Ugly Lies Beautiful Truth (days 22 - 26 )

* Hello to you!  Welcome to the Body Temple study.  If you are just joining us and you would like to start from the beginning look to the right and you will notice under Blog Map the words "Body Temple"  click on that and it will take you all of the Body Temple entries.  Go to the very bottom and work your way up.  May the Lord bless you in your journey!

We ALL have them - horror stories of when we began to have bad feelings about our bodies.  I would bet a small fortune that every woman has experienced something which has shaped the way she feels about her body.  Many of us carry those experiences and feelings to the present.  We drag them along with us in our memories like so many heavy chains.  Those experiences not only have left wounds but they also can also dictate how we live our daily lives.  Things like what kind of clothes we buy or who we feel worthy to date or be married to, or what we see in the mirror every day.  Those experiences have a profound effect on what we think about ourselves or even how we feel about God.  Sometimes we are not even aware of the extent to which those words or experiences hold sway over our thinking.
When I was about thirteen I had one such event which shaped my own belief about my body.   As a kid I was painfully thin.  I have seen pictures of myself; I was all pointy bones and skin.  Unlike some of my friends, adolescence had not yet rounded my body.  At the time I was blissfully unaware of how my body looked.  I had been raised in a family where I was loved and accepted.  And I had not yet reached the age where I had become self-conscious of my looks.  That however would change one summer day and my life after that event would never again be the same.  My innocence was shattered with just one cruel observation.  The day was warm and I and my friends were standing outside all wearing shorts outfits.  One girl began to compare our legs.  "Look," she said matter of factly, "Stacey has dancer's legs but look at Vicki her knees are knobby."  It was the first time that I became aware that one girl was pretty while, according to my friend, I was not.
That moment changed me.  For the first time I was ashamed of my body.  It affected what I chose to wear, it changed the way I felt about myself.  I prayed for different legs I prayed for a different body.  My mom spoke wisdom into my life but I held onto the lie that was spoken over me.  The girl that said the words probably never knew the impact she had on my life.  But the damage was done and the enemy used it in my life to create body image issues that would follow me for years.  The truth is that I gave the enemy permission to speak lies into my life.  When I agreed with the lie he then had power over me.  For as long as I was in agreement with the lie I opened myself up to attacks of self-doubt and fear.
The enemy begins with one lie but he does not stop there.  His words are poison and his goal is to infect every area of our lives.  For me the lie began with, "Your legs are ugly," and once I had received that as truth the lies continued.  Softly he whispered more, "Your whole body is ugly, how could anyone like someone like you?  You don't deserve to have friends, You are unlovable, No one will love you..." With each successive lie and subsequent agreement the web increased as did the territory that I conceded to the enemy.
Do you see my dear sisters how quickly we can be engulfed in negative thoughts and lies?  It takes no time at all and we are literally held captive.
The beautiful answer dear ones is that we have a way out, a way of freedom which only God offers.  He extends tender mercy and acceptance.  His way brings wholeness; His way brings healing.  This week we are going to identify the lies that the enemy has told us regarding our bodies.

The homework for this week may take you to places that you have not visited in a while.  I would encourage you here to make sure that you have a trusted friend available to talk through the things that you discover.  If you do not have anyone than please contact us at Life Stream via our email and someone will help you walk through this.  If you do not have a relationship with Jesus then please call or email us and we would love to talk to you and pray with you.  Again this will be an extensive week of searching God's Word so take your time with each day.  I am praying for you my friends.  May God bless you in your journey!

                                                                Day 22

Homework
Important:  Pray first before you begin.  Ask God to reveal the lies that were spoken over you and the lies that you believed.  Ask God for protection against the enemy and claim victory with the blood of Jesus.

Get out your journal now and think back to any past or present moments where you have felt bad about your body.  If you can I want you to write down what was said and identify the lie.  Remember that Satan does not stop with just one lie.  So next write down all the subsequent lies that you believed about yourself.  All week we will be combing through the scriptures for the truth and we will begin with Psalm 139:13-18 - read these verses aloud.  Let the truth of God's Word sink in to the inner most parts of your being.  For today I want you to just get an overview of this beautiful passage we will break it down in subsequent days.

Challenge
Continue your work outs and your good eating habits.  Are you remembering to pray your special prayer before each time you eat.  Let the food nourish your body but remember don't abuse your body with food!  Are you feeling stronger after all this working out?  If you have been pushing your body to 1/2 hour work-outs then today go back to a 10 minute workout.  Journal how you felt after 10 minutes.  Your body is getting stronger!

                                                               Day 23
Important:  Pray first before you begin.  Ask God to reveal the lies that were spoken over you and the lies that you believed.  Ask God for protection against the enemy and claim victory with the blood of Jesus.

Homework
Today in your journaling I want you to go deeper.  Yesterday you identified some of the lies that the enemy told you, lies that you believed.  Think back to the moment that you believed that first lie.  If you can, write in your journal that story.  Be specific with details.  This may bring back some pretty deep pain, allow yourself to feel that.  But keep in mind the scripture that you read yesterday and the hope that it provides! 
Now go back to the scripture Psalm 139:13-14 - Write these verses in your journal.  From this passage write the truths that you can glean about how God feels about you and your creation.
Read over the lies that you wrote down and reject the lies in the name of Jesus - do this out loud and claim the blood that purchased your redemption.  We will learn a little more about this purchase tomorrow.
 
                                                              Day 24
Homework:
Read Psalm 139:13-14
According to v. 13:
1.  Who created you?
The word "created" in verse 13 is the Hebrew word qanah which means: create by extension to procure especially by purchase.
Read Revelation 5:9
2.  What did Christ do on our behalf?
Christ was slain and shed his blood which purchased us for God.
3.  What does the text say specifically about how you were made?
 The King James Version uses the word "covered me in my mother's womb" The word "covered" or maybe your version says "knit" is the Hebrew word sakak sakak which means to entwine as a screen or implies a covering or protection.
My dear sisters God not only created you and protected your life, He made a way of protection from the sin and death.  He has purchased our very lives with his blood.

Prayer - the more you are able to believe the truths of God's word the less power those lies will have over you.  Continue to pray for strength and wisdom to believe the truth of God's Word.  God did not make a mistake when he made you my friend.  He knew what He was doing - He took great care to create, protect and purchase. 
                                        
                                                                Day 25

Homework
Read Psalm 139:15-16  Read these verses aloud and allow them to speak to you.  Write down in your journal which words or phrases stood out to you.
1.  Of the words or phrases which stood out - what can you learn about God?
2.  Of those same words or phrases what can you learn about yourself?
3.  Look back over the lies that you believed about yourself - how do these verses refute those lies?
4.  What does verse 16 say about your days?
Prayer Time - Spend some time thanking God for all the ways that He made you.  Even the ways that you would see as negative God will use it for your good.  In what ways has God used you to minister to others?

                                                               Day 26
Homework
Read Psalm 139 17-18 Read these verses aloud and allow them to speak to you.  Write down in your journal which words or phrases stood out to you. 
1.  Of the words or phrases which stood out - what can you learn about God?
2.  Of those same words or phrases what can you learn about yourself?
3.  What can you learn about God's thoughts toward you?
4.  How do God's thoughts about you differ from your thoughts toward yourself?
God's thoughts toward you outnumber the grains of sand - what an amazing God we serve!  Imagine how much God loves you to have His thoughts so turned toward you!
Spend some time in prayer just sitting quietly before God pray the words of Psalm 139:17-18 to Him and let the truth of His Word reach the innermost part of your being.  Allow God to do a work of healing in your lives my dear sisters.  The truth of God's thoughts toward you are so much greater than the lies that you have believed about yourselves!  Tomorrow we will spend some time evaluating this last week.  You have done well.  Remember the words of Zephaniah
The Lord your God is with you
He is mighty to save.
He will take great delight in you,
He will quiet you with His love,
He will rejoice over you with singing.

If you have any questions about how to become a Jesus follower please email us and we would be glad to talk to you.  Email us at lifestreamwomen@lifestreamweb.org May the Lord bless you and keep you, May He make His face to smile upon you and give you peace.

 

    






                                                           

Small thing

I hate to interrupt what Vicki is doing with her Body Temple study but I thought I had to write about this odd little God moment that happened to me this morning.  When my kids are waiting for the bus to come in the morning I usally sit on the back of my big lounging chair and look out the bay window for the bus.  While I do this, I have been reading short devotionals from Joel Osteen "Your Best Life Begins Each Morning".  Now sometimes I will admit that Joel Osteen's positive "You can do it!"  mentality can be overwhelming or (I hate to even say this but) cheesy.  I just picture this guy smiling ear to ear and it hurts my face just looking at him.  I'm sure if I came to him and told him I just lost my right leg he would tell me that my left leg has been waiting for this moment all it's life and will strive to be even better than my right one ever would.  OK, that's a stretch and I really don't know Joel Osteen personally and I am really off the topic.

Anyway, I was reading a devotional about being surrounded with favor.  He wrote of how even in the mundane routines of our lives, God still wants us to seek His favor.  An example was given of how even if you are stuck in traffic and are trying to get to an important appointment we can simply say, "Father, I thank You that I have Your favor, and that You are going to make a way for me where it appears that there is no way right now."  Then he says to trust God and keep your eyes open for any opportunities. 

Here's where my God moment comes in.  I read that I ask God to grant favor for my children and husband and then watched the kids get on the bus and I went back to bed.  My husband calls me about 20 minutes later and asks me to find this special fitting water resistant plastic wrap to put on a broken arm.  Our friend just had surgery on her wrist and needed something so she could shower but not get her arm wet.  We actually do have such an item because in the summer of 2007, both my daughters had broken arms.  You use this special wrap for showers, swimming etc.  The thing is we had it in 2007 and we moved to Michigan in 2007.  We still have unpacked boxes in the garage and in different storage areas.  So, I put my devotional reading to use.  I asked God, "God, I know this is a small thing but if You find favor with me, could You help me find this thing?"  I looked then in the closet and .... it wasn't there.  My husband calls me and asks me something else.  By this time I had to get going to the school to volunteer.  I'm out in the garage getting in the van, talking to my husband when I look in a clear bin in the back of the garage.  Yep, there I could see the special wrap through the clear container that has been packed for 3 1/2 years.  I was on the phone and just saying "No way!"  Followed quickly by a "Thank You God for showing me favor."

This was a small thing but an actual "Wow" moment.  The scripture verse I read was Psalm 5:12 about being surrounded with God's favor.

Evaluation (day 21)

* Hello to you!  Welcome to the Body Temple study.  If you are just joining us and you would like to start from the beginning look to the right and you will notice under Blog Map the words "Body Temple"  click on that and it will take you all of the Body Temple entries.  Go to the very bottom and work your way up.  May the Lord bless you in your journey!
Wow can you believe we have come to the end of another week?  This journey is now more than half over my friends!  As I look back over the days of study and fasting I am amazed at what Jesus accomplished! The scripture says that after 40 days of fasting that he was hungry.  You think?  You know Jesus told his disciples that we (the Christians that would follow him) would do greater things than he.  To accomplish this he left his Spirit - who we call the Holy Spirit.  The Spirit of God indwells each person who puts their faith and trust in Jesus as their savior.  What an amazing gift! 
So how did you do this week girls?  I must admit this has been the most difficult of all the weeks for me.  I have struggled with issues of discouragement and failure.  I feel pulled in a hundred different directions and at the same time feel unable to finish anything well.  This is exactly where the enemy wants me.  It is in discouragement that he has victory.  Yet God is so gracious, even in the midst of my pain He comforts me. 
In fact Jesus said when he was still here on earth that he needed to leave so that he could send the counselor or comforter. He said, "Unless I go away, the Comforter will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you." He goes on to say, "But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth."
My dear sisters even in our times of difficulty and discouragement God has given us Himself in the form of the Holy Spirit.  What a comfort to know that during those times He is ever present, ever able to help us in our trouble.
So what about you?  As you look back over this week has it been a time of victory or pain, of highs or lows?  Know that He is able to above and beyond what you could ever ask or imagine.  Sometimes our faith rises and falls like a tide.  But thanks be to God who is the same yesterday today and forever.  He does not change like shifting shadows.  Believe and be encouraged our God is with us.

Homework
Read John 16:5-15 aloud and write in your journal the verses or words that stand out to you.
What do you learn of God from these words or verses?
What do you learn of yourself?

Read Zephaniah 3:17 aloud.  Take in these beautiful words.  Allow them to soak into the very innermost parts of your being.  I have no words to describe my feelings of gratitude and love for a God who loves me this much.  What about you?  How do these words make you feel?  Again write the words or phrases that most speak to you.

Challenge
Spend some extended time in prayer over the verses above.  Speak aloud to God about where you feel discouraged or hurt.  Pour out your heart to him friend - He will hear your prayer!

Being Poured Out (day 20)

* Hello to you!  Welcome to the Body Temple study.  If you are just joining us and you would like to start from the beginning look to the right and you will notice under Blog Map the words "Body Temple"  click on that and it will take you all of the Body Temple entries.  Go to the very bottom and work your way up.  May the Lord bless you in your journey!

One of my favorite pictures in Scripture is that of a drink offering.  A drink offering consisted of wine poured out on an altar as a sacrifice to God.  In Genesis 35:14 Jacob poured a drink offering on the place where he had met with God.  The drink offering was said to be a pleasing aroma to God (Exodus 29:41).  In 2 Timothy 4:6 Paul talks about his life. He says, "I am already being poured out like a drink offering..." 
These scriptures are so rich with application that I barely know where to begin.  But lets just take a couple of the ideas and run with them.
First the idea of meeting with God.  Jacob poured the drink offering on the place where he met with God.  It was to signify something very special that had happened.  Sisters every day we have the opportunity to meet with God to share with Him and pour out our lives to Him.  The very act of pouring ourselves out before the One who loves us is a sacrifice which is pleasing to Him.  It is very special.
Second Paul takes the idea of drink offering to a whole new level when he says, "I am already being poured out like a drink offering,"  and to me it is interesting that in this instance Paul says he is being poured out.  In other words Paul is the vessel in which God does the pouring.  Imaging God taking your life and pouring you out as a drink offering to those around you - to your friends, family and acquaintances.  He is doing the work and we respond in obedience by "being poured out."
My dear friends as we drink in the Word of God in our special times of meeting with Him He in turn pours us out to a dying and needy world.  What a privilege! 
As we continue to seek to obey God with our bodies and our spirits lets strive to continue to do so by pouring ourselves out. As you are poured out may you find strength to persevere beyond what you hoped or imagined!

Homework
Read aloud 2 Timothy 4:6-7
What do you learn about God from this passage?
What do you learn about yourself?
Write in your journal the verse or verses that really speak to you or perhaps it is just one or two words.  Meditate on these portions and ask God for wisdom to teach you.
Think of a time that God poured you out think about how that felt and who benefited from your sacrifice.

Get Behind Me Satan! (day 19)

* Hello to you!  Welcome to the Body Temple study.  If you are just joining us and you would like to start from the beginning look to the right and you will notice under Blog Map the words "Body Temple"  click on that and it will take you all of the Body Temple entries.  Go to the very bottom and work your way up.  May the Lord bless you in your journey!

We have been studying perseverance this week and wouldn't you know that in the middle of studying perseverance I have had a terrible time persevering?  In fact today especially I struggled a lot.  The day started out really well - I was on my way to church to prepare for worship and I had one crazy thought after another.  It got so bad that I rebuked the enemy right there in the car.  Amazingly the thoughts disappeared and the worship was so meaningful.  Soon after though the enemy was back with a vengeance and this time I did not pray I wallowed.  Have you ever felt like you had a victory well in hand and then everything went south?  My dear sisters I know how you feel!  The more difficult the circumstances it seems the harder it is to pray and ask for help.  But in the midst of those most difficult of times that is when God tells us to pray and ask for help.  I learned this lesson once again today.  Finally at the end of the day I surrendered all the details of the day to the One who loves me more than I can even imagine.  My friends when we choose to give over our worries and hurts to God, He is so faithful to extend the peace the passes all understanding.
So please be encouraged!  Don't give up, continue to fight your way through this and not only will you be rewarded but you will find victory on the other side!  The Lord brought a couple of passages to mind and I have them listed below in two different versions.  The passage is from Philippians 4:6-9 - drink in the words and let them heal and encourage you to continue to do this journey.  And may the Lord Bless you as you do!

The Message
"Don't fret or worry.  Instead of worrying, pray.  Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns.  Before you know it, a sense of God's wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down.  It's wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life.  Summing it all up friends, I'd say you'll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious--the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse.  Put into practice what you learned from me, what you heard and saw and realized.  Do that, and God, who makes everything work together, will work you into his most excellent harmonies."

The Life Application Bible - NIV
"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything , by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.  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 on such things.  Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me--put it into practice.  And the God of peace will be with you."

Homework
Read aloud the passages above.  Drink in the words - take your time and allow the words to sink in.  In your journal write which portions speak most to you.
1.  What do you learn from God from these passages?
2.  What do you learn about yourself?
3.  In this process have you felt attacked by the enemy?  In what ways?
4.  Have you felt discouraged or wanted to give up during this journey?
5.  How do these passages help you to refocus and gain victory in those areas of struggle?
6.  Specifically how can you apply these passages to the area of weight loss and healthy living?  List a few ways.

Challenge
Continue to eat right and exercise this week.  I would encourage you to turn your attention to someone else this week.  Oftentimes the best way to be encouraged ourselves is to encourage someone else.  Invite someone to walk with you, or send a card or note in the mail.  And may the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob comfort and encourage you!