Day 1 - 7 Days Of Weight Loss God’s Way

PRAY: God, I have forgotten you, yet you have never forgotten about me. You did not make a mistake when you created me. Every part of who I am, from cell to skin, is part of your wonderful creation. Help me to know your great love for me. Thank you that you are calling me home to know you in my head, in my heart, and in my body. I give you all of myself.  The whole me. Please come and do all my heavy lifting.  Help me release my grip on my life. I receive your love and grace for me.  – Amen


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Weight Loss God’s Way. Yeah, at first glance it might seem kind of gimmicky and cheesy. But statistics don’t lie. One out of every three women and one out of every four men are on a diet.

Most people are looking for more and they think that becoming less in physical weight holds great promise. So does it? Well, let’s get after it. Let’s ask the harder questions and find our truest selves. Let’s get honest about the fact that we are all hungering for something more and many of us think that shrinking in size is the answer.

I feel like the Star Trek theme song should be playing right now because you are about to boldly go where no man/woman has gone before. You are a pioneer!

Thanks for allowing me, Alisa, the privilege of journeying with you for 31 days! You should probably know this about me – many have called me “Jillian Michaels jacked up on Jesus!”. I am a hopeless believer in freedom and redemption because I am one of the greatest recipients of this gift. The same gift is waiting for you.

Hey…before we get going, I want to take a moment to let you know something very important. Now brave yourself…here comes your FIRST hard training lesson. A better version of yourself is NOT going to satisfy. If you make this training all about YOU getting what YOU want, it’s sure to fall apart. These 31 days are about “weight” loss God’s way. (I always put quotation marks around the word “weight” because it’s really not about the weight in pounds, it’s about the weight of the doubts, lies, fear, shame, and guilt that you have carried around for years.) You’ve tried your way to lose “weight” before and had it worked, you wouldn’t be here now. There is a better way and it’s HIS way.

Your body isn’t broken, God just needs to show you how it works.

 “For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb.” – Psalm 139:13

This is a divine appointment.

Please trust this process. Training here is not going to make total sense to you because God’s way is completely counter-cultural to everything the world has ever told or sold you about fitness/wellness and weight loss.

Along this 31-day journey you and I are taking, I have some tools in my belt that I plan to pull out and see if they work for you. They are tested, tried, and proven tools that I have used in my over 20 years of experience as a fitness professional. They will help you along the road to your FREE life. Some will work for you, some won’t. And some things God is going to show you that I have never seen before! We get to learn from each other! Isn’t that great?

If for any reason you think the plan is moving too fast for you, then please, by all means, slow down! Create a folder, save these emails, and begin working on them and applying them, one at a time. Just don’t lie to yourself once again, give up, and not finish. God is not in a rush. Yet I am convinced if you are fully present on this journey, 31 days will go by in no time, and you will be on your way to a satisfied life.

If for any reason you think the plan is moving too slow for you, then I ask you to please recognize that as an old pattern and an old way of approaching an old circumstance. Impatience stems from an anxious heart. And anxiety is the adversary of wholeness.

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:6-7

The Greek word for anxious, as used in the verse above, means “to cut into pieces”. Yes…I would say that’s the exact opposite of wholeness. Wouldn’t you agree? This time we cast our cares, burdens, shames, hurts and fear on the One who wants it and let God do all the heavy lifting.

Our goal is not skinny, lean, ripped or cut. Our goal is wholeness – all things working together well; heart, mind, soul and body.

YOUR TRAINING PLAN TODAY:

TRAIN:

1. You are invited to step on the scale one final time until further notice. This is optional. You are only to do this if you promise yourself, me, and God, you will not accept ANY shame the number tries to hoist on your shoulders. It’s good to know where we have been so we will never go back. This is a breakup! You will not see this place again.

If you are someone who meets daily and incessantly with your scale…BRAVE yourself. Our next session together is going to challenge you.

2. Take a picture of yourself! Yes, you! Beautiful you. Take a picture of yourself. Again, this is optional, but highly encouraged. You want to be able to remember where you were. It is GOOD for us to remember. It’s imperative that we have long memories of what God has done for us. It’s okay to weep and necessary to mourn over where we once were. Those will be healing tears. Those types of tears keep the clay of our souls moist so we are moldable clay for the journey ahead. If you wholeheartedly open your life up to this process, this picture will be the last you will ever see of yourself…the old you. If you are brave enough, use the #hisway31days so we can find you and give you a virtual fist pump!

3. Please watch this short video teaching. We need to lay a strong foundational understanding of what God is up to in our bodies and spirits.

Loving Our Enemies by James and Betty Robison

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I can love those who have chosen to be my enemies because they not only drive me to my knees, but also continually drive me to God!

Jesus said, “Love your enemies.” He never said, “Get in bed with them.” I understand the provocative nature of what I just said, but the fact is, it’s the truth. It is not only possible, but very important that we come to accept, understand and properly apply this commandment.

Jesus clearly demonstrated God’s boundless love for everyone, but while proving that it can be done, Jesus lovingly and compassionately communicated with a Pharisee and a prostitute in the same setting. He compromised with neither, while manifesting God’s love and speaking truth. Jesus never implied that we are to compromise with or agree with those who oppose God’s word, His truth, or the principles He has clearly set forth.

I think it is wise to ask how we identify the enemies we are commanded to love. First, let me state very firmly: We don’t choose enemies, but we do recognize them. We don’t try to make enemies; we detect who they are by their expressions and their actions. In reality, they choose to be our enemies and oppose what we so obviously believe.

What I am referring to is more than a personality conflict. It is important to understand that people should be able to discuss, debate, and even disagree without branding each other as enemies.

As Christians, those who seek to follow Christ, trusting Him as Lord, understand that truth divides. Perfect love walked on earth only once and sinful man nailed that love to a cross. We should not be surprised when those who stand boldly for the truth meet fierce opposition. If they did it to Him, they will do it to us. It is my desire, however, to help all readers understand that we are not called to go make enemies. We are called to be salt and light in order to make a difference. One way we make a difference is by loving with God’s agape love those who hate.

Jesus’ great love for sinners brought harsh accusation from religious zealots and everyone who had made a god of something they believed rather than actually knowing God and His truth. This has been true throughout history. And please remember, truth withstands debate and assault. It is like a lion. Release it and it will defend itself! So while standing for truth and speaking it in love, we must expect enemies to emerge. When they do, we should respond by continually speaking the truth in love, but never wavering.

When God tells us to make peace with our opponents, to confront those with whom we disagree and seek to reach an understanding, He is not asking us to agree with wrongdoers or wrong doing. Rather as the apostle Paul said, as far as we are concerned we should “be at peace with all men,” but he also rebuked Simon Peter to his face. 

Correction is actually a demonstration of love. I can honestly say that I love those who live with a clenched fist in the face of God, live for the gratification of their own appetites, who claim to be atheists, who live addicted and defeated, but I do not have to join them on their deceptive and destructive journey.

If a person is headed for destruction as a misguided traveler might be headed for a collapsed bridge or unknown canyon, I would do everything within my power to redirect them and to stop them from the certain catastrophic consequences on their present course. I would do this as surely as I would try to save someone from a burning house. Get them to safety! Truth, God’s Word and His presence are a shelter from every storm, a shield from the assault of the enemy and Jesus is the only way to salvation, security and eternal life. 

As C.S. Lewis said, “Jesus is either liar, lunatic or lord.” I know him to be the Lord who loves everyone, including His enemies.Regardless of all the opposition on this planet, Jesus is not only the “exact representation of God’s nature,” He is “the Way, the Truth and the Life and no one comes to the Father except by Him.” I didn’t make this statement; I am quoting the person who made it in absolute terms. This has become a very volatile statement in today’s world and many choose to make themselves an enemy, an accuser and release vicious anger toward anyone who quotes Jesus.

They don’t really have a problem with those who profess to believe Jesus to be who He said He is, they actually have a problem with Jesus. I am not angry at those who disagree or who don’t accept Him, I love them. I am not angry with those who refuse to accept God’s truth. I am angry about the consequences of walking in our own light rather than God’s light. I am saddened that so many continually stumble, when He has offered to be a light unto our path.

You might ask, “James, how can you tell if it is God‘s Spirit controlling us when we deal with enemies and opponents of biblical truth or even the principles that made our nation great?”

I believe you can discern the spirit controlling your life and individuals by asking, “Is it a spirit of redemption moving me or is it a spirit of destruction? Are your deepest desires to see everyone blessed and benefited by what you can share, or do you want to in some way bludgeon them, damage them, or destroy them? Are you tempted even as the Pharisees to use the Bible to beat them up or beat them down?”

It is a sad fact that this happens too often. Remember, those Jesus rebuked in the strongest terms were the religious zealots of His day. They were actually “practicing the traditions of men rather than the commandments of God,” and they were “honoring God with their lips, but their hearts were far from Him.” Jesus said they didn’t even know Him or God the Father!

There are many religious people who are very committed (and yes, zealous for their beliefs) who do not actually know Jesus. Keep in mind that when we know Him and we love Him with all our heart, we will love others and we will be more sensitive to those around us, but we will not compromise. Yes, we will render unto “Caesar what is Caesar’s,” but we will never render unto Caesar or anyone what is God’s! I know these are strong words I am sharing, but these are the words of Jesus. The issue for us is to understand and practice them.

Let me give you one instance of how I appreciate critics and those who seem to be enemies. I see them as honing mechanisms. Proverbs tells us that “iron sharpens iron.” You can’t sharpen iron with chalk so it takes a strong force to hone a keen edge. I see my critics as opportunities for me to become a keener cutting edge for the glory of God.

We can all become silver tried in the fire, or stronger like tempered steel. I can love those who have chosen to be my enemies because they will not only drive me to my knees, but continually drive me to God! He alone is my sufficient strength, and He alone can give me the grace to love those who attack, accuse, misunderstand or even misrepresent what I am saying.

Please join Betty and me on our journey learning to live in His love while freely and effectively expressing it to everyone, including very real enemies.

It’s Never Too Late by Bayless Conley

DESCRIPTION No matter the situation, seek God today. Ask, and He will send the rain down on whatever part of your life has been mown over by the locusts.

Today, I want to focus our attention on Psalm 72:6.  This verse contains a very powerful truth that I want to leave with you.  It says,

He shall come down like rain upon the mown grass. (KJV)

I remember when I was first saved and read this passage, I would picture somebody out there with a lawnmower.  But of course, they didn’t have lawnmowers back then!

This verse refers to a field that has been eaten over by locusts, a plague of locusts that has come through and just devoured a field.  And God gives a wonderful promise:  He will come down like the rain on the mown grass, to revive and to restore that which the locusts have eaten.

Today, as you read this devotional, you may feel like a swarm of locusts has come over your life and eaten your blessing.  I think if you seek God and earnestly pray and ask Him to send the rain, you will have an encounter with God beyond anything you could have imagined.

He can restore what the enemy has stolen in your life.  You can indeed experience the freshness and revival and fruitfulness in your life again.  It is never too late to pray for God’s blessing.

No matter the situation, seek God today.  Ask, and He will send the rain down on whatever part of your life has been mowed over by the locusts.  And you will experience the blessing God desires for you.

Remember, it is never too late.

Wisdom with Self Control by Daily Disciples

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Ask the Lord to show you what's missing in your walk with Him. Then, ask for wisdom and pray for self control.

Today's Reading:  Psalm 74-76; Romans 9:16-33

Then Joseph could not restrain himself before all those who stood by him, and he cried out, "Make everyone go out from me!" So no one stood with him while Joseph made himself known to his brothers. Genesis 45:1

Personally, I can't believe Joseph could keep his secret this long. Joseph had God-given self control. Can you imagine how difficult it must have been to not reveal yourself to your brothers? Joseph handled this situation with such wisdom.

Wisdom and self control are not natural traits. They have to be developed by and in a person. Wisdom is given by God and self control is the last attribute listed in the fruits of the Spirit. It is through life experiences that we gain wisdom and it is through intense trials that we learn self control, However, experience and trials do not necessarily mean that people become wise and self controlled.

God desires to develop both of these traits in His children. When God can trust you, He entrusts you with greater gifts and callings. Obviously, God tests our hearts through a variety of trials in life. How we react and respond to those trials shows us where we place our trust. How often do we want to look to man or impulsively react to what we think is best? Patience, endurance, waiting and resting are not eagerly sought characteristics today. Thank the Lord that, in Christianity, we are under the covenant of grace which means that we can take the test over and over until we pass.

A person with wisdom and self control blesses God and others, as well as himself. Joseph is a great role model for each of us. God was so gracious to give us an example of a man who endured years of trials and abuse but overcame the circumstances to be entrusted with governing Egypt. Ask the Lord to show you what's missing in your walk with Him. Then, ask for wisdom and pray for self control.

Night is Coming by Dr. Henry Blackaby

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We, in our day, tend to believe that we can ignore the real “night that is coming” by turning on our artificial lights to make us think and act as if nothing is wrong.

We live in a world of artificial light in so many ways. If we go to a ballgame and nighttime is approaching, we watch as the stadium lights come on in the transition, and we are led to believe that daytime still exists. In essence, we are deceived about the night because of the “artificial light”.

We may function well with artificial light in the physical world but this certainly is not true in the Kingdom of God. Jesus said to His disciples, “I must work the works of Him who sent Me while it is day; the night is coming when no man can work. As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world” (John 9:4-5).

We, in our day, tend to believe that we can ignore the real “night that is coming” by turning on our artificial lights to make us think and act as if nothing is wrong. We can spend time in the “artificial light” of Hollywood with its make-believe world of reality. And, of course, the world of sports offers a constant stream of escapism to the real world as well. We literally have hundreds of media channels in which to get lost. And in so doing, we can live carelessly in our unreal world and ignore the real world. This also can apply to the relationships we have in our marriages and families. We can fail to see “the night is coming on,” and it may become too late to work on these precious relationships.

Too many of us today see the darkness approaching in our nation and in our world but convince ourselves it’s not as bad as it truly is. We simply throw on the switch of artificial light so we will not be overtaken by the darkness. And as we do we go on in reckless and fatal abandon.

Jesus gave us a clear warning of this moment. We must face the real time in which we live just as He did and work the works of Him who sent us. Are there “good works” which He ordained that we should work and not postpone (Ephesians 2:10)?

Be encouraged: “While you have the light, believe in the light, that you may become sons of light” (John 12:36a). Look carefully around you:

for what you see “while it is day.”for the approaching “night.”for the deception of the world’s artificial light.for opportunities to let Christ’s light shine in you and through you.

Eight Words That Change Everything by Keith Ferrin

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Keith Ferrin offers encouragement from the Word of God.

I am currently joining with several other guys from my church and reading through the Bible in four months. It has truly been some of the most enjoyable reading of God’s Word I have ever encountered. While I am reading "straight through" from Genesis to Revelation in the mornings, each evening before hugging my pillow I pause and read one or two Psalms. A few nights ago I read Psalm 56 and one of the lines King David wrote has been with me ever since:

"This I know, that God is for me."

These eight words change everything. Everything. The last half of the sentence is true. God is for us. Period. Whether we believe it or not. Whether we live in the light of its promise or not. Whether we remember it or not. Quite simply – it is true.

And then there is the first half of the sentence. "This I know…" Most likely, the first time I heard this phrase was when I was four and my mom and dad were teaching me "Jesus loves me….this I know…" Believing that Jesus loves me is also foundational. But I’ve got to say that there’s a part of me that – at least for today – thinks that what David wrote in Psalm 56 is even more life-changing. Here’s what I mean.

God IS love. Right? So the fact that God loves me is, in some sense, simply God being God. Is it possible for God to not love? Could He not love His creation? Don’t get me wrong, the truth that He loves me is huge. (After all, my hope and salvation hinges upon it!) And yet, I can’t imagine God being anything other than loving, in spite of the fact that I certainly don’t deserve it.

However, David didn’t say, "This I know, that God loves me. He says, "This I know, that God is for me. Knowing that God is FOR me is a whole different thing. David recognizes that God being for him is not just God loving His creation, but God choosing to celebrate His creation.

How differently – more fully, more abundantly, more joyfully, more purposefully, more passionately – you and I would live if this truth permeated our every thought: that the God who created us, who knows us, who sacrificed Himself for us, is for us.

Sit back and soak in that truth for a moment. God celebrates you. God is on your side. God rejoices over you. God wants you. God chooses you. God cherishes you. God is for you.

And now…take a deep breath and say these eight words out loud:

This I know, that God is for me.

Do you believe it? I hope so. It will change everything.

Peace in Me by Guideposts

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It’s easy to find peace when everything is going smoothly, but where can we find it in the midst of pain?

I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world. John 16:33, NLT

I've had an extremely close relationship with my grandparents my whole life. My mom was a single mom, and we lived with my grandparents my first four years. After that, I spent time with my grandparents many times a week. I looked forward to dinners around their table, watching old movies on the TV, and going on walks around the neighborhood. As my grandparents grew older, I feared losing one of them. I knew it was inevitable, but I didn’t think my heart could handle it.

When my grandpa was diagnosed with cancer, I turned to the only place I knew to go—to Jesus. I asked Him to be with me each day as I helped my grandmother care for my grandfather. I asked Jesus to give my heart peace, and the amazing thing was, He did.

On the last day of my grandfather’s life, I walked into the room and I saw him lifting his arms and praising Jesus. Later, through tears, Grandpa told me he saw Jesus with His arms outstretched. Jesus was welcoming Grandpa home. Not too long later, my grandfather passed away.

All those years I had worried about what I was losing, but I had forgotten what my grandfather was gaining. Because Jesus had overcome the world, my grandfather was now with Him in eternity.

It’s easy to find peace when everything in life is going smooth. But peace—Jesus our peace—can also be found in painful times.

FAITH STEP: Think about a friend who is facing the death of a loved one. Send him or her a note sharing your care. Also remind your friend that true peace can be found in Jesus.

Contributed by Tricia Goyer