The Fast of the Lord

By Laurette Willis

“Is this not the fast that I have chosen: to loose the bonds of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens…” (Isaiah 58:6)

The reasons we choose to fast and the reasons the Lord calls us to fast may be two entirely different things. You may choose to fast in order to hear the Lord more clearly, for direction in your life, to help a loved one, or to see a “mountain” moved out of your way. Many of us have also fasted to lose a few pounds (even though the weight usually comes back after the fast).

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Can I Start Over…Again…In 2010?

By Laurette Willis

“Do not remember the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I will do a new thing, now it shall spring forth; shall you not know it? I will even make a road in the wilderness.” Isaiah 43:18

A new year and a new start. Perhaps you’ve talked yourself into believing this month will be like last month, or this year will be like last year. Maybe you have heard whispers in your ear that the mistakes you’ve made before will be repeated again. Someone may have told you, as was once said to me, “a leopard never changes its spots.” Did you know that’s in the Bible? It’s from Jeremiah 13:23.

Before I came to the Lord in 1987, I was that leopard who could never change her spots. I had so many “spots” on me that only the Lord Himself could see something salvageable beyond the spots and stains caused by a life of sin.

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You Can Stay Fit During Christmas!

By Laurette Willis

“I am the bread of life” John 6:48 Those words really put holiday overindulgence into perspective don’t they? Perhaps the overindulgence we could enter into this Christmas is filling up on the “bread of life” instead of the bread of this world—after all, Jesus was placed in a manger (a feeding trough!) as a baby.

When we think of the bread of this world, do you think of physical bread? It can be that, as well as what I call the “soul junk food” of this world. I’m referring to the PG-13, R-rated (and worse) so-called “entertainment” of this world (TV, movies, music, etc.).

Okay, now I’m meddling, right? It’s just that I’ve found that if I’m filling up on the world’s junk food through my eyes and ears, I also seem to want to satisfy my mouth with the world’s processed junk foods for my body.

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Transform Your Workouts Into Worship!

By Laurette Willis

Have you ever said this: “I don’t have TIME to exercise”? Some of us have said that more than once! In reality, it’s not about having time to exercise because we all have the same 24 hours each day; we need to MAKE time to exercise if we want to be healthy.

Think of some of the things you already make time to do each day. Some of these things have been part of your daily routine since childhood and have become second nature, such as brushing your teeth, washing your face, or fixing yourself something to eat. There are other things you do on a regular basis which have become habit, yet require a bit more preparation, such as going to church, remembering to acknowledge friends’ birthdays, and shopping for groceries.

Making fitness a part of your regular routine can become a habit—especially if you combine it with something you are already doing, such as prayer, reading the Bible, or worshiping the Lord.

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Present Your Body

Here’s a sobering question: Do you think we’ll be required to give an accounting to the Lord for the stewardship of our bodies and how well we’ve taken care of them?

While exercise was not a priority in Biblical times, in Romans 12:1 Paul answers that question when he says, “I beseech you, therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your body a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.”

Each of us is advised to take care of our body since it is the temple of the Holy Spirit.  That’s a frightening thought for most of us when we really stop to think about it!  “You are not your own,” Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 6:19-20, “For you were bought at a price” (the shed blood of Jesus Christ).

Could that mean your body is not yours, but the Lord’s?  How well are we caring for the Lord’s property?

The good news is that since your body belongs to the Lord, He has a vested interest in helping you care for it.  Your body is not only the temple of His Holy Spirit, it’s what you need to be able to walk around on this earth and spread the good news that Jesus is Lord.

You CAN be a FIT witness for Christ.  The more fit and healthy you are, the greater the probability is that you will be around longer to carry out His will for your life.

The enemy wants you to fail at your task–to fail horribly and leave the earth before your time.  He doesn’t really care that you’re going to heaven; he just doesn’t want you to take anyone else with you!  If your body is out of shape and lacking energy, it’s difficult to do all the Lord is calling you to do.  But you and the Lord–working together–can change that!

“What?!” you ask.  “The Lord needs MY help?  But He’s omnipotent, all-powerful and in control!”  Well, yes–and no.  He is all-powerful, but He will not wrestle the cake fork out of your hand or pick up the strings, like a grand marionette master, and animate your body to take a brisk walk.  We are the ones who have to exercise our will to exercise our body and “choose life.”

You don’t have to wait to do that!  You can start right now by doing something small.  Would you be willing to choose to do at least one new thing for your health and fitness today?  Here are some ideas: take a brisk walk, eat a raw vegetable salad before dinner, have an apple for dessert or snack instead of a sugar-laden treat, pray for God to help you make healthy choices before you eat, write your goals for a healthier lifestyle in a prayer journal.

When you feel tempted to overeat, turn to the Lord in prayer and praise, and yield to the fruit of the Holy Spirit within you.  Galatians 5:23 says that one of those fruit is self-control!

Ask the Lord to help you become the person He has called you to be.  You are not alone.  Remember, He loves you more than you can possibly imagine, and wants you to succeed in every way.  In Philippians 4:13, under the influence of the Holy Spirit, Paul says that we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us.  That includes having a healthier lifestyle!

Christian Fitness Expert and author Laurette Willis is the Director of PraiseMoves® Fitness Ministry, offering fitness programs, DVDs, books and instructor training for those interested in a Christian ALTERNATIVE to yoga, plus fitness for spirit, soul, and body at http://praisemoves.com.  To follow Laurette on Twitter, please visit http://twitter.com/Fit4Christ, and Facebook at  http://facebook.com/people/Laurette-Willis/661158603 ©2009

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