Live It Articles The Key to Maintaining

Titus 3:8 (KJV) This is a faithful saying and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that thou which have believed in God, might be CAREFUL to MAINTAIN good works. These things are good and profitable unto men.

When I began First Place, I was so "diet program" minded, all I could think about was getting finished with this diet. Through the First Place Bible studies and Scripture memory, the Lord revealed to me how important each pound lost and each mile walked was to the big picture. More importantly, I learned that there was no end to this; there would come a point where I would have to become a good steward over the good work the Lord had done with my health. I would have to learn to maintain the work the Lord and I had labored to obtain in my life.

I would hear my First Place friends at the scales, when they had only lost a half pound, complaining about their weight loss. Zechariah 4:10 would come to mind, "Who despises the day of small things." I came to realize through this verse that even when I had a small weight loss, not to despise the small numbers. I learned to be a good steward over that half pound, and then the next week I would add to that half pound. Luke 19:17 (KJV) says. "Well done thy good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will make you ruler over much."   I learned to be faithful and take good care of a few pounds; they added up, and then He made me ruler over 160 lbs.

Now you may ask how I taught myself to be a good steward and maintain the small things. 1Corinthians 3:9  "For we are laborers together with God." I realized that God was keeping His part of the commitment, and I had to work to do my part. It is quite an honor to work with God on this restoration project. Each step I take He takes with me. I have walked 11,717 miles since the Lord and I started First Place on February 8, 1998. I must be a good steward and maintain the work He and I have done through the years, not because of me and my abilities, but because I love Him. Today after my workout, I gave Him the honor, praise, and glory for the miles that He and I walked together. I do it as unto the Lord because I love Him.

Becoming a good steward and maintaining your health is a gift to the Lord. I want to take care of this body He gave me to use while I am on this earth. Every workout adds to my level of fitness that I must maintain for the Kingdom of God. I have a love and a passion to honor God with my body, developing that passion one pound and one mile at a time.

To maintain this level of fitness, I must work daily and let nothing get in the way or chip away at the good work the Lord and I have worked to achieve. If you really want to do something, you will find a way. If you don't want to do something, you will find an excuse. That is why my daily motto is PRESS ON! The enemy can supply you with plenty of excuses. When the enemy supplies you with an excuse, apply spiritual intestinal fortitude, granting no mercy to any enemy that gets in the way. PRESS ON! The key to being good at maintaining is to PRESS ON!   God and I are laborers together at PRESSING ON!

Press ON!

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 160 pounds. First Place has given Beverly a powerful testimony. She is the First Place Director and the Director of Wellness Ministries at Northcrest Baptist Church in Meridian, MS. She is also an area Networking Leader for First Place in Mississippi. Beverly has a genuine love of proclaiming the word of God to His people.