Lessons From the Secret Place – Miniseries- Preparation for the Second Coming: Lesson 2, Part B- Watch Your Diet and Exercise

As I stated in the last lesson, our spiritual diet must be maintained so we can walk in intimacy with the Lord. Our diet must consist of the following: feeding on the Word, savoring the Word, prayer, and spending time in God’s presence.  Today we will touch on prayer and spending time in God’s presence, which I have blogged about in a previous lesson (See Intimacy with God: Be Intentional Part 1).  In our next lesson we will then dive into spiritual exercise.  

Philippians 4:6-7, do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

1 Thessalonians 5:1, pray without ceasing…

Matthew 26:41, Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”

Colossians 4:2, Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving.

1 Thessalonians 5:17, pray without ceasing,..

John 15:7, If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.

Prayer is the communication between the human soul, and God, who created the soul.  It is the primary way followers of Christ share our thoughts, feelings, and desires with God.  While this definition appears simple, it is a deep, rich, life changing reality.  We are invited by the Creator of the Universe to talk with him!  To spend time in his presence!! 

Prayer is not, however, just our talking to God, it involves our listening to God and allowing him to speak into our souls as well.  Intimacy between God and man was God’s plan since before he laid the foundations of the deep.  He placed the first man and woman in the garden he had prepared for them and then walked with them, in intimate fellowship, in the “cool of the day”. (Genesis 3:8)

We must set aside time to “walk” with God each day.  Over the past 8 or so months, I have been very intentional to spend time listening to God.  I have tried to set aside my own “agenda” for my quiet time, and with pen and journal in hand to really listen.  I have discovered that when I am still, God is ready to speak.  He is always speaking, I just needed to learn to attune my ear to his voice.  

It is amazing how deep our intimacy has become as I have just sought him rather than coming to him in “prayer” with my list of needs, wants, complaints…..  Prayer is not just listing off the aforementioned items and then getting up and going about our day.  It is about seeking the Father’s presence and listening to the things he desires to share with us.  

I have found that when I come into his presence just to be with him and listen to the things he desires to share with me that he will then lead me into a prayer time that is Spirit lead and Spirit filled.  I can then pray in agreement with his will rather than my own often selfish desires.  

I want to share a very personal testimony that has come from this new intentionality and intimacy in prayer and spending time in the Father’s presence.

A little back story to begin: when I was 4, I was abused by a childcare provider.  I was locked in a small room from 3 or 4 in the afternoon until 11 or 12 at night.  I was not given anything to eat and if I was “talked to” I was being yelled at to “shut up” through that closed door.  I was young and afraid and could not understand how my mom could leave me here, nor could I get her to understand why I didn’t want to go each afternoon. 

Due to being threatened, I cried and threw a fit when it was time to go, but could not articulate the reason for this behavior.  After a season of this, my mom finally yelled, got in my face, and asked me why I didn’t want to go.  Long story short, I told her, and I didn’t go back again.  However, the damage was done. 

One day a couple months ago, after I received the diagnosis or “prediabetes”, as I was in my quiet time with the Lord, he revealed to me that while I was free from the demonic torment of my childhood trauma (inner healing had taken place), I still had a stronghold (faulty thinking) in my mind where food was concerned. I had had an eating disorder since I was 4. I had tried every fad diet and then some to lose and keep off weight.  But I had never allowed Holy Spirit to change the way I thought about my body or food.  

That day God led me to numerous scriptures about my body being the temple of Holy Spirit, my belonging to Christ, the high price God paid for my freedom, as well as his limitless provision of all I need, which includes food provision (no more hunger or starvation fear).

I then began to meditate on these passages reading and praying through them multiple times a day.  After one week of this I found that I had NO food cravings at all.  After three weeks of this I found that I did not desire to eat things that were unhealthy for body and that “feeling” hungry, rather than causing panic and overeating or indulging in unhealthy food choices, was a comforting feeling. Now, each time I feel hungry it reminds me that I am free, and that food is not my god, Jesus is!!!!  

Over the past 60 days of intentionally meditating on the Word I have lost 14 lbs. and found peace that I have longed for for 53 years.  I have increased my exercise and monitored my food intake; however, I have done all of that in the past with no lasting results.  Now because I have allowed God to change the way I think about food and my body I will continue to have lasting results because I am healed and I am free!!

One passage I have clung to is: Romans 12:1-2, And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him. Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.