The Cassia Tree

Bible Reading:  Psalm 45

Key Verse: Verse 8 - "All thy garments smell of myrrh, and aloes, and cassia, out of the ivory palaces, whereby they have made thee glad."

Key Words: and cassia 

The cassia tree grows ten to fifteen meters tall.  It has grayish bark and elongated leaves that are ten to fifteen centimeters long and reddish in color.  Cassia is a close relative to the cinnamon.  Did you know that most of the spice sold as cinnamon in the United States and Canada is actually cassia?

Cassia is mentioned in the Bible on three occasions.  While it is a tree or plant that grows in the Mediterranean region, it is primarily grown and harvested today in China and Viet Nam.  The cassia tree is associated with a sweet smell and is symbolic of righteousness (Psalm 45:7).

The other day I jumped in my car and was heading to make a visit at the hospital.  As I sat down in the car seat, I thought I smelled – well, a not-so-pleasant odor.  I looked around but I could not see anything that would be causing such a stench.  Eventually I became used to the odor, and it did not bother me anymore until I got out of the car and walked in the fresh air and went into the hospital.  When I came back and got back in the car, there was again a distinct odor. 

This went on for a couple of days until eventually I could no longer take it.  I began an all-out search for the culprit causing such a horrendous smell.  Finally, I saw it!  There it was – a baby bottle filled with milk (sour, corroded milk).  It looked and smelled as if - well, you get the idea.  Not only did I get rid of the bottle, I put one of those sweet-smelling car fresheners in my car.  You see, it was not enough to simply put a car freshener in the car; I had to first get rid of the cause of the odor.

When we get rid of sin and replace it with that sweet smell of righteousness, our heart can then produce a sweet smell again.  So the next time you think of cassia, think of the sweet fragrance of righteousness.

                                                                                Dr. Mike Rouse 

What to do:

✞Get rid of the sin in your life and replace it with some cassia, the smell of righteousness.

Cinnamon and Appeal

Bible Reading:  Proverbs 7:1-20

Key Verse: Verse 17 - “I have perfumed my bed with myrrh, aloes, and cinnamon."

Key Words: I have perfumed my bed with ...cinnamon 

It is believed that cinnamon is very low in saturated fat, cholesterol and sodium.  Cinnamon is a good source of Vitamin K which helps prevent blood clotting and is a very good source of dietary fiber and manganese.

It is very obvious from our text that cinnamon is used as a perfume for drawing appeal as well.  Now cinnamon itself is not bad, it just depends on what we use it for.

It is said that visitors at Niagara Falls often have their attention called to a certain cliff over the boiling current below where a young lady some years ago lost her life.  She was delighted with the beautiful scene and eager to pluck some wild flowers from a cliff where no human hand had ever ventured.  She climbed the cliff and grasped the flowers; but as she gazed down upon the surging waters below, she became dizzy; and with a wild shriek she plunged like a falling star to her death below.

Now, the flowers were not the problem, her desire was the problem.  Our craving for things we should not crave will always lead us to destruction.

A pastor once told the following.  “My friends, the other day I was going down the street and saw a drove of pigs following a man.  My curiosity was aroused, and I decided to follow him.  This I did, and to my surprise I found he was leading them to the slaughterhouse.  I asked the man how he managed to get them to follow him.  The man answered, ‘Oh, did you not see that I had a basket of beans under my arm, and I continued to drop them along, and so they followed me?’  So it is with the devil.  He is dropping his bait, which may look and taste good to the sinner, but it will lead him to hell.”

So the next time you see, taste, or smell cinnamon, remember to keep your cravings under God’s control.  

                                                                                 Dr. Mike Rouse

What to do:

      ✞Get God’s wisdom from His Word, not this world!

Flax and Protection

Bible Reading:  Joshua 2:1-8

Key Verse: Verse 6 - " But she had brought them up to the roof of the house, and hid them with the stalks of  flax, which she had laid in order upon the roof."

Key Words:  and hid them with the stalks of flax 

Flax is said to be rich in antioxidants.  It also provides fiber, is believed to assist the body in fighting against cancer- in particular breast cancer, and tests have shown that flax has positive benefits in fighting against such things as Crohn’s Disease and colitis.  Flax is also said to help heal the inner lining of an inflamed intestine.

But in our text it is very obvious that flax was used by Rahab to hide the two Israeli spies.  Flax was used as protection.

Lorrie Anderson, missionary to the head-shrinking Candoshi Shapra Indians of Peru, was looking for a quiet place for her daily time of Bible reading and prayer, so she went down by the edge of the river.  After reading her Bible, she took up her prayer list.  Eyes closed, she did not see the deadly anaconda weaving through the water until it struck, burying its fangs into her flesh.  It withdrew its fangs only to strike again.  Then just as suddenly as it had struck, the deadly anaconda slithered off.  While Lorrie was being treated, a witch doctor from a nearby village burst into the room where Lorrie was and stared at her.  The witch doctor could not believe that Lorrie had survived the attack.  It seems that the witch doctor had chanted to the spirit of the anaconda that morning and had sent the snake to kill the young missionary. 

“I am certain,” Lorrie said, “that except for the protection of God, it would have worked.”

So the next time you hear or see or even eat some flax, think about the protection of God. 

                                                                            Dr. Mike Rouse 

What to do: 

      ✞Let flax remind you of God’s protection.

Pannag and Our Spirit

Bible Reading:  Ezekiel 27:1-25

Key Verse: Verse 17 – "Judah, and the land of Israel, they were thy merchants: they traded in thy market wheat of Minnith, and Pannag, and honey, and oil, and balm."

Key Words:  Pannag 

Pannag is not a familiar word in our vocabulary.  In the Hebrew it means pastry.  No doubt it was a dessert.  Although it is only mentioned once in the Bible, it was evidently popular because merchants traded for it.  The pannag reminds us that a sweet spirit goes a lot further than does a bitter spirit.

Bruce Goodrich was being initiated into the cadet corps at Texas A & M University.  One night, Bruce was forced to run until he dropped – but he never got up.  Bruce Goodrich died before he even entered college.

A short time after the tragedy, Bruce’s father wrote this letter to the administration, faculty, student body, and the Corps of Cadets:  “I would like to take this opportunity to express the appreciation of my family for the great outpouring of concern and sympathy from Texas A & M University and the college community over the loss of our son, Bruce.  We were deeply touched by the tribute paid to him in the battalion.  We were particularly pleased to note that his Christian witness did not go unnoticed during his brief time on campus.”

Mr. Goodrich went on:  “I hope it will be some comfort to know that we harbor no ill will in the matter.  We know our God makes no mistakes.  Bruce had an appointment with his Lord and is now secure in his celestial home.  When the question is asked, ‘Why did this happen?’ perhaps one answer will be, ‘So that many will consider where they will spend eternity.’”

So would you not agree that the sweet spirit of Bruce’s father accomplished more than being bitter ever could?  So the next time you think of a sweet pastry, think of a sweet spirit.  It goes a lot further than a sour spirit ever could. 

                                                                                        Dr. Mike Rouse 

What to do: 

      ✞Every time you eat a pastry, I trust you will think of pannag and having a sweet spirit.

The Mustard Seed and Faith

Bible Reading: Luke 17:6-19

Key Verse: Verse 6 – " And the Lord said, If ye had faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye might say unto   this sycamine tree, Be thou plucked up by the root, and be thou planted in the sea; and it should obey   you.."

Key Words: If ye had faith as a grain of mustard seed 

~

There are two primary types of mustard seeds, white and black (or brown).  The primary type of mustard seed that grew around Jerusalem would have been the black mustard seed.  The soil and temperature were and are conducive for the mustard tree to grow.

There is little question that from reading our text, the mustard seed is attached to faith.  A mustard seed is about the size of a grain of fertilizer.  The principle is that a small amount of faith can accomplish a lot.  But make sure your faith is in the right person: Jesus Christ.  You see, the source of your faith is extremely important.

In April 1988 the evening news reported on a photographer who was a skydiver.  He had jumped from a plane along with numerous other skydivers and filmed the group as they fell and opened their parachutes.  As the film shown on the telecast, and as the final skydiver opened his chute, the picture went berserk.  The announcer reported that the cameraman had fallen to his death, having jumped out of the plane without his parachute.  It was not until he reached for the absent ripcord that he realized he was freefalling without a parachute.  Until that point, the jump probably seemed exciting and fun.  But tragically, he had acted with thoughtless haste and deadly foolishness.  Nothing could save him, for his faith was in a parachute never buckled on.  Faith in anything but an all-sufficient God can be just as tragic spiritually.  Only with faith in Jesus Christ dare we step into the dangerous excitement of life.

                                                                                    Dr. Mike Rouse 

What to do: 

            ✞The next time you see or taste mustard, ask yourself, “Am I living by faith?” and “Who is the object of my    faith?”

 

The Olive and Family

Bible Reading: Psalm 128

Key Verse: Verse 3 - " Thy wife shall be as a fruitful vine by the sides of thine house: thy children like olive    plants round about thy table."

Key Words: thy children like olive plants 

Olives are said to be a concentrated source of monounsaturated fats and a good source of Vitamin E.  The olive is also said to have significant anti-inflammatory properties.  It is also said to help protect from heart disease, and it helps assist in protection from gastro-intestinal infections.  The olive may also assist in helping those with asthma and rheumatoid arthritis. And it may also help aid women in the intensity of hot flashes due to menopause.

From a spiritual perspective, there are three things we know about the olive plant.  First of all, it clings.  A husband and wife should cling together.  Secondly, it climbs.  The family should grow together.  Thirdly, it clusters: a clear reference to children.  The olive reminds us of the family.

I read the following and found it interesting.  I believe you will as well. 

In 1947, sociologist and historian Carle Zimmerman, in his book Family and Civilization, compared the disintegration of various cultures with the parallel decline of family life in those cultures.  He found eight specific patterns of domestic behavior that typified the downward spiral of each culture he studied.

1.      Marriage loses its sacredness and is frequently broken by divorce.

2.      The traditional meaning of the marriage ceremony is lost.

3.      Feminist movements abound.

4.      Increased public disrespect for parents and authority in general.

5.      Acceleration of juvenile delinquency, promiscuity and rebellion.

6.      Refusal of people with traditional marriages to accept family  

          responsibilities.

7.      Growing desire for and acceptance of adultery.

8.      Increasing interest in and spread of sexual perversions and sex-             related crimes.

This was in 1947, and it is still true today.  The key for the survival of the family is a close relationship with the Lord.  So the next time you see or hear about the olive, remember the family and in particular, the family’s relationship with God!

                                                                         Dr. Mike Rouse 

What to do: 

✞Remember, the olive reminds us of the family.

Wheat and Salvation

Bible Reading:  Matthew 13:24-30

Key Verse: Verse 25 – " But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and   went his way "

Key Words: and sowed tares among the wheat

We are told that the consumption of wheat is necessary for a healthy metabolism.  We are also told that wheat helps prevent breast cancer, gallstones, high cholesterol, asthma, and heart risk; and it is an essential food for women to help in the area of gastro-intestinal disorders.  It is believed to help reduce the risk of high blood pressure and diabetes.  It is rich in Vitamin B6, niacin, thiamine, folate, riboflavin, and pantothenic acid.  It also contains Vitamins E and K.

It is obvious from reading our text that wheat is symbolic of those who are genuinely born again; and the tares symbolize those who are pretenders.  They profess to be saved but have no possession of Jesus Christ.

Now this raises a question, have you ever asked Jesus to be your Savior?

During the Spanish-American War, Clara Barton was overseeing the work of the Red Cross in Cuba.  One day, Colonel Theodore Roosevelt came to her and wanted to buy food for his sick and wounded Rough Riders. Clara refused to sell him any.  Roosevelt was perplexed.  His men needed the help, and he was prepared to pay out of his own funds. 

When he asked those around why he could not buy the supplies, he was told, “Colonel, just ask for them.”  A smile broke over Roosevelt’s face—now he understood!  The supplies were not for sale.  All he had to do was simply ask, and they would be freely given.

Have you ever asked for Jesus to save you?  He will, and it is a free gift as well.

So the next time you see or taste of wheat, thank God for your salvation.

                                                                                        Dr. Mike Rouse 

What to do:

      ✞Let wheat remind you of your salvation, and thank God for it daily