Daily Devotions For A Healthy Lifestyle

By Wayne E. Billon

This book is not just another devotional, it is a devotional with encouragement for those that are specifically trying to lose weight, gain weight, overcome an eating disorder, or that just wants to eat healthy. It provides a scripture with an encouraging discussion, prayer, and nutritional information that can make your pursuit for a healthy li

• Language: English
• Publisher: GoldTouch Press, LLC
• Release date: Aug 13, 2019
• ISBN: 9781733402835

Wayne E. Billon

Dr. Billon has a Ph.D. in Nutrition and has practiced as a registered dietitian for 43 years. Besides teaching clinical nutrition in three different universities for over 33 years, he has practiced in numerous areas of dietetics, some of which include clinical nutrition, sports nutrition, nutritional assessment, weight reduction, and eating disorders. He has counseled in these areas in the secular world as well as through platforms in several churches. Prior to publishing this book, he published four editions of a widely used clinical nutrition textbook.

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Daily Devotions

For A Healthy

Lifestyle

Scripture Readings, Prayer,

Nutritional Information

Wayne E. Billon, Ph.D., RDN, LDN

Copyright © 2019 by Wayne E. Billon, Ph.D., RDN, LDN.

Library of Congress Control Number:      2019910498

HARDBACK:    978-1-7334028-2-8

Paperback:    978-1-7334028-1-1

eBook:            978-1-7334028-3-5

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law.

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Contents

I Am a Believer

Spirit, Soul, Body

I Am Made in God’s Image

I Am Sealed by the Holy Spirit

God Sees my Heart

You Chose Me

God’s Promises Are True

Faith to Move Mountains

Faith vs. Doubt

You Are a Child of God

You Are a Child of God II

You Are a Child of God III

Led by God’s Spirit

You Have a Right to Be a Child of God

Led by God’s Spirit II

You Are Expensive

You Have Been Washed

We Are New Creatures

Age Does Not Matter

Never Be Thirsty

We Are His Workmanship

God Is Love

Have Jesus’s Attitude

No Condemnation

Only Boast in the Lord

The Mystery of His Will

Be Strong and Courageous

His Lovingkindness Endures Forever

Jesus Is the Living Bread

Rejoice in Your Undertakings

For His Glory

Be Disciplined

Present Your Bodies as a Living Sacrifice

Do Not Conform to the World

Be Transformed

You Can Overcome the World

You Are Free from the Law

Hope in Perseverance

Set Your Mind on the Spiritual

Seek Heavenly Food

I Am Saved

We Are God’s People I

We Are God’s People II

Let’s All Praise the Lord

God Creates Only Good Things

God Blesses Your Food

Do Not Seek Sympathy

Do Everything for God’s Glory

You Are a Crown of Beauty

God Is at Work in You

Do Not Grumble

The Holy Spirit Is Your Teacher I

The Holy Spirit Is Your Teacher II

The Holy Spirit Is Your Teacher III

Avoid Jealousy and Strife

Do Not Allow Yourself to Be Arrogant

Let Jesus Flow from You

Sow Seeds in Joy

Maintain Your Focus

Overcome by Your Faith I

Overcome with Your Faith II

Jesus Is Faithful

No Temptation Can Overtake You

God Is Not Your Tempter

Take Every Thought Captive

Help Me with My Unbelief

Only Believe

It Is Impossible to Please Him without Faith

Ask for Wisdom

Do Not Fear the Devil

Faith Comes by Hearing the Word of Christ

We Have the Righteousness of Christ

We Walk by Faith

Our Justification Is Not in the Law

God Does Not Play Favorites

Do Not Think More Highly of Yourself than You Ought

Do Not Pass Judgment on Those Who Have Weak Faith I

Do Not Pass Judgment on Those Who Have Weak Faith II

Do Not Pass Judgment on Those Who Have Weak Faith III

Know the Difference between Clean and Unclean

Walk According to Love

Know the Kingdom of God

Do Not Cause Your Brother to Stumble

Your Faith Is Your Conviction

Accept One Another for the Glory of God

Do Not Be a Doubter I

Do Not Be a Doubter II

Faith Can Move Mountains

How Little Is Your Faith?

How Little Is Your Faith? II

We Are Cleansed

Our Sins Are Removed

Our Sins Are White as Snow

Our Sins Are Not Remembered

Our Sins Are Not Remembered II

Our Sins Are Not Remembered III

How Blessed We Are

Return to Me

Jesus’s Love Did Not Start at Salvation

Abounding in Lovingkindness

Redeemed by His Grace

We Need Not Offer Anything for Forgiveness

Jesus Is Exalted

Forgiveness Is Proclaimed

None Righteous

We Are United to Christ

What God Has Said Will Come to Pass

Hope Does Not Disappoint

You Are God’s Possession

You Are God’s Possession II

I Will Give You Thanks Forevermore

Nothing Will Separate Us from Our God

You Turn My Mourning into Dancing

Our God Is Compassionate

We Are Free from the Law of Sin and Death

My God Is Gracious and Compassionate

Jesus Is the Light

Present Yourself to God as a Workman

Your Lord Will Sustain You

Be Filled with the Fruit of Righteousness

Learn How to Resist the Devil

You Can Endure All

Overcome Evil with Good

Prayer Avoids Temptation

You Will Receive Your Crown

Everyone Is Tempted

Jesus Was Tempted

Jesus Was Tempted II

You Are an Overcomer

God’s Grace Is Sufficient

Do Not Let Yourself Be Carried Away

His Power Is within Us

Put on the Full Armor of God

We Can Overwhelmingly Conquer

Greater Is He That Is in Us

Enter His Courts with Praise

Know God’s Power in You

By Grace You Have Been Saved

We Can Control Our Thoughts

Our Battle Is Not against Flesh and Blood

Principalities and Powers Have Been Destroyed

Do Not Make Your Lifestyle Program Your Idol

Stay on the Path of Life

Watch out for Pride

Watch out for a Crushed Spirit

Joy Comes in the Morning

Joy Comes in the Morning II

Treasure God’s Word in Your Heart

You Are under Grace

Think on Things above

Encourage One Another

Do Not Lose Courage

Stand in the Presence of His Glory

Stand in the Presence of His Glory II

We Can Draw Near to God’s Throne with Confidence

Love Your Neighbor as Yourself

Be Patient

Walk in a Manner Worthy of the Lord

Walk in a Manner Worthy of the Lord II

Walk in a Manner Worthy of the Lord III

Walk in a Manner Worthy of the Lord IV

Be Strengthened in Your Heart

Why Seek Godly Wisdom?

Do Not Lose Heart

Wait on the Lord

Do Not Carry Your Own Yoke

God Has Plans for You

Be Content

Do Not Receive Condemnation

Fix Your Eyes on Jesus

Make No Provision for the Flesh

Become a Slave for Christ

Be Filled with the Fullness of God

Let the Lord Be Your Rock

I Belong to Christ

Praise Be to God for His Comfort

Praise Be to God for His Comfort II

He Is My Hiding Place

He Is My Shield

He Is My Dwelling Place

Nothing Can Separate Me from His Love

His Thoughts Are the Highest

He Is with Us Always, Even to the End of the Age

Keep God’s Word in Your Heart

Fear the Lord and Shun Evil

Acknowledge Him in All Your Ways

Be Careful of the Power of the Tongue

Keep from Having a Broken Spirit

The Fear of the Lord Leads to Life

Listen to the Lord

Commit Your Works to the Lord

Pursue Righteousness

Keep a Cheerful Heart

Walk in Wisdom

Walk in Wisdom II

Keep a Joyful Heart II

Avoid Laziness

Avoid Pride

Listen to the Lord

Love Wins All

Do Not Be Gluttonous

Do Not Be Spiritually Slack

The Lord Is Our Strength

Acquire a Wise Counsel

The Lord Is Righteousness

Preserve Kindness and Truth

Watch Your Heart with Diligence

Righteousness Is Greater Than Sacrifice

Watch Your Tongue

The Wise Seek Counsel

Be a Righteous Neighbor

Be Gracious to the Needy

Draw Near to God

Be an Overcomer

God Always Hears Us

God Wants Us to Prosper

Do Not Be Afraid to Ask

You Are More Than a Conqueror

Be Careful of Who You Associate with

Do Not Fear

Trust in Your God

God Does Not Play Favorites

What Is Not Seen Is Eternal

We Have Everything We Need

We Have No Reason to Be Condemned

We Are Not under the Law but We Are under Grace

Our God Is Gives Us Strength and Power

We Need to Listen for Jesus’s Voice

Work As unto the Lord

Delight in the Lord

God Will Supply All Our Needs

The Lord Hears Our Call

The Lord Is Our Shield

The Lord Is Near

Wait on the Lord

The Lord Will Teach and Counsel Us

The Lord Is Our Rock

The Lord Is the Light of Our Life

The Lord Satisfies All Our Needs

The Lord Shows Us the Way We Should Go

The Lord Rejoices over Us

The Lord Has Great Compassion on Us

Put Your Trust in the Lord

Be Confident in Yourself

Trials Bring about Perseverance

Perseverance Results in Hope

We Have Hope

Endurance Brings about Perfection

Endurance Brings about Promises

Our Tests Produces Endurance

You Are Blessed for Your Endurance

Be Immovable

Be a Servant of God

Endurance Produces Life

Produce Fruit

Forgive As You Have Been Forgiven

Be an Example of Christ’s Patience

The Lord Is My Rescuer

Be Ready in Season and Out Of Season

Faith and Patience Inherits the Promise

Patience Endures

God’s Kindness Leads Us to Repentance

We Are Strengthened with All Power

Be Worthy of Your Calling

Endure Reproach for His Sake

Again I Say Endure

Endure and Reign

Our Father Disciplines Us

Perseverance Bears Fruit

Pursue Righteousness

Of These the Greatest Is Love

The Lord Increases Our Strength and Power

The Bottom Line, Give Thanks

God Is Our Refuge

Commit Your Way to the Lord

The Lord Is Your Rescuer

Wait Patiently on the Lord

Despair Not

Let Your Heart Take Courage

The Lord Hears the Righteous

Lovingkindness Surrounds Those Who Trust in the Lord

There Is No Want for Those Who Fear the Lord

The Lord Consoles the Anxious

Do Not Fear the Terror by Night

Your Sins Are Covered

He Heals All Your Diseases

Wait on the Lord

Seek the Strength of the Lord

God Is Ready to Hear Our Prayer

The Lord Is the Rock of My Refuge

The Lord Will Sustain Our Falls

Teach Me Your Statutes

The Lord Hears the Righteous

The Lord Wants Your Burden

The Lord Is Gracious and Merciful

The Lord Is a Stronghold for the Oppressed

Trust in the Lord and Abide in Him Forever

The Lord Is with Us When We Fall

Our God Is Merciful

Goodness and Lovingkindness Are Mine

God Leads Us and Teaches Us

Our God Is with Us to the End

I Will Receive Counsel unto Glory

My God Will Be with Me Twenty-Four Hours a Day

You Are Guarded By God’s Peace

Jesus Wants Us to Be at Peace

God Promises to Keep You in Perfect Peace

You Can Control Your Peace

May You Abound in Hope

Do Not Let Your Heart Be Troubled

Do Not Worry

Always Rejoice in the Lord

We Are Blessed with Peace

Our Joy Should Be Full

It Is by Faith We Stand in God’s Grace

Jesus Himself Is Our Peace

My Lord Allows Me to Dwell in Safety

Make Peace and Receive Peace

Avoid Those Who Devise Evil

Depart from Evil and Seek Peace

Love God’s Word and Have Great Peace

All Our Provisions Come from Our God

Provision Brings Praise

Be Satisfied and Praise the Lord

Do not Despair but Put Your Hope in God

Imitate What Is Good

I Have the Robe of Righteousness

God Will Perfect the Work He Started in You

Be at Peace and Avoid Envy

Trust in the Lord and Be Fruitful

Dwell in the Shadow of the Almighty

Our God’s Promises Are Yes and Amen

Not by Power or Might

We Are Blameless before Him

Cast All Your Care on Him

God Will Not Forsake You

You Do Not Have a Spirit of Fear

Do Not Let Your Heart Be Troubled

Count Your Blessings

Avoid Selfishness

Fear of the Lord Is the Beginning of Wisdom

Fear of the Lord Is the Beginning of Wisdom II

You Have the Lord’s Favor

Your Father God Loves You As He Does Jesus

Fools Do Not Fear God

The Lord Will Uphold You

The Lord Will Uphold You II

You Have Received the Spirit of Adoption

We Are the Righteousness of God

Be Careful about What You Put in Your Heart

Seek First His Kingdom

Do Not Worry about Worldly Things

Be a Fruit Bearer

Do Not Look for a Sign but Look to the Lord

In Fearful Times Look to the Lord

Continually Offer up Praise

Faith is Believing What You Cannot See

You Have Been Given the Kingdom

Do Not Let Your Heart Get Weighed Down

Put Great Value on Discernment

Your Struggle is Not against Flesh and Blood

Stand Firm I

Stand Firm II

Stand Firm III

Stand Firm IV

Acknowledgments

I would like to express my deepest appreciation to my lovely wife, Cathy, for her encouragement and help with this book. Writing a book takes a considerable amount of time away from normal family life. It takes a special wife to not only tolerate such an endeavor but to be an encouragement through the process.

I would also like to thank two special members of my church family that edited my book, Abigail Christopher and Madeleine Hagan. Thank you so much for your work and the speed in which you completed it. I will be ever grateful to you.

Last but the most important I thank the Holy Spirit for the inspiration to write such a book. The idea grew from a simple devotional to one that a included a prayer, and finally one that included the nutritional notes. I give the praise and thanks to my Lord for the Holy Spirit’s guidance.

A Daily Devotion for Anyone Who Wants to Make Lifestyle Changes to be Healthier Physically as Well as Spiritually

How to Use this Book

It has been decades since I started writing this devotional. I was teaching nutrition in college at the time, but I did not devote full time to it until I retired almost two years ago. I have a Ph.D. in Nutrition, and I am a registered dietitian. I have taught nutrition in college for thirty-three years, have consulted in five different areas of dietetics while teaching, and have practiced for six years as a nutrition support team dietitian in a large teaching hospital. I have been a born-again Christian for thirty-nine years, have been a lay teacher in several churches, and have taught classes on dieting for Christians. I have counseled many on weight reduction and I am well aware of the problems they face. It seemed reasonable to me to write a book that would combine my two areas of interest and expertise to encourage those who are trying to develop a healthier lifestyle while introducing them to the basics of nutrition. That is the purpose of this book. It is primarily intended for born-again Christians who believe in God’s Word and trust in Him for strength to change to a healthier lifestyle. I say primarily because you do not have to be a believer to read this devotional. A healthier lifestyle includes those who are trying to lose weight but also those who may be fighting a disease state, like diabetes or elevated cholesterol. It also includes those who may be trying to gain weight, overcome an eating disorder, or just wants to be a healthier person. All of these conditions require proper eating, exercise, sleep, and relaxing. However, this devotional can be useful for anyone who is on a diet or not.

Each day has a scripture reference with a brief encouragement based on the scripture, a short prayer, and an instruction to basic nutrition facts with simple advice for those trying to eat healthier. It is not intended to be a diet book or advise you on a specific diet plan, but to give general information on the basics of nutritional facts while providing scriptural encouragement for you to improve your lifestyle. For specific dietary advice, you should consult a registered dietitian.

Each day the nutritional information builds on the previous day’s knowledge. Because of this, the devotional does not start with January 1 but begins with day one and goes through day 365. This numbering system enables you to start the nutrition information from the beginning without starting in the middle of a nutrition section. It also allows you to begin the devotional anytime without waiting for the first of the month. Even though you could start this devotional on any day, it will be divided up into twelve sections with a different theme in each section.

It is essential that you understand this devotional is intended primarily for believers in Jesus Christ because it is designed to encourage you to call on your faith in Him. Of course, this devotional can be used by anyone and will inspire anyone. If you are not a believer, not to worry, I can help you with that. The first thirty-one days will have the theme Who am I in Christ? John 3:16 tells us that For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.¹ When you first received Jesus as your Lord and Savior, your initial belief was based on this scripture. In case that has been some time ago, you can renew or rededicate yourself to the Lord at any time. The last page of this book will help you with a prayer for salvation or rededication.

This devotional is intended to help you be victorious in any healthy life-change program. The encouragement comes from the Bible and describes God’s love for us; this devotional will show you that God loves you and will never leave you. He wants you to be healthy, to succeed, and to be a witness for Him. His Word is extremely encouraging to us in every lifestyle that we are engaged. We have to continually remind ourselves of that in everything we do, whether it be dieting, exercising, performing in our workplace, relating to our family or friends, etc. Without God’s love and guidance, we are nothing. To obtain the most out of this devotional, we need to understand that fact. Therefore, as you begin your program, remind yourself what it means to have been saved and who you are in Christ. The first month of this devotional describes who you are in Christ because knowing this will show you that you are more than a conqueror and that you can do all things through Christ who strengthens you.

Remember that the last page of this book will help you with a prayer for salvation or rededication.

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1 Unless otherwise stated, all scripture quotations are from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®, Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. (www.Lockman.org)

Day 1

I Am a Believer

For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. (John 3:16)

As born-again Christians, all of our daily activities should have Jesus in the center. He should be in the center of our homes, workplaces, hobbies, churches, and any extracurricular activities, including lifestyle changes. Everything we do should be Christ- centered. We get so tangled up with everyday routines that frequently we forget to submit everything we do to Jesus. Sometimes we need to stop and remind ourselves not just who we are as Christians, but what that means as who we are in Christ. This knowledge sets us apart from the daily, worldly, and secular routines. Therefore, start this first day of your new regimen by reminding yourself that you are a born-again believer and you are not of this world. You are in the world, and you have to participate in worldly activities, but as a child of God, you are not part of the world. As a believer, you are a child of God and you have an inner strength that enables you to be successful if you call on Jesus and walk in His light. Be bold and courageous. Determine with an act of your will that you can do this! If you trust in Jesus for help, you will not be doing this alone. Remember who you are in Christ and proceed with confidence.

Dear Father God, thank You for sending Your Son to die for me. I thank You that You love me that much, and knowing how much You love me, I know that You want me to succeed in everything that I do. I know that You love me no matter how much weight I lose or gain, but I know that You want me to succeed with my healthy lifestyle program. You want me to take the necessary steps to be healthy while trusting in You for guidance and strength. By an act of my will, I choose to be successful with Your help. I ask that You give me the strength and courage to stick with a new health plan for my life, and I pray that You allow me to become more efficient as a witness for You. In Jesus’s name, I ask. Amen.

Nutrition Thought for the Day.

Always set realistic goals for losing weight or gaining weight. Expect fantastic results, but begin with realistic goals while believing strength and guidance come from the Holy Spirit and watch your realistic goals turn into excellent results. If you are trying to lose weight, know that ideal weight loss is one to two pounds per week. I know, you want to lose weight faster than that, but it took you a long time to gain weight and it would not be realistic to believe the weight will disappear overnight. If you lose one pound a week, that is fifty-two pounds a year and a lot of weight. Take one day at a time. If you are trying to gain weight, the proper exercise routine is essential. You will not gain muscle quickly, and you want to avoid gaining weight as fat. Weigh once a week at the same time and with the same clothes each time to be consistent. It is not advisable to weigh every day because weight comes off (or goes on) too slowly and you will get discouraged. Remember, if you are very overweight, slightly overweight, or at your ideal body weight, Jesus loves you just the same. His love for you is never based on your appearance. Even if you have not been saved, He still loves you for He died for you. Always remember this and use this fact as your starting point for your new program for a healthy lifestyle.

Day 2

Spirit, Soul, Body

Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved complete, without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. (1 Thessalonians 5:23)

Many Christians do not realize this scripture is true. We are a spirit, we live in a body, and we have a mind or soul (the seat of our emotions, intellect, and will). First Thessalonians 5:23 explains that. We know that when we die our bodies go into the grave and return to the dust from which they were formed, but our spirits go on to heaven or Hades, according to the way we lived our lives on the earth. Our minds move on with our spirits. When we were saved, our bodies did not change, and our minds did not change. The Bible tells us that when we are saved, we are new creatures (2 Corinthians 5:17). So what is new? What changes is our spirit. Our spirit is covered with the robe of righteousness, and when God our Father looks down, He sees the righteousness of Jesus. Ephesians 1:14 says our spirits are marked with a seal by the Holy Spirit, and that seal will forever be there. If we could see into the spirit world, we would be able to determine who is saved and who is not by the seal on our spirits. The seal by the Holy Spirit is part of who we are in Christ, a marked spirit set apart for eternal glory. This should be very encouraging for you and can remind you each day who you are in Christ. You have been claimed by the Holy Spirit and Jesus is in your heart. He promises guidance and wisdom. You are not trying a new healthy lifestyle alone, but you have the Trinity on your side. Knowing this, you can be bold and courageous. Keep reminding yourself of who you are in Christ. Make up your mind, by an act of your will to succeed with your new regimen.

Oh, there will be days when you get off your routine. Your spirit does not change when that happens. God does not fall off the throne or love you any less. Anything you do that is not pleasing in His sight has already been forgiven. If you fail in your daily routine, your biggest enemy is yourself. Forgive yourself and move on. Set your sights on a better tomorrow. Being knocked down is not being defeated. Being knocked down and staying down is being defeated. Get up, knowing your Father does not see your failures, but your righteous spirit sealed by the Holy Spirit. Not your righteousness, but the righteousness you have based on what Jesus did for you.

Father God, thank You for saving me. Thank You that You love me no matter how many times I disappoint You and You will always be with me, even when I fail. By the power of Your Holy Spirit, continue to remind me who I am in Your Son. I know that with Your strength I can be successful. I am a child of God. I want to love You more each day and to be a witness for You. Strengthen me and help me in my daily walk. In Jesus’s mighty name, I pray. Amen.

Nutrition Thought for the Day.

The more of a creature of habit you become concerning your lifestyle, the easier it will be for you to lose weight. Consistency is essential. I know it is not always possible, but if you can eat at the same time each day, your body will adjust to eating at that time, and you will get in sync, so to speak. It will be easier to lose weight or to gain weight if you eat at the same time each day.

Day 3

I Am Made in God’s Image

God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. (Genesis 1:27)

This scripture tells us that we are created in God’s image. How does God look? If we could see Him, would we see a striking resemblance? No. God is a Spirit. He lives in the spirit world and is a three-part being, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. We are also a three- part being in that we live in a body, we have a mind, and we are a spirit. The thing that we have in common with God is our spirit being. When God created us in His image, He created our spirit to be similar to His Spirit. We cannot see into the spirit world but when we go to heaven we will have our new spirit bodies, and we will be able to see everyone in the spirit form. I know this sounds strange, but we know that we will not have corruptible bodies in heaven but incorruptible bodies in a spirit form.

What does this have to do with a healthy lifestyle? When we begin each day, we can wake up with the confidence that we are created in the image of God, and that as born- again believers we are children of God and we know that God loves His children. When we go about our daily routine, we can go with the understanding that, even though we may be overweight or underweight, we are created in God’s image, and God’s image is not something to scoff. We can, therefore, walk tall, and hold our head high with confidence knowing that our God is walking with His creation. This should encourage us and help us to face each challenge of the day knowing that with God’s help we can overcome anything the world throws at us. Remind yourself of this every morning when you wake up and several times during the day to encourage yourself as to who you are in Christ—made in His image!

Dear Father, I know that I have been created in Your image. I am indeed Your creation, and You are with me every step that I take. I know my physical appearance is not important to You, but my spirit is. I also know that my spirit is marked with a seal by Your Holy Spirit. I know You will go with me everywhere I go and that You will help me accomplish every task that I undertake. It is my desire, an act of my will, that I am a good representation of Your love. As I walk through my day, help me to remember how true this is and show me Your lovingkindness. Thank You for accepting me the way I look right now. I thank You in the name of Jesus. Amen.

Nutrition Thought for the Day.

Remember that it is important to eat three meals a day and not skip meals. This is also part of being consistent each day. If you only eat lunch one day, and the next day you eat breakfast and lunch, and the third day you eat breakfast, lunch, and dinner, this is inconsistency. Breakfast is important. If you spread out what you eat over three meals, and maybe a balanced snack or two, you can actually eat more food in a day and not gain weight then if you ate one or two very large meals a day. On the other hand, if you are trying to achieve weight gain and you are not accustomed to eating three meals a day, the new routine may help you gain weight. Timing is crucial.

Day 4

I Am Sealed by the Holy Spirit

In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation—having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is given as a pledge of our inheritance, with a view to the redemption of God’s own possession, to the praise of His glory. (Ephesians 1:13)

When you were saved, your spirit was sealed with an indelible mark by the Holy Spirit. Note that this scripture also says that this was given as a pledge of your inheritance. The part of the scripture that says with a view to the redemption of God’s own possession is not understood by many. It is stated in the New International Version (NIV) as such: who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the full redemption of those who are God’s possession. This is perhaps a little easier to understand, but whatever version you read, this scripture means that, upon salvation, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit with a forever-mark as a promise of your inheritance that you will receive with full redemption upon Jesus’s return.

When you enter heaven, you will understand the full meaning of your redemption obtained for you on the cross. When you get discouraged and think that you can no longer make it, or if you feel like you cannot accomplish your purpose, you can encourage yourself with God’s Word that says you have been marked with a seal until the day of redemption. It is a promise that God cannot break. Be encouraged in your daily walk knowing that this time on earth is only temporary. Even though you may be overweight or underweight, a healthy eater or a junk food junkie, God still loves you, and He is always with you. He wants you to be healthy, and He wants you to do the things in the natural that would help you to be healthy. Do not be discouraged. Claim this scripture and walk through the day with your head held high knowing that you have a tremendous reward coming with your redemption.

Dear Father God, I know that my spirit has been sealed by the power of the Holy Spirit and that I have a glorious redemption waiting for me. I know that in the meantime You will not leave me nor forsake me. I ask for You to continually remind me of Your love and Your redemptive power. I know that You will help me to get through this healthy lifestyle regimen so that I can be healthier and be a better witness for You. I thank You in the name of Jesus. Amen.

Nutrition Thought for the Day.

Did you know that eating before you go to bed can have detrimental effects on your body? Your body’s metabolism slows down during sleep. Food that was ingested a few hours before sleep is not needed and is converted to fat. This is not good if you are trying to lose weight. As part of your consistent daily routine, try to set a time, at least three hours before you go to bed, and let that be the last time you eat for the day. Everyone’s schedule is different but try for at least two hours, if not three or four.

THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Day 5

God Sees my Heart

God sees not as man sees, for man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart. (1 Samuel 16:7b)

When God looks down at us, He looks at our spirits and not our outward appearance. Our spirits are made in His image and sealed by the Holy Spirit. Because of this, when He looks at our spirits He sees the righteousness of Jesus Christ if we are born- again Christians. He does not look at our physical appearance and make some stupid judgmental statement like he/she is too big, too overweight or he/she is too skinny, too pale or anything that takes into consideration our physical appearance. He looks at our hearts. This scripture means that when He looks at our spirits He sees the real us and He sees that we have accepted Jesus as our Savior and Lord. This pleases and honors Him because that is why He sent His Son to the earth as a man.

Yes, it is important for us to be healthy and to make every attempt to live a healthy life. That is also God’s desire for us. However, if our physical appearance is not pleasing to everyone around us, or is not even pleasing to ourselves when we look in the mirror, it does not affect our relationship with our God one iota. It only affects our relationship with those around us, and then only if we let it. We should not be moved by how other people see us or even by how we see ourselves. The only thing that matters is how God sees us when He looks down upon us. He sees our spirits, born-again spirits that make us children of God. He sees us as someone made in His very own image. Therefore, do not be moved by peoples’ judgment of your physical appearance, but be moved by how God sees you. This fact should touch you, and it should give you encouragement and confidence that your almighty Creator sees you as His child and know that He will never leave you and `He will always be with you.

Dear Father God, I thank You again that I am created in Your image. I know that peoples’ judgment of my appearance is of no consequence. I will not be discouraged by my weight or my looks, but instead, I will be encouraged that I am a child of God and that I am created in Your image. I know that when You look upon me, You do not see me as I see myself or as anyone else sees me, but You see me as I am, as Your child created in Your image. I thank You for who I am in Jesus Christ, and it is in His name that I pray. Amen.

Nutrition Thought for the Day.

You should eat your more substantial meal when your energy level for the day is at its highest. For example, some of us are morning people, some of us have higher energy levels in the afternoon, and some of us are evening people. If your mornings are slow and sluggish, your most important meal should not be breakfast. If your highest activity is in the afternoon, your most significant meal should be at lunch. If you slow down after the evening meal and just sit around the house looking at the TV, you do not want to make the evening meal your largest meal, even though that tends to be our American custom. Remember, you should not eat just before you go to bed. Most of us skip breakfast or have a light breakfast, a moderate lunch, and a large dinner. Depending on your activity and energy levels during the day, most of us should have a modest breakfast, a larger lunch, and a smaller dinner.

Day 6

You Chose Me

"You did not choose Me, but I chose you, and appointed you that you would go and bear fruit and that your fruit would remain, so that whatever you ask of the Father in My name He may give to you." (John 15:16)

Many times we lose sight of the fact that when Jesus hung on the cross, He saw all the sins that were ever committed and would ever be committed, including all of your sins. It is because of sin that He died. He knew that you would fail Him from time to time and He knew if you would or would not have a health problem, even a weight problem. Those things did not make any difference to Him. He died for your sins that you could be with Him eternally in heaven. He saw the problems and mistakes you would make in the future and, in spite of all of your insecurities, failings, and sins, He chose to die for you anyway. Even if He knew you would not accept Him, He chose to die for you. There is no greater love than that. So when you go through your day, and you feel miserable for one reason or another, you should stop and remind yourself that you are not just another creature walking around on this earth. You are special.

You have been chosen by your God to live eternally with Him in heaven. It does not matter how you feel, it does not matter what you look like, nor does it matter what you think about yourself. You need to know that, in Jesus Christ, you are one of God’s chosen ones. Because of what Jesus did, you will have eternal life with Him; and you know what, your weight will not be a problem, nor will it prevent you from receiving His love, unless you let it. You are God’s chosen, and He is with you and will never forsake you. You can accomplish a new healthy lifestyle knowing that God is with you and loves you no matter what you do. Do not be discouraged if you mess up with your program. Always be trying to do your best, stick to your regimen, and remember that if something happens you fail, you are still God’s chosen and He still loves you.

Dear Father God, I know that You have chosen me to receive Your salvation. You knew all of my shortcomings and all of the times I would fail You in my entire life, yet You chose to die for me anyway. Your love is truly beyond my comprehension but I accept it. Help me to walk in Your love today and to see myself as You see me—as a child of God and as one who can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. In Jesus’s name, I pray. Amen.

Nutrition Thought for the Day.

Your new lifestyle program should start with proper food choices, but before you can understand what to choose, you need to have a basic understanding of what happens when you eat. The first principle to discuss is your blood glucose level. If a doctor tells you your blood sugar is too high, he is referring to your glucose level in the blood. If your level is high and stays high, this is what is called diabetes. If your blood sugar level drops too low, you get weak and shaky. So what is glucose? Glucose comes from simple sugars and starch, compounds that are called carbohydrates. Diets low in ample carbohydrates can cause you to be weak and shaky. As your blood glucose level drops, this sends signals to your brain which sends signals to your stomach, and you begin to feel hungry. It is important to keep your blood sugar in the normal range.

Day 7

God’s Promises Are True

For as many as are the promises of God, in Him they are yes; therefore also through Him is our Amen to the glory of God through us. (2 Corinthians1:20)

This scripture says that all the promises of God, through Jesus, are yes and amen. This means that all promises of God receive a yes. His promises are real. He cannot break them or change them because that is His nature. Note that it also says, the promises of God, in Him. The in Him refers to in Jesus’s name. The promises are real because of what Jesus did for us. Amen means, yes, I agree. Therefore when God promises something in His Word, and you say Amen to it, you agree that God’s promises are real and they are for you. You have to decide in your mind if you believe God’s Word or not. If you do, then you also have to choose to live by God’s promises.

As a believer, you state that you believe God’s Word. Thus, everything in this devotional so far you must believe is true. Know that God’s promises are yes and amen. So when His Word says you are one of God’s children, that He loves you, and that He will never leave you, then all these statements are true, and all you have to do is say Amen to them and move on. Be encouraged that God’s Word is true and that God cannot lie. Be encouraged that He is with you and will never forsake you. Be encouraged that you can do all things through Christ who strengthens you (Philippians 4:13). Who you are in Christ means that all of God’s promises are available for you. Remind yourself this day of all the good things God has done for you and all the promises He has given you for the future. Walk on with the determination that you can be successful with your new healthy lifestyle regimen.

Dear Father, I believe that Your Word is true and Your promises are real. Today I choose to say yes and amen to them. I look forward to seeing Your Word fulfilled in my life. I choose to believe Your promises. I know that I am a child of God and I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me (Philippians 4:13). I know I can conquer any addiction and be a healthier person for the greater glory of God, and I will be successful with my new healthy lifestyle regimen with Your help. I make this confession in the name of Jesus. Amen.

Nutrition Thought for the Day.

As your blood sugar drops, you become hungry. When you get hungry, you eat food, and this involves chewing. Chewing is something we take for granted but is actually very important. Some people gulp their food down very quickly, some are very slow picky eaters, and some are anywhere in between. The more you chew, the smaller the food particles are going to be and the faster they will be digested and absorbed. The more you chew, the longer it will take you to eat. As your food is digested and absorbed, your blood glucose level rises. When your blood sugar rises to normal or above, you begin to feel full. You want this to happen while food is still on your plate. This is when you need to exercise willpower and push yourself away from the table. If you can do this when you feel full, you will be able to eat less and this will help you to lose weight. If you are trying to gain weight, it will help prevent you from overeating and increasing fat. In either case, it will help you digest your food better, and that means more of the nutrients, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants will be absorbed.

Day 8

Faith to Move Mountains

And He said to them, Because of the littleness of your faith; for truly I say to you, if you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move, and nothing will be impossible to you. (Matthew 17:20)

I cannot prove the promises of God are true. I can give you examples of promises I have seen fulfilled in the lives of faithful Christians, and I know you have seen many also, but I cannot prove to you that they are true. In fact, I cannot prove anything to you about the Bible. I can give you example after example of things that I have seen happen based on biblical truths, but I cannot prove, nor can you, that if you received Jesus as your Savior and Lord, you would enter into the Kingdom of heaven after this life is over. Salvation and everything else after salvation are based on faith. So how much faith does it take? Look at the scripture above. Jesus says that if you have faith the size of a mustard seed you can speak to a mountain and move it. A mustard seed is a tiny seed, the size of a pinhead. No question about it, you have been given that much faith. You used it to receive salvation, and you need to continue to use it throughout your life in everything you do. The more you use your faith, the stronger it gets.

Right now your mountain is your weight, whether it be too little or too much. If you believe that Jesus is your Savior and Lord, and you believe that He is in your heart, then your faith is bigger than a mustard seed and strong enough for you to speak to your mountain. Your mountain is any obstacle that is trying to block you from losing weight (or gaining weight. Tell your mountain that it cannot stop you any longer because you have authority over temptations and any obstacles that try to block you. Exercise your faith as you exercise your body and command these obstacles to be gone from you. Believe everything the Bible says about you, and that is you can overcome—you will overcome—and be a healthier happier person.

Dear Father God, I now understand that You have given me sufficient faith to move the mountains in my life. My mountain is my weight and every obstacle that stands in my way, trying to block me from achieving my weight loss/gain and exercise goal. I receive the faith that You have given me, and I speak to my mountain and command it to be removed from my life! I am a child of God, and I choose to believe that Your Word is true and that Your promises are real for me, including my faith. I declare this to be true in the name of Jesus. Amen.

Nutrition Thought for the Day.

As your blood glucose levels drop, you become hungry. If you eat so fast and fill your stomach with a significant amount of food, more than you need, you will still be hungry because the food has not yet been absorbed and your blood glucose levels are still low. Thus, you go back for seconds and eat even. Once the food is digested and absorbed, you start to feel very full. This is when you sit in a big relaxing chair, moan and groan saying, Oh, I ate too much. If you chew longer and eat slower, you will digest your food faster and your blood sugar will go up before you finish eating your first serving. If at that point you stopped eating, you will not overindulge. A key here is not to overload your plate.

Day 9

Faith vs. Doubt

And Jesus answered and said to them, Truly I say to you, if you have faith and do not doubt, you will not only do what was done to the fig tree, but even if you say to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and cast into the sea,’ it will happen. (Matthew 21:21)

This is another scripture concerned with faith, but it never hurts to see too many examples of faith. In this story, in the book of Matthew, Jesus and His disciples were passing a fig tree from a short distance away. Jesus saw that the fig tree had leaves on it and He assumed that it also had figs. When He approached the tree He found that it had no figs, so He cursed the tree, and it withered. When His disciples saw what happened to the fig tree, and how quickly it happened, they were amazed. Jesus used this opportunity to teach them what they could do if they just used their faith. He told them they could also do that to the fig tree and they could even move a mountain.

The moving of the mountain was an illustrative example. The mountain could be different things for different people. If you are on a diet and trying to lose or gain weight, then your mountain right now is being overweight or underweight. You can speak to your mountain to help you to lose/gain weight. That does not mean that the weight will disappear or increase overnight. Several things can cause one to have an unhealthy weight including the metabolism you have through genetics or a secondary effect of some disease, but most people are carrying extra weight as a result of overeating and not exercising enough. Others are underweight because of an illness or an eating disorder. Whatever is causing your weight problem, be it medication, overeating, under eating, or a lack of exercise, any of those could be your mountain. Most of the conditions you can control by diet and exercise. You can speak to those problems directly and by an act of your will decide you are going to make positive, healthy changes. Start to exercise your faith so that you can fulfill what is stated in Matthew 21:21.

Dear Father God, I thank You that You gave me a measure of faith that is sufficient for me to conquer anything that blocks the path to my goal, and that goal is a healthy lifestyle. By an act of my will I, refuse to let my appearance or my desire for food rule over me. Instead, I speak to those desires and command them to be gone in the name of Jesus. And I speak to inactivity, unhealthy eating, and yes, even laziness, to be gone from my life in the name of Jesus. I choose to complete my new regimen in a healthy matter so that I may obtain a healthier status and use my experiences for Your praise and glory. I make these statements in the mighty name of Jesus. Amen.

Nutrition Thought for the Day.

An important note about dieting for someone that is pregnant: If you happen to be pregnant, you need to note that this is not a time for you to try to lose weight. For registered dietitians, the rule of thumb is to never put a pregnant woman on a weight reduction diet. At times there will be exceptions but generally speaking, if you are pregnant you do not want to go on a weight reduction diet without advice from your physician and a registered dietitian.

Day 10

You Are a Child of God

For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. (Galatians 3:26)

This scripture relates to who we are in Christ as sons of God (sons refers to humanity and also includes daughters). Many scriptures tell us over and over that we are coheirs with Christ and sons of God. This fact, like the others, is based on faith but it is another scripture to encourage us as to who we are in Christ. Stop and meditate for a minute and think about what this says. Think of all of heaven and all of creation, everything that God has. Think of His riches and His grace, and then think that all of this is part of your inheritance. Yes, you are to share it with many others at the end of this age, but there is so much to share that you will still have more than you can ever imagine. God loves you so much that He calls you one of His children.

Do not be confused; God is not a sexist when He says sons, He is referring to humanity and it means we are all children of His inheritance and it does not matter if we are male or female. You are coheir with Jesus Christ for the Kingdom of God. How awesome is that? Your God is an awesome God, and He loves you that much! You should be significantly encouraged. Go about your day knowing you have a great inheritance—and you know what? You will receive that inheritance regardless of your physical appearance. That does not suggest that you should not worry about your appearance from a health standpoint, but God loves you just as you are! Continue with your resolve to be healthy but remember that God loves you just the way you are.

Father God, it is so awesome that You love me so much that You actually call me Your child. By the power of Your Holy Spirit help me to understand how real that fact is. As I meditate on the meaning of being a child of God, make it clear to me so that I can walk with my head held high and with the utmost confidence that I am coheir with Jesus Christ. You are an awesome God, and You love me so much just the way I am, no matter what my weight is or how much weight I lose or gain. I know I should try to be healthy, but I know that You will love me no matter what. I thank You in Jesus’s name. Amen.

Nutrition Thought for the Day.

You probably have heard some mention of diabetes and blood sugar in the news and on TV. Blood sugar is the amount of glucose that is circulating in your blood. Glucose is a simple sugar also known as a monosaccharide. It is found in table sugar, fruits, some vegetables, and starch. To be absorbed, it must be released from whatever it is bound to, be that another sugar or some other compound. It is from glucose that we derive most of our energy. If glucose is low, we are slow, sluggish, and will feel weak and shaky. We will also begin to feel hungry when our blood sugar drops. However, if we are compulsive overeaters, we may still be hungry when blood sugar is high. If we have diabetes, we can still be starving when blood sugar is very high. If you have any of the symptoms mentioned above or have diabetes in your immediate family, you should have your blood sugar checked. Many times you can find screenings for blood sugar at drugstores and supermarkets. Take advantage of such opportunities. Controlling your blood sugar is an important step in preventing excessive weight gain and controlling/preventing diabetes.

Day 11

You Are a Child of God II

The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, heirs also, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him so that we may also be glorified with Him. (Romans 8:16–17)

Like yesterday, this devotion is also entitled You Are a Child of God because it is one of the scriptures that cements, so to speak, the fact that we are coheirs with Christ. It tells us that the Holy Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God. That means your spirit knows you are a child of God. You have to accept in your mind, through faith, that you are a child of God and your body will have to line up with that fact. The scripture also tells us that as a child of God, you are an heir and coheir with Christ. The last part tells you that you will suffer with Him.

As a Christian you can expect to be persecuted. In some parts of the world that is quite evident today. As an overweight or an underweight person, I am sure you have also experienced persecution or criticism. Growing up I was very skinny and I was teased about it constantly. They used to tell me that I could go in a pool hall, hold up a cue stick, and hide behind it. Like me, your persecution may have nothing to do with the fact that you are a Christian, but when you are persecuted for whatever reason, remember that as a child of God your time here is only temporary. You have a great inheritance waiting for you. Do not let persecution get you down. Do not be discouraged. God is on your side, therefore who can be against you? You are victorious. Continue in your healthy lifestyle program, and wait patiently for your inheritance while letting persecution roll off you like water off a duck’s back.

Lord Jesus, I realize how much persecution and suffering You went through for me. I may be persecuted and criticized because of my weight or my general appearance, but my persecution is nothing compared to what You endured. Any persecution I receive is only temporary, and it will in no way separate me from Your love nor will it prevent me from my inheritance. I thank You that I am a child of God, chosen by You until the day of redemption. Remind me each day, by the power of