Meditations on Healthy Living

Isaiah 11:1-2 The royal line of David will be cut off, chopped down like a tree; but from the stump will grow a Shoot [Christ, the Messiah]—yes, a new Branch from the old root. And the SPIRIT of the LORD shall rest upon HIM, the SPIRIT of wisdom, understanding, counsel and might; the SPIRIT of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD. HIS delight will be obedience to the LORD. [Living Bible translation]

Definition: the word “Messiah” is a term used in Judaism, Christianity and Islam to reference the redeemer who will come. Christians believe that JESUS CHRIST is THE MESSIAH (i.e., GOD’s Anointed One).

Summary

The prophet Isaiah lived over 700 years before the birth of Jesus Christ, yet this Old Testament prophet foretells the mission and life of Jesus Christ. As Isaiah foretold:

  1. Jesus came from the lineage of King David—from David’s “stump.” This royal line had been laid dormant for at least 600 years before Jesus came long—thus, Jesus was like a new green “Branch” rising out of an old dormant “root.” This pointed to Jesus’s physical roots.
  2. John the Baptist gave his testimony as a witness in Luke 1:32 when John said: “I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it abode upon him,” –thus fulfilling Isaiah’s prophesy that “The Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon HIM.” This point’s to Jesus’s spiritual roots.
  3. Jesus was the Spirit of Wisdom, in his early ministry –in being wise in all things (the way HE taught, the way HE answered questions, the way HE counseled. HE became for us WISDOM from GOD. (See 1Cor. 1:30)
  4. Jesus is a Wonderful Counselor because HE not only understands our predicament, but HE judges the heart (not our status, our finances, our clothing, nor our material things). HE “sees” who we really are. HE was human (and GOD) and dwelt among us, HE understands our earthly existence.
  5. Jesus has the love and might to help us. HE can calm the stormy winds and seas of life; HE can feed a hungry crowd; HE has power over death; HE is our High Priest and hears our prayers and can intervene on our behalf before THE FATHER.
  6. Jesus was totally obedient to HIS FATHER, even when “the going got tough.” HE passed the obedience test—HE never sinned. HE was never disobedient. HE delighted in doing the FATHER’s will, and not for gain. Even when it was hard, Jesus allowed the FATHER’s will to be done. HE was obedient unto death, even death on the cross.

Because HE is who HE is the Bible, Isaiah, and the Apostle Paul proclaim that GOD has exalted him so, that at the name of JESUS, every knee shall bow… and every tongue shall confess that JESUS CHRIST IS LORD. [Isaiah 45:23-24; Philippians 2:9-11].

Root Vegetables

Root vegetables are a great way to help your body maintain strength and fight fatigue. Root vegetables generally refer to any underground part of a plant. Root vegetables include the following:

Because roots help support and nourish the plant, root vegetables are generally high in vitamins (such as Vitamin A and Vitamin C and Vitamin B5) and many minerals. Magnesium and potassium fiber are often found in most root vegetables. Root vegetables also tend to have low calories and high fiber. Some of the most popular root vegetables include:

  • Carrots –Helps fight free radicals; a rich source of beta-carotene, a powerful antioxidant. Beta carotene protects vision, including night vision. Carrots are good for the heart and also help to regulate blood sugar. The vitamin A in carrots also promotes healthy lungs.
  • Parsnips – Parsnips is a root vegetable related to the carrot, only lighter in color, and to celery and parsley. It is considered good for healthy bowel movement because of the large amount of fiber. Because they can have a pungent flavor, it may be better to eat the younger, smaller parsnips raw in salads than the older more woody parsnips.
  • Sweet Potato – People have been eating sweet potatoes for thousands of years. Sweet potatoes contain vitamin C, vitamin B5, dietary fiber, manganese, a trace mineral that helps bone to stay strong and that helps blood glucose levels to stay normal , and beta-carotene. According to “Anatomy of a…Sweet Potato,” they also contain 42% of the recommended daily allowance (RMD) of calcium. See, https://www.webmd.com/diet/features/anatomy-sweet-potato. According to WebMD, they are a North American plant and were the main source of nourishment for early Americans homesteaders and during the revolutionary war. See, “5 Winter Superfoods: Sweet Potatoes, Nutrient Profile,” https://www.webmd.com/food-recipes/5-winter-superfoods-sweet-potatoes-nutrient-profile.
  • Beets – According to one health writer, “you can’t beat beets.” Beats are full of nutrients like Vitamin B, manganese, iron, cooper, magnesium and potassium. Beets improve blood pressure, help to reduce the risk of heart disease, and improve a person’s stamina. See, “7 Things That Happen to Your Body When You Eat Beets,” http://www.health.com/nutrition/beets-health-benefits#blood-pressure-benefits.
  • Yams –People often confuse sweet potatoes with yams. Yams are largely grown in Asia and Africa. Yams tend to be starchier and drier than sweet potatoes.
    Because root vegetables are in the ground or close to the ground, it is best to eat organic root vegetables to avoid the risk of pesticides. The moisture in root vegetables will depend on a number of variables, including the size of the vegetable, the age, where it is grown and when it is harvested. Root vegetables can be grated, thinly sliced into small pieces and even juiced.

Root Teas
There are also a number of teas made from roots including: ginger root tea, ginseng root tea, beet root tea, licorice root tea, marshmallow root tea, sarsaparilla root tea, yellowdock root tea, dandelion root tea, etc.) Be sure to read the information about your root tea carefully before ingesting, since some teas are not recommended for everyone. For example, valerian root tea is not recommended for pregnant woman, nursing mothers or persons with liver disease and may interact with medication.

ROOTED IN CHRIST

In 1975, Alex Haley published a book called “Roots: The Saga of an American Family.” It is the story of Kunta Kinte, an 18th Century African captured and sold into American slavery, and the story of his descendants. The book created a deep appreciation of the history and stories of African-American people. It is considered one of the most important literary works of the 20th century. The popularity of the book and the TV mini-series that followed stimulated a great interest in genealogy. The book motivated people all over the world to trace their roots in order to find out “who they were.” People began questioning their elders in order to learn more about their history and their ancestor’s stories. They wanted to connect the dots of their origin.

Today people are still searching---looks at history as well as speculating as to what might have been.

People are still looking for their physical and spiritual roots.

Places of worship all around the world are still trying to make a spiritual connection. Like the prophet Isaiah, one generation tries to make a spiritual connection so the next generation will know who they are spiritually. It is why people “testify,” “bear witness” “reaffirm how they have been blessed,” “how they and their families have been kept, despite the ‘storms’ of life” and “tell the old, old story about Jesus and HIS Love.”

Today, this month, this year, and throughout the years to come, re-affirm your connection to your roots. Continue to write your “living” history for the next generation and future generations by being “rooted.”

Let’s strive to be who GOD wants us to be and BE BLESSED!