Acts 2:44-46 And all the believers met together constantly and shared everything with each other, selling their possessions and dividing with those in need. They worshiped together regularly at the Temple each day, met in small groups in homes for Communion, and shared their meals with great joy and thankfulness, praising GOD. [Living Bible translation]
Definition: "Koinonia" is a New Testament Greek word that means "commune by intimate participation." The word is frequently used in the New Testament to describe the relationship within the early Christian church as well as the act of "breaking bread" that Christ prescribed during the Passover meal. It identifies the state of fellowship and community that should exist among Christians. Koinonia embraces concepts like "sharing," "joint participation," "contribution" and "fellowship with each other and with GOD."
DISCUSSION
Acts 2:44-46 is often cited as a prime example of 'Koinonia' among members of the early Christian church. The idea of meeting together, sharing their resources, worshiping together, praying together, meeting in small groups for fellowship and the act of participation in communion is expressed in Acts 2:44-46 and elsewhere in the gatherings of the early church. The word "Koinonos" means a companion, a partner or a joint owner. Koinonia can also refer to the spiritual relationship we share with GOD for example in intimate prayer and praise to GOD or in communion, when we remember JESUS' sacrifice for us. The HOLY SPIRIT acting within us and through us for the mission of helping the poor or to achieve a higher purpose, thereby glorifying GOD, is another expressed in the concept of 'Koinonia.' Koinonia also refers to a bond between comrades, as when friends share their joys and pain, when one prays for another, or when people are united because of their common interests and goals, as in one body, a united "church." Koinonia involves action. It is the "doing together." It is a blessed, interdependent friendship and fellowship among believers and with GOD.
NEED FOR ACTION? – For Men?
In "6 Top Health Threats to Men," Dr. Matthew Hoffman discusses some of the major threats to a man's health as he gets older. According to Dr. Hoffman, one of the reasons why men tend to die earlier than their wives, on average, may be partly biological and partly due to "men's approach of their health." What Dr. Hoffman and others have found is that "Men put their health last."
"Men put their health last," says Demetrius Porche, DNS, RN, editor in chief of the American Journal of Men's Health. "Most men's thinking is, if they can live up to their roles in society, then they're healthy."
See, "6 Top Health Threats to Men," by Matthew Hoffman, MD, www.webmd.com. In other words, most men think that if they are supporting their family, taking care of their obligations, being productive, being the man of the house, "they are [just] fine" and give little thought to their health. This is one of the reasons why men tend to go to the doctor less than women. However, experts suggest that a little planning can not only help men feel healthy but stay healthy. Some of the areas where men can plan more against threats to a healthy life include the following:
Threat: Cardiovascular Disease: One of the leading threats to most men's health is cardiovascular disease, meaning "hardening of the arteries: Heart disease and stroke are the first and second leading causes of death worldwide, for men and women. In cardiovascular disease, cholesterol plaques block the arteries. If the plaque becomes unstable and a blood clot forms, the blocked artery can cause a heart attack or stroke. For reasons that are still unclear, men's arteries tend to develop atherosclerosis earlier than women's.
Plan to Prevent Cardiovascular Disease:
- If you smoke, STOP. It will increase your chance of heart disease.
- Get your cholesterol checked, beginning at age 25 and every 5 years thereafter
- Increase your physical activity level to 30 minutes per day, most days of the week.
- Eat more fruits and vegetables and eat less saturated and trans fats [i.e., stay away from "junk food," "fried foods" and butter and sugar "laced" deserts (e.g., donuts).] Remember if others see you eat a donut, you are undermining your own health of others around you. We are all in this together.
- Watch what you drink. Limit alcohol. If you are prone to addiction, just tell yourself "NO!" Take soda, pop, and diet soft drinks off the menu too. Start by getting rid of all the soda in the house and then just take it one day at a time.
Threat: Prostate Cancer: Another threat to men's health is prostate cancer. This is solely a man's problem, since women do not have prostates. As men age, the prostate is prone to problems. The American Cancer Society estimates that in 2015 there will be about 220, 800 new cases of prostate cancer cases in the U.S. this year (in 2015). About 1 man in 7 will be diagnosed with prostate cancer during his lifetime. About 6 out of 10 men will be age 65 or older. The average age for diagnosis is age 66, but younger men can develop prostate cancer too.
Plan to Prevent Prostate Cancer:
- See your doctor regularly and speak with your personal physician about your overall risks to determine whether you should be screened or what measure you should take to. [If you do not see a doctor at least once a year for an annual physical, call your doctor this month in order to try to schedule a visit within the next 2-3 months.]
Threat: Diabetes. Dr. Hoffman calls diabetes the "silent health threat" because usually diabetes begins without symptoms. According to Dr. Hoffman, "over years, blood sugar levels creep higher, eventually spilling into the urine." Usually frequent urination and thirst are what bring most men to the doctor. Heart attack, strokes, blindness, kidney failure and amputation are some of the fallout from untreated diabetes or the failure to follow treatment. According to one study in Occupational Health being a man puts you at greater risk of diabetes. According to that study, men between age 35-54 were twice more likely to develop diabetes than their female counterparts. See, Spotlight: Diabetes, Risk Factors, www.menshealth.com. However, remember, type 2 diabetes risks increases with age. In the United States, 11.3% of all adults 20 or over have diabetes. Among adults 65 or over, 26.9% have diabetes. In the United States 29.1 million people have diabetes, and at least 8.1 million may be undiagnosed or unaware of their condition. See, www.healthline.com.
Plan to Prevent or Reduce the Risk of Diabetes:
- Exercise (30 minutes a day of physical activity) and a eat a healthy diet
- Maintaining a healthy weight or take steps to achieve moderate weight loss if you are overweight
Men who followed the above prevention planned, according to one study, reduced their chance of diabetes by 50%. The Diabetes Prevention Program found that weight loss and increased physical activity resulted in a 58% reduction of type 2 diabetes and that amongst older subjects (age 60 or older) the reduction was 71%. See. www.healthline.com.
If you are not sure about how to put together a personal plan tailored to your personal physical health and needs, see your doctor or make an appointment right away to consult a physician about a creating a plan just for you. Remember, you should always consult your own physician about any new dietary or physical exercise plan you start if you already have medical issues or concerns.
KOINONIA IS A PLAN
Koinonia is a plan. It is a physical, spiritual and a dietary plan. It is to prevent the physical and spiritual threats in our lives. It is not just a plan for us. It is a plan to help motivate all the men, women and children in our lives----because we are all "in this together."
It is not too late to participate. [Please see last week's devotional for the list of goals.] If you select just one goal—the goal of prayer--please remember to pray for everyone, including yourself. We will be participating in Koinonia during the month of January.
One of the best ways that men (and women) can take care of their families is by taking care of themselves—physically and spiritually! So, be a good steward over your mind and body.
Pray, Plan and Be Blessed!
