There is a kind of person God seeks to add to His kingdom. He is very particular about who can enter through the gates of the Zion He has built. The domain of His holy presence requires purity, righteousness, faith, and obedience. His dominion is built on perfect holiness and order that produces life in all directions, that penetrates into all galaxies.
To be counted among the subjects of His glorious kingdom we will have to be meek, for He requires it. God's definition of meekness is different from what man may think it means. Some believe meekness is a way of acting that is quiet, passive, and almost timid in situations that demand a response. This is not a very masculine picture for most men to accept. And most women would become upset with a man of this character, because their is no spirit or confidence there. It has no energy to address the demands of life that are driven forward and overcome by focus, drive and determination. This definition is not what God is speaking of when He request us to be meek. The meekness God is speaking of is defined as the ability to set aside the pride of thinking that we as human beings are sufficient on our own, that we are our own gods without any authority or power beyond us. This mind set is actually one base on ignorance, because humanity did not create itself or the world it now lives in, nor did it create the universe around us.
We and our world was made by God, who is the king and ruler of all He has created- and the creator is not less than what he created, but just the opposite. True meekness then, is the willingness to submit to God, our creator, and learn of His ways. To apply his instructions to our lives and among each others. In other words, it's living in obedience to God's laws and commandments. And there is no weakness, timidity, or running away from challenge with one who follows God instructions. It is just the opposite, the followers of God are men and women who change history and turn whole societies upside down by their obstinate obedience to God instead of following the paths of errors and rebellion from the laws of God in the mainstream culture. The book of Hebrews chapter 11, in the Bible, is replete with examples of saints who boldly met the challenges of their generations when choice had to be made between submitting to God or man's way. They choose God's way is the spirit of meekness at all times, even unto death. They knew and were confident that God was able to deliver them or resurrect them to life again at the appointed time and reward them for their obedience. They were not afraid of death nor tyrant kings that threaten them with punishment, banishment, and death. These saints knew that God was the author of all life and events and that all things move towards His divine plan-and they trusted his plan. They withstood evil and moved as God bid them. For example, Moses came to maturity in Pharaoh's palace, but he wasn't afraid to claim his identity as a Hebrew Israelite and defend his enslaved people as God had commanded him. He submitted to God in meekness. He defied the mightiest empire at that time with a wooden staff in his hands and the word of God-that is true courage . He boldly proclaimed liberty to the slaves before Pharaoh, saying, "The Lord God of the Hebrews has sent me unto thee, saying, Let my people go that they may serve me...(Ex. 7:16)." This is not the act of weak men. The saints of God are full of confidence and supernatural courage before the mightiest of challenges, for they walk in obedience to the living God of all creation. And that is the true spirit of meekness that God requires and seeks for among all his saints for entry into his kingdom and into the company of all His holy host.
Shalam,
Zarach
Sunday, March 22, 2020
Saturday, March 21, 2020
Covid-19 and the Saints
What are the believers and saints of God to do as America enters the Covid-19 pandemic?
Before I answer this question, let me first answer the question of what we shouldn't do? We should not panic as believers in Christ.
This pandemic and the ones to come in the future were prophesied by Christ as part of the great upheavals in the world as the times move towards his return. He mentioned wars and rumors of wars, earthquakes and pestilence( disease on a pandemic level) in diverse places. These events he noted in Matthew 24th chapter as only the beginning of sorrows; but the end is not yet. They are just a part of the prophecies leading up to the end of days or his second coming.
These events and various health crisis are expected by the believers according to the prophecy recorded in the scriptures. Therefore, the believer should not be trouble or panic by current events. Because he has been informed of them by God already. It is not a surprise to him. His faith is actually strengthen by what he is witnessing- he is seeing prophecy being fulfilled before his eyes, which only reaffirms his faith in the word of God (Luke 21:28-31).
Now, what should he do in the midst of this current pandemic-for he too must go through it with the rest of the world? The changes occurring in America, Britain, Spain, Brazil, Chile, Canada etc.-mandatory quarantine, social distancing, lay-offs on all non-essential workers, supermarket shortages, and so on, all affect him as well. In this situation, he must use the wisdom and prudence of God to navigate the unique circumstance he faces. The Bible states that a wise man will see danger and remove himself from it(Prov.14:15,16). Christ also warned us to remove ourselves from danger in his prophecy about the end of days with the advent of the Abomination of Desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet. He said remove yourself from the epicenter of destruction and find a safe haven (Matt. 24:15-18). This is wisdom in action.
We can use the kind of wisdom found in the Bible with Covid-19, by practicing good habits that will protect us from preventable exposure. Personal hygiene is a first line of defense against this virus. Good hand washing practices is one method that helps to prevent the spread of the virus- use soap, water and wash for 20 seconds. You should bathe and wash your clothe that you've worked in at the end of your work day or after being in susceptible areas. These,also, were some common cleanliness practice recorded among the Hebrews. They washed their hands routinely before eating, took baths and washed their clothes after handling the dead bodies of unclean animals,or burying the dead, returning from battle, and treating sick people with diseases that made the victim ceremonially unclean. They also practice self-isolation, which is one method used in the preventing the spread of Covid-19. If they became unclean or had the potential of making others unclean, they would avoid contact with their families and the general congregation or community to avoid making them unclean or spreading a disease.
Another important step we should take is improving our immune system through improvement of our diets and sleep habits. A diet rich in whole foods, such as fruits, vegetable, clean water, whole grains, beans, seeds and nut ( chia seeds, Almonds, cashews, sunflower seeds, flax seed, natural peanut butter), eggs, yogurt, Kefir, green tea, apple cider vinegar, key herbs like garlic, onions, and turmeric helps boost our immune system or natural defense against diseases. Your protein intake is also important for boosting your immune system and helping your body heal itself. Aim for 20-30 gram of protein per meal. You can achieve this by eating 3-4 ounces of meat, chicken, or fish, 2-3 whole eggs, 1 cup of Greek yogurt ( choose whole milk base for the healthy fat content), 1 cup of beans with 8 ounce soy milk or 1 cup of grass fed cow milk ( a good website to visit for more health tips on eating for boosting your immune system and wellness is www.draxe.com). Eliminate sweets and candy from your diet. These foods act as immuno-suppressants when consumed routinely, due to the effect of refine sugar on the body. Also, avoid cakes, donuts, pies, ice creams, cookies, sugary drinks and coffees, as these all effect you negatively and provide none of the vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants you derive form wholefoods that protect you from diseases like the Covid-19.
Finally, as part of your plan to avoid danger and protect yourself, get plenty of sleep. Sleep is essential for restoring and rebuilding the bodies cells, organ systems, and hormone levels. It aids in handling stress better, and it improves our ability to critically think and process information better- all these benefits are needed, especially in times of distress and crisis. Adults should aim for 8-9 hours of sleep each night and children should get between 10-12 hours. To develop good sleep hygiene, start by going to bed at the same time each night and wake up at the same time each morning, reduce the amount of screen time you expose yourself to before bed-this affect the your melatonin hormone levels, which help promote sleep. By applying these health practices in this current crisis we are practicing the wisdom found in the Bible that instruct us to consider well what is before us and to discern the danger presented and find ways to avoid it.
In addition, brethren, we should never for get two very important facet of our faith: prayer and the holy Scriptures. We should always pray, as Paul said, without ceasing (1 Thess. 5:17). We should pray when we rise in the morning, at noon day, in the evening, and at night. Our prayers are like sweet incense before God, who hears us and answers of our prayers. And we must never forget the treasure we hold in our hands every time we take our Bible in hand to read. It is a light that shines in a dark place, say the scriptures. We would be wise to follow it on the path that leads to day of Christ ( 2 Peter 1:19). It was written so that we may have hope by the patience and comfort it provides each time we read it(Rom.15:4). In the scriptures we find where He has said, "And, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world (Matt. 28:20). Therefore, we have confidence that no matter what pestilence or wars or rumors of war may come in accordance to the prophecy, we know that Christ is always with us even to the end of this world.
Shalam,
Zarach
Before I answer this question, let me first answer the question of what we shouldn't do? We should not panic as believers in Christ.
This pandemic and the ones to come in the future were prophesied by Christ as part of the great upheavals in the world as the times move towards his return. He mentioned wars and rumors of wars, earthquakes and pestilence( disease on a pandemic level) in diverse places. These events he noted in Matthew 24th chapter as only the beginning of sorrows; but the end is not yet. They are just a part of the prophecies leading up to the end of days or his second coming.
These events and various health crisis are expected by the believers according to the prophecy recorded in the scriptures. Therefore, the believer should not be trouble or panic by current events. Because he has been informed of them by God already. It is not a surprise to him. His faith is actually strengthen by what he is witnessing- he is seeing prophecy being fulfilled before his eyes, which only reaffirms his faith in the word of God (Luke 21:28-31).
Now, what should he do in the midst of this current pandemic-for he too must go through it with the rest of the world? The changes occurring in America, Britain, Spain, Brazil, Chile, Canada etc.-mandatory quarantine, social distancing, lay-offs on all non-essential workers, supermarket shortages, and so on, all affect him as well. In this situation, he must use the wisdom and prudence of God to navigate the unique circumstance he faces. The Bible states that a wise man will see danger and remove himself from it(Prov.14:15,16). Christ also warned us to remove ourselves from danger in his prophecy about the end of days with the advent of the Abomination of Desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet. He said remove yourself from the epicenter of destruction and find a safe haven (Matt. 24:15-18). This is wisdom in action.
We can use the kind of wisdom found in the Bible with Covid-19, by practicing good habits that will protect us from preventable exposure. Personal hygiene is a first line of defense against this virus. Good hand washing practices is one method that helps to prevent the spread of the virus- use soap, water and wash for 20 seconds. You should bathe and wash your clothe that you've worked in at the end of your work day or after being in susceptible areas. These,also, were some common cleanliness practice recorded among the Hebrews. They washed their hands routinely before eating, took baths and washed their clothes after handling the dead bodies of unclean animals,or burying the dead, returning from battle, and treating sick people with diseases that made the victim ceremonially unclean. They also practice self-isolation, which is one method used in the preventing the spread of Covid-19. If they became unclean or had the potential of making others unclean, they would avoid contact with their families and the general congregation or community to avoid making them unclean or spreading a disease.
Another important step we should take is improving our immune system through improvement of our diets and sleep habits. A diet rich in whole foods, such as fruits, vegetable, clean water, whole grains, beans, seeds and nut ( chia seeds, Almonds, cashews, sunflower seeds, flax seed, natural peanut butter), eggs, yogurt, Kefir, green tea, apple cider vinegar, key herbs like garlic, onions, and turmeric helps boost our immune system or natural defense against diseases. Your protein intake is also important for boosting your immune system and helping your body heal itself. Aim for 20-30 gram of protein per meal. You can achieve this by eating 3-4 ounces of meat, chicken, or fish, 2-3 whole eggs, 1 cup of Greek yogurt ( choose whole milk base for the healthy fat content), 1 cup of beans with 8 ounce soy milk or 1 cup of grass fed cow milk ( a good website to visit for more health tips on eating for boosting your immune system and wellness is www.draxe.com). Eliminate sweets and candy from your diet. These foods act as immuno-suppressants when consumed routinely, due to the effect of refine sugar on the body. Also, avoid cakes, donuts, pies, ice creams, cookies, sugary drinks and coffees, as these all effect you negatively and provide none of the vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants you derive form wholefoods that protect you from diseases like the Covid-19.
Finally, as part of your plan to avoid danger and protect yourself, get plenty of sleep. Sleep is essential for restoring and rebuilding the bodies cells, organ systems, and hormone levels. It aids in handling stress better, and it improves our ability to critically think and process information better- all these benefits are needed, especially in times of distress and crisis. Adults should aim for 8-9 hours of sleep each night and children should get between 10-12 hours. To develop good sleep hygiene, start by going to bed at the same time each night and wake up at the same time each morning, reduce the amount of screen time you expose yourself to before bed-this affect the your melatonin hormone levels, which help promote sleep. By applying these health practices in this current crisis we are practicing the wisdom found in the Bible that instruct us to consider well what is before us and to discern the danger presented and find ways to avoid it.
In addition, brethren, we should never for get two very important facet of our faith: prayer and the holy Scriptures. We should always pray, as Paul said, without ceasing (1 Thess. 5:17). We should pray when we rise in the morning, at noon day, in the evening, and at night. Our prayers are like sweet incense before God, who hears us and answers of our prayers. And we must never forget the treasure we hold in our hands every time we take our Bible in hand to read. It is a light that shines in a dark place, say the scriptures. We would be wise to follow it on the path that leads to day of Christ ( 2 Peter 1:19). It was written so that we may have hope by the patience and comfort it provides each time we read it(Rom.15:4). In the scriptures we find where He has said, "And, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world (Matt. 28:20). Therefore, we have confidence that no matter what pestilence or wars or rumors of war may come in accordance to the prophecy, we know that Christ is always with us even to the end of this world.
Shalam,
Zarach
Wednesday, March 4, 2020
The Path
We found a path
to cope with our times.
We found a peace
that can not be broken;
not even the gun can take it away.
We've found a hope that endures for all generations:
Our Black Messiah.
He shined the light to the path
that leads to immortality.
He told us the truth; giving us understanding
of who controls the times: the father of all creation.
He opened the portal between heaven and earth.
And now we will never be alone.
Zarach
to cope with our times.
We found a peace
that can not be broken;
not even the gun can take it away.
We've found a hope that endures for all generations:
Our Black Messiah.
He shined the light to the path
that leads to immortality.
He told us the truth; giving us understanding
of who controls the times: the father of all creation.
He opened the portal between heaven and earth.
And now we will never be alone.
Zarach
Don't Call Me Black
I opened the Books
and I saw a new vision
of myself reimagined-
from weakness to strong again
from defeat to triumphant
from hopeless to all hopeful
from homeless to being a world citizen
with mansions in the heavens
from being without God in the world
to being His temple again.
So, don't call me black, I'm an Israelite.
Zarach
and I saw a new vision
of myself reimagined-
from weakness to strong again
from defeat to triumphant
from hopeless to all hopeful
from homeless to being a world citizen
with mansions in the heavens
from being without God in the world
to being His temple again.
So, don't call me black, I'm an Israelite.
Zarach
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