with PraiseMoves Founder, Laurette Willis, CHC
P a g e 1 Introduction to the Program By Laurette Willis Welcome to the 40-Day Fitness Challenge with PraiseMoves! I am honored and excited that you have decided to embark on this 40-day journey with me a 40-day journey that I hope will turn into positive changes that will last a lifetime! You may have your 40 Days to Fit & Fabulous with PraiseMoves book & DVD set, or it is being sent to you. Read through the Introduction (pages 11-29) and work out to one of the workouts on the DVD to become familiar with it. If you haven t already done so, please check your inbox for our invitation to the Private Facebook Group just for the 40-Day Fitness Challenge. Support works!!! Write Your Goals. Write the Vision. You should already have received your Write the Vision guide to help you focus on your Godgiven goals highlighting the importance of actually writing down our goals, visions and desires inspired by our Heavenly Father (in line with Habakkuk 2:2-3, as outlined in Write the Vision ). Let s Seek FIRST the kingdom of God and His righteousness (right-standing with Him), and all these things shall be added to you, as Jesus said in Matthew 6:33. Start Where You Are. What would you like to accomplish over these 40 days spiritually, mentally, emotionally and physically? Write it down. I recommend taking your measurements and weighing yourself, too (I know that s not fun, and we are SO much more than a number however, you WILL be encouraged by your progress as the weeks go by!). We re in this together. It s not too late to have a friend or two join you. By the way, I d LOVE to do several of these a year, so think about the possibility of leading a group at your church next time. Why not? Believers ARE Leaders! *Peacefully excited!* Laurette
P a g e 2 Day 1 I Trust in the Lord Those who trust in the LORD are like Mount Zion, Which cannot be moved, but abides forever (Psalm 125:1). Today s Bible Reading: Proverbs 3:1-35 Based on what you read today, what is the promise from God you are standing on? Write the scripture and reference here: Write a positive confession based on that scripture (put it in the first person). Say it out loud.
P a g e 3 Day 2 I Hear Beautiful Music from Bruised Reeds A bruised reed He will not break and smoking flax He will not quench (Isaiah 42:3). Today s Bible Reading: Matthew 12:1-30 Is there a bruise or brokenness in your life you have not yet submitted to the Lord? Would you be willing to give that to Him now and let Him heal that area in your life? What do you sense in your heart the Lord is telling you about it? Do you believe He can bring beautiful music and light through that healed area of your life to bless others who may have similar pain?
P a g e 4 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. (Psalm 108:2-3). Today s Bible Reading: Psalm 108: 1-13 If you were trying to help someone praise the Lord who had never done so before, what would you say to them? What words would you use to explain HOW to praise the Lord? Write them here: ACTION Step: Right now praise the Lord yourself (verbally, out-loud). Praise and thank Him for those five things you wrote in the 40-Day Devotional for which you are grateful to God.
P a g e 5 Day 4 I Will Mount Up with Wings like an 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). Today s Bible Reading: Isaiah 40:1-31 Is there an area in your life in which you are waiting on the Lord? Please describe: Is there an area in your life in which the Lord is waiting on you? Please describe:
P a g e 6 Day 5 The Breath of the Almighty Gives Me Life The 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 Is there an area in your life where you need some God-inspired, God-breathed wisdom, direction and guidance? 1. Ask Him for it now (see James 1:5-6). 2. Receive in line with Mark 11:24. 3. Write the first 5 ideas and inspirations that occur to you after you follow steps 1 and 2.
P a g e 7 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). Today s Bible Reading: Genesis 1:28 2:25 Is there a comfortable tent you ve been hiding in or holding onto? Perhaps it s a certain way of doing things, or a way you have seen yourself for many years (but it s not in line with the truth of how your Heavenly Father sees you). What do you sense the Lord is telling you in your heart about it? What can you do differently?
P a g e 8 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). Today s Bible Reading: Romans 12: 1-21 Do as today s Devotional suggests and physically, out-loud, present your body as a living sacrifice to God. Follow the words on page 62. Describe what this means to you: This is not my body any longer; it is my sacrifice to God.
P a g e 9 Day 8 I Receive God s Way of Living by Faith, like a Little Child Assuredly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it (Mark 10:15). Today s Bible Reading: Mark 10:1-31 Would you be willing to believe God like a little child would? Did you know God cannot lie? (See Titus 1:2). Whatever He says is true (if He said the sky was purple with pink polka dots guess what? it would BE purple with pink polka dots!). What does it mean to you to receive the kingdom of God as a little child?
P a g e 10 Day 9 Rejoice always. Pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18). Today s Bible Reading: 1 Thessalonians 5:1-28 What does it mean to rejoice in the Lord? How do you do that? We think of rejoicing as something we do for the Lord, but could it be that rejoicing in the Lord is really for OUR benefit? Why might that be?
P a g e 11 Day 10 I Dwell in the Secret Place of the Most High For He shall give His angels charge over you, To keep you in all your ways. (Psalm 91:11). Today s Bible Reading: Psalm 91:1-16 Do you recall occasions in your life when you must have had angelic protection or intervention? What happened? What part do YOU have to play in angels Heeding the voice of His word? Bless the Lord, you His angels, Who excel in strength, who do His word, Heeding the voice of His word (Ps. 103:20).
P a g e 12 Day 11 God s Wisdom is Light in My Life Those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the firmament, and those who turn many to righteousness like the stars forever and ever (Daniel 12:3). Today s Bible Reading: Ephesians 5:1-33 Is wisdom different from knowledge, and if so, how? In what ways do you have more wisdom now than you did 10 15 years ago?
P a g e 13 Day 12 There may be Clouds, but God has a Rainbow for Me in the Cloud! The rainbow shall be in the cloud, and I will look on it to remember the everlasting covenant between God and every living creature of all flesh that is on the earth (Genesis 9:16). Today s Bible Reading: Isaiah 55:1-13 Name some clouds (difficult times) in your past and the rainbows (promises and deliverances from God) that came to pass when you prayed and believed? Share any revelations from the Lord you glean from this scripture in today s reading: Why do you spend money for what is not bread, And your wages for what does not satisfy? Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good, And let your soul delight itself in abundance (Isaiah 55:2).
P a g e 14 Day 13 My Bible-based Prayers are FULL of Power! The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much (James 5:16). Today s Bible Reading: James 4:1 5:19 Explain what this sentence from page 96 in 40 Days means to you: It s been said that every one of God s promises has enough of His faith in it to enable it to come to pass. Let s write some scriptures about faith. How do you get more faith? (see Romans 10:17) What does Hebrews 11:1 say faith is? Write the scripture here:
P a g e 15 Day 14 Whatever I Do Will Prosper. He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season, Whose leaf also shall not wither; and whatever he does shall prosper. (Psalm 1:3). Today s Bible Reading: Psalm 1:1-6 and Proverbs 15:1-4 How are YOU like this tree in Psalm 1:3? In what ways are you NOT like this tree? How can you be MORE like this tree?
P a g e 16 Day 15 I Humble Myself, and God Lifts Me Up For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted (Luke 14:11). Today s Bible Reading: Luke 14:1-35 What does it mean to cast your burdens or care on the Lord? Why would giving your cares to God be considered an act of humility? Cast the whole of your care on Him right now and then plant a No Fishing sign! Refuse to take the cares back. He can handle them SO much better than you can!
P a g e 17 Day 16 God s Power is at Work in Me But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us (2 Corinthians 4:7). Today s Bible Reading: 2 Corinthians 4:1-18 Write about the treasure in earthen vessels the Lord has placed in you (in light of the Amplified translation on pages 109-110 in 40 Days ). What IS that treasure? What is God asking you to do so He gets ALL of the glory (the praise and credit for it instead of you)? Will you do it? If yes, ask Him for the first step you are to take. Write it here:
P a g e 18 Day 17 I am Abiding in the Vine and Bearing Fruit! Jesus said, I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing (John 15:5). Today s Bible Reading: John 15:1-27 Look at the word abide and abides in Psalm 91:1, John 15:5 and John 15:7. Write these scriptures in the first person as a scriptural affirmation, and translate the word abide (to dwell, live, remain whatever speaks to you). For example, I might say for Psalm 91:1 I dwell in the secret place of the Most High. I live under the shadow of the Almighty.
P a g e 19 Day 18 My Body is the Temple of the Holy Spirit Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? (1 Corinthians 6:19). Today s Bible Reading: 1 Corinthians 6:1-20 What does it mean to you that your body is both a temple and a sacrifice? In what ways is it a temple of the Holy Spirit? How are you treating it like a temple? In what ways is it a living sacrifice? How are you disciplining it like a living sacrifice?
P a g e 20 Day 19 Turn Away My Eyes from Looking at Worthless Things Turn away my eyes from looking at worthless things, and revive me in Your way (Ps. 119:37). Today s Bible Reading: John 4:1-42 What worthless things have you turned away from that used to mean a lot to you? What worthless things is the Lord asking you to turn away from, and surrender more to Him? Will you do it?
P a g e 21 Day 20 I m Getting Out of this Old Tent! Then He brought him outside and said, Look now toward heaven, and count the stars if you are able to number them. And He said to him, So shall your descendants be (Genesis 15:5). Today s Bible Reading: Genesis 15:1-21 Write about your starry sky that the Lord wants you to focus upon. Use your Write the Vision worksheet as inspiration.
P a g e 22 Day 21 My Battle is Not with Flesh and Blood For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places (Ephesians 6:12). Today s Bible Reading: Ephesians 6:1-24 Lies and Truths. What are some lies about yourself that you believed in the past, but you now know they are not true? What are some of the negative thoughts you have which are either old negative programming from the past, or lies from the enemy (spiritual attack) What does the Lord say we re to do with these lies? (see 2 Corinthians 10:5).
P a g e 23 Day 22 I WILL Bless the Lord! Lift up your hands in the sanctuary, and bless the LORD (Psalm 134:2). Today s Bible Reading: Psalms 133 and 134 Write some words and phrases you can use to bless the Lord: Write some words and phrases you can use to bless others: Take a few moments and use these words to bless the Lord right now. Ask the Lord whom He would like you to bless today with some of the words you wrote above.
P a g e 24 Day 23 He Gives Me Living Water Whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst. But the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life (John 4:14). Today s Bible Reading: Ephesians 5:1-33 Ephesians 5:19 says we are to be speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord. Write a love song to the Lord. It doesn t have to rhyme or sound like one of the Top Ten on Christian radio! Consider some of the words and phrases you wrote yesterday to bless the Lord. Write them into a little song just to Him. He loves to hear you praise Him with your voice. Even if you don t consider yourself to be a singer, your voice lifted in praise the sweetest of sounds to His ears. Let Him hear you.
P a g e 25 Day 24 I am Launching Out into the Deep! When He had stopped speaking, He said to Simon, Launch out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch (Luke 5:4). Today s Bible Reading: Luke 5:1-39 What do launching out into the deep and letting down your nets for a catch mean to you? In what area is the Lord asking you to launch out into the deep today? What might you catch in your net for the Lord if you do?
P a g e 26 Day 25 I Will Not Let Go of What the Lord has Given Me! When He had called the people to Himself, with His disciples also, He said to them, Whoever desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me (Mark 8:34). Today s Bible Reading: Mark 8:22-38 How do you take up your cross and follow the Lord? How would you explain what that means to a new believer?
P a g e 27 Day 26 My Help Comes from the Lord I will lift my eyes to the hills from whence comes my help? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth (Psalm 121:1-2). Today s Bible Reading: Psalm 121:1-8 Eleven Promises from God! What is a check in the spirit? If you have experienced that, what happened when you heeded that Holy Spirit nudge and what happened when you did not?
P a g e 28 Day 27 I Run with Endurance. Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith (Hebrews 12: 1-2). Today s Bible Reading: 1 Corinthians 9:1-27 What is the sin which so easily ensnares you? Ask the Lord HOW you can lay it aside so you can run with endurance. Write the idea and inspiration He gives you here:
P a g e 29 Day 28 I Plant My Faith by Speaking It. Saying is Sowing. If you have faith as a mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree, Be pulled up by the roots and be planted in the sea and it would obey you (Luke 17:6). Today s Bible Reading: Mark 4:1-40 Explain what this saying means in light of Luke 17:6 written above: Don t tell God how big your problem is. Tell your problem how big your God is! Are there mountains (Mark 11:23) and mulberry trees (Luke 17:6) in your life that need to be removed? Do as Jesus said speak to them and command them to be removed in the name and by the authority of Jesus Christ! Use the Luke 10:19 authority He has given you. Do it now!
P a g e 30 Day 29 I Find Rest for My Soul Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light (Matthew 11:28-30). Today s Bible Reading: Matthew 11:1-30 In the King James Version of the Bible we read: Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief (Hebrews 4:11). How are we to LABOR to enter into REST? What does that mean to you? Describe how you can labor to enter into God s rest regarding something that concerns you.
P a g e 31 Day 30 I am Willing to be a Fool for Christ Though one may be overpowered by another, two can withstand him. And a threefold cord is not quickly broken (Ecclesiastes 4:12). Today s Bible Reading: Joshua 2:1-24 and 6:15-25 Rahab and the Scarlet Cord Name some examples of prophetic acts in Scripture (like Rahab s scarlet cord). Do you have a scarlet cord story to share like I mentioned on pages 181-182? What happened?
P a g e 32 Day 31 God is Drawing Me Out And the child grew, and she brought him to Pharaoh s daughter, and he became her son. So she called his name Moses, saying, Because I drew him out of the water. (Exodus 2:10). Today s Bible Reading: Exodus 2:1-25 How has the enemy been successful in the past distracting you from your purpose or from accomplishing a goal? What are some of the distractions he s used? How can you stop the devil in his tracks when he chatters in your ear like a monkey?
P a g e 33 Day 32 I Love the Name of Jesus! That in (at) the name of Jesus every knee should* (must) bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue [frankly and openly] confess and acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (Philippians 2:10-11, Amplified). * should is the past tense of shall, implying authority or compulsion. Today s Bible Reading: Philippians 2:1-30 Write down a situation in your life that MUST bow its knee to the Name of Jesus: Write the scriptural foundation upon which you base your assertion (how you know that you know that situation is not of God and therefore cannot remain; it must bow its knee to the authority of Jesus):
P a g e 34 Day 33 I Press Toward the Goal Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus (Philippians 3:13-14). Today s Bible Reading: Philippians 3:1-21 What is the Lord asking you to leave behind? How will leaving it behind enable you to reach forward with greater strength and ease? Will you do it? What is the prize of the upward call of God for you?
P a g e 35 Day 34 Jesus has Made Me a Fisher of Men Then He said to them, Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men (Matthew 4:19). Today s Bible Reading: Matthew 4:1-25 Just Ugly Worms...or Bait? My involvement with the New Age movement and yoga, and my addictions to overeating, smoking and alcohol are worms from my past that have since become bait the Lord uses to bring people closer to Him through my story (as in, If God could deliver her out of that mess, maybe He could help me, too). What are some of the worms from your past that the Lord can use as bait to win more people to Christ through you?
P a g e 36 Day 35 I m Planting Seeds of Self-Discipline The LORD has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy (Psalm 126:3 NIV). Today s Bible Reading: Galatians 5:16-26 and 6:1-18 What are some things you ve done so far during the 40-Day Fitness Challenge that were done while crying a bit on the inside because they weren t easy (such as Tummy Curfew, exercise, drinking more water, or putting aside that comfort food?) What are the seeds you planted and watered with your tears while doing things that were difficult during the Challenge seeds which will grow into a harvest of good for you? Seeds of Self-Discipline, perhaps? What else?
P a g e 37 Day 36 I Am Known By My Fruit Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me (John 15:4). Today s Bible Reading: Matthew 7:1-28 Since a tree is known by its fruit, name some of the fruit the Lord has developed in your life: How does this fruit bless others? What fruit is the Lord developing in your life right now?
P a g e 38 Day 37 Jesus said I m to be as Wise as a Serpent and as Innocent as a Dove. When He had been baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened to Him, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting upon Him (Matthew 3:16). Today s Bible Reading: Matthew 10:1-42 What is the difference between being naïve and being innocent? We can be as wise as serpents, but as harmless as doves, as Jesus said. Have you had experiences when you suddenly knew something about someone or a situation and that wisdom saved you from making a bad mistake? What happened?
P a g e 39 Day 38 The Spirit of the Lord is Upon Me Because... And when He had opened the book, He found the place where it was written: The Spirit of the LORD is upon Me, because He has anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor (Luke 4:17-18). Today s Bible Reading: Luke 4:1-44 Reading pages 229-230 in 40 Days, answer these questions. What are some of the reasons the Spirit of the Lord is upon you, especially now? Explain what this quote from means to you in light of receiving from God: My part is to believe that I receive it. His part is to see to it that I have it.
P a g e 40 Day 39 The Lord Protects Me And he said: The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; the God of my strength, in whom I will trust; my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold and my refuge; my Savior, You save me from violence. I will call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised; so shall I be saved from my enemies (2 Samuel 22:2-4). Today s Bible Reading: Psalm 23: 1-6 and Psalm 84:1-12 How have the grace and favor of God fenced in and protected your life? Explain this in your own words, as you would to a child or a new believer: Grace is also God s willingness to use His power and ability on our behalf.
P a g e 41 Day 40 I m Walking Along the King s Highway. I Know the Way. We will go along the King s Highway; we will not turn aside to the right hand or to the left (Numbers 20:17). Today s Bible Reading: John 14:1-31 Congratulations! We ve reached 40 days together. If you haven t already done so in your 40 Days book, please write your answers to these questions. What are some of the things you ve learned or have begun to do differently since you started this journey with me? List some changes and benefits here in each category: My relationship with the Lord: My relationship with family and friends: My physical health and body image: My exercise and eating habits:
P a g e 42 One of the biggest changes I ve noticed and why I want to continue this path: I am believing and standing with you. We are walking the King s Highway together! IN CLOSING I look forward to doing The 40-Day Fitness Challenge again. You re welcome to join us any time! You may want to invite a group at church to do the Challenge with you. Check out http://40dayfitnesschallenge.com and see how you can get a Leader s Guide and special discounts for groups from Destiny Image Publishers. Come see us at http://praisemoves.com and remember: Praise moves God...deeply. So, keep praising the Lord! With love, rejoicing with you, in Him, Laurette
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