GOFAMINT DAILY DEVOTIONAL
MANAGE YOUR HEALTH
Thursday 4/8/2022
Suggested Hymns: G.H.B. 23, 77
Devotional Reading: Prov. 3:5-8
Topic For Adults: Importance Of Staying Healthy
Topic For Youths: My Health, My Wealth
Topic For Intermediates: Having good health
Lesson Scriptures: Prov. 3:5-8; 31:17; 3 Jn. 2; Isa. 53:3-5;
Phil. 2:25-30; 1 Tim. 4:7-8; 1Cor. 10:31
MEMORY VERSE
“Don’t be wise in your own eyes. Fear the LORD, and depart from evil. It will be
health to your body, And nourishment to your bones.” (Proverbs 3:7-8) NKJV.
Maintain Regular Physical Exercise
Proverbs 31:17; 1 Timothy 4:7-8
Physical exercise improves your health and reduces the risk of developing several diseases like type 2 diabetes, cancer, and cardiovascular disease. It has immediate and long-term health benefits. This helps increase blood supply to the heart, keeps the body in shape and at alert. Good exercise prevents different types of heart related diseases, prevents obesity and its complications and keeps individuals fit. Regular exercise improves your quality of life. However, precaution should be taken regarding some exercise so as not to harm yourself and do more damage to your health. For example do not engage in exercise when you are sick, listen to your body. In case of any discomfort, seek medical advice promptly.
Point of Emphasis: Engage in exercise and maintain a healthy lifestyle.
Prayer Point: Lord, give me the grace to maintain a healthy lifestyle.
Reading The Bible Through in a Year: Morning: Rev. 13: 1-10; Evening: Dan.4-5
ALSO READ: OPEN HEAVENS DEVOTIONAL FOR TODAY
BACKGROUND
Health is a state of complete well-being in our physical, mental, and social components, and it is beyond mere absence of disease or infirmity. Your health is the most important asset in your life. Good health does not just happen, it must be developed. The quality of life you will live is as a result of the interaction of your genes, environment and lifestyle habits (Olabanji, 2021). The type of interactions you permit today is an investment which will manifest in the future. But as Christians, we have a promise of good health in 3 John 2 This is why this week’s lesson centres on how to manage our health.
NOTES ON THE LESSON
PART 1: GOD WANTS US HEALTHY - 3 JN. 2; ISA. 53:3-5
It is obvious that God wants us to be healthy not only spiritually but also physically. The Bible says, “Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers” (3 Jn. 2) which can be seen together as a promise and our responsibility. This should be a reason that ought to arouse us to take care of ourselves and be healthy. The reasons why God would want us all to be in good health are: It glorifies Him (1 Cor. 10:31), our body is God’s temple (1 Cor. 6:19-20), being a good witness (Acts 1:8; 2 Cor. 5:20), having more energy to do God’s work, to be better equipped for what God has planned for you (Eph. 2:10) and to fulfil His good purpose (Phil. 2:13).
God has given promises through His word for our good health that if we believe them by faith, it will produce good result for our health. In Deuteronomy 7:15, “And the Lord will take away from you all sickness, and will afflict you with none of the terrible diseases of Egypt which you have known …”. The book of Psalm 103 verse 3 sees God as, “Who forgives all your iniquities; who heals all your diseases”. While in Jeremiah 30:17, God says, “For I will restore health to you, and heal you of your wounds…”. These promises if held onto by faith will definitely produce result. James opines that, “Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the Church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven” (Jam. 5:14-15).
God wants you to be healthy and to take good care of yourself healthwise. God wants the best for you in life in all areas - social, financial, occupational, emotional, intellectual and spiritual.
PART 2: DO NOT NEGLECT YOUR HEALTH – PHIL. 2:25-30; PROV. 3: 5-8
Epaphroditus was a vibrant, effective and fellow soldier with Apostle Paul in the ministry. They both worked together effectively for Jesus Christ, but, he neglected his health, and Paul had to caution him in order for him not to lose his life. This encourages us as Christians to pay attention to our health as we work for God and do our daily activities. You are sacred (Rom. 12:1) with only one body, so, you must do the necessary good things for it and that may include eating well, working out and getting regular check-ups at the hospital. God sacrificed His Son in order for us to be here in this body. We do not want to misuse the body we were given by the LORD.
To have faith is good and essential as a Christian but do not neglect your health when you are sick, see the physician and get proper medical care. God gave the medical practitioners knowledge to make effective diagnosis and give adequate treatment. Therefore, to avoid untimely death or complications from any illness, seek medical advice and back it up with prayers. Prevention, they say, is better than cure, so early presentation at the hospital saves a lot. Have this at the back of your mind that, “Doctors care, but, God heals”. Enjoy their care if the need arises before it is too late.
PART 3: ISSUES IN MAINTAINING HEALTHY LIFESTYLE - PROV. 31:17; 1 TIM. 4:7-8; 1COR. 10:31
The type of lifestyle we imbibe has either a positive or negative effect on our state of health. The three most important things in a healthy lifestyle are: food, exercises and rest. The food that you consume either builds up your body to fight against different forms of diseases or destroys it. Eating balanced diet and shunning the eating of junks are highly valuable in the pursuit of a healthy lifestyle. Good nutrition not only prevents diseases but can reduce high blood pressure and improve energy level. Christians with health issues should keep to medical advice on their diet.
The essence of physical exercise cannot be jettisoned as it improves your health and reduces the risk of developing several diseases like type 2 diabetes, cancer and cardiovascular disease. It has immediate and long-term health benefits. This helps increase blood supply to the heart, keeps the body in shape and at alert. Good exercise prevents different types of heart related diseases and obesity. Regular exercise improves your quality of life and keeps individuals fit. However, caution should be taken in performing some physical exercises so as not to harm yourself and damage your health. If any discomfort is observed, seek medical advice quickly.
CONCLUSION
God’s plan for us as individuals is that we be in good health and our soul prospers. To enjoy good health, you should eat balanced diet, exercise effectively, relieve yourself of stress through exercise and rest. Also, making yourself available for medical check-up involving the heart, kidneys, liver and other organs of the body is essential to staying healthy and effective for God’s work. Good health is an important part of being self-reliant. Safeguarding our health will enable us to fulfill our divine potential and serve others more effectively.
QUESTIONS
1. What is good health?
2. Why does God want us to be healthy?
3. Identify God’s promises that assure us of good health.
4. It does not negate the Christian faith to go for medical check-up. Discuss.
5. Discuss the issues in maintaining a healthy lifestyle.
DO HAVE A BLESSED DAY
©2022 THE GOSPEL FAITH MISSION INTERNATIONAL DEVOTIONAL IS BY PASTOR (DR) E.O ABINA, THE GENERAL OVERSEER OF GOSPEL FAITH MISSION INTERNATIONAL (GOFAMINT) Worldwide. |
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