Nehemiah 8 vs. 10 “The joy of the Lord is your strength.”

 

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Sisters, our people are spiritually and physically SICK.  We need help and healing from the Lord. The only medicine that is going to help us is the Bible.

To be prescribed and taken daily as per the direct orders from the Heavenly Father.  Fasting, prayer and some of us need bed rest to remove the demons.  With an extra dose of fellowship and exhortation to go with the bitter pills of trials and tribulations.

 

Acts 14 vs 22

“Confirming the souls  of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.”

 

Some of the spiritual sicknesses/demons we have are of anger, hatred, envy, grudging, emulation, vanity, hypocrisy, covetousness, depression, and all kinds of problems like being broke.  We are also plagued with physical sicknesses also such as high blood pressure, cholesterol, diabetes, eating disorders, obesity, fibroids, cervical and breast cancers, sexual transmitted diseases, and the like of many other things (ex: times of sadness…it happens to all of us and I am not exempt.)

Hebrews 12 vs 11-13

“Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous; nevertheless   afterward  it yieldeth thee peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby ….wherefore lift up the hands  which  hang down, and the feeble knees; and make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way but rather be healed.”

 

That’ right!  Shake yourself and snap out of it.  Dust your shoulders off  and pick up your Bible and read!

 

A little effort goes a long way!!!  Don’t give up!!!!

 

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Most of the time it is the woman of the house that is scheduling the doctor’s and dentist appointments , eye exams ,etc., if it were up to many of us we wouldn’t go at all, and the rest of the time we wait until the last minute, Take care of yourself so that you can take care of everybody else in your house. Rising health care costs, obesity, crime and murder are a fact of life for all of us, how we get through the tough times can make the difference. Follow-up on check-ups  as  needed and be mindful of the general health of everyone in your family.

 

Apocrypha: The Book of Ecclesiasticus 30 vs. 15-17

“Health and a good estate of body are above all gold, and a strong body above infinite wealth.  There is no riches above a sound body, and no joy above the joy of the heart.  Death is better than a life ofcontinual sickness.”

 

There is an expression that laughter is good medicine…’joy does come in the morning’.  It is very easy to get trapped up in the day to day affairs of this wicked world.  Women are very quick to catch spirits of depression and sadness over things at various stages in our lives.  Whether it be after childbirth, economic and money related, marital problems or various other trials and tribulations.  Hold on to your faith and pray and fast that things will get better.  Sometimes the sadness and feelings of doubt can be overwhelming but they are spirits and demonic thoughts…a trick of the devil.  I’ve had many a conversation not only with myself, but with other sisters as well so don’t ever think it’s just you fighting this same demon.

 

2 Timothy 1 vs. 7-8

“For God hath not given us the spirit of fear but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. Be not  thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner; but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God.”

 

Talk to someone.  Start with the Lord in prayer and strengthen yourself in the scriptures.  Your life is a gift from the Most High so make it count.

 

Ephesians 6 vs. 11-12

“Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to  stand against the wiles of the devil……For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.”

 

Read about Tobit’s daughter Sara who thought to kill herself in the Apocrypha Tobit 3 vs. 7-17.

Vs. 10-11  “And when she heard these things , she was very sorrowful, so that she thought to have strangled herself; and she said, I am the only daughter of my father, and if I do this, it shall be a reproach unto him, and I shall bring his old age with sorrow unto the grave…..then she prayed toward the window, and said, ‘ Blessed art thou, o Lord my God, and thine holy and glorious name is blessed and honourable forever ; let all thy works praise thee forever.”

 

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It is very sad and hurtful to find out that someone you love has taken their own life.  In those moments were left with the thoughts of ‘What could I have done or said?’.  It is our responsibility to let those around us know that they are loved, especially those in the faith.  Someone out there may see your spiritual walk and admire your strength and hope. Share the joy. Times may be hard, feelings get hurt, and life doesn’t seem worth it but sis I’m here to tell you that your life is a gift from God and to trust in him to get through whatever ails you. I’ve been there so know that you are loved as a sister and daughter of the Most High.

2 Corinthians  4 vs 16-18

“For which cause, we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is for a moment, worketh for us a more exceeding and eternal weight of glory: While we  look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things that are seen are temporal, but the thing that are not seen are eternal.”

 

 

This  is one of my favorite bible verses because I now and I understand why I have gone throught so many different things in my life.

Romans 5 vs 1-8

“Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: ….vs 2…. By whom also we have  access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

Vs 3…and not only so but we glory in tribulations also; KNOWING that tribulation worketh patience;

Vs  4…and patience, experience; and experience hope:

Vs 5….and hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.

Vs 6…for when we were yet without strength , in due time Christ died for the ungodly.

Vs 7…for scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die

Vs 8…But God commendeth his love towards us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”

 

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My parents adopted some children late in life.  The natural parents of those children were drug addicts and the children suffered a lot when they were born.  When my youngest son was born prematurly he was in the NICU.  I went  in to see him.  When I saw tubes and needles in his little body I felt so bad.  He was born with his umbilical cord around his neck and was practically blue when he came out.  One of the nurses whose name was Hannah, it felt special that she was there taking care of my son, explained that the newborn little boy was going through withdrawal from crack cocaine.  Judgement  from the Most High can come at any time in our life for us and our kids.

 

Now my little sister has a baby that has sickle-cell anaemia.  According to the doctors this is a disease that he will have for his entire life.  He has to take medicine each and every day to ease the pain in his little body.  However, this same medicine was not available 40 years ago for one of my cousins…times have changed.  My little sister has three children with different fathers and she just turned 21.  Last update July, 2012 was that baby number 4 is on the way.  The family drama continues.  For the young sisters who think they know everything this is an example of how NOT to be!!!!!  I am currently babysitting and one of the little girls said she wanted me to grow back her favourite dolls arm.  I thought that was so innocent that  she loves this one armed doll so much that she believed that aunt Shamarah can just grow her another one.  When you have a healthy child it is truly a blessing from the Lord.  I tell my kids all the time count your blessings for everything.  Fingers, toes, arms, and legs are all gifts that we have.  For certain things, a band aid and a kiss on a boo boo from mommy is just enough but for more serious injuries it’s not going to help.  We take so much for granted.

For example, you woke up this morning.  Focus on that for a while as you feel your heart beating with each breathe.  Think about your vision, your hearing, your sense of smell and speech.  Who doesn’t smile when they hear a child speak for the first time?  Or when they walk and talk or say Dada or Mommy…priceless.  I tell my kids there are certain things that mommy can’t fix so take care of what the Lord gave you.

 

Apocrypha: The Book of Ecclesiasticus  17 vs. 5-6

“They received the use of the five operations of the Lord, and in the sixth place he imparted them understanding, and in the seventh, speech, an interpreter of the cogitations thereof.  Counsel, and a tongue, and eyes and ears, and a heart, gave he them to understand.”

 

A cousin of mine named Sharon had sickle cell anemia growing up and she was always in and out of the hospital.  She was often miserable and in pain during a flare-up.  We went to the same junior high school and one day she had an episode in school and an ambulance had to be called.  While she was in the nurse’s office she asked for me to come down out of class to be with her.  She was in soooo much pain and crying saying that she was going to die.  I told her that I would take some of her pain away if I could.  I realize now that was her cross to bear.  Punishment from the Lord. After a surgery in her late 30’s the doctors left something inside of a wound and she got a massive infection and died shortly afterwards.  At the funeral when I brought out the scriptures on death my uncle was furious.  He was suffering from lung cancer that had spread to his throat and up to his brain.  There was so much drama as he was screaming at me at the wake.  Next, her mother who was  my aunt suffered from heart disease and a broken heart and she died a year later.  Finally, my rebellious uncle passed away shortly after.

Exodus 34 vs. 7

“…keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, and that will by no means clear the guilty; visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children, and upon the children’s children, unto the third and  to the fourth generation.”

 

Repent!!!

 

Apocrypha: The Book of Ecclesiasticus 38 vs. 1-12

“Honour the physician with the honour due unto him.  For the Lord hath created him, for of the most High cometh healing.  The Lord hath created medicines out of the earth; and he that is wise will not abhor them.  With such doth he heal men, and taketh away their pains.  My son, in thy sickness be not negligent; but pray unto the Lord, and he will make thee whole.  Leave off from sin, and order thine hands aright, and cleanse thy heart from all wickedness.  Then give place to  the physician, for the Lord hath created him; let him not go from thee, for thou hast need of him.”

 

I don’t like to take medicine!  I would rather call for the medicine doctor!!!  Sometimes you feel so bad that you just have to take something.  The more you can cure anything naturally with herbs or without man-made synthetic drugs, the better.  Try using holistic medicine if you can.

For example, one synthetic drug that can cure a problem can often times have a side effects that can cause another problem.  You could start with a limp and then wind up with a neck problem.  When you start taking some medicines  the body becomes dependent on it and you may need it for the rest of your life.  Ask questions at the doctor’s office and at the pharmacy when you pick up prescription medication and get a second opinion for any surgeries, invasive procedures, or extensive treatments.  But above all, fear the Lord and look to him first for healing.

 

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Old folks couldn’t just go to the doctor.  Because of slavery and segregation whenever you got sick in the old days and the Negro doctor was not available or if someone in your family was not knowledgeable about herbs and natural cures you remained very sick and near dead if it was the Lords will.  People used to pick leaves to make teas to take care of a fever and also use a host of homemade remedies to cure their problems because we had no other choice.  Recently in the news there have been so many recalls of drugs that we have grown accustomed to using on a day to day basis.

We need to get back to basics.  Some of our people are having to make the choice between eating or paying for expensive medicine that is only making the healthcare and insurance companies filthy rich.  A lot of “discoveries” and  health care “miracles” have been at the expense of the mutilation, slaughter, humiliation and mass murder of our ancestors.  In particular, the north American Indian tribes and so- called blacks in Europe and America  via experimentation to improve the Caucasian races advancement  in science and medicine.  Side effects can be quite serious, some of which include death.  When watching T.V. the advertising for drugs and medicine is overwhelming at times so remember to listen and read the fine print.  Beware of popping pills like it’s candy in a bottle.  Just like a car needs maintenance, repair and gas to make it run we also need upkeep…some more than others.  Many of us are suffering from diseases and ailments.  Pray for healing and help from the Lord.  Know your family history and general health of your entire family in case anything pops up so you can be prepared.  In my family, crib-deaths, heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure and obesity are demons that have plagued us for many generations.  I for one have a massive sweet tooth and love chocolate but it’s not good for me.  Recently I have tried to cut back (ok just a little), but it is a serious stronghold.  My mother and grandmothers on both sides love chocolate and so does my daughter and youngest son.  When my mother had to be hospitalized years ago for a heart valve problem she changed some of her ways.  When my aunt had a stroke she changed some of her ways.  When my mother in law had a stroke…well she didn’t change.  My grandmother after having a stoke woke up in a hospital.  When she began to speak she was told what happened and survived several hours then died of a massive  heart attack on the way to another hospital that was  more ‘modern’ as in more money or better insurance.  As for me, I have got to break the cycle…repent, repent, repent, repent, repent, repent, and repent some more…did I say I needed to repent?

 

 

Haggai 1 vs. 5

“Now therefore thus saith the Lord of hosts;…Consider your ways”

 

Overeating is a food demon.  Many in our nation are fighting obesity, which in itself brings about a host of other problems.  Eat in moderation.  You can eat just about everything within the dietary law, but just be aware of how much and how often.  For some of us it is time to get up from the table and hit the gym.  Say no to the extra piece of chicken and skip the dessert.  Take out your frustrations at the gym not the ice cream container or the candy dish.  Go for a walk instead of lounging with the potatoe chips.  As me and my husband have gotten older we have put on some pounds.  For me, I put it on in the hips and thighs, but I had four kids so don’t I get a pass?  Nope.  Just because you may be thinner than the next woman does not mean that you have a perfect bill of health.  This morning I asked my husband  if he wanted cereal (wheat frosted flakes), oatmeal or eggs and turkey bacon and he choose the last option (I tried).  Be wise in your food choices.

 

Yummy….you just can’t have this every day!!!!!

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• 1 Timothy 4 vs.8 “For bodily exercise profiteth little; but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come.”
• Apocrypha: The Book of Ecclesiasticus 37 vs. 29-31 “Be not unsatiable in any dainty thing, nor to greedy upon meats; for excess of meats bringeth sickness, and surfeiting will turn to choler.  By surfeiting have many perished; but he that taketh heed prolongeth his life.”

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After the Sabbath, one winter snowy evening my daughter and I were watching a movie and the actor was using a typewriter and my daughter had never seen one before.  I said ,”We used to use those machines before we had computers.  Maybe my grandma has one stored away that you can see.  We have to plan a trip to go back to South Carolina to visit because she is getting really old.  She said, “Your mothers’ mother with the one tooth?” and we both laughed and I said, “Yes your great grandmother.”  At that point, I asked my middle son to get the house phone so I could call my mother.  She had left a message on my cell phone earlier in the day, but I usually don’t pick-up the phone or return phone calls on the Sabbath if the issues or topics are not “church related”.  When I called my parents’ house my father answered and as usual I asked to speak to my mother except I could hear her screaming at the top of her lungs in the background.  They had just gotten the phone call from one of my uncles the moment I called on the other line and My grandmother had just passed away.  She died on January 8^th, 2011 at 83 years old.

 

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• Psalms 90 vs. 10 “The days of our years are threescore and ten (70); and by reason of strength they be fourscore years(80), yet is their strength labour and sorrow ; for it is soon cut off, and we fly away.”
• Apocrypha: The Book of Ecclesiasticus 41 vs. 3-4 “Fear not the sentence of death, remember them that hath been before thee, and that come after; for this is the sentence of the Lord over all flesh.  And why art thou against the pleasure of the Most High? There is no inquisition in the grave, whether thou have lived ten, or an hundred, or a thousand years.”
• Apocrypha: The Book of Ecclesiasticus 22 vs 12 “Make little weeping for the dead, for he is at rest, but the life of the fool is worse than death, seven days do men mourn for him that is dead; but for a fool and an ungodly man, all the days of his life.”
• Ecclesiastes 3 vs. 20 “All go unto one place; all are of the dust, and all turn to dust again.”
• Apocrypha: The Book of Ecclesiasticus 38 vs 16-17 & 22-23 “My son, let tears fall down over the dead, and begin to lament, as if thou hadst suffered great harm thyself; and then cover his body according to the custom , and neglect not his burial. Weep bitterly, and make great moan and use lamentation, as he is worthy, and that a day or two, lest thou evil be spoken of; and then comfort thyself for thy heaviness.  Remember mine judgement: for thine shall also be so: yesterday for me, and today for thee. When the dead is at rest, let his remembrance rest; and be comforted for him, when his spirit is departed from him.”

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When people stopped by to visit my grandmother she had a favourite chair she used to sit in right by the door so she could greet everyone when they entered without having to get up.  They would say, “How you feeling Ms. Mary Jane ?” She would usually respond, “I can’t complain.”

With all her generation had to endure, Jim Crow laws for example, having to listen and watch her husband be humiliated and eventually killed by the Klan (no one wants to talk about that), having to raise kids on her own, bury four sons before her death and witness the many sufferings our foremothers and fathers had to endure long before her, she never complained.

Sisters, we have a chance for repentance and forgiveness.  The Lord has revealed to us who we really are in these last days so don’t complain.

Some cousins of mine SANG along with a great aunt of mine an old negro spiritual at the funeral titled ‘I won’t complain’.  Some of the lyrics are:

 

I’ve had some good days…..I’ve had some hills to climb

I’ve had some weary days….and some sleepless nights

But when I look around……and think things over

All of my good days, outweigh my bad days

I won’t complain

Sometimes the clouds are low, I can hardly see the road

I ask a question Lord,…..Lord why so much pain?

But he knows what’s best for me

Although my weary eyes, they can’t see

I’ll just say thank you Lord

I won’t complain……..

I have to remember this the next time or everytime for that matter.  I complain about anything.  For instance, wanting another pair of shoes, which is so stupid and meaningless when you put life in its proper perspective.

 

FYI, I  began writing this particular blog entry in the beginning of 2011 after the passing of my maternal grandmother and since then have had some change of life issues as well, along with several additional deaths and sicknesses in my family.  Hot flashes, weight gain, some not nice migraines, all have led me to take better care of myself.  I recently had a conversation with a beloved sister in the faith who had a cancer scare.  Please take note of these things ladies.

 

Acts 9 vs. 36-37

“There was at Joppa a certain disciple named Tabitha, which by interpretation is called Dorcas; this woman was filled with good works and alms deeds which she did. And it came to pass  in those days, that she was sick, and died; whom when they had washed, they laid her in an upper chamber.”

 

If possible, acquire life insurance and get a will during this lifetime.  Funerals and burial plots are expensive along with additional responsibilities and decisions that you would be leaving for your loved ones to decide in the event of your death.

 

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• Apocrypha: The Book of Ecclesiasticus 33 vs. 23 “At the time when thou shalt end thy days, and finish thy life, distribute thine  inheritance.”
• Apocrypha: The Book of Ecclesiasticus 5 vs. 7 “Make no tarrying to turn to the Lord, and put not off from day to day; for suddenly shall the wrath of the Lord come forth and in thy security thou shalt be destroyed, and perish in the day of vengeance.”

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Time in this life is so short. Repent while you still can. When I was very young I told my parents I was going to live forever and never die.  My prayer is to see Christ return in my lifetime and if not that I may be raised from the dead in his coming.

 

Amen.

 

Ecclesiastes  3 vs 1-2

“To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under heaven: A time to be born, and a time to die.”