New Year Challenge

What is your New Year’s resolution? I know, everyone seems to have one and then 2 weeks after the New Year they seem to forget it. A few years ago I made one to get serious about my total health. By that I mean my mind, body and spirit. The Bible says our bodies are a temple of the Lord. If Jesus is making His home inside of you, don’t you think you should clean it up to give Him a nice place to live? We seem to put more time and effort into cleaning our house when we find out friends our stopping over more than we clean up the space that the King of the Universe is going to live in.

I’m definitely not perfect and my “temple” always needs work, however, I have found that if I focus on taking care of myself the way God intended, I can be of far greater use to the Kingdom. For example, what goes in, must come out. I try to fill my mind with positive things. Phillipians 4:8 says, “Finally brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable ~ If anything is excellent or praiseworthy, think about such things.” I do this by being careful what I watch and what I listen to.  The Word also reminds us that where the mind leads the man will follow.

In keeping with that same theme, I try to keep my spirit healthy by feeding it with a daily dose of the Word. Let’s not forget praise & worship. This is a powerful way to strengthen us and keep us healthy.

Last but definitely not least, we need to care for our bodies. Over the last 17 years since I’ve given my life to the Lord I realize that we “church people” tend to eat not so healthy all the time. I mean, how can you resist all that good “church lady” cooking when you attend dinners and picnics?  In my opinion, of all the people on the planet, we should be the healthiest. We’ve read the Word, we know what we should be doing, we just don’t. For me, it works best if I exercise atleast 5 days per week. Even getting in about 20 minutes of cardio each day gets the blood flowing and actually puts you in a great mood. Plus I try to eat lots of fruit and vegetables, drink tons of water and stay away from the junk (as much as possible).

I challenge you this New Year to be the best “you” you can be. Just imagine all that you could do for the Lord if you were in the best mental, physical and spiritual shape you could be. I know right now some of you are thinking, “Oh it’s easy for you” or “I just can’t seem to get started.” Whatever your “excuse” Oh I mean “reason” just remember Phillipians 4:13 “I cando ALL things through Christ who strengthens me.” Happy New Year!