Bishop Jonathan Grenon Newsletter

Jonathan David to all that are going through the desert and wilderness times of this life. Before I go into the topic for this week. I would like to open up my heart a bit to everyone. Some people and certain things that have happened recently have confirmed that last weeks newsletter was inspired by the Holy Spirit. There was a synchronicity about the topic that only the LORD could do. That really brought my spirit up. To think that the LORD would utilize me, a simple man, to speak through, and to touch peoples lives. That is so special, Thank You Lord Jesus for including me in Your plans.

Last week I wrote on how we can learn obedience through suffering and how we have to kneel down to the Lord’s will to accomplish that. In other words we have to humble ourselves before the LORD. So today I will be writing a bit on a very important godly characteristic, The Meek and Meekness.

Like all gifts from God, for some people a certain gift comes more naturally. As for others, we might have to have it “extracted” out of us. For example, some people are born with a kind heart, but with very little strength to stand for themselves or others. While others are very courageous and strong and will stand up to anything, but kindness is not their forte. Remember what happens when we are obedient to God’s will? (Not by our own strength, but by the Holy Spirit guiding us) We are made perfect, mature, complete, lacking nothing. So it isn’t enough if you are the kindest, strongest, most living, most patient, most joyful and so on. We must remain in the Spirit to be complete. Only through Him is this so. The LORD will bring out these godly characteristics in His children. However best He sees fit. Now to open up my heart a bit to everyone.
After the last newsletter and feeling so much joy and peace. I have had a sudden sadness, that whether I am laying down, working, showering, working out, writing, etc.. I feel like breaking down in tears and sobbing. My family is on my mind. This month 7th on the 11th day, My Shalom, my third son has turned 10 years old. Although I am very happy about that, this will be the 5th birthday of his that I have missed since I have been kidnapped. I write about Shalom and his brothers to explain that they, like everyone else, have gifts. My 1st born son, Jonny, like me, is a lover. Meaning he enjoys loving and being loved. So a loving heart. My 2nd son, JJ, is my loyal buddy. When he was young I would call him mi amigo fiel, which means my faithful/loyal friend. He is always there to help. My 4th son, JD, is my fighter, my warrior, just like his daddy. And my baby boy, Jack, who I haven’t met yet. Well, I don’t know much about him yet and he is still young. Overtime I will see his gifts, I am looking forward to those days. Now my 3rd son, Shalom. I mention last because his characteristic or gift so to say is meekness. Shalom, my mother and my brother Jordan are the most meek people I have met or known in all my life. Don’t get me wrong, all of my boys show at times all of the characteristics I have mentioned. Only that one son might show more of a certain characteristic than another son. That is not a bad thing at all, that shows the uniqueness of God’s creation. And how we all have to work together. We need loving, loyal, strong, courageous, meek and more types of people in the body of Christ. One will bring the best out of the other. A strong person will help the weak one. A loving person will help the hateful people. A courageous person will encourage the scared people. And the list goes on.
I don’t say this about my boys just because they are my sons. I say it because it applies to everyone. As for Shalom, his name means” peace, completeness, welfare,health, and a few more descriptions like happy, friendly, etc.. To be meek is a gift from God, but for most of us it has to be brought out through desert experiences. And even if being meek comes more natural for you, you still will be tested and tried. All of our gifts from God and our lives are tested to purge the evil within. So that we will remain [beshalom], in peace,completeness. I love you with all of my heart, my sons. Dad loves ya…

Now lets study a bit on the meek and what meekness is. What does this word mean? What are meek people like? How do I know if I am meek? Lets go to the Bible to learn more.
In the Hebrew we find the word anayv which means; humble,poor,meek,gentle and lowly. The first time is it mentioned in the Bible is in Numbers 12:3-“Now the man Moses was very meek, above all the men which were upon the face of the earth.” This first appearance of the word depicts the objective condition as well as the subjective stance of Moses. He was entirely dependent on God and saw that he was. The following 2 characteristics are the intended outcome of affliction from God; “humility and gentleness”.

That desert experience that Moses lived before he led the Israelites out of Egypt, was to test and prove him. I believe Moses became the meek man he was through that time of affliction. By Moses depending on the LORD in the desert it taught him meekness. And after God prepared Moses through his desert time, Moses was able to help the Israelites in their desert time. I believe God is preparing men and women through their desert times right now, for those who will be going through it very soon. If we learn meekness during our times in the desert, we will be entrusted to lead others in their desert times.
Here is more about what I have found on meekness and the meek. In my concordance is states the following: (I think it will help us all to adhere to what is being said) ” Meekness toward God is that disposition of spirit in which we accept His dealings with us as good, and therefore without disputing or resisting. The meek man truly acknowledges himself as a sinner among sinners and this knowledge of his own sin teaches him to meekly endure the provocations of others and not to withdraw from the burdens their sins may impose on him. The meek are those wholly relying on God rather than their own strength to defend them against injustice. Thus, meekness toward evil people means knowing God is permitting the injuries they inflict, that He is using them to purify His elect, and that He will deliver His elect in His time. (Read Isaiah 41:17-20 and Luke 18:1-8) Gentleness or meekness is the opposite to self-assertiveness and self-interest. It stems from trust in God’s goodness and control over the situation. The gentle person is not occupied with self at all. This is a work of the Holy Spirit, not of the human will. It must be clearly understood, therefore, that the meekness manifested by the LORD and commended to the believer is the fruit of Power. The common assumption is that when a man is meek it is because he cannot help himself; but the LORD was “meek” because He had the infinite resources of God at His command. In Matthew 11:27-30 is says-” All things are delivered unto me of my Father: and no man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and he to whomever the Son will reveal him. Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
I want everyone to know that to remain meek during this desert trial of my life has been one of the hardest things in my life. I have failed continually. Remember, I am a warrior of the LORD. That I can say is one of the Lord’s gifts to me that comes more naturally. There are times I say and think that I was made for those Old Testament times. Like David, Joshua, Samson and many more warriors. Then I think about Moses, who was the most meek at the time, but he also was a warrior. Now what about our LORD Jesus Christ? The most meek of all. Who is more powerful than Him? No one!!! So I am learning that I am truly powerful when I am meek. Because through the humble and meek the LORD will show His power so that no one will glory in themselves.
I hope we all can learn something today from our LORD Jesus Christ. He is meek and lowly in heart. So take His yoke upon you and you will find rest unto your souls. He is telling us that we need a change of heart that He alone can change. So come unto Him and He will give you rest.

Thank you all for reading this newsletter. Thank you for all you do.
May God bless you all

Jonathan David
A servant of the LORD