And many times, God will give answers to needs we don’t even know we have. I can testify to that.

Back in 2001, I attended a Christian women’s conference only to support a friend going through a tough time. I didn’t want to be there. Little did I know God had other plans for me!

You see, I was raised by a single mother. I never knew the love, protection, and security of having a father. But during that women’s conference, the event coordinators had created a theme called “The Father/Daughter Dinner” that Saturday night. When we arrived at the dining room, they had the room decorated like a prom, had corsages at every place setting, along with a silver ring.

They also had a letter written “from God” (based upon biblical scripture) to his precious daughters about how much he loved them. The letter touched my heart as I learned how God desired to have a personal relationship with me and care for me.

I lost it. I cried at that dinner more than I have ever cried outside of a funeral!

Then, the ladies had another surprise. They had men to come in and pray for us – husbands, fathers, friends. These men also sang praise songs and we all worshipped the Lord together. I have tears in my eyes right now, thinking about how through that one event, God healed the hurt, anger, and grief inside of me. He revealed Himself to me as a loving, protective Father. I have never been the same.

Because God loved me, I was now free to love myself.

I share that story with you now because my husband, Mike Taylor, has written an amazing book called ‘Right Now Prayers‘ with stories and prayers from real people, with real needs – just like you. You will be encouraged to see how God came through for them.

Here is my favorite prayer from the book. Now that you know my background, you will probably see why it is my favorite. This prayer is for you too. Mike called it ‘Prayer for Salvation’ in the book, but I call it “Uncle Mike, Save Me!”

There’s an old school church song that sings:

“When I think of the goodness of Jesus and all he has done for me, my soul cries out Hallelujah!  Thank God for saving me.”

We echo those words today, for everything else pales to our soul salvation.  I am truly thankful for how You watch over us and are always nearby.

Saturday, I was at the sports field sitting in the bleachers while waiting for our team to play. My young nephew who is about 5 years-old was tussling with a couple of boys who were a little older than him, but it was all in fun.  A week earlier his cousin was harassing him when I came to his rescue. I told him if anyone ever bothered him to call on me and I will protect him.

Saturday, he remembered those words because when those boys got the best of him, he said, “Uncle Mike, Save Me!”  I was sitting in the bleaches about two benches above him and the boys. As soon as he said those words, those boys froze, took their hands off of him and looked at me with fear as I had a scowling look on my face from my thoughts, not because of the boys’ play.

Nonetheless, it made me realize how much that situation was just like ours in the Spiritual. You are always right there to hear our cries and the enemy will certainly turn us loose when we do.

When we play, You are there. 

When we work, You are there. 

While we sleep, You are there.

Even though we may have trouble in our bodies at different stages whether physical or Spiritual, we know that You are in control and work all things for our good.

I pray that all is indeed well with my co-laborers in all areas of their lives; especially for their marriages as the enemy desires to upset the peace in the home and put family member against family member.  Give them peace within the home and outside of the home.

Every time the enemy rears his ugly head against them, inspire them to witness or say something good about You to the next person they see.

We will glorify You Father for You are worthy to be lifted up before us.  Again, we thank You for Your goodness and ask that You continue to be good toward us as we journey through this day.

As always. we shall continue to give You all honor, praise and glory both now and forever more in Jesus name.

Amen

Mike Taylor

I hope you enjoyed the prayer and that you will check out Mike’s book. I know you will be blessed by it!

Be blessed in health, healing, and wholeness,
 
Kimberly Taylor
Author of the ‘Take Back Your Temple’ ebook
http://www.takebackyourtemple.com
 
P.S. Whether you need healing or a resolution to a financial problem, the new book, Right Now Prayers, will empower you to handle it. See a free excerpt from the book.

http://www.rightnowprayers.com/prayer-book/
With the tough times we are facing today, we all need a right now prayer. Be encouraged to see how other people are facing challenging situations – and emerging victorious!

http://www.rightnowprayers.com/prayer-book/
 
Also, please forward this message via email, share it on Facebook, tweet it, or give it away via every other social networks to which you belong. God’s people need to know that whatever we need, God’s got it!

But just this morning, I rediscovered an even more powerful weapon to handle temptation.
 
This weapon is so important that Jesus himself commanded it.
 
It lines up with one of my favorite sayings from the martial arts: “The best way to win a fight is to avoid getting into one in the first place.”
 
See if you can spot the weapon from the wise words of Jesus:
 

• Jesus prayed: “…And do not lead us into temptation, But deliver us from the evil one (Luke 11:4)”
• Luke 22:40 “…Pray that you may not enter into temptation.”
• And to the disciples he said, “…Rise and pray, lest you enter into temptation (Luke 22:46)”

 By now, you know the weapon is prayer. I pray every day, but must admit I don’t always pray not to enter into temptation.
 
That was a mistake.
 
The only reason I realize it now is because Luke 22:39-46 was the focus scripture from the Sunday School lesson I was reading this morning.
 
After I saw Jesus told the disciples to pray not to enter into temptation twice, I remembered ‘The Lord’s Prayer’ in which he also said the same thing.
 
I had a revelation: It must be very important if Jesus said it three times!
 
How many eating “fights” could we avoid every day if we would only pray?
 
Starting today, I am going to add “lead me not into temptation” to my daily prayers.
 
How about you?
 
Be blessed in health, healing, and wholeness,
 
Kimberly Taylor
Author of the ‘Take Back Your Temple’ ebook
 
P.S. Have you ever started a weight loss program with great enthusiasm – only to lose focus and regain the weight you lost?
 
Not any more. To help you stay motivated so you can become a weight loss success story, I recently published my ‘The Weight Loss Scriptures’ 30-day daily devotional on Amazon.com.
 
Learn more here: http://www.takebackyourtemple.com/the-weight-loss-scriptures-ebook/
 
The eBook is in Amazon Kindle format, but you don’t need a Kindle to read it. Amazon has a FREE Kindle reader you can use to access the book instantly on your computer.
 
Learn more here: http://www.takebackyourtemple.com/the-weight-loss-scriptures-ebook/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rrVmNbiFUWc

Here are the scripture references mentioned in video:

• Song of Solomon 2:15
• John 15:8

Here are other scriptures that may help to renew your mind on this issue as well:

• Romans 12:2
• Galatians 5:22-23
• 2 Corinthians 10:5
• 1 Corinthians 6:12

Be blessed in health, healing and wholeness,

Kimberly Taylor
Wellness Coach
Author of the ‘Take Back Your Temple’ ebook
http://www.takebackyourtemple.com/book

“When you change how you look at things, the things you look at will change.”

How I look at maintaining a healthy lifestyle has changed in the last couple of weeks. I’ve been studying up on the brain neurotransmitter Dopamine and realize it can be a powerful ally to encourage practicing healthy habits.

Dopamine is the body’s natural feel good, pleasure chemical. The body uses it to reward behavior that it wants you to repeat – like sex and eating.

Unfortunately, it also releases Dopamine in response to certain illegal drugs too, like methamphetamine (aka “Crystal Meth”). One of the reasons the drug is so addictive is that it gives a rush of Dopamine that six times higher than normal.

Watch this short, shocking video to see how powerfully this works:

Video: The World’s Most Dangerous Drug

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=at3Sg6qvgTE

But there are natural ways you can increase Dopamine that does not harm your body the way drugs do. Some studies show that obese people may have lower levels of Dopamine than normal and so unconsciously seek out ways to raise it with food.

The problem is that many times they seek sugar or simple carbohydrates. While these do stimulate Dopamine, these foods end up desensitizing Dopamine receptors eventually. So, it takes more and more sugar to receive the same pleasure – just like with other drugs. It becomes a vicious circle.

You want a win/win situation – to increase Dopamine to make it easier to reach your weight loss goals without the negative side effects. One way to increase Dopamine naturally is through exercise. I exercise first thing in the morning and it makes me feel good all day.

But here is the key – whatever exercise you do, do it with full attention on your body movement. No distractions or mental drifting. Be interested in how your muscles move and imagine them getting stronger. If you have a mirror, I recommend exercising in front of it so you can see your body working and really appreciate how God designed you.

Here are some exercises I’ve added to the regular workout I do most mornings. These are called ‘Tiger Moves’ and I learned them in a book called “The Miracle Seven” by John Peterson and Wendie Pett. In this video, Peterson demonstrates the moves:

Video: The Seven Tiger Moves

I love these exercises because it feels good to do them, plus they strengthen and stretch you at the same time. Peterson recommends you start out by doing all the exercises one time then work up to repeating the sequence three times.

Be sure to take deep breaths as you move, exhaling on the challenging parts and inhaling on the easier ones. In exercising this way, it becomes a form of stress-relieving meditation.

The other thing you can do to increase Dopamine is to eat foods that encourage its production. Your body needs the amino acid tyrosine to produce Dopamine. Foods high in tyrosine include:

Fish, chicken, turkey, eggs, oats, wheat, avocado, bananas, almonds, lima beans, pinto beans, sesame seeds, pumpkin seeds, cottage cheese, and yogurt (get plain and add your own fruit with some Stevia for sweetness; fruit-flavored yogurts are generally very high in sugar).

Most mornings I eat old fashioned oatmeal for breakfast after my workout to further increase my Dopamine production. It makes me feel more energetic and positive for the rest of the day.

I hope you find these tips useful and will use them every day to help yourself feel good naturally! The more pleasure you get from your health habits, the more you’ll want to do them.

Be blessed in health, healing and wholeness,
Kimberly Taylor
Certified Wellness Coach
Author of the ‘Take Back Your Temple’ ebook
http://www.takebackyourtemple.com/book

When you are under chronic stress, your body releases a hormone called Cortisol that ultimately causes you to store more fat.

Here’s how it works: Cortisol helps your body mobilize energy in case you need to fight or flee to handle danger. But cortisol also raises your blood sugar level, which prompts the release of another hormone, called Insulin. One of the side effects of Insulin is that it can cause you to store more fat, in particular around your belly.

So you need to do everything possible to manage your stress so you can minimize these effects.

Here are three things you can do to stress less:

Then, I started thinking about how grateful I am that Jesus saved me from my sins, how that relationship grants me complete access to God’s throne of grace, and how I am being transformed into the image of Christ from glory to glory.

As I focused my attention on Jesus, my problem faded into the background and by the time I got to the cash register, I was smiling and my heart was full of joy. Since I had to endure the time waiting anyway, how much better to spend it thinking about my dear Savior rather than murmuring and complaining to myself!

When you were a kid, nobody had to make you want to play. You naturally ran, skipped, hopped, rolled, spun, danced and just generally enjoyed living in your body. To relieve stress, get back in touch with that kid. I have a hula hoop and I love to use that to exercise because it is fun and doesn’t feel like “exercise”.

I received a wonderful poem from a reader named Cindy who expressed what it feels like to have joy in movement. It’s called “On the Go for God”. I hope it inspires you to get moving!

http://www.takebackyourtemple.com/on-the-go-for-god-a-poem/

Ha, ha – I just had to get up and do a “Wonder Woman” spin after reading that again. Can you imagine the looks you would get if you skipped around your neighborhood or spun around in your front yard? Wouldn’t it be fun to find out?

Now I admit, many of these tips aren’t new and you might be saying “I already know that.” But knowing something and doing something are different things.

Pick at least one of the tips today and do it. And I guarantee you will stress less!

The eBook contains about 50 techniques for stress management you can practice immediately. Just like I recommended above, just pick a few to do and you will see your stress lower, which should yield better weight loss results.

You can learn more here:

http://www.takebackyourtemple.com/book

The increase of fear is not a coincidence.

Jesus warned that the love of many would grow cold because wickedness would abound in the last days (Matthew 24:12). The bible tells us that perfect love casts out fear (1 John 4:18).

You see evidence of lawlessness, offense, and instability all around you. And when you focus on that, you naturally become more fearful.

Then your mind starts to focus on “What if…”

• “What if I lose my job?”
• “What if we lose our house?”
• “What if I never get married?”
• “What if my husband leaves me?”
• “What if this is cancer?”

But Jesus never told us to focus on “What ifs.” Instead, he told us to focus on “Let not”:

“Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid” John 14:27.

If you are born again, then Jesus has given you the gift of peace. Your job is to guard your heart so that it is not troubled and afraid. I have to remind myself of that often!

The real question is, “Even if your worst fear came true, do you believe that you could handle it with Jesus’ help?”

Meditating on Jesus’ perfect love for you casts out fear. It gives you confidence and strength to face life’s challenges. You can do all things through Christ who strengthens you!

The apostle Paul advises in Philippians 4:8: “Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy — meditate on these things.”

So when you feel fearful, pay attention to your thoughts. What are you dwelling on? I recently learned that the Hebrew word for “dwell” means “to sit down”. Dwell also means to “live in”.

There is a difference between having fearful, anxious thoughts enter your mind for a moment (you can’t help that) versus choosing to “sit down” or “live” in them!

Here is a great free bible study I recently completed called “The Heart of the Matter is the Matter of the Heart”. I think it will help you ensure your heart is right and see how important it is to guard it:

The Heart of the Matter Free Bible Study

May this study bless you and help you to keep your heart untroubled and unafraid!

Be blessed in health, healing and wholeness,

Kimberly Taylor
Certified Wellness Coach
Author of the ‘Take Back Your Temple’ ebook

http://www.takebackyourtemple.com/book

P.S. If you need audio inspiration to release fear and anxiety, then I strongly recommend that you own Rhonda Jones’ Christian Meditation audio series.

On the page below, she has a free audio sample you can listen to. Just scroll down and you’ll see the sample.

Christian Meditation audio sample

Anyway, yesterday morning he gave me a great message. I wasn’t sure when I was going to post it, but a dear lady named Keila from Brazil emailed me last night. In it, she mentioned a challenge she is going through and wrote these words:

“Jesus will hold my hand each second!”

That was confirmation to post this message now because the scripture God gave me to meditate on early yesterday morning was this:

Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.’ (Isaiah 41:10)

When I wrote my free “I Want to Know Who God Is” ebook, I discovered the two words used to describe God most in the bible are ‘strength’ and ‘righteous’.

Who sits at God’s right hand? Jesus! That Isaiah scripture is one of my favorites but I never made the Jesus connection before now.  Jesus is the right hand that God sent to uphold us – he strengthens us, helps us, and leads us into righteousness – right standing with God and guidance on the right way to live.

I was compelled to read Romans next – I started out reading a few scriptures but ended up reading the whole book. Jesus was sent to help us who are weak and unrighteous – slaves to sin while we live in this body.

Jesus came to whoop sin’s behind (that image makes me smile) – triumphing over it each and every time while he lived in flesh just like ours, being tempted in every way we are tempted. And when the devil tried to kill him – fighting him even to the grave – Jesus defeated sin and death in the grave, emerging triumphant in his glorified body. He left sin and death behind in his dead earthly body!

That is what you have to look forward to as well – no more having to fight against sin in this “body of death” as Paul calls it. You will be truly free. But until that time, Jesus sent you the Holy Spirit so that you too can gain the victory over your flesh, just as Jesus did when he lived in his earthly body.

To gain the victory, we must commit to the following:

• Being led by the Spirit (Galatians 5:15-18)
• Abiding in God’s word so that we know truth (John 8:31-32)
• Set our minds on things of the Spirit (Romans 8:5-6)

As we do these things, the bible promises we will reign in life.

What a friend and brother, Savior, we have in Jesus! And if you don’t know him personally yet and want to know how you can welcome (or re-welcome) him into your life, here is how you can.

Be blessed in health, healing, and wholeness,

Kimberly Taylor
Certified Wellness Coach
Author of the ‘Take Back Your Temple’ ebook
http://www.takebackyourtemple.com/book

P.S. One of the most important things you’ll need to do to overcome eating issues is to renew your mind. That’s why one of the bonuses in the Take Back Your Temple eBook is “Prayers and Promises to Take Back Your temple”.

http://www.takebackyourtemple.com/book

In this special bonus, you get over a dozen scriptures and prayers specifically related to God’s promises for health and strength so you can gain physical, emotional, and spiritual victory every day. Check it out!

http://www.takebackyourtemple.com/book

Nicole actually wrote me over 1 month ago in response to my “Women Food and God” review. She wrote that it drew her to tears and the message that God wants to heal your pain really spoke to her. She told me then that it inspired her to confront her own eating behavior and to write a poem about it.

And this week, she sent that poem to me. I read most of it with my hand over my mouth, overcome with emotion.

I asked Nicole if I could share her story and poem with you. She agreed to share all of it. I believe it will be the catalyst for others who are hurting to turn to God for comfort rather than food, just as Nicole did.

**************************************************

For many years, I did not truly trust God for my comfort. I begin eating to replace the pain of not having my parents in my life, then to cover or mask my fears, anxieties, or disappointments.  A few years ago, I ate also to replace my appetite for other things that I desired but could not have such as sexual pleasure and intimacy. Funny, how we use something that God gave us to enjoy and pervert it with addictive and abusive behaviors. This world and country is in denial that food is the next hit, shot, and overdose. Marketing and the food industry has obliged us with bigger, larger, and heavier portions for our delicacies and appetites.

Just recently I read on a blog, view God as the one who loves you so much that He wants heal your pain — instead of viewing Him as judge and condemning.  God is not condemning.  At that very moment, I became not the same.  I have been on this journey for a long time to lose the pounds of the pain; I am really set free to receive Him as my comforter.  I knew and adored Him as my redeemer, but now I trust Him as my lover and friend. I made a decision to Trust God for Comfort.   I was led to write a poem about it.

Trusting God for Comfort

How can I trust you when I could not let go.  When I would not say no —

How can I say yes to you, when in my mind was a “maybe.”

Once I thought I was stuck here, caught in an illusion — a dreamer deferred — it did not occur to me He died also for me to be freed in this area indeed.

Where were you comforter, when my mommy left me and my daddy stopped looking?

Where was comfort, when self-doubt, defeat, desires unmet was present?

I found comfort at 7 years old in a rice bowl, neckbones, and a glass of tea–really sweet!

All those days, I would wait and declare this is the day she would come for me — I am going to hide her in the closet so she can’t leave.  She has been running for so long — I guess that is where I learned it.

Where was my comfort? — it was in the second and third plate and a Dairy Queen’s Parfait.

Broken heart, broken promises, and potential not fulfilled — I thought it was better to pretend than to feel — that they loved me, comforted me, and was the real deal. I was so messed up, I pretended when he touched me it was a bad dream. Then, one day many years as an adult I remembered and he thought I used food because I felt so unclean. Maybe I did….

I had to ask the questions — what am I hungry for and what is eating at me?

Now on those long nights when my peace is dim and sleeping is hard, I reach out to Elohim to keep me and bring me peace.  God is the only one that can make us complete.  In my singleness, He is my source of protection, refuge, comforter, and redeemer.

I trust God for a “just right, Holy Spirit filled” man that is available, willing, and actively pursuing me.  Our Almighty God is waiting for us.  He wants to woo, love, and dine with us. What a beautiful dance it is to dance with the Heavenly Father!

I am a daughter of the Most High King. He is a mother to the motherless and a father to the fatherless.  I am royal and peculiar.  [He will redeem the time and heal the pain]

I am more precious than rubies.

I am valued and loved.

I am truly comforted by the Holy Spirit. He indwells and renews me daily.

I have come to learn how to Trust God for my comfort and so much more…

I rest in His Glory and I offer to you to open your heart and Trust in His comfort and receive eternal life.

©2010. All rights Reserved.  No duplication.
C. N. Henderson Speak LIFE Ministries

**************************************************

Be blessed in health, healing, and wholeness,

Kimberly Taylor, C.W.C.
Certified Wellness Coach
Author of the ‘Take Back Your Temple’ ebook
http://www.takebackyourtemple.com/book