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Destiny Image Books by Laurette Willis

ruth Seekers (contributor)



40 Days to Fit and Fabulous with

Praise Moves

Laurette Willis



© Copyright 2013– Laurette Willis

All rights reserved. Tis book is protected by the copyright laws of the UnitedStates of America. Tis book may not be copied or reprinted for commercial gainor profit. Te use of short quotations or occasional page copying for personal

or group study is permitted and encouraged. Permission will be granted uponrequest. Unless otherwise identified, Scripture quotations are taken from the NewKing James Version. Copyright © 1982 by Tomas Nelson, Inc. Used by per-mission. All rights reserved. Scripture quotations marked NIV are taken fromthe HOLY BIBLE, NEW INERNAIONAL VERSION®, Copyright © 1973,1978, 1984 International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan. Allrights reserved. Scripture quotations marked NL are taken from the Holy Bible,New Living ranslation, copyright 1996, 2004. Used by permission of yndaleHouse Publishers., Wheaton, Illinois 60189. All rights reserved. Scripture quota-tions marked KJV are taken from the King James Version. Scripture quotationsmarked AMP are taken from the Amplified® Bible, Copyright © 1954, 1958,1962, 1964, 1965, 1987 by Te Lockman Foundation. Used by permission.

Readers are advised to consult with their physician or other medical practitionerbefore implementing the suggestions that follow. Tis book is not intended totake the place of sound medical advice or to treat specific maladies. Neither the

author nor the publisher assumes any liability for possible adverse consequencesas a result of the information contained herein.

DESINY IMAGE® PUBLISHERS, INC.P.O. Box 310, Shippensburg, PA 17257-0310“Promoting Inspired Lives.”

Tis book and all other Destiny Image, Revival Press, MercyPlace, Fresh Bread,Destiny Image Fiction, and reasure House books are available at Christian

bookstores and distributors worldwide.For a U.S. bookstore nearest you, call 1-800-722-6774.For more information on foreign distributors, call 717-532-3040.Reach us on the Internet: www.destinyimage.com.

ISBN 13 P: 978-0-7684-4258-8ISBN 13 Ebook: 978-0-7684-4259-5

For Worldwide Distribution, Printed in the U.S.A.

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 / 17 16 15 14 13



ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

I would like to acknowledge our certified PraiseMoves instruc-

tors (CPIs) all over the world who are blazing a trail by bringing

PraiseMoves® and the message of faith and fitness to their churches,

fitness centers, YMCAs, schools, and communities.

Tese women and men of God are offering PraiseMoves® (“Te

Christian alternative to yoga”) and MIRA!™ (“Christian Fitness

with a Latin Beat”) as a way to strengthen believers in spirit, soul,

and body.

Our certified PraiseMoves instructors are on the forefront of

the fitness ministry movement. Tey present workout classes which

offer participants marvelous physical benefits as well as the Word

of God, which is the foundation to every PraiseMoves posture. We

like to say that the exercise is not the foundation to PraiseMoves,

but rather the Word of God which we meditate upon and speak

aloud while doing these stretching, strengthening postures. In this way, PraiseMoves is the “witty invention” to get you more into the

Word of God, and to get more of the Word of God into you!

o find a PraiseMoves or MIRA! class near you, please visit

www.PraiseMoves.com.



ransform Your Workouts into Worshipwith PraiseMoves®!

“For you were bought at a price; therefore glorifyGod in your body and in your spirit, which

are God’s” (1 Corinthians 6:20, PraiseMovesFoundation Scripture).



CONTENTS

Introduction. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11

Day 1 I rust in the Lord: “Mount Zion”

(Psalms 125:1) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .31

Day 2 I Hear Beautiful Music from Bruised Reeds: “Te

Reed” (Isaiah 42:3) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .35

Day 3 I Will Praise the Lord! “David’s Harp”

(Psalms 108:2-3). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .39

Day 4 I Will Mount Up with Wings Like an Eagle:

“Te Eagle” (Isaiah 40:31) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .45

Day 5 Te Breath of the Almighty Gives Me Life:

“Te Flapping ent” (Job 33:4) . . . . . . . . . . . . . .49

Day 6 Te Lord Has Given Me Dominion: “Te ent”

(Isaiah 54:2) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .55

Day 7 I Present My Body to the Lord: “Te Altar”

(Romans 12:1) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .61

Day 8 I Receive by Faith, Like a Little Child:

“Te Little Child” (Mark 10:15). . . . . . . . . . . . . .67



Day 9 I Will Rejoice—Right Now! “Te allit”

(1 Tessalonians 5:16-18) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .73

Day 10 I Dwell in the Secret Place of the Most High:“Te Angel” (Psalms 91:11) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .77

Day 11 God’s Wisdom is Light in My Life: “Te Star”

(Daniel 12:3) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .83

Day 12 God Has a Rainbow for Me in the Cloud!

“Te Rainbow” (Genesis 9:16) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .89Day 13 My Bible-based Prayers Are Full of Power!

“Te Prayer Warrior 1 and 2” (James 5:16). . . . . .95

Day 14 Whatever I Do Will Prosper: “Te ree”

(Psalms 1:3) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .101

Day 15 I Humble Myself, and God Lifts Me Up:“Te Chair” (Luke 14:11) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .105

Day 16 God’s Power Is at Work in Me: “Jars of Clay”

(2 Corinthians 4:7). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .109

Day 17 I Am Abiding in the Vine and Bearing Fruit!

“Te Vine” (John 15:5). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 115Day 18 My Body Is the emple of the Holy Spirit:

“Te emple” (1 Corinthians 6:19). . . . . . . . . . . 119

Day 19 urn My Eyes from Worthless Tings:

“urn Away wist” (Psalms 119:37) . . . . . . . . . .125



Day 20 I’m Getting Out of Tis Old ent!

“Pulling up the Flaps” (Genesis 15:5) . . . . . . . . .129

Day 21 My Battle Is Not with Flesh and Blood:“Te Prayer Warrior 3” (Ephesians 6:12) . . . . . .135

Day 22 I Will Bless the Lord! “Te Prayer Warrior 4”

(Psalms 134:2) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 141

Day 23 He Gives Me Living Water: “Te Fountain”

(John 4:14) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .147Day 24 I Am Launching Out into the Deep!

“Peter’s Boat” (Luke 5:4) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 151

Day 25 I Will Not Let Go of What the Lord Has

Given Me! “Te Cross” (Mark 8:34). . . . . . . . . . 157

Day 26 My Help Comes from the Lord: “Te Guide”(Psalms 121:1-2) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .163

Day 27 I Run with Endurance: “Te Runner”

(Hebrews 12:1-2) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 167

Day 28 Saying is Sowing: I Plant My Faith by Speaking:

“Te Mustard Seed” (Luke 17:6) . . . . . . . . . . . .171Day 29 I Find Rest for My Soul: “Rest and Stretch”

(Matthew 11:28-30) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .177

Day 30 I Am Willing to Be a Fool for Christ:

“Treefold Cord” (Ecclesiastes 4:12). . . . . . . . . . 181



Day 31 God is Drawing Me Out: “Baby in a Basket”(Exodus 2:10) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .187

Day 32 I Love the Name of Jesus! “Te Angel Bow”(Philippians 2:10-11). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 193

Day 33 I Press oward the Goal: “Te Prize”(Philippians 3:13-14) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .199

Day 34 Jesus Has Made Me a Fisher of Men: “Te Fisher”(Matthew 4:19). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .205

Day 35 I’m Planting Seeds of Self-Discipline: “Te Bell”(Psalm 126:3) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 211

Day 36 I Am Known by My Fruit: “Te Branch”(John 15:4) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 217

Day 37 I’m Wise as a Serpent and Innocent as a Dove:

“Te Dove” (Matthew 3:16) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .223

Day 38 Te Spirit of the Lord Is Upon Me: “Te Scroll”(Luke 4:16-19) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .229

Day 39 Te Lord Protects Me: “Chet: Te Fence”(2 Samuel 22:2-4) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .233

Day 40 I’m Walking Along the King’s Highway:“Te King’s Highway” (Numbers 20:17) . . . . . .239

A Special Invitation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .245

In Closing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .253

Bonus Chapters................................................................................256



11

INTRODUCTION

Welcome to 40 days that can change your life! I’m excited to be

going on this journey with you. You will not only be doing some

revolutionary things to help your physical health; you will be tak-

ing steps to super-charge your spiritual life and relationship with

the Lord, too!

Faith and Fitness: Changing your Want-To

Combining faith and fitness just makes sense. If you want

make lasting improvements in your physical health and wellbeing,

you need more than a great diet and exercise plan. Studies show

that positive, long-term change happens when we make consistent

improvements over time and then stick to them. Tis requires an

inner change—changing your “want-to,” I call it.

Tere are few things as powerful as realizing an inner desire

(your want-to) has been changed! Since I surrendered my life to Jesus Christ, I could do all the ugly things I used to do before I

knew Him, if I wanted to—but I don’t want to do so! My want-to

has been changed! Tings which used to hold me in bondage no

longer control me. Some of these freedoms from bondage I experi-

enced immediately; some have come during a process of growing



12

40 Days to FIT and F ABULOUS with PraiseMoves

in the Lord and His Word, and others I am continuing to walk out

by faith on a daily basis—while singing the chorus to “God’s still

workin’ on me!”

Like many of us, you may have a developing want-to in the area

of weight management and physical fitness. Perhaps the want-to is

there, but taking action on it or finding the time has been chal-

lenging for you. Here’s where the power of faith will work for you.

Te Bible tells us, “…faith apart from [its] works of obedience is also

dead” (James 2:26 AMP). But faith combined with good works

yields powerful results!

In 40 Days to Fit and Fabulous with PraiseMoves , I will show

you how you can bring faith and fitness together and revolutionize

your health in spirit, soul, and body!

You Are Made in God’s Image You are comprised of three parts—spirit, soul, and body. Like-

wise, there are three parts to godly fitness, namely, body and soul

in Christ. You are a spirit. You have a soul, and you live in a body

or “earth suit.”

Let’s look at the scriptural evidence. Paul made the division

clear when he prayed for the church in Tessalonica, “May your

whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless until our Lord Jesus

Christ comes again” (1 Tess. 5:23 NL).

First, you are a spirit:

And Christ lives within you, so even though your body

will die because of sin, the Spirit gives you life because



13

Introduction

you have been made right with God (Romans 8:10

NL).

Ten God said, “Let Us make man in Our image,according to Our likeness…” (Genesis 1:26).

Second, you have a soul:

For the word of God is living and powerful, and

sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to

the division of soul and spirit (Hebrews 4:12).

And third, you live in a body:

Don’t you realize that your body is the tem-

ple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was

given to you by God? You do not belong to your-

self, for God bought you with a high price. So you

must honor God with your body (1 Corinthians6:19-20 NL).

Perhaps most important for believers (those who have surren-

dered their lives to the Lord Jesus Christ), is the understanding

that we are in Christ as perfectly as He is in us. “In Him we live and

move and have our being…” (Acts 17:28).

If you have not made Jesus Christ the Lord of your life, or if it’sbeen a long time since you’ve enjoyed a heart-to-heart relationship

with the Lord who made you, I invite you to turn to “A Special

Invitation” at the back of this book. If you are unsure whether or

not that means you, it does! Please turn to “A Special Invitation.”

I’ll be right here waiting for you when you get back. J



14


A Plan You Can Follow

For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith

without works is dead also (James 2:26).

Knowledge is vital, yet without action it’s meaningless. We can

know everything there is to know about health and still be out of

shape and miserable. One can read books and listen to sermons

by some of the most gifted Bible teachers of all time and still miss

out on God’s most precious gift—the peace and wholeness salva-tion brings—if all they do is listen and read. o be successful in

any area of life requires action, and not disorganized, meaningless

activity, but focused action coupled with knowledge and faith.

Because “ faith is the substance of things hoped for” (Heb. 11:1),

we need to know what it is we’re hoping for! Hope is the blueprint

your faith builds upon. What are some of the things you’d liketo accomplish during these 40 days? Your faith needs a blueprint

to follow. I invite you to write a brief blueprint for our 40 days

together.

Do You Have a Journal? You will need to use a journal or notebook to record your goals,

prayers, accomplishments, and the changes you will notice over the

next 40 days—and beyond!

1. What I would like to accomplish during the next 40

days using this book is:



15

Introduction

_____________________________________________

_____________________________________________

_____________________________________________

_____________________________________________

2. Tese are habits I’d like to overcome and others I’d like

to develop:

_____________________________________________

_____________________________________________

_____________________________________________

_____________________________________________

I want to stop:

_____________________________________________

_____________________________________________

_____________________________________________

_____________________________________________

And I want to start:

_____________________________________________

_____________________________________________



16


_____________________________________________

_____________________________________________

3. By continuing to grow in faith and fitness and havinga healthier lifestyle, this is how I see myself in one year.

(Write in the first person, “I see myself….” Continue in

your journal, if needed.)

_____________________________________________

_____________________________________________

_____________________________________________

_____________________________________________

_____________________________________________

_____________________________________________

Tese desires and goals are your blueprint—a picture of hope.

Hope is not a feeble sigh of, “Gee, wouldn’t it be nice.” Bible hope

is not wishing. Hope is a spiritual force . In its purest biblical sense,

hope means “earnest expectation.” It carries with it the picture of a

runner at top speed, pressing forward with intense determination.

As she leans into the finish line only a nose away, she earnestlyexpects to win. Tat’s Bible hope!

It is my “earnest expectation” that 40 Days to Fit and Fabulous

with PraiseMoves will give you both the knowledge and experience

you need to be successful. You will find the knowledge you need

about fitness and health, plus targeted, faith-filled words designed



17

Introduction

to fuel your heart to be all God has created you to be—and Praise-

Moves® exercises which combine faith and fitness to help you

“ransform Your Workouts into Worship!™”

Guidelines for 40 Days to Fit andFabulous with PraiseMoves

Follow these as closely as possible.

1. Write a very simple food and exercise outline each

day. Tis will not be a diet, but a food and exerciseplan—what you plan to eat and what you plan to do

for exercise. I have found writing the following in my

journal for each day helpful:

• Breakfast:

• Snack:

• Lunch:

• Snack:

• Dinner:

• Exercise:

After I write down my food and exercise plan, I commit it to

the Lord and ask Him to guide me in making healthy choices (andHe does!).

You may write out exactly what you are going to eat or an out-

line of what you will eat. An outline might look like this:

• Breakfast: fruit, followed 20 minutes later by

protein



18


• Snack: fruit or protein

• Lunch: protein, carbohydrate, salad, fat

• Snack: veggies (or small amount protein, such as aprotein shake)

• Dinner: salad, protein, carbohydrate, fat

Protein would be lean meat or soy, eggs, protein shake, grains

and beans, dairy products. Carbohydrate would represent foods

such as whole grain bread, cereals, brown rice, whole wheat pasta.

Avoid saturated fats and use other fats sparingly. ake flax seed oilor Omega 3 fish oil capsules daily for essential fatty acids. I take

dietary supplements daily, and I strongly recommend you do, too.

If you’re not taking vitamin supplements, go to the health food

store and ask for the best whole food multi-vitamin you can find

(your body deserves the best). You can also find my recommenda-

tions on our website at www.PraiseMoves.com. An outline form of your food plan is often easier for people

who eat out a lot. A more exact food plan may be difficult for some

to follow. Experiment and see which works better for you. You will

experience greater success if you consider this as a lifestyle plan—

something you can live with which becomes second nature to

you—more than a “diet” you can jump on or fall off.

2. Limit processed foods. Tat means even “low carb” or

“low fat” processed foods.

3. Get adequate rest. Strive for seven to nine hours a night.

Te goal is to do the best you can. We are aiming for

progress, not perfection.



19

Introduction

4. Practice “ummy Curfew.” Stop eating three hours

before bedtime. If bedtime is 11 p.m., no food after

8 p.m.; if 10 p.m., do your best to have no food after

7 p.m. (Option: One hour before bedtime, you may

have a 100-150 calorie snack that has a good balance

of protein, carbs and fiber. For example, ¾ cup of

cereal with milk.)

5. Drink at least eight 8-ounce glasses of pure water daily.

If you weigh over 130 pounds, divide your weight inhalf and drink that amount in ounces . For example, if

you weigh 160 pounds, half that is 80 ounces—or ten

8-ounce glasses of water. If you drink no water at all,

start with two to four glasses of water a day. Once you

start limiting processed foods and eating more fruits

and vegetables, you will find your natural thirst for

water increasing.

6. Practice the PraiseMoves posture and scripture which

goes with each day’s devotion. Ideally, work out to the

AM-PM PraiseMoves DVD which accompanies this

devotional. I recommend you get an exercise mat for

your PraiseMoves workout.

Any additional exercise you do three to five days a week will

only benefit you. You may choose to take Sunday off—or go for

a lovely walk with the family. It’s up to you. What kind of exer-

cise? Any kind you will do! Tis includes any of our PraiseMoves

DVDs, walking on a treadmill or outdoors, rebounding (bouncing



20


on a mini-trampoline), taking an exercise class, swimming, bicy-

cling, jogging, you name it!

You may divide exercise into 10- to 15-minute segments ifyou want. If you’re at the computer all day, take a break every few

hours and walk around or do something that requires your body to

M-O-V-E.

7. Invest in your relationship with the Lord every day.

Tis is vital for spiritual fitness. We’ll cover more on

this later. Commit your day, your work, your food/

exercise plan, everything concerning you to the Lord

first thing in the morning. Use a Bible translation you

can easily understand and follow along with our daily

devotion. As much as possible, do your Bible reading

in the morning. If you run short of time, finish the

reading at bedtime. Do your best.

Life in the Word When you study, speak aloud, and invest time in the Word of

God (the Holy Bible), you are growing in your relationship with theLord. In John 1:1 and 14 we read, “In the beginning was the Word,

and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. … And the

Word became flesh and dwelt among us.” Jesus is the Word of the

living God! Hallelujah!



21

Introduction

My 40-Day Commitment

A Contract with Myself

I, _________________________, hereby commit

to improve my health and fitness for the next 40 days

beginning _______________________. I will eat

healthful meals and snacks to nourish and energize my

body, not feed my emotions. I will make a conscious

effort to move my body for 20 to 40 minutes every day

to improve my level of fitness and make it a part of my

lifestyle.

In addition, during this period of time I will not indulge

in the following foods I believe the Lord is guiding me to

stop eating, regardless of the temptation:

_____________________________________________

_____________________________________________

_____________________________________________

_____________________________________________

I will practice “ummy Curfew” and do my best to stop

eating three hours before bedtime.

I purpose to invest time with the Lord every day and draw

closer to Him. I am determined to know Him better. He

is the source of everything good in my life. I believe He

is making me into the person He called me to be. I refuse



22


to allow the past or self-defeating habits to keep me from

being all God has called me to be.

My body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, so I am learningto take better care of it.

Tis contract is with myself. I can also commit it to

God if I so choose. Keeping this contract or breaking it

is completely up to me. It carries with it no rewards or

penalties other than those associated with its reflection

on my ability to keep my word and the strength of my

character.

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

Signed, ___________________________________

Date: ________________________

Remember, this is not a diet. Tis is about embracing a healthy

lifestyle and drawing closer to the Lord, the One who makes alllasting change possible. I hope you’ll continue to follow some of

these guidelines in the future just because you enjoy the way you

feel when you’re doing them. You may choose to repeat this pro-

gram several times a year. It’s up to you!

What Is PraiseMoves®

?PraiseMoves is known worldwide as “Te Christian alternative

to Yoga.” We believe it’s important that people know PraiseMoves

is definitely not so-called “Christian yoga,” which we consider to

be an oxymoron or contradiction in terms (such as a “Christian

Hindu”—there’s no such thing!). No, PraiseMoves is called “Te



23

Introduction

Christian alternative to Yoga” for a reason. In a nutshell, I’d like to

share with you the disturbing background of yoga and the Praise-

Moves difference.

What Is Yoga?Many people, including Christians, think that yoga is just exer-

cise. However, according to Webster’s New World Dictionary, yoga

(coming from an east Indian Sanskrit word which means “union

with god” or “to yoke”) is “a mystic and ascetic Hindu disciplinefor achieving union with the supreme spirit through meditation,

prescribed postures, controlled breathing, etc.” In other words, sal-

vation by works.

Merriam-Webster’s online dictionary defines yoga as a “Hindu

theistic philosophy teaching the suppression of all activity of body,

mind, and will in order that the self may realize its distinction from

them and attain liberation.” Liberation in Hinduism is equated

with death and reincarnation, going on to the “next life” until one

reaches oneness with the universe.

Yoga in the MainstreamOver the last several decades, yoga has been embraced by the

mainstream of society—and even the church. We find yoga classes

offered at YWCAs, church fellowship halls, and even elementary

schools. Tere are an estimated 15 to 20 million people practicing

yoga in the US, and estimates of 50,000 to 100,000 yoga instruc-

tors offering classes at 20,000-plus locations.



24


As a child growing up on Long Island, I became involved with

yoga at the age of seven when my mother and I began watching

a daily yoga exercise program on television. For the next 22 years

I practiced yoga and even became a Hatha yoga instructor. I was

heavily involved in metaphysics and the New Age movement until

I came to the end of myself and surrendered my life to Jesus Christ.

I call yoga “the missionary arm of Hinduism and the New

Age movement.” We don’t often think of other religions having

missionaries, but the philosophy and practice of yoga have been

primary tools of Hindu “missionaries” to America since Indianpriest and mystic Swami Vivekananda introduced yoga to the West

at the 1893 World’s Fair in Chicago.

What Are Yoga Poses? Yoga poses are offerings to the 330 million Hindu gods. Acts

15:29 tells us to “abstain from things offered to idols.” One of our certified PraiseMoves instructors spent three

months on a missionary trip to India several years ago. She said her

group often saw people performing yoga poses in front of statues

of the gods in the streets! Some brought offerings of flowers, some

fruit, some brought themselves. Can you see a twisting of Romans

12:1, “present your bodies a living sacrifice” ?Sannyasin Arumugaswami, managing editor of Hinduism

oday, is quoted as saying that Hinduism is the soul of yoga, “based

as it is on Hindu scripture and developed by Hindu sages. Yoga

opens up new and more refined states of mind, and to understand

them one needs to believe in and understand the Hindu way of



25

Introduction

looking at God.” He went on to say, “A Christian trying to adapt

these practices will likely disrupt their own Christian beliefs.”

In an article entitled “An Open Letter to Evangelicals” from

the January, 1991 issue of Hinduism oday , Swami Sivasiva Palani

wrote: “A small army of yoga missionaries—hatha, raja, siddha and

kundalini—beautifully trained in the last 10 years, is about to set

upon the western world. Tey may not call themselves Hindu, but

Hindus know where yoga came from and where it goes.”

Perhaps now you can see that yoga is more than “just exercise.”

Tis explains why many Christians have told me they felt uncom-fortable in yoga classes. Tey may have experienced what I call “a

check in the spirit,” a sense that something doesn’t feel quite right.

Others may say they feel unaffected by such things when they do

yoga—the subtle and deceptive influences have no effect on them.

I would ask them to consider the young believers whom they influ-

ence. Might they not begin going to yoga classes and be drawn intothe “higher” (prideful) things of yoga, the New Age movement,

and metaphysics as my mother and I were for 22 years? We truly

are our brother’s and sister’s keeper.

For an extensive downloadable article on the background of

yoga, please see my article “Why a Christian alternative to Yoga?”

on our website www.PraiseMoves.com.

What Is PraiseMoves?On February 25, 2001 at 10:35 in the morning, I believe I

received the revelation for PraiseMoves as a Christ-centered alter-

native to yoga. Over the next two years I studied, prayed, and



26


fasted. I wanted to make absolutely certain this was what the Lord

wanted me to do.

“Do I have to put the word yoga in there, Lord?” I asked Him.

I did not want to be associated with yoga at all. Te Lord spoke

to my heart, and I realized that because so many have become

deceived into thinking yoga is only therapeutic exercise, calling it

“Te Christian alternative to Yoga” would be a shocking wake-up

call for many.

While doing PraiseMoves postures, we meditate upon and

speak aloud each posture’s accompanying scripture. For example,during “Te Angel” posture, we consider Psalms 91:11, “For He

shall give His angels charge over you, to keep you in all your ways.” In

this way we are gaining strength and flexibility in our body, we’re

being transformed by renewing our minds on the Word of God

(see Rom. 12:2), we’re feeding our spirit, and we’re building our

relationship with the Lord by worshiping Him in His Word!Instead of emptying the mind, as is practiced in yoga, we believe

in filling our minds with the Word of God.

But Some of the Postures LookLike Yoga!

I’ve discovered there’s not an infinite number of ways the humanbody can move. Some of the PraiseMoves postures resemble yoga

poses while others do not. For example, the 22 PraiseMoves Alpha-

betics postures are based on the 22 letters of the Hebrew alphabet.

I consider PraiseMoves to be a redemptive work of the

Lord. Realizing that redeem means to “buy back” or to “restore”



27

Introduction

something to the way it had once been, I like to think that moving

our bodies to glorify God may not be such a new idea. Te enemy

(satan) is not a creator; he takes what God has created and twists it

to bring people to the feet of a false idol.

Radical Thought Alert!Exercise is not the foundation of PraiseMoves!

What? Isn’t this all about the stretching postures? No. Te

foundation of PraiseMoves is neither exercise nor the stretching

postures, as wonderfully beneficial as they are!Te foundation of PraiseMoves is the Word of God which

we speak aloud or meditate upon while doing the PraiseMoves

postures. Te healthful stretching postures are merely a “witty

invention” to get us more into the Word of God—and to get more

of the Word of God into us! If the truth be known, the stretching

poses are not the foundation of yoga either!

Physical Benefits of PraiseMovesEven though our foundation is Scripture, the physical ben-

efits of PraiseMoves are quite impressive, by the grace of God. I

invite you to read some remarkable testimonies from doctors, chi-

ropractors, nurses, and “regular” people like you and me at www.

PraiseMoves.com.

Here’s a list of benefits associated with flexibility exercises and

stretching:

• Assists weight loss

• Reduces stress and tension and improves circulation



28


• Blood pressure and resting heart rate can drop sig-

nificantly after stretching regularly

• Assists lymphatic system’s ability to remove toxinsfrom the body

• Can help injuries to heal (regular stretching can

reduce the risk of injury)

• Improves flexibility, coordination, agility, and

balance

• Te “miracle oil” of synovial fluid is released into joints, helping to protect them from injury. With

no movement, joints become dry, causing the stiff-

ness often associated with aging. Stretching releases

the fluid to help joints move freely without pain.

• May improve the function of internal organs by

reducing stress

• Can help prevent or reverse osteoporosis, increas-

ing bone density

• May help ease symptoms of menopause

Te American College of Sports Medicine recommends a

stretching program be performed at least two to three days a week.PraiseMoves strives to balance flexibility, strength, endur-

ance, and relaxation, while spiritually focusing on things above.

PraiseMoves includes gentle breathing, enhancing relaxation, and

flexibility. Muscles are stretched and strengthened through their

full range of movement, increasing the body’s ability to operate



29

Introduction

as one functional unit. Circulation improves, helping nourish all

body parts and removing built-up toxins. Internal organs, muscles,

nerves, bones, and joints all seem to benefit from stretching, an

integral part of PraiseMoves.

All this and the Word of the Living God!

Now perhaps you see why I’m so passionate about sharing

PraiseMoves with you. Are you ready to begin our 40-day (and

hopefully longer) journey together? Let’s get started!



31

Day 1

I TRUST IN THE LORD

Tose who trust in the Lord are like Mount

Zion, which cannot be moved, but abides

forever

(Psalms 125:1).

Today’s Bible Reading:Proverbs 3:1-35

Te word for “trust” in Hebrew (batakh) means “to rest

securely” and “have full confidence” in someone or something. It

also means “to lean with the full body” or “to rest the full weight

upon.” o trust in the Lord is to rest your whole weight upon Him.

We can rest in the Lord as well as rest the whole of our care and

our lives on the Lord.

As believers in the Word of the living God, we know we canstand immovable in His promises to us. We can be unwavering in

our faith, knowing that His Word is eternal truth itself. ruth is

more powerful than facts, since facts are subject to change. ruth,

however, cannot change. However, if we are not familiar with His

promises to us in certain areas such as health, relationships, or



32


finances, we can be easily deceived into thinking our situation is a

mountain that cannot be moved.

Are you unmovable in the things of God? Are there certain

things you absolutely, positively know are true? You are like Mount

Zion in that area!

o me, trusting in the Lord means that no matter what cir-

cumstances may say to the contrary, I choose to believe God’s

Word above what physical senses or human reasoning may say to

the contrary. Tat kind of trust does not come overnight, but it

does come—with bulldog determination and a willingness to be

unmovable like Mount Zion. Facts can change, while truth cannot

change. Suddenly the revelation will come to you that His Word

is truth.

Is there something you have prayed about and asked God to

help you, but you have not seen progress in that area? Find a prom-

ise in the Bible that addresses it and be willing to stand like MountZion on that promise. Write God’s promise along with the Bible

reference (look in a Bible or online concordance). Write it here:

_____________________________________________

_____________________________________________

_____________________________________________

_____________________________________________

_____________________________________________



33

I Trust in the Lord

Today’s PraiseMoves PostureMount Zion

Tose who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion, which can-not be moved, but abides forever (Psalms 125:1).

Stand with your feet a few

inches apart. Bend your knees

slightly. Rest your weight on

the outsides of your feet. uck

your pelvis under, tighteningglutes and abdomen to protect

the lower back. Rotate shoul-

ders back and reach down with

the fingers. Lift up through the

crown of your head as if you’re

trying to add another inch toyour height. Relax your neck

and shoulders. Breathe deeply

into the lower and upper lungs.

We call this Correct Body

Alignment, or “CBA” for short.

I Am Immovable in theLord!

Stand in the “Mount Zion”

posture and repeat, “I thank

You, Lord, that Your Word says,

‘Tose who trust in the Lord are



34


like Mount Zion, which cannot be moved, but abides forever’ (Ps.

125:1). I trust in You with all of my heart and know Your promises

are coming to pass in my life. I will not be moved! Glory to God!”

You may also want to repeat the scripture for the promise from

God you’re standing on!

Fitness for His Witness Tip

Correct Body Alignment (CBA)

Outlined above, Correct Body Alignment (CBA) allows forbetter posture, which has numerous benefits. It helps organs and

muscles function for maximum energy, endurance, and strength;

it allows for better muscle performance, complete breathing, and a

flatter abdomen; people notice fewer back problems; plus, it gives a

more confident and healthy appearance, too!

How Long Do I Hold a PraiseMoves Posture?It is recommended to hold a PraiseMoves posture for 30 to 50

seconds. You can measure this during 3 to 5 gentle, deep breaths

using our deep diaphragmatic breathing outlined in tomorrow’s

tip. In brief: 5 seconds inhale and 5 seconds exhale makes 10 sec-

onds for the complete breath. Do this 3 to 5 times for 30 to 50

seconds.



36


smoke and emit a horrible odor throughout her home. When the

flaxen wick served its purpose and was burned up, she doused it

with water and threw it out the window to get rid of it, quickly

replacing it with a new wick.

But God, our Lord, knows the most beautiful music comes

from bruised reeds (us!) placed in the Master’s hands. Look at

Mary Magdalene, whom many consider to be the first evangelist—

the first to see Jesus risen from the dead. She ran to the disciples

with the most beautiful “music” the earth had heard since creation,

“He is risen!”

Instead of extinguishing us when we were used up and burned

out, the moment we surrendered our lives to Him the Lord restored

us, giving us a new fire—a light that all may see.

Is there an incident from your past you haven’t surrendered to

the Lord? Is something keeping you from living in the complete

freedom Jesus paid the price for you to have?Right now, give it to the Lord. Refuse to allow the bruise under

the surface to keep you from praising the Lord with your whole

heart. Tere are things the world uses and throws away, but Jesus

says, “I can restore! I can light a new fire here! Behold, I make all

things new!”



37

I Hear Beautiful Music from Bruised Reeds

Inhale, then exhale as you

sweep your hands forward,

clasping the thumbs together

and reaching upward. ighten

the glutes to protect the lower

back. Bring upper arms along-

side your ears. Look up at the

ceiling. Breathe deeply.

Lord, You Are MakingBeautiful Musicthrough Me!

Stand in “Te Reed” posture

and declare in your own words,

“Glory to God! Lord, I am so

grateful that a bruised reed You

will not break and smoking flax You will not quench. I may have

felt bruised, broken, and used

up, but Your Word tells me that

I am a new creation; old things

have passed away; behold, all

Today’s PraiseMoves PostureThe Reed

A bruised reed He will not break, and smoking flax He willnot quench… (Isaiah 42:3).



38


things have become new! oday I walk in newness of life!” (See 2

Corinthians 5:17; Romans 6:4.)

Fitness for His Witness TipDeep Diaphragmatic Breathing for Stress Relief

and Alertness

Sit comfortably with a straight back and loosen any tight or

restrictive clothing. Place one hand on your abdomen just above

your navel. Place your other hand on your upper chest just belowyour collar bone. Inhale deeply through your nose and try to gently

make the hand on your abdomen move as you breathe in. You want

your belly to expand like a balloon with air. Relax your abdomen.

Your upper hand should move only slightly on the deepest part of

the inhalation, gently filling the upper part of the lungs with air

after the lower part of the lungs is filled. Exhale gently throughthe nose. Tis is considered a complete deep diaphragmatic breath.

With practice, this can become your natural way to breathe again,

as you did when you were a child, using both upper and lower lobes

of your lungs.



39

Day 3

I WILL PRAISE THE LORD!

Awake, lute and harp! I will awaken the

dawn. I will praise You, O Lord, among the peoples, and I will sing praise to You among

the nations (Psalms 108:2-3).

Today’s Bible Reading:

Psalm 108:1-13“I will” is a strong statement. Mentioned over 1,740 times in

the Bible, it expresses a determination and a promise to take action.

How many times have you asked a friend to come to a get-together

at your home, or an event at church and their response was a luke-

warm, “I’ll try”? How often have we been guilty of that ourselves?

Sometimes “I’ll try” means “I won’t, but I don’t want to say so!”

In this psalm, David declares that he will praise the Lord, not

only in his predawn prayer time, but he is determined to speak and

sing praises to God in front of other people, too—both believers

and non-believers.



40


If you are not sure how to begin praising the Lord, start by

speaking the psalms of David. Right now, make an “I will” dec-

laration and praise the Lord by speaking verses one through five:O God, my heart is steadfast; I will sing and give

praise, even with my glory. Awake, lute and harp! I

will awaken the dawn. I will praise You, O Lord,

among the peoples, and I will sing praises to You

among the nations. For Your mercy is great above

the heavens, and Your truth reaches to the clouds. Beexalted, O God, above the heavens, and Your glory

above all the earth (Psalms 108:1-5).

List five things for which you can praise the Lord. Tink of

how He has saved you and supplied your needs. Remember the

times He made a way for you and your family when there seemed

to be no way. Write the first five things that come to mind and then

praise Him for them!

1. _______________________________________

_______________________________________

_______________________________________

_______________________________________

2. _______________________________________

_______________________________________



41

I Will Praise the Lord!

_______________________________________

_______________________________________

3. _______________________________________

_______________________________________

_______________________________________

_______________________________________

4. _______________________________________

_______________________________________

_______________________________________

_______________________________________

5. ______________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________

_______________________________________



43

I Will Praise the Lord!

While in the “David’s Harp” posture, repeat Psalms 108:2-3

aloud. Praise Him for His faithfulness and loving kindness.

Fitness for His Witness TipThe Benefits of Stretching

Te American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) lists studies

which show that a decline in flexibility reduces physical perfor-

mance, increasing injury risks. Regular stretching can reduce these

risks, improving muscular performance and quality of life. Stretch-ing may also reduce the mental and physical effects of stress and

improve the function of internal organs.

ACSM recommendations include a general stretching program

that involves stretches for all the major muscle groups in the body.

Te use of static (motionless or stationary) stretching is probably

the most effective form of stretching for most people.It’s best to avoid ballistic (bouncing) stretches. Tese may harm

joints or cause muscle injuries. During slow stretches like Praise-

Moves, a joint is moved through its full range of movement until a

stretch is felt in the muscles on the side of the joint being stretched.

Te ACSM recommends a stretching program be performed at

least two to three days a week.



45

Day 4

I WILL MOUNT UP WITH WINGS LIKEAN EAGLE

But those who wait on the Lord shall renewtheir strength; they shall mount up with

wings like eagles, they shall run and not be

weary, they shall walk and not faint

(Isaiah 40:31).

Today’s Bible Reading:Isaiah 40:1-31

In our reading today, we see several strong statements, including:

…Surely the people are grass. Te grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God stands forever(Isaiah 40:7-8).

He gives power to the weak, and to those who haveno might He increases strength. Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall, but those who wait on the Lord shall renew theirstrength… (Isaiah 40:29-31).



46


Te Lord knows our frame. He knows our strengths and weak-

nesses. We are like grass and grasshoppers in comparison to Him,

so in His great mercy He gives us His great unshakeable promise,

“I will be your strength.” Tere is a caveat, however—certain con-

ditions must be met. Like an impetuous youth, we cannot race out

in our own strength and expect God to bless our actions. Tis is

probably how “youths shall faint and be weary, and the young menshall utterly fall.”

You may have an idea or a direction to take from the Lord, but

it is not His timing yet. Wait until you sense the peace of the Lordgiving you the go-ahead. My husband Paul says that peace is like

warm velvet on the inside of your spirit.

Here is where our patience is tested. Can we “wait” upon the

Lord like a good waiter waits on his favorite customer in a five-star

restaurant? Better yet, while waiting for His guidance can we wait

upon the Lord as His servant and child, bowing our heart and will

and expressing our love in worship to Him? Tese acts of humilityensure God’s grace and empowerment in our lives. “God resists the

proud, but gives grace to the humble” (1 Pet. 5:5).

Tis waiting increases our faith and inner strength, ensuring

that when the time is right we will rise above any storm like an

eagle and reach our objective in His strength, not ours.

Be aware, however, that sometimes the Lord is waiting on us.Don’t wait for three trumpet blasts and a heavenly hallelujah cho-

rus before you take action on what you believe the Lord wants you

to do. Step out in faith, and if you sense a “check” in your spirit to

stop—stop and wait on the Lord. He is our loving, guiding Shep-

herd. Let’s wait upon and follow Him.



47

I Will Mount Up with Wings Like an Eagle

Today’s PraiseMoves PostureThe Eagle

But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength;

they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run

and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint

(Isaiah 40:31).

From “Mount Zion,” slowly hinge at the waist, sweeping

extended arms down and back, palms up, while lowering your

torso down until your head is level with your hips. Knees bent, dip

your lower back down slightly. Keep a straight line from the crown

of the head down the back. Breathe gently.



48


I Wait on You

While in “Te Eagle,” repeat Isaiah 40:31 aloud. Worship and

wait on the Lord.


Three Parts of a Good Workout

When we think of working out, many of us consider only

aerobic exercise and lifting weights. However. there is a third com-

ponent many have overlooked in their quest for fitness.It’s important to develop your physical fitness three ways:

1. Aerobically—brisk walking, running, aerobic dance

for cardiovascular health, fat burning, and endurance

2. Resistance exercise—lifting weights or using one’s own

body weight for resistance for lean body mass, strength,

and to increase bone density 3. Flexibility—stretching exercises for joint mobility,

balance, and to remain flexible

PraiseMoves provides the benefits associated with both stretch-

ing and resistance exercises. Some PraiseMoves workouts are

preceded by what we call “Walkin’ Wisdom Warm-ups.” Tese

warm-ups provide 10 to 15 minutes of aerobic activity while declar-ing invigorating scriptural affirmations, such as, “I can do all things

through Christ who strengthens me—Philippians 4:13!” Some

PraiseMoves classes incorporate our MIRA! workouts—“Christian

Fitness with a Latin Beat.” (See www.MIRAdance.com.)



49

The Breath of the Almighty Gives Me Life

Day 5

THE BREATH OF THE ALMIGHTY

GIVES ME LIFE

Te Spirit of God has made me, and the

breath of the Almighty gives me life

(Job 33:4).

Today’s Bible Reading:Genesis 1:1-27 oday we read part of the first chapter of Bereshith, which is

Hebrew for “in the beginning”—the first words of Genesis 1:1. It is

called “Te Book of Beginnings.” I like that.

Our scripture for today’s posture, “Te Flapping ent,” begins,

“Te Spirit of God has made me.” You are made in the image of

God (see Gen. 1:26). Like God, you are also a three-part being. As

mentioned in the Introduction, the real you is a spirit; you have a

soul (your mind, will, and emotions) and you live in a body (your

“earth suit”).



50


Often when we want to make changes in our lives, we only

consider part of the picture. We want to lose some physical weight,

so we go on a physical diet. We want to overcome an addiction

or bad habit, so we muster up all the willpower we can and bite

our knuckles. We want to be more loving or compassionate toward

others, so we smile more and try to the best of our limited ability,

only to feel guilty when we don’t measure up to our expectations.

Te second part of our verse today reads, “And the breath of

the almighty gives me life.” God the Father breathed into Adam’s

nostrils the breath of life (see Gen. 2:7). We think of the Lord

breathing on His disciples, “Receive the Holy Spirit” (John 20:22).

Webster’s New World Dictionary defines inspire as to inhale, but

also “to be motivated as if by divine influence.” You can have heav-

enly help from the Lord in reaching your goals; in fact, you will not

attain all you could be without Him!

As you experience today’s posture, “Te Flapping ent,” andmeditate on its accompanying verse, ask the Lord to help you be all

He wants you to be in spirit, in soul, and in body. He will inspire

you to be all He has created you to be!



51


Today’s PraiseMoves PostureThe Flapping Tent

Te Spirit of God has made me, and the breath of the Almighty gives me life (Job 33:4).

On all fours with your hands under your shoulders, inhale, let-

ting the tailbone tilt up and the spine curve downward. Look up at

the ceiling. Exhale, reversing the spinal bend, tilting the tailbone

down and pulling the chest and abdomen in.



52


Tis simple posture combination helps to stretch the back and

relieve pain, strengthen the core muscles of the abdomen and the

back, increase coordination, and energize the body.

The Flapping Tent Benefits• Helps stabilize the sacrum (the large triangular

bone at base of spine), releasing lower back pain

• Stretches the upper, mid, and lower back, hips,

neck, and front of your body



53


• Helps to support the back by engaging abs

• Loosens spine and stretches hips

• Massages and stimulates kidneys and adrenalglands

• Helps relieve stress

The Spirit of God Has Made Me!

Repeat the scripture aloud. Meditate on it. Tank and praise

the Lord that He has given you life and breath and a holy purpose

in Him.


Too Blessed to Be Stressed!

Anxiety in the heart of man causes depression, but a

good word makes it glad (Proverbs 12:25). According to the American Institute of Stress, stress is America’s

number-one health problem. It is estimated that 75 to 90 percent of

all visits to doctors are for stress-related problems. oday’s stresses

tend to be more dangerous because they primarily stem from psy-

chological threats rather than physical.

While stress may be an inevitable part of life, it can be managedand reduced by inviting new routines into our daily lives—like

exercise and meditating on the Word of God, as we do in a Praise-

Moves workout.

Eating more whole foods and eliminating sugar, soft drinks,

and caffeine help many handle stress more effectively. Sugar and



54


caffeine burden the adrenal glands. When the adrenal glands are

overtaxed, they are unable to function at their best, resulting in

higher stress levels.



55

Day 6

THE LORD HAS GIVEN ME DOMINION

Enlarge the place of your tent, and let them

stretch out the curtains of your dwellings;do not spare; lengthen your cords, and

strengthen your stakes (Isaiah 54:2).


Genesis 1:28–2:25 Wow—did you see the five-fold blessing of multiplication the

Lord spoke forth in Genesis 1:28?

Ten God blessed them, and God said to them, “Be

fruitful and multiply ; fill the earth and subdue

it; have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the

birds of the air, and over every living thing that moveson the earth” (Genesis 1:28).

God is calling you to:

1. Be fruitful

2. Multiply



56


3. Fill the earth

4. Subdue it

5. Have dominion“But I’m just one person,” you may say. “How can I do all

that?” Did you notice that the verse begins with, “Ten God

blessed them”? If God had not already given them the ability by

His grace (God’s willingness to use His power and ability on our

behalf) and blessed them (empowering them to prosper and break

through to success), it would have been nigh impossible for them

to fulfill His decree.

Although this was before Adam sold out to the enemy causing

the fall of humankind, through Jesus we have regained dominion

and authority. In fact, in Luke 10:19, Jesus said, “Behold, I give youthe authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you.”

In what areas of your life is the Lord calling you to do the fol-lowing? Write them here:

1. Be fruitful (productive, successful)

_____________________________________________

_____________________________________________

_____________________________________________

2. Multiply (grow, increase)

_____________________________________________

_____________________________________________



57

The Lord Has Given Me Dominion

_____________________________________________

_____________________________________________

3. Fill the earth (enlarge your territory and influence)

_____________________________________________

_____________________________________________

_____________________________________________

4. Subdue it (conquer and overcome something)

_____________________________________________

_____________________________________________

_____________________________________________

5. Have dominion (power and supreme control under the

Lordship of Jesus Christ)

_____________________________________________

_____________________________________________

_____________________________________________

Say with me today, “Te Lord has given me dominion and

authority in Jesus’ name!”



58


Today’s PraiseMoves PostureThe Tent

Enlarge the place of your tent, and let them stretch out thecurtains of your dwellings; do not spare; lengthen your cords,

and strengthen your stakes (Isaiah 54:2).

Begin on your hands and knees, toes curled under, legs hip-

width apart, and arms shoulder-width apart. Spread the fingers

wide apart with the middle fingers parallel to one another, point-

ing straight ahead. Rotate the inside of your elbows forward. With

the arms straight, press the hips up and back, reaching the tailbone

toward the ceiling. Press your heels toward the floor. You may bend



59

The Lord Has Given Me Dominion

the knees slightly to help straighten the back. Breathe gently—do

not hold your breath.

If you would like, you may also do this posture placing your

forearms on the floor, taking the weight off your hands and wrists.

Bend your knees to come out of “Te ent” and relax by sitting

onto your heels into “Te Little Child” posture (see the exercise on

Day 8).

Enlarging the Place of My Tent

Repeat the scripture for “Te ent,” thanking the Lord that Heis enlarging and increasing your influence for Him in your family,

church, workplace, and community.


Ahhh…the Amazing Oxytocin Molecule

In PraiseMoves, the gentle, deep diaphragmatic breathing and

movement we do sets off a wonderful cascade of physiological pro-

cesses to calm the mind and body.

Biochemical responses occur during a stretching workout. It

reduces adrenal stress chemicals and boosts oxytocin levels. Pro-

nounced oxy-toe-sun, it’s the “bonding” or “trust” hormone—said

to help mothers bond with their babies and bring couples closer

together.

In addition to being an aid in weight control, relieving depres-

sion, and helping to alleviate social anxiety by helping to produce

feelings of trust, studies show that oxytocin has the ability to reduce



60


stress. Considering the toll that stress takes on the body, that can

be a major benefit.

Oxytocin has also been observed to reduce cortisol in the body

and lower blood pressure. Digestion is also improved, which is often

disturbed by high stress levels. In addition, oxytocin and oxytocin

receptors can be found in the intestinal tract, improving digestion

and elimination as well as decreasing intestinal inflammation.

See all the good that comes from your PraiseMoves workout?

As you do your AM-PM PraiseMoves DVD today, exercise domin-

ion while exercising yourself in spirit, soul, and body!



61

Day 7

I PRESENT MY BODY TO THE LORD

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the

mercies of God, that you present your bodies

a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God,which is your reasonable service

(Romans 12:1).


Romans 12:1-21Verse 2 of today’s reading underscores the reason we do

PraiseMoves:

And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind , that youmay prove what is that good and acceptable and per-

fect will of God (Romans 12:2).In PraiseMoves, we believe in filling our minds with the

Word of God, not “emptying” our minds, as is practiced inyoga. Emptying one’s mind is an open invitation to hypnotism,as well as psychic and demonic influences. Meditating on God’s Word, declaring God’s truths aloud, and speaking scriptural



62


affirmations will not only renew your mind; it will also trans-form your entire life.

A scriptural affirmation is a portion of Scripture which you

take personally, as your very own. For example, instead of saying,“Who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, hav-ing died to sins, might live for righteousness—by whose stripes you werehealed” (1 Pet. 2:24), we can take this profound declaration fromthe Bible personally, for ourselves and loved ones.

When I have gone through health challenges, I have declared

this out loud, “I thank You, Father, that Jesus Himself bore mysins in His own body on the tree, that I, being dead to sin, mightlive unto righteousness—by whose stripes I was healed. Since I washealed, I am healed!”

In this way, you are not allowing yourself to be influenced andmolded by temporary circumstances surrounding you. Instead, byallowing God’s own words to take up residence in your mouth,

heart, and mind, you are presenting yourself completely to theLord, giving Him first place in your life.

You can say this as a scriptural affirmation or prayer, “DearLord, today I present my body as a living sacrifice, holy and accept-able to You, which is my reasonable service. I give You my eyes touse and direct as You see fit. I give You my tongue and my ears tohear and speak the good report and what is pure. I give You my

body, Lord, to direct as You will. I purpose to follow You. And I will not allow myself to be conformed to this world and its ways.Instead, I am being transformed by renewing my mind on Your Word. Hallelujah! My life is transformed and made new today!I hear only Your voice, Lord, and I follow You, in Jesus’ name. Amen!”



63

I Present My Body to the Lord

Today’s PraiseMoves Posture

The Altar

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of

God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice,

holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable ser-

vice (Romans 12:1).

You may choose to do this posture with your forearms on

the floor, taking the weight off your hands and wrists. You may

also remain on your knees at first, if that is easier. Your body will

become stronger with practice.



64


Come onto all fours with your hands under the shoulders, fin-

gers spread apart. Straighten one leg and then the other. Lower

the hips slightly, keeping your body in a straight line and head in

a neutral position, looking at the floor. Breathe gently and do not

hold your breath.

I Present My Body to God—Right Now

Repeat the scripture passage for “Te Altar” or make it into a

scriptural affirmation. Breathe gently and deeply. Do not hold your

breath. o come out of the posture, bend your knees and relax in“Te Little Child” posture (see Day 8).


Hungry? You May Actually Be Thirsty!

Water is a part of every process of the body, including breathing,

eating, movement, circulation, temperature, and brain function.Every 24 hours your amazing God-made body recycles the equiva-

lent of 40 thousand glasses of water!

Water also seems to be the single most important catalyst

in weight control. Decreasing water intake causes fat deposits to

increase, while increasing water intake can reduce fat deposits.

Why? Te kidneys need water to function properly. When they arenot receiving sufficient water, they’re not operating at full capacity

and some of the load is managed by the liver. One of the liver’s

many functions is to metabolize stored fat into energy, but if it’s

doing some of the work of the kidneys, more fat is stored by the

body instead of metabolized.



65

I Present My Body to the Lord

Did you know that sometimes you only think you’re hungry?

You may actually be thirsty. I call it “mouth hunger.” Instead of

snacking, drink water instead. People who snack all day will lose

weight if they drink water when they experience “mouth hunger”

instead of eating.



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