Back at the beginning of January this year, my Pastor sent out some things for us to consider called the 2010 Handbook. The original was just a list of possible resolutions. I have taken the first three points to consider and added my own insight. There are many more things from the original list and I will probably add them as I study them more thoroughly... but, you'll have to wait on those.
Here are the first points, which are health related. I believe that God is interested in this topic and has given us many tools to help us gain better health. It’s not always an easy task to turn bad habits around, but do it we must… do it I must! I will admit that the first three points here are challenges for me.
Presented in this manner, these points aren’t necessarily in the Bible… or are they?
Let’s consider :
Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body. 1 Corinthians 6:19-20.
1. Drink plenty of water. How we take for granted this necessity of life! Does anyone in the United States even think of not having enough water to drink? It was not always so readily available. In many parts of the world, even today, clean drinkable water is scarce. Our bodies need water everyday to stay healthy. Our bodies are 60 to 70% water. In fact, blood is mostly water and all our body parts (muscles, lungs, brain, etc.) require water to regulate our body temperature and to provide a way for nutrients to travel to our organs. Water is necessary to transport oxygen to our cells. Water helps our bodies remove waste and protects our joints and organs. If we become dehydrated, our bodies will tell us in painful ways. We can experience joint and muscle pain, lower back pain, headaches and constipation. Thirst is the last thing our body tells us when our body is dry. Studies show that we need water long before we ever feel thirsty! We should all check out reliable sources to help determine how much water we actually need. I know that I don’t drink enough water and this is something that I must get under control.
Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the Universe, who gives us water to drink. Help us to be mindful of the benefit of clean water and not take for granted how precious it is to sustain our bodies. Help us to strive to keep our bodies hydrated in order to be the temple that You desire us to be. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.
1 Corinthians 9:27 (New Living Translation) I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should. Otherwise, I fear that after preaching to others I myself might be disqualified.
2. Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a beggar. Now this old German proverb is interesting, because I’ve seen it many times as an important diet tip. Does this advice have any value? Let’s consider that research from the Virginia Commonwealth University, shows that a big breakfast was helpful for weight loss and maintenance. There were 96 obese and sedentary women in the study. The “big breakfast” group’s total daily calories was 1,240 with 640 calories devoted to breakfast and the remaining calories spread out through the day.
The other study group was on a low-carb diet. People were restricted to just 1,085 calories a day and the majority of these coming from protein and fat. Breakfast was the smallest meal of the day in this group, at just 290 calories.
By the fourth month of dieting, the low carb group had lost more weight than the big breakfast eaters. However, by the eighth month, the results were reversed and the big breakfast eaters had lost more weight. When asked individually how they felt, the big breakfast eaters reported feeling less hungry (especially in the morning) and the low carb dieters reported feeling hungry throughout the day.
It was concluded that consuming a large cooked breakfast in the morning, then a healthy salad for lunch, and finishing the day with a low-carb meal (following the no carbs after 4pm rule) would lead to successful weight loss in many individuals. Anyone in military training would have been taught that an army marches on its stomach, so perhaps we should eat a big breakfast to start our day out right!
Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the Universe, who gives us a stable mind that we may be challenged to seek the best within ourselves in striving to become more like our Lord Jesus. His accusers could not find fault in His physical appearance, but only in His spiritual walk and word because they were shamed to the reality that they could not measure up to God’s expectation. Help us to be mindful of the benefit of a healthy body of moderate weight and not take for granted how precious it is to have healthy bodies. Help us to strive to bring our bodies into subjection in order to be the temple that You desire us to be. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.
"If you will listen carefully to the Lord your God and do what he considers right, if you pay attention to his commands and obey all his laws, I will never make you suffer any of the diseases I made the Egyptians suffer, because I am the Lord who heals you." Ex. 15:26.
3. Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants and eat less food that is manufactured in plants. God did not make processed foods. Well, duh…
The research that I have been studying is from Nutrition and the Bible , a presentation by Pastor Dave Fruehauf , based in part on the book: What The Bible Says About Healthy Living by Rex Russell, MD. Regal Books. The information is not given to prevent or cure any specific disease. I have indulged and printed much of the beginning presentation here, but there is so much more to it. Please feel free to continue reading the article at http://www.tccsa.tc/articles/nutrition0001.htm
When God gave direction to Adam and Eve, He laid out the ground rules in the garden. He said that they could eat from every plant with seeds on the face of the earth and every tree that has fruit with seeds. Everything was perfect. There was a large variety of the best tasting fresh foods! Adam and Eve were designed to be vegans with a digestive system designed for uncooked plant foods. But, then we know the story… sin and death entered the world.
Adam and Eve would now die. Their bodies no longer perfect. Now they would age. There would be deterioration, defectiveness, allergies, disease, sickness and death would be their companions and the companions to all generations. Genesis 3:18 "Cursed is the ground because of you; through painful toil you will eat of it all the days of your life. It will produce thorns and thistles for you, and you will eat plants of the field'' God then gives them permission to eat herbs, foods without seeds in them: leaf, root and tuber vegetables. (like lettuce, cabbage, kale, spinach, carrots, parsnips, beets, etc.)
Then again, after the Great Flood, God tells Noah, "Everything that lives and moves will be food for you. Just as I gave you the green plants, I now give you everything. But you must not eat meat that has its lifeblood still in it." Genesis 9:3,4 So God gives permission to eat animal meat but with restriction. "Of all the creatures living in the water of the seas and the streams, you may eat any that have fins and scales... Anything living in the water that does not have fins and scales is to be detestable to you." Leviticus 11:9,12. Scavengers (shrimp, oysters, etc.) collect the waste and toxins from the bottom of the sea. Birds which are scavengers are not to be eaten Leviticus 11:13-18. Vultures, crows Insects which may be eaten or may not be eaten are listed. Leviticus 20-23: Grasshoppers are ok for food!
The Israelites cried out, 'If only we had meat to eat! They complained about God’s provision of manna!’ Numbers 11:5,6. The story is told to us of the commandments of what God expected and how to live in every area of life, including eating.
- "Never eat any fat from cattle, sheep or goats." Leviticus 7:23 "Never eat the blood of any bird or animal no matter where you live." Lev.7:26.
- "You must distinguish between the unclean and the clean, between living creatures that may be eaten (cloven hoofed and cud chewing) and those that may not be eaten." Lev. 11:47 The cover fat of both clean and unclean animals is forbidden. The internal marbling fat of clean animals is permitted. Range fed animals which are exercised and eat leafy plants and grasses will have healthier internal fat. The cattle in Bible times were range fed. Today’s animals are fed antibiotics, pesticides, fungicides and growth hormone additives. They are even fed diseased or dead animal parts. Think about it!
- Today we can check out toxins in animal meat. We find that all designated clean animals are in the safe range and all unclean animals are in the toxic range. Interesting!
- Milk and meat should not be consumed together. We now know that milk interferes with the digestion of meat. Exodus 23:19: "Do not cook a young goat in its Mother's milk. Interesting!
- God gives instructions to use olive oil. "For the Lord your God is bringing you into a good land-a land with wheat and barley,wines and fig trees, pomegranates, olive oil and honey." Deut.8:7,8 Olive oil contains anticancer properties, and leads to more efficient cardiac contractions and does not lead to vascular disease. Olive oil is digested in a process similar to complex carbohydrates. Olive oil was once scorned by many in the medical profession but is now highly recommended. Interesting!
- Over processing and overheating destroys digestive enzymes found in fresh vegetables, whole gains, fruits and nuts and seeds. Overheating and re-heating vegetable oils makes them carcinogenic. God placed enzymes in foods to help with the digestive process. Adam and Eve ate raw plant foods containing all of the enzymes put into them. We only receive benefit from the foods our bodies are able to digest properly. Interesting!
- Processed and "refined" vegetable oils found on supermarket shelves undergo procedures which completely change their natural structure changing them into clear, odorless oils that are tasteless killers. Did you really know this before? I didn't.
- Expeller pressed unrefined liquid oils protected from air, light, heat and chemicals retain the natural healthy structure of the oil. Available in food co-ops. Store in the refrigerator. Small amounts of olive oil or butter are best for cooking. Interesting!
[As stated above… The research that I have been studying is from Nutrition and the Bible , a presentation by Pastor Dave Fruehauf , based in part on the book: What The Bible Says About Healthy Living by Rex Russell, MD. Regal Books. The information is not given to prevent or cure any specific disease. Please continue reading the remainder of the article which speaks of Healing Foods; Harmful Additives; Oils and Fats that Heal or Kill; Gluttony, Fasting & Digestion; Whole Grains; PH Balance in the Human Body; Milk and Honey; Beans & Legumes; Eating Close to God’s Direction; and Helpful References and Referrals. For the full article, go to http://www.tccsa.tc/articles/nutrition0001.htm ]
Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the Universe, who gives us a stable mind that we may be challenged to seek the best within ourselves in striving to become more like our Lord Jesus. His accusers could not find fault in His physical appearance, but only in His spiritual walk and word because they were shamed to the reality that they could not measure up to God’s expectation. Help us to be mindful of the benefit of a healthy body of moderate weight and not take for granted how precious it is to have healthy bodies. Help us to strive to bring our bodies into subjection and learn from the commandments in the Old Testament, which were given for our benefit. Help us to put healthy living to practice one step at a time until we have leaned it without referring to scripture. Help us to refrain from plaing anything toxic in our mouths that prevents us from living full abundant lives that we may be the temples that You desire us to be. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.
I hope this information has been of value to you... If you are like me and struggle with one or more of these points, please agree with me in prayer that we can overcome our deadly dietary choices. The road ahead will not be easy becasue I have been abusing myself for a long time. But, I've heard it said, where there is still breath there is hope. There is a chance to change. Matthew 11: 28 Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.”
I have too much work yet to be done for my Lord,
to continue to sit on the side lines
because my body will not cooperate.
because my body will not cooperate.
Let me seek, His Holy Majesty
that I might be able to give Him honor,
that I might be able to give Him honor,
and that I might be humble in His sight
and serve Him all the days of my life.
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name.
Yes, You are the Worthy King of kings and Holy are You!
Thy Kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.
There is no sickness or sorrow in heaven,
let us stop our own death sentence
let us stop our own death sentence
and claim health
as You have given us permission to do.
as You have given us permission to do.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And give us our bread in trust
and in moderation that
we might honor the food
and in moderation that
we might honor the food
meant for us as fuel for our body
and not as a god to our soul.
and not as a god to our soul.
And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us.
Help us to forgive those
who would try to prevent us from succeeding
who would try to prevent us from succeeding
in becoming healthy for Your sake.
They do not always know what they are doing
They do not always know what they are doing
when they offer a second helping
or a temptation to indulge 'just this once.'
Help us to lovingly forgive them.
or a temptation to indulge 'just this once.'
Help us to lovingly forgive them.
Help us to forgive ourselves
when we slip and fall.
Help up to look to You for our help.
when we slip and fall.
Help up to look to You for our help.
Lift us up by your right hand
as Your very word has promised,
as Your very word has promised,
that You will set us back
upon the path of righteousness
that You have ordained for us.
upon the path of righteousness
that You have ordained for us.
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
Put a guard on my footsteps, my eyes,
my sense of smell, my hands,
my mouth, my longings
so that I may not be tempted
and give into the temptation.
Keep me from placing anything
ahead of You, O Lord.
my sense of smell, my hands,
my mouth, my longings
so that I may not be tempted
and give into the temptation.
Keep me from placing anything
ahead of You, O Lord.
For thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory, for ever.
All things are Yours,
everthing good is in Your kingdom
in heaven and earth.
everthing good is in Your kingdom
in heaven and earth.
You are all power,
You are all glory
from my yesterday, my today
and forevermore.
You are all power,
You are all glory
from Your yesterday, your today
and forevermore.
You are all glory
from my yesterday, my today
and forevermore.
You are all power,
You are all glory
from Your yesterday, your today
and forevermore.
Hallelujah!
Amen
As Jesus taugth us how to pray,
I pray in His name to You, Father!
Amen and Amen.
I pray in His name to You, Father!
Amen and Amen.
