Since 2009
THE PRAYFIT DEVOTION
But Even If He Doesn't
But even if he doesn't, we want you to know, Your Majesty, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up. --Daniel 3:18
Read: Daniel 3
Dr. Charles Stanley says, "Be obedient and leave the consequences to God." Kinda sums it up doesn't it? Go ahead and apply it to any circumstance you're facing. Trouble in a relationship? Making a decision about money? Need to trust God with a health issue? Be obedient and leave the consequences to God. Stands up, doesn't it?
Speaking of standing up, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego lived it. At the edge of a fiery furnace, they had a decision. Bow to an idol or be thrown in a furnace. They chose faith, believing that God would deliver them from the very fire that tested it. But then they said, "But even if He doesn't." That part of the verse has taken up residence inside my heart.
They didn't jump knowing they'd be delivered. They jumped knowing The Deliverer. I'm shaking my head as I type this sentence. I want an "Even if He doesn't" kind of faith. Save me, help me, heal me. But even if He doesn't...
--Jimmy Peña
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HAVE YOU TRIED "THE PRAYFIT DIET?"
Spoiler alert: It's really not a diet at all. It's a biblical recalibration of your relationship with nutrition, complete with a waistline-friendly plan for eating healthier forever. If you haven't tried it yet...here's a bit more info that might sway you!
Jimmy Peña, one of the nation’s most sought-after fitness experts, has been trusted by the most prominent names in the entertainment industry, including Tyler Perry, Mario Lopez, and LL Cool J, to help them look and feel their best. His highest calling, however, is transforming the bodies and souls of people all over the country through his powerful combination of faith and fitness called PrayFit.
In The PrayFit Diet, Peña offers an easy, effective program-including shopping lists, daily menus, and simple, delicious recipes. A healthy body, he explains, is not about restriction of either calories or food groups. Instead, it’s all about eating in equilibrium -- a perfect 33% macronutrient balance of carbs, protein, and fat every day, which will allow you to make dramatic changes to your health and your waistline. The balanced approach of The PrayFit Diet is not only inspired by biblical principles, but it’s also supported by today’s cutting-edge science, and Peña gives you a plan to shed weight and the motivation to keep it off for a lifetime.
In The PrayFit Diet, Peña shows us how faith is the most powerful tool we have to conquer all of life’s obstacles, and that includes our health. More importantly, God wants you to be at your best, physically and spiritually. By combining perfectly proportioned meals with biblically based motivation, The PrayFit Diet will give you all the tools you need to live a life that will both inspire you and honor the Lord.
Kid Stuff
"And he said, 'Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of Heaven.'" --Matthew 18:3
Read: Matthew 18
What a memory. As a little boy, I was too afraid of what was underneath the bed, so to say my prayers I'd get on my knees on top of it. I remember it like it was yesterday. To say I was scared would be like saying Beethoven wrote some music -- an understatement to say the least. I even remember hoping I wouldn't hurt Jesus' feelings. Kid stuff. But all I knew at the time was 1) my biggest fear was underneath my bed and 2) Jesus wanted me to talk to Him; a tricky situation for a kid my age. (Oh, give me the faith of a child again, amen?)
You know, Jesus more than wants us to be like children, He commands it. Not sure why it happens, but as our childlike fear diminishes, so goes our childlike faith. And I'm not sure exactly when that little scenario of mine ended, but the truth is, even though my fears today aren't awaiting me under the bed, I should be no less desperate to talk to Him. So if I think about it, those were actually my best moments, because our best trait is our dependence on Him.
In the area of health, what is your childlike prayer today? Desperate to be healthy for your spouse or family? Are you or one of your loved ones suffering unimaginable pain? If so, let's go to Him. Let's be kids again. Despite what's under the bed of our hearts, let's clasp our hands and shut our eyes. Kid stuff. List your prayer request or simply say "unspoken" and I promise, that little boy will pray for you.
--Jimmy Peña
WHAT IS "THE PRAYFIT DIET?"
Jimmy Peña, one of the nation’s most sought-after fitness experts, has been trusted by the most prominent names in the entertainment industry, including Tyler Perry, Mario Lopez, and LL Cool J, to help them look and feel their best. His highest calling, however, is transforming the bodies and souls of people all over the country through his powerful combination of faith and fitness called PrayFit.
In The PrayFit Diet, Peña offers an easy, effective program-including shopping lists, daily menus, and simple, delicious recipes. A healthy body, he explains, is not about restriction of either calories or food groups. Instead, it’s all about eating in equilibrium -- a perfect 33% macronutrient balance of carbs, protein, and fat every day, which will allow you to make dramatic changes to your health and your waistline. The balanced approach of The PrayFit Diet is not only inspired by biblical principles, but it’s also supported by today’s cutting-edge science, and Peña gives you a plan to shed weight and the motivation to keep it off for a lifetime.
In The PrayFit Diet, Peña shows us how faith is the most powerful tool we have to conquer all of life’s obstacles, and that includes our health. More importantly, God wants you to be at your best, physically and spiritually. By combining perfectly proportioned meals with biblically based motivation, The PrayFit Diet will give you all the tools you need to live a life that will both inspire you and honor the Lord.
>> Click here to read what others are saying about The PrayFit Diet.
The Promise of Grace
"Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me." --2 Corinthians 12:8
Read: 2 Corinthians 12
This being "Grace Week," I wanted to share (or remind some of you) of a phone call I took from a listener while I was on Moody Bible Radio a while back.
She struggles with a physical ailment -- one she can't shake. Lord only knows how many times she's gone to the foot of the cross for healing. The sleepless nights, the prescriptions that don't help, the brokenness untold. Perhaps she asks Heaven if this is how she'll have to endure earth. Maybe you can relate because you've whispered similar on your own tear-stained pillow.
Paul could. We don't know for sure what Paul's "thorn in the flesh" was but we do know he was soul-stricken by it. Whether it was physical or spiritual, Paul begged God to remove it. God's response? Let's hear it from Paul:
"But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me."
Paul mentions that God said, "No" in order to prevent him from becoming conceited. And yes, it's only God who knows what He's protecting you and me from or, like Paul, what God is enabling us to do in an even better way when the answer is no.
Today you may be searching for the answer to the question Why? If so, rather than strain to see clearly through that prism of uncertainty, shut your eyes and pray for God to be seen through you instead. Though many of us are hurting, be encouraged. If your body is failing, He won't. If your limbs have stopped working, He hasn't. Let's stand close to Paul and let our pain be bathed in that same promise..."My grace is sufficient for you."
--Jimmy Peña
Unearned Health
"Every good and perfect gift comes from above." --James 1:17
Read: James 1
You've likely seen someone boast that health is "Always earned, never given." Sounds reasonable, right? You put in the work, you get the reward. Sounds reasonable, but it's not true. Health is not earned. Granted, some people appropriately celebrate their health (and hopefully more and more of us each day), but even the byproducts of that discipline -- toned muscle, greater endurance, increased strength -- gift...gift...gift. Oh we don't like to admit it. We like to think we've earned the right to raise that banner and boast, "I EARNED THIS!" But in truth, it's when we realize we have undeserved and unearned health that we can make the greatest impact with it.
You might also consider the flip-side. There are those among us who are statistically apparently healthy, but who choose a sedentary lifestyle over an active one. Those who opt for poor food choices over balanced, sensible meals. Despite great genetics, honorable stewardship is the furthest thing from their minds. If you're like me, you may have people close to you who have absolutely no health issues, but have no issue with abusing it; alive but not living. Healthy vital signs? Sure. Earned? No. A gift. Unopened, but a gift nonetheless.
Whether they're opened or still neatly wrapped, the bible says that every single gift comes from above and that includes the body. So just remember, as you wake up with grace and mercy, check and see if your limbs work and if your heart's beating. If all systems are go, then celebrate! Treat life like a Christmas morning kind of present. Open it up! It's when you see what's inside that you can really see what's inside you! And you can't give God the glory and claim it at the same time. Christians have to choose. So choose to walk, train, run, swim, strive, push, claw, climb, and reach with every single, grateful, thankful, humble, undeserved, unearned gift of health you got.
--Jimmy Peña
For Discussion: All you have to do is visit a children's cancer hospital and the idea that health is earned quickly evaporates. Are you a fitness person? A runner? A lifter? Is it difficult for you to accept the truth that you don't earn your health?
RECIPE OF THE WEEK: Honey Nut Oatmeal
What do you have lined up for breakfast today? This tasty, balanced gem from The PrayFit Diet (available now), is an energy-packed, motor-revving recipe that is easy to prepare.
Ingredients ½ cup dry rolled oats Water 2 teaspoons honey 2 tablespoons chopped almonds Pinch cinnamon
Directions Prepare oats according to package directions. Top with honey, almonds and cinnamon.
THE 33 DIFFERENCE: The dry rolled oats provide a great source of slow-digesting complex carbs for long-lasting energy. Honey gives you a quick jolt of healthy sugars to replenish fuel stores after your overnight fast. Almonds add great taste and texture to the oatmeal while providing quality fats to further slow digestion, while the cinnamon helps to stabilize blood sugar.
Uphill Battles
"Carry each other's burdens." --Galatians 6:2
>> AUDIO: Click here to listen to Jimmy read today's entry. [audio:https://s3.amazonaws.com/PrayfitAudio/Uphill+Battles.mp3]
Uphill battles. If anyone understood the phrase, Simon did. Simon of Cyrene was of course the man who helped Jesus carry the cross up the hill toward Calvary. In one moment, a bystander. The next, a cross bearer. He did literally what you and I are called to do figuratively. Little did he know the example he was setting. I wonder if he knew his sin would soon be nailed to the tree he carried.
Uphill battles. If anyone understood the phrase, Jesus did. Yet Jesus knew that what He faced, He had to face alone. Nobody on earth, above or below, could take His place as He took ours. But the thought of you and me facing our days without hope was enough to kill Him. The weight of the cross and our helplessness were more than He could bear.
Simon, Jesus. Two men, one cross and an uphill battle.
--Jimmy Peña
EATING IN BIBLICAL PROPORTIONS
So what's our new book about anyway? The PrayFit Diet, available in stores now, can help you feel your best, not by starving you or cutting out carbs but by showing you how to eat in balance. Perfectly proportioned meal planning that improves vitality while keeping you fulfilled! This faith-filled manual is fortified by real science demonstrating that when all three macronutrients (protein, fat, carbs) are eaten in equal caloric ratios, magic happens. Inflammation is reduced, energy improves, other health markers improve. You have enough energy from carbs to power through workouts, enough protein to support muscle repair and retention and enough healthy fat to cushion joints, improve heart health and support brain function. Taken in total, this can help you become a better steward of your physical health! If any (or all) of this sounds like something that you or a loved one can benefit from, grab a copy or two today by clicking here.
Tray Tables Full Of Dreams
"We've reached our cruising altitude. At this time you may use all approved electronic devices..."
Flying back from The 700 Club taping last week, I sat staring at the tray table in front of me. It all happened so fast, I thought. Instead a sit-down interview plus cooking demo, they decided to make it a kitchen segment. I did my best to try and convey the message of grace while showing a day's worth of food. The team (Eric) busted my chops for closing my eyes so much. Passion, I laughed back in a text. Just pure passion. Oh friends, what a blessing of an opportunity.
Where was I? Ah, yes. The plane ride home. Well, across the aisle, a gentleman was thundering away on his laptop. A tall fellow, his knees were near his chest but that didn't stop him from furiously typing with purpose. For nearly five hours his eyes never left the screen. Meanwhile, I was exhausted and I could feel my glands getting swollen and a tickle in my throat. The days of little sleep and all the emotion were catching up to me. I was ready to get home.
Long flight story short, "Ladies and gentlemen, the Captain has turned on the fasten seat belt sign as we've begun our initial descent into LAX." Music to my clogged ears. And for the first time since we took off, my neighbor stopped typing and made a mad dash to the lavatory. Placing the computer on his seat with the screen open, I couldn't help but read the heading of his document. In big, bold letters it read, "PASSION PROJECTS." No wonder. I wish you could have seen me grin and nod at him as he returned to his seat. I was this close to encouraging him. After all - because of grace - I'm living mine.
As we begin a week's worth of devotions surrounding the holiest of weeks, passion will be a common theme. Of heart, of health, of hope. Please join us each day. Let's dive into Scripture together. Let's look at training, running, activity and balanced eating. If there's ever been a week to celebrate abundant life for the right reasons, this is it. Welcome to Monday.
--Jimmy Peña
RECIPE OF THE WEEK: Tilapia with Mango Salsa
Our recipe of the week comes directly from the pages of The PrayFit Diet. Like every other recipe in the book, it is a tasty concoction from the mind (and kitchen) of Food Network contributor Dana Angelo White, MS, RD, ATC.
Ingredients: 1 mango, peeled and diced ½ cup chopped red bell pepper ½ cup chopped cucumber Juice of ½ lime 1 tablespoon chopped fresh cilantro Salt Hot sauce 8 ounces tilapia 1 tablespoon canola oil
For the salsa, combine mango, pepper, cucumber, lime juice, and cilantro. Season with salt and a few dashes of hot sauce, if desired; set aside.
Season tilapia with canola oil, salt, and hot sauce. Cook fish in a nonstick skillet or grill for 3 to 4 minutes per side or until completely cooked through. Serve topped with salsa.
THE 33 DIFFERENCE: Tilapia is a healthy, protein-loaded mainstay on the PrayFit Diet, and there are a number of ways you can prepare it. But after you try this recipe, you may be more of the “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” persuasion. By combining mango, bell pepper, cucumber, lime, and cilantro, you get a flavor explosion that jazzes up an already amazing source of protein and healthy dietary fat.
For another recipe and an excerpt from the The PrayFit Diet on BeliefNet, click here!
Meeting His Eyes
"The Lord turned and looked straight at Peter." --Luke 22:61
Read: Luke 22
Have you ever stopped to think about all the great and odd ways that God gets the attention of His people? Lazarus woke up and Jonah saw the inside of a whale. Just run through the bible and we find countless examples of jaw-dropping, head-swiveling surrender to God's presence and authority.
And though you and I don't cheat tombs or choke whales, we can all identify with Peter at the fire pit. Heard any roosters lately? How many opportunities to witness for Jesus have we allowed to go up in smoke? Perhaps around the fire pit of jobs, school or the gym? Like Peter, we all know how it feels to disappoint Christ, and though we'd like to turn back time, Christ turns back our attention. (Notice today's verse.) Just like Peter, it's when our eyes meet those of Jesus that we're broken -- in heart and in spirit -- and His work through us truly begins.
--Jimmy Peña
For Discussion: Have you had "that moment" with Jesus, when you realized that you were broken? When you finally grasped just how much you've let Him down? We have. What freedom did you find in that moment and what has He done with you since?
IN THE CLUB: For those of you who are early readers, be sure to tune in to see Jimmy The 700 Club, talking about our new book, The PrayFit Diet. For air times with your provider, click here. If you miss it, you can catch it later on by visiting The 700 Club homepage.
A PrayFit Special Announcement
Hey everyone. We missed you! A couple weeks ago, we signed off so we could do a little housekeeping on the site to get ready for a special announcement. Well, if PrayFit.com were a newly renovated home, please think of me as the one with the special honor of opening the front door. It's a special day. Here's a short video we made to help mark the occasion.
I can't tell you how excited we are to offer you this book. And I'm so honored by the early feedback we've received. Take a look.
"Practically everyone I know wants to lose weight and get more fit—myself included. This battle is as much spiritual as it is physical, and most exercise and diet specialists miss this, but not Jimmy Peña and his PrayFit Diet plan. Getting fit God’s way ensures you have the proper perspective on how and who God made you to be. When you have this foundation firmly in place, you will not be motivated to get fit to prove you are a somebody, but to express the somebody you are in Christ.” --Randy Frazee, pastor, Oak Hills Church/author, The Heart of the Story
"Jimmy Peña has been doing his thing in fitness for decades, but with PrayFit, he’s taken things to a whole new level. If you’re looking to build a stronger faith while also getting healthier, then The PrayFit Diet is the resource for you." --Terry Crews, actor
"Jimmy Peña’s The PrayFit Diet provides the moral case for why every human being should be living with food discipline — for their benefit and for the glory of God." --U.S. Congressman Aaron Schock, Illinois
Well, welcome back home. Like with any renovation, we're still walking around wiping away dust and smoothing rough edges but, as ever, thank you for being our guest. We wrote this for you. If you would, please share the news with your friends, family, your pastor, church leader or Bible study group. And, more than anything, we ask that you pray for us as we bring this new resource to this country and the church. Check out our home page and you'll see that we're so blessed that it's available everywhere books are sold, and we're praying for His renown as we unveil it.
Much more to come this week, with some neat giveaways, announcements and new partnerships, but for now, thanks everyone. I missed you. We've missed you. Please, make yourself at home.
--Jimmy Peña