I weighed about 300 pounds or more back then. I was a food addict, as Dr. Brown pointed out. If I had continued eating the way I was, I wouldn’t be alive today. My cholesterol was 240, blood pressure was 149 over 103, and I had sleep apnea, which required me to use a machine. At 59, I decided I couldn’t continue living that way.
Life Now
After making what seemed like “radical” changes, I can truthfully say I’m thriving. I’m full of life, and it’s amazing. After addressing my health, I’ve not only lost weight, but I also haven’t had a headache for 9 and a half years, and my lower back pain is gone. My blood pressure is now 100 over 65, my cholesterol is around 135, and I no longer need a breathing machine to sleep.
While I understand that this is not the case for everyone, for me, health is ultimately about stewardship. I believe I have a mission from God, and I want to be able to serve, give, and run until it’s time for me to go home. The same should be true for every believer.
What Scripture Says About Our Bodies
What does 1 Corinthians 6:18-20, which addresses sexual immorality, have to do with how we eat? While it speaks about purity, the verse concludes with the important words, “You were bought with a price, therefore glorify God in your body.” These words are just as true when it comes to our health.
In 1 Corinthians 9:24-27, Paul speaks of discipline in all things, comparing our Christian walk to an athlete’s strict training. Athletes deny themselves to be in optimal health for an earthly crown, but we should strive for spiritual discipline, aiming for a heavenly crown.
Eight Things We Need to Break:
1. Overeating is sin – Understand that overeating is the sin of gluttony and goes against God’s design for us.
2. Fat does not define you – Your value is in Christ, not in your body size.
3. You are an overcomer in Christ – Jesus is greater than any struggle you face, including food addiction.
4. Grace empowers you to live above sin – With God’s grace, you can overcome temptation and live healthfully.
5. Freedom through obedience is a choice – Obeying God leads to freedom, even in matters of health.
6. Spiritual warfare over food is real – Struggles with food may be part of a deeper spiritual battle.
7. With God, all things are possible – Through God’s strength, you can overcome any obstacle, including addiction.
8. Healthy eating is cooperation with the Lord – Choosing to eat healthily is an act of obedience and stewardship.
Ten Key Points for Health Transformation:
1. Don’t diet—get a lifestyle change – Sustainable health comes from permanent lifestyle changes, not temporary diets.
2. Don’t cut back, cut bad foods out entirely – Remove harmful foods instead of just reducing their intake.
3. Recognise food addiction is real and deadly – Understand that addiction to food can harm your body and soul.
4. Learn the difference between toxic hunger and true hunger – Know when your body is truly hungry versus when you are just craving comfort.
5. Don’t snack between meals – Develop discipline by eating only during meals.
6. Recognize unhealthy eating is sin to you – Acknowledge that unhealthy eating habits can be spiritually harmful.
7. Identify the main psychological reasons you eat – Address the emotional triggers behind overeating.
8. Understand food is the fuel of your life, not the reward for your life – View food as nourishment, not a reward for accomplishments.
9. Exercise is not a substitute for healthy eating – Healthy eating is foundational, and exercise supports it, but it cannot replace it.
10. Resolve to change today; tomorrow never comes – Make the decision to change now, because procrastination leads to more harm.
Conclusion
As Christians, we are called to be good stewards of the bodies God has entrusted to us. Our health is not just about us—it’s about fulfilling the purpose God has for us in this life. By practicing discipline in eating, we honor God by caring for our bodies, which are temples of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). The journey to health is not just physical but deeply spiritual, as we align our choices with God’s will, trusting that with Him, we can overcome any challenge, including food addiction. Ultimately, healthy living is an act of worship, demonstrating our gratitude for the life and strength He provides.
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*** Article by Vladimir Savchuk Ministries: Interview with Dr Michael Brown / Photo by Cottonbro at Pexels
This is what the LORD says: “Cursed is the one who trusts in man, who depends on flesh for his strength and whose heart turns away from the Lord.” — Jeremiah 17:5
When Spiritual Leaders Fall: How to Stay Strong
A lot of Christians face moments when a spiritual hero falls. This could be a father, coach, mentor, pastor, or leader—someone you admire, whose books you read or whose ministry you follow. The awareness that they’ve fallen can deeply shake any believer’s faith. Here are a few ways to recover and remain strong when faced with instances like this.
Understand This to Remain Unmovable
1. Miracles Are a Sign That God Is Good, Not a Confirmation of a Minister’s Integrity
When you discover that a minister you follow has had a moral failing, scandals surface, and your faith might get shaken. Many become distrustful, skeptical, and afraid, closing their hearts to new leaders.
I experienced this at 16 or 17 when a gentleman, whom God used in another country, fell. I had followed him closely—buying every book he had, listening to every sermon, and trying to pray and fast like he did. But when I found out about his immoral behavior, it shook me. You go from admiring them to suddenly distrusting all leaders. This skepticism can settle in your heart, making it difficult to trust again.
It’s important to understand that while miracles are a sign that God is good, they do not always confirm that the minister is good. When people are used by God for miracles like prophesying, healing, or deliverance, we often assume it’s because of their holiness. However, this view is incomplete and inaccurate.
2. It’s the Devil’s Goal to Allow the Minister to Rise as High as Possible Before a Big Fall
I believe that sometimes the devil allows a minister to live in secret sin for a long time, allowing them to rise to prominence. When they eventually fall, the damage is much greater. The more well-known the minister, the greater the harm within the body of Christ.
The devil knows this and waits for the right moment to cause the most damage. When a leader with influence falls, it can create widespread distrust and pain among believers.
3. God Is the One Who Brings Hidden Things to Light
Luke 8:17 says, “For nothing is secret that will not be revealed, nor anything hidden that will not be known and come to light.”
God reveals both good and bad things done in secret. He is patient, wanting everyone to come to repentance, but when leaders refuse to repent, God eventually exposes their sin to prevent further harm.
4. When We Notice Unrepentant Sin in Our Leaders, We Can’t Ignore It
Don’t ignore unrepentant sin in your leaders. Address issues like sexual immorality, dishonesty, denial of core doctrines, abuse of power, or lack of self-control in a respectful manner. If leaders isolate followers and demand absolute loyalty, it’s a sign of a cult.
When leaders control aspects of their followers’ lives—associations, living arrangements, finances—and manipulate them through fear, they are leading through a demonic trap of control and witchcraft.
5. You Can Receive a Blessing from a Ministry Without It Being Contaminated
Even if a ministry later falls into scandal, the blessings you received from it are still from God. For example, if Judas gave a gift from Jesus’s ministry fund before his betrayal, the gift was still valid. Similarly, if you were blessed by a ministry that later faced moral failure, those blessings came from God, not the fallen leader, and therefore, they are not contaminated.
How to Heal
Grieve, Don’t Gloat
When leaders fall, it’s painful. Grieve for them instead of gloating. We see in the Bible that Samuel grieved for Saul (1 Samuel 16), and we should do the same for fallen leaders.
Heal with Time
Healing takes time, but with Jesus, it is possible. Spend time in His presence and allow Him to guide you through the process. Don’t let betrayal turn into bitterness. Release unforgiveness and trust that God has a better future for you. Remember, just because one leader fell doesn’t mean all will. God has still raised up good leaders.
Trust Slowly
Forgiveness doesn’t mean instant trust. Trust must be earned over time. It’s important to forgive fallen leaders, but trust is something they need to rebuild.
Be Hopeful
Despite some ministers falling, many others remain strong and faithful. Focus on leaders who demonstrate godly character and consistent good fruit, rather than those who are merely famous. Trust that God can restore what has been lost and bring healing and hope for the future.
Bible Verses to Reflect On
It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man. It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in princes. — Psalm 118:8-9
Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make straight your paths. — Proverbs 3:5-6
There is no distinction: for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. — Romans 3:23
If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. — 1 John 1:8-10
“I am the Lord! That is My name! I will not share My glory with anyone else, or the praise due Me with idols.” — Isaiah 42:8
One of the Ten Commandments is “You shall not covet.” Proverbs 27:4 reminds us of the destructive power of envy: “Wrath is cruel, and anger is outrageous; but who is able to stand before envy?” Envy and jealousy are not fleeting emotions—they can erode relationships, cloud judgment, and separate us from God’s peace.
A person’s attitude in life is all-important. Much of the work of counseling involves helping people accept their reality and reshape their attitudes. Many people harbor poor attitudes about themselves, others, and even God. Unfortunately, it is human nature to compare ourselves to others. Jealousy and envy are often the toxic results of this comparison, combining anger, insecurity, fear, and greed.
Jealousy, like its cousin envy, is a silent and destructive force. It can hide for years, silently scheming, until it strikes through slander, gossip, or even violence. Jealousy involves desiring what others have, while envy resents others for their blessings. Both attitudes are the opposite of love and aim to see others fail. They stem from an inability to recognize God’s provision in our lives and a lack of gratitude. James 3:16 warns us that “where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there.”
Comparison, low self-esteem, and a desire for status or attention fuel jealousy and envy. Social media and a lack of meaningful relationships can amplify these feelings, as can a lack of intimacy with God. Life is not about possessions or status. Coveting what others have is idolatry, as it places material things or success above God. God promises to provide for our needs, and He calls us to store up treasures in heaven by living generously and faithfully.
To overcome jealousy and envy, we must first acknowledge their presence in our hearts. We need to humble ourselves before God, asking Him to reveal the motives and feelings behind these emotions. Once we’ve confessed these sins to Christ, we can begin the process of transformation.
Cultivate Gratitude. Gratitude is a powerful antidote to envy. Reflect on the blessings in your life and thank God daily, even for the small things. The Psalms are a wonderful resource for turning thankfulness into prayer. Gratitude shifts our focus from what we lack to what God has already provided.
Avoid Comparison Traps. Social media often paints a false picture of people’s lives, fueling unhealthy comparisons. Instead, focus on activities that nourish your soul and draw you closer to God. Remember that God does not judge us by outward appearances, wealth, or accomplishments—He looks at the heart.
Focus on Jesus. When we fix our eyes on Jesus, our perspective changes. Jesus modeled humility and selflessness, and He reminds us that eternal treasures matter more than worldly possessions or status. Living to please God brings peace and joy, knowing that we are saved by grace, not by our achievements.
Understand the Root Causes. Analyze the triggers for jealousy and envy in your life. Why do certain people or situations provoke these feelings? Talking with trusted friends, counselors, or pastors can help uncover underlying issues and past wounds. Healing often begins when we confront these root causes and surrender them to God.
Pray for Others and Yourself. Praying for the people you envy transforms your heart. Genuine prayer moves us from resentment to love and helps us see others through God’s eyes. It also deepens our relationship with God, who has given us unique talents and opportunities to serve others. True growth happens when we embrace these gifts and use them to glorify God.
Contentment is key to overcoming envy and jealousy. When we trust God as our provider, we stop striving for things that don’t truly satisfy. Hebrews 13:5 reminds us to “keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, ‘Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.’”
By cultivating gratitude, avoiding comparison, focusing on Jesus, addressing the root causes of envy, and growing through prayer, we align ourselves with God’s truth. These steps free us from the bondage of jealousy and lead to a life of peace, joy, and love.
Life is not about possessions, status, or recognition. It is about walking faithfully with God, trusting His plan, and rejoicing in His provision. As you surrender your struggles to God, remember His promise in Philippians 1:6: “He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” Seek Him first, and He will replace jealousy with peace, envy with love, and fear with contentment.
Prayer to Overcome Jealousy and Embrace Contentment
Heavenly Father, We come before You with humble hearts, acknowledging that jealousy and envy can creep into our lives and cloud our vision of Your goodness. Lord, search our hearts and reveal any sinful attitudes that hinder our walk with You. Help us to surrender these feelings to You, trusting in Your abundant grace and provision.
Teach us to be content with what You have given us and to trust that Your plans for our lives are good. Fill us with gratitude for Your blessings, both great and small, and remind us daily of Your steadfast love and faithfulness.
Lord, protect us from the traps of comparison and the lies of the enemy that tell us we are not enough. Instead, let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith. Help us to find joy in serving You and others with the unique gifts You have entrusted to us.
Give us the strength to love those around us genuinely, even when envy tries to take root. Teach us to celebrate the successes of others and to pray for their well-being with sincere hearts. May our lives reflect Your love, which does not envy but rejoices in the truth.
Father, remind us that true joy and peace are found in Your presence, not in earthly possessions or status. Guide us to store up treasures in Heaven and to seek first Your Kingdom and righteousness.
We thank You for Your promise that You will never leave us nor forsake us. Fill us with Your Spirit, transforming our hearts and minds to be more like Christ. May we walk in freedom, contentment, and the joy that comes from knowing You.
In Jesus’ name, we pray, Amen.
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** By Fritz Chery at Bible reasons + Michael Linn a licensed professional counsellor, Resolute Counseling.com + Quote by Dr. Bill Edgar former president of Geneva Edu and pastor of the Reformed Presbyterian Church / Photo by Brett Jordan at Pexels
“Lord, bend that proud and stiffnecked “I,” Help me to bow the neck and die, Beholding Him on Calvary, Who bowed His Head for me.”
The following are some of the features and manifestations of the self-life. The Holy Spirit alone can interpret and apply this to your individual case. As you read, examine yourself in the very presence of God. Are you ever conscious of:
A secret spirit of pride-an exalted feeling in view of your success or position; because of your good training or appearance; because of your natural gifts and abilities. An important, independent spirit?
Love of human praise; a secret fondness to be noticed; love of supremacy, drawing attention to self in conversation; a swelling out of self when you have had a free time in speaking or praying?
The stirrings of anger or impatience, which, worst of all, you call nervousness or holy indignation; a touchy, sensitive spirit; a disposition to resent and retaliate when disapproved of or contradicted; a desire to throw sharp, heated flings at another?
Self-will; a stubborn, unteachable spirit; an arguing, talkative spirit; harsh, sarcastic expression; an unyielding, headstrong disposition; a driving, commanding spirit; a disposition to criticize and pick flaws when set aside and unnoticed; a peevish, fretful spirit; a disposition that loves to be coaxed and humored?
Carnal fear; a man-fearing spirit; a shrinking from reproach and duty; reasoning around your cross; a shrinking from doing your whole duty by those of wealth or position; a fearfulness that someone will offend and drive some prominent person away; a compromising spirit?
A jealous disposition, a secret spirit of envy shut up in your heart; an unpleasant sensation in view of the great prosperity and success of another; a disposition to speak of the faults and failings, rather than the gifts and virtues of those more talented and appreciated than yourself?
A dishonest, deceitful disposition; the evading and covering of the truth; the covering up of your real faults; leaving a better impression of yourself than is strictly true; false humility; exaggeration; straining the truth?
Unbelief; a spirit of discouragement in times of pressure and opposition; lack of quietness and confidence in God; lack of faith and trust in God; a disposition to worry and complain in the midst of pain, poverty, or at the dispensations of Divine Providence; an overanxious feeling whether everything will come out all right?
Formality and deadness; lack of concern for lost souls; dryness and indifference?
Selfishness; love of ease; love of money?
These are some of the traits which generally indicate carnality in the heart. By prayer, hold your heart open to the searchlight of God. “Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: and see if there be any wicked way in me” (Psalms 139:23-24).
The Holy Spirit will enable you, by confession and faith, to bring your “self-life” to the death (Romans 8:12-13). Do not patch over, but go to the bottom. It alone will pay.
Oh, to be saved from myself, dear Lord, Oh, to be lost in Thee; Oh, that it might be no more I, But Christ that lives in me. “Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me” (Psalm 51:10).
~ Poem by Roy Hession author of ‘The Calvary Road’
Jesus has given us an example in money-matters that all who serve Him, and all churches must follow.
When Jesus worked as a carpenter, up to the age of 30, He earned His living – honestly, without ever cheating anyone and without ever getting into debt. “Every servant of the Lord must ensure that he manifests the attitude of Christ in relation to money.”
Thereafter, He was in full-time ministry for the next 3½ years. During this period, He had some strict principles in financial matters. His apostles followed those principles exactly and rigidly. The church is the Body of Christ and therefore it must follow the same principles that the first Body of Christ (Jesus Himself) followed. All churches and all who are engaged in Christian work must follow those same principles.
What were those principles?
First and foremost, since Jesus was a servant of His Father, He trusted His Father alone to provide all His earthly needs – just like anyone working for a company would expect that company to take care of his financial needs. So, Jesus never ever told anyone other than His Father about His financial needs. He never advertised His ministry anywhere and He never gave any reports about His work to anyone to get their support. God Himself directly prompted some people to give gifts to Jesus voluntarily – and He accepted such gifts. Jesus appointed a treasurer (Judas) to keep the money that He thus received.
See Luke 8:2-3: “Mary Magdalene and Joanna (the wife of Chuza, Herod’s palace-manager), and Susanna, and many others contributed to the support of Jesus and the 12 disciples, out of their private means”. And Jesus accepted their gifts.
Secondly, Jesus was very careful about how He spent the money He received. John 13:29 gives us an indication of how Jesus spent His money. When Jesus gave some instructions to Judas there, the other apostles thought that He was directing Judas to spend the money as Jesus had always spent His money. That is: (1) To buy what was needed; and (2) To give to the poor. This must be our guideline always; in the way we spend our money.
The apostles followed Jesus’ example exactly. They also trusted their heavenly Father to provide all their needs. So, they never told anyone about their personal needs or the needs of their ministry – either verbally or by letter (for that would have amounted to indirectly hinting about their need for money). Whenever the apostles urged the churches to take a collection of money, it was always for distribution to the poor believers – and never for any other purpose (See 2 Cor.8 and 9 and 1 Cor.16:1-3).
Some people misquote 1 Timothy 5:17-18and teach that pastors and Christian workers must be paid a good salary. But what do those verses actually say?
“The elders who rule well are to be considered worthy of DOUBLE HONOUR, especially those who work hard at preaching and teaching. For the Scripture says, ‘You shall not muzzle the ox while he is threshing’, and ‘The laborer is worthy of his wages’”.
Those verses do not say an ything about money at all. They only teach that elders who work hard at preaching must be given double honour by their flock. If this verse were referring to money, then it would mean that God was commanding churches to pay their leaders double the salary that others in the church get!! That is ridiculous! Paul was actually teaching believers here to appreciate and respect the elders of their churches. He was saying, “Give them due honor, just like you allow your ox to eat the grain that it is threshing”. So, we see that an elder’s primary wages are honour (appreciation and gratitude) from his flock – and not money.
This is similar to the exhortation Paul gave in 1 Thessalonians 5:12-13 “Honor your leaders who work so hard for you…. overwhelm them with appreciation and love” (Message Paraphrase).
Paul does however speak about the financial support of Christian workers in 1 Corinthians 9:7-18. There he says: “Who at any time serves as a soldier at his own expense? Who plants a vineyard and does not eat the fruit of it? Who tends a flock and does not use the milk of the flock? If we sowed spiritual things in you, is it too much if we reap material things from you?”
But Paul then continues, to say, “Nevertheless, we did not use this right, but we endure all things so that we will cause no hindrance to the gospel of Christ. It is true that the Lord has directed that those who proclaim the gospel should get their living from the gospel. But I have used none of these things. It would be better for me to die than to have any man make my boast an empty one. For if I preach the gospel, I have nothing to boast of, for I am under compulsion. Woe is me if I do not preach the gospel. For if I do this voluntarily, I have a reward; but if against my will, I still have a stewardship entrusted to me. What then is my reward (my salary)? Just this, that, when I preach the gospel, I can offer it without charge to everyone. So, I do not make use of my rights as a preacher of the gospel.”
So, Paul never preached for a salary or for gifts, but because he was “compelled by his love for Christ” and because “God had committed the stewardship of the gospel to him”. He wanted to give the gospel freely to others, without any charge, lest it appear as though God were charging people money for hearing the gospel. And he asked others to follow his example (See 1 Cor.11:1 and Phil.3:17).
So, we see that the New Testament does teach that a servant of the Lord can receive gifts for his support (as Jesus Himself did). But at the same time, we also see that:
(1) No Christian worker was ever paid a monthly salary. Jesus never promised His disciples a salary. The apostles never received a salary. They trusted their heavenly Father to move people’s hearts to support them financially (just as in Jesus’ case). Such a life of faith was essential for them if they were to have power in their ministry. It also protected them from covetousness. (2) In situations where Paul saw that this provision of support was being abused by preachers, he decided not to take any money from anyone but to support himself, so as to protect the testimony of the gospel that he was preaching. He says in 2 Cor.11:7-13(Living): “I preached God’s Good News to you without charging you anything.I didn’t ask you for anything, for the Christians from Macedonia brought me another gift.I have never yet asked you for one cent, and I never will. And I will tell everyone about it! I do this because I want to cut out the ground from under the feet of those who boast that they are doing God’s work in just the same way we are. God never sent those men at all; they are “phonies” who have fooled you into thinking they are Christ’s apostles.”
We see here that Paul did receive gifts occasionally – when the Christians in Macedonia (Philippi) voluntarily sent him some money. But he never took any money from the Corinthian Christians (as we see above), because he wanted to show them that he was different from the fake Christian preachers in that place. Paul never ever asked anyone for financial support at any time – and he never hinted about his financial needs either.
Paul did not take any money from the Thessalonian Christians either. He says in 2 Thess.3:8-10: “We never accepted food from anyone of you without paying for it; we worked hard day and night for the money we needed to live on, in order that we would not be a burden to any of you. It wasn’t that we didn’t have the right to ask you to feed us, but we wanted to show you firsthand how you should work for your living”.
Paul did not take any money from the Ephesian Christians either. He says in Acts 20:31-35:“All these three years I was with you, I did not seek for anyone’s money or clothes. You know how I worked with my own hands to support myself and the men who were with me. I showed you by working hard in this way, that we must help the weak, remembering the words of the Lord Jesus that, `It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ “
Every servant of the Lord must ensure that he manifests the attitude of Christ in relation to money, as Paul did.
In every one of our CFC churches that God has planted, all the (more than) 150 leaders/elders support themselves. None of them has ever received a salary.This new-covenant pattern has worked perfectly for us for 47 years now (from 1975 when the first CFC church was started, and right up to now – 2022) – both in large cities around the world as well as in the poorest villages in India. This stand of ours has saved us from being infiltrated by covetous preachers who quote Scripture and exploit people for their money.
The above is the stand that all of the Lord’s servants took in New Testament times. But Christendom has drifted away from this standard through the centuries. Today, many pastors and preachers keep urging people to give them money and write moving letters to their sponsors (often with false statistics about conversions) expecting more and more financial support.
Because of this wrong attitude to money found among Christian leaders, God’s anointing is missing from most of Christian ministry today and there is no revelation from heaven in the ministry of most preachers. No-one can serve God and money (Luke 16:13).
The Lord said that only one those who are faithful in money-matters would be given the true riches (Luke 16:11) – the riches of divine revelation and the anointing of the Spirit.
There is yet another important principle that we must bear in mind: A servant of the Lord must never receive money as a gift from unbelievers or from anyone who is poorer than him. Any gift given by a poorer person must always be put into the church’s offering box and never used for oneself.
Here is a checklist that we have placed on top of our offering boxes in CFC Bangalore: Before you give your money, please check: 1. Are you a born-again child of God? 2. Do you have enough for your family’s needs? 3. Are you free from debt (other than house-loans)? 4. Are you reconciled with all people? 5. Are you giving cheerfully?
We don’t judge other churches or preachers who do things differently from us, in this area. That would make us Pharisees. But we ourselves seek to strictly preserve the standards that we see in the life of Jesus and in the lives of the apostles.
The Sisterhood Hub 