Sunday
September 26
1. DIVINE PROPERTY
a. What are the two main reasons why we belong to God? Genesis 1:27; 1 Corinthians 6:20 (first part); 1 Peter 1:18, 19.
“You are the Lord’s; for He created you. You are His by redemption; for He gave His life for you.”—Sons and Daughters of God, p. 171.
b. What is God’s compassion revealed in His desire for us? Isaiah 63:9; 3 John 2.
“Our heavenly Father sees the deplorable condition of men, who, many of them ignorantly, are disregarding the principles of hygiene. And it is in love and pity to the race that He causes the light to shine upon health reform.”—Counsels on Health, p. 21.
c. What should be our desire toward God? 1 Corinthians 6:20 (second part); 10:31.
“Preserve every portion of the living machinery, that you may use it for God. Preserve it for Him. Your health depends upon the right use of your physical organism. Do not misuse any portion of your God-given powers, physical, mental, or moral. All your habits are to be brought under the control of a mind that is itself under the control of God.”—Sons and Daughters of God, p. 171.
Monday
September 27
2. HEALTH AND SALVATION
a. Why can we compare health to a treasure or to a precious pearl? Matthew 13:44–46.
“Health is a treasure. Of all temporal possessions it is the most precious. Wealth, learning, and honor are dearly purchased at the loss of the vigor of health. None of these can secure happiness, if health is lacking. It is a terrible sin to abuse the health that God has given us; such abuses enfeeble us for life, and make us losers, even if we gain by such means any amount of education.”—Christian Temperance and Bible Hygiene, p. 150.
b. What happens often to those who are overcharged with the cares of this world and neglect their health? Luke 21:34; 9:25.
“Some sacrifice physical and moral obligations, thinking to find happiness, and they lose both soul and body. Others will seek their happiness in indulgence of an unnatural appetite, and consider the indulgence of taste more desirable than health and life. Many suffer themselves to be enchained by sensual passions, and will sacrifice physical strength, intellect, and moral powers, to the gratification of lust. They will bring themselves to untimely graves, and in the Judgment will be charged with self-murder.”—Sons and Daughters of God, p. 61.
c. What blessing has God given us to restore our health?
“Nature is God’s physician. The pure air, the glad sunshine, the beautiful flowers and trees, the orchards and vineyards, and outdoor exercise amid these surroundings, are health-giving—the elixir of life. Outdoor life is the only medicine that many invalids need. Its influence is powerful to heal sickness caused by fashionable life, a life that weakens and destroys the physical, mental, and spiritual powers.”—Counsels on Health, p. 170.
d. What is the greatest gift that God has given to human beings so that we may obtain eternal life? John 3:16; 17:3.
Tuesday
September 28
3. HEALTH REFORM
a. What message has been given us with the purpose of guarding our health? Romans 12:1, 2.
“Our heavenly Father sent the light of health reform to guard against the evils resulting from a debased appetite, that those who love purity and holiness may know how to use with discretion the good things he has provided for them, and that by exercising temperance in daily life, they may be sanctified through the truth.”—Counsels on Diet and Foods, p. 23.
b. What are the results of practicing health reform? Jeremiah 33:6. How was E. G. White benefited by the health reform message?
“The principles of healthful living mean a great deal to us individually and as a people. When the message of health reform first came to me, I was weak and feeble, subject to frequent fainting spells. I was pleading with God for help, and He opened before me the great subject of health reform. He instructed me that those who are keeping His commandments must be brought into sacred relationship to Himself, and that by temperance in eating and drinking they must keep mind and body in the most favorable condition for service. This light has been a great blessing to me. I took my stand as a health reformer, knowing that the Lord would strengthen me. I have better health today, notwithstanding my age, than I had in my younger days.”—Counsels on Health, pp. 132, 133. [This was written when Sr. White was about 75 years old.]
c. What are the three main purposes of health reform? Titus 2:11–14.
“Beware how you place yourself in opposition to the work of health reform . . . for it is the Lord’s means of lessening the suffering in our world, and of purifying His people.”—Counsels on Diet and Foods, p. 38.
“The light God has given on health reform is for our salvation and the salvation of the world.”—Ibid., p. 461.
“For years the Lord has been calling the attention of His people to health reform. This is one of the great branches of the work of preparation for the coming of the Son of man.”—Ibid., pp. 70, 71.
Wednesday
September 29
4. THE LAWS OF HEALTH
a. What has God established so that the human machinery functions well? Deuteronomy 6:16, 17.
“The Creator of man has arranged the living machinery of our bodies. Every function is wonderfully and wisely made. And God pledged Himself to keep this human machinery in healthful action if the human agent will obey His laws and cooperate with God. Every law governing the human machinery is to be considered just as truly divine in origin, in character, and in importance as the word of God. Every careless, inattentive action, any abuse put upon the Lord’s wonderful mechanism, by disregarding His specified laws in the human habitation, is a violation of God’s law.”—Counsels on Diet and Foods, p. 17.
b. For what purpose were health laws included in the legislation given to Israel? Deuteronomy 6:24.
“What we eat and drink has an important bearing upon our lives and characters, and Christians should bring their habits of eating and drinking into conformity to the laws of nature. We must sense our obligations to God in these matters. Obedience to the laws of health should be made a matter of earnest study, for willing ignorance on this subject is sin.”—Child Guidance, pp. 392, 393.
c. Who is the author of life, and how does He feel about sickness? Lamentations 3:33; John 1:4; 5:26; 10:10 (last part).
“Our heavenly Father does not willingly afflict or grieve the children of men. He is not the author of sickness and death. He is the source of life; He would have men live, and He desires them to be obedient to the laws of life and health, that they may live.”—Counsels on Health, p. 563.
d. Of all the laws that govern health, which one stands out as being especially significant? 1 Corinthians 9:25; 6:12.
“In order to preserve health, temperance in all things is necessary—temperance in labor, temperance in eating and drinking.”—Counsels on Diet and Foods, p. 23.
Thursday
September 30
5. DANIEL’S DIET
a. What success did Daniel achieve as a youthful captive in Babylon, and how did this involve his diet? Daniel 1:8–20.
“In order to reach the highest standard of moral and intellectual attainments, it is necessary to seek wisdom and strength from God, and to observe strict temperance in all the habits of life.”—Counsels on Diet and Foods, p. 32.
b. Who are those that, sadly, make themselves enemies of the cross of Christ, even after they were healed from disease? Philippians 3:18, 19; 1 Peter 2:11.
“Those who choose to be presumptuous, saying, ‘The Lord has healed me, and I need not restrict my diet; I can eat and drink as I please,’ will erelong need, in body and soul, the restoring power of God. Because the Lord has graciously healed you, you must not think you can link yourselves up with the self-indulgent practices of the world. Do as Christ commanded after His work of healing—‘go, and sin no more’ (John 8:11). Appetite must not be your god.”—Ibid., p. 25.
c. How can we overcome our complacent appetite? Daniel 1:8; Philippians 4:13; 1 Corinthians 9:26, 27.
“[Daniel’s] trust was in that strength which God has promised to all who will come to Him in humble dependence, relying wholly upon His power.”—Ibid., p. 154.
Friday
October 1
REVIEW AND THOUGHT QUESTIONS
a. How does the fact that we are God’s creatures relate to our health?
b. What should be considered by all who feel they have no time to care for their health?
c. Why is health reform important?
d. What does strict observance of the laws of health plainly reveal?
e. In health matters, how are we in danger of presuming on God’s mercy?