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Why Fasting Is Important and Healthy

The truth is everyone has thoughts or desires, which, if acted upon, would be destructive to self and others. If we do not learn to say no to these inborn incessant urges when we are young, then we wind up dead, in debt or in prison before too long. We are conditioned to say yes to our whims from the time we are tiny via an array convincing consumer ads. Our economy surges when we splurge and buy what we are persuaded we want. In addition to this, we are taught that virtually nothing we do is really our fault. We are victims of time and chance and genetics, to say nothing of the people who have scarred us emotionally and psychologically. I need to eat comfort food to feel better. I need to buy myself something. I need to escape by playing my video games, trolling the internet for ever more interesting porn, watching countless hours of videos or movies. Entitlement is a destructive mental illness because it is the excuse keeping us from saying no to ourselves.

Denial of Self

Jesus said that unless we deny ourselves, take up the cross and follow him we cannot be his disciples. Christianity at the present time follows consumer culture by presenting a Christ who wants to boost my sagging self-esteem, and enable my sense of entitlement by providing me with anything and everything I ask for in prayer. We are promised that we can receive whatever we ask for, but Jesus said, “if you abide in me and my word abides in you, then ask whatever you will and it will be done for you” (John 15:7, italics added). He also instructed his followers to ask in His name, which means asking by proxy for the kinds of things, and with the kind of faith, as Jesus himself. This is not some self-interested demand. The only way to get to the place where I am asking like the Son of God is to become like my Lord, and the only way to get there is to deny myself and be filled with the Spirit of Christ.

Denial of self is a cognitive process which involves seeing myself differently. I must realize a mysterious metaphysical reality: “I have been crucified with Christ, and no longer do I live, but Christ lives in me” (Galatians 2:20). This is more than a theoretical understanding. The Apostle Paul affirmed, “I die daily.” Thus, it is a regular, moment-by-moment, recognition that the old person of mere flesh and blood is dead. 

Self-denial requires faith that results in self-discipline. Without faith I will fail to continue with discipline. After all, why should I deny myself what I desire? Moreover, without assistance from outside myself I remain captive to the tyranny of “me,” even while seeking to deny certain desires or perceived needs. Therefore, faith in Christ is essential to self-denial, both as the reason and the power to deny self. This is much stronger than  mere “will-power.”

I confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, and the Lord has commanded that I deny self. In fact, he stated plainly that I couldn’t follow him until I do this (Mark 10:34, Luke 14:26-27).  To assist me in keeping this command Jesus has died on the cross, risen from the dead and sent His Spirit to live within me. The Holy Spirit connects me to Christ’s death and resurrection. Now the spiritual reality is: I have died; my old life is buried; a new creation has been resurrected. In order to make this truth a reality in my experience I must believe and continually discipline myself to act upon that faith. Certain spiritual practices may help.

Fasting

For thousands of years people in many different religious traditions have practiced fasting. Consider the following examples of people who fasted: Confucius, Plato, Aristotle and Hippocrates (father of medicine).  In the Old Testament Bible we find Moses, David, Elijah, Daniel and Esther fasting. In the Mosaic Law Israel was commanded to fast once per year on the Day of Atonement (Leviticus 23:27). In the New Testament Jesus and the Apostle Paul fasted; church leaders fasted prior to making important decisions (Acts 13:3, 14:23). In church history eminent Christian leaders as Martin Luther, John Calvin, John Wesley and Jonathan Edwards also fasted. Why?

There are many reasons and benefits, but in keeping with the teaching above I have observed the following truth. Fasting teaches me to say, “no” to self. It is denying something that I need, usually food, in order to focus on what I need more: God and his truth. Jesus was tempted by the devil to end his 40 day inaugural fast miraculously by turning rocks into loaves of bread. The Lord quoted Deuteronomy: “Man does not live on bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God” (Matt. 4:4 & Deut. 8:3). There is something, or rather Someone, more important in this world than me. 

Eating is essential for physical life to continue. Unlike air, or even water, food is something we can limit or go without for an extended period of time without serious health risks. In fact, if done correctly, not recklessly, fasting may actually be healthy for the body. For example, recent studies done with both animals and humans indicate that eating 30% fewer calories results in a longer and healthier life. 

Fasting doesn’t have to be limited to food, however. Scripture records an interesting fast by the prophet Daniel during a period of serious prayer and mourning: “I ate no delicacies, no meat or wine entered my mouth, nor did I anoint myself at all, for the full three weeks” (Daniel 10:3, ESV). So, Daniel kept himself from self indulgence during this time. Further along in the passage we see that Daniel had chosen this kind of fast as a way of humbling himself before God to seek understanding into the future plight of his people Israel (Daniel 10:12). The Apostle Paul observed that married couples might abstain from sexual activity in order to focus on prayer. However, he encourages such couples to come back together after a limited time to avoid the temptations that may result from a lack of self-control (see 1 Corinthians 7:5). During the Christian season of Lent it is common for people choose an activity or indulgence to give up in keeping with the self-denial aspect of fasting.

Seven Reasons to Fast

1. DEDICATION. Fast as an Act of Dedication (Matthew 4:1-2) –  After his baptism, Jesus was led into the wilderness by the Holy Spirit where he fasted for 40 days to prepare for entry into his ministry. During this time Jesus was tested by the devil. Perhaps fasting offered Jesus clarity as he intensely focused on His Father. The time of testing provided confirmation that He was the Son of God who had come to save the world. You may fast as an act of dedication to the Lord, and to seek confirmation about his calling in your life.

2. DISCIPLINE. Fast as an Exercise of Self-Discipline (Matthew 4:3-4) –  Learn to say no to self. All of the temptations Jesus endured were aimed at getting him to act egotistically and expediently. If the Lord had given in it would not have been an exercise of faith, but an effort at overcoming self-doubt with presumption. Our consumer culture is about self-indulgence, not self-discipline. It is about pursuing passion, pleasure and satisfying desire. This is why so many people are overweight and in debt. It is also the source of drug and alcohol addiction. It is important to set limits for your time, money, eating and drinking. Fasting is a good tool to discipline yourself so that you may also say no in areas other than eating.

3. DEPENDENCE. Fast as an Affirmation of Dependence upon God-  Learn to rely on the power of God. Jesus’ first statement in response to Satan’s temptation demonstrates this. “Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that proceeds from the mouth of God” (Deuteronomy 8:3 as quoted in Matthew 4:4, also John 4:34). When I give up something I truly want, I will need God’s help to persevere. The third affirmation of the AA 12 Steps recognizes the need to do this. “Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God…” This is essential if you are going to overcome a particularly stubborn habit or addiction. Jesus affirmed, We need a deep faith, which relies entirely upon God, and fasting may help promote such a dependent faith.

4. DETERMINATION. Fast to Establish Determination-  Faith is more than a feeling. Belieiving is an act of the will. If I truly believe I am willing to do something about it. Faith must also endure or it’s worthless. I must learn to have a tenacious and unshakeable faith. Not everything happens instantly. In fact, many issues require determination and tenacity to overcome. Jesus’ disciples encountered a boy whom they could not help. After Jesus cast out the spirit afflicting the child, his disciples asked him why they were powerless to do so. Jesus replied, “This kind can only come out by prayer and fasting” (Mark 9:29, Matthew 17:21). 

Remember, although faith is an act of the will, it is not about willpower. It is about trust. I must be determined to continue to trust God, no matter the circumstances. This is fasting for a breakthrough. Nothing is helping. Nothing is changing. I can give up and give in, or I can resolve to focus all my attention on God and persevere in asking and seeking and knocking. Consider Jesus’ parable of the importunate widow: the woman kept coming to the judge for justice until he finally gave her fair relief (Luke 18:1-8). In the end, you will find it is not God who is withholding your rights; rather you are limited by a lack of faith. Fasting may lead you to a breakthrough.

5. DESPERATION. Fast as an Act of Desperation (Joel 2:17-21) –  Are you sick and tired of being sick and tired? Do you realize that you have nothing to offer God? You must repent and come to an end of self if you want to be filled with God’s Holy Spirit. We must realize how truly sinful we are, and how depraved we can become without God’s help. We must take sin seriously. Let us cry out to God in repentance. “‘Even now,’ declares the Lord, ‘return to me with all your heart, with fasting and weeping and mourning.'” (Joel 2:12 NIV). “God will hear the prayer of the destitute” (Psa. 102:17). We need to hear from God at all costs. Our nation and our lives are filled with rebellion, perversion and lawlessness. How many more tragedies must occur until we realize the need to return to the Lord in heart and mind and body? “for the LORD will rebuild Zion; he will appear in his glory” (Psa. 102:16).

6. DETOXIFICATION. Fast as a means of Detoxification (Daniel 1:8-16) – Because of constant exposure to an impure environment your body collects all sorts of toxic and destructive substances. Consider Daniel and his friends who would not eat the meat and rich food offered them by their Babylonian overlords. Instead they ate only vegetables and drank only water. They were healthier as a result. They asked to be tested for 10 days. You can perform the same test on yourself: Eat only vegetables and drink only water for 10 days and discover a healthier you. A vegan or even vegetarian diet that allows only organic foods is a healthy way to rid your body of toxins. When you abstain from food altogether, drinking only water, especially for longer periods, the digestive system and liver and kidneys can be cleansed of accumulated poison.

The same principle applies to your mind. When you remove TV, movies, video games, godless music, social media, you give your mind the opportunity to rest. Replace these things with worship and saturation in Scripture.

7. DIET. Fast regularly to lose excess body fat- Limiting the amount of food you eat is a means of controlling calorie intake. Most of us eat too much. We take in more calories than we burn, so we gain unneeded fat. Regular fasting, if done in moderation and balanced with a healthy, calorie controlled diet, is an effective tool for losing fat and maintaining a leaner physique. Additionally, many people eat too often, and this adversely affects health by raising insulin resistance. Intermittent fasting throughout the week can help resolve this health problem. Stop eating at sundown and don’t eat again until sunrise. Several days per week, don’t eat until lunchtime. Periods of at least 13 hours without food will help your body to reduce the amount of insulin it is releasing and help your cells to become more sensitive.

Lent Fasting

The following are some principles to follow when fasting.  1) If you make a commitment, keep it.  2) Choose something that will really require discipline to give up. 3) Giving up what you shouldn’t be doing to begin with is not fasting, it’s obedience.

Consider one or several of the following fasts for Lent.

  1. Pick a legitimate pleasurable food or activity to cease.
    1. Why? You are learning to discipline yourself for the sake of Christ.
    2. Examples: eliminate candy, soda, dessert, coffee, alcohol, TV, watching or listening to sports, secular music,  talk radio, movies, video games, social media, texting.
  2. Fast from sundown Thursday to sundown Friday for each of the six weeks of Lent. Eat a healthy dinner immediately before sundown on Thursday, skip breakfast and lunch, and break the fast right after sundown Friday. Although, this is a 24 hour fast, you will have only skipped two meals.
  3. Juice fast for 24 hours. Drink only pure vegetable juice. 
  4. Eat no flesh. Abstain from eating meat during the entirety of Lent. Consider doing a vegan fast, which would exclude eating eggs or milk products as well as meat.

Remember, Lent is actually 46 days long. This is so  because Sunday is considered a feast day, and there are six Sundays during the period. Therefore, it is acceptable to “take Sunday off” during Lent, which results in a 40 fast.

Featured post

The Reason for Jesus

Maybe you’ve heard someone say, “Jesus is the reason for the season,” and he really is. Jesus is the reason for Christmas. But do you know the reason for Jesus? I mean, do you know why Jesus came to earth to be born?

Nobody knows the exact day that Jesus was born in Bethlehem, but we do know that a miracle happened over 2,000 years ago when God chose Mary to be the Mother of His One and Only Son. December 25th was chosen as the date to celebrate his birthday long ago.

Would it surprise you to know that Jesus existed before he was born? That’s not true of you or me. Every human being, except Jesus Christ, came into existence inside their mother. But Jesus has always been the Son of God. His existence didn’t begin at his birth. When baby Jesus was laid in the manger, he opened his eyes and looked out upon the world for the first time as a human being. Before that, the Son of God was with his Father in heaven. Jesus came to earth to become one of us, lived a perfect life like none of us, and then he died on the cross and rose from the grave for all of us. God showed his love by sending his one and only Son.

You see, Jesus knows what you and I are going through down here because he experienced human life: happiness, sadness, weakness, weariness, pain, and finally death. He knows what it feels like to be a human being, and he cares about all of us.

“Because God’s children are human beings—made of flesh and blood—the Son also became flesh and blood… it was necessary for him to be made in every respect like us, his brothers and sisters, so that he could be our merciful and faithful High Priest before God. Then he could offer a sacrifice that would take away the sins of the people. Since he himself has gone through suffering and testing, he is able to help us when we are being tested.” (Tyndale House Publishers, Holy Bible: New Living Translation, Hebrews 2:14a, 17–18)

Jesus became a human being so that he could take away our sins. Everybody does bad things, and we call those bad things sins. Every time we do wrong we make God unhappy. Whenever you sin, you hurt God, you hurt yourself, and you hurt other people. When Jesus died on the cross, he showed us just how much it hurts when we sin.

If we do wrong we also have to pay for it. If you steal something, then you have to give it back. If you break something, then you have to pay for it. That’s the right thing to do. We also deserve to be punished when we do wrong. If you steal you could go to jail for it. When Jesus died on the cross, he was punished for our sins. But Jesus never sinned! He never told a lie, never stole, never disrespected his parents, never cursed at anyone, or hit anyone. From the time he was born in the manger until the time he died on the cross, Jesus never sinned. That’s why he could take the punishment for all of our sins.
“Christ had no sin, but God made him become sin so that in Christ we could become right with God.” (The Everyday Bible: New Century Version, 2 Corinthians 5:21)

So, that’s why Jesus was born: to show us how much God loves us, and to pay the penalty for our sins. You and I sin, don’t we? We really do need Jesus. We need him to take away our sins and to help us to live better lives. Jesus wants us to live well. That’s one of the reasons the church I lead is called Lifewell. He also wants all of us to go to heaven to be with him some day.

Jesus came back to life after he died for our sins, and showed himself to his family, friends and followers. Then he went back up to heaven to be with His Father. He is alive and can never die again. That’s why we can pray to Jesus, and that’s how we can have eternal life in heaven. The Bible says, “Whoever will call on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

You see, you and I are the reason for Jesus.
“For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son that whoever believes in him will not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16).

Why don’t you pray right now and call out to Jesus. Thank Him for being born, and for dying on the cross and rising from the dead.

Dear Jesus, I love you and I believe in you. You were born in a manger. You grew up, but never sinned. When you were a man you died on the cross for my sins. I believe you came back to life. Jesus, I ask you to come into my heart, take away my sins. I love you and I want to live my life for you.  Amen.

Never Take Revenge

“Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, ‘Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.’ To the contrary, ‘if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” (Romans 12:19–21, ESV)

We are living in a revenge culture. Witness the ever present “revenge porn” found online. It seems everywhere I turn, whether to those on the Right or Left, there are people angry at something someone has done to them (real or imagined).

A very visible example at the moment is the murder of Charlie Kirk, a Conservative debater, speaker and organizer. He was a gentle, but unrelenting and persuasive, even provocative promoter of Conservative political ideas. He was also an outspoken and unapologetic Bible believing Christian. He had great impact on college campuses, most of which have become bastions of Leftist ideals. He made enemies on the Left, and one of them murdered him in cold blood in the middle of one of his college appearances in Utah. This is likely seen as revenge by many of his political opponents and detractors, who hated him for what he stood for. I was not a Charlie Kirk fanboy, but I did appreciate his incisive and intelligent answers to college students who asked questions at his meetings. In the wake of Charlie’s murder, what should his friends and followers do? 

What would Charlie do?

I don’t believe Charlie Kirk would seek revenge. He would seek to dialog with those who approve the actions of his assassin. That’s what he always did: have a conversation; ask questions; speak truth. 

What would Jesus do?

Pray for the assassin. Offer forgiveness. Show undeserving love to those who celebrate this evil act.

What I see is Conservatives rejoicing over people losing their jobs because of impulsive social media posts. If you’re a Christian, a real one who follows Jesus, stop. Pray for these people.

What should genuine Christians do when we are the recipients of evil and injustice?

Leave it to the wrath of God. God is love, AND God is just. Only almighty God can dispense perfect, righteous justice to those who perpetrate evil. 

“It is appointed for everyone once to die, and then comes judgment” (Heb. 9:27)

“We must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil” (2 Cor. 5:10).

My anger doesn’t achieve God’s righteousness (James 1:20)

Jesus took upon himself the entirety of Almighty God’s righteous wrath against sin at the cross. As a result, anyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved from that wrath, saved from eternal destruction in hell. “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” (Rom. 8:1).

Since I have been forgiven by God, I am commanded to offer forgiveness to anyone who has offended or harmed me. I am not justifying their hatred, harm or sin. I am giving them over to God. I will not take revenge. However, if that person rejects Christ and clings to their evil, they will pay the penalty for what they’ve done to me and others. It is imperative that we who claim Christ as our Lord, act like it. We must act like Jesus. 

I saw a video of a march honoring Charlie Kirk the night of his death. An individual rode through it on an electric scooter (I believe) shouting disrespectful remarks. A mob knocked him off the scooter and began beating him. That is exactly what Jesus forbids. That is what Paul is speaking against. That did not honor Charlie Kirk. In fact, it plays right into the hands of his Leftist detractors, making them feel justified in their hatred.

At the root of revenge culture is self-righteousness. I am good; I am right; you are wrong; you have offended and harmed me, so I will harm you back. Justice demands an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth, so I will poke out your eye or knock out your teeth. The trouble with this is, “there is none righteous, not even one” (Rom. 3:10/Psa 14:3), so I am hypocritical to hit back in anger. Revenge never ends. Soon enough we find ourselves in a blind and toothless world. 

In reality, you may be right and I may be wrong, but only God can condemn anyone. However, the good news is: “there is therefore no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” (Rom. 8:1). So, we all need to get right with God by receiving Jesus as Lord and Savior. My response to being offended and harmed must be love. Jesus gave practical application to this command to love your enemy.

“You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I say to you, Do not resist the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if anyone would sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. And if anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. Give to the one who begs from you, and do not refuse the one who would borrow from you.” (Matthew 5:38–42, ESV)

Jesus tells us how to overcome evil with good: Love your enemies.

“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” (Matthew 5:43–48, ESV)

So, “Love your enemies and drive ‘em nuts!”

Personality Based Spiritual Gifts

Motivational Gifts Will Align With Your Personality

Spiritual Gifts That Redirect Natural Personality Traits

“However, since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, each of us is to use them properly: 

if prophecy, in proportion to one’s faith; if service, in the act of serving; 

or the one who teaches, in the act of teaching; or the one who exhorts, in the work of exhortation; 

the one who gives, with generosity; the one who is in leadership, with diligence; 

the one who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.” (Romans 12:6–8, NASB 2020)

1- Prophecy. 

Main Goal: Repentance.

Companion gift: Faith (also, a manifestation of the Spirit 1 Cor. 12:9)

Personality Type: Choleric, high in extraversion, very high in assertiveness, may not be as open, may be disagreeable, may appear to lack compassion and be low in politeness, may be higher in neuroticism.

2- Service.

Main goal: serving the Lord and others.

Companion gift: Love

Personality type:  melancholy or phlegmatic, high in agreeableness, compassionate, polite, higher in conscientiousness, industriousness and orderliness

3- Teaching.

Main goal: to equip people by giving them knowledge and wisdom.

Companion gift: may also be a pastor (Eph. 4:11)

Personality type: likely sanguine, higher in extraversion and conscientiousness, higher in openness

4- Exhortation.

Main goal: Encouraging people.

Personality type: sanguine, agreeable, extraverted, may be lower in conscientiousness, may be high in openness, low neuroticism

5- Giving/Generosity.

Main goal: meeting material (usually) needs of people, funding ministry

Companion gift: faith (again see 1 Cor. 12:9)

Personality type: may be melancholy or phlegmatic, agreeable, conscientious, industrious orderly, may not be high in extraversion or assertiveness, moderately enthusiastic, moderate to high in openness

6- Leadership.

Main goal: Give direction to people

Companion gift: May also be any one of the offices in the church listed in Ephesians 4:11: Apostle, Prophet, Evangelist, Pastor/Teacher

Companion gift: Zeal (motivation, eagerness, diligence)

Personality type: Choleric or sanguine, high in extraversion, very high in assertiveness, high in conscientiousness, may be lower in agreeableness, may be higher in volatility

7- Mercy.

Main goal: comfort people in difficulty

Companion gift: love

Personality type: phlegmatic, may be low in extraversion because they focus on individuals over groups, very high in agreeableness, especially compassion, could be higher in neuroticism

Big Five OCEAN Personality Traits

The traits and aspects of the Big Five personality model are:

Agreeableness: Compassion and Politeness

Conscientiousness: Industriousness and Orderliness

Extraversion: Enthusiasm and Assertiveness

Neuroticism: Withdrawal and Volatility

Openness: Intellect and Aesthetics

Traditional Personality Types

Choleric: Ambitious, energetic, assertive, confident, decisive, goal-oriented.

Sanguine: Outgoing, cheerful, optimistic, sociable enthusiastic, charismatic

Melancholic: Thoughtful, introspective, analytical, sensitive, perfectionistic, loyal

Phlegmatic: Calm, reliable, peaceful, diplomatic, steady, compassionate

MANdate

Four things men are made to be and do from Genesis 2.

1. Protect & Serve

The LORD God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it. And the LORD God commanded the man, “You are free to eat from any tree in the garden; but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat of it you will surely die.
Genesis 2:15-17 (NIV)

עָבַד
ʽâbad

1) to work, serve
1a1) to labour, work, do work
1a2) to work for another, serve another by labour
1a3) to serve as subjects
1a4) to serve (God)
1a5) to serve (with Levitical service)
Part of Speech: verb

Men are made for meaningful work.

Without meaningful work the mind and hands of a man wander
into evil places.

Without meaningful work a man will become depressed.

Men are made to serve.

Self serving behavior will always lack fulfillment for a man.

Men are no good without a Master.

Without a Master we are rogue warriors,
ronin,
angry, violent, unfulfilled troublemakers.

A man works to serve his wife,
but she is not his Master.

A man works to serve his children,
but they are not his Master.

A man works to serve his friends, his church, his neighbors, humankind, but none of these is his Master.

A man must submit to worthy superiors,
but no man is worthy enough to be the Master.

Jesus Christ is the Master.

שָׁמַר
shâmar
1) to keep, guard, observe, give heed
1a1) to keep, have charge of
1a2) to keep, guard, keep watch and ward, protect, save life
1a2a) watch, watchman (participle)
1a3) to watch for, wait for
1a4) to watch, observe
1a5) to keep, retain, treasure up (in memory)
1a6) to keep (within bounds), restrain
1a7) to observe, celebrate, keep (sabbath or covenant or commands), perform (vow)
1a8) to keep, preserve, protect
1a9) to keep, reserve
1b) (Niphal)
1b1) to be on one’s guard, take heed, take care, beware
1b2) to keep oneself, refrain, abstain
1b3) to be kept, be guarded
1c) (Piel) to keep, pay heed
1d) (Hithpael) to keep oneself from
Part of Speech: verb


Men are made to keep watch and protect.

Men must first guard their hearts from evil, duplicity and temptation.

“Guard your heart,
for from it flow the springs of life”
(Proverbs 4:23).

A man must watch over his own attitude and behavior.

“Watch the path of your feet
And all your ways will be established”
(Proverbs 4:26, NASB).

A man must watch his mouth.

“The one who guards his mouth preserves his life;
The one who opens wide his lips comes to ruin”
(Proverbs 13:3).

Only after he has guarded himself from evil is a man capable to protect his family and friends.

It is precisely at this point that Adam failed Eve,
and we are the worst for it.

When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it.
Genesis 3:6 (NIV)

Adam failed to guard his wife.

Instead of watching over her, he just stood by and watched the devil take her captive with lies.

Men of God, you must not follow Adam!

Protect your wife, your family and your friends
by speaking the truth in love
(Ephesians 4:15).

This may make you unpopular in your home or with your friends, but they will thank you in the end.

Of course, this assumes you’ve disciplined yourself to learn the truth of Christ and live by it.

2. Decide & Lead

“Now the LORD God had formed out of the ground all the beasts of the field and all the birds of the air. He brought them to the man to see what he would name them; and whatever the man called each living creature, that was its name.
Genesis 2:18-19 (NIV)

Men are made to define, determine, make decisions.

It is not a lack of intelligence which keeps a man from making a decision, but a lack of determination and courage.

A man lacks determination who believes strongly in nothing beyond himself.

Our problem right now is too many men have grown up without strong Christ centered fathers and grandfathers.

We live in a world filled with pusillanimous boy-men.

Pusillanimous
Pu`sil*lan”i*mous\, a. [L. pusillannimis; pusillus very little (dim. of pusus a little boy; cf. puer a boy, E. puerile) + animus the mind: cf. F. pusillanime. See Animosity.]

1. Destitute of a manly or courageous strength and firmness of mind; of weak spirit; mean-spirited; spiritless; cowardly; — said of persons, as, a pussillanimous prince.

2. Evincing, or characterized by, weakness of mind, and want of courage; feeble; as, pusillanimous counsels. “A low and pusillanimous spirit.” –Burke.

Syn: Cowardly; dastardly; mean-spirited; fainthearted; timid; weak; feeble.

Where are the real men?

Where are the men of God?

Men, we must submit to the Son of God,
and His Father will become our own.

Then we will begin to be what we were meant to be.

Men are meant to lead.

“For Adam was formed first, then Eve”
(1st Timothy 2:13).

The leader goes first to chart the course.

The leader goes first to protect those following him.

The leader offers the first and the best to God.

The leader is first to look after the needs of his followers, and last to meet his own needs and desires.

“Rather, let sthe greatest among you become as the youngest, and the leader as one who serves”
(Luke 22:26, ESV).


“Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven”
(Matthew 18:4).


“The greatest among you shall be your servant”
(Matthew 23:11, ESV).

As an example, the husband is called to love his wife sacrificially,
“as Christ loves the church and gave himself up for her”
(Ephesians 5:25).

A Christlike leader never strives to focus attention on himself.

A Christlike leader makes no selfish demands.

A Christlike leader doesn’t have to enforce his leadership with threats of force or pleading for obedience.

A Christlike leader is first of all a follower.

“Follow me as I follow Christ”
(1 Corinthians 11:1).

If you will not follow, you will be a poor leader.

Jesus Christ is our role model, men.

He is everything we are supposed to be.

Make the decision to follow the One who called himself
“Son of Man”
starting right now.

The Bible Is/Is Not

  • It is not just a single book but a collection of writings.
  • It is not one type of literature, but many: narrative, poetry, wisdom sayings, law, letter, prophecy, apocalyptic.
  • It is not merely human in origin, nor written by the hand of God alone.
  • It is a human and divine colaberation.
  • Its works were written by some 40 ordained and inspired human authors.
  • Its works were not written at one time, but over a period of 1500 years.
  • Portions of its writings began as oral tradition among people who could not read and write: stories in Genesis 1-11, Gospel stories regarding Jesus’ works and words.
  • It was not written in English, but in ancient Hebrew, Aramaic and Greek.
  • Different English translations are a good thing because this allows the reader to see into the original languages through the eyes of different translators who have different views about the texts.
  • The 66 writings were not determined to be Scripture by some council of men, but understood to be the Word of God by the people of God from the time they were written. They were read in synagogues and churches for many years before official councils were convened. Ie. Old Testament- Jamnia in AD 90, New Testament- Athanasius’ Festal Letter is first official list of 27 writings (AD 367), Synod of Hippo (AD 393)
  • The Bible is honest and shows the weaknesses and sins of its characters, including and especially the greatest heroes. Ie. King David and Bathsheba, Peter’s denials, Paul’s persecution of the church.
  • The Bible is not “full of errors,” but does show the differences in time periods, understanding and experience of its human authors: ie. 4 Gospels, Kings vs. Chronicles.
  • God doesn’t support everything the writings in the Bible report. Ie. King David did a number of things as a warrior that God proved to be unhappy about, since he was not permitted to build the temple because he “shed much blood”; the imprecatory Psalms display some negative (even awful) emotions of the writers (Psa. 58, 137).
  • The Bible is a miracle of preservation, the Penteteuch alone having survived for 3500 years, the New Testament books surviving Roman persecution and burning.
  • The Bible is not God’s words, but God’s Word. It is His message to His people.
  • The Bible must be read along with the presence of the Holy Spirit, who inspired its writers if it is to be correctly interpreted. Pray for illumination and understanding before you read.

This Life Is a Test

“My child, when you come to serve the Lord, prepare yourself for testing.

Set your heart right and be steadfast, and do not be impetuous in time of calamity. 

Cling to him and do not depart, so that your last days may be prosperous. 

Accept whatever befalls you, and in times of humiliation be patient. 

For gold is tested in the fire, and those found acceptable, in the furnace of humiliation.

Trust in him, and he will help you; make your ways straight, and hope in him.” (Sirach 2:1-6)

We are being tested, but to what end?

In heaven will continue to have the ability to exercise free will. 

When God is present our ability to choose is immediately limited. However, freedom doesn’t cease, or you and I would no longer have individual personalities. In heaven, all the trials and temptations of this life will be gone, and we will be in the very presence of God. Certainly, that changes everything around us, but you and I will still be ourselves. I will remain distinct from other humans and distinct from God, a creature with a unique personality. That requires free will. Therefore, I will always be capable of choosing between loving God and loving myself.

“The minimum condition of self-consciousness and freedom then, would be that the creature should apprehend God and, therefore, itself as distinct from God. It is possible that such creatures exist, aware of God and themselves, but of no fellow creatures. If so, their freedom is simply that of making a single naked choice—of loving God more than the self or the self more than God.” (C. S. Lewis, Problem of Pain, p. 17)

Heaven, the final state of the saved, is earth renewed to be like Eden was. We will be in the presence of God, and that narrows the field of choices down to what Adam and Eve had in Eden: God’s will, or self will apart from God. God may—perhaps I should say confidently, God will—give us responsibility and leadership over some part of his kingdom, and that may also involve further freedom to choose within God’s will between one path and another. 

However, once we pass from this life the freedom to live apart from God is only available in hell. Does that scare you? “What if I sin?” you might ask. Or, “What if I rebel against God?” It should scare you if in heaven you remain the same as you are presently. However, this is bootcamp for the Kingdom, a time for preparation. Believers are moving toward the place where we really and truly believe in God so much that we always choose to do his will no matter what. This life’s trials and tests are meant to ensure we do not ever decide to turn away from God, as apostate Christians do on earth, and as some of the angels did long ago.

God created a magnificent angel called Lucifer, a cherub who had great honor, power and beauty, who may even have been above other angels, perhaps nearer to the throne of God than any other being. Lucifer had free will. He became carried away with the desire for greater glory and power. Then Lucifer conceived an evil plot to raise himself above the Most High God. He led other angels in rebellion in an attempt to usurp the reign of the Almighty in heaven. That sin brought forth death, separation from the source of life. Satan was cast out of heaven and the presence of the Living God. He began at the top with every advantage, but sinned and fell to the bottom, never to rise again.

Lucifer is now Satan, the enemy of God. The book of Revelation likens him to a dragon. 

“Then another portent appeared in heaven: a great red dragon, with seven heads and ten horns, and seven diadems on his heads. His tail swept down a third of the stars of heaven and threw them to the earth.” (Revelation 12:3-4).

Satan and the angels who followed him were thrown down to earth, where they continue to wreak havoc because of their hatred for God.

“The devil has come down to you filled with wrath, for he knows that his time is short” (Revelation 12:12)

The Enemy is active in our world today, and he is seeking to destroy any and all who have faith in Jesus.

The believer is always faced with a test. Will I continue to believe in God or doubt his existence. Will I continue to trust my good and loving Father, in spite of the evil I see and the trouble I go through?  Will I obey God, or rebel like his Enemy?

You don’t have to become a satanist to show loyalty to the devil. In fact, you don’t even have to believe in his existence. Just believe the lies he propagates in the world. They are the same lies the Serpent told Eve in the Garden of Eden ages ago.

“Did God really say?” – Doubt the Bible. Doubt moral law. Reinterpret the Bible to support your narrative or agenda.

“You will be like God.” – Humanism. Pride. Believe in yourself. Self worship.

“You will not surely die.” – Universalism. No fear of God. Disbelief in judgment and hell.

If you choose God you will come to his Son, Jesus, for salvation from the destruction planned for this fallen world. 

And he testified with many other arguments and exhorted them, saying, “Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.” (Acts 2:40)

“But by the same word the present heavens and earth have been reserved for fire, being kept until the day of judgment and destruction of the godless. But do not ignore this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like one day. The Lord is not slow about his promise, as some think of slowness, but is patient with you, not wanting any to perish, but all to come to repentance. But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a loud noise, and the elements will be dissolved with fire, and the earth and everything that is done on it will be disclosed.” (2 Peter 3:7-10).

God created a magnificent class of beings in his image called human. However, unlike Lucifer, we begin at the bottom, living in a fallen world that is inhabited and to a large degree ruled by Satan. The image of God in us is in need of restoration. Why is this? We begin at the bottom with a choice to believe and be perfected, so that we may rise to the top invincible, invulnerable to temptation, never to fall again!

Three realities will keep us from the satanic sin of self-will in heaven.

1. We Will Always Be Aware of Hell.

There is some debate among God loving, Bible believers as to whether hell, which is made for Satan and his fallen angelic army, will ultimately annihilate humans who are sent there, or if there will be an eternal state of torment for unbelievers. The book of Revelation states, “the smoke of their torment goes up forever and ever” (14:11), so even if those who reject God are not eternally tormented there, we will never forget their final end. However, Satan will experience eternal torment, which those in heaven will also be aware of.

“and the devil who had deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and sulfur where the beast and the false prophet were, and they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.” (Revelation 20:10, ESV)

Hell is insurmountable and inescapable. No one will get out. Hell is indefatigable and eternal. Since this is true, any who rebel in heaven could still be destroyed there.

“And if your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life crippled than with two hands to go to hell, to the unquenchable fire. And if your foot causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life lame than with two feet to be thrown into hell. And if your eye causes you to sin, tear it out. It is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye than with two eyes to be thrown into hell, ‘where their worm does not die and the fire is not quenched’” (Mark 9:43-48, ESV).

2. The Memory of This Life Will Keep Us From Sin and Rebellion.

After all that we’ve been through and overcome, who would want to return to sin and rebellion? When I compare my new life in heaven to my former life on earth I will not want to do anything to ruin heaven by returning to the old life “like a dog to its vomit, or a pig to the slop” (2 Peter 2:22).

When I was very young I lived on the south side of Phoenix, Arizona where there were many date palm trees. I really liked eating their fruit. Then I ate too many dates and got sick. I vomited repeatedly and the flavor of dates became inextricably associated with being sick. That was a very long time ago, but I still don’t eat dates! Another example: when I was a teenager I caught the flu. The last meal I ate before I began vomiting regularly was a concoction that Jack in the Box called Frings! French fries and onion rings together. The taste of that fried delight coming back up repeatedly kept me from enjoying onion rings for decades afterward.

There is a behavior modification protocol known as flooding, which purposefully applies an excess amount or number of stimuli to create an adverse reaction in an effort to extinguish an unwanted behavior. My date eating behavior stopped after eating too many of them over a brief period. In a bygone era, a parent who caught their child smoking might employ this strategy by sending the kid into the bathroom to smoke an entire pack of cigarettes. The result is that the child would become sick and hopefully never want to smoke again. Think of that as a metaphor for this life. Why would I return like a dog to its vomit or a pig to the mud?

Our preparation in the present world ensures that we will not exercise our free will to oppose God in heaven as Satan did. Our struggles and our suffering here ensure that we will not take God’s goodness for granted or rebel like the angels all those ages ago. Our wandering in the wilderness here will serve as a protection in heaven. We will always remember the consequences of sin and the emptiness of life without God. 

3. We Will Be Transformed

The lifelong sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit will ensure that we will be changed people. The only part of you and I that will survive death and judgment is the part that is like Jesus. Anything in us that is unlike Christ will be destroyed in the fire of God’s great Judgment. Maybe that sounds harsh, but I assure you it is the greatest blessing of Judgment Day.

“For no one can lay a foundation other than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw—each one’s work will become manifest, for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each one has done. If the work that anyone has built on the foundation survives, he will receive a reward. If anyone’s work is burned up, he will suffer loss, though he himself will be saved, but only as through fire. Do you not know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you? If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy him. For God’s temple is holy, and you are that temple” (1 Corinthians 3:11-17, ESV).

We will not be innocent like Adam and Eve were. We will be better; we will be sanctified and perfected. We will be transformed. All of this preparation is not just training the old to become new. We have been reborn and are being trained as children are to grow up, to become what we are meant to be. 

“If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old is passed away; all things have become new” (2 Corinthians 5:17).

The old person, the natural, fleshly man, is crucified.

“For I have been crucified with Christ and no longer do I live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me” (Galatians 2:20).

My old nature, though still felt, has been rendered powerless.

“knowing this that the old self was crucified with him, that the body of sin might be done away with that we might no longer be slaves to sin.” (Romans 6:6)

Now I must seek my identity in the risen Christ, and look to the things that are beyond this world for hope and inspiration.

“If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are one earth. For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God” (Colossians 3:1-3).

Each time I am confronted with my old habits and desires, I recognize that they no longer characterize me. I take them off like filthy rags, and I put on my new identity, which is found by looking to Jesus.

“put off your old self, which belongs to your former way of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.” (Ephesians 4:22–24)

That is who I truly am, and I will continue to confess that. One day I will behold him, face to face, in all of his glory, and, amazingly, I will be like him…

“Beloved, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is. And everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure.” (1 John 3:2–3, ESV)

So, the real test for you now is: Do You Believe This for yourself? Do you have Christ living within you? Test yourself! If you believe, how does it show?

“Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Or do you not realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you fail to meet the test!”  (2 Corinthians 13:5, ESV)

If you pass the test, if today you will trust God and overcome sin, self and Satan, then you will be prepared to live with God in heaven for eternity. 

Will you remain in Christ? Will you endure to the end and be saved?

Jesus Is God, Accept No Substitutes

Jesus Christ is one with God the Father. In Christ “all the fullness of the Godhead dwells bodily” (Colossians 2:9).

Biblical Christians cannot accept any denomination, religion, doctrine or leader who will say otherwise.

–The ancient gnostics refused to believe that Jesus could be a flesh and blood man, and refused to accept that all the fullness of the Creator of the universe lived within him.

–The Jews refused to accept that Jesus Christ was one with God the Father, and rejected him as Messiah.

–Islam rejects Jesus claim to be one with God the Father. It is an offence to call Jesus the Son of God. They teach that he is a prophet, lower than Muhammed. The Koran teaches that Jesus did not die on the cross. Nevertheless, Muslims believe one thing that is true. Jesus will return to earth. What they do not recognize is that without Jesus death and resurrection no one can enter heaven (John 14:6, Acts 4:12).

–Mormons do not accept the truth that Jesus is one with God the Father. Indeed, this false religion is so metaphysically confused and theologically wrong that there is little to find agreement on, even though they would have you believe that they are worshipping the same God and believing in the same Jesus.

For the Mormon the incarnation is no big deal because they are taught human beings are made of the “same stuff” as God, whom they call Elohim. Of course Jesus is “fully God and fully man” because every man can become a God. “Divinity is the full maturity of humanity.” (http://lehislibrary.wordpress.com/2009/09/18/lds-christology-trinitarian-christology-a-comparison/) 

For the Mormon, the God of our world is one of many gods throughout the universe. He is a physical being. He was once a man. Jesus is the physical offspring of this god, the result of Elohim having intercourse with Mary. Jesus is but one savior among many in the universe, since each world likely requires a savior. 

The truth is Mormonism is a lie inspired and led by the god of this world, whose name is not Elohim. The god of this world is the father of lies. His name is Satan. He is blinding the eyes of many today. He is successfully misleading many Christians.

“You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies” (John 8:44, ESV).

“And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God” (2 Corinthians 4:3-4).

“For false christs and false prophets will arise and will show great signs and wonders, so as to mislead, if possible, even the elect” (Matthew 24:24, ESV).

This is why it is imperative that we hold to the truth that Jesus Christ is absolutely unique. He is the One and Only Son of the One and Only God. 

“He is the image of the invisible God. The firstborn of all creation. In him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions, rulers or authorities– all things were made through him and for him. And he is before all things and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent…. In him all the fullness of the Godhead dwells bodily” (Colossians 1:15-19 & 2:9).

Limiting Gun Violence in America

Another day, another mass shooting. Depending upon when you read this, you’ll likely be aware of a recent shooting. As of the writing of this opinion 2829 persons have been murdered in 543 mass shootings. According to the database published by USA Today, a mass shooting is defined as the killing of four or more persons (excluding the killer) within a 24 hour period with any weapon Mass killing database: Revealing trends, details and anguish of every US event since 2006

What is the response? The Left, currently led by Joe Biden wants to ban “assault rifles,” and limit magazine capacity to 10 rounds on pistols. The Right upholds to the 2nd Amendment, or the interpretation of it, that all guns should be legal and accessible to law abiding citizens. The Left blames guns. The Right blames criminals who wield them. Is there a solution? I have an idea, but it will likely make neither side happy.

Guns don’t commit murder on their own. A killer does. In order to do this, the killer must obtain a gun (or other weapon). Thus, it makes sense that a sane society find ways to limit the availability of weapons to those who are most likely to commit violence. There are laws currently that, if properly enforced, will do exactly that. However, a criminal—by definition— doesn’t obey laws. So, what do we do? Wring our hands? Ban all guns? Before I offer my solution, let me ask a question. How many mass shootings have been committed by someone wielding a fully automatic machine gun? Answer: none. Why? A law-abiding citizen may legally own a machine gun, but it requires a special permit, and they are not readily available. Can you imagine the body count if a mass shooter used a fully automatic weapon?

The largest victim count in a mass shooting is 60 dead and 867 injured. This was perpetrated by Stephen Paddock from the 32nd floor of the Mandalay Bay hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada. He used semi-automatic AR-15 rifles equipped with “bump stocks.” A bump stock permits rapid fire, similar to the full auto function available on the military M-16. This resulted in a ban on bump stocks by the US Department of Justice. It is clear that higher capacity magazines and guns that may be fired rapidly permit mass shooters to kill more people.

So, here’s my solution. This will not stop people from killing, but it will limit who has access to firearms. The 2nd Amendment guarantees the right to keep and bear arms, but that doesn’t mean without limit or qualification. For example, it is illegal for a felon to own a firearm. We must find a way to remove guns from the hands of criminals, those with a history of violence and the mentally unstable. How? I propose a federal law that requires a citizen to obtain a license to own and carry any firearm. I am thinking of the Texas License to Carry permit as a model for this. In order to get an LTC in Texas, a law abiding citizen must take a class, qualify on the range with the pistol they intend to carry, get a background check, and be fingerprinted. If pulled over by police, the LTC holder should identify himself/herself by presenting both driver’s license and LTC permit (indicating where their firearm is located in the vehicle).

There are too many gun owners who have limited or no training and experience with their firearm. And watching John Wick movies or playing first person shooter video games doesn’t count. There should be a basic license that includes what the Texas LTC requires, and adds a basic psychological test. Then you must qualify with the firearm you intend to buy. If you want to an AR-15, then you must have the basic license and qualify with one on the range. You want a shotgun, hunting rifle or pistol? Qualify on the range with one. If you have no experience with that firearm, then take a class prior to qualification.

You have to have a driver’s license. If you want to ride a motorcycle, then you have to qualify. If you want to drive a bus, or an 18 wheeler, then you have to qualify. You have to have a pilot’s license to fly. It stands to reason that there be a license to own and operate a firearm.

In the same way that we license the availability of fully automatic weapons, we must with all guns. This will give police a tool to remove firearms from the hands of those who refuse or don’t qualify to own them. Further, it will ensure that those who are licensed are trained to use their firearms. If someone is licensed to own, then they are automatically licensed to carry, in any state. To stop an active shooter requires a good guy with a gun, who is trained and unafraid to use it. Ideally, that is law enforcement. However, too many times there is no LEO there to do the job.

Now, I understand the arguments from the Right in opposition to licensure. It permits the government to limit or remove firearms from citizens. In a situation where the government seeks to control citizens they will disarm them first. The reality is, we are in danger of that happening right now because of the gross misuse of firearms. All the AR-15s in America will not stop a military state from forcibly taking the guns of citizens. Elect people to office who respect the rights of citizens.

There is a way to help ensure that the federal (or state or local) government doesn’t abuse the licensing of firearms. Privatize training and qualification. There are experienced and well trained persons who could become licensed instructors. Again, I am thinking of the Texas model, wherein private citizens and organizations run the classes and range qualification. Further, the Second Amendment itself ensures that firearms may not be prohibited to law abiding citizens.

The days of the wild west are long gone. There was a time when fathers taught their sons and daughters how to shoot. Some schools even taught gun safety. Now? Go buy a gun at Wal-Mart and have at it. The last time I went to our local indoor gun range I determined I wouldn’t return. It seemed unsafe due to the recklessness of other shooters. We must take steps to change gun culture in our country. Guns are not toys. They must be respected as tools. They are potentially dangerous, but they are necessary in a world where there are bad people.

12 Steps to Lose Fat

  1. Keep a food log & count calories. I use MyPlate.
  2. Lower your caloric intake. Calculate what you need to maintain your present weight and reduce that by 500/day. Be aware you will need fewer calories as your weight decreases, and your body will learn to maintain on fewer calories as well, which is why the rest of the steps are important.
  3. Track your activity level and try to move more. Various devices will do this: your phone, Fit Bit, Apple or Samsung watches etc.
  4. Exercise 30 minutes per day 5-6 days per week. Run, brisk walk, swim, karate’, bike riding, weightlifting etc. Just DO IT!
  5. Count carbs and keep them at no more than 10-15% of your overall caloric intake. One carb = 4.5 calories
  6. Stop drinking sugar water! That means drop the soda, sweet tea, Monsters, Red Bulls and any other drink that is primarily sugar and water.
  7. Stop drinking alcohol. Alcohol inhibits the liver’s ability to convert fat to blood glucose.
  8. Lose the starch and bread. No pasta, no potatoes, no tortillas, no sandwiches with bread. Substitute lettuce wraps for bread/tortillas.
  9. No sweets/desserts. Avoid candy, cake, pie and the like. Also avoid most so called “energy bars,” which are not much different than candy bars.
  10. Eat veggies every day. They provide micronutrients and will make you feel fuller since they contain ruffage and bulk (which is also good for your digestion).
  11. Practice intermittent fasting. Stop eating at sundown, or no later than 8pm. Don’t eat anything (NOTHING) until at least 13 hours have passed. Vary between this and 16, 18, up to 20 hours of fasting.
  12. NO CHEAT DAYS. One cheat day can easily destroy an entire week’s worth of work.

I’ve followed these steps, and the plan works if you work it.

Peace Beyond Understanding

  1. Hope is the vaccine for sadness. Peace is the antidote to fear.
  2. Peace results not the absence of conflict but from the presence of God who provides comfort and confidence, even and especially in challenging times (Phil. 4:6-7).
    • Where is your mind focused? Your thinking determines your feelings and the direction of your life.
    • Keep your mind focused on the Lord’s presence within and you will stay in perfect peace. “You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you.” (Isaiah 26:3, NIV84) “He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.” (Psalm 91:1, NIV84)
    • LIsten to the LORD and receive His promise of peace. Turning or returning to foolish behavior and ungodly lifestyle choices results in frustration and fear. “I will listen to what God the Lord will say; he promises peace to his people, his saints— but let them not return to folly.” (Psalm 85:8, NIV84)
  3. One day Jesus will return to reign over a renewed earth and establish universal peace (Isa. 11).
  4. Until Christ returns children of God are called to be peacemakers (Matt. 5:9)
  5. Stand for justice and truth, but speak with love (Matt. 5:6, Eph. 4:15).
    “Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ.” (Ephesians 4:15, NIV)
  6. Share the Good News with everyone who will pay attention to you (2 Cor. 5:17-21)
    “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God. God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” (2 Corinthians 5:17–21, NIV84)

Church Is/Is Not Essential

Remember the pandemic? Of course you do. Remember when we all were commanded to “shelter inside”? Well, you could go outside if the government determined that what you were going to do what “essential.” Was your job deemed essential? What activities could you participate in during those dark days? Well, you could go to the store to get food; that was considered essential. You couldn’t go to a friend’s house if it meant there would be too many people (usually over 10). You could go to the liquor store; because, you know, alcohol is essential. In places like Colorado I believe the marijuana shops were open. You could go to Walmart, but in at least one state you couldn’t go to the garden section and buy seeds or tools to grow your own food. In fact, in my Walmart experience during the shutdowns, there were quite a few people who were meandering up and down the aisles—at least six feet apart, of course.

In many states churches were not considered essential and you couldn’t worship together. This lasted long after the official shutdowns. Church is just not essential, apparently. Better for us all to worship quietly in the safety of our homes. So, many churches learned to stream. Many people tuned in, kind of. In my observation of the statistics that Youtube provides, the average watch time for a 70 minute worship service was a little over 20 minutes. Yeah, church is really not essential, even to those who would say it is.

Now, we’re a good ways past shutdowns, masks, vaccinations, and church is still not essential to many people, even those who were once faithful participants in their respective local congregations. I’ve seen about one third of my congregation (or more!) who attend quite sporadically, or who have stopped coming altogether. Church is not essential to them.

Jesus thought church was essential, however. He established it. Let’s define church to understand exactly what Jesus intended. The Greek word translated “church” in the New Testament is ekklesia (yes, we get our English word “ecclesiatical” from it). Ekklesia could literally be translated “the called out.” God calls His people out of the world, and He calls them together to worship. Implicit in the idea of church is gathering together regularly. The people of Israel did this in the temple and in their local synagogues. From the beginning Christians gathered in the temple and in homes.
“They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread, and to prayer.” (Acts 2:42, CSB)
“Every day they devoted themselves to meeting together in the temple, and broke bread from house to house. They ate their food with joyful and sincere hearts,” (Acts 2:46, CSB)
Yes, they did this more than just once a week. In fact, they gathered daily. Church was essential to them. God blessed these gatherings greatly. People were saved, healed, delivered from evil. They shared their worldly possessions. This essential church didn’t diminish but exploded with new members.
“Many signs and wonders were being done among the people through the hands of the apostles. They were all together in Solomon’s Colonnade. No one else dared to join them, but the people spoke well of them. Believers were added to the Lord in increasing numbers—multitudes of both men and women. As a result, they would carry the sick out into the streets and lay them on cots and mats so that when Peter came by, at least his shadow might fall on some of them. In addition, a multitude came together from the towns surrounding Jerusalem, bringing the sick and those who were tormented by unclean spirits, and they were all healed.” (Acts 5:12–16, CSB)
Church is still essential, regardless of what our godless government, and many faithless, consumer oriented Christians say or do. We are warned to continue meeting together, not for the sake of habit, but to worship and serve our Lord, and to encourage one another.
“And let us consider one another in order to provoke love and good works, not neglecting to gather together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging each other, and all the more as you see the day approaching.”
(Hebrews 10:24–25, CSB)
This is not possible when we are apart. It is not possible if you’re watching on your TV or computer or mobile device. We must gather. We must do this regularly. Church is essential. If you are a genuine believer in Jesus Christ, if Jesus is your Lord, you need to be involved in a local church weekly. Church is essential. If you neglect church, you’re simply living in disobedience to the Lord you claim to follow. Get back this week, participate, volunteer, and be consistent.