August 19: NEW START! (part 2)

Then Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people. Matthew 9:35

The tender compassion of Jesus is made even more evident by His concern for the health of His people. He cares about every aspect of life and understood that we often stumble into habits that cause damage. When He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were weary and scattered, like sheep having no shepherd (v.36). The Great Physician is also the Good Shepherd whose agenda is to lead as many of His sheep to heaven as are willing to follow Him. Those among us who hear God’s call to render the “Elijah message” to the world – a saving message of repentance and restoration – are also hearing Jesus point out: “The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.” (vv.37-38) May God’s people seek to be a part of the answer to this prayer by developing habits that will strengthen and develop minds and bodies to carry the life-saving message from the Giver of Life to all who are willing to hear it! Continuing with the NEW START plan:

Temperance: By exercising your will to steer clear of caffeine, alcohol, nicotine, refined sugars, and drugs, you will positively affect your immune function. Your stress level will go down and your integrity will go up. These are decisions that only you can make, but when you submit to the Lord, you can be sure to find grace to help in time of need (Hebrews 4:16).

Air: Breathing in clean, pure air fills your body with the most needed nutrient: oxygen! Get out in nature and breathe deeply. Keep your home and car clean, making sure of good ventilation; and change HVAC filters regularly.

Rest: The sunlight mentioned yesterday positively affects sleep quality. It is good to establish a regular bedtime and stick with it. Many restorative activities within the brain and body happen only during quality sleep. And there is another wonderful dimension of rest: God crowned Creation with a seventh day for the purpose of resting in Him and with Him. The weekly Sabbath, the 24-hour period that He built onto the work week, is a time that He blessed…and sanctified (Genesis 2:3), setting it apart from regular work for all people – and even the animals. He rested Himself, not because He was tired, but as an example for us to follow as we seek His blessings for sanctification. This weekly rhythm is a vital part of Creation’s divine design.

Trust: Nothing compares with trusting in God. With Him in the “driver’s seat” your decision-making gets a “makeover.” To trust human ideas above those of the LORD, is to risk inviting trouble that can have ongoing repercussions. Better to trust in Him who knows best.

Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, and whose hope is the LORD. For he shall be like a tree planted by the waters, Which spreads out its roots by the river. And will not fear when heat comes; But its leaf will be green, And will not be anxious in the year of drought. Nor will cease from yielding fruit. Jeremiah 17:7-8