1 Kings 8-10, 11-13

My verse:

1 Kings 8:23

and he prayed, “O LORD, God of Israel, there is no God like you in all of heaven above or on the earth below. You keep your covenant and show unfailing love to all who walk before you in wholehearted devotion.

King Solomon followed God wholeheartedly for a long time...but then his heart was divided as he set his affections on women that God told him to not marry. Because his loyalties were divided, King Solomon lost favor with God and lost his kingdom too.

But God in His mercy did not destroy him completely. We should take heed that although God is loving, He is also just. When we diligently follow His ways, we can expect His presence and goodness in our lives. But once we begin following our own agendas, we step out of His covering and away from His goodness.

Prayer:

Lord, help me to make time everyday to spend with you so that I can know You and what you desire of me. May my heart not be divided or misled by my circumstance or the culture around me. May your loving kindness cover me and keep me as I seek you first above all else. In Jesus' Name, amen!

1 Kingsl 5-7

My verse: 1 Kings 6:38

...in the eleventh year the house was finished in all its details and according to all its plans. So he was seven years in building it.

King Solomon accomplished a great thing in building the house of The Lord...but he didn't do it alone. He partnered with another wise and resourceful man to help him. And he planned every detail of the construction.

As you pursue your health journey, consider that you are building up God's modern temple...your body. And you need to partner with others who will support you and help you build up your temple with excellence. You also need to understand that being healthy will require planning on your part--meals, exercise, time & management--and it will take time. Being healthy won't happen by chance of overnight.... God has entrusted to each of us a portion of His kingdom--strive to do your best to be a good steward for His honor & glory!

Prayer:

Lord, help me to see my body as Your temple. Grant me wisdom to utilize my resources well and to discern who I can trust to help me along the way. Thank You for providing all I need to succeed and to honor You with my whole life! In Jesus' Name, Amen!

1 Kings 2-4

My verse(s):

1 Kings 3:12, 14

I will do what you have asked. I will give you a wise and discerning heart, so that there will never have been anyone like you, nor will there ever be.

And if you walk in obedience to me and keep my decrees and commands as David your father did, I will give you a long life.”

In this passage, Solomon asks God for wisdom above all else to carry out His will for His people. And God grants Him his request and more! But note that once God has given Him these things, it is up to Solomon to apply God's wisdom to His life through obedience.

It's not enough for is to know what to do--we must take action! God will honor our efforts if only we would step out in faith.

I encourage you today to ask God for wisdom and the desire to obey so that you can enjoy His abundance in all areas of you life, especially your health!

Prayer:

Lord, thank you that You give freely all good things to me when I ask. Help me to exercise wisdom today in all my choices so that I honor You and bless those around me too. In Jesus' Name, amen.

2 Samuel 23-1 Kings 1

My verse: 2 Samuel 24:24

...I will surely buy it from you for a price; nor will I offer burnt offerings to The Lord my God with that which cost me nothing...

David understood that a sacrifice isn't a sacrifice without risk or cost. ROMANS 12:1 also encourages us to offer our bodies as living sacrifices for this is our proper act of worship.

Your journey to health requires much sacrifice on your part--to give of your time, energy, and money to workout, eat healthy, cultivate healthy relationships and seek God daily. When you give of yourself to become more like God, that is worship. I pray you will begin to embrace each opportunity to be healthy as a moment to draw closer to God and honor Him.

Prayer:

Lord thank you for the countless ways I can offer my life as a living sacrifice to You. May I embrace every opportunity with delight and not just duty...and may You bless my efforts to honor You with my body through exercise, eating healthy, and edifying others. In Jesus Name. Amen!

Today's Reading 2 Samuel:14-16

My verse:

2 Samuel 15:2

Now Absalom would rise early and stand beside the way to the gate.

Absalom was an evil man, but he was passionate and determined to succeed. So he planned and strategized, then he would rise up early to put his plan into action.

If I want to succeed, especially in the things of The Lord, I must:

1. Have passion.

2. Plan and focus my passion (According to God's wisdom and leading).

3. Take action.

On your journey to health, you need passion to be healthy--to be motivated and inspired for the right reasons. Because your body is God's temple and you should care for it as such...

you need to plan how to be healthy--to eat healthier, move more, get rest, have healthy relationships and be a good steward of your resources...

and you need to practice being healthy. And God will help you...

Prayer:

Lord, light a passion in me to do your will and impact others for Your kingdom. Focus my energy and grant me wisdom to act according to Your truth that I may be successful in fulfilling Your plan and purpose for my life, including being healthy and honoring You with my body.

In Jesus Name, Amen.