Hello and a very warm welcome to our devotional. Last weekend there was no devotional because it was my birthday weekend so I took a little break to celebrate with my family. You will need a journal / notebook /diary / pens and markers. This week's topic is New beginnings - Our Relationship with our Health. Working from home during the pandemic has made me and some of our Women of Prayer Prayer warriors gain weight, we had been eating carelessly and slacked in our exercise routines. This became very clear during the Christmas Holidays when we shared our family pictures with each other. Yes we did blame it on Covid 19 and all the usual excuses, however, after reflecting on this, we made a vow to ourselves (not to each other) to do better in 2021 and do it according to God's Word and God's Will.
The first principle of healthy living is simply to understand that God truly wants us to be healthy. It is natural for all of us to desire divine health with a body that is free of disease and functioning at its best. I personally believe that it is God’s desire that we be healthy in every sense and this was certainly part of His plan for us as we see it in the Garden of Eden, His plan is for good and not of evil Jeremiah 29:11. In 3rd John 2, the following prayer is offered: “Dear friend, I pray that you may enjoy good health and that all may go well with you, even as your soul is getting along well.” And in John 10:10, Christ says, “ . I came so that they might have life and have it more abundantly”. Now abundant life would include our mental, emotional and spiritual health, which are just as significant as our physical health. Again I say God wants us to be healthy, if it were not true, then why would Christ’s ministry here on earth been so heavily emphasized on the healing of the sick and related it so closely to the principles of spiritual health?
Scriptures
Matthew 9:35
Jesus was going through all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every kind of disease and every kind of sickness.
Matthew 14:14
When He went ashore, He saw a large crowd, and felt compassion for them and healed their sick.
Food is a gift from God. We use it to celebrate, to mourn, to entertain, to fuel, to love, to show hospitality, and to care for people in tangible ways. Sometimes we just eat for the sake of eating and there are dangers to overeating just as there are to under-eating but we need food on a daily basis.
i) So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. – 1 Corinthians 10:31
When you bring God into your healthy eating, it changes everything. Striving to honor Him in your food and drink choices will bring not only a change of heart, but it will also change your choices.1 Corinthians 6:19 says Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? I love food but I know there is healthy food like fruit, veg, lean meats and there is unhealthy food like processed food , sodas and sweets and at times I used to over indulge and this can lead to many health risks.
ii) It is not good to eat too much honey, nor is it honorable to search out matters that are too deep. – Proverbs 25:27
Even the Old Testament instructed us to go easy on the sugar! It’s not bad to eat honey (or sugar) in general, but there are healthy boundaries to eating, too. Portion control is more than just a set of rules to follow. They are boundaries to protect us. God knew we would be tempted to overindulge in a good thing (and isn’t that true of all good things?). God is not trying to steal joy from us with rigid rules. He just knows what is best for us and wants to give us gentle reminders to stay on that healthy path.
iii). “I have the right to do anything,” you say—but not everything is beneficial. “I have the right to do anything”—but I will not be mastered by anything. – 1 Corinthians 6:12
Have you ever felt like food was calling the shots? I sure have! I can’t even tell you how many times my cravings have led me to eat a lot of cake. No foods are off limits to you, but it is up to you to put reasonable limits on food. Let me tell you, You can have power over food so stand on this Scripture Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me. It’s not good to eat an entire chocolate cake or pizza in one sitting. You have the right to choose to do just that if you’d like, but it’s sure not going to be beneficial! It’s not good for your physical health or your emotional health, for that matter.
iv). No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and He will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation, He will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it. – 1 Corinthians 10:13
This verse is my go-to for any temptation in my life !If you are tempted to over eat and slack in keeping fit pray and God will give you the strength and power to overcome. A balanced approach to exercise and health, then, is what the Christian should pursue. Make steps to watch what you eat and for exercise you can do the basics without spending money at all like taking a walk with the dog, kids, partner or simply going up and down the stairs, it is good for your body as well as for your mood. There are many apps these days that can help you track your eating, mood, etc to help you have the best and healthy you. We should take appropriate steps to fully receive and apply to our lives whatever it is that God wants us to to be healthy. However, in these pursuits we must not lose sight of God, but value and desire to steward God's gift to us. May God give us all strength to look after our all areas of our health in Jesus' name.
Bible Verses:1 Corinthians 6:19-20,3 John 1:2 ,1 Corinthians 10:31
Prayer
Lord , I approach the thrown of mercy and I ask for forgiveness of my sins, wash me clean and receive my prayer. In the name of Jesus Christ I humbly ask for your help concerning my health. Help me to be physically, emotionally, spiritually and mentally healthy ,I can't do this by myself. In Your hands I put my trust. Amen.
What’s Next?(Write this down)
Personal Thoughts & Reflection
What to do next?
How do I apply it in my life?
What is my Revelation from the Holy Spirit?
Comments