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Stewardship of God's Temple (Part Four)
Sermon by David F. MaasIn this focus on the stewardship of our bodies, we recognize the vital responsibility to tend and keep our physical temples, which house God's Holy Spirit. Among the daily choices we make, the decision to care for our health is paramount, reflecting the broader choice between a fleeting existence and a rewarding eternity in God's Family. God Almighty has blessed us with the free gift of life-sustaining water, essential for both physical and spiritual well-being. Drinking ample water is a profound aid in eliminating body poisons and maintaining a clean system, crucial for preventing ailments like constipation. It is recommended to consume six to eight glasses of various fluids daily, though pure water remains irreplaceable by substitutes like coffee, sodas, or alcohol. Recent studies suggest even more than eight glasses may be necessary to keep the body properly lubricated, a practice that can be a matter of life or death. Water, as God's marvelous gift, serves multiple purposes—to quench thirst, purify, provide deliverance, and even destroy evil, as seen in historical accounts. As God's chosen people, we are mandated to exercise stewardship over this precious resource. The insights from Dr. Fereydoon Batmanghelidj emphasize that chronic dehydration can cause numerous diseases, underscoring the essential role of regular water intake in maintaining health. His work highlights that the body, being mostly water, requires consistent replenishment, a truth often overlooked by those waiting for the sensation of a dry mouth to signal thirst. Dehydration can persist even when the mouth feels moist, particularly in the elderly, revealing the critical need to prioritize water consumption. Dr. Batmanghelidj's findings also connect physical dehydration to conditions like arthritis, high blood pressure, and even Alzheimer's disease, suggesting that brain cell dehydration is a primary cause of such ailments. He advocates for a daily intake of at least two quarts of pure water, excluding dehydrating beverages, to support the body's natural functions and maintain an alkaline environment for tissues like cartilage. This perspective challenges conventional views that often dismiss water's significance in health care, treating it as a mere packing material rather than a vital component of well-being. As we navigate health challenges like Covid, personal practices such as consuming large quantities of water daily can help regulate bodily fluids and approach a state of equilibrium. This simple act of stewardship over our bodies mirrors the spiritual care we must exercise, aligning with God's eternal health laws to maintain stability and safety. Through these efforts, we honor the divine mandate to care for the temples entrusted to us by Him.
Stewardship of God's Temple (Part Two)
Sermon by David F. MaasEven though individuals do not necessarily practice spiritual fasting for physical reasons, the physical benefits supply types that teach us spiritual things.
Stewardship of God's Temple (Part Three)
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by David F. MaasHumanity has been disobeying the laws of sleep and rest, leading to a cumulative sleep-debt which has shortened and deteriorated the quality of their lives.
Stewardship of God's Temple (Part One): Controlling Our Appetites
Sermon by David F. MaasAfter God's calling, the human body becomes the temple of God's Spirit, a reality which obliges us to care for our bodies because they belong to God.
Stewardship of God's Temple (Part Six): Sunshine, Fresh Air, Cleanliness
Sermon by David F. MaasThere are striking and insightful parallels between the physical benefits of sunshine, fresh air, and cleanliness and the yet unseen spiritual dimensions.
Stewardship of God's Temple (Part Five)
Sermon by David F. MaasSome have foolishly denigrated the value of physical exercise by taking Paul's admonition to Timothy totally and hopelessly out of context.
Stewardship of God's Temple (Part Seven)
Sermon by David F. MaasThe antidote to double-mindedness and distractions is single-minded focus on God's law through meditating God's word, thus guarding our hearts.
The Microbe is Nothing, the Terrain is Everything
Commentary by Bill OnisickWe should be more concerned about a compromised immune system than about germs. Instead of fearing the virus, we should fear breaking God's health laws.
Eating: How Good It Is! (Part One)
'Personal' from John W. RitenbaughThe Bible frequently uses analogies from physical life to explain spiritual principles. There are over 700 references to eating in Scripture.
Maintaining Good Health (Part 3)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThe Bible contains 700 references to the act of eating. Eating reminds us that God's provision and human need also apply on a spiritual level.
Eating: How Good It Is! (Part Five)
'Personal' from John W. RitenbaughBoth food and information are readily available in the West. What is our approach to them? Our attitude toward and application of them makes all the difference.
Maintaining Good Health (Part 14)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughProper diet demands responsible choices, and if we do not yield to God's laws governing nutrition, choosing the best foods, we will eventually pay the price.
Maintaining Good Health (Part 1)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughStewardship of our bodies is (like the Levitical maintenance of the temple) an aspect of holiness, strengthening our relationship with Jesus Christ.
Maintaining Good Health (Part 2)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThe cleanliness laws in Leviticus, prescribing cleansing and quarantine, apply to the spiritual dimension as well. God will not tolerate uncleanness.
Maintaining Good Health (Part 9)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughGood spiritual health follows the same patterns and laws as do physical and psychological health. Any permanent change in character must come from within.
Maintaining Good Health (Part 11)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughHuman nature takes chances, assuming the day of reckoning will come later, not sooner. We cannot ignore truth or God's laws without paying a horrific price.
Eating: How Good It Is! (Part Seven)
'Personal' from John W. RitenbaughOur physical bodies have a defense system to keep out invaders. Spiritually, how well do we maintain our defenses against error and contamination?
Simplifying Life (Part Two)
Sermon by David F. MaasWe are obligated to conserve and redeem time by prioritizing daily communion with the Father and Jesus Christ, dedicating time to spiritual practices.
Eating: How Good It Is! (Part Six)
'Personal' from John W. RitenbaughIn the West, both food and information are readily available. We need self-control and a dedication to truth in order to live a godly life.