Sharing My Faith With My Non-Christian Friends and Family? Day of Atonement A Christian Holy Day. What Is Really in Hot Dogs?

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Is There Any Point in Sharing My Faith With My Non-Christian Friends and Family?

“If they'll be in the second or general resurrection anyway, is there any point in sharing my faith with my non-Christian friends and family? Absolutely!

Ben Duchac/Unsplash

There is certainly a point in sharing our faith with others, but the method by which we share our faith is equally if not more important.

We see within Scripture that God is the One who calls people to His truth (John 6:44). But we also see in scripture that Christ Himself told His disciples—those who believed in and followed Him—to go out to the world and preach the gospel of the Kingdom of God to every creature (Mark 16:15-16). So the fact that God draws people to Christ didn't absolve the disciples of their personal responsibility to preach the gospel.

We don't know whether God is working with someone or not, and it's impossible to know how our example—or perhaps our words—might positively affect someone.

God desires that no man should perish and that all should come to repentance and knowledge of the truth (1 Timothy 2:3-4; 2 Peter 3:9), and there is an incredible amount of joy in heaven over every sinner that repents (Luke 15:7). Those individuals who overcome their sins in this life will inherit the Kingdom of God (Revelation 21:7).By extension, as followers of Jesus Christ, we have a similar responsibility today. What if we are the tool that God uses to draw another sheep into His fold? We don't know whether He is working with someone or not, and it's impossible to know how our example—or perhaps our words—might positively affect someone that God is working with. What if it leads another person to repent and turn to God?

The gospel that Jesus preached was the gospel of the Kingdom of God. Those who believe it, accept it and overcome in this life will have an opportunity to be a part of the first resurrection—a resurrection which is referred to in Hebrews 11 as a "better resurrection" (Revelation 20 discusses the resurrections in more detail).

So there is certainly a point in sharing our faith with others, but the method by which we share our faith is equally if not more important. In Matthew 5:14 Jesus suggests we are to be as a "light on a hill"—a soft and welcoming light in the distance that people can see and navigate towards. Have you ever accidentally shone a powerful flashlight into your eyes? Was it pleasant and inviting? If our interaction with others is "shining our light" in this way, effectively blinding them—there's a good chance that it won't be welcome or appreciated.

Instead of blinding others, Peter simply tells us to live good honorable lives among those who are not believers, that they might see our conduct and glorify God in the day of His coming, letting our light shine in an appropriate way (1 Peter 2:12).”  From: https://www.ucg.org/bible-study-tools/bible-questions-and-answers/is-there-any-point-in-sharing-my-faith-with-my-non-christian-friends-and-family

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Day of Atonement,  A Christian Holy Day

Transcript of video at: https://www.ucg.org/beyond-today/beyond-today-daily/day-of-atonement-a-christian-holy-day

The Day of Atonement is relevant to Christians today, representing a beautiful step in God's plan of salvation.

[Steve Myers] “The Day of Atonement. Sounds kind of odd, especially to most Christians' ears. What is the Day of Atonement? Almost sound like it's Jewish. Well, many times people will turn to Leviticus 23 and point out the fact that it's listed there as a day we should observe. Many say no, it's just for the Jews or for the Israelites. What is amazing to notice is that in Leviticus 23, it immediately says, "These are the Feasts of the Lord."  So, they're not feasts of Jews, they're not feasts of Israelites, they're God's feasts. And most don't even realize Atonement is also an important New Testament church festival. It's mentioned in the Book of Acts. Acts 27 mentions the fast, and that is referring to the Day of Atonement.

What happens on the day of Atonement, and why is it important for Christians today? Is it a Christian festival? Yeah, the answer is absolutely. There is no doubt. Luke, the New Testament writer, refers to the Day of Atonement, and when you recognize the spiritual meaning, on the Day of Atonement we're told to fast, which means we don't eat, we don't drink. Sounds like just a basic physical kind of a thing but the reality is it is a spiritual festival, and eating and drinking and staying away from that causes us to recognize our humanity. That we need food and drink if we're going to live a physical life. It definitely reminds us if we're going to live a spiritual life, we need God in us. We can't survive spiritually without God, in the same way we can't survive spiritually without food and drink.

And so, it points to a time that ultimately the whole human race will have an opportunity to be at one with God. In fact, it's kinda seen that way in English when you think of Atonement, we are going to ultimately be at one. We'll ultimately be at one with God and this festival points to that very theme, that ultimately Christ will return. He's going to return to this earth, and He will reconcile man to Himself. He made the Atonement for our sins. We deserve death and we can be at one because Christ atoned, paid the penalty for our sins.

But even more than that, here's the amazing part when it comes to Atonement. Yes, it pictures the forgiveness of sin. Yes, it pictures more than that, that when Christ returns He will remove the primary cause of sin, and that's Satan himself. When Christ returns, we're told in scripture, that Satan will be bound. For 1,000 years he'll no longer be able to influence mankind. And so, Atonement pictures that very fact. So, by fasting on this day, we draw closer to God and we recognize that that ultimate reconnection, that reconciliation with God can take place. So, Atonement, it's not a Jewish feast, it is a Christian festival that represents a beautiful step in the process of God's plan for all of mankind.”  From: https://www.ucg.org/beyond-today/beyond-today-daily/day-of-atonement-a-christian-holy-day

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What Is Really in Hot Dogs?

Transcript of video at: https://nutritionfacts.org/video/what-is-really-in-hot-dogs-2/

“What percentage of a hot dog is actually muscle tissue?

Actually, there was a forensic study on hot dogs published earlier this year in the Annals of Diagnostic Pathology to answer the age-old question: what is really in them? It was like a CSI episode! They found…bone, blood vessels, nerves, cartilage, skin. But the kicker was that the amount of actual meat in a hot dog was less than ten percent.

Let’s look at hot dogs. Same serving size, but Bessie’s over here has almost five times more calories, 150 times more fat, infinitely more saturated fat, and cholesterol.

How did the meat industry respond to this devastating new cancer report? Well, the beef industry spin was that the report was “bad advice,” and that “another scientific study found no link between meat and cancer.” A study that was, in their words, “independent,” “comprehensive.” “How the WCRF research report could come to a different conclusion is perplexing,” they wrote. Well, I found the “independent, comprehensive study” to which the beef industry is referring, and wasn’t perplexed anymore!

I was on to this study like brown on rice. Here are the so-called “facts.” Let’s compare: the WCRF report looked at 7,000 studies; theirs looked at 500. This report has 537 pages; this one has four. This report was written by nine independent teams of scientists, hundreds of peer reviewers, and 21 of the top cancer researchers in the world. This one was written by these two guys. You can’t see, but the picture cuts off their cowboy hats.

Time spent to produce: this one took more than five years; this one just says “last summer.” And finally, the report that found a link between meat and cancer was overseen by the World Health Organization, and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, and funded by a leading cancer charity. This other one was overseen by a scientists-for-hire, for-profit firm, which has come out with similar reports downplaying the risk of pesticides, asbestos, and, of course, cigarette smoke. This “independent” study? Bought and paid for by the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association.

But if you think that takes gall, wait until you see what the pork industry did. Smithfield, the largest pork producer in the world, launched the “Deli for the Cure” campaign, donating five cents to early detection for every pound sold of exactly the type of meat the WCRF report says causes the most cancer. I guess it’s the least they can do. If they’re going to give us cancer early, might as well help detect it early for us, too.”  From: https://nutritionfacts.org/video/what-is-really-in-hot-dogs-2/

To see any graphs, charts, graphics, images, and quotes to which Dr. Greger may be referring, watch the above video. This is just an approximation of the audio contributed by Dianne Moore.

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Why Should Christians Celebrate the Feast of Trumpets? Avoid These Cancer-Causing Foods.

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Why Should Christians Celebrate the Feast of Trumpets?

“Prophecies of the end time include trumpet plagues and the return of Jesus Christ at the last trump. What does the Feast of Trumpets mean for Christians today?

Christ's return is announced by the seventh and final trumpet.

The fourth festival of God (after Pentecost) is the Feast of Trumpets (or a "memorial of blowing of trumpets," Leviticus 23:24-25), which falls in September or October. (This year was celebrated 15th-16 Sept. 2023.)  This festival is called Rosh Hashanah by the Jews today. Ancient Israel understood that trumpets were used as a way of announcing special, very important messages (Numbers 10:1-10).

In the New Testament, Jesus Christ reveals that before His return to the earth, there will be the blowing of seven trumpets, announcing progressive stages of the downfall and overthrow of this world's kingdoms, ending with the return of Christ to take possession of the earth. Christ's return is announced by the seventh and final trumpet (Revelation 8:2; Revelation 11:15). This day also pictures the time when faithful Christians will be resurrected to eternal life at the time of the seventh trumpet (1 Corinthians 15:52; 1 Thessalonians 4:16) to reign with Jesus Christ for 1,000 years (Revelation 20:4-6).

Interestingly, it was around this time of year that Jesus was born—not in the dead of winter (see "Biblical Evidence Shows Jesus Wasn't Born on December 25"). And the fall feast season represents the time when Jesus Christ will come to the earth again to reign in glory.

The remaining fall feast days describe steps in the establishment of the prophesied Kingdom of God on earth and judgment of humanity after Christ's return. The Feast of Trumpets is followed by the Day of Atonement.”

For more information, please read our booklet God's Holy Day Plan: The Promise of Hope for All Mankind.”   From: https://www.ucg.org/bible-study-tools/bible-questions-and-answers/why-should-christians-celebrate-the-feast-of-trumpets

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Why the Feast of Trumpets?

Transcript of video at: https://www.ucg.org/beyond-today/beyond-today-daily/why-the-feast-of-trumpets

[Darris McNeely] “God's festivals are upon us. The annual Holy Days that God commanded mankind to keep in his name to worship and honor him. The Feast of Trumpets is coming up. The Feast of Trumpets is mentioned back in Leviticus 23. And within that chapter, we have what is called a time of the memorial of the blowing of trumpets, and Leviticus 23, "On the first day of the Sabbath month, a holy convocation and a blowing of trumpets."

Whenever God told his people to blow the trumpets, they were either to come together to be on the move and on the match or to go to war because it was a time of alarm. Trumpets heralded something significant. Now, what does that mean for us today? Well, if we believe in Jesus Christ's return and His promise from His Word of His second coming, then when we turn to 1 Thessalonians 4 we read something about another blowing of trumpets in verse 16 and the announcement of Earth's most significant possibly event that we could ever imagine. Let's read it. 1 Thessalonians 4:16, "For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a shout, the voice of an Archangel. and with the trumpet of God."

Paul writes here to the church about the sounding of the trumpet of God, not what the men of Israel were to sound. That was just a forerunner, a picture of what this particular event really does show, the trumpet of God sounding with the appearance of Jesus Christ as King of Kings, but here's what happens. "And the dead in Christ will rise first." Paul has comforted the church here with the encouragement that those who have died will rise again and he shows that it's going to happen with a sounding of a trumpet. The Feast of Trumpets points us to the absolute hope, truth, and fact of the resurrection from the dead of those who are described as the dead in Christ. The Bible even elsewhere talks about it as a first resurrection, as one that is what is called also a better resurrection. It will be a glorious time. It will be a time of reunion.

Who in the Bible would you want to sit down and talk to? Which of the saints, which of the great figures of the Bible? Abraham, Noah, David, the Apostle Paul? They'll be in that resurrection. The question for you and I to consider is will we be in that resurrection? That truth, that hope, is a fact of God's word. The Feast of Trumpets points us to that, brings us to that reality. Let's remember that and think about what it means to observe that day in anticipation, the very hope of the resurrection of the dead.”  From: https://www.ucg.org/beyond-today/beyond-today-daily/why-the-feast-of-trumpets

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Unexpected foods that could increase risk of cancer | 9 News Australia

“Experts are warning other unexpected foods beyond processed meats like salami, bacon and sausages could put your health at increased risk of cancer.”

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Avoid These Cancer-Causing Foods

Learn which foods to steer clear of – and which to enjoy – to lower your cancer risk.

Worst Cancer-Causing Foods

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“Over the last several decades, certain foods have been vilified as being potentially carcinogenic, or capable of causing cancer. So which ones are the biggest culprits? And how can you eat to prevent cancer or reduce the chances of a recurrence if you've been diagnosed?

(GETTY IMAGES)

The list of potentially cancer-causing foods includes:

• Red and processed meat.
• Sugar.
• Alcohol.
• Processed and packaged foods.

Red and Processed Meat

For the carnivores among us, it's probably tough to hear the news that red meat and processed meat are associated with a higher risk of certain types of cancer. "Red meat is defined as beef, veal, pork, lamb and goat," says Cathy Leman, a dietitian, personal trainer, nutrition therapist, speaker, writer and breast cancer survivor based in Chicago.

"Processed meat refers to meat that has been salted, cured, fermented, smoked or other processes that enhance flavor or improve preservation," she adds. Examples include hot dogs, luncheon meats, ham and bacon.

Jeannette Schenk, senior staff scientist in the cancer prevention program at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle, says "there have been many epidemiological studies that have reported an association with high intakes of processed meat and red meat with an increase in cancer incidence and mortality."

According to the American Institute for Cancer Research, a high intake of red meat is defined as more than three servings per week. A single serving of red meat is about 3 to 4 ounces – or one small hamburger, steak or a medium-sized pork chop. Your total weekly consumption, the AICR reports, should be under 350 to 500 grams (about 12 to 18 ounces cooked) each week.

The cancer risk associated with processed meat products is even higher. The International Agency for Research on Cancer, a branch of the World Health Organization, classifies processed meat as a Group 1 carcinogen, meaning that like other Group 1 carcinogens – tobacco, UV radiation and alcohol – research has proven that processed meat can cause cancer in humans. Eating just 50 grams of processed meat each day, the IARC reports, can elevate cancer risk by 18%.   Four strips of bacon or one hot dog contains about 50 grams of processed meat.”  More at: https://health.usnews.com/conditions/cancer/articles/worst-cancer-causing-foods

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Christ in the Old Testament. Cause and Effect in Prophecy. Red Meat, TMAO, And Your Heart, By Harvard Health.

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Prophecies of Christ in the Old Testament

Luke 24:44 

Then He said to them, “These are the words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things must be fulfilled which were written in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms concerning Me.”

“The Law, the Prophets and the Psalms designate the three sections of the Hebrew Scriptures we call the Old Testament.

The Holy Bible, Old and New Testaments, make up a seamless, unified whole. Jesus Christ inspired hundreds of Old Testament prophecies that He later fulfilled through His birth, life and death. And there are many more prophecies that will be fulfilled in His second coming.

The Old Testament actually revealed Jesus Christ (see "Jesus in the Old Testament?"), and Jesus Christ then revealed the Father in the New Testament (Luke 10:22; John 14:6-11).

After His resurrection, Jesus “opened their understanding, that they might comprehend the Scriptures” (Luke 24:45). Though much of the Bible is accessible and helpful on many levels, without God’s help we can’t fully comprehend the Scriptures. But with the help of God’s Spirit we can understand “the things of God” that are “spiritually discerned” (1 Corinthians 2:11, 14).”  From: https://lifehopeandtruth.com/bible/blog/prophecies-of-christ-in-the-old-testament/?

For more about how God opens our understanding of the Bible, see our article “How Do You Know You Have the Holy Spirit?”                   From: https://lifehopeandtruth.com/bible/blog/prophecies-of-christ-in-the-old-testament/

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Cause and Effect in Prophecy

Deuteronomy 28:1, 15

“Now it shall come to pass, if you diligently obey the voice of the LORD your God, to observe carefully all His commandments which I command you today, that the LORD your God will set you high above all nations of the earth. …

“But it shall come to pass, if you do not obey the voice of the LORD your God, to observe carefully all His commandments and His statutes which I command you today, that all these curses will come upon you and overtake you. …”

Bible prophecy, and the Bible as a whole, teaches us the principle of cause and effect. Obeying God’s good and beneficial laws ultimately leads to wonderful blessings. Disobeying—sinning—ultimately leads to the horrible curses described in Deuteronomy 28.

This is a sure and certain principle—there are predictable consequences to our actions, physically and spiritually.

So why does humanity so easily forget this inevitable truth? Because under the sway of Satan, we have learned to postpone some of the bad consequences, and Satan has used his enormous powers of deception to make the bad look good and the good, bad. He tricks us into thinking there are shortcuts—that we can escape the consequences.

But God wants us to take the long view—to see through the deception to the ultimate reality. He gives us His laws and Bible prophecy so we can see what will cause suffering and what will cause real joy and happiness. Choose life!

Read more about cause and effect in our article “Why Is Our Modern World Under Ancient Curses?” For more about the purposes of Bible prophecy, see “Purpose of Prophecy.”    From: https://lifehopeandtruth.com/bible/blog/cause-and-effect-in-prophecy/?

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Red Meat, TMAO, And Your Heart.  By Harvard Health.

 

”A substance called trimethylamine N-oxide, which is produced when your body digests red meat, may raise the risk of cardiovascular problems.

Experts used to think that red meat raised your risk of heart disease simply because it was high in saturated fat. But today that picture has gotten more complicated thanks to the discovery of a metabolite — a substance produced during digestion and metabolism — called trimethylamine N-oxide, or TMAO.

According to a news article published June 11 in JAMA, three recent analyses have linked high blood levels of TMAO with a higher risk for both cardiovascular disease and early death from any cause.

In one of those studies, researchers found that people with higher levels of TMAO in their blood may have more than twice the risk of heart attack, stroke, or other serious cardiovascular problems, compared with people who have lower levels.

Other studies have found links between high TMAO levels and heart failure and chronic kidney disease.”      From: https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/red-meat-tmao-and-your-heart

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