“Securing your Spiritual Foundation”
Our pastor preached an impactful message that relates to so much of what we are doing with the Take Back Your Temple program.
The message was based upon Psalm 11:3, one of the Spiritual foundation Bible verses:
If the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do?”
Consider a house; if a home’s foundation problems are severe enough, they will eventually cause a collapse!
What is true in a natural home is also true with your Spiritual and emotional foundation in caring for your temple.
The Importance of a Solid Foundation
Below are my notes from our Pastor’s message. I hope it helps you assess and discover how to strengthen your Spiritual foundation:
- A foundation is the load-bearing part of the building. If the foundation is unstable, cracks will develop in the building.
- A foundation is below the ground and is not seen. Most cracks in homes come from foundation issues; in other words, a problem with something you can’t see is causing a problem with something you CAN see.
- A foundation must be deeper and stronger than the building itself.
Many people today are only interested in filling in cracks and painting over them.
Their lives become just about looking good, not in developing goodness in their lives.
That was the Pharisees’ problem in the Bible! Jesus said of them:
“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs which indeed appear beautiful outwardly, but inside are full of dead men’s bones and all uncleanness. (Matthew 23:27).”
“Securing your Spiritual Foundation”
Spiritual Foundation and Weight Loss Issues
I believe the previous picture illustrates the core problem with the diet industry; it is about crack filling, not addressing the foundational issues that can cause the problem in the first place (if the weight gain is not related to underlying medical issues).
That is why so many people lose and regain weight.
This is the reason why the first 2 steps of the Take Back Your Temple program address the foundation of your life.
We focus on these before we even start talking about eating and exercise.
From my own weight loss journey, I’ve learned that it does little good to address eating and exercise if life issues have you collapsing under the weight of them and turning to addictions to cope.
“Securing your Spiritual Foundation”
7 Signs of Cracks in your Spiritual Foundation
Here are signs that you have foundational problems in your life:
1. A negative/nasty attitude
2. Lack of commitment
3. Operating in fear
4. Getting jealous or envious of others’ successes; unable to celebrate with them
5. Becoming offended easily
6. Practicing addictions or out of control spending habits (example: have 100 pairs of shoes but don’t have $50 in the bank)
7. Can’t get along with other people; always in conflict with someone
Let us start building a stronger Spiritual and emotional foundation.
This process is not always exciting, but it will enable you to remain standing in times of shaking. And that is exciting!
1 Peter 2:6 says,
“Therefore it is also contained in the Scripture, “Behold, I lay in Zion A chief cornerstone, elect, precious, And he who believes on Him will by no means be put to shame.”
A cornerstone is “an important feature on which a particular thing depends or is based.”
My prayer is that each of us make Jesus our chief cornerstone and fellowship with Him daily. We learn His word and practice it, praise to receive strength, and allow His Holy Spirit to guide us.
Since our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, does He not have the right to determine what happens in them?
Following the Lord’s way is the only way to ensure our foundations remain secure!
“Securing your Spiritual Foundation”
Kimberly Taylor
Author of the Take Back Your Temple program
P.S. Are you struggling with the challenges of emotional eating? Many people with eating issues know what to do but have a hard time doing it. That is where you need a community that supports each other!
In the Take Back Your Temple program, you will get all the support you need to overcome the Spiritual and emotional battles of weight loss, connected in our Overcomers community.
Click here to confirm the Take Back Your Temple program is right for you.
You’re my cornerstone…. singing joyfully
Thank you King Jesus
Continue your good work in my heart oh how I need you!
In Jesus name I pray
Amen
Amen, Novella!
Lord I thank you for the signs it help to know how I’m doing. Truly I thank God for His word. Each day I’m learning to sit before Him allowing Him to speak to my heart. When I sit before Him and read His word God is speaking through his words. Lord you are a mighty God and when you wake me up in the whee morning, it let’s me know you have something you want to share with me. Help me to hear what you are saying and put into practice. Renewing your mind may not be easy but it is good to do and develop. Thank you Father for your word amen. God the Father Jesus the Son and the Holy Spirit amen the trinity.
Thank you for that encouraging prayer, Renee!
Wow wow wow I have learnt a lot bless you servant of the lord
I am glad it was eye-opening for you, Elios!
Hi Kimberly-
I don’t remember the exact date I joined your TBYT community, but I was at my lowest point. At 72, I had tried EVERYTHING possible, but the enemy had a grip on me with BINGE eating. This had been going on for over 60 years. I have a wonderful relationship with the Lord, but there was always a monkey on my back that I couldn’t shake!
All I can say is that I was ready to receive a miracle!!! My life has changed completely around, the enemy has lost his grip and I am fear of the fear of food!
I have changed to a Whole Foods Plant Based Lifestyle. This lifestyle isn’t for everyone, it does take commitment to shop, prep and prepare foods. I feel like I’m finally free. Praise God!
I no longer eat meat, dairy, oil, sugar or salt. My health is improving daily, plus the added benefits of losing weight.
Thank you for your inspiring stories, and prayers for this community. I just am so grateful and want to help others who suffer from food addiction. I no longer have cravings, my palate has changed and I mostly want savory, whole unprocessed foods!
It is a true miracle!!!
Praising God with you for your breakthrough, Vickie! May you continue to prosper and be in health as your soul prospers!
Dear Kimberly,
I love you I love your beautiful heart for Jesus.
This article is so true, and like a house, it is always good to inspect the foundation regularly, then we can address any issues while they are minor.
The Lord has been teaching me these truths and I am finding that walking close with Him releases me from worrying about the outward appearance so much. I mean how other people perceive me, self consciousness, not being sloven in dress. Because thought of my outward appearance before others has held me back from ministry at times.
This really struck me:
“ Their lives become just about looking good, not in developing goodness in their lives.”
My heart’s desire is that the goodness of God would be what people see, that the “vessel “ would not detract from Jesus inside and by His grace, I can help other people understand His love for them, and come to know Him.
Amen, Louise – I can feel your love for the Lord too! Let’s continue praying for each other and our Christian sisters and brothers who struggle. The Lord will supply what we need so that we can stand before Him and He say, “Well done, good and faithful children. Enter into the joy of your Lord!”
so a Christian should never experience any one of those things and if so, then they are on shaky ground?
Chela – That is a great question. We are people who live in a body, so negative emotions and temptations ARE going to come against us. We are in a Spiritual battle and we have a real enemy.
However, see these as a warning sign to strengthen ourselves in the Lord through prayer, praise, worship, God’s word, and fellowship with others believers. In that way, the world may shake but we will remain resilient in the Lord.
Thanks, Kim. Keep doing what you are doing. This was confirmation for me on working on my spiritual foundation. I know there are some cracks, but I can tell God is working on them.
Your exhortations are appreciated.
Thanks again.
Wonderful, Gwendolyn! The Lord has begun a good work in you and promises to complete it. Keep trusting in Him and you will experience wholeness in Him!
I have enjoyed your emails. I have prayed and asked for help in losing weight and I am actually loosing weight. Doing a low carb diet with a weight loss doctor. Of course everything like to eat is carbs. So it’s been a definite challenge for me. But with Gods help I will get there. 10 years or so I did Weight Watchers and lost 65 lbs but added it all back plus. Doesn’t help that I sit in front of a computer 10 hours 4 days a week. So started doing some exercises, hopefully can stick to it. I will start them then there is always excuses not to do them to the point where not doing them at all. Thank you so much for these emails.
You are welcome, Juanita. Remember that the journey is not about losing weight but becoming a fit and healthy person because your behaviors are always going to line up with the person you believe that you are. If you see yourself as a fit and healthy person and make choices consistent with that, you will not only become that person but you will keep the weight off!
Hi Kimberly! I love this article! Thank you so much!
You are welcome, Alex – God is good!
Wonderful thank you
I appreciate that confirmation, Denise 🙂
I do not at all understand why you would use the term ( sexy ) when referring to a person trying to strengthen their relationship and walk with God. Not exciting would have been a good enough description. I love your work, and I think you are just phenomenal the amazing way you present your message that myself, and many others truly rely on to get us through another day. Sorry, that reference just threw me.
Hi Pamela,
This is Mike Taylor responding. I am the TBYT Virtual Assistant and the husband of Kimberly.
Perhaps Kim should have used another word other than “sexy” and for that I ask your forgiveness.
However I will say that when Kim post, she usually respond as though she is responding for herself when possible.
She is indeed a virtuous woman and I can assure you she is very “SEXY” to her husband and I would not have it any other way.
If I may be personal and hopefully not offensive to you or others, “SEX” is a delightful part of our marriage that we fully enjoy.
Now, I will take the liberty to speak for the other “HUSBANDS” that are in this group or that are married to a woman in this group.
BE SEXY for your husband. Come out of those “Sackcloth and Ashes” outfits. I will be 64 years old in June of 2020 and this old man is rolling strong!
When Kim speaks about sex, she is usually directing her comments to individuals who are linked through the Holy bonds of matrimony.
Nonetheless, we will be mindful of our audience and I suspect Kim will see this post and may elect to respond as well.
To God be the Glory!
Mike Taylor
Hi Pamela – thank you for writing! Um…Well, as you can see my Mike responded first. God love him, but as a wife his response made me blush!
However, to your point I was actually thinking about modern commercials and how they try to make everything ”sexy” and exciting for maximum appeal, which is why I put that word in quotes. Certainly no offense was meant.
May the Lord continue to bless you,
I at times do 4 out of the 7 things you mentions above.
What ar ethe steps
For a strong solid spiritual foundation?
Who new I was so off.
I love God but I guess I do t trust Him?
I don’t know
Hi Tanya – its good that you are willing to take a look at this because your relationship with God is the MOST important thing in Life. A relationship with God answers the following question of every human heart:
* Origin: Where did I come from
* Meaning: Why does my life matter?
* Morality: How should I live?
* Destiny: Where am I going after I die?
I would recommend going back to the beginning and your relationship with God through Jesus Christ. Here is how to check on that relationship: https://www.everystudent.com/features/know-God.html.
I also recommend checking out your view of who God is in your life and how you see yourself in relationship to Him. I hope these resources help!
This was wonderful! Thank you for sharing!
You are welcome, Nedra – all glory to our God!
I am really happy that l had the opportunity to read your information about spiritual foundation in my life.
This information made me look at my life thinking
What is what . And how to go about things.
Thanks
You are welcome, Hope – may the Lord continue to bless you as you walk with Him day by day.
Thank you Kimberly for this eye openness age and of hope! I can relate to what is written. I do see though some of the things you mentioned with Gods help I have gotten better at!
There are some things I still struggle with like commitment and spending
I continue to see the Holy Spirits guidance and help with these! It is a process
Hi Mary – I am glad this was helpful. We are ALL works in progress! One scripture that gives us hope is Philippians 1:6 – ”being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ;.” God is faithful!
Thanks for sharing the seven foundational problems we may have in our lives. That was awesome thanks for sharing.
It’s a privilege to share God’s life-changing word!
Thank you for this message it is right on target with what I been struggling with. I am not happy with negative emotions I am fully aware of them and continue to pray daily asked god to remove unhealthy emotions.
Great truths here and deeper healing on th real issues that cause weight problems. Foundations are so important and so ignored. Instant never works long term.
Thanks Kim, such a true word.
Thank you Kim for reminding me it takes a ferm foundation, growing in my emotional time today. Guess I’m just disappointed my nice went to the woman’s march last week. She is a believe & I guess I just don’t understand. I think she has her eyes closed to the real truth . I pray she sees the truth .
Thanks Kim perfect timing
AMEN! Commitment is where I struggle, “I want it, but that’s too hard. I will just stay this size and not gain anymore weight (said that 20 pds ago)” I finally realized, God’s way is the only way! I think God for the divinely inspired woman you are! Be blessed!
Lying in bed, going through emails in a very cluttered inbox but read this. Now i know it was the Holy Spirit guiding me because I needed this so very much. Thank you!
Thank you for the teaching, great message 🙂
You are welcome, Tammy – it’s my pleasure to share what the Lord is teaching me!
Yesr ago I belonged to a so called “religious” prayer group, the group was rought with termoil. I asked the Lord, what is wrong with these people, I heard.
THESE PEOPLE HAVE NO FOUNDATION!!!!
Amen, Cathy! The enemy is all about separating us from God and each other. But Christ calls us to unity and peace.
Thank you so much for your timely and awesome words of encouragement. To God be the Glory!
Indeed, Donna – He deserves it.
This is exactly right, I had found a serious ‘fault line’….I ran to the Lord and He either lifted me over or brought me through the broken piece. All Glory Be To God! This is a timely word….
Live, Karen
So true, Karen – all it requires is trusting in Him and not leaning upon our own understanding, which is limited by nature. But our Lord’s wisdom and power is limitless!
Great Word Kim!!! Thanking God for your insight!!
I praise God, Joyce – nobody teaches like Him!
Thank you. I have to agree with this. I realize especially in the past couple of days.
Praise God, Sharon! Once you realize your foundation is shaky, you are in position to do something about it 🙂
Thank you! I needed this message today!
Our Lord is always right on time, Kathryn!
Thanks for sharing this i needed that
You are welcome, Lekasia – all glory to God!
Thank you, Kimberly, for everything! What do we do when we’re unsure of what the problem is exactly or if we think we know but just can’t seem to change a thing?
Praise and glory be to God!
God bless,
Simona
Hi Simona – The first thing you need to do is to clarify the problem and that takes God’s wisdom and insight. Ask Him to open up your Spiritual eyes and show you what you need to do. Plus, you’ll need courage to face whatever it is. Many times, people know what the problem is but are afraid of confronting it. May the Lord bless you!
Thank you, Kimberly! God bless!
Thank you Kim! We sure need to work daily in the good foundation.
I’m with you, Elma – doing that daily work with pay off!
Love today’s message! Thank you!
I’m glad the message spoke to you, Liz!
This was a deep message and I get it. God Bless You for being a witness.