Live It Articles This Could Be the Best Year of Your Life

Meditate on this thought: One year from this day, where would you like to be physically, spiritually, mentally and emotionally?

Looking back at your school years, you made plans on the first day of a new school year that it would be the best year you ever had. You planned to study more, do your best and be a good student. You hit the ground running, having plenty of paper and pencils. You worked each day at school to make good grades and be the best student you could be. Each report card was a reflection of your perseverance until finally, you graduated. You then stepped out into the world to apply what you studied all those years. No longer wearing the title of student, you became part of the adult world workforce.

This is very much the way we embark on our journey with First Place. Going through the First Place orientation and training, we are asked to make a decision as to what we intend to do with the task at hand. I recall the day I told the Lord, "Father, I am going to do this program exactly right for a whole year. Please show me something. " I filled out my Commitment Record totally and correctly each week. I turned it in to my leader on time and attended each class. I did all of the Bible studies and Bible reading. I encouraged my classmates and prayed for them daily. I followed the food plan to the letter, memorized all the scripture memory verses, and learned to love moving and exercise. I made a total commitment to the Lord to do my part.

I Corinthians 3:9 says, We are laborers together with Him. There is no Aladdin 's lamp-rub it and poof, you are thin. You have to come to the point that you find a genuine joy in laboring with Jesus to achieve success in becoming healthy for Him. Once again, where would you like to be this time next year? What would you like to change in your life. If you want the changes bad enough, are you willing to work for them? A picture speaks a thousand words. The photos in this article are proof positive of what God can do in your life if you will do your part and labor with Him.

The first photo of the race was taken the first weekend of April 1998. I just graduated from my Lazy Boy recliner and became part of the work force. I might have been last in the race that year, but I was up and moving. I was on the right track and working at it every day that year. There are no days off when you are working to change your life.

In the photo of the same race, the same week in April 1999, I won the race. When you labor with Jesus, you are a winner in more ways than one. I challenge you to give every day of this year to the Lord. Commit to Him to do ALL your commitments ALL the way every day. Tell yourself, "If she can do it, I want to do it, too!" Ask the Lord to walk through this year with you.

You will be the winner.

Beverly Henson
Certified Personal Trainer


Beverly Henson is a conference and rally speaker for the First Place ministry. She is also a Bible teacher and certified personal trainer. Beverly joined First Place in July 1997 and has lost 147-1/2 pounds. First Place has given Beverly a powerful testimony. She is a First Place leader and Bible teacher at Northcrest Baptist Church in Meridian, Mississippi. Beverly has a genuine love of proclaiming the word of God to His people.