"Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth."
-3 John 2
My dearly Beloved reader!
Today is a great and wonderful day, as we prepare for the soon coming of Christ we must keep ourselves in good health, for your body is a temple. 1 Cor 6:19-20
With that in mind I pray that you are blessed by this excellent study that was sent me by a brother in the faith, which I have made only a few additions too where it seemed fitting.
"Pure air, sunlight, abstemiousness, rest, exercise, proper
diet, the use of water, trust in Divine power—these
are the true remedies."—Ellen
G. White, Ministry of Healing, p. 127
Fresh Air
Sunshine
Abstemiousness
Rest
Exercise
Water
Nutrition
Trust in God
1—Fresh
Air
The Most essential element to sustain life is oxygen.
Without food you will die in a few weeks.
Without water you will die in a few days.
Without air you will die in a few minutes.
Blood and cells are dependent upon oxygen.
Fresh air invigorates the vital organs and aids the system in
ridding itself of accumulated impurities. Fresh air also brings life to the
skin and has a decided influence on the mind. Fresh air contains negative ions
which help to immune system fight disease. The lack of fresh air causes
specific problems such as fevers, colds, and lung diseases.
2—Sunshine
"And God made two great lights; the greater light to rule
the day." Genesis 1:16
Every living thing in our world is
dependent on sunlight. Without sunlight nothing would live. the following
discoveries show the benefits derived from the sun: It lowers blood sugar and
blood pressure; it lowers cholesterol by converting it to vitamin D; it
utilizes calcium and phosphorus; it increases red blood cells; it increases
white blood cells; it strengthens the immune system; it calms the nerves and
increases adrenaline; it destroys germs on the skin; it reverses jaundice; it
increases circulation; and it helps eliminate pesticides and other chemicals from
the system.
"Pure air, good water, sunshine, the beautiful surroundings
of nature...these are God's means for restoring the sick to health."—Ellen G. White, Testimonies, Vol. 7, p. 85
Start the day with exposing your face and body to the sun for 10
to 15 minutes. Gradually increase your time to 30 to 45 minutes daily. DO NOT GET SUNBURNED.
"As the flower turns to the sun, that the bright beams may
aid in perfecting its beauty and symmetry, so should we turn to the Sun of
Righteousness, that Heaven's light may shine upon us, that our character may be
developed in to the likeness of Christ."—Ellen
G. White, Steps to Christ, p. 6
3—Abstemiousness or
Temperance
Abstemiousness means temperance. True temperance teaches us to
dispense entirely with everything harmful and to use judiciously that which is
healthful.
“Finally, brethren, whatsoever things
are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever
things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any
virtue, and if there be any praise think (meditate) on these.”
Phil 4:8
4—Rest
"He rested on the seventh day from all His work which He had
made." Genesis 2:2
The greatest remedy for being tired is SLEEP.
The body requires plenty of rest to heal.
Sleep is the greatest rejuvenator; it restores strength to
muscles, nerves, and brain.
During sleep the body repairs, re-energizes, and prepares for
renewed activity.
One hour of sleep before midnight is equal to 2 hours of sleep
after midnight.
During a day of work and activity, toxins build up in our system
which cannot immediately be thrown off. These toxins product fatigue—that well-known
weariness at the end of the day. Sleep gives the body time to expel wastes and
to make repairs.
"The stomach, when we lie down to rest, should have its work
done, that it may enjoy rest, as well as other portions of the body. The work
of digestion should not be carried on through any period of the sleeping
hours."—Ellen
G. White, Healthful Living, p. 84
Rest is not synonymous with sleep. Four types of rest are:
Physical Rest—sitting,
lying down, or relaxing. Not eating late at night or before bed.
Sensory Rest—quietness
and refraining from using the eyes.
Emotional Rest—a
withdrawing from the ups and downs caused by personal interaction.
Mental Rest—a
detaching of the mind from all intellectual demands or activity.
Your Prescription: First, get the sleep your body needs, 8 hours
a day and several hours before midnight. Second, do not neglect that important
rest we need, such as taking morning walks, sitting in a Jacuzzi or by a
mountainside, looking at a forest or lake, going to the ocean, or reading the
Scriptures.
"A life in Christ is a life of restfulness. There may be no
ecstasy of feeling, but there should be an abiding peaceful trust. Your hope is
not in yourself; it is in Christ. Your weakness is united to His strength, your
ignorance to His wisdom, your frailty to His enduring might....Let the mind
dwell upon His love, upon the beauty, the perfection of His character..."—Ellen G. White,
Steps to Christ, p. 70
5—Exercise
"The Lord God put him into the garden of Eden to dress it
and to keep it." Genesis 2:15
"God designed that the living machinery should be in daily
activity. For in this activity or motion is its preserving power.... The more
we exercise; the better will be the circulation of the blood."—Ellen G. White,
Healthful Living, pp. 131-132
"There is no exercise that can take the place of walking. By
it the circulation of the blood is greatly improved. Walking, in all cases
where it is possible, is the best remedy for the diseased bodies, because in
this, all of the organs of the body are brought into use."—Ellen G. White, Testimonies, Vol. 3, p. 78
"Moderate exercise every day will impart strength to the
muscles, which without exercise become flabby and enfeebled."—Ellen G. White, Testimonies, Vol. 2, p. 533
"Exercise will aid in the work of digestion. Take a walk
after a meal; but no violent exercise after a full meal."—Ellen G. White, Testimonies, Vol. 2, p. 530
"Morning exercise, walking in the free, invigorating air of
heaven, or cultivating flowers, small fruits, and vegetables, is the surest
safeguard against colds, coughs, congestion of the brain, inflammation of the
liver, the kidneys, and the lungs, and a hundred other diseases."—Ellen G. White,
Healthful Living, p. 176-177
Studies are finding that exercise is an important factor in the
fight against cancer.
"If physical exercise were combined with mental exertion,
the blood would be quickened in its circulation, the action of the heart would
be more perfect, impure matter would be thrown off, and new life and vigor
would be experienced in every part of the body."—Ellen G. White, Counsels on Health, p.
572
"Those who thus exercise the Christian graces will grow and
will become strong to work for God. They will have clear spiritual perceptions,
a steady growing faith, and an increased power in prayer.... Strength comes by
exercise. Activity is the very condition of life. Those who endeavor to
maintain a Christian life by passively accepting the blessing that come through
the means of grace, and doing nothing for Christ, are simply trying to live by
eating without working.... A man who would refuse to exercise his limbs would
soon lose all power to use them. Thus the Christian who will not exercise his
God-given powers, not only fails to grow up into Christ, but he loses the
strength that he already had."—Ellen
G. White, Steps to Christ, p. 80
6—Water
"And a river went out of Eden and watered the garden."
Genesis 2:10
The body requires water constantly. Most of this water is
recycled within the body itself. However, it must have a replacement of eight
glasses of water per day. Cleansing of waste material is a daily task for the
body, not only from its own wastes, but from the constant bombardment of germs
and viruses, and in today's society, from chemicals and drugs. If the body is
not thoroughly cleansed, it is forced to break down. "Water is the best
liquid possible to cleanse the tissues.... Drink some, a little time before or
after a meal."—Ellen
G. White, Healthful Living, p. 226
Frequent bathing is very beneficial, especially at night before
retiring or upon arising in the morning. "The bath soothes the nerves. It
promotes general perspiration, quickens the circulation, overcomes obstruction
in the system, and acts beneficially on the kidneys and the urinary organs.
Bathing helps the bowels, stomach, and liver, giving energy and new life to
each. It also promotes digestion and instead of the system being weakened, it
is strengthened...and a more easy and regular flow of the blood through all the
blood vessels is obtained."—Ellen
G. White, Counsels on Health, p. 104
"Impurities are constantly and imperceptibly passing from
the body, through the pores, and if the surface of the skin is not kept in a
healthy condition, the system is burdened with impure matter....and if the
garments worn are not frequently cleansed...the pores of the skin absorb again
the waste matter thrown off. The impurities of the body... are taken back into
the blood, and forced upon the internal organs."—Ellen G. White, Healthful Living, p.
143
Food should not be washed down, and no drink is needed with
meals. Eat slowly and allow the saliva to mingle with the food. The more liquid
there is taken into the stomach with the meals, the more difficult it is for
the food to digest, for the liquid must first be absorbed.
Many make a mistake in drinking cold water with their meals.
Taken with meals, water diminishes the flow of the salivary glands, and the
colder the water, the greater the injury to the stomach. The best time to drink
your water is a half hour before or an hour after your meals. A couple large
glasses of hot water first thing in the morning will assist your bowels in
elimination.
Other benefits of water are hydrotherapy, hot and cold
fomentation, enemas, etc.
"God is the source of life and light and joy to the
universe. Like rays of light from the sun, like the streams of living water
bursting from a living spring, blessings flow out from Him to all His
creatures. And wherever the life of God is in the hearts of men, it will flow
out to others in love and blessing."—Ellen
G. White, Steps to Christ, p. 77
7—Nutrition
"And God said, 'Behold, I have given you every herb bearing
seed...and every tree in which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to you it
shall be for meat (food)." Genesis 1:29
Proper nutrition is vital to good health. Food that is
devitalized cannot supply the vitamins and minerals it lacks. Therefore, it is
of utmost importance that we choose wisely the food that goes on our table.
Vegetables and fruits should be making the greater proportion of our meals,
along with whole grains, beans, legumes, and seeds. Nuts can be included in
small amounts. From our food, we will obtain all the elements essential for
good health: vitamins, minerals, water, carbohydrates, protein, fats, and fiber.
Foods should be prepared with simplicity and variation, perhaps
only three or four dishes at a meal, and properly cooked. Food should be
carefully chosen and prepared with intelligence and skill. Avoid the use of
grease in foods. Lard, butter, and hydrogenated vegetable fats may be
classified as grease. If using oil, use natural oils sparingly, such as olive,
flax, or canola, and keep it refrigerated.
Avoid sugar. It is not good for the stomach, because it causes
fermentation. Milk and sugar clog the system, irritate the digestive organs,
and affect the brain. Sugar, when largely used, is more injurious than meat.
Eat raw vegetable salads or raw fruits before the main course.
This will stimulate and assist digestion, and help avoid overeating of cooked
foods. Fruits and vegetables should not be eaten at the same meal. Eat fruits
at one meal and vegetables at another.
Eat sparingly—for
strength and not for drunkenness. The benefit you derive from your food does
not depend so much upon the amount eaten, as upon its proper combination and
thorough digestion. Neither does gratification of taste depend so much upon the
amount of food swallowed as upon the length of time it remains in the mouth.
Overeating clogs the machinery and weakens the moral power to resist other
passions.
Eat at regular intervals, allowing 5-6 hours to elapse between
meals. Do not eat a morsel of food between meals. When hungry between meals;
simply drink a large glass of cool water. Do not eat before going to bed. The
stomach must not be constantly at work, but have periods of rest.
Take time to eat and enjoy mealtimes. Avoid eating compulsively
or when emotionally upset, in pain, or overtired.
Eat a substantial breakfast. In the morning, after a good night's
rest, the stomach is far better able to digest a hearty meal than at other
meals of the day. The practice of eating a little or no breakfast and a heavy
supper may be conducive to putting on unwanted pounds.
Two meals a day are better than three; but if a third meal is
eaten at all, it should be light and eaten several hours before going to bed.
Example: two meals—8
AM and 3 PM or three meals—6
AM, 12 PM, and 6 PM.
In grains, fruits, vegetables, nuts, and seeds are found all the
food elements to make good blood.
REMEMBER, include in the diet a wide variety of fruits and
vegetables, dark leafy greens, more raw foods, whole grain cereals and breads,
vegetable proteins from sources such as dry beans, peas, and other legumes
(soybeans, garbanzos, kidney beans, pintos, lentils, etc.), tofu, nuts, seeds,
and soybean or rice milk. Our recommendations are a high starch, low fat and
moderate protein diet that includes plenty of raw fruits and vegetables.
Reduce the fats, oils, salt, and sugars in the diet and avoid
high cholesterol foods such as eggs, cheese, butter, and meats. All animal
foods contain cholesterol, and that includes chicken and fish. Let the diet
reform be progressive! Paul says in 1 Corinthians 6:19, 20, and 10:31:
"What? Know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy
Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?
"For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in
your body, and in your spirit, which are God's."
"Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do
all to the glory of God."
8—Trust
in Divine Power
"And the rib, which the Lord God had taken from man, made He
a woman, and brought her unto the man." Genesis 2:22
Who is the Great Physician?
"But without faith it is impossible to please Him: for him
that cometh to God must believe that He is, and the He is a rewarded of them
that diligently seek Him." Hebrews 11:6
From whom does all healing come?
"Trust in the Lord with all thine heart, and lean not unto
thine own understanding ...it shall be health to thy navel, and marrow to thy
bones." Proverbs 3:5, 8
"If thou will diligently hearken to the voice of the Lord
thy God, and will do that which is right in His sight, and will give ear to His
commandment, and keep His statutes, I will put none of the diseases upon thee,
which I have brought upon the Egyptians: for I am the Lord that healeth
thee." Exodus 15:26
What is His desire for your life?
"Beloved, I wish above all things that you may prosper and
be in health, even as your soul prospereth." 3 John 2
"Thou shalt therefore keep the commandments...which I
command thee this day, to do them...and the Lord will take away all sickness
and will put none of the evil diseases of Egypt...upon thee." Deuteronomy
7:11, 15
Does He want our complete restoration?
"And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray
God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming
of our Lord Jesus Christ." 1 Thessalonians 5:23
Does a lack of trust create a negative influence?
"A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken
spirit drieth the bones." Proverbs 17:22
"A sound heart is the life of the flesh; but envy the
rottenness of the bones." Proverbs 14:30
Remember, worry, stress, and depression bring decay, disease, and
death. The immune system is strengthened by trusting God.
The foundation of all health is in the acceptance of the
blessings which the Creator has provided for us. Foremost of these is the
privilege we have of choosing our Savior to be our Guide as well as our Great
Physician. In fact, the divine purpose of our physical healing is to make us
more inclined to accept the spiritual healing Christ longs to perform upon our
hearts.
There is an inexpressible peace that comes to one who has learned
to trust in God and to lay all things in His hands. In Matthew 11:28 Jesus
says, "Come unto Me...and I will give your rest." Rest from sorrow,
rest from fear, and rest from insecurity. But first we must come to Him as our
Great Physician. We must trust Him before we can understand and practice His
profession or reveal His wisdom and love. The let us resign ourselves to do His
will, and endeavor faithfully to follow every instruction He gives for when we
come to God, we must be willing to acknowledge and accept His ways as best for
us, and follow them, regardless of our own personal preference and prejudices.
There may be times when we may not discern His wisdom in certain events, but it
is on these occasions that we especially honor Him by our faith. By being
obedient to Him in those things which He asketh of us—be it in the physical or spiritual
realm—we shall
discover that He is guiding us on our way to complete healing.
"Keep your wants, your joys, your sorrows, your cares, and
your fears before God.... 'The Lord is very pitiful and of tender mercy.' James
5:11. His heart of love is touched by our sorrows and even by our utterances of
them.... Nothing that in any way concerns our peace is too small for Him to
notice. There is no chapter in our experience too dark for Him to read; there
is no perplexity too difficult for Him to unravel. No calamity can befall the
least of His children, no anxiety harass the soul, no joy, cheer, no sincere
prayer escape the lips, of which our heavenly Father is unobservant, or in
which He takes no immediate interest. 'He healeth the broken in heart and
bindeth up their wounds.' Psalm 147:3." —
Ellen G. White, Steps to Christ, p. 100
Thank you so very much for reading this beloved!
God Bless you always
Sincerely,
Kevin Hughes with the Historic Message Church
Thank you so very much for reading this beloved!
God Bless you always
Sincerely,
Kevin Hughes with the Historic Message Church
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