Detox Cleanse

Did you know medical experts recommend detoxing our bodies at least once a year?

Detoxification removes impurities toxins that accumulate in our bodies from our intestines, blood, liver, kidneys, our lymphatic system and our skin.

These toxins build up overtime from mainly the things we eat and drink such as refined sugars, saturated fat, alcohol, caffeine, salt and not to mention the chemicals used to grow and preserve our foods. Additional toxins are absorbed from environmental pollutions, makeup/cosmetics and household cleaning chemicals etc.

There are several detox programs and methods that are used and recommended however, the one I will emphasise for the purpose of our spiritual health series is fasting. 

The only type of fasting that I have personally practiced is juice fast, where I eliminate all solid foods and drink lots of water, unsweetened herbal laxative tea, and drink natural fruit/vegetable juices for a period of 7 days or more. 

Usually around the 2nd-3rd day is when my body starts going though withdrawal symptoms and is the most challenging time to push through and resist all temptation to eat as my body starts craving food. Fasting develops self-discipline that will positively affect our Spiritual lives.

Spirit Health Detox/Cleanse

Why is Fasting important to our Spiritual health?

Fasting for spiritual growth is one of the greatest demonstrations and continued development of humility, discipline, loyalty and commitment a Christian can experience.

Our appetite is one of the strongest tools the enemy uses against us.

An undisciplined person with lack of self control (intemperance) when it comes to food/eating habits, will easily fall to temptations of various kinds. One author puts it this way, "Wrong habits of eating and drinking lead to errors in thought and action. Indulgence of appetite strengthens the animal propensities, giving them the ascendancy over the mental and spiritual powers." Source 

James 4:7(AMP)- So be subject to God. Resist the devil [stand firm against him], and he will flee from you.

Check out the story of Adam and Eve's fall in addition to when Jesus was tempted in the wilderness.  Can you imagine what would have happened if Adam and Eve did not eat the fruit?  Can you also imagine what wold have happened if Jesus turned the stones to bread as he was tempted to do and ate? our salvation plan would have been aborted at that instant. 

James 4:8(AMP)- Come close to God and He will come close to you. [Recognize that you are] sinners, get your soiled hands clean; [realize that you have been disloyal] wavering individuals with divided interests, and purify your hearts [of your spiritual adultery].

Spiritual fasting is accompanied by regular prayer. If we desire a closer walk/relationship with God it requires regular communication. As the scripture above says...come close to God and He will come close to you.  Prayer during fasting also teaches us how to rely on God's help and strength during moments of weakness/temptation.  When we are fasting, we are constantly tempted to want to eat, this is natural because that's what we normally do and our bodies and sensory nerves have become dependent on food especially for those of us who are emotional eaters. 

Fasting rests our emotional sensors and appetites and disciplines our minds and bodies therefore when we are tempted in other areas of life we can draw from our recent fasting experience to resist any temptation.

James 4:10(CEB)- Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will lift you up.

When I graduated from undergrad, as all recent graduates do, I started looking for a job in my field.  I signed up at the local State run Career Center and went there daily to conduct my job search and utilize the resources they had.  The first day it took me a while to register as the computer would knock out several times during my registration. I got so frustrated, even the receptionist said she never saw that happen before, she asked me to try and start over one more time. My registration was successful after what was like the 5th try.  Anyway during this time my mom and I were in a period of fasting and prayer, It had been three months since I graduated and we needed God to move on my behalf.  One morning we were doing our usual natural juice and I noticed my mom juiced, potatoes!

Usually we would juice carrots/apples/celery etc.  Potatoes was a first and she didn't include any other item.  I looked at the glass filled with starch and normally my rebellious/defiant thoughts would be expressed but somehow I didn't/couldn't say a word, I just walked towards the kitchen window and was thinking about how God drank the bitter cup for me on the cross and how he endured all that for me; why should I refuse to drink this during this time that I'm consecrating myself to him. These are the thoughts that was running through my mind and it was also interesting that my mom did not say a word to me which was also quite unusual. 

Any way, just as I was there contemplating whether I should drink the potato juice or not the phone rang, I ran and answered the phone:

Person:  Good morning, may I speak with Highly Favored?

Favor: Favor Speaking...

Person: We were looking through the profiles of individuals who registered in the employment center's system and we would like to offer you a position (this was a position in my field of study).  Are you interested in the full time or part time position?

Favor: (stunned!!) I'm interested in the full time position, thank you.

The conversation concluded with the information to come in for interview etc. which I later realized was just a formality.  I got the job because God prepared it for me.  I was told by the staff when I started working that this particular position was open for a long time and soooo many individuals interviewed for it.  I just thank God for His Favor over my life......the testimonies and open doors God has prepared for me throughout my life are endless. This is just one of MANY. 

I shared this real life experience to demonstrate the breakthroughs/open doors from heaven one can also obtain from prayer and fasting.  By the way, as soon as I hung up the phone, I drank the potato juice without hesitation or saying a word.  My mom and I then rejoiced and thanked the God of Heaven and earth for showing himself to us in such a remarkable way.

Spirit Health Exercise:

What do you need from the Lord today? 

Do you desire to obtain spiritual victory over the flesh and be more self disciplined? 

Do you desire a closer walk with the Lord?

Are you in need of a breakthrough of some kind?

What ever your individual desires and spiritual needs are select a week in the near future and plan ahead for a week of Spiritual detoxing fasting and prayer.

1Peter 5:6 -Therefore humble yourselves under God's power so that he may raise you up in the last day.

Matthew 23:12-For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and who humbles himself will be exalted.

 

Alone in the Garden

And Jesus Said, let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of Heaven belongs to such as these...........

Hymn: I come to the Garden Alone

 

I come to the garden alone
While the dew is still on the roses
And the voice I hear falling on my ear
The Son of God discloses.

 

Refrain

And He walks with me, and He talks with me,
And He tells me I am His own;
And the joy we share as we tarry there,
None other has ever known.

 

He speaks, and the sound of His voice,
Is so sweet the birds hush their singing,
And the melody that He gave to me
Within my heart is ringing.........(listen to the beautiful children quintet below)

DeckerWatson Quintet

 

 

 

These precious voices.........God bless them and their ministry forever

Nutrition/Diet

Blessed Monday and rest of the week to you!!  Did you enjoy the weekend?  I did; had my Sons over on Sunday and it's usually fun hanging out with them.  I also tried a new natural hairstyle and it came out pretty good! if I can say so myself :-)

Continuing with our Spirit Health and awareness series, today we are going to explore nutrition and diet.

It's no secret that eating processed, salty, sugary, oily, too much meat and starchy foods on a regular basis leads to high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, cancer, obesity and stroke.  Conversely, eating nutrient rich foods such as, nuts, grains, vegetables, fruits, beans promises to improve our immune system, provide more energy and clearer skin. 

Can I tell you that a few years ago I stopped eating meat and made a conscious effort of Eating Like God's original diet plan for man.  I did this for about 3 years. Can I testify that my skin glowed.....seriously! I got compliments all the time and people asking me how I get my skin face to be so clear. I wasn't really sure what they meant but one day it dawned on me that it was my diet and I was happy to share. 

Nutrition experts advise that when we eat healthily, we will feel better and look better too! 

Spiritual Nutrition/Diet

What do we allow our eyes and ears mind to eat/digest/consume? 

Phillipians 2:5- Let this mind be in you, which is also in Christ Jesus.

Whether consciously or subconsciously, what we watch, read and listen to is either healthy or unhealthy diet/nutrition for our Spirit.

I remember attending a church sponsored youth retreat as a teen, where I was introduced to the term subliminal (hidden) messages in one of the sessions we had. This information was sooo intriguing, it left an impression on me for life.

Subliminal or hidden message is anything that sends you a message without your knowledge of it.  The message is usually picked up on by your subconscious mind. and slowly works its way to your Brian.  People rarely catch them, even when right in front of their eyes.  

Subliminal messages are not just in advertisements but also in movies, TV shows, cartoons, music, magazines, ...it's all around us an mostly presents itself to our subconscious in a sexually suggestive nature. It's not just the things that are obvious but the not so obvious that is even most concerning. 

Here are some links to follow up on this topic if you are interested:

http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/story?id=119954

http://education-portal.com/academy/lesson/subliminal-messages-definition-examples-validity.html#lesson

Proverbs 4:23 (NIV)- Above all else, guard your heart, for everthing you do flows from it.

How exactly can we guard our hearts when the media constantly bombards us with obvious and often not so obvious symbols of sex, food, lust, body images worlds definition of beauty, violence....?

Romans 12:2 (CEB)- Don't be conformed to the patterns of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds so that you can figure out what God's will is -what is good and pleasing and mature.

Spiritual Meal Plan

Moderate Plan:
Limit TV watching for yourself AND your children (if you have any). Find activities to do like develop a hobby, volunteer, clean up the house, read/watch and/or listen to positive uplifting material/programs; send the kids to play or color or read or help around the house, join a 4h club or start one.......the possibilities are endless.  We have become slave to the TV, movies for entertainment and its not good for maintaining or developing spiritually healthy minds.

Ultimate Plan:
Abstain from watching TV and movies all together.

Do you have any ideas to share on how we can improve our spiritual intake with healthy substance?

1 Corinthians 2:14-16 NIV- The person without the Spirit does not accept the things that come form the Spirit of God but considers them foolishness, and cannot understand them because they are discerned only thought the Spirit.  The person with the Spirit makes judgments about all things, but such a person is not subject to merely human judgments for " who has known the mind of the Lord so as to instruct him?" But we have the mind of Christ.

Lord help us to be conscious and mindful about how and what we feed our spirits with.  More of you Lord and less of me in Jesus name...AMEN.

Greater Is Coming

This young lady Jekalyn Carr ministers though song with such anointing.  She commands your attention with her aura of respect for God and purpose in her ministry though song.

I declare greater is coming........through the shaking, the beating and the pressing........that's how my oil is produced for the Lord. 

 

Greater is Coming

PERSONAL Trainer

Greetings! I've been enjoying the Spiritual upliftment exercises. I desire to grow in my relationship with God and relationships with others, what about you?

Today I want to talk about the importance of having a Personal Trainer. We've probably heard the term before and have a general understanding of what a Personal Trainer does. 

Generally, a Personal Trainer  develops a fitness plan, motivates, challenges and teaches their clients to improve their fitness, strength and/or physique.  The fitness plan is uniquely tailored for each client's needs. 

Spiritual Fitness Plan

Training our spirits for Godliness/living right comes through several means: 

• The Spiritual sermons we hear/listen to that encourages us in Godly living. 
• Romans 10:17(NET)- Consequently, Faith comes from what is heard, and what is heard comes through the preached word of Christ.

• Reading the Bible and understanding Gods will for how we live.
• Psalms 119:105(NLT)- Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path.

• Demonstrate  Godly attributes (kindness, humility, forgiveness, patience, love etc) especially when it is most difficult/challenging to do so.

   

• Matthew 5:14-16  (the link shows the KJV verson (you are the light of the word...) but below is another translation that illuminates this passage more for us. (MSG)- Here's another way to put it: You are here to be light, bringing out the God-colors [favor's interjection... kindness, humility, patience, love..all the fruits of the spirit]in the world. God is not a secret to be kept.  We are going public with this, as public as a city on a hill.  If I make you light-beares, you don't think I'm going to hide you under a bucket, do you?  I'm putting you on a light stand.  Now that  I've put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand-shine!  Keep open house; be generous with your lives.  By opening up to others, you'll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven.

• James 2:14-16(CEB)-  My brothers and sisters, what good is it if people say they have faith but do nothing to show it? Claiming to have faith can't save anyone, can it? Imagine a brother or sister who is naked and never has enough food to eat. What if one of you said, "Go in peace! Stay warm! have a nice meal! What good is it if you don't actually give them what their body needs? In the same way, faith is dead when it doesn't result in faithful activity.

• Fasting or abstaining from a particular thing we love/enjoy/indulge in,  could be any thing from food, shopping, social media, Internet surfing, playing video games, watching sports,...... disciples our flesh while encouraging our Spiritual life, experience and attitudes to grow.  (We'll explore detoxing fasting more in a future post)
• Matthew 7:21-Not everyone that says to me Lord, Lord shall enter the kingdom of Heaven, but he who does the will of my Father in Heaven.

• Can you think of any other ways we can train our spirits for right living?

Spiritual Motivator/Personal Trainer

I came across a quote recently that arrested my attention; It said " Stop listening to yourself and talk to yourself more."

Do you find yourself at times struggling with negative thoughts about yourself, your future, your purpose, your outlook......anything that concerns you for that matter?

Personal/Spiritual Motivator Exercise:

In the physical, a Personal Trainer may find that their client may not always be enthusiastic about taking part in the session, so the personal trainer needs to employ good motivational skills. 

For Spiritual motivation, let's begin talking to ourselves rather that listening to ourselves.  Let's become our own personal motivator/number one cheerleader.

You may have your own phrases, quotes or bible passeges that moves you spiritually; Care to share them with us in the comment box?

Weight Loss & Endurance Build

Have you ever tried to loose weight and succeeded?  I have; several years ago,  I went from 125lbs to 154lbs within the space of two years.  There was a great challenge testing of my faith taking place in my life during that time and I ate a lot.  

I knew I gained weight because I could NOT fit my size 6 clothes any more and I could see the changes in the mirror. I just didn't realize how much weight I gained until I decided to step on a scale one day in a store.  When I saw the number that appeared on the scale I was shocked!! I was determined to do something about it.

I bought the scale, started changing my eating habits and I joined a gym (I also obsessively weighed myself everyday two times a day, probably not good :-). 

Within the space of a year and a half I lost 20lbs.   I didn't go on any radical diets, I simply became more conscious about what and how much I ate and drank. I went to the gym about 2-3 evenings per week.  My weight loss was slow and steady.   I'm very happy and proud that I was able to to this but IT WAS CHALLENGING...DIFFICULT...a HARD process.

I contend that weight loss is 85-90% a mental spiritual state, because, If you are not mentally determined to discipline yourself to eat appropriately and proportionately, in addition to dismissing those tempting urges, it won't and can't happen.  Also, a person has to endure the exercise work outs and be mentally determined not to quit when feeling tired.  Each time this is achieved endurance is built and one is ready for a new level of challenge.

Spiritual Weight Loss and Endurance Build

Hebrews 12:1-2 (NLT)  Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trip us up. and let us run with endurance the race God has set before us.

We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now He is seated in the place of honor beside God's throne

How will we strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up and build spiritual endurance?

In the Warm Up post, we acknowledged and identified negative attributes weights that slow us down and trip us up.

 Weight Loss Exercise: 

1. Work out exercising the positive attributes and ignore the negative ones when they want to arise. The more we practice ignoring and not expressing the negative traits spirits the more our endurance is built up for displaying and becoming better at representing Christ.

         Example: 

• Be patient the next time you feel yourself becoming irritated or annoyed. Say a prayer and ask God to help you.  Delay responses when feeling impatient, angry or offended.  Listen more than you speak to others.
• Weigh (evaluate) yourself daily to see if you are on target to your goal.

God we need your help, we are determined to endure the testing of our faith when challenges come and we want to rise up in the flesh with spirits that are contrary to who we are and who's we are.  We seek your grace and restraint as we seek the path to spiritual health. We realise that we can do all things though you who will give us the strength in Jesus Name.....

Warm Up

The previous post Spirit Health was the pre-intro to this exciting new series. 

Today's post is the official introduction and will outline some goals and officially begin our warm up exercise.

Psalms 51:10 Create in me a clean heart Oh God and renew a right spirit within me.

As mentioned previously, our Spirit, which encompasses our thoughts, judgment, desires, emotions, motivations, imaginations, ambitions, mood, outlook on life is in need of targeted care and attention just like our physical bodies.  It is our spirit that directs our brain which commands our bodies to execute.  Once again, it is important to have a healthy spirit especially for those of us who desire to honor God and be good examples of Christ likeness.

The proper way to begin body exercise is to warm up with low impact aerobics and include stretching. The experts advise that warm up exercise along with stretching gradually builds the heart rate and gradually increases circulation in the muscles, tendons and ligaments which allows them to be more flexible and reduces the risk of injuries.

Let's begin the warm up portion of this series Spirit Health. You are welcome to join in with me as we warm up our spirits for faithful, focused, healthy minds necessary for living a Godly (respectful, reverent, holy, joyful, peaceful, fulfilled, content) life.

1Timothy 4:8 (AMP)

For physical training is of some value (useful for a little), but godliness (spiritual training) is useful and of value in everything and in every way, for it holds promise for the present life and also for the life which is to come.

 

Let's go!!! (we are in the fitness gym of the spirit)..........ok.

How will we allow God to create a clean heart and renew a right spirit within us?

Warm Up Exercise:

1. Let's acknowledge any/all negative characteristics, traits, Attributes Spirits  that we need to work on silencing, eliminating, executing ...

Exercise : Write down in a journal any negative attributes that I desire to let go of.
            
          Example:

• Impatience: tendency to become quickly annoyed, irritated, intolerant, short tempered when things aren't going fast enough or situations or individuals don't go along with your preferred plan or direction.

It is important to document all negative traits and understand what they mean, how they negatively affect others and most importantly how they mis-represent Christ.


1Timothy 6:6: But Godliness with contentment is great gain.

    

Spirit Health

When we hear the word health we automatically think of our bodies.  We are taught that our bodies are the temple of the Lord 1Cor 6:19.  I believe our bodies are also a gift from God and we should take care of this gift by eating healthily, exercising, ensuring adequate sunlight, fresh air, rest, hydrate with adequate water etc.  

Doing these things for our bodies will not immune us from illnesses, however, Not doing these things will accelerate diseases and weaken our immune system to fight against infections. Neglecting to properly care for our bodies will also eventually affect various cognitive functions as well as our overall mood and temperament.

Just like our body, our Spirit, which encompasses our thoughts, judgment, desires, outlook on life, emotions, motivations, imaginations, ambitions, mood, is in need of targeted care and attention.  In fact, it is our spirit that directs our brain which commands our bodies to execute. It is important to have a healthy spirit especially for those of us who desire to honor God and be good examples of Christlikeness.  

I will be starting a series to help myself and anyone else who desires a spiritual detoxification cleanse, build and tone exercises for the spirit. 

Look out for future post in this Spirit Health series.