Not Today, Satan!

^{“Not today, Satan!”- The phrase emblazoned across countless coffee mugs, water bottles, and t-shirts, that one may believe is God’s Holy Word. However, when struggles, trials, and tribulations come our way, how quick do we shift blame from ourselves to attacks of the enemy?}

Spiritual warfare is in play, to which we cannot see (Ephesians 6:12). And in this warfare, the enemy and his demonic spirits are at work in the world, prowling around, looking for someone to devour (1 Peter 5:8-9).

As an aside, demonic spirits are real and they sometimes take up residence. It’s important that we acknowledge and be on alert (1 Peter 5:8, 1 Thessalonians 5:6). In full surrender and faith in Christ, we are to rebuke those spirits, and boldly command them to leave us or those we’re praying over in the almighty name of Jesus. Today’s devotional, however, is specific to temptation.

In temptation, we are not physically strong-armed by the enemy to sin. The Lord allows temptation (Job 2:6). In His love for us, we are given a choice- to seek Him for His strength and deliverance (1 Corinthians 10:12-14), or throw our hands up in surrender to sin. Therefore we need to live with intention, to be alert, and take responsibility for our own thoughts, our decisions, and our actions (Ephesians 6:10-18).

When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death (James 1:13-15).

Many times, it’s our own impulsiveness, fears or desires that cause us to make an unwise or sinful decision. We start the spark. We open the door. The enemy comes in, stoops down, and fans the fire with putrid breath- the spark that we started. 

If the enemy was exclusively responsible for all our misfortune, Jesus wouldn’t have given us the commands that He did- commands for you and me to do and apply. Otherwise, He would have simply said, “Rebuke the enemy in all things in my name. That’s all.” 

This is not to suggest that when we are alert, intentional, and take responsibility for our actions, everything in our lives will be sunny and seamless.

Just as you and I sin, there are friends, family, co-workers, bosses, and strangers that are tempted, and they fall into sin too. At times, we unfortunately became innocent victims of their sin, which results in our pain and suffering. This is why one man’s sin often causes consequences for more than just himself. It’s the broken world in which we live. But even in those times of being the victim of someone else’s sin, we are given a choice as to how we will respond. Will it be in bitterness, unforgiveness, resentment, rage, and blood-thirsty revenge? Or will we lean into the Holy Spirit, praying that our response would be the response of Jesus- to have Him respond through us, and set aside all our emotions?

But God Has a Beautiful Plan for You.

James 1:2-4 promises that it should be a joy to go through trials, for when we persevere in Christ, we become mature and complete in spirit, not lacking anything.

Charles Spurgeon was correct: “Every sifting comes by divine command and permission. Satan must ask leave before he can lay a finger upon Job. Nay, more, in some sense our siftings are directly the work of heaven, for the text says, "I will sift the house of Israel." Satan, like a drudge, may hold the sieve, hoping to destroy the corn; but the overruling hand of the Master is accomplishing the purity of the grain by the very process which the enemy intended to be destructive.” 

Today, take time to read and meditate on Ephesians 6:10-18.

And if this has been for 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 for all my sins. Search my heart, Holy Spirit, for any bitterness or unforgiveness I may be holding towards anyone. I lay it at the foot of the cross today, never to pick it back up. Make my heart a heart of tender flesh. I pray that you make me alert in all things, and I ask for an abundance of your spiritual wisdom and discernment. I fearlessly put on your holy armor today, and pray that you put Your hand of protection around me. I pray all of these things in your powerful and almighty name, Lord Jesus. Amen.

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Health

Sunlight for Health: What You Need to Know

Benefits of Sunlight Exposure

Sunlight exposure has been shown to improve:

• Sleep quality

• Energy levels

• Physical performance

• Stress and anxiety levels

• Cognitive function

Sunlight Provides Vitamin D

Sunlight is the main way that your body gets its Vitamin D.

More than 90% of our vitamin D comes from sunlight exposure. It’s produced endogenously when ultraviolet (UV) rays from sunlight strike the skin and triggers vitamin D synthesis.

The benefits of getting enough vitamin D are:

• Strong bones

• A healthy immune system

• Better mood

• Cardiovascular health

• Good muscle function

• Vitamin D has other roles in the body, including reduction of inflammation as well as modulation of such processes as cell growth, neuromuscular and immune function, and glucose metabolism

Sunlight Boosts Mood

Sunlight activates the pineal gland in the brain, which is related to the production of serotonin and other neurotransmitters.

Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that carries messages between your nerve cells and throughout your body. This natural chemical is sometimes known as the “feel-good hormone” because of its effect on mood.

Getting more sunlight increases your serotonin levels, which, in turn, helps elevate your mood. A lack of serotonin, on the other hand, is thought to play a role in conditions like depression and anxiety.

Sunlight Helps Regulate Sleep Patterns

Sunlight plays an important role in regulating your sleep cycle.

Your body’s internal clock, or circadian rhythm, relies on natural sunlight to stay in sync. When your eyes are exposed to light, your brain receives the message that it can stop producing melatonin — one of the main hormones that contributes to sleep.

Sunlight Improves Symptoms of Seasonal Depression

Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is a type of depression caused by a change in seasons and often attributed to a lack of sunlight.

An increase in sunlight has been shown to have a positive impact on symptoms associated with seasonal depression. A 2024 study reports that spending more than one hour in daylight during winter protected against depression symptoms. And in an older study, people with SAD who took a one-hour walk outdoors each morning for a week reported a 50% improvement in their symptoms.

How to Get Enough Sunlight

The right amount of sun exposure for you will depend on factors like:

• Your skin tone

• Your geographic location

• The season

• The time of day

Some expert bodies and vitamin D researchers suggest, for example, that approximately 5–30 minutes of sun exposure, particularly between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., either daily or at least twice a week to the face, arms, hands, and legs without sunscreen usually leads to sufficient vitamin D synthesis.

Because these factors are individualized, it’s always best to ask your healthcare provider how much sunlight is safe for you.

Though UVB rays have some important benefits for your mood and vitamin D levels, they can also damage your skin and raise your risk of skin cancer.

Avoid the midday sun, wear sunscreen (zinc oxide and titanium dioxide is best) and don’t overestimate how much sunlight you need to boost your vitamin D and your mental health.

No Sun Where You Live?

• Light therapy. Phototherapy can help improve sleep, circadian rhythms and mood for people with seasonal affective disorder. Just 30 minutes in front of a sun lamp each day can help.

• Vitamin D-rich foods. Consume like fatty fish, egg yolks, fortified milk and others.

• Supplements. Talk to your healthcare provider as to dosage or if you should take a Vitamin D supplement.

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 Vitamin D levels.†* 

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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.}