ReTHiNK: Physical & Spiritual Health
September 10, 2017
1. Physical Health 1 Corinthians 6:19-20, 1 Timothy 4:8
2. Prepare for Spiritual Battle Ephesians 6:10-18, Romans 8:26
ReTHiNK: The Physical & Spiritual
Fitness pictures.
A Johns Hopkins University medical researcher has just discovered what the Presbyterian Ministers’ Life Insurance Fund has known for more than two centuries: attending church is good for your health.
The risk of fatal heart diseases is almost twice as high for the non-church-goer than for men who attend once a week or more, according to a study made by Dr. George W. Comstock of the university’s Department of Epidemiology. The doctor also observed that the “clean life” associated with regular churchgoing appears to be statistically related to a lower incidence of other major diseases, adding that going to church is a very favorable input.
The only way to keep your health is to eat what you don't want, drink what you don't like and do what you'd rather not. Mark Twain.
The Physical Battle
1. Body
Proper exercise and diet are important to maintaining a healthy body. The lack of proper exercise can cause muscles to lose their strength and lead to heart problems.
2. Health
Physical Harms
a. Diet
b. Reclining technology
c. Toxins
a. tobacco,
b. over consumption of alc.
c. Drugs illegal and legal
The body is a very complex organism and there seems to be so many things that can go wrong. A healthy heart does not mean one can see well. Good hearing does not insure that one can breathe easily. A body full of healthy members with the exception of one poorly functioning organ will likely suffer consequences, and one poorly functioning member could easily lead to distress and failure of other members. The body needs all of its parts to be functioning well or else it will suffer from disability of some sort.
“...but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him, who is the head, even Christ, from whom the whole body, being fitted and held together by that which every joint supplies, according to the proper working of each individual part, causes the growth of the body for the building up of itself in love.” (Ephesians 4:15,16).
1 Cor. 6:19-20 Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself, 20for God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body.
1 Timothy 4:8 “Physical training is good, but training for godliness is much better, promising benefits in this life and in the life to come.”
Ephesians 6:10-18 The Spiritual Battle.
There is a spiritual component to everything.
The Whole Armor of God
10 A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. 12 For we[a] are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.
13 Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm. 14 Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness. 15 For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared.16 In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil. 17 Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
18 Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.
The Greek word translated “pray in” can have several different meanings. It can mean “by means of,” “with the help of,” “in the sphere of,” and “in connection to.”
Praying in the Spirit does not refer to the words we are saying. Rather, it refers to how we are praying. Praying in the Spirit is praying according to the Spirit’s leading. It is praying for things the Spirit leads us to pray for.
Romans 8:26 tells us, “In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express.”
National Geographic ran an article about the Alaskan bull moose. The males of the species battle for dominance during the fall breeding season, literally going head-to-head with antlers crunching together as they collide. Often the antlers, their only weapon are broken. That ensures defeat. The heftiest moose, with the largest and strongest antlers, triumphs. Therefore, the battle fought in the fall is really won during the summer, when the moose eat continually. The one that consumes the best diet for growing antlers and gaining weight will be the heavyweight in the fight. Those that eat inadequately sport weaker antlers and less bulk. There is a lesson here for us.
Spiritual battles await. Satan will choose a season to attack. Will we be victorious, or will we fall? Much depends on what we do now--before the wars begin. The bull-moose principle: Enduring faith, strength, and wisdom for trials are best developed before they're needed.- Craig Brian Larson.
The physical and spiritual influence one another. Our primary fight is spiritual. We must be prepared before the battle starts.
Put on your armor on before the fight.
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