just tell you The reason I adore him.  It is because HE PAID MY DEBT in my place. He died for Me! He forgave my sins. He made me right with God. I was in bondage and He broke those chains off me.  He made it possible for me to go directly to God in prayer for ALL my needs.  He washed me clean and removed my shame. He healed my wounds. He took the pain out of my scars and turned them into trophies of His goodness. He met my needs when I did not deserve it. He smiled at me and lifted me up when I felt worthless and ashamed. He made me worthy. Now before God there are No barriers, no hinderances, no chains of guilt or fear or dread, no shame.  That debt has been paid!  Jesus paid it all when he gave his life on the cross in my place. He paid MY DEBT! He took my place!!  He said he would never leave me or forsake me. I will never be abandoned. HE LOVES ME! I want you to know that He offers this forgiveness “for free” to anyone who will accept it. Just receive it. It is the best gift ever! …And THAT is why I ADORE HIM!!! And That is the Hope needed for 2021!

 

CHRISTIAN FEMINISM? LET'S JUST BE “BIBLICAL”

When I studied about “myself” in the Bible and who women are created to be I grew into a different person. I understood then that I alone could contribute to our marriage, to our children and to our world in a profound way that no other person could. And it came from inside.

 

I knew about the history of how women lived, laws that controlled them, religion that coerced them.  Then it was thrilling to discover what the Bible teaches about women.  History of cultures and religion and the Bible did not match up.

 

On that “hill” I nearly died . . . so to speak . . . and nearly took my husband and three sons with me. I was unhappy because of what I understood my “silent”, “unimportant” position as a female was. There was so much passion in my head and soul, but there were no expressions in my experience growing up.  Strong opinions in my head and heart: what to do with them. I was frustrated.

 

I guess I knew that I liked myself, I knew there were gifts in me (when I studied Scripture closely on the topic of being created in God’s image).  Giftedness was given me, and surprise of surprises, as I grew, more gifts emerged from within.

 

Five years, I studied and read only the Bible about the doctrine of women; five more years of thinking and study and we published “Submission is Not Silence, Boldness from a Quiet Spirit.”

 

What happened in our marriage is mysterious: but we grew together. He encouraged every thought, every move I made, every idea. Over coffee fifteen years into our marriage, he said, “I never thought I had the right to tell you what to do.” I stared into his serious, thoughtful, loving eyes. He meant it!

 

It was after that comment that I discovered that nowhere in the Bible did God tell a husband to tell his wife what to do. Nowhere did it instruct him to speak for her, tame or train her! And so I began to feel free to think for myself: it was the first time in my life that I did!

 

A lot of things have been said to me about the book, “This is not what women need;” “What about submission? It’s in the Bible?” But along with negative comments, there have been the positive ones which have made it worthwhile.  Eric edited every page.

 

A married woman, with wisdom and courage, is a balance of power alongside her husband. Her compassion, her perspective, her vision for life as a female created in the image of God and her gifts are needed . . . and when shared with courage and love, a man respects her.

FIGHTING IN THE SPIRITUAL REALM

Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life.  Whatever “lay hold on eternal life” means, I will pursue it. 

 

Our war exists:  it is in our souls, our heads, our hearts.  We wrestle with temptation every day.  “For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) dwells no good thing.”  I desire to do good, but how to perform that which is good I do not find.  (Romans 7:18)

 

We wrestle not against (or should not fight against) flesh and blood.  People are not the powerful adversaries, but the unseen principalities, powers, rulers of the darkness of this world, spiritual wickedness in high places are.  The leader, Satan, is walking about as a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour.  Look at the drug abuse, drunkenness, cruelty, abuse of power.  Resist with determination, being steadfast in your faith.  Go to Ephesians six and find your armor just waiting for you.

 

It is Faith, our shield, (believing what God says is faith).  Believe your Almighty Creator Who is on your side.  When we decide to be, we will be “strong in His might” and when God is for us, who can be against us?  Put on the belt of truth, a breastplate called “righteousness” and boots that bring peace whenever you show up.  Put the helmet of salvation on your head.  Draw the Sword of the Spirit, the Word of God.

 

Put it on.  Faith, salvation, righteousness, truth, the gospel of peace and the Word of God.  Now you are protected.  Be not brash; but be bold.  You need nothing else.

 

Here is the thing: you believe by faith what you read in the Bible, no matter how you feel.  Live by it, obey the Lord.  Learn to listen to the Holy Spirit who is in you when you believe Christ died for your sins was buried and rose from the dead.  When you believe Jesus is the way, is the truth and is the life, then do as He indicates.  Then you are accomplishing your purpose here in the world. 

 

Even when you do not feel it, you know by faith that the armor of God is in place. 

CHRISTIANS SHOULD BE INVOLVED...WHO HAS MORE WISDOM THAN KNOWLEDGEABLE CHRISTIANS!

 

I BELIEVE that a government "Of the People, By the People and For the People" is a special privilege given to us by our Creator as Citizens of the United States of America. That precludes that knowledgeable and informed members of our Nation participate to protect and preserve it.   The Constitution, and Bill of Rights are uncommon wisdom and gifts to us.

“This Is a Christian Nation” In 1892, the United States Supreme Court ruled, "This is a Christian Nation." The ruling, issued by Associate Justice David Brewer, has never been legally disputed or overturned.

SIMPLE TRUTH FROM SCRIPTURE ABOUT FOOD

From my early teens, I became a “health nut.” Homeschooled, my education was primarily the Bible. My parents read the Bible three times a day, aloud, with their eight children. It was how we learned to read.

I knew that the Bible emphasized health: spiritual, physical, and emotional. I took it for granted.  "Jesus said to them, I am the bread of life.  He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes on Me shall never thirst." (John 6:35). The Bible often uses Spiritual and physical truth, one to explain the other.

The Creator’s design for us is for our well being. It’s what the Bible is about. And he created within the natural world natural nutrition.  "Wherefore do you spend money for that which is not bread? and your labor for that which satisfies not? hearken diligently to me, and eat that which is good, and let your soul delight itself in fatness." (Isaiah 55:2)’ “Fatness” here is health.

When His people would not choose well, they hurt themselves.  "He should have fed them also with the finest of the wheat: and with honey out of the rock should I have satisfied you." (Psalm 81:16).  "O Israel, you have destroyed yourself; but in Me is your help." (Hosea 13:9) "He makes peace in your borders and fills you with the finest of the wheat." (Psalm 147:14)

His people went astray and he invited them back to Him using their health and beauty as an incentive: "And you were adorned with gold and silver; and your clothing was of fine linen and silk and embroidered work. You ate fine flour and honey and oil; and you were exceedingly beautiful." (Ezekiel 16:13)

In the store what is labeled “Whole grain, multi grain” may not be what they seem; they may have bleached, white degermed flour for a longer shelf life.  The manufacturer has unchecked leeway to mark things deceptively.  This Link clarifies the differences: https://www.naturespath.com/en-us/blog/difference-whole-grain-whole-wheat/

Things grown, as fruit, vegetables, nuts, natural olive oil, grassfed beef, milk, cheese, and natural honey. (Exodus 3:17). These God fed his people. The best protein is instituted by the feasts and sacrifices described in the Old Testament.  Health again instituted for their spiritual and physical wellbeing. 

Food and Faith? Could this be a key to physical health? My thinking process turned to logic: our Creator has given us food grown from the earth, mined (salt) from deep in the earth, fished from the sea, protein from grazing animals.  For those who pay attention!

As we read through the Bible this time, Eric, my husband and I noticed this amazing rundown for health

"He made him ride on the high places of the earth, so that he might eat the increase of the fields. And He made him suck honey out of the rock, and oil out of the flinty rock, butter from cows, and milk from sheep, with fat of lambs, and rams of the sons of Bashan, and goats, with the fat of kidneys of wheat. And you drank the blood of the grape." Deuteronomy 32:13,14. 

The physical truth morphs into a deep understanding of our loving Creator’s care. "And Jesus answered him, saying, ‘It is written, ‘That man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God.’’" Luke 4:4. 

BE BOLD WITH THE TRUTH

 

 I love my country, and it is under threat. Bold moves, defending its history and value is a way to do my part to save her.  

 

The Mayflower arrived in Plymouth Harbor in 1620.  They came from England to worship God according to the way they believed the Bible taught.

 

We digressed by allowing slavery until the Civil War. Admitting the sin of slavery as a Nation and outlawing it was right. Enforcing freedom was implemented by some, disregarded by others.

 

Then more recently Madalyn Murray O'Hair - Founder of American Atheists, exerted power to eliminate the Bible and prayer from our public schools. The Bible was pushed aside.  Prayer eliminated from our children’s lives in the schools.

 

Powerfully motivated forces stepped up to change our basic laws.  They are politicians and wealthy critics of The United States of America.  Our country rose to power by Biblical Law, “Thou shalt not kill.  Thou shalt not commit adultery.  Thou shalt not steal. Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.” The new determined agenda is “anything goes” except for the foundation of our Country, The Ten Commandments from Exodus Chapter Twenty.  These laws are the core of security and fairness for every person. 

 

Will we survive as a Country?  One political party has decided to delete “One Nation Under God” from the Pledge of Allegiance…leaving a blank.  It is a black blank.  A darkness will take its place.

 

Here is a call to people who believe.  We should leave fearfulness behind.  Step up as one and stand strong for the Truth. There are more with us than with them. Elisha the Prophet and his servant faced fearful odds; "when the servant of the man of God was risen early, and gone forth, behold, a host compassed the city both with horses and chariots. And his servant said to him, Alas, my master! how shall we do? And he answered, Fear not: for they that be with us are more than they that be with them."  2 Kings 6:15,16.  Be bold with the truth. It is time to step up.

STAYING PUT

There is a growing chasm between people in our Country.  Maybe we see it more clearly this year, but historically it has always been!  There is a war between good and evil in the world.  In Genesis, before the twins were born to Rebekah, God knew that Jacob would be a good son and Esau would be evil.

A thought came to me upon arising this morning: The growing animosity between Christians and non-Christians calls for us to rise to the occasion.  We should pray for people.  We should not give up.  We should emulate Jesus:  "The Lord is ... long-suffering toward us, not purposing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance." (2 Peter 3:9)

What does that look like then?  It may or may not be a warm feeling.  “And as you desire that men should do to you, you do also to them likewise.” (Luke 6:31)

We are all different, unique people.  There are personalities we have trouble understanding or even liking.  But certainly love does not gossip, slander, or lie about our neighbor.  It does seek to understand and affirm what is good in them.  Love looks for God-given gifts, the abilities that contribute to the world.

The Guidelines from Jesus are simple: “I give you a new commandment, that you love one another.  As I have loved you, you should also love one another.  By this all shall know that you are My disciples, if you have love toward one another.” (John 13:34,35)

We Believers in Jesus have the Helper, The Holy Spirit, with power to rise above the downward spiral.  If our fellow Americans choose to walk away from our Christian heritage, we have Power within to stay the course.

Our speckled past in America must be confessed, then forgiven.  We have Hope that is eternal: we have a message to give:  "Because if you confess the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you shall be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth one confesses unto salvation.” (Rom 10:9, 10)

God was God from the beginning. With a downward spiral, (an attempt by "Progressives" to change, to alter how the world, especially Christians, understand Scripture) we still believe Scripture is "alive and powerful" and written by the Holy Spirit through holy men of God. "For prophecy was not borne at any time by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke being borne along by the Holy Spirit." (2 Peter 1:21) 

 

ALERT TO OUR POSITION

As Citizens of our Country we can lose all the privileges of belonging.   It is becoming clear just how we will lose it:  If we are lax; if we are lukewarm to the freedom and God-given opportunity of birth into “One Nation Under God”.

 

It seems an aggressive opposition to our Christian heritage is flowing out of the darkest cracks and pores of our beloved Country.  It expresses hatred, violence, lawlessness, disrespect.

 

We are a Christian Nation.  In 1892, the United States Supreme Court ruled, "This is a Christian Nation". The ruling, issued by Associate Justice David Brewer, has never been legally disputed or overturned.  With this certainty is the equal assurance that when any Nation (as powerful and privileged as we have risen to be) is so blessed by our Creator, He will hold us accountable.

 

We, The Church, are at a critical moment in history.  We have The Word of God, The Holy Spirit - the promise of the Power of The Holy Spirit: “But you shall receive power, the Holy Spirit coming upon you.  And you shall be witnesses to Me both in Jerusalem and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” (Acts 1:8) Will we access this privilege and power?

 

Say this prayer with me, "Our Father make Your plan of salvation so real to my heart that the words flow from my heart to my neighbors, Orlando, to our nation, and all around it.”

WOMEN, ALWAYS REMEMBER YOUR BEGINNINGS . . .

The beginning of your story is in Genesis.  Like good food (fruit, vegetables, complex carbohydrates, good protein), true doctrine makes a true difference in a successful life.  You will understand your significance as you move through Scripture comparing one passage with others. Your life is a continuation of the story of Adam and Eve.  When the man and woman disobeyed their Creator, He justly punished the man and woman, our original parents, but He did not take their dominion away, neither did he take their individuality away. 

 

Since God has given you a spirit, soul and body, "And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ." (I Thessalonians 5:23). They are yours to develop and refine. Giving your individuality away, squelching it, harms you and those around you:  your perspective, what you believe, your heart, your personality, and your abilities are for here and now.  They are gifts from your Creator to you.  Many facets of women, and their right to grow in them, have been dismissed by both the Church (Christianity) and men in leadership.  

 

Gifted women must be cautious. When I was growing up, my quiet but cerebral mother told me that to some men a woman who grows in her abilities is a threat. But there is a beautiful path to becoming whole: to girls, to females, to women, your distinctiveness is a gift from your Creator.  

 

When the man and woman sinned in the garden, God did not take personality and individuality from Eve, just as it was not taken from the man.  God did not take dominion from the woman or the man when they disobeyed. What God did was to give them each a handicap; their lives would now be harder.  To the man God said, "By the sweat of your face you will eat bread;" (Genesis 3:19) he would never get out of it: earning a living would be hard. To the woman God warned:  "I will greatly multiply your sorrow ... in sorrow you will bring forth children; and your desire will be to your husband, and he will rule (have power) over you." (Genesis 3:16). God had warned her. 

 

But some men abuse this. We see it today in the buying and selling of women; domestic violence happens. 

 

Women need not accept this unfair control and abuse.  Accept God’s discipline "Whom the Lord loves he corrects..."(Proverbs 3:12) and run with it.  Speak up.  “Speaking the truth in love . . .” (Ephesians 4:15) Watch what God does in your personality and confidence, your life, your marriage, your future. God is Good! He made you; why suppress your uniqueness? Handle the challenge, grow wise; grow to be whole.  Earn your husband's respect and the respect of every person in your world.  "And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ." (I Thessalonians 5:23) 

HER NAME IS ROSE

Her name is Rose.  She walked into my hospital room, and the room lit up.  Her focus on liking my smile, her initiative in seeking to give me support showed a heart that is unusually loving and generous.

She is a nurse, working toward her doctor’s degree.  She is from Haiti and loves our Country.  She excels in everything I could pinpoint in our short acquaintance.  She certainly did not talk about herself and her accomplishments.  I told her, as she took my blood pressure and temperature, that she reminded me of Jesus.  Just before He died to pay for our sins, He washed the feet of the twelve.  I told her that she has a servant’s heart.

We talked for the little time that she had.  She worries about her sons.  I encouraged her to read the Bible with them every day, and perhaps begin with the Book of John.  “That is the Book my husband and I are reading right now,” I told her.  She accepted, even thanked me for the conversation, “I told God,” she said, “that I am ready to give up.  I’m going to become neutral.” Obviously, her discouragement had reoccurred.  She told me she had said this to God before, and every time she did, something happened to give her pause.

Our son, Zach called the room right then, and in her presence, I told him that my nurse was concerned about her children.  He told me to tell her that he will pray for them.

How natural was that conversation!  Rose blessed me so thoroughly that I felt that her being on duty that day was a gift from the Lord.

So, if you read this Blog, Rose, thank you and God speed.  We are sisters in Jesus.

POWER FROM CONFIDENCE

Cast not away … your confidence, which has great recompence of reward. For you have need of patience, that, after you have done the will of God, you might receive the promise. Hebrews 10:35,36

Be confident: you can understand the Bible.  What you do not yet understand, the Holy Spirit is in the process of revealing to you. Be like Daniel.  He was confident and focused. Still young, he was brought to the palace of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon.

Because of the sins of others Daniel suffered along with them, was brought captive to a foreign land, but there he thrived.  Daniel, in the Bible, had such an excellent spirit that the king of Babylon noticed and promoted him - - He excelled.  He overcame the wicked culture by purposing from inside: “But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself…” Daniel 1:8

 His power came from within. “He believed in his God…” (Daniel 6:23) We can do this too through the personal, intimate relationship with God through Jesus.  We can do this today!  We can have the understanding that comes because the Holy Spirit “dwells,” lives, abides in every Believer.  “But the anointing which you received from Him abides in you, and you do not need anyone to teach you.  But as His anointing teaches you concerning all things, and is true and no lie, and as He has taught you, abide in Him.” 1 John 2:27

How amazing is this!  Power from within. Today, “out there” are elitists claiming to have special knowledge.  You and I have the Holy Spirit to teach us:  “abide” is what we can purpose to do.  In Him lies the power to be close to God. "Abide (continue) in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can you, except you abide in me." John 15:4

 We can do this, too!  We can change the world around us and who knows how far out.