LIVE BY THE BIBLE...IT'S FOR EVERYONE

"Ho, every one that thirsts, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. Wherefore do ye spend money for that which is not bread? and your labor for that which satisfies not? hearken diligently unto me, and eat ye that which is good, and let your soul delight itself in fatness." Isaiah 55:1,2. 

I will take the way of life I learn from the Bible first! You do not know if the "experts"(who make claims of knowledge and the latest information about food, health and even the study of God) are wise or arrogant and deceitful. Look first at the Bible. Read it every day for a successful life.

Food that truly feeds and satisfies, pure water...all these illustrations of both real, natural food and water plus all the figurative advice that they teach (figuratively) has been the bottom line of truth, good health, and wisdom for thousands of years.

For health, I choose Biblical advice. For eternal life, I choose the words of the Bible. 

For God So Loved the World

"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God."

John 3:16-18. 

 

INSTRUCTION FOR HEALTH ALL THROUGH THE BIBLE

FOOD BY FAITH

Instruction for Health and Nutrition is all through the Bible.

There is good news. All our food can be good, healthful, nourishing, energizing. It is there, coming from the earth, the trees, the vine, coming from rain from heaven. But of late, if we have been hurting ourselves because we are taking the “wide road” with devitalized food, why just quick and easy? Why processed food, chemical additives, devitalized, bleached and degermed grains and a listed “ingredient” called “natural flavor”? (So called “natural flavor” is a lie). It is making us unhealthy, sick; making us less than we want to be and can be. There is another way.

This “other way” has been a profound subject for me, too high, too broad, and too deep. At the same time, the worthiness and fascination of it calls me. It has call from childhood…for a lifetime. It is a “Way” which is hopeful because the Bible is correct in every respect. Spiritual food and physical food have similarities: one is for the spirit and soul, the other for the body. God promised over and over to bring His people into a land flowing with milk and honey. Here is an example of abundant spiritual and physical nourishment. When Scripture highlights food it can apply to our whole person: “I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our LORD Jesus Christ…;” (I Thessalonians 5:23). One type of food (spiritual) teaches about the other type (physical), but also the other way around. 

THE HOT DEBATE ABOUT YOU

One of the hottest debates today is about you?  One of the questions in history is about how you should live as a girl, a woman. Even the word” should” infers control. No wonder you and I react. No wonder we are even afraid to consider what God has created in us to become.

 

Be diligent here to think positively about who you are. Don’t react and run from a fear that Scripture is “out to put you in bondage” of some kind . . . though there are religions and men and cultures who intend to!

 

One descriptive phrase from the Bible describing you and me, we may at first misunderstand: Scriptures says, “. . . giving honor to the wife as to weaker vessel;” in First Peter 3:7. “Honor” that a man gives his wife means “making a science of understanding her.” Admit it, we are weaker.  Women are born with half the muscle mass and strength of a man. You are smaller, your voice is sweeter. You have a layer of fat just below the surface of your skin . . . which is part of the reason you are so beautiful.  Is that bad?

 

I was an aerobics instructor at a gym three times a week, when our sons were in school. I instructed women and men. If I outlasted men new in my class it was only because I was aerobically fit.  My muscle strength, though, lagged way behind my husband, Eric’s. He and I went to the gym four times a week. I worked as hard as he did; I trained as often, lifted weights, and stretched, trying to grow in strength and flexibility. The weight he lifted was always double mine. As he grew so did I but stayed at lifting half the weight. There were girls at the gym who were very developed physically . . . even so their smaller size demonstrates my point.

 

Why compete with men! Your gifts, initiatives and open doors are yours.

DON’T BECOME “THE HIDDEN HOUSE”

For years I rode my bike through a neighborhood with a dirt road.  It is a route getting from one busy two-lane road having a side dirt road, to another one with a sidewalk.

 

Near one end, as I cut through the neighborhood, on the corner was a lot with dense trees and bushes, and overgrown landscaping.  There was a house in there, it seemed.  A short cement driveway led to a two-car garage that was always closed.  There were a couple of lounge chairs and trash containers in the front.   Somehow, it was a charming scene. All around were beautiful homes in a well-established area.

 

One time riding past, I noticed a small homemade “For Sale by Owner” sign…it waited there for months.  Then, last week as I rode by loud noises were coming from that direction.  As I neared, the sign was gone.  A crew of about six men and a woman were working intensely, trucks and shredders were being used.

 

Yesterday, as I rode by again, I gasped out loud.  The crew was still there, but the house showed! Behind all the overgrown trees and weeds was a stunningly beautiful two, or three-story house.  I'm not sure now, the sight was so amazing!

 

I began thinking, riding on, “That beautiful house might be you. You are amazing.”  The overgrown, untended yard is not your destiny.  Fears, insecurity, doubt about your gifts need to be cleared. Competitiveness, comparing yourself with anyone is harmful. Make your move:  get around a crew of capable, honest and caring “Tenders” who believe in you and are ready to assist you in clearing away the brush.  I’m preaching to myself.  Get into the company of people who believe in Jesus and live by the Bible.  Here is permission: “The LORD is the one who goes ahead of you.  He will be with you.  He will not fail you or forsake you.  Fear not, nor be dismayed.”

Jesus said, “Is a candle brought to be put under a bushel, or under a bed? And not to be set on a candlestick?”  Mar_4:21 

THIS IS A CHRISTIAN NATION

I BELIEVE that a government "Of the People, By the People and For the People" is a special privilege given to us by our Creator as Citizens of the United States of America. That precludes that knowledgeable and informed members of our Nation participate to protect and preserve it.   The Constitution, and Bill of Rights are uncommon wisdom and gifts to us.

“This Is a Christian Nation” In 1892, the United States Supreme Court ruled, "This is a Christian Nation." The ruling, issued by Associate Justice David Brewer, has never been legally disputed or overturned.

"But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear." Isaiah 59:2

"If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land." 2 Chronicles 7:14

I am calling our Country to humble themselves and pray and seek the face of our Creator,  

The very words of Jesus when He taught His followers to pray.

"When ye pray, say, Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in heaven, so in earth." Luke 11:2 

"Give us this day our daily bread..." How many will go without food because of godlessness in government. 

Pray America.

"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." I John 1:9.

WHEN YOU DO GOOD, AND YOU'RE SLANDERED

 As I rode my bicycle for exercise today, thoughts about the hatred, lying and slander in our current day dominated my thinking for too long. Jesus suffered it, good people suffer because of hatred. You, a God fearing Christian are vulnerable to hatred and persecution just because you are!  Remember what Jesus warned: “If the world hates you, you know that it hated me before it hated you.” John 15:18  

But the hope in it all is that your LORD sees and knows it all.  

Look at this: the writer of Psalm 4 knew all about it.

“O ye sons of men, how long will ye turn my glory (honor) into shame (disgrace)? how long will you love vanity (emptiness), and seek after leasing (falsehood, untruth)? Selah (pause).”  Stop and think about that!

When you do good, you make peace between adversaries, or rescue someone in danger; if you risk it all to save the weak, defend the vulnerable, and you are slandered, lied about and hated: stay strong. God knows. He sees it all. He knows your motivation and your heart.

Joy Comes with the Morning

Here is your solace: it is in Psalm 30:1 “ A Psalm and Song at the dedication of the house of David. I will extol thee, O LORD; for thou hast lifted me up, and hast not made my foes to rejoice over me. 

O LORD my God, I cried unto thee, and thou hast healed me. 

O LORD, thou hast brought up my soul from the grave: thou hast kept me alive, that I should not go down to the pit. 

Sing unto the LORD, O ye saints of his, and give thanks at the remembrance of his holiness. 

For his anger endures but a moment; in his favor is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning. 

And in my prosperity I said, I shall never be moved. 

LORD, by thy favor thou hast made my mountain to stand strong: thou didst hide thy face (hide yourself), and I was troubled. 

I cried to thee, O LORD; and unto the LORD I made supplication. 

What profit is there in my blood, when I go down to the pit? Shall the dust praise thee? shall it declare thy truth? 

Hear, O LORD, and have mercy upon me: LORD, be thou my helper. 

Thou hast turned for me my mourning into dancing: thou hast put off my sackcloth, and girded me with gladness; 

To the end that my glory may sing praise to thee, and not be silent. O LORD my God, I will give thanks unto thee for ever.” Psalm 30 

Remember, you are known, loved…”surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.” Psalm 23 is my favorite meditation when exercise keeps me free to look around at nature and pray.

 

LOVE, MORE POWERFUL THAN HATE

 As a child I learned this: “Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels and have not love, I am become as sounding brass or a tinkling symbol. And though I have the gift of prophecy and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith so that I can remove mountains and have not love, I am nothing… it profits me nothing.

Love suffers long and is kind. Love envies not. Love vaunts not itself, is not puffed up…is not easily provoked, …” And now I have forgotten the next phrase.

Go to the end of I Corinthians 13 and you find: “And now abides faith, hope, love: these three but the greatest of these is love.”

Power? When we believe this… “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” The Holy Spirit abides in you and places the power to love in your heart and soul and mind. Love moves you to forgiveness. Love sent Jesus, The Son of God to earth to die for your sins and mine. As I was lying on the floor in my bedroom doing exercises, I began to think (sadly) of the escalation of violence in our Country. But in the quietness of the room a disturbing thought slowly came to me: I’ve lacked love too many times. I’ve been unkind. My failings brought me to a prayer right there in the quietness of my bedroom: Lord, forgive me for my sins. In Jesus Name. Jesus, fill me with your powerful love. Scripture above is I Corinthians 13 “The Love Chapter” and John 3:16.

Read your Bible every day. The wisdom there will be the Way to a successful life.