Engaging in the Word ☕️ By: Minister Gail Adams

Psalm 91 happens to be one of my all-time favorites to use for personal prayer and when interceding for others. The psalmist tells us that our life span increases when we make God the object of our love, and know the importance of His name. . “Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name. He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honor him. With long life will I satisfy him and shew him my salvation. (Verses 14-16)

All believers desire to live a long life to bring God glory. As the psalmist said, “I will not die but live, and will proclaim what the LORD has done” (Psalm 118:17). However, to serve God personally and corporally requires a healthy spirit, soul and body. If one is not physically fit it will be difficult as the Apostle Paul said, “To run with endurance the race God has set before us” (Hebrews 12:1).

There are many factors that can impact our healthy life span that is out of our control. But there are factors that we can control but have allowed to get out of control that are affecting our spiritual and physical health simultaneously. One such factor that controls us more than we control it is food. Paul tells us in 1 Corinthians 6: 19-20, “What? Know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's. Paul during his time told the Corinthians that all things that we do in our body are not lawful. That rings true today. *You can have a healthy spirit but an unhealthy body or have a healthy body but a unhealthy soul.

In Christianity, we observe that the most common sins such as adultery, fornication, lying, homosexuality and hate are given the most pulpit attention while other sins are given little to no pulpit attention. One such sin in particular that get little to no pulpit attention but is widely committed is gluttony. Gluttony is Satan’s gunman who hides in shadows and sneaks up on you and never see him coming. Uggg back shot!

We fall prey to gluttony’s bullet when we allow the lust of our appetites to control us verses us controlling it. This results in the consumption of too much food or drink. Our body (usually) lets us know we are appeasing the lust of the flesh, either by gaining weight, illness or both.

What diseases are caused by gluttony/overeating? They are high cholesterol, diabetes, heart disease, hypertension (high blood-pressure), sleep apnea (temporary suspension of breathing during sleep), and major depression, kidney disease and arthritis. "Put a knife to your throat if you are given to gluttony.” (Proverbs 23:2)

By preaching and teaching so much on the most common sins, I will refer to as the big foxes and neglecting to preach and teach on the least common sins, I will refer to as the little foxes the church has failed to notice that the little foxes such as gluttony is slowly destroying the vine (our body). Solomon knew what he was saying when he said, “Catch for us the foxes, the little foxes that ruin the vineyards, our vineyards that are in bloom” (Solomon 2:15).

We must always be examining ourselves and stay before the Lord asking him to reveal us, to us, as he sees us. Job said it best, "How many are my iniquities and sins? Make known to me my rebellion and my sin” (Job 13:23). This should be a continuous prayer made by all of us in order to avoid falling prey to the least preach about sins.

To overcome gluttony we must crush and do away with our sinful appetites and passions that stems from over consumption. Therefore, arm yourself with weapons of mass destruction against gluttony and control your portion sizes. Nutritional needs vary with age and health. Eat whatever you want but in moderation. Do what is best for you and respect what others do that is best for them. Some will say pork is not good for you. Others say meat of any kind is not good for you. But Jesus said, “What goes into someone's mouth does not defile them, but what comes out of their mouth, that is what defiles them." (Matthew 15:11)

Remember to run with endurance the race God has set before you require a healthy spirit, soul and body.

My prayer always is that we continue to grow in grace, truth, wisdom and walk in love towards one another. Help others benefit from this truth by sharing this message! God bless you.

©February2017 Gail Adams, Beaute' Naturelle, Pamela Johnson