BETTER HEALTH — MADE SIMPLE !

Thirty-four Steps to Happier Living – A Complete Online Health Course!

Published by TRAIL GUIDES - Altamont, TN 37301 USA

Road maps for pilgrims traveling home

LESSONS 15 - 16

LESSON FIFTEEN - COME APART AND REST

1- Exercise! Perhaps as you think of it you may say to yourself, "How is it that one time we are told that we must get more exercise, and the very next time, we are told we must relax!" Well, actually there is no contradiction, as you will soon see. Health calls for a balance in all that we do. Exercise is absolutely necessary for good health, and so is rest, and relaxation.

2- Let us look at some of the needs of our bodies for physical rest. We usually think of the organs of our body as working, but we do not often take into account that they also rest. Your heart is a good example. Every minute your heart beats about 70 times. Each contraction of the heart lasts only about 4/10 of a second. The remaining 6/10 of the second your heart is resting. So, actually your heart should be resting slightly more than it is working, if it is in good condition. If you have a rapid pulse, you should get started on that exer­cise program, and you will find that your heart will slow down after a few weeks. It will get more rest and last longer!

3- Our muscles work hard, and then they rest. If they are forced to continue working without proper periods of rest, they become tired out and stop functioning until given proper time to rest and recuperate. Your stomach needs periods of rest. After a meal, it works hard for you. It should have a chance to rest before the next meal. Did you know that you make it impossible for your stomach to get this rest when you eat between meals?

4- During the war in England, a certain factory decided to start a 75-hour work week in order to increase production. Later, when a survey was made, it was found that the workers were doing only 50 hours of efficient work. The factory then cut the schedule to 64 hours. The next survey showed that only 54 hours of actual work was getting done. So the work hours were cut to 54 hours and it was then found that the people actually worked for 48 hours. During those 48 hours in which they worked, they put out 15% MORE work than when they were working 75 hours a weeks. In other words, they were doing about 64 hours worth of work in the 48 hours of time.

5- Now, here is a tip for students. Would you like to know how to get better grades? Research shows that students who study every spare moment are fatigued just like those factory workers on the 75-hour workweek schedule. They do not do so well. If you sit up late and study until you cannot hold your eyes open any longer, your grades will likely not improve. But, if you will try the balanced program which in­cludes daily exercises, you will find your mind clearer and your grades better. -So, work outdoors, go swimming, running, walking-GET EXERCISE! You will learn more during the time you study, and your grades will be better.

6- Generally speaking, adults should have at least 7-8 hours of sleep each night. This should be in as comfortable and well-ventilated a place as possible. Keep your windows open so that you can have circulation of fresh air.

7- Rest is a very important factor in recovering from ill­ness and in staying well. Sleep brought on by pills is not as beneficial as natural sleep. The pills are simply artificial nerve depressants. Sleep should be well-earned by balanced living! And may I add, this includes a clear conscience and trust in God. Sleep should certainly not have to depend on a pill!

8- Research has shown that going to the theater -or watching television -watching an exciting picture disturbs the mind and the body. Actually, both are only a so-called relaxa­tion, actually straining and tiring the nervous system.

9- Do not stay up late, and rob your body of the rest it needs. It has also been scientifically proven that the sleep you get before midnight does more good than the sleep you get after the hours of midnight. Loss of sleep is hard to make up. Research shows that it takes from one to three weeks to make up for the loss of efficiency resulting from missing one night of sleep!

10- But sleep is only one means of relaxing. You have heard the saying that a change is as good as a rest. There is a great deal of truth to this statement. If your day is spent in the office sitting, or as a student studying, you will find good relaxation in some sort of action that does not call for mental exertion, and which gives you some activity. There is nothing so good as gardening, but that is pretty hard here in a city like this.­

11- On the other hand, if you have been busy running about the whole day, you can find good relaxation in sitting down with an elevating book or magazine or in doing some­thing quiet. Whatever you do, do not let yourself become a cinema or TV addict. You get very little benefit from it and you can get a great deal of harm.

12- As pressures mount, and as tensions build in the world around us and in our own country, we sometimes find ourselves being affected by them. If at times you find it hard to relax because you feel all tied up in knots, here are some things that you can do to help yourself. I want you to practice them right now.

13- First of all, clench your fists just as tightly as you can. Hold it! Tighter! Now, let go suddenly. You can feel the tension leave your hands, arms, shoulders. Now do it again.

14- Second, stretch your legs out in front of you. Bend your feet and toes downward. Go as far as you can. Now, let go. Now, push your heels down as far as you can. Farther! Now relax. More tension disappears. (Repeat)

15- Third, close your eyes tightly. Squeeze them tight. Press your lips and bite hard. Now let go. If you let your head drop to one side, so much the better.

16- Each of these three relaxing exercises should be done three times. Remember these little tips. Perhaps you can pass them on to a friend as well.

17- Our Lord said to His disciples, "Come ye apart and rest awhile." To get the most out of life, we must learn to live with a balanced program. God made our bodies in such a way that work and exercise, rest and relaxation, are all necessary for maximum efficiency. God wants you to be alive for Him. The Christian life is life at its very best. It is a balanced life.

18- Jesus says to each one of us. "Come unto me all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." There cannot be any joy and happiness without rest and Jesus wants us to be happy. If we come to Him for rest, He will give us re­lief from our burdens.

19- There are so many, many problems confronting men every day. Sometimes, not being able to find a way out of their difficult problems of life, many have committed suicide. They become helpless and hopeless. They try in vain to find answers to their difficulties and problems.

20- Jesus claims to have the water which will truly satis­fy. Listen to Him. "But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him, shall never thirst: but the water that I shall give him, shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlast­ing life." John 4:14. He also has the bread of life to satisfy our hunger. He again says in this connection, "I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever." John 6:51.

21- For those burdened with sin, He says, "Come now . . though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow: though they be like crimson, they shall be as wool." Isaiah 1:18. To the sorrowing and worried ones He says, "Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you; not as the world giveth give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid." John 14:27.

22- During the three and a half years of Jesus' ministry in this world Jesus fulfilled all that He professed. On one occa­sion he fed 5,000 people with just five loaves of bread and 2 fishes. He comforted those that wept. He said to those, 'Weep not." He healed all kinds of sickness. He even raised the dead. At one time, He stopped a funeral procession, and He went to the dead, who was the only son of a widow, and raised him to life. To each one of us, He brings the assurance of life, life abundant and eternal. "He that hath the Son, hath life. and he that bath not the Son of God bath not life.” 1 John 5:12.

23- Now the question comes-how can we have Him? How can we come to Him for rest, for Living Water, for living bread, and for life everlasting? The answer is found in the Bible itself: 'Behold I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come into Him, and will sup with him, and he with me." Revelation 3:20. He talks to us through His messengers that bring to us His words.

24- The first step is to hear Him. When we hear Him, we can at once realize our sinfulness and a need for His pardon. We come to Him as we are. This is our second step. We bring our unclean defiled hearts to Him. Just as we are, we give our­selves to Jesus and He cleanseth us. He gives us a new heart in place of a stony heart. We are sorry for having disobeyed Him, which was the cause for His crucifixion. We ask forgiveness of all our sins. Specify every sin and seek His pardon. He says, "He that cometh to me, I will in no wise cast him away." John 6:37. There is joy in heaven when one sinner repents and comes to Him. He has compassion on us like a father when his wayward child returns to him.

25- After we have asked forgiveness from Him, we should believe that we are forgiven. We are justified through Him. We stand before God as if we have never sinned. From this point, we should live a new life. We should be new people. "Let him that stole, steal no more." If we told lies in the past, now we tell only the truth. We will not smoke or drink or murder or worship idols or commit suicide or commit adultery. We will not cheat any one; we will not use bad words. We will be clean in and out.

26- So, the third step is to be converted. A complete change. Then we become children of God. We take His name "Christian" or "follower of Christ." This is done by being baptized in the name of Father, Son, and the Holy Ghost. We shall learn more about this in our future lessons.

27- Thus, Jesus becomes our Saviour and our Redeemer. He becomes our constant companion. In times of need, He is always with us. He lifts us when we fall and strengthens us so that we will not fall. The Creator of Heaven and Earth is with us to help. You can be a murderer, a thief and what not, but all your sins are forgiven the moment you accept His provision for you. You say, it is so simple. Yes, it is so, this is why many people do not accept Christianity because of its simplicity. They think of doing some thing very difficult before they can be accepted.

28- Once we have sinned, there is nothing we can do to atone for our sins. No pilgrimage, no penance will be of any avail. We are doomed. The wages of sin is death. Death is the only verdict; so Jesus comes along and pays our penalty by His precious blood. Now we are set free.

29- Salvation is the gift of God through Jesus Christ our Lord. We cannot earn it. We have to accept it. Friends, are you burdened tonight? Are you worried? Is your soul thirsty and hungry? Jesus can be yours. He invites you to accept Him. Will you do it? He may not be always at your door if you do not open. While you can hear His pleading voice, harden not your hearts. He will bring joy and gladness, peace and life ­everlasting into your life.

30- He is coming soon and we must accept Him now. The choice is yours. You do not have to die. He has made all the provisions for your salvation. If you are lost, it will be because of your own choice. God bless you my brother and sister, that when He comes, you and I will be ready to meet Him.

Here is additional information on coming to Christ:

"Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” Hebrews 11:1.

"For he that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him."-Hebrews 11:6.

LESSON SIXTEEN - THE MIRACLE OF BLOOD

1- No tissue in the human body is more vital than the blood stream. Our very lives depend on its condition. If it is thin and weak, we cannot expect to be healthy. If it is filled with all the wonderful elements that build up the body, its effects will be seen throughout the system.

2- Why is blood important? God explained this to man immediately after the flood when He said, "But flesh with the life thereof, which is the blood thereof shall ye not eat." Genesis 9:4. Our life is in the blood. Without it there could be no complex organism such as our human bodies. In fact, without the blood only the most simple or primitive forms of life could exist.

3- That wonderful stream began to flow before we were born. From that moment we really began to live. If it stops flowing, we could go into a state of shock. If it did not start within a few minutes, we would die. There is an old saying that blood is thicker than water. This is very true. Actually, normal human blood is five times thicker than water. That's why it requires so much pressure in the heart and arteries to keep it circulating through the body.

4- If the blood pressure should fall below normal, we would become weak and dizzy and might faint. If the blood pressure should go too high, we might suffer from headaches, palpitation, and heart failure. We might have a stroke. It is very important for us to maintain normal pressure at all times.

5- Blood is not a simple liquid like water. Under heavy pressure it circulates through a vast network of tiny living tubes, carrying life and energy to every part of the body. The blood that flows through your arteries and veins is also alive. In every drop, there are scores of different chemical sub­stances, and all these have their special work in maintaining life and health.

6- If you are a normal healthy person, you have between five and six quarts of blood in your body. Nearly half of this consists of cells. There are white cells, and red cells, and tiny fragments called platelets. The red cells are the most numer­ous, but they are all very important.

7- All those cells are suspended in a heavy, yellowish liquid called plasma. This plasma contains other very impor­tant substances, such as proteins, vitamins, minerals, complex chemicals, glucose, salt, water, etc. This abundant supply of materials must always be available for the growth and repair of the body, so that the health of the body may be maintained.

8- Your blood stream provides you with the power and energy by which you live. It controls the proper functioning of every cell; every organ, and every tissue in your body. Many of nature’s most amazing secrets are revealed in the blood stream. Scientists are continually discovering new and more wonderful ways by which the blood stream builds up the body and helps to defend it against disease.

9- The most important work in the body is done by red blood cells. Each of these red blood cells contains a remark­able pigment called hemoglobin. This is what gives the rich red color to blood. If a person doesn't have enough red blood cells, or if his hemoglobin is too low, he suffers from some form of anemia. He may feel tired and listless and utterly worn out for no good reason at all. He should go to see a good doctor. He should never try to treat himself, because only a doctor can know what type of anemia he suffers from, and how it should be treated.

10- If a person's blood is normal, there should be about 5 million red blood cells, very much alive, in one drop of blood not much larger than a pin head. There are many billions of red blood cells in your body.

11- It is their duty to carry oxygen from the lungs out to the different tissues of the body. No cell in the human body can live more than a few minutes unless it receives a fresh supply of oxygen every moment. This is supplied only by the circulating blood. If the circulation fails, all the cells will soon die. No man is ever dead as long as his blood circulates. Deep breathing keeps the red blood cells well supplied with needed oxygen.

12- These red blood cells are very small. -You would have to put 3,200 side by side to make one inch. They have to endure a great deal of wear and tear. They are thrown around in the blood vessels at great speed, and they are always under considerable pressure while they are in the arteries.

13- Most red blood cells do not live longer than five or six weeks. Some live less than that. As a result, they must be con­stantly replaced. In fact, your body must produce no less than 12 million red blood cells every second just to keep your normal blood supply up. To meet this need, you must have a good supply of protein in your food every day. Over 1/3 of the protein you eat goes to replace the red blood cells that are constantly being worn out. These red blood cells are born in the bone marrow. This is the soft tissue inside the long bones of the body.

14- When a person's red blood cells are not replaced quickly enough he becomes anemic. This could be caused by unusual bleeding such as a stomach ulcer. It could come from infections or malaria, or intestinal parasites. Sometimes bone marrow can be injured by industrial exhaust, or from some of the drugs that are found in popular and highly advertised head­ache remedies, but most people suffering from anemia are sick because of improper diet.

15-The bone marrow cannot produce healthy red blood cells, unless it is given the proper materials, with which to work. These include plenty of protein and iron. Such sub­stances can only come from the things we eat. There is no other way we can get them.

16- Foods that help to build up the blood include such things as apricots, dates, raisins, prunes, greens, peas, beans, whole grains, maize, etc. All these contain iron in the best form that the body can use.

17- Carbohydrate foods such as sweetmeats (candy), cakes, etc., do not contain the substances that build up the blood. In fact, some carbohydrates actually seem to depress the production of red cells. In some experiments, animals were found to re­plenish their supply of red blood cells better when they were starved than when they were fed on white bread and sugar. So, if you are feeling tired and weak, take a good look at your diet. Our bodies can never be healthy while living on a poor diet.

18- By careful study we can learn to take proper care of these wonderful bodies God has given us. The principles are all stated clearly in this wonderful book called the Bible. There is more in it than just instruction for our physical bodies. In it, God states that He will not do anything greatly affecting this world without revealing His plans to the world through His servants the prophets. Amos 3:7.

19- God's plans for redeeming man from the clutches of Satan provided a way for the payment of the penalty of man's sin. That penalty was death. God's Son would come to this world, take upon Himself the form of a man, and then by His death pay the penalty for all mankind.

20- To the Prophet Daniel, God revealed in visions the time when Jesus would begin His work as the Redeemer. The time when He would die for the sins of the world was also revealed. When people who studied the Bible should see how the life of Jesus corresponded exactly with the prophecies given so long before, they would understand and believe that He was the Redeemer so long foretold.

21- Daniel was in a vision and heard an angel speaking. "And he said unto me, unto two thousand and three hundred days; then shall the sanctuary be cleansed." Daniel 8:14. At first Daniel the Prophet also did not quite understand this, and he goes on to say, "And it came to pass, when I, even I, Daniel, had seen the vision, and sought for the meaning, then behold, there stood before me as the appearance of a man. Daniel 8:14,15.

22- "And I heard a man's voice between the banks of Ulai, which called and said, Gabriel make this man to under­stand the vision.” Daniel 8:16. Daniel had seen a vision and he could not understand it, so, the angel Gabriel is instructed to make this vision plain to him. "So he (the angel, Gabriel) came near where I stood: and when he came I was afraid, and fell upon my face: and he said unto me, understand, 0 son of man: for at the time of the end shall be the vision." Daniel 8:17, which is to say that this vision extends right up to the time of the end.

23- Daniel continues: "And he informed me, and talked with me and said, 0 Daniel, I am now come forth to give thee skill and understanding. At the beginning of thy supplications thou art greatly beloved; therefore, understand the matter, and consider the vision." Daniel 9:23.

24- Please note carefully when this period of 2300 days began and its subdivisions and its ending time: "Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city, to finish the transgression and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity and to bring in everlasting righteousness and to seal up the vision and prophecy and to anoint the most holy." Daniel 9:24.

25- Let us now see how this seventy week period is calculated-"Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jeru­salem unto the Messiah the Prince shall be seven weeks and three score and two weeks: the street shall be built again, and the wall, even in troublous times." Daniel 9:25. "And after three score and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off. . And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week He shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease." Daniel 9:26, 27.

26- This period begins when the commandment to rebuild Jerusalem is given. This came in 457 B.C. We find this recorded in Ezra 7:11-26. In figuring out this prophecy, we are to remember that one prophetic day in the Bible is equal to one year as we find it recorded in Ezekiel 4:6, and Numbers 14:34. So, we conclude that 2300 days actually mean 2300 years.

27- So, seventy weeks will mean 490 years. The first part of this long period of 2300 years is 7 weeks or 49 years allotted to restore and build Jerusalem. Counting from 457 B.C., the time when the actual decree was given we add seven weeks or 49 years and come to 408 B.C., when the city and temple were completed.

28- After this another 62 weeks are to be added, or 434 years, which will reach to the Messiah. This is a total of 69 weeks or 483 years, from the autumn of 457 B.C., to the autumn of A.D. 27. In that very year, Christ was anointed at His baptism.

29- In the midst of the 70th week (seven years following A.D. 27) Messiah (Christ) was cut off or crucified (A.D. 31) which marked the time for the sacrifices and oblations of the earthly sanctuary to cease.

30- Three and one half years later Stephen was stoned, the first Christian martyr and the first great persecution of the church broke out. Saul was converted and became Paul the great Apostle to the Gentiles—This year A.D. 34 marks the rejection of the Jews and the end of the 70 weeks or 490 years, which were "cut off" of the 2300 days (years). There remain 1810 years. These, added to A.D. 34 take us to A.D. 1844 about which we shall not study just now.

31- God's clock ticks accurately; so that we will have faith in His words. Yes, friends, the only purpose why Jesus came to this earth, was to live a life of perfect obedience to God’s law and then offer His sinless blood for our cleansing so that we might be saved eternally. Aside from Jesus, no man who lived in this world ever had sinless blood or even claimed to have sinless blood. Jesus is the only name given under heaven whereby we might be saved.

32- Will you, accept His sacrifice on your behalf? Behold Him on the cruel cross not because of anything He did, but all because of your and my sins. He wants to save us. All that He expects of us is to accept His sacrifice and to acknowledge Him. Will you do it?

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