This image tells us that we are not an assortment of junk parts that God threw together. He lovingly, carefully, and patiently formed every part of our bodies. Our bodies are gifts to us, homes to occupy while we are here on the Earth.

Many times, I have seen people try to motivate themselves to change their health habits by insulting their bodies.  But why insult what God has created?

Romans 2:4 says, ”Or do you despise the riches of His goodness, forbearance, and longsuffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance?”

Repentance simply means a change of heart and mind. So if you want to change your heart and mind about your health permanently, don’t condemn yourself for past mistakes. Instead meditate on how good God is to give you the body that you have. It will inspire you to take care of it.

Did you know that your body is a miracle? It is constantly rebuilding and renewing itself.  The food you eat literally becomes your flesh, blood, and bones.  In fact, Dr. Jonas Frisen, a leading biologist, discovered that the average cell age in an adult’s body is 10 years-old or less!

For example, here are the average ages of some cells in your body:

• Stomach lining cells: 5 days
• Skin cells: 14 days
• Red blood cells: 120 days
• Liver cells: 1 – 1 1/2 years
• Bone cells:  10 years
• Rib cage muscle cells: 15 years

Since your body is constantly rebuilding itself, then doesn’t it make sense to pay attention to the food you are giving it for the rebuilding process?  I think about my past, in which I used to care more about what I put on my body than what I put in my body.

I didn’t consider that clothing and shoe styles come and go, but my body is mine for life. Not only that, but it houses the Spirit of the living God. That alone makes it worthy of care.

So today, start praising God for your body and all that it does for you. Especially show some love to the parts that you may complained about before. Remember, God created the structure. Praise him for it.

Like King David, proclaim that you too are fearfully and wonderfully made!

Kim

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

P.S. The ‘Take Back Your Temple’ ebook shows you how to gain new respect for your body and inspiration for taking care of it. Many times, you know what to do but are unable to follow through. The ‘Take Back Your Temple’ ebook gives you the missing piece of the puzzle – how to renew your mind to support your goal.

Don’t forget, you also get 8 free bonuses along with the ebook. Review the program – if you don’t agree it is the best investment for your health, then send it back within 30 days for a 100% refund, no questions asked. But keep the bonuses as my appreciation gift for reviewing the program. But I know you’ll agree that you are fearfully and wonderfully made and deserve to be cared for as such!

http://www.takebackyourtemple.com/book

Both spoke to me because they speak about overcoming life’s challenges.

Here are the links:

Letter to an Eagle Scout Candidate (An Adobe PDF file)
Written by Mike Rowe, host of the Discovery Channel’s ‘Dirty Jobs,’ this letter is powerful motivation for deciding if you are going to play it safe in life or put effort into your dreams.

Rocky’s Inspirational Speech to his Son
Rocky talks about life and winning to his grown son. It is truly awesome and true!

You don’t always get to choose the situations you face in life, but you always choose your attitude in how you face them.

Hope this inspires you today!

Kim

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

P.S. If reaching and maintaining a healthy weight is your goal, then the best gift you can give yourself is the ‘Take Back Your Temple’ ebook. You will amaze yourself with the results you get when you combine the right plan with the right attitude!

Don’t forget, you also get 8 free bonuses along with the ebook. Review the program – if you don’t agree it is a great investment, the send it back within 30 days for a 100% refund, no questions asked. But keep the bonuses as my appreciation gift for reviewing the program. Get the best blessing you can receive this year – the blessing of health and abundant energy!

http://www.takebackyourtemple.com/book

This is personal for me because my grandmother died of a stroke when she was only 47 years old. And in my “before” picture, I looked very much like she did – short woman, big belly. Not only does waist size increase your risk of stroke, but also your risk of developing diseases like heart disease, cancer, diabetes, and Alzheimer’s disease.

So women, if your waist is above 35 inches and men, if your waist is above 40 inches, make it your top priority to get your waist out of the danger zone. I did because I did not want anything keeping me from living out my God-given purpose.

To measure your waist size, use the smallest point with your stomach relaxed; if you lack a waist, then measure around your navel. I use a Myotape (you can find one on Amazon.com) to make it easier to get an accurate measurement.

What are some things you can do to reduce belly fat? First, eat mostly real foods the way God made them. Decrease fake food – foods processed and packaged by man. I’ve come to learn that big bellies mostly come from eating a diet high in sugar, white flour products (white pasta, cookies, crackers, bread) and other processed foods.

When you eat sugar and simple carbohydrates like most breads, pastas, fruit juices, and sugared drinks, your body breaks them down very quickly into glucose, flooding your bloodstream. Your body then releases insulin to try to restore balance. Insulin not only moves the excess glucose into the cells but it is also a fat-storing hormone.

So if you are trying to lose belly fat and still eating a diet high in sugar and other processed foods, then it is like trying to start a fire with damp wood! Eating sugar and simple carbohydrates also can increase food cravings. The more you eat, the more you want. But eating real food gives your body the nourishment it needs.

Turn up your fat burning furnace by swapping sugar and simple carbohydrates for increased fibrous vegetables, especially the green ones like Turnip greens, Mustard greens, Collards, Cabbage, Broccoli, Spinach, Watercress, Kale, Bok Choy and all types of salad greens (go easy on the salad dressing because many varieties are loaded with calories), high fiber fruit like apples, pears, and oranges, and lean protein like fish, chicken, turkey, beef, and eggs. These keep your blood glucose stable – no insulin overloads!

Drink water or herbal teas, especially green tea, with a touch of honey. Don’t substitute fruit juice…you need the whole fruit. The fiber in the whole fruit satisfies your sweet tooth and because the sweetness is naturally packaged with fiber (God is so smart), it does not cause the sharp spike in glucose like the fruit juice does.

Foods and drinks with high fructose corn syrup will also make your belly size increase. Soft drinks are loaded with it. Eliminate those from your diet. In addition, go through your refrigerator and cabinet and eliminate products with high fructose corn syrup. When I did this, I was shocked at how many products contain it – products like salad dressings, ketchup, barbecue sauce, mayonnaise, meat marinade, and others. You can always substitute brands without it.

If you want to know more about the dangers of high fructose corn syrup, then this video will blow you away: Sugar: The Bitter Truth. It’s long and the doctor’s language is colorful at times, but it is great information.

Remember, experts say that waist size is now the best indicator of your risk of disease. So eat real food in reasonable amounts – vegetables, fruit, lean protein, and limited amount of whole grain products – and your waist will love you for it!

“Fruit for food, leaves for medicine.”

Where does this prescription come from? It comes from Ezekiel 47:12:

“Along the bank of the river, on this side and that, will grow all kinds of trees used for food; their leaves will not wither, and their fruit will not fail. They will bear fruit every month, because their water flows from the sanctuary. Their fruit will be for food, and their leaves for medicine.”

Ezekiel 47 is a beautiful picture of the heavenly temple. In Ezekiel’s vision, healing waters flowed from this temple. The water nourished the fruit trees near the temple and the fruit and leaves provided wonderful benefits. While it is a vision of Christian life in the Spirit, you can also apply it to your body, God’s temple.

“Fruit for food, leaves for medicine.”

Do you believe that your health and weight would change for the better if you took this advice daily as seriously as you took a daily pill from your doctor? I’ve mentioned this before in previous messages, but I have to repeat it: Experts believe that many lifestyle-related diseases (like heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, and some forms of cancer) can be prevented simply by eating 2 1/2 cups of vegetables every day.

Remember, Popeye ate Spinach for super strength! Okay, he is a fictional character but the idea is rooted in reality. Spinach is rich in iron, vitamins and minerals for energy. And most of us have heard the saying, “An apple a day keeps the doctor away.”

So if chronic diseases run in your family, you especially owe it to yourself and the ones you love to start putting this into practice, little by little if necessary.

“Fruit for food, leaves for medicine.”

Start today by picking up some fruit and leaves at the store to make this prescription easy and convenient for yourself. Make eating whole fruits and green leafy vegetables at least half of what you eat every day.

High fiber fruits to try include: Pears with skin, Apples with skin, Berries (Raspberries, Blueberries, Strawberries), Bananas, and Oranges.

Leaves to try include Turnip greens, Mustard greens, Collards, Cabbage, Broccoli, Spinach, Watercress, Kale, Bok Choy and all types of salad greens (go easy on the salad dressing because many varieties are loaded with calories). Cabbage prepared with Wiley’s Greens Seasoning is my favorite.

Here are two of my favorite sites on the benefits of fruits and vegetables and both contain great recipes:

www.morematters.org

www.whfoods.com

Too often when someone wants to lose weight, they focus on what to give up. But that is a sure way to defeat. Rather focus on what to add to your diet to heal, energize, and nourish your body.

And in doing so, you will improve the quality of your life now and in the future. Remember: “Fruit for food, leaves for medicine.”

Post it as a sign on your refrigerator. I did!

Perhaps the reason is that your prayers lack power. But the good news is that you can turn the power on at any time. The secret is to follow a little known key that Jesus taught.

In Mark 10:15, he says: “Assuredly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it.”

What does it mean to be like a little child?

Little children need to be led. They need the parent’s loving instruction to tell them what to do, how to act, and where to go. The parent must lead them for their own good.

Little children who do not receive this training end up insecure,  undisciplined, anxious, and angry.

In your prayer life, do you spend all of your time asking God for what you need? Or do you take some of that time to listen, expecting to receive instructions from him like a little child?

You see, the power of prayer is in following the instruction that God gives you.  If you are not seeing change, it is because you did not.

And nothing will change in your life until you do!

Prayer that releases power brings the kingdom of God into your life. Expect three benefits according to Romans 14:17: “for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.”

Acting in righteousness means you are empowered to do what God thinks is right. And peace and joy will follow!

To remind you of this principle, my fiancé’ Mike and I updated our unique “Stop, Drop, and Pray” magnet. We want this magnet to be on the refrigerator of every person in the world who follows Christ because we know that prayer releases power!

Eva of Robstown, Texas agrees. She ordered 15 magnets for her couples group at church because she wanted them as a reminder to “inspire each other to seek the Lord through prayer for guidance in our marriages and to help us and others live lasting, fulfilling and loving relationships.”

Isn’t that wonderful? Can you imagine how the world would change if every person did the same?

If you agree, click here to learn about the magnets and how you can get a discount.

Be blessed in health, healing, and wholeness,

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

P.S. At our website, www.stopdroppray.com, you can also see the story about how Mike and I came up with the magnet idea. It was truly amazing!

You see, resolutions are just talk…there is no sacrifice involved. Talk is cheap, but action is expensive. It is going to cost you.

Committing to a resurrection means that you know that to resurrect as a new person, then something has to die. Your old habits that got you overweight are going to have to die. And the enemy will make you feel like you are going to die when you don’t do them. But he is a liar – you will live and not die!

Each time you kill the old habits, and build new healthy ones, a new person is coming to life. Keep that in mind. Act on faith, not on feelings (see my article “What does your faith like?” for more on that).

Even though your new habits may feel uncomfortable at the beginning, they are sinking into your procedural memory every time you practice them. Why is this important?

Your procedural memory is responsible for you not having to relearn to brush your teeth every morning, comb your hair, or drive to way to work. You just do it without thinking about it. So your new healthy habits must become because then your procedural memory will become your biggest ally in staying on track.

Determine that this year, you will commit to a New Year’s Resurrection. And this time next year, you will be living in newness of life as God promised.

To help you with this goal, I am pleased to announce my brand new Take Back Your Temple Small Group Program.

I’ve had so many people ask for this because they want to start a weight loss support group in their church or community. With these resources, now you can!

So drop by my website to learn more and you’ll notice that it has been resurrected and made over as  well. I’d love your comments so post them on this same article on the site.

And don’t forget to check out the Take Back Your Temple Small Group Program.

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

And immediately, He answered me, “I know what you feel like. What does your faith like?”

The question startled me but I answered back, “My faith like is that I know all things work together for the good of those who love God and are the called according to His purpose. I know that I love God and I am the called according to his purpose. Therefore, all things are working together for my good, including this situation.” (Romans 8:28)

Then I also remembered that the word says that the just shall live by faith (Romans 1:17). Nowhere does it say the just shall live by feelings! All believers have been justified by faith in Jesus Christ, therefore we live by faith.

The “feel like” versus “faith like” issue comes up a lot this time of year, especially when people make New Years Resolutions. They start out well, but sooner or later they quit because “I just don’t feel like doing this today.” And today stretches into tomorrow, next week, and soon the year is gone and they are no closer to becoming the person they want to be than before. In fact, they are further away because they’ve practiced the old habits for another year, which makes them more entrenched and harder to break.

It might surprise you to know that I don’t always feel like taking care of myself. I don’t always feel like exercising. I don’t always feel like eating healthy. But my faith likes both of those things because in order to maximum my ministry to others, it helps to be physically energetic, healthy and vibrant! So faith controls my actions.

So my question to you is this…are you making health decisions based on “feel like” or “faith like”? If by “feel like” what will be the consequences if you continue to live this way? Write the consequences down in as much detail as you can. Make it vivid and real so that you can really see yourself living with them. Not fun, huh?

Everyday, I see or read about people who are destroying their bodies, health, and lives because they are living by feelings and not by faith. It is sad because they are choosing to live less than God’s best for them.

Today, resolve to learn what God’s word says about health and make this year one in which you act to take care of yourself, not according to feel like, but according to faith like! You will receive wisdom and strength to do this by God’s spirit. All it takes is a big decision and a little faith!

Be blessed in health, healing, and wholeness,

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

P.S. One of the free bonuses in the Take Back Your Temple eBook is ‘Prayers and Promises for Taking Back Your Temple’. It is critical that you know what God’s promises are concerning health and his promises for helping you overcome any weaknessess you have in this area. Based on God’s word, the ebook contains prayers of encouragement in overcoming temptations, emotional eating, developing self-displine, for patience, for courage, and more. I urge you to take advantage of this free bonus and 7 others bonuses to help your reach your weight loss and health goals in 2010.

http://www.takebackyourtemple.com/book

Remember, you can try it for 30 days and if you don’t find the materials helpful, return it to me for a refund, but keep the bonuses as my thanks to you for trying the system.

Learn more here:

http://www.takebackyourtemple.com/book

I found this system because I was looking for a plan to read the bible through twice a year. I’ve done ‘bible-in-a-year’ plans before but after I finished one last year, I was hungry for more.

However when I first read about the Horner system,  I doubted that I could do it. He divides the bible books into 10 lists and the goal is to read one chapter from each list daily. That’s 10 chapters a day! With my previous plan, I was reading 3-4 chapters a day, so this is quite a stretch for me.

And yet…I felt led to do it. I know how much bible reading has changed me for the better. I’m still a work in progress and know that the more I allow God’s word to work in my life, the more fruit I will bear for others to taste and see that the Lord is good!

True, it will take more time out of my day. And while I can’t get more time (we all get 24 hours), I do choose how to spend it. I will take time from unproductive daily activities and spend it on this one – which will impact my life and others for a lifetime. An excellent trade!

To make the system practical for my life though, I am modifying a couple of things:

• Rather than reading all 10 chapters at once, I am reading 5 chapters in the morning and 5 chapters in the evening daily. If I have to attend an evening event, then I will read those 5 chapters at lunch.

• Professor Horner provides 10 bookmarks you can print to keep track of your locations in the bible, but I’m using a checklist instead.

With my bible-in-a-year plan, I was accustomed to using a checklist  and it was really helpful. Plus, I felt a sense of accomplishment when I checked off chapters I read. You can download a copy of my checklist to use if you like (it is Adobe PDF form).

It is designed to print double-sided, so you can fold it as a booklet and stick it in your bible:

Download checklist for Professor Grant Horner’s Bible Reading System

I wrote about my goal on this blog to keep myself accountable for following through. It really does help you to stay on track when you know other people are watching.

I decided to call my personal challenge Operation Gateway Bible just to remind me of the reasons why I am doing this.  I hope that you decide to make this year one of increased bible study too, either the Horner system or another one. And I know that the benefits you gain will be worth for more than the investment you put into it.

http://www.takebackyourtemple.com/book

What would be their reaction? Shock, amazement, fear? They’d probably think you performed a miracle.

I heard a sermon in which the pastor preached about how Jesus multiplied the loaves and fishes to feed 5,000 men. He said we view it as a miracle when in fact Jesus was simply operating a spiritual law God has already put in place for our provision.

Spiritual laws work just as surely as natural laws. Just as we have confidence in the natural law of electricity that operates every time we turn on the lights, so we must have confidence in the spiritual law of God’s word…and that it works every time if we have faith!

God wants us to turn on the light in some dark situations in our lives by speaking his word into them. And we shouldn’t stop with our homes – we should turn on the light on our jobs, in our communities, cities, country, and the world. When the light is on, darkness must flee!

Take a moment to imagine Christians all over the world turning on light switches. How glorious! Jesus is not called the “Light of the World” for nothing.

According to Psalm 119:105, “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.”

If you keep dealing with the same drama, temptations, and secret sins over and over, then it is probably because you have been stumbling around in the dark too long! It is time to turn on the light.

Speaking God’s word and applying it allows his will to be done on earth as it is in heaven. Also, reading the bible will help you learn God’s promises, through which you obtain everything you need pertaining to life and godliness (2 Peter 1: 2-4).

Just imagine “turning on” God’s promises in the areas in which you struggle. Just like activating a light switch, you can transfer the confidence you have in the light switch over to God’s word.

Let’s let 2010 be the year you turn on the light of God’s word everywhere you go!

Here are some health declarations to speak daily to encourage yourself. Hover your mouse pointer over each “based on” scripture reference to view the original scripture:

• “For You are my lamp, O LORD; You enlighten my darkness.  For by You I can run against a troop; By my God I can leap over a wall. As for God, His way is perfect; The word of the LORD is proven;  He is my shield because I trust in Him.” (Based on 2 Samuel 22: 29-31)

• “In all respects, I prosper and am in good health, just as my  soul prospers.”  (Based on 3 John 1:2 )

• “I operate in love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control.” (Based on Galatians 5:22-23)

• “God has satisfied my thirsty soul, and filled my hungry soul with what is good.” (Based on Psalm 107:9)

• “I wait on the Lord and gain new strength; I mount up with wings like eagles, I run and don’t get tired, I walk and don’t become weary.” (Based on Isaiah 40:31 )

• “Heal me, O LORD, and I am healed; Save me, and I am saved, For You are my praise.”  (Based on Jeremiah 17:14)

• “Thank you Lord that you have restored health to me and healed me of my wounds.” (Based on Jeremiah 30:17)

• “I praise you Lord for you have brought me health and healing; you have healed me and reveal to me the abundance of peace and truth.” (Based on Jeremiah 33:6)

Be blessed in health, healing and wholeness,

Let me give you some background. I often receive emails from people who are discouraged because they don’t think God is hearing them or answering their prayers. I received an email recently along those lines and I thought back to the attitude that help me to succeed with weight loss for good.

I often started a diet and would do well for a few weeks, but then discouragement would kick in because I wasn’t seeing results as fast as I liked. I would then quit and go back to my old habits.

But one day, I had enough. The pain of staying the same was finally greater than the perceived “pain” of changing.

I decided to do what I knew was right ‘until’ I got results, regardless of how long it took.

Do you remember how party announcements back in the day would say that the party would last from “9:00p.m – Until”?

The understanding was that the party would continue until it was finished – whatever time that turned out to be.

So you need the same attitude that you will stand on the promises of God “Until” – no matter how long they take to show up because you know that God is faithful, He is true, and He keeps his promises!

In the meantime, remember Hebrews 6:11-12: “And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope until the end, that you do not become sluggish, but imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.”

Regarding your health, remember this scripture: “Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers (3 John 1:2)”

Determine in your heart that you will keep doing what is necessary to get and stay healthy…until!

Be blessed in health, healing, and wholeness,

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

P.S. How about giving yourself a Christmas gift? If reaching and maintaining a healthy weight is your goal, then the best gift you can give yourself is the ‘Take Back Your Temple’ ebook. You will astonish yourself with the results you get when you combine the right plan with an “until” attitude!

Don’t forget, you also get 8 free bonuses along with the ebook. Review the program – if you don’t agree it is a great investment, the send it back within 30 days, no questions asked. But keep the bonuses as my appreciation gift for reviewing the program. Give yourself the best Christmas gift you can receive – the gift of health and abundant energy!

http://www.takebackyourtemple.com/book