During the past two years, people have become more health-conscious as the COVID pandemic has swept around the world. But we know that sickness, diseases, and death are part of living in this sinful world. And we will all die one day. Jesus said in John 10:10, "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." Also, the Ministry of Healing, p. 17, says, "Our Lord Jesus Christ came to this world as the unwearied servant of man's necessity. He 'took our infirmities, and bare our sicknesses,' that He might minister to every need of humanity…The burden of disease and wretchedness and sin He came to remove. It was His mission to bring to men complete restoration; He came to give them health and peace and perfection of character." When Jesus was on earth, He healed many diseases. He has also given people counsel on how to live healthy lives. These counsels are also given through His inspired writings. When we talk about health, we have to remember that God created us as holistic beings. The mind, body, and spirit are interrelated. As such, we are told to stay away from harmful substances such as alcohol, tobacco, illicit drugs, and caffeine. Unfortunately, many people drink caffeinated drinks as a temporary relief from drowsiness. But it doesn't solve the problem of fatigue. Instead, it leads to other health problems like anxiety, depression, insomnia, restlessness, osteoporosis, and headache. Rather than drinking harmful substances, let us drink fresh, pure water. Water makes up about 60 to 70 percent of body weight. Every organ system depends on it. So, it is essential to drink plenty of it throughout the day. Though its amount varies based on a person's body composition, a good rule to follow is to take 8 to 10 glasses a day. The second is exercise. It is best done in sunlight and fresh air. Doing it helps lower the risk of coronary heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure, diabetes, cancers, and a lot more. It also helps improve bone health, sleep quality, body weight, skin, and others. While it's sometimes difficult to incorporate exercise in our busy lives, it's important to find a type that we enjoy doing. Then, try to do it on the same schedule each day. But it's still more advisable to engage in as much movement as possible. The third is food. The food that we put into our bodies has a significant impact on our overall health. The Bible encourages a balanced plant-based diet consisting of grains, fruits, nuts, vegetables, and legumes. Based on studies, a plant-based diet results in the following:
Vegetarians had 24 percent less risk of dying from coronary heart disease as compared to non vegetarians.
A study in Japan showed that women who eat meat daily are 8 ½ times more likely to develop breast cancer than those who rarely or never do.
Studies in England and Germany showed that vegetarians were about 40 percent less likely to develop cancer compared to meat-eaters.
Those who ate "white meat," particularly chicken, have approximately 3 times the risk of getting colon cancer compared to vegetarians. Fourth is rest. Doctors recommend at least 7 to 9 hours of sleep every night. Without it, we are at risk for health conditions like obesity, diabetes, lowered immune system response, mood disorders, higher risk of injury, and impaired mental function. Concerning this, we should practice the God-given weekly rest provided on the seventh-day Sabbath. It is a special time to refresh and rejuvenate from the week's labor. With this, we worship our Creator and fellowship with family and friends. Finally, let's develop a strong relationship with God. "Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light" (Matthew 11:28-30). With all these, Jesus has provided a way for us to achieve an abundant life here on earth and in the future life of eternity with Him. As such, let's claim His promises and power as we practice these health principles He has provided for us. For more information, please visit adventist.org/health/. Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=heybEP1EDbA

Today, people might tell you that truth is relative. We can agree to disagree. What’s right for me might not be right for you. But what impact does this have on our faith, on the way we read the Bible, on our relationship with hope? This week, Sam and Jennifer talk to Karl Wilcox about post-modernism, truth and how to approach reading the Bible. SHOW NOTES:
Karl Wilcox: Why Johnny Won't Read the Bible – https://vimeo.com/54257168
Truth Matters – The Truth of the Humanities – Dr. Karl Wilcox https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L9–n0V4uVE —
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#SamNeves Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CVapiSXv7fs

This week on ANN. Young people from Honiara Adventist churches volunteered their Sunday to clean up some of the damage caused by four days of civil unrest in the Solomon Islands. Under the slogan “Hands and Feet of Jesus,” the young people split up throughout the area to begin clean-up work. The Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) in the Solomon Islands provided water to the Adventist youth groups who focused on cleaning up the main road coming from the airport into Honiara, the nation’s capital. What began as a protest march toward parliament on November 24 descended into looting and violence, causing an estimated USD 24.9 million in damages. USA-based Adventist Medical Evangelism Network, or AMEN, established a free health clinic in several cities of the Philippines, with the help of AMEN Philippines and the Southern Asia-Pacific Division Health Ministries medical team on November 8. The medical mission team consisted of 44 people, 23 of which were doctors, dentists, nurses, pharmacists, and optometrists from different areas of Manila. They were supported by 11 hospital staff volunteers and 10 church volunteers. The Seventh-day Adventist World Church and the Adventist Church in West Africa expressed empathy to the Ungwan Bayero community in Zango Kataf, in Kaduna State, Nigeria, after a recent violent attack by local herdsmen. More than 250 Adventist families’ houses were burnt to ashes, some members were shot dead, and 25 members were hospitalized as a result of bullet wounds sustained during the attack. The herdsmen set houses on fire while residents slept. The leadership for the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Northern Nigeria, led by Yohanna Harry, spent one week with the people to pray and worship with them. The church also distributed relief materials and other essential items. The Seventh-day Adventist Church in the Dominican Republic celebrated the certification of one of its chaplains during a special ceremony recently held in Santo Domingo. José Enrique Vásquez, robed in a brand-new white coat, became the first chaplain to complete the Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) certification program. The program is administered by Adventist Chaplaincy Ministries of the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists. Currently, the 230 chaplains-in-training are grouped into 25 groups enrolled in the certification program in the Inter-American Division (IAD) led by the Adventist Chaplaincy Institute. Community services are a core value and expression of Adventhealth’s mission of Extending the Healing Ministry of Christ. The health system partners with other local organizations and businesses to serve their communities, such as the Central Florida area. Habitat for Humanity and the Orlando Magic team partner with AdventHealth to help people like Donya make their dream of owning a home a reality. For more incredible stories and news updates within the Adventist community, go to Adventist News Network Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vQlFAjKIAgY

As we come to the final month of this year, Pastor Ted Wilson invites you to reflect on this important question: "Have you put God first in your life this year?" As Christians, it's good practice to contemplate how we are using God-given resources. What a perfect time to examine ways in which we can put God first in our lives! As such, we celebrate this Stewardship Revival Week. It is an annual initiative where Seventh-day Adventists around the globe renew their commitment to God as His stewards. It focuses on practical reformation in response to the admonition we have in the book Christian Service, pp. 41-42: "A revival and a reformation must take place under the ministration of the Holy Spirit. Revival and reformation are two different things. Revival signifies a renewal of spiritual life, a quickening of the powers of mind and heart, a resurrection from the spiritual death. Reformation signifies reorganization, a change in ideas and theories, habits and practices…Revival and reformation are to do their appointed work, and in doing this work, they must blend." To help us in this journey, the General Conference Stewardship Ministries Department has provided a downloadable resource entitled "God First." It is available in English, Spanish, French, and Portuguese. You can have it here: stewardship.adventist.org/stewardship-revival-week-2021. This magazine contains seven biblical sermons, helping us focus on what matters most, followed by a call to action. It aims to lead us into deciding to put God first in seven crucial aspects of our spiritual life. In this way, we are guided into developing a relationship with God. This faith-driven journey should become a continual exercise of trust in Him. Think about all that God has done for you. Consider this wonderful promise found in Christ's sermon on the Mount: "Therefore do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or ' What shall we wear?' For after all these things, the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble" (Matt. 6:31-34). Let's put God first in our lives and reap the blessings God will pour out upon us! Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_fccgjLh0Rg