The Anti-Fat Pastor’s Call for Anti-Fat Christians
I’ve been called a lot of things in my life but I never thought I’d be called the “Anti-Fat Pastor”. Not me, the one who for years wouldn’t go to bed until I’d eaten my nightly giant bowl of ice cream as I sat in my La-Z-Boy™ recliner. “The Anti-Fat Pastor”, who me? The one who weighed in at 340 pounds and suffered with high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes? Wow! Has my life changed!
Someone once said a journey begins with the first step. My journey began with a prayer to God for guidance with my weight and health issues. My first step was the decision to live better once my heart was impressed with a passage from the scriptures that would inspire me to change.
God is faithful, and He is able. He led me to a passage in His Word that directly addresses the issues I was facing. It was Colossians 1:16, “For by him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him.” I learned that everything that exists was created by Him for Him. That included me. If He was in control of all things, then he was in control of my life and if I’d let Him He could be in control of my weight issues too. It was a wonderful revelation!
At first the issue was so personal that I told no one. I kept it between God and me. I knew I could never lose weight and be fit without God’s intervention. I continued to pray and seek His direction. I began to lose weight and when I’d lost 70 pounds my health issues were brought under control. To this day, I’m free from those illnesses.
As I prayed and meditated on this Scripture, God gave me a step-by-step prescription for making small changes in my life. I call them “Small Steps To Life”. Once I began to follow them, I began to see results. Yes, I saw physical changes, but I also saw spiritual changes. My faith increased with each change I made and each pound I shed.
I knew I’d discovered something important and it was my responsibility to share what I’d learned with my church and my community. I realized Christians are the most overweight people group on earth. We are more overweight than any other religious group you can name.
Christians should be the most healthy people group, especially when we consider the physical condition of Jesus Christ, our Founder and Leader.
We are representatives of Christ and are called to reflect his character. As a result of following the God given prescription I received I have lost over 100 pounds. Will you join me and work to become anti-fat Christians?
Someone once said a journey begins with the first step. My journey began with a prayer to God for guidance with my weight and health issues. My first step was the decision to live better once my heart was impressed with a passage from the scriptures that would inspire me to change.
God is faithful, and He is able. He led me to a passage in His Word that directly addresses the issues I was facing. It was Colossians 1:16, “For by him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him.” I learned that everything that exists was created by Him for Him. That included me. If He was in control of all things, then he was in control of my life and if I’d let Him He could be in control of my weight issues too. It was a wonderful revelation!
At first the issue was so personal that I told no one. I kept it between God and me. I knew I could never lose weight and be fit without God’s intervention. I continued to pray and seek His direction. I began to lose weight and when I’d lost 70 pounds my health issues were brought under control. To this day, I’m free from those illnesses.
As I prayed and meditated on this Scripture, God gave me a step-by-step prescription for making small changes in my life. I call them “Small Steps To Life”. Once I began to follow them, I began to see results. Yes, I saw physical changes, but I also saw spiritual changes. My faith increased with each change I made and each pound I shed.
I knew I’d discovered something important and it was my responsibility to share what I’d learned with my church and my community. I realized Christians are the most overweight people group on earth. We are more overweight than any other religious group you can name.
Christians should be the most healthy people group, especially when we consider the physical condition of Jesus Christ, our Founder and Leader.
We are representatives of Christ and are called to reflect his character. As a result of following the God given prescription I received I have lost over 100 pounds. Will you join me and work to become anti-fat Christians?
The Challenge Of Time
These are challenging times! The “Big Rocks” in our lives will become stumbling blocks unless we can overcome them. Jesus Told us “If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; 32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” (John 8:31-32).
The greatest teaching fact on time management is found in the Bible
You can take these truths and begin to apply them to your life. There are so many books written on time management but most people forget about God's book. I believe this is an area we all struggle with. Here are some ways you can improve this area.
I. Commit your time to GOD.
A. We must make everyday count for God.
“So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.” Psalm 90:12
B. Life is making decisions and making them work.
“Commit thy works unto the LORD, and thy thoughts shall be established.” Proverbs 16:3
II. Make the Bible your time management tool.
A. The Bible is the Word of God.
“20 Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.
21 For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.” II Peter 1:20-21
B. We are commanded to read the Bible.
“Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine.” I Timothy 4:13
C. Bible reading is necessary for spiritual growth.
“As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:” I Peter 2:2
Truthful Fact: Spiritual food is even more important than physical food.
“Neither have I gone back from the commandment of his lips; I have esteemed the words of his mouth more than my necessary food.” Job 23:12
III. Spend Time in A SMALL GROUP.
A. Sign up for a group here at Capital Baptist Church.
“4 For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office:
5 So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.” Romans 12:4-5
B. Show up for a group at Capital Baptist Church.
“9 Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour.
10 For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up.” Ecclesiastes 4:9-10
C. Speak up at a group at Capital Baptist Church
“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another….” Colossians 3:16a
V. ASK GOD TO GROW YOU.
Our goal is for us to become more like Jesus.
“28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.” Romans 8:28-29
Pray for spiritual growth.
“14 For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
15 Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named,
16 That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man;
17 That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love,
18 May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height;
19 And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.
20 Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,
21 Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.” Ephesians 3:14-21
What challenge in your life is a stumbling block?
Will you overcome the challenge of time?
“24 Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock:
25 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock.” Matthew 7:24-25
The greatest teaching fact on time management is found in the Bible
You can take these truths and begin to apply them to your life. There are so many books written on time management but most people forget about God's book. I believe this is an area we all struggle with. Here are some ways you can improve this area.
I. Commit your time to GOD.
A. We must make everyday count for God.
“So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.” Psalm 90:12
B. Life is making decisions and making them work.
“Commit thy works unto the LORD, and thy thoughts shall be established.” Proverbs 16:3
II. Make the Bible your time management tool.
A. The Bible is the Word of God.
“20 Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.
21 For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.” II Peter 1:20-21
B. We are commanded to read the Bible.
“Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine.” I Timothy 4:13
C. Bible reading is necessary for spiritual growth.
“As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:” I Peter 2:2
Truthful Fact: Spiritual food is even more important than physical food.
“Neither have I gone back from the commandment of his lips; I have esteemed the words of his mouth more than my necessary food.” Job 23:12
III. Spend Time in A SMALL GROUP.
A. Sign up for a group here at Capital Baptist Church.
“4 For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office:
5 So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.” Romans 12:4-5
B. Show up for a group at Capital Baptist Church.
“9 Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour.
10 For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up.” Ecclesiastes 4:9-10
C. Speak up at a group at Capital Baptist Church
“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another….” Colossians 3:16a
V. ASK GOD TO GROW YOU.
Our goal is for us to become more like Jesus.
“28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.” Romans 8:28-29
Pray for spiritual growth.
“14 For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
15 Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named,
16 That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man;
17 That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love,
18 May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height;
19 And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.
20 Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,
21 Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.” Ephesians 3:14-21
What challenge in your life is a stumbling block?
Will you overcome the challenge of time?
“24 Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock:
25 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock.” Matthew 7:24-25
Your Temple and God
“What? Know ye know that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God and ye are not your own?” 1Corinthians 6:19
Bod4God is not another diet book. It’s about developing a new lifestyle. My desire for you is a complete makeover, a biblical makeover. Using the truth of God’s word is the best way, the only way for the Christian.
I can’t stress how important it is to make a daily decision to honor God with our bodies. This is why I’ve chosen to continue the discussion concerning the three steps mentioned in the previous article. Everyday we must make the decision to dedicate, discipline and deliver our bodies to the Lord.
Somewhere there was a disconnection between my belief and my behavior. Had you asked me, “Hey, what’s your body for?” I would have responded, “Oh, it’s for God.” That’s what I believed, but my lifestyle didn’t reflect that belief. I came to realize that I really didn’t believe my whole body belonged to God. Had I truly believed my body belonged to God my behavior would have reflected such a belief. When you truly believe something you will act on that belief, you will live what you believe. Thus my struggle, how do I connect the two? The answer was found in the dedication of my body to God. I have to believe my body is the temple of God. “Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?” (1Corinthians 3:16)
Making the decision to dedicate our bodies is a necessary part of any effort to change. Once the decision is made we must follow through and that’s the hard part. Change is difficult to accomplish without discipline.
We are called to use our “members as instruments of righteousness to God”. When we think “members” we can’t just think actual body parts. We must include our mind, our heart and our emotions. I’m sure you’ve heard it said the mind is the battlefield. Daily we are under attack through the media, associates and the culture. There’s another expression, “the one who controls the heart controls the man/woman”. Next installment, let’s delve deeper into the role our unseen members play in our quest for change.
We tend to forget our mission, our purpose. Once you come to Christ “Your body is the temple of God”. How often have you forgotten?
Bod4God is not another diet book. It’s about developing a new lifestyle. My desire for you is a complete makeover, a biblical makeover. Using the truth of God’s word is the best way, the only way for the Christian.
I can’t stress how important it is to make a daily decision to honor God with our bodies. This is why I’ve chosen to continue the discussion concerning the three steps mentioned in the previous article. Everyday we must make the decision to dedicate, discipline and deliver our bodies to the Lord.
Somewhere there was a disconnection between my belief and my behavior. Had you asked me, “Hey, what’s your body for?” I would have responded, “Oh, it’s for God.” That’s what I believed, but my lifestyle didn’t reflect that belief. I came to realize that I really didn’t believe my whole body belonged to God. Had I truly believed my body belonged to God my behavior would have reflected such a belief. When you truly believe something you will act on that belief, you will live what you believe. Thus my struggle, how do I connect the two? The answer was found in the dedication of my body to God. I have to believe my body is the temple of God. “Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?” (1Corinthians 3:16)
Making the decision to dedicate our bodies is a necessary part of any effort to change. Once the decision is made we must follow through and that’s the hard part. Change is difficult to accomplish without discipline.
We are called to use our “members as instruments of righteousness to God”. When we think “members” we can’t just think actual body parts. We must include our mind, our heart and our emotions. I’m sure you’ve heard it said the mind is the battlefield. Daily we are under attack through the media, associates and the culture. There’s another expression, “the one who controls the heart controls the man/woman”. Next installment, let’s delve deeper into the role our unseen members play in our quest for change.
We tend to forget our mission, our purpose. Once you come to Christ “Your body is the temple of God”. How often have you forgotten?
How To Relieve Your Stress
In these stressful times you long for a more peaceful life. I did a series based on Psalm 23 a few months ago. I was overwhelmed with the amount of stress that people carry from day to day and year to year. I want you to experience a peace release in 2009. David was no different from you. Before you can understand Psalm 23, look at the background of a broken life. This Psalm will show you how to experience a peace filled life in a stress filled world.
The Bible tells us… Everyone experiences trouble; you are not the only one!
Paul did….
“For we would not, brethren, have you ignorant of our trouble which came to us in Asia, that we were pressed out of measure, above strength, insomuch that we despaired even of life:”
II Corinthians 1:8
David did….
“Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted in me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him for the help of his countenance.” Psalm 42:5
The term “cast down” is a shepherds term for a sheep that has turned over on its back and cannot get up again by itself. A “cast sheep” is a very pathetic sight. Lying on its back, its feet in the air, it flails frantically struggling to stand up, without success. Sometimes it will bleat a little for help, but generally it lies there lashing about in frightened frustration. If the owner does not arrive at the scene within a reasonably short time, the sheep will die.
“He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds.” Psalm 147:3
Lets look at II Samuel chapter eleven to get a better glimpse, so that we can understand this popular Psalm...
I. THE REALITY OF DAMAGED EMOTIONS
(II Samuel 11:1-27)
A. David struggled with the emotion of guilt
“For mine iniquities are gone over mine head: as an heavy burden they are too heavy for me.” Psalm 38:4
B. David struggled with emotion of grief.
“Have mercy upon me, O LORD, for I am in trouble: mine eye is consumed with grief, yea, my soul and my belly.” Psalm 31:9
C. David struggled with the emotion of grudges.
“Break their teeth, O God, in their mouth:…” Psalm 58:6a
II. THE RESTORATION OF DAMAGED EMOTIONS
(II Samuel 12:1-24)
A. Confess your sin to God and receive forgiveness from God (vs 1-13)
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” I John 1:9
B. Understand that sinful living in the past can lead to negative circumstances in the future (vs 14-15)
“7 Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.
8 For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.”Galatians 6:7-8
C. Seek God’s help (v 16).
“And David was greatly distressed; for the people spake of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and for his daughters: but David encouraged himself in the LORD his God.” I Samuel 30:6
GOD’S COMFORTERS
1. God’s Word
“I remembered thy judgments of old, O LORD; and have comforted myself.” Psalm 119:52
Discipline #1: Daily read the Bible
“For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.” II Corinthians 4:16
2. God’s People
“3 Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort;
4 Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.” II Corinthians 1:3-4
Discipline #2: Be a participator not a spectator.
“9 Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour.
10 For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up.” Ecclesiastes 4:9-10
3. God’s Spirit
“14:16 And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;
14:17 Even the Spirit of truth;” John 14:16-17a
Discipline #3: Walk in the Spirit
“This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.” Galatians 5:16
D. Trust God in all things. (12:17-20)
“Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator.” I Peter 4:19
E. Accept what cannot be changed (12:21-23)
“Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.” Philippians 4:11
F. Focus on the future and not the past (12:24)
“18 Remember ye not the former things, neither consider the things of old.
19 Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth;” Isaiah 43:18-19a
CONCLUSION: Your goal in life should be to finish with joy.
“But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.” Acts 20:24
The Bible tells us… Everyone experiences trouble; you are not the only one!
Paul did….
“For we would not, brethren, have you ignorant of our trouble which came to us in Asia, that we were pressed out of measure, above strength, insomuch that we despaired even of life:”
II Corinthians 1:8
David did….
“Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted in me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him for the help of his countenance.” Psalm 42:5
The term “cast down” is a shepherds term for a sheep that has turned over on its back and cannot get up again by itself. A “cast sheep” is a very pathetic sight. Lying on its back, its feet in the air, it flails frantically struggling to stand up, without success. Sometimes it will bleat a little for help, but generally it lies there lashing about in frightened frustration. If the owner does not arrive at the scene within a reasonably short time, the sheep will die.
“He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds.” Psalm 147:3
Lets look at II Samuel chapter eleven to get a better glimpse, so that we can understand this popular Psalm...
I. THE REALITY OF DAMAGED EMOTIONS
(II Samuel 11:1-27)
A. David struggled with the emotion of guilt
“For mine iniquities are gone over mine head: as an heavy burden they are too heavy for me.” Psalm 38:4
B. David struggled with emotion of grief.
“Have mercy upon me, O LORD, for I am in trouble: mine eye is consumed with grief, yea, my soul and my belly.” Psalm 31:9
C. David struggled with the emotion of grudges.
“Break their teeth, O God, in their mouth:…” Psalm 58:6a
II. THE RESTORATION OF DAMAGED EMOTIONS
(II Samuel 12:1-24)
A. Confess your sin to God and receive forgiveness from God (vs 1-13)
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” I John 1:9
B. Understand that sinful living in the past can lead to negative circumstances in the future (vs 14-15)
“7 Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.
8 For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.”Galatians 6:7-8
C. Seek God’s help (v 16).
“And David was greatly distressed; for the people spake of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and for his daughters: but David encouraged himself in the LORD his God.” I Samuel 30:6
GOD’S COMFORTERS
1. God’s Word
“I remembered thy judgments of old, O LORD; and have comforted myself.” Psalm 119:52
Discipline #1: Daily read the Bible
“For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.” II Corinthians 4:16
2. God’s People
“3 Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort;
4 Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.” II Corinthians 1:3-4
Discipline #2: Be a participator not a spectator.
“9 Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour.
10 For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up.” Ecclesiastes 4:9-10
3. God’s Spirit
“14:16 And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;
14:17 Even the Spirit of truth;” John 14:16-17a
Discipline #3: Walk in the Spirit
“This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.” Galatians 5:16
D. Trust God in all things. (12:17-20)
“Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator.” I Peter 4:19
E. Accept what cannot be changed (12:21-23)
“Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.” Philippians 4:11
F. Focus on the future and not the past (12:24)
“18 Remember ye not the former things, neither consider the things of old.
19 Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth;” Isaiah 43:18-19a
CONCLUSION: Your goal in life should be to finish with joy.
“But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.” Acts 20:24
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