BVOV Magazine 2013 - present

But she responded just like the Israelites did. She said, “No, I will not forgive!” So instead of getting healed, she died. God’s Way Works We can’t just do things our own way if we want to receive all the good things God wants to add to us. We can’t claim the promises of BLESSING in the Bible and then do whatever our flesh tells us to do. It won’t work! That’s why God said to us in Psalm 34:11-14, “Come, ye children, hearken unto me: I will teach you the fear of the Lord. What man is he that desireth life, and loveth many days, that he may see good? KEEP THY TONGUE FROM EVIL, AND THY LIPS FROM SPEAKING GUILE. DEPART FROM EVIL, AND DO GOOD, SEEK PEACE, AND PURSUE IT” (emphasis mine). Those verses tell us clearly why God commands us to obey Him. It’s not because we have to pass some kind of test. It’s because what He tells us to do is right. His way works. It keeps us on the path of BLESSING and protects us from the curse. God loves us. We’re His children. He wants us to live out His dreams and enjoy everything He’s laid up for us. So He has laid out the truth very plainly in His Word. He made it so simple any child could understand it. There are two ways open to us—God’s way, which will bring us into the kind of good life we desire; or another way that doesn’t have such good results. We can choose either one. It’s up to us. But the choice we make will determine the kind of life we will have. Personally, I decided a long time ago to choose God’s way. I decided to humble myself and obey Him: to believe what He says in His Word, do whatever He tells me to do, and let Him do His will in my life. Although I’m still learning about it, after almost 50 years of endeavoring to live that way, I’ve found it to be absolutely the greatest thing ever! No other lifestyle even comes close. There’s just nothing better than living in peace and letting God add good things to you day after day. There’s nothing more thrilling than walking out God’s dream for us. ****concludes on pg. 31*** Marty Copeland on staying fit in season! In just a couple of months, we’ll all be geared up for the festive moods that come with Thanksgiving and Christmas. And, of course, that means gathering around the dinner table with family and friends and eating to our hearts’ content. But while food is always a big part of these seasons’ festivities, it’s important that we make a quality decision to stay focused on maintaining a strong, healthy body. Here are a few simple strategies to help maintain your weight, and overall health, while enjoying the season! 1. Get God involved! Ask God to give you wisdom about how you can best fight cravings and resist temptations throughout this season. Proverbs 4:5 says, “Get wisdom, get understanding….” God wants you to have a strong, healthy body. 2. Never show up famished at a holiday party! If your blood-sugar level is low and you’re really hungry, you could be a glutton waiting to happen. Don’t rely on willpower to get you through a long night of fudge, Christmas cookies and party mix. Instead, go to the party prepared by eating a healthy snack and drinking a glass of water 30 minutes before arriving. 3. Focus on relationships. Family get-togethers are filled with much more than just fattening foods. Consider partaking in family traditions such as reading the Christmas story around the fireplace, or catching up with those relatives you only see once or twice a year. Focus on family and friends more than on the fabulous food. 4. Move it! As the fellowship and feasting come to an end and you push away from the dinner table, remember two words: Move it! While others may head for the couch to watch football on TV, grab a football and toss it around outside with your children. Or, take a walk around the block. Just make sure you move your body after eating to rev up your metabolism. 5. Exercise more. Exercise could be your best friend during this season because it will help you maintain your weight, even though your diet may not be as healthy as usual. Increase your cardio workouts a few days before the family gathering to compensate for the extra calories you’ll be consuming. By increasing your workout time and level of intensity, you’ll burn extra calories during a time you’ll need it most. V About: Marty Copeland is a speaker, author, wife and mother of three. Certified by the Cooper Institute for Aerobics Research in Dallas, Texas, Marty is also a personal trainer and nutritional counselor, and has created many products geared toward health, freedom and weight loss. For information go to higherfitness.com. ****quote from "Marty's Top Ten Diet and Fitness Strategies"**** “God not only desires to help you reach your fitness goals, but He has a plan that will elevate you from a lifestyle of dieting to a lifestyle of freedom and self-control.” ****************************** BVOV : 29

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