October 26, 2022

Week 1 – Embrace God’s Purpose, Desire, and Design

There’s always so much that I underline and take away from my readings. Chapter 1 of the Wellness Revelation was no exception!

I did this study in May this past spring into summer. When I went through it the first time, I underlined in green, and answered questions in the book. This time around, I will underline in purple and answer the questions in my notebook. It’s amazing the difference in underlining and answers each time you do a study! God always speaks in different ways!

The main things I took from the reading section of Chapter 1 were:

  1. In God’s wisdom and kindness, He wants to keep our hearts from bondage and destruction.
  2. He has given each of us a purpose, so that He can show us His power, and so that He will be glorified through us. (Exodus 9:16)
  3. We must give up our control, and allow Him to do the work through us. It’s not about us becoming more disciplined, or “doing” all the right things. We’ve tried that before.
  4. What we really want is love, to belong without the fear of rejection. We want meaning and purpose.
  5. We are planted and growing in His purpose, His power, and His strength. We cannot do His work in our own strength.
  6. We must surrender all of ourselves to Him, with a humble and softened heart.
  7. He desires for us to be holy – set apart from common use and dedicated to God – and whole – Christ in mind, Christ in heart, Christ in soul, and Christ in strength. When we are holy, we are whole.
  8. Through Christ, our broken, damaged, and impaired selves can be completely restored.
  9. We are His design, and as we search the Scriptures, we can discover more about what He was thinking as He designed us.
  10. How we care for the creation (ourselves), is a reflection of our Creator. It matters.

In the Respond section I noted Luke 14:26-30. When you start something, finish it!

In Your Action Plan, I think the parts that stuck out the most were that I realized the biggest obstacle that’s kept me from making positive health changes has been not believing I can actually reach my goals. It’s truly been a struggle in my mind. I must get in the right mindset, allow God to change my thoughts and renew my mind. I have to stop relying on myself, because I know I can’t do this without Christ working in me.

In the Renew section, the Lord really did some work!!! #4, referencing Leviticus 11:44, asked what keeps me from living a holy and whole life? I believe my negative thinking keeps me stuck, not believing in myself. And, then…..here’s the BIG ONE: Ultimately not believing God can do the work through me! This is satan keeping me in a stronghold, and believing the lies that I will fail again! Then, #5, referencing Proverbs 14:12, Where am I following a way that “appears to be right”? And, how might it be a stumbling block toward improving holiness and wholeness? This one really had me reflecting….I think I find it difficult to find a balance between good habits and doing these habits with a mindset of box checking, rather than a heart fully devoted to Christ and change. Doing great habits with the wrong mindset or in my own strength is a huge stumbling block because it makes me “appear” to be good, but inside I’m not. Woah….that was some hard truth. Then, #6, referencing Genesis 1:27, What does my image say about Him? Well, obviously, it ought to reflect Him. However, when I eat foods that don’t serve me or my body, I don’t feel like I’m reflecting Him at all. I feel my image says that my God can’t beat this stronghold. That was another tough truth to digest! Then, #7, referencing Ephesians 4:22-24, What hope does this passage give about how my life can be transformed in all areas, including my physical and spiritual health? The hope is knowing that I can put off or get rid of my past ways, my corrupt and messed up mind, and I can be made new in my mind, new in my body, an new in my spirit because Christ’s power lives in me!

In the Relate section, the parts that stuck out the most were #5, referencing Genesis 3:11, Who told you…..? This is where satan’s lies come into our minds. I wrote just a few down… Who told you you aren’t good enough? Who told you you’re a failure? Who told you you’ll never reach your weight loss goals? Satan likes to repeat these kinds of lies over and over in my mind to keep me stuck. Then, #6, we were to write down various lies that we have been living as truth. I wrote down several, just like the ones I wrote in #5. And, this is where some deeper work can be done! I HIGHLY encourage you to write down lies as they enter your mind, and then come up with a counter to those lies through Scriptures of truth. I have started doing this, and plan to keep doing it, even if I get a stack of 3×5 cards over an inch thick! This is the hard and heart work I need! I need to dispel the lies, and renew my mind with God’s truths! So, on one side of the card, you can write the lie, and on the other write a Scripture or two that dispels the lie with the truth of the Word. I’ll share a few I’ve started on. This will be a long process, but I hope to keep digging into this even if it takes me a year or more just working on one or two a week!

Front side of the 3×5 cards
Back of the 3×5 cards

This week we will cover week 2! If you are doing this study with us, please join our Facebook group where we will all share what we are learning! I’m so excited to see what everyone is learning!

Love,

Dena

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October 19, 2022

Wellness Revelation Overview

This week I want to give a quick overview of what we will cover each week of our Wellness Revelation Study. Then, your homework will be to study through Chapter 1. Next week I will share insights I’ve picked up from the first chapter, and we will start working through Chapter 2. I hope you will also share with us any insights you learn along the way! I believe sharing with one another will make the study even better than it could be on it’s own!

Here is the overview:

Week 1: Embrace God’s Purpose, Desire, and Design

Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us.

Ephesians 3:20

Week 2: Be Free

Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God–this is your true and proper worship.

Romans 12:1

Week 3: Live Out His Purpose For You

“Everything is permissible for me”–but not everything is beneficial. “Everything is permissible for me”–but I will not be mastered by anything.

I Corinthians 6:12

Week 4: Rest In His Strength And Sufficiency

My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.

Psalm 73:26

Week 5: Renew Your Mind

We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.

2 Corinthians 10:5

Week 6: Attend To Matters Of The Heart

I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge–that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

Ephesians 3:17-19

Week 7: Be Transformed

If anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come; The old has gone, the new is here!

2 Corinthians 5:17

Week 8: Press On

Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.

Philippians 3:12

I also want you to note that in the back of the book is a Wellness Revelation Workout Calendar. This is a great way to gently ease into exercise in a way that also renews your mind. I HIGHLY recommend it! If nothing else, just try it out and see what you think. You can access free resources here and the daily videos at this link. Once you see the “calendar” just click on the words for each day to watch the videos. I also have to mention the Revelation Wellness Podcast! It is another way to renew your mind while moving your body! And, there is also guest speakers, as well as Be Still and Be Loved episodes on rest days. One of my favorites for mind renewal is this one!

Have a great week tackling Chapter 1, and I’ll meet you back here next Tuesday to see what Transformations have occurred!

Love,

Dena

October 12, 2022

Wellness Revelation Bible Study Introduction

How would your life be different is you could lose what’s weighing you down and be free to live the life you were created for?

Wouldn’t it be amazing if you could embark on a single program that would help you get both physically and spiritually fit, while freeing you to pursue God’s dreams and goals for your life?

Maybe you have always struggled with your weight, riding a constant roller coaster of numbers that go up and down. Or maybe you find yourself increasingly stressed out by the world and all its demands.

In The Wellness Revelation, certified fitness professional Alisa Keeton will challenge you to get fit with God so that He can free you to find your purpose. She teaches you that when you become fit physically and spiritually, you will be better equipped to love and serve others. The Wellness Revelation will change the way you perceive yourself and the way you live.

Included in this eight-week journey are teachings from Alisa, fitness training, Bible study, small group questions, and more. Alisa will encourage you to love God, get healthy, and serve others, and she will provide you with the tools to do so with courage, confidence, kindness, and freedom.

It’s time to make a change from the inside out.

-Alisa keeton -Author of The Wellness revelation and founder of revelation wellness

I am so excited to get started with this study! This week we will just cover the introduction as I’ve had several people still want to jump in, so if that’s you, it’s NOT TOO LATE! You can still order the book here, and jump in with us! Also, don’t forget to join the Facebook group to have a community to support, discuss, and grow together with! You can join that group here!

What I loved about the introduction was that the focus was an “exercise” of faith. This is not a program that you strive to do “better”, but one in which you lean into the Lord, and allow Him to transform you from the inside out. When we learn to do this, we are better able to love and help others. Calories in = receiving the fulfilling love of God so that you can give away His love to someone else = calories out. The world is waiting for us to be “fit” for love!

In the next eight weeks, lets move closer towards our true selves – the people who embody God’s love. We will face many obstacles throughout this journey, but we are on a quest to exchange the old lies we’ve believed for His truth, and to be truly set free! This will be a transforming and renewing journey, where we become more of the people we were always meant to be!

Please share what you are excited about or concerned about as you embark on this journey! We are here to support and encourage one another, so the more we share, the more we will get out of this study!

*Disclaimer: I must inform you that as an Amazon Associate I may earn from qualifying purchases.

Love,

Dena

Still on the Journey, but the difference is already showing!!
Join me as I dig back into the Bible Study that helped jump start this journey!
October 5, 2022

Fruitful Declarations

This week I want to give you the Fruitful Declarations based on the Fruit of the Spirit in Galatians 5:22-23.

I got these declarations from listening to my favorite Podcast: Revelation Wellness. This episode is #264. You can listen to this amazing episode here!

So let’s start with Galatians 5:16-18 and 22-25.

16 So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. 17 For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever[a] you want. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.

And, now the Fruitful Declarations:

I’m compelled to follow the Spirit because I am a Spiritual being in a suit of flesh.

I am filled with life and peace.

I have access to the supernatural in the natural realm.

God breathed on me, I now breathe for Him.

I am the object of the Lord’s affection.

How I love makes people wonder how I can love. My love is peculiar.

I obey God because I love Him, I do not obey so He will love me.

Where there’s an absence of joy, I bring the party.

I will not forfeit my joy; I will take hold for my God rejoices over me with singing.

I have a peace in me that’s greater than anything in, or of, the world.

I don’t need the absence of a conflict to have peace. I am peace because of I AM.

I am patient because my Father is extremely patient with me.

When I’m patient in my suffering, I’m becoming more like my Father.

Because Jesus’ kind is kind, I am kind.

I train humankind-ness.

God called me good and I am filled with His goodness.

I’m like a piñata. Hit me with your best shot and goodness will pour out.

I am faithful to the end because I trust God.

I don’t have to understand what God is doing or know what He is doing to trust Him and be faithful.

I am sensitive to the Spirit and His gentle leading.

I do not have to get big to matter.

I am the master of my appetites because I am loved.

All incoming desires must get by my love of God.

Just a reminder…..LAST CALL to purchase the Bible Study Wellness Revelation, and join my Facebook Group to be a part of my upcoming study! We will renew our minds together beginning next week! I can hardly wait! If you have questions, please comment below and ask!

*Disclaimer: I must inform you that as an Amazon Associate I may earn from qualifying purchases.

Love,

Dena

September 27, 2022

Transformation Tuesday – The #1 Key in My Whole Health Transformation (Part 3)

So, it was another week where I felt in a funk. I was unmotivated to even tackle my daily good habits. But, most days I did them anyway, because I know I need to. Friday came along, though, and I was called to jury duty. This threw my day off completely, and I didn’t work out like I had scheduled to. So, I figured I’d just make it up on Saturday, but though I had nothing significant happening on Saturday besides being home alone, watching Netflix, and a movie, and eating a bunch of junk food, I did not work out, again. And, as you can see, I made a whole lot of bad choices! We all get in a funk, and our health gets thrown to the curb sometimes, and I felt awful…..in my mind, my body, and my spirit. So, Sunday, I decided that no matter what, I was going to get in a workout. That night around 9:00 p.m. I headed to the gym, did a leg workout and cycled 10 miles. Then, I told myself that Monday, I was going to stick to my schedule and follow through on all my good habits. And, I did! I got a lot done around my house, got in 10 miles of cycling, Windsor Pilates, a sermon by Steven Furtick, and my Bible Study in. I also finally tackled some work I’d been putting off on my new business that I recently launched. And, let me tell you, I feel good! Temptations are still there, but I just had to make a decision, change my mindset by renewing it with the truth of Scripture, and get to work! So, once again, you can see how very important it is to take my negative thoughts captive and make them obedient to Christ.

“We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.” â€” 2 Corinthians 10:5

So, today I will cover the next 7 Truths of Our God-Given Identity.

I SHIFT ATMOSPHERES.

(Ecclesiastes 7:14, Galatians 5:22, Isaiah 61:3)

Be grateful in all situations because the Lord is in them all. The Spirit gives fruit that lasts! Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness and Self-Control. The Spirit of the Lord is on me. He has anointed me. He has a purpose for me to help others and to put Him on display.

I AM HIS WORKMANSHIP.

(Jeremiah 1:5, Genesis 1:26-31, Psalm 139:13-16)

I am fully known, set apart, and appointed! I am created in His image and likeness, therefore should reflect His character. I was created very good. He is well pleased by how He made me. His works are wonderful, even how He made me is hard to fathom. He saw me before I was formed, loved me, and gave me purpose before anything came to be.

MY FATHER LOVES ME WITH AN UNYIELDING LOVE.

(John 19:16-30, Psalm 136, Song of Solomon 8:6)

Jesus loved me so much, even in my sin, that He willingly went to the cross to die for me and all creation. He died for His enemies because of His great compassion and love. He loves and protects and desires fellowship so much that He frees us from bondage so that we are free to see and know His love. He endures forever! His strong love burns like a blazing fire, a flame that won’t go out.

I AM HIS DELIGHT, NOT A DISAPPOINTMENT.

(Genesis 1:31, Psalm 149:4, Psalm 18:19, Matthew 17:5)

Jesus sees me as good. Not just good, but very good. I was created in His image. He delights in me. He crowns the humble with victory. He has brought me out of bondage into freedom. He rescued me because He delights in me. He says to me, “This is my daughter, whom I love; with her I am well pleased.”

I AM POWERFUL BECAUSE OF CHRIST, THE HOPE OF GLORY, LIVES IN ME.

(2 Corinthians 12:6-10, 2 Corinthians 4:7-18, Daniel 2:23)

His grace is sufficient for me! His power is made perfect in my weakness. I delight in my weaknesses because I know when I am weak, He makes me strong! His power is my treasure. His life is being revealed through my death. Since I believe, I must speak. He will raise me with Himself. Outwardly we may be wasting away, but inwardly we are being renewed day by day. I fix my eyes on the unseen because it’s glory outweighs all. Thanks to Jesus for His wisdom and power in me.

THE FATHER TELLS ME HIS SECRETS.

(Matthew 13:1-17, Exodus 33:12-23, Jeremiah 33:3)

The knowledge of the secrets of heaven has been given to you, but not to them. Though seeing, they do not see; though hearing they do not hear or understand. I am blessed because I see, hear, and understand. Teach me Your ways, that I may know You and continue to find favor with You. If you aren’t with me, don’t send me! He reveals goodness and glory. He tells me great and unsearchable things I do not know.

I AM GOD’S BEST FRIEND, AND HE IS MINE.

(Exodus 33:11, John 15:15, James 2:23)

He speaks to me face to face, as one speaks to a friend. We are no longer servants because a servant does not know the Master’s business. He calls us friends because He makes known to us all that the Father taught Him. When I believe God, I am credited with righteousness and called God’s friend!

Thank you for reading along! This concludes the God-Given Identities we should embrace. Next week I will continue on mindset and mind renewal by focusing on the Fruit of the Spirit and Fruitful Declarations.

Also, beginning the week of October 10th, I will be blogging through the Revelation Wellness Bible Study. If you’d like to join in with me through the study, you can purchase a copy of the study through Amazon here. And, if you plan to join in, please let me know by commenting below and I’ll send you a link to my Facebook group where we can share together as we study together. The more sharing, the more fun it will be and the more we can each get out of it!

Love,

Dena

*Disclaimer: I must inform you that as an Amazon Associate I may earn from qualifying purchases.

September 21, 2022

Transformation Tuesday – The #1 Key in My Whole Health Transformation (Part 2)

I have to be honest in this post and tell you that even though I wrote about the first seven declarations of my God-Given Identity last week, it was a rough week! This is what Satan does when you are obedient, he comes in to steal your identity and tries to get you to forget who you really are. I was unmotivated all last week, and though I only missed one of my work out days, I had to really push myself to do the work outs. And, not only was my motivation off, I was eating all kinds of bad things, things that I knew were not serving my body nor fueling it! And, I felt awful! Tummy aches, headaches, and feeling completely drained were the consequences of those choices.

I am so grateful for God’s grace! I’m thankful for friends that sense something is wrong, and connect with you. I had a dear friend do just that at the end of last week. She reached out and listened to my struggles, but she did not let me stay there. She asked me what the deeper issues were, and then she had me recall truth. And, it was HARD to think of any! Satan had drowned out all of the truth that I so desperately needed with his lies. Lies that made me feel it wasn’t worth the struggle, maybe I should give up (like I have so many times before). Lies that I am not really called to share my story. Lies that I’ll never reach my goals, so what’s the point in continuing to try. But, because this dear friend wouldn’t let me stay there, I was able to recall the Lord’s truth, and know that though this journey is going to be hard some days, I will make it through, I will continue to get back up when I’ve made some wrong choices, I will not give up, and I will reach my goals. And, most importantly, I will tell my story of the freedom that Jesus gives! I will tell how He’s redeeming my days. He’s helping me renew my mind to the truth, and helping me walk in that truth.

So, here are the next seven truths of our God-Given Identities:

I AM UNOFFENDABLE BECAUSE OF THE BLOOD OF JESUS.

(1 Peter 1:3-7, Ezekiel 36:26, Ephesians 4:26 & 32)

He is my living hope! He will bless me with an inheritance that will never expire. He gives me a shield to protect me through faith. And, through trials I can rejoice because I know through them He is refining me so that I may prove the genuineness of my faith. He is making me new with a new heart. I will not become bitter when angry, I will be kind and compassionate. I will forgive because He has forgiven me.

I’M EQUIPPED FOR EVERY GOOD WORK.

(Ephesians 2:10, 2 Timothy 3:10-17, Hebrews 13:20-21)

I am the handiwork of God and He planned good works for me to complete before I even knew them. I must have godly character; which is my purpose. I must keep learning and living the truth of the Scriptures. He is equipping me and training me for every good work. I must do His will and in the process I will bring Him glory.

I AM FORGIVEN AND FREE.

(Matthew 6:9-15, John 10:1-10, Isaiah 6:1-7)

Jesus is personal. He is all about relationship, truly knowing Him as He knows me. He desires to give me freedom and peace. Satan is only working to steal, kill and destroy. Jesus gives life abundantly. Through God’s holiness we are humbled, but because of His grace and purification by fire, our sins are forgiven and guilt taken away! What a gift! I am free!

I AM AN AGENT OF CHANGE.

(Jeremiah 29:4-7, 1 Samuel 17, 2 Timothy 2:19-26)

It gives me hope that I will be an agent of change! That we will build, plant and eat, grow in our family, and prosper. And, that I will be able to face the giants in my life because the battle is the Lord’s! He also has given me a noble purpose, that when I leave the ignoble behind, He will help me be useful for the Master – doing His work. Pursuing righteousness, faith, love and peace with a pure heart.

I AM AN INFLUENCER, NOT THE INFLUENCED.

(Colossians 3:1-4, 1 Peter 2:11-17, John 8:2-11)

My mind must remain on things above, not my current circumstances or things of the world. My life is hidden in Christ! Sinful desires war against my soul. The way I live, people see, and I want my life to point others to Jesus so He gets the glory. By doing good, I will silence the talk of evil men. Live free, but don’t use freedom to cover sin. Live as servants of God. Yet, remain humble and do not judge, show grace and forgiveness as Jesus does.

I HAVE A SOUND AND CLEAR MIND.

(2 Timothy 1:7, Romans 12:1-2, Philippians 4:8)

I have no reason for fear. Because of Christ in me, I have power, love, and self-discipline. My body is a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God. I am worshipping God with my body. I am no longer bound by the things of the world because my mind is being transformed and renewed! I am living out His perfect will. My mind is set on what is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent and praiseworthy.

I’M A LOVER OF GOD AND A LOVER OF PEOPLE.

(Mark 12:28-34, Leviticus 9:9-18, Deuteronomy 6:4-9)

I am to love God with all my heart, soul, mind, and strength with all that I am. I am also to love my neighbor as my self. These are more important than checklists and sacrifice. I am to allow God’s spirit to continually indwell me and to change me. My heart and thoughts and actions must match. And, I must impress what He is doing in me to my family and world. They should all see living proof of my loving God.

We must not forget truth, even in the midst of a storm, and that is sometimes not an easy task, as I discovered this past week! Be alert, because the devil is prowling around looking for someone to devour. Don’t let it be you!

Love you all!

Dena

September 14, 2022

Transformation Tuesday – The #1 Key in My Whole Health Transformation (Part 1)

Get your own FREE download here: https://www.reveltionwellness.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/Identity-Journal.pdf

When I first started my health journey, it began with a Bible Study called Revelation Wellness. While I was waiting for my book to arrive, I decided to go check out the Revelation Wellness website, and I noticed there were several FREE resources! So, I clicked on the FREE download for Declaring the Truth of Your God-Given Identity. This began a transformation in my mind and heart which is where I really needed the work to take place! Over the next several weeks, I will share with you these truths that transformed my mind and heart and impacted my health journey in the most needed way!

I made each affirmation/truth into a Bible Study using the Scriptures given for each one, then I would journal about what each meant to me and how the truths spoke into my life. Then, the next day, I’d move to the next truth. Today, I will cover the first seven.

I AM A CHOSEN CHILD OF GOD.
(Deuteronomy 30:1-8, Luke 15, 1 Peter 2:9-10)
God has chose me to live an abundant life! He has pulled me out of darkness, sought after me, and brought me into His abundant light – full of compassion and unconditional love. I am completely His. He wants to bless me abundantly.

I DO NOT LET PERSECUTION PERSUADE ME TO FEAR.
(Psalm 23:4, Romans 8:35-39, James 1:2-3)
When I feel stuck, broken, distracted, or down I should remember how great the Lord’s compassion and love are for me. No matter how bad things are or get, He is with me. In fact, I should be joyful when facing trials because He is building in me perseverance. Fear is a liar, and Satan’s attempt to remove Christ’s joy in me.

I AM COVERED BY THE ARMOR OF LOVE.
(2 Samuel 22:1-4, Psalm 18, Ephesians 6:10-17)
He loves and protects me from evil, harm, attacks from the enemy and more. He places me in a shelter of peace and comfort. His love is full of empathy, compassion, and understanding for the struggles I face. It is unconditional and He freely offers His help. He gives me protection in every way. He makes me a light in dark places.

I BRING WEALTH AND RESOURCES INTO ALL CIRCUMSTANCES AND NEEDS.
(Exodus 36:2-7, Luke 7:36-50, Mark 8:1-10)
All I have to do is give what I do have freely; give of my gifts, talents, and resources; give out of my blessed abundance. He will use my gift for what it’s meant for. I must give with a humble heart, out of my great love for Jesus. My attitude behind the giving must be humble, not prideful, or to look good to others.

I AM A PURVEYOR OF CONTAGIOUS HOPE.
(I Thessalonians 5:9-15, Hebrews 10:24-25, Proverbs 12:25)
So many are hurting and broken, fearful or anxious. I can bring hope by being an encourager, smiling, being kind, empathizing and sharing my heart, and God’s truth. I can be a friend that cares, holds accountable, yet loves unconditionally. I can accept the weak, and give them hope to become better in Christ.

I AM NOT ALONE. I AM SURROUNDED BY A GREAT CLOUD OF WITNESSES.
(Hebrews 12:1, Ephesians 2:19-22)
I must throw off all that hinders me, and the sin that easily entangles. I must break the strongholds through His Spirit, then run with perseverance toward the calling He has placed on my life. Because believers have Jesus in common, I am united with them. I am built on a strong foundation of discipleship and accountability. Jesus within me is my cornerstone. He is helping me to rise into His holiness.

I FREELY LOVE WITHOUT EXPECTATIONS OF LOVE BEING RETURNED TO ME BY MAN.
(Luke 6:27-36, James 2:15-16, Proverbs 11:25)
I struggle with feeling loved, so often I fear loving because I don’t want to be rejected. However, Jesus has called me to love, even if it’s not returned. To be kind, to go the extra mile, to make sure they know love is genuine. Your love is REAL! If I don’t give, what is the purpose? When I refresh others, I will be refreshed. So, help me, Lord, to be generous!

Renewing my heart and mind was the first and most important step to truly becoming healthy. It’s so true that our mind, spirit, and body is all connected! When I started to believe these truths, truths I’ve known my whole life, but that I didn’t fully accept or embrace, that’s when my body began to change. And, this time it’s not for me, or for others that I’m getting healthy, but because I love Jesus and want to live out His plan and purpose for my life. The stronghold of food addiction has kept me from living my best and most abundant life, and the Lord is redeeming those lost days and years that the locusts have stolen! Praise Him!
I hope this has been an encouragement and help to you! Let me know if it has in the comments!

Love,

Dena

P.S. As a disclaimer, I must inform you that as an Amazon Associate I may earn from qualifying purchases.


September 7, 2022

Transformation Tuesday – Meal Planning

I don’t know about you, but one of the most difficult things about living a healthy lifestyle is meal planning! So, I thought I would share today how I plan my meals and make grocery lists, so that I don’t have to think about it! Imagine having a months worth of meals already figured out and a grocery list to go along with it? It’s an amazing feeling.

The first amazing resource that I requested for Christmas and got was a Cultivate What Matters Meal Planner & Grocery List Pad. Now, I probably don’t use it as intended, but I am definitely using it in a way that serves me! And, I LOVE it! At the top it has Week #________ and I want this week’s meals to be: _______. I just put weeks 1, 2, 3, or 4 in the first blank, and in the second, I wrote Favorite Breakfasts, or Favorite Dinners. I don’t typically need to plan lunches because I’ll eat leftovers from the night before. Then, I choose my favorite cookbooks and recipes, and started writing them down on the days of the week. I also made a note next to each on which cookbook it came from and the page #, so I can easily locate it when I’m ready to make my grocery lists or prepare the meals. I have used Arbonne 30 Days to Healthy Living recipes, (if you purchase the kit, the recipes are sent from me to you, and you get access to a Facebook community with more tips and more recipes!) Saving Dinner Recipes, The Daniel Plan Recipes, Trim Healthy Mama Recipes, and New Life Promise Recipes (that I got through a subscription service on one of my many diet plans). After I randomly choose the meals, I go through them and separate them by the protein (chicken, beef, salmon, sausage, etc). I wanted my weeks to be balanced and so I spread out the proteins amongst the weeks as equally as I could. I also pay attention to whether it’s an ethnic dish so that I don’t have all of the Chinese or Mexican the same week. The recipes I choose are whole foods, without junk. Organic Meats and veggies when possible, and nothing with a long list of ingredients. I am currently choosing gluten, dairy, and soy free products. And, thankfully I’ve found some plant based alternatives for gluten and dairy. And, I love Braggs Coconut Aminos for an alternative soy sauce and Nutritional Yeast adds an amazing buttery flavor in several foods. I don’t use pasta unless it’s a brown rice variety, and no bread (I haven’t found a gluten free bread that I like, yet…..if you know of some, comment below, I’d love to try some out)!

After I have chosen 4 weeks of breakfasts and dinners, I look up the recipes and write down the groceries needed for each week. The list can go right on the right hand side of the Meal Planner & Grocery List Pad. I’ve used it like this once, and you could just reuse each month. However, in the future, so that I can mark things off as I go, or not add to the list if I already have the ingredients, I think I’m going to make a master grocery list for each week and just highlight or put a checkmark by each item needed, then I can cross it off when I’ve gotten it. And, then just reprint for the next month. Still super easy, but not so messy as using a repeated shopping list on the Meal Planner Pad.

Though this takes a little while to set up, once it’s done, it’s done. And, I no longer really have to think about anything. I keep the Meal Planner Pad in the kitchen on the current week, and if I don’t like the meal I wrote down for a particular day, I just choose another one for the week. This past week, I knew we would not be home one of the days, so I only had to purchase 6 days worth of groceries! Also, to make it easier, I have copied the recipes for each week and put them all together with that week’s menu plan. Then, I don’t have to dig out my cookbooks!

Like I said, it has taken some time to get this set up and organized, but I just worked on it a little bit at a time until I got through 4 weeks. Now, I’m reaping the reward of being organized, having meal plans, and having grocery lists all ready to go!

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I hope this was helpful, I know it’s been a life saver for me! It’s definitely helped transform my life by keeping me organized and sane when it come to meal planning and keeping me healthy!

With Love,

Dena

August 30, 2022

Let’s Talk About Working Out

It’s Transformation Tuesday, so I wanted to chat a bit about working out today. There are four things that I feel are super important in transforming my thinking when it comes to working out. I will share those below then expound on them.

  1. View working out as an act of worship or gratitude.
  2. Choose a consistent time & place to workout.
  3. Have a plan and schedule for what you will do.
  4. Choose things that you enjoy doing.

Making a shift in my thinking when it comes to moving my body has been truly transformational! I used to hate to sweat, I dreaded working out, and viewed it more like a chore than something I looked forward to. Now, because I listen to the Revelation Wellness podcast, my mind is being transformed! I now look forward to working out! It’s been a shift in my mind towards gratitude that I am able to move my body, and of worship to the Lord for giving me the energy, strength, and mobility to do so!

The next important step is choosing a time and place to workout. For me, it’s at 8:30 a.m., right as I get home from dropping my daughter off at school. I go to the gym near my home, or work out in my living room (depending on the day).

Third, have a plan and schedule for what you will do. I workout Monday through Saturday, and rest on Sunday. This is my schedule:

Last, make sure you choose exercises that you enjoy! I love to cycle to get my heart pumping (indoor or outdoor). I love the results of how Pilates shapes me and takes inches off. And, I love the stretching and relaxation that Yoga provides. I also enjoy swimming, so I might do that to get my heart pumping when I have access to a pool. The point is to choose things that are best for you!

I hope this has been helpful! The thing I hope you will most take away is that the mind shift is the MOST important! Changing the way you think about working out will make it a much more enjoyable activity. And, getting into a regular routine is also very helpful!

Let me know some ways that help you stay motivated and what your favorite ways to move are in the comments below! I’d love to hear from you!

Love,

Dena

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August 23, 2022

It’s not easy being vulnerable, but it’s time…

Are you in bondage like I’ve been? Let’s connect!

I am a mess. Seriously, a big mess! I feel like God is taking me on quite a journey to humble me and show me that I am nothing without Him. And, I am finally realizing this truth….I am nothing without Him, but everything with Him.

All my life I have struggled with being on time, procrastination, perfectionism, people pleasing, keeping my home clean and organized, sticking to a schedule, etc.

It took some hard knocks for God to get my attention and show me that I was trying to work my way into His favor, and in the process I was putting up many idols that were blocking true intimacy with Him. I was a believer, yes. I read my Bible often and did Bible Studies. I did all the “right” things, but I came to realize that oftentimes I was doing them to check off a box, or to make myself look right in my own eyes and in other’s eyes. I didn’t realize that my heart was not right. You see, you can learn, yet not understand….and that is where I was at. It’s also possible to learn, but not change, not take the action needed to make the changes God wants to make in your life. I would read the Scriptures, and pray, but there were passages that I just didn’t “get”. A couple of those were Matthew 15:11-32 (with a focus on vs. 25-32), and Luke 10:38-42. The first passage is about the Prodigal Son. I related so much with the older son and didn’t “get” why the one that was so wrong got such a great reward, when the older son had never done anything rebellious and didn’t get any accolades. (I was the compliant child and had carried that into my adulthood, but felt like all my hard work never paid off, it rarely felt like anyone even noticed). The second passage is about Mary and Martha, and Jesus rebuked Martha for trying to work hard and serve, when Mary was just sitting at the feet of Jesus. I didn’t “get” that. (Again, I would do things to try to prove myself, but instead would be put down or things would go unrecognized). But, like I said, the Lord has taken me on a journey and revealed so many things to me, and I am so grateful!

I would say the journey of revelation started about 6 years ago. I used to be very political and share my beliefs on social media. I believed that there really was only one way to vote, and that was Biblically, and if you were a Christian, that’s the way you should vote. I upset some church members on a few occasions when I would post my views (which I felt were the right views, the Biblical views). Some of them blocked me and never said anything. But, a few of them called me a bigot, and other harsh names. I just took it as persecution for standing up for my faith. However, one time a lady messaged me and really let me have it. She told me that she would never allow her son into my Sunday School class with my radical beliefs. That hurt me to my core. It upset me so bad that I really had to pray and ask God to help me to forgive her, and show me where I might be wrong (because remember, I didn’t believe I was wrong). God showed me through that, as well as many other trials I went through, that I was a prideful person. Pride is what caused Satan’s fall! I certainly did not want to have that as a character trait! I saw others as “worse” than me. I didn’t see people through Jesus’ eyes. He created us all and loves us all the same. He loved me before I even knew Him, and Romans 5:8 tells us that “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” He died for everyone while we were still sinning, while we were the worst of the worst. He loved us that much! I knew then that I needed to learn to see people the way Jesus saw people. I also learned that Jesus is all about relationships. He went out of His way to be with the sinners, the unlovely, the untouchables. I knew that I needed to do the same; to get rid of the idols of pride, perfectionism, people pleasing and more. I needed to focus on building genuine relationships with people. I needed to love even the unlovely, and God allowed me to do that, which was also a period of growth for me. So pride is where He began His work in me.

Next, He started working on my perfectionism. Like I said, I have struggled my whole life with keeping my home clean! I still do! This doesn’t sound like perfectionism, because you’d think if I was trying to be perfect, my home would also be perfect! Well, that’s not exactly how I am. I hold such high standards for myself, that I then become overwhelmed by the mess, and procrastinate starting because I don’t even know where to begin. And, I have such high standards that they are unrealistic or nearly impossible to meet. So, instead of moving forward, I freeze and get nothing done, or very little, until it piles up and gets worse and worse, and I can’t ignore it anymore. But, by then it’s so bad, that I can never get things the way I want them, so I tell myself, it’s not even worth trying. I now believe it’s a serious sickness in my mind, a way that Satan keeps me stuck! So, I ditched perfection, and have learned to just do my best. I still struggle with overwhelm and procrastination sometimes, but practicing good habits and routines definitely helps.

Then, God showed me that there was more He wanted to work on in my life. He’s great at that! And, I’m sure, as long as I’m listening, He will keep revealing more! That more was another struggle that I’ve had for years! (Over half my life now.) A struggle that I’ve just lived with, and teetered back and forth on for so long that it just seemed ‘normal’. He opened my eyes to my weight issue. I have known that I’m obese for a very long time. In fact, I’ve tried just about every diet program out there. (Weight Watchers, Weigh Down Workshop, Flat Belly, First Place, The Daniel Plan, New Life Promise, Noom, counting calories with apps or on logs, and I’m sure there was probably more than these). However, none worked for the long haul. I’d lose for awhile, and then I’d lose the battle and start regaining. It was a terrible cycle, over and over again. I always felt like God could use me more if I’d just get the weight off. However, I never saw this as anything more than food addiction, or emotional eating. (Even calling it an addiction was something new to me). However, God began to show me that this eating problem was actually not just an addiction, but a stronghold in my life. Food had become an idol. Something I’d go to instead of God. I also viewed weight loss and exercise as a chore, something that was hard to do, and not enjoyable. But, then I was introduced to The Wellness Revelation. I’d been through “Christian” weight loss programs before, but nothing that connected my heart, mind, and spirit like The Wellness Revelation did. The Lord completely renewed my mind, and He is continuing to change my heart, and is showing me that His power and Spirit are in me! And, because of His power in me, I can do anything I set my mind to, even the hard things! And, I have to say that this has been a JOY, not something that is a chore. The food has been exceptional, and exercise is something I view as worship and gratitude! I am able to use my body for health and wholeness, and as an act of worship. Movement now is freeing, as is eating whole and healthy. Some days are harder, because breaking a stronghold is not easy. Satan still tries to tempt me or make me see myself in ways other than the Lord sees me. But, I am excited to continue this journey, and this time I am confident that the Lord will take me to complete freedom and my body, mind, and spirit will continue to transform in the process.

He is a good God, and releases the captives, and He is releasing me! I have to share this with others in hopes that someone else may want to join me on this journey! If that is something that interests you, please leave a comment and let me know. I’d love to connect with you and share even more!

With love and in Christ,

Dena