21 Days To A New and Improved You - Day 21

YOUR PHYSICAL AND

SPIRITUAL FITNESS:

WHO'S IN CHARGE?

But see ye first kingdom of God, and his righteousness

and all these things shall be added unto you.

-

Matthew 6:33

FOCUS FOR TODAY

God deserves first place in your life...

and you deserve the experience of putting Him there.

One of the surest ways to improve your health and your life - and the best way - is to do it with God as your partner. When you put God first in every aspect of your life, you'll be comforted by the knowledge that His wisdom is the ultimate wisdom and that His plans are the right plans for you.

When you put God first, your outlook will change, your behaviors will change, and your health will change. When you put Him first, you'll experience the genuine peace and lasting comfort that only He can give.

In the book of Exodus, God instructs us to place no gods before Him. (20:3) Does God rule your heart?  Make certain that the honest answer to this question is a resounding yes. And then prepare yourself for the cascade of spiritual and emotional blessings that sure to follow.

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

YOUR DIET REFLECTS YOUR VALUES

If you place high value on the body God has given you, then place high importance on the foods that you use to fuel it.

MORE FROM GOD'S WORD

Exodus 15:2

New International Version (NIV)

 ² “The LORD is my strength and my defense
   he has become my salvation.
He is my God, and I will praise him,
   my father’s God, and I will exalt him.

Deuteronomy 6:12

New International Version (NIV)

¹² be careful that you do not forget the LORD, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery.

Psalm 92

    A psalm. A song. For the Sabbath day. ¹ It is good to praise the LORD
   and make music to your name, O Most High,
² proclaiming your love in the morning
   and your faithfulness at night,

Deuteronomy 6:5

New International Version (NIV)

⁵ Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.

Luke 4:6-8

New International Version (NIV)

⁶ And he said to him, “I will give you all their authority and splendor; it has been given to me, and I can give it to anyone I want to. ⁷ If you worship me, it will all be yours.”
 ⁸ Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God and serve him only.’

MORE THOUGHTS ABOUT

PUTTING GOD FIRST

Make God's will the focus of your life day by day. If you  seek to please Him and HIm alone, you'll find yourself satisfies with life. - Kay Arthur

Jesus Christ is the first and last, author and finisher, beginning and end, alpha and omega, and by Him all other things hold together. He must be first or nothing. God never comes next! - Vance Havner 

Do not be afraid, then, that if you trust, or tell others to trust, the matter will end there. Trust is only the beginning and the continual foundation. When we trust Him, the Lord works, and His work is the important part of the whole matter. - Hannah Whitall Smith

Our body is a portable sanctuary through which we are daily experiencing the presence of God. - Richard Foster

PERFECTION IS IMPOSSIBLE

You don't have to be perfect to be wonderful. The difference between perfectionism and realistic expectations is the difference between a life of frustration and a life of contentment. Only one earthly being ever lived life to perfection, and He was the Son of God. The rest of us have fallen short of God's standard and need to be accepting to our limitations as well as the limitations of others.

If you find yourself frustrated by the unrealistic demands of others (or by unrealistic pressures of the self imposed variety)  it's time to ask yourself who you're trying to impress and why. Your first responsibility is to the Heavenly Father who created you and to the Son who saved you. Then, you bear a powerful responsibility to be true to yourself. And of course you owe debts of gratitude to friends and family members. 

But when it comes to meeting society's unrealistic expectations, forget it! Those expectations aren't just unrealistic; they're detrimental to your spiritual health.

So, if you're a woman who has become discouraged with your inability to perfectly fit, remember that when you accepted Christ as your Savior, God accepted you for all eternity. Now, it's your turn to accept yourself. When you do, you'll feel a tremendous weight being lifted from your shoulders. After all, pleasing God is simply a matter of obeying His commandments and accepting His Son. But as for pleasing everybody else? That's impossible...so why even try?

WORKING IT OUT

IT'S IMPOSSIBLE TO GET FIT AND STAY FIT

Would you like to continue your journey toward improved fitness? The start with the firm conviction that God wants the very same thing. And then have the faith that when you and God work together, anything is possible!

CELEBRATING LIFE

Today is a non-renewable resource - once it's gone, it's gone forever. Our responsibility, as thoughtful believers, is to use this day in the service of God's will and in the service of His people. When we do so, we enrich our own lives and the lives of those whom we love. 

God has richly blessed us, and He wants you to rejoice in His gifts. That's why this day - and each day that follows - should be a time of prayer and celebration as we consider the Good News of God's free gift: salvation through Jesus Christ.

Oswald Chambers correctly observed, "Joy is the great note all throughout the Bible." E. Stanley Jones echoed that thought when he wrote "Christ and joy go together." But, even the most dedicated Christians can, on occasion, forget to celebrate each day for what it is: a priceless gift from God.

What do you expect from the day ahead? Are you expecting God to do wonderful things, or are you living beneath a cloud of apprehension and doubt? The familiar words of Psalm 118:24 remind us of a profound yet simple truth: "This is the day which the LORD hath made." Our duty, as believers, is to rejoice in God's marvelous creation.

Today, celebrate the life that God has given you. Today, put a smile on your face, kind words on your lips, and a song in your heart. Be generous with your praise and free with your encouragement. And then, when you have celebrated life to it's fullest, invite your friends to do likewise. After all, this is God's day, and He has given us clear instructions for it's use. We are commanded to rejoice and be glad. So, with no further ado, let the celebration begin!!

STRENGTHENING YOUR FAITH

HIS RIGHTFUL PLACE

You must guard your heart by putting God in His rightful place - first place.

MORE FROM GOD'S WORD 

ABOUT JOY

Philippians 4:4

New International Version (NIV)

 ⁴ Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 

Psalm 16:11

New International Version (NIV)

¹¹ You make known to me the path of life;
   you will fill me with joy in your presence,
   with eternal pleasures at your right hand.

2 Samuel 6:5

New International Version (NIV)

⁵ David and all Israel were celebrating with all their might before the LORD, with castanets,^[a] harps, lyres, timbrels, sistrums and cymbals.

Esther 9:22

New International Version (NIV)

²² as the time when the Jews got relief from their enemies, and as the month when their sorrow was turned into joy and their mourning into a day of celebration. He wrote them to observe the days as days of feasting and joy and giving presents of food to one another and gifts to the poor.

Nehemiah 12:27

New International Version (NIV)

 ²⁷ At the dedication of the wall of Jerusalem, the Levites were sought out from where they lived and were brought to Jerusalem to celebrate joyfully the dedication with songs of thanksgiving and with the music of cymbals, harps and lyres. 

NOTES TO YOURSELF

Are you putting God first in every aspect of your life? Describe how you believe God wants you to treat your body.

Maria DiCroce Phitness Training: 21 Days To A New and Improved You - Day 20

Maria DiCroce Phitness Training: 21 Days To A New and Improved You - Day 20: FITNESS IS A FORM OF WORSHIP Worship the Lord your God and... serve Him only. - Matthew 4:10 FOCUS FOR TODAY When you worship God with a...

21 Days To A New and Improved You - Day 20

FITNESS IS A FORM

OF WORSHIP

Worship the Lord your God and...

serve Him only.

-

Matthew 4:10 

FOCUS FOR TODAY

When you worship God with a sincere heart,

He will guide your steps and bless your life.

What does worship have to do with fitness? That depends on how you define worship. If you consider worship to be a "Sunday-only" activity, an activity the occurs only inside the four walls of your local church, then fitness and worship may seem totally unrelated. But if you view worship as an activity that impacts every facet of your life - if you consider worship to be something far more that a "one-day-a-week" obligation - then you understand that every aspect of your life is a form of worship. And that includes keeping your body physically fit, keeping the temple that He dwells in, in good health.

Make no mistake: All of mankind (including you) is engaged to worship...of one kind or another. The question is not whether we worship, but what we worship. Some us us choose to worship our Heavenly Father. The result is a plentiful harvest of joy, peace, and abundance. Others distance themselves from God by placing the desire for personal gratification above the need for spiritual gratification. To do so can be a terrible mistake with eternal consequences.

Everyday provides the opportunities to put God where He belongs: at the center of our lives. When we do so, , we worship not just with our words, but also with our deeds. And one way that we can honor our Heavenly Father is by treating our bodies with care and respect.

The Bible makes it clear: "Your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit" 1 Corinthians 6:19. Treat it that way. And consider your fitness regimen to be one way - a very important way - of worshiping God.

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

DON'T FOCUS ON FOOD;

FOCUS ON GOD

Don't worship food. Honor the body that God gave you by eating sensible portions of sensible foods.

MORE FROM GOD'S WORD

Psalm 100:2-3

New International Version (NIV)

 ² Worship the LORD with gladness;
   come before him with joyful songs.
³ Know that the LORD is God.
   It is he who made us, and we are his
 we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.

John 4:23-24

New International Version (NIV)

²³ Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. ²⁴ God is spirit, and his worshipers 

 

 

Psalm 122

A song of ascents. Of David. ¹ I rejoiced with those who said to me,
   “Let us go to the house of the LORD.”

Acts 2:46-47

New International Version (NIV)

⁴⁶ Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, ⁴⁷ praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.

So that at the name of Jesus

every knee should bow-of those who are 

in heaven and on earth and under the earth-

and every tongue should confess that

Jesus Christ is Lord,

to the glory of God the Father.

-

Philippians 2:10-11

MORE THOUGHTS ABOUT WORSHIP

It's the definition of worship: A hungry heart finding the Father's feast. A searching soul finding the Father's face. A wondering pilgrim spotting the Father's house. Finding God. Finding God seeking us. This is worship. This is a true worshiper. - Max Lucado

Spiritual worship is focusing all we are on all He is. - Beth Moore

To worship Him in truth means to worship Him honestly, without hypocrisy, standing open and transparent before Him. - Anne Graham Lotz

God asks that we worship Him with our concentrated minds as with our wills and emotions. A divided and scattered mind is not effective. - Catherine Marshall

Worship is your spirit responding to God's Spirit. - Rick Warren

REMEMBER THE SABBATH

When God gave Moses the Ten Commandments, it became perfectly clear that our Heavenly Father intends for us to make the Sabbath a holy day, a day for worship, for contemplation, for fellowship, and for rest. Yet we live in a seven-day-a-week world, a world that all too often treats Sunday as a regular workday.

One way to strengthen our faith is by giving God at least one day each week. If you can carve out the time for a day of worship and praise, you'll be amazed at the impact it will have on the rest of your week. But id you fail to honor God's day, if you treat the Sabbath as a day to work or a day to party, you'll miss out on a harvest of blessings that is only available one day each week.

How does your family observe the Lord's day? When church is over, do you treat Sunday like any other day of the week? If so, it's time to think long and hard about your family's schedule and your family's priorities. And if you've been treating Sunday as just another day, it's time to break that habit. When Sunday rolls around, don't try to fill every spare moment. Take time to rest....Father's orders!

It is impossible to worship God

and remain unchanged.

-

Henry Blackaby

WORKING IT OUT

CONSIDER YOUR HEALTHY LIFESTYLE

A FORM OF WORSHIP

When God described your body as a temple. He wasn't kidding. Show respect for God's Word by keeping your temple in tip-top shape.

PRAISE HIM

Too many of us, even well-intentioned believers, tend to "compartmentalize" our waking hours into a few familiar categories: work, rest, play, family time, and worship. To do so is a mistake. Worship and praise should be woven into the fabric of everything we do; it should never be relegated to a weekly three-hour visit to church on Sunday morning.

Mrs. Charles E. Cowman, the author of the classic devotional text, Streams in the Desert, wrote, "Two things are necessary to lift our souls toward God; prayer and praise. Prayer asks. Praise accepts the answer." Today, find a little more time to lift your concerns to God in prayer, and praise Him for all that He has done. He is listening...and He wants to hear from you.

MORE FROM GOD'S WORD ABOUT

PRAISE AND THANKSGIVING

Psalm 92

Psalm 92

    A psalm. A song. For the Sabbath day. ¹ It is good to praise the LORD
   and make music to your name, O Most High,

Colossians 3:15

New International Version (NIV)

 ¹⁵ Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.

Colossians 2:6-7

New International Version (NIV)

Spiritual Fullness in Christ

 ⁶ So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, ⁷ rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness. 

1 Thessalonians 5:18

New International Version (NIV)

¹⁸ give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

STRENGTHENING YOUR FAITH

NOT JUST SUNDAY MORNING

Worship is not meant to be boxed up in a church building on Sunday morning. To the contrary, praise and worship should be woven into the very fabric of our lives.

NOTES TO YOURSELF

Make notes about specific ways that you can worship God seven days a week.

21 Days To A New and Improved You - Day 19

RECHARGING YOUR

SPIRITUAL BATTERIES

Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength,

They will soar on wings like eagles;

they will run and not grow weary,

they will walk and not faint.

-

Isaiah 40:31

FOCUS FOR TODAY

For the journey through life, you need energy.

The best source of energy, of course, is God.

So if you're wise, you'll ask the Creator to energize you

and guide you today and everyday.

As you make the journey toward improved fitness, you'll undoubtedly run out of energy from time to time. When it happens, you can turn to God for strength and for guidance.

Andrew Murray observed, "Where there is much prayer, there will be much of the Spirit; where there is much of the Spirit, there will be ever-increasing power."

These words remind us that the ultimate source of your strength is God. When we turn to Him - for guidance, for enlightenment, and for strength - we will not be disappointed.

As you feeling exhausted? Are you emotions on edge? If so, it's time to turn things over to God in prayer.  Are you weak or worried? Take the time - or, more accurately, make the time - to delve deeply into God's Holy Word. Are you spiritually depleted? Call upon fellow believers to support you, and call upon Christ to renew your spirit and your life. When you do, you'll discover that the Creator of the universe has the power to make all things new...including you.

Never be lacking in zeal,

but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.

-

Romans 12:11

MORE FROM GOD'S WORD

Matthew 19:26

New King James Version (NKJV)

²⁶ But Jesus looked at them and said to them, “With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”

Psalm 77:14

New King James Version (NKJV)

 ¹⁴ You are the God who does wonders;
         You have declared Your strength among the peoples.

Psalm 68:34-35

New King James Version (NKJV)

 ³⁴ Ascribe strength to God;
         His excellence is over Israel,
         And His strength is in the clouds.
 ³⁵ O God, You are more awesome than Your holy places.
         The God of Israel is He who gives strength and power to His people.

           Blessed be God!

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

FINDING THE ENERGY TO DO GOD'S WORK

It takes energy to do God's work. And a well-rested Christian can be a much more effective worker for God. So plan your life, and your sleep, accordingly.

MORE THOUGHTS ABOUT

RENEWAL

Jesus taught us by example to get out of the rat race and recharge our batteries.-  Barbara Johnson

Troubles we bear trustfully can bring us a fresh vision of God and a new outlook on life, an outlook of peace and hope. - Billy Graham

Repentance removes old sins and wrong attitudes, and it opens the way for the Holy Spirit to restore our spiritual health. - Shirley Dobson

Hope can give us life. It can provide energy that would otherwise do us in completely if we tried to operate in our own strength. - Barbara Johnson

He is the God of wholeness and restoration. - Stormie Omartian

BEWARE OF RESTAURANT FARE

In the good old days, dining out used to be an occasional treat for most families. Now, it's more of an everyday occurrence. But there is a catch: most restaurants aim for taste first, price second, and health third. But you should think health first. So the next time you head out for a burger, a bagel, or any other fast food, take a minute to read the fine print that's usually posted on the wall. You may find out that the healthy-sounding treat is actually a calorie-bomb in disguise. 

WORKING IT OUT

MORE EXERCISE EQUALS LESS STRESS

As exercise increases, stress usually decreases. So, if you want less stress in your life, you should exercise more frequently.

YOUR ENERGY AND GOD'S PROMISES

All of us have moments when we feel exhausted. All of us suffer through tough times, difficult days, and perplexing periods of our lives. Thankfully, God promises to give us comfort and strength if we trust  and turn to Him.

If you are a person with too many demands and too few hours in which to meet them, it's probably time to examine your priorities while you pare down your daily to-do list. While you are at it, take time to focus upon God and His love for you. Then, ask Him for the wisdom to prioritize your life and the strength to fulfill your responsibilities. God will give you the energy to do the most important things on today's to-do list if you ask Him. So ask Him....today.

STRENGTHENING YOUR FAITH

ENERGY DIRECTLY FROM THE SOURCE

Feeling exhausted? Try this: Start getting more sleep each night; begin a program of regular, sensible exercise; avoid harmful food and drink; and turn your problems over to God. And, the greatest of these is "turn your problems over to God."

MORE FROM GOD'S WORD ABOUT

BIBLE STUDY

2 Timothy 3:16

New International Version (NIV)

¹⁶ All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness,

Matthew 4:4

New International Version (NIV)

 ⁴ Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’

 

Matthew 24:35

New International Version (NIV)

³⁵ Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.

 

Hebrews 4:12

New International Version (NIV)

 ¹²

Romans 1:16

New International Version (NIV)

 ¹⁶ For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile.

NOTES TO YOURSELF

Make notes about the strength that can be yours when you follow God's path and trust His promises.

21 Days To A New and Improved You - Day 18

SPIRITUAL HEALTH

SPIRITUAL GROWTH

But the fruits of the Spirit is love, joy, peace,

long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith

meekness, temperance...

-

Galatians 5:22-23

FOCUS FOR TODAY

Wherever you are in your spiritual journey,

it's always the right time

to take another step  toward God.

Are you as "spiritually fit" as you're ever going to be? When it comes to your faith ( and by the way, when it comes to your fitness), God is not done with you yet.
The journey toward spiritual maturity lasts a lifetime. As Christians, we can and should continue to grow in the love and knowledge of our Savior as long as we live. But, if we cease to grow, either emotionally or spiritually, we do ourselves and our families a profound disservice.
If we study God's Word, if we obey His commandments, if we live in the center of His will, we will not be "stagnant" believers; we will, instead, be growing Christians...and that is exactly what God wants for our lives.
In those quiet moments when we open our hearts to God, the Creator who made us keeps remaking us. He gives us direction, perspective, wisdom, and courage. He encourages us to become more fit in a variety of ways: more spiritually fit, and more physically fit, and more emotionally fit.
God is willing to do His part to ensure that you remain fit. Are you will to do yours?

Ask the God who made you

to keep remaking you.

-

Norman V. Peal

I want their hearts to be encouraged

and join together in love,

so that they may have all the riches of assured

understanding, and have the knowledge

of God's mystery - Christ.

-

Colossians 2:2

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

IT TAKES TIME

Spiritual growth is not instantaneous...and neither, for that matter, is the attainment of a physically fit body. So be patient. You should expect a few ups and downs along the way, but you should also expect to see progress over time.

MORE FROM GOD'S WORD

Colossians 1:9

New International Version (NIV)

 ⁹ For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you. We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives,

Hebrews 6

 ¹ Therefore let us move beyond the elementary teachings about Christ and be taken forward to maturity, not laying again the foundation of repentance from acts that lead to death,^[a] and of faith in God,

Psalm 66:10

New International Version (NIV)

¹⁰ For you, God, tested us;
   you refined us like silver.

2 Peter 3:18

New International Version (NIV)

¹⁸ But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen.

MORE THOUGHTS ABOUT

SPIRITUAL GROWTH

If all struggles and sufferings are eliminated, the spirit would no more reach maturity than would a child. - Elisabeth Elliot

When you and I hurt deeply, what we really need is not an explanation from God but a revelation of God. We need to see how great God is; we need to recover our lost perspective on life.  Things get out of proportion when we are suffering, and it takes a vision of something bigger than ourselves to get life's dimensions adjusted again. - Warren Wiersbe

We set our eyes on the finish line, forgetting the past and straining toward the mark of spirtual maturity and fruitfulness. - Vonette Bright

You are either becoming more like Christ every day of you are becoming less like Him. There is no neutral position in the Lord. - Stormie Omartian

A Christian is never

in a state of completion

but always in the process

of becoming. 

- 

Martin Luther

PERFECTION? FORGET ABOUT IT

As you begin to work toward improved physical and emotional health, don't expect perfection. Of course you should work hard; of course you should be disciplined; of course you should do your best. But then, when you've given it your best effort, you should be accepting of yourself, imperfect though you may be.

In heaven, we will know perfection. Here on earth, we have a few short years to wrestle with the challenges of imperfection. Let us accept these lives that God has given us - and these bodies which are ours for a brief time here on earth - with open, loving arms.

WORKING IT OUT

OBEDIENCE TO GOD IS ESSENTIAL

It's simple: When you are treating your body like a temple, you are obeying God; when you are abusing your body, you are disobeying Him.

ALWAYS GROWING IN YOUR FAITH

When it comes to your faith, God doesn't intend for you to stand still. He wants you to keep moving and growing. In fact, God's plan for you includes a lifetime of prayer, praise, and spiritual growth.

MORE FROM GOD'S WORD ABOUT

TRUSTING GOD

Psalm 25

 ¹ To You, O LORD, I lift up my soul.
 ² O my God, I trust in You;
         Let me not be ashamed;
         Let not my enemies triumph over me.

1 Chronicles 5:20

New King James Version (NKJV)

²⁰ And they were helped against them, and the Hagrites were delivered into their hand, and all who were with them, for they cried out to God in the battle. He heeded their prayer, because they put their trust in Him.

Proverbs 16:20

New King James Version (NKJV)

²⁰ He who heeds the word wisely will find good,
      And whoever trusts in the LORD, happy is he. 

Proverbs 29:25

New King James Version (NKJV)

²⁵ The fear of man brings a snare,
      But whoever trusts in the LORD shall be safe. 

 

Psalm 125:1

New King James Version (NKJV)

 ¹ Those who trust in the LORD
         Are like Mount Zion,
         Which cannot be moved, but abides forever.

 

 

NOTES TO YOURSELF

Write down at least three things you can do this week to improve the state of your spiritual health.

 

21 Days To A New and Improved You - Day -17

PROTECTING YOUR 

EMOTIONAL HEALTH

And the peace of God, which surpasses every thought,

will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Finally brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable

whatever is just, whatever is pure, what ever is lovely,

whatever is commendable - if there is any moral excellence

and if there is any praise - dwell on these things.

-

Philippians 4:7-8

FOCUS FOR TODAY

When negative emotions threaten

to hijack your day, lift your thoughts -

and your prayers - to God.

Emotional health isn't simply the absence of sadness; it's also the ability to enjoy life and the wisdom to celebrate God's gifts. Christians have every reason to be optimistic about life. As John Calvin observed, "There is not one blade of grass, there is no color in this world that is not intended to make us rejoice." But sometimes. when we are tired or frustrated, rejoicing seems only a distant promise. Thankfully, God stands ready to restore us: "I will give you a new heart and out a new spirit in you." (Ezekiel 36:26) Our task, or course, is to let Him.
If you're feeling deeply discouraged or profoundly depressed, then it's time to seriously address the state of your emotional health. First, open your heart to God in prayer.Then talk to trusted family members, friends, and your pastor.  And, if you or someone close to you considers it wise, seek advice from your physician or make an appointment with a licensed mental health professional.
When your emotional health is at stake, you should avail yourself of every reasonable resource. Then, armed with the promises of your creator and the support of family and friends, you can go about your business of solving the challenges that confront you. When you do, the clouds will eventually part, and the sun will shine once more upon your soul.

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

WEIGHT LOSS MADE SIMPLE

It's really very simple: to lose weight, expend more energy and take in fewer calories. To gain weight, do the opposite. Likewise, the cure for obesity is also simple, but implementing that cure isn't. Weight loss takes lots of planning and lots of discipline. But with God's help, you're up to the task.

MORE FROM GOD'S WORD

Matthew 6:25

New International Version (NIV)

    ²⁵ “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes?

Philippians 4:6

New International Version (NIV)

⁶ Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

Matthew 6:34

New International Version (NIV)

³⁴ Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

Psalm 23:4

New International Version (NIV)

⁴ Even though I walk
   through the darkest valley,
I will fear no evil,
   for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
   they comfort me.

Isaiah 43:2-3

New International Version (NIV)

² When you pass through the waters,
   I will be with you;
and when you pass through the rivers,
   they will not sweep over you.
When you walk through the fire,
   you will not be burned;
   the flames will not set you ablaze.
³ For I am the LORD your God,
   the Holy One of Israel, your Savior;
I give Egypt for your ransom,
   Cush and Seba in your stead.

MORE THOUGHTS ABOUT 

EMOTIONAL HEALTH

The busier we are, the easier it is to worry, the greater temptation to worry, the greater the need to be alone with God.  - Charles Stanley

We sometimes fear to bring our troubles to God because we think they seem to small for Him. But, if they are large enough to vex and endanger our welfare, they are large enough to touch His heart of love. - R.A. Torrey

A God wise enough to create me and the world that I live in is wise enough to watch out for me. - Philip Yancey

Worry does not empty tomorrow of it's sorrow; it empties today of it's strength. - Corrie ten Boom

The spiritual life is a life beyond moods. It is a life in which we choose joy and do not allow our selves to become victims of passing feelings of happiness or depression. - Henri Mouwen

SADNESS VERSUS DEPRESSION

It's been said, and with good reason, that depression is the common cold of mental illness. Why? Because depression is such a common malady. But make no mistake: depression is a serious condition that, if left untreated can take a terrible toll on individuals and families alike.

The sadness that accompanies any significant loss is an inevitable fact of life. In time sadness runs it's course and gradually abates. Depression, on the other hand is a physical and emotional condition that is, in almost all cases, treatable with medication and counseling. Depression is not a disease to be taken lightly. Left untreated, it presents a real dangers to patients' physical health and to their emotional well-being.

If you find yourself feeling "blue", perhaps it's a logical  reaction to the ups and downs of everyday life. But id your feelings of sadness have gone on longer then they should - or if someone close to you fears that your sadness may have evolved into clinical depression - it's time to seek professional help. Consider the following:

1. If you have persistent urges toward self-destructive behavior, or if you feel as though you have lost the will to live, consult a professional counselor or physician immediately.
3. If you experience persistence and prolonged changes in sleep patterns, or if you experience a significant change in weight (either gain or loss), consult with your physician.
4. If you are plagued by consistent, prolonged, severe feelings of hopelessness, consult a physician or professional counselor.

In summary, depression is a serious but treatable condition. If you suspect that depression may have a grip on you or someone you love, seek professional guidance without delay.

WORKING IT OUT

WALK MORE, RIDE LESS

In earlier times,our forefathers (and mothers) walked a lot. In these times, we walk a little. Our ancestors had it right - walking is healthy, and most of us should walk more than we do. 

BUILDING HEALTHY RELATIONSHIPS

Emotional health is contagious, and so is emotional distress. If you're fortunate enough to be surrounded by family members and friends who celebrate life and praise God, consider yourself profoundly blessed. But, it's time to look realistically at your situation and begin making changes.

Don't worry about changing other people: you can't do it. What you can do is to conduct yourself in a responsible fashion and insist that other people treat you with the dignity and consideration that you deserve.

In a perfect world filled with perfect people, our relationships too, would be perfect. But none of us are perfect and neither are our relationships...and that's okay. As we work to make our imperfect relationships a little happier and healthier, we grow as individuals and as families. But, if we find ourselves in relationships that are debilitating or dangerous, then changes must be made, and soon.

If you find yourself caught up in a personal relationship that is bringing havoc into your life, and if you can't seem to find the courage to do something about it, don't hesitate to consult your pastor. Or, you may seek the advice of a trusted friend or a professional trained counselor. But whatever you do, don't be satisfied with the status quo.  God has great plans for your life; He has promised you the joy and abundance that can be yours through Him. But to fully experience God's gifts, you need happy, emotionally healthy people to share them with. It's up to you to make sure that you will do your part to build the kinds of relationships that will enrich your life and allow you to enrich the lives of your loved ones.

MORE FROM GOD'S WORD ABOUT

THE DIRECTION OF YOUR THOUGHTS

Colossians 3:2

New International Version (NIV)

² Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.

1 Corinthians 14:20

New International Version (NIV)

 ²⁰ Brothers and sisters, stop thinking like children. In regard to evil be infants, but in your thinking be adults.

Proverbs 4:23

New International Version (NIV)

²³ Above all else, guard your heart,
   for everything you do flows from it. 

Psalm 19:14

New International Version (NIV)

 ¹⁴ May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart
   be pleasing in your sight,
   LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer.

Proverbs 16:3

New International Version (NIV)

 ³ Commit to the LORD whatever you do,
   and he will establish your plans.

NOTES TO YOURSELF

Write down at least three things you're worried about, and then ask God to help you turn those worries over to Him.

21 Days To A New and Improved You - Day 16

PERSPECTIVE

AND BALANCE

Come to Me, all you are labor and are heavy laden,

and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you

and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart,

and you will find rest for your souls.

For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.

-

Matthew 11:28-30

FOCUS FOR TODAY

Life is a balancing act.Life seems out of balance,

To improve your balance, consult your

Heavenly Father many times each day.

Sometimes, amid the demands of daily life, we lose perspective. Life seems out of balance, and the pressures of everyday living seem overwhelming. What's needed is a fresh perspective, a restored sense of balance...God.

If a temporary loss of perspective has robbed you of the spiritual fitness that should be yours in Christ, it's time to readjust your though patterns. Negative thoughts are habit-forming; thankfully, so are positive ones.  With practice, you can form the habit of focusing on God's priorities and your possibilities. When you do, you'll soon discover that you will spend less time fretting about your challenges and more time praising God for His gifts.

When you call upon the Lord and prayerfully  seek His will, He will give you wisdom and perspective. When you make God's priorities your priorities, He will direct your steps and calm your fears. SO today and everyday hereafter, pray for a sense of balance and perspective. And remember your thoughts are intensely powerful things, so handle them with care.

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

IT'S UP TO YOU

Simply put , it's up to you to assume the ultimate responsibility of your health. So if you are fighting the battle of the bulge (the bulging waistline, that is) don't waste your time blaming  the fast-food industry - or anybody else, for that matter. It's your body, and it's your responsibility to take care of it.

MORE FROM GOD'S WORD

Philippians 4:8

New International Version (NIV)

 ⁸ Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.

Proverbs 16:16

New International Version (NIV)

 ¹⁶ How much better to get wisdom than gold,
   to get insight rather than silver!

Proverbs 24:5

New International Version (NIV)

  ⁵ The wise prevail through great power,
   and those who have knowledge muster their strength

Proverbs 20:5

New International Version (NIV)

 ⁵ The purposes of a person’s heart are deep waters,
   but one who has insight draws them out.

Romans 12:2

New International Version (NIV)

² Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

MORE THOUGHTS

ABOUT BALANCE

Persecution for a happier and healthier life: resolve to slow down your pace; learn to say no gracefully; resist the temptation to chase after pleasure, more hobbies, and more social entanglements - James Dobson

Some of us would do more for the Lord if we did less. - Vance Havner

Work is not always required of a man. There is such a thing as sacred idleness, the cultivation of which is now fearfully neglected. - George MacDonald

Notice what Jesus has to say concerning those who have wearied themselves by trying to do things in their own strength: "Come to me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." - Henry Blackaby and Claude King

Jesus gives us the ultimate rest, the confidence we need, to escape the frustration and chaos of the world around us. - Billy Graham

FINDING TIME FOR RECREATION

Are you one of those women who seldom takes a day off? Are you a seven-day-a-week worker bee, or a closet workaholic? If so, it's time to reorder your priorities. Why? Because an essential element of physical, emotional, and spiritual fitness is simply this: the ability to relax and enjoy leisure time.

The familiar words of Psalm 118:24 remind us of a profound yet simple truth: "This is the day the LORD has made: let us rejoice and be glad in it". Yet me may find ourselves so wrapped up in the demands  of everyday living that we forget to celebrate God's glorious gift. That's a BIG mistake.

Are you willing to relax long enough to that you can celebrate this glorious day with your family and friends? Hopefully so, because this day is a one-of-a kind treasure that can - and should - be a cause for joyful celebration. Part of that celebration means finding an appropriate balance between work and play.

PEACE AND RENEWAL

One aspect of spiritual health is the ability to partake in the peace that only God can give. Are you willing to accept God's peace? If you can genuinely answer that question with a resounding yes, then you are richly blessed. But if you have not yet discovered "the peace that passes all understanding," today is a wonderful day to find it.
The beautiful words of John 14:27 give us hope: "Peace I leave with you, my peace I give to you..." Jesus offers us peace, not as the world gives, but as He alone gives. We, as believers, can accept His peace or ignore it.
When we accept the peace of Jesus Christ into our hearts, our lies are transformed. And then, because we possess the gift of peace, we can share that gift with fellow Christians, family members, friends, and associates. If, on the other hand, we choose to ignore the gift of peace - for whatever reason - we simply cannot share what we do not possess.

WORKING IT OUT

LITTLE DECISIONS ADD UP

When taken together over a long period of time, little decisions can have big consequences. So remember, when it comes to matters of health and fitness, there is no "small" decision.

STRENGTHENING YOUR FAITH

SPEND TIME EVERY DAY WITH GOD

Need balance? Have a daily planning session with God. A regularly scheduled time of prayer. Bible reading, and meditation can help you prioritize your day and your life. And what if you're simply too busy to spend five or ten minutes with God? If so, it's time to reorder your priorities.

MORE FROM GOD'S WORD ABOUT

GOD'S FAITHFULNESS

Psalm 89:1

    A Maskil of Ethan the Ezrahite.

 ¹ I will sing of the loving kindness of the LORD forever;
To all generations I will make known Your faithfulness with my mouth.

Lamentations 3:22-23

New American Standard Bible (NASB)

²² The LORD’S lovingkindnesses indeed never cease,
For His compassions never fail.
²³ They are new every morning;
Great is Your faithfulness.

Psalm 100:5

New American Standard Bible (NASB)

⁵ For the LORD is good;
His loving kindness is everlasting
And His faithfulness to all generations.

Psalm 146:5-6

New American Standard Bible (NASB)

⁵ How blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob,
Whose hope is in the LORD his God,
⁶ Who made heaven and earth,
The sea and all that is in them;
Who keeps faith forever;

God is faithful,

by whom you were called

into the fellowship of His Son,

Jesus Christ our Lord.

-

1 Corinthians 1:9

NOTES TO YOUR SELF

Write down at least three things you can do to bring more peace into your life.

21 Days To A New and Improved You - Day - 15

MISDIRECTED WORSHIP:

THE TRAGEDY OF 

ADDICTION

Lets us walk with decency, as in the daylight:

not in carousing and drunkenness.

-

Romans 13:13

FOCUS FOR TODAY

You must guard your heart against

addiction....or else.

The dictionary defines addiction as "the compulsive need for a habit-forming substance; the condition of being habitually and compulsively occupied with something." That definition is accurate, but incomplete. For Christians, addictions have an additional meaning: it means compulsively worshiping some thing other then God.

Ours is a highly addictive society. Why? The answer is straightforward: supply and demand. The supply of addictive substances continues to grow; the affordability and availability of these substances makes them highly attractive to consumers; and the overall demand for addictive substances has increased as more and more users have become addicted to an ever-expanding array of substances and compulsions.

You know people that are full-blown addicts - probably lots of people. If you, or someone you love, is suffering from the blight of addiction, the following ideas are worth remembering:

1. For the addict, addition comes first. In the life of an addict, addiction rules. God, or course commands otherwise. God says, "You shall have no other gods before Me," and He means precisely what He says. (Exodus 20:3) Our task, as believers, is to put God in His proper place: first.

2. You cannot cure another person's addiction, but you can encourage that person to seek help. Addicts are cured when they decide, not when you decide. What you can do is this: you can be supportive, and you can encourage the addict to find the help that he or she needs. (Luke 10:25-37)

3. If you are living with an addicted person, think about safety: yours and your family's. Addiction is life threatening and life shortening. Don't let someone else's addiction threaten your safety of the safety of your loved ones. (Proverbs 23:3) 

4. Don't assist in prolonging the addition: when you interfere with the negative consequences that might otherwise accompany an addicts negative behaviors, you are inadvertently "enabling" the addict to continue the destructive cycle of addiction. So don't be an enabler. (Proverbs 15-31)

5. Help is available. Lots of people have experienced  addiction and lived to tell us about it. They want to help. Let them. (Proverbs 27:17)

6. Cure is possible. With God's help, no addiction is incurable. And with God, no situation is hopeless. (Matthew 19:26)

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

RELAPSE? PROBABLY

If you are on a new health regimen, you may relapse back into your old, unhealthy habits. If so, don't waste time or energy beating yourself up. If you've "fallen of the wagon," simply pick yourself up, dust yourself off, and back back on it. God was with you when you were riding that wagon for the first time, He was with you when you fell, and He'll welcome you back on the wagon when you're wise enough to climb back on.

MORE FROM GOD'S WORD

Proverbs 23:20-21

New International Version (NIV)

²⁰ Do not join those who drink too much wine
   or gorge themselves on meat,
²¹ for drunkards and gluttons become poor,
   and drowsiness clothes them in rags

Ephesians 5:18

New International Version (NIV)

¹⁸ Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit,

Luke 21:34

New International Version (NIV)

   ³⁴ “Be careful, or your hearts will be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness and the anxieties of life, and that day will close on you suddenly like a trap.

1 Peter 5:8

New International Version (NIV)

 ⁸ Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.

Exodus 20:3

New International Version (NIV)

 ³ “You shall have no other gods before me.

MORE THOUGHT ABOUT

TEMPTATION

Temptation is not a sin. Even Jesus was tempted. The Lord Jesus gives you the strength needed to resist temptation. - Corrie ten Boom

The chains of habit are too weak to be felt until they are too strong to be broken. - Samuel Johnson

Do not fight the temptation in detail. Turn from it. Look ONLY at your Lord. Sing. Read. Work. - Amy Carmichael

If you want to form a new habit, get to work. If you want to break a bad habit, got on your knees. - Marie T. Freeman

A man may not be responsible for his last drink, but he certainly was for the first. - Billy Graham

SAFETY MATTERS

We live in a world that can be a dangerous place, especially for those inclined toward risky behaviors. Some risk takers are easy to spot: they jump out of little airplanes, scurry up tall mountains, or race very fast cars.

Most risk takers, however, are not so bold; instead they take more subtle risks that endanger themselves, they smoke cigarettes, or they neglect to fasten their seat belts, or they engage in countless other behaviors that, while not as glamorous as mountain climbing, are equally as dangerous.
This world holds enough hazards of its own without our adding to those risks by foolishly neglecting our own personal safety and the safety of those around us. So, the next time you're tempted to do something foolish, remember that the body you're putting at risk belongs not only to you, but also to God. And He hopes that you'll behave wisely.

YOU'RE RESPONSIBLE

Remember that ultimately you and you alone are responsible for controlling your appetites. Others may warn you, help you, or encourage you, but in habits that you yourself have formed. Thankfully, since you formed these habits, you can break them - if you decide to so so.

WORKING IT OUT

SOMETIMES, YOU CAN'T DO IT ALONE

If you can't seem to get a handle on your appetites, the time to address your problem is today, not tomorrow.  Gather your courage and pay a visit to your pastor, to a counselor, or to a local 12-step group. Help is waiting, but you'll need to ask for it. So ask.

STRENGTHENING YOUR FAITH

ADDICTION DESTROYS

You must guard your heart against dangerous temptations and life-sapping addictions...or else.

MORE FROM GOD'S WORD

ABOUT GOD'S GRACE

Ephesians 2:4-5

New International Version (NIV)

⁴ But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, ⁵ made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved.

2 Corinthians 12:9

New International Version (NIV)

⁹ But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.

1 John 4:14

New International Version (NIV)

¹⁴ And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world.

Ephesians 2:8-9

New International Version (NIV)

⁸ For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— ⁹ not by works, so that no one can boast.

Ephesians 1:7-8

New International Version (NIV)

⁷ In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace ⁸ that he lavished on us. With all wisdom and understanding.

NOTES TO YOURSELF

Make a short list of the unhealthy foods or drinks that are most tempting to you. Then, ask God to help you avoid them today.