Keeping the Temple of the Holy Spirit in order
Run from sexual sin! No other sin so clearly affects the body as this one does. For sexual immorality is a sin against your own body. Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself, for God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body. 1 Corinthians 6:18-19
I am very convicted by this passage. Particularly the line, Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? In this context it is talking about keeping the body pure from sexual immorality but the language of our body being a temple is very powerful to me.
A temple was no ordinary place, but a place where God was, a sacred and special place that was to be treated with the upmost respect and care. One of the best parts of travelling to Europe is hanging out at the awesome Cathedrals, I love Cathedrals! Some of them took hundreds of years to build, using the finest craftsmanship possible. They wanted to give God their very best, and in being the most prominent building in the city they wanted to remind people that God is present. In a similar way the passage above explains that my body is a wonderful and grand creation by God, something to be cared for and valued and treated with respect. How I look and how I care for myself says a lot to people around me about how I value God’s creation.
I am not advocating vanity, or being obsessed with how I look, that is not the point of the passage; I realise that I am charged to look after my body as a way of honoring God. I honor God by looking after myself.
About a year ago I was overweight and unfit. So I made a decision, to lose weight, build muscle and get fit. Over this year I have lost a lot of weight, built muscle and am now fit. So I thought I would share my tips, what has worked for me as a way of encouraging you:
Don’t believe the TV adverts, seeing results takes many months, not weeks.
I exercise for an hour minimum 5 times a week, rest Wed and Sat.
4 times a week I do weights for 45 minutes to an hour then 30 mins – 1 hour of cardio
Once a week I run for an hour+ only
I mix the cardio up to keep it interesting. I swim, run, cycle, and walk (fast walking)
With weights I concentrate on a different muscle group each session: arms, back, legs, chest, shoulders. So each muscle group is only done a maximum of once a week.
Before breakfast I do 100 crunches (abs work) and as many pushups as I can.
I have learnt the importance of recovery for building muscle. Once I have worked out, letting my muscle rest and recover is essential.
I have discovered that I need to eat every 2 or 3 hours, small healthy meals.
I have learnt that protein is key as it feeds the muscle and assists with recovery. You are meant to have somewhere between 1 and 1.5 grams of protein for every kg you weigh (about 0.6 grams per pound) each day. I take protein powders, egg, nuts, cheese, meat (tuna, chicken breast) to name a few.
Every 6 or so weeks I take three days to a week off.
Every three months I have to change my exercise plan completely, variety is key as the body gets used to routine exercise and stops developing as fast.
I reduced the size of the portions I ate, started eating more fruit and veggies and salad.
I reduced the number of carbs I was eating each day by half.
I allow myself a treat once a week, chocolate, cake, ice cream etc..
I went from daily soft drink usage to having a couple of cans once a week.
It is essential to not be too hard on myself if I slip up, if I eat something I shouldn’t. Just get back into it and keep going.
And the key thing I have learnt is to persist. Results take absolutely ages, don’t be discouraged, just stay on target and eventually you will see the results you want!!
Oh take a before photo, I wish I had.
Now go for it!!! 🙂
And please do share your tips and experience on how you lost weight and got fit, in the comments below. If you are reading this on email click here to head to the blog: blog to leave a comment.
God bless,
Mark Brown
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Yahweh’s Yarn in a Year : 1 year Bible reading plan
The Portion for today is: Numbers 1-4
To access the complete plan for the year click here.
Journey Deeper Into God's Word 
Thanks Rev. Mark for your constant messages that reminds me of living out my faith journey!!Am glad you share some words of wisdom definitely lead by the HOLY SPIRIT!!!Yes to keep our bodies Holy & blameless for GOD dwells within us.Having self control, meditating on HIS word & being encourage & guided by people of GOD surely can our every step be easily endured with fervent faith!!May GOD bless you FRom Mysia!!!
Thanks I needed that. Two years ago I was a fit triathlete participating in my first Ironman. I had lost 70 pounds which is no small feat for a woman who has been overweight all my life. A bad marriage and 80 pounds later I am struggling with my weight again and so discouraged because I know how hard it was to lose the weight and I don’t know if I have the strength to do it all again. But I’m back to training and I hope to do Ironman Florida in 2012. I know the weight will come off, it always does I just need to be consistent and patient. Thanks for the encouraging words. God bless.
Thank you for your encouraging word…
My body is the Lord’s Temple…I am God’s Property, and it’s NOT FOR SALE, SATAN!!!!…I tend to forget that…Healthy living + healthy spiritual food (reading the Word, praising, praying) = my body being God’s jurisdiction…Thank you Mark!!! pray for me that the Holy Spirit reminds me every moment of every day.
Ps…I am asking prayer for 2 friends of mine going through some hardships presently…their names are Sheryl and Ebony…Thanks!!
This is a personal favorite of mine as well. For this reason I am tatooless, conservativiely pierced, seldom makeuped though always clean and neat, and now I am training to run a marathon. Injuries post auto accident made moving hard, but I can do it. I am overweight, unfit, and in pain because of decreased activity, worst of all, as a nurse I know what a strain this puts on the temple! We are askin for damage and uninsured! When a seasoned runner at the church offered to train anyone who wanted to try, I joined a group of the most unlikely runners, to prepare the most unlikely bodies to move 26 miles for GODS glory! We are all on fire for our Lord, overcoming the obstacles of this world and running the race for and with him!
Thanks for your tips.I totally agree! Keep up all the good work.
I know that am not that fat but ive gained a little after my daughter and eating so much fast food junk food etc… but I ve started walking running 4 45 min everyday and trying hard 2 eat healty its hard but if I keep putting my mind to it I know I can and with god all things r possible please give me some advice thank u and god bless.
i love ur comment GOD bless u
Rev Mark,
Thank you for your encouraging words. I started my weight loss journey at the end of May and to date have gone down almost 4 sizes and 30 lbs. I asked God if the healing he was doing within could show on the outside for his glory, and I have been successful. My spirit however, has been troubled by how often people will comment on how I look and attribute all sorts of strange reasonings to it. I found your passage uplifting because finally someone understood it was a victory for me, but a glory for God. Thank you for sharing.
Very good for you! The only thing that I could suggest to you would be to change up your routine a little more as the body can actually adapt after aa little as 2 workouts. I typically run a certain workout for about a month, or if I fo it longer I rin it to where I have a specific workout for 1 wk then change it ip a bit for the next week, rinse and repeat. Works well for me.
Thank you for this message. I am overweight by a good 120 pounds *sigh* I have tried different things with minimal results. I however feel like because I am so heavy the weight should just fall off like it does on Biggest Loser. However, I realize now that those people are working out like 8 hours a day and have someone telling them what they should eat while they are on the show. I have thought of doing the weightloss surgeries, BUT I think they are too risky & I have 3 kids I would like to be here for. So your message makes me think that I can do this. I need to set my mind to it, pray about it & go to work.
Prayer is the most effective thing to help you lose weight. Pray for God to help you and ask him to set your diet, he will change you from the inside out – he is such a kind, loving, good God.
AMEN Ruth! HE holds the key to every door. The bad doors He closes and locks behind us permanently. The good ones are open 24/7 for our refreshment, encouragement and EVERY need.
I lost almost 50 lbs using Fast-5 in a year. It had taken me 4 months to loose the first 8 before trying Fast-5. It won’t work for everyone, but for those who can do it, its easy and successful.
I still have about 15 lbs to go to get to my goal weight, and loss is lots slower now. More focus on my body being a temple will likely help focus my efforts as well. Especially thinking about the temples in Europe and the focused effort that Christians put into them for generations. I haven’t seen them in many years. Thanks for the reminder.
You can register for free and then download the e-book without the need to buy it. Its an easy read and its short (67 pages total).
http://www.fast-5.com/
doing my first triathlon in 6 days, and my second full (26.2 mile) marathon in three weeks) thank you for writing out your routine!! the only part that bugged me was the ONLY you wrote after the hour or running! I’d burst if I only ran 1 hour a week. 🙂
Amen Bless The LORD, for another day,Luke 10:23 ,”Blessed are the eyes that see what you see”
Definitely everythings lead by the holy spirit .Glorify god in our body and in our spirit,which are god’s.thanks mark for your encouraging words.
God is the center of my life. From whom all……….my Blessing come!!!!!!! Thank U for ur word of faith as well u have a very Bless-Day.!!!!!!
I read your messages every morning (either by the emails or facebook) and I make it part of my daily bible studies. I lost over 40 lbs 3 yrs ago and have kept up the healthy eating, portions,etc, as well as working out. Before my routine was generally 45 mins of cardio and 15 mins of strength training 3 days a week, then 2 days of week of 30 mins cardio and 30 min of strength training. As of a month ago I started a new program of just weight training and lots of protein and much healthier foods (the same things u mentioned), I’ve been losing weight like crazy and gaining muscle strength like never before.
But the real reason I’m posting is because I think the devil uses peoples weight and food more than anything else. I live in Texas and I see so many obese people and it makes me so sad when I see young children so unhealthy. It’s a terrible thing, because when u start to neglect yourself and feed your pain, it’s so much harder to get back to where you were, of course I have to admit that being healthy and fit can easily bring on another sin you mentioned, vanity.
It all boils down to balance, as I was saying about my daily bible studies and my work outs. My goal is to spend equal times with my exercise and bible studies, God bless and best wishes to all!
Thanks for your encouragment! I just recently started an exercise plan and am getting discouraged because NOTHING is happening. I will persist and know that I am healthier for it…each step of the way!
Thank you for this message-I have over the years worked out alot but then for various reasons mostly injuries been made to stop for a while and starting back up again is hard to do-using food for comfort is so easy to do especially in the country I live in -USA
we have an overabundance of every kind of food! easy to get that grove going
I am presently laid up with an achilles tendon repair that I totally underestemated and for the first couple of weeks was on the pitypot about it but also tried to use the time for reflection and work on my spiritual side
I was truely blessed with the small amount of effort that I put into it and the prayers fron others on this sight and have to say that there have been big changes in my life with someone that I want to be with -alot more work needs to be done but through you and your sight-Gods blessings and others prayers this has happened
thank you for the blessings you have made possible
3 yrs. ago I was living to work( for over 10 yrs prior) instead of working to live.. People who loved me saw this and I had no time to listen. I made no time in my life for Jesus, he was an obstacle for me.
I was overweight but thought I was still happy and didn’t take care of my body because I thought it was interrupting my work time.
One day after many times of persistance, my daughter, who IS a child of God, finally got through to me about my weight.
I did just like Mark, I ate protien and veggies every 2 to 3 hrs. I drank 100 oz. water a day. My exercise was unloading 3 semi trucks a week of furniture and home decor and still ran around a store for 15 or more hours a day as my exercise.It was a habit forming obstacle.. I love fish and it was my key to success.
I never thought twice about how I was eating before and loved fried foods. Now It was completely different, no fried foods, eat a complex carb like rice or potato once daily and when white chicken or turkey was on the menu it was only 2oz at a time. I prepared my meals for days in advance, that way there was no excuse for time to cook.
I became a clock watcher so I didn’t miss a meal as the timing was so important.
As the weight was starting to fall off, I was feeling like a new person, my looks gave me self esteem, my body became new, I felt like I was turning into a different person. I still didn’t have my spiritual needs in place but something in my head kept talking to me, telling me to slow down with work, to spend time with the family and more.
After 5 months I had lost 90 pounds!
I would eat a small portion of the “bad” food just to satisfy my happiness on my accomplishment.
I still worked like a dog. Then one day I got injured at work. I was taken down to the point of no more work. My world was falling down around me. I was at the end of my rope wanting to just give it all up..something or someone kept throwing me a line..I was being pulled up and down.
Finally through Jesus Christ, an Angel came my way and spent much time working with me, talking everyday and pulling me closer and closer to the Lord. I now realize that it wasn’t my time to go..the Lord sent his Son to guide me back, to realize that life has meaning, that I not only needed to get MY TEMPLE in order which he was trying to help me with, I needed to get my whole life in order, I needed to follow Jesus and walk with him, I needed to be still and listen, I needed to live for the Lord, that he will bring good joy, happiness, and fulfillment for all who chose to abide by his ways.
I am proud to say that my journey to the Lord was a very rough road but I made it!! Thanks to an Angel sent my way and the words that he was guided to say at the right time of need he lead in all the way back to my redemption!
I want to Thank you for your testomony on weight and how our bodys are a tempel of Gods and we need to take care of them so we can do the work He has called us to do. When we put all that junk in us we dont have energy, we are tired, grouchy, down on ourselves, we are to take care of us so we can be on fire for GOD. I really needed this today I am 48 years old and have been over weight my whole life. In 2008 I had my wake up call and when I was taken to the hospital I knew I was going to die If I didnt change and lose this weight. I went to a smaller plate, I filled it with veggies first, then fruit, then meat, I ate yogart, cheese, apple sauce, oatmeal, diet jello, NO white anything, sugar, bread, pasta, sweets…… I wrote EVERYTHING I PUT IN MY MOUTH down on paper so I knew what I was eatting. I lost 125lbs. This year has been rough on me some health ishues and Ive not lost anymore but Im getting to where Im back to eatting the way I use to eat, last night I gave it all back to God and I woke up this morning back on program and when I got on my face book and saw this I knew God had sent me an angel to watch over me. I know I can do this I found a good program also I go to overeaters anonymous twelve steps twevle traditions its awsome we have a sickness an addiction to food and there is a program that will help you find out why we turn to food. Just like someone on drugs or alcohol or anything of this world but food is harder because we have to have food to live, when you learn to give it ALL to God everything. I can do ALL things through Christ which stregthens me Philippians 4:13 Thank you again and yes take photos I have before middle and I will have a finish …. God Bless you:)
Thank you for sharing that useful information, I just would like to leave another useful tip. From my own personal experience, drinking lots of water plays a huge role in weight loss and brain function and energy! God Bless!
Thanks for this much needed reminder! I have been training all ny live, but at one stage it became such an obsession that my body started feeding on its own protein! I was in real trouble! Had to cut down on training and increase food intake! I slowly recovered, but from that time on keeping my weight in check is a constant battle and often I struggle with injuries that keep me from training for months sometimes!
But! I love walking and moved to a town where the surrounding area is beautiful, so I walk – sometimes through whatever backache or knee aches! Cutting down on carbs and sugars and increasing water and vegetable intake have helped a lot. Oh! And praying as I take my walks, or walk with my sons, discussing what God is doing in our lives or what we are busy with in our bible studies! What blessed time!
Keeping spiritually and physically fit is a sure way of experiencing peace and joy and honoring God’s Name as our Creator!
Blessings!
Thanks so much Mark for all the time and effort you put into doing this for all of us to read. I encourage you to keep on because you never know who you’re going to reach and how you’ll affect their life. ME for example =} I don’t currently attend a church but I’m observing at a few. Last year I found the most amazing church on accident.Little did I know that it wasn’t an accident. Nothing is an accident when Gods involved. Funny how God works. I was hung over on my way home one sunday when I saw a sign for a church. Something told me to go and I did, that same morning. Pastor Thomas Young spoke to my heart every minute, every time I was there. I whole-heartedly made the choice to get baptized that same year and change my life. I felt God fill all the voids in my life. Pastor Young passed away recently before I could get to know him and I haven’t been to church since. I felt as no one would ever speak to my heart the same way. But I found you also on ‘accident’ and I WAIT and WAIT everyday to receive my email! Today’s word was awesome for it is my BIGGEST struggle. Please everyone pray for me. Thank You again Mark for following your calling =}
I also wanted to say I was 480lbs when I started had given up on me, I have learned to LOOK in that mirror and to LOVE that person looking back we are worth it. There is a life for all of us and God has plans for us while we are hear on this earth. Jesus didnt sit around feeling sorry for himself HE new who he was and what He was to do while He was hear in the flesh. We are to die of are flesh and be born again and GET OVER ourselves and have the life God want us to have. We have to take care of what He gave us so we can do His will and not our own. God Bless you all today:)
I hope this string continues. I lost 30 pounds about a year ago; and gained them back, without paying attention. I can’t believe I let this happen. I know that my body is a temple of God and He is better served when I’m more fit. Started eating more protein and veggies a week ago and am on my way again. To God be the glory.
While Mark makes a good point that we should take better care of ourselves, but the passage referenced in today’s blog is talking entirely about something else. Its basically speaking to us on keeping ourselves pure from sexual immorality.
“Run from sexual sin! No other sin so clearly affects the body as this one does.”
As Paul says, its a sin against your own body. Weight loss, smoking, drinking, etc. are all harmful to the body and we should refrain from those activities. No where else is the Bible more clear than this passage on where we should be in relationship to the Holy Spirit than this passage of Scripture. We are to stay away from any sexual sin!
My eyebrows always go up when I see a passage used for something other than it was intended. Equating weight loss and exercise with sexual immorality is a new one on me. 🙂
If you read my reflection, I acknowledge your point. Thanks for sharing! Mark.
I totally agree with you, Richard. People do this a lot. You can pull one sentence or phrase out of a chapter and make it say whatever you want it to say. We need to remember that Paul wrote letters, so we should read it as a letter – from beginning to end. When I was a child, my church believed that smoking and drinking were sins, and they would used this verse about the body as a temple, but, as you pointed out, Richard, that’s not what Paul was talking about.
Of course, it’s important to eat right and exercise and take care of our health, but there is a danger in emphasizing that so much that it becomes your religion. As I read Mark’s devotional for today, I thought, “If I didn’t know better, I could get the impression that God only accepts beautiful, well-toned people!” Thankfully, I know better than that. Man looks at the outside; God looks at the heart. When God looks at me, He is looking at the real me inside – my spirit. He is not disappointed in me because I am overweight. It would be His pleasure to give me the courage to pursue a healthier lifestyle, but He doesn’t love me any less if I don’t do it.
One more thing. Not everyone has the time to spend 1 to 2 hours a day in a gym or running outside. Tell that to the young mother with babies at home! Also, when we begin to get some exercise, we must begin slowly. A short walk may be all that a fat, sedentary body can handle for awhile – and some of us will never be able to do what Mark is doing. We’re not all alike. We need to do what we can, what works for us and not try to be someone else. I’m not trying to be a killjoy; I’m just saying…..
Thank you for that, I needed to be reminded that God loves me right where I am (but not use that as an excuse to stay there). I am seeing a nutritionist and trying to listen AND take her suggestions this time. She said I should be happy if I can walk a block today (given the condition my body is in). So I am trying to be grateful for every little thing that I do and try to remember where the praise for that goes – not to me but to God who loves me fat or thin. An old wise woman used to tell me that I cannot do enough to make God love me more and I cannot do anything to make Him love me less. His love just is – all the time! This was a wonderful discussion tonight. Thanks!
thanks for your tips Mark.. I am joining a new group that is called, Celebrate Recovery… at my church, for all types of addiction including food. I will check back with your tips for help. Thank you, In Him, Jackie
Thanks for the tips, I can’t wait to hit the gym tonight. I’m glad God put you in my life through facebook. I will keep you in my prayers. May the Lord the Holy Spirit continue to do a mighty work in your life. Luv u….
My Exercise Routine (For Now)
Exercise 4-5 times a Week
I switch off between Arms/Chest/Abs and Lower Body workouts. Each workout has a 15-30 min Cardio segment on the treadmill.
I can replace a regular gym exercis with Praise or Hip Hop Dancing.
Nutrtion (I’m working on this…)
Try to eat small meals and stay away from white bread, white rice, and pasta. I want to reduce red meat as this doesn’t help the asthma I suffer from.
I want to add whole grain food and more veggies to my diet.
I also want to add fiber, digestive supplements or probiotics and vitamins.
Water Water Water!
Thanks Again…..
I have been overweight my entire life. I think I have tried (unsuccessfully!) most of the advertized diet plans. They worked for a little bit, but were WAY too stringent. And when the weight came back, usually there was a little additional weight to go with it. Last January, I decided it was time to feed my body what my body wanted, instead of what I wanted…and the pounds began melting away! I was astonished! I wasn’t really trying to lose weight, just to change my eats. But what a difference that made! I have now lost about 40 pounds, just by doing that. I confess I do not have a regular exercise routine, but I have decided I need to come up with one. I have lost enough to go from wearing an 18 Womans’ size, to a 10-12 Misses size! I am smaller that I have ever been…in my life. And happier. So are my feet! The difference is simply amazing.
I just want to let you know that your encouragement to others is great…keep up the good work. We need to remember that we didn’t gain the weight and get out of shape overnight; it was a lengthy process. And in the same way, the weight loss and exercise needs to be done in the same way, with the same day-to-day decisions. I’m glad God finally led me to my answer! I hope others will follow His leading also. Life is much better, because I feel better about myself, knowing this is more of the body God intended for me to have…not that other prison!
WHAT A GREAT POST Pastor Mark. Timely…. Oh yes. First of all, my life was saved by God’s Grace after I repented of Sexual Immorality almost 7 years ago. Just yesterday I had an opportunity through a situation with a friend of mine to be used by God as a witness to His Grace on this exact subject. It seems my friends wive is having an affair and they were both at the field. My friend is in such distress over the issue and he was carrying around a little book with scriptures to get him through all the tough moments. I know his wife very well and for her to do this is completely out of character. But we all know that it is not out of the Character of the DEVIL that is a complete liar. This verse says this to me “YOU WERE :MADE IN MY IMAGE…. BODY AND SPIRIT”…. so treat your body as “A PURE VESSEL AND READY IT TO BE USED BY ME…. YOUR GOD”. Mark…. I am so thankful that you tied this into getting your body in shape. I have been wrestling with the “get in shape” issue. I’ve run 2 marathons before and you would never be able to tell. i will start to get my body in shape today and I will take before pictures. Thanks and Bless You.
i just want to thank you Mark for sharing this, as its been many years for me that i didnt workout, and its been a while that i am telling myself that i should go for workout because i remember the difference of my mobility now and before when i used to workout. and especially when i am working on my relation with God, again thanx for your support and bless you brother.
Thanks for the tips, I need to hear this word today. I’m trying to lose weight and stay fit.
I agree our body is a temple of the Holy Spirit. Jesus never entered a Church, he preached on their steps. Temples are man made. “Where 2 or more are gathered together…” We are human and are subject to err. As with todays Churches…I would like to see more on God and being God like rather on those that are trying to preach it. We all want to give God our best of everything…but it is what is in our hearts, minds, and souls that make the difference. Not what we buy or buid for HIM.
I have a question? Where does weight loss tie in with sexual sin? I thought weight gain was a result of Gluttony, not Lust.
I gave my heart back to God about 2/12 yrs ago. I had a lot of family issues with spouse and his addiction. The Lord brought him back to reality and he is living a clean healthy life for God. I was in a state of depression and my weight was up and then down. I thank God he has been with us every step of the way. Recently I had a healing from God, He is healing me from high blood pressure. I have halfed my medcine my blood pressure is staying down and soon I believe I will not take any medicine. I am doing ww online and keeping a log on line of daily food and walking almost every day., I am losing inches instead of pounds . I am greatful as long as it makes a difference in my health. I am eating veggies and fruit and healthy. I praise God for his Grace and Mercy.
Thanks Mark for sharing….I did all these things several years ago and lost about 40 lbs in 3-4 months. Over the last three years we have had some very stressful things happen and I have seen the weight creep back on. God has really been dealing with me (or I say He has) I have been really thinking alot about my weight and my current situation. I know I am not happy with my current weight and I feel as you feel that I should be honoring God with my body too. My battle is reobtaining that drive and discipline I once had. I had a motivator in my life before and he made a huge difference. I no longer have that and am relying on myself to motivate me. I guess I really need to just quote the scripture…”I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” It is hard to do when noone else in your family shares your passion or wants to eat right. Also expense is a big thing when it comes to diet…our income has gone down. Anyway thanks for the article and for sharing and reminding me of what I need to do. It will be motivation for me to remember who lives in me.
Steve, I’m a divorced female, and I can honestly tell you that when a married woman becomes attracted to someone else and begins an affair, it is usually because she is very unhappy with some aspect of her marriage. She may feel unloved, unappreciated, taken for granted. Another man will make her feel exciting and desirable. She thinks the other man is giving her what is missing at home. This couple needs to be honest and get to the root of the problem. It’s great to read scripture, but if that’s all he’s doing to address the problem, he’s really hiding. And if his wife sees him with his nose in the Bible all the time, she’s going to feel even more ignored and angry. They need Christian couples counseling.
Hello Kathy… I understand exactly where you are coming from and you are right in a way. I need you to know more so that you can pray for this man and woman and so many others who in a “covenant” marriage don’t run and instead “repent”. When I came to the softball field I already knew about the situation. The “NEW” man was standing next to the wife laughing and smiling and carrying on. My spirit was shocked by this. My friends will still married and the woman was parading around in public. So, I had to go to the bathroom and I intentionally went “the other way” so that I didn’t have to see them to talk to them. I just knew that I wasn’t ready for that. I am human and I thought…. “It’s better I go this way”. So, I get to the bathroom and in the bathroom, I turn around and there is Mike, the husband and my friend who was dealing with this. Immediately he broke down in tears and The Lord gave me all the words to talk to him. You see Kathy…. He was in pain and many people were afraid to speak with him because they thought it wasn’t there place. But Mike is COMING CLOSER to the Lord as we speak…. because he has to rely on Him now in his time of need. I’ve been there and for the whole day, The Lord kept me there to be a vessel for this man. Yet, the wife has been bittien by a snake. I know (And you have to trust me on this)…. because I saw my wife do this same thing when she kicked me out of the house. I saw people telling her all the Wrong Things. I know how cunning the Devil can be. This womans name is Jamie and I need you to pray for her by name. This may appear to have something to do with a Better Looking Man and feeling needed and all that stuff. But the reality is…. there is a spiritual war going on and both of these adults have children that are getting a front row seat to a very “UGLY” Non Godly situation. I know that my friend is on the right path because he seeked me out to talk to. He could have gone to many people to talk to about the situation. But he came to me…. a man who Loves The Lord with all his Heart, Soul and Mind. His looking at scripture and talking to me means at least for now he’s not “leaning on his own understanding”. There is not much he can do right now to change his wife’s mind no matter what. A wife that “commits adultury” is walking in sin. Thanks for your comments though. I know where you are coming from.
Wow! For Jamie to have the other man with her in public and right in front of her husband takes a lot of nerve! I thought affairs were usually kept hidden! A lot of husbands would just leave her. Thanks for giving me more details!
good talk.
thankyou very much for sharing this. thankyou.
Several weeks ago, Mark had info about his exercise routines on Fb na dI thought that I had added them to my favorites, however I can not find them now. How can I access them again? I really enjoyed reading and watching the videos and think they would help me and others a great deal. God bless and thanks!
Thank you. This is very timely! I am just reconsidering / reorganizing some things for myself.
I truly enjoyed your insights on 1 Corinthians 6:18-19. You could
not be more on target when you share your conviction of the
importance of caring for our bodies. Christians have traditionally
assumed that because Jesus saved us and we have accepted his
sacrifice that nothing could possibly defile us.
This concept is notorious among those who believe that once we were
saved, we will always be saved. Without straying too far from the
subject, I will add the following comment: It is clear from Scripture
that Jesus’ sacrifice was once and for us all. In fact, the context
of this passage reads like this:
“For we know that since Christ was raised from the dead, he cannot
die again; death no longer has mastery over him. The death he died,
he died to sin once for all; but the life he lives, he lives to God.
In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in
Christ Jesus.” (Romans 6:9-11)
Notice that it is Jesus Who cannot die again because he overcame the
curse of death imposed on the human race in Genesis 3 for
disobedience, the breaking of God’s command by Adam and Eve.
Revelation 21: 4 and 22:3 ends this cosmic saga without a curse and
without death, in other words, life eternal in the presence of God.
However, we human beings, while we live on this earth, we are still
under the curse of sin which according to Revelation will not be
removed until the end of time as we know it. When we accept Jesus
Christ as Lord and Savior (John 3:16) we are assured eternal life and
even if we die in the Lord, we will be resurrected at the last
trumpet. This is clearly explained in 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18.
“For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud
command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of
God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are
still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the
clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord
forever. Therefore encourage each other with these words.”
I am glad to read your entry recognizing in word and example the
importance of caring for our bodies. This concept is nothing new,
however. The disciples knew about and lived it. They ate clean
foods and avoided unclean foods. Peter’s reaction to the vision
Jesus gave him is a clear example as to how repugnant unclean foods
were to the apostle.
“But Peter said, “Not so, Lord! For I have never eaten anything
common or unclean.” (Acts 10:14)
Of course, the vision is further explained that its meaning
represented Peter’s prejudice toward non-Jews, the gentiles. In
God’s sight, all are His precious creatures. Jesus was not telling
him to eat anything but to stop his discrimination of Gentiles.
Paul understands that while we are in this earthly tent, our bodies
will continue to decay. And whereas, the context of 1 Corinthians
6:18-19 is sexual immorality, it is only one of the many things that
can cause us to be defiled and estranged from God. For this reason,
the Apostle to the Gentiles wrote:
“I affirm, by the boasting in you which I have in Christ Jesus our
Lord, I die daily.” (1 Corinthians 15:30-32)
We must remain humble on a daily basis and die to self so we may be
resurrected in newness of spirit every day. Self-gratification,
particularly when done in excess, leads our worship from God to self.
It is here where I make my final observation. You wrote:
“I am not advocating vanity, or being obsessed with how I look, that
is not the point of the passage; I realise that I am charged to look
after my body as a way of honoring God. I honor God by looking after
myself.”
Most respectfully, I beg to differ from your last statement in this
paragraph, which I have purposely placed in its context. I know you
sincerely meant what you wrote in the first two sentences prior to
stating: “I honor God by looking after myself.” I believe this might
be a bit misleading. Nothing about us will ever honor God. We honor
God by looking to Jesus so that our lives are transformed by
beholding him daily through the Holy Scriptures and in prayer.
We honor him when we allow the Holy Spirit to transform us daily. It
is the reason why we need to die daily. We honor Him by caring for
our bodies so we may present them as living sacrifices acceptable in
His sight. Then, all the more reason to eat well and stay fit so we
may be used in His service.
Thank you for your example to be transformed by God. What an
encouragement to know that a godly man like you honors His Creator
with His body by maintaining it free from sexual immorality and in a
healthy state as well. Praise the Lord because their is nothing that
we could ever boast about by looking at ourselves.
Blessings,
Victor M. Reyes-Prieto
The Weather Ahead
2 Chron 7: 14
If my people which are called by my name, shall humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.
good for you.Ive lost over 100lbs and gained it back twice.now i gotta lose it again.
ive had to battle drud addiction and smoking.now i gotta eat rabbit food.Im lucky to be alive and not dead of an overdose.thank the Lord.the worse part is seeing how people treat me differently when i was 190lbs and now when im 350. im not giving up but do I ever get a break????
please pray for my son who is currently incarserated.pray that he can get out and be with his children and family.
Hi there!
What a great blog post! Just stumbled upon it and ill be coming back regularly. Its awesome to see you reaching others for Jesus through your blog. I try to do the same with my own. Please feel free to check it out anytime. My blog site is http://charlieparish.wordpress.com/
God Bless
Charlie
Thank you so much for this! Last year i fractured my back in 2 places and this year found out i need a knee replacement. I struggle with extreme pain everyday and exercise is sometimes impossible for me. I pray everyday to just be able to get up and go to work. I keep going and doing the best i can because our Lord has NEVER given up on me and i will NEVER give up on him.
Good Evening. I just read this blog and, wow! Congratulations on your personal success, to God be the glory. I’m always looking for different ways to stay motivated with eating right and exercising. I just need to remember that this body is not mine. It belongs to the Almighty who entrusted me to take care of it! Thank you for the reminder. God Bless…….
im so blessed upon reading your exortation mr brown….God bless you more………
I have 2 question? (1) What does the Bible say about makeup. Are we not supposed to wear it? Or are we supposed to wear it lighty so we still have a natural look? (2) Does God oppose to us dying our hair?
Just curious,
Thank u
Carmen
Good tips. Never forget a couple of things too. The first – water. Even if you start with an extra swallow a day and work your way up to 1-2 litres. The second is reaffirming what you said about slipping up – don’t beat yourself up or let the enemy in with negative words. Those words will kill what you’ve done. Great devotion. God bless you.
I’m confused. “Journey Deeper Into God’s Word” Turned into “Mark’s diet and exercise routine.” Taking care of yourself is all good and well, but how does this reach the teenager with a body that is weak from the treatment of cancer or the solider who has lost the use of his limbs defending our country in war? “The King will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.’ ~Matthew 25:40~ I believe the message started out dealing with sexual immorality. The purpose of my comment is not to condemn you but I must say that there are many fitness websites that offer that instruction. You claim no pride or vanity yet, your words are inundated with how these actions will make you look, even the ending recommending a before photo be taken so that you can “see results.” I am curious to know how you deal with keeping the inside of the temple in spritual shape against sexual immorality. As christians are there certian movies, or tv shows we should not watch or music we should not listen to? “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.” ~ Philippians 4:8 ~Maybe we should pray and ask God to help us resist the temptations that can come from the enemy? “The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.” ~ John 10:10~. Whatever your techniques and attitudes towards keeping spiritually fit I pray that they are excercised and well fed as well. **
Instead, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight.** ~1 Peter 3:4 ~
God Bless You <
Jon D. Yeager
Hey Jon…. That’s alot of well thought out stuff and obviously the Holy Spirit guided you in your answers.
I don’t feel Mark ever wants to lead the sheep in the wrong direction. Although I do agree with much of what you said and your heart is obviously for The Lord….
There is nothing wrong with being fit…. but it’s how you “present your body” as a Holy Sacrifice to our Lord.
So…. I think Mark is just using an example of how to take care of ourselves by what we put in our body and to strengthen the body so that the Spirit has a good place to call a “temporary home”.
I do think that “before and after” pictures are a terrible idea for a person that is not concerned with worldly junk. Looking at oneself in any way to see what “They’ve Done” always leads to self promotion and can lead one away from a “God Centered” attitude.
Thanks for your comments. There is nothing wrong with you not liking what has been written. It is our job to keep people on a righteous path. Just remember that Mark is human…. and he knows it…. and his post was only made to help people. I feel he always tries to do that. Peace and Love in the Name of Jesus Christ…. our Lord and Saviour.
I agree with John and Steve,
The whole passage when read in context was guarding against defiling your body against sexual immorality.
I believe there is nothing wrong with being fit, but that is a side note only. This scripture should not be used to preach that everyone should be fit to make God happy.
God’s image is inside our spirit, inside our heart. Defiling our body with sexual immorality hurts the soul, the spirit, the heart and therefore God.
Unless you have an addiction to food, or an addiction to being a couch potato that makes you gain vast amounts of weight, there is nothing wrong with your weight.
This is along the same lines as people dressing to the hilt to go to Church on Sunday. “To look their best for God.” This is not what God intended, or wanted. God wants you as you are. Young, old, male, female, rich, poor, pretty, not-so-pretty. God does not care about your physical appearance.
http://www.webmd.com/sex-relationships/features/10-surprising-health-benefits-of-sex
A good website for any health needs or questions, very easy to use, and good up-to-date information
🙂
Good article, Mark.
We are to be more than Conquerors. Conquer sin by focusing on the prize and becoming finishers of faith, focusing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfector of our faith.
I determined to celebrate my 51st birthday by running 51 miles. I accomplished this in 8hr45min. I received no prize, but to glorify God through my life.
“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” Phil 4:13
This can be taken literally as the Spirit wills.
what is sexual sin i dont understand….
sexual sin is sex outside the ‘God ordained’ equally yoked, marriage bed. It is X rated movies & porn. It is taking pleasure in the physical instead of God who will, if asked, send you an equally yoked mate, of the opposite gender.
Thank you for encouagement, I need that to hear these words. I been on 2 hours reading God words this morning. I use to go to gym twice a week. I has not been for month since I been ill, Yes I do want to keep my body clean, It not mine, belong to the Lord.
AMEN the thing that just amazes me and I need to dwell on it much more, is that The God of all creation abides IN ME as a believer — I am The Temple Of God Almighty — it helps to look in a full length mirror every morning and say — God Lives Here ! God Lives in me.
Oh my God, Your exercise regime is so intense. I wish I could do that and I was as disciplined. I have recently put on a lot of weight, over 10Kgs in a period of 2 months. What prompted my weighing was that, I couldn’t fit in my clothes including the news ones I had just bought 2 weeks earlier.
I have been obese several times before and I have lost weight on several occasions. I tried exercises but I have a very poor discipline and all I do is to long for it but never get down to it. What worked before was reducing what I ate. I completely got off sugars, I love meat but I took it out of my diet and only had a meal a day. I did that for a year and it worked miracles. But then that was easy, because I was away at University, doing my masters degree and hardly had time to cook anyway. Getting off meat was a very easy option as I was also on a very tight budget. Likewise having only a meal a day came easily as the Uni lunches were very expensive and I was in my room only in the evenings. I also walked to lectures to save on transport.
The other 2 times I lost weight was under some unfortunate circumstances that happened in my life and loss of weight happened as a desirable side effect. I simply did not eat that much.
So now I am almost clinically obese and non of the situations above are withing the horizon. It is more difficult as I cook for my family who love their savoury meals. Somebody is always cooking something in my house. I have always longed for exercised but that has been my major weakness. I even take my children to swim and simply sit down and watch. I tried walking but it does not come that easily.
Lydia, you said, “Oh my God, your exercise regime is so intense.” Are you telling God that His exercise regime is intense, or are you calling Mark Brown God? I’m sure you’re thinking “OMG” is just an expression. Everybody says it. But it is swearing. It is being very disrespectful of a holy God. We need to reverence His name, His titles and who He is. The next time you say, “Oh my God” it should be when you are actually praying.
On using the phrase ‘Oh my God’ as noted to be swearing by Kathy. Dear Kathy, having lived for 4 years in the UK, I fully do understand and appreciate your sentiments. Where I come from, the name of God and Jesus is often used not as a swear word nor as a disrespect for God. Firstly, especially among mature people, both Christians or non-Christians, rarely swear. It is not our norm and this was a cultural shock as I found it to be the case in the UK where I am currently residing. Secondary, Christians in my country are not ashamed of shouting out the name of God or or that of our Lord Jesus Christ out Loud in whatever circumstance and wherever they may be. This could be at school, at an important meeting, or any where indeed. We usually greet one another as ‘praise the Lord brother/sister ’, we say things like ‘Jesus, how could that happen…etc. Jesus is literally in every sentence as we are so much used to being in his presence and it is a norm among Christian circles. So Kathy, that was not swearing, at least in my culture.Most certainly it was not my intention.
I am not sure where that idea arose in this part of the world as the sentiments are not biblical. But as are so many other things that I have found strange, it is one of the things I would have to accept as part of our cultural difference and therefore will not be offended. Thank you very much!
Thank you for this insight. It is specific and detailled with many examples and helpful tips. A lot more of the same can be done in this way to help me as it has and many more people to understand clearly. Thank You and God bless
Yes, yes, yes! In 2008, I participated in a 9 mth study of Moses and I realized we approach God too lightly. Our bodies have replaced the earthly tabernacle and wherever we go, whatever we do, we take the Holy Spirit with us.
One question, why do you rest on Weds and Sat instead of Weds and Sun?
Thank you for the advice. I am overweight and have been trying to lose for awhile. I have a diet support group on mobamingle also. I am having a problem loosing the weight. I am going to refer this page to my diet support group. Please keep us all in prayer. To help us all lose weight and eat healthy.
Hey great reading..I never knew our maintaining our weight or the urge to do so is connected to the Bible.. and part of the reading in Corinthians… If we mentally journey through the Bible and through the life of Christ and what all he did for us then you know how much he loves you ..sinning against the flesh becomes impossible even watching any movies that have scenes that are not discreet or pretty make me sad to think how much we are hurting Christ.Automatically you will find yourself choosing different clothing and different habits. ..all this has happened in my life so I knwo ..great is the power of mass and the rosary!!!
God bless!
That seems hard, to have an exercise 5 x 1 hour a week, and every morning….
Before I met Christ I was obsessed with weight. I run 2 kilometers every second day. On faculty my professor of exercise saw that I love to attend his classes so he told me that I can go, when ever I want, on swimming pools and gym. It was really helpful `cause I was in depression and I was happier. When I started to work in kindergarten I had a few kilos more, but I`ve lost them, `cause I was on foot all the time, it was stressful. You said that you learned that you must eat every 2-3 hours…. I know that, but I cannot eat… After this summer I eat very little and I think that I`m going to sew many health problems.
But I like to walk, I`ve started after my car accident and usually I walk alone so I`m pretty fast. Before I was really lazy, I hated gym, running, exercise etc.
God bless
cristal I agree what does waeightloss have to with lust a little bit over the top have to wonder!????
Using ‘Oh my God’ as noted to be swearing by Kathy. Dear Kathy, having leaved for 4 years in the UK, I fully do understand and appreciate your sentiments. Where I come from, the name of God and Jesus is often used not as a swear word nor as a disrespect for God. Firstly, especially mature people Christians or not rarely swear and this was a cultural shock as this is the norm in this place. Secondary, Christians in my country are not ashamed of shouting out the name of God or Jesus out Loud in whatever circumstance and wherever they may be. It could be at school, at an important meeting, or any where indeed. We usually greet one another as ‘praise the Lord brother’, we say things like ‘Jesus, how could that happen…ect Jesus is literally in every sentence as we are so much used to being in his presence and it is a norm among Christian circles. So Kathy, that was not swearing, at least in my culture.
I am not sure where that idea arose in this part of the world as the sentiments are not biblical but as are so many things which I have found strange, it is one of the things I would have to accept as a cultural difference and therefore will not be offended. Thank you very much!
THANK GOD for the WORD of GOD that cuts like a knife but also LORD thank you for your grace and mercy!!
Keep on smiling and keep the faith!!
ANna
After looking through all post, I wander being pure physically does matter?Read Leviticus 19 v.28 Do not mark or tattoo any part of your bodies!!Being overweight has to do with gluttony but what about tattoos??If wanting to be pure & holy before our creator do you think its true when GOD said IT IS GOOD!!!!
Juz remember God exist!
Awwww! Thanks It’s so good
“Self” is less important as we grow with Christ…. BUT…. that does not mean that we are not supposed to take care of the vessel He created in our mothers womb. Caring for our body is essential, but if we do it with PRIDE, we will be turning toward self and away from God. If we do it with HUMILITY, we will honor up our body as a living sacrifice to Jesus Christ, the one man that put His COMPLETE body on the line for not only His Father, but ALL OF HUMANITY. Amen.