Dehydration

75% of Americans are chronically dehydrated. In 37% of Americans, the thirst mechanism is so weak that it’s often mistaken for hunger. Even mild dehydration will slow down once metabolism as much as 3%. This is why lack of water is the number one trigger of daytime fatigue. A University of Washington study revealed one glass of water will shut down midnight hunger pangs for almost 100% of the dieters studied. Preliminary research indicates that 8 to 10 glasses of water a day could significantly ease back-and-joint pain for up to 80% of sufferers. A mere 2% drop in body water can trigger fuzzy short term memory trouble with basic math and difficulty focusing on the computer screen or a printed page.

Drinking 5 glasses of water daily decreases the cause of colon cancer by 45%, plus it can slash the risk of breast cancer by 79%, and one is 50% less likely to develop bladder cancer. It’s obvious from this facts that sufficient water can eliminate or ease a whole host of common health problems. Did you know the Bible also teaches that living in water can do the same thing for spiritual dehydration? Stay with us, friends. We’re going to learn much more as Amazing Facts brings you this edition of “Bible Answers Live.”

[PROGRAM INTRODUCTION]

Pastor Jëan Ross: Welcome to “Bible Answers Live” brought to you by Amazing Facts Ministries. Are you looking for a clear, concise answer to your most challenging Bible questions? Maybe you’re struggling to understand difficult passages of Scripture. If so, you’ve come to the right place. Join us now as we open God’s Word to discover His will and find honest, practical answers to your Bible-related questions. This broadcast is pre-recorded. If you have a Bible question, call us Sundays from 7 to 8 P.M. Pacific Standard Time at 800-GOD-SAYS. That’s 800-463-7297. Now, let’s join our host, author, speaker, and evangelist, Pastor Doug Batchelor.

Pastor Doug: Welcome, once again, listening friends to a fresh and installment of “Bible Answers Live.” This is a live, international, interactive Bible study. We invite you to participate by listening. And if you have a Bible-related question, give us a call! That toll-free number is 800-GOD-SAYS; that acronym is 463-7297. And we have a very special program lined up for you tonight. Pastor Jëan Ross is at a speaking appointment out of town, but we have a special guest in the studio. I’ll introduce him in just a moment. But as always, we want to begin the program with a word of prayer.

Loving Father, we thank You again for this day of life and the opportunity to know You better. Lord, we pray that You’ll take charge of this broadcast that it might exalt Your Word and glorify Your name. And it’s in that name we pray. Amen.

Dr. Neil Nedley: Amen.

Pastor Doug: Well, tonight, friends, we have a special guest in the studio. Dr. Neil Nedley is a full-time practicing physician in internal medicine in Ardmore, Oklahoma, is an internationally-known speaker, and author of some very popular books— including the book ”Proof Positive” that talks about the relationship between nutrition lifestyle with Bible background for the evidence. It’s there, a very popular book.

And his most recent book is talking about depression recovery and it’s dealing with depression. “The Way Out” is the title of the book. And he travels all over the country and the world doing these seminars that have become popular, helping people understand the principles of the Bible secrets connected with health and how can they feel better, live longer, and have an abundant life.

And I’m happy to also say Dr. Nedley is a friend of mine. We’re just delighted that, Neil, you could be with us here in the studio tonight!

Dr. Nedley: Well, thank you. It’s my privilege to do so. I’ve heard of “Bible Answers Live” for years, but it’s really an honor to be able to see how does it’s done.

Pastor Doug: Well, this is exciting and this is a first, friends. Tonight, what we’re going to do is, in addition to whatever Bible questions you may call in, if you’ve ever had any questions about what the Bible might have to say about different health principles… What a lot of people don’t know is the Bible is not only a book rich in spiritual information; it has a lot of very practical information related to living longer, feeling better, diet… We get a lot of questions, Dr. Nedley, in this program about what does the Bible say about the dietary restrictions and the various health laws, and were they nailed to the cross, are they practical today… And I’m thankful that we have a highly esteemed medical expert here tonight that can address some of those. So, we’re even going to pass by our regular Internet questions, and we’re going to invite your questions on the subject of health.

Right now is a great time to pick up the phone, friends. It is live tonight. If you have a question… the phone lines are open. So, pick up the phone, give us a call. The number again is 800-GOD-SAYS. The bible is our source book. 800-463-7297.

Now, while you’re calling in with your questions, I think I should also to tell you we have a free offer we thought it’s appropriate for our study tonight. We were talking a minute ago about the amazing facts about water. The Bible talks about water. The best water, of course, is that living water that Jesus speaks about. Jesus tells us that if we come to Him He will give us that water of life. John 7:38, “He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.’” And, of course, in John chapter 4, the Lord spoke to that Samaritan woman there at the well, and He said that He would offer her a living artesian water that would be in her heart. So, there are, of course, health benefits in real water, and you can’t have eternal life without Jesus, the Living Water.

Our free offer for tonight is a very popular Amazing Facts study guide dealing with some other principles of health from the Bible. It’s called “God’s Free Health Plan.” Folks are surprised and amazed to learn how much the Bible says about the subject of health and how you can have more abundant life, you can feel better, and you can live longer! If you’d like our free offer tonight, it’s a free phone call; 1-800-835-6747. To receive the free study on the Bible and “God’s Free Health Plan,” 1-800-835-6747.

Dr. Nedley, I thought this was a very practical thing to talk about tonight because you know there’s a health care crisis.

Dr. Nedley: Yeah. Absolutely right.

Pastor Doug: And it’s being discussed a lot in the election pundits, and the father that’s flying around…

Dr. Nedley: And health care plans insurances, and the marked rise…

Pastor Doug: Yeah. It’s an astronomical rise. It will probably be influenced a little bit by the projected inflation they’re anticipating.

Dr. Nedley: Yeah, right. Exactly. Yeah.

Pastor Doug: And folks are wondering, you know, what they’re going to do about this health care. How can we afford the health insurance? And what most people don’t know is that so much of our money that we spend on health could be saved if we would practice prevention…

Dr. Nedley: Absolutely.

Pastor Doug: …and then also the Bible principles for recovery!

Dr. Nedley: Yeah. If we putGod’s free health plan into the usage, it’s clear that the cost of health care would go down by at least 80% in this country.

Pastor Doug: Ooh. That’s astaggering figure, but I believe that so much of the health problems are induced by our lifestyle.

Dr. Nedley: Exactly. Yeah.

Pastor Doug: And you and I were talking the other day, and we’ve said, you know, all we have to do is sit down at a typical American supermarket and look in the baskets of what is going out into the people’s homes and refrigerators and ultimately their bodies. And it’s no wonder that people are struggling…

Dr. Nedley: Yeah, the cans of soda pop and the packs of cigarettes, and the alcohol— just those three things alone are causing untold misery.

Pastor Doug: Yeah, and then there, of course, is the incredibly high content of sugar, and some people are eating themselves to death by over-nutrition…

Dr. Nedley: Yeah…

Pastor Doug: …rather than under-nutrition.

Doctor Nedley: Yeah, even Solomon understood that. He said it’s not good to eat much honey. [laughs]

Pastor Doug: That’s right. [laughs] A little bit is good. Eat honey for it is good, but too much honey will make you vomit. That’s right. Well, we’re going to go to the phones, and we invite your questions. If you have any questions on health tonight… of course, we welcome any questions, but we’re going to give preferential treatment tonight to any questions you have on what the Bible might say about health or health secrets. And Dr. Nedley is also a Bible teacher. You’ve not only practiced internal medicine, but you give Bible studies…

Dr. Nedley: Yes.

Pastor Doug: …so we’ll let you weigh on any Bible question tonight if you’d like. We’re doing to start by going to Roberta who’s listening on WBAJ, calling from Lexington, South Carolina. And we want to welcome you to the program, Roberta. You’re on the air with “Bible Answers Live.”

Roberta: Hi, Doug. I just want to say thank you for taking my question, and also I wanted to tell Dr. Nedley thank you so much for all of the work that you do. We listen to you here in WBAJ, and I take a lot of information that I hear from you and apply it with my patients on diabetes education. And they’re just having some wonderful results. So, thank you, Dr. Nedley.

Dr. Nedley: Oh, praise God.

Roberta: I didn’t know that you were going to be on the show tonight, but I do have a question that’s not related to health. I do not believe in the secret rapture but in the Biblical second coming of Christ. And I would like to know to what extent will Satan be able to deceive believers by mimicking the events described in the Left Behind series, especially when people disappear and they [inaudible], that sort of thing?

Pastor Doug: Well, on some of that, we can only speculate that… Roberta’s asking, of course, about the… when we say secret rapture, it means virtually all Christians believe the Lord is coming, and that those who are alive and saved will be caught up to meet Him. The dead in Christ will be caught up, also. And “caught up” is where you get the word “rapture.”

The concept of the secret rapture is comparatively new doctrine. And many have thought that, you know, one of the ways Satan is going to impersonate or deceive people— impersonate Christ and deceive people in the Last Days— is by mimicking certain things. And, you know, the Bible tells us in 2 Corinthians chapter 11, Satan himself has transformed into an angel of light. And in Revelation— I believe it’s chapter 16— it says that the spirits of devils working miracles will go forth to the kings of the earth. And so the devil does have the power to work miracles. How far can he go? Well, you know, devil can make someone sick. Well, let’s talk about health for a second… [laughs]

Dr. Nedley: Absolutely.

Pastor Doug: And he can then remove that and make it look like they’ve received healing, but it’s really sort of the reverse…

Dr. Nedley: Yeah. Exactly.

Pastor Doug: I don’t believe, of course, the devil is going to be able to mimic the ultimate evidence of Jesus’ coming, which is the Lord coming in the sky. So, you know he’ll be doing things on the ground to create distractions and miracles. The devil can create illusions of light. He used to be an angel of light. And so, there’ll be some of that, I expect. But… I want to turn on my TV, if someone said, “Hey, you know, right now, Satan is interviewing Jesus. He’s just appeared in Jerusalem. I won’t even turn it on, because, you know, he does have incredible power to mesmerize and deceive people.

Dr. Nedley: Yeah.

Pastor Doug: So, I don’t know if that helps a little bit, Roberta. You know, we do have a book that is called “Anything But Secret” that deals specifically with the subject of the secret rapture and some of the misconceptions there. Would you like a free copy of that?

Berda: Well, yeah. Thank you very much, Doug.

Pastor Doug: Okay.

Berda: I just know what I would be able to folks if folks just disappear, then [inaudible] we would have to try to explain that.

Pastor Doug: You know, I don’t think the devil is going to be able to manufacture an illusion of a mass disappearance— the kind of things Satan might do is fill the streets of New York with some demons one day and then make them disappear. But it would be pretty hard for him, I think, to counterfeit millions of real people disappearing all over the world.

Berda: Thank you.

Pastor Doug: But he… yeah, Satan’s going to come and there’s going to be a lot of mass deception.

I appreciate your question, Roberta. And with that, we’re going to go to line one. And Iva’s been waiting patiently calling from Shreveport, Louisiana, listening on KQAR. Welcome, Iva!

Iva: Hey, how you are doing?

Pastor Doug: Very well! And your question tonight?

Iva: Sir, my question is that… I joined Air Force, military, a year and a half ago, and I guess I was kind of a believer or Christian. And I prayed about it for six months, and I saw God came near me and told me that, “Yes, it’s ok to join them. And He’s okay with that. But now, when I came to Shreveport, God has been working in my life and have become a more straight Christian and I’m been reading Joe Crews’ “Enemy at the Gate” and your book “Compromise, Conformity, and Courage.”

Pastor Doug: Yes.

Iva: And I’m in the medical field. And I talked to my commanders and they told me that they going to try to work with me as much as possible. But here’s something— there’s going to be time when I do have to work on Sabbath. So, my question is, someone might say in my church that I should go right now and demand to get out of the army because it’s not good to never work on Sabbath. I mean I should just go and get out right now. And the other group of people in my church are saying no, I should be little patient and God will show me the way out and I should keep trying about it I should make a scene out of it. And I’m kind of torn between.

Pastor Doug: Well, that can be a struggle. Now, how long did you sign up for?

Iva: Ooh, six years. So, I have four and a half more years.

Pastor Doug: Oh yeah, that’s quite a stretch before you. You’re in the medical field in military?

Iva: Yes, Sir.

Pastor Doug: What… do you mind me asking what department or…?

Iva: Pharmacy. Pharmacy technician.

Pastor Doug: You work in the pharmacy. And your convictions are, now, that’s not emergency work. I mean, obviously, you know, if I should suddenly fall over right now and begin to have heart problems, and if it was the Sabbath, I don’t think Dr. Nedley would have a problem working on me. You know what I mean? So, if you’re working for people to heal them… Jesus healed on the Sabbath; there’s no question about that.

Iva: Right.

Pastor Doug: But, you’re in something of a compromise position right now because, you know, you’ve made a commitment— when you signed up with the military that you would serve the country and you’d obey certain rules. And that’s why it’s very difficult for Christians depending on your convictions. When you join the military, you really surrender a lot of your freedoms during that time, and they dictate your life and schedule.

Eva: Right.

Pastor Doug: The first thing I’d do is I’d try to work with your commanders and say, you know, I’ve just come and be very honest with them; I’ve come under great conviction about the commandments, and I’d like to apply to get this time off. Neil, what do you think?

Dr. Nedley: Yeah, I would agree with that. Actually I just… a few weeks ago, I spoke to a captain of the U.S navy who also came under conviction. He actually read the Bible and came unto the same Sabbath conviction. He had an advantage, however; he was already a captain and so he can always schedule himself off on Sabbath. But he just recently retired and he actually was part of a consensus group from the military to really put freedom of religion there. And so if you, you know, if you are convicted on this and if there is a religion who backs you up on that that that is a valid belief from the Scriptures… if it’s not an emergency, they actually have to give that to you off, as long as you are willing to make it up and work at times that they assign you that are non-Sabbath times. And I would also encourage you to be the best employee you possibly can be— the best pharmacy tech you possibly can be— because they don’t want to be without that very good pharmacy tech and make life miserable for you to appoint where you’re no longer there, if you’re a very good worker.

Pastor Doug: Yeah, that’s good advice. What do you think, Iva? Will that a help you a little bit?

Iva: Yes, Sir. It does.

Pastor Doug: Alright.

Iva: I know that I have to pray and I have to get an answer from God. So… but it helped. Thank you.

Pastor Doug: Well, praise the Lord. Hey, we’ll be praying for you. Well, it looks like, Dr. Nedley, we’ve got a couple of questions here. Robert is calling and has a question from WMCA, New York, New York. Welcome! I said Robert, I’m sorry. It’s Gordon.

Gordon: Hello!

Pastor Doug: Yes, and your question?

Gordon: How are you doing?

Pastor Doug: Very well.

Gordon: That’s good. I want to know… I’m having problems with requirements for being saved. And two, I’m having concentration with my prayers, you know. So, when I go, the [inaudible] coming to my mind when I’m praying to God you know…

Pastor Doug: Your mind wanders a lot, huh.

Gordon: Yeah. And I’ve been saved. I got baptized last September. And that’s just been a real problem; it just comes in. It’s as if someone like Satan, you know, trying to misdirect my thoughts or something, you know. I’ve tried to concentrate and I’ve tried to keep closing my eyes and ask God to, you know, to cleanse my body, mind, and soul through the Holy Spirit, you know. And sometimes… and it works, you know. And when I concentrate another time, it just doesn’t work.

Pastor Doug: Can I make a suggestion?

Gordon: Sure.

Pastor Doug: When you pray, do you have a place alone where you pray each day? Do you have like a closet, so to speak, you can enter into, or, you know, a bedroom where you can pray out loud?

Gordon: Uhh…

Pastor Doug: Because, you know, it’s a lot harder for your…

Gordon: Yeah…

Pastor Doug: It’s a lot harder for your mind to wander. When you pray to yourself quietly, it’s really easy for your mind to wander. When you’re speaking to someone out loud, it uses a different part of your brain. It actually makes you think about what you’re saying. And so, there’s nothing wrong with praying out loud. The Bible says you should not pray out loud to be a spectacle, but Jesus prayed out loud. And so, if you can get off by yourself, pray out loud, and you’ll notice it’s easier for you to stay focused!

Gordon: I’ll try that then.

Pastor Doug: Now, another thing… not all of prayer, Gordon, is speaking; some prayer is meditating and listening to the Lord. And as you’re talking to Him, sometimes, you know, He’ll give you impressions as you pray. But, you know, you’ll gain strength from prayer. Do you study the Word?

Gordon: I need to do more of that… I’m kind of backsliding on that, also.

Pastor Doug: Well, try and do some of the two together.

Gordon: I think… I’m trying to find different… well, I’m reading John right now, and sometimes I go to a couple of chapters, then I stop, and you know, I pick it up a week later or something. I’ve been doing to continue all of this. You know, I love reading it. It’s just, I don’t know. I don’t know what’s going on.

Pastor Doug: How often do you eat?

Gordon: Uhh…

Pastor Doug: Three times a day?

Gordon: Probably twice a day.

Pastor Doug: Do you forget that?

Gordon: [laughs] No, I don’t. [laughs]

Pastor Doug: Well, in the Bible, Jesus says a man does not live by bread alone but by every word. And so, your spiritual body needs the nutrition or it’s going to become famished.

Gordon: Right.

Pastor Doug: So, hey, we’ll pray for you that you can have a revival in your devotional life.

Gordon: Yeah, that’s a good point there.

Pastor Doug: Now, Gordon, we’ve got a special gift that we’d be happy to send you. If you call our resource line, it’s 800-835-6747. We got book called “The Bible: The Ultimate Resource.” We’ll send you a free copy if you just call that number 800-835-6747. Ask for “The Bible: The Ultimate Resource.” A matter of fact, Dr. Nedley, I think he’d really enjoy the Amazing Facts Bible Study Series.

Dr. Nedley: Yeah, absolutely.

Pastor Doug: Let’s start out with that.

Dr. Nedley: Yeah, that would be great.

Pastor Doug: Talking next to… I had a false alarm a little earlier. Robert is calling also on WMCA from Bloomfield, New Jersey. Welcome to the program, Robert.

Robert: Good evening Pastor and Doctor. My question is about, is there any book whether it’s on, you know, Amazing Facts catalogue or anything you know that deals with the Bible, the food… that describes the Bible food and their preparation, you know, whether it’s vegetables or fruits… if you can recommend any?

Pastor Doug: Well, a simple starter would be the Bible lesson that we’re offering that talks about some of the basics of what the Bible says about health practices, and that called “God’s Free Health Plan.” We’ll send that to anybody tonight, Robert, that wants it. If Dr. Nedley wouldn’t mind, I’m going to mention his website because he has several books here beside two books we mentioned at the start of the program. And that’s simply www… people don’t need to say that anymore, do they?

Dr. Nedley: Probably not.

Pastor Doug: It’s drnedley.com, and that’s Doctor N-E-D-L-E-Y.com, and…

Doctor Nedley: Doctor is abbreviated. D-R…

Pastor Doug: That’s right.

Doctor Nedley:…without a period, and then Nedley.

Pastor Doug: I should need to mention that, because other wise people write the whole thing out. D-R-nedley.com. And he’s got several books there that deal with health. We’ve got a section at the Amazing Facts website where it’s got some health cook books, and I can’t even remember them all because I’m not online right now, but that’s a place to start.

Robert: Does it also deals with the preparation? Okay.

Pastor Doug: Yeah, in the cook books, it talks about the preparation.

Robert: May I ask you one thing about the… we’re on the subject of food…What is manna? As manna something of a supernatural food that the Israelites ate? Or was that actually the tamarisk plant, as some have described it as.

Dr. Nedley: Well, it was actually delivered by angels, but manna, the Bible says, is Coriander seed mixed with honey. And so, it was actually a plant-based food, what we would call a complex carbohydrate. And that’s actually good for brain function and good for energy.

Pastor Doug: See, I learned something there. That’s good to know.

Robert: Thank you very much for your help.

Pastor Doug: Alright. And one thing I do know is the word manna was a Hebrew word, an ancient Hebrew word for “What is it?”

Dr. Nedley: That’s right.

Pastor Doug: Like, “What’s that?”[laughs]

Dr. Nedley: So, when we’re running cooking schools, and people taste the food and ask “What is it?” we know we’re getting pretty close.

Pastor Doug: [laughs] That’s a good idea. Alright, now we’ve got another question. I think we’ve got time for one more before our break. Can we talk to Barbara calling from Sacramento, California listening on our mother station here, KFIA. Welcome, Barbara! You’re in the air.

Barbara: Hi. Thank you. I appreciate you taking my call. I have a question for the doctor…

Pastor Doug: Sure.

Barbara: …and my question is this. I’m a diabetic and I’ve been suffering for months now, severe cramping through my whole body. My trunk… it’s like it’s in chains. I can’t breathe sometimes, the cramping is so bad. And when I talked to my physician, all she tells me is drink more water. I can’t really drink much more water, Doctor. I’ve wondered if you have any insight on what to do, the cause, and how I can correct it through, maybe, diet?

Dr. Nedley: Yeah. Are your blood sugars controlled?

Barbara: Very good, not as good as it could be. I am working drastically. I’m trying to ask God to help me to be a lot better than I have been, but generally in 150s, from there.

Dr. Nedley: Okay. Do you take insulin to control that or no?

Barbara: Yes, I do. I’ve been on shots for about six years.

Dr. Nedley: Yeah. One of the things that I would recommend that can help is actually fiber supplements, and it can actually help control your blood sugars, as well. There are three fibers together that if you take them 10 minutes before you eat, they may help significantly. One of them is called Chia seeds, another one Glucomannin, and the third one Methylcellulose. And after that, eat just a soup and a salad and whatever else is healthy. Try to eat a little lighter. It well help fill you up and it can also help clean your intestinal tract out and significantly help. That might be a start.

Barbara: I appreciate that. Would you just say them once more?

Dr. Nedley: Yes. Chia seeds spelled like “China” without the “n.” Glucomannin, spelled like glucose, but glucomannan, M-A-N-N-I-N. And then methylcellulose; methylcellulose is M-E-T-H-Y-L, and then “cellulose” are all one word.

Pastor Doug: Well, hey. Praise the Lord! Hope that’s help a little bit, Barbara. That’s some new information I didn’t know, also!

Dr. Nedley: Yeah, it can help for the weight loss, as well…

Pastor Doug: Yeah, just the…

Dr. Nedley: …without having to do that. It’s like having a gastric bypass surgery because it kind of fills you up, it cleans out, and you don’t get near as hungry.

Pastor Doug: And probably a lot cheaper than gastric bypass surgery, I’m guessing…

Dr. Nedley: Absolutely. And a lot less side effects, as well.

Pastor Doug: Yeah, I hear that’s a little risky. You know, we’ve got about a minute before our break. I’m just wondering, there an epidemic of diabetes. Barbara was just talking about… if you would put your finger on one or two of the greatest causes in North America that’s contributing to that, what would you say?

Dr. Nedley: Sugar and fat.

Pastor Doug: That’s pretty simple.

Dr. Nedley: Pretty simple.

Pastor Doug: You haven’t… that even didn’t take a minute. [laughs]

Dr. Nedley: [laughs] Take the sugar out of the diet or anything that’s like sugar, like honey, or whatever that is a sweetener, those false sweeteners. And there is a reason why we were supposed to cut the fat out of the food when we ate it, and that will certainly help prevent diabetes.

Pastor Doug: That’s right. And, of course, Dr. Nedley is referring to the Biblical law that they do not eat blood and do not eat fat. And if people would listen to that, look at the incredible benefits that America would feel.

Dr. Nedley: Yeah, absolutely.

Pastor Doug: Well, you can hear the music, friends. We’re getting ready to take a break in just a moment. I would like to remind you if you want to know more about Dr. Nedley and his ministry, he’s got some great Bible keys and secrets on health, as well. He has a very popular book on Biblical principles that help recovery from depression. You can go to his website; it’s D-R Nedley, or standing for Doc Nedley… drnedley, N-E-D-L-E-Y.com. You just type in Neil’s name, Neil Nedley, you’ll find lots of information there.

Also, don’t forget the Amazing Facts website. We’ve got a lot there that deals with the subject of health as well. We’ll be right back after the break, friends.

[COMMERCIAL BREAK]

Pastor Jëan Ross: Welcome back to Bible Answers Live with Pastor Doug Batchelor. This broadcast is pre-recorded. If you have a Bible-related question, you can call us from 7 to 8 P.M. Pacific Standard Time on Sundays and receive clear, honest answers directly from Scripture. Call 800-GOD-SAYS; that’s 800-463-7297. Now, please join us as we look to God’s Word for more Bible answers live with author and evangelist, Pastor Doug Batchelor.

Pastor Doug: Welcome back, listening friends! If you are just joining us, this is “Bible Answers Live!” It is a live, international, interactive Bible study, and it’s brought to you by Amazing Facts. My name is Doug Batchelor. And we have a special guest in the studio tonight. Pastor Jëan Ross is at a speaking engagement, but I brought in a friend who is an internationally-known physician! Dr. Neil Nedley is an internist. He is based in Ardmore, Oklahoma… but you travel all over the world doing the seminars on health and depression recovery. And what are some of the other specialty seminars that you do?

Dr. Nedley: Well, we also do, one-time, anxiety, other mental health disorders, as well as cancer prevention, even cancer treatments or some natural means, and also heart disease and gastro-intestinal disease.

Pastor Doug: That’s quite a bit. And Dr. Nedley is very popular because he takes Biblical principles and he shows the support from modern science of these basic Biblical principles. And so we’re glad to have him here on the program tonight. If you have any questions relating to the subject of health or Bible issues, health, what the Bible says about diet, clean and unclean foods… If I were you, friends, I’d capitalize on Dr. Nedley being here. And we’ve got a couple of lines open! Give us a call. Once again, to call into the studio, that number is 800-GOD-SAYS; that’s 800-463-7297.

But I think we’ve got a general Bible question coming from Conrad in Brooklyn, New York, listening on the internet. Welcome, Conrad. You’re on the air!

Conrad: Yes, my question is on Acts 9:7, “And the men which journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice, but seeing no man.” And comparing it to Acts 22:9, "And they that were with me saw indeed the light, and were afraid; but they heard not the voice of him that spake to me.” And [inaudible], it’s said to me it’s contradicting but I don’t believe it’s not. I just don’t understand it.

Pastor Doug: Yeah. Well, they did hear something… You know, there’s one example that might be… First of all, it says “They who journeyed with me…” They’re the men; there’s more than one, right?

Conrad: Right.

Pastor Doug: When Jesus was baptized at the water, some heard God say, “This is My beloved Son,” but there’s another place where the Lord spoke, and some thought it thundered and others heard the voice and what it said. And this could be because there were several people around Paul when this happened. Some said, “Yes, I saw the light.” Some said, “Did you hear the voice?” and they said, “No, I heard a rumble,” and others said, “Well, I heard the voice.” And so, it shouldn’t surprise us because there’s several people there that got different perspectives.

Another thing to consider, if you look at the cross of Christ when Jesus was crucified, people have said there’s a contradiction above the cross of Christ. Some say it says, “This was Jesus of Nazareth,” “This was Jesus, King of the Jews,” “Jesus Christ…” And why is there a contradiction about what was on the sign? Well, it says it was in three different languages, so it just depends on what language you’re translating. So, whenever you get several people’s perspective on an experience, it doesn’t mean that there’s a non-truth there; it means this is what they heard or saw. Did that help a little bit?

Conrad: So that’s from the mouth of someone else?

Pastor Doug: Excuse me?

Conrad: So it’s from the mouth of somebody else, pretty much?

Pastor Doug: Yeah. Keep in mind, Acts is not written by Paul; Acts is written by Luke who interviewed different people. And he says at the beginning of the book, he directs to someone by the name of Theophilus that he had a perfect understanding. And he gathered this, you know, no doubt, in order for Luke to write about the birth of Jesus, he must have interviewed Mary. For him to write about Paul’s conversion, probably not only, you know, talked to Paul, but when he went back to Jerusalem he may visited with some of the people who brought him to Damascus. Or, not only that, but Paul went to Damascus after his conversion, the people that carried Paul by the hand there must have met with Ananias and others. So, there’s just different reports that came in. Some heard, some didn’t. Hope that helps a little, Conrad!

Conrad: Thanks. I understand.

Pastor Doug: Okay. I appreciate that. Your silence made me worried. Now, we’re going to move on to another question. Let me see here. We’re going to talk next to… it looks like Dean might have a health-related question calling from Queens, New York on WMCA. Welcome, Dean. You’re on the air with “Bible Answers Live,” and we’ve got Dr. Neil Nedley in the studio tonight.

Dean: Hi. How are you doing? I’m glad to be talking to you. First-time caller. Well, my question is basically smoking and smoking of cigars occasionally for a Christian?

Pastor Doug: You’re wondering what if the Bible address this or if there’s something wrong with it? There are a number of things I could cite. You’re not going to find the Scripture that talks about heroin or morphine or opium or, you know, all kinds of addictive drugs. The Bible’s not going to mention caffeine and a lot of other things, but that does not mean the principles aren’t in the Bible.

Dean: Right.

Pastor Doug: On the typical cigarette pack in North America, after work of research, physician insisted that a surgeon general put a warning there that… I think there’s several warnings. One says, you know, this can cause birth defects, another one says, you know, this can cause… it can contribute to cancer, and…

Dr. Nedley: Yeah, it can cause premature death, as well. Not only cancer but heart disease, and it’s actually thickens the blood, thickens the platelets, increases the risk of stroke, heart attack. And the Bible does have a very concise statement about that, and it says “Thou shall not kill” in the commandments. And that does not mean just others, it also means ourselves.

Pastor Doug: Yeah, that’s self-murder. And, you know, some people kill themselves. They despair and might take a gun shoot themselves; they die instantly. Some people might say, “Well, I’m going to take poison.” It takes hours to them to die. Some people take poison that takes 20 years for them to die.

Dean: So, I guess everything in moderation would apply to this?

Pastor Doug: Well, I would not…

Dr. Nedley: Moderation is for the healthy things. The Bible is clear about abstinence being the best way. Peter talked about living a Christian lifestyle as they lived an abstinent lifestyle. And he’s what’s talking about is anything that is going to harm us we should abstinence from.

Pastor Doug: You know, what I’d like to use, Dean, to help visualize what I think Dr. Nedley is saying is just the traffic lights— you’ve got your green, your yellow, and your red; and the red light is total abstinence. And there are certain things I don’t believe any believer should do, because for one thing, it not only hurts your body, it hurts your witness. If, you know, if Jesus… let’s just tell the truth. A Christian is a follower of Jesus. Is that right, Dean?

Dean: Yes.

Pastor Doug: Okay. If Jesus was talking to you about the kingdom and the mansions He’s preparing in heaven, and He started puffing on a cigar stub, would you think there’s wrong with that picture?

Dean: Yeah, I guess you’re right. [laughs]

Pastor Doug: Yeah, okay. Well, it does something to our witness, as well as our health. And I used to smoke, I know it’s struggle. My dad smoke cigars. I used to love the smell but I feel so much better being able to breathe free. And, you know, it’s an indulgence that you might need to deny yourself of, and be a consistent witness.

Dean: Yeah, well…

Pastor Doug: I started talking about the traffic lights, yeah. Of course, red light for the things that are forbidden. Certain things, moderation— we talk about honey which would be sugar, a little bit’s okay; too much is bad for you. And then there some things green light, you know, an abundance of the fruits, grains, vegetables, and things that God has— but even in moderation! I mean, a person could eat too much of even brussel sprouts, I suppose!

Dr. Nedley: Yeah, even water that you opened the program with, it’s possible, actually to drink too much water.

Pastor Doug: [laughs] Yeah, that’s what we talked about tonight. Someone actually died from drinking too much water… But hey…

Dean: That sounds like drowning. [laughs]

Pastor Doug: Yeah, you can kind of drown on the inside, I suppose. I appreciate that, Dean. Thank you very for your call. And we’re going to talk next with… talking with Michelle who’s… Doing Pastor Ross’s jobs, I’ve got tp man the phones. Michelle, WMCA, you’re in the air!

Michelle: Hello. Yes. My question is not health-related, but it’s good to have the doctor on. I’m very health-conscious myself. But anyway, I’d like to know what does the Bible have to say regarding, you know, women pastors?

Pastor Doug: Well, there’s a silence in the Bible on the subject… What I mean by that is all of the men who were ordained as priests or pastors— well, I just said it— they were all men. Women are called to ministry just like men are called to ministry, but the role of the pastor is different in that in the Old Testament you have women who are prophets, you’ve got women who were judges. But there’s no example of a woman serving in the capacity in the Bible of an apostle, a priest, or a pastor.

Michelle: So then, is it… Would you say that it’s wrong, Biblically speaking, for women to pastor a church in 2000… nowadays?

Pastor Doug: Yes.

Michelle: You say is that of God?

Pastor Doug: I think that the family— God established the family. You go all the way back to Genesis and it’s consistently, you know, commented on all the way through the writings of Paul; that in the family, man are to be the priest servant leaders. The church is an extension of the family, and so in the same way, the men should be the servant leaders in the role of pastor. But that doesn’t mean that women cannot share their gifts or minister or teach in the capacity of ministry. You know, I just wrote a book. We had so many questions on this. I wrote a book that just came out about a month ago. I’ll send you a free copy if you’d like.

Michelle: Oh, thank you.

Pastor Doug: And it’s called “Women in Ministry.” And if you call that number I’m about to give you, it’s the live line for Amazing Facts resources; that resource line is 800— it’s a free phone call, Michelle— 800-835-6747. Tell them you’re listening to “Bible Answers Live,” and that you’re requesting the free book that Pastor Doug just wrote on “Women in Ministry.” We’ll be happy to send that to you. I appreciate your call!

We’re going to talk next with David, who’s listening from Shreveport, Louisiana on KQAR. Welcome, David. You’re in the air with “Bible Answers Live”!

David: Hey. How are you doing, Pastor?

Pastor Doug: Very well.

David: Okay. I’ve got a question here in the Book of Job second chapter verse 28, and it says, “And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions.” And my thing is, if… what is these verses’ meaning, because like I say, I actually have dreams and see things that comes to pass. And sometimes it scares me and sometimes it doesn’t, because like I say, it’s hard to interpret what these dreams are really meaning.

Pastor Doug: Well, dreams come from a number of things. And I believe it’s in Ecclesiastes, Solomon says, “A dream cometh through the multitude of business.” And so, sometimes, you know, if you spend all day working in an auto-parts store, you might go to sleep thinking about numbers and spark plug. You know, if you do anything a lot, you can stimulate dreams. You can have all kinds of dreams because your mind, when you sleep… And Dr. Nedley is more of an expert on this. The computer is sort of rebooting during the night. I don’t know if it that’s a simple layman’s term.

Dr. Nedley: Yeah, it’s called REM sleep, and that’s where you dream. It’s a natural part of sleeping. And if you were to watch someone dream, their eyes would actually dart underneath their closed eye lids in a rapid fashion, and you know that they’re dreaming at that time. If you were to wake them up at that point, they’ll be able to tell you what they were dreaming about…

Pastor Doug: Well, so often, people get up more slowly, and by the time they’re conscious, they can’t remember their dreams like Nebuchadnezzar… [laughs]

Dr. Nedley: Right.

David: Yeah. I’m kind like that a lot of myself, you know. I could dream some things, and I’d be seeing it. And then when I wake up, it’s like I’m struggling trying to remember what it was, but actually see some things that are coming ahead. One dream that was so precise to my… I actually saw this guy’s face, what he was doing in the dream, and I’m talking about… it was the same way it was in the dream!

Pastor Doug: Now, the Lord does… I want to be careful to not dismiss that God can speak through dreams because you’ve got examples in the Bible where the Lord speaks through a number of dreams and visions. And Nebuchadnezzar, the Pharaoh, the people that were imprisoned with Joseph… and God gave dreams to individuals from every rank of society. Sometimes, God would give a dream to a person, and it’s a personal message just for them; it’s not a message for the world. God gave a dream to Joseph about, you know, what to do with the baby and Mary. Sometimes, He would give a dream to a prophet where he’s supposed to proclaim it.

Sometimes, the Lord, you know, will just impress you with some guidance through a dream as I mentioned. But one I thing I don’t have, and I don’t know if Dr. Nedley has the gift of interpretation, so we probably can’t help you interpret that dream, David.

But, you know, we do have a lesson that we’ll send you, and it’s talking about, does God inspire astrologers and physics? It talks about dreams and visions and, you know, where these things come from and how can you tell a true prophet from a false prophet and the outpouring of the spirit. You call the toll-free number 800-835-6747. Ask for the lesson on “Prophets and Visions,” and we’ll send you a copy of that.

Oh, we’re going to talk next with Pam, who’s calling from Tulare, California on KARM. Welcome, Pam. You’re on the air!

Pam: Good evening, Pastor Batchelor and Dr. Nedley. I am a G.I. nurse practitioner. And my son was recently diagnosed with pan colitis. We put him on medication, and the medication has actually made him very loopy, which I have never seen with any patients before. I’m trying to change his diet and make him more healthy, which, he’s 27 years old, and he lives a very different life style than I do. And I just don’t know… health-wise, can you think any food that would help him out and be better for him?

Dr. Nedley: Well, the Genesis diet is a good diet when you have an auto-immune disease. Pancolitis normally is an auto-immune disease where the body is attacking itself, and so staying away particularly from dairy and meat and eating the Genesis 1:27 diet of fruits, grains, nuts, and vegetables. We’ve noticed in colitis, it’s better not to eat fruits and vegetables at the same meal. But have fruits at one meal, vegetables at another. And there’s also some other plants foods that can have medicinal properties, and pan colitis… aloe vera is one of those and another one is slippery alm— and that would be the slippery alm powder. But also, obviously, he needs to be followed closely by the physician in charge of him, as well.

Pam: Very good. Well, we will try that. I’ve tried to get him to go on the dairy-free, meat-free diet, and just haven’t had a lot of luck with that.

Pastor Doug: Well, the best thing you can do, of course, is share the truth with. Pray for him that his heart will be softened by it, and that he’ll try and implement some of these things…

Pam: And that’s what many of us are doing.

Pastor Doug: Yup.

Pam: Alright, thank you very much!

Pastor Doug: I appreciate your call, Pam.

Once again, listening friends, we’ve got a guest in the studio tonight. Dr. Neil Nedley who is not only a very successful practicing physician internist, but is a Christian, a student of the Bible. And he’s found just a wealth of information that relates the Bible to practical Christian health. And if you have questions on that, we still have a few minutes left! Let me see here.

We have Belva who’s been waiting patiently from Maupin, Organ. And you’re on the air, Belva!

Belva: Hello.

Pastor Doug: And your question?

Belva: My question is, when Jesus was brought in to be tried and stuff, was it necessary for them to beat Him badly as they did, or did they just do that because they wanted to?

Pastor Doug: Well, it’s necessary in the sense that Christ suffered for our sins, and the Father allowed a measure of suffering, commensurate with, you know, the sins of the world.

Belva: Oh, I know he had to be crucified and may had… he had some beating because they did… I did read in Isaiah whereas they said— or was it Ezekiel? Anyway, he would be spit on, just like that…

Pastor Doug: That’s Isaiah.

Barva: But… Okay. But they did that and they blindfolded him, and beating and stuff. Was that necessary?

Pastor Doug: Well, in a sense, it was for you and me, because He took our place. And everything Jesus went through, from the moment he was betrayed from the Garden of Gethsemane… See, He’s taking the penalty for sin is not just death. Some people think the penalty for sin is you just close your eyes and you’re dead. The penalty for sin is punishment and death. The wicked are lost, they just don’t close their eyes and go to sleep; they are rewarded according to their works. There’s punishment and then death. Jesus not only died for our sin; He suffered and died. And the degree of suffering he experienced from the Garden of Gethsemane through, you know, when He said, “It is finished” represents His taking of what we deserve, and that ought to, of course, melt our hearts with love for Him that… You know, the devil basically inspired that mob to extract maximum ounce of suffering from Jesus, because the devil just hates Christ and he was trying to, you know, just inflict as much torture on Him as he could!

Barva: That’s why I was wondering whether it was necessary for Him, as much beating as He got. Or was this because they wanted to, and the devil…

Pastor Doug: Yeah, you’re in the right track. The devil inspired that mob. It was not customary to torture and to mock and to torment a regular condemned prisoner as much as they did with Jesus. There was additional circumstances there and hatred. They were after Him because of jealousy, the religious leaders. Thank you for your question, Belva.

We’re going to talk next to Mary who’s calling from North Arlington, New Jersey listening on WMCA. Welcome to the program, Mary. You’re on the air.

Mary: Yes Doctor. Good evening, Doctor. Good evening, Pastor.

Pastor Doug: Evening!

Mary: I’m calling about some health problem.

Pastor Doug: Yes.

Mary: I underwent surgery for cancer two years ago and I had radiation, but I’m grossly overweight, and I’m trying to lose the weight but it’s a battle. And I don’t want to take any of those things that haven’t put in my body again. So, what can I do?

Pastor Doug: Yes, Dr. Nedley?

Dr. Nedley: That’s very good that you’re wanting to lose weight, because obesity is actually one of the causes of cancer. And so, by reversing that cause, it can help out.

Mary: I now have high blood pressure also, so I want to lose weight.

Dr. Nedley: Yes. Lowering the calories is important. In other words, no sugar, no fat, and no free-fat and no sugar, also…

Mary: I don’t use sugar.

Dr. Nedley: Very good. How about oils or fats, how do you do that with that?

Mary: I hardly use oil, maybe canola… palm tree…

Dr. Nedley: Yeah, the Bible also talks about denying self, and, of course, that really is the cure for gluttony; it’s the cure for overeating. And basically, when we eat less calories and we expend more energy in exercise, we will lose weight. And so those two things combined can help out. Another thing that we have noticed is if you don’t eat in the evening hours… we’re really meant to eat breakfast and lunch, supper for someone who’s overweight… it’s much easier to lose weight if you don’t eat after 3:00 in the afternoon and just drink water.

Mary: Okay.

Dr. Nedley: The Bible also commands fasting, and if you’re able to do so, fasting a day or two or a week also stimulates the immune system. It’s been shown to be helpful even in certain cancerous conditions. And if your doctor thinks it’s okay for you to fast a day or two, a week, that will also help out.

Mary: Yes, thank you.

Pastor Doug: Well, we’ll be praying for you, Mary, that the Lord gives you a new beginning and follow some of these practical…

Mary: I just want to lose weight… [inaudible]

Pastor Doug: You can do it. All things, Jesus says, all things are possible with the Lord. And let’s pray that today is a turning point for you.

Alright, talking next with Marilyn, who’s calling from Garfield, New Jersey on WMCA as well. Welcome, Marilyn. You’re on the air with Amazing Facts and Doug Batchelor and Dr. Nedley!

Marilyn: Okay, thank you. I enjoy your show every Sunday night, Pastor Doug.

Pastor Doug: Praise the Lord!

Marilyn: I’m learning a lot. I have a health-related question right now. I have a friend of mine, a women about 76 years old, and she has several auto-immune type disease like Sjogren’s Disease and steo, and she has a gluten-free diet, I guess. That’s Sprue Disease, I think it is. But is there anything that she can do, any diet that she can take to help her with that?

Dr. Nedley: Well, there are some plant foods that can help with the auto-immune phenomenon. The omega-3 foods are very helpful, and those would be foods like flax seed, English walnuts, actually almonds are also very helpful. The Bible talks about almonds in a very good way because it’s one of the foods that was in the most holy place, in the sanctuary. And complex carbohydrates, which was what manna was made out of, combined with almonds, can help out in regards to auto-immune disease. And so, I would recommend those types of foods as being helpful. Also, staying away particularly from the animal foods and meats, in particular, can be helpful as well.

Marilyn: Okay. And she also was just diagnosed with a liver… I think she has of the liver. She wasn’t, you know, any… didn’t have any alcohol on her history or anything. We don’t know where that’s coming from, but…

Dr. Nedley: Lowering the fat intake and also being a plant-based vegetarian can prolong your life with cirrhosis in the liver significantly. It can still be a fatal disease, but we had people that were sentenced basically three months to live, and when they changed to a plant-based vegetarian, they expanded their life span by five to six years.

Pastor Doug: Wow. Praise the Lord! And they can maybe find some more information if they go to Dr. Nedley’s website, which is D-R-nedley; that’s D-R-N-E-D-L-E-Y.com. And he’s got lot of information there on even cooking, information on Bible-based foods and diets. I’ve got a question from Ed who’s calling in from Hysteria, California on Radio 74. Did I say hysteria? You there, Ed? [laughs]

Ed: Hi. This is Ed. Hysteria. Does the Bible have a diet of organic food to reduce heart cholesterol?

Dr. Nedley: Well, the Genesis diet was actually a very good diet to reduce high cholesterol. There’s no cholesterol in fruits, grains, nuts, or vegetables. And that’s the Genesis diet. And most people, when they get out a diet that’s plant-based like that, they’ll be able to lower their cholesterol between 60 and 120 points in about 6 weeks.

Pastor Doug: Wow.

Dr. Nedley: It’s good as medication, and there’s been studies shown on that. Daniel also had a diet that was very good on that as well, and his was also plant-based and that’s how I did, Daniel chapter 1.

Pastor Doug: Wow, praise the Lord! That’s incredible. We have 1 minute… Oh, there’s the music. I was going to say we’ve got a call from Hawaii. Rose, give us a chance. You can call next week, and we’ll do our best to answer your question.

Listening friends, if we did not get your call tonight, then we’re here by God’s grace every Sunday evening. It’s re-broadcast on some stations. We want to thank Dr. Neil Nedley for joining us for the program. Well, hopefully we can do this again sometime.

Dr. Nedley: Yeah, that would be great, Doug.

Pastor Doug: And it’s a pleasure to help people feel better especially when they see the connection between the word of God and long life.

Keep in mind, listening friends, this program has been brought to you by Amazing Facts. It is entirely supported by you. If you have been blessed or edified by the things you’ve heard tonight, we pray that you will consider dropping us a line. You can simply go to the Amazing Facts website; that’s amazingfacts.org. We’d like to hear from you! You can send Bible questions. We’ll read them on the program, on the internet. Just go to the Contact button there and send us your questions and a note. Remember, it’s all about Jesus, the Truth that will set you free.

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