21 Days To A New and Improved You - Day 8

YOUR CHOICES MATTER

I am offering you life or death, blessings or curses.

Now, choose life!...To choose life is to love

the Lord your God, obey Him, and stay close to Him.

~

Deuteronomy 30:19-20  

FOCUS FOR TODAY

First you make choices...and soon those choices begin to shape your life.

That's why you must make smart choices...

or face the consequences of making dumb ones.

Each day, we make thousands of small choices concerning the things that we do and the things we think. Most of these choices are made without too much forethought. In fact, most of us go about our daily lives spending a significant portion simply reacting to events. Often, our actions are simply the result of impulse or habit. God asks that we slow down long enough to think about the choices that we make, and He asks that we make those choices in accordance with His commandments.

The Bible teaches us that our bodies are "temples" that belong to God (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). We are commanded ( not encouraged, not advised, commanded!) to treat our bodies with respect and honor. We do so by making wise choices and by making those choices consistently over an extended period of time.

Do you sincerely seek to improve the overall quality of your health? Then vow to yourself and to God that you will begin making the kind of wise choices that will lead to a longer, healthier, happier life. The responsibility for those choices is yours. And so are the rewards.

Life is a series of choices between

the bad, the good and the best.

Everything depends on how we choose.

~

Vance Havner

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

IF SOMEONE ELSE 

IS COOKING YOUR MEALS...

If someone else is cooking your meals, ask that person to help you plan a healthier diet. Without the cooperation of the person who cooks your food, you will have an incredibly difficult time sticking to a healthier diet.

MORE FROM GOD'S WORD

Acts 24:16

New International Version (NIV)

¹⁶ So I strive always to keep my conscience clear before God and man.

Matthew 6:33

New International Version (NIV)

³³ But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

 

James 1:5-8

New International Version (NIV)

⁵ If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. ⁶ But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. ⁷ That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. ⁸ Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do.

Proverbs 4:7

New International Version (NIV)

⁷ The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom.
   Though it cost all you have, get understanding.

The wise people will shine like

the brightness of the sky.

Those who teach others to live right

will shine like starts

forever and forever.

~

Daniel 12:3

MORE THOUGHTS ABOUT

MAKING WISE CHOICES

Since behaviors become habits, make them work with you and not against you.  -E Stanley Jones

He who does not overcome small faults, shall fall little by little into greater ones. - Thomas a` Kempis

There may be no trumpet sound or loud applause when we make a right decision, just a calm sense of resolution and peace. - Gloria Gaither

I do not know how the Spirit of Christ performs it, but He brings us choices through which we constantly change, fresh and new, into His likeness. - Joni Eareckson Tada

Virtue - even attempted virtue - brings light; indulgence brings fog. - C.S. Lewis

EAT LESS, WALK MORE

Are you chained to a desk or trapped in a sedentary lifestyle? And are you waiting for something big to happen before you revolutionize your exercise habits? If so, wait no more. In fact, you can start today by substituting a light snack and a healthy walk for that calorie-laden lunch.

If you're in reasonably good shape, a nice healthy walk can be a great substitute for a big sit down meal. So don't underestimate the benefits of a good walk. It's a great way to burn a few calories, to get some fresh air, and to improve your life.

WORKING IT OUT
MANY CHANCES
TO MAKE GOOD DECISIONS

Physical fitness is not a result of a single decision that is made "once and for all". Physical fitness results from the thousands of decisions that are made day after day, week after week, and year after year.

ALWAYS KEEP LEARNING

Today is your classroom: what will you learn? Will you use today's experiences as tools for personal, spiritual and physical improvement, or will you ignore the lessons that life and God are trying to teach you?  Will you carefully study God's Word, and will you apply His teachings to the experiences of everyday life? The events of today have much to teach. You have much to learn. May you live - and learn - accordingly.

STRENGTHENING YOUR FAITH

HIGH QUALITY CHOICES LEAD

TO A HIGH QUALITY LIFE

Every step of your life's journey is a choice...and the quality of those choices determines the quality of the journey.

MORE FROM GOD'S WORD ABOUT

LIFETIME LEARNING

Proverbs 15:31

New International Version (NIV)

 ³¹ Whoever heeds life-giving correction
   will be at home among the wise.

Proverbs 23:12

New International Version (NIV)

 ¹² Apply your heart to instruction
   and your ears to words of knowledge. 

Proverbs 1:7

New International Version (NIV)

 ⁷ The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge,
   but fools despise wisdom and instruction. 

Proverbs 19:2

New International Version (NIV)

 ² Desire without knowledge is not good—
   how much more will hasty feet miss the way!

Matthew 13:11

New International Version (NIV)

 ¹¹ He replied, “Because the knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of heaven has been given to you, but not to them.

NOTES TO YOURSELF 

Make a short list of the people whose healthy habits you admire. Then jot down a few things you can do to become a little more like them.