Romans 8:1-2, “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.”
Happy Sunday. I pray that your Sunday worship routine was blessed and enjoyable.
Our goal this final week of the challenge is to settle ourselves to hear from God. We should seek the Lord at every opportunity to hear from him. This would include the preached word, corporate Bible study, personal Bible, Sunday school, corporate prayer and personal prayer. God is always speaking, we just need to have an ear to hear. We must seek to hear him.
To assist us in hearing from God, we might also consider adding fasting to our devotion time. But we will discuss this more on day 18.
For now, don’t forget to make time for exercise and eating our healthy meals!
Matthew 19:26, “But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.”
Happy Saturday and Day 16 of our challenge!
It is another beautiful weekend here in North Carolina – God has been so good!
I trust that your challenge has been going well. You have come a long way since day 1. It is a blessing that we have made it this far, and are encouraged to stick with the plan. Not only through the end of the 21 days, but as our new lifestyle. A balanced lifestyle.
With God, we can achieve a balance that will propel us to the next level. This last week of the challenge, let us focus on hearing from God. Yes, we will continue to have our devotions, exercise time, and eat healthy – every day. But we also want to focus more on hearing from God. As the scripture says, Matthew 11:15, “He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.”
How can we do this? Turn off the noise that blocks us from hearing God. Turn off programs, music, literature, and people who are a distraction. When are too busy hearing and spending time with these distractions that we cannot hear God. Then, see your heart (ear) to hear from God. Expand your devotion so that it includes an atmosphere of praise and worship. Once you have welcomed the presence of God in and are basking in his presence – just listen. I guarantee God is saying something to you.
It is a good idea to have a note book handy as you may want to write down what you hear the Lord saying.
Psalms 75:6-7, “For promotion cometh neither from the east, nor from the west, nor from the south. But God is the judge: he putteth down one, and setteth up another.”
Happy day 14! Yes, we are 2 weeks into our 3 week challenge. I trust that God’s grace is abounding toward you in this endeavor!
Today we are going to talk about promotion. By definition, promotion is activity that supports or provides active encouragement for the furtherance of a cause, venture, or aim.
Our cause, venture or aim is to achieve a healthy balance in our life/walk with Christ. To this end we have identified the need to evaluate 3 important relationships in our life.
1. Our relationship with God.
2. Our relationship with physical activity.
3. Our relationship with food.
If we can achieve balance in these 3 areas there is nothing we cannot accomplish in this life.
The driving force behind it all? To be in a position to fulfill God’s plan for our life.
We must have a strong connection with God to not only hear his voice, but faith to move accordingly. To do this in a spirit of excellence, we must be physically fit to the point where we can move swiftly and assuredly. The food we eat works hand in hand with this, so that our bodies are not only strong, but they are also healthy. Strength alone will not sustain. We must be both strong and healthy.
Now back to promotion.
God is the one who encourages us to strive for more. He is the one who places the desire for greater in us. This desire for more also has a way of illuminating just how inadequate we are on our own. This is where our faith comes in. Our faith, fueled by the want for more, causes us to connect with God. God is our source. God opens doors, puts people in your path, and plants the seeds of the actions we need to take.
Here is a personal example. The next thing you know you find your self, thinking about going back to school to finish your degree. You keep seeing commercials for schools that make it easier to continue to work and go after your degree. Then you find yourself enrolled. You don’t know how, but you pushed yourself through the degree program. Now you graduate, and you think “what’s next?” Something floats across your desk. An opportunity that you would not have considered before. You take action.
All this time, God was working and moving behind the scenes. Orchestrating our lives to position us where he needs us to be. Our promotion comes from him, and only him.
We may think the goal to seek balance is just a good idea with the side benefit of weight loss. But the truth is God is positioning his people for the next level. We cannot get to and maintain/sustain at that new level the way we are right now. We must be changed.
Change takes hard work and dedication. But it is worth it!
Devotion:
Praise is always appropriate because we serve a great God who is always doing great things. Try a 15 minute praise break and 15 mins Bible study. It might be just what you need.
Exercise:
Because of the break in weather (no more extreme heat for a while), it might be time for a pleasant 2 mile walk outside. Just aim for that 30 minute goal.
Nehemiah 8:10, “Then he said unto them, Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared: for this day is holy unto our Lord: neither be ye sorry; for the joy of the LORD is your strength.”
Whew… we made it to day 13! Happy Wednesday to all.
For me, this has been a tough day physically. But I made it through, and to God be the glory!
Let’s talk about joy. By definition Joy is a feeling of great pleasure and happiness. The joy of the Lord is the pleasure, happiness, and satisfaction that comes from God dwelling on the inside of us. This pleasure, happiness and satisfaction gives us strength through God to accomplish anything; to overcome anything; to make it through anything. So no matter how tough the day, or how heavy the load we must bear, accessing this joy strengthens us. It propels is forward. Gods is that good.
On days like today – those tough days where you were extremely busy, or where it seems everything has gone wrong, it is important to rest in joy. This is why daily devotion – spending time with God – is so important. It provides an avenue to just give all that heaviness to God.
Exercise is important because it is a stress reliever. It reduces levels of the body’s stress hormones, such as adrenaline and cortisol. It also stimulates the production of endorphins, chemicals in the brain that are the body’s natural painkillers and mood elevators.
According to World Health Organization, A healthy diet is important because It protects you against many chronic noncommunicable diseases, such as heart disease, diabetes and cancer. Eating a variety of foods and consuming less salt, sugars and saturated and industrially-produced trans-fats, are essential for healthy diet.
We need to achieve a balanced life for both natural and spiritual benefits.
With that said, let us make sure to spend quality time daily with the Lord. Let us make sure to move our bodies in exercise for at least 30 minutes daily. Let us pursue healthy eating options, both at home and if eating away from home.
In the spirit of trying something new, you might like this breakfast recipe:
The joy of the Lord is your strength and praise is your weapon. On tough days lean into that strength and pull out your weapon of praise and get to work! This is how we make it through tough days and hard times.
Psalms 118:24, “This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it”
Happy Tuesday and I trust that you are still going strong with the challenge!
Today I just want to share some encouragement. I forced myself to climb on the scale this morning. I must say I am down a few pounds since starting this challenge. It is awesome to see the physical results of seeking balance. It shows the exercises and healthy eating does have awesome side effects. But what I am most excited about is my relationship with Christ. I appreciate the consistency in the time spent basking in his presence.
At work we have a process called 2-2-2. We break our day up so that we spend 2 hour on the 3 main categories of things we must accomplish each day. It provides balance in the management of our case load. It is a tool that keeps things manageable. If you work the process faithfully, (even on the days when the unexpected occurs and we cannot get through everything) you will eventually work your way back to balance.
I have found this same approach in achieving balance in my walk with Christ works well too. i structure my day to fit in devotions time, exercise, and healthy eating. When you designate a thing as important to your life – you will make time for it. Excuses do not play into. It is something that is necessary for your happiness and growth.
Don’t sweat the small stuff. Life is full of ups and downs, strive for consistency. If you fall, get back up and shake yourself off. Get busy again.
Devotion:
We are going to us our tool today. For the time you allotted for devotion. If you set aside 30 mins we will do 10-10-10. Ten minutes in scripture reading, 10 mins in praise and 10 mins in worship.
Exercise:
For variety sake, you can choose 3 different tasks and do each for 10 minutes. 10 mins jump rope, 10 mins elliptical, 10 mins bike. Or whatever tasks you like.
Healthy Eating:
Select a new recipe and enjoy the process of cooking and relaxing!
Galatians 6:9, “And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.”
Happy Monday and I hope your Day 11 has been spectacular!
Many times, when trying to develop new habits, after so long, we begin to question ourselves. We have thoughts like: Is this even working? Why don’t I see any progress? And the worst thought of all – what if I go back to living like I was before?
If and when you find yourself at this point – that just mean you have been making some real changes, and your body (and the enemy) is fight to go back to what use to be normal. But through God, real change is possible. You are a living witness.
Think of life pre-COVID-19. Now, think of life now. There has been a great number of changes that we have dealt with and now accept them as normal.
You will do the same with the changes you are making. They will become your new normal. You just cannot give up. Yes, you are going to fall down or miss the goal a time or two. But don’t let the be the standard. Get back up and try again. Let your success be the standard.
Mix it up. Don’t get locked into the same routine or activities – both physical exercise and devotion. Don’t lock onto the same healthy meals. Expand your horizons and try new foods. Exercise in different areas or surroundings, or even with other people. Try different types of worship music. Have your devotion at different times of the day. If you are an early riser, try and early morning worship session. They say variety is the spice of life. Do not be afraid to switch things up. You may find a whole other aspect of life to enjoy.
As the scripture says above you will reap the rewards of your hard work, if you keep at it. There is no reward coming to those who faint or give up.
For each day this week – change up your routine.
Devotion:
Try something new – pick a different time of day to spend quality time with God. Maybe choose a different style of worship music, but something that still sets an atmosphere that invites the presence of God. Our goal remains the same 20-30 minutes of quality time with God. Pick a scripture and meditate upon it.
Exercise:
Chose a different activity. Try something new that is still challenging for your physical activity level. Try to keep it fun and enjoyable, while at the same time challenges you or pushes you just a little. Listen to your body, don’t over do it. But get a solid 30 minutes in.
Healthy Eating:
Try a different style of food. But keep it healthy.
I found something that I want to try from Food Network site:
Remember the assignment to try something new and or switch up your routine each day this week.
Happy eating and have a blessed night.
Please share your comments below or email me at otp.ministry1@gmail.com.
Hebrews 10:36, “For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise.”
Welcome to Day 10, and I pray you had great Sunday morning worship service.
Can you believe it, just 11 more days to go! We are going full steam ahead. Our focus is clear and hearts are light.
Devotion:
Praise service is excellent devotion time. Just be sure some extra time later at home. How is you personal Bible study going? Choose to spend some time in study today. Watch God open your understanding and teach you how to apply to your life.
Exercise:
On Sunday’s I like to relax and just spend time with my family. However, I do take time for myself in the evenings. I like to do a 30 min walking video. However, you can find whatever physical activity you enjoy. Just don’t allow the need to exercise eclipse time with your loved ones. Remember, we are striving for balance.
Healthy Eating:
Today’s eating challenge is to select a healthy meal that your family will enjoy. Not an easy task. But also not an impossible task either. Choose grilled or baked over fried. Incorporated vegetables. Leafy greens if possible, select whole wheat breads or no bread at all. Opt water over sugary drinks. If you do want a drink. Try to find something that is low in sugar. Most importantly – have fun preparing your meal. Or if you are eating out, select a restaurant that serves the types of foods that meet your requirements.
Psalms 133:1, “Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!”
Happy Saturday – Welcome to day 9 of our challenge. It don’t know about you, but it is storming here in North Carolina. So outside exercise activities today. But we will not let the rain stop us from hitting our daily goals.
It is a perfect day to gather with friends and family. We need one another. As you gather together take the time to share with them the goals of our challenge. You never know, you may inspire them to pursue balance (a healthy lifestyle) too.
We gather strength from one another. You would be surprised about the experience some have had. You may learn something that will help you over a hurdle. Likewise, you may have tools to help someone overcome issues too. Yes, we need one another and we should not be ashamed to share our testimony.
Devotion:
Today, let’s make a point to testify and witness to those God has placed on our hearts. You may say something that will turn everything around for them.
Exercise:
Because of the weather, I would recommend a nice indoor workout. But do whatever feels natural for you too. Just remember to move your body effectively. 20-30 minute workout that increases your heart rate for at least 15 mins continuously before your cool down. Enjoy!
Hebrews 11:6, “But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.”
Happy Day 8 everyone!!
In everything we do, as believers, we must begin from a foundation of faith. We seek God before we start anything new. We should seek God before undertaking our daily tasks and activities. Then we operate from a foundation of faith, and trust that the God we serve will receive the glory from our efforts. That is why when accolades come we point back to God.
It is our goal to please God. This is an impossible task if we don’t operate in faith. That is why the scriptures also says “whatsoever is not of faith is sin” (Romans 14:23). But God is faithful. He has given everyone a measure of faith (Romans 12:3). We all have faith and we are all required to live by it.
It is for this reason that I trust we can all have a successful challenge. We can all make the changes needed to achieve and maintain a healthy, balanced lifestyle. But we cannot make lasting change without God! We must not only “include” God in the process. The process must revolve around God. He is our compass. He gives us direction and helps us to make choices that are right for us individually.
Devotion:
Today, let us seek God’s help and direction. We want to be specific. Hopefully, as a part of your preparation before heading into this challenge I hope you sought the Lord trough prayer. If you did not, them let us all seek him regarding the second week of this challenge. What are your goals? What benefits are you hoping to experience? Let us seek God for those things, if you need strength to make it all the through, ask for thar. If you need help on what healthy eating is for you, ask about that. Let’s move in faith, so we can please him.
Exercise:
Walking on a treadmill is an excellent we to move. Bikes and elliptical machines are great too. If you have a gym or YMCA membership this is some that is easy and challenging. If you do not belong to a gym, I recommend doing a “walk at home” video instead. Search on YouTube. You will love it. Remember 20-30 minutes is our goal.
Healthy Eating:
Please share your recipe ideas and any comments, questions or concerns. Our email is otp.ministry1@gmail.com, or comment below.
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