Losing Treasures for Lentil Stew

To avoid falling into temptation each day, the natural inclination is for a Christian to dive into meditating on God’s Word, praying, journaling, reading devotionals, serving in church, listening to worship music, as well as avoiding certain activities, people, places, and the like.

However, we can still find ourselves falling into temptation and the same sins, despite the many holy and righteous activities we thought would shield us. 

Are you resting too comfortably on your spiritual activities, crowning them as your protector and dethroning the power of God? 

Too often, we start to believe that we are living high in the Lord. We’re beaming from being used frequently for His service and by experiencing His great miracles and blessings. It feels as if nothing harmful can touch us. It’s an unconscious, undetected pride that develops. Those pious feelings of what we do can be the crack in our armor.

Naturally, the enemy takes notice and steps in, attempting to fan the flame. Temptation has slithered close to our ear, saying, “You are holy. Nothing can knock you off your pedestal. Reward yourself and take a little more though it’s outside of God. You won’t fall. After all, God will still love you.”  

You cry out, “How can this happen to me, with all I do and all of who I am?!” The enemy doesn’t aggressively pursue those who already have a reprobate mind, from who God has turned away. No, the enemy aggressively pursues the righteous ones, the ones who love the Lord- the Jobs- those who declare their surrender to Jesus Christ. He delights most in their fall, hoping they will lean on their spiritual activities and not on Jesus.

While we should believe that we have everything we need in Christ, it’s dangerous when we shift from humble surrender to feeling spiritually untouchable. We become vulnerable, flying too close to the sun on prideful wings, resulting in a terrible and costly fall.

Adam and Eve had everything they needed in the Garden and from the Lord. They walked with Him and spoke with Him intimately. The serpent then tempted, telling them they don’t have everything (Genesis 3:3-5).

David had everything he needed from the Lord, and rested in it. But his rest was too restful and made his alertness dull to spiritual attacks. It lead to choosing not to go to battle with his army, an irresponsible decision as king. This led to catching a glimpse of the bathing Bathsheba. He had everything, but the enemy told him he was without. David already had wives, but he didn’t have this particular woman (2 Samuel 11:1-5). 

What can we do?

► Stay awake, alert, and mindful that the enemy can strike any time during the day or evening. Put on the full armor of God (Ephesians 6:13-17).

► Be mindful not to believe our spiritual activities are our safeguard. Jesus Christ is our safeguard, and He alone. Despite what we do, we need to acknowledge our weakness to Him, and ask the Holy Spirit for protection for the day and evening (Philippians 4:7-8)

► Temptation is an opportunity for reward. Nothing happens without God allowing it. Since God has allowed a temptation to take place, this is usually a trial for you, with great reward waiting if you call on Him and overcome. This is true, for after the temptation of Jesus in the wilderness, he was ministered to by angels (Matthew 4:10-11).

► Don’t trade eternal treasure for a bowl of lentil stew. In a moment of impulsiveness and extreme fleshly weakness, Esau traded his valuable birthright for Jacob’s bowl of lentil stew. Keep in mind what is temporary and what will soon pass, then weigh it against the irreplaceable treasure you will lose if you bend into temptation (Genesis 25:29-34).

And if you feel this is for you right now, you can pray:

Lord Jesus, I come to you today in a posture of humbleness and absolute surrender to you. I’ve allowed myself to be an easy victim of the enemy’s snares, by dwelling on what I do in your service, and not simply keeping you as my only focus. I ask for your forgiveness. Thank you for opening my eyes and ears to what you have revealed to me today, Holy Spirit. And Lord, search my heart for those things that cause me to fall so often. If it is my pride, I lay it at the foot of the cross, and pray that you crush it under your heel, Lord Jesus. I pray all of these things in your most holy name. Amen.

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Health

Lack of Sleep Linked to Dementia: What You Can Do

A lack of sleep - especially a lack of deep sleep - has been linked to an increased risk of Alzheimer's, a form of dementia, in numerous studies. It was found that people who slept six hours or less per night in their 50s and 60s were more likely to develop dementia later in life. 

In addition, a new study says as little as a 1% reduction in deep sleep each year for people over 60 years of age equals a 27% increased risk of developing dementia.

Medical experts suggest most adults get between seven to nine hours of sleep each night.

According to CDC data, 70% of US adults say they get insufficient sleep at least once a month, and 11% report insufficient sleep every night.

Lack of sleep and poor sleep quality can lead to other issues: anxiety, depression, digestive issues, brain fog, and huge decreases in physical and mental performance. 

Did you know Lack of Sleep Can Affect Weight Gain?

The amount of sleep you get each night has a huge effect on your weight. When you’re short on sleep, you experience more intense cravings for “comfort foods”—things with lots of fat and sugar. This is because your brain’s reward centers are overactive after a lack of sleep, seeking something that feels nice.

_{What Causes Poor Sleep?}

► Poor gut health

► Eating too close to bedtime

► Taking caffeine too close to bedtime 

► Napping too long (which may be from not getting good sleep the prior night)

► Stress 

► Watching TV before bed

► On a computer or smartphone 

► Too much electric signals being emitted in your bedroom from electronics 

► Not dark enough

► Uncomfortable bed

► Drinking too much before bed which means getting up to go to the bathroom later

► Medications

► Too noisy in or outside bedroom

► Artificial lights 

► Not enough melatonin being produced 

►► Is the Holy Spirit nudging you, to bring your attention to something important in your life, and you’re not paying attention?

►► Have you wronged someone and it’s weighing on you?

_{Ways to Get Better Sleep †*}

✅ Get enough morning light, 20 minutes, to create melatonin which will help with a good night’s sleep in the evening 

✅ Consult with your doctor about a magnesium supplement

✅ Consider supplementing with glycine and glutathione (consult your doctor)

✅ Taking binders like chlorella and activated charcoal before bed to remove heavy metals that may affect sleep

✅ Get amino acids during the day

✅ Have your doctor examine your liver

✅ Consider herbs, teas, and natural supplements to improve liver health

✅ Use a weighted blanket

✅ Put away laptops and TVs 2 hours before bed

✅ Take devices out of room or turn phone to airplane mode

✅ Install blackout curtains 

✅ Wear an eye mask

✅ Make the air cooler in your bedroom- lowering body temperature just 1 degree makes a difference

✅ Purchase a new mattress

✅ Wash sheets in a more natural detergent without perfumes 

✅ Sleep on back with pillows on each side, or between legs

✅ Play sleep music

✅ Don’t eat too close to bedtime

✅ Get in bed earlier- 10 or 10:30 PM. If you usually go to bed later, roll back 15 minutes earlier each night

✅ Consider you may have pathogens or parasites, which are active at night

✅ Take a vitamin D supplement if needed, especially in winter

✅ Take a shower or bath before bed

✅ Breathing exercises throughout the day and before bed

✅ Cut caffeine for a few days and just have one in the morning

✅ Herbal teas that can help with adrenal fatigue

✅ Exercise. Exercising in the morning is best for most people that will give better sleep at night. A study at Appalachian State showed 75% of people got better sleep when they exercised in the morning. 

✅ Sleep apnea- get a machine that helps open air passages

✅ Get a massage from a massage therapist 

✅ Read

✅ Pray

In Mark 6:31, Jesus said to His disciples:

...“Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.”

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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.}