Worship: For Heaven’s Sake Fresh from victory in their recent battle, the Israelites were in possession of valuable territory just across the River Jordan from the promised land of Canaan. But with their confidence raised and in this place of ease, they were faced with a whole new kind of challenge. (Read more below.)
Wellness: For Health’s Sake Pastor Flemons, a doctor of biblical wellness, discussed the effects of the REFRESHING lifestyle on the circulatory system with one focus: eating healthy. (Read more below.)
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TOPICS THIS WEEK
Worship: February 12 – Balaam; February 13 – Apostasy at the Jordan; February 14 – The Law Repeated; February 15 – The Death of Moses; February 16 – Crossing the Jordan; February 17 – The Fall of Jericho; February 18 – The Blessings and the Curses [All topics per Patriarchs and Prophets by Ellen G. White, accessible at this link: http://www.whiteestate.org/books/pp/pp.asp]
Wellness: February 12 – February 18 – Benefits of the REFRESHING Way Lifestyle on the Circulatory (Cardiovascular) System
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Words of Encouragement
Romans 8:4 That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
Mark 9: 23 Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth.
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For Heaven’s Sake…
“Amid these attractive surroundings they were to encounter an evil more deadly than mighty hosts of armed men or the wild beasts of the wilderness. That country, so rich in natural advantages, had been defiled by the inhabitants. In the public worship of Baal, the leading deity, the most degrading and iniquitous scenes were constantly enacted. On every side were places noted for idolatry and licentiousness, the very names being suggestive of the vileness and corruption of the people. PP 453.3
“These surroundings exerted a polluting influence upon the Israelites. Their minds became familiar with the vile thoughts constantly suggested; their life of ease and inaction produced its demoralizing effect; and almost unconsciously to themselves they were departing from God and coming into a condition where they would fall an easy prey to temptation. PP 453.4”
By beholding open sin, they became openly sinful. On the borders of the Promised Land, they openly turned their backs on God and worshipped Satan. They joined themselves to this heathen nation. For this, God was vexed. He ordered that the heads of the people be hung up in the sun. In the middle of this scene, while the children of Israel were in mourning at the entrance into the tabernacle, another bold sin added insult to injury.
Seduced by open and lewd sensuality, Zimri, the son of a prince from the tribe of Simeon, publicly and brazenly entered his tent with Cozbi, the daughter a Midianite prince. ‘When Phinehas, the son of Eleazor, the son of Aaron the priest, saw it, he rose up from among the congregation, and took a javelin [or long spear] in his hand; And he went after the man of Israel into the tent, and thrust both of them through, the man of Israel, and the woman through her belly. So the plague was stayed from the children of Israel. And those that died in the plague were twenty and four thousand’ (Numbers 25:7-9).
“Israel’s sin at Beth-peor brought the judgments of God upon the nation, and though the same sins may not now be punished as speedily, they will as surely meet retribution. ‘If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy.’ 1 Corinthians 3:17. Nature has affixed terrible penalties to these crimes—penalties which, sooner or later, will be inflicted upon every transgressor. It is these sins more than any other that have caused the fearful degeneracy of our race, and the weight of disease and misery with which the world is cursed. Men may succeed in concealing their transgression from their fellow men, but they will no less surely reap the result, in suffering, disease, imbecility, or death. And beyond this life stands the tribunal of the judgment, with its award of eternal penalties. ‘They which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God,’ but with Satan and evil angels shall have their part in that ‘lake of fire’ which ‘is the second death.’ Galatians 5:21; Revelation 20:14. PP 461.1”
It is our own obligation to resist temptation. “Those who would not fall a prey to Satan’s devices must guard well the avenues of the soul; they must avoid reading, seeing, or hearing that which will suggest impure thoughts. The mind should not be left to wander at random upon every subject that the adversary of souls may suggest. ‘Girding up the loins of your mind,’ says the apostle Peter, ‘Be sober, … not fashioning yourselves according to your former lusts in … your ignorance: but like as He which called you is holy, be ye yourselves also holy in all manner of living.’ 1 Peter 1:13-15, R.V. Says Paul, ‘Whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, 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 on these things.’ Philippians 4:8. This will require earnest prayer and unceasing watchfulness. We must be aided by the abiding influence of the Holy Spirit, which will attract the mind upward, and habituate it to dwell on pure and holy things. And we must give diligent study to the word of God. ‘Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to Thy word.’ ‘Thy word,’ says the psalmist, ‘have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against Thee.’ Psalm 119:9, 11. PP 460.2”
(This study is based on Numbers 25 and chapter 41, “Apostasy at the Jordan,” in Patriarchs and Prophets (PP), by Ellen G. White, available at this link: http://www.whiteestate.org/books/pp/pp.asp.)
For Health’s Sake…
Eating foods high in cholesterol, like eggs, clogs the arteries and puts a strain on the heart to keep blood flowing. Our bodies make all the cholesterol that is needed for the body to properly function. “We don’t need eggs or dairy,” says Pastor Flemons. Nor do we need the flesh of dead animals for nutrition.
Eating a plant-based diet is best. Fruits, vegetables, nuts, and grains have no cholesterol and keep the arteries free of both cholesterol and unhealthy fat. God has orchestrated that everything our body needs in order to maintain the best health grows from the ground.
If you already have clogged arteries, go on an oil-free, plant-based diet, and your arteries will be cleared. Eat lots of raw foods and plenty of fruits, and you will avoid heart bypass surgery.
Eating sugar raises the blood sugar too high, which then drops too low too quickly as the body responds. This roller-coaster effect damages arteries. It is food-induced stress and has the same ill effects of being physically attacked. The blood pressure and heart rate are increased by both kinds of stress.
B-vitamins help reduce food-induced stress. Stress causes a lot of the problems in the circulatory system. Foods containing B-vitamins include whole grains, like quinoa, brown rice, buckwheat, whole wheat, and millet.
Fruits, particularly the red, and vegetables are high in antioxidants. Antioxidants help kill free radicals or toxins. They also heal the walls of the arteries.
Eating healthy strengthens the heart, provides oxygen for healthy blood, and keeps the circulatory system clean. “Having bypass surgery is no fun, friends,” says Pastor Flemons. “All you have to do is eat healthy.”