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Still Small Voice – 5. Juni 2022

Published by Meridel Rawlings

Meine lieben Freunde Schalom!

Schawuot  – Pfingsten

An diesem Wochenende feiern wir in Israel das Fest Schawuot, was auf Englisch Pfingsten heisst.  Gott hat ein Volk, die Juden, für sich auserwählt. Er führte sie in die Sklaverei, damit sie zu ihm schreien würden. Dann befreite er sie durch Mose am Passahfest. Dann, während sie in der Wüste Sinai waren, beschloss er zu SPRECHEN. Dunkelheit, Erdbeben und Feuer fielen auf den Berg Sinai. Leider ließ die Angst das Volk in die entgegengesetzte Richtung der furchterregenden, befehlenden und doch gesegneten Gegenwart rennen. Sie flohen. Allein gelassen, kommunizierte Mose mit dem Allmächtigen und schrieb und sprach die Worte der Unterweisung, die er hörte. Dieses Gesetz Gottes, bekannt als die Zehn Gebote, veränderte die Welt für immer und wurde ZUERST zur Grundlage des Volkes Israel. Bis heute sind die biblischen Gesetze, die Moses gegeben wurden, die Grundlage der Verfassungen von Demokratien und obersten Gerichten. Doch leider sind heute ALLE Demokratien davon bedroht, ausgehöhlt zu werden.

Jesus bringt die Erfüllung

Zweitausend Jahre später kamen die Juden dreimal im Jahr zu den Festen Passah, Pfingsten und Laubhütten zum Tempel in Jerusalem. Die letzten Anweisungen Jesu an seine auserwählte Leiterschaft waren: “… Er befahl ihnen, Jerusalem nicht zu verlassen, sondern auf das zu warten, was der Vater verheißen hatte! Er sagte: “… Ihr werdet getauft und bevollmächtigt und mit dem Heiligen Geist vereint werden, nicht mehr lange … Ihr werdet Kraft und Fähigkeit empfangen, wenn der Heilige Geist auf euch kommt; und ihr werdet meine Zeugen sein, sowohl in Jerusalem als auch in ganz Judäa und Samarien und bis an die Enden der Erde.'” Apostelgeschichte 1:4,5,8.

Die Apostel fragten Jesus, wann er das Reich wieder aufrichten und Israel zurückgeben würde? Sie waren kurzsichtig und politisch gesinnt. Jesus antwortete schnell:

“Es steht euch nicht zu, die Zeiten oder Epochen zu kennen, die der Vater durch seine eigene Autorität festgelegt hat.”

Apostelgeschichte 1:7

Fünfzig Tage nach dem Passahfest (griechisch pente) sind wir nun bei Pfingsten oder Schawuot angelangt. Die Ausgießung des Heiligen Geistes wurde von Wind und Feuerflammen begleitet, nicht unähnlich der Verkündigung des Gesetzes am Sinai. Das Feuer und die Verheißung des Vaters wurden an diesem Tag in die Seelen der 120 ersten Gläubigen versiegelt. Sie bezeugten dann die Botschaft in Israel, Judäa und Samaria und zogen von Jerusalem aus, um die Welt auf den Kopf zu stellen. Die Kraft Gottes bringt Veränderung, wohin sie auch geht. Wie viel Geschichte hat sich in den letzten 2.000 Jahren ereignet? Heute blüht das Land des modernen Israel in einer Weise, die sich damals kein Mensch hätte vorstellen können; ja, “ein vorbereiteter Tisch vor unseren Feinden”, wie verheißen.

Hungersnot wird zu einer mächtigen Ernte

Zu dieser Jahreszeit lesen wir das Buch Ruth und erinnern uns an unsere Mutter Naomi, die in Moab zur Witwe wurde. Da sie ihren Mann und ihre Söhne verloren hatte, riet sie ihren Schwiegertöchtern, die ebenfalls Witwen waren, zur Rückkehr: “… wenn ich sagte: Ich hatte Hoffnung … wenn, … aber es ist für mich viel schwerer (bitterer) als für euch, weil die Hand des Herrn gegen mich gegangen ist.” Rut 1:12b,13b. Sie hatte das Gefühl, dass Gott mit ihr fertig war.

Dann, inmitten der Tragödie, entfaltet sich eine Liebesgeschichte. Alle drei Frauen weinten gemeinsam. Orpa kehrte, wie vorgeschlagen, zu ihrer Familie nach Moab zurück; aber Ruth antwortete Naomi: “Dränge mich nicht, dich zu verlassen oder dir nicht mehr zu folgen; denn wohin du gehst, will ich gehen, und wo du wohnst, will ich wohnen. Dein Volk wird mein Volk sein, und dein Gott wird mein Gott sein. Wo du stirbst, da will ich sterben, und dort will ich begraben werden.” Ruth 2:16, 17a.

Was für eine Erklärung der Liebe und Treue! Sie war und ist bis heute der reinste Maßstab für die Bindung zwischen einem Nichtjuden und einem Juden.

In Israel ist die Weizen- und Gerstenernte gerade erst eingebracht worden. Das Buch Ruth erzählt uns, dass sich die Geschichte während der Weizen- und Gerstenernte abspielt. Daher wissen wir, dass es um diese Jahreszeit vor nur etwas mehr als 3.000 Jahren war. Die Obst- und Gemüseernte wird eingebracht: Pfirsiche, Kirschen, Trauben, Bananen, Pflaumen, Aprikosen, Avocados, Zitronen, Wassermelonen, Honigtau-Melonen und viele andere.

Die Liebe macht den ganzen Unterschied

Mitten in der Tragödie entfaltet sich eine spektakuläre und wunderbare Liebesgeschichte, welche unsere Herzen erwärmt. Der Herr, der allmächtige Gott, fand in Mose einen Diener für sein jüdisches Volk. Er fand Naomi, die ihre Generation durch die liebevolle Beziehung zwischen Naomi und Ruth erlöste. Er rettete die Generation von Boas in seinem kleinen Dorf Bethlehem, indem er ihm einen Sohn schenkte. Ihr kennt die Geschichte von Ruth, die sammelte, und dem Großgrundbesitzer Boas, der das Richtige tat und sie erlöste. Die Liebe verändert alles.

Wahre Liebe beginnt zwischen Adonai Elohim, dem Herrn, unserem Gott, und einem Menschen. Er erschafft die Liebe zwischen einer Mutter und einer Tochter, ein mächtiges Werkzeug in seinen Händen. Seine Liebe zwischen einem Mann und einer Frau ist ein weiteres großartiges Werkzeug, das die Welt auf den Kopf stellen kann. Und dann ist da noch die Liebe von Bruder zu Bruder und von Familie zu Familie. Denkt immer daran: Unser Vater im Himmel ist der Zeitwächter. Eure Zeit liegt in seinen Händen, so wie die Tage Davids, des Urenkels von Boas und Ruth. Dieser Hirtenjunge aus Bethlehem wurde in die Ahnenreihe des Messias Jesus aufgenommen.

Wir alle wissen und haben erfahren, was geschieht, wenn die Liebe fehlt. Und so freuen wir uns heute über unsere Geschichte, die Vergangenheit, die Gegenwart und die Zukunft. Wir sind nicht allein, unser Retter ist der große Erlöser! Wir wurden nicht vergessen, und wir sind nie allein gelassen worden. Wir werden nie allein sein. Halleluja. Wir haben die geschriebene Liebesgeschichte, die Bibel, die wir als tägliche Erinnerung lesen können. Sprecht mir nach: ICH BIN GELIEBT!

Die Nachrichten hier in Israel sind schrecklich, und deshalb verschone ich Euch alle. Vergesst bitte nicht, für Jerusalem und die Nation zu beten. Wir sehnen uns verzweifelt nach einer Heimsuchung von oben … ein weiteres Pfingsten!

Tour quer durch Kanada

Jay und ich bereiten uns auf eine Tournee quer durch Kanada im September und Oktober vor. “Oh Kanada und Jerusalem, ich halte Wache für euch” ist unser Thema. Wenn Ihr einen Ort für uns habt, an welchem wir dienen können, werden wir auftauchen. Sagt es Euren Freunden, Eurer Gemeinde und Eurem Gebetskreis, macht Euch bereit! Es wird etwas ganz Besonderes werden!

“Wunder unter den Völkern” ist das zweite Buch unserer Trilogie “Zeitlose Geheimnisse”, das auf dieser Tournee veröffentlicht wird. Wir nehmen Euch mit auf eine Reise um die Welt, um das Wunderbare im Alltäglichen zu erleben. Die Kraft Gottes in der Schwäche und das Licht Gottes in den dunkelsten Ecken. Es hat uns Spaß gemacht, Euch zu schreiben. Ihr werdet es gerne lesen.

HILFE!

Wenn Ihr uns irgendwie finanziell bei den Flug- und Druckkosten helfen könntet, wären wir sehr dankbar. Stain-Remover (den Makel löschen), mein Buch über die Heilung der unauslöschlichen Makel von sexuellem Kindesmissbrauch, ist jetzt ins Spanische übersetzt worden. Wir warten nur noch darauf, dass der Herr uns erlaubt, es zu drucken und in Südamerika und der spanischsprachigen Welt zu verbreiten.

Hier erfahrt Ihr, wie Ihr direkt auf mein kanadisches Konto spenden können, wenn Ihr dies gegenüber BTC oder Pay Pal bevorzugen:

Royal Bank of Canada: zu Gunsten von Meridel Rawlings,

SavingsAccount: 08249-5117957

IBAN CA003547315204130 SWIFT ROYCCAT2

ABA 021000021

Beraterin Julia Cherry

Tel. 12509544805

Mir ist bewusst, dass Ihr Deutschsprachigen, weil Ihr Euch für den Still Small Voice-Brief in Deutsch angemeldet habt, den wöchentlichen englischen Brief nicht erhaltet. Wenn Ihr diesen gerne möchtet, müsst Ihr Euch bei www.stillsmallvoice.tv erneut auf Englisch anmelden. Ich bin sicher, Euer Computer wird den Brief in Eure Sprache übersetzen. Bitte teilt diesen auch mit Euren Freunden. Ich danke Euch und ich freue mich, von Euch zu hören. Ich hoffe, dass Ihr gern von mir hört? – Meridel

Vielen Dank für Eure dringend benötigte Hilfe.

Mit Liebe aus Israel,

Meridel Rawlings

Sendet mir eine Email: Meridel.rawlings

Still Small Voice – June 5th, 2022

Published by Meridel Rawlings

My dear Friends, Shalom!

Shavuot  –  Pentecost

This weekend in Israel we are celebrating The Feast of Shavuot which in English is Pentecost. God chose a family of people, the Jews, for Himself. He led them into slavery, so they would cry out to Him. Then, He delivered them through Moses at Passover. Then while in the desert of Sinai He chose to SPEAK. Darkness, earthquakes and fire descended upon Mount Sinai. Sadly, fear sent the people running in the opposite direction of The Terrifying, Commanding, yet Blessed Presence. They fled. Left all alone, Moses communed with the Almighty and wrote and spoke the words of instruction he heard. This Law of God, known as the Ten Commandments forever changed the world, FIRST becoming the foundation of Israel as a Nation. Until today the Biblical laws given to Moses are the basis of constitutions in democracies and Supreme Courts. But, sadly, in this day, ALL democracies are under threat of being diminished. 

Jesus Brings the Fulfillment 

Two thousand years later, Jews came up to the Temple in Jerusalem three times a year for the Feasts of Passover, Pentecost and Tabernacles. The last instructions of Jesus to His chosen leadership were;  “… He commanded them not to leave Jerusalem, but to wait for what the Father had promised! He said, ‘… You will be baptised and empowered and united with the Holy Spirit, not long from now … you will receive power, and ability when the Holy Spirit comes upon you; and you will be My witnesses both in Jerusalem and in all of Judea and Samaria and even to the ends of the earth.’”  (Acts 1:4.5,8 Amp)

The apostles queried Jesus as to when He, would re-establish the kingdom and restore it to Israel? They were short-sighted and politically minded. Jesus was quick to respond: 

“It is not for you to know the times or epochs which the Father has fixed by His own authority.”

Acts 1:7 

We are now fifty (pente in Greek) days on from Passover, bringing us to Pentecost or Shavuot. The outpouring of the Holy Spirit was accompanied by wind and flames of fire, not so unlike the giving of the Law on Sinai. The fire and promise of the Father were sealed that day into the very souls of the 120 early believers. In Israel, Judea and Samaria, they then witnessed and moved out from Jerusalem to turn the world upside down. The power of God brings change wherever it goes. How much history has passed these last 2,000 years? Today the land of modern Israel is prospering in a way no man could ever have imagined back then; yes, “a table prepared before us in the presence of our enemies”, as promised. 

Famine turned to Mighty Harvest 

We read the Book of Ruth at this season and remember our mother Naomi, who became a widow in Moab. Bereaved of her husband and sons, she advised her daughters-in-law also widows to return: “…if I said, I had hope … if, …but it is much more difficult (bitter) for me than for you because the LORD’s hand has gone against me.” (Ruth 1:12b,13b.) She felt God was finished with her.

Then in the midst of tragedy, the love story unfolds. All three women wept together. Orpah returned to her family Moab as suggested; but Ruth answered Naomi: “Do not urge me to leave you or to turn back from following you; for where you go, I will go, and where you lodge, I will lodge. Your people will be my people, and your God, my God. Where you die, I will die, and there I will be buried.” (Ruth 2:16, 17a Amp.)

What a declaration of love and fidelity! It was and is the purest standard of commitment between a Gentile and a Jew, to this day.

In Israel, wheat and barley have been harvested. The Book of Ruth tells us the story unfolds during the wheat barley harvest.  That is how we know, it was this time of year, only a little over 3,000 years ago. The fruit and vegetable harvests are being brought in; peaches, cherries, grapes, bananas, plums, apricots, avocados, lemons, watermelon, honeydew melons and many others.

Love Makes ALL the Difference

In the midst of tragedy, a spectacular and miraculous love story unfolds, warming our hearts. The LORD God Almighty found a servant in Moses for His Jewish Nation. He found Naomi redeeming her generation through the loving respect between Noami and Ruth. He saved the generation of Boaz in his tiny village of Bethlehem by giving him a son. You know the story between Ruth who was gleaning and the landowner Boaz who did the righteous thing and redeemed her. Love changes everything. 

True love begins between Adonai Elohainu, the LORD our God and a human being. He creates the love between a mother and daughter, a powerful tool in His hands. His love between a man and a woman is another great instrument designed to turn the world upside down. Then there is the love of a brother for brother and family for family.  Always remember, Our Father in heaven is the Time Keeper. Your times are in His Hands as were the days of David, the great-grandson of Boaz and Ruth. This, Shepherd boy in Bethlehem, was placed in the lineage of Messiah Jesus. 

We all know and have experienced what happens in the absence of love. And so today we rejoice in our history, past present and future. We are not alone, our Savior is the Great Redeemer! We have not been forgotten, and have never been left alone. We will never be alone. Hallelujah. We have the written love story, the Bible, to read as our daily reminder. Repeat after me: I AM LOVED!

The news here in Israel is terrible and so I spare you all. Do not forget to pray for Jerusalem and the nation, please. We are desperate for a visitation from on High … another Pentecost!

Cross-Canada Tour

Jay and I are preparing for a cross Canada tour this September and October. “O Canada and Jerusalem I stand on guard for thee” is our theme. If you have a place for us to minister we will show up. Tell your friends and your church and prayer group, get ready! It’s going to be very special!

“Miracles Among the Nations” is the second book of our trilogy of  “Timeless Secrets” to be released on this tour.  We take you with us around the world to witness the miraculous in the common place. The power of God in weakness and the Light of God in desperately dark corners. We enjoyed writing it. You will enjoy reading it.

HELP!

If you could help us anyway financially with our airfares and printing costs, we would be so grateful. Stain-Remover, my book on Healing the Indelible Stains of Sexual Child Abuse has now been translated into Spanish. We are just waiting for the LORD’s enabling to allow us to print it and get it out to South America and the Spanish speaking world.

Here is how you can give directly to my Canadian account if you would prefer that to BTC or Pay Pal: 

Royal Bank of Canada: in favour of Meridel Rawlings, 

Savings Account:  08249-5117957

IBAN CA003547315204130

SWIFT ROYCCAT2

ABA 021000021

Advisor Julia Cherry

Tel 12509544805

Thank you for your much-needed help.

With love from Israel,

Meridel Rawlings

Email me: Meridel.rawlings@gmail.com

Still Small Voice – May 29th 2022 

Published by Meridel Rawlings

Dear Friends who pray!

Today is JERUSALEM Day!  

Jerusalem in Hebrew is Yerushalayim – 

which is plural meaning Jerusalems.

Jerusalem on earth is twinned to the Jerusalem above.

Jerusalem points to the one that is to come.

This is Jerusalem the earthly and speaks of Jerusalem the heavenly.

This is Jerusalem of time and space, pointing to the Eternal.

This city is flawed and imperfect and points to the perfect and glorious.

If you belong to God you belong to both Jerusalems.

We are celebrating 55 years since Jerusalem was united under Israeli sovereignty in 1967, for the first time since her destruction in 70 CE / AD. Marchers will carry flags of Israel throughout the city. Hamas is threatening rocket attacks. They are insulted that Israel’s flag flies over all of the ancient city.  Yes, hatred is a kind of madness.

It’s very simple. Hamas wants Jerusalem.  The world wants Jerusalem. Do you want Jerusalem? See Psalm 122. 

“Jerusalem has been fought over 16 times. It has been destroyed twice. Besieged 23 times. Attacked 52 times. Captured and recaptured 44 times.” 

Wikipedia

Jerusalem today, sits in the very centre of the Almighty’s eternal prophetic plans and purposes for all of mankind.

Do you pray for the peace of Jerusalem? The peace of your nation is linked to Jerusalem’s peace!

“May those who love you be secure.” Psalm 122

It is the only city on earth called The Holy City. Almighty God chose to place His Name here.

“In Jerusalem, I will put My name.”  2 Kings 21:7

Yeshua-Messiah is returning to Jerusalem.

“… why do you stand looking into heaven?  This Jesus-Yeshua, who was taken up from you into heaven,  will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.”

Acts 1:11

Friends, thank you for letting us know that you are out there. I feel comforted when writing, knowing that somewhere, someone is reading and praying. Thank you on behalf of all Israelis and peace-loving Palestinians.

Muhammad Al-Lahham, a member of the Palestinian Authority’s – Fatah’s Revolutionary Council led by President Mahmoud Abbas said: “The conflict is about Israel’s existence, not borders. Jews are a loathsome nation.” May 15, 2022, Egypt’s Alghad TV.

One of the biggest lies Satan tells every human on the planet is this: “You are alone!”

But Jesus counters this lie in Hebrews 13:5b: “Never will I leave you, never will I forsake you. He was referencing Joshua 1;5b “I will not fail you or abandon you.”

We have chosen along with our people to believe it and live here!

“This is what the LORD of Hosts says: “I am jealous for Zion with great zeal;  I am jealous of her with great fervour I will return to Zion and dwell in Jerusalem.  Then Jerusalem will be called the City of Truth and the mountain of the LORD of Hosts will be called the Holy Mountain. Old men and old women will again sit along the streets of Jerusalem,  each with a staff in hand because of great age. And the streets of the city will be filled with boys and girls playing there. I will save my people from the land of the east and from the land of the west. I will bring them back to dwell in Jerusalem, where they will be My people and I will be their faithful and righteous God.” 

Zechariah 8: 2-5,7,8. Berean Study Bible.

As a family, we were together over  Shabbat. Our sons lovingly reminisced about their days living in the Old City of Jerusalem. Just boys, they ran from the rooftop of our apartment all the way down to the Western Wall. Those were the days my friends. This is no longer possible because of the terror threat.

Quote:

“Thanks for your extensive reporting on the situation in Israel. It helps us to pray more intelligently about the conditions there. Our prayers go out to you all; knowing our redemption draws nigh.”

Reynold Rutledge 

“So rise and shine for your light has come and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you.  Behold darkness shall cover the earth and deep darkness the people, But the Lord will arise over you and His glory will be seen upon you.” 

Isaiah:60:1-2.

I close with a musical video: Jerusalem of Gold sung by Ofra Haza in English  

Love from Meridel.

Box 84156, Mevasseret Zion, 9079097 Israel.

Still Small Voice – May 23, 2022

Published by Meridel Rawlings

Shalom Dear Friends:

“…And as the bridegroom rejoices over the bride, So your God will rejoice over you.”

 Isaiah 62:5b

“Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb …” 

Allow us to share our family’s joy over the recent Hebrew wedding in the family.

The Bride and Groom: Shelly Bandel and Daniel Rawlings.

The Location: out on the Hills of Benjamin in Yad ha Shmoneh at sunset.  

The Setting: an ancient synagogue relocated from Galilee;  reconstructed of its original 2,000-year-old basalt hand-chiselled stones. This unique setting took us to another world. Perhaps this was one of the many synagogues where Rabbi Yeshua taught.

The Rabbi:  Rabbi Ehud Bandel, Shelly’s uncle, performed the ceremony with all the love of the LORD God of Israel and his family. 

Yes, Daniel and Shelly were married in Canada in 2020, but as Jews living in Israel, they wanted their families to have the privilege of attending their Hebrew nuptials. A Hebrew wedding is very much a family affair. The parents of the groom walk their son to the Hupa first. Followed by the parents walking their daughter, the Bride into the presence of her bridegroom. Parents stand as witnesses in the Hupa along with the groomsmen and Rabbi.  As Daniel observed: “I get it, it’s a contract!” Ryan, one year and three months was also front and centre with his parents. He was fixated upon the face and words of his Great Uncle Ehud’s message, taking everything in! The Rabbi read the ketubah contract and afterwards, Ryan held it up! So proudly for all to see!

Golden light filled the Hupa as Daniel placed his prayer shawl over Shelly. The symbolism goes all the way back to the book of Ruth when Boaz laid his cloak over Ruth on the threshing floor.  

“I am Ruth your maid. Spread the hem of your garment over me, for you are a close relative and redeemer.”

Ruth 3:9

Wedding vows were said and rings exchanged. The Rabbi pronounced this blessing over the Bride and Groom and Ryan.

“The LORD bless you, and keep you [protect you, sustain you, guard you];

The LORD make His face shine upon you [with favour].

The LORD lift up His countenance [face] upon you [with divine approval]

And give you peace [a tranquil heart and life!]’

So Aaron and his sons shall put My name upon the children of Israel and I will bless them.“

Numbers 6:24-27 The Aaronic Blessing

Then came Daniel’s vow found in Psalm 137: 5,6 

“If I forget you O Jerusalem, 

Let my right had forget [her skill with the harp]

Let my tongue cling to the roof of my mouth,

If I do not remember you,

If I do not prefer Jerusalem above my chief joy.”

Then he smashed the wine glass,

Then came Rabbi Ehud’s final benediction.

All present felt heaven’s touch.

The seven blessings were pronounced by family and friends: Gil Bandel, Yaniv Almagor, Alon Shofman, Gal Gersom, Eliyah Yehudai, Meridel and Jay Rawlings. Instantly, the Hupa filled with guests, hugging and kissing and congratulating the royal couple.

By this time, the sun had set. We were alight with the burning golden glow and as sunsets mural rested upon the evening sky. Almost imperceptibly the heavens transformed to luminous bright emerald green. The lone evening star appeared shining pure silver down upon us. Behold the birth of a new day!

Delightful dinner reception with our family on both sides and close friends was enjoyed by all. The piece d’resistance came with the speeches given by Jay, Daniel, and Shelly, followed by friends. First came those who have stood with Daniel from age three in kindergarten all the way to the Hupa, some 31 years. Israeli men do not hesitate to show emotion. We saw hugs and kisses and many tears.  Michael Hilsden has known Daniel from birth, and in so many words called him a friend who sticks closer than a brother. Paul Chobaniuk a cousin from Vancouver said, one of the best years of his life  was here, working with Israel Vision. He brought best wishes from our Canadian family. Alon Shofman flew in from Berlin, to remind Daniel of their high-school and university days. Chris Rawlings reminded us of Daniel’s giftings. He brought his wife Terhi and twin sons Youni and Liam from Helsinki. David Rawlings, Daniel’s eldest brother came from Jerusalem with his wife Adi, and children Amitai and Liyah. He jokingly rehearsed Daniel’s birth and early years. Rita a dear friend of Shelly’s spoke about their friendship and Mom completed the story of Daniel’s life and why he wore a kilt. Who knew of his passion for his Scots connection? 

Everyone laughed and cried with the good memories and joy that come when love is poured forth; it is sweeter than wine!  YES! A great time was had by all.

If you would like to send a gift to the Bride and Groom please feel free to send it to me and I will see that it goes to them towards a honeymoon.  With JOY!

Love from our family to yours;

Meridel

Bitcoin wallet address: 18LjfZkeQjfVBMp65rkd6xdUEZPRjRdr7Z

Network: BTC Bitcoin

Still Small Voice – May 16th, 2022

Published by Meridel Rawlings

Dear Friends Shalom:

“Comfort, O comfort My people:” says your God.

 Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, 

And call out to her, that her time of compulsory service in warfare is finished,

That her wickedness has been taken away,

That she has received from the LORD’s hand

Double [punishment] for all her sins.”  

Isaiah 40:1-2

If you are a prayer warrior, and I am assuming that the majority of my readers are: one of your calls will be to “Pray for the peace of Jerusalem.”  You in return are promised prosperity. It is a bond with the Almighty worth cashing in on. Psalm 122:6

We must always remember that nothing can be done without the permission of a man or woman giving ascent spiritually. 

Father God gave the earth to the children of men, not angels. Just as Adam was called to keep and tend the Garden of Eden, so we are called to do the same in our spheres of inference. But Jerusalem stands out as the City of God for all peoples.

Let me quote Jesus:

“You shall not make false vows, 

but you shall fulfil your vows to the LORD.

But I say to you, do not make an oath at all,

 either by heaven, for it is the throne of God; 

or by the earth, for it is the footstool of His feet; 

or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. [Psalm 48:2, Isaiah 66;1]

Nor shall you make an oath by your head, 

for you are not able to make a single hair white or black. 

But let your statement be, ‘Yes, yes,’ or ‘No, no.’; 

anything more than that comes from the evil one.’” 

Matthew 5:33b,-37.

So … let’s keep our prayers simple and agree with God’s eternal promises.

“And I will bring Israel [home] again to his pasture and he will graze on Carmel, and Bashan and his soul will be satisfied on the hills of Ephraim and Gilead. In those days and at that time says the LORD, ‘a search will be made for the wickedness of Israel, but there will be none and for the sins of Judah, but none will be found, for I‘ll pardon those whom Ieave as a remnant.’”

Jeremiah 50: 19, 20. [Isaiah 1:9; 43:25, Jer 31:34; 33:8, Romans 9:27]

Calling all People to pray. Israel sits between a rock and a hard place.

The government of Israel is still standing! Our fine example of democracy, covering the full gamut of political thought. We almost reached a breaking point, between the resignation of a right-wing member of the coalition and the recent unrest bringing Ra’am, the Arab party, to make a choice. Will they stay in the coalition or resign? This would cause the downfall of the government. Dr Mansour Abbas, leader of Ra’am, took the question to an Ashura, a religious Muslim council, and they came to the decision to remain, and give this government the chance it deserves to continue. It was a brave move considering the level of unrest, and of violence in his Arab community. This is possibly exactly what drove him to the decision. Mansour Abbas, above most other politicians, is serving those he represents.

  • World media will not ever give Israel a break. CNN is the worst. Lies are powerful and so easy to be believed? 
  • case in point: this week an Aljazeera journalist was shot and killed in crossfire between Palestinians and the IDF in Jenin. Israel has called for a fair and open investigation. The Palestinians have the body and REFUSE to release the bullet that killed her. They blatantly blame Israel. Obviously, they have something to hide. Yes, of course, world media has taken an anti-Israel stance.
  • Pray over the 120 members of our Knesset, our Parliament, please. One side is crowing that Prime Minister Bennett’s government will fail. They are filled with vitriol because this Prime Minister invited the Arab Party to join them, [Ra’am]. This Arab representation is smart enough to know that Israel is good for them all in the long run. Pray for hearts of stone to be made hearts of flesh on both sides.
  • Terror escalates. This week during a confrontation with the police, a Palestinian grabbed the driver of an ambulance, throwing him and a woman to the street in his desperate push he managed to escape in the ambulance. We are living with madness, which escalates by the day. In my last letter I mentioned the challenges on our Gaza, Lebanese, Syrian, Palestine and Egyptian borders.
  • Iraq’s parliament this week, through the Council of Representatives, advanced legislation to criminalise the normalization of ties with Israel. Any Iraqi with ties to Israel faces a punishment of life imprisonment or execution. New Arab Newspaper
  • CORRECTION: 4,216 Israeli civilians have died from terror attacks since May 1948 NOT 2021. Sorry.

How Israel is Changing the World:

  • How to drink seawater? Israel’s advances in desalination and recycling of wastewater. 
  • How to Freeze a Breast Tumor to Death? It is a 15-minute procedure.
  • How to Hack a Hacker?  Developed by an elite Israeli army unit of cybersecurity intelligence experts.

Did You Know?

  • Israel’s Minister of Immigration was a former Ethiopian immigrant.  Another Ethiopian woman became a colonel in the Israel Defence Forces.
  • An Arab Justice sits on the Supreme Court of Israel.
  • 17% of all of Israel’s doctors are Arabs.
  • Miss Israel IS a stunning Arab beauty.
  • “Israel is the 8th most innovative country in the world.” Bloomberg. 

There are 195 nations in the world. This total comprises 193 countries that are member states in the U. N. and 2 countries that are non-member observer states the Holy See and the State of Palestine.

“Israel is the world’s worst country at self-promotion”. That fact is one of the very reasons that compelled Jay and I to spend 40 plus years working in media, telling Israel’s story to the world. It is common knowledge that Israel’s PR did such a terrible job, and has not progressed much. Anti-Semitism is on the rise globally.  Pray for the younger generation to be raised up including the Rawlings. 

You are the silent majority we need to speak up and support modern Israel. Pray God’s Word and Heart out over this people and nation. We desperately need your prayer power to help to bring change inside of Israel as well as globally. Please. We need to BEGIN BY creating a positive attitude toward Israel among Christians. The young people, most of whom glean their knowledge of history, from social media, and finally our leaders. It is a vitally important call!

My Latest book STAIN REMOVER …

Stain Remover is as relevant in these perilous times as it was when I was a child trying to ‘get away’. Send in your favourable review to Amazon (or Barnes and Noble). Please feel free to forward the link to others who are interested. See below for an example. Link to the book’s page here

Review by Graham Powell 

To address the issue of sexual abuse requires great sensitivity, wisdom, and compassion. Stain Remover is a book that embraces all these qualities and more. Written from a background of unrelenting sexual abuse, Meridel Rawlings takes us inside the world of a child trapped in the snare of incest.                                                                                                                                                   

Meridel has gained much understanding through her own healing journey and by her sensitivity to the leading of the Holy Spirit which in turn has brought life into the lives of those she has ministered to.

For years, Meridel and her husband Jay, have conducted seminars in numerous nations worldwide and seen God setting people free and to be able to live normal and productive lives. Not only is her story clearly and uncompromisingly told but numerous other testimonies are given that reveals how we can be set free by a personal and loving heavenly Father and understand what those abused often suffer before they themselves are healed.

‘Stain Remover‘ is not for the faint of heart nor the casual reader, but for those desiring insight and understanding on how to help those damaged by abuse and wanting to partake in freedom.

“Now an adult and a master communicator, she shares uncompromisingly of her journey from victim to victor, from terror to triumph, from wounding to healing, from despair to hope and from weakness to strength.  Because of her story and the freedom, Jesus has brought into her life she is well qualified to guide others to the very source of deliverance and healing.                                      

Now an adult and a master communicator she addresses this most personal and private of subjects with understanding and skill. It is a classic!”  

– Graham Powell, 50 years Traveling Minister, Author.

Together we can make a great difference on many levels.

Thank you for your faith and prayers.

Meridel Rawlings

Still  Small Voice – May 8th, 2022

Published by Meridel Rawlings

Shalom Dear Friends:

“You will hear of wars and rumours of wars. See that you are not frightened …”

Matthew 24:6

But the good news:

“But for you who fear My name, [with awe-filled reverence] the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its wings. And you will go forward and leap [joyfully] like calves [released] from the stall.”

Malachi 4:2

Israel Celebrates 74 Years: Independence Day

The Arabs refer to this day as Nack-bah – Disaster! It seems the whole country spent the day picnicking in our many parks. Our son David and his best friend kept 3 barbecues going the entire time. Forty young Israelis came and Jay and I were the ‘older’ generation. We spoke into several needly young lives. On the way, we drove by Jerusalem’s major parks and saw many tens of thousands of families out ‘barbecuing’! The Jews were the original barbecuers; it all began 4,000 years ago in the desert of Arabia. Jay said, “The blue smoke can be seen from outer space on Israel’s birthday! At the close of my letter, I have included a most anointed speech by our Prime Minister Naftali Bennett. His message brings you into the very core of Israel and closes with a plea,  I hope you will pray for our People and Nation.

Subtitles can be added to the video by clicking the lower-left corner where the settings icon is located and by adding automatic subtitles to English.

Summary of the Speech:

  • He described being in a fighting unit in Lebanon and the buddies who fell.
  • He said David and Solomon’s kingdom only lasted 80 years.
  • Israel under the Romans lasted 77 years.
  • Israel is 77 years old on May 5th 2022.

His challenge was:

Will we make it as a nation to our 80th years. If we do not there will not be Another Israel.

The Rabbis teach that ‘evil-speech’ was the root reason why the former Kingdoms of Israel were obliterated. Today the in fighting in the nation is tearing it apart… secular -religious, Jew- Arab etc etc.

Will you pray for a deep reconciliation to come over this nation from the Heat outward. We need a sweeping revival as promised in the Book of Joel.

Thank you for praying.

Martyrs in the Midst:

Tragedy struck during the last hours of this great celebration in the town of Eldad in Samaria. Two young men, twisted by the heinous incitement filling their society, took axes and machetes and went on an orgy of bloodthirsty slaughter. They killed 3 men and injured 4. All Orthodox Jews, three lives still hang between life and death. 16 children have been left without fathers. Jews read Psalm 130 at times like these.

The response of the Palestinian and Hamas leaders will help you understand … what is fueling this hatred. Yahya Sinwar, the leader of Hamas in the Gaza Strip, expressed delight, yes I said delight, at the success of the attack and encouraged young Palestinians “and Israeli Arabs” to continue the “good work”. This is insanity. To his credit, Mahmoud Abbas, leader of the Palestinian Authority condemned the attack. Hamas is on the rise among young Palestinians. 4,216 Israeli civilians died from terror attacks since May 2021! Pause and think of that!

News if you have the strength: 

“Who controls the food supply controls the people; who controls the energy can control whole continents; who controls money can control the world.”

Henry Kissinger

All eyes are on Ukraine:

But … our attention should be on Shanghai. China is experimenting with an exercise of total control over a city of 14 million. They are not even allowed to go out on their balconies. They are totally controlled. People are starving. Dog robots and a handful of police control the streets. In one of my last letters, I sent you a video of the desperate cries rising in Shanghai at night.  Pray.

Russia, Israel, Hamas:

Only after Foreign Minister Yair Lapid condemned the invasion of Ukraine and accused Moscow of war crimes. Moscow then demanded Israel to transfer ownership of the ancient Russian Church compound to Russia. It sits in the heart of Jerusalem’s Police Headquarters. It is all heating up. The terrorist organization, Hamas rules Gaza. Their leaders have visited Moscow 14 times in the last year. Israel’s relationship with Russia is changing as a result. Russia’s foreign minister recently said publicly said;“Hitler had Jewish blood” His logic is “therefore the Jews were responsible for the Holocaust.”  Watch and pray.

Israel Welcomes Ukrainians:

“38,000, new olim (immigrants) arrived in Israel since Independence Day 2021, the highest number in 20 years. It is partly due to immigration during the war in Ukraine, carried out mostly by rescue operations conducted by The Jewish Agency and partners”. Mor Danielle

Israel’s Borders:

Israel continually battles on all fronts. Recently the IDF had to respond to attacks coming in from Gaza, Lebanon and the Palestinian Authority. In Egypt, ISIS is alive and active. 

“Working with Egypt in a military manoeuvre, Israeli planes took out the ISIS Commander of Sinai province.” Al-Nakba Newspaper Cairo.

The reality on the Ground:

Before I begin work every morning, I pray: “Father, this is YOUR world.” And then I thank Him for our place in this drama of the ages being played out according to His design. I encourage you to move into these days of new releases, and acceleration with the faith of expectancy? I believe heaven is sending help to people on a global scale. Justice is on the way. This morning around our breakfast table Jay read: “Mercy and truth are met together, righteousness and peace have kissed each other. Truth springs from the earth.” Psalm 85:10,11. Truth is springing forth because people are standing up and speaking out. We are the ones called to make a difference on the earth. 

ATTENTION: To those of you who have read my latest book; See the link below.

Stain Remover – Leave a review

Here is an example.

“ Now an adult and a master communicator she addresses this most personal and private of subjects with understanding and skill. It is a classic.” 

                                                           Graham Powell, 50 years a Pastor and travelling Minister

I need your help. The LORD Jesus needs your help. Take a moment, please write a comment. I know the true stories of so many lives set free in “Stain Remover”, including my own are needed by millions worldwide. 

We are battling the gates of hell over this. 

May the LORD help us in this endeavour.

“Behold, He who keeps Israel will neither slumber nor sleep”

Psalm 121: 2-4

Goodbye for now in all that is Faithful and True!

Blessings from Meridel

Gmail: Meridel.rawlings

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Still Small Voice – 1. Mai, 2022

Published by Meridel Rawlings

Liebe Freunde

” … was wir sein werden, ist noch nicht bekannt. Wir wissen aber, dass wir, wenn Er erscheint, Ihm gleich sein werden; denn wir werden Ihn sehen, wie Er ist.”

1. Johannes 3:2

Jay und ich stammen aus der Generation des Zweiten Weltkriegs. Jay erinnert sich, dass die Fenster seines Hauses in Victoria, Kanada, verdunkelt waren. Er hatte Angst vor dem Klang der Luftschutzsirenen, weil seine Mutter ihn dann jeweils festhielt und vor Angst weinte. An die Ausgangssperren kann er sich nicht erinnern. Ich erinnere mich noch, dass Zucker, Kaffee und Fleisch rationiert waren. Jays Vater, Vic, kam nie mehr nach Hause. Er starb mit 28 Jahren als kanadischer Soldat bei der Befreiung von Deventer, Holland, von den Nazis. Mein Vater Don war von 1941 bis 1945 als Soldat der Luftwaffe unterwegs. Ich erinnere mich an die Vorfreude auf sein Kommen, als ich auf dem Bahnsteig stand. Die alte Dampflokomotive brachte den mit Soldaten beladenen Zug mit einem lauten Gequietsche zum Stehen. Der Jubel war groß. Papa kam auf uns zu und hatte Geschenke für uns alle dabei. Ich erinnere mich besonders an die Musik aus dieser Zeit. Unser Haus war erfüllt von Musik. Das waren harte Jahre. Jay und ich lernten schon sehr früh im Leben viele unschätzbare Lektionen. 

Erstens: Die Welt drehte sich nicht um mich.

“Gott ist nicht daran interessiert, dich jetzt glücklich zu machen. Er arbeitet unablässig an seiner unbegrenzten Vollkommenheit für dich, die im Buch zu finden ist.”

Oswald Chambers

Ich hoffe, dass Ihr den Gedenktag in Eurem Land beibehalten habt, oder wurde er für überholt erklärt? Ich glaube, dass die Menschen in jeder Nation, die vom Zweiten Weltkrieg betroffen war, sich erinnern! Mütter tun das.

Betet auf jeden Fall für alle Nationen, die sich im Krieg befinden, wie so viele in Afrika, die unter dem Fluch des Terrors von El Shaba und anderen stehen. Israel nimmt weiterhin Flüchtlinge aus der Ukraine und ukrainische Juden auf.

Wenn mein Herz für die Autorität des Himmels empfänglich ist,

werde ich für Seine ewigen Pläne und Absichten empfänglich sein.

Mein Gebet für Euch lautet: “Möge sich die ältere Generation daran erinnern und es verstehen und sie tut es. Heute lebt Israel immer noch mit Stromausfällen, Bombenkellern und Sirenen. Wir sind immer noch ständig unter Beschuss. Wir haben immer noch Witwen und Waisen wegen des Krieges. Für uns hat sich nichts geändert. Ich bete, dass Euer Herz weich wird. Ich hoffe, dass Ihr diesen Brief an Eure Kinder und deren Kinder weitergebt und mit weichen Herzen für Israel in dieser verletzlichen Zeit beten werdet.”

“Ich habe ihnen die Herrlichkeit und Ehre gegeben, die du mir gegeben hast, damit sie eins seien, wie wir eins sind”

Johannes 17,22

Sanft und zärtlich hat Jesus mich in den Kriegsjahren gefunden. Er hat die Lichter in meiner Seele angezündet, und sie sind seither nicht mehr ausgegangen. Ich bin ihm so dankbar. Er kann es für ganze Nationen tun.

“Jesus, was bist Du für ein Wunder,

Du bist so sanft, so gut und so freundlich.

Du leuchtest wie der Morgenstern.

Jesus, was für ein Wunder du bist.”

Eines der Geheimnisse des jüdischen Volkes ist: Es weigert sich, geliebte Menschen zu vergessen. 

“Der Allmächtige schreibt sie auf seine Handflächen.”

Ich halte jetzt inne, um über die moderne Geschichte Israels nachzudenken, über die Vergangenheit und die Gegenwart. Letzte Woche ertönten Sirenen, die die Nation aufforderten, innezuhalten und sich zum Gedenken an die Opfer des Holocausts zu erheben. Israel erinnert sich. Anders als die Militärs in den großen Kriegen waren diese Opfer wehrlose Einzelpersonen und Familien. Die “abscheulichen Feinde” Hitlers waren Großväter, Großmütter, Söhne, Töchter, Brüder, Schwestern und Kleinkinder. Vielleicht lautet Eure Antwort: “Warum können die Juden nicht aufgeben? Sie müssen schon vergeben und vergessen können.”

Wenn Ihr das Privileg habt, das Zeugnis eines Holocaust-Überlebenden zu hören, werdet Ihr Euch wundern, dass sie nicht hasserfüllt sind? Dasselbe gilt für die Aussagen von Eltern, die ihre Söhne und Töchter in den Kriegen von Israel verloren haben. Ja, sie erinnern sich und weinen, ABER sie hassen nicht. Die Trauer hat all das weggebrannt, und so viele Überlebende sind mit einem langen Leben gesegnet. “Unser himmlischer Vater ignoriert oft unser gegenwärtiges Maß an Vollkommenheit zugunsten unserer endgültigen zukünftigen Vollkommenheit.”

In dieser Woche werden die Sirenen wieder über das ganze Land erschallen. Und wieder werden wir alle stramm stehen. Diesmal gedenken wir unserer gefallenen Soldaten und der Opfer des Terrors. Israel wurde gegen alle Widerstände geboren, als die moderne Nation an einem Tag geboren wurde! Jesaja 66:8 Seit 1948 hat Israel blühende diplomatische Beziehungen zu Nationen aufgebaut, die früher erbitterte Feinde waren. Israel hat die ganze Welt gesegnet; es hat sie mit der Frucht von Gottes Wort, dem Messias, der Frucht seiner Felder, der Frucht seines Verstandes und seines Herzens [Frucht der Erfindungen, der Medizin und der Technik] erfüllt, wie es die Propheten vorausgesagt haben.

Zum Schluss, Freunde:

Erinnert euch, George Beverly Shay sang einst: “I’d rather have Jesus than silver or gold… (ich möchte lieber Jesus haben als Silber oder Gold…)”. Wenn mein Herz weich ist, werde ich weich für Seine ewigen Pläne und Absichten sein.

“Was will ich in meinem Leben?

Strebe ich nach großen Dingen für mich selbst;

Oder versuche ich, ein großartiger Mensch zu sein?

Was wäre, wenn ich sagen würde: “Ich will Dich, Jesus, ich will mehr von Dir in meinem Leben.”

Es ist so wichtig, sich daran zu erinnern, woher ich komme. Ich erinnere mich an die Menschen, welche sich um mich kümmerten, als ich am verletzlichsten war. Ich erinnere mich an die Tage meiner kleinen Anfänge und bin dankbar dafür. Ich weiß, dass das, was ich damals erlebt habe, Israel heute noch erlebt. Werdet Ihr für Israel beten und es segnen? Denkt daran: “Wenn Ihr Ihn liebt, werdet Ihr Sein Volk Israel lieben.”

Genießt die berühmten Lieder aus dem Zweiten Weltkrieg, die durch Vera Lynn bekannt wurden. Denkt daran und betet für diejenigen, die keinen Frieden kennen. Besonders für Eure jüdischen und arabischen Brüder, welche im “längsten Krieg” gefangen sind.

Gott segne Euch immer, 

Meridel

Published by Meridel Rawlings

Kallisarvoiset ystävät! 

”…eikä vielä ole käynyt ilmi, mitä meistä tulee. Me tiedämme tulevamme hänen  kaltaisikseen, kun hän ilmestyy, sillä me saamme nähdä hänet sellaisena kuin hän on …”   

1. Johanneksen kirje 3:2 RK

[Käytetty englanninkielinen käännös ilmaisee hieman toisin: … mitä meistä tulee, se ei vielä  ole tiedossa. Mutta tiedämme, että Hänen ilmestyessään me tulemme olemaan Hänen  kaltaisiaan, sillä me näemme Hänet sellaisena kuin Hän on…] 

Jay ja minä olemme II maailmansodan sukupolvea. Jay muistaa, miten hänen Kanadan  Victoriassa olleen kotinsa ikkunat pimennettiin. Hän kauhistui ilmahälytyssireenien ääntä,  koska hänen äitinsä piteli häntä tiukasti sylissä itkien samalla pelosta. Jay ei muista ulkonaliikkumiskieltoa. Jayn isä, Vic, ei koskaan palannut kotiin. Hän kuoli 28-vuotiaana  yhtenä kanadalaisista sotilaista, jotka vapauttivat Alankomaiden Deventerin natseilta.  

Minä muistan sokerin, kahvin ja lihan säännöstelyn. Isäni Don oli poissa vuodet 1941-1945  palvellessaan ilmavoimissa. Muistan myös hänen paluunsa odottamisen ja seisomisen  asemalaiturilla. Vanha höyryveturi veti täynnä sotilaita olevan junaa, joka pysähtyi kirskuen. Juhlinta oli villiä. Isä käveli meitä kohti mukanaan lahjoja kaikille. Muistan erityisesti tuon  aikakauden musiikin, olihan kotini täynnä musiikkia.  

Ne olivat vaikeita vuosia. Jay ja minä opimme monia erittäin arvokkaita seikkoja jo hyvin  varhaisina vuosina. Listan ykkösenä oli ymmärrys, ettei maailman pyöri meidän minuutemme ympärillä. 

”Jumala ei keskity tekemään sinua onnelliseksi juuri tällä hetkellä. Hän työstää jatkuvasti  omaa rajatonta täydellisyyttään sinua varten. Sitä, joka löytyy Kirjasta.”

Oswald Chambers 

Toivon, että kotimaassasi vietettiin holokaustin muistopäivää. Vai onko se julistettu vanhentuneeksi? Uskon, että ihmiset kaikissa niissä maissa, joita II maailmansota kosketti  kyllä muistavat! Etenkin äidit. 

Rukoillaan tietenkin jokaisen sodassa olevan kansakunnan puolesta. Monet Afrikan maat ovat El Shaba -järjestön ja muidenkin terroritekojen kourissa. Israel ottaa jatkuasti vastaan  pakolaisia Ukrainasta sekä ukrainanjuutalaisia. 

Sydämeni on herkän altis taivaan auktoriteetille. 

Haluan pysyä herkkänä Hänen ikuisille suunnitelmilleen ja tarkoituksilleen. 

Teitä koskeva rukoukseni on: Muistakoon ja nähköön vanhempi sukupolvi tämän: nykyäänkin Israel yhä elää aikaa, johon kuuluvat pimennykset, pommisuojat ja sireenit. Olemme  jatkuvasti hyökkäysten kohteena. Meillä on yhä sodan vuoksi leskiä ja orpoja. Mikään ei ole  muuttunut meidän osaltamme. Rukoilen, että teidän sydämenne pehmenevät. Toivottavasti  jaatte tätä kirjettä lapsillenne ja heidän lapsilleen, jotta he rukoilevat herkällä sydämellä  Israelin puolesta tänä haavoittuvana aikana. 

”Sen kirkkauden [glorian ja kunnian], jonka sinä olet antanut minulle, minä olen antanut  heille, jotta he olisivat yhtä, niin kuin me olemme yhtä.”

Johanneksen evankeliumi 17:22  RK 

Jeesus löysi minut pehmeästi ja hellästi sotavuosien aikana. Hän sytytti sieluni valot, ja ne  ovat pysyneet päällä siitä lähtien. Olen hyvin kiitollinen. Hän voi tehdä niin kokonaisille  kansakunnille. 

Jeesus, mikä ihme oletkaan. 

Niin hellä, hyvä ja sävyisä, 

aamutähden lailla loistava. 

Jeesus, mikä ihme oletkaan. 

(Englanninkielinen laulu) 

Yksi juutalaiskansaa koskeva ihme on tämä: he kieltäytyvät unohtamasta rakkaitaan. Kaikkivaltias kirjoittaa heidät omien kättensä hipiään. 

Pysähdyn pohdiskelemaan Israelin modernien aikojen historiaa; sen menneisyyttä ja  nykyisyyttä. Viime viikolla sireenit ulvoivat kutsuen kansakuntaa pysähtymään paikoilleen ja seisomaan huomioasennossa ja muistamaan holokaustin uhreja. Israel muistaa. Toisin kuin  sotilaat suurissa sodissa nämä uhrit olivat puolustuskyvyttömiä yksilöitä ja perheitä. Hitlerin  ”katalat viholliset” olivat isoisiä, isoäitejä, poikia, tyttäriä, veljiä, sisaria ja pikkulapsia.  Ehkä vastauksesi kuuluu: ”Miksi juutalaiset eivät voi päästää irti, luovuttaa? Heidän on jo  tarpeen antaa anteeksi ja unohtaa.” 

Jos sinulla on ollut etuoikeus kuunnella holokaustista selviytynyttä henkilöä ja hänen  kertomaansa todistusta, saatat ihmetellä. miksi he eivät ole täynnä vihaa. Sama pätee niihin  puheenvuoroihin, joita kuulemme niiltä vanhemmilta, jotka ovat menettäneet poikiaan ja  tyttäriään Israelin sodissa. Kyllä, he muistavat ja itkevät, MUTTA he eivät vihaa. Suru on  polttanut kaiken sen pois. Monia holokaustista selvinneitä on siunattu pitkällä elämällä. ”Meidän taivaallinen Isämme jättää useinkin vaille huomiota tämänhetkisen tasomme  täydellisyyden suhteen – lopullisen, tulevan täydellisyytemme hyväksi.” 

Taas tällä viikolla hälytysireenit taas ulvovat koko kansakunnan yllä. Ja jälleen kerran  seisomme huomioasennossa. Sillä kertaa muistamme kaatuneita sotilaitamme ja terrorin  uhreja. Israel syntyi vastoin kaikkea todennäköisyyttä; moderni kansakunta syntyi yhdessä  päivässä! Niin Jesaja 66:8 ennalta kertoi. 

Vuodesta 1948 lähtien Israel on muovannut kukoistavat diplomaattisuhteet niihin  kansakuntiin, jotka aiemmin olivat sen katkeria vihollisia. Israel on siunannut koko maailmaa  täyttäen sen Jumalan Sanan hedelmällä; Messiaalla, peltojensa sadolla, mielensä ja sydämensä hedelmillä; keksinnöillä niin lääketieteen kuin teknologian aloilla. Kuten profeetat ennalta  kertoivat. 

Ystävät, vielä lopuksi: muistetaan, mitä George Beverly Shay usein lauloi: 

”Pidän mieluummin omanani Jeesuksen kuin hopeaa ja kultaa…  

Jos sydämeni on herkkä, se on herkkä Hänen ikuisille suunnitelmilleen ja päämäärilleen. Mitä tahdon saada elämääni? Tavoittelenko suuria itselleni?  

Vai yritänkö olla suuri henkilö?  

Entäpä jos sanoisin: ”Haluan Sinut, Jeesus; haluan enemmän Sinua elämääni.” 

Minun on hyvin tärkeää muistaa, mistä tulin. Muistan ne ihmiset, jotka pitivät minusta huolta  ollessani kaikkein haavoittuvimmillani. Muistan pienten alkujen päivät – ja kiitän. Tiedän,  että se mitä läpikävin ja elin silloin, sitä Israel yhä läpikäy ja elää nykyään. Rukoilisitteko  Israelin puolesta ja siunaisitteko Israelia?

Muistattehan: Jos rakastat Häntä, rakastat Hänen kansaansa Israelia. 

Nauttikaa Vera Lynnin esittämästä kuuluisasta laulusta II maailmansodan ajalta. Muistakaa niitä ja rukoilkaa niiden puolesta, jotka eivät tunne rauhaa; etenkin juutalaisia ja arabeja, jotka ovat ”pisimmän sodan” kourissa. 

Teitä aina siunaten 

Meridel

Still Small Voice – May 1, 2022

Published by Meridel Rawlings

Dear friends;

“ … what we will be is not yet known. But we know that when He appears, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is.”

1 John 3:2

Jay and I are of the WW2 generation. Jay remembers the windows of his home being blacked out in Victoria. He was terrified of the sound of air-raid sirens; because his mother held him close and cried in fear.  He does not remember the curfews. I remember sugar, coffee and meat were rationed. Jay’s Daddy Vic never came home. He died at 28, as a Canadian soldier liberating Deventer Holland from the Nazis. My Dad Don, was gone from 1941 to 1945, serving in the Air Force. I remember the anticipation of his coming standing on the station platform. The old steam engine pulled the train filled with soldiers to a screeching halt. The jubilation was wild.  Dad came walking toward us with gifts for us all. I especially remember the music of that era. Our home was filled with music. Those were hard years. Jay and I learned many invaluable lessons very early on in life. #1 the world did not revolve around me.

“God is not concerned about making you happy right now. His is continually working out His unlimited perfection for you that is found in the Book.”

Oswald Chambers

I hope you keep Remembrance Day, in your country, or has it been declared obsolete? I believe, people in every nation touched by WW2 remember! Mothers do.

Pray of course for any nations at war, as so many in Africa are under the curse of terror by El Shaba and others. Israel continues to welcome refugees from Ukraine as well as Ukrainian Jews. 

If my heart is tender to the Authority of heaven, 

I will be tender to His Eternal plans and purposes.

My prayer for you is: “May the older generation remember and understand this and she it. Today, Israel still lives with blackouts, bomb shelters and sirens. We are continuously under attack. We still have widows and orphans because of war. Nothing has changed for us. I pray that your heart will be softened. Hopefully, you will share this letter with your children and their children and pray with tender hearts for Israel at this vulnerable time.” 

“I have given them the glory and honour which You have given Me, 

that they may be one, just as We are one:”

John 17:22

Softly and tenderly Jesus found me during the war years. He turned the lights on in my soul and they have stayed on ever since. I am so thankful. He can do it for entire nations.

“Jesus what a wonder You are

You are so gentle so good and so kind.

You shine like the morning star.

Jesus what a wonder you are.”

One of the mysteries of the Jewish people is: they refuse to forget loved ones.

“The Almighty writes them on the palms of his Hands.”

I pause now to reflect on Israel’s modern history; past and present. Last week sirens blared; calling the nation to stop and to stand to attention to remember the victims of the Holocaust. Israel remembers. Unlike the military in the great wars; these victims were defenceless individuals and families. The ‘vile enemies’ of Hitler were Grandpas, Grandmas, sons, daughters, brothers, sisters and infants. Perhaps your response is: “Why can’t the Jews give it up? They need to forgive and forget, already.”

If you have the privilege of listening to a Holocaust survivor give their testimony, you will wonder if they are not hateful? The same applies to the testimonies we hear of parents who have lost their sons and daughters in Israel’s wars. Yes, they remember and weep, BUT they don’t hate. Sorrow has burned all of that away, and so many survivors are blessed with long lives. “Our Heavenly Father often ignores our present level of completeness in favour of our ultimate future completeness.”

This week those sirens will blare again out over the nation. And again we will all stand to attention. This time we remember our fallen soldiers and victims of terror. Israel was born against all odds when the modern nation was birthed in a day!  Isaiah 66:8  Since 1948, Israel has forged flourishing diplomatic relations with nations that were formerly bitter enemies. Israel has blessed the whole world; filling it with the fruit of God’s Word, the Messiah, the fruit of their fields, the fruit of their minds and hearts [fruit of inventions, medical and technological.] as the prophets foretold.

In closing friends:

Remember, George Beverly Shay used to sing:  “I’d rather have Jesus than silver or gold…”. If my heart is tender; I will be tender to His Eternal plans and purposes.

“What do I want in my life? 

Am I seeking great things for myself; 

Or, am I seeking to be a great person? 

How about if I said, “I want You Jesus, I want more of You in my life.”

It is so important to remember where I came from. I remember the people who cared for me when I was most vulnerable.  I remember the days of my small beginnings and give thanks. I know that what I lived through then, Israel is still living through today.  Will you pray for and bless Israel? Remember, “If you love Him you will love His people Israel.”

Enjoy the famous WW2 songs made famous by Vera Lynn below. Remember and pray for those who know no peace. Especially your Jewish and Arab brothers caught in the “Longest War”.

Bless you always,

Meridel

Still Small Voice – April 26th, 2022

Published by Meridel Rawlings

Shalom, dear friends;

“When the LORD returned Zion from captivity, we were all visionaries. Our mouth was filled with laughter, our tongues with joy, then the nations said: ‘The LORD has done wonders for those people.’ The LORD did wonders to us, we were overjoyed. Return us from captivity as the streams in the Negev. Those who sow in tears shall reap in joy. Though he walks along weeping, carrying his store of seeds, He shall return carrying bundles of sheaves.” 

Psalm 126

In ancient times these Songs of Ascent were sung by the Israelites as they approached Jerusalem for any one of the three great ‘travelling’ Feasts. It is also sung often today during feasts. Jay and I certainly have experienced the ‘visionary’ part, along with the sowing and reaping.

I love the ‘Grace after meal prayers’ and a portion here for you to savour.

“Have mercy LORD, on Israel Your people and on Jerusalem, Your city, and on Zion where Your glory dwells, and on the kingdom of David, Your Messiah, and on the great and holy temple, which was known by Your Name. Our God, our Father, keep us, sustain us, support us, maintain us, deliver us. Deliver us speedily, LORD our God from all our troubles. Please, LORD our God, do not let us become dependent on the gifts of flesh and blood, or need their loans, but rather need only Your full, open, holy and generous hand, that we never ever be ashamed or embarrassed.”

Now on to the HARD stuff:

I received a phone call yesterday from a young person plagued by dark and troubling thoughts. The solution taken in the past had been more medication. Well, obviously they are not working. But, don’t we all have troubled thoughts at times? I share with you some insights that I passed on to my young friend.

How well I remember the awful thoughts pommelling my mind, as a young nursing student. Telling me, I was never good enough and would amount to nothing. UNTIL I actively believed what the Bible said. “God is love.” 1 John 4:7- 21. I began to fight in the invisible realm, realizing; “Wait a minute. I didn’t choose to think that! This thing is not me! I got indignant and a little wiser.” Slowly I saw, I had an enemy. Call it fear, the devil or Satan. Choose your words.  I began to resist those poisonous thoughts one by one. But, my resolve had the strength of a wet Chinese noodle. At first, I couldn’t resist the plague of discouragement and darkness that filled my mind. I cried, feeling helpless. 

Then I learned how the Holy Spirit actually allowed Jesus to be tempted by the devil. See Matthew 4: 1 – 10. Take time to ponder this sinister kind of warfare against His very person, calling and legacy. Pause and think of that! It was the same insinuating voice of the serpent that tricked Mother Eve. The serpent said, “Can it really be that God said…?” Genesis 3:1b. She was unsure, confused, tempted, she doubted the Almighty’s word given to Adam.  And she sinned.

I prayed and again I resisted. Reluctantly, the dark thoughts loosed their grip and began to recede for a short time, only to return and pounce again. I kept at it, resisting, sending them away: separating them from who I am. After some time I awoke one morning realizing I was winning this war. What triumph. I have worked at keeping the victory all of my life. Trust me and my family, I do not always succeed. But the important thing is, eventually, ‘meditating’ on the instructions of the Bible, I learned how to resist the evil insinuations against my very life.

“As a man thinks in his heart, so is he.”

Proverbs 23:7

This has now been proven by science, but we shouldn’t need science to believe! I dared to believe that I was loved by God Himself. He wouldn’t speak to me in that ugly hateful way. I didn’t speak to others like that. I asked to hear the Still Small Voice instead and I learned to be ‘led’ by the Ruach ha Kodesh or Holy Spirit.

Jesus used the written word of scripture to fight off the tempter. He was active, not passive. In every temptation, he refuted the lies by quoting from the Hebrew Scriptures. He knew; ‘the source of conflict always begins in the mind.’ We are given charge of our minds and bodies. They are our responsibility. Jesus had an enemy. He did not second guess Himself. He understood the different kinds of temptations Satan devised to break him. He was not tricked into thinking the lying voice was His own. This war IS called spiritual warfare – a real fight for Truth in your mind and life! Every human being fights this fight! How many win?

The first step is to separate your thoughts. 

Ask. Did that dark thought come from me?

NO! Not if it is a torment, hateful and hurtful.

Now your work is to drive it away.

How do you do that?

Paul teaches: 

“Bring into captivity every thought to the obedience of Messiah.”

2 Corinthians 10:5    

This is hard work. “We demolish arguments… and take EVERY THOUGHT captive.”

All Satan is capable of is hatred. He is actually afraid of … Light! Remember Father God banished him forever from His Presence. Ezekiel 14 speaks of the evil nature of Satan. Jesus said, “I watched Satan fall from heaven like a bolt of lightning.” Luke 10:18

–  Be aware of the activity going on in your thought life. You must own it. 

–  Learn to separate the dark thoughts just as soon as they enter your mind. 

–  Forbid the broken record from playing on and on.

–  Demand the dark thought to STOP at once.

–  Send it away! You can say, “Go to hell for that is where it came from.”

  • Authority is yours, use the words in the Bible.
  • Overcome every wicked thought.

PRAY: “Our Father, deliver me from this evil thought. Let me be open to receive your Spirit. Teach me to sing in Your Spirit and worship from the Psalms.” 

“Finally, brothers [and sisters] whatever is noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things … and the God of peace will be with you.” 

Philippians: 4:8.9b

Remember, Your voice!  Your choice!

Blessings from Meridel Rawlings.