Shalom dear friends:
A blessed 2021 to each and every soul reading this letter.
What is it about the New Year that encourages us?
For me, its that sense of possibility.
“Things are going to get better …”
“I will come ahead this year.”
“ I will accomplish some of the things tucked away in my heart.”
“I will pay my bills, somehow.”
“ I will be better …”
“How about you? I pray this finds you optimistic and hopeful.
Can it really be that a year ago I’d never even heard of COVID-19? I went about my daily life without a mask or sanitiser? I hugged my friends when I saw them, kissed my grandchildren, and shared family Shabbat meals. I did my grocery shopping in a crowded store and saw some friends while walking the aisles? Ah, those were the good old days.
We have survived the first, second and even third waves of the pandemic. Tragically more than a million loved ones have been lost. Millions have been reduced to near poverty and it only seems to be getting worse. Our worship services and holidays were hijacked to say nothing of being shut in and forbidden to visit loved ones. Now we’re in the darkest, coldest weeks of the year. The pandemic continues to rage. Yes, we are surviving, and survival is good. But if you’re like me, you want to do more than survive. You want to thrive. Thriving, however, doesn’t just happen. Their roots need to be dug about, watered and nourished. Then they will stretch out, maximise the sunlight and bloom. I want to thrive and I know that you do as well. May the LORD help us all.
Shh … Receive the Gift: I love it when the Holy Spirit speaks to me. I was awakened today with the following instruction. “Come my people, enter into your chambers, and shut your doors, hide yourself as it were for a little moment, until the indignation be over past.” Isaiah 26:20
“Cast your burden (cares) on the LORD, and He will sustain you.” Psalm 55:22
You ask, “So what is the “gift” we need to receive?” Ask for comfort. The Holy Spirit is our teacher, but we need a meek and quiet spirit especially at this time in history. Meek is not weak. The fierce battle raging is the LORD’S. Let the Spirit of God summon warrior angels to execute warfare and we will agree with the way He chooses to move.“You will keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on You because he trusts in You.” Isaiah 26:3 “In quietness and confidence shall be you strength.” Isaiah 30:15
Waring Spirits:Indignation is a strong word which means: anger or annoyance provoked by what is perceived as unfair treatment. Similar words are resentment, umbrage, affront, or distress. I am hearing from friends who are facing the indignation of friends and colleagues concerning their political leanings. The controversy is over the political mess in America, which carries with it far reaching repercussions for the entire globe. Division is the work of the devil. Beware of the trap your negative response can bring to you personally. Pull back from news and other open doors that cause you stress.
We can be easily offended, usually by very little. To retain a spirit of tranquility will require more than turning off the TV. We must keep a close watch over our thought life. Work to be single of purpose, give others their rightful place but keep yours at the same time. It takes work to let go of insults and stressful news. Keep your load as light as possible. Stay thankful. Try to remember, “this too shall pass.”
Life’s Greatest Discipline: Perhaps the greatest discipline in life is to forbid negative thoughts from invading our minds. Each person must learn to win their own internal struggle. Satan is cunning and proud enough to rant against us to the Almighty. What can we mortals expect? I plead the covering of the blood of the Messiah? “For the accuser of our brethren, who accuses them before our God day and night has been hurled down.” Revelation 12:10
“And the LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination and intention of all human thinking was only evil continually.” Genesis 6:5 Amplified Bible
“Why do the nations conspire and the people plot in vain? The kings of the earth take their stand and the rulers gather together against the LORD and against His Anointed One. The One enthroned in heaven laughs; the Lord scoffs at them.”
Psalm 2:1.2.4 New Covenant Prophecy Edition
A Most Troubling Vision: Yes, the world that we knew is gone. Will it return? I rather doubt it! We hear of very sinister plans for the “New Reset” and toss most of them out as nonsense. Not so my friends. Back in 1975 I was given the following experience and I think the time has come to share it. I have not had an experience like it before nor since. I describe it as living in two worlds at the same time. We were travelling across Canada from the West to New York. I was very present, but could see into a new world that was coming.
I saw a hand appear. It held a large paint brush. Then I saw a wall map of Canada, like we used to have in our class rooms. As I watched, this hand was busily painting Canada. red from coast to coast. I heard these words: “But my blood will cover first.”
I watched as darkness descended, upon the minds and hearts of the people. The spiritual and mental cloud eventually turned into a physical darkness. I saw lights go out all across Canada. People were monitored, clamped down, ordered to stay in. No communication was allowed. I saw people crawling on their bellies at night across cold stubble fields to meet loved ones clandestinely. Every word was whispered. The darkness was so perverse it permeated into one’s soul. It was so stark, so troubling, so awful that I shut this experience away for 47 years. I saw things I cannot mention.
At the time, I told my husband Jay what I was seeing and experiencing as it unfolded. It was absolutely horrible and I wanted to forget what I had seen. I feel that events are moving swiftly this way. Its time to wake up and be alert to the sinister forces grabbing for global control behind the scenes. The only proof of a prophetic dream, experience or word is if it comes to pass. Oh, believe me, I pray it never does! From 1971 unto 1991 Jay and I invested prayer, finances, time and effort visiting Jews in the Soviet Union. Our sole purpose was to see them released. We saw up front and personal what kind of an upside-down horrifying system that Communism was and continues to be. All eyes are on America at present. But our quiet “nice” neighbour to the north has already sunk into the mire of entrapment. The dragon is so welcome. Our work is prayer and over coming.
Israel our home turf: Over several months in 2020, Israel opened the Abraham Accords Peace Agreement with five Arab nations as major political shifts are taking place in the USA. Peace partners are The United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Sudan, Morocco and the Asian Kingdom of Buthan. Indonesia, the most populous Muslim nation maybe next.
Israel is very efficient in distributing the vaccine, immunising more citizens per capita than any other nation in the world. Only 20% of Arabs in East Jerusalem came forward, as they fear the lies from the Palestinian Authority saying, “Israel will poison them.” Photo: Our health clinic 5 minutes from home.
Israeli Technology: The world has been fighting a drinking water crisis, with many populations struggling to access clean drinking water. Israeli company “Watergen”has a solution that may knock you off your feet. This Israeli company is achieving the impossible and saving lives! They have devised a way to catch water from the air. This invention is being used in Africa and at sites of catastrophes such as earthquakes.
Arabs and Israelis: In the last year, 1,000 members of Israel’s Arab population has enlisted in the IDF, a number that is more than double that of recent years. The Israel Defence Forces were shocked to receive requests from Arabs living in neighbouring countries, some classified as enemies that obviously had to be turned down. “About 700 would-be volunteers called from Arab countries such as Lebanon and Syria, perhaps as part of the change the region is going through. We could not believe the demand,” Yakir Benzion, United With Israel.
Anti-Semitism: Anti-Semitism rolls off of the tongues of CNN announcers. Germany and France demand Israel return to the 1967 lines. With the demise of Mr. Trump, Israel is of course being bashed and hated. How do we fight it? Educate your children and grandchildren. Prager University is a wonderful teaching platform. Learn from history, not fake news.
Your letters and emails:
America: A friend emailed: “Since the incident in the Capitol Building January 6th and Twitter and Facebook blocking Trump’s account, there is a heaviness in the spiritual realm. Spending quiet time with the Lord early in the morning helps to start the day with a hopeful outlook. During the day I often call out to Him. This is drawing me closer to Him.
Unfortunately, two of my dearest friends for over twenty-five years are Trump haters. We all three had Bible study, prayer and fellowship together, and this is very sad. I do not engage them in political conversation, but ask God to continue to love them and not allow the enemy to destroy our friendship. God is not surprised by what has happened. Our hope and trust, in the days ahead are in Him. J.M.
From a Christian leader in America: Our nation needs a total overhaul. It’s hard for me to observe the turn around in ethics and morals that has happened. Someone wiser than me has explained it this way:
The new ethics and morality are:
1. What was condemned… is now celebrated.
2. What was celebrated… is now condemned.
3. Those refusing to celebrate…are now condemned!
Fortunately, this new thinking is not embraced by everyone.
We are praying for another Great Awakening to be poured out over America by the Holy Spirit that souls will be saved and that Truth (better known) will be embraced.
Canada: A Grandmother’s lament. “We are all dealing with the pandemic. For me it’s hardest being cut off from my grand babies. That breaks my heart. I briefly saw them at church but they don’t even try to hug me anymore. My head knows why, but my heart cries. I hate this pandemic. It’s robbing so many of us. Makes me mad, so I pray the anger out through prayer. N.B. Canada
Finland: Recent events are definitely very disturbing, and point to even more difficult times ahead. I am praying every day for America under attack from all levels of society
and from China. We have to just believe that the LORD is in control. C.R.
Switzerland: A businessman is touched for Jerusalem. We heard the song “Jerusalema” and loved it. Someone composed the words in Zulu and a dance group made a DVD. During the pandemic it became famous worldwide with more than 250 million “likes”. This happened because millions of people turned their head and heart to Jerusalem. One day the King will be in residence there. We wait and pray for Jerusalem’s peace. R.B.
Jerusalem of Gold:
Israel: Change my address please. I have removed myself from Google connections. E.E.
Nepal Report: I am thrilled to thank you again this month for the solid support for “Change Action Nepal” and Indira who heads up the rescuing and nurturing work there. Your loving kindness is greatly appreciated. YOU Can Make a Difference!
To make a donation: www.changeactionnepal.org
To watch the film: https://youtu.be/0mOU01NRf9k
“A little child shall lead them.” We are not to be childish, but child like.
It is never too late to repent. Jesus begrudged us nothing and with love encourages us. “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give to you, not as the world gives, Do not let your hearts be troubled, neither be afraid.” John 14:27
2020 is behind us. This is 2021, to be happy is your choice!!!
Sincerely,
Meridel Rawlings.
You can find me on FaceBook under “Still Small Voice”.
https://www.facebook.com/Still-Small-Voice-483974671785658
—
Picture at the very top: Photo by Milada Vigerova on Unsplash