Closing Thoughts

Closing Thoughts

 

As we close our study together, I wanted to share one last thing with you that I hope will impact you like it did me.

 

I sat down to read my Bible the other day, and before I began to read, I asked God to reveal something new to me - WOW, did He do that!

 

I was drawn to the book of Haggai. I thought. “This seems like a somewhat random book, but let’s see what You have for me, God”. I have a study bible, and it lists a “key verse” for the book you are about to read. My eyes were immediately drawn to this: “Why are you living in luxurious houses while my house lies in ruins?” (Haggai 1:4)

 

The book of Haggai is in the Old Testament, so when this verse says “my house,” it is referring to the Temple. So the key verse really asks, “Why are you living in luxurious homes while my Temple lies in ruins? The people knew they were called to rebuild the temple, but they were busy doing other things, and they weren’t making rebuilding the Temple a priority.

 

This is where my lightbulb moment happened. Jesus promised that after He was resurrected, He would send His Spirit into our bodies. God’s home is now in the physical body of all believers. Now let’s go back to this key verse: “Why do you live in luxurious houses when your body (God’s home) lies in ruins?” This really grabbed my attention.

 

We are busy doing so many things - making money, traveling, buying new toys, improving our homes, and taking care of our family, yet we ignore taking care of our bodies.

 

As I continued to read through Haggai, I was moved again by this verse, “So the LORD sparked their enthusiasm…. and they began their work on the house of the LORD (Haggai 1:14). If you need inspiration to take better care of your body, it comes from God; He sparks our enthusiasm. But this verse also shows that we have work to do when it comes to taking care of our bodies. Yes, it’s important that we pray and ask for God’s inspiration and help, but we also have work to do to get God’s house in shape.

 

For us to stay committed to working on our health, it takes self-control. Again, God’s word is clear about how we gain self-control. God gives us self-control (2 Tim. 1:7), and self-control is one of the fruits of the spirit (Gal. 5:23). If we want to make lasting, healthy changes, we need to draw closer to God so we can have the self-control and discipline needed to stay on course.

 

The number one reason given for not exercising and eating healthy is a lack of time. Again, the commentary for the book of Haggai addresses this when it says, “Our problem is not the volume of demands or lack of scheduling skills, but values - what is truly important to us. Haggai’s message to the people sought to get their priorities straight, help them quit worrying, and motivate them to rebuild the Temple. Like them, we often place a higher priority on our personal comfort than on God’s work and true worship. But God is pleased and promises strength and guidance when we give him first place in our lives.”

 

When we change our motivation for exercising and eating healthy from looking a certain way or hitting a number on a scale to taking care of God’s earthly home, it should inspire us to make taking care of our bodies a priority.

 

I pray this study has motivated you to move away from unhealthy habits for the rest of your life. I pray you make lasting, healthy changes because you want to honor God with your body. I have tried to break this process down into somewhat easy-to-follow steps, but I know it can still appear to be overwhelming.

 

You might feel a bit of fear. Fear because you don’t want to lose the excitement you feel right now. Fear because you don’t want to lose the hopeful feeling you are experiencing. You really can be hopeful because, with God’s help, you can break free from your old, unhealthy habits.

 

Moving towards better health is a process. I know when I look back, I can see the little consistent steps I took to move me down this path to better health. It starts with one obedient choice after another. “Like a brick, each obedient act is small in itself, but in time the acts will pile up, and a huge wall of strong character will be built - a great defense against temptation.” (Commentary 1 Samuel 31:13)

 

Of course, our body is about more than just our physical health. Our mind, body, and spirit are so interconnected that if one is unhealthy, it affects the rest. Make your spiritual health an even greater priority than your physical health (1 Tim 4:8). Please keep drawing closer to God because He is the one who can change the way we think (Romans 12:2), He is the one who gives us self-control (2 Peter 1:6), He is the One who can give you strength when you are weary (Isaiah 40:29), He is the one who comforts you when we are troubled (2 Corinthians 1:4), He is the one who loves you so much (John 3:16) and wants to help you with all your worries and cares (1 Peter 5:7).

 

“With God all things are possible.” (Matthew 19:26)

 

Appendix: Scripture References

Week 1

“As water reflects the face, so one’s life reflects the heart.” (Proverbs 27:19)

“Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will know what God wants you to do, and you will know how good and pleasing and perfect his will really is.” (Romans 12:2)

 

Week 2

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only son that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16)

“This is real love - not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins.” (John 4:19)

“I am with you always, even unto the end of the world.” (Matthew 28:20)

“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” (Isaiah 41:10)

“Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed.” (James 5:16)

 

Week 3

“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” - (John 10:10)

“For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world.” - (Ephesians 6:12)

“But the Son of God came to destroy the works of the devil.” - (1 John 3:8)

"You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the LORD Almighty.” - (1 Samuel 17:45)

“Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit.” (Zechariah 4:6)

“You are of God, little children, and have overcome them because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.” (1 John 4:4)

Life Application Study Bible Commentary 2 Chronicles 14:11: “The secret to victory is first to admit the futility of unaided human effort and then to trust God to save. His power works best through those who recognize their limitations. It is those who think they can do it on their own that are in the greatest danger.”

“The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have the divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.” (2 Corinthians 10:4-5)

“So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves. The sinful nature wants to do evil, which is just the opposite of what the Spirit wants. And the Spirit gives us desires that are the opposite of what the sinful nature desires.” (Galatians 5:16-17)

“If you know the love of the Father, it is much easier to know the lies of the enemy.” Quote from Kate Matott.

“Then God said, ‘Look! I have given you every seed-bearing plant throughout the earth and all the fruit trees for your food.’ ” (Genesis 1:29)

“Everything that lives and moves about will be food for you. Just as I gave you the green plants, I now give you everything.” (Genesis 9:3)

 

Week 4

“Ask, using my name, and you will receive, and you will have abundant joy.” (John 16:24)

“Ask and it will be given to you.” ( Matthew 7:7)

“Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.” (1 Peter 5:7) “I can do all things through him who strengthens me?” ( Philippians 4:13)

“. . the Lord examines their motives.” (Proverbs 16:2)

“. . .if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that if he hears us-whatever we ask-we know that we have what we asked of him.” (1 John 5:14-15)

“...man looks on the outward appearance, but the LORD looks on the heart.” (1 Samuel 16:7)

“...And use your whole body as a tool to do what is right for the glory of God.” (Romans 6:13)

 

Week 5

“You shall have no other gods before me.” (Exodus 20:3)

“For the LORD your God is a consuming fire, a jealous God.” (Deuteronomy 4:24)

“Come to me all who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28)

 

Week 6

“Meanwhile, the disciples were in trouble far away from land, for a strong wind had risen, and they were fighting heavy waves. About three o’clock in the morning, Jesus came toward them, walking on the water. When the disciples saw him walking on the water, they were terrified. In their fear, they cried out, “It’s a ghost!”

But Jesus spoke to them at once. “Don’t be afraid,” he said. “Take courage. I am here!”

Then Peter called to him, “Lord, if it’s really you, tell me to come to you, walking on the water.”

“Yes, come,” Jesus said.

So Peter went over the side of the boat and walked on the water toward Jesus. But when he saw the strong wind and the waves, he was terrified and began to sink. “Save me, Lord!” he shouted.

Jesus immediately reached out and grabbed him. “You have so little faith,” Jesus said. “Why did you doubt me?” ( Matthew 14-23)

“Nothing is impossible with God.” (Luke 1:37)

Quote: “Failure is not the falling down, it’s the staying down.” (Mary Pickford) “Not by might, nor by power but by my Spirit.” (Zechariah 4:6)

 

Week 7

“And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.” (Romans 8:28)

“When you go through deep waters, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of diffculty, you will not drown. When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you.”( Isaiah 43:2)

“And be sure of this: I am with you always.” (Matthew 28:20)

“Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” (James 1:2-4 )

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:9)

“In this world, you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."(John 16:33)

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” (John 14:27)

 

Week 8

“This is the day the LORD has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it.” (Psalm 118:24). “Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.” (1 Peter 5:7). Quote: “I've had a lot of worries in my life, most of which never happened.” Mark Twain

“Can all your worries add a single moment to your life? And if worry can't accomplish a little thing like that, what's the use of worrying over bigger things?” (Luke 12:25-26)

“Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again-rejoice!” (Philippians 4:4)

 

Week 9

“For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.” ( Matthew 6:14-15)

Quote: “Unforgiveness is like drinking poison and hoping the other person dies.” Margret Stunt)

“He is so rich in kindness that he purchased our freedom through the blood of his Son, and our sins are forgiven. ( Ephesians 1:7)

“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9)

“And forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us. And don’t let us yield to temptation, but rescue us from the evil one.] ‘If you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly Father will forgive you.” (Matthew 6:12-14)

“And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, 'Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you withhold forgiveness from any, it is withheld.” (John 20: 22-23)

“But to you who are listening, I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. (Luke 6:27-28)

“Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.” (Romans 12:14)

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.” (Proverbs 3:5)

“Those who know your name trust in you, for you, O LORD, do not abandon those who search for you.” (Psalms 9:10)

“This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother or sister from your heart.” (Matthew 18:35)

 

Week 10

“Obviously, I'm not trying to win the approval of people, but of God. If pleasing people were my goal, I would not be Christ's servant.” (Galatians 1:10)

“The fear of man lays a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is safe.”(Proverbs 29:25)

“Our purpose is to please God, not people. He alone examines the motives of our hearts.” (1 Thessalonians 2:4)

“For I have come down from heaven to do the will of God who sent me, not to do my own will.” (John 6:38)

“The one who sent me is with me; he has not left me alone, for I always do what pleases him.” John 8:29

“Your enthusiasm has stirred most of them to action.” (2 Corinthians 9:2) “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.” (Mark 12:30-31)

 

Week 11

“I knew you before I formed you in your mother’s womb. Before you were born I set you apart and appointed you as my prophet to the nations.” (Jeremiah 1:5)

“For we are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” (Ephesians 2:10)

“whom I created for my glory.” (Isaiah 43:7)

“Whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.”(1 Corinthians 10:31)

Quote: “In commanding us to glorify Him, God is inviting us to enjoy Him.” C.S. Lewis

“Now if the foot should say, ‘Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body, it would not for that reason stop being part of the body. And if the ear should say, ‘Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,’ it would not for that reason stop being part of the body. If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be? But in fact God has placed the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be. If they were all one part, where would the body be? As it is, there are many parts, but one body.” (1 Corinthians 15-20)

“So use your whole body as a tool to do what is right for the glory of God.” (Romans 6:13)

“Here am I, send me.” (Isaiah 6:8)

 

Week 12

“Use your whole body as a tool to do what is right for the glory of God.” (Romans 6:13)

“Good friend, don’t forget all I’ve taught you; take to heart my commands. They’ll help you live a long, long life, a long life lived full and well. Trust God from the bottom of your heart; don’t try to figure out everything on your own. Listen for God’s voice in everything you do, everywhere you go; he’s the one who will keep you on track. Don’t assume that you will know it all. Run to God! Run from evil! Your body will glow with health.” (Proverbs 3 - message version)

Additional Verses:

I’ve listed some additional verses that will help you to better understand God and His love for you, and help you when you are facing temptations or feeling discouraged. Really, all of God’s Words are helpful so I recommend reading the entire bible.

“For he satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things” (Psalm 107:9)

“In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express” (Romans 8:26)

“But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weakness, so that Christ's power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weakness, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong” (2 Corinthians 12:9-10)

“Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.” ( 2 Corinthians 4:16)

“We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ” ( 2 Corinthians 10:5)

“My food,” said Jesus, “is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work” (John 4:34)

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control” (Galatians 5:22-23)

“Then he said to them all: 'If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me” (Luke 9:23)

“So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature” (Galatians 5:16)

“Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted” (Hebrews 2:18)

“Do not join those who drink too much wine or gorge themselves on meat, for drunkards and gluttons become poor, and drowsiness clothes them in rags.” (Proverbs 23: 20-21)

“Turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it” (Psalm 34:14)

“Do not be discouraged,” He says, In encouragement, you’ll find His strength, His promise to be with you on the journey “wherever you go” ( Joshua 1:9)

“Lord, you alone are my portion and my cup; you make my lot secure.” (Psalm 16:5)

“My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever” (Psalm 73:26)

“People may be pure in their own eyes, but the LORD examines their motives.” (Proverbs 16:2)