Get Truth Get Life

Faith is the substance means your faith must be tangible, 

Faith is dead without actions, faith must be practical, 

Faith works greatly when action is inevitable, 

Faith moves mountains, Faith overcomes obstacles. 

Your faith moves when you move, 

Faith makes clues where there is no clue, 

Your faith can make news, if only you knew, 

Faith proves that God’s Word is living proof. 

Faith makes you see things that are not yet seen, 

Faith makes you be what you’ve not yet been, 

Faith makes clean what is not yet clean, 

Faith makes kings, people not born by queens. 

Faith is like planting a seed believing it will bear fruit, 

Faith is shown in every deed, aligning your life with truth, 

Faith is like a tree that overcomes the largest weed, you need maximum input, 

Faith will be firm indeed, if you let it grow its root. 

Introduction 

Hebrews 11:1 (KJV) – “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” 

Oxford Dictionary Definition of Substance – the real physical matter of which a person or thing consists and which has a tangible, solid presence. 

Oxford Dictionary Definition of Hope – a feeling of expectation and desire for a particular thing to happen. 

Having these two definitions, we can conclude that faith is the real tangible physical matter of the things you expect or desire to acquire or happen. Myron Golden defines it as a belief that expects positive things to happen. He defines doubt as the belief of expecting negative things to happen.  

Probably everyone reading this has had bad encounters in life. These bad encounters work to strengthen the level of doubt in our minds. When doubt is strengthened, faith is weakened. Therefore, when embarking on a certain course of action, we do it with much doubt and little or no faith. Most of us expect the worst and rarely expect the best. 

In schools, students do assignments mediocrely to get good grades. They seldom go out of their way to go beyond the requirements of that assignment. In workplaces, people only do what they have been told and never go the extra mile.  

We do the bare minimum because we negatively believe that nothing good will be added to us if we go the extra mile. For example, as students, we know there is no better grade than an A. Therefore, we confine ourselves within the limits of the grading system. We don’t realize that there are better things we could get beyond the A grade. As workers in corporate institutions and government, we confine ourselves to the limits of the salary scale. Therefore, we convince ourselves that the salary will remain the same no matter what we do. 

Sometimes we entertain negative beliefs implanted in our minds through friends and the media that people are unappreciative, and no matter what you do, they will never appreciate. Thus, we resolve to do the bare minimum. This thinking has affected relationships and the quality of work in all we do. People don’t love their wives and are not submissive to their husbands as they should because of such doubtful beliefs.  

Many people in their businesses care less about their employees and their customers because they believe that no matter what they do, they will not appreciate. Employees do not work excellently because they view their bosses as mean people who just want to use them. 

Unfortunately, we take these beliefs in church or when appointed to conduct a Godly task. Many church workers/volunteers only do what they are told to and never go out of their way to do more. Therefore, the gospel does not spread as wide as it should.  

Little faith is exercised even in doing the things of God. Therefore, God does not bless the church as He ought because without faith, it is impossible to please God (Hebrews 11:6). God, who inspired the text, “Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might (Ecclesiastes 9:10),” is constantly grieved when He looks at us missing the blessings that we would have gained had we moved by faith. We may be right; some people are unappreciative, but not all.  

Some people may reward you with magnanimous rewards as a recompense for doing something very little to them. We may be right; some people are unappreciative, but not God. Someone may want to reward you for something good you did for them, but they do not have adequate resources. God can never run out of resources because He can create.  

God can repay you with such a huge blessing for doing a very small righteous act. He may increase your lifespan by numerous years just because you told someone, “God loves you.” 

Malachi 3:10 (KJV) – “Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in Mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.” 

The phrase “the windows of heaven” in Malachi 3:10 appears first in Genesis 7, during the time of the flood. Genesis 7:11 says that the windows of heaven were opened. After the windows of heaven were opened, what happened? Genesis 7:19-20 (KJV) – “¹⁹ And the waters prevailed exceedingly upon the earth; and all the high hills, that were under the whole heaven, were covered. ²⁰ Fifteen cubits upward did the waters prevail; and the mountains were covered.” 

When the windows of heaven were opened, the waters prevailed exceedingly and covered all the high hills and the mountains. When you return a tithe to God, God will open the windows of heaven for you. The blessings that will pour on you will cover every hill and mountain in your life. God promises all these blessings if you meet one condition. What is that one condition? That one condition is returning a tithe. How much is a tithe? A tithe is only ten percent.  

Is ten percent the major part of your income or the minor part of your income?  It is a minor part of a person’s income. If God was a mean God, He would have asked for the major part of your income. Since God is a generous God, He asks for a minor portion and promises that if you do that, He will shower you with blessings you will not be able to contain. 

God always rewards. Therefore, faith is believing that God will do as He says. Everything God tells you to do has a blessing underneath. In other words, each of the Ten Commandments carries certain promises and blessings for your life. We need to have a firm grip of faith and seek to obey all these commandments, always trusting that God is faithful even when we encounter persecution.  

Rarely will God tell us the specific blessing He intends to give us when we obey His commandments because He wants us to act by faith. If He told us of the specific things He will do to us once we do a particular action, many people would live righteous lives. The righteousness they will possess won’t be genuine because they know what they will gain. True righteousness and integrity are tested and proved when we don’t know the blessings God intends to bestow us. 

Faith is the substance of things hoped for. Myron Golden says, “A hope is not a wish, it is a well-rounded, well-grounded expectation.” Our actions must portray that we have obtained God’s promises even before we physically possess them. That is true faith.  

Myron Golden said that if an author knew that the book they intend to write would sell one million copies during the first week of its release, they would finish writing it in one day. When working on a business idea, we need to work on it with seriousness, waking up early and showing a relentless work ethic because we believe that God will make the business succeed.  

When writing a book, we need to write it wholeheartedly because we know that God will make the book impact people greatly beyond our imagination. When working at our various organizations, we need to work excellently, knowing that our reward is not with man but with God. Whatever we do, when we do it excellently and to the glory of God, God Himself will be responsible for the results. 

“To every man is given “his work” (Mark 13:34), the work for which his capabilities adapt him, the work which will result in greatest good to himself and to his fellow men, and in greatest honor to God.” – Education, Page 138.1, Ellen G. White. 

“Thus our business or calling is a part of God’s great plan, and, so long as it is conducted in accordance with His will, He Himself is responsible for the results. “Laborers together with God” (1 Corinthians 3:9), our part is faithful compliance with His directions. Thus there is no place for anxious care. Diligence, fidelity, caretaking, thrift, and discretion are called for. Every faculty is to be exercised to its highest capacity. But the dependence will be, not on the successful outcome of our efforts, but on the promise of God. The Word that fed Israel in the desert, and sustained Elijah through the time of famine, has the same power today. “Be not therefore anxious (R.V.), saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? … Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” Matthew 6:31-33.” – Education, Page 138.2, Ellen G. White. 

God is responsible for the results so long as you conduct whatever you do according to His will. Acting according to God’s will is acting according to God’s Word because God’s will never conflict with His Word. Psalm 100:5 (KJV) – “For the Lord is good.” The Bible says God is good, meaning whatever comes from Him is good. Therefore, the results He will bring you are good. They will be positive results and not negative. 

Our assurance of success is in obeying God’s Word. Thus, we can believe that whatever we do will be blessed if we faithfully obey His commandments. God, the Creator of all things, is the only one who understands best how all things function. No scientist understands his branch of science better than God does. 

Medical researchers have been unable to find cures and vaccines for all illnesses, but God has the cure for all diseases. No technological tool, no matter how advanced it is, can create the whole universe in six days, but God did that. Therefore, it is folly when we trust men who profess to be learned and wise more than God. Trusting in men limits our success, but trust in God has limitless success. 

Genesis 3:1-5 (KJV) – “¹ Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the Lord God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden? ² And the woman said unto the serpent, We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden: ³ But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die. ⁴ And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die: ⁵ For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil. ⁶ And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat.” 

Satan succeeded in planting the seed of doubt in Eve’s mind. His words sounded believable and sensible but were deceptive. Eve believed Satan even though she had no reason to believe him. Eve was surrounded with full evidence of the power of God’s Word, but she still chose the Devil’s word over God’s Word. The ground she was standing on was created by God, the serpent she was talking to was created by God, the trees that surrounded her were created by God, and God created the sky above her.  

The Devil created nothing in her environment, but she still placed Satan’s Word over God’s. When we cherish doubt in our hearts, we are bound to sin. Committing one sin opens the door to another sin of greater magnitude than the previous sin.  

Once a person has sunk deep into sin, the seeds of doubt grow in the heart, and negative consequences become part and parcel of the person’s life. Thus, making the man or woman always expectant of negative outcomes in their lives. Therefore, such a person finds it difficult to have faith. 

“The unbelief which is cherished in the soul has a bewitching power. The seeds of doubt that they have been sowing will produce their harvest but they must continue to dig up every root of unbelief. When these poisonous plants are pulled up, they cease to grow for want of nourishment in word and action. The soul must have the precious plants of faith and love put in the soil of the heart and enthroned there.” – Faith and Works, Page 17.2, Ellen G. White. 

True faith lays hold of unseen promises as if they are seen. One should believe that whatever prayers they have prayed that are according to God’s will/Word have already been answered before they are physically manifested. Through their faith, they shall act accordingly because they believe that the power to succeed rests with God and not them.  

Therefore, if a preacher is going on missions to save souls, they should adequately prepare for that mission because they trust that God’s power will bring souls to salvation. If you are running a business that does not conflict with God’s Word and have prayed to God to make it successful, work on it earnestly, believing that it will be successful even before it is successful.  

It is an act of faith for a student to put effort into his studies, believing that God will make his honest efforts successful. If you want to build a house, don’t wait to have money first so that you can build it. By faith, look for a piece of land where you want to build that house, go to architects and engineers, find out the cost of designing and labor to build that house, search for the needed materials, and start planning for it. By faith, you can buy one material after the other until you have everything in place. Most importantly, pray over it. 

True faith is speaking of things that are not as if they are (Romans 4:17) because we believe in a God who does that and who gives life to the dead. As tempting as it may be, we should avoid talking about our struggles and doubts because such speech gives power to the enemy to afflict us more.  

It is only God who we are to take our adversities to because He is the only One with the power to solve them. Telling our problems to friends and close people to us puts us at risk of receiving ungodly advice. Secondly, it may make us a laughingstock to some. Thirdly, some well-meaning friends may not have the solution to the problem because they have probably not experienced it.  

We should avoid speaking out about our afflictions and weaknesses unless when presenting prayer requests to people we fellowship with. Hannah did not even tell Eli, the High Priest, her challenges. She prayed silently (1 Samuel 1). 

“We should not talk of our own weakness and inability. This is a manifest distrust of God, a denial of His Word. When we murmur because of our burdens, or refuse the responsibilities He calls upon us to bear, we are virtually saying that He is a hard master, that He requires what He has not given us power to do.” — Messages to Young People, Page 309.4, Ellen G. White. 

“Satan puts into the mind thoughts which the Christian should never utter. The scornful retort, the bitter, passionate utterance, the cruel, suspicious charge, are from him. How many words are spoken that do only harm to those who utter them and to those who hear! Hard words beat upon the heart, awaking to life its worst passions. Those who do evil with their tongues … grieve the Holy Spirit; for they are working at cross purposes with God.” – In Heavenly Places, Page 174, Ellen G. White. 

Faith is the substance of things hoped for. 

What do we hope for? 

Success in Our Education 

The Purpose of Education 

“Our ideas of education take too narrow and too low a range. There is need of a broader scope, a higher aim. True education means more than the pursual of a certain course of study. It means more than a preparation for the life that now is. It has to do with the whole being, and with the whole period of existence possible to man. It is the harmonious development of the physical, the mental, and the spiritual powers. It prepares the student for the joy of service in this world and for the higher joy of wider service in the world to come.” – Education, Page 13.1, Ellen G. White. 

By faith, we should have the view of eternity even when conducting our earthly studies. We should have a higher aim when studying. Our highest aim should not be to study to get a job or make money but to study to be fit for the kingdom of heaven.  

We ought to be the light of the world, even in our classrooms. Fellow students should see God through us. How we behave in class and how we interact with our fellow students and teachers should reflect God because we are created in His image. 

Look for God in Your Studies 

Jeremiah 29:13 (KJV) – “And ye shall seek me, and find me when ye shall search for me with all your heart.” 

We should look for God everywhere and in everything we do. We should use Biblical truth as the basis of what we are studying. If something does not align with Biblical truth, we should not accept it. For example, theories like evolution and the big bang theory conflict with Biblical truth.  

Theories that the world has been around for billions of years conflict with Biblical truth. However, some scientific theories align with the Bible, for example, Newton’s third law of motion, which says, “For each and every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction.” 

The Bible promises that if we look for God diligently, we shall find Him. Once we find Him, we will get all that comes with Him, including success in education. We should form prayer and Bible study discussion groups in our schools to strengthen each other. Once we are spiritually strengthened, we shall be academically empowered. 

The Bible for Intellectual Development 

“In searching out the various parts and studying their relationship, the highest faculties of the human mind are called into intense activity. No one can engage in such study without developing mental power.” – Education, Page 124.1, Ellen G. White. 

“And not alone in searching out truth and bringing it together does the mental value of Bible study consist. It consists also in the effort required to grasp the themes presented. The mind occupied with commonplace matters only, becomes dwarfed and enfeebled. If never tasked to comprehend grand and far-reaching truths, it after a time loses the power of growth. As a safeguard against this degeneracy, and a stimulus to development, nothing else can equal the study of God’s word. As a means of intellectual training, the Bible is more effective than any other book, or all other books combined. The greatness of its themes, the dignified simplicity of its utterances, the beauty of its imagery, quicken and uplift the thoughts as nothing else can. No other study can impart such mental power as does the effort to grasp the stupendous truths of revelation. The mind thus brought in contact with the thoughts of the Infinite cannot but expand and strengthen.” – Education, Page 124.2, Ellen G. White. 

Bible study has a transformative impact on the intellect, suggesting that it not only informs but also enhances mental abilities. Beyond discovering biblical truths, the process of engaging with scripture requires a high level of intellectual effort, which strengthens the mind. Focusing solely on everyday matters can “dwarf” and weaken the mind. Intellectual stagnation comes from a lack of engagement with profound concepts. By contrast, studying the Bible, with its profound themes and complex ideas, can prevent this mental stagnation, pushing readers toward greater intellectual resilience. 

The Bible surpasses all other books as a source of intellectual training. The Bible has grand themes, simple yet dignified language, and vivid imagery that elevates and stimulates thoughts. The Bible presents readers with “stupendous truths,” concepts so vast and intricate that engaging with them expands the mind, bringing it into “contact with the thoughts of the Infinite.” In this view, regular, rigorous Bible study doesn’t just impart knowledge; it fosters cognitive development and an expansive mental capacity. 

“For the mind and the soul, as well as for the body, it is God’s law that strength is acquired by effort. It is exercise that develops. In harmony with this law, God has provided the means for mental and spiritual development in His Word.”- Education, Page 123.1, Ellen G. White. 

We will experience spiritual and mental development through the diligent study of God’s Word. Studying God’s Word will build our emotional ability to handle life’s tough situations. Studying and applying God’s Word gives one joy and peace. Thus, it gives us the mental capacity to concentrate more on our studies.  

As the Word of God strengthens the mind, it also purifies it, enabling the student to understand complex concepts. We see this evidence in the Word of God as Jesus tells us in Matthew 5:8 that those who have a pure heart will see God. This verse means that we will literally see God face to face when we go to our awaited glorious home. It means that we will also see the workings of God in our lives. A pure mind will enable us to see things that are not easily seen (as God is not easily seen).  

Critics have for long viewed people who are religious or spiritual as less intelligent because we have kept faith above what is humanly logical. Logic goes beyond what human beings know because it is God who created logic. The truths uncovered are more than the truths discovered because truth has an infinite nature as it is one with the infinite God (John 14:6). 

The science student who treasures a diligent study and application of God’s Word will come up with new inventions that will show the world that we are the light of the world.  The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge (Proverbs 1:7). The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom (Proverbs 9:10). 

After I wrote these last five paragraphs in this section I decided to share it. This is because I could not hold the excitement I had from this revelation. When my churchmate Thaylis from Terezvaros Seventh Day Adventist Church read it, she commented on it. She said that Sir Isaac Newton (widely known for physics), wrote more on Bible studies than on physics. That fact astonished me. So, I decided to do research on him and other world renown scientists.  

The world knows Newton best for his contributions to physics and mathematics, particularly in the fields of classical mechanics and calculus. What we rarely know about him is that he wrote many works on Biblical prophecy, chronology and the interpretation of Scripture. Newton loved studying the books of Daniel and Revelation, and his studies included detailed analysis of those two books. It is estimated that around one million of his writings were dedicated to religious subjects, which is significantly more than his scientific works.  

His scientific methodology influenced his approach to scripture. He believed that understanding the natural world could lead to greater insights into divine truth. His belief was true. Jesus used nature to teach divine truth. Newton did not publish his religious writings during his lifetime as he was cautious about how people would receive his views. This was mainly because of the prevailing religious beliefs and the scientific revolution in his time. 

You can check more about this from various sources, such as: “Newton’s Bible: A New Look at the New World” by J.L. Heilbron, “The Metaphysical Presuppositions of Newton’s Theology” by Robert M. Green, “The Cambridge Companion to Newton” by Cambridge University Press (edited by I. Bernard Cohen and George E. Smith), “Isaac Newton: A Biography” by John R.R. Tolkien, “The Science of God: The Interaction of Natural Theology and Biblical Interpretation in the Work of Isaac Newton” by Andrew C.D.W. McNicol.  

Newton had an extensive formal education. Many great inventors and innovators did not have much formal education. But that did not stop them from making significant contributions to their fields. Thomas Edison had only a few months of formal schooling. He was largely self-taught. He was not very vocal about his faith, but Christianity influenced many of his spiritual views.  

Michael Faraday is known for his great work in electromagnetism and electrochemistry. He had little formal education. Michael was a strong Christian and believed that his scientific work was an extension of his faith. We know James Clerk Maxwell for his formulation of the theory of electromagnetism. He was a devout Christian. James believed in the harmony between science and religion.  

Henry Ford had a limited formal education and dropped out of school at the age of 16. His hands-on experience in machinery and engineering led to the development of the assembly line and the mass production of automobiles. His Christian upbringing influenced his approach to life and work. Orville and Wilbur Wright, who are credited with inventing the first successful airplane, had only a high school education. Christian principles and a Christian upbringing influenced their work ethic and values.  

Blaise Pascal was a mathematician, physicist and inventor and a devout Christian. He made significant contributions to both science and theology. Gregor Mendel was the founder of modern genetics; his work on pea plants established the laws of inheritance. He was a Christian and his faith influenced his scientific work, which he saw as a way to uncover God’s design in nature.  

Joseph Priestley is famous for discovering (not creating) oxygen and several other gases. He made other significant contributions in the field of Chemistry. He was a Unitarian minister. He combined his scientific work with his religious beliefs and wrote extensively on theology and philosophy.  

We know Louis Pasteur for his pioneering work in microbiology, vaccination and pasteurization. He was a devout Christian. Louis often expressed his belief in God and saw his scientific endeavors as a way to save humanity and honor God. Max Planck is famous for introducing quantum theory to the world. He was a Christian. Thus, he held a strong belief in the harmony between science and faith.  

Carl Friedrich Gauss was called the “Prince of Mathematics.” He was known for his contributions to number theory, gaussian elimination, prime number theorem, modular arithmetic, statistics, electromagnetism, geodesy, astronomy and complex numbers. His Christian beliefs influenced his perspective on mathematics and its application in understanding the universe.  

Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz is the co-founder of calculus. He made other contributions to philosophy and many developments in logic and mathematics. He was a devout Christian. Leibniz believed in a rational universe created by God and sought to reconcile science with Christian philosophy.  

Anders Celsius is famous for developing the Celsius temperature scale. His strong Christian beliefs influenced his scientific work. Charles Babbage is known for designing the first mechanical computer, known as the analytical engine. Charles was a devout Christian who believed in the compatibility of science and religion. He often reflected on the moral implications of his work.  

Henry Moseley is known for Moseley’s law in x-ray spectra, which led to the modern periodic table. His Christian beliefs influenced the moral responsibility of scientific discovery. William Thomson, whom some people referred to as Lord Kelvin, is famous for formulating the absolute temperature scale. 

Johannes Kepler is famous for formulating the laws of planetary motion. He was a devout Christian of the Lutheran denomination. Robert Hooke is known for coming up with Hooke’s law of elasticity. Hooke made significant contributions to microscopy and the development of cell theory. He was a devoted Christian who saw his scientific work as a means of understanding God’s creation.  

Leonard Euler made significant contributions to mathematics and physics, particularly in calculus, graph theory and mechanics. He was a staunch Christian who referenced his faith in his writings and believed that mathematics was a way to understand the mind of God.  

William Harvey is known for discovering the circulation of blood in the body. He discovered what God had already created like many other scientists and scholars do. Christian beliefs influenced him. William sought to understand the complexities of human life as part of God’s creation.  

Max von Laue is famous for the discovery of x-ray diffraction in crystals, which contributed to the field of solid-state physics. He was a devout Christian and saw science as a way to understand the divine order of creation. Nicolas Steno is known for founding the principles of stratigraphy and many other contributions to paleontology. He was a bishop who saw his scientific discoveries as a way to understand God’s creation.  

Samuel Morse is known for co-developing the Morse code. He is known for his contributions to the telegraph. He was a committed Christian who believed in the moral implications of his technological advancements. Joseph Black is known for discovering (not creating) carbon dioxide and latent heat. He made other contributions in the field of chemistry. He was a devout Christian who often integrated his faith with his scientific endeavors.  

Michael Servetus is known for his discoveries in anatomy and physiology, particularly in the pulmonary circulation of blood. He was a unitarian theologian who sought to reconcile his medical findings with his religious beliefs. Rudolf Clausius is known for formulating the 2^nd law of thermodynamics and concepts of entropy. His Christian upbringing influenced him. He often reflected on the implications of his scientific work.  

George Washington Carver was an agricultural scientist and inventor. He was a devout Christian. He credited his faith as the source of his inspiration and knowledge. He developed hundreds of products from peanuts, sweet potatoes, and other crops. He discovered innovative uses for those crops, especially as alternative sources of food, household products and industrial materials. In his time, southern farmers relied heavily on nitrogen, which depleted soil nutrients particularly nitrogen.  

Carver encouraged crop rotation with legumes like peanuts and sweet potatoes. By popularizing these crops, he supported farmers’ livelihoods by creating new markets and demand for these alternative crops. He developed over three hundred uses for peanuts and around one hundred uses for sweet potatoes. Through these crops, Carver created products such as dyes, plastics, gasoline, cosmetics and food items. He referred to his scientific discoveries as gifts from God meant to help humanity.  

Elijah McCoy was the son of formerly enslaved parents. He was an inventor and engineer who held over 50 patents, primarily in the field of lubrication for steam engines. His inventions helped revolutionize the railroad and manufacturing industries. He was a dedicated Christian, and his values influenced his commitment to practical, beneficial innovations. 

Patricia Bath was the first African American woman to receive a medical patent. She was an ophthalmologist and inventor. She invented the Laserphaco Probe, a device that improved the treatment of cataracts. Her dedication to serving others and her faith drove her efforts to prevent blindness and advance global healthcare accessibility.  

Lonnie Johnson was an engineer and an inventor with over one hundred patents. He is best known for inventing the Super Soaker water gun. He did some work in green technology, such as thermoelectric energy converters. He stated that his faith motivates him to use his talents for positive contributions.  

Mary Jackson was one of “NASA’s Hidden Figures.” She was a mathematician and an aerospace engineer who played a critical role in the space program. She was a dedicated Christian who balanced her work and faith. She sought to uplift her community and inspire young people, especially women and African Americans, to pursue careers in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics). 

Philip Emeagwali is a Nigerian-born computer scientist and engineer. People often regard him as one of the pioneers of the internet. Philip credits his faith and perseverance as central to his innovations in computer processing. His innovations helped advance networked computing and laid the foundational concepts for the internet.  

James E. West was an acoustician and inventor. He co-invented the electret microphone, a technology that is used in almost all modern microphones including those in phones and recording devices. His inventions have transformed the telecommunications and entertainment industries. He holds over 250 U.S. patents.  

James is a staunch Christian. He speaks on how his faith influenced his commitment to innovation and excellence. He sees his career as a platform to bring positive change and he often credits his achievements to God. As I am writing this, James is currently 93 years old as he was born on Fe bruary 10, 1931.  

Lewis Howard Latimer was an engineer and draftsman. He worked closely with Alexander Graham Bell and Thomas Edison. Lewis contributed to the invention of the telephone. He also developed a more durable carbon filament, which improved the lifespan and practicality of the electric light bulb. He was known for his Christian faith and deep spirituality. Lewis attended church regularly and often expressed a sense of duty to use his skills in ways that honored God. His faith and commitment to social responsibility shaped his work and life.  

Dr. Charles Drew is known as the “father of the blood bank.” He was a doctor and medical researcher who developed techniques for blood storage, leading to the establishment of blood banks worldwide. His innovations saved countless lives during World War 2 and beyond.  

Garrett Morgan is known for inventing the modern traffic signal and a smoke hood (or gas mask). His inventions were revolutionary in improving public safety as his gas mask was used by fire fighters during World War 1. He often stated that his talents and opportunities came from God. His faith inspired his commitment to creating inventions that would protect and help people.  

Madam C.J. Walker was the first self-made female millionaire in the United States of America. She developed a successful line of hair care products for black women. She revolutionized the beauty industry while using her influence to advocate for social causes.  

There are other contemporary figures (from the 1950s to present) in the field of science who have made significant contributions and are/were devout Christians. Some examples are Dr. Ben Carson, Francis Collins, Alister McGrath, John Polkinghorne, Jennifer Wiseman, Niels Bohr, and Robert Boyle among many others. 

All these examples clearly show that one can have lofty academic achievements and still be a Christian.  

Diligence in Studies 

“The Bible contains all the principles that men need to understand in order to be fitted either for this life or for the life to come. And these principles may be understood by all. No one with a spirit to appreciate its teaching can read a single passage from the Bible without gaining from it some helpful thought. But the most valuable teaching of the Bible is not to be gained by occasional or disconnected study. Its great system of truth is not so presented as to be discerned by the hasty or careless reader. Many of its treasures lie far beneath the surface, and can be obtained only by diligent research and continuous effort. The truths that go to make up the great whole must be searched out and gathered up, “here a little, and there a little.” Isaiah 28:10.” – Education, Page 123.2, Ellen G. White. 

When we are studying, we should take our studies seriously. Taking our education seriously portrays faith. This is not just limited to the education we get in schools but also applies to the education we get from church and home, not disregarding self-study. When studying a subject, we should not rely solely on one source of knowledge.  

We should use the Biblical principle of here a little, there a little (Isaiah 28:10). Most importantly, we should dedicate our education to God, for He is the Master Teacher. No book should be read without the individual first engaging in prayer. We should pray even for our instructors and for our fellow students as well. 

We should not engage in secular study on Saturday/Sabbath or even do exams. When we keep the Sabbath day holy, as God has said, God will bless our academics. Wisdom comes from Him, knowledge comes from Him, reasoning abilities come from Him, and memory comes from Him. When we honor Him by setting aside one whole day to spend with Him, He will bless our studies by acknowledging Him as the Creator of all things, including education.  

Secondly, we are to realize that we are fully dependent on God. The Sabbath day makes us realize our dependence on God as we rest from all our labors and worship Him, the Creator of the universe. We are to worship God and have a holy character every day. However, during the other days of the week, we do not get enough time to spend with God since we have filled our days with other activities.  

On the Seventh day, after all activities have been set aside and our mind is clear, we should focus on God alone. When our minds focus on God, they get more enriched, arising all intellectual powers. Powers we need to succeed in education, among other things. Plan your study timetable on Sunday after the Sabbath and countercheck your weekly goals on Friday before the Sabbath. 

Faith is the substance of things hoped for. God has already given you the success you are hoping for in education. Therefore, live by faith and obey His commandments to access that success. 

Success in Our Careers 

Faithful Work from The Heart 

Ephesians 6:5-8 (KJV) – “⁵ Servants, be obedient to them that are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ; ⁶ Not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart; ⁷ With good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men: ⁸ Knowing that whatsoever good thing any man doeth, the same shall he receive of the Lord, whether he be bond or free.” 

The Bible tells us that servants are to obey their earthly masters with singleness of heart. They are to obey everything their master tells them if it does not go against God’s law. Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego obeyed the commands of the pagan kings but drew a line of distinction when they were commanded to go against God’s law. They did not worship other gods even when their lives were threatened. They also refused to eat the king’s meat (Daniel 1:8).  

They worked excellently and were promoted. Some employees seek promotion more than they seek to produce results for the organization. Some do all illegal acts to get promoted, like bribing, false accusations, and murder. The spirit of selfishness controls such because they are only interested in how they will benefit and not how others will profit. 

All in Effort: Faith-Based Excellence at Work 

Ecclesiastes 9:10-11 (KJV) – “¹⁰ Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest. ¹¹ I returned, and saw under the sun, that the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, neither yet bread to the wise, nor yet riches to men of understanding, nor yet favour to men of skill; but time and chance happeneth to them all.” 

Whatever you do, if it is in accordance with God’s glory (1 Corinthians 10:31), do it wholeheartedly. One of the reasons why people fail to produce stellar results is that they do not possess full faith when embarking on their various assignments. Uncertainty about one’s work’s success makes many harbor feelings of doubt in their heart.  

Working with one’s might is an act of faith because you are doing your best to represent your Master in heaven and not yourself. Your highest objective is for God to receive honor and not yourself. This will please God, and He will be obligated to bless the work of your hands because His Word says that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him (Hebrews 11:6). One way of diligently seeking God is being diligent in all works that glorify God while still here on earth. 

Someone might do what you do better than you. That should not worry you. If you have done your best, God acknowledges it and blesses you. Myron Golden says, “Best does not mean better than somebody else, it means best to your capability.” Ecclesiastes 9:11 (the verse following Ecclesiastes 9:10 which tells us to do our best) means that one does not have to have the best natural advantages to win the race.  

Commenting on Ecclesiastes 9:10-11, Myron Golden says, “Put everything you got into everything you do because you will beat people who are more talented than you. You will win out over people who are richer than you. You will beat people who had more natural advantages than you just because you put everything you’ve got into everything you do, because they didn’t do their best.”  

When talking about excellence, Myron Golden goes on and adds the following quotes: 

“Doors open for people who do their best. Obstacles run from people who do their best.” 

“The only way to be the best is to always keep becoming more.” 

“Amateurs practice until they get it right, professionals practice until they can’t get it wrong.” 

“Execute on your execution. Execute with excellence because existence is expiring.” 

Choose Cheerful Service 

Colossians 3:23-24 (KJV) – “²³ And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; ²⁴ Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.” 

God is not a robber. As the Bible says, you shall receive great rewards when you serve Him. Therefore, work joyfully as to the Lord and not unto men. Even though your work requires strenuous effort, do it happily without complaining and grumbling.  

Complaints work a great deal in sowing and growing the seeds of doubt. Ungratefulness should be shunned completely because it prevents us from seeing God’s blessings and often shuts the door of opportunity. Replace it with gratefulness and begin to thank God for every little thing in your life. When you do that, God will be highly encouraged to do more in your life than He has already done.  

We can take an example from our human relations. When someone fails to thank you for something good you have done, you lose the morale to do something else for them. But when someone thanks you for something small you have done, you get encouraged to do bigger and better things for that person. 

“Ungrateful people breed negativity. No one gets any pleasure from giving to an ungrateful person. When you show appreciation, the object of your attention blossoms and flourishes.” – Paul McCabe. “A grateful person is rich in contentment. An ungrateful person suffers in the poverty of endless discontentment.” – David A. Bednar.  

God’s ways and thoughts being higher than ours, makes Him do good to us even when we fail to show gratitude because He makes His rain fall on the just and the unjust (Matthew 5:45). However, when you show gratitude, He will treat you not only as a treasure but as a peculiar treasure unto Himself. One way of showing gratitude is by genuinely thanking Him through prayers. Another way is by using everything He has given you to the best of your ability for His glory. 

Leaders with Love 

Ephesians 6:9 (KJV) – “And, ye masters, do the same things unto them, forbearing threatening: knowing that your Master also is in heaven; neither is there respect of persons with Him.” 

The Bible commands masters to treat their servants with love and respect, just like Christ has treated us. God is patient with us; we sin repeatedly, but He still blesses us. He never gets tired of His attempts to pull us close to Him so that we can enjoy the infinite treasures He has in store.  

We should treat our employees and subordinates with the same patience. If they make a mistake, we should have the heart to forgive and correct them with love while constantly encouraging them. Make it a daily practice to pray for them, particularly in their weak areas. If we do that, we will see a great difference in our workplace. 

Rest Well and Shine Bright 

Isaiah 58:13-14 (KJV) – “¹³ If thou turn away thy foot from the Sabbath, from doing thy pleasure on My holy day; and call the Sabbath a delight, the holy of the Lord, honourable; and shalt honour Him, not doing thine own ways, nor finding thine own pleasure, nor speaking thine own words: ¹⁴ Then shalt thou delight thyself in the Lord; and I will cause thee to ride upon the high places of the earth, and feed thee with the heritage of Jacob thy father: for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it.” 

Masters and servants alike should honor the Sabbath day and delight in it. If they do so, God promises that He will make them ride on the high places of the earth. No work should be conducted on Saturday. The Bible tells us in the fourth commandment (Exodus 20:8-11) that all our male or female servants and all our animals should rest on Sabbath. Not only them but also the visitors that are under our care.  

On the Grind with God 

The Sabbath commandment gives rules on career success when it says in Exodus 20:9 (KJV) – “Six days shalt thou labor.” From Sunday to Friday, labor is necessary and compulsory for a person who professes that they believe in God. Many spend hours on social media or gossiping in our workplaces instead of working. Therefore, we produce mediocre results and still wonder why we are not getting promoted.  

Some may say that they finished the work they have been given. If you have finished the work, you have been given, you should ask your supervisor if there is more work to do. God will notice your diligence, and He will bless it. He may not give you a promotion in the same workplace. He may decide to promote you to a different and better organization than the one you are in. If you are in the best organization in the world, He may open doors for you to start your own business. 

Plan, Reflect and Pray 

God created light on the first day. Light provides illumination while you are working. That is why most people work during the day. Therefore, use the first day of the week (Sunday) to plan your week because planning will provide clarity (illumination) for the whole week.  

Genesis 1:31 (KJV) – “And God saw everything that He had made, and, behold, it was very good. And the evening and the morning were the sixth day.” 

God evaluated everything He had created on the sixth day of the week before He entered the Sabbath rest (Genesis 2:1-3). On the sixth day of the week (Friday), evaluate your week to see if you have met your goals as you prepare for the Sabbath. Write down everything you failed to do that you had planned to do and everything you did mediocrely. Then before you enter the Sabbath, ask God to forgive you for everything you did poorly and help you do better the following week. 

Faith is the substance of things hoped for. Believe that you have already succeeded in your workplace. Therefore, work in accordance with God’s Word. 

Success in Our Business Ventures 

Power Your Business with Faith 

“One of the Hebrew words for a business professional is ohmein, which means man of faith and shares the same root with the liturgical amen. With no verifiable information that he will be successful in selling his wares, the merchant nonetheless purchases inventory. He then delights in selling out his entire inventory, even vital commodities like food or clothing, in exchange for little metal discs. Instead of despairing about how he will now feed and clothe his children, he has complete faith that whenever he wishes, there will be someone who will gladly sell him food or anything else he may need for those very metal discs. It is that faith that converts metal discs and printed paper into money. This faith gives currency value. Were he to trade on the basis of doubt and suspicion, he would contract no business at all. It is chiefly his faith that makes possible his profits.” – Business Secrets from The Bible, Page 32, Rabbi Daniel Lapin. 

Navigating the Unknown: Business as an Act of Faith 

Opening and operating a business requires stupendous faith. Most times, passing a school examination is not so difficult because examination questions come directly from what one has learned and are often repeated. Therefore, if you study the content in the book and past papers, you will likely pass.  

Employment is not very difficult because you are told what to do and get paid for what you have been told to do. Operating your own business can be very difficult because you are unsure what to do to succeed. You may spend a lot of money on marketing and advertising, using all the proper methods, and no one buys your product.  

You may sell high-quality products at affordable rates than your competitors, but people still buy from your competitors. Many college/university professors with doctorate degrees in business have experienced failure when they started their own businesses. This is because what they teach in class doesn’t always apply to the current real-life situation when running their businesses. Therefore, there is no surety that the business you have opened will succeed or fail. 

God’s Blueprint for Success in the Marketplace 

Faith is the substance of things hoped for. What things? Things that God has spoken. God has spoken hope. He has spoken about success and not failure. He has spoken prosperity and not catastrophe. Failures occur when we go contrary to His Word. The gospel is an assurance of blessings; if you obey it, it will assure success even in your business.  

When you don’t hold on to the promises of God, you will have lots of uncertainty when running your business, leading to frustrations and even depression. However, when you firmly cling to God’s Word, you will not doubt your business succeeding because you are drinking from the fountain of endless blessings. 

1 Samuel 17:26 (KJV) – “And David spake to the men that stood by him, saying, What shall be done to the man that killeth this Philistine, and taketh away the reproach from Israel? for who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the armies of the living God?” 

David believed he would defeat Goliath because Goliath defied the army of the living God. David knew that even though Goliath was a giant and an experienced champion, he could not win against him because Goliath despised God. Therefore, he asked the price he would get paid if he managed to win Goliath because he knew with God by his side, he would surely win him. When we put God first, last, and best in our business, we have an assurance of success. 

Business as Part of God’s Grand Plan 

“To every man is given “his work” (Mark 13:34), the work for which his capabilities adapt him, the work which will result in greatest good to himself and to his fellow men, and in greatest honor to God.”- Education, Page 138.1, Ellen G. White. 

“Thus our business or calling is a part of God’s great plan, and, so long as it is conducted in accordance with His will, He Himself is responsible for the results. “Laborers together with God” (1 Corinthians 3:9), our part is faithful compliance with His directions. Thus there is no place for anxious care. Diligence, fidelity, caretaking, thrift, and discretion are called for. Every faculty is to be exercised to its highest capacity. But the dependence will be, not on the successful outcome of our efforts, but on the promise of God. The Word that fed Israel in the desert, and sustained Elijah through the time of famine, has the same power today. “Be not therefore anxious (R.V.), saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? … Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” Matthew 6:31-33.” – Education, Page 138.2, Ellen G. White. 

Romans 12:2 (AMP) – “And do not be conformed to this world [any longer with its superficial values and customs], but be transformed and progressively changed [as you mature spiritually] by the renewing of your mind [focusing on godly values and ethical attitudes], so that you may prove [for yourselves] what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect [in His plan and purpose for you].” 

In her YouTube Channel, Business Coach Danielle comments on Romans 12:2 and says, “You cannot build a God-honoring business using the means and methods of this world.” 

While climbing the hills and mountains of uncertainty in our businesses, we can have faith that they will succeed because God is responsible for the results. Therefore, our legal and moral responsibility is to operate our business in accordance with His will, for God cannot go against His will.  

Therefore, when we sell in the marketplace, we should not doubt if people will buy from us. We should be assured that our products or services will be profitable because God never loses. In her song, “Never Lost a Battle,” Cece Winans says this to God, “You can do all things but fail.” 

“There is no branch of legitimate business for which the Bible does not afford an essential preparation. Its principles of diligence, honesty, thrift, temperance, and purity are the secret of true success. These principles, as set forth in the book of Proverbs, constitute a treasury of practical wisdom. Where can the merchant, the artisan, the director of men in any department of business, find better maxims for himself or for his employees than are found in these words of the wise man.” – Education, Page 135.1, Ellen G. White. 

Sabbath Rest in Business 

Business should not be conducted on Sabbath. We should refrain from discussing business deals in church on Saturday. God created business, but when Christ came to the temple and found people conducting business (even though most were selling legal products), He chased them away.  

Exodus 20:9-10 (KJV) – “⁹ Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work: ¹⁰ But the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates.”  

We should operate our business for six days and rest on the seventh day. While we rest and commune with God, God may give us better ideas and strategies to result in greater profits in the forthcoming weeks. He may even connect you with bigger clients. As your employees rest from work on the seventh day, God will refresh them with more energy to work during the week.  

Faithful Leaders, Faithful Stewards 

Plan your weekly appointments, schedule, and business targets on Sunday immediately after the Sabbath. Purchase inventory on Sunday (if it is a product business). On the sixth day, look at your plans and evaluate them. Carefully consider the things that made you succeed and the things that made you fail. Thank God for your success, and by the Grace of God, aim to shun the things that made you fail. 

God has no problem with being employed, but it is God’s highest will for His most beloved children to operate their businesses. Some people in the Bible were servants like Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. Although they were in employment, they held the highest positions in the king’s palace due to their excellence.  

You should have the highest position in an organization, whether in your home country or a foreign land. Your aim should not be to have the highest position. Instead, it should be to excellently serve God in whatever position He has given you, and God will automatically promote you. Excellence makes you max out the level that you are currently in.  

Shining a Light on the Corporate World 

Humility and the fear of God are essential in moving forward in life, including the workplace (Proverbs 22:4). Daniel and his friends were servants to the Babylonian king because Nebuchadnezzar enslaved their nation. If the Israelites had not rebelled against God, the people would not be in captivity, and they would have the freedom to operate their own business. 

Exodus 20:8-10 (KJ21) – “⁸ Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. ⁹ Six days shalt thou labor and do all thy work; ¹⁰ but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God. In it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates.”  

When God gave the Sabbath commandment, He said, “Your manservant or your maidservant.” He did not say, “your boss.” In other words, God is addressing leaders in this commandment and in all the other nine commandments.  

God wants us to lead even in the corporate world. The easiest way one can have the highest influence in a company is when he or she is at the top-most level in that company. The highest position is not being an employed CEO with a salary of five hundred million dollars a year. The highest position one can have in a company is the founder and the highest shareholder of that company. 

Many decent Sabbath-keeping Christians are not able to keep the Sabbath because they are in employment. Therefore, being servants causes them to have less control over their lives. Many servants have been converted to religions (including Christianity) because their masters ascribe to that religion. For example, a family that goes to church on Saturday will have their house servant go to church on the same day.  

Evil is high in the world because most Christians have allowed evil people to be their masters and dominate the corporate world in almost every industry. Let us lean and cling to God’s highest will for our careers and start our businesses. 

Faith is the substance of things hoped for. The profit you are hoping for from your products and services that conform with God’s law, you have already gotten it. Therefore, do your best and sell to as many people as possible. 

Success in Our Families 

Relationship with God First 

Genesis 2:21-24 (KJV) – “²¹ And the Lord God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam, and he slept: and He took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh instead thereof; ²² And the rib, which the Lord God had taken from man, made He a woman, and brought her unto the man. ²³ And Adam said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man. ²⁴ Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.” 

God had a relationship with Adam first before He formed Eve. He did not create Eve when Adam was watching. Instead, the Lord caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam before creating Eve. When Eve was created, Adam was out of the picture because He wanted to form a relationship with Eve first before He introduced her to Adam. When Adam was created, Eve was absent because God wanted to form a relationship with him first before He gave Adam his wife Eve.  

It is essential to have a relationship with God before considering marriage and starting a family. This is because God needs to be at the center of your relationship. Faith in God should be foundational and fundamental in your courtship and marriage. All your decisions should be based on faith, obeying God’s Word in everything you do.  

Paul Washer emphasizes that one needs to pray for their spouse before they marry even if they have not yet met them. He also says that when one commits sexual sin before marriage, they are sinning against their future spouse. This is a powerful lesson on faith. As you are praying to find a spouse, pray for the protection, guidance and sanctification of that spouse. Secondly, honor her even before you meet her.   

Marry the Opposite Gender 

God created the family system and desires that we be successful in our family relations. A family is started by two individuals of different genders, male and female. Genesis 1:27 (KJV) – “So God created man in His own image, in the image of God created He him; male and female created He them.”  

Therefore, one rule for success in marriage and family is that the two individuals marrying each other should be of opposite genders. When humans break God’s law by marrying people of the same gender, they kill the family system because two men or two women cannot procreate. If every adult in the world now decided to do same-sex marriage, the world’s population would be extinct in forthcoming years. 

One with Your Spouse 

A man and his wife are meant to be one. There should be no one in between them. Some people have placed more value on their relatives than their spouses, while many place more value on their children than their spouses. Countless times, you will hear people say they are in a marriage because of the kids and not their better half.  

When the Bible says a man shall leave his father and mother and cleave to his wife, it doesn’t mean you should hate your parents or relatives. It means you should honor them but prioritize your spouse more than them. It may seem like a very difficult doctrine to apply, but that is how it should be. Why? Because the Bible says so.  

Many who have prioritized their relatives more than their spouses have been disappointed by their relatives. This is because the spouse they once despised has either left them or, if they are still with them, they don’t love them as much as they used to. Secondly, some of the relatives you prioritized have disappointed you and are thankless after all you sacrificed for them. 

“God Himself gave Adam a companion. He provided “an help meet for him”—a helper corresponding to him—one who was fitted to be his companion, and who could be one with him in love and sympathy. Eve was created from a rib taken from the side of Adam, signifying that she was not to control him as the head, nor to be trampled under his feet as an inferior, but to stand by his side as an equal, to be loved and protected by him. A part of man, bone of his bone, and flesh of his flesh, she was his second self; showing the close union and the affectionate attachment that should exist in this relation. “For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it.” “Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one.”- The Adventist Home, Page 25.3, Ellen G. White. 

Luke 1:57-64 (KJV) – “⁵⁷ Now Elisabeth’s full time came that she should be delivered; and she brought forth a son. ⁵⁸ And her neighbours and her cousins heard how the Lord had shewed great mercy upon her; and they rejoiced with her. ⁵⁹ And it came to pass, that on the eighth day they came to circumcise the child; and they called him Zacharias, after the name of his father. ⁶⁰ And his mother answered and said, Not so; but he shall be called John. ⁶¹ And they said unto her, There is none of thy kindred that is called by this name. ⁶² And they made signs to his father, how he would have him called. ⁶³ And he asked for a writing table, and wrote, saying, His name is John. And they marvelled all. ⁶⁴ And his mouth was opened immediately, and his tongue loosed, and he spake, and praised God.” 

The order of priority in any family should be God first and then their spouses. Elisabeth and Zacharias prioritized God first. Their unity to honor God made them overcome the temptation to follow tradition (calling the child Zacharias after his father) and make the right decision to name their child John as God had told them. It is a tremendous blessing when husband and wife unite to honor God. In many Christian homes, this is not the case.  

There is often a constant struggle between spouses whereby one wants to glorify God, and the other party opposes it. This contention weakens families and deprives them of acquiring God’s blessings. After Zacharias and his wife stood firm withstanding the pressure from relatives and friends, God opened the mouth of Zacharias and made him speak. 

Some have allowed friends to come in between them and their spouses, whereby they trust their friend’s words more than they trust their better halves. They rely on advice from friends instead of relying on God for counsel. They fail to understand that their friends are struggling in life just like them since nobody is perfect and no human being knows everything. God is perfect, all-knowing, and more than willing to teach us how we should go (Psalm 25:8-9). He has given us the Bible to guide us in everything we do. 

Counsel for Your Marriage from the Bible 

“Get Counsel From the Bible—Instituted by God, marriage is a sacred ordinance and should never be entered upon in a spirit of selfishness. Those who contemplate this step should solemnly and prayerfully consider its importance and seek divine counsel that they may know whether they are pursuing a course in harmony with the will of God. The instruction given in God’s Word on this point should be carefully considered. Heaven looks with pleasure upon a marriage formed with an earnest desire to conform to the directions given in the Scripture.” – The Adventist Home, Page 70.1, Ellen G. White. 

“If there is any subject that should be considered with calm reason and unimpassioned judgment, it is the subject of marriage. If ever the Bible is needed as a counselor, it is before taking a step that binds persons together for life. But the prevailing sentiment is that in this matter the feelings are to be the guide, and in too many cases lovesick sentimentalism takes the helm and guides to certain ruin. It is here that the youth show less intelligence than on any other subject; it is here that they refuse to be reasoned with. The question of marriage seems to have a bewitching power over them. They do not submit themselves to God. Their senses are enchained, and they move forward in secretiveness, as if fearful that their plans would be interfered with by someone.” – The Adventist Home, Page 70.2, Ellen G. White. 

Counsel from the Bible is infinitely greater than counsel from all combined educated scholars, relatives, and friends. You should know God’s Word before approaching people because sometimes error is so close to the truth and may get unnoticed if one is not correctly acquainted with God’s Word.  

Therapists, counselors, and pastors can come in handy in giving us advice, but their advice is only beneficial if it is in line with God’s Word. When you follow the counsel of the ungodly in your marriage, you allow a third party to come between you and your spouse, thus soiling the sanctity of marriage. 

“Sanctity of the Family Circle—There is a sacred circle around every family which should be preserved. No other one has any right in that sacred circle. The husband and wife should be all to each other. The wife should have no secrets to keep from her husband and let others know, and the husband should have no secrets to keep from his wife to relate to others. The heart of his wife should be the grave for the faults of the husband, and the heart of the husband the grave for his wife’s faults. Never should either party indulge in a joke at the expense of the other’s feelings. Never should either the husband or wife in sport or in any other manner complain of each other to others, for frequently indulging in this foolish and what may seem perfectly harmless joking will end in trial with each other and perhaps estrangement. I have been shown that there should be a sacred shield around every family.” – The Adventist Home, Page 177.1, Ellen G. White. 

Your Spouse Before Your Kids 

Genesis 4:1-2 (KJV) – “¹ And Adam knew Eve his wife; and she conceived, and bare Cain, and said, I have gotten a man from the Lord. ² And she again bare his brother Abel. And Abel was a keeper of sheep, but Cain was a tiller of the ground.” 

God created Adam and Eve first before He gave them children. He united them first before He blessed them with offspring. He would have made them together with their kids, but He did not do that. Instead, He created their kids after He created them. He took Adam’s rib to form Eve but did not use the same method when creating their children.  

Children are a result of two people of different genders coming together. The Bible says Adam knew his wife, and she conceived. No man can procreate without the help of a woman. Likewise, no woman can give birth without the help of a man. What does all these mean? This means you should prioritize your spouse before your kids because God united you two first before He brought the kids. 

Therefore, do not embarrass your spouse in front of your children or gossip about them with your children. Do not encourage your children to rebel against your spouse, especially if your partner is commanding them to do something in accordance with God’s law.  

Many parents do this to win their children’s affection and appear as the better person. This tactic may ‘succeed’ when the children are young since some may be unable to reason clearly and correctly. Once they grow old, they may rebel against you, and if their character is deficient or they fail to succeed in life, they will highly likely blame you.  

The best way to love your children is not through gifts and supporting their mischievous acts. It is by leading them to keep God’s commandments, including the fifth commandment, which says, “Honor thy father and thy mother,” meaning you must honor both parents. 

When two parents unite in love and speak in one voice, they leave no gap for the child to misbehave. But once the child knows one parent supports their misbehavior while the other doesn’t, they will have more strength and courage to bend the rules and go astray. We can witness this in various homes.  

Be Equally Yoked 

Children are more likely to be serious with God if both parents are serious with God. If one parent is sloppy about Godly things, children get the confidence to be careless in Godly things. That is why the Bible says in 2 Corinthians 6:14 (KJV) – “Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?”  

An unbeliever is any person you do not share the same beliefs. Both of you may believe in a higher being, but one is a member of a religion that believes in worshipping idols. Both of you may be Christians, but one believes in keeping the Seventh-day Sabbath while the other believes in keeping the first day as the Sabbath.  

Both of you may be resting on the correct Seventh-day Sabbath, but one puts logic and science above faith and makes light of spiritual matters, therefore, making the two of you unequally yoked even though you are of the same denomination. It may seem like a non-issue when courting, but strife is likely to start in marriage since you will differ on various things. The children may grow up confused since they won’t know the right path to follow. This confusion weakens faith and results in doubt.   

Trust in God for the Great Responsibility Ahead 

“Fathers and mothers need to understand their responsibility. The world is full of snares for the feet of the young. A life of selfish and sensual pleasure attracts multitudes. They cannot discern the hidden dangers or the fearful ending of the path that seems to them the way of happiness. Through the indulgence of appetite and passion, their energies are wasted, and millions are ruined for this world and for the world to come. Parents should remember that their children must encounter these temptations. Even before the birth of the child, the preparation should begin that will enable it to fight successfully the battle against evil.” – Child Guidance, Page 21.2, Ellen G. White. 

“More than human wisdom is needed by parents at every step, that they may understand how best to educate their children for a useful, happy life here, and for higher service and greater joy hereafter.”- Child Guidance, Page 21.3, Ellen G. White. 

Always depend on God’s wisdom to guide you in your family relations. In the book, Think Big, Dr. Ben Carson talks of the upbringing that his mother gave him and his brother. Ben said that when his mother was raising them, she was a single mother. Her spouse (Ben Carson’s) father, Robert Solomon Carson had left the family when Ben was eight years old. Ben’s mother would seek God’s divine wisdom when she encountered a tough situation in bringing up her kids. God was always faithful to give her the proper direction. We will be successful in our families when we seek God’s guidance at every step, instead of leaning on our own understanding.  

Faith is the substance of things hoped for. God has already blessed our families. We should obey His guidance on raising successful families to claim that blessing. 

Success in Our Social Relations 

The Choice of Friends 

Psalm 1:1-2 (KJV) – “¹Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. ² But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in His law doth he meditate day and night.” 

1 Corinthians 15:33 (NKJV) – “Do not be deceived: “Evil company corrupts good habits.” 

The careful and intentional choice of friends will relieve us from more harm than if we had chosen our allies carelessly. Not only will it protect us from damage, but it will enable us to gain lots of benefits. As Christians, we need to choose our friends prayerfully and carefully. We should be highly intentional about how much time we spend with each friend.  

Many have slipped from the right path and fallen into a deep pit because of spending too much time with people who cherish bad habits. Typically, when hanging out with bad company, many think they are just engaging in conversations, but they won’t do the things they do. They deliberately hang out with evil allies because such friends usually have ‘entertaining’ stories.  

Without realizing it, evil thoughts start getting into the subconscious mind. A time comes when the thinking and judgment of someone who was once good become corrupted. Once the mind becomes corrupted, a person’s words and actions get corrupted as well because out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks (Matthew 12:34; Luke 6:45). 

The Advice to Follow 

The man who follows the advice of the Godly is blessed because he is following Jesus, who is the way, the truth, and the life (John 14:6). Association with sinners can be exceedingly injurious, especially for someone with little knowledge of God’s Word.  

Usually, the worst temptations don’t appear sinful. Jesus was hungry after fasting for forty days when the Devil came to tempt Him to turn stones into bread. That temptation did not seem wicked, but obeying the Devil’s word is disobeying God’s Word. We need to know God’s Word and ask Him for the gift of discernment to discern righteousness from evil to prevent ourselves from making wrong decisions and getting involved in evil habits.  

We will succeed in our social relations when we delight in God’s law and meditate upon it day and night. This is because God’s commandments are a safeguard against deception and all the wiles of evil. We should be careful of the time we spend with people. Ellen White advises us that the only time we should spend with the ungodly is when we are evangelizing to them. 

Present Truth to Others 

Zechariah 8:16-17 (KJV) – “¹⁶ These are the things that ye shall do; Speak ye every man the truth to his neighbour; execute the judgment of truth and peace in your gates: ¹⁷ And let none of you imagine evil in your hearts against his neighbour; and love no false oath: for all these are things that I hate, saith the Lord.” 

Our neighbor’s benefit should be our greatest joy. We should do all in our power to ensure that we are a blessing to everyone we relate to. Therefore, we should think of the right thoughts concerning them and speak the right words to them, which are the words of truth. The truth will always uplift. It may hurt, but it will always liberate and elevate.  

As Christians, we are called to evangelize to everyone we meet. We should have a habit of praying for everyone we interact with. You can form a prayer list with all their names and pray over that list daily. Secondly, the work of preaching the gospel is not only meant for pastors, as many of us think. Every Christian is called to evangelize.  

In Matthew 28:19, Jesus tells us to go and teach all nations meaning we should preach the gospel to everybody. With the current technological advancements, we shouldn’t wait for an opportunity at the physical pulpit to spread the gospel.  

We can write Christian articles and post them on blogs or social media. We can start Christian podcasts. We can record videos with our phones and post them on TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube. If you feel you lack the skill of preaching to people, you can always invite someone to church or share a YouTube sermon or blog article with them. 

Resist and Avoid Corrupt Communication 

Ephesians 4:29 (KJV) – “Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.” 

Ephesians 5:3-4 (KJV) – “³ But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints; ⁴ Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks.” 

Idle words and jesting have led to the degradation and destruction of many lives beyond our knowledge. Time spent on idle words would have been of great value if it were used to speak the truth. Words of truth are words of life because they flow from the fountain of life. Idle words carry death because the wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23).  

We have minimal time in this world. Therefore, if we want success in our social relations, we should refrain from all sorts of idle words, including gossiping. Gossip, as common as it is, is a sin of no small magnitude in the sight of a Holy God. It is equal to murder because it may kill one emotionally or spiritually.  

Some people have left churches because somebody gossiped about them, resulting in them losing their blessings. Some have sunk into depression and committed suicide because of gossip and rumormongering. Others have ruined their destinies because of spending all their time engaging in idle words instead of valuable things. Many have lost valuable connections due to such behavior. 

“A man’s character may be quite accurately estimated by the nature of his conversation…. Those who jest and joke and indulge in cheap conversation place themselves upon a level where Satan can gain access to them…. When you associate together, you may be a help and a blessing one to another if you surround yourselves with an influence that is divine. But there are those who have grave defects, which are gaining a deeper hold upon them and which if not overcome will drive the Spirit of God out of the heart…. Jesting and joking may please a class of cheap minds, and yet the influence of this kind of conduct is destructive to spirituality. I speak to you as a class and also as individuals: Guard your words. Let sobriety and sound common sense characterize your conversation. Do not trifle with the purity and nobility of your souls by condescending to indulgence in stale jokes, and in cultivating habits of trifling conversation.” – Our High Calling, Page 292, Ellen G. White. 

“O that every one of our youth would realize the evil of foolish conversation, and correct the habit of speaking idle words! Let everyone who has indulged in this sin repent of it, confess it before God, and put it far from him. In speaking foolish words, you have dishonored the name of Christ; for you have misrepresented Him in character. No word of guile was found in His lips, no word of prevarication or falsehood. The people that are described as making up the one hundred and forty-four thousand, have the Father’s name written in their foreheads, and of them it is said: “In their mouth was found no guile: for they are without fault before the throne of God.” Revelation 14:5.” – Our High Calling, Page 292, Ellen G. White. 

Love Your Enemies too 

Matthew 5:43-46 (KJV) – “⁴³ Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. ⁴⁴ But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; ⁴⁵ That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh His sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. ⁴⁶ For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? Do not even the publicans the same?” 

John 3:16 (KJV) – “For God so loved the world.” God loves everybody, but God hates sin. However, God loves those who keep His commandments and those who don’t. We are created in God’s image (Genesis 1:26-27). An image is a reflection of the real thing. When you look at yourself in the mirror and move your hand, the image in the mirror will do the same thing. When you stand still, the mirror image will also stand still. The image cannot do anything contrary to what the owner of that image does.  

Therefore, as people created in God’s image, we must have the same character as God. We ought to love even those who don’t love us. Not only should we love them, but we should also pray for them and do everything in our power to benefit them.  

God hates sin but does everything in His power to bring sinners close to Him because He wants to save everybody (John 6:39, 2 Peter 3:9). We should genuinely love our enemies, constantly praying for them. It is difficult to love someone who has hurt you and is always saying bad things about you but when we allow Jesus to work in our hearts, it will be easy to do so. Moreso, we will delight in doing so. 

Proverbs 16:7 (KJV) – “When a man’s ways please the Lord, He maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him.” 

When your ways please God by always acting by faith, He will deal with your social relations. He will bring the right people to you. He will convert those you thought were the wrong people into the right people. He will also make those who hate you to be at peace with you.  

Some people are hated because of the harm they have done to society. Maybe the person is an armed robber, con man, or drunkard, always causing havoc to his family and the community. If such people change their evil character to a Christ-like character, the majority of the people hating them will stop disliking them.  

Some people are hated for no reason. Maybe they are despised because of Christianity and how open they are about it. God, in His power, may bring those who hate them to a position where they will have no option but to get assistance from those they hate. 

The only person in Egypt who could assist Pharaoh (the Egyptian king) was a prisoner called Joseph (Genesis 41). Prisoners are considered to be enemies of society and the state. Not only was Joseph a prisoner, but he was also a foreigner who had been bought as an enslaved person. Therefore, he was the lowest of the lowest.  

When Joseph served God by using his gift to interpret Pharaoh’s dream, God made Pharaoh to be at peace with Him. Not only was Pharaoh at peace with Joseph, but he highly favored Joseph by giving him the highest position in the land, which was the position of Prime Minister.  

When you change your ways and walk on the straight and narrow path, God will do things in your life that you did not expect. That includes finding great favor in the eyes of people who once hated you. When Zacchaeus gave his life to Christ, he reduced the number of his foes because Zacchaeus returned fourfold to everyone whom he had conned and gave half of his goods to the poor. 

God Wants You to Meet New People 

Matthew 5:47 (KJV) – “And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? Do not even the publicans so?” 

If we only greet those who greet us, how different are we from unbelievers? Many people only associate with those who associate with them because they fear rejection or being snubbed. The fear of God in a person’s life should be greater than the fear of rejection. It should be greater than the fear of being ignored.  

Christ came to this world knowing that there were people who would reject Him and kill Him, but His love for them was greater than the fear of the harm they might do to Him. The Bible gives us a powerful networking principle by encouraging us to reach out to strangers. When you only associate with your friends, you limit your growth.  

A businessman grows his chance of getting a client by reaching out to more people. A company increases the likelihood of people buying its products and services by advertising to a broader audience. A church increases its number of members by reaching out to more people. Therefore, the body of Christ should put great emphasis on evangelism and outreach. Make it a common habit to reach out to as many people as possible. 

Pray for Others  

Job 42:10 (KJV) – “And the Lord turned the captivity of Job, when he prayed for his friends: also the Lord gave Job twice as much as he had before.” 

God ended Job’s captivity when he prayed for his friends. The more you pray for your friends, the more freedom and blessings you will get. We need to love our friends, and genuinely care for their needs. Selfish people will not enter the kingdom of heaven.  

God is always giving, and He expects His children to always give. One way of giving is praying for other people. Not only should you pray for your friends, but you should pray for your enemies as well. You should also pray for strangers. God cares for you and wants you to care for others too. 

John 17:9 (KJV) – “I pray for them: I pray not for the world, but for them which thou hast given me; for they are thine.” 

Jesus always prayed for His disciples. He successfully saved all His disciples except Judas Iscariot (John 17:12). If you hold a senior position in an organization, you should pray for your subordinates. If you own a company, you should pray for your employees, partners, investors, and customers.  

You should pray for your employer and colleagues if you are an employee. If more people would do this, more organizations would profit because they would be governed by love. Workplace conflicts and politics would significantly reduce as well.  

Fellowship with Others 

Matthew 18:19-20 (KJV) – “¹⁹ Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching anything that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven. ²⁰ For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.” 

We should have fellowship sessions with our friends if we want great success in our social relations. When God is foundational in any relationship, the bond is unbreakable. Fellowship should be consistent in families, friendship circles, and all other groups. If you have a singing group, you should always have time for fellowship. This practice will strengthen the group members spiritually and gradually improve their character. The prayers offered by two or more people tend to be stronger than those provided by one person. Therefore, you will encounter overflowing blessings in your social circle. 

Forgiveness 

Matthew 18:21-22 (KJV) – “²¹ Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Till seven times? ²² Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.” 

We should be willing to forgive our erring brothers and sisters for our social relations to be successful. Everyone is a sinner. Therefore, if we have an unforgiving heart, we will hate everyone because, at some point, everyone in our life may cross our path.  

When we forgive, we portray the love of Jesus, and as a result, our erring friends may get converted. Christ has forgiven us severally. We should forgive fellow men and women innumerable times as well. Forgiveness is for our benefit. When we forgive, we get peace in our hearts, causing us to be more productive in all areas of our lives. 

God First in Your Social Relations 

John 17:6 (KJV) – “I have manifested Thy name unto the men which Thou gavest me out of the world: Thine they were, and Thou gavest them me; and they have kept Thy word.” 

Success in our social relations would be achieved by putting God first. Let the gospel be preached in words and actions; if we do that, more people will be pulled to Christ, and we shall all be united in Christ. 

Faith is the substance of things hoped for. We shall succeed in our social life if we allow the Word of God to govern our social lives. 

Success in Our Health 

“Most men know less about their own bodies than they do about their automobiles.” – Anonymous 

Perfect Health in the Beginning 

Genesis 1:31 (KJV) – “And God saw everything that He had made, and, behold, it was very good. And the evening and the morning were the sixth day.” 

“The creation was now complete. “The heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of them.” “And God saw everything that He had made, and, behold, it was very good.” Eden bloomed on earth. Adam and Eve had free access to the Tree of Life. No taint of sin or shadow of death marred the fair creation. “The morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy.” Job 38:7.” – Patriarchs and Prophets, Page 47.1, Ellen G. White. 

“God created everything perfectly, including man. Before sin, Human beings were perfect in character, appearance, mental capacity, and health. “God made man upright; He gave him noble traits of character, with no bias toward evil. He endowed him with high intellectual powers, and presented before him the strongest possible inducements to be true to his allegiance. Obedience, perfect and perpetual, was the condition of eternal happiness. On this condition he was to have access to the tree of life.” – Patriarchs and Prophets, Page 49.2, Ellen G. White. 

“Man was to bear God’s image, both in outward resemblance and in character. Christ alone is “the express image” (Hebrews 1:3) of the Father; but man was formed in the likeness of God. His nature was in harmony with the will of God. His mind was capable of comprehending divine things. His affections were pure; his appetites and passions were under the control of reason. He was holy and happy in bearing the image of God and in perfect obedience to His will.”- Patriarchs and Prophets, Page 45.2, Ellen G. White. 

“As man came forth from the hand of his Creator, he was of lofty stature and perfect symmetry. His countenance bore the ruddy tint of health and glowed with the light of life and joy. Adam’s height was much greater than that of men who now inhabit the earth. Eve was somewhat less in stature; yet her form was noble, and full of beauty. The sinless pair wore no artificial garments; they were clothed with a covering of light and glory, such as the angels wear. So long as they lived in obedience to God, this robe of light continued to enshroud them.” – Patriarchs and Prophets, Page 45.3, Ellen G. White. 

The First Sin 

Genesis 2:16-17 (KJV) – “¹⁶ And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat: ¹⁷ But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.” 

Man was created in ultimate perfection and was to maintain that perfect state by obeying the commandments of God. God commanded man to eat every tree in the garden except the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. God told man that if he ate from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, he would surely die.  

Adam and Eve disobeyed God by eating from the tree they were told not to eat from. Thus they shifted from an immortal state to a mortal state, from uncontaminated to contaminated and from healthy to unhealthy. Sin creates loopholes in our physical and spiritual well-being. Disease was not known on earth till man sinned. 

The Devil always seeks to destroy us but cannot do that if we do not cooperate with him through sin. He wanted to harm Job but could not because God had put a hedge of protection around him. God protected Job’s family, finances, and health.  

When God removed that hedge, the Devil made many successful attacks on Job. He attacked Job’s family, material wealth, and health. When we live a righteous life, we abide under the almighty’s shadow and are assured of ultimate protection from God. 

Jesus Heals 

Luke 19:10 (KJV) – “For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.” 

Sin robbed us of many things, including perfect health. Jesus died on the cross to redeem what was lost. One precious thing that we lost through sin was perfect health. Jesus repurchased it, and whosoever believes in Him will get perfect health and eternal life, among other marvelous blessings.  

When Jesus lived on this earth, He healed many people who had chronic illnesses. Some were disabled since birth, and others had diseases that tortured them for many years. Jesus is the master healer. Pastor Randy Skeete says, “The first health law is to confess your sins.” One example of a person Christ healed is a man who had an infirmity for thirty-eight years. 

John 5:1-9 (KJV) – “¹ After this there was a feast of the Jews; and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. ² Now there is at Jerusalem by the sheep market a pool, which is called in the Hebrew tongue Bethesda, having five porches. ³ In these lay a great multitude of impotent folk, of blind, halt, withered, waiting for the moving of the water. ⁴ For an angel went down at a certain season into the pool, and troubled the water: whosoever then first after the troubling of the water stepped in was made whole of whatsoever disease he had. ⁵ And a certain man was there, which had an infirmity thirty and eight years. ⁶ When Jesus saw him lie, and knew that He had been now a long time in that case, He saith unto him, Wilt thou be made whole? ⁷ The impotent man answered him, Sir, I have no man, when the water is troubled, to put me into the pool: but while I am coming, another steppeth down before me. ⁸ Jesus saith unto him, Rise, take up thy bed, and walk. ⁹ And immediately the man was made whole, and took up his bed, and walked: and on the same day was the Sabbath.” 

Christ was passing by the pool of Bethesda on a Sabbath day. On that holy seventh day, He saw a man who had been sick and suffering for a long time. The man had an infirmity for thirty-eight years. Thirty-eight years is enough time for someone to lose hope and feel their condition is incurable. However, that man had not lost hope. By faith, he stayed by the poolside, hoping that one day, he would get into Bethesda’s poolside and receive healing. He held on tightly to his hope, patiently waiting for his turn.  

All along, God in heaven was watching that man’s faith. That man’s condition may have been impossible to all earthly physicians. Therefore, he only hoped to seek divine healing by waiting for the angel, who usually came to trouble the waters in a particular season.  

The Divine Healer has infinite methods of healing. He does not have to use the method you know or the technique you are used to. When He chooses to heal you, He will heal you. For many years, the man never got the opportunity to enter the healing waters, but God healed him when his healing time came. God might have waited for all those years (almost forty years) to show the world that there is no hopeless situation for Him. 

The man was healed on the Sabbath day. Exodus 20:8 (KJV) says, “Remember the Sabbath day.” To that man, the Sabbath day was a day to remember because it was on Sabbath that he got cured of a disease that seemed incurable for a long time. The Sabbath is a remarkable day filled with God’s special and astonishing blessings.  

Exodus 20:11 (KJV) – “For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is.” When giving us the Sabbath commandment, the Bible says, God created heaven and earth in six days. Imagine creating this massive universe with its breathtaking beauty in six days. Isn’t that spectacular? Keeping the Sabbath holy gives you freedom. Jesus performed more miracles on the Sabbath than on any other day. 

The miracles Jesus performed on Sabbath were highly spectacular. On that special seventh day, Christ lifted heavy burdens off people’s shoulders as He said in Matthew 11:28 (KJV) – “Come unto me all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”  

The Sabbath is a special day of rest. When we fail to keep it, we fail to get the rest God has given us for free. Therefore, God does not just want us to keep the Sabbath as a mere requirement. He wants us to keep it because He has blessings bestowed on us that can only be uncovered when we rest on the Sabbath day.  

While the man waited thirty-eight years for the angel to come to the pool and trouble the waters, he was at the place of worship because he sought divine help. That help never came on all those six days of that week. It came on the Seventh-day. Nothing in scripture is accidental. There is a reason why the Bible is specific when it mentions the Sabbath day as the day the magnificent miracle was done.  

When we genuinely worship God on Sabbath, like that man at the pool, we display faith. It is at the place of worship that we understand that what we thought was impossible is possible with God. Hebrews 11:3 (KJV) – “Through faith we understand.” 

The Sabbath allows us to worship God for an entire day without distractions. In Exodus 20:9 (KJV), the Bible says, “Six days shalt thou labor.” God wants us to labor earnestly with utmost dedication during the week so that we can be entirely free on Sabbath and have the golden opportunity to focus on Him fully.  

Our minds cannot be clear during the week because of the hustle and bustle of the week. We always think about how we will submit a given assignment on a particular day. Our minds cannot be clear when Sabbath comes if we have been sloppy throughout the week. Our minds will rest when we know we have done our best in those six days given to us to labor.  

Resting our minds on the Sabbath day is a powerful remedy for mental health. Focusing on God unclogs all the stress and worries that have captivated our minds for those six days. That is why a person who keeps the Sabbath as God has commanded shall perform better than the one who works all seven days of the week. Ellen G. White talks about mind cure, saying that many diseases will be healed if the mind is in a proper mental state. Keeping the Sabbath day holy keeps the mind in the best mental state. 

“The relation that exists between the mind and the body is very intimate. When one is affected, the other sympathizes. The condition of the mind affects the health to a far greater degree than many realize. Many of the diseases from which men suffer are the result of mental depression. Grief, anxiety, discontent, remorse, guilt, distrust, all tend to break down the life forces and to invite decay and death.” – The Ministry of Healing, Page 241.1, Ellen G. White. 

“God is just as willing to restore the sick to health now as when the Holy Spirit spoke these words through the psalmist. And Christ is the same compassionate physician now that He was during His earthly ministry. In Him there is healing balm for every disease, restoring power for every infirmity. His disciples in this time are to pray for the sick as verily as the disciples of old prayed. And recoveries will follow; for “the prayer of faith shall save the sick.” We have the Holy Spirit’s power, the calm assurance of faith that can claim God’s promises. The Lord’s promise, “They shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover” (Mark 16:18), is just as trustworthy now as in the days of the apostles. It presents the privilege of God’s children, and our faith should lay hold of all that it embraces. Christ’s servants are the channel of His working, and through them He desires to exercise His healing power. It is our work to present the sick and suffering to God in the arms of our faith. We should teach them to believe in the Great Healer.” – The Ministry of Healing, Page 226.1, Ellen G. White. 

Trust in God’s Power 

Every doctor should trust in the power of God to heal the patients presented to him. It would be highly beneficial if all doctors prayed earnestly for their patients. They could create a list with their patients’ names and pray over it daily. This is because the ability to heal does not rest with them. The power to heal is with God. It is God who possesses all knowledge, including medical knowledge.  

Fellowship with God will provide remedies for all diseases, including those that humans consider incurable. God is the Creator of all body parts. God created every microscopic organ in a person’s body. When Moses told God that he had impaired speech, God asked him, “Who hath made man’s mouth? (Exodus 4:11)” 

“Physicians should seek to direct the minds of their patients to Christ, the Physician of soul and body. That which physician can only attempt to do, Christ accomplishes. The human agent strives to prolong life. Christ is life itself. He who passed through death to destroy him that had the power of death is the Source of all vitality. There is balm in Gilead, and a Physician there. Christ endured an agonizing death under the most humiliating circumstances that we might have life. He gave up His precious life that He might vanquish death. But He rose from the tomb, and the myriads of angels who came to behold Him take up the life He had laid down heard His words of triumphant joy as He stood above Joseph’s rent sepulcher proclaiming, “I am the resurrection and the life.”” – Counsels on Health, Page 332.2, Ellen G. White.  

Mind Cure 

“Disease is sometimes produced, and is often greatly aggravated, by the imagination. Many are lifelong invalids who might be well if they only thought so. Many imagine that every slight exposure will cause illness, and the evil effect is produced because it is expected. Many die from disease the cause of which is wholly imaginary.” – The Ministry of Healing, Page 241.2, Ellen G. White. 

Sometimes, illnesses are merely in the mind and not in reality. Other times some diseases are not as severe as they are, but our minds have caused us to imagine them as serious. This usually results from doubt and a lack of trust in God. When one’s mind always expects adverse outcomes, one can think they are sick when they are not. This belief may end up causing pain in various body organs since the mind is connected with all body parts. Therefore, other parts of the body are affected if the mind is affected.  

We should guard our minds with diligence by being watchful of what we eat and how much food we eat. Diet affects the mind, which eventually affects spirituality. A healthy mind is highly capable of comprehending spiritual things. Many students would improve significantly in their studies if they watched their diet.  

We should protect our minds by intentionally watching and listening to the right things. Our eyes and ears are windows to our minds. Therefore, if we do not shield them from evil, we will corrupt our minds, eventually harming our physical health. 

“Adam and Eve fell through intemperate appetite. Christ came and withstood the fiercest temptation of Satan, and, in behalf of the race, overcame appetite, showing that man may overcome. As Adam fell through appetite, and lost blissful Eden, the children of Adam may, through Christ, overcome appetite, and through temperance in all things regain Eden.” – Counsels on Diet and Foods, Page 70.1, Ellen G. White. 

“Courage, hope, faith, sympathy, love, promote health and prolong life. A contented mind, a cheerful spirit, is health to the body and strength to the soul. “A merry [rejoicing] heart doeth good like a medicine.” Proverbs 17:22.” The Ministry of Healing, Page 241.3, Ellen G. White. 

Courage, hope, faith, sympathy, and love flow from God, and He will give us if we ask Him. In James 1:17 (KJV), the Bible says, “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.” All good gifts meant to put your body in a perfect state of health come from God. Therefore, we should ask Him, who gives unto all men liberally. 

Your Environment and Health 

“The Creator chose for our first parents the surroundings best adapted for their health and happiness. He did not place them in a palace or surround them with the artificial adornments and luxuries that so many today are struggling to obtain. He placed them in close touch with nature and in close communion with the holy ones of heaven.” – The Ministry of Healing, Page 261.1, Ellen G. White. 

One’s environment affects one health. Living in the countryside while in contact with nature will boost an individual’s health more than living in the city. The city is a concrete jungle with fewer trees and plant life. Therefore, we may fail to get the most out of what nature offers when we abide in the city. Sometimes taking a nature walk in an environment filled with trees will relieve headaches, among many other diseases. It will relieve stress and make the person more joyful.  

Nature also has countless spiritual lessons. Jesus used nature several times to teach spiritual lessons. When we interact with nature and keep our minds focused on God, the value we will get is priceless, and the lessons we will learn are beyond what the best schools on earth can offer.  

When Jesus healed the man who was born blind, He healed him using the soil of the ground (John 9:1-34). He could have spoken, and the man would have gotten healed. However, the Lord Jesus took the soil, made clay, and used it to anoint the eyes of the blind man. He probably wanted to display the healing properties of nature. He healed the blind man on a Sabbath day. 

Interacting with nature on the Sabbath as we focus on God is exceptionally beneficial. Such activity is precious because you are in contact with what God directly created. Therefore, you get first-hand benefits. When you abide in a brick-and-mortar environment, you get secondhand benefits. This is because God did not directly create the house or office you are in. It was made by man using God’s raw materials.  

Thus, Jesus said in Matthew 6:28-29 (KJV) – “²⁸ Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin: ²⁹ And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.” The lilies of the field were created directly by God, while Solomon’s garment was man-made. In other words, what Jesus was saying was God’s creation naturally surpasses man’s creation. 

Food is More than Appearance 

Genesis 3:6 (KJV) – “And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat.” 

The fruit appealed to Eve’s eyes. It looked good even though God had commanded them not to eat it. Not everything that looks good is good for your health. Alcohol and wine are often placed in expensive, artistic bottles, but they add no value to your body. Instead, it deprives you of good health. It harms your kidney, liver, and other body organs.  

Junk food looks good and is often delicious, but it is harmful to a person’s health. We must ask the Holy Spirit to give us self-control to control our appetites. Adam and Eve lacked self-control over their appetite. As a result, the entire human race was degraded.  

Self-Control on Appetite 

Christ had to win the battle of appetite when The Devil tempted him to turn the stones into bread. One great way of gaining self-control over appetite and putting an end to unhealthy cravings is through fasting. Our hope for eternal life should be greater than our love for worldly feasts. By faith, we should cling to that hope and avoid anything harmful to the body because our bodies are the temples of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19). 

Matthew 4:2-4 (KJV) – “² And when He had fasted forty days and forty nights, He was afterward an hungred. ³ And when the tempter came to Him, He said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread. ⁴ But He answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every Word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.” 

Esau sold his birthright for a plate of food. He forfeited future blessings for instant gratification. Jesus understood a lesson that Esau and many of us don’t understand. He understood that spiritual food is of greater importance than physical food. If we want success in our physical health, we should have a daily habit of feasting on God’s Word.  

The Most Essential Food 

A day should not pass without spending time on the Word of God. It does not have to be much time. It can even be ten to fifteen minutes. Spiritual food is more essential than physical food. Studying the Word of God and meditating upon it elevates the mind. It clears up all mental health issues, thus boosting our level of productivity. The Word of God refreshes the soul and invigorates the body with fresh energy. Hence, one can do better than usual. 

The Beginning of Diet 

“The diet appointed man, in the beginning, did not include animal food. Not till after the Flood, when every green thing on the earth had been destroyed, did man receive permission to eat flesh.” – The Ministry of Healing, Page 311.1, Ellen G. White. 

God permitted meat after the flood or, rather, after sin. Genesis 1:29 (KJV) – “And God said, Behold, I have given you every herb bearing seed, which is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree, in the which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to you it shall be for meat.”  

Before sin, God gave us a diet. The diet was vegetarian. The Lord God did not create animals to be eaten. God created them to be our friends. When talking about this, Pastor Randy Skeete often asks, “Why are you eating your friends?” Sin caused hostility between human beings and animals. It was after the flood that God allowed people to eat flesh because the flood had destroyed all plant life.  

Clean and Unclean Meat 

God allows us to eat flesh but from clean animals (Leviticus 11 lists all clean and unclean animals). 

The following is a list of the unclean animals that God forbids us from eating: 

Land animals 

Leviticus 11:3-8 (AMP) – “³ You may eat any animal that has a divided hoof [that is, a hoof split into two parts especially at its distal extremity] and chews the cud. ⁴ Nevertheless, you are not to eat these, among those which chew the cud or divide the hoof: the camel, because it chews the cud but does not divide the hoof; it is [ceremonially] unclean to you. ⁵ And the shaphan, because it chews the cud but does not divide the hoof; it is unclean to you. ⁶ And the hare, because it chews the cud but does not divide the hoof; it is unclean to you. ⁷ And the swine, because it divides the hoof and makes a split hoof, but does not chew the cud; it is unclean to you. ⁸ You shall not eat their meat nor touch their carcasses; they are unclean to you.” 

Leviticus 11:3-8 and Deuteronomy 14:6-8 tell us the types of land animals that God allowed us to eat. The animals that God allowed us to eat are those that have split hooves and chew the cud. God forbade us from eating Camels, Rabbits and Pigs. Camels chew the cud but do not have split hooves. Rabbits chew the cud but do not have split hooves as well. Pigs have split hooves, but they do not chew the cud.  

Meat (inclusive of the clean meats) is not good for health. This is one reason why God gave us a plant-based diet before sin (Genesis 1:29). But He allowed man to eat meat with certain restrictions. Those restrictions were: Not to eat meat that has blood (Genesis 9:4, Leviticus 3:17, Leviticus 17:10-14) and not to eat meat that has fat (Leviticus 3:17, Leviticus 7:22-23).  

The Seventh Day Adventist denomination promotes a vegetarian diet (free from all flesh foods and animal products). Those who have chosen to eat meat are told not to eat meat that has blood and excess fat, aligning with biblical principles. 

Observant Jews follow kashrut (Jewish dietary laws), which includes prohibitions against consuming blood and fat. Kosher meat must be slaughtered in a specific manner (shechita) that ensures the blood is drained. Fat from certain animals is also not eaten. 

Muslims adhere to halal dietary laws, which prohibit the consumption of blood and require that animals be slaughtered according to Islamic guidelines. While the primary focus is on ensuring the meat is halal, many Muslims avoid fatty cuts of meat. 

Consuming blood can lead to the transmission of pathogens and parasites, which can cause illnesses. For instance, raw blood products can carry viruses such as HIV, Hepatitis, and various bacteria. High consumption of blood can lead to excessive iron intake, which may result in conditions like hemochromatosis, where iron accumulates in the body and damages organs. 

Diets high in saturated fat, particularly from animal sources, are linked to an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Excessive fat intake can lead to high cholesterol levels and arterial plaque buildup. High-fat diets contribute to obesity and related health issues, such as type 2 diabetes and metabolic syndrome.  

Reducing fat intake is a common recommendation for weight management. Some studies suggest that a high intake of saturated fat may be linked to certain types of cancer, particularly colorectal cancer. 

Leviticus 11:7-8 talks against the eating of pork meat. Pigs have divided hooves but do not chew cud. What do pigs eat? They eat almost everything they come across. They are omnivores. The land animals that God allowed us to eat are herbivores not carnivores.  

Herbivores eat a plant-based diet while carnivores eat an animal-based diet. Even though flesh foods are not the most ideal diet, God allowed us to eat flesh foods that feed on plants only (the ideal diet which He gave us from the beginning). Pigs are not herbivores. They are omnivores, they eat animals and plants as well.  

It is common for pigs to eat food scraps or waste. If a pig encounters a deceased person while it is in a desperate situation, with no other food sources, it may eat that dead person as well. Pigs can eat human waste when placed close to it. They engage in a behavior known as coprophagy, whereby they eat their own waste. In relation to what they eat, the difference between pigs and flies is the size.  

People who eat pigs eat them because they taste ‘good.’ Most of them lack an understanding of the harm that they are endangering their lives to when they engage in eating swine flesh. Some base their argument for eating everything because God created everything. God created everything and everything that God created has a purpose, but He did not create everything for human consumption.  

In the parable of the prodigal son (Luke 15:11-32), after the prodigal son misused the wealth inherited from his father, he went to live a lowly life as a servant. While living as a servant, he consumed the worst meal that he could get. He was eating the pig’s food. He ate it because he had no choice as He was not able to afford better food. That story uses pig’s food as an analogy to depict the lowest lifestyle possible that a human being can subject themselves to.  

God has highly esteemed us. He has given us a priceless price tag and He has given us rules to maintain that priceless price tag. Among those rules are the dietary laws. When we despise God’s laws, we are despising ourselves. We neglect the high standards and welcome the low standards which we have set for ourselves, or others have set for us.  

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) warns about the risk of trichinella from pork. Trichinosis is a parasitic infection caused by eating undercooked pork infected by trichinella larvae. Pigs also harbor bacteria like salmonella and E.Coli which can cause food poisoning.  

E.Coli is an antibiotic-resistant bacterium which can lead to drug resistant bacteria that poses a serious health risk to human beings (nutritionfacts.org). According to the Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute, pork can be high in unsaturated fats which leads to increased risk of cardiovascular diseases.  

Processed pork products like bacon and sausages are classified as carcinogenic by the World Health Organization (WHO). These products contain nitrites and nitrates, which can form harmful compounds like nitrosamines during cooking, increasing the risk of colorectal cancer (nutritionfacts.org).  

Aquatic animals 

Leviticus 11:9-12 (KJ21) – “⁹ These shall ye eat of all that are in the waters: whatsoever hath fins and scales in the waters, in the seas, and in the rivers, them shall ye eat. ¹⁰ And all that have not fins and scales in the seas and in the rivers, of all that move in the waters and of any living thing which is in the waters, they shall be an abomination unto you. ¹¹ They shall be even an abomination unto you; ye shall not eat of their flesh, but ye shall have their carcasses in abomination. ¹² Whatsoever hath no fins nor scales in the waters, that shall be an abomination unto you.” 

Leviticus 11:9-12 tells us of the types of water animals that the Lord allowed us to eat. It tells us to eat only those that have both fins and scales. The ones that have no fins and scales should not be eaten. So, God forbids eating water animals such as shellfish, shrimp, crabs, lobsters, oysters among other ‘fancy and tasty’ seafood (except those with fins and scales). Such animals have exoskeletons (for protection, support and molting) but have no fins and scales. 

These are the types of water animals that the Bible forbids us from eating (for our own benefit): 

Shellfish: They are a group of aquatic animals that often have shells. This group includes crustaceans and mollusks. Examples of crustaceans are shrimps, crabs (e.g. blue crab, Dungeness crab and king crab among others). Examples of mollusks are clams (hard clam, soft-shell clam), oysters, mussels (blue mussel, green-lipped mussel), and scallops among others.  

According to the FDA and CDC on Shellfish Toxins, Shellfish are a common allergen, especially crustaceans like shrimp, crab, and lobster. Shellfish allergies can be severe, sometimes causing anaphylaxis. Shellfish can carry bacteria like Vibrio and Salmonella, as well as viruses like norovirus. These can cause gastrointestinal symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain. 

Some shellfish accumulate heavy metals like mercury, cadmium, and lead, which can lead to toxicity over time. Mollusks, bivalves like clams and mussels, can accumulate marine toxins like saxitoxin from algae, leading to PSP, a fatal condition. 

Cephalopods: They are a class of mollusks known for their soft bodies and tentacles. Examples of cephalopods are octopus, squid (e.g. giant squid, Humboldt squid), cuttlefish and Nautilus.  

According to the NIH on Cephalopod Risks, squids and octopuses can accumulate heavy metals, such as mercury, which is harmful to neurological health, especially in young children and pregnant women. 

Some cephalopods contain parasites that can cause infections if not properly cooked. Eating raw or undercooked cephalopods increases this risk. Certain types of squid can cause food poisoning from contaminants if harvested from polluted waters. Symptoms may include nausea, vomiting, and abdominal cramps. 

Jellyfish: They are gelatinous, invertebrate marine animals that lack fins and scales. They are not commonly eaten but some cultures consider them as edible. Examples of jellyfish are lion’s mane jellyfish, cannonball jellyfish etc.  

According to the Food Safety Authority, some jellyfish can be toxic. Thus, consuming them without proper preparation can lead to symptoms like nausea, vomiting, and gastrointestinal upset. 

Jellyfish are not common food sources, so there is a risk of improper preparation, which can lead to contamination or adverse reactions. Handling certain jellyfish poorly can cause stings, which can be painful and can lead to severe allergic reactions. 

Eels: Eels are elongated fish that lack prominent scales and have a snake-like body. Examples of eels are, American eel, European eel, Conger eel and Moray eel.  

Raw eel blood has toxins that can lead to muscle cramps and can be dangerous if consumed without thorough cooking (Environmental Working Group, FDA on Fish Toxins). Eels, especially those caught in the wild, may harbor parasites that are harmful to humans if not cooked properly. Certain eel species can accumulate mercury and other contaminants, which can harm the nervous system if consumed regularly. 

Flying Animals 

Deuteronomy 14:11-20 (AMP) – “¹¹ You may eat any clean bird. ¹² But these are the ones which you shall not eat: the eagle, the vulture, and the black buzzard, ¹³ and the red kite, the falcon, and the birds of prey of any variety, ¹⁴ and every raven of any variety, ¹⁵ and the ostrich, the owl, the seagull, the hawk of any variety, ¹⁶ the little owl, the great owl, the long-eared owl, ¹⁷ the pelican, the carrion vulture, the cormorant, ¹⁸ the stork, and the heron of any variety, and the hoopoe, and the bat. ¹⁹ And all flying insects are unclean for you; they shall not be eaten. ²⁰ You may eat any clean bird.” 

When we look at the characteristics of the birds that God labels as unclean, we can see that they are predatory or scavenger birds. Eagles, vultures, hawks, crows, storks, bats and others listed above eat meat. According to the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, it states that eating certain birds that are typically scavengers or predators, like vultures, eagles, and ravens, comes with specific health concerns related to their diets and environments.  

These birds, particularly scavengers, often feed on animal carcasses. In doing so, they can be exposed to a range of harmful pathogens and parasites—botulism, anthrax, and West Nile virus, among others—that may be passed on to humans if the meat isn’t thoroughly cooked or handled properly.  

Additionally, the carrion that scavengers eat can contain heavy metals like lead and mercury or toxins from poisons (such as rodenticides) that these birds can accumulate in their bodies over time. Ingesting these contaminants can lead to poisoning or other health complications if humans consume their meat. 

Predatory birds, often similarly advised against for consumption, face similar risks. They may also carry contaminants such as anticoagulant rodenticides, which are substances that could cause internal bleeding if they enter the human body through contaminated meat. Furthermore, some of these birds can harbor parasites like Trichomonas spp., which may be transferred through raw or undercooked meat, leading to additional health concerns. 

Insects 

Leviticus 11:20-23 (KJ21) – “²⁰ All winged insects that go upon all fours shall be an abomination unto you. ²¹ Yet these may ye eat of every flying creeping thing that goeth upon all fours, which have legs above their feet, to leap withal upon the earth; ²² even these of them ye may eat: the locust after his kind, and the bald locust after his kind, and the beetle after his kind, and the grasshopper after his kind. ²³ But all other flying creeping things which have four feet shall be an abomination unto you.” 

Leviticus 11:20-23 talks of the types of winged insects that should be eaten. Insects that should be eaten are those with joint legs allowing them to hop, such as locusts, beetles, and grasshoppers, are permissible to eat. All other insects are unclean to consume.  

Reptiles and Other Creeping Creatures 

Leviticus 11:29-31 (KJ21) – “²⁹ These also shall be unclean unto you among the creeping things that creep upon the earth: the weasel, and the mouse, and the tortoise after his kind, ³⁰ and the ferret, and the chameleon, and the lizard, and the snail, and the mole. ³¹ These are unclean to you among all that creep; whosoever doth touch them when they are dead shall be unclean until the evening.” 

This passage specifies that certain small animals, particularly those that crawl or burrow, such as weasels, mice, lizards, and moles, are unclean. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention mentions various dangers of eating the forbidden animals in Leviticus 11:29-31. Here are some of the harmful health effects that the CDC mentions: 

Rodents 

Rodents, including weasels and mice, are well-known carriers of various diseases. Some of the most significant ones include hantavirus, leptospirosis, and lymphocytic choriomeningitis. Humans can contract these diseases through direct contact with the rodents themselves or with their droppings, urine, and nesting materials. The risk of transmission highlights the importance of proper hygiene and handling when dealing with these animals. 

Reptiles and Amphibians 

Reptiles and amphibians, such as tortoises, chameleons, crocodiles and lizards, can carry Salmonella bacteria, which can lead to severe gastrointestinal illnesses in humans. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has reported that exposure to these animals is linked to outbreaks of Salmonella infections, emphasizing the need for caution when handling them. Salmonella can also lead to gastrointestinal illnessestal Contaminants.  

In addition to Salmonella, these creatures can harbor other parasites. A notable example is the rat lungworm (Angiostrongyliasis cantonensis), which can cause eosinophilic meningitis in humans if ingested. Consuming infected animals can lead to infection, making proper cooking and handling essential to reduce the risk of illness. 

Ferrets and Other Mammals 

Ferrets, along with other mammals, can pose health risks as well. They may carry the rabies virus, and bites or scratches from infected animals can transmit this serious illness to humans. Additionally, ferrets can harbor other zoonotic diseases, such as leptospirosis, which further underscores the importance of handling these animals with care. 

Environmental Contaminants 

Many of the animals mentioned, particularly those living in or near human habitats, may accumulate environmental contaminants in their tissues. This includes heavy metals and pesticides, which can pose significant health risks to humans when we eat these animals. Eating contaminated animals can lead to poisoning and other adverse health effects. 

“Upon their settlement in Canaan, the Israelites were permitted the use of animal food, but under careful restrictions which tended to lessen the evil results. The use of swine’s flesh was prohibited, as also of other animals and of birds and fish whose flesh was pronounced unclean. Of the meats permitted, the eating of the fat and the blood was strictly forbidden.”– The Ministry of Healing, Page 311.3, Ellen G. White. 

Even though God permits us to eat flesh foods, whether white meat or red meat, they are not the ideal diet. The ideal diet is the original diet God gave Adam and Eve before sin, a plant-based diet. Many people will enhance their physical health if they put away flesh foods. Various medical researchers have found that a vegetarian diet is healthier than a flesh diet. 

“In choosing man’s food in Eden, the Lord showed what was the best diet; in the choice made for Israel He taught the same lesson. He brought the Israelites out of Egypt and undertook their training, that they might be a people for His own possession. Through them He desired to bless and teach the world. He provided them with the food best adapted for this purpose, not flesh, but manna, “the bread of heaven.” It was only because of their discontent and their murmuring for the fleshpots of Egypt that animal food was granted them, and this only for a short time. Its use brought disease and death to thousands. Yet the restriction to a non-flesh diet was never heartily accepted. It continued to be the cause of discontent and murmuring, open or secret, and it was not made permanent.” – The Ministry of Healing, Page 311.2, Ellen G. White. 

Some Christian diet teachers have made the dietary laws seem like a salvation issue. They make statements and implications that God will only save those who obey the Biblical standards of diet and those who do not will be lost. These dietary laws are not a salvation issue as some may mistake them to be.  

Eating a vegetarian diet will not by itself take one to heaven and eating a non-vegetarian diet will not by itself cause one to be lost. But this does not mean that we should overlook diet. Pastor Randy Skeete says, “True worship includes diet.” Diet influences our mental and physical abilities. This is because the food we eat is supplied to the blood. The blood goes ahead to supply the nutrients to other organs of the body including the brain. So, the wrong food and the wrong eating habits will restrain us from a better perception of spiritual things. 

Body Exercise 

1 Timothy 4:8 (KJ21) – “For bodily exercise profiteth little; but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come.” 

Commenting on this verse, Myron Golden says, “Little profit is better than no profit.” The Bible does not say that body exercise is useless as some people usually make it look like. It says that it profits little. Body exercise is beneficial for our health but not as beneficial as Godliness. 

In 1 Timothy 4:8, Paul aims to encourage Timothy to be diligent in his ministry, emphasizing the importance of spiritual growth and godliness over mere physical training. He contrasts the temporary benefits of physical exercise with the eternal value of Godliness and spiritual discipline.  

Timothy was a young person at the time when Paul was addressing him in this letter. Young people spend much time and physical effort in the pursuit of material things hoping that they will give them pleasure. Many of them have minimal knowledge of the spiritual realm as they are limited to the events that they have seen in life. That is one reason why most of them make careless mistakes.  

To clarify further, I would give an example. When I was a teenager, I used to think that the most talented or the most brilliant people are the ones who will succeed in life. This is because I used to view everything from a physical perspective. As I grew older and began being more intuitive, I realized that spirituality plays a major role in everything while physicality is but a drop in the large life ocean.  

Physical training is important when we intertwine it with the spiritual. For example, praying and fasting for your music career to succeed is great but you should record a song and distribute it widely. When doing physical exercises, we should have this understanding too. We should involve God in our workout sessions.  

We should pray against potential injuries and for God to bring out the best results from us as we exercise our bodies. We should pray for our gym instructors and workout mates as well if we have any. We should do everything to the glory of God (1 Corinthians 10:31) and that includes physical exercise. How do you dress as a Christian when you are going to a public gym? Such factors should be considered as one is seeking to glorify God in their body workout sessions.  

Is it wrong for a Christian (male or female) to exercise for a good body shape? I attended some Christian Bible study on health, and the moderators of that discussion implied that it is sinful to have such an ambition. They implied that those who seek to have a good-looking body have a sole ambition of attracting members of the opposite gender. In their advice, they implied that our motive for exercising should be to gain internal health alone to make us fit to serve God better.    

I believed that for a while but later when I did more Bible study while reasoning through it, I realized that they were not fully correct. Our highest motive in anything that we do should be to glorify God, I do not deny that at all. However, glorifying God does not mean that we should physically appear like the most degenerated and depraved human beings. 

Some Christian conservatives choose to dress poorly in the name of modesty. You will find the same people feeling jealous and gossiping about those who dress well, thus sinning through such acts.  It is the same ideology that is used by those who think that making lots of money and having great material riches disqualifies one from being a Christian. Some people find it pious to represent Christianity in the lowest possible form. They think that by doing that, they are practicing the highest form of godliness.  

Desiring the best body shape is not sinful. It is only sinful when your motive to have a good body is to cause someone else to sin. Our bodies ought to be in the best possible shape. Before sin, God created Adam and Eve with perfect shape and symmetrical features. Sin is what made everything ugly, including our bodies. As much as we (as Christians) are placing the spiritual above the physical, we need to know that we are reaching out to people who have esteemed the physical on an infinitely higher level than the spiritual.  

A pastor who is well kempt, dresses well and preaches the truth alone will pull a larger crowd than one who preaches the truth but is unkempt. My friend told me that she used to be reluctant to join Christianity because of how the Christian Union leaders in her high school used to look like.  

A person afflicted by poverty will easily listen to advise from a flamboyantly dressed pastor (even if he is preaching error) than from one who is preaching truth but is poorly presented. As Christians we should not leave gaps, we should be excellent in what we preach and teach, and we should also be excellent in our personal lives and that includes how we present ourselves.  

We should aim for the best physical appearance (that includes the appearance of our physical bodies), but we should not be so consumed in that ambition that we fail to spend time with God. Good clothes look better in good physical shape.  

As a pastor, when you have a good body, you will have more attentive listeners. We live in a world where some people go to church to admire someone who goes to that church. Imagine that the person being admired is Godly. By his or her physical attractiveness in combination to the content of their character, they will easily pull someone to God. In short, it is not bad to want a good body shape as long as your motive for wanting that good body shape is to glorify God.  

“More people die for want of exercise than through overfatigue; very many more rust out than wear out. Those who accustom themselves to proper exercise in the open air, will generally have a good and vigorous circulation. We are more dependent upon the air we breathe than upon the food we eat. Men and women, young and old, who desire health, and who would enjoy active life should remember that they cannot have these without a good circulation. Whatever their business and inclinations, they should make up their minds to exercise in the open air as much as they can. They should feel it a religious duty to overcome the conditions of health which have kept them confined indoors, deprived of exercise in the open air.” – Counsels on Health, Page 173.2, Ellen G. White.  

People who engage in regular, proper outdoor exercise have better blood circulation and health. Good blood circulation improves oxygen and nutrient delivery throughout the body. It is vital for maintaining energy, preventing illnesses, and supporting mental and physical functions. Modern health research supports this idea, showing that outdoor physical activity benefits cardiovascular health, immune function, and mental well-being  

Breathing fresh air is even more crucial to our well-being than the food we consume. Fresh air supplies our body with oxygen, which is essential for cellular processes and energy production. Spending time in natural environments can reduce stress, enhance mood, and improve physical health outcomes  

For those confined indoors due to work or lifestyle, Ellen White’s passage frames outdoor exercise as a “religious duty,” underlining its necessity. It encourages individuals to make a conscious effort to prioritize outdoor activity for their health, particularly for those whose indoor lifestyle limits their exposure to fresh air and natural movement. 

“Those who are feeble and indolent should not yield to their inclination to be inactive, thus depriving themselves of air and sunlight, but should practice exercising out of doors in walking or working in the garden. They will become very much fatigued, but this will not injure them…. It is not good policy to give up the use of certain muscles because pain is felt when they are exercised. The pain is frequently caused by the effort of nature to give life and vigor to those parts that have become partially lifeless through inaction. The motion of these long-disused muscles will cause pain, because nature is awakening them to life.” – Counsels on Health, Page 200.1, Ellen G. White.  

“Walking, in all cases where it is possible, is the best remedy for diseased bodies, because in this exercise all the organs of the body are brought into use. Many who depend upon the movement cure could accomplish more for themselves by muscular exercise than the movements can do for them. In some cases, want of exercise causes the bowels and muscles to become enfeebled and shrunken, and these organs that have become enfeebled for want of use will be strengthened by exercise. There is no exercise that can take the place of walking. By it the circulation of the blood is greatly improved.” —Testimonies for the Church 3:78 (1871), Ellen G. White.  

Walking is very beneficial. Most health experts recommend that one should walk at least 10,000 steps a day. Walking has many benefits such as: improving cardiovascular health, strengthening bones and improving mental well-being.  

“Physical exercise and labor combined have a happy influence upon the mind, strengthen the muscles, improve the circulation, and give the invalid the satisfaction of knowing his own power of endurance; whereas, if he is restricted from healthful exercise and physical labor, his attention is turned to himself. He is in constant danger of thinking himself worse than he really is, and of having established within him a diseased imagination which causes him to continually fear that he is overtaxing his powers of endurance. As a general thing, if he should engage in some well-directed labor, using his strength and not abusing it, he would find that physical exercise would prove a more powerful and effective agent in his recovery than even the water treatment he is receiving.” – Counsels on Health, Page 201.1, Ellen G. White.  

“The inactivity of the mental and physical powers, as far as useful labor is concerned, is that which keeps many invalids in a condition of feebleness which they feel powerless to rise above. It also gives them a greater opportunity to indulge an impure imagination—an indulgence which has brought many of them into their present condition of feebleness. They are told that they have expended too much vitality in hard labor, when, in nine cases out of ten, the labor they performed was the only redeeming thing in their lives and was the means of saving them from utter ruin. While their minds were thus engaged they could not have as favorable an opportunity to debase their bodies and to complete the work of destroying themselves. To have all such persons cease to labor with brain and muscle is to give them ample opportunity to be taken captive by the temptations of Satan.” —Testimonies for the Church 4:94, 95 (1876), Ellen G. White.  

Water 

Genesis 21:15-19 (AMP) – “¹⁵ When the water in the skin was all gone, Hagar abandoned the boy under one of the bushes. ¹⁶ Then she went and sat down opposite him, about a bowshot away, for she said, “Do not let me see the boy die.” And as she sat down opposite him, she raised her voice and wept. ¹⁷ God heard the voice of the boy, and the angel of God called to Hagar from heaven and said to her, “What troubles you, Hagar? Do not be afraid, for God has heard the voice of the boy from where he is [resting]. ¹⁸ Get up, help the boy up, and hold him by the hand, for I will make him a great nation.” ¹⁹ Then God opened her eyes, and she saw a well of water; and she went and filled the empty skin with water and gave the boy a drink.” 

When Haggar and her son Ishmael left Abraham’s house, they carried food (bread) to eat and water to drink (Genesis 21:14). It reached a point where they finished the water (Genesis 2:15). They probably still had the food with them. We do not know about this because the Bible says nothing about the food, whether it was there or not. The Bible only talks about water. Thus, putting an emphasis on the water.  

When God opened Hagar’s eyes, she did not see food, she saw a well of water. This emphasis shows how important water is to the body of a person. Hagar gave her son water and Ishamel was able to survive. I believe you have heard the saying which says, “You can live for many days without food, but only for a few days without water.” Water is more vital than food to sustain the life of a human being. Therefore, it should not be neglected.  

“In health and in sickness, pure water is one of Heaven’s choicest blessings. Its proper use promotes health. It is the beverage which God provided to quench the thirst of animals and man. Drunk freely, it helps to supply the necessities of the system, and assists nature to resist disease.” — The Ministry of Healing, 237, 1905 , Ellen G. White.  

“I should eat sparingly, thus relieving my system of unnecessary burden, and should encourage cheerfulness, and give myself the benefits of proper exercise in the open air. I should bathe frequently, and drink freely of pure, soft water.” — The Health Reformer, January, 1871, Ellen G. White.  

“If, in their fevered state, water had been given them to drink freely, and applications had also been made externally, long days and nights of suffering would have been saved, and many precious lives spared. But thousands have died with raging fevers consuming them, until the fuel which fed the fever was burned up, the vitals consumed, and have died in the greatest agony, without being permitted to have water to allay their burning thirst. Water, which is allowed a senseless building to put out the raging elements, is not allowed human beings to put out the fire which is consuming the vitals.” — How to Live 3:62, 63, 186, Ellen G. White.  

“Many make a mistake in drinking cold water with their meals. Taken with meals, water diminishes the flow of the salivary glands; and the colder the water, the greater the injury to the stomach. Ice water or ice lemonade, drunk with meals, will arrest digestion until the system has imparted sufficient warmth to the stomach to enable it to take up its work again. Hot drinks are debilitating; and besides, those who indulge in their use become slaves to the habit. Food should not be washed down; no drink is needed with meals. Eat slowly, and allow the saliva to mingle with the food. The more liquid there is taken into the stomach with the meals, the more difficult it is for the food to digest; for the liquid must first be absorbed. Do not eat largely of salt; give up bottled pickles; keep fiery spiced food out of your stomach; eat fruit with your meals, and the irritation which calls for so much drink will cease to exist. But if anything is needed to quench thirst, pure water, drunk some little time before or after the meal, is all that nature requires. Never take tea, coffee, beer, wine, or any spirituous liquors. Water is the best liquid possible to cleanse the tissues.” —The Review and Herald, July 29, 1884, Ellen G. White.  

Air 

Genesis 2:7 (KJV) – “And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.” 

After God formed man from dust, He breathed into his nostrils the breath of life. In other words, God breathed air into man. Air is essential for our survival. It is more essential than food and water. After God modeled man with dust, the Lord did not give him food, nor did He give him water. He gave him air. After breathing the breath of life into man, man became a living soul. This shows us how essential air is for our sustenance. Therefore, we should not neglect it.  

We should have outdoor walks to breathe fresh air. We should ventilate our rooms and houses. Country living is better for our health than city life because the environment is filled with nature. The many trees and surrounding vegetation purify the air while the air in the city is often polluted.  

Before sin, God did not place Adam and Eve in a house. He placed them in a garden. They were to enjoy the rich vegetation, communion with the animals and the abundance of air in the environs of Eden. At that time the weather and conditions of living outside were perfect unlike now. That does not mean we should neglect outdoor activities. We should treasure outdoor activities and spend more time with nature.  

When fresh air infiltrates your mind, you become more productive. New ideas, a higher level of creativity and memory retention will be attained. The air that you breathe comes from God as God is the One who created it. Thus, spending time in the abundance of it, brings you into closer communion with God, allowing God to do mighty works through you.  

I have often experienced this: When I take a short outdoor break when writing or when doing any other creative work, I get better ideas and a better understanding of how to do that work. Sometimes, I do not understand a Bible text when studying it. When I decide to take an outdoor walk, I gain more understanding and revelation to it.  

“Air, air, the precious boon of heaven, which all may have, will bless you with its invigorating influence, if you will not refuse it entrance. Welcome it, cultivate a love for it, and it will prove a precious soother of the nerves. Air must be in constant circulation to be kept pure. The influence of pure, fresh air is to cause the blood to circulate healthfully through the system. It refreshes the body and tends to render it strong and healthy, while at the same time its influence is decidedly felt upon the mind, imparting a degree of composure and serenity. It excites the appetite, and renders the digestion of food more perfect, and induces sound and sweet sleep.” — Testimonies for the Church 1:702 (1870), Ellen G. White.  

After you finish eating, do not go to class or watch a movie or even go to bed to sleep. Go outside and take a digestive walk to breathe fresh air. Ellen G. White says that it will prove a precious soother of the nerves. Fresh air relieves pain and that includes mental pain. It makes your blood circulate freely, that is why it is important to do body exercises in fresh air. It refreshes the body and makes it stronger and healthier.  

If you want to start a fitness business or want to have a gym in your home, ensure it is well ventilated. The breathing of fresh air makes your mind more composed and gives one a sweet sound sleep. Sometimes insomnia is caused by confining yourself in one place for a long time. In such instances, you can cure it by engaging more in outdoor activity.  

“In no case should sick persons be deprived of a full supply of fresh air in pleasant weather. Their rooms may not always be so constructed as to allow the windows or doors to be opened, without the draft coming directly upon them, thus exposing them to the taking of cold. In such cases windows and doors should be opened in an adjoining room, thus letting fresh air enter the room occupied by the sick. Fresh air will prove far more beneficial to sick persons than medicine, and is far more essential to them than their food. They will do better, and will recover sooner, when deprived of food, than when deprived of fresh air.” – Counsels on Health, Page 55.1, Ellen G. White.  

We often think that food is the most essential thing that a human being must have. So, we strive hard to get it. It would be beneficial to a great degree for our health when we strive to get fresh air as we do to get food. Scientists have conducted studies and have shown that eating less is more beneficial to the body than eating more.  

When it comes to air, the reverse is true. Taking more fresh oxygen is more beneficial to the body than taking less air. This analogy shows that we need more air than food. Proper ventilation should be provided in hospitals. The sick should be given time outdoors to breathe in fresh air. When hospitals do this, there will be a great improvement in the physical health of the patients.  

“The chief if not the only reason why many become invalids is that the blood does not circulate freely, and the changes in the vital fluid, which are necessary to life and health, do not take place. They have not given their bodies exercise nor their lungs food, which is pure, fresh air; therefore it is impossible for the blood to be vitalized, and it pursues its course sluggishly through the system.” – Counsels on Health, Page 173.1, Ellen G. White. 

“Thousands have died for want of pure water and pure air who might have lived. And thousands of invalids, who are a burden to themselves and others, think that their lives depend upon taking medicines from the doctors. They are continually guarding themselves against the air and avoiding the use of water. These blessings they need in order to become well. If they would become enlightened and let medicine alone, and accustom themselves to outdoor exercise and to air in their houses, summer and winter, and use soft water for drinking and bathing purposes, they would be comparatively well and happy instead of dragging out a miserable existence.” – Counsels on Health, Page 55.3, Ellen G. White.  

Sunlight 

“If you would have your homes sweet and inviting, make them bright with air and sunshine. Remove your heavy curtains, open the windows, throw back the blinds, and enjoy the rich sunlight, even if it be at the expense of the colors of your carpets. The precious sunlight may fade your carpets, but it will give a healthful color to the cheeks of your children. If you have God’s presence and possess earnest, loving hearts, a humble home, made bright with air and sunlight, and cheerful with the welcome of unselfish hospitality, will be to your family and to the weary traveler a heaven below.” — Testimonies for the Church 2:527 (1870), Ellen G. White.  

Sunlight is a wonderful natural remedy. Some people avoid it by stating that exposure to sunlight will make their skin darker. We do ourselves harm beyond our imagination when we stay indoors the entire day devoid of air and sunlight. Rarely do we open our windows. Therefore, we never experience the natural remedies that God has ordained for us.  

Ecclesiastes 11:7 (KJ21) – “Truly the light is sweet, and a pleasant thing it is for the eyes to behold the sun.” 

The Bible says that it is pleasant for the eyes to behold the sun. I was volunteering in the camp meeting of Syokimau Central Seventh Day Adventist Church and a certain lady who was also volunteering gave a testimony that links with this verse. She said that her eyes were healed that week because of exposure to sunlight. She said that she had been sitting in the sun for long hours during the week because her work entailed being in the sun. The sun was quite hot at that time. However, it proved to be a transforming remedy to that lady’s eyes.  

I went and did some research, and I found that it is true that sunlight improves eye health. Sunlight has various other benefits. It enables the skin to produce vitamin D. It enhances the immune system. It lowers blood pressure and reduces the risk of heart disease. It regulates the body’s circadian rhythm. It improves sleep quality and energy levels. It triggers the release of serotonin, a neurotransmitter that boosts mood and helps prevent depression.  

Good Hygiene 

Deuteronomy 23:12-14 (NKJV) – “¹² “Also you shall have a place outside the camp, where you may go out; ¹³ and you shall have an implement among your equipment, and when you sit down outside, you shall dig with it and turn and cover your refuse. ¹⁴ For the Lord your God walks in the midst of your camp, to deliver you and give your enemies over to you; therefore your camp shall be holy, that He may see no unclean thing among you, and turn away from you.” 

The phrase, “Cleanliness is next to Godliness,” is not explicitly written in the Bible but the verse above supports it. God commanded the Israelites to have a clean camp. He told them that He would walk amid their camp and deliver their enemies to them. He made it clear to them that the camp is holy and for that reason, no unclean thing should be seen in it.  

Holiness and uncleanliness are like two parallel lines, they can never meet, they are like two orthogonal perpendicular vectors, they do not head in the same direction. When Moses saw a bush burning and he was about to enter it, God told him to remove his shoes because he was entering a holy ground. God commanded the priests to wash their hands and feet outside before performing sacrifices to God and entering the sanctuary. These examples show us that God wants us to be clean and tidy.  

When you clean your room and make your bed, you will find it a delight to live in it. If you conduct work or studies there, you will feel comfortable working or studying there. You will have more concentration while doing your work. Many people lose the mood to work and end up being less productive because their surroundings are dirty and untidy.  

Others do not want to stay for long in their houses and spend a lot of time in other people’s houses because their own houses are dirty. It is of great benefit to us when we clean our surroundings. Cleaning our surroundings does not only mean the places we own. It also means our environment. When you see litter on the streets, do not hesitate to bend down to pick it even if you are not the one who threw it. Cleanliness should surround Christians wherever they go. 

1 Corinthians 6:19-21 (KJ21) – “¹⁹ What? Know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you and which ye have from God, and that ye are not your own? ²⁰ For ye are bought with a price. Therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.” 

You are not your own. You are bought with a price. God gave you dominion, not ownership. The Lord gave you stewardship, not ownership. Therefore, take good care of whatever He has given you in the best way that you can. That includes ensuring that your body is clean. Inward cleanliness is the most important but outward cleanliness should not be neglected. 

Wash your body thoroughly, brush your teeth, clean your nails, ensure your hair is tidy, and dress well. In general, practice good hygiene and be presentable. When you are hygienic and presentable, people will want to hang around you. Therefore, you will have a ready audience to preach God’s Word to. When you dress well, people perceive you to be an interesting and an excellent person. They will want to learn more from you, and it will be easier to teach them the Word of God.  

“The children of Israel were in no case to allow any impurities to remain upon their clothing or upon themselves. Those who had any personal uncleanness were to be shut out of the camp until the evening, and then were required to cleanse themselves and their clothing before they could return. They were also commanded to carry all their refuse to a great distance from the camp. And this was a sanitary measure, as well as a religious regulation. The Lord requires no less of his people now than he did anciently. A neglect of cleanliness will induce disease. Sickness does not come without a cause. Violent epidemics of fevers have occurred in villages and cities that were considered perfectly healthful, and these have resulted in death or broken constitutions. In many instances the premises of the very ones who fell victims to these epidemics, contained the agents of destruction which sent forth deadly poison into the atmosphere, to be inhaled by the family and the neighborhood. It is astonishing to witness the prevailing ignorance relative to the effects which slackness and recklessness produce upon health.” – Christian Temperance and Bible Hygiene, Page 332.2, Ellen G.White. 

“When Lord Palmerston, premier of England, was petitioned by the Scottish clergy to appoint a day of fasting and prayer to avert the cholera, he replied, “Cleanse and disinfect your streets and houses, promote cleanliness and health among the poor, and see that they are plentifully supplied with good food and raiment, and employ right sanitary measures generally, and you will have no occasion to fast and pray. Nor will the Lord hear your prayers while these, his preventives, remain unheeded.”” – Christian Temperance and Bible Hygiene, Page 106.1, Ellen G. White.  

Matthew 23:25-26 (NKJV) – “²⁵ Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you cleanse the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of extortion and self-indulgence. ²⁶ Blind Pharisee, first cleanse the inside of the cup and dish, that the outside of them may be clean also.” 

Inside and outside represent the whole thing. The Pharisees were outwardly clean but not inwardly. Jesus told them to be clean from the outside and in the inside as well. Do this for your spirituality, for your health and for your general hygiene and watch the seamless functioning of your soul and body.  

More Health info and Anti-aging 

Fasting is considered to have potential benefits for anti-aging and overall cellular health. Research into different types of fasting, such as intermittent fasting and caloric restriction, suggests that it may contribute to slowing down the aging process in several ways. Fasting promotes a process called autophagy, where the body clears out damaged cells and regenerates new, healthy ones. This cleanup process can reduce cellular damage that contributes to aging. 

Fasting can lower oxidative stress in the body by reducing the production of free radicals. Oxidative stress damages cells and accelerates aging. Therefore, lowering it may help the body stay healthier for longer. As we age, our cells often become less sensitive to insulin, increasing the risk of metabolic diseases like diabetes. Fasting has been shown to improve insulin sensitivity, which supports better blood sugar regulation and metabolic health. 

Fasting has been linked to a temporary boost in human growth hormone. The human growth hormone helps maintain muscle mass, bone density, and skin health, all of which can contribute to a young-looking appearance and function. By giving the digestive system a break, fasting may help the body increase the efficiency of mitochondria, the energy-producing structures in cells. Healthy mitochondria are crucial for energy levels and are linked to longevity. 

In his YouTube video, “Healing Foods Found in the Bible,” Dr. Brian Paris mentions various foods that the Bible has listed, such as honey, olives, bitter herbs, flax seeds, pomegranates, and grapes among others. He talks highly of grapes and mentions it as the best among all those other mentioned foods. He even says that Jesus was fond of it. The Bible mentions grapes and grape vines many times (in verses such as: John 15:1-5, Isaiah 5:1-2, Deuteronomy 8:7-8, Numbers 13:23, Micah 4:4, Jeremiah 31:29-30, and Genesis 49:11 among others).  

Talking about grapes, he says that grapes have a compound called resveratrol. This compound can be found in other foods such as: blueberries, cranberries, mulberries, peanuts, pistachios, dark chocolate and cocoa products and Japanese Knotweed.  

Studies have been done and have shown that resveratrol has strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. It activates the SIRT1 Gene which is known as the longevity gene. Resveratrol can modulate stem cells that can self-renew. Dr. Brian said that resveratrol is currently being studied as a cure for osteoporosis. He also talks of an anti-aging molecule known as Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide (NAD+). Foods that are widely known to be rich in this molecule are: cabbage, broccoli, tomatoes, cucumbers and mushrooms.  

82-year-old (as of now: 2024) Annette Larkins has a very youthful appearance. The mainstream media calls her, “The ageless woman.” She has written books and spoken at various places on healthy living. People are astonished when they hear she is over eighty years old because of her young-looking appearance.  She emphasizes the importance of adopting a positive mindset as one of her secrets of age reversing. She has also adopted a raw vegan diet.  

Taking good care of one’s health has countless benefits. Talking of the Seventh Day Adventist Health Message, Pastor Randy Skeete says, “The health message is not necessarily meant to make you live long but to live well as long as you live.” Poor health is not the only cause of death, but it is a major cause of death.  

The Seventh Day Adventists in Loma Linda, California, are among the five blue zones in the world. Blue zones are areas where people are said to live longer than usual. I have never been physically there. I have been told by people who live there that it is common to see people over one hundred years old in the city of Loma Linda driving themselves and doing other vigorous physical activities. Alcohol and tobacco are rarely sold in Loma Linda. Many people in that city have adopted a vegetarian diet and the Sabbath is widely observed as it should be.  

Faith is the substance of things hoped for. Let us believe when we pray that God has healed us and ask Him to give us the temperance to abide by His appointed health laws. 

Success in Our Character Development 

Philippians 4:13 (KJV) – “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” 

Adam and Eve’s sin weakened the entire human race. Therefore, we are all born as weak individuals. The more we sin, the weaker we become. We may appear physically strong, but physical strength is not as important as mental or spiritual strength. Secondly, we would be physically more robust than we are now if we did not have that sinful nature.  

Paul is speaking a word of faith upon his weak nature. Paul acknowledges that he is not strong enough to do everything. Therefore, he says, “I can do all things, through Christ which strengtheneth me.” God has infinite strength. When we rely on His strength and not our weaknesses, there is nothing we cannot do. 

Therefore, whatever bad habit you have that you are struggling with, ask God to help you overcome it. People may advise you on how to stop it, but that advice may work on some and fail on others. It is God’s power alone that can loosen the tight chains of sin.  

Drug addiction is difficult for a human being to overcome, but it is not difficult for God. Greed, gluttony, poor money and time management, homosexuality, masturbation, drug abuse, fornication, adultery and all other lustful habits might be problematic for humans to stop but not difficult for God. We should surrender ourselves to God, earnestly praying to Him to make us victorious over all sins. In James 4:7 (KJV), the Bible says, ” Submit yourselves to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” 

Satan flees from the person who has submitted themselves to God. However, he does not flee forever. He runs away for a short time and then comes back. Matthew 12:43-45 (KJV) – “⁴³ When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest, and findeth none. ⁴⁴ Then he saith, I will return into my house from whence I came out; and when he is come, he findeth it empty, swept, and garnished. ⁴⁵ Then goeth he, and taketh with himself seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter in and dwell there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first. Even so shall it be also unto this wicked generation.”  

Once a demon is driven out of a man, it returns to that same person with seven other spirits that are more wicked than himself. Therefore, our submission to God should be daily, even hourly, if we want to be safe. Ellen G. White writes, “No man is safe for a day or an hour without prayer.” – The Great Controversy, Page 530.2, Ellen G. White. 

Mark 11:24 (KJV) – “Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.” 

When we pray for good character, God will surely give us because it is His will for us to have noble character. One may find it challenging to stop sins like gossiping, intemperance in diet, discouraging people, and white lies. Take a notebook and fill out all the evil traits you think you have. Be honest with yourself. Pray over them daily, and God will surely help you out of them. 

“Prayer Brings Increased Spiritual Strength—Those who seek God in secret telling the Lord their needs and pleading for help, will not plead in vain. “Thy Father which seeth in secret Himself shall reward thee openly.” As we make Christ our daily companion we shall feel that the powers of an unseen world are all around us; and by looking unto Jesus we shall become assimilated to His image. By beholding we become changed. The character is softened, refined, and ennobled for the heavenly kingdom. The sure result of our intercourse and fellowship with our Lord will be to increase piety, purity, and fervor. There will be a growing intelligence in prayer. We are receiving a divine education, and this is illustrated in a life of diligence and zeal.” – Prayer, Page 82.1, Ellen G. White. 

Deuteronomy 28:9 (KJV) – “The Lord shall establish thee an holy people unto himself, as he hath sworn unto thee, if thou shalt keep the commandments of the Lord thy God, and walk in His ways.” 

One of the blessings of obedience is spiritual growth and character development. When you successfully overcome one temptation through the power of Christ, you gain the strength to overcome the next temptation. Obedience leads to more obedience. Therefore, we should take that step of faith and purpose to obey everything God says. We should ask God to help us and believe He has helped us. If we do so, our lights will keep shining brighter, and we will eliminate all evil traits in our personality. 

Proverbs 4:18 (KJV) – “But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day.” 

“Distrust of God is the natural outgrowth of the unrenewed heart, which is at enmity with Him. But faith is inspired by the Holy Spirit, and it will flourish only as it is cherished. No man can become strong in faith without a determined effort. Unbelief strengthens as it is encouraged; and if men, instead of dwelling upon the evidences which God has given to sustain their faith, permit themselves to question and cavil, they will find their doubts constantly becoming more confirmed.” – The Great Controversy, Page 527.3, Ellen G. White. 

Faith is the substance of things hoped for. When we pray to God to transform our character, we must believe He has already transformed it. 

Success in Inheriting Eternal Life 

Mark 19:24-26 (KJV) – “²⁴ And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God. ²⁵ When His disciples heard it, they were exceedingly amazed, saying, Who then can be saved? ²⁶ But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.” 

The distance between heaven and earth is unfathomable. However difficult it seems, we can access all places on earth if we are determined enough. We can enter palaces and presidents’ houses no matter how tight the security is because there is no perfect human security.  

All human-based security has loopholes. This is because they are on earth. If you are in Kenya and want to go to the White House in America, you only have to take an aeroplane to Washington D.C. When you arrive in Washington, you can take a taxi or walk to the white house. The security there might not let you in, especially if you are an ordinary citizen, but you will be able to see it from outside and know its exact location. If you are a wealthy man or government minister or president, it might be easier for you to enter. Heaven is not like that.  

No rocket or any other technologically advanced tool can access heaven. No amount of money can give one access to heaven. No level of human power or intellect can open the pearly gates of heaven. That is why Jesus says, “With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.” The Grace of God alone, through our faith in Him, can give us access to the Kingdom of God. 

Ephesians 2:8-9 (KJV) – “⁸ For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: ⁹ Not of works, lest any man should boast.” 

“Its not you, then, that do the saving. If you could save yourself, that very fact would show that you were not lost. “It is God that worketh.” Ephesians 2:13. Your part is to receive Him by faith. “But I don’t feel as I ought to; I cannot feel that I am saved.” If you have never been saved, how do you know how you ought to feel? You don’t know how a saved man feels. If you depend on feeling, you will never know whether you are saved or not, for you will never be sure that you have the right feeling. You may think you are saved all right, and then have your feelings give way and leave you more uncertain than ever. Out feelings are always changing.” – Salvation in Jesus Christ, Page 1.4, Ellen G. White. 

Always place faith above feelings. Feelings change, but faith needs to be constant in a Christian’s life. We should have faith that God has saved us by grace. There is no amount of money that we have paid God or work that we have done for Him to save us. The grace He has given us is unmerited. We do not deserve it. He gives us out of love because He does not want anyone lost. His grace is in abundance, and it is sufficient for us all. 

Romans 6:1-2 (KJV) – “¹ What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? ² God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?” 

Many have misunderstood the message of grace and translated it to mean that since God has given us grace, we are free to do whatever we want. Many have deceived themselves with this theory and have chosen not to let go of their sins. Grace is the unmerited favour of God. It is not an open ticket to sin. When we experience the Grace of God, we should submit ourselves to God and have the Holy Spirit work in us to make us brand new Godly people. 

Exodus 19:4-5 (KJV) – “⁴ Ye have seen what I did unto the Egyptians, and how I bare you on eagles’ wings, and brought you unto myself. ⁵ Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth is mine.” 

There is nothing the Israelites did for God to save them from slavery/captivity by the Egyptians. It was by grace. God tells them, “You have seen what I did unto the Egyptians, and how I bare you on eagles’ wings.” In other words, God tells them they have witnessed His saving power entirely by grace. Therefore, if they want to maintain or increase the blessings He has given them, they should obey His voice and keep His covenant. If they do that, God promises they will be a peculiar treasure unto Him above all people.  

We shall encounter more blessings if we obey God’s commandments, and one of those blessings is inheriting eternal life. Obedience to the commandments cannot save you. Salvation is entirely by grace. However, obeying God is a demonstration of the love and faith we have for God. It is a demonstration of the Holy Spirit’s power that is working in us after we get saved. 

Revelation 22:14 (KJV) – “Blessed are they that do His commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.” 

The Bible places priceless value on those who genuinely and earnestly obey the commandments of God. Such will have access to a currently inaccessible tree (Genesis 3:24), the tree of life. Such will live eternally, enjoying communion with God and the heaven family. 

“The discipline in the school of Christ will cause the church to lean upon the arm of her Beloved. The redeemed of the Lord shall at last come to Zion with songs and everlasting joy upon their heads, in victorious triumph. All the angelic hosts will rejoice over them with singing. But what are the qualifications of our citizenship? “Blessed are they that do His commandments that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.” – That I May Know Him, Page 353, Ellen G. White. 

Matthew 5:19 (KJV) – “Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.” 

True Faith is portrayed in obeying all the Ten Commandments. Many Christians choose the commandments they are most comfortable obeying and neglect the ones that are not convenient. God wants us to obey all of them. Over 95% of people in the Christian world faithfully keep nine commandments but neglect the Sabbath commandment. Even after knowing the truth, some do not want to keep it because they were born into families that don’t keep it, so they choose to follow tradition rather than the truth.  

Some gospel ministers teach that the commandments were done away with at the cross. The book of Revelation was written years after Jesus died on the cross, but it still tells us in Revelation 22:14 that obedience to God will give us access to the Tree of Life.  

Those ministers and people who teach that the commandments are unnecessary will suffer greater punishment because of their widespread evil influence. Some teach that the Sabbath can be any day, while the Word of God says it is the seventh day.  

The world is in great jeopardy and has less unity, especially among Christians, because everyone has decided to keep their own Sabbath day and not the proper Sabbath that the Bible commands. Such teachings present God as a haphazard God. 

Matthew 19:24 (KJV) – “And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.” 

Matthew 5:3 (KJV) – “Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” 

“Christ’s first words to the people on the mount were words of blessing. Happy are they, He said, who recognize their spiritual poverty, and feel their need of redemption. The gospel is to be preached to the poor. Not to the spiritually proud, those who claim to be rich and in need of nothing, is it revealed, but to those who are humble and contrite. One fountain only has been opened for sin, a fountain for the poor in spirit.” – The Desire of Ages, Page 300, Ellen G. White. 

“The proud heart strives to earn salvation; but both our title to heaven and our fitness for it are found in the righteousness of Christ. The Lord can do nothing toward the recovery of man until, convinced of his own weakness, and stripped of all self-sufficiency, he yields himself to the control of God. Then he can receive the gift that God is waiting to bestow. From the soul that feels his need, nothing is withheld. He has unrestricted access to Him in whom all fullness dwells. “For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.” Isaiah 57:15.” – The Desire of Ages, Page 300, Ellen G. White. 

Self-righteousness is a sin. One who is spiritually rich shall not enter the Kingdom of Heaven because he feels perfect and thinks he does not need to do more. No matter how good you are, there is always room for improvement. We all come short of the God’s glory.  

Let none be satisfied by their spiritual state. This will limit our growth and will make us stagnate in Christianity. We should not focus so much on the good things we have done in the past. Instead, we should always be looking out for opportunities to do more. Daily, we are to place our weaknesses at the feet of Jesus and ask Him for strength to make us victorious each day. 

“No man can become strong in faith without a determined effort.”– The Great Controversy, Page 527.3, Ellen G. White. 

Faith is the substance of things hoped for. We shall inherit eternal life if we live by faith. 

GOD BLESS YOU! 

Prayer 

Dear God, please help me have faith and erase all doubt in my heart. Make me have more hope in You and in the promises that You have given me. Please give me success in my spiritual life, character development, health, education, career, family, and social relations. Above all, help me not to miss out on the ultimate promise of eternal life. In Jesus’ name, Amen. 

Activity 

1. Review the various areas of your life: Your spiritual life, your character development, your health, your social life, your family, your education, your career, and your finances. Prayerfully set goals in each of these areas and write them down, then pray daily over those goals. 

2. Get a journal or notebook with all these columns (your spiritual life, your character development, your health, your social life, your family, your education, your career, and your finances), and do a daily evaluation of what you have added to each aspect of your life. 

3. Evaluate at the end of each week (on Friday) which aspect of your life has scored the highest and which ones have been the lowest. Prayerfully come up with effective strategies on how you will improve on the ones with the lowest scores. 

Author: Mark Alex   

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