Day 6
The word of the day is vitality.
The presence of strength, vigor, and energy. It describes the very essence of how we want to feel when we get out of bed to face the day.
The question is, “Are we lacking vitality or wanting more in our lives?”
Scientific Fact
A study in China showed, “poor dietary habits during pregnancy, such as high sugar and high fat intake, can affect autophagy of skeletal muscle mitochondria and reduce the quality of the offspring skeletal muscle.” (1)
I’m pretty sure a pregnancy nutrition class should be offered at every OBGYN office. The doctors and staff do the best they can, with the time they have to educate women, but they don’t have time to investigate what moms are eating every day.
Skeletal muscle tissue is damaged by sugar in our family line! How alarming! It’s present in insulin resistance too when we see fat deposits in the muscle that should not be there.
The result is the exact opposite of vitality. A problem that did not exist for the people of God who followed his ways and his dietary guidelines.
Scripture:
“Moses was 120 years old when he died; his eyes were not weak, and his vitality had not left him.”
Deuteronomy 34:7
Moses was still climbing mount Nebo when the Lord decided his days on the earth were over. How about that? Proof that not living on bread alone, staying close to God spiritually, and hiking are awesome ways to remain vital.
LOL, I’m just kidding on the hiking part, it’s my absolute favorite activity! But we do see how staying active for vitality is important!
Prayer:
Lord God, we want strength, stamina, and energy, so if learning to reduce sugar these 30 days helps us do that, I pray we are willing and able. Help us listen, learn, and internalize the facts that show us sugar deception is insidious and harmful. May it bring out protective instincts for ourselves and our children. In Jesus’ name amen.
Call to Action:
How will reducing sugar for 30 days help you uncover how it was damaging your vitality? Will you journal finding more energy, less brain fog, less joint pain, etc.?
Digging Deeper Into Bible Study
If you’d like to dig a little deeper into building the character necessary to trust the Lord through the addiction of sugar and building the skills to put it in its place, please read Deuteronomy 34. (I’m using the Holman Christian Standard Bible) and answer the questions below in your designated notebook.
The relationship between God and Moses was deep and personal. God did more signs and wonders through Moses than any other profit, yet he did not set foot into the promised land. Looking at the following passages we see why this happened.
I feel bad for Moses, he is under tremendous stress and pressure to lead these people. The mob mentality is heightened when people are thirsty and hungry, too. I imagine them pressing in on he and Aaron as they try to please God and the people around them. Can you relate?
In his anger and perhaps his pride, he makes a mistake that costs him dearly. What is the mistake and what is the cost?
Character building continues to come with deep testing from God, doesn’t it? You and I are not above severe testing in our own wilderness either. The question is, how do we want to respond. . . in anger, stubborn pride, despair, or humility?
Please read Deuteronomy 3:21-28
What does Moses say to God and how does God respond?
There is no right or wrong answer here, but do you think God forgave Moses?
I know God loves Moses, he led him, guided him, and sheltered him all of his life. He even took the time to bury him and hide his grave so no one would make an idol of him. His place in eternal glory with God is secure as we see him appear on the Mount of Transfiguration with Jesus. However, even he was capable of making a mistake that cost him his greatest earthly desire.
When we make mistakes, we are no doubt forgiven too, especially when we humble ourselves and ask God for forgiveness. However, no matter how much he loves us and sent Jesus to die for us, we will not escape the consequences of the sin we created. It’s not in God’s character to take those long-standing lessons away but instead, draw us closer to him as we walk through the difficulty. We are left to trust him as he prunes us and makes us stronger; slowly molding us into the image of his Son.
I pray you are edified by studying God’s word and made stronger today!
References:
Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
Copyright © 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2009 by Holman Bible Publishers, Nashville Tennessee. All rights reserved.
Liu R, Sheng J, Huang H. Research progress on the effects of adverse exposure during pregnancy on skeletal muscle function in the offspring. Zhejiang Da Xue Xue Bao Yi Xue Ban. 2023 Nov 21;53(3):271-279. English, Chinese. doi: 10.3724/zdxbyxb-2023-0218. PMID: 37986679; PMCID: PMC11348699.
