WHEN YOU SEE A FLAW IN SOMEONE ELSE - TURN AWAY - DON'T TAKE PICTURES - PRINCIPLES OF VICTORY IN THE CHRISTIAN LIFE - Part XI

On television and in movies and even on the radio, entertainment often takes the form of human beings speaking unkindly about or to each other. It is not uncommon to hear people make comments or remarks about other people in the home, in the workplace and even in the church. Much of this happens because many of us don't understand the powerful effect of words upon our own lives. Even if the words spoken about someone are a true description of that person, unless the purpose is for the good of the speaker and the one spoken about, it can result in positive harm. Speaking about the personality issues or character flaws of others is not healthy for the mind and not in any way uplifting to the listener. As we continue reviewing the principles that assist in obtaining the victory over sin and selfishness, let's look at how we should relate to the flaws that we see in others and our own character weaknesses.

PRINCIPLES THAT ASSIST IN OBTAINING THE VICTORY

TURNING AWAY FROM HUMAN IMPERFECTION TO GOD

a) When a person turns away from human imperfections and beholds Jesus, a divine transformation takes place in his or her character.

b) Everything that causes us to see the weakness of humanity is in the Lord's purpose to help us to look to him, and in no case put our trust in man, or make flesh our arm. It is not intended that these weaknesses should be the theme of conversations.

c) The soul does not become more and more like Christ by beholding evil, but like the evil which it beholds. When we allow our minds to dwell upon the imperfections of others, our own souls become filled with the leaven of evil. By dwelling upon the faults of others, we are changed into the same image. Love cannot exist where the conversation is largely upon the errors and mistakes of others.

d) If we allow the mind to dwell upon the imperfections and moral deformities of others, we ourselves shall become depraved in character, and mentally one-sided and unbalanced. But if the mind dwells upon the perfect life of Christ, and the thoughts and conversation are centered upon him, we shall be changed to the same image.

e) We darken our lives by talking of our own imperfections or of the imperfections of others. The victory over sin and self is not gained by focusing on our imperfections and sin. It is obtained by focusing on and reflecting the beauty of Christ's character as God supplies the grace.

f) The more we dwell upon our own imperfections, the less strength we shall have to overcome them.

g) It is not praiseworthy to talk of our weakness and discouragement. Let each one say, "I am grieved that I yield to temptation, that my prayers are so feeble, my faith so weak. I have no excuse to plead for being dwarfed in my religious life. But I am seeking to obtain completeness of character in Christ. I have sinned, and yet I love Jesus. I have fallen many times, and yet He has reached out His hand to save me. I have told Him all about my mistakes. I have confessed with shame and sorrow that I have dishonored Him. I have looked to the cross and have said, All this He suffered for me. The Holy Spirit has shown me my ingratitude, my sin in putting Christ to open shame. He who knows no sin has forgiven my sin. He calls me to a higher, nobler life, and I press on to the things that are before."

h) God reveals to us our guilt that we may flee to Christ, and through Him be set free from the bondage of sin, and rejoice in the liberty of the sons of God.

The principles given to Christians in the Bible are often very different from the principles at the foundation of conduct in this world. And why shouldn't they be ? The Christian life is to be a preparation for eternity in the world to come; a world completely different from this world. Hence, the relationships which we have with other human beings must be governed by principles which more fully reveal the love of God in the character of Christ. Needlessly exposing or conversing upon the flaws and faults of others just gets in the way.

Jeremiah 17:5/Hebrews 12:2/Isaiah 45:22/Psalms 34:4,5, 1:1-3, 118:8, 19:14/Micah 7:7/Philippians 4:8/1 John 2:1, 1:8,9/2 Corinthians 3:8, 4:18/Galatians 6:1/Proverbs 17:9

© 2011 Tyrone Keels

www.issues-of-life.com

You have just been reading from page 10 of a booklet entitled, "Principles of Victory in the Christian Life" Look for more pages from this booklet in future blog posts...

BEWARE ! - WATCH OUT !! - DON'T LET THIS PERSON RUIN YOUR LIFE

You will never guess who I am on your own. My goal is to destroy you. I have fooled you before and I will certainly do it again and again. I have to be brutally honest with you. I do not care for you and in fact I hate you. I am definitely your worst enemy. Don’t try to figure me out. I’m much more cunning than you can imagine. I will out think you every time. You are no match for me. You will never be able to defeat me on your own and you’re probably already worshipping me. Let me tell you a little about me.

I hate perfect order and perfect organization. In fact, I hate the very word perfection especially as it pertains to the conscience and morality. I am by nature against self-sacrifice and self-control. I don’t like rules and laws that prevent me from being me. I disagree with people who are constantly trying to uphold any moral standards or principles which interfere with having fun and pleasure. I believe that life is meant to be enjoyed and full of self gratification. I answer to no one but me. Don’t try to correct me when I need to be corrected because I do not appreciate people trying to help me see that I am wrong even if I am wrong. In case you still don’t get it, let me spell it out for you in plain English. I live for me and me alone. My plan is to live life according to my view of the way life should be lived but I will not live life in order to please any so called God or gods. No I’m not the devil but I am your worst enemy.

Life must center around me and what makes me happy and I don’t plan to let you think otherwise. I’ll help you to feel that it is not necessary to consistently show compassion and mercy towards other human beings. I oppose all your efforts to be kind and sympathetic towards those who are in need of your time and energy or assistance. Don’t try to be conscientious regarding your health. I can stop you. I can make sure that you eat whatever you feel is right, as much as you like, whenever you like. I encourage you to avoid physical, mental and spiritual health at all costs. I hope to lead you to disregard any foolish nonsensical talk about laws of health. I will lead you to put the responsibility for your health in the hands of someone else.

In my view, no one should be expected to live a restrictive life. Me listening to whatever music, eating whatever food, wearing whatever clothes, enjoying any entertainment or engaging in any activity that pleases me is what I expect you to understand and accommodate. As far as I’m concerned, beauty of character and moral excellence are boring, idealistic and impractical subjects. To me, people who are always trying to do good or be good are hypocrites because nobody can be nor should anyone try to be perfect in the way that it says to be perfect in that so called holy Book that people refer to as the Bible.

I try to make sure that your mind is ruined by leading you to leave it unguarded. When you try to focus your mind exclusively on truth and goodness and purity, I distract you and turn your attention elsewhere. I will make you afraid to be considered fanatical when it comes to guarding your mind. I will trick you into allowing wrong principles to take firm hold in your mind through music and images from books, movies, television shows and other sources. I will convince you that this is freedom of choice and work to help you believe that there is nothing wrong with these things because you are in control.

I work to flood your mind with your own opinions instead of truth and I’ll help you build your life upon opinions. I want to help you to trust in you and your reasoning ability alone. I make your conscience less and less sensitive and if it is troubled in any way, I influence you to rationalize away any ridiculous moral concerns. I’ll keep you from thinking about things like eternity, the judgment and overcoming weaknesses of character.

You’ll never find me because I’m a master of disguise. I hide behind words and actions which do not reveal my true motives. I can end your life without you even knowing that I did it. I know all your weak points. I know what you like and what you don’t like. I know all about you and how to motivate you but you hardly even know me. I have an enormous appetite and can never be satisfied with just a little or just once. You will never be able to make me happy.

I positively resist any and all efforts to change me or make me different. I am proud of who I am and you must accept me the way that I am. You must accept me for me and there is nothing that you alone can do about my power over you. Do you know who I am ? I’m your worst enemy.

There are verses in the Bible that refer to me as the carnal nature or the flesh. Other places speak of me as the human heart. Some call me human nature. My real name is SELF and I am thoroughly, hopelessly, extremely selfish. I live in you and I am at the core of your being. Pleased to make your acquaintance. Now go back to what you were doing and keep serving me because you know you like it.

Don’t even think about breaking free from my power. I’ve got chains wrapped around your heart and I am not planning to let you go any time soon unless I am forced to do so.

There is only One who can help you to conquer me. He is my natural enemy as well as yours. He can strengthen you to resist me and to overcome me. His name is Jesus Christ and He has helped many to be free from my power and influence. He alone can open your eyes and help you to see me as the monster that I am.

He can cause me pain. If you cooperate with Him and live to please Him, you will destroy me. Therefore I must keep you from spending time with Him. I must keep you from loving Him and living your life in such a way as to please Him.

He will lead you to choose music that I don’t like but the music He chooses is acceptable in heaven. He will cause you to feel compassion and sympathy for other human beings and to think of new ways to bless them. He will lead you to actually help others and suffer inconveniences for them without murmuring or complaining. He will make you a cheerful giver. He can take away the sarcasm and the sharpness and the coldness from your character and put love in your looks and manners and in the tones of your voice.

He will lead you to be careful with your time, your money, your words and your actions so that you consult with Him concerning each of these things.

He can give you a deep, increasing, unchanging joy to take the place of my counterfeit happiness which is dependent upon circumstances and having things. He can make you beautiful on the inside while I can really dress up the outside and make it look nice. Once He has your affections, you will willingly, gratefully and wholeheartedly live to make Him happy instead of me and that will destroy me.

If you frequently meditate upon His love and study His character, my power over you will be broken. As your mind is transformed, I will die. Every time you make an effort to reflect His character to someone, it will bring agonizing pain to me. Every time you rely upon Him to resist the temptations to overeat, to lust, to swear, to lie, to steal, to envy, to covet or to complain, I am mortally wounded.

Your determination to become like Christ in character by receiving God’s grace will assure my death. So, why am I revealing my weaknesses and telling you how to defeat me ? Because, if you are like any of the other millions of human beings I have conquered and destroyed, then you will do nothing. I have nothing to worry about. Or do I ?

© 2011 Tyrone Keels

WHICH WAY ARE YOU TRAVELING ? WHAT ROAD ARE YOU ON ?

While it may not be popular in modern society for an individual to define any particular lifestyle as right or wrong, the Bible makes no apology for pointing out that there is a right way and a wrong way to live; that there are good choices and bad choices.

Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. Matthew 7:13, 14

There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death. (Proverbs 14:12) There are many modern examples of this. People on the wrong road resulting in fatal accidents. Here is one - http://blog.syracuse.com/opinion/2010/09/megabus_crash_its_past_time_to.html. A google search brings up about 8 million, 320 thousand hits.

According to the Bible and even more specifically, according to the words of Christ Himself, all roads do not lead to the same destination. There is a right way and a wrong way to reach any place. No matter how sincere a person may be, traveling on the interstate in one direction away from their home will not take them home.

In this life there is set before every human being two ways--the broad road of self-indulgence and the narrow path of self-sacrifice and self-control. Into the broad road you can take all forms of selfishness, pride, love of the world; but those who walk in the narrow way must lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset. Which road have you chosen--the road which leads to everlasting death, or the road which leads to glory and immortality ? In the Bible, God promises eternal life to those who are seeking and walking on the road which leads to these things. To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life...(Romans 2:7)

There never was a more solemn time in the history of the world than the time in which we are now living. Our eternal interests are at stake, and we should arouse to the importance of making our calling and election sure. We dare not risk our eternal interests on mere probabilities. We must be in earnest. What we are, what we are doing, what is to be our course of action in the future, are all questions of untold moment, and we cannot afford to be listless, indifferent, unconcerned. It becomes each one of us to inquire, "What is eternity to me ?" Is my feet in the path that leads to heaven, or in the broad road that leads to perdition ?

When it comes to eternal life, church membership does not guarantee it and sincerity alone cannot claim entitlement to it. It is our own daily course of action that reveals our characters and determines our destiny. True faith and genuine Christianity is not merely professed but demonstrated in consistent Christ-like expressions of love.

Those who make a success of the Christian life will count all things as loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ. Only those who are abiding in Christ can know what true life is. They realize the value of true religion. They have brought their talents of influence and means and ability to the altar of consecration, seeking only to know and do the will of Him who has died to redeem them. They know that the path they must travel is strait and narrow, and that they will have to meet many obstacles and temptations, as they resist the enticements of the broader road that leads to ruin; but they will discern the footsteps of Jesus, and press onward toward the mark for the prize of the high calling in their Lord and Saviour. They will choose the royal way that leads to heaven. Is this the way you are traveling ? Take heed and get on board now while there is still time. Ask God for strength to live triumphantly in Christ today if you are a Christian and ask God to give you new motives, new desires and new purposes if you are a not a Christian or a backsliding one. He is able to save unto the uttermost all that come unto Him. That means all of us down here who must choose which road we will travel in this life.

© 2011 Tyrone Keels

www.issues-of-life.com

INVENTORY THOUGHTS BEFORE THE NEW YEAR

Lord, make me to know mine end, and the measure of my days, what it is; that I may know how frail I am. (Psalm 39:4)

Another year has almost passed into eternity.... Let us review the record of the year that so soon will be past. What advancement have we made in Christian experience ? Our work--have we so done it that it will bear the inspection of the Master, who has given to every man work according to his several ability? Will it be consumed as hay, wood, and stubble, unworthy of preservation? or will it stand the trial by fire ?

Every provision has been made that we may attain a height of stature in Christ Jesus that will meet the divine standard. God is not pleased with His representatives if they are content to be dwarfs when they might grow up to the full stature of men and women in Christ. He wants you to have height and breadth in Christian experience. He wants you to have great thoughts, noble aspirations, clear perceptions of truth, and lofty purposes of action. Every passing year should increase the soul's yearning for purity and perfection of Christian character. And if this knowledge increases day by day, month by month, year by year, it will not be work consumed as hay, wood, and stubble; but it will be laying on the foundation stone, gold, silver, and precious stones--works that are not perishable, but which will stand the fires of the last day.

Is our earthly, temporal work done with a thoroughness, a fidelity, that will bear scrutiny? Are there those whom we have wronged who will testify against us in the day of God? If so, the record has passed up to heaven, and we shall meet it again. We are to work for the great Taskmaster's eye, whether our painstaking efforts are seen and appreciated by men or not. No man, woman, nor child can acceptably serve God with neglectful, haphazard, sham work, whether it be secular or religious service. The true Christian will have an eye single to the glory of God in all things, encouraging his purposes and strengthening his principles with this thought, "I do this for Christ."

A blessed New Year to all...

CHECK YOUR HEALTH RIGHT NOW ! - ONLINE HEALTH EVALUATION BY 8 DOCTORS - Health Instead of Disease Series #9

If you had the opportunity to know your health condition right now for free, would you take advantage of the opportunity ? We will come back to this in a few paragraphs. The link to the free health exam will be at the bottom of this page. How important is your health to you ? Are you sick and tired of being sick and tired ? Not everyone has the time or the means to regularly visit a doctor and get a complete and thorough checkup. Even doctors themselves are quite often sick and in need of quality medical attention too. http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-504763_162-20016645-10391704.html Indeed, at the present time, many doctors are still lacking education about diet and nutrition. Nearly 25 years ago the National Academy of Sciences published a report indicating that medical schools provided inadequate instruction about nutrition and today it has been found that not much has changed in terms of better training in this area. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/16/health/16chen.html?_r=1

The physician who is a true Christian has access to the God of Daniel. Through divine grace and power, he may become as efficient in his calling as Daniel was in his exalted position. But it is a mistake to make a scientific preparation the all-important thing, while religious principles that lie at the very foundation of a successful practice are neglected. Many are lauded as skilful men in their profession, who scorn the thought that they need to rely upon Jesus for wisdom in their work. But if these men who trust in their knowledge of science were illuminated by the light of heaven, to how much greater excellence might they attain! How much stronger would be their powers, with how much greater confidence could they undertake difficult cases! The person who is closely connected with the great Physician of soul and body, has the resources of heaven and earth at his or her command, and he or she can work with a wisdom, an unerring precision, that the godless man or woman cannot possess.

The physician needs more than human wisdom and power that he may know how to minister to the many perplexing cases of disease of the mind and heart with which he is called to deal. If he is ignorant of the power of divine grace, he cannot help the afflicted one, but may aggravate the difficulty; but if he has a firm hold upon God, he will be able to help the diseased, distracted mind.

When physicians understand physiology in its truest sense, their use of drugs will be very much less, and finally they will cease to use them at all. The physician who depends upon drug medication in his practise shows that he does not understand the delicate machinery of the human organism. It should be the work of the God-fearing physician to guide the mind of patients to right principles. It is labor lost to teach people to look to God as a healer of their infirmities, unless they are taught also to lay aside unhealthful practices. In order to receive His blessing in answer to prayer, they must cease to do evil and learn to do well. Their surroundings must be sanitary, their habits of life correct. They must live in harmony with the laws of God, both natural and spiritual.

What counsel does the Bible give regarding health ?

And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people, Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters. (Revelation 14:6,7)

As we zero in on the health message in these words - "give glory to Him", we find that it is a part of the gospel...indeed the "everlasting gospel."

How does the Bible teach that human beings should give glory to God ?

What ? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own ? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's. (1 Corinthians 6:19,20)

Education in health principles was never more needed than now. Notwithstanding the wonderful progress in so many lines relating to the comforts and conveniences of life, even to sanitary matters and to the treatment of disease, the decline in physical vigor and power of endurance is alarming. It demands the attention of all who have at heart the well-being of their fellow men.

The physician who endeavors to enlighten his patients as to the nature and causes of their maladies and to teach them how to avoid disease, may have uphill work; but if he is a conscientious reformer, he will talk plainly of the ruinous effects of self-indulgence in eating, drinking, and dressing, of the overtaxation of the vital forces that has brought his patients where they are. He will not increase the evil by administering drugs till exhausted nature gives up the struggle, but will teach the patients how to form correct habits, and to aid nature in her work of restoration by a wise use of her own simple remedies.

Here are some encouraging words of life from the Bible revealing God's tender care and love for human beings... and especially His concern for our spiritual and physical health...

Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth. (3 John 1:2)

Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: Who forgiveth all thine iniquities ; who healeth all thy diseases; (Psalms 103:2,3)

If you've already tried earthly physicians, health programs and plans without successful restoration of health, why not cooperate with God and try learning and applying His principles of healthful living ? Try the free evaluation and see what you learn from the results. Click on the link under "Christianity For The Last Days" on this page in the upper left hand corner or click on the link below. God bless.

FREE ONLINE HEALTH EXAM

http://the-issues-of-life.blogspot.com/p/free-health-self-examination_01.html

By attempting to put into practice anything that you have read in this article you release Tyrone Keels from any responsibility for the results if you are dissatisfied with the outcome.

Read the full disclaimer for health issues at www.issues-of-life.com

© 2010 Tyrone Keels

www.issues-of-life.com

WILL THE REAL FAITH PLEASE COME FORWARD - TRUTH & ERROR SERIES #1

According to a survey taken in April 2010, 80% of Americans claim that religious faith is somewhat important to their daily lives and 62% say that they pray everyday. If the majority of Americans believe religious faith is important to their lives and 62% pray everyday, then why is this necessary:

HOUSE VOTES TO EXPAND NATIONAL DNA ARREST DATABASE

Millions of Americans arrested for but not convicted of crimes will likely have their DNA forcibly extracted and added to a national database, according to a bill approved by the U.S. House of Representatives on Tuesday http://news.cnet.com/830113578_3-20005458-38.html.

CODIS stands for Combined DNA Index System. It is the core of the national DNA database, established and funded by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and developed specifically to enable public forensic DNA laboratories to create searchable DNA databases of authorized DNA profiles. http://www.dna.gov/dnadatabases/codis

Apparently the U.S. House of representatives does not believe that religious faith is as important to the daily lives of 80 % of Americans as they say or they wouldn’t vote to expand the National DNA crime database. Perhaps they realize that religious faith or even just faith means different things for different people and religion can describe almost anything for some people.

I have often heard people say that we all believe in the same God. I question that. Do we really all believe in the same God ? Do we all have faith in essentially the same Lord or "higher power." Try this quick test and see.

Believer #1 - The God I worship loves me and accepts me and will take me to heaven no matter how I live so long as I make a profession of faith in Christ. I don't have to put forth any effort to overcome or resist sin because Jesus has done it all for me. He is so loving that I can never be lost even if I choose to. He loves me too much to let my personal choices and lifestyle habits prevent me from being saved. He will take me to heaven no matter what kind of character I have.

Believer #2 - The God I worship expects me to show that I believe in Him by shouting or jumping up and down or dancing or rocking to praise music. He wants me to always feel good. Anything that makes me feel bad is not from Him. I won't claim it. God loves me too much to not let me enjoy myself while praising Him with whatever worship style I feel like praising Him with.

Believer #3 - The God I worship lets me handle rattlesnakes and drink poison because He has promised in Mark 16:18 that these things will not hurt me. He is too loving to let me be injured in any way while I worship Him according to my interpretation and understanding of the Bible.- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m-RnZ7T3XyA

Believer #4 - The God I worship has a beautiful character that He desires me to copy and this character is revealed in the Bible. He enables me to resist sin, to love others and to keep all 10 of His commandments. He looks for fruit in my life and causes it to grow as I cooperate with Him. He will not save me against my will or without my cooperation. He loves me too much to not let me demonstrate my love for Him by reflecting His image.

Believer #5 - The God I worship is a loving and healing God who will heal me of all diseases even if I keep smoking cigarettes and eating unhealthy. My lifestyle habits and choices have no effect on God's promises. God loves me too much to let me remain sick or in ill health, even if it is my fault. He will use the doctors to help me.

Believer #6 - The God I worship puts no restrictions upon me and allows me to live as I choose so long as I attend church. He loves me too much to limit my freedom or to keep me from pleasing myself and enjoying life the way I want to.

Believer #7 - The God I worship will ultimately save most people and allow them to go to heaven so long as they tried to live a decent life and did a lot of good things. He loves human beings too much to require any commitment from them or any changes in their lives before they can go to heaven.

Believer #8 - The God I worship wants me busy for Him all the time. I must constantly be at work for Him as I earn His favor or at least appear to be very active for Him while I do my best to be a good person so that I can be saved and have a place in His kingdom. He loves me too much to not allow me to contribute all my effort and work to my salvation.

It should be apparent to the most casual observer that these people do not believe or have faith in the same God. Nor is it possible that all these believers will reach the same destination with their faith.

What did Jesus believe that faith was ? What is the faith of Jesus and why is it important ?

Let us turn to the Bible for some answers.

This is continued on the "Christianity For the Last Days" page.
Click on "The Faith Of Jesus" at the top left hand corner of this page for more.

© 2010 Tyrone Keels
http://www.issues-of-life.com/

You have just been reading from part of a study/message delivered to an audience of very attentive listeners.

THE POWER OF APPRECIATION CAN HELP ANYONE BECOME CHRISTLIKE - PRINCIPLES OF VICTORY IN THE CHRISTIAN LIFE - Part X

Who does not like to be appreciated ? To be appreciated is not necessarily the same thing as being praised. Praise may at times have some undesirable side effects but proper appreciation can strengthen and motivate. The consciousness of being appreciated is a wonderful stimulus and satisfaction. To appreciate means to value and to be appreciated is one of life's most satisfying joys. Satisfying joys give vigor to the mind and health and vital energy to the body. Who knew that appreciation was so important to health ? Certainly Jesus Christ did. Notice how He reemphasizes the worth of every human being - But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore: ye are of more value than many sparrows. (Luke 12:7) God desires to be appreciated too and the appreciation of His character is another fundamental principle which will aid in obtaining the victory over sin.

APPRECIATION OF THE CHARACTER OF GOD AND OF CHRIST

a) God desires from all His creatures the service of love--service that springs from an appreciation of His character. He takes no pleasure in a forced obedience; and to all He grants freedom of will, that they may render Him voluntary service. God does not force the will or judgment of any. He desires that the creatures of His hands shall love Him because He is worthy of love. He would have them obey Him because they have an intelligent appreciation of His wisdom, justice, and benevolence. And all who have a just conception of these qualities will love Him because they are drawn toward Him in admiration of His attributes.

b) In the Bible, Jesus is symbolically represented by a variety of beautiful illustrations. He is referred to as the "Bright and morning Star" and the "Pearl of great price." The whole Bible contains revelations of the character of Christ that can only be treasured and valued by those who continually see more and more clearly the desperate selfishness of their own hearts apart from God's grace. When we are fully awake to our own sinfulness, we shall appreciate Christ.Through an appreciation of the character of Christ, sin will become hateful to us.

No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. (Matthew 6:24)

c) Moral power increases by dwelling upon the goodness, beauty, mercy, and love of Christ.

d) God has granted freedom of will to all, endowed men with capacity to appreciate His character, and therefore with ability to love Him and to choose His service. Loving God or rejecting His love would not be possible without freedom of choice. 

e) When the sinner has a view of the matchless charms of Jesus, sin no longer looks attractive to him or her; for he/she beholds the Chiefest among ten thousand, the One altogether lovely. The more one studies the character of Christ, the more attractive will He appear. The more attractive Christ appears, the less appealing sin becomes and the more we are preparing to spend eternity with God as our lives are brought more into harmony with heaven.

John 3:16,12:32,14:15,21,23/

Psalms 45:7,97:10,107:43/

Matthew 12:30,22:37,13:45,4/

Romans 6:18.20/Isaiah 26:3/

Ephesians 3:14-19/Proverbs 3:31/

Philippians 1:22,3:8,13,14,4:13

Deuteronomy 30:19/Revelation 22:16/Joshua 24:15/Mark 12:30

© 2010 Tyrone Keels

www.issues-of-life.com

You have just been reading from page 9 of a booklet entitled, "Principles of Victory in the Christian Life" Look for more pages from this booklet in future blogs...

DON'T BE IN A HURRY TO DIE - TRUE HEALTH CARE REFORM - HEALTH INSTEAD OF DISEASE SERIES #8

Some time ago, I was speaking with a man about health and I remember one of his comments to me. He said - " Well we all have to die of something." In reply I said to him - "Yes that may be true but who says that we have to be in a hurry."

This is what it seems like today in society. Many people are either consciously and deliberately or ignorantly hurrying toward the grave. This death wish might very well be just a symptom of a deeper, more important issue. A hurting, broken heart and a lifetime of attempts to medicate the pain. The fallen state of human nature and its helplessness to change self-destructive habits apart from the grace of God in Christ.

CBS carried the news story about scientists who found that junk-food addicted rats would rather starve themselves than eat healthy food. -http://cbs2chicago.com/watercooler/rats.food.addiction.2.1597432.html

How is it with us ? Some of us are really so addicted to nutritionally deficient food that we actually imagine physical suffering if we have to make any radical lifestyle change or adopt a more healthy diet as part of the daily routine on a permanent basis. Likewise, just as it is true physically so it is true spiritually that many human beings including many professed Christians would rather die than give up cherished habits and lifestyle practices under the mistaken notion that Jesus died on the cross so that we would not have to change our habits.

Notice God's purpose regarding physical and spiritual health -

Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth. 3 John 2

Again, the Bible makes plain that it is God who has the highest regard for our physical and spiritual well-being - Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases. (Psalms 103:2,3)

It is folly to believe that any human being could have a greater care for our spiritual and physical well being than our loving Creator who gave up His only begotten Son that we might have an opportunity to receive everlasting life through faith in Him. Why is it that many distrust the Manufacturer when it comes to the care of their health ? His understanding is infinite (Psalms 147:5) Take a look at a few examples of the love of God for us as He shares His foresight and insight for our best interests and far in advance of our time.

In the Bible God says it is not good to drink (fermented wine or strong drink) alcoholic beverages -(Proverbs 20:1/Isaiah 5:11/Mark 15:23)

Modern science discovers - Alcohol Amount, Not Type -- Wine, Beer, Liquor -- Triggers Breast Cancer-http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/09/070927083251.htm

Link Between Alcohol And Cancer Explained: Alcohol Activates Cellular Changes That Make Tumor Cells Spread-http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091026172052.htm

Alcohol Consumption Increases Risk of Breast Cancer Recurrence, Study Finds-http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/12/091210125540.htm

In the Bible God says that it is better to have only a few possessions and to be humble, self controlled, slow to anger than to be proud, mighty and full of travail and having an irritated or annoyed spirit - (Proverbs 16:19,32/Ecclesiastes 6:9, 7:8)

Modern science discovers - "Antagonistic People May Increase Heart Attack, Stroke Risk - http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/08/100816162633.htm

In the Bible, God says a broken spirit and sorrow of heart have a powerful negative influence upon the body. (Proverbs 15:13, 17:22)

Modern science discovers that- Depression as Deadly as Smoking, Study Finds -http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/11/091117094933.htm

In the Bible God says - we should eat what is good; for strength and not for gluttony

Modern science discovers - New Intervention Program Promotes Healthy Dietary Choices During Infancy -http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/07/100713011043.ht

In the Bible God says -Human beings can be influenced to choose right or wrong and choosing to do right can make a person physically stronger. (Job 17:9/Proverbs 16:9/Isaiah 9:16)

Modern science discovers - Being Naughty or Nice May Boost Willpower, Physical Endurance -http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/04/100419151114.htm

Moral Judgments Can Be Altered: Neuroscientists Influence People’s Moral Judgments by Disrupting Specific Brain Region -http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/03/100329152516.htm

All of these principles pertain to physical, mental and spiritual well-being. The current widespread ignorance regarding the laws of health has resulted in the establishment of a counterfeit health care reform system that will do nothing to address the true causes of the crisis which made necessary the reform in the first place. As society continues to accept more counterfeit reforms in exchange for the principle of the cross of Jesus with its appeal for self denial and self control over the appetite, a way is being prepared for the acceptance of future counterfeits of even greater consequence.

The true solution to the health care crisis, real estate crisis and educational crisis is not Super-Nanny government but basic education in the principles of health and self-government by the grace of God through faith in Christ. Recklessness in physical habits tends to recklessness in morals.

If we really want to begin reforming health care in this country, it could start with a massive deliberate and intelligent educational program aimed at speaking to the root of skyrocketing costs – health habits of Americans. It should be a program that visits each home and family with the hopeful message of restoration possibilities through radical lifestyle changes adjusted to the individual pace of those who participate.

The only hope of better things is in the education of the people in right principles. Let physicians teach the people that restorative power is not in drugs, but in nature. Disease is an effort of nature to free the system from conditions that result from a violation of the laws of health. In case of sickness, the cause should be ascertained. Unhealthful conditions should be changed, wrong habits corrected. Then nature is to be assisted in her effort to expel impurities and to re-establish right conditions in the system.

Since disease results from violating the laws of health, it is very important that everyone know and understand the laws of health and strive by the grace of God to live in harmony with them.

These 8 laws may be found detailed at - http://www.issues-of-life.com/Health%20Issues.html

Any person who examines these laws will quickly recognize the lifestyle habits which he or she has adopted that are contributing to disease. This is the first step towards identifying the cause of disease and making an effective treatment possible.

By attempting to put into practice anything that you have read in this article you release Tyrone Keels from any responsibility for the results if you are dissatisfied with the outcome.

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http://www.issues-of-life.com/Web%20Pages%20-%20Health%20Disclaimer.html

© 2010 Tyrone Keels

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