The Healthy Christians Issue 3 by The Healthy Christians

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WELCOME

Contents Healthy Spirit Do Not Imitate

Healthy Mind

We Are Not Ignorant: Provocation

Drinking to Relax

Bathing to Relax

Trusting to Relax

Healthy Body Eating to Treat Depression

Healthy Finances Heeding for Prosperity

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HEALTHY SPIRIT

Do Not Imitate John came neither eating nor drinking and they say, “He has a devil”. The Son of Man came eating and drinking and they say, “Look, a glutton and a wine drinker and a friend of tax collectors and sinners.” But wisdom is justified by her children. (Matthew 11:18-19) This Bible passage teaches us the following:

1. Be true to your calling because you will be crucified if you do and beheaded if you do not.

2. Do what God has called you to do the way He has called you to do it. Therefore, if you are to do it by “eating and drinking and socializing”, do it in such a way that is it clear to all that you minister by mingling even if is with the so called “untouchables and undesirables” of society. If on the other hand you are to accomplish God’s purposes by “not eating or drinking”, do it in such a way that it is clear to all that you are called to minister by leading a set-apart and fasted lifestyle.

Therefore stop paying attention to what your critics are saying about you and just focus on doing what God has called you to do.

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3. Do not imitate Do not compare yourself with the minister next door who is called to minister in a different way and try to use their techniques to accomplish your purpose even if they have “more experience” and “more authority”. Emulate David who refused to fight Goliath while wearing King Saul’s armor because when Saul clothed David with his armor, put a helmet of brass on his head and dressed him with a coat of mail, David girded his sword over the armor and tried to walk, but he could not. He could not walk with all this brass because he was not used to it. He therefore said to Saul, “I cannot go to fight with these because I have not proved them” and took them off.

do, he would not win his battle by being politically correct since Saul’s armor was not part of his “fighting style”. Therefore, do not be swayed by shiny armors and “kingly advice” of the Sauls in your life. Do not also begin doing things their way instead of doing things the way God has been training you to do them. So, if you have been slaying lions and bears with sticks and stones, do not be intimidated by their “authoritative advice” or try to fit in with the crowd by trying to do things their way. Believe in the training that God has been giving you and trust that you will succeed because what matters is not the method that is used to achieve the end but the presence of God in the process.

He then took his staff in his hand, chose 5 smooth stones from the brook and put them in his shepherd’s bag, and with his sling in his hand, he approached Goliath. (1 Samuel 17:38-40) Learn from David because he was wise enough to understand that he could not win his battle by putting on another man’s armor or using another person’s techniques. He also realized that even though wearing King Saul’s armor may have been the politically correct thing to Page 4

Understand also that the shiny armors or the latest gadgets of the Sauls who have lost favor with God are not more effective than your stone age tools if you are in right standing with Him, because if they were, Saul would have worn his own armor and gone to fight Goliath but he was unable to do so. Therefore, combine your confidence in God’s ability to help you with confidence in your God-given abilities and you will achieve your goals.

Therefore this tree which looks just like a good apple tree, is judged to be a bad tree because of the effects of its bad fruits. So, if your methods of ministering are judged as “bad” by society and the powers that be, do not receive their condemnation and stop working the way God has called you to work. Let the effects of your ministry speak for you and justify your methods the way those of Jesus did.

4. Wisdom is justified by her children This means that a good tree is defended by its good fruits and a bad tree condemned by its bad fruits even if it looks like a good tree. A perfect example of such a tree is the Manchineel tree (Hippomane mancinella). This tree is also known as the “little apple of death” because even though its leaves and fruits resemble those of an apple tree, it is a very poisonous tree. Its “little apples” cause severe diarrhea and vomiting which can lead to death when they are eaten. Its white sap causes blistering of the skin and if the tree is burnt, its smoke can cause blindness if enters the eyes. Page 5

This Bible passage also reminds us to analyze a person by their works and not so much by their methods. This is because though John the Baptist and Jesus Christ were serving the same God, they were using different methods to achieve their goals. And, though their methods were diametrical opposites, we know that they were both wise since Wisdom is justified by her children (Matthew 11:19) and their ministries produced positive effects.

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Therefore, do not remain fixated on the method a person is using to fulfill their God given purpose since A fruit is known by its fruit and figs are not picked from thorn bushes or grapes gathered from bramble bush. (Luke 6:44) Therefore look at the products of their ministry before you judge them and label them as good or bad.

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HEALTHY SPIRIT

We Are Not Ignorant: Provocation We are not ignorant of his devices (2 Corinthians 2:11) since by reading the Bible we can learn the various strategies that satan and his kingdom use to fight God’s people. These devices include:

PROVOCATION We can see a perfect example of the enemy’s provocation in Acts 16:16-24 where a slave girl with a spirit of divination followed Paul and Silas while crying out, “These men are the servants of the Most High God who tell us the way of salvation.” (Acts 16:17)

The lesson therefore is to recognize when you are being provoked and try and not to react to the provocation or better still avoid the provokers. If you cannot avoid them like Paul and Silas who were followed by the possessed girl day in and day out, trust that God will help you the way He helped Paul and Silas by shaking the foundations of the prison with an earthquake until the prison doors were opened and they were set free after their reaction to the provocation landed them in jail. .

She provoked Paul and Silas like this for many days until Paul turned and ordered the spirit to come out of her in the name of Jesus. The spirit left her immediately and with it, her ability to make her masters money by fortune telling. They therefore seized Paul and Silas, dragged them to the magistrates and made false accusations against them. The result was that Paul and Silas were thrown into jail after being beaten with rods. Page 7

This article is an excerpt of We Are Not Ignorant of His Devices Order Now!

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HEALTHY BODY

Eating to Treat Depression Several foods have been labeled “good mood foods” since they can change a person’s mood for the better. These so called good mood foods for natural depression treatment include:

1. Complex Carbohydrates Complex carbohydrates, which include whole grain bread, pastry and cereals increase the levels of serotonin in the body. This serotonin “soothes the mind” and imparts a feeling of calmness, relaxation and emotional well being. These feelings may explain why a lot of comfort foods that people tend to reach for when they are feeling sad, lonely, stressed or depressed are carbohydrates like cakes and cookies. This connection of carbohydrates and depression is also seen in a study reported in the Archives of Internal Medicine that showed that persons who ate a very low carbohydrate diet of around 20 -40 grams a day had higher rates of depression, anger and anxiety compared to those who ate a high carb and low fat diet. Page 9

The importance of carbohydrates in dealing with depression is also entrenched in the Bible where we see that when Elijah was depressed, God sent an angel to wake him up to eat and he found a coal baked bread (most probably whole grain. (1 Kings 19:4-6) These complex carbohydrates in addition to increasing the levels of serotonin in the brain, do not cause the blood sugar spikes associated with moods swings, energy drops, fatigue, and overeating that are common side effects of eating refined carbohydrates. This is due to the fact that these complex carbohydrates result in a gradual rise and gradual drop in the blood glucose levels. Therefore, increase your intake of wholegrain pasta, whole meal breads and high fiber cereals when you are feeling down as these are some of the best foods for beating depression.

If you are having trouble sleeping, consume complex carbohydrates like wholegrain bread sandwiches or crackers at least an hour before your bed time because the increase in serotonin levels will help you sleep better. Brown rice is a complex carbohydrate which deserves a mention of its own since it is also rich in vitamin B1 (thiamine) and vitamin B9 (folic acid) which are all beneficial for the management of depression. Therefore, replace the white rice in your menu with brown rice.

2. Milk Milk is one of the â&#x20AC;&#x153;serotonin foodsâ&#x20AC;? that raise the levels of this mood balancing hormone. It also contains vitamin D which makes it doubly effective for dealing with depression. Milk is also rich in calcium which makes it triply effective for dealing with the stress of sleep problems associated with depression since the calcium reduces tension by reducing muscle spasm and reducing anxiety. Milk also contains phenylalanine which has been shown to enhance the production of dopamine by the brain.

Oatmeal is another whole grain food which is important for the management of depression since it can increase the levels of serotonin which imparts a calm feeling of emotional well being. Therefore include this healthy comfort food in your diet.

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Therefore consider drinking a glass of warm milk before your bedtime if you have been having trouble sleeping.

Omega 3 Fatty Acid Rich Food

Vitamin B9 Rich Food

Studies have shown that people with depression are deficient in EPA which is a type of fatty acid.

Folic acid or folate or vitamin B 9 deficiency has been associated with depression in some elderly patients.

A study reported in the Archives of General Psychiatry also revealed that taking 1 gram of fish oil daily decreased multiple symptoms associated with depression such as suicidal ideation, feelings of sadness, low libido, sleep problems, and anxiety by 50 percent.

A Spanish study also found that men who smoked had higher rates of depression as their intake of folate decreased.

Therefore, increase your dietary intake of omega 3 fatty acid rich foods since they may help alleviate mood changes as well as control the level of stress hormones. Foods rich in omega 3 fatty acids include salmon, halibut, mackerel, tuna, anchovy, sardines, shad, and other fatty fish as well as flaxseed, walnuts, chia seeds, soybeans, winter squash, extra virgin olive oil, canola oil, soybean oil, and dark green vegetables.

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Another study found that folic acid is beneficial for patients who are on treatment for depression since 93% of patients who were taking folic acid with their SSRIs (depression treatment medication) improved while only 61% of patients who were taking the SSRIs without the folic acid improved. Taking folate has also been shown to reduce the Hamilton Rating score of patients with depression. Therefore, increase your folate intake by eating more green leafy vegetables like spinach, collards, and turnip greens, cauliflowers, dried beans, liver and nuts like peanuts.

Vitamin C Rich Food

Iron Rich Food

Vitamin C can raise your serotonin levels and reduce the levels of stress hormones as well as strengthen your immune system. Therefore, increase your vitamin C intake by eating more oranges, lemons, grapefruit, tangerines and other citrus fruits.

Iron deficiency anemia is associated with symptoms of fatigue and apathy which may also be present as a result of depression and thus aggravated if the person becomes anemic. Therefore prevent iron deficiency by increasing your intake of green leafy vegetables, liver, and pure cocoa powder.

Other sources of vitamin C include blueberries, strawberries, kiwi, broccoli, peppers and tomatoes.

6. Selenium Rich Food ow intake of selenium has also been linked with low moods by some studies. Therefore, ensure that you are getting your recommended daily intake of 55 micrograms for adults by eating selenium rich foods like beans, beef, chicken, turkey, dairy products, brazil nuts, sardines, crabs, oysters, clams, and prawns. Page 12

This article is an excerpt from Natural Depression Treatment Order Now!

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HEALTHY MIND

Drinking Teas to Relax Herbal teas are the perfect drinks to sip when you are stressed since they can help you relax without intoxicating you. You can drink store bought herbal teas with soothing herbs like chamomile and passionflower to help you calm down after a stressful day. Or, you can also make your own herbal teas at home. For example if you need to melt tension, steep chamomile flowers in boiled water for 15 minutes, sweeten with honey and then drink it warm.

This article is an excerpt from Holistic Stress Management. Buy Now!

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When you need a drink to fight fatigue or raise low spirits, boil peeled, grated ginger and cinnamon in water for 15 minutes, sweeten with honey and then sip it while warm.

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HEALTHY MIND

Bathing to Relax

Lavender Essential Oil Safety Tips 1. Avoid using it in pregnancy and especially the first 3 months. Avoid it if you are breastfeeding. 2. Avoid using it on young children due to premature breast development. 3. Avoid it if you have low blood pressure. 4. Do not use it alone for more than 2 months as it may cause sensitization. 5. Always buy essential oils from a reputable vender to avoid using adulterated oils. Do not confuse essential oil with fragrance oils since the latter do not have the healing properties. Page 15

Excerpt from Home Study Aromatherapy Course. Order Now!

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HEALTHY MIND

Trusting to Relax Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, and whose hope is the Lord. (Jeremiah 17:7) If you want to reduce the stress levels in your life, you have to trust Jesus all the time if you want to be at peace all the time. Decide here and now that you are going to trust Him completely so that you are always on an even keel and not happy and hopeful one day and then hapless and hopeless the next.

Even if you have never been let down by people know that It is better to trust in the Lord than to put your confidence in man (Psalm 118:8) because no matter how stressful the situation may get, He promises that He will never leave you nor forsake you. (Hebrews 13:5) Decide to trust in the Lord since trusting God is the antidote for worrying. Therefore, learn to focus your mind on the Lord whom you are trusting to help you solve your problems rather than focus it on your problems. Focus on God and you will be able to relax since His Word says, You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You. (Isaiah 26:3)

Do not let past painful experiences make you transfer your mistrust of humans to God. Do not trust Him half-heartedly because of the heartache you may have experienced after you trusted people who turned out to be deceitful for God is not a man that He should lie. (Numbers 23:19)

God is not a man that He should lie. (Numbers 23:19)

This article is an excerpt from Holistic Stress Management. Order Now!

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HEALTHY FINANCES

Heeding for Prosperity Deuteronomy 28:1-14 tells that It shall come to pass that if you obey God and carefully observe all His commandments ... all these blessings shall come upon you.

You shall lend to many nations but you shall not borrow. Therefore, do you level best to keep all the commandments that God has given us in His Word.

You shall be blessed in the city and blessed in the country. The fruit of your body shall be blessed, the produce of your ground and the increase of your herds ... Your basket and your kneading bowl shall be blessed ... The Lord will command a blessing on your stores and in all to which you set your hand ... And the Lord will grant you plenty of goods ... The Lord will open to you His good treasure, the heavens, to give rain to your land in its season, and to bless all the work of your hand.

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Excerpt from Christian Personal Finance. Order Now!

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BOOKS

The Healthy Christians Catalogue

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THANK YOU

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