BVOV Magazine 2013 - present

He’ll do the same for you! Whether you’re a housewife, a mechanic or an executive, once you commit yourself to making God’s Word your first priority, you’ll begin to prosper in everything you do. But let me warn you, you’ll never get around to the Word if you wait until you have time. Satan will see to it you never have the time. He is vehemently opposed to your feeding on God’s Word. So learn to set aside less important things. Start giving the Word first place in your schedule and everything else will fall in line. Jesus knew that. That’s why He said, “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you” (Matthew 6:33). Guard your time in the Word. Satan will steal it from you if he can. He’ll use everything from television to church activities to lure you away from God’s wisdom. Why? Because he knows the Word frees you from his dominion! If he can keep you out of the Word, he can keep you bound and struggling. Putting the Word first is something you’ll have to do continually. When you get bogged down in the details of living, when you find yourself frustrated by failures big and small, check the amount of time you’re spending in the Word. You’ll find that you’ve let the Word slip into second place and spent your Word time on other things. Martha or Mary? That’s what happened to Martha. Jesus Himself was in her living room teaching the Word. But she didn’t think she had time to listen. She was too busy cooking dinner for Him. I’m sure it seemed like the only proper thing for her to do. After all, Jesus and His ministry team were staying in her home. Let’s read that passage in Luke 10:38-42: "Now it came to pass, as they went, that he entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus’ feet, and heard his word. But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me. And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her." I can just see Martha stewing around the kitchen, banging pots and pans, and feeling sorry for herself. She wanted Jesus to rebuke Mary, but instead the Master was pleased that Mary had put His Word first. Martha could have been at the Master’s feet too, if she’d made up her mind to be. Jesus had fed thousands with a few loaves and fishes. He could have just as easily prepared a banquet for all those present that day! You may think, 'What an opportunity Martha wasted! I would never do that.' But every time you allow things to swallow up your time in the Word, you’re passing up the opportunity to sit at the Master’s feet, just like she did. In addition to building your schedule around the Word of God, there’s a second way to give the Word priority in your life—by acting on it! Simply acquiring knowledge of the Word isn’t enough. You have to put that knowledge to work in your life before it will bring results. I can sit around all night long knowing how to turn on a light, but until I apply that knowledge by getting up and flipping the switch, I’ll be in the dark. The Word of God works the same way. So, as soon as you learn something from it, take action. Do it! Then, as you see the wisdom of the Word produce results in your life, you’ll begin to esteem and to prize Wisdom above all that you may desire in life (Proverbs 3:15, "AMP"). And as you put the Word first and exalt it in your life, the Word will exalt and promote you. Start today. Spend some quality time in God’s Word. Make that the first and most important item on your agenda. Your daily activities will go more smoothly. And as you continually apply the wisdom you glean from God’s Word, you’ll find yourself moving ahead daily in every area of life. “This Book of the Law shall not depart out of your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, that you may observe and do according to all that is written in it. For then you shall make your way prosperous, and then you shall deal wisely and have good success” (Joshua 1:8, "AMP"). Good success belongs to you. V ********************************* Marty Copeland on… Dining Out! I can remember so many times when I would be trying to lose weight and would do “good” all day and then blow it in the evening when we would go out to dinner. My favorite and most effective tip for avoiding pitfalls at dinner is to drink a protein drink or eat half a sandwich with a bottle of water 30 minutes to an hour before dinner. This allows you to make intelligent decisions on what foods you should eat to help you reach your fitness goals. It will also help you identify to what degree your eating habits are affected by reasons other than physical hunger. Taking the time to avoid uncontrollable hunger is an excellent way to ward off an uncontrollable appetite. V About: Certified by the Cooper Institute for Aerobics Research in Dallas, Texas, Marty Copeland is a personal trainer, nutritional counselor, author and minister of the gospel. 22 : BVOV

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