It Is Written

Overcoming Obesity

Three Angels Broadcasting Network

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Series Code: IIW

Program Code: IIW017159S


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]♪


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Revised 2022-01-20