Breach Builders Ministry
"And they that shall be of thee shall build the old waste places: thou shalt raise up the foundations of many generations; and thou shalt be called, The repairer of the breach, the restorer of paths to dwell in." Isaiah 58:12
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Reason
for Reform -- Lesson 1
A. Reading and Study Assignment: Counsels on Diet and Foods, pp. 15-40 B.
Study Questions 1. What is our first duty toward God and fellow beings and why? “Our first duty toward God and our fellow beings is that of self-development. Every faculty with which the Creator has endowed us should be cultivated to the highest degree of perfection, that we may be able to do the greatest amount of good of which we are capable. Hence that time is spent to good account which is used in the establishment and preservation of physical and mental health. We cannot afford to dwarf or cripple any function of body or mind. As surely as we do this, we must suffer the consequences.” The why “Only one lease of life is granted us; and the inquiry with every one should be, "How can I invest my powers so that they may yield the greatest profit? How can I do most for the glory of God and the benefit of my fellow men?" For life is valuable only as it is used for the attainment of these ends.” Page 15 2. What will keep human beings from disease and premature death? “There are divinely appointed rules which if observed will keep human beings from disease and premature death.” Page 16 “God is as truly the author of physical laws as He is author of the moral law. His law is written with His own finger upon every nerve, every muscle, every faculty, which has been entrusted to man.” Page 17 Laws Divine“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.” Page 17 3.
The most wonderful work of God in the natural world is the?
“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. We may behold and admire the work of God in the natural world, but the human habitation is the most wonderful.” Page 17 4.
What should be a study of our lives?
“To keep the body in a healthy condition, in
order that all parts of the living machinery may act harmoniously,
should be a study of our life. The children of God cannot glorify Him with
sickly bodies or dwarfed minds. Those who indulge in any species of
intemperance, either in eating or drinking, waste their physical energies and
weaken moral power.” Page 18 5. What will happen when men and women are truly converted in regards to the laws of health?“When
men and women are truly converted, they will conscientiously regard the laws of life that God has established
in their being, thus seeking to avoid physical, mental, and moral
feebleness. Obedience to these laws must be made a matter of personal duty.
We ourselves must suffer the ills of 19 violated law. We must answer to God for
our habits and practices. Therefore, the question for us is not, "What will
the world say?" but, "How shall I, claiming to be a Christian, treat
the habitation God has given me? Shall I work for my highest temporal and
spiritual good by keeping my body as a temple for the indwelling of the Holy
Spirit, or shall I sacrifice myself to the world's ideas and practices?"
Page 18, 19 6. What is to be guarded from harmful practices? “Every organ, every fiber of the being, is to be sacredly guarded from harmful practices.” CD. 19 “The
majority of diseases which the human family have been and still are suffering
under, they have created by ignorance of their own organic laws. They seem
indifferent in regard to the matter of health, and work perseveringly to tear
themselves to pieces, and when broken down and debilitated in body and mind,
send for the doctor and drug themselves to death.” CD. 19 “Satan is working with great power to lead men to indulge appetite, gratify inclination, and spend their days in heedless folly. He presents attractions in a life of selfish enjoyment and of sensual indulgence.” CD 22 8. What saps the energies of both mind and body? Intemperance saps the energies of both mind and body. He who is thus overcome, has placed himself upon Satan's ground, where he will be tempted and annoyed, and finally controlled at pleasure by the enemy of all righteousness.” CD. 22 9. What is the great object of hygienic reform? “Let it ever be kept before the mind that the great object of hygienic reform is to secure the highest possible development of mind and soul and body. All the laws of nature--which are the laws of God--are designed for our good. Obedience to them will promote our happiness in this life, and will aid us in a preparation for the life to come.” CD 23 10. All the laws of nature which are the laws of God are designed for our good. Obedience to them will promote our “happiness in this life, and will aid us in a preparation for the life to come.” CD. 23 11. On the subject of temperance, where should we as a people be? “Seventh-day Adventists are handling momentous truths. More than forty years ago the Lord gave us special light on health reform, but how are we walking in that light? How many have refused to live in harmony with the counsels of God! As a people, we should make advancement proportionate to the light received. It is our duty to understand and respect the principles of health reform. On the subject of temperance we should be in advance of all other people; and yet there are among us well-instructed members of the church, and even ministers of the gospel, who have little respect for the light that God has given upon this subject. They eat as they please, and work as they please.” CD. 24 12. God people have two duties to perform, after which He will hear their prayers in behalf of the sick. List these. “The Lord has given me light that when the Israel of today humble themselves before Him, and cleanse the soul temple from all defilement, He will hear their prayers in behalf of the sick, and will bless in the use of His remedies for disease. When in faith the human agent does all he can to combat disease, using the simple methods of treatment that God has provided, his efforts will be blessed of God.” 13.What must be educated in harmony with the laws of life and health? “There is work for us to do--stern, earnest work. All our habits, tastes, and inclinations must be educated in harmony with the laws of life and health. By this means we may secure the very best physical conditions, and have mental clearness to discern between the evil and the good.” CD. 28 14. What are the certificates of good habits and nobility? “The erect form, the firm, elastic step, the fair countenance, the undimmed senses, the untainted breath,--all were so many certificates of good habits,--insignia of the nobility with which nature honors those who are obedient to her laws.” CD. 28 15. “Our danger in not scarcity, but from abundance. We are constantly tempted to excess. Those who would preserve their powers unimpaired for the service of God, must observe strict temperance in the use of His bounties, as well as total abstinence from every injurious or debasing indulgence.” CD. 29 16. “Daniel might have found a plausible excuse to depart from his strictly temperate habits; but the approbation of God was dearer to him than the favor of the most powerful earthly potentate,--dearer even than life itself.” CD. 31 17. What is part of the third angel's message? “The health reform, I was shown, is a part of the third angel's message, and is just as closely connected with it as are the arm and hand with the human body. I saw that we as a people must make an advance move in this great work.” CD. 32 18. What makes slaves of men and women, beclouding their intellects and stupefying their moral sensibilities so that the truths of God’s Word are not appreciated? “Gluttony is the prevailing sin of this age. Lustful appetite makes slaves of men and women, and beclouds their intellects and stupefies their moral sensibilities to such a degree that the sacred, elevated truths of God's word are not appreciated. The lower propensities have ruled men and women.” CD 32 19. What will be the fate of those who neglect this work of reform? “All those who are indifferent and excuse themselves from this work, waiting for the Lord to do for them that which He requires them to do for themselves, will be found wanting when the meek of the earth, who have wrought His judgments, are hid in the day of the Lord's anger.” CD. 33 Remember: “In order to be fitted for translation, the people of God must know themselves. They must understand in regard to their own physical frames, that they may be able with the psalmist to exclaim, "I will praise Thee, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made." They should ever have the appetite in subjection to the moral and intellectual organs. The body should be servant to the mind, and not the mind to the body.” CD. 33 20. In order to grow to the full stature of men and women in Christ, what powers must be used aright? “God's purpose for His children is that they shall grow up to the full stature of men and women in Christ. In order to do this, they must use aright every power of mind, soul, and body. They cannot afford to waste any mental or physical strength.” CD. 36 21. What is the blessing over which some stumble? “You have stumbled at the health reform. It appears to you to be a needless appendix to the truth. It is not so; it is a part of the truth. Here is a work before you which will come closer and be more trying than anything which has yet been brought to bear upon you. While you hesitate and stand back, failing to lay hold upon the blessing which it is your privilege to receive, you suffer loss. You are stumbling over the very blessing which heaven has placed in your path to make progress less difficult. Satan presents this before you in the most objectionable light, that you may combat that which would prove the greatest benefit to you, which would be for your physical and spiritual health.” CD 39 22. “There are some professed believers who accept certain portions of the Testimonies as the message of God, while they reject those portions that condemn their favorite indulgences. Such persons are working contrary to their own welfare, and the welfare of the church. It is essential that we walk in the light while we have the light. Those who claim to believe in health reform, and yet work counter to its principles in the daily life practice, are hurting their own souls and are leaving wrong impressions upon the minds of believers and unbelievers.” CD. 37 Thought and Discussion Questions 1. What lesson can we learn from Israel’s failures? 2. In what ways are modern times like Daniel’s? 3. What responsibility rests upon those who know the truth about health reform? |
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