Enjoy a Fresh Start with this four-part series.
1. Taking Care of Me
2. Sabbath and Rest
3. How to Change
4. Your Marriage
For many of us 2020 seems like a blur. We had great ambitions for growth during the last 12 months, but somewhere between social distancing, confusion, and complete shock, goals were replaced with survival.
I want to invite you to join me on a fresh start. An opportunity to right what was mistreated and focus on what was neglected.
When asked in the ABCJesusLovesMe Facebook Group what you most want to see changed in 2021, there was a tie between “Taking Care of Me” and “My Relationship with God.” We will begin with the former.
And as always, we will begin by looking at what the Bible says about our bodies. I encourage you to grab your Bibles and use this post to guide your quiet time.
Our Bodies
Romans 12:1-2 NIV: Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
Let’s break this down.
Paul is urging us to make a choice – live for ourselves or God. Because of what God has done for us (Romans 11:33-36) and by His mercies, we are to present our bodies (spirit, soul, flesh, mind) as a living sacrifice (complete offering to God). We do this by living according to God’s word (reasonable service).
We are not to be confirmed to the world. I John 2:15-16 lists one “confirming” as lust of the flesh.
Lust of the flesh – appealing to the appetite with excessive food, drink, sex, or anything that satisfies physical needs 1
How To Overcome This
We must be “transformed by the renewing of our minds.”
While we will dig into this deeper next week, this means that we are daily in the Bible learning what God says is true. It means that we don’t live a life based on feelings.
What does this have to do with “taking care of me?”
I believe that if you honestly take these verses to God, you will hear what God has for you. But I will share what the Holy Spirit revealed to me through this study of verses.
- My body is not my own. 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 states this as well. When I don’t take care of me, I am not honoring God.
- Lacking self-control with food is “confirming to the world” through lust of the flesh.
- If I want to be “transformed,” I must stop basing how I take care of myself on my feelings (i.e., I don’t feel like going for a walk) and focus on what God says in His Word. David Guzik says, “The body is a wonderful servant but a terrible master.”
When I live each day based on the truth of what God says about my body, I will be taking care of myself.
Specific Habit for the New Year
What specific habit in 2021 will you utilize to keep yourself healthy and “offered” before God?
Examples: sleep, regular exercise, healthy diet, water intake, rising at a certain time each day, annual doctor visit, honoring God with your sexuality
I’d love to hear what you chose. Comment on Facebook, add a comment to this blog post, or tell me through LiveChat on the ABCJesusLovesMe website.
Tools I Have Found Helpful
Noom – I have developed some pretty unhealthy views about my body and food. While not a Christian-based program, Noom has helped me weed out the lies and begin looking at food in a healthy way. Use this Noom link to receive a special offer.
Faithful Workouts – I love Michelle’s Bible-based approach to exercise and health. There is a wealth of free and subscription-based options. My daughter and I really enjoy her free exercise videos.
HASFit – If you want to step up your exercise game, HASfit offers a plethora of free videos.
Be Intentional Planner – Track your goals each week with the “Be Prepared” section of the planner.
One more time…What specific plan will you put into place for 2021 to help yourself stay focused? I can’t wait to hear!
Next Week: Sabbath and Rest
