"We often draw the extreme conclusion that our body is of no importance, and we pay no mind to what we look like. And in doing so, we disregard the outer expression of inner beauty that we were created to exude." (Elliott Young, Kiss Dieting Goodbye) We are made in the likeness and image of God. We are amazing creatures sculpted and hand crafted by The Creator Himself. He gave us arms and legs to move, hands to manipulate, a strong back, feet to direct our steps and a brilliant mind to orchastrate it all. Let us not take for granted the gift we have all been given.
We live in a time where most of our jobs are no longer working the land, laboring, sweating and using our body. Sitting in front of computers, reading books, standing in one place for long periods of time and watching countless hours of t.v. have replaced our active lives. Our bodies were designed to move. The more we use them in their design, the more benefits we see come forth.
I dont expect that everyone is going to exercise 5-7 days a week for hours on end. That would be a ridiculous expectation. Each person has individual needs and limitations. Finding what fits you is where creativity comes in. The idea of exercise is not to make this routine of mundane movements that we dread and talk ourselves out of doing, or allow life circumstances to conveinently make it "not possibile". Yes, there are things that come up (been there), but habitually are there excuses for why you "can't?" Why not change the way you think about exercise? Why not call it something else and make it an active time that you actually enjoy?
I personally purpose to be active 6 days a week, taking 1 day as a light day or rest day giving my body time to recover. No two days are exactly alike. I have created a large enough pool of options that leads me to never be bored. I have a home gym, I utilize the road, take classes, have videos, try new things (just the other week I went rock climbing for the first time), I look on Groupon to find deals on fitness to bring freshness into my life, and I host a monthly Active Girls Connect Group. This is my lifestyle, and I train as if there is no finish line, so why not make it fun!!!
Why exercise? Whether you are over your ideal body weight, at ideal, or under ideal, exercise has so many health benefits that the question should be, Why would I not want to exercise? Here is just a few reasons that will help you change your way of thinking:
1. Improves metabolic rate (you burn more calories)
2. Improves your digestion
3. Improves your heart health
4. Improves length of days
5. Improves mental state
6. Combates depression
7. Increases stamina
8. Improves sleep patterns
9. Minimizes menstral, pre menstral and menopausal symptoms
10. Protects sexual health
11. Protect urninary health
12. Protects against some forms of cancer
13. Build muscles tone
14. Helps make you look and feel great
If you purchased, or have purchased a gym membership in hopes of losing weight and getting healthy, yet you have not stepped foot in the gym, or have hardly used it since the first few weeks of initial excitment, you are not alone. Some studies have shown that people tend to exercise longer, feel more satisfied, and continue to make exercise a part of thier lifestyle WHEN the activity goes with their personality. Don't complicate things. Make it fun! My Pastors love to ride there bicycles. They even turned it into an annual fundraising event where they ride 100 miles up two mountain passes. I love to exercise, but you would not catch me on a bike, especially for 100 miles. The thought of a spinning class makes me cringe, so I just avoid that type of activity. What things do you enjoy? How about we think outside the box of barbells and treadmills for a moment. Here are some activities that will give you a great workout that you might not have considered exercise.
Gardening
Mowing the Lawn
Cleaning your home
Make t.v. time exercise time (I do yoga and stretch in front of mine a lot)
Park far away on purpose
Take the stairs
Shop (my personal favorite)
Chop wood
Fix your yard
Ankle and/ or wrist weights to your normal movement
Take up a new sport (basketball, karate, roller blading, jump rope, climbing, skiing/boarding)
Dancing
Cooking (have you seen those iron chef shows?... they sweat like crazy)
Nature walks/hikes
Play ball with your kids
I use my kids as weights and run around with them, lift them, run stairs, super man them, and they Love every moment.
The idea is to just think outside the box and have FUN!!! Don't put demands on yourself that you can not meet, so when you don't complete "it" you toss in the towel and say, "What's the use!" Start out where you are, and do something more tomorrow than what you did today. You will find an increased overall satisfaction with yourself when you Purpose to use your body the way He designed it to be used. Happy Active time!!!
Wednesday, April 4, 2012
Tuesday, April 3, 2012
Not All Calories Are Created Equal
Changing the way you think about food is a key factor to making healthier choices. Before my heart transformation, I use to think that all calories were created equal. I would measure and log in my food journal exactly what I consumed day to day, and would keep the total calories consumed under a designated amount. For me at that time, I would consume no more than 1500 calories a day. Yet, I was not losing weight. "What gives?", I asked my friend, Chrissy Van Kirk who was very knowledgeable on this topic. It boiled down to What I was consuming, rather than how much I was consuming. My intake was high in carbohydrates, deficient in veggies, and as a whole, lacking in nutrient dense foods. Yes, all foods whether it is a potato or a handful of strawberries are all converted into glucose upon digestion. However, one (the potato) results in a super high insulin response, the other has a low insulin response due to it fiber content and naturally low sugar content. As an added bonus Strawberries and other nutrient dense foods are packed with antioxidants, vitamins and minerals, and aids in disease prevention. So, the simple change of thought in "not all calories are created equal" was a huge shift towards my overall healthy life.
I know it is hard in our fast paced world to reprogram the way we think. Convenience may mean a quick fix for an instant form of gratification, but it lacks in long term benefits, and is detrimental to our health.
Why is it that some people make a point not to smoke, chew tobacco, take drugs, or drink alcohol to avoid health complications (not to mention spiritual reason), yet they don't think twice about consuming half a pizza, a few cans of pop, french fries, cookies, cake, fast food, etc, etc.? My conclusion, people don't really believe that what they are doing is causing them harm. They say things like, "Oh, it is okay in moderation" and, "A little won't hurt me." A friend I saw drinking a diet pop several month ago said to me that she didn't really believe that the chemicals in the pop would do anything negative in spite of the research showing otherwise. Really? So, if I don't believe in that gravity thing I keep hearing about, and I chose to jump off a cliff, I won't really get harmed because I don't believe in that stuff. As you pry my dead body off the ground you can tell me "I told you so". Okay, so that is a bit extreme, but I am trying to get my point across. If we use the logic above, can I dabble in a little cocaine every now and then as long as it is in moderation? Of course not! And in reality if we are being honest with ourselves, we are not partaking of these things in moderation at all. It is more of our way of life, and we are in denial just how much we are in fact partaking. Haven't we been seeing first hand the effects of our American lifestyle? We have more obese people than healthy. Diabetes, heart disease, cancer patients are at an all time high. Is this a coincidence or the natural consequences to the choices we have made catching up to us?
In Biblical times, what God gave us was our foods of choice. "I give you every seed-bearing plant on the face of the whole earth and every tree that has fruit with seed in it. They will be yours for food.... God saw all that He had made, and it was very good." (Gen 1:29) He gave us these non-processed, chemical free (organic) gifts for us to enjoy. Food can taste good and be good for you, really. Learning to use spices and natural resources to decorate your plate and nourish your body above the convenience of prepackaged meals, drive threw windows, and nutrient deficient foods. It just takes a little time to think differently. My heart has so changed in the way I think of food, you could not pay me to consume a fast food burger. Speaking of which, my trainer saw something posted on FB and decided to do the experiment himself. He ordered a burger and fries from a well known fast food joint, stapled the receipt to the bag, and has left it on his shelf at work. I believe it has been up there for several months now. No odor, no mold, to bugs, no rats I kid you not. I am sorry, but if mold, bugs and rats won't consume this "food", why would I want to ingest this into my body? By His Grace and the renewing of my mind, I now respect and value my body far greater than the instant gratification of fast food or any other food that doesn't bring value and health to my temple. I believe that you will also get to the place where you will see your body as such. "Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own, you were bought with a price. Therefore, honor God with your body." (1 Cor 6:19) We would not think of filling our new car up with sugar, pouring grease on the carpets of our home, or using a chemical like bleach on our new designer jeans. Why? Because we know the value of these items. Let us start seeing the true value in our own bodies and chose to treat it better than an inanimate object. I don't write all this for you to feel condemned with each bite of food you take, that is never my intention... I write all this for you to be empowered, to remove the Vail from you eyes that the enemy would like to keep on, because he would love to keep you right where you are at. What benefit to your purpose on earth will you be if you stay on an unhealthy road which leads to continual destruction, destruction of your temple, that is?
SIDE NOTE: Organic does not automatically mean Healthy. It means grown without the use of synthetic fertilizers, sewage sludge, toxic pesticides, genetically modified organisms or artificial flavors and irradiation. So eating a waffle mix from a squeeze can purchased at a whole foods store that reads Organic doesn't equate to a healthy choice and nutritious for your body. LOL! This was an actual purchase from a friend of mine. ;0)
Healthy on the go food items that you can pre-make, have ready to go when hungry, stick in your car or purse:
- portion out in sandwich bags: walnuts, shredded coconut, and dark choc chips (the darker the better)
- lara bars- You can even make these for a less expensive version
- piece of fruit like an apple, orange or banana - no packaging needed
- pre-make small salads and store in fridge. using olive oil and vinegar as dressing. add fork to the container for easy grab and go (cooler bag needed)
- Make your own nutrient dense healthy cookies
- sugar and sulfate free dried fruit pre -portioned
- veggie chips that You make- slice, spray with olive oil, salt and slowly dry in oven
I know it is hard in our fast paced world to reprogram the way we think. Convenience may mean a quick fix for an instant form of gratification, but it lacks in long term benefits, and is detrimental to our health.
Why is it that some people make a point not to smoke, chew tobacco, take drugs, or drink alcohol to avoid health complications (not to mention spiritual reason), yet they don't think twice about consuming half a pizza, a few cans of pop, french fries, cookies, cake, fast food, etc, etc.? My conclusion, people don't really believe that what they are doing is causing them harm. They say things like, "Oh, it is okay in moderation" and, "A little won't hurt me." A friend I saw drinking a diet pop several month ago said to me that she didn't really believe that the chemicals in the pop would do anything negative in spite of the research showing otherwise. Really? So, if I don't believe in that gravity thing I keep hearing about, and I chose to jump off a cliff, I won't really get harmed because I don't believe in that stuff. As you pry my dead body off the ground you can tell me "I told you so". Okay, so that is a bit extreme, but I am trying to get my point across. If we use the logic above, can I dabble in a little cocaine every now and then as long as it is in moderation? Of course not! And in reality if we are being honest with ourselves, we are not partaking of these things in moderation at all. It is more of our way of life, and we are in denial just how much we are in fact partaking. Haven't we been seeing first hand the effects of our American lifestyle? We have more obese people than healthy. Diabetes, heart disease, cancer patients are at an all time high. Is this a coincidence or the natural consequences to the choices we have made catching up to us?
In Biblical times, what God gave us was our foods of choice. "I give you every seed-bearing plant on the face of the whole earth and every tree that has fruit with seed in it. They will be yours for food.... God saw all that He had made, and it was very good." (Gen 1:29) He gave us these non-processed, chemical free (organic) gifts for us to enjoy. Food can taste good and be good for you, really. Learning to use spices and natural resources to decorate your plate and nourish your body above the convenience of prepackaged meals, drive threw windows, and nutrient deficient foods. It just takes a little time to think differently. My heart has so changed in the way I think of food, you could not pay me to consume a fast food burger. Speaking of which, my trainer saw something posted on FB and decided to do the experiment himself. He ordered a burger and fries from a well known fast food joint, stapled the receipt to the bag, and has left it on his shelf at work. I believe it has been up there for several months now. No odor, no mold, to bugs, no rats I kid you not. I am sorry, but if mold, bugs and rats won't consume this "food", why would I want to ingest this into my body? By His Grace and the renewing of my mind, I now respect and value my body far greater than the instant gratification of fast food or any other food that doesn't bring value and health to my temple. I believe that you will also get to the place where you will see your body as such. "Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own, you were bought with a price. Therefore, honor God with your body." (1 Cor 6:19) We would not think of filling our new car up with sugar, pouring grease on the carpets of our home, or using a chemical like bleach on our new designer jeans. Why? Because we know the value of these items. Let us start seeing the true value in our own bodies and chose to treat it better than an inanimate object. I don't write all this for you to feel condemned with each bite of food you take, that is never my intention... I write all this for you to be empowered, to remove the Vail from you eyes that the enemy would like to keep on, because he would love to keep you right where you are at. What benefit to your purpose on earth will you be if you stay on an unhealthy road which leads to continual destruction, destruction of your temple, that is?
SIDE NOTE: Organic does not automatically mean Healthy. It means grown without the use of synthetic fertilizers, sewage sludge, toxic pesticides, genetically modified organisms or artificial flavors and irradiation. So eating a waffle mix from a squeeze can purchased at a whole foods store that reads Organic doesn't equate to a healthy choice and nutritious for your body. LOL! This was an actual purchase from a friend of mine. ;0)
Healthy on the go food items that you can pre-make, have ready to go when hungry, stick in your car or purse:
- portion out in sandwich bags: walnuts, shredded coconut, and dark choc chips (the darker the better)
- lara bars- You can even make these for a less expensive version
- piece of fruit like an apple, orange or banana - no packaging needed
- pre-make small salads and store in fridge. using olive oil and vinegar as dressing. add fork to the container for easy grab and go (cooler bag needed)
- Make your own nutrient dense healthy cookies
- sugar and sulfate free dried fruit pre -portioned
- veggie chips that You make- slice, spray with olive oil, salt and slowly dry in oven
Sunday, April 1, 2012
The Myth About Fat
The next step in learning how to overcome your stronghold with food and an unhealthy lifestyle is to Repent (change your way of thinking for the better) in your understanding of food. There are going to be several entries, but I will start with this topic: THE MYTH ABOUT FAT
Years ago we were told by the "experts" that if you ate Fat you got Fat, or as I like to call it- Unhealthy.
Thus the introduction of low fat food. If it is low fat, it must be healthy, right? Wrong!!! In fact, if it is low fat it may be full of unhealthy ingredients to compensate for the lack of flavor fat brings to our taste buds. True, gram for gram, fats have a higher calorie content, but the more important factor to consider is What kind of fat are you consuming? Saturated, Unsaturated, Trans, Hydrogenated, Mono, Poly and Omega-3? It makes a huge difference. Our body needs fat to function, especially our brains. When human babies are born they really need another 3 months in utero, but due to our over sized heads and the brain's need for higher fat intake which the mother's body can not provide internally, we are born into this world one of the most dependent of all creation. Our first three months should be more considered the 4th trimester (or quarter in correct terms).
When a person goes on a low fat diet they will more than likely find themselves craving foods that they are depriving themselves of what their brain needs. As a person conditioning myself, I fully understand that I can not go below 13% Body Fat as a female, or my body will be unable to function properly. Menstruation will cease, thoughts will become cloudy, speech slowed and slurred, and attitude will be affected. We NEED Fat, plain and simple. And the great thing about fat calories, they produce a low glycemic response, which lacks in an insulin response, which in turn doesn't usher the converted glucose into the fat stores like we originally assumed. This isn't a licence now to go consume pounds of walnuts, but a way of changing the way you think about fat in itself.
There are many fats that are considered healthy, good for your heart, increase your good cholesterol levels, aid in joint function, and are foods I personally consume almost on a daily basis. Not to confuse you in all the technical terms, I will let you do the research on your own. Keep in mind, there is still mixed reviews on some of these items. I would advise you to not believe everything you read or hear (including what you read here), learn for yourself using several sites and studies, draw your own conclusions and be lead by peace above all else. You can even get your blood checked yearly like I do to help you see tangibly how your choices effect your body. FYI: My levels have never been more medically ideal than they are now.
Fats I consume on a regular basis, but not inclusive of all good fats:
Avocado
coconut milk
Coconut
Coconut oil (FYI- this increase metabolism rate, BONUS)
olive oil
nut milk
grass fed organic meat (corn fed increases omega -6 levels which are already too high given the average American diet).
Fish (omega-3 high- especially wild salmon, anchovies, blue fin tuna and sardines)
Nuts (and no, peanuts are not nuts, they are legumes)
seeds
eggs, including the yolk
and yes, butter will even hit my plate every now and then.
If there is a food group I would recommend for you to avoid or keep at a minimum, it would not be the fat group. If anything, carbohydrates that come from processed foods and grains second then to dairy. There are more negative physical reactions in our bodies from consuming these foods than anything else. Especially if you have an auto-immune disease, you may want to consider completely removing these from your daily consumption.
Side effect bonus- my skin has never been more clear and nourished feeling/looking since I started eating Paleo style (meat, eggs, fish, veggies, fruit, nuts and seeds only). Praise God for His perfect provision.
Some recipes that are full of flavor and healthy fats and taste approved:
cilantro lime shrimp
http://www.skinnytaste.com/2010/03/cilantro-lime-shrimp.html
veggie chips
http://urbanveganista.com/?page_id=1774
bay scallops with yummy sauce
http://www.comfytummy.com/2009/10/19/seared-bay-scallops-with-vanilla-ginger-sauce/
coconut flour bread
http://chocolateandcarrots.com/2011/01/coconut-flour-paleo-bread
roasted butternut squash
http://www.kalynskitchen.com/2006/11/thanksgiving-on-south-beach-diet.html
tasty meatballs and sauce
http://sleeploveeat.com/2010/03/15/mammas-meatballs-and-marinara-sauce/
my personal favorite snack:
http://www.addictedtoveggies.com/2011/10/coconut-lemon-meltaways.html
avacado salad
http://www.wholeliving.com/151701/avocado-bell-pepper-and-tomatoes?fb_ref=s%3DshowShareBarUI%3Ap%3Dfacebook-like&fb_source=home_multiline
Years ago we were told by the "experts" that if you ate Fat you got Fat, or as I like to call it- Unhealthy.
Thus the introduction of low fat food. If it is low fat, it must be healthy, right? Wrong!!! In fact, if it is low fat it may be full of unhealthy ingredients to compensate for the lack of flavor fat brings to our taste buds. True, gram for gram, fats have a higher calorie content, but the more important factor to consider is What kind of fat are you consuming? Saturated, Unsaturated, Trans, Hydrogenated, Mono, Poly and Omega-3? It makes a huge difference. Our body needs fat to function, especially our brains. When human babies are born they really need another 3 months in utero, but due to our over sized heads and the brain's need for higher fat intake which the mother's body can not provide internally, we are born into this world one of the most dependent of all creation. Our first three months should be more considered the 4th trimester (or quarter in correct terms).
When a person goes on a low fat diet they will more than likely find themselves craving foods that they are depriving themselves of what their brain needs. As a person conditioning myself, I fully understand that I can not go below 13% Body Fat as a female, or my body will be unable to function properly. Menstruation will cease, thoughts will become cloudy, speech slowed and slurred, and attitude will be affected. We NEED Fat, plain and simple. And the great thing about fat calories, they produce a low glycemic response, which lacks in an insulin response, which in turn doesn't usher the converted glucose into the fat stores like we originally assumed. This isn't a licence now to go consume pounds of walnuts, but a way of changing the way you think about fat in itself.
There are many fats that are considered healthy, good for your heart, increase your good cholesterol levels, aid in joint function, and are foods I personally consume almost on a daily basis. Not to confuse you in all the technical terms, I will let you do the research on your own. Keep in mind, there is still mixed reviews on some of these items. I would advise you to not believe everything you read or hear (including what you read here), learn for yourself using several sites and studies, draw your own conclusions and be lead by peace above all else. You can even get your blood checked yearly like I do to help you see tangibly how your choices effect your body. FYI: My levels have never been more medically ideal than they are now.
Fats I consume on a regular basis, but not inclusive of all good fats:
Avocado
coconut milk
Coconut
Coconut oil (FYI- this increase metabolism rate, BONUS)
olive oil
nut milk
grass fed organic meat (corn fed increases omega -6 levels which are already too high given the average American diet).
Fish (omega-3 high- especially wild salmon, anchovies, blue fin tuna and sardines)
Nuts (and no, peanuts are not nuts, they are legumes)
seeds
eggs, including the yolk
and yes, butter will even hit my plate every now and then.
If there is a food group I would recommend for you to avoid or keep at a minimum, it would not be the fat group. If anything, carbohydrates that come from processed foods and grains second then to dairy. There are more negative physical reactions in our bodies from consuming these foods than anything else. Especially if you have an auto-immune disease, you may want to consider completely removing these from your daily consumption.
Side effect bonus- my skin has never been more clear and nourished feeling/looking since I started eating Paleo style (meat, eggs, fish, veggies, fruit, nuts and seeds only). Praise God for His perfect provision.
Some recipes that are full of flavor and healthy fats and taste approved:
cilantro lime shrimp
http://www.skinnytaste.com/2010/03/cilantro-lime-shrimp.html
veggie chips
http://urbanveganista.com/?page_id=1774
bay scallops with yummy sauce
http://www.comfytummy.com/2009/10/19/seared-bay-scallops-with-vanilla-ginger-sauce/
coconut flour bread
http://chocolateandcarrots.com/2011/01/coconut-flour-paleo-bread
roasted butternut squash
http://www.kalynskitchen.com/2006/11/thanksgiving-on-south-beach-diet.html
tasty meatballs and sauce
http://sleeploveeat.com/2010/03/15/mammas-meatballs-and-marinara-sauce/
my personal favorite snack:
http://www.addictedtoveggies.com/2011/10/coconut-lemon-meltaways.html
avacado salad
http://www.wholeliving.com/151701/avocado-bell-pepper-and-tomatoes?fb_ref=s%3DshowShareBarUI%3Ap%3Dfacebook-like&fb_source=home_multiline
Thursday, March 29, 2012
Grace Based Eating verses Law based eating part 2
Last you read how the first step in overcoming the stronghold of food is to admit you can not do it on your own accord and to put yourself under Grace. Easy said, but how do you do that? Glad you asked. The word that Jesus used often is REPENT. This is a word often misinterpreted. The Greek word of repent is actually Metanoeo, translated- To change one's mind for the better. It is not what most people think of when they hear this word. More times than not it is thought of as changing one's behavior, but behavior has nothing to do with repenting. On the contrary, it is all about your thinking. Why is it that Jesus didn't say, "Change your behavior!"? He knew that if you were to change your way of thinking, your behavior would follow, and it would follow effortlessly. Well intentioned believers have unfortunately reversed this logic. Change my actions by way of behavior modification, make a good confession of faith and hope my thoughts follow. But God isn't after Behavior Modification, He desires Heart Transformation. We see this example when Jesus spent time with Zacchaeus (the tax collector who took more than he was suppose to). After being in the Lord's presence and seeing first hand His goodness, Zacchaeus repented and proceeded to follow up his change of mind with actions by giving away half his possessions and repaying fourfold what he had wrongly taken without the Lord saying one word about his behavior.
What does the story of Zacchaeus show us is the first step in repenting? Spending time in His presence is the key. The more time we spend in fellowship with the Lord, the more we understand who He is, the more we know who He is, the more we know who we are, for "As He is, so are we in this world" (1 John 4:17 ) Do you want to build your faith in the Lord and see the fruit of self control, peace, and patience develop? Don't focus on the fruit, focus instead on the root. These are all fruits of the Spirit, not fruit of your works (Gal 5). I often hear people say, "I am working on my patience". Good luck with that one, because you can't work on it. Well, you could from an external display, but internally you are still the same unless your heart has changed. Same goes with the fruit of self control, a term we hear a lot when dealing with eating healthy and exercising. Let us not fall into the same pitfalls. Stop thinking that your faith in your faith (not a typo) will get you anywhere and start believing that your faith in HIS FAITH FULLNESS by the finished work of the cross and His Grace will cause you to be victorious .. Faith comes by hear and hearing by the word of God. Translated- Faith in His faithfulness comes by hearing and hearing by the word of Christos (Jesus). He is your bread, don't be afraid to take from Him. That is one of the reasons He died for you and me, "That you may have life and have life More abundantly." (John 10:10)
Some people are gifted in this area and do not struggle at all with living a healthy lifestyle. But I can pretty much assume there is something that they do in fact struggle with, and the principles of this blog can carry over to any circumstance. A recap:
step 1- Admit that you can not achieve victory of your own self effort
step 2- Repent (change your thinking) of who He is, who you are in Him and what/who is Grace by spending time in the Word, praying, meditating, listening to Grace messages, and Growing in your understanding of His Faithfulness.
Step 3- The topic of the next blog: Repent In Your Understanding of Food
What does the story of Zacchaeus show us is the first step in repenting? Spending time in His presence is the key. The more time we spend in fellowship with the Lord, the more we understand who He is, the more we know who He is, the more we know who we are, for "As He is, so are we in this world" (1 John 4:17 ) Do you want to build your faith in the Lord and see the fruit of self control, peace, and patience develop? Don't focus on the fruit, focus instead on the root. These are all fruits of the Spirit, not fruit of your works (Gal 5). I often hear people say, "I am working on my patience". Good luck with that one, because you can't work on it. Well, you could from an external display, but internally you are still the same unless your heart has changed. Same goes with the fruit of self control, a term we hear a lot when dealing with eating healthy and exercising. Let us not fall into the same pitfalls. Stop thinking that your faith in your faith (not a typo) will get you anywhere and start believing that your faith in HIS FAITH FULLNESS by the finished work of the cross and His Grace will cause you to be victorious .. Faith comes by hear and hearing by the word of God. Translated- Faith in His faithfulness comes by hearing and hearing by the word of Christos (Jesus). He is your bread, don't be afraid to take from Him. That is one of the reasons He died for you and me, "That you may have life and have life More abundantly." (John 10:10)
Some people are gifted in this area and do not struggle at all with living a healthy lifestyle. But I can pretty much assume there is something that they do in fact struggle with, and the principles of this blog can carry over to any circumstance. A recap:
step 1- Admit that you can not achieve victory of your own self effort
step 2- Repent (change your thinking) of who He is, who you are in Him and what/who is Grace by spending time in the Word, praying, meditating, listening to Grace messages, and Growing in your understanding of His Faithfulness.
Step 3- The topic of the next blog: Repent In Your Understanding of Food
Grace Based Eating verses Law Based Eating
We have all been there... countless attempts at dieting and exercising to lose weight and get healthy. Atkins, Weight Watchers, South Beach Diet, the Master Cleanse, Jenny Craig, Nutra System, etc, etc. Most of us see results at first, but time will show that what we have started is too difficult to continue and nearly impossible to maintain. I was in this same boat. Since third grade I have dealt with issues regarding food and my weight. I had lived a lifestyle of the yo-yo dieter. Yes I was healthy looking at times, other times, not so much. Regardless of where my body was, one underlying factor remained. I was obsessed with food!!! I thought about it all the time. Food had an enormous stronghold in my life, and no matter how hard I tried I couldn't in my own strength overcome its hold on me. That is until I had a revelation which changed my life forever. Not only am I now living in a healthy body, more importantly I am living free from the bondage of food. How did this happen? I realized in my last weight loss journey over a year and a half ago what I had been doing to myself all these years...putting myself under LAW!
As a believer it was easy for me to understand that I could not earn my salvation, hence the need for our beautiful Savior. No matter how good I behaved, all my righteousness would be like filthy rags. For all have sinned in word, thought or deed and fallen short of His glory. Therefore, if I knew that I needed Christ to receive my salvation, who was I to think that I could earn my healthy body by my own self effort? Don't get me wrong.. the lifestyle I live would appear that I live under self effort; for what I physically do is in itself a "work". The difference, however, is that before, my works were birthed from my own attempt to control and earn what I wanted. It took my will power to lose weight, my will power to keep it coming off, and my will power to maintain it. That took a lot of will power that frankly was not very dependable. Now, the "works" that you see me live out is birthed from a changed heart. A heart that relied on His abundance of Grace to transform, shape and mold me into who I am today. He helped me to see myself as He sees me- as His temple, His beloved daughter and the righteousness of Him because of the finished work of the cross. Now that I have a revelation of who I am, why would I want to treat my body any other way than what causes it to prosper. "All things are permissible/lawful for me, but not all things are beneficial. I have the right to do anything- but I will not be mastered by anything". (1 Cor 6:12)
So, one can in fact put themselves under a self imposed law of any means and see results (a form of glory) , but how much more Glorious is that which is conceived from being under Grace. (2 Cor 3:9) As you read this full text in ch.3, it clearly reveals to us how we fall from Grace and its supply of power when we put ourselves under law. Not to mention, putting our selves under law just strengthens our desire to rebel against it. (1 Cor 15:56) Why would you want to set yourself up for failure?
Determine today to admit that you NEED Him and His unmerited favor to see your success in this area of life. That my friends, is always the first step in receiving your salvation in whatever area you are overcoming.
To be continued.........
As a believer it was easy for me to understand that I could not earn my salvation, hence the need for our beautiful Savior. No matter how good I behaved, all my righteousness would be like filthy rags. For all have sinned in word, thought or deed and fallen short of His glory. Therefore, if I knew that I needed Christ to receive my salvation, who was I to think that I could earn my healthy body by my own self effort? Don't get me wrong.. the lifestyle I live would appear that I live under self effort; for what I physically do is in itself a "work". The difference, however, is that before, my works were birthed from my own attempt to control and earn what I wanted. It took my will power to lose weight, my will power to keep it coming off, and my will power to maintain it. That took a lot of will power that frankly was not very dependable. Now, the "works" that you see me live out is birthed from a changed heart. A heart that relied on His abundance of Grace to transform, shape and mold me into who I am today. He helped me to see myself as He sees me- as His temple, His beloved daughter and the righteousness of Him because of the finished work of the cross. Now that I have a revelation of who I am, why would I want to treat my body any other way than what causes it to prosper. "All things are permissible/lawful for me, but not all things are beneficial. I have the right to do anything- but I will not be mastered by anything". (1 Cor 6:12)
So, one can in fact put themselves under a self imposed law of any means and see results (a form of glory) , but how much more Glorious is that which is conceived from being under Grace. (2 Cor 3:9) As you read this full text in ch.3, it clearly reveals to us how we fall from Grace and its supply of power when we put ourselves under law. Not to mention, putting our selves under law just strengthens our desire to rebel against it. (1 Cor 15:56) Why would you want to set yourself up for failure?
Determine today to admit that you NEED Him and His unmerited favor to see your success in this area of life. That my friends, is always the first step in receiving your salvation in whatever area you are overcoming.
To be continued.........
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)