Your Body is a Temple

Your body is a temple for Jesus, so it makes perfect sense to keep it healthy.  Being healthy means more than simply avoiding illness.  It means living to glorify God.  Everything we do to care for the body God gave us shows how thankful we are…and I’m not just talking about the food we eat!

“Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have form God, and you are not your own?  For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify god in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.”  1 Corinthians 6:19-20 NKJ

Living life to its full potential; physically, mentally, socially and spiritually is known as Living the Abundant Life, which is exactly what God wants for us.

Jesus said, “The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill and to destroy.  I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.”  John 10:10 NKJ: 

Don’t Worry Be Healthy!  Stress and worry cause undue wear and tear on the mind and body.  Of course, it is natural to be concerned about the important things, but constantly fretting about things that you cannot possibly have any control of is a waste of time and emotion.  Focusing on these little and insignificant things will only drain you of what is good.  It will only make you blind to the many good blessings in your life…blessings that you also have no control over.  That’s right; you cannot control the bad or the good.   When rain falls, everyone gets wet; when the sun shines everyone feels its warmth. 

Jesus teaches about worry in Matthew 6:25-34.  Jesus says, “Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father fees them.  Are you not of more value than they?”  Matthew 6:26 NKJ

Jesus went on to say, “So why do you worry about clothing?  Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they neither toil nor spin; and yet I say to you that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.  Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?  Matthew 6:28-30 NKJ

(n fact, many of life’s lessons can be learned in the first 7 chapters of the book of Matthew, but don’t stop here! The entire Bible has plenty to offer.  The word, B-I-B-L-E is an acronym for Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth.  Study it!  Read it again and again!  Every time you read each story in the Bible you are sure to learn something new.)

Disease and accidents are things we have little control over, but we can make sensible choices to reduce risk and promote good health.  Many diseases are brought on by poor eating habits and lack of exercise.  Obesity is one of the greatest killers; yet, one of the easiest to prevent. 

God created a perfect world and He provided Adam and Eve everything they needed in the Garden of Eden.  Consider the diet that God intended for all of us then wonder why so many choose to carry the excess weight that will only drag them down and reduce the days of their life.

Food from God:  The diet in the Garden of Eden consisted of fruits and vegetables, nuts, seeds and grains.  Since there was no death, animals were not eaten; therefore, there was no such thing as high cholesterol and heart disease!  We do need protein, but we don’t need to get it from any animal products!  A plant based diet provides high-nutrition and low-calories.  God’s prescribed diet is superior to any other.

And god said, “See, I have given you every herb that yields seed which is on the face of all the earth, and every tree whose fruit yields seed to you it shall be for food.  Also, to every beast of the earth, to every bird of the air and to everything that creeps on the earth, in which there is life, I have given every green herb for food”; and it was so.”  Genesis 1:29, 30 NKJ

Exercise:  “I don’t have time,” is the most common excuse of all!  We are given 24 hours in every day.  If we can find 6 - 8 hours to sleep, 8 hours to work and all the time we spend eating in front of the TV, then we can certainly find time to take care of our body!  Instead of gorging on two big plates full of food for dinner, followed by chips and ice cream in front of the TV, eat just one plate of food, drink plenty of water, then go for a walk!  Enjoy nature; listen to the different sounds of birds, crickets and cicadas.  Look at the different colors in the sky and shapes of the clouds.  If your time is so limited, use this time for prayer and reflection as well as exercise.

Water, Air and Sunshine:  The sun, air and water are gifts from God and great sources of nutrition!  Water is essential for health.  We need to drink plenty of water to stay hydrated and to promote healthy kidney function and regulate our body temperature.  The sun is a valuable source of vitamin D, necessary for maintaining hormone levels and promoting cell growth.  Vitamin D helps the body process calcium for strong bones and healthy teeth.  Fresh air is critical to healthy lung function. In fact, we simply cannot live without air!  Unfortunately air pollution is part of our world today, but we do have some control.  I don’t think I have to go into the health effects of smoking! 

Note:  Though sugary drinks, alcoholic drinks, coffee and tea do contain water, the sugar, alcohol and caffeine are detrimental to health and they destroy the benefits of pure water.  Caffeine actually acts as a diuretic and depletes the body of more liquid that it provides.  (Have you noticed how often you need to urinate after drinking beer, coffee or tea compared to pure, clean water?)

Rest:  I’m not talking about laziness!  That is one of the reasons so many people are overweight today; they are just plain lazy!  On the other hand, lack of sleep can also effect metabolism and promote weight gain.  Lack of sleep can lead to high stress which can lead to impulsive eating and obesity.  The rest I’m referring to here is 6 – 8 hours of sleep each night and 24 hours per week of rest from the secular world.  God rewards us by giving us the Sabbath rest after a 6-day week of productive work.  I work hard all week; therefore, the commandment to rest on the Sabbath is the easiest one of all to keep!  You say you want me to rest one day a week…oh yeah!  Sounds good to me! 

Of course there is more to the Sabbath day than simply resting, but that is another whole article which I promise to write soon. 

“Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy.  Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord your God.  In it you shall do no work:  you, nor your son, nor your daughter, nor your male servant, nor your female servant, nor your cattle, nor your stranger who is within your gates.  For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea and all that is in them, and rested on the seventh day.  Therefore, the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and hallowed it.”  Exodus 20:8-11 NKJ

Healthy Resources:

Eggs – good or bad?  There has been some controversy about eggs.  Though they are not a necessary part of a healthy diet, I like them too!  There are far worse things to eat than eggs.  If you are going to eat eggs, consider Free Range Eggs versus Caged Chicken eggs.


Spiritual Health – The Three Angels Message is an important message for life – everlasting life!

Humor – Laughter is the Best Medicine!  Contrary to popular belief, being a Seventh-day Adventist is not all about being simple, humble, serious and low-key.  Check out the side bar to the right for humorous videos and some good (clean) jokes.  There is plenty of evidence in the Bible that God does have a sense of humor so go ahead and enjoy a good laugh once in a while.

Do You Believe in Hell?

Seriously, think about it…do you really think God would have any interest in seeing any of his children, even the most evil, burn for all eternity?  God is the sustainer of all life; he is constantly at work keeping things alive.  Why would a loving God care to keep evil people alive to torture for eternity?  I think he is more interested in spending eternity focusing on better, more enjoyable things like loving his children who love him.  This article will address and correct some commonly believed misconceptions about hell.

There really is no hell (not as most people imagine it anyway).

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.  (John 3:16 NKJ)

This is the most important promise stated in the Bible.  It states that believers will live eternally, not the wicked. 

The followers of Satan will not burn eternally, but they will join him in the flames where they will die a final death and sleep for eternity.  When a fire burns, it eventually goes out, leaving ash behind.  That is exactly what hellfire will do.

For behold, the day is coming, burning like an oven, and all the proud, yes, all who do wickedly will be stubble.  And the day which is coming shall burn them up, says the Lord of hosts, that will leave them neither root nor branch.  (Malachi 4:1 NKJ)

You shall trample the wicked, for they shall be ashes under the soles of your feet on the day that I do this, says the Lord of hosts. (Malachi 4:3 NKJ)

In other words, God plans to destroy the evil forces, not put them in charge of an eternal firepit!  Satan and his angels will not be exalted, even in hell!

The devil who deceived them, was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone where the beast and the false prophet are.  And they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.  (Rev 21:10 NKJ)

Oops!  Did it say ‘day and night forever and ever’!  That could be why some people think hell is for real with eternal torture and burning for the wicked and evil!

There are several places in the Bible where the term “forever” is used to mean a time of indefinite duration where the beginning and ending of that time depend on the nature of the person, circumstance or thing to which it is implied.  Here is one example:

But Hannah did not go up, for she said to her husband, ‘Not until the child is weaned; then I will take him, that he may appear before the Lord and remain there forever.’  (Samuel 1:22 NJK)

Of course, we know that Samuel did not remain in the sanctuary forever.

Chapter 7 of the book of Jude indicates that the people of Sodom suffered the vengeance of “eternal fire.”  If this were meant literally, then Sodom would still be burning today!

There are also times when we use the term “forever” when it doesn’t really mean forever.  For example:  “This is going to take forever!” “I’ve been waiting forever to see you!”  “I want the job done now; I’m not going to wait forever to get it done.”

So, in describing hellfire the terms forever and eternal mean until the wicked are consumed.  It also means that the consequences of evil are eternal, just like the rewards of righteousness are eternal (as in eternal life).  When forever and eternal are used in reference to everlasting life, you can take it literally as promised by God. 

Where is hell and who is there?

Many people believe we go straight to heaven or hell right when we die.  That is another misconception and another article that I will be posting soon!  The Bible is clear as to when hell begins and where it is located.  Jesus speaks clearly when he says:

“So it will be at the end of the age.  The angels will come forth, separate the wicked from among the just, and cast them into the furnace of fire.  There will be wailing and gnashing of teeth.”  (Matthew 13:49-50 NKJ)

So, hell will not exist until the end of days and no one is there yet!  The dead are sleeping until Jesus returns.  I know it sounds nice to say “grandma is in heaven,” or “that wicked man is now burning in hell,” but is simply isn’t so.  This will be explained in an upcoming article about the state of the dead.

Bible expressions of forever and eternal, written according to the Hebrew language, can indicate utter and thorough destruction, or until death.  When speaking about hell, it means that judgment will be thorough.

When the Bible was written, it wasn’t intended to be confusing, but it was intended to make people hunger for the truth and give them the desire to study intently.  The Bible was written a long time ago, in an ancient language.  We are blessed to have access to the Word of God translated in our language. 

Read more Myths About Hell

Amazing Facts Study Guide:  Is the Devil in Charge of Hell?

Three Angels Message – Are You Ready?

The Three Angels Message contains critical information that could literally save your life!  I’m referring to your eternal life in Heaven.  Jesus is coming soon; will you be ready?  Though no one knows the exact time of his coming, except Jesus Himself, it is one appointment that you cannot afford to miss!

For many people the book of Revelation is a very confusing book.  Some say it is scary, full of dread, but it actually contains good news and hope for God’s people.  Satan and his followers are the only ones who should be trembling at the messages provided in Revelation.

We must study and pray in order to understand the symbolism in Revelation.  Simply reading it is not sufficient for most people to grasp its full meaning.  This article is only intended to give you a simplified version of the three angels message.  I hope and pray that you get excited enough to study more deeply and take advantage of the resources offered in this website to learn more and to develop a close relationship with Jesus so you are not left behind when he returns to take his people home!

Jesus is coming soon and angels are real!  Some are assigned to be protectors and guides for God’s people.  Others are God’s messengers who proclaim the good news of our salvation.  Revelation 14 contains some of God’s most awesome end-time messages wrapped in the symbolism of three flying angels.  Much of revelation is symbolic, but Jesus’ second coming is very real, Heaven is real, angels are real and their message is critical to your salvation!

The Three Angels Message:

Saying with a loud voice, “Fear God and give glory to Him, for the hour of His judgment has come; and worship Him who made heaven and earth, the sea and springs of water.” (Revelation 14:7 NKJV)

Fear God:  This does not mean to be afraid of God, but to revere God, love God and trust and respect Him.  Be happy to serve him and keep his commandments.

Give Glory to God:  Obey God and give Him praise; thank God for everything.   It’s OK to take pride in your work, but don’t be sinfully proud of your accomplishments.  Remember everything good comes from God and He is the source of your success, so thank Him for blessing your work and all that you do.

The hour of His judgment has come:  We are all accountable to God and the judgment is now in session.

Worship the Creator:  Reject idolatry, self-worship, and evolution!  Worship God on the Sabbath which is the 7^th day of the week (Saturday) and the day He set aside as a memorial of Creation.

“And another angel followed, saying, “Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she has made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication.”  (Revelation 14:8 NKJV)  Also see Revelation 18.  And I heard another voice from heaven saying, “Come out of her, my people, lest you share in her sins, and lest you receive of her plagues.  For her sins have reached to heaven, and God has remembered her iniquities.” (Revelation 18:4-5 NKJV)

Do you know what this means?  Is it possible that you are in Babylon now?  The second angel warns God’s people to come out of Babylon immediately.  Babylon was the name of both an evil city and an immoral empire, a world center of idol worship.  Just as Babylon was the Jews’ worst enemy, the Roman Empire was the worst enemy of the early Christians.  The name Babylon has been applied to the enemy of God’s people (Rome) and, by extension, to all God’s enemies of all times.

Then a third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, “if anyone worships the beast and his image, and receives his mark on his forehead or on his hand, he himself shall also drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out full strength into the cup of His indignation.  He shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb.  And the smoke of their torment ascends forever and ever; and they have no rest day or night, who worship the beast and his image, and whoever receives the mark of his name.”  (Revelation 14:9 – 11 NKJV)

Those who worship the beast accept his mark and operate according to his world economic system will ultimately face God’s judgment.   The world values money, power and pleasure over God’s leadership.  Many people will disown God and violate Christian principles to have what the world values.  The third angel warns that these people will drink the wine of God’s wrath.  Sadly, many people will worship the beast and accept his mark without even realizing it!

So, the three angels message is:

·         Worship God!

·         Come out of Babylon!

·         Don’t take the Mark of the Beast!

As a new member of the Seventh-Day Adventist Church, I am convinced that no one can fully understand the three angels message without instruction from the church.  The first angels message is pretty clear, but further study is needed to understand the second and third angel‘s messages.  Again, this article was just intended to give you a simple overview and to entice you to learn more.

Please do not be discouraged and do not be afraid.  If you are in Babylon, you can come out.  If you have (unknowingly) been marked by the beast, you can erase it!

Truly, these times of ignorance God overlooked, but now commands all men everywhere to repent, because he has appointed a day on which he will judge the world in righteousness by the Man whom He has ordained.  He has given assurance of this to all by raising Him from the dead.”  (Acts 17:29-30 NKJV)

Where there is life, there is hope.  As long as you live, you can turn and repent.  Ask for God’s forgiveness and you will be forgiven.  This is why Jesus died for us, so that we could be redeemed.  He knew, from the very beginning that all of us would fail to measure up to the glory of God.

The King James Version of the Bible states in Acts 17:30: And the times of this ignorance God winked at but now commandeth all men everywhere to repent.

I believe God’s eye has been stuck shut for quite some time winking at me!  So, please do not take my word for it.  Study, study and study some more!  To the best of my knowledge, everything I post on this site is true, but I’m only human, and I can make mistakes, so study God’s word to learn the truth.

I will continue to study and pray and thank God every day that I am seeing the light and learning more of the truth every time I read from my bible, attend worship service and join in group bible studies.  Of course, I will not know it all until I get to Heaven, which I am eagerly looking forward to (but not taking it for granted).

The Amazing Facts Study Guides are a great source of information about the Three Angels Message.  Much of the content of this article was taken from Study Guide #16 Angel Messages from Space.  For more information about Babylon, read Study Guide #20, The Mark of the Beast and learn more about the beast and his mark in Study Guide # 21 The USA in Bible Prophecy.