#10
Turn Back the Clock
How to Achieve Maximum Health

High above a cliff overlooking the emerald blue waters of the Mediterranean is an ancient Portuguese monastery. The only way to get to the top is to climb into an old wicker basket tied to a rope hoisted up by an aged monk who turns the wheel.

One day a world traveler, leaving his tour of the monastery, stepped into the basket for the descent. As the monk started lowering him over the wall to the jagged rocks far below, the nervous tourist noticed the rope was frayed and tattered. So he called up: “How often do they replace the rope?”

“When the old one breaks!” the monk calmly replied.

Ladies and gentlemen, we only have one health rope. Problem is, when it snaps, often there is no second chance.

We live life as though our rope could never wear out, could never get infected with a disease that would make it break. We hope that whatever disease we may expose ourselves to, or whatever health problems we create, there will be a miracle cure – some pill that we can take to fix it and make us good as new. I know that there is great hope on the African continent, now that the U. S. has committed 15 billion dollars to fight AIDS. But friends, like any other disease, there’s something we can do ourselves to fight AIDS. And what we can do is probably more important than what medicine can do. We need to live pure lives.

Medical care is by far the costliest thing people spend their money for. What’s it worth to be well? Ask the dying cancer patient. Or, the person suffering from diabetes or AIDS. I read recently about a man in England. Just one of the medications he has to take regularly costs him nearly $25,000 per year! That’s about 120 million Kwacha. He has to take about 8,000 pills a year, plus injections. He calculates that it takes him about 3 weeks out of every year just to prepare and administer his medications! How many of us can afford that kind of expense and time? How many of us would want to?

Ask parents of a child suffering from malaria. Or, arthritis victims. They’ll tell you: “Good health is priceless. We never fully appreciate it – until it’s lost!” Queen Elizabeth I cried out on her death bed: “All my possessions for one moment of time!”

But ladies and gentlemen: did you know medical science now says you can reverse disease and damaged health? You can choose to live happier, healthier, and longer. You can avoid many of the major diseases simply by living better. In America, for instance, many people die from heart problems and cancer. In Africa, many die from AIDS.

Dr. Breslow of UCLA did research over nine years among Americans. He asked 7,000 people seven questions relating to health habits and then observed these patients.

Seven simple questions:
1.) Do you smoke?
2.) Do you drink alcohol, and if so, to what extent?
3.) Do you get regular exercise?
4.) How many hours do you sleep every night?
5.) How much do you weigh?
6.) Are you eating breakfast regularly?
7.) Do you snack between meals on a regular basis?

Now, the startling results of his documented research:

Those with very simple health habits relating to these seven questions lived 11.5 quality years longer than those who did not. And the amazing thing is, that as people in other countries – whether Zambia, or Japan, or South Africa – adopt a Western-style diet – the same sorts of health principles become important. Animal fat, sugar, cool drinks, chips, sweets, cakes...they cause lots of health problems. Obesity shortens your life, brings on diabetes, arthritis, heart problems...We need to follow God’s diet as found in the Bible.

You see I’m a human “guinea pig” for three major health studies at The John Wayne Cancer Institute and Loma Linda University, where a million dollar study authorized by President Jimmy Carter – who has done much here in Africa to combat the Guinea Worm/River Blindness problem – is proving lifestyle can help Americans improve their health as well. It’s based on a 40-year health study with over 27,000 participants. And the results coming in are stunning! But Jeannie and I have just become guinea pigs in a third new study of 125,000 participants, one of the largest groups ever to be studied! Doctors are interested to know whether living by biblical principles really can improve people’s health.

Because once again, the Voice of Prophecy SPEAKS scientific facts from the world’s finest health experts, all based on Bible principles! Are you surprised that God is concerned about our health? Don’t be, for if we’ll listen, He promises in 3 John 2 to actually turn back the clock! “Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers.”

Jesus said in John 10:10,

“...I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.”

Jesus Who made us not only wants us to have spiritual health, but He wants us to achieve maximum physical health: Happy. Joyful. Living life to its absolute fullest!

The Bible spells out eight important and essential guidelines. Up-to-date modern medicine is scrambling to catch up.

They discovered, for example, Orthodox Jews in America have a cancer mortality rate that is almost zero – far below the average for Americans. They’re less prone to nearly all catastrophic illnesses and practically immune to today’s leading killers. How come? Is it hereditary? Is it in their genes? No!

Because when those same Jews begin eating the same food as the rest of Americans – steaks, junk food, smoking – oops! Their cancer rate and all other diseases zoom right up the same as other people. Why? Medical science discovered the secret lies in their health practices and a lifestyle found in the Bible.

You see, 3,500 years ago God wrote:

<Exodus 15:26>
“...If you diligently heed the voice of the Lord your God and do what is right in His sight, give ear to His commandments, and keep all His statutes, I will put none of the diseases on you which I have brought upon the Egyptians. For I am the Lord who heals you.”

Follow these instructions,

<Exodus 23:25>
“...And I will take sickness away from the midst of you.”

Fascinated, scientists say, “Catch this significance! If you follow this, you can reverse the effects of disease!” So amazingly effective…

<Psalm 105:37>
“...There was not one feeble person among their tribes.”

“Well!” a bunch of physicians said, “probably the Egyptians didn’t have the same diseases we have today.” Wrong!

So, back in 1975 a team of medical specialists from around the world performed autopsies on Egyptian mummies in the Manchester (England) Medical School. Mummies dating back to 1900 B.C. Guess what they found on these 4,000-year-old bodies? Remarkably, ancient Egyptians suffered the same illnesses common to modern man: heart disease, cancer, vascular diseases, arthritis, hepatitis, tetanus, trichinosis, and others.

Now here is the irony. The puzzle. Moses lived in Egypt at this very time. Egypt was the intellectual, educational, and cultural center of the world: Science. Mathematics. History. Geology. Astronomy. Physics. Today’s rocket scientists still haven’t figured out how they built the Pyramids or Sphinx. But their medical knowledge? Ugh! Their health remedies were horrible! Atrocious. Listen to some sample prescriptions found way back in 1552 B.C. in a famous medical book called The Papyrus Ebers listing scores of medical prescriptions for diseases, infections, and accidents. (None of which you’d use! – would you?)

For deep splinters: rub worm’s blood and horse dung into the wound. (No wonder tetanus took a hefty toll!) For a snake bite: drink water poured over an idol.

Baldness? Rub into the scalp a mixture made from horses’ hooves, date flowers, and Abyssinian bloodhound heels boiled in oil.

Now folks, listen! When Moses grew up in Pharaoh’s court, that’s what he was taught! Acts 7:22 clearly tells us,

“Moses was educated in all the wisdom of the Egyptians...”

Educated with the medical doctors in Egypt’s medical schools. In fact, 20th century physician, Dr. S. I. McMillen, in his book, None of These Diseases, says this about Moses:

“There is little doubt that he was well acquainted with the medical knowledge of his time. Many thousands of the Israelites also knew and no doubt had used some of the common remedies mentioned in The Papyrus Ebers.”

But in your Bible the five books Moses wrote contain nothing of what he learned in medical school! In startling contrast, the Bible’s medical prescriptions are thousands of years ahead of their time. Filled with 21st century medical instructions doctors never heard of until modern times! Amazing insights concerning cleanliness, quarantine, personal grooming, and nutrition! Shockingly, not once does Moses in the Bible ever prescribe one of the cures listed in The Papyrus Ebers. Where did he get these amazing health guidelines? Ah, friend, God gave him “inside information.”

Modern medicine is now realizing how important God’s health principles have been throughout history. Take the plagues of the Black Death and leprosy – the two most terrible scourges of the Middle Ages.

Doctors didn’t know what to do. Medicine finally turned to church leaders and said, “We need help. We don’t have answers.” What does the Bible recommend? They looked it up. For contagious diseases, quarantine. “Never heard of it before.” But it helped to stop the spread of these diseases! Public toilets? Sanitation? Sewers? Disinfectant? Washing your hands before surgery? Doctors didn’t know these things were recommended in the Bible!

What a tragic shame that 60 million people had to die from these plagues, when the Bible principles of public health were there all the time! God knows how we can avoid disease. He designed our bodies. He knows exactly what’s necessary to keep us healthy and at peak efficiency.

You save money for years to buy a shiny new motorbike or car. With it you receive an “owner’s manual.” Tells how to care for your new transport and keep it running perfectly for many years.

Of course you can ignore the instructions and say they are too much bother. Forget the oil. Forget to check air pressure in the tires. Put sand in the petrol tank. Roar around completely out of control. Your vehicle won’t last long before it needs expensive repairs, right? Yet, we do the same thing with this wonderful machine God has given us – this body of ours. We blow it up! You’d think we’d want to follow His instructions!

One trip to the hospital can wipe out a lifetime of savings. But God’s “Owner’s Manual” outlines just eight simple prescriptions for good health. Weimar Institute has invented the abbreviation NEWSTART to help us remember what these principles are. Our doctor here, Dr. Arnott, from the Lifestyle Center of America, recommends these, too. Say these with me out loud: “N” is for:

N - utrition
E - xercise
W- ater
S - unshine
T - emperance
A - ir
R - est
T - rust in God

Zoom in with me on these eight amazing prescriptions. Notice behind “Door #1”:

# 1: NUTRITION
What’s more important than food, right? Doctors tell us diet is the foundation of good health. It’s our most direct link with disease. So, page 1of God’s “Owner’s Manual” takes us right back to the Garden of Eden in Genesis 1 for the original diet.

<Genesis 1:29>
“And God said, ‘See, I have given you every herb that yields seed which is on the face of all the earth, and every tree whose fruit yields seed; to you it shall be for food.’”

“Eat mostly fruits, grains, nuts, beans, and vegetables” is still some of the best advice available. Food from plants is what God intended for us to eat. It’s the petrol that ought to be in our tanks!

Did you know that America’s astronauts are into a vegetarian diet? Listen to this paragraph from the February 3, 2003 L.A. Times

“astronauts used to pre-order racks of rib and pitchers of beer...Today, ‘They’re all vegetarians.’”

And the best scientists in 2003, are now recommending the type of diet that the Bible spelled out in Genesis!

Man’s total diet for 2,000 years until the great flood was vegetarian. God’s said, “That’s GOOD!” The epitome. Was this vegetarian diet adequate? Evidently! People on God’s diet lived to be nearly 1,000 years old.

<Genesis 5:27>
“All the days of Methuselah were nine hundred sixty nine years; and he died.”

What? No hamburgers or beef stew or fried chicken? That’s right. Only later when the flood came and there was no vegetation left, did God permit meat-eating – as an emergency measure. Men and women liked the taste of it so much, we’ve been eating it ever since! But Genesis 9:5 says meat was introduced to shorten man’s life. Sure enough, sinners’ age spans dropped like a rock. Noah’s son, Shem, lived 600 years; his grandson 239 years; his great-grandson 175 years. By the time of King David, man’s life span decreased to 70 years! In the Middle Ages it was just about 35.

Well, what about meat? Is it okay? Yes, sort of. But if you’re going to insist on eating flesh, God knows not all animals are fit for food. So He specifies exactly which meat is somewhat safe to eat, and which is not. “Clean” and “unclean.” Safe. Unsafe.

A very simple, basic formula. Easy to remember. All “scavengers” are unclean. Which ones? Not to worry. Leviticus 11 & Deuteronomy 14 list which scavenger animals; which scavenger fish; which scavenger birds.

Take animals, for example. Just two criteria: Two basic guidelines: If an animal has a split hoof and chews the cud, it’s safe for food. Some chew the cud but do not have a split hoof – that animal is a rubbish collector. Don’t eat it! Bottom of the food chain.

“Trust Me,” God says! “I know. I made ‘em.” Like Mr. Oink, the pig:

<Leviticus 11:7>
“And the swine, though it divides the hoof, having cloven hooves, yet does not chew the cud, is unclean to you.”

We don’t ask why pork is unsafe anymore. Because we know about a disease called trichinosis that comes from eating pork that has not been cooked properly. If you don’t want to have trichinosis – follow God’s advice and stay away from eating the flesh of pigs.

<Psalm 84:11>
“...No good thing will He withhold from those who walk uprightly.”

What about fish? Same instructions: don’t eat scavengers, the fish that live on the bottom of the lake or river or ocean. Two checkpoints:

<Deuteronomy 14:9, 10>
“These you may eat of all that are in the waters: you may eat all that have fins and scales.
And whatever does not have fins and scales you shall not eat; it is unclean for you.”

Two clear guidelines easy to remember: 1.) Fins 2.) Scales.

Uh-oh! Many people in America enjoy eating Lobster or crayfish, Shrimp. Shark. Whales. Eels. Oysters. Octopus. Turtles. (Are they really unsafe?). And I don’t know what the choice delicacies are here in Zambia.

Did you know the U.S. Government did research to determine which fish American soldiers can eat for survival? Dr. Bruce Hallsted’s research concluded that the rule of thumb for the U.S. Army, Navy, Marines, and Air Force is to follow the same formula God gave the Israelites 3,500 years ago: “Of all the creatures living in the water, you may eat any that has fins and scales.”

What about birds? Which ones can we eat? Same formula. No scavengers.

<Deuteronomy 14:11, 12>
“All clean birds you may eat. But these you shall not eat:...”

And God proceeds to list them. Owls, buzzards, ravens, herons, bats, vultures. Don’t eat scavengers and rubbish collectors. He even details which insects:

<Deuteronomy 14:19>
“Also every creeping thing that flies is unclean for you; they shall not be eaten.”

And don’t drink blood. As in half-cooked steaks.

<Leviticus 3:17>
“...you shall eat neither fat nor blood.”

Kosher – with all the blood drained out – is best. Now we know why. Doctors and nutritionists know that eating meat with the blood in it contributes to circulation problems and heart disease. These are a number one cause of death in America.

So to summarize Page 1 in the Owner’s Manual of God’s specifications for our health and happiness, #1: NUTRITION. The Bible says eat up, but eat right! Do it to the glory of God.

What’s the 2nd God-given principle to promote good health? Remember the 2nd letter in the acronym or abbreviation from NEWSTART? “N” for Nutrition. “E” is for ?

#2: EXERCISE
Did you know as soon as God created Adam and Eve and gave them His nutrition plan, He then told them to get out there and exercise? Strenuous physical activity for health:

<Genesis 2:15>
“Then the Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to tend and keep it.”

Because action is a law of life. God knows exercise is our very best health insurance plan! He designed exercise to protect the body from disease, improve muscle tone, firm up blood vessels, helps the lungs, the heart.

Exercise is a crucial part of God’s formula for turning back the clock! In fact, after Adam and Eve sinned, God increased the amount of exercise and wrote out a new prescription for more physically demanding work. Now,

<Genesis 3:19>
“...In the sweat of your face you shall eat bread till you return to the ground...”

<Genesis 3:18>
“Both thorns and thistles it shall bring forth for you...”

Not to punish us. It’s life insurance for our good. Notice WHY He cursed the ground with thorns and thistles. So that...

<Genesis 3:17>
“In toil you shall eat of it all the days of your life.”

It tones up the body, it keeps us out of trouble! And it’s FREE! You know what happens when people move into the city from the country – where they used to walk maybe several miles a day – when they get in the city, it’s so easy to hop on a bus, or hitch a ride on a lorry instead of walking. Well, it’s better if you have time to walk from place to place.

Next prescription:

#3: WATER
Why does the Bible preach sermons on water? Because our body is 70% water! Drinking enough good, clean water is essential to cut heart attacks, and keep our kidneys working well! Water helps prevent many health problems. Health spas are rediscovering hydrotherapy to improve circulatory and immune system function. All with plain water. And it’s FREE! Make sure your water is clean, boil it if necessary.

What’s prescription #4?

#4: SUNLIGHT
Fifteen minutes of sunlight provides ample amounts of Vitamin D, extremely important for the body’s metabolism and hormonal balance. But of course these days we have to be careful not to be out in the sun too much, because it can damage the skin. Because of some of the pollution we’ve put into the air. Getting the proper amount of sunlight: Free!

Prescription #5?

#5: TEMPERANCE
Or, “balance.” Using good things moderately; and avoiding the bad. So obvious! Yet often so hard to practice. 1 Corinthians 9:25 says, “Lon, be…

“...temperate in all things....”

The Bible is big on self control. Eat up. Drink up. But remember, moderation in all things because our bodies are holy.

<1 Corinthians 6:19, 20>
“Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? For you were bought with a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are Gods.”

We’re God’s property. By creation and redemption. Read this with me:

<1 Corinthians 10:31>
“So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do [do as you please?], do it all for the glory of God.”

Why?

<1 Corinthians 3:17>
“If anyone defiles the temple of God, God will destroy him. For the temple of God is holy, which temple you are.”

We’ll self-destruct! Because tell me honestly, can you drink a bottle of whiskey to the glory of God? In more than half of all murders in the U. S., someone has been drinking!

Alcohol impairs our body’s ability to use vitamins and fight infection. Alcohol causes cirrhosis of the liver; lifespan can be shortened by at least 12 years. Just one drink kills brain cells!

It causes birth defects. And we pay billions of tax dollars every year for damages done by alcohol. But friend, for the Christian, the use of alcohol has far more serious moral repercussions. God created our brain as the control center of our lives. Our conscience is there.

Satan knows alcohol not only impairs our judgment – it deadens our ability to distinguish right from wrong. So alcohol becomes more than a bad habit, it’s a moral problem.

<Proverbs 20:1>
“Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging; and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise.”

And again:

<Proverbs 23:31, 32>
“Do not look upon the wine when it is red, when it sparkles in the cup, when it swirls around smoothly; at the last it bites like a serpent and stings like a viper.”

Someone asks, “Does the Bible specifically talk about smoking?” Drugs. Marijuana. Yes. It does!

3,500 years ago in Deuteronomy 29:18 it says:

“Never let there be among you a root that beareth a poisonful herb.” (Margin)

There are dozens of major health problems in addition to the obvious ones like lung diseases and lung cancer, all related to smoking! Like senility. Babies damaged during pregnancy. Newborn deaths zoom 27% higher.

Even our children suffer the same harmful diseases as smokers! Smoking murders 500,000 people in America alone every year. God says, “You shall not murder,” but we’re killing ourselves by the things we eat, drink, and smoke!

And here’s another area where Temperance is very important. Self-control in matters of love is probably the most important thing we can do for our health in Zambia today – where so many people are dying from AIDS. Self-control – sleeping only with your spouse – who also sleeps only with you – this is one of the surest ways to avoid AIDS. And of course temperance – not using intravenous drugs is another important prescription for avoiding this terrible killer. I read in a report recently that the average life expectancy in Zambia is now 37, down from 57 because of the AIDS epidemic sweeping your country!

Not drinking alcohol is very important for preventing AIDS as well. Because it is often when a man or woman is drunk or under the influence of drugs that he or she makes that fatal mistake of entering into a love liaison with another person. And if that person has AIDS – then you’re liable to get it, and spread it to your spouse, and maybe even to your children!

Friends, we have to bring this terrible killer under control. And all the medicines in the world cannot do it. But each of us – by resolving to take the Bible’s prescription of temperance can do our part to stop this disease.

Prescription #5 God says, “Temperance.” It’s FREE, too! Let’s move on to Prescription #6:

#6: AIR
The most essential resource of all for our body: Air. More important than food. More important than water. Still FREE! Sort of! In big cities like Lusaka the air quality may not be very good - and we’re paying the price. But proper breathing and pure air are fundamental to good health. Fresh, clear mountain air.

#7: REST
Rest and relaxation. Did you know even Jesus believed in rest and vacations? Getting away from the pressure. After a hard day’s work with crowds of people, He said to His disciples,

<Mark 6:31>
“...Come aside by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while...”

Balance work with relaxation. That’s why He gave us the Sabbath. Time to forget problems and our work and spend time off with Him.

Find a quiet, peaceful place that can calm your anxious heart. Whatever it is, you need to find a spot away from the crowds and noisy traffic. God wants you to have a little bit of heaven here now, so you’ll be ready to live on the earth made new.

Someone says, “Okay. But what about all my bad habits?” Smoking. Drinking. Chemical dependency. Drugs. Sex. Pornography. Gambling. Coffee. Donuts. Weight. Video games.

You know what, friend? That leads to Prescription #8. None of these are your problem. The Devil’s got all of us hooked on these and zillions more! So, the wages of sin…the Bible says, we’re history! That’s why when you come to Jesus, now it’s God’s problem. God gives this final specification for our health and happiness to help us get rid of all our bad habits.

The apostle Paul says you can’t get rid of your bad habits. Not on your own! What’s the secret?

#8: TRUST IN GOD
Trust in Divine power. Even hospitals today utilize this final and most important principle of all. And folks, this is one gift God never refuses to give us when we ask for it. Divine aid. And it’s FREE, too! Listen to Proverbs 3:5-6...

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not to your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.”

Trust Me if you’re having problem with temptations in relationships. Trust Me with your weight.

Trust Me with food. Don’t torture 10 meters of intestine, to please 10 centimeters of tongue. “I know how to help you.” I can give you strength. Will power. Victory.

You say, “I’d like to be healthy, I want to change. But I can’t. I’ve tried. I’m an addict. I’m hooked. I’ve smoked for 60 years.” God does not expect you to do it on your own. He wants your habit. He wants your weight problem. Jesus says:

<John 15:5>
“...without Me you can do nothing.”

In our own strength, we can’t overcome wrong habits. That’s why our Savior came. He’s here, longing to help us! With promises we can claim together with the apostle Paul. Say it with me,

<Philippians 4:13>
“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”

Believe it? Friend, with His help you can live an abundant, healthy, joyful life! Right here. Right now. And enjoy eternal life in the earth made new. Will you reach out to Jesus? He’s reaching out to you! I want you to use your power of choice and choose Jesus. Make the decision of your life. Trust Me, God says, to help you “turn back the clock.”