Be Healthy First and Foremost

It is so critically important that you take stewardship over your health so that you can simply be healthy. God wants you to be your absolute best and to take care of yourself. It is more important that you be healthy.

That does not mean that you should not look your best. I just want you to remember that as people we come in a million different sizes and shapes. Just because maybe you are not as thin as you wish does not mean that you have to look any less than your best.

As you continue to exercise, your physical body will change. Remember that absolutely everyone has something that they wish they can change. Don't get beguiled into believing that there are some that think they are perfect from head to toe.

As your body begins to change, you will want to continue to exercise even that much more. However, the real benefit and what really matters is what is happening on the inside with your health in terms of your heart, cholesterol, metabolism etc.

Just whatever you do make sure that you continue your exercise program and food intake program. Remember that Psalms 139:14 says that we are fearfully and wonderfully made. God did not err when he created you. Check out this great resource by Joyce Meyer.

How To Stay Motivated Against Opposition

Unfortunately, there are some people that are in your immediate circle that will not support you when you are trying to start a new lifestyle in terms of exercise and eating right. I suggest educating yourself through reading truthful resources on health and nutrition. Here is a great start by Donna Richardson.Their reasons may vary from the following:

1.Jealously.

If they see that you are changing for the better, they may be jealous because they refuse to do it for themselves. They may deny it, but if they have failed and see you succeed they can still become jealous.

How to react:

Try to get them to realize, that although you care about them, that you have to do this for you and your health. Speak in terms of "we" so that they can relate it to themselves and possibly encourage them to also take care of themselves.

2.Time away.

Often times, you will have to spend time away from them that you used to spend with them. If they don't see the value in it, they may make you feel guilty for spending time away from them.

How to react:

Explain that although you enjoy time with them, there comes a time when you must take time for yourself so that when you are with them, you can be at your absolute best.

3. They feel like you will impose on their lives.

They feel that you will try to impose your new goals and lifestyle on them against their will.

How to react:

Let them know that although you would like for them to join you in taking care of themselves, this is something that you must do for yourself and your overall health.

Do not let other people throw you off from your goals. Let God take care of those that come against you. Read. Deuteronomy 28:7.

Your Body Is Your Temple

I just want to take a moment to define what I mean when I say 'Temple.' It simply means your body. In 1 Corinthians 6:20 it says, "For ye are bought with a price, therefore glorify God, and in your spirit, which are God's."

In John 2:21, "But He spake of the temple of his body." Our body is a temple. God has given us our body as our most precious possession of which we are to have supreme stewardship. God wants us to give our best at all times. Treat your body as God would treat your body. Joyce Meyer gives a wonderful, spirit filled intrepretation of what it 'your body is a temple' really means according to God in Look Great

Give your best when it comes to your temple. So don't be confused anymore. Remember your body does not belong to you, it belongs to God. He has final say of whether or not you live or die, but you are responsible for how you become a steward over your body. If you do not take care of body in the natuaral, God can not take care of your body in the spiritual.

Take care of your temple with the utmost in stewardship and always give God your best as a credible witness.

I Will Not Develop A Worldy Self Image

• I understand that GOD made the way that He wants me to be.
The Bible teaches us that when GOD created us, HE made us the way that HE wanted us to be. HE knew us before our parents knew us. HE created us to be equal and unique in our own right. GOD teaches us to be true to we are as Christians.

• I understand that I was born in the right time, place, race and not a mistake.
GOD can’t curse what HE has blessed. Even though our life circumstances may not be ideal, they are what GOD intended for them to be. GOD is perfect therefore, he can’t make a mistake. HE knew exactly what HE was doing when HE created you. When you say that you are a mistake you are going contrary to the word of GOD and have indulged in the word of man. The word of man changes, whereas the word of GOD is unchanging. HE is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow.

• I understand that I was wonderfully created in the image of Jesus.
GOD created us to be in the perfect image of Jesus. Therefore we are to focus on the Holy Spirit and allow Jesus to live within us every day of our lives. Do not judge yourself because you don’t have the figure of someone else. Be joyful and know that you are GOD’s child.

Answer the following questions

Do you see yourself as GOD sees you or the world sees you?

Do you realize that you are a blessing?

Do you truly realize that you were made in the image of Jesus?

How Do I Avoid Pleasing the Flesh?

It is so unbelieveably important that we avoid pleasing the flesh. We are to please God first and foremost in our everyday lives. Check out this book by Joyce Meyer 12 keys to Enjoying a Healthy life

• Relinquish my right to make a choice contrary to GOD’s choice.
When we are obedient to GOD we are to relinquish our right to choose another path. The Bible teaches that we are to reach to GOD first and foremost for council. Do not lean onto your own understanding of yourself or others. Relish in knowing that GOD has a plan for you to follow. Show HIM your obedience.

• Understand that making bad decisions is contrary to GOD’s plan.
When you do not follow GOD’s plan, daily life will be more difficult, you won’t have the joy that you desire. Do not argue with GOD, it is a losing battle. You are to relinquish your right to choose another option when you accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior. It is better to be uncomfortable and follow Jesus than it is to be comfortable and follow the Devil.

• I take the necessary steps to finish the process.
Always remember you life belongs to GOD and He does things on his time when HE wants to do them. He will reveal knowledge to you on a need to know basis. It is up to you to know that GOD’s grace is sufficient and you have what you need as long as you stay under GOD’s authority. If you stay the course and put GOD first then HE will bless you with the desires of your heart.


Answer the following questions on a sheet of paper.

How have you shown that you relinquish your right to choose another option?

What bad decisions have you made that are contrary to GOD?

What steps have you taken to finish the process?

What Are The Consequences That I Will Have to Pay if I Do Not Become a Good Steward Over My Health?

• I am committing sin by overindulging.
When you read the Bible there are countless scriptures of how we are to be pleasing to GOD by showing our obedience to his word. The Bible teaches that when you do not please HIM, you are not heard. When you are not pleasing to GOD and living righteous your prayers are not heard and fall on deaf ears.

• I am not putting my flesh under subjection.

The Bible teaches that we are to put our flesh under subjection and be transformed from the world. When we do not put our flesh under subjection we are not living under the authority of GOD. This means that we are giving into temptation and sin. We have been taught that you can’t serve two masters. You have to make the determination to serve GOD or the Devil. We have also been taught to think correctly to renew our mind. We are to allow the Holy Spirit to guide and direct our footsteps.

• I will feel weaker, be more lethargic, and have a much worse feeling about myself.
When we don’t be obedient by being a good steward over our temples we become weaker, lethargic, and just have a general negative feeling. When you don’t take care of yourself you will suffer. Life doesn’t seem as joyful as it once did, you feel tired all the time, and your life seems as if it just passing by. The Bible teaches that you reap what you sew. If you sew weakness then you will reap weakness, it really is that simple. If you lie around all day and don’t move around the majority of the time, then when you do want to move around you will be too tired and won’t have the energy.

You can also read the section, “I WILL NOT DEVELOP A WORLDLY SELF IMAGE.”

Answer these questions

Have you committed the sin of overindulging? If so, how? If not, how?
Why are you having difficulties putting your flesh under subjection?

What are the consequences that you have paid for the sin of overindulging, putting your flesh under subjection?

Overview of Tune Up Your Temple

It is time that we all take better care of ourselves. The Bible says that the Holy Spirit can not dwell in an unclean temple and we must be good stewards over what we have in our possession (Leviticus 13:46).

Intent: To provide the motivation to begin or continue a healthy lifestyle through exercise and healthy eating that is Christ centered.

Purpose: To become healthier physically, so that you can become healthier mentally and spiritually.

Goal: To develop a structured plan to become good stewards over what GOD has entrusted us.

Objectives:

7 Objectives that I must be unwavering, unflinching, and assiduous to be good steward over my health
LEARN HOW TO MAINTAIN A PROPER EXERCISE AND FOOD INTAKE PROGRAM
• I am assiduous, unwavering, and unmoving in my desire to be a good steward over my health(1Corinthians 28:20).
• I keep track of my program( Habakkuk 2:2).
• I understand that I must stay in position and that I am committed to finish my goal (1Chronicles 28:20).

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS AWARDED TO ME WHEN I BECOME A GOOD STEWARD OVER MY HEALTH??
• I am pleasing GOD.
• I am earning GOD’s trust by putting my flesh under subjection.
• I will feel stronger, have more energy, and a much better feeling about myself.

WHAT ARE THE CONSEQUENCES THAT I WILL HAVE TO PAY IF I DO NOT BECOME A GOOD STEWARD OVER MY HEALTH?
• I am committing sin by over indulging( 1Tim 4:8, Phil 3:19).
• I am not putting my flesh under subjection.
• I will feel weaker, be more lethargic, and have a much worse feeling about myself.
WHAT MUST I DO TO LEARN THE CORRECT EXERCISES AND FOOD INTAKE FOR MY BODY?
• I am not doing anything without consulting with my doctor, nutritionist and/or other health care professional(s).
• I am studying the information that I am given and asking questions when necessary.

• I must start and maintain a lifestyle change by eating correctly and exercising and realize it is not a quick fix.

WHAT IF I DO NOT LEARN THE CORRECT EXERCISES AND FOOD INTAKE FOR MY BODY?
• I become easily swayed by false doctrine( Ephesians 4:14).
• I greatly increase the likelihood of becoming discouraged and not seeing or feeling results.
• I can cause injury to myself.


HOW DO I AVOID PLEASING THE FLESH?
• Relinquish my right to make a choice contrary to GOD’s choice.
• Understand that making bad decisions according to the flesh is contrary to GOD’s plan(Galatians 5:16:17).
• I take the necessary steps to finish the process.

I WILL NOT DEVELOP A WORLDLY SELF IMAGE?
• I understand that GOD made the way that He wants me to be.
• I understand that I was born in the right time, place, race and not a mistake.
• I understand that I was wonderfully created in the image of Jesus(Genesis 1:26).