Knocking But No Room

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Do you know Jesus?

Many Christians think they do. But will Jesus say that He knows you? Or, that He never knew you? (Matthew 7:19-23)

Perhaps your “knowing” is just facts and isn’t a relationship at all. Wake up! Jesus has been knocking on the door of your heart, but you have never invited Him in. Just as Mary, Joseph, and the soon-to-be-born Jesus knocked at the innkeeper’s door, with no room on the other side, you too have made no room- no room in your heart.

No room for Jesus, in full desire for the world; desire for the love, attention, and acceptance of friends, family, lovers, and strangers; desire for fleshly affections and pleasures, desire for the admiration and praise of co-workers and bosses, desire for power and prominence, and desire to sit atop your earthly empire that will one day rust and rot, only to be quickly buried and forgotten. (Matthew 6:19-24).

Not letting Jesus into your heart isn’t going to stop His plans and purpose for living His life and doing a good work, but His life and work won’t be in you. However, He would much rather share His life with you, because He loves you unconditionally and without measure. You’ve been given an invitation, to have the elated experience of being immersed within His miracles. It’s not to impress you, but to reveal Himself and draw you nearer to Him in an intimate relationship. Meditate on how He involved His disciples in the miraculous feeding of 5,000 people with only two fish and five loaves of bread. And the way He included the servants when He turned the water for cleansing into the best water (or “wine”) ever tasted upon the lips of man. 

The church-going and simply knowing that Jesus is the Son of God without following in obedience is a costly mistake. For if you truly loved Him, your life would change. Jesus said that the one who loves Him obeys His commands (John 14:15).

The worst words that can ever enter your ears at the end of your life is, “I never knew you; depart from Me.” (Matthew 7:23)

Open the door. Surrender yourself to your Savior. Tell Him you will make room for Him in your heart, so that He can live His life freely through you.

Cry out to Jesus to make His whip and drive out the sin, the “money changers”, and anything in your heart that you have made a priority over Him. Pray with fervor, “Lord, turn over those tables! Drive out the thieves that I have allowed to steal my precious time with you and in getting to know you intimately.” Pray that He reprioritize your priorities, making Him the first and foremost. Ask Him to align your heart and desires with His desires. 

Then take Christ’s yoke upon your shoulders. Dr. Jim Denison wrote:

This isn’t a health and wealth gospel, but spiritual abundance with joy, peace, and the Holy Spirit’s power- a living water in that you will never thirst again. (John 7:37-39)

It’s not performance. It’s surrender. To be all in for Christ Jesus, without restricting any area of your life from Him. Jesus isn’t simply something done to you. He’s a relationship. You died with Him, and you were resurrected with Him, so that you may live and He may live His life through you. (Romans 6:5-11)

And if this has been you, you can pray right now:

Lord Jesus, I come to you today in a posture of humbleness and absolute surrender to you. With face to the ground and my arms outstretched to you, I repent and ask for Your forgiveness. You’ve been knocking on the door of my heart and I’ve not fully opened the door. Today I pray that you search my heart, Holy Spirit. Give me the supernatural wisdom and discernment to reprioritize, making you my top priority, Lord Jesus. Align my heart with yours. Break my heart for the things that break yours, Father God. Align my heart with only the things that are of your desire, purpose, and plan. Today, Lord Jesus, I allow you to live your live freely through me, for I died to myself in your death, and I am now alive because you are alive in me. I pray all of these things in your powerful and almighty name. Amen.

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Health

Your Microbiome: What You Need to Know

Today’s health article focuses on the microbiome. It may sound like a biology lecture, but it’s critical to understand that if your microbiome isn’t healthy, it can be the root cause for many symptoms of unwellness for the body and mind. Let’s explore this incredible work of God.

The microbiome is located in our gut. It consists of trillions of bacteria, viruses, fungi, and other microscopic living things. That's right- bacteria, viruses, and fungi live inside us! As unsettling as that sounds, if those elements didn't exist in our bodies, we wouldn't exist. In fact, a majority of chronic illness and unhealthy states of being can be traced to an imbalance in our microbiome. Disruption of the gut microbial composition is associated with metabolic disorders, cardiovascular disease, and several mental disorders. The modern rise in obesity, allergies, asthma, rheumatoid arthritis, Type I diabetes, multiple sclerosis, irritable bowel syndrome, cirrhosis of the liver, cardiovascular disease, and anxiety attacks – perhaps even autism – may be related to the bacterial populations in our guts.

Did You Know?

• Over 100 trillion bacteria make up your microbiome

• Altogether, these microbes weigh 2-5 lbs, about the weight of the human brain. This is an interesting fact, because the gut and its microbiome is considered the body’s second brain.

• Without these microbes, it would be nearly impossible to survive

Why should you care? 

Too often, there's an incorrect call to bandage the symptom of a health issue in the form of a pharmaceutical medication or other treatment. However, it can do more harm than good, so it's important to understand how to care for your microbiome. 

What Does the Microbiome Do?

• Controls the immune system, and responds to infection and helps fight off disease

• Controls brain health, affecting the central nervous system, which controls brain function. Makes large amounts of neurotransmitters which play essential roles in how our body functions

• Makes 90% of serotonin- the neurotransmitter that affects mood, sexual activity, appetite, sleep, memory, and learning

• May benefit heart health

• May control blood sugar and lower risk of diabetes 

The microbiome also...

• Breaks down some of our food– including certain carbs– and releases its energy for us to use

• Makes certain vitamins and amino acids

• Helps to absorb certain minerals

• Prevents dangerous ‘bad’ bacteria from taking over and making us sick

• Helps us to break down some drugs and toxins

You may have heard of leaky gut syndrome, which is a leaky epithelium. The epithelium is the lining of the digestive tract, which is a barrier between the gut and the rest of the body. When this protective lining tears due to eating highly processed foods, overused antibiotics, and an overly sanitized lifestyle, it can lead to inflammation and chronic disease.

For further reading, you can check out this article.

If you are experiencing certain symptoms of unwellness, consider consulting with a licensed nutritionist, holistic/integrated practitioner, or medical doctor about performing an analysis on your microbiome.†* 

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_{†All health information in the articles is exclusively gathered from clinical/medical resources that have been industry vetted, with no conflict of interest in the information they present/publish.} 

_{*Holy Nutrition does not diagnose, treat, or give medical advice. Information provided is not medical advice and should not be relied upon for diagnosis or treatment. Consult with a healthcare provider or medical practitioner for any health concerns, questions, or before making any decisions related to your health. Individual health conditions and needs may vary, and therefore, professional medical advice is essential for personalized guidance. Holy Nutrition is not responsible for any harm or damage resulting from the user's reliance on the information contained in the articles.}