.....own

The next time you want to make an excuse for not going to the gym, consider Ester van den Hoven of Loma Linda, California. She’s 93 and goes to an exercise class that lasts for 60 minutes three times a week! Explaining her longevity to the “Thrillist” website, Ester said, “Be optimistic, be outgoing, try to live a stressless life and laugh easily. Oh, and stay away from the sugar.”

It might not surprise you that Ester has embraced the Bible’s teachings about caring for the body as a temple of God’s Spirit. In fact, there are so many health-conscious Christians in and around Loma Linda that National Geographic magazine dubbed the town America’s only “Blue Zone,” where people often live to 100 years old—seven to 10 years on average longer than most Americans.

Instead of adopting a “YOLO” (“You Only Live Once”) approach to health that suggests, among other things, “you can sleep when you’re dead,” fixing one’s thoughts on living to glorify God can give you more happy years on earth, more chances to make memories, and to experience all the good things that life has to offer.

Christ was interested in the health of people when He was on this earth. The Bible says that the Savior not only taught the gospel, but He also personally touched people’s physical lives. “Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease among the people” Matthew 4:23.

Maybe Ester van den Hoven is on the right track—and maybe, just maybe, we should all follow in her footsteps! Take a close look at your lifestyle and see where you might be able to do better in caring for the “temple” God has given you.

"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?" 1 Corinthians 6:19

1 Corinthians 3:16; John 10:10; 3 John 2

.....longest

An Anglican vicar from Lancashire, England, has delivered a 28-hour, 45-minute sermon, breaking the world record for the longest unscripted speech. Chris Sterry, 46, began his marathon sermon June 29, 2001. He was not allowed to repeat himself, talk nonsense, or to pause for more than 10 seconds, but was permitted a 15-minute break every eight hours.

Two referees who worked four-hour shifts were on hand to make sure rules were followed. A former lecturer on the Old Testament, Sterry “talked his way into the Guinness Book of Records” when he took the first four books of the Bible as the text of his sermon. 

Before he began preaching, he stated, “As a former lecturer on the Old Testament I am looking forward to unlimited opportunity to talk about one of my great enthusiasms.”

Sterry’s sermon was broadcast live every 15 minutes on CNN throughout June 30. He says he undertook the challenge as a fund-raising effort for his church. There were more than 100 people in church when he broke the record. If it looked like he was about to drop off, people in the congregation would encourage him to keep going. News reports do not indicate whether any of his parishioners also lasted the entire distance!

The Sermon on the Mount was Jesus’ most famous and longest recorded sermon in the Gospels. Given when Christ appointed the twelve disciples, it was like an inaugural address that tells us about how the kingdom of heaven was to operate. 

The “sermon” was given from a mountain. Just as Moses proclaimed God’s law from Mount Sinai, Jesus’ proclamation from the “mount of blessing” affirmed the same law. What is recorded in the Gospels is probably an abbreviation of the greatest sermon ever given.

When is the last time you prayerfully read through Christ’s Sermon on the Mount? Why not take time to read Matthew 5:1 to 8:1, or the shorter version found in Luke 6:17-49. And it won’t take you 28 hours and 45 minutes!

"And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain: and when he was set, his disciples came unto him: And he opened his mouth, and taught them, saying," Matthew 5:2

- doug batchelor

.....off

After the birth of Jesus, Magi (wise men) came to Jerusalem and asked, "Where is the One who has been born King of the Jews?" Matthew 2:2. When King Herod heard about this, he became greatly disturbed. Herod had been appointed King of the Jews by the Roman government, but he was only partially Jewish and not well accepted by the people.

King Herod knew of the Jewish scriptures and how the people were waiting for the Messiah; "The government will be on His shoulders" Isaiah 9:6. He heard the words of the prophet which told where the new ruler would be born; "Out of you {Bethlehem} will come for Me one who will be ruler over Israel" Micah 5:2. Herod viewed the news of this new ruler as a great threat. How would this affect his right to be king? Would he lose power? prestige? control? ...comfort!? The potential harm was unbearable, so Herod decided to take action.

"He gave orders to kill all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity who were two years old and under."Matthew 2:16

Many people today are not much different than Herod. Even when they recognize Jesus and clearly see their need, they fear losing the ability to direct their own path. They may not actually take steps to destroy Christ, but the thought of releasing control seems unbearable. Somehow, they've been taught that submission equates to failure. But the reality is that true "success" is only found in Christ, and true comfort is only obtained by being set free from the power of sin and the entanglement of this world.

Jesus was, and always will be, very threatening to those who insist on sitting on a throne. It's foolishness to think Jesus will accept the position of Co-King. Those who attempt to enter a relationship with Jesus while trying to maintain their "right to rule" will never really know Him, and certainly never experience His peace.

Jesus will give Himself to "whoever believes in Him" John 3:13. But in return, He asks for our total devotion: "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength" Mark 12:30. We give Him proper worship - the worship He deserves - only as we submit and exalt Him above all else; "He must become greater; I must become less" John 3:30.

As we begin this new year, let's ensure our relationship with Jesus is aligned with God's plan. He is the rightful Ruler and King - the Savior and Lord! Let's trust and worship Him with all our heart, and refuse to be threatened by His right to lead. Let's decide once and for all to relinquish control and get our pride-filled self off the throne.

- steve troxel