I listened last Sunday to a sermon that has stayed with me all week , about my appetite and my health.
Pastor Andy Stanley's of In Touch Ministries
Sermon Titled "More"
Monday, February 21, 2011
Our natural tendency is to want more. More food. More stuff. More status. Unfortunately, our appetites for more are never fully satisfied. Find out from this message by Andy Stanley how you can control negative appetites, while growing in your hunger for God. Click here for the link to the Video
What has Stuck with me and I've often thought about is:
Pastor Stanley reference the story of Esau and Jacob in the Bible.
HE had a great disrespect and a lack of appreciation for his Birthright.
His Birthright held his FUTURE... all his Tomorrows!
How Esau
gave up his future
for a bowl of Lentil Soup!
HE had a great disrespect and a lack of appreciation for his Birthright.
His Birthright held his FUTURE... all his Tomorrows!
His Birthright provided: The Power as the First Born to make decisions for the family, A Double Inheritance of his Fathers Estate, and the Culture in those day's believed that God's Blessings was on the First Born. He would have been mentioned throughout History and in the linage of Jesus!
Genesis 25:29-34
29 Once when Jacob was cooking some stew, Esau came in from the open country, famished.
30 He said to Jacob, Quick, let me have some of that red stew! I'm famished! (That is why he was also called Edom.)
31 Jacob replied, First sell me your birthright.
32 Look, I am about to die, Esau said. What good is the birthright to me?
33 But Jacob said, Swear to me first. So he swore an oath to him, selling his birthright to Jacob.
34 Then Jacob gave Esau some bread and some lentil stew. He ate and drank, and then got up and left. So Esau despised his birthright.
Esau had NO respect for his BIRTHRIGHT!
But. Jacob his brother knew it's value and he became a GREAT part of BIBLE History.
God gave us a Birthright: True Health and Wellness which is: Strength, Joy, Peace and Love...
I can't help but think this week,
when I'm thinking about what to choose to eat...
... is my choice similar to
Esau's bowl of lentil stew?
Am I willing to eat something that may
be Heavy in Calories and Low in Nutrition
or may
contribute to hyperlipidemia,
or increase my risk of Diabetes
or
raise my blood pressure
just to satisfy my appetite NOW?
Am I choosing to be Lazy (resting) and Sedentary (relaxing)
knowing it is just an excuse to satisfy my current state of mind
when it may contribute to weak muscles and stiff joints and a dull mind?
What are my CHOICES?
I need to see every choice I make as if it were
" Esau's bowl of Lentil Stew"!
 |
| Interesting how God choose to use the Story of A Bowl of Lentil Soup to show us a life's lesson. |
My Choices today determines my tomorrow.
Our Health is a Precious commodity that can't be bought,
but it is easily thrown away
It's time to RESPECT ourselves,
by RESPECTING our BODY
and
by RESPECTING our FUTURE
and
by RESPECTING what GOD has given us...
OUR BIRTHRIGHT of
True HEALTH AND WELLNESS.
LENTIL SOUP!
It is a great choice if you don't have to give up
your Birthright for it! :)
Overview
Rich in protein and fiber, lentils lend substance and a mildly spicy flavor to soups. These legumes vary in color and size, depending on the variety. In the United States, commercial lentil soups often feature the larger green lentils, while Middle Eastern and Indian cultures tend to favor small, red lentils, notes FoodReference.com. A bowl of lentil soup can serve as a hearty meal, and a smaller cup makes an energizing, low-calorie snack. Look for low-sodium brands of lentil soup, or make a quick, flavorful lentil soup at home to avoid the high sodium content in some commercial brands.
Nutritional Contents
A 1/2 cup of condensed, canned lentil soup has 140 calories, 8g of protein, 1g of fat, 24g of carbohydrates and 5g of fiber. This serving also offers 3mg of iron and 750 IU, or international units, of vitamin A. Lentil soup is low in calories and fat and has no cholesterol. However, a serving of this canned lentil soup contains 800mg of sodium, over half of the maximum amount of sodium -- 1,500mg -- that you should have each day to avoid high blood pressure and heart disease, according to the American Heart Association.
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Health Benefits
Lentils are a source of soluble fiber, a form of fiber that turns viscous in water. Soluble fiber slows your digestion and may help lower your cholesterol, which can reduce your risk of heart disease, according to MedlinePlus. Lentils provide both iron and protein, which makes them a healthy option for vegetarians and people who are trying to reduce the amount of red meat in their diet. Lentils also contribute to your daily requirement of vitamin A, an essential nutrient that promotes healthy eyes, skin, bones and connective tissues.
Sodium Content
According to the AHA, canned soups are one of a major sources of sodium in the American diet. Based on the AHA's recommendation that you should aim to have no more than 1,500mg of sodium daily -- about 1/3 tsp. of table salt -- the 800mg of sodium in canned lentil soup detract from its nutritional benefits. When shopping, look for brands of lentil soup marked as low-sodium. A product marketed as "low-sodium" must have no more than 140mg of sodium per serving, the AHA notes.
Homemade Lentil Soup
Unlike other dried legumes, lentils don't require soaking before cooking, MayoClinic.com notes, which makes it easy to add them to your recipes. You can make your own low-sodium lentil soup with minimal preparation time using garlic, turmeric, lemon juice, ginger or ground black pepper to flavor lentils. Spinach, kale, carrots, tomatoes or parsnips can add extra fiber, vitamins and minerals to a nutritious, homemade lentil soup.
Read more: http://www.livestrong.com/article/326831-the-nutrition-of-lentil-soup/#ixzz1EnHlSPkQ
Buon Appetito
Ciao and Salute! to Your Health and Wellness
