(This article was inspired by my conversation with a Muslim named Shahid while I witnessed for Yahshua 'Christ.)
In Antioch an issue arose concerns whether or not the Early Christian community should observe the Mosaic Law. The Apostle Paul argued the position that what we do matters not one bit, because only faith in Christ justifies us. (Galatians 2:16)
Some Christians observe the kosher diet laws of the Hebrews. This is acceptable and even admirable so long as one avoids going to extremes in doing so. We must aim to glorify God and keep balance in all we do.
Christ taught us to not be overly concerned with what we eat and drink. The primary concern is to seek the Kingdom (Matthew 6: 31-33). We are spiritual befits requiring spiritual sustenance (Matthew 4: 4). Those who seek The Lord will eat and be full (Psalms 22:26).
God is fully aware of our needs. Our Father is never derelict in providing for His children. Christ is our Food and Drink. Therefore, let us "quake" upon every word that proceeds from His mouth!
As followers of Yahshua ', we are liberated from the law (Torah and Sharia alike). We should, however, be discerning about what we eat. When we consume clean, pure, and wholesome foods (accompanied by living a clean, pure, and holistic lifestyle) we can be assured of receiving significant benefits and improvements to our physical health. Health and vitality will be restored and dis-ease will be reversed and eradicated from the body. The physical effects of dis-ease in the body are but symptoms of the REAL ISSUE which resides in the Spirit.
Disease, or dis-ease, is indicative of a separation from God. Once we have fancied something in our hearts (in our mind) it has already happened. (Matthew 5:28) We should read and understand the words of Christ in the Book of Matthew 15: 10-20 . Once something takes root in the Spirit it will certainly manifest in the physical. Our physical body is the reflection of our Spiritual condition. Our Spiritual condition is our True condition. The Psalmist knew this, and that's why when David entreated His Father for a healing he prayed that his soul be healed first. (Psalms 41: 4)
One should strive to live an organic life rather than just eating organic food.
"… And these signs will accompany those who believe: In My Name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new languages; they will pick up snakes; if they should drink anything deadly, it will never harm them … "(Mark 16: 17-18)
The Man or Woman of God, who has developed their Inner Christ, can ingest poison and not suffer any ill effects. Right Thinking and Right Living (which stems from the Right Teaching of Yahshua ') is the powerful antidote to any poison!
Let us now turn our attention of fasting. What effect does fasting have on the body? Fasting is proven to be a powerful effective preventive measure against all manner of illness and dis-ease. It has also been proved that fast slows down the aging process and actually reverses it! This is no far-out claim, as I, myself, have experienced this first hand.
How does fast slow down the aging process? When one fasts or abstains from eating for a period of time the pineal gland secretes more atoms of the chemical called melatonin. Melatonin is an anti-oxidant, like Vitamins A, C, E, and beta-carotene, and it combats the scourge of free radicals in the body.
The pineal gland is known as the seat of the soul and is located in the center of the brain, level with the top of the ears. The pineal gland functions as our body's internal-clock.
Some years ago, the Associated Press published the results of a study conducted by the National Institutes of Health in an article entitled, Eat Less and Live Longer.
Reducing calories by 30 percent appears to slow the rate of aging in monkeys, providing new evidence that primates, such as humans, should live longer by eating less.
Dr. George Roth, a scientist at the gerontology research center of the National Institute on Aging (at the time this article appeared) said: "We (science) have known for 70 years that if you feed laboratory mice less food, they age slower, they Live longer and they get diseases less frequently, "…" We find that monkeys respond in the way way as rodents and that the same biological changes may be in play here. "
The article goes on to quote Dr. Barbara Hansen of the obesity and diabetes research center at University of Maryland, Baltimore: "Restricting calories reduced the rate of cancer, heart disease and diabetes."
Dr. Hansen had been studying the effects of dietary restriction on rhesus monkeys for almost fifteen years and the results showed that the monkeys had less illness and obesity.
Muslims, Christians, and Jews observer fasting. Muslims fast during the month of Ramadan . The word ramadan is derived from a word that implies FIRE. To place one's self in the FIRE of Ramadan and voluntarily submit to the strains and rigors for thirty days takes serious discipline.
The Egyptian Christian sect (known as the Copts ) observes rigorous fasting. The days of their fast seasons combined amount to approximately 210 days out of the 365-day year.
We should adopt a proactive posture regarding our health and pursuit new and improved health strategies for ourselves. Being proactive does not entailing popping more pills when we feel a pang, but means we should make educated decisions about what we choose to consume well before we feel the pang.
We may do all that we can to maintain optimum health, but we should not forget that the true Key to energy, vigor, and vitality is being connected with The Source. Reading the Word, praying, meditating on God's Holy Names, fasting, fellowship-ing, and charity are all the ways that we can recharge and reenergize.
Do you not know? Have you not heard? YAHWEH is THE EVERLASTING GOD, THE CREATOR OF THE whole earth. He never grows faint or weary. There is no limit to His understanding. He gives strength to the weary and strengthens the powerless. Youths may misunderstand and grow weary, and young men stumble and fall, but those who trust in YAHWEH will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not fault. (Isaiah 40: 28-31)