Participants:
Series Code: IIW
Program Code: IIW017159S
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00:19 >>John Bradshaw: This is It Is Written.
00:21 I'm John Bradshaw. Thanks for joining me today. 00:24 You don't have to go too terribly far, 00:26 read too many web pages or open too many newspapers 00:29 to discover that health care is a major issue 00:34 in these United States and all around the world. 00:37 Major health care challenges are affecting 00:40 millions and millions of people today. 00:42 And, remarkably, 00:44 there are often some very simple things that you can do 00:46 to minimize your risk or to get out 00:48 from under that health burden. 00:51 The Bible is a book that encourages us 00:52 to take our health seriously. 00:54 The Bible tells us that our bodies 00:56 are the temple of the Holy Spirit. 00:59 Jesus came into this world to give us life more abundantly. 01:02 Back in the Old Testament, God said, 01:05 "I am the Lord who healeth thee." 01:08 Well, we're going to talk about a health subject 01:10 that relates to just about all of us, 01:12 and my guest today is a good friend, 01:14 Dr. David DeRose from CompassHealth Consulting. 01:17 Dr. DeRose, thanks for joining me. 01:19 >>Dr. David DeRose: Great to be with you, John. 01:20 >>John: This is not our first discussion together, 01:22 but this is the first time we've discussed here 01:24 the subject of obesity. 01:26 >>Dr. DeRose: Extremely important subject. 01:29 Some three-quarters of Americans, 01:31 and many people throughout the world, 01:33 impacted by this disorder. 01:35 And what's interesting to me, though, John-- 01:37 we throw out this figure, three-quarters-- 01:38 I mean, that's not just obesity, medically speaking; 01:41 it's also overweight. 01:42 But the problem is something that is getting 01:45 so much attention because it's affecting our youth. 01:48 Something like, uh, 1 in 5 youth 01:52 now meeting the definitions for being significantly overweight. 01:56 >>John: So there's overweight, and there's obesity. 01:58 When does overweight become obesity? 02:00 What's the threshold? 02:01 >>Dr. DeRose: Well, you know, we use numbers 02:02 based on body mass index, which is, you know, 02:05 based on kilograms per meter squared, 02:08 and a lot of people, you know, their eyes kind of glaze over. 02:11 But the simple point I like to make to people, John, is this. 02:14 You know, we're speaking from a biblical perspective. 02:16 The first thing I like people to know is, you know what, 02:19 we can come to Jesus just as we are. 02:21 >>John: That's right. 02:22 >>Dr. DeRose: Jesus is not saying, you know, 02:24 once you lose enough weight, 02:25 then you're good enough to come to me. 02:27 He says, "Whosoever will take of the water of life freely." 02:31 And so that encourages me, 02:33 as we're coming from a biblical perspective. 02:36 >>John: Now, uh, we're going to have to talk about 02:38 some pretty obvious things. 02:40 Uh, if someone is obese, what they can do about it. 02:43 But let's talk about some of the causes for obesity. 02:46 Perhaps they're obvious. 02:47 But let's walk through some of them anyway. 02:49 >>Dr. DeRose: Well, let's talk about the ones that often 02:51 don't come onto the radar screen. 02:53 >>John: Okay. 02:54 >>Dr. DeRose: First of all, there are early life history 02:56 factors that affect our weight. 02:58 Some people in the womb were exposed to stresses 03:01 that predisposed them to high blood pressure 03:03 or to diabetes or to obesity. 03:06 Maybe in early life-- one, 2 years of age-- 03:10 your feeding practices, not of your own choosing, 03:13 were such that it primed you with more fat cells, 03:17 so it's easier for you to be obese. 03:19 Hormonal factors can affect you. 03:21 There are actually metabolic hormonal causes. 03:24 One of the classic ones is Cushing's disorder, 03:26 or Cushing's disease or Cushing's syndrome, 03:29 that actually can cause you to put on excess weight, 03:31 even if you're doing everything right. 03:33 And so here at the very beginning, 03:35 I want to tell people you can't just look at someone and say, 03:38 "Oh, you, you know, you didn't listen to It Is Written; 03:40 you didn't listen to Dr. DeRose and John Bradshaw. 03:43 Otherwise you wouldn't have this problem." 03:45 >>John: We're going to do our best to talk about this 03:47 respectfully and in a nonjudgmental way. 03:48 And I think, I hope, we're going to talk about this redemptively. 03:54 >>Dr. DeRose: Most definitely. 03:54 >>John: What can someone do? 03:56 We don't need to point the finger and be critical, 03:57 but we do want to help people who want to be helped, 04:00 or will help themselves, 04:01 or receive the help that comes from God. 04:03 So where do we begin with this? 04:05 >>Dr. DeRose: The premise I take, John, 04:06 is in the very beginning, when God created us, 04:10 He knew what kind of environment, 04:12 what kind of setting we needed to be in to live for eternity. 04:15 That was God's original intention. 04:17 So although we're not going to live eternally 04:20 on our own devices, God still, in the very beginning, 04:24 gives us clues about what the ideal diet, 04:27 what the ideal activity level, other elements in lifestyle 04:31 that can actually help us to avoid obesity, 04:34 at least to a large extent. 04:36 >>John: You mentioned a moment ago that the challenge 04:38 that we're seeing with kids who are overweight-- 04:41 that is on the rise, is it? 04:42 >>Dr. DeRose: Most definitely. 04:43 >>John: What do we put that down to? 04:44 >>Dr. DeRose: Well, there's a lot. 04:45 I mean, there's studies showing that the more time 04:47 we spend in front of a television--I hate to say it-- 04:49 but even It Is Written. 04:51 If someone is just watching It Is Written nonstop, 04:54 they, the research actually suggests it's not just sitting 04:57 in front of the TV and not doing activity that's a problem, 05:01 but it's also the commercials and the other messages. 05:04 So It Is Written gets, you know, the green light on that basis. 05:07 >>John: Oh, I'm glad to know. All right. All right. 05:09 >>Dr. DeRose: But we're spending far too much time 05:10 doing inactive activities. 05:12 Our kids are being pulled away from physical activity, 05:16 and that's a huge determinant of how much we weigh. 05:19 >>John: Surely it's true-- I have not read the study; 05:22 I didn't write the study-- but my, I have a hunch that, um, 05:26 everybody's connected to the Internet; 05:28 everybody has a device; 05:29 there's so much you can do online. 05:31 You can explore the world, connect with people, 05:33 play games, veg out. 05:36 Before, to get your entertainment, 05:37 you had to run outside and play with your friends. 05:39 Now you can sit in front of a screen. 05:40 That's just true, isn't it? 05:42 >>Dr. DeRose: It just is true, 05:43 and it is something that is contributing 05:44 to the obesity epidemic. 05:46 >>John: What can we do about that? 05:48 >>Dr. DeRose: Basically, it's turning back the clock. 05:50 It's, uh, not having so much screen time. 05:52 It's parents telling their kids, 05:54 you know, here are some limits on the television, 05:56 on the electronic devices, 05:59 and helping to do activity with them. 06:01 There's nothing as powerful as what a parent models 06:04 in his or her life. 06:06 >>John: Okay, so, now that we're adults, 06:10 what can we do to begin to turn this back? 06:13 Let's just start scratching the surface 06:14 and come back to this in a moment. 06:16 What can we do? 06:17 >>Dr. DeRose: Let's start with a simple one, 06:18 and I say it's simple because I've seen my own patients do it. 06:20 I've got a patient in my practice right now. 06:22 He lost 60 pounds over the course of probably six months. 06:26 I said to him, "What did you do?" 06:28 One simple change. 06:30 >>John: What was that? 06:31 >>Dr. DeRose: He got rid of the sugar-sweetened beverages, 06:33 and he's drinking primarily water. 06:35 Now, he's a big guy. 06:37 >>John: I have a friend-- I can tell you this-- 06:38 who lost 130 pounds. 06:40 He was a big guy, too, big, tall guy. 06:42 And, uh, I asked him, same question, "What did you do?" 06:45 He said, "I used to carry soda with me everywhere I went. 06:49 I got rid of it." 06:50 Never realized quite how much he was drinking. 06:52 And that was the thing that really, 06:55 the, the primary component of him losing 130 pounds. 07:00 >>Dr. DeRose: Isn't that amazing? 07:01 >>John: Yeah, it's amazing. 07:02 >>Dr. DeRose: But many, many of my colleagues 07:03 have told me the same thing, just that simple change: 07:06 Go with the water instead of the caloric beverages. 07:08 >>John: And that is a simple change. 07:09 >>Dr. DeRose: It is. 07:11 >>John: Okay, there are other simple changes, many of them. 07:12 We want to get at this thing, obesity, 07:14 and then we're going to turn it around and make 07:16 some spiritual parallels that will bless you in big ways. 07:20 Don't go away. We'll be right back with more. 07:24 >>Announcer 1: Planning for your financial future 07:26 is a vital aspect of Christian stewardship. 07:30 For this reason, It Is Written is pleased to offer 07:33 free planned giving and estate services. 07:36 For information on how we can help you, 07:38 please call 800-992-2219. 07:43 Call today or visit our website, 07:45 hislegacy.com. 07:47 Call 800-992-2219. 07:52 >>John Bradshaw: We both know that God wants 07:54 the very best for us. 07:55 But at times that can be a challenge. 07:58 What do you do about obesity? 08:00 How do you get your weight to where you want it to be, 08:02 or maybe where God wants it to be, 08:04 and keep it there? 08:05 I want you to get today's free offer, 08:07 a DVD addressing this issue of obesity. 08:09 It will help you. 08:11 Call us on 800-253-3000, 08:14 800-253-3000. 08:16 Or visit itiswritten.com. 08:23 >>John Bradshaw: Thanks for joining me today 08:24 on It Is Written. 08:25 I'm John Bradshaw. 08:26 My guest today is Dr. David DeRose 08:28 of CompassHealth Consulting. 08:30 Dr. DeRose, as we talk about obesity today, 08:34 I've got a question because, um... 08:37 I have a challenge with my belt. 08:39 >>Dr. David DeRose: Hmm. 08:40 >>John: My belt. 08:42 And with a couple of pairs of pants. 08:44 They used to give me no trouble at all, 08:45 and now I find they protest more than they used to 08:48 when I put them on. 08:50 I don't think I'm doing much that's very different 08:53 to what I used to do, except, of course, 08:55 when I was a kid, I was super active, 08:57 and now I'm a little less active. 09:00 How much does gaining weight 09:02 have to do with the natural aging process? 09:06 >>Dr. DeRose: In medical circles, the million-dollar word 09:08 that is sometimes discussed is called "sarcopenia." 09:12 And in, uh, simple language, it means, as we get older, 09:15 we tend to lose muscle mass. 09:18 So even if a person weighs the same at 60 09:21 as they did when they were 30, the odds are, 09:24 unless they've been very deliberate 09:25 with a fitness program, they've got less muscle mass. 09:28 And here's where the rubber meets the road 09:30 in the discussion of obesity. 09:32 It's muscle mass, lean body mass, 09:35 that drives metabolism. 09:36 So as I lose that muscle mass, my metabolism is slowing down. 09:41 So it's not just purely a function of age, 09:44 but age does tend to go along with a slowing of metabolism 09:48 and a decrease in lean body mass. 09:50 >>John: Unfortunately, I'm, uh, I'm seeing that. 09:52 And so, so what that means is-- and most people are seeing that 09:58 because most people weigh too much. 10:00 What that means is, 10:01 we have to be intentional about this, don't we? 10:04 >>Dr. DeRose: It's so fascinating to me, John, 10:06 that many times we take things for granted 10:09 until they get out of hand. 10:11 It's sometimes the diagnosis of high blood pressure, 10:13 a diabetes diagnosis, 10:15 with so many of these chronic diseases 10:17 linked to gaining weight, 10:19 and it doesn't have to be a huge amount. 10:20 >>John: How much? 10:21 >>Dr. DeRose: I mean, even losing 5 percent 10:24 of one's weight can make a measurable difference 10:27 in these metabolic diseases. 10:29 >>John: Five percent. 10:30 So for a lot of people who are overweight, 10:32 that'd just be 10 pounds. 10:33 >>Dr. DeRose: That's right. 10:34 So someone who weighs in at 200, 10:36 dropping 10 pounds can make a significant difference. 10:38 >>John: Oh, no kidding? That's all? 10:39 >>Dr. DeRose: That's right. 10:40 >>John: Okay, so let's talk about that. 10:42 Someone wants to drop 10 pounds. What should they do? 10:44 >>Dr. DeRose: In the beginning, in Genesis chapter 1, 10:47 God gave Adam and Eve a diet that was wholly plant-based. 10:52 Those plant foods are loaded with fiber and water. 10:55 So eating more of those whole plant foods 10:58 is going to fill me up, 10:58 going to satisfy me with much less calories. 11:01 >>John: Okay, so that's a simple place to start, 11:03 although for some people, 11:04 they can't imagine making those kinds of changes. 11:07 Do you have to change all at once, 11:08 or can you ease into this gradually? 11:09 How do you go about changing what you eat? 11:12 >>Dr. DeRose: The idea is just start doing something, okay? 11:15 So have one meatless day a week. 11:19 Have one meatless meal a week, if that's novel for you. 11:22 And start experimenting more with beans and whole grain. 11:25 >>John: How quickly--you mentioned someone earlier, 11:28 60 pounds in six months-- 11:30 if someone gives themself to some type of lifestyle change-- 11:32 and there's got to be a variance here-- 11:34 how quickly is it reasonable to assume a person 11:37 can see themselves losing weight? 11:39 >>Dr. DeRose: Well, I've worked with intensive 11:40 lifestyle change programs. 11:41 We'd have people come in for two to three weeks 11:44 at a live-in facility, 11:45 and we would typically see weight loss in the range 11:47 of 4-5 percent over that three-week time period. 11:52 So a 200-pound person would drop 10 pounds over that, 11:55 over the course of just two or three weeks. 11:57 So, again, it's attainable with a, 11:59 and that's a very deliberate program. 12:02 And, uh, you know, we're helping them exercise, 12:04 we're helping them eat right; they're more active; 12:06 they're removed from their stressors. 12:08 Because stress and those stress hormones-- 12:10 actually, by the way, they're the same hormones 12:13 that are involved in Cushing's syndrome. 12:15 That syndrome that causes obesity? 12:19 You ramp up your stress hormone levels, 12:21 and you're moving yourself closer-- 12:23 I mean, I'm using a little bit of poetic license here-- 12:26 but closer to a more Cushingoid state. 12:28 >>John: So do something about what you drink. 12:30 Watch what you eat. 12:31 Uh, certainly, you've got to get moving 12:34 and, and start burning some calories and be mobile. 12:37 But let me ask you this question: 12:39 Is there an unhealthy way to go about losing weight? 12:44 What are some things that people should not do? 12:46 >>Dr. DeRose: I recommend that people make lifestyle changes 12:48 that they're going to stick with for life. 12:51 Don't go on these crash diets 12:53 because they're really not sustainable. 12:55 And don't set yourself up for failure by, 12:57 by setting some kind of a goal that's totally unrealistic. 13:01 When I was running a hospital-based 13:03 weight-loss program, I would do a history. 13:05 I'd ask a person, 13:06 "Well, what did you weigh when you were, you know, 15?" 13:09 If a person told me they weighed 400 when they were 15, 13:12 and they're setting a weight loss goal of 120, 13:15 I'm thinking, you know what? 13:17 At 600 pounds, this is not really likely to be attainable. 13:20 Set the goals too high, and even if you make a lot of progress, 13:24 you're going to throw in the towel because you think, 13:26 hey, I could never weigh 120 like my next-door neighbor. 13:28 >>John: You mentioned the fad diets. 13:31 They're not helpful, are they? 13:32 >>Dr. DeRose: They're generally not helpful at all. 13:34 Now, some people say, "Well, but, you know, 13:35 it motivated me to do this." 13:37 But the problem is when you get on a diet 13:39 that causes rapid weight loss, you lose muscle mass as well, 13:43 and we already talked about how that drives metabolism. 13:46 So it makes it so easy when you go back 13:48 to eating your old way of eating. 13:50 Now your metabolism's slower, 13:51 and you actually put on more weight than you originally lost. 13:54 >>John: You mentioned, I think, a key thing: lifestyle change. 13:57 >>Dr. DeRose: Huge. 13:58 >>John: Yeah, you can go on a six-week diet 13:59 or a six-month diet and make a change, 14:01 but you're going to go back to what you were before, 14:03 and what you were before got you to where you didn't want to be. 14:06 So it's really important to keep in mind, 14:08 isn't it, the long haul? 14:09 What changes can I adopt that I can stick with, 14:13 that will continue to provide benefit? 14:15 >>Dr. DeRose: It's really important. 14:16 And when I work closely with people, I say, 14:18 "Look at those things"-- 14:19 if we want to just use diet as an example-- 14:21 "Look at the problem foods. 14:23 What things do you have trouble 14:25 controlling your consumption of?" 14:27 Believe it or not, the best strategy is the same strategy 14:30 we give the alcoholic or the nicotine addict. 14:32 We say, "Leave that food out completely. 14:34 Leave it out completely!" 14:35 You know, they say, "It's my favorite food!" 14:38 But that is the path to success if you have 14:40 an addictive relationship with a certain food. 14:43 >>John: The wonderful thing about attacking 14:45 a diet-related issue is there's so much to eat. 14:50 And if you, if you don't, if someone tells you, 14:53 "Lay off the M&Ms," 14:54 man, you could eat blueberries or carrot sticks. 14:56 I know that didn't excite you, the carrot sticks. 14:58 But you could, you could find all kinds of fruit, 15:01 your favorite fruit. 15:03 You can find-- 15:04 anyhow, there are lots of good alternatives, aren't there? 15:06 >>Dr. DeRose: There are, and the good news, John, 15:08 is God has created us with the ability to develop 15:12 new enjoyments. 15:13 We make a clean break with those things that are harmful. 15:17 We can develop new enjoyments 15:18 for the blueberries and the carrots. 15:20 And I think it's so interesting, when God speaks, 15:23 typically--look at the Ten Commandments. 15:25 He didn't say cut back on your stealing; 15:28 do a little bit less in the way of extra-marital relations, 15:31 right? 15:32 >>John: Right. 15:33 >>Dr. DeRose: Clear-cut guidelines. 15:35 Those are the most powerful when it comes to behavior change. 15:37 >>John: The fact of the matter is that one's diet 15:39 or one's lack of following good health principles 15:42 ends up with obesity, 15:43 which will often just drag a person to an early grave. 15:46 >>Dr. DeRose: That's right. 15:47 >>John: So one's motivation to want to make these changes 15:48 should be really pretty high 15:49 because the, not making the changes--disaster. 15:53 Making the changes-- fantastic benefits. 15:56 Fantastic benefits, 15:57 including a clearer mind that will more keenly hear 16:00 the voice of God and discern the will of God. 16:03 We'll discuss that more in just a moment. 16:07 ♪[Music]♪ 16:09 >>Announcer 2: In Matthew 4:4, the Word of God says, 16:12 "It is written, 'Man shall not live by bead alone, 16:15 but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.'" 16:19 "Every Word" is a one-minute Bible-based daily devotional 16:22 presented by Pastor John Bradshaw 16:24 and designed especially for busy people like you. 16:27 Look for "Every Word" on selected networks, 16:30 or watch it online every day on our website, 16:32 itiswritten.com. 16:34 Receive a daily spiritual boost. 16:36 Watch "Every Word." You'll be glad you did. 16:39 Here's a sample. 16:43 ♪["Every Word" theme music]♪ 16:47 >>John Bradshaw: The story goes that the mice had a meeting 16:49 one day to figure out what they could do 16:50 about that troublesome cat. 16:52 One bright mouse suggested that what they needed to do 16:55 was attach a bell to the cat's collar. 16:58 They'd always know where the cat was, and they'd be safe. 17:00 All the mice were happy, until one mouse asked, 17:04 "But who will bell the cat?" 17:07 Hmm. 17:08 Jesus said in Matthew 28:19, 17:11 "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, 17:13 baptizing them in the name of the Father, 17:15 and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit." 17:18 We all think it's a good idea to share the good news. 17:21 But who will bell the cat? 17:23 God is looking for people who will go, 17:25 who will share, 17:26 who will speak up for Him at the right time. 17:29 Are you that person? 17:30 If so, tell God, and watch Him use you in wonderful ways. 17:36 I'm John Bradshaw for It Is Written. 17:38 Let's live today by every word. 17:43 >>John Bradshaw: Thanks for joining me today 17:44 on It Is Written. 17:46 My guest is Dr. David DeRose from CompassHealth Consulting. 17:49 Dr. DeRose, as we discuss obesity, 17:51 we're discussing, frankly, we're discussing a runaway train 17:54 because the problem has just got out of hand 17:58 in the Western world. 17:59 That's true, isn't it? 18:00 >>Dr. David DeRose: It really is, and, you know, John, 18:02 as we speak about the spiritual impact 18:03 and the ministry impact, one of the sobering statistics is, 18:07 if a person is overweight and has diabetes, 18:11 that can increase their risk of dementia up to fourfold. 18:15 So we're talking about things that not only 18:17 cut our life short, 18:18 but they definitely impact our relationship 18:20 with God and with other people. 18:22 >>John: Uh, we talked about diet, 18:25 making good choices with what you eat, what you drink. 18:27 Uh, are there any other things 18:29 that people ought to be thinking about? 18:31 >>Dr. DeRose: Well, I would say have an accountability partner. 18:33 >>John: Okay. 18:34 >>Dr. DeRose: I mean, it could be a spouse, 18:35 could be a close friend, could be a church group. 18:37 Because what we find about behaviors 18:39 is if you have a supportive environment, 18:42 it's powerful. 18:43 Fascinating study in one of the science journals. 18:45 This is a family of journals, the science family of journals. 18:48 The comment of the authors was that basically 18:51 who we keep company with is impacting our risk of obesity. 18:56 >>John: One thing that I find fascinating 18:59 is that sugar consumption is linked to obesity. 19:03 There's sugar in everything. 19:08 Do you think people know, 19:10 even when they eat health foods, 19:12 they're often eating way too much sugar? 19:14 >>Dr. DeRose: Yeah, it's a sad commentary. 19:15 I tell people when they look at those carbohydrate-rich foods, 19:19 shoot for one fifth of the calories of, 19:22 from carbohydrates as being from simple sugars. 19:25 So you're picking that granola because you think it's healthy, 19:28 but that granola may have 50 percent 19:31 of its carbohydrate calories as simple sugars, 19:33 simple carbohydrates. 19:34 >>John: Found an interesting thing. 19:35 Somebody gave me a snack at Christmas, 19:37 you know, as, as you'll do around the office. 19:40 And it was a, it was a sugary snack. 19:42 And I had this sugary snack food in my hand. 19:45 I looked at the sugar content. 19:46 My wife had a granola bar in her hand. 19:49 I said, "Do something for me. 19:50 Look at the sugar content in that granola bar." 19:53 What I had was obviously not a health food. 19:58 What she had is taken to be a health food. 20:01 It had more than double the sugar in the granola bar 20:05 than I had in the sugary snack food that somebody had given me. 20:08 >>Dr. DeRose: It is startling. 20:09 And if you don't read labels, you'll get in trouble. 20:10 And I've seen this happen with so many of the dessert options. 20:13 You know, there's a low-fat dessert. 20:15 You look at it; it's got twice the calories from sugar in it. 20:18 >>John: Mm, and calories from sugar is a real problem? 20:20 >>Dr. DeRose: It is, as are the problems from, 20:22 you know, with fat calories. 20:23 >>John: In most cases, not all, but in most cases 20:26 we are dealing with a preventable health care crisis. 20:30 >>Dr. DeRose: In most cases, you're exactly right. 20:32 And a person, again, doesn't have to reach some ideal number, 20:35 but if they can trim down, adopt healthier behaviors, 20:38 their weight will come down, 20:39 they'll feel better, they'll look better, 20:41 and their ministry will be enhanced. 20:43 You know, one paraphrase of a famous New Testament text is, 20:47 "Don't let the world press you into its mold." 20:49 And, uh, "Be not conformed to this world." 20:52 >>John: Yeah. 20:53 >>Dr. DeRose: But, John, it's so interesting. 20:54 You're right; it's often we slip into these habits. 20:58 But it's being deliberate. It's refocusing our lifestyle. 21:02 That's really where it starts. 21:03 >>John: Yeah, for sure. Okay, now let's talk about this. 21:05 You eat too much; you, there ends up being too much of you. 21:10 What about people who, uh, consume the Bible, 21:14 uh, read spiritual books, attend worship services? 21:17 They, they receive, receive, receive, but don't give. 21:22 I've heard of spiritual obesity being referred to, 21:26 where you consume and consume and consume. 21:28 God wants for His children to be not just consumers 21:32 of spiritual things, but sharers, producers. 21:35 Discuss that with me as a minister of the gospel. 21:37 >>Dr. DeRose: No, it's a great analogy, 21:38 because Jesus, if you wanted to summarize 21:40 His great commission in one word, 21:41 the word is "go." 21:43 And so it's, what we find in the obesity realm is true: 21:47 It's not just the diet, but it's the activity. 21:49 It's the going. 21:50 And it's so true in the spiritual realm, John. 21:52 You and I have seen it. 21:53 You can have this lethargy, really, 21:56 that comes over a person who just is so focused on 21:58 "what can I get out of the Bible?" 22:00 And, in fact, their spiritual life suffers. 22:03 They can be going to church meetings. 22:04 They can be watching all the It Is Written programs. 22:07 But it's not at the spiritual level where they could be 22:11 because they're not sharing. 22:12 >>John: Paul told Timothy to learn these things 22:14 and then teach them to others, so that they can teach others. 22:17 >>Dr. DeRose: That's right. 22:18 >>John: Yeah. So what would you say to that person who, 22:20 who maybe--and there's a, there's a massive amount 22:23 of people who've never shared their faith. 22:26 Never. 22:28 Never opened up the pages of the Bible with somebody, 22:29 never witnessed, 22:30 never invited someone to a, a church or religious service. 22:33 How do we help those people to become spiritually active 22:37 rather than spiritually obese? 22:39 >>Dr. DeRose: I think it begins with recognizing 22:41 Jesus' call for each one of us. 22:43 We're all called to be disciple-makers. 22:46 When we recognize that, it should change our prayer life. 22:49 Lord, how do You want me to fulfill that calling today? 22:54 Give me an opportunity. 22:55 Show me someone that I can encourage, 22:57 someone that I can share with. 22:58 >>John: I want to read that passage that you mentioned 23:00 because it's just, it's just so important. 23:02 In Matthew chapter 28, the great commission, 23:05 at the end of the chapter: 23:07 "Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, 23:08 'All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth.'" 23:11 He said, "'Go therefore.'" 23:13 Go. You can't go and be inactive. 23:15 "'And make disciples of all nations, 23:18 baptizing them in the name of the Father 23:19 and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 23:22 teaching them to observe all things 23:24 that I have commanded you.'" 23:25 And then Jesus promises us His presence with us. 23:28 God has commissioned every one of us to be a disciple-maker. 23:31 >>Dr. DeRose: That's right. 23:32 >>John: And perhaps we are gifted in various ways, 23:34 and it seems to come more naturally to some 23:36 than to others. 23:37 But you can't say, 23:38 "Oh, sharing my faith is not my spiritual gift." 23:41 There's nothing to hide behind here. 23:42 God brings us into contact with people. 23:44 If we're prayerful and we're on the lookout, 23:46 we can find people to share our faith with. 23:49 And that's just good for us on a spiritual level. 23:52 Not just good for them, but good for us. 23:54 >>Dr. DeRose: It is, and the way this all comes full circle 23:56 is pray for someone who has needs like yours. 23:59 If you're trying to lose weight, 24:00 pray that God will bring you into contact 24:02 with someone else who needs to trim down, 24:05 and maybe that's a person not of your faith. 24:07 Maybe they don't know what you know spiritually. 24:09 But as you work together on your health, 24:12 it opens up doors for you to share your faith. 24:15 >>John: Doing something about destructive lifestyle habits 24:18 is an insurmountable problem for many people. 24:20 However, here's what we remember. 24:22 Jesus said, "I am with you always." 24:24 Paul wrote, 24:25 "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." 24:29 And he wrote in the same chapter, Philippians chapter 4, 24:32 "My God shall supply all your need 24:34 according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus." 24:37 So we don't want to be talking about righteousness by works 24:40 or health by works. 24:43 Everything we do we want to do in association 24:45 and cooperation with God, 24:47 who blesses you, who, who dwells in you, 24:51 and will work in you 24:52 "both to will and to do for His good pleasure." 24:54 So we would encourage you today: Take hold of the hand of God. 24:57 If you're looking at losing some pounds, 24:59 if you're looking at getting active, 25:01 if you're dealing with a lifestyle condition 25:03 that you know could be remedied or reversed, 25:07 simply by making some simple changes, 25:09 if you've never been able to make them, 25:10 you can go to God in prayer and say, 25:12 "This is what I need. 25:15 I am willing. Work in my life." 25:17 And Jesus says, "Ask and it shall be given. 25:22 Seek and you shall find." 25:24 So, if you have the knowledge in your head, 25:27 Christ in your heart, 25:29 it seems to me like you've got everything you need. 25:31 >>Dr. DeRose: You do, and, uh, all His biddings are enablings. 25:35 God will give you the power to make the changes 25:37 He impresses you to make. 25:40 >>John: We both know that God wants the very best for us. 25:43 But at times that can be a challenge. 25:46 What do you do about obesity? 25:48 How do you get your weight to where you want it to be, 25:50 or maybe where God wants it to be, 25:51 and keep it there? 25:53 I want you to get today's free offer, 25:54 a DVD addressing this issue of obesity. 25:57 It will help you. 25:58 Call us on 800-253-3000, 26:01 800-253-3000. 26:04 Or visit itiswritten.com. 26:10 >>John: Thank you for remembering that It Is Written 26:12 is a faith-based ministry, 26:15 and it's your support that makes it possible 26:17 for us to share God's good news with the entire world. 26:21 Your tax-deductible gift 26:22 can be sent to the address on your screen, 26:24 or through our website, itiswritten.com. 26:28 Thank you for your continued prayerful support. 26:31 Our toll-free number is 800-253-3000, 26:34 800-253-3000. 26:37 Our web address is itiswritten.com. 26:40 >>John Bradshaw: Dr. David DeRose, 26:42 thanks for joining me today. 26:43 This has been fun. I appreciate it. 26:44 >>Dr. David DeRose: Been great to be with you, John. 26:45 >>John: I'm thankful for the practical advice 26:48 that you're giving people. 26:49 And, uh, just quickly, one, one or two words, 26:52 what would you say to that person 26:53 wanting to do something about obesity? 26:55 >>Dr. DeRose: Go for it. 26:56 >>John: Go for it. Go for it. 26:57 Well, let's pray together. Can we do that? 26:59 Let's pray now. 27:00 Our Father in heaven, 27:01 we thank You that in Jesus we can go for it, 27:05 knowing that You are with us. 27:06 You haven't called us to fail. 27:07 You haven't called us to stumble. 27:09 You've called us to victory and success and deliverance. 27:15 Lord, I know that You want to dwell in us. 27:18 We are, our bodies are the temple of Your Holy Spirit. 27:23 So come, Father, and bring Your Holy Spirit's presence. 27:26 Uh, if we're weak, seems to me that's okay 27:29 because You told Paul that Your strength 27:31 is made perfect in weakness. 27:34 Unite our frailty to Your might, our weakness to Your strength, 27:39 our failure to Your success. 27:41 And in Jesus allow us to be delivered 27:44 from all the things that You know 27:46 are harmful to us physically and spiritually. 27:50 We thank You today, and we pray in Jesus' name. 27:53 Amen. 27:55 Thanks so much for joining me today. 27:56 I'm looking forward to seeing you again next time. 27:59 Until then, remember: 28:01 "It is written, 'Man shall not live by bread alone, 28:05 but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.'" 28:09 ♪[Theme music]♪ |
Revised 2022-01-20