Honor God With Your Body 411t5l

HONOR GOD WITH YOUR BODY

TROY LOUIS

Copyright © 2020 Troy Louis.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by any information storage retrieval system without the written permission of the author except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

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Scriptures taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com The “NIV” and “New International Version” are trademarks ed in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.™

ISBN: 978-1-9736-8152-6 (sc) ISBN: 978-1-9736-8151-9 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2019919977

WestBow Press rev. date: 12/18/2019

CONTENTS

Introduction

Chapter 1 Self Chapter 2 The Natural You Chapter 3 The Escape Chapter 4 Self-Destruction Chapter 5 Self-World Chapter 6 Numbness Chapter 7 Coming out of the dark Chapter 8 Mind Therapy Chapter 9 Lost and found Chapter 10 Plan and Purpose Chapter 11 Walking in Freedom Chapter 12 Honor God with your Body

Closing Remarks Special Thanks

INTRODUCTION

CHANGE

S ociety is full of change. We desire to change a lot of things in our lives for one reason or another. We buy new clothes because we want to change. We buy new homes because we want to change. We apply for new jobs because we want to change, which is okay. Even God changes things in our lives for the good. Samuel 10:6 says The Spirit of God will come upon us and change us into a different or better person. But sometimes changing certain things can take away some life-long commitments like a promise, health or even a spouse. We don’t realize that God designed somethings in our lives to stay permanent. So let us try not to tamper with what God has designed to be untouched. One thing us humans find ourselves doing is changing other people in many ways. Friends change friends. Husbands change wives and vice versa. Most of the time for all selfish reasons. Why? Are we hoping for a perfect world? Some people look for a perfect spouse, a perfect job and even a perfect church with a perfect pastor. We’ll never find it in this life time. The bible says in Romans 3:23 “All have sinned and will always make mistakes in life.” Did God create imperfect people? I thought everything that God made was good and perfect. According to Genesis 1:31. Yes, but God gives us a choice to choose right or wrong. So it’s our fault if we decide to do things our own way and corrupt everything He made, especially ourselves. A quote from the book, “Sitting on Jesus’ lap”, ‘not the fact that people don’t want to be good, they’re just attracted to the bad.’ The worlds’ view has great influence in the lives of people every day. It directs and has many demands. Dress this way. Act this way. Talk this way. Basically everyone is being told to change, to please the eyes of men and women, even if it causes them to change their upbringing life style or beliefs. The world might say “if you want this job, you must wear less clothes or lose weight. Or, “unless you get plastic surgery you’re not qualified for this position. You may say, “Wow, is

it that serious?” Maybe we’re better off being a robot or machine. Then the world just might accept us then. Life is full of change. Some for good but mostly for bad and selfish reasons. I pray that this book challenges us all to see ourselves through God’s accepting eyes instead of the world’s eyes.

CHAPTER 1

SELF

T he one thing that most people in the world want to change is their body. When you look in the mirror, what do you see? Something beautiful? Or something you don’t like? Most people would say, “I don’t like what I see.” Or worse, they may say, “I hate what I see.” Do we compare bodies? Does our shape determine how successful we will become in life? If your answer is yes, it means you are probably being used by someone either personally or professionally just for your body and not your ability. God says we are beautiful creatures and everything He makes is good. Psalm 139:14. Someone might say, “I am not as attractive as her or him. “Is your answer based on your eyes, other people or God?” Some are attracted to certain types of people, while other a different type. But everyone is attracted by someone. Do you believe this? Is this a problem for you? We can become obsessed with changing our body. Trying to make ourselves look better. How good can it get? Can we ever be attractive enough in our own eyes? Proverbs 27:20 says ‘the eyes of a man are never satisfied.’ For hundreds of years, humans have been comparing themselves to others. When magazines and social media came into existence, our inner thoughts about our physical appearance became worse. In the 1800s when magazines entered the scene, they seemed safe in the eyes of men, women and children. Everyone could look at them with no worries of bad content, words or images. The pages were good, clean and wholesome. But as we read earlier from the bible, the eyes of men are never satisfied. As magazines became more and more revealing, the world was lured in. This is when comparison became worst. Here we are today, still comparing ourselves to everything in sight. Let’s start with magazines for example. Cosmopolitan, Vogue along with health and fitness magazines should inspire people to take good care of themselves. But instead the pages put holes in our thought life making us think we can never look like the models represented. We soon become a walking self- critic. We begin asking ourselves, will anyone will love us or accept us the way we are. Will they see us from the inside out? Not just magazines that traps our minds but billboards, movies, the sports world and other different ment that catches our eye. You may find yourself right now wondering if it’s all about image.

Definitely God wants us to take care of our bodies as best as we can. Good hygiene, exercise and a healthy diet. But the world puts high expectations on image and drowns the basic qualities of a person’s life. There are some born with birth defects that require reconstructive surgery. But for the most part, the world viewpoint is vanity motivated. Can we live up to the world’s standards?

(Lack of Confidence)

“I’m not strong enough. I’m not smart enough. I’m not talented enough. I’m not confident enough. Without looks and a great body, I’m worthless.” These are all unfruitful thinking statements. It’s so easy to focus on what we can’t do instead of focusing on what we can do. Yes, there are jobs out there meant for others and jobs that are perfect for only you. We all have different gifts, talents and abilities. God’s given these to us to balance the world and in turn, to appreciate one another. In the beginning of time, God created Adam and Eve. Instead of focusing on what they could do and enjoying themselves, they became focused on what they shouldn’t do. They failed miserably. Genesis 2:15-17. What if the ear tried to smell and the nose tried to speak? Do you operate like this? Do you try to do things that God hasn’t designed for you to do? Maybe this is why we have low confidence in ourselves at times. Trying to live out someone else’s abilities in our own lives is never good. Romans 12:1 says ‘God has given us different gifts and abilities for doing certain things well. 1 Peter 4:10-11 says, ‘What ever gift and talents that God gave you, use it to serve and help other.’ Ask God to reveal your gift and abilities, then pursue them with ion. Matthew 7:7-8

CHAPTER 2

THE NATURAL YOU

T he Apostle Paul says in Philippians 4:11, ‘I’ve learned to be content in any circumstances.’ But how is that possible when we are surrounded by many people that is full of change and never satisfied. As a baby we look one way. Then we become a young child with many changes. We’re now a bit taller and stronger. Even our facial appearance starts looking different. By age 25, we may not even recognize former school mates. They have the same body but something’s different. This is another version of the natural person. But the natural person sometimes isn’t satisfied. We need to be bigger, stronger, or prettier. Going to great lengths for acceptance, no matter what it takes. Let’s examine men’s lives. Driven. Love to conquer. Control seeker. But sometimes we conquer the wrong thing and not having control over the right thing. All in the name of pride and selfishness. One of man’s battles in life is physical appearance. Unfortunately, the older we get, the more everything goes south. “The bigger the better” the mindset of a man who’s into working out. A young man might ask what can I do or take to improve my body whether it’s legal or not. They start believing the natural way isn’t fast enough to achieve what they want in size and strength. What we don’t need is some bad counseling invading our minds to consider taking a certain product that will take us to the next level, safe or otherwise. It’s a trap. As we said earlier, a man’s heart is never satisfied. In the bible Adam and Eve weren’t satisfied either. They wanted to know what would happen if they ate off the tree that was God forbidden. They eventually ate form that very tree and life took a turn for the worse for them. Genesis 3:23. It’s so hard to be content in life but not as hard as it is to live with life’s consequences of poor choices. Now it’s a little bit different with the mind of most females. More emotional, beauty and glamour driven, loving to be seen at their best and nothing less. But just as men, women are never satisfied as well. Looking for the miracle product that can change them forever. Instant perfection, instant lie. Trying to transform our bodies to mirror a glossy magazine image. Some athletes might say, “Okay, I’m in.” They’re ready to take whatever they need to get to the next physically desired level. Some might say, can’t live

without it, and will be useless for the team. Are you tempted to do whatever it takes to get a certain position or title? Some believe the lie that since they’re not hurting anyone, it’s okay to do what they’re doing. Is this really true that the world can make products that sell success and contentment? Keep reading as we take a look in discovering the true answer to fulfillment. The bible says in 1 Timothy 4:8, ‘physical training is of some value but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.’

CHAPTER 3

THE ESCAPE

A nxiety, worry and insecurity are three of many struggles that hurt men and women today. It leads us to desperate decision making. We love to run and get away from our problems. Running from a problem is never the answer, but facing it with a mindset of conquering it with strong confidence and belief. Instead we run to a bad past or exploring a bad future. New adventures can seem exciting, even appealing but most of the time false expectations that leads to a dark place. Proverbs 3:5-6 says, ‘Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your path.’ Life problems can change us in different ways. It starts off with character change. From being sweet and innocent to gullible and believing bad counseling. Even associating with bad influences can even change our appearance in times. the bible says bad company corrupts good character. First it may be from change of friends to change of speech. From change of speech to change of action, which usually leads to a new job adventure. The same 9 to 5 job isn’t good enough anymore. Fast money here we come. I know of someone who went the fast money route and it ended up really bad. From a fulltime job, to working where childhood morals were challenged. The less they wore, the more money they made. Shame started disappearing. They became numb to who they really were and unrecognizable to friends. 1 Timothy 2:9 says, ‘women should dress modestly and decency, especially those who worship God. The world is big on changing appearance, especially to the face. Botox revenue is in the billions and growing fast. Changing our body cosmetically is becoming a trend. Everybody wants a new look, face and body. Men love cars and some love fast cars, going from zero to sixty in six seconds. And that’s how fast some men want to build their body, for one purpose, to find fulfillment. These days some careers requiring indecency or taking products that will transform our bodies is the norm in today’s society. Okay here we go the fast road of life. Posting yourself on social media for others to see. Everything’s great. New friends. New well-paying job and a magazine body. Three months later everything is still exciting. Six months later everything

is great. Nine months later everything is okay. One year later something doesn’t feel right. Is it possible that we can give up on a relationship because we don’t even know who we are, and we’re seeking another version of ourselves that doesn’t really exist? So here we are trapped in another lifestyle with no guarantees of fulfillment. But some might be stuck in their minds that there’s no such thing as a real and genuine life. We end up living the other version of ourselves and faking it until we make it.

Colossians 3:12

You are always and dearly love by God! So robe yourself with virtues of God, since you have been divinely chosen to be holy.

CHAPTER 4

SELF-DESTRUCTION

A long time ago we can clearly see when something is going to self-destruct from a mile away. Especially when drinking and driving is going on. Cheating in a marriage that leads to a divorce. Anger that leads to violence. Lying that destroys someone’s trust. Obviously isn’t it. Destruction from our own choices and bad decisions. Now we have new destructive ways, that’s not only bad for us but attractive and excepting at the same time. Sometimes we don’t even see that it’s tragic, even if it’s right in front of us, because we only see what we want to see and except. Proverbs 16:16 says It’s better to have wisdom than gold and good judgment then silver. Self-destruction is so common that we don’t even blink an eye when it happens. Maybe we are changing the definition to the word self-destruction. Stealing, shooting, kidnapping, bullying, murder, arson and etc. are some of many obvious destructive acts, that everyone can agree on and wishing that it can go away forever. But there are other destructive acts that’s not as obvious in the eyes of most people. The human lifestyle is destroying many people in all ages. Most people don’t recognize the damage until it’s done and too late to respond or turn back. It starts with ignoring authority and desiring control of life. Destruction usually begins at a young age. What we see we do, good or bad. Most of the time, it’s bad. In today’s world young kids love sports, music and video games which has some good influence but heavy on bad persuasion. Lots of violence, bad choice of words and images that should be rated r, all across the board. This is what’s attractive to the young world today. Not thinking that it’s bad, but normal in their eyes and minds, with no adults telling them otherwise because they are oblivious as well. Wired to bad information and knowledge that doesn’t benefit anyone but the one that’s trying to destroy them. We’ll talk about the real enemy a little bit later. When a baby is born, they look so precious in our eyes. Yet we still give the world full custody of our children today by allowing things in their lives that we think is innocent, but in reality it’s damaging their minds and redirecting their hearts to a cold place. A place with lack of love, concerns, and care for other people. We can see every day, just look at the news and it will tell you about everything that goes on negative. More and more the age of disappointment in life becomes younger and younger. Even at the age of ten. And then years later you can only imagine. When a person begins their journey in college their curiosity level is on a full time high. Ready to experience anything their minds desire. And after this lifestyle has taken its course, it brings a great wonder in our lives. Wondering why I’m not satisfied. Some women might say, working at a place that requires me to have little to nothing on is not making me happy. Yes, I’m making a lot of

money and seeing a lot of people but yet i still feel alone. Or having a boyfriend that requires me to do things that I learned not to do as an innocent child until I was married. What shall I do? I think a little voice is telling me to give up and check out. Besides, no one loves me anyway. I’ll show them. Sad place to be in don’t you think? Sometimes life can take us on a bad journey but we don’t have to allow it. Colossians 4:15 says Let the peace of God rule your hearts and He will give you a sound and peaceful mind, even in the mist of chaos in our lives. Sad to say that self-destruction comes in many ways. Outwardly and inwardly, determined on how we respond when we are offended. Do we retaliate and make the problem worse or we find ways to resolve it peacefully? The first thing that usually comes to the scene when there’s a big problem is our emotions. Very powerful and can cause great outward damage. Sometimes it can be a fatal reaction on self and others. Violence is taking over young people lives because of many reasons. Number one is, yes as we said earlier video games. Full of violent acts of crime that can hinder and corrupt a person’s mind without realizing it. The number two, movies, that promotes violence, even on your local television channels, and not just violence but pornography that leads to a deep failure in relationships that ultimately leads us to destruction as well. Number three. Music. Now music can bring our emotion level on an extreme high. And sometimes it makes us live on what we hear. If we hear positive, we will live positive and if we hear negative and disturbing words we will follow that pattern and sometimes think that its normal and ok. Colossians 3:17 says whatever you do whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Christ Jesus. Yes, we can speak for hours on this topic self-destruction because it’s so worldwide. But it seems like we can’t find an answer for it. As we read this book we realize unfortunately evil is here to stay. So how do we fight evil? Some might say, that we fight evil with good. But the problem is these days we have a number of people that believe evil is good and good is evil. How strange is that. This is what we might call warp thinking. The bible says, by man sin, it allowed evil to come into the world, but Christ came to deal with sin and evil on the cross, so we can live for Him and change the way that we treat our bodies.

CHAPTER 5

SELF-WORLD

G od designed our bodies to be used by him and him alone. But it doesn’t mean to be alone or isolated from the world by no means. Genesis 2:18 says it’s not good for a person to be alone. When life and people disappoint us, it brings a great idleness in our lives. Wanting to be alone more and more often. Trying to find an escape from people and life disappointments. Sometimes it brings our minds to a standstill, stuck, wanting to stop life. We have a word for this. It’s called, well it’s very common, familiar and popular. No one likes it. You might call it death, but most people call it depression. But it doesn’t start their and it doesn’t have to end there. There is an escape from depression with God. See depression can come gradually or at any given moment. From a relational break up, loss of job or any unexpected setback. Other reasons people fall into depression that leads to a self-world lifestyle is bullying. Its number one on the chart for young boys and girls. It destroys not just the victim but the culprit as well, because they’re insecure in their self and in need of attention desperately. Hurting inside and needing someone else to hurt as well. Illness, loss of a love one, peer pressure, chemical imbalance and believe it or not, social media are just a few reasons why some people fall into depression that leads to a self-world lifestyle. Coming home from work, school or maybe a sport event that you participated in. Coming through the door, going straight to your room, shutting the door and locking it, even though no one’s home and hoping that no one calls. Just wanting to be alone mentally and physically, because you feel alone even though you just came from a place with a crowd of people. Emptiness, no acceptance in our minds. Probably because of living life with no purpose. What do we think people do when they are alone and vulnerable? We can use our own imagination. Ten years ago most people self-medicate in different ways to ease the pain of emptiness. Now these days we have a new world that came to . A world that has life, excitement, full of entertainment. A place where people except you even if they don’t know you or have not seen you. Someone might say, wow, can this be the cure for all of my insecurities and loneliness. What an opposite change. From being surrounded by crowds of people and feeling alone, to being around no one and feeling more popular than ever. Just me myself and O yeah a nice computer. But these days probably a cell phone. Something I can turn off and on. Talk when I want, say what I want, to the world of the unknown. A place where anything goes. A place that’s called self-world. Some people are on their computer for five hours a day and some ten hours a day or longer, sad to say.

Now we know computers are a great tool for lots of great things in life, which is good. But it also has a dark side to it as well. As a matter of fact, this is where things happen when no bodies looking, with a do not disturb sign on the door. It’s like a buffet, all you can see or do, with no one physically in sight. See selfworld comes with a promise that never comes to . Excitement for a little while. Pleasure a short time. The people you thought you knew eventual disappears somewhere in the computer of the unknown. Self-world is a place where people go when they want to escape the real world so they can live in an unrealistic self-world. Do you find yourself desiring a selfworld? Because of disappointments from others humans and even yourself. Well self-world is not the place to go because it can bring high expectations that leads to many disappointments. Ask God to send you a friend that loves you and cares about you. A physical person not a computer. A person that will listen to you, and that can give you great counseling if needed. Someone that will build up your character and self-worth. Don’t feel alone, self-world is active everywhere. Just go to a restaurant, ball game or sadly to say even church. What are most people looking at most of the time? You got it, their cell phones. Like we said earlier, God didn’t design no one to live alone, but to be a person of community and to be an asset to others. To make a difference and make the world a better place. Yes, we definitely need some me time from time to time, but just to regenerate enough energy to go out and face the world with boldness and confidence and love. Colossians 2:2 says. My purpose that they may be encouraged in heart and United in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding in order that they know the mystery of God, namely Christ.

CHAPTER 6

NUMBNESS

W alking in a hot desert, not knowing which way to go. The only company that you have is the invisible scorching heat, which is symbolic to the pain of Numbness. A pain that you can’t feel physically. Numbness is a place you’re in when you ran out of answers. Really thinking self-world was the way to go. But it was a misconception and definitely over rated. Numbness is not necessarily a bad thing because it causes you to think and rethink, that life is short and our success determines on how we respond to adversity and the trials of life. Just getting back to a normal life, you can see all types of people. Some looks sad, happy, joyful and defeated. It’s easy to relate to all of them except the joyful part. It’s hard to imagine that its real, because you don’t recognize it every day. People in life need to believe that a joyful life does exist in the world. And it needs to be searched for every day. We need to believe that life has a purpose that matters. Sometimes being around crowds of people doesn’t work. Being alone or isolated doesn’t work either. But connecting with people of community that has purpose. And that purpose is to seek God and follow Him. It’s so easy to give up and walk in the negative way of life, because we feel a great numbness in side. Sad people feel numb, defeated people feel numb, unfortunately even happy on the outside feel numb on the inside. You know what they say monkey see monkey do.” Haha, kinda funny” but sadly true. This life is full of follow the leaders, positive or not. Mostly not. So here we go following people lives that’s filled with numbness, which we end up believing that its normal. Finding or seeing someone who is living a joyful lifestyle is like finding a needle in a haystack. Sometimes we need to stop searching for a joyful person and just be that joyful person and shine bright for everyone to see. That way the world can stop giving up. Now going from a numb life to embracing a joyful life which can only exist when you have a personal relationship with God. We talked about earlier that evil is here to stay on earth which is true, but God’s love is eternal that destroys and conquers evil that hurts our mind, body and soul. Matthew 11:28-29 says. Come to me all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I’m gentle and humble in heart and you will find rest for your soul.

CHAPTER 7

COMING OUT OF THE DARK

T rapped in a dark cave. Minutes going by, hours going by, now it’s turning into days. Now it’s starting to be a way of life that you’re adjusting to because of no responses from the outside world. Maybe it’s getting where it’s not just tolerable, but likeable. How can a bad situation end up being a likeable situation? From hating it to embracing it. It takes away the other you and brings you back to the real you. Starting to see things in a new light even though you’re in the dark. Samson, the strongest man in the bible, saw more from God when he was blind then he did with eye sight. Did God cause him to become blind? Definitely not. But He does allow us to choose our own path and destination. But we know that God can change our mess ups to a fix up, if we let Him. Just imagine if you were born blind You won’t be able to see all the corruption in the world. And life wouldn’t be able to get a grip on you as much. Don’t get me wrong, God doesn’t want to leave us in the dark, but to show us His purpose through the dark. It’s amazing on how sometimes it takes being in the dark, to see Gods plan, so it can be manifested in the light, by the Lord working through us. There was a man in the bible named Jonah, and he was in the dark for three days and three nights in the belly of a fish. Jonah 1:17 Then God rescued him and used him in a greater capacity. Just that all things work together for the good for those who love God and called for His purpose. Romans 8:28. Sometimes God allows us to experience life’s, dark situations, because it helps us to realize that we truly need God. But not just in the dark periods of life but when things are going well. See Samson and Jonah didn’t realize that they needed to pursue God’s plan until a dark period came into their lives. It’s so easy to say this is God’s plan, but in reality it’s man’s plan with God’s label on it. Ask God if our plan is Gods will and if He says yes then pursue it with ion, or the dark period in your life will get even darker and darker and Gods light will become dimmer and dimmer. And it can even hinder our health in different ways. We might say pain is our best teacher, because it gets our attention and helps us to pursue right living, like Samson and Jonah. Either you’re heading towards a dark life or you’re in a dark life or you’re seeing a light at the end of a dark tunnel by seeking God. See it’s not the dark that we’re looking forward to but where it leads us when we seek God. At this point in the book, people lives can be misdirected in so many ways that’s not good for us. And wouldn’t have thought in a million years that a dark place could be a tool, to lead us to become a God fearing person by just letting go and letting God lead our lives. Psalm 18:28 says you O Lord, keep my lamp burning. My God turns my

darkness into light.

CHAPTER 8

MIND THERAPY

A s we grow as people in the world, we hear so many voices and probably respond to half of those voices that we hear. The question is, what voices are true and what voices are false? Obviously many are false. And some of us may have become wired to the wrong way of living, because of what we watch and listen to on the radio or the company we choose to associate with. It’s time to change our thinking process. Romans 12:2 says do not conform any longer to the patterns of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. See it’s not the earth that God created that’s hindering us but the corrupt thinking that people have for each other that turns into a bad life style. Philippians 4:8 says whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, think of such things. First step towards mind therapy. Having a personal relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ. Nothing can renew our minds apart from this relationship with Him. By this we are making a way for Him to direct our lives instead of us directing it with our own wisdom, which is not always accurate. Second step towards mind therapy. Disciplining your mind by staying away from foolish talk that doesn’t matter or try to find a way to bring a positive word to the conversation. Read healthy readings daily, like the bible and other inspirational books that can wash your mind from past evil thoughts. Being careful of what movies you watch, because of what we might think is harmless, can be the main thing that’s corrupting you from the inside out. See when we watch a movie that’s not good for our eyes, it can block our minds from the truth and hinder you from embracing what is good and digesting what is bad. And missing out on a special blessing that’s designed especially for you, which will be from God. Psalm 26:2 says. Test me, O Lord, and try me, examine my heart and my mind. Third step towards mind therapy. ing this is a temporary life. It’s amazing on how humans believe that they will live forever. For some of us, forever can be tomorrow as we see on the news every day. But it doesn’t matter how long we live, what matters is what we do for the Lord while we’re here on earth. God has a bigger and greater plan for us in the next life, far beyond our imagination. So until then, we can rejoice and embrace the good and stand strong in the bad times knowing our heavenly home awaits us. See a man is made up of three parts, body, soul and spirit. So if the spirit is right then the soul is right, and if the soul is right then the body is right as well. So how does this work. Let’s start with the spirit in a man or woman. The spirit that’s in us is where the Lord desires to live, if we let Him. Once we enter in a personal relationship with Him, He makes our spirit come alive, because without that taking place our spirit is dead and we have to depend on our heart to lead our

lives. Now our hearts are alive at birth but can deceive us in many ways. Jeremiah 17:9 says, the heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. So we definitely don’t want to depend on the heart alone for guidance in our lives, because it has a lot of mix emotions involved, which is a part of our soul. And when our soul isn’t right, we create all types of problems because of our logical thinking starts taking over, and when that happens we have no way of knowing if something is right or wrong, we just have to hope, wish or just go by the common sense that God gave us at birth. But we’ll never know the answer to the unknown questions of life without the Spirit of God living in you. Now they are all types of spiritual benefits for a man or woman. Insight far beyond what we can imagine, which only the Lord can give. He can lead us in the right direction concerning uncertainties. Control our emotions that makes us stable and functional to live out the God’s given purpose in life. But sometimes we allow our minds to take over to do things our own way instead of God’s way. But the Lord convicts us from wrong actions and disciplines us with love, to bring us back on track and protects us from harm’s way. Psalm 23:1-3 says, the Lord is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. He makes me lie down in green pastures, He leads me besides still waters. He restores my soul. He guides me in the path of righteousness for His name sake. Amen

CHAPTER 9

LOST AND FOUND

2 nd Corinthians 5:17 says, therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation, the old has gone and the new has come. Now we are starting to leave the negative past life. Maybe at first it was a thought, then a memory, then finally it’s gone to the lost department of our brain, as long as we continue to chase after this new life style that we’re found in Christ. When we lose something good we’re down casted, but when we lose a past, that’s surrounded by different types of deceiving life styles that we were a part of, we rejoice, and ready to experience this new way of life that we found in Christ. Yes, we can rehash the past, but if its lost, let’s try not to find it. Ok what can we experience and discover in this new life. Number one, excitement. When someone’s shopping for clothes it doesn’t just give you a new look but excitement as well. But this excitement isn’t coming from the external but the internal. See when we honor God with our body on the inside, He blesses us greatly on the outside. Number two. You become very attractive in the eyes of people as well as God. Being attractive on the outside is great but having a godly attraction is far beyond better, because it lasts a lot longer especially in marriage. Number three. It gives us a platform. A platform to share Gods word while we’re here on earth. See lots of people have used their platform in many ways. A few for God and many not for God, even though the Lord gave us the ability to do the things we do. What is more desirable for you? What we can do and say for man or what we can do and say for God, who created us in His image. Before when we looked in the mirror, we didn’t like what we saw. Maybe our vision was distorted, or just been looking through the wrong eyes, but now we can see clearly and our vision is 20/20 through God’s eyes. A beautiful person. God’s handy work. God’s masterpiece. When we see ourselves one way, our lifestyle follows it. Not only we should see ourselves through God’s eyes, but others as well. No matter what they are doing or did. No judgement or stereotyping, just loving them the way they are. It’s amazing, what can happen when we believe in ourselves. Confidence, self-worth, boldness, and ready to conquer Gods plan. We might say wow, I can’t believe a person can be lost almost their whole life, and now found alive in Christ. Now we realize, we don’t have to act a certain way, dress a certain way or transform our body to be someone other than ourselves, just to keep up with society’s expectations and the need of approval of others. Galatians 1:10 says, am I now trying to win the approval of men, or God. Free at last, free at last, free at last. I was once lost and now I’m found. We finally found ourselves on this planet that’s called earth. It’s

like finding a needle in a haystack. Even though we were right there the whole time. I mean the real person not the fake person. See God hand crafted our bodies from the dusk of the earth, to someone special in God’s eyes. Thank you Lord for introducing me to me, the real me. Our spiritual eyes are open to see your wonderful plan that you already had for your children from birth. Help us to take care of our bodies, and not to abuse it in anyway. We submit our body, soul and mind to you Lord to do your will and your will alone. And help us to help others that can’t find themselves in this lost world. Amen.

CHAPTER 10

PLAN AND PURPOSE

I n the beginning of time, God had a wonderful plan for mankind. Not just a temporary plan, but an eternal plan that never stops. With no sickness, hunger or aging of any kind. Just to live in a beautiful garden and to worship God and to enjoy the benefits that comes with being a child of God. This is something we can only imagine in this day and time. God’s plan was perfect and set up, not just for God to love His people but for His people to love Him back if they choose to. And that was man’s one choice. To choose to love God by not breaking that one law to prove their love for Him. So man broke Gods law and changed God’s eternal plan to a temporary plan. That’s when the physical body went from eternal life to temporary life. But God and His grace, who will never leave us or forsake us, had another plan for us to be connected back to God by sending His Son Jesus to earth to die on the cross for our sins. So that we can have an opportunity to have eternal life with God through His Son.

(God’s earthly plan begins)

Jeremiah 29:11 says, for I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord. Plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Yes, perfectly planned by God but not always perfectly executed by humans, because of being a new Christian; we don’t know how to tap in God’s plan for our lives because our emotions are still heavily activated and we don’t know how to control it at first. God’s plan in our lives comes in different ways. We are thinking one way, but His plans can be totally different than ours. Sometimes challenging but never harmful, but definitely to develop our Christ like character from fleshly thoughts and actions to pure thoughts and godly actions.

(Let the plans begin) Prep work

Cleansing our God giving body. Dealing with everything that hinders you in your life, people, places and things. God have to do some bending in our lives to straighten us out, and sometimes it’s very uncomfortable and maybe stings a little, if you know what I mean. Nobody should clean a table with a dirty rag. Right. So we shouldn’t try to live a godly life with bad actions mixed with it. Matthew 9:17 says neither do men pour new wine into old wineskins. If they do, the skins will burst, the wine will run out and the wineskins will be ruined. No they pour new wine into new wineskins and are both preserved. It’s so hard to detach ourselves from people, places and things that’s not beneficial to our lives. But we have to, if we want to make a difference, and help change the world for God. Our purpose in life starts with vision. A vision is seeing the finished work of God, that He has done in our lives before it happens.

Questions:

What’s your vision with school? What’s your vision with your career? What’s your vision with your marriage? What’s your vision with having children?

Do we inject God’s plan in our lives in all these areas? Do we think about God when we make big plans in our lives? Proverbs 16:3 says commit to the Lord whatever you do, and your plans will succeed. Ok like we said earlier, God’s plan is not always comfortable. It takes a lot of humbling ourselves to His will. Lots of inconvenience and definitely

sacrificing in our lives for Gods plan to come to . Someone might say, is it worth it? Is His plan that great? The answer is definitely yes. Not only the Lord wants to use us in this earthly body but He also wants us to experience eternal blessing in our heavenly bodies, that will never experience pain or death of any kind. See on earth, the Lord desires to give us the biggest gift of all time. Which is to live in the body that He allows us to have. Isn’t that incredible, the God of the universe wants to live in us. The body that we didn’t care for. The body that we thought was unworthy. The body that we wanted to trade in for another one. But God sees something different. A body that was created in His image. A body that was worth dying for. How did God use ordinary people in the bible? Elisha went from being a farmer to becoming a prophet of God. David went from being a shepherd boy, to becoming the King of Israel. Mary went from being an ordinary girl to becoming the mother of Jesus. Paul went from persecuting Christians to becoming an apostle and martyred for Jesus. And many more we can name. But , it wasn’t their knowledge but their availability. Just by them being willing God used their bodies as instruments to serve and live according to His plan and purpose.

Ephesians 1:11

In Him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of Him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of His will.

CHAPTER 11

WALKING IN FREEDOM

W hat does it mean to walk in freedom? Living on your own. Old enough to drink. Being a wealthy person, and able to do whatever your heart’s desire, without breaking any laws. Theirs a large audience that might say yes. But walking in freedom is a lot more than having the power to enjoy the luxuries of the world today. Walking in freedom means, living a life with Christ. Believing in Him first and yourself second. And this is where freedom starts. And since He loved us first, we can also love ourselves again. No more comparing. No more wishing that we can look like others in a magazine. Totally believing in self, without a doubt. Very special in our own eyes and able to make a difference in this corrupt world. No need of change of any kind. Blessed just the way we are. And already excepted by the one who created us. When we love our selves, people see it from miles away and it makes us very attractive. Yes, we do get older in age a little, but it doesn’t take away the attractiveness that the Lord gives us. Wow as I’m writing this part I’m noticing someone in a wheelchair, with no ability to live on his own, because of a birth dysfunction. Does this mean that he can’t walk in freedom? Or is God unfair because of his physical condition? Definitely not. God loves all people and all people has a purpose in life for the good. So here we go, walking with our heads up hi. Loving every step of the way. Knowing that you’ll make a difference in someone’s life. Making someone smile, from your beautiful smile. Blessing someone financially or even taking in someone to live with you temporarily. The biggest part of walking in freedom is being a servant. Gladly given up your time, energy and resources, just to be a blessing to others. What a joy. It’s amazing on how doing something as small as opening a door for someone or paying for the meal for the car behind you, at a drive- thru window can do to someone’s heart and mind at the time. And it helps us to forget about all the problems we thought we had. Like driving in traffic or receiving the wrong meal at your favorite restaurant on your birthday. Matthew 20:28. The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many. There’s a lot of blessings that comes with walking in freedom. #1 it helps us with anxiety. #2 our stress level goes down tremendously. #3 doctor visits become less and less because of the joy that we embrace, from living a life with God. There’s another side of walking in freedom that’s not talked about as much. Sometimes living freely for God may cost you some friends that don’t agree with your new lifestyle or having a job that doesn’t like honesty all the time. Would it make you feel alone, or not wanted in your environment? Well it shouldn’t, because we have not just the Lord with us but others that have the same values as well. Stay close to them as much as possible

and keep treating people with kindness even though we don’t agree with their values in life. When someone changes a lifestyle for God, they should go into it with no expectations. No expectations, no room for disappointments. Don’t you agree? Sometimes we can forget that there are a lot of Christians that can disappoint us in different ways as well, because of the flaws that’s still within us. So the next time we feel that our freedom in Christ is being hinder from other Christian, just , we didn’t give our lives to Christian’s, we gave our life to Jesus, who have no flaws or no mistakes in His character and we can put all our eggs in His basket with no regrets. And you know who will disappoint us the most? Ourselves. This life of freedom doesn’t stop here on earth but it comes with a greater freedom, that can only be experienced in heaven, a place with tremendous joy and peace. A place where there is no return. A place that we might call paradise. So while we wait for that day, let’s walk in freedom day by day in His presence. Acts 2:28 You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence.

CHAPTER 12

HONOR GOD WITH YOUR BODY

1 Corinthians 6:18-20 Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a man commits are outside his body, but he who sins sexually, sins against his own body. Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You’re not your own, you were brought with a price. Therefore, honor God with your body. All this time were thinking that we are the owners of our bodies, and we can do whatever we please with it. But that’s where we’re wrong. Because it’s the Lord’s body, that He gave us to use for His plan and purpose, while we’re here on earth. First it was God’s creation, then the devil took possession of the body that God created, because of sin. Then Jesus purchased it back with His own blood voluntarily. So the Lord retakes ownership of our body the moment we invite Him in our hearts as Lord and savior. So how do we honor the Lord with the body that He gave us to use? When we rent someone’s home, they expect us to take care of it while we’re using it. So honoring the Lord with our bodies is similar. Being careful of what is being put into our bodies. Things that can be harmful to us. So if we love ourselves then we shouldn’t hurt ourselves in no form or fashion. The problem is, we’re hurting ourselves and don’t even realize it, until it’s too late. The foods we eat that seems to be healthy, are a deception, because of the lack of information that’s not told to us on the label’s. Many different diseases are spreading worldwide especially in America because of the non-nutritious foods that’s offered and available. Is the world ignorant on what’s inside the food that we eat today or do we have that I don’t care mentality, because it tastes so good? Most people in America are dying, not because of murder but because of the types of foods we eat. Yes, we can bless our meal at the dinner table, but it doesn’t give us an excuse to indulge in foods that’s is not healthy for us. Some foods are silent killers because we don’t feel the effects until later. Looks good, taste good, smells good, must be good, but in reality it’s no good. Because of man recreating the foods that Gods designed for mankind. Let us all take a stand on eating the foods that God honors and not the foods that man corrupted, which can be harmful to our body. There are so many ways to honor God with our bodies that’s not mentioned. Our speech. Definitely underrated and very powerful. It seems like, what we say, when we say or who we say it around, doesn’t matter, even in the presence of young children. Words can bless you or hurt you. Build you up or tear you down. But the main thing that it does is influence you to repeat others actions. What young people hear they say and what they see, they eventually do. Colossians 4:6 Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer

everyone. We don’t have nine lives like cats, but just one body and one chance to take advantage of the time that the Lord gives us here on earth. The Lord will take us as far as we want to go with Him. Just keep seeking His will and honoring Him in every way. And honoring the Lord is not something we have to do but something we love to do. Not just with our body and speech, but with our eyes as well. The eye is a magnificent design by God. It can be used for good and definitely capable of being used in a bad way. Ask the Lord to help you cover your eyes from enticing views in the world today, and to use our eyes to see and appreciate the beauty of God’s creation. Matthew 6: 22-23 says, the eye is the lamp of the body. If the eyes are good, your whole body will be full of light. But if the eyes are bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. Why is it so important to honor the Lord in all areas in our lives? Because He was tempted in every way. Every temptation of sin was nailed to the cross so we would know how to honor Him. When we don’t honor the Lord, we are making it impossible to honor others. And whatever area we don’t honor the Lord, the devil works in that area to attack us while we’re weak and vulnerable. The bible says in Matthew 6:24 we cannot serve two masters. Either we honoring the Lord or we can be honoring someone else first in our lives. The most important way to honor the Lord is to share his message of love. Do we have a desire to tell others about Jesus love for them? After all someone told us. The most popular scripture in the bible is, John 3:16 says, so God so love the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not parish but have eternal life. How can we keep this great message of love to ourselves? When we enter into a relationship with the Lord, he puts a love in our hearts for all people. Family , strangers, popular, and the unpopular, old and young, rich or poor, the unfortunate and the fortunate, and even our enemies as well. God love is available to everyone. 1st Corinthians 13:13 says, and now these remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love. See the apostle Paul had a hard time choosing whether to live for Christ on earth or to be with him in heaven. But he decided it’s better to stay here on earth to help others know the Lord. The Lord receives great pleasure when we honor him. And one day he will honor us. Not only by saving us but preparing a place for us in heaven for eternity. Where there will be no more pain, tears or death from the old life that we embraced so much. He makes all things new.

CLOSING REMARKS

H ello, this is Troy Louis the author of this book, Honoring God with our bodies. I’m so thankful that you took the time to read this book. And I pray that this book blesses you and challenges you to rethink on how you feel about yourself. How to embrace yourself. How to love yourself, no matter how hard it gets. He will bless you and give you the desires of your heart. Because God created you in His image. You’re the apple of His eye every day. So walk and be proud of yourself and respect others around you. And may the Lord be glorified in all things forever and forever. Amen

SPECIAL THANKS

F irst I love to give thanks to, my Lord and savior, Jesus Christ, who made this book possible. Second I would love to thank my mom who loves me dearly and ed me through this journey. Third I would love to thank my brothers and sisters for encouraging me with this project. And last but not least, I would love to thank my friends that believed in me even when I didn’t, and corrected me when needed. Praise God for friends and family, can’t live without them. Thank you again. Amen and Amen