RESPECTING YOUR BODY
Therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God,
I urge you to present your bodies A living sacrifice,
holy and pleasing to God; this is your spiritual worship.
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Romans 12:1
FOCUS FOR TODAY
If you are not determined to be the master of your body...
then you might just become the slave of your impulses.
In the 12th chapter of Romans, Paul encourages us to make out bodies "holy and pleasing to God." Paul adds that to do so is a "spiritual act of worship." For believers, the implication is clear: God intends that we take special care of the bodies He has given us. But its tempting to do otherwise.
We live in a fast-food world where unhealthy choices are convenient, inexpensive and tempting. And, we live in a digital world filled with modern conveniences that often rob us of the physical exercise needed to maintain healthy lifestyles. As a result, too many of us find ourselves glued to the TV set, with a snack in one hand and the remote in the other. The results are as unfortunate as they are predictable.
How do you treat your body? Do you treat it with the reverence and respect it deserves, or do you take it more or less for granted? Well, the Bible has clear instructions about the way you should take care of the miraculous body that God has given you.
God's Word teaches us that our bodies are "temples" that belong to God (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). We are commanded ( not encouraged, not advised - we are commanded!) to treat our bodies with respect and honor. We do so by making wise choices and by making choices consistently over an extended period of time.
Don't you know that you are
God's sanctuary and that the
Spirit of God lives in you?
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1 Corinthians 3:16
FOOD FOR THOUGHT
BECOME AN EDUCATED CONSUMER
Educate yourself on which foods are healthy and which foods aren't. Read labels and learn the basics of proper nutrition. Then, use common sense and discipline in planning your diet.
MORE FROM GOD'S WORD
An exercise program that starts slowly and builds over
2 Corinthians 5:1
1 For we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands.
Psalm 139:13-14 (New International Version)
13 For you created my inmost being;
you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful,
I know that full well.
you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful,
I know that full well.
1 Corinthians 6:19-20 (New International Version)
19 Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; 20 you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.
Hosea 10:12 (New International Version)
12 Sow righteousness for yourselves,
reap the fruit of unfailing love,
and break up your unplowed ground;
for it is time to seek the LORD,
until he comes
and showers his righteousness on you.
and break up your unplowed ground;
for it is time to seek the LORD,
until he comes
and showers his righteousness on you.
MORE THOUGHTS ABOUT
TAKING CARE OF YOUR BODY
Our body is like armor, our soul like the warrior. Take care of both, and you will be ready for what comes. - Amma St. Syncletice
Food ought to be a refreshment to the body, and not a burden.- St. Bonaventure
Eat to live, and not live to eat. - Poor Richard's Almanac
In general, mankind, sine the improvement of cookery, eats twice as much as nature requires.
- Ben Franklin
Attention to one's lifestyle, especially in the direction of reducing emotional tensions, a modest but regular program of daily exercise, a diet low in salt and sugar and reasonably free of fatty meats and fried foods, and plenty of good drinking water - all these are useful and indeed essential.
- Norman Cousins
WHAT KIND OF EATER ARE YOU?
Take a few minutes to examine your eating habits. Do you gobble down snack foods while watching TV? Id so, STOP! Do you drink high-calorie soft drinks or feast on unhealthy snacks like potato chips or candy? If so, you're doing your self a disservice! Do you load up your plate and then feel obligated to eat every last bite? If so, it's time to form some new habits.
Poor eating habits are usually well established, so they won't be easy to change, but change them you must if you want to enjoy the benefits of a healthy lifestyle.
WORKING IT OUT
WHEN IT COMES TO EXERCISE,
PERSISTENCE PAYS
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time is far better than an exercise program that starts - and ends - quickly.
MAKING THE RIGHT CHOICES
Life is a series of choices. Each day, we make countless decisions that can bring us closer to God...or not. When we live according to God's commandments, we earn for ourselves the abundance and Peace that HE intends for us to experience. But, when we turn our backs upon God by disobeying Him, we bring needless suffering upon ourselves and our families.
Do you see God's peace and His blessings? Then obey Him. When you are faced with a difficult choice or a powerful temptation, seek God's counsel and trust the counsel He gives. Invite God into your heart and live according to His commandants. When you do, you will be blessed today, tomorrow, and forever.
God has given you a guidebook for righteous living called the Holy Bible. It contains through instructions which, if followed, lead to fulfillment and salvation. But, if you choose to ignore God's commandments, the results are as predictable as they are tragic.
So here's a surefire formula for a happy, abundant life: live righteously.
And for further instructions read the manual.
MORE FROM GOD'S WORD ABOUT RIGHTEOUSNESS
Habakkuk 2:4 (New International Version)
4 “See, the enemy is puffed up;
his desires are not upright—
but the righteous person will live by his faithfulness
his desires are not upright—
but the righteous person will live by his faithfulness
2 Timothy 2:22 (New International Version)
22 Flee the evil desires of youth and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.
Deuteronomy 10:12 (New International Version)
12 And now, Israel, what does the LORD your God ask of you but to fear the LORD your God, to walk in obedience to him, to love him, to serve the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul,
STRENGTHENING YOUR FAITH
HAVE FAITH AND GET BUSY
Here's a time-tested formula for success: have faith in God and do the work. It has been said that there are no shortcuts to any place worth going, and those words apply to your physical fitness too.
There are simply no shortcuts to a healthy lifestyle.
And the world is passing away,
and the lust of it;
but he who does the will of God
abides forever.
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1 John 2:17
NOTES TO YOURSELF
NOTES TO YOURSELF
Makes notes thanking God for the body He has given you.
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