PROVERBS

 

• Forced obedience is not obedience; it is the opposite of Grace.

• God has done everything that He can do. Now it's up to you.

• You are as close to God as you choose to be. The only obstacle separating you from God is you!

• It's a tragedy when one experiences the sense of being alone even when not alone.

• As Christians, we are a ministry upon ourselves. Therefore, walk steadily with the Lord.

• The sin that you see in others may actually be your sin manifested.

• Judging others is a judgment upon yourself.

• If you choose to live your life absent from God, He will reluctantly grant your decision throughout eternity.

• While Pope Francis may argue that being a Catholic means allowing your views to change over time, (referring to subjects such as abortion and gay rights), being a Christian recognizes that God's Word never changes!

• If demons are affecting your relationship with God, perhaps your problem is your relationship with God, not with the demons.

• To be filled with the Holy Spirit, you must first be void of the world. Where is your focus?

• You cannot love the one that you are trying to control.

Paradise

 

Paradise

 

Confusion exists in some Christian circles that regard “Paradise” as a location other than God’s (third) Heaven. Here are three arguments:

· those whom ‘die in Christ” do not go directly into the (third) Heaven bur rather to a separate location (Paradise), and remain there until following Jesus’ second return wherein Paradise’s location is not defined.

· Hades is Paradise

· Heaven is Paradise (third Heaven)

 

Biblical References for Paradise:

· Luke 23:43; Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.”

· 2 Co 12:2: "I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven. Whether it was in the body or out of the body I do not know--God knows."

·  2 2:Co 12:4 "that I was caught up to paradise and heard things so astounding that they cannot be expressed in words, things no human is allowed to tell."

· Rev 2:7:  "Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God."

 

We also look at “Abraham’s Bosom”:

· Luke 16:22 “The time came when the beggar died and the angels carried him to Abraham’s side. The rich man also died and was buried in Hades, where he was in torment he looked up and saw Abraham far away, with Lazarus in his bosom.”

 

(Note: Translational differences to be noted)

 

Strong’s defines Paradise:

I.                   among the Persians a grand enclosure or preserve, hunting ground, park, shady and well watered, in which wild animals, were kept for the hunt; it was enclosed by walls and furnished with towers for the hunters

II.                a garden, pleasure ground (grove, park)

III.             the part of Hades which was thought by the later Jews to be the abode of the souls of pious until the resurrection: but some understand this to be a heavenly paradise

IV.             the upper regions of the heavens. According to the early church Fathers, the paradise in which our first parents dwelt before the fall still exists, neither on the earth or in the heavens, but above and beyond the world

V.                heaven

 

We will primarily focus on the above definitions 3, 4, & 5 for this discussion although may not be conclusive.

 

The challenge here, as with any Bible interpretation, is not to take passages out of context. Following the Inductive Bible Study Method, one must follow following three simple steps in discovery:

Observation -  observing exactly what the text is saying

Interpretation - what the text means.

Application - what the text means for us

 

Note: If the Bible does not provide an interpretation, then do not interpret on your own - that is, interpreting based upon “what you think it means”. Remember, anyone can tell you what the Bible says, but only the Holy Spirit can tell you what it means!

 

Let’s look at 2 Cor 12, focusing on versus 2 & 4; “I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven—whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows. ³ And I know that this man was caught up into paradise—whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows….”

 

Notice that basically within the same sentence, Paul identifies the third heaven and paradise as the same place; else he would be at two different places at the same time under the same circumstance.

 

Rev 2:7 places the “Tree of Life” in the “paradise of God” but we also know that the Tree of Life was in the Garden of Eden.

 

So let’s look at Luke 23:43 “Jesus answered him, Truly, I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.” - try to resolve Jesus in this separate location (Paradise) until He returns while Scripture reveals that Jesus spent the three days following his crucifixion in Hades (Acts 2:31; 1 Peter 3:18-21). So are we to deduct that Paradise is Hades or maybe we are looking at a time differential – linear vs. eternal?

 

It should be agreed upon that the Bible, although confusing at times, is not in error.

 

Can all three choices stated above be correct? Can all three choices be wrong?

 

I believe that all three choices are correct depending upon one’s time reference:

 

Prior to Jesus’ resurrection (Old Covenant):

· Luke 23:43 references paradise before Jesus’ resurrection, therefore, all the souls that perished prior awaiting Jesus’s resurrection were in Hades awaiting His return.

· Luke 16:22, although a parable, occurs prior to Jesus’ resurrection, hence Hades would be Paradise for the elect while also a place of torment for the unelected.

 

Following Jesus’s resurrection (New Covenant) - Paradise would now be in the Third Heaven:

· 2 Cor 12: 2-4

· Rev 2:7

OK, so the argument may be at this point, how can now be the third Heaven also be Paradise if Paradise is a “separate location with souls remaining there until following Jesus’ second return?

 

The answer is found in Revelation 22:1 “Then I saw “a new heaven and a new earth,”^] for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away ….”

 

Can we then conclude that for today, Paradise is the third Heaven where we will wait until Jesus’ second return after which He will create a new Heaven and a new Earth where we will wait no longer?

 

Additionally, “Tree of life” is mentioned three times in Revelation 22 in which the Tree is now situated in the new Heaven and the new Earth (Rev 21). Obviously then “paradise of God” referenced in Rev 2:7 is not a separate location where souls remained until Jesus’ second return.

 

But wait! Did you know that in a glossary of English into Hebrew, the word “paradise” translated is “gan ay’-den” (Garden of Eden). With that we know that Jesus was in the Garden of Eden; He was in Hades; He is in the third Heaven; and He will be in the new Heaven and the New Earth. So perhaps it is wise to deduct that Paradise is where Jesus is!

WWJD

 

WWJD

  What Would Jesus Do?

What Would Jesus Say?

What Would Jesus Think?

What Would Jesus See?

What Would Jesus Feel?

What Would Jesus Consider?

What Would Jesus Pray?

What Would Jesus Decide?

What Would Jesus Love?

What Would Jesus Want?

What Would Jesus Know?

What Would Jesus Focus on?

 

^“He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked.”

1 John 2:6  NKJV

 

 

 

 

Predestination

 

Predestination

 

Romans 8:28–30…And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified. (NKJV)

 

Does God know you?

Did God know you before the universe was created?

Did God have foreknowledge of your relationship with Jesus?

Did God make your decision to accept (or reject) Jesus as your Lord and Savior, or did you?

 

(Believers)

Because God foreknew you, He then predestined you in the image of His Son;

Because God predestined you, He also called you;

Because God called you, He also justified you;

Because God justified you, He also glorified you.

 

(Non-Believers)

If God foreknew that you would reject His Son, would He predestine you in the image of His Son or would you destine yourself to eternal damnation?

No where in Scripture is predestination associated with ones eternal judgment.

 

.

The Realities of COVID-19

 

The Realities of COVID-19

 

Whenever someone asks me to discuss COVID-19 and/or masks I usually say to myself “Uh Oh” and then I pray for guidance to respond with a message of faith and love because I can be rather abrupt at times. As such, please note that this is an “opinion based” piece of which I ask not of the readers to change their mindsets, just to understand mine!

 

Why ask me? Over the years, God has led me down a path where physical wellness and Biblical knowledge merge as discoveries according to His Word. As Christians, we all know that our body is God’s Temple where His Holy Spirit has taken residence following our spiritual rebirth; hence, we are commanded to treat our bodies as such. This certainly applies to today’s environment as the Evil One tries to mislead and manipulate our lives regarding COVID-19.

 

There are several points regarding the realities of COVID-19.

 

Point #1: Disclaimer. I am not a medical doctor or physician of any licensed nature and as such I am not intentionally dispensing medical advice. I only repeat what I have read or learned from medical sources that I trust so when I am asked about real health issues I try to preface with that disclaimer. I either quote or reference other sources or describe what I would do, or what I am doing, in each instance.

 

Point #2: Is COVID-19 real? Yes! But so were the previous many other COVIDS that still exist, such as the SARS and the MERS, along with the HCoV-OC43 which is the virus associated with the common cold and Flu (same class of strains). Of course this begs the question…”what is different with this current virus versus all the other previous viruses to require such drastic responses as destroying almost half of the world’s economy and forcing social upheavals not seen since the days of the Black Plague?”  Great question! Certainly a virus with a recovery rate of over 99.9% does not substantiate the draconian measures that most local, state, and federal governments are forcing upon its citizens.

 

Point #3: COVID-19 Tests. There are three test types currently administered – Antigen, Antibody, and PCR. However, there is NO test that isolates COVID-19. Said differently, testing positive from any of these three tests does not determine if one definitely has the virus, per CDC and validated by the State of Florida Department of Health. This is critical because almost every governmental and media source declare “positive for COVID-19” for every test that comes back as positive. CDC Director Dr. Fauci, back in March 2020, stated that because it cannot be determined if a positive test result is COVID-19 or not, then every positive test will be considered as positive for COVID-19.  The same directive applies to death certificates if it cannot be determined if one dies from or with COVID-19. Think about that next time you hear of “spikes” of those infected or those that died from COVID-19!

 

Specifically addressing PCR test results, an article from GreenMedInfo dated December 14, 2020:

“The genetic sequences used in PCRs to detect suspected SARS-CoV-2 and to diagnose cases of illness and death attributed to COVID-19 are present in dozens of sequences of the human genome itself and in those of about a hundred microbes. And that includes the initiators or primers, the most extensive fragments taken at random from their supposed "genome" and even the so-called "target genes" allegedly specific to the "new coronavirus". The test is worthless and all "positive" results obtained so far should be scientifically invalidated and communicated to those affected; and if they are deceased, to their relatives. Stephen Bustin, one of the world's leading experts on PCR, in fact says that under certain conditions anyone can test positive!”

 

Point #4: Masks:  Welcome to the new world religion, or at least it seems to be. Just like belief in God, there are two mask camps – those who believe and those that do not. Fortunately our eternal salvation does not hinge on which camp we fall into but those who do not believe certainly face persecution of varying degrees on a continual basis from those that do believe. What I find intriguing is how many of the mask believers’ threat masks as a “super shield” supposedly providing an invisible field of protection surrounding their entire being. Unfortunately there are political influences that perpetuate the alleged need for masks as a guise for their hidden agendas.

 

Given the above, it is reassuring that Calvary Chapel Villages has listened to the concerns resulting in positive steps / directions regarding social distancing and mask protocols. In my opinion, Florida’s Governor Ron DeSantis also deserves recognition in entrusting you and me to decide for ourselves instead of issuing a government mandate. If God loves us so much that He endows us with “Free Will” then so should our government.

 

Do masks work? Again, belief depends upon which world religion you belong to but remember two points about masks: First, the size of a virus is many times smaller than that of mask filtering. Once one clears away the biased smoke, there is only one truth about the protective properties of masks which is - if air can get through the mask then so can the virus. I like the visual analogy which states “wearing a mask to block the passage of the virus is like installing a chain link fence to prevent mosquitoes from getting through.” Second, whenever one touches a mask being worn, the efficacy of that mask is then violated / corrupted forcing germs and viruses adhering to the mask to penetrate through the mask (to be breathed in) AND onto one’s fingers. Think about those infected fingers next time you dine out where the staffs wear masks and observe how many times your server adjusts his/her mask and then proceeds to serve your food. For this reason alone I prefer eating establishments that do not require staff to wear masks.

 

Point 5: Protective measures.

Leviticus 13: 45, 46 (NIV)

“Anyone with such a defiling disease must wear torn clothes, let their hair be unkempt, cover the lower part of their face and cry out, ‘Unclean! Unclean!’  As long as they have the disease they remain unclean. They must live alone; they must live outside the camp.”

 

From scripture, God reveals His plan to protect the healthy when others are contaminated. Back in the Old Testament days, leprosy was a major concern and although leprosy has been contained since then, man is confronted with many more like diseases. Regardless, God’s wisdom states that we are to isolate the sick and the sick are to cover their mouths when they have to speak (confront the healthy).  Of course, the World says otherwise so let’s remember in that in 2 Corinthians 1:12, Paul tells us to “rely not on worldly wisdom but on God’s grace.” So in today’s vernacular, “isolate the sick” translates to social distance / quarantine and “cover their mouths” equates to masks, so the sick should be distanced and only the sick should wear mask when they have to interact with others, whereas the World wants us to believe that everyone should be wearing masks and shutting down all but essential activities and forced isolation are the only means to recovery.

 

Do I want to believe God or man? I am reminded that we are called to be in the world but not of the world.

 

 

Good news is that according to most health “experts” the best protection advice is to social distance, wash hands with soap, and keep hands off the face. Find comfort in the fact that viruses cannot penetrate healthy skin so if you make physical contact with someone or something that you have doubts about then keep you hands off your face until neutralized with soap. Try to avoid excessive use of sanitary lotions and sprays as they have a negative effect on your immune system. Also from these sources the more effective supplements are zinc, vitamin D+, vitamin C (not synthetic C), and B+.

 

From God’s design, the best defense for all diseases is a strong immune system – healthy diets, exercise, and fresh air. You are in control of your immunity!

 

Personal observation: Almost as many I see in grocery stores wearing masks (because they are concerned about their health?), I glance to see what is in their shopping carts to determine just how concerned they really are about their health. Let’s just say that most should keep their masks over their mouths so they can’t eat the garbage foods that are in their carts. Hypocrisy at its finest…but then I am judging!

 

Speaking of judging, realize that there are many people that cannot, or should not, wear masks for medical reasons, so please try not to judge by appearances. Be blessed that you are healthy enough to wear a mask without concern. Or perhaps if you knew that wearing a mask for extended periods has many negative impacts on your internal health then maybe you would consider not wearing one yourself. And if you are one to question why businesses allow maskless shoppers in their establishments in apparent violation of their posted policy otherwise, realize that there are Federal laws that protect the disabled such as:

·        American with Disabilities Act (ADA)

·        HIPPA (first offense $75,000)

·        OSHA

 

In closing, you might appreciate that no conspiracy theories were presented although they abound! Or that “End Time” theories were omitted although they are ever present and prevailing. Finally, the elephant in the room – VACCINES!  Maybe in a later date but for now – You Decide!

 

Interesting recent tidbit from the CDC: Incidents of the flu virus are significantly down this year to which they credit masks while disregarding their own policy of “everything is COVID-19”!

 

 

 Until we meet again “Faith over Fear”!

 

 

“Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.” (Psalm 23:4)

 

 

 

 

TRUTH

     TRUTH

There is only one truth...

If everyone's beliefs were true,

there would be no truth!

Politicizing God

 Making God Political:

What does the Republican Party endorse versus the Democratic Party? That's where we need to look. Which Party is closest to fulfilling God's Will? Which Party does ones "walk in faith" lead to?

 

Simply put, does God want us to kill his unborn children - those children have souls! Does God want us to legalize same sex marriage when He created marriage for a "one man and one woman"? Does God want us to redefine genders after He created only two genders - a man and a woman?

 

Do God’s laws change or are we voting for a Party that changes God's Laws?

 

Do we want to vote for a Party that has removed God from their Party platform; from their daily proceedings; from the pledge to the US flag; from schools and public places; invites satanic invocations at the beginning of public meetings; and the list goes on - or vote for a Party that fears God and prays to Him as a political Party?

 

Do we vote for the Party that keeps abortion clinics open during the pandemic as essential businesses while closing churches and assemblies of worship? Jesus said that we cannot serve two masters, that we are to be "in the world" but not "of the world", so we must choose between serving God or serving the world.

 

Your vote reflects your walk of faith! Which path are you going to take?

The Covid-19 God

The Covid-19 God

 

The following discussion could occur anyplace at any time where there is a congregation between masked and unmasked individuals.

 

(M=masked, U=unmasked)

 

M – Why aren’t you wearing a mask?

U – Why are you wearing a mask?

M – Because of the virus!

U – Are you referring to the Covid-19 virus?

M – Yes. I wear a mask to protect myself from the virus and I wonder why people like you don’t do the same.

U – So you fear the virus?

M – Yes!

U – Do you fear God?

M - What does that matter? Besides, I do not believe in God!

U – Are you an atheist?

M – Yes, I do not believe in God or anything like that.

U – What is it about this entity called God that you don’t believe in?

M – There is no proof that God exists; no one has ever seen God or had any kind of interaction with this entity called God.

U – That’s not what the Holy Bible says.

M – The Bible is a bunch of stories written by men to support a cause, full of errors and contradictions, with no scientific consensus.

U – Do you know that the Bible has never been proven to be wrong, no errors or contradictions?

M – So you say!

U – Over the past 2000 years scientists and archeologists have uncovered relics, cities & sites and documents that support what the Bible says. Nothing uncovered has proven otherwise.

M – All fabrication.

U – What about every thing around you, plants animals, air & water, people including you and the entire universe? Where did all of matter and living things come from?

M – Evolution, starting with the Big Bang theory.

U – You know you just blew apart your position with the word “theory”. Just like Einstein’s proclamation, it was just a theory, not factual, no scientific consensus, lots of unanswered questions.

M – Well, maybe it still has some gaps but many very prominent people state that is true so who am I to challenge their intelligence? Besides, there is nothing else to explain it all.

U – What about a Creator!

M – You mean God?

U – Yes, God. Everything in creation down to the smallest atom reeks of intelligent design, not accidental collision.

M – I still don’t believe in God and I won’t be convinced.

U – So again, why are you wearing a mask?

M – C’mon man – because of Covid-19.

U – Have you seen this virus; do you know what it looks like?

M – I saw pictures of the virus. Very mean looking.

U – Those are just artistic conceptions. Do you realize that no one has ever seen a virus?

M – Sure they have else how would they know what a virus looks like?

U – They don’t. Most other molecular particles can be seen under an electron microscope but never has a virus molecule been visually isolated or photographed including the named Covid-19 virus?

M – Just because it can’t be seen isn’t sufficient proof that the virus doesn’t exist else why are people getting sick, many dying, if there isn’t a virus?

U – OK, so you believe that there is a virus based upon what you’ve been told in the media although no one has ever visually identified a virus cell and that there is little to no factual evidence as to the nature of this virus just information based upon a bunch of stories written by very prominent people to support a cause that is full of errors and contradictions with no scientific consensus or absolute proof that a virus even exists. In other words, Covid-19 is a theory that you fully believe in and you fear it. Does that sum it all up as to why you are wearing a mask?

M – Yep and I do not need any other proof.

U – Fair enough. So again, why don’t you believe in God?

 

 

 

 

 

 

The End Has Begun

 

The End Has Begun

 

For nearly 2000 years, since Christ Jesus ascended into heaven, Christian followers have been in expectation of His Second Coming. The early church, led by the apostles of Jesus, awoke each day in anticipation of Jesus’ return and every evening they went to sleep waiting for the next day in preparation for His return. Unfortunately, over the past centuries, Christians have become relaxed and complacent with regards to End Times prophesies which concludes with the church reuniting with Jesus in eternity. Lives were not being led as if each day would be their last day. One day turned into the next with many generations passing with no definitive presentation or expectation of Biblical prophesy.

 

However, that all changed on May 14, 1948, when David Ben-Gurion, the head of the Jewish Agency, proclaimed the establishment of the State of Israel and U.S. President Harry S. Truman also recognized the new nation on the same day.

 

My interpretation of Biblical scripture translates May 14, 1948 as the first indisputable sign of “End Times” prophesy being fulfilled - Isaiah 66:7-8 “Before the birth pains even begin, Jerusalem gives birth to a son. Who has ever seen anything as strange as this? Who ever heard of such a thing? Has a nation ever been born in a single day? Has a country ever come forth in a mere moment? But by the time Jerusalem’s birth pains begin, her children will be born.”

 

Did you notice the claim that a nation will be born in a single day? May 14, 1948 was the single day when Isaiah 66:7-8 was fulfilled. One must remember that God gave that vision to Isaiah 740 years before the birth of Jesus. Did Isaiah realize what “… a nation born in a single day….” meant? Probably no, not any more than did this or previous generations understand until it happened. Even today, many Christians do not comprehend the magnitude of this one event has in fulfilling Biblical prophecy - all other End Times prophesy hinge upon this singular event.

 

Look at Jeremiah 16:14-15, “However, look, the days are coming” the Lord’s declaration “when it will no longer be said, ‘As the Lord lives who brought the Israelites from the land of Egypt,’ but rather, ‘As the Lord lives who brought the Israelites from the land of the north and from all the other lands where he had banished them. For I will return them to their land that I gave to their ancestors.”

 

Also Hosea 3:4-5, “For the Israelites must live many days without king or prince, without sacrifice or sacred pillar, and without ephod or household idols. Afterward, the people of Israel will return and seek the Lord their God and David their king. They will come with awe to the Lord and to his goodness in the last days.”

 

Since Rome destroyed the Temple in Jerusalem in A.D. 70, Jews have been displaced all over the world. Israel was no longer their land; they had no temple to perform sacrifices, no place to call home.

 

But as important as it was for Israel to be recognized as an independent nation, another prophesy had to be sequenced into the order of End Times events. You see, in 1948 the United Nations returned only a small portion of what historically had been Israel’s land; it did not include the city of Jerusalem nor the Sinai Peninsula, Golan Heights, Gaza Strip, or the West Bank. Without Jerusalem, the nation of Israel was still incomplete and the remaining End Time prophesies could not proceed.

But when Israel was attacked in 1967 by the enemies surrounding them, Israel overcame all military odds and at the end of the Six Day War, Israel reclaimed Jerusalem along with the other territories - and thus another prophesy among many fulfilled.

 

Zechariah 8:7-8 “This is what the Lord of Heaven’s Armies says: You can be sure that I will rescue my people from the east and from the west. I will bring them home again to live safely in Jerusalem. They will be my people, and I will be faithful and just toward them as their God.”

 

Note: Remember that Israel has never occupied all of the land God promised to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. That, however, will soon come to pass following Jesus’ return.

 

So what remains to be fulfilled before the return of Christ Jesus? What about the Rapture? What about the signs regarding the seven year Tribulation period? What do I need to know? Most importantly…

 

What must I do before it’s too late?

 

(stay tuned)

Introduction to Biblical Healing

Biblical Healing – Introduction

(Part One in a series of Biblical Healing teachings)

First and foremost, I am humbled to be presenting God’s Word in a manner that I have known yet did not previously carry it out to fruition.

Please note that the information presented within is NOT of my opinion but from numerous sources - too many to list. However, I will try to let you know when I offer an opinion. 

Disclaimer (I borrowed from the Internet):

The information on this site is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. All content is for general information purposes only. I make no representation and assume no responsibility for the accuracy of information contained in or available through this article, and such information is subject to change without notice. You are encouraged to confirm any information obtained from or through this web site with other sources, and review all information regarding any medical condition or treatment with your physician. NEVER DISREGARD PROFESSIONAL MEDICAL ADVICE OR DELAY SEEKING MEDICAL TREATMENT BECAUSE OF SOMETHING YOU HAVE READ ON OR ACCESSED THROUGH THIS ARTICLE.  

The fun part is that some of the information you may disagree with, which is OK but I ask only one consideration – if you disagree with any of the information then do the research and prove what is presented to be wrong. What I mean about research is not an opinion piece (webMD) that supports your argument, but true scientific data collaborated across all communities.

You see, everyone has an opinion and as allegedly quoted by Adolph Hitler:

“If you tell a big enough lie and tell it frequently enough, it will be believed.”

As you will learn later, I was led into learning the truth about health because I believed the lie that was big enough and told frequently enough that I, along with most of the world, believed it.

Again, welcome. The first question that I have for you is “Why are we here” OK, think Biblically and eternally, why did God put us here?

The answer lies in Matthew 28:19:

“Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.”

For that reason we must start here to establish motivation and purpose before the proceeding with the follow-on presentations. You see, what I really want to discuss won’t fit in one presentation effectively but we can start here.

So let us first establish some basic truisms:

•         What does not strengthen our immune systems weakens it

•         There is not one prescription drug that heals*

•         God design our bodies to be self-regulating and self-healing

•         The medical industry does not profit from healthy people

•         The FDA was not created to protect us citizens

•         The Hippocratic Oath “Do No Harm” is no longer a requirement

•         General Practitioners are taught today to “manage disease” not “cure”

•         Medical Schools teach one course in Nutrition

•          "Let thy food be thy medicine and thy medicine be thy food." – Hippocrates

•         Inflammation is the root cause of all diseases

•         National Institute of Health is comprised of 80+ pharmaceutical companies

•         Being Healthy is our natural state

•         God’s Word is Truth

*Antibiotics appropriately prescribed and appropriately applied may be an exception)

Professional writers suggest one to focus on a maximum of three points but I have this problem – I tend to deviate and go off on tangents so who knows where we travel but I must meet three goals:

First: As Christians, why is our health so important since I have salvation?

Second: Why do I need the Bible when I have doctors, health insurance, and prescription drugs galore?

Third: Does the Bible really prescribe health guidance AND healing remedies?

OK, so let’s return to my opening question and recall your answers to – Why did God put us here by remember what the apostle Paul say about a believer’s body?

“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, for God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body.” (1 Cor 6:20)

So, how can we honor God with our bodies?

Do you realize that being healthy is our natural state? Being healthy is what God intended for us.

Besides, how can we be effective disciples if we are not in the best of health?

Yes, many of us have personally witnessed individuals within our church family being Christ-like while suffering through personal tribulations, some terminal - so I am not suggesting that God cannot use us if we are not perfectly well. Quite the opposite.

So then, what is our motivation to follow a path of health and healing?

 Well, let’s pose that question a bit differently. If our health as Christians is not important to us, or to God, then why did God give us plants for our medications (Ezekiel 47:12 and Revelation 22:2)?

“The fruit will be for food and the leaves for healing.”

“The leaves were used for medicine to heal the nations.”

Then why did God provide specific foods as in Genesis 1:29: 

“Then God said, “Look! I have given you every seed-bearing plant throughout the earth and all the fruit trees for your food.”

Then why was healing part of Jesus’s ministry?

“I will give you back your health and heal your wounds,” says the LORD. (Jer 30:17)

Also in Luke 9:1:

“One day Jesus called together his twelve disciples and gave them power and authority to cast out all demons and to heal all diseases.”

Obviously we can cite instances in Scripture all night but one observation I find interesting is that almost every time Jesus healed spiritually He also healed physically.

So, if physical health was important to Jesus then should it not be important to us!

Also, as we will learn later in this discussion, as we segue from this introduction; there are 1,031 references in Scripture to “healing/anointing” oils - oil producing plants and their healing applications.  (Healing Oils of the Bible by David Stewart, Ph.D.)

So the question for each me, and perhaps other Christians is:

“why do I not consult the Holy Bible first for health and wellness direction instead of first running to the doctor’s office?”

Well, speaking for myself that is for something I need to pray about.

So then, who is responsible for our health? In comparison, could we ask who is responsible for our salvation?

Pastor?
Church?

Family member?

Spouse?

Friend?

Nope, I alone am responsible for my health and my salvation.

But then what role does the medical profession have on my health?

Well, according to the Wall Street Journal (WSJ 2014):  

• The United States spends more on health care as a percentage of GDP than other developed countries, but Americans are less healthy.
• America spent more than 17% of its gross domestic product on medical care and drugs in 2014. Yet our life expectancy at birth was only 78.8 years according to the latest data available--lower than most developed countries.
• World Health Organization’s Ranking of the World’s Health Systems ranked the USA 37th, just two above Cuba.
• It's a chilling reality – one often overlooked in annual mortality statistics: Preventable medical errors persist as the No. 3 killer in the U.S. – third only to heart disease and cancer – claiming the lives of some 400,000 people each year.
• Nearly 100,000 Americans die every year from adverse reactions to FDA-approved prescription drugs. That's twenty-five times the number of people killed by H1N1 swine flu (even if you believe the CDC's numbers). So where's the big warning about the dangers of prescription drugs? Why isn't the CDC warning Americans about an "epidemic of dangerous drugs" that poses a far greater threat to your health? (Natural News)
• The Mayo Clinic lists acetaminophen (e.g., Tylenol) as one of the major causes of acute liver failure—and the most common cause of liver failure in the US. Within days of taking a very large dose of Tylenol, acute liver failure can develop. 
• Tylenol overdose may overwhelm the liver's defenses and cause liver damage or even liver failure. Liver failure can be fatal; the only known cure for acute liver failure is a liver transplant.  
• It is estimated that acetaminophen poisoning calls exceed 100,000 per year. Studies indicate that acetaminophen overdose results in over 56,000 injuries, 2,500 hospitalizations, and an estimated 450 deaths per year. (For more information on Acetaminophen poisoning visit eMedicalHealth.)

OK, Healthcare in America is deadly and Tylenol leads the list, but what about our individual habits? Are we making ourselves sick?

According to The Makers Diet by Jordan S. Rubin, our everyday habits and practices just may be leading us down the path to dis-ease! And one can be sure that this list is just a sampling list.

•  Staying out of the sun
• Going to bed after midnight
• Never letting them see you sweat
• Taking Megavitamins
• Consuming Fluoride (toothpaste, mouthwash, drinking water)
• Using artificial sweeteners
• Showering every day
• Swimming in chlorinated pools (drinking & bathing)
• Not breast feeding babies
•  Getting tattoos
•  Getting all of your immunization shots
• Traveling in airplanes frequently
• Exposing to EMF
• Using commercial hygiene and antibacterial products
• Taking lots of medications
• Getting cavities filled with mercury
• Over-doing aerobic exercises
• Wearing contact lenses / receiving implants
• Living in a toxic homes
• Wearing synthetic fabrics
• Breathing with shallow breaths
• Not fully chewing food
• Using plastic food storage products
• Eating non-organic foods
• Wearing tight clothing
• Electing surgery to remove “unnecessary body parts”
• Visiting your doctor often

(I suggest that you read the referenced book to learn the validity behind each of these points.)

Now we are going to learn about Essential Oils (EO's) as related to Anointing oils. As an introduction to these oils, a quick comparison between EO’s and pharmaceutical drugs is in order.

The information below derived from Health Impact News, 2019, comparing Essential Oils to pharmaceutical drugs.

• Drugs and oils work in opposite ways. Drugs toxify. Oils detoxify.
• Drugs clog and confuse receptor sites. Oils clean receptor sites.
• Drugs depress the immune system. Oils strengthen the immune system.
• Antibiotics attack bacteria indiscriminately, killing both the good and the bad. Oils attack only the harmful bacteria, allowing our body’s friendly flora to flourish.
• Drugs are one-dimensional, programmed like robots to carry out certain actions in the body, whether the body can benefit from them or not. When body conditions change, drugs keep on doing what they were doing, even when their actions are no longer beneficial.
•  Essential oils are multi-dimensional, filled with homeostatic intelligence to restore the body to a state of healthy balance. When body conditions change, oils adapt, raising or lowering blood pressure as needed, stimulating or repressing enzyme activity as needed, energizing or relaxing as needed. 
•  Oils are smart. Drugs are dumb.
• Drugs are designed to send misinformation to cells or block certain receptor sites in order to trick the body into giving up symptoms. But drugs never deal with the actual causes of disease. They aren’t designed for that purpose. While they may give prompt relief for certain uncomfortable symptoms, because of their strange, unnatural design, they will always disrupt certain other bodily functions. Thus, you always have some side effects.
• Oil molecules send information to cells and cleanse receptor sites so that they bring your body back to natural function. Oils are balancing to the body. Drugs are unbalancing to the body.
•  Oils address the causes of disease at a cellular level by deleting misinformation and reprogramming correct information so that cells function properly and in harmony with one another.
• With drugs, misinformation is fed into the cells so that some temporary relief may be obtained, but there is never any true healing. 
• Drugs only trade one kind of disease for another.
•  Because essential oils properly applied always work toward the restoration of proper bodily function, they do not cause undesirable side effects. They are feeding the body with truth. 
•  Drugs feed the body with lies. While no amount of truth can contradict itself, it doesn’t take many lies before contradictions occur and the body suffers ill effects.

Are you getting to see the difference between God's plan compared to the world's plan for your health and wellness? From the above comparison would you opt for God's anointing oils or man's pharmaceutical drugs?

Again, the purpose of this discussion was to establish motivation for you to continue on your quest of reaching optimum health; and purpose by disclosing that only you are responsible for your health. The “Biblical Healing” series should help influence you on your path to freedom from dis-ease! Always discuss your medical concerns with your medical physician but remember something very important - they were all trained by the pharmaceutical industry.