“Behold that which I have seen: it is good and comely for one to eat and to drink, and to enjoy the good of all his labour that he taketh under the sun all the days of his life, which God giveth him: for it is his portion.” Eccl. 5:18 “That time is spent to the very best account which is directed to the establishment and preservation of sound physical and mental health. . . . It is an easy matter to lose the health, but it is difficult to regain it. . . . We cannot afford to dwarf or cripple a single function of the mind or body by overwork or abuse of any part of the living machinery. Those who make great exertions to accomplish just so much work in a given time, and continue to labor when their judgment tells them they should rest, are never gainers. They are living on borrowed capital. They are expending the vital force which they will need at a future time. And when the energy they have so recklessly used is demanded, they fail for want of it. . . . Their time of need has come, but their physical resources are exhausted. Everyone who violates the laws of health must sometime be a sufferer to a greater or less degree. Much of the fatigue and labor under which they are wearing and growing old are not burdens that God has bound upon them, but which they have brought upon themselves by doing the very things the Word of God has told them not to do. It is not our duty to place ourselves where we shall be overworked. Some may at times be placed where this is necessary, but it should be the exception, not the rule. . . . If we honor the Lord by acting our part, He will on His part preserve our health. . . . By practicing temperance in eating, in drinking, in dressing, in labor, and in all things, we can do for ourselves what no physician can for us.” * * * * *Do not try to crowd into one day the work of two. From My Life Today – Page 147 ~ Ellen...

Love Your Enemies …43″You have heard that it was said, ‘YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR and hate your enemy.’ 44″But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven; for He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.… Matthew  5: 43-45

“Jesus answered and said unto her, Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again: but whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.” (John 4:13,14 “In health and in sickness pure water is one of Heaven’s choicest blessings. Its proper use promotes health. It is the beverage which God provided to quench the thirst of animals and man. Drunk freely, it helps to supply the necessities of the system and assists nature to resist disease. The external application of water is one of the easiest and most satisfactory ways of regulating the circulation of the blood. Pure water to drink and fresh air to breathe invigorate the vital organs, purify the blood, and help nature in her task of overcoming the bad conditions of the system. Water is the best liquid possible to cleanse the tissues. If those who are afflicted would assist nature in her efforts by the use of pure, soft water, much suffering would be prevented. Water treatments, wisely and skillfully given, may be the means of saving many lives. Let diligent study be united with careful treatments. Let prayers of faith be offered by the bedside of the sick. Let the sick be encouraged to claim the promises of God for themselves. The refreshing water, welling up in a parched and barren land, causing the desert place to blossom and flowing out to give life to the perishing, is an emblem of the divine grace which Christ alone can bestow, and which is as the living water, purifying, refreshing, and invigorating the soul. * * * * * In the East water was called the “gift of God.” From My Life Today – Page 144...

Today’s Devotion Sunlight “Truly the light is sweet, and a pleasant thing it is for the eyes to behold the sun.” (Eccl. 11:7) “There are but few who realize that, in order to enjoy health and cheerfulness, they must have an abundance of sunlight, pure air, and physical exercise. We pity little children who are kept confined indoors when the sun is shining gloriously without. Clothe your boys and girls comfortably and properly. . . . Then let them go out and exercise in the open air, and live to enjoy health and happiness. The pale and sickly grain-blade that has struggled up out of the cold of early spring puts out the natural and healthy deep green after enjoying for a few days the health-and-life-giving rays of the sun. Go out into the light and warmth of the glorious sun, . . . and share with vegetation its life-giving, healing power. No room in the house should be considered furnished and adorned without the cheering, enlivening light and sunshine, which are Heaven’s own free gift to man. . . . When God had made our world, and darkness was upon the face of the deep, he said, Let there be light, and there was light. And God saw the light that it was good. Shall we close our houses, and exclude from them the light which God has pronounced good? If you would have your homes sweet and inviting, make them bright with air and sunshine. . . . The precious sunlight may fade your carpets, but it will give a healthful color to the cheeks of your children. If you have God’s presence, and possess earnest, loving hearts, a humble home, made bright with air and sunlight . . . will be to your family . . . a heaven below. Exercise and a free abundant use of the air and sunlight–blessings which Heaven has freely bestowed upon all–would give life and strength.” From My Life Today – Page 143...

“The Lord God planted a garden eastward in Eden; and there he put the man whom He had formed. . . . And the Lord God took the man, and put him into the garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it.” [Genesis. 2:8-15[ To Adam and Eve was committed the care of the garden, “to dress it and to keep it.” Though rich in all that the Owner of the universe could supply, they were not to be idle. Useful occupation was appointed them as a blessing, to strengthen the body, to expand the mind, and to develop the character. Let men and women work in field and orchard and garden. This will bring health and strength to nerve and muscle. . . . Every part of the human organism should be equally taxed. This is necessary for the harmonious development and action of every part. . . . God made nerve and muscle in order that they might be used. It is the inaction of the human machinery that brings suffering and disease. More people die for want of exercise than through over-fatigue; very many more rust out than wear out. Those who accustom themselves to proper exercise in the open air will generally have a good and circulation. Morning exercise, in walking in the free, invigorating air of heaven, or cultivating flowers, small fruits, and vegetables, is necessary to a healthful circulation of the blood. It is the surest safeguard against colds, coughs, congestions of brain and lungs, inflammation of the liver, the kidneys, and the lungs, and a hundred other diseases. Go out and exercise every day, even though some things indoors have to be neglected. The more nearly we come into harmony with God’s original plan, the more favorable will be our position for the recovery and preservation of health.” From My Life Today – Page 141 by E. G....

“Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come. She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness. She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.” [Proverbs 31:25-27 KJV]