Life Plan Devotion #43 [F.I.R.S.T. Place, Part IV]

We have looked at three areas of life (finances, interests, and relationships), to see, individually, if God has first place in your life. Today, we'll look at the fourth area.
Schedule (the S in F.I.R.S.T.)--Think about your schedule, how you spend your day. What portion of your day is given to prayer and being in the Word? Do you give God the first of your day, the last of your day, or not much of your day? The one we love the most is the one we want to spend the most time with. We want to talk, walk, be with that person. Is it apparent that you love God, that you desire, above all else, to talk to Him in prayer as you go about your day? Is His Word important enough for you to read it, meditate on it, memorize it, and allow it to get down deep in your heart? When the church doors are open, are you anxious to walk through them, or is it a duty or merely a place to make your appearance? Do you begin to check your watch after 15 minutes? If the preacher "goes on," are you frustrated or wondering about how packed the restaurant will be by the time you get there? Do you volunteer your time, in God's work, or are you merely a "pew sitter"? Is God first in your schedule?

I Chronicles 16:28-29 [NLT]
"...Recognize the LORD, recognize that the LORD is glorious and strong. Give to the LORD the glory He deserves! Bring your offering and come into His presence. Worship the LORD in all His holy splendor."

What this has to do with weight loss: To be successful on the weight-loss journey, much time must be devoted to the process. It takes time to plan, shop for, and prepare the foods that will serve our body well. It takes more time to exercise. It takes time to attend a support group. It's a mistake, though, to decide that one does not have time for The Creator. God is the creator of time, and when He is first place in your life, He will make sure you have the time to do the things that will help you attain your weight-loss goals.

Prayer for Today:
"Heavenly Father, it seems that each day is busier than the day before. I must admit, though, that I have time to do the things that matter most to me. I want You to be first on my daily list, not as a "To Do," merely to check off, but as a "Must Do," for time spent with You is most important. It is paramount that we spend time together each day, Father, because it gives me strength for the day...You give me strength for the day. Your Word is my necessary food, and I pray that I will desire to feed from it everyday. Today, I offer You my time, and I worship You. May I daily recognize You. I pray in Jesus' Name. Amen."

Go forth today, putting God first in your schedule.

Life Plan Devotion #42 [F.I.R.S.T. Place, Part III]

The past several days, we've been looking at the first 2 areas of life, finances and interests, to see, individually, if God has first place. Today, we'll look at the third area.
Relationships (the R in F.I.R.S.T.)--Think about your relationships, how you interact with your spouse, children, family, your friends, boss, coworkers, pastor, brothers and sisters in Christ. When a scribe asked Jesus Christ, "Of all the commandments, which is the most important?" Jesus answered, "The most important commandment is this: 'Listen, O Israel! The LORD our God is the one and only LORD. And you must love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength.' The second is equally important: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' No other commandment is greater than these" (Mark 12:28-31). Putting God first in your relationships means that you think, speak, act, and react the way He wants you to, according to His Word. Is God first in your relationships?

I Peter 3:8-9 [NLT]
"...Sympathize with each other. Love each other as brothers and sisters. Be tenderhearted, and keep a humble attitude. Don't repay evil for evil. Don't retaliate with insults when people insult you. Instead, pay them back with a blessing. That is what God has called you to do, and He will bless you for it."

What this has to do with weight loss: There's nothing like a pre-weight-loss surgery diet or a post-surgery hormonal shake-up to drive the sweetest person to spout surly sayings. The road to weight loss can seem like a battlefield. Just make sure that when the war's over, you don't look back to see the ground littered with wounded, bleeding, or battle scarred friends, family, and fellow workers.

Prayer for Today:
"Heavenly Father, I'm involved in many relationships, with varying connections and commitments. You have called me to love each person with whom I come in contact. Help me to think, speak, act, and react out of love and love alone. I admit that sometimes it's so hard to do that, but I want to, Lord. Help me to be sympathetic, humble, and when I'm insulted, help me to react with love and kindness. I pray in the Name of Jesus who said, 'If someone slaps you on the right cheek, offer the other cheek also' (Matthew 5:39). Amen."

Go forth today, putting God first in your relationships.

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Life Plan Devotion #41 [F.I.R.S.T. Place, Part II]

Last time, I asked if God has first place in your life. I introduced an acronym, F.I.R.S.T., and we looked at the first of 5 areas, finances. Today, we'll look at the second area.
Interests (the I in F.I.R.S.T.)--Think about your interests, what you like to do in your spare time. Perhaps you like to watch television, read, spend time on the computer, etc. Take stock of the content of your interests. Is God honored by that which you see or read or do? If God were to make a surprise appearance at your front door, would your first reaction be to shut the door and turn something off or throw something away? How does your thought life (the starting point of all "interests") measure up to the biblical directive to think about that which is "pure, lovely, of good report, of virtue and worthy of praise" (Philippians 4:8)? As Paul writes, "Those things...do" (v. 9). Is God first in your interests?

I Corinthians 10:31b [NIV]
"...Whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God."

What this has to do with weight loss: For each person on the weight-loss journey, every part of the weight-loss process becomes a major area of interest. Much time is spent making and carrying out plans, so one can be successful. That honors God, if one's intent is to honor God with his/her body. However, if one's interests turn to a transfer addiction (shopping, alcohol, drugs, sex, etc.), then God is not honored. Whatever you do, if you do it all for the glory of God, He is first in your interests.

Prayer for Today:
"Heavenly Father, there are many things, people, and activities that interest me. Some days, I'm so busy that I get to the end of the day and realize that I haven't thought about You or spent time with You. That makes me sad, Lord, because I want every part of my day to be connected with You. My desire is to be involved only in the interests that bring honor and glory to You. I want You to be the center of every interest. Be the Lord of my interests. Be first place in my life. And, Lord, if I'm involved in any interest that does not honor You, I ask that You give me that nudge in my spirit, and help me to get that interest out of my life, through Your power. I pray in Jesus' Name. Amen."

Go forth today, putting God first in your interests.

Life Plan Devotion #40 [F.I.R.S.T. Place]

Quick! What's the first commandment? Did you remember that the first of the 10 Commandments is "You shall have no other gods before Me" (Exodus 20:3, NKJV)? A "god" is an idol, defined in The Strong's Dictionary of Bible Words as "a fashioned idol, likeness, the worship of such," and, interestingly, "pain."
God commands and demands that He be first in your life. Does God have first place in your life? How can you know? Here's an acronym, F.I.R.S.T., and some questions, to assist you in knowing the place God has in 5 major areas of your life. We'll look at one area per day, for 5 days.
Finances (the F in F.I.R.S.T.)--Take a look at your checkbook register, and you'll get a good idea where your heart is. It is true that "where your treasure is, there will your heart be also" (Matthew 6:21, KJV). Do you tithe? Do you tithe 10 percent? Do you tithe from your gross or the net pay? Is your tithe check the first check you write, after getting paid, or the last? Do you give to other godly causes, as an offering, above your tithe? Do you sow into good ground/good ministries? Do you prayerfully ask God what He would have you give and then are you obedient to His leading? Do you "give until it hurts" and then trust God to provide? Is God first in your finances?
In these uncertain economic times, the best way to recession-proof your finances is to put God first in them. There is only one place in the Bible where you are invited to test God, and that is in the area of tithing. Read Malachi 3:10, and if you're a regular tither, claim the promise. If you're not, consider taking God up on His challenge. Just know that the blessing may not happen right away, but it will happen, and part of that blessing is God taking care of your needs, no matter what's going on in your life (or in the economy) [Philippians 4:19].

Matthew 6:33 [NIV]
"But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well."

What this has to do with weight loss: It's expensive to have weight-loss surgery, and it's not cheap to live with it. There are vitamins and supplements to take, protein shakes and other protein-enriched foods to purchase, yearly blood work and follow-up visits, and that's only the beginning. The best way to be able to afford all of that is to put God first in your finances, for when you do that, He promises to give you "all these things." Prove Him on it.

Prayer for Today:
"Heavenly Father, when I look at the state of the economy, it can sure get scary, but I thank You that there is no recession where You live. Since Your Word says that we believers are "seated in heavenly places" (Ephesians 2:6), there shouldn't be recession issues with us. Thank You for Your Word that teaches me that if I put You first, everything else will work out. Lord, I know that Your children are not immune to trials, but I praise You that You have promised "never to leave [us] nor forsake [us]" (Hebrews 13:5). I don't have to worry about finances, as long as I put my trust in You and seek You first. I know You are worthy of my trust. Help me to do what I should do, so You can do all You have promised. In Jesus' Name I pray. Amen."

Go forth today, putting God first in your finances.

Life Plan Devotion #39 [Epiphany]

In my quiet time some time ago, Deuteronomy chapter 28 was the next chapter to read in my Read Through the Bible schedule. Little did I know that I was in for an epiphany (a dramatic realization).
Deuteronomy chapter 28 is a long chapter, 68 verses to be exact. You know how it is sometimes; you read and read and read. Your mind begins to wander. You lose the writer's train of thought, and then you read something and KAPOW! you're hit smack over the head with God's Word. You sit up straight, catch your breath, then let it out slowly and say, "Oh, my!" or "Wow! That's me!"
That is exactly what happened to me, when I read Deuteronomy 28:65-67. There was a perfect description of me...well, of the me I used to be, before God delivered me. Now, I know that Moses was talking to and about the children of Israel, but all of Scripture can be used in a personal way. These are the verses that describe the "pre-deliverance me": "Among those nations you will find no repose, no resting place for the sole of your foot. There the LORD will give you an anxious mind, eyes weary with longing, and a despairing heart. You will live in constant suspense, filled with dread both night and day, never sure of your life. In the morning you will say, 'If only it were evening!' and in the evening, 'If only it were morning!'-because of the terror that will fill your hearts and the sights that your eyes will see" (NIV).
That was me, without exaggeration. I suffered for years from anxiety, depression, panic attacks, insomnia, restlessness, heart problems with no physical cause, various body aches and pains, etc., and I was never satisfied. Yes, I was a Christian, but my life was lackluster, without daily victory.
After reading those verses and realizing that they described the old me, I recognized that the verses were the "effect"/result in some "cause and effect." So I started backtracking through the chapter, looking for the cause. It must be something terrible, I surmised...some major sin, perhaps.
I found it in a verse that begins with the cause and effect conjunction "because." Verse 47 says, "Because you did not serve the LORD your God joyfully and gladly in the time of prosperity," and that comes down to one word--ingratitude.
Have you ever considered what a daily diet of ingratitude, not being grateful or expressing gratitude, can do to you over time? Now you know. Trust me, it's not where you want to go.
I challenge you to pay attention to your daily life and everyone in it. See all for which and for whom you should be grateful. Thank God, and thank those people in your life. You will be healthier and happier, if you do.

I Thessalonians 5:18 [NIV]
"Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."

What this has to do with weight loss: It is so tempting to grumble about many things on the weight-loss journey, like dealing with a stall or having to eat a certain way, but a daily diet of ingratitude does not serve your mind, body, and heart well. No matter what's going on, be thankful, and see how your body reacts.

Prayer for Today:
"Heavenly Father, all too often I forget to thank You in all circumstances. That does not serve me well, and ingratitude is not in Your will for me. Help me to open up my heart and mind to gratitude. I desire a thankful spirit. May I be the child who comes to You often, just to say, 'Thank You, Father.' I pray, in Jesus' Name. Amen."

Go forth today, giving thanks in all circumstances.

Psalms for Surgery is a CD full of precious promises of health, healing, and wholeness, spoken quietly, with beautiful background music. You will feel gratitude well up inside you, as you listen to this CD. For sample sound bites, visit http://www.cdeanhall.com/products.html.

Life Plan Devotion #38 [Ebenezer]

Yesterday's devotion was about regrets and how we should confess them to the Lord, gain forgiveness for them, learn from them, and then let them go, rather than continue to think and talk about past regrets. However, there are some things from the past that we must not forget. We must remember our Ebenezer.
Ebenezer--I'm not talking about Ebenezer Scrooge, from Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol. No, for this Ebenezer, you must go back several thousand years, to a decisive battle between the Israelites and the Philistines. Following that battle, the grateful Israelites set up a stone as a reminder of the Lord's help in the battle. They called that stone "Ebenezer," which means "Stone of Help," and every time the people looked at the stone, they were reminded of how God rescued them from their enemies.
Look back on your own life. What battles have you faced? How did God help you? Did He fight alongside you? Did He fight for you? God is faithful. He is our true Ebenezer, our help in life's challenges. He has helped us through, has answered prayer, and given us strength. May we never forget, and may we be eternally grateful.

I Samuel 7:12-13 [NIV]
"Samuel took a stone and set it up... He named it Ebenezer, saying, 'Thus far has the LORD helped us.' So the Philistines were subdued and did not invade Israelite territory again."

What this has to do with weight loss: The weight-loss journey can sure be a battle ground, and losing weight a huge battle. However, you do not have to fight it alone. God wants to be your Helper, to fight that battle with and for you. Be sure to let Him do that, for if you do, you will be victorious, and you will be a living memorial stone of how God helped you through.

Prayer for Today:
"Heavenly Father, when I look back on the battles I have faced in my past, I am filled with thanksgiving to You, my Helper. There have been battles that You and I fought side by side. There have been battles that I could not fight, and You fought them for me. I am filled with gratitude to You, Faithful God. Help me to raise my Ebenezer, a memorial to Your faithfulness, and may my Ebenezer be a life lived in faithfulness to You. I pray in Jesus' Name. Amen."

Go forth today, a living Ebenezer to The Living Ebenezer.

Life Plan Devotional #37 [Regrets]

My grown baby boy turned to me and said, "Mom, you know I love you. Please don't take this the wrong way, but for such a smart lady, you can be kind of dumb." That jolted me out of my regrettable fog, where I'd been regretting my regrets of the past. [redundancy intended]

Regrets...I've had a few [do you hear Frank Sinatra?]. If you feel sorrow or remorse for an act, fault, disappointment, wrong committed or errors made in the past, feel a sense of loss, disappointment, or dissatisfaction in connection with the memory, you're experiencing regret. Regret can be for something that was done or not done.

What are your regrets? Do you regret not saying "I love you" one more time? Did you miss an opportunity to tell someone about Jesus? Do you look back at your years of parenting, and one situation, where you could have done better, looms over all the times you did it right? Perhaps you had a moral failure or abandoned a dream you now see you could have achieved. Maybe you made a poor business decision or blamed someone else for a mistake you made. Could it be that your biggest regret is nor forgiving yourself or living with anger for far too long?

Unless you're at the end of your life and beginning eternity without knowing Jesus as your Savior, regrets are a waste of time. You can't go back and change the past. God wants you to know that He's aware of all your regrets, and He wants you to admit them, learn from them, make restitution (if needed), and move on. Instead of your deepest regrets becoming a heavy chain around your ankle, that ties you to the past, allow them to become the best part of your testimony of God's grace. Confess your regrets, repent of them, receive forgiveness for them, and then let them go. If you choose to continue to dig up those regrets, that Jesus has removed from you and given a proper burial, you'll become enmeshed in them all over again, and you will miss out on the blessings God has planned for you. That, my friend, would be the biggest regret of all.



Proverbs 5:11-14 [Message]

"You don't want to end your life full of regrets, nothing but sin and bones, saying, 'Oh, why didn't I do what they told me? Why did I reject a disciplined life? Why didn't I listen to my mentors, or take my teachers seriously? My life is ruined! I haven't one blessed thing to show for my life!'"

What this has to do with weight loss: We who are on the weight-loss journey experience regret. We regret that we gained weight in the first place, and we regret that we didn't have weight-loss surgery sooner (just to name a few). Since you can't go back and change the past, be determined to quit wasting time thinking about or voicing regrets of the past, even in the area of weight issues. Let them go, so you can live today fully alive and without regret.

Prayer for Today: "Heavenly Father, I don't want to live my life regretting the past, and I certainly don't want to end my life full of regrets. Today, Lord, I choose to confess each regret to You, and then I'm going to ask for Your forgiveness for each one. I promise to allow You to provide forgiveness, forgiveness which I will accept, and then I'm going to allow You to remove each regret and bury it. I pray that I will never go digging it up, in the future. I repent of the time I've wasted thinking of and talking about past regrets. I can't change the past. I know that, Lord, so I'm asking You to help me learn from the past, live for today, and make better choices in the future. I pray in Jesus' Name. Amen."

Go forth today, with no regrets.

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Life Plan Devotion #36 [A Closer Walk]

Recently, someone asked me how she could get closer to God. It's really very simple, because it's all about relationship. God is a relational being, and so are we. There are, basically, 5 steps to an intimate relationship with the Lord.
Step 1: You must be born again. If you have experienced frustration spiritually, found it difficult to follow a spiritual pathway, find that you're uncomfortable when you go to church, read your Bible but you don't seem to get anything out of it, etc., you may not be truly born again. If you grew up in a Christian home and you've always gone to church, you may be assuming your salvation. You see, God has no grandchildren...only children. Salvation is personal, not hereditary. If you cannot pinpoint a moment when you said "yes" to Jesus, then it's time that you have that encounter. (Romans 10:13)
Step 2: You must talk to Him. Just as in any relationship, communication is key to an intimate relationship with the Lord. He longs to hear from you. Talk to Him in prayer. Talk to Him with your thoughts. Talk to Him out loud, throughout your day. (Philippians 4:6; I Thessalonians 5:17)
Step 3: You must listen to Him. Good relationship building revolves around talking and listening. When you talk to Him, don't forget to listen. When you read the Bible (and you should, daily), listen for His voice, His teaching, His prompting...just for you. It is His love letter to you. (Proverbs 8:32-34; I Thessalonians 2:13)
Step 4: You must seek to follow Him. Knowing the Lord should make a difference in how you live. There should be a change in the way you think, speak, and live. It many not be instantaneous, but there should be noticeable, ongoing changes. (John 10:27; I John 2:6)
Step 5: You should keep a daily, updated heart account. At the end of every day, take some time to be with Him, and ask Him to show you if you said or did anything that day that "missed the mark." He will lovingly show you, and you should then ask for forgiveness, knowing that it is assured. (I John 1:9)
It isn't difficult to know, follow, and be intimate with the Lord, but it does take decision, desire, and commitment. After that, it's as easy as breathing in and out.

Colossians 2:6-7 [Amplified]
"As you have therefore received Christ, [even] Jesus the Lord, [so] walk (regulate your lives and conduct yourselves) in union with and conformity to Him. Have the roots [of your being] firmly and deeply planted [in Him, fixed and founded in Him], being continually built up in Him, becoming increasingly more confident and established in the faith, just as you were taught, and abounding and overflowing in it with thanksgiving."

What this has to do with weight loss: There is no greater accountability partner and encourager on the weight-loss journey than the Lord. He is as close as the mention of His Name, and when you partner with Him, you will be successful in the desire of your heart (releasing and maintaining weight loss). Let Him be your helpmeet.

Prayer for Today:
"Heavenly Father, I desire an intimate relationship with You. To have that, I must truly have had a personal encounter with and accepted Your Son as Savior. Once I've settled that question, I know that spending time with You in prayer and the Word will be as effortless as breathing. More than anything, I want to say, 'You are the air I breathe.' May we get to the point, You and I, that others cannot tell where I end and You begin. I pray in Jesus' Name. Amen."

Go forth today, walking side by side with Jesus.

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Life Plan Devotion #35 [This is Love]

A favorite holiday of many is Valentine's Day. Planning a special something for your valentine is fun. The "doing" part of love is wonderful, but how do you measure up to the "being" part of love?
God is love, and when you have God in you, you are to be love, too. According to I Corinthians 13:4-7, "Love endures long and is patient and kind; love never is envious nor boils over with jealousy, is not boastful or vainglorious, does not display itself haughtily. It is not conceited; it is not rude and does not act unbecomingly. Love does not insist on its own rights or its own way, for it is not self-seeking; it is not touchy or fretful or resentful; it takes no account of the evil done to it [it pays no attention to a suffered wrong]. It does not rejoice at injustice and unrighteousness, but rejoices when right and truth prevail. Love bears up under anything and everything that comes, is ever ready to believe the best of every person, its hopes are fadeless under all circumstances, and it endures everything [without weakening]" (Amplified). Wow. How do you measure up to that love meter?
For me, the part that jumped out was "takes no account of the evil done to it [it pays no attention to a suffered wrong]." That's hard, because we women tend to keep an account of wrongs we've suffered, from childhood on. We hang on to the hurt. We can go to our 50th high school reunion, see that person, and get mad all over again.
Yes, we tend to keep an account of those who've done us wrong, but Jesus asks, "If you love only those who love you, what reward is there for that?" (Matthew 5:46, NLT). Jesus had just talked about "the law that says, 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy,'" and He went on to say, "But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you! In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven..." (Matthew 5:44-45, NLT).
I know it's not natural to love your enemies, to pray for those who persecute you, but the good news is that, for the believer, you have supernatural ability right inside you. You've just got to tap into it, and that requires a daily crucifying of your right to be angry, bitter, and resentful. The reward is so worth it, though. The reward is a restoration of joy and peace in your mind, heart, and life.

Hebrews 12:14-15 [NLT]
"Work at living in peace with everyone, and work at living a holy life... Look after each other so that none of you fails to receive the grace of God. Watch out that no poisonous root of bitterness grows up to trouble you, corrupting many."

What this has to do with weight loss: Living with a root of bitterness lodged deep in your heart will poison even your ability to release excess weight. Bitterness is a form of hatred, and hatred spreads. It begins to affect how you respond to and react to others, and, eventually, it turns inward once again, and you will find that you are unhappy with yourself and discontented with many aspects of your life. Root out that root of bitterness, throw it away, and you will find that the joy and peace that replaces it will cause great things to happen...even jumpstart your weight loss.

Prayer for Today:
"Heavenly Father, there are those who have deeply hurt and wounded my heart, and it has been difficult for me to forgive them and forget the hurts. I want to love my enemies, as You said in Your Word. I want to pray for them and let go of the anger and bitterness I've held in my heart for so long. I want to be filled with the joy and peace that You want me to experience, so, I ask You to help me do what I cannot do on my own...take no account of wrongs done to me and to love even my enemies. Fill me so full of Your love that it spills over to even the unlovable. I pray all this in the Name of Jesus. Amen."

Go forth today, walking in love.

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Life Plan Devotion #34 [Pack your bags]

Pack your bags! No, you're not going on a trip, but I hope and pray your bags do. Each of us has baggage we carry around, full of things we need to let go of, get rid of. What's in your baggage? Is it sin, heartache, bad memories, abuse, worry, fear, deceit, regret, unhealthy boundaries, unhealthy relationships, family secrets, a guilty conscience? If so, it's the heaviest baggage you'll ever carry. It's baggage you're not meant to carry.
Every piece of emotional baggage, every "shoulda, woulda, coulda" will pull you into the past and rob you of joy and living in the present. You were not created to carry baggage. When Jesus died on the cross, He accepted the sins of the whole world, past, present and future, and that included your emotional baggage. Since He carried it all, why do you need to carry it now? You don't. Take care of your emotional baggage today, and stow it with Jesus. He'll take it and throw it into the Sea of Forgetfulness, and it will be gone for good.

Psalm 51:2 [The Message]
"Scrub away my guilt, soak out my sins in Your laundry."

What this has to do with weight loss: Carrying emotional baggage, failing to deal and heal, causes pounds of pain to accumulate in one's body. As you free yourself of that which is inside, you will free your body of excess weight, and every pound of pain lost will add years of abundant, joyful living.

Prayer for Today:
"Heavenly Father, there is baggage in my life, and even though it must have filled a need up to this point, I want to let go of that emotional baggage and fill every need with You. Scrub away my guilt, every shame and regret, and soak out my sins in Your laundry. If You wash me, I know I'll be clean. I've carried these things for too long, Lord, and I didn't need to. Jesus carried it all, on that cross so long ago, and I'm sorry that I didn't see that it was enough for me. I want to live a life that pleases You, a life full of joy and peace, so I'm making the decision today, at this very moment, to stow my baggage with You. I know that it is done, and they're gone for good! Thank You, Lord. In Jesus' Name. Amen."

Go forth today, free of emotional baggage.

S.T.A.R.T. Program (Strategies To Achieve Recovery & Transformation), 2-cd set for the bariatric patient, can help you make the changes necessary on the inside, in order to see changes on the outside. Listen to a sound bite from each track at http://www.cdeanhall.com/products.html.

Life Plan Devotion #33 [Don't ignore]

Have you ever tried to talk to someone, but you feel that person ignored you? It's frustrating. Sometimes it's just that the person has other things on his/her mind. Sometimes it's more deliberate--a refusal to listen. Either way, it's frustrating.
There are times when we fail to listen to God, even turn our back on Him. I wonder how that makes Him feel? I know He loves us unconditionally, yet surely He grieves for us, when we ignore Him and His Word, that we miss out on His wisdom, guidance, blessings.
Today, God wants to speak to you. Are you listening, or will you merely wait until you need Him?

Jeremiah 2:27 [NLT]
"'...They turn their backs on Me, but in times of trouble they cry out to Me, 'Come and save us!'"

What this has to do with weight loss: God can use people to speak to us. Even in weight-loss journey troubles, we can ask for advice and help from others. However, we must be prepared to listen, evaluate the advice, and then be willing to try the best suggestions. If we're unwilling to listen and try, we'll be headed for times of trouble.

Prayer for Today:
"Heavenly Father, forgive me for the times I've failed to listen to You. I know You want to speak to me every day, so I can be prepared for the day, armed for victory. I grieve for the times that I ignored Your Word, even disobeyed it. The consequences have been hard. Thank You that today is a new day. I humble myself before You, to spend time with You, away from the distractions of life, reading Your Word, and listening for Your still, small voice. My heart is quiet, my spiritual ears are open, and I'm listening for Your voice. Change me, and make me more like You. I pray, in Jesus' Name. Amen."

Go forth today, and be a listener.

Surgery prep Psalms for Surgery CD available at http://www.cdeanhall.com/products.html.

Life Plan Devotion #32 [Attitude of gratitude]

Do you have an attitude of gratitude? I'm not talking about the things for which most of us are thankful: family, friends, food, clothing, shelter. A true attitude of gratitude sees and appreciates even the smallest joy in our past, present, and future. An attitude of gratitude takes nothing for granted.
Focus on being grateful/thankful today. Perhaps today will bring a challenge, and you will overcome it. Maybe you'll give or receive forgiveness today. Think of the many who are out of work today, and be thankful for your job. Appreciate your eyesight, even your hindsight. Whatever the weather today, be it sunshine, rain, or cold, be thankful for another day of life. Show gratitude to others, too, today, with a smile, a "thank you" or some words of encouragement. Be sure to give thanks to God for it all, for when you do that, you're ministering to Him.

Luke 17:15-17 [NLT]
"One of [the ten lepers], when he saw that he was healed, came back to Jesus, shouting, 'Praise God!' He fell to the ground at Jesus' feet, thanking Him for what He had done. This man was a Samaritan. Jesus asked, 'Didn't I heal ten men? Where are the other nine?'" [Note: plural pronoun replaced by specific information, in brackets, for clarity, by author]

What this has to do with weight loss: All too often, on our weight-loss journey, we focus on what's going wrong, instead of what's going right. It's when we focus on what's going right that we develop an attitude of gratitude, and that attitude of gratitude will positively affect what's going wrong. Give it a try, and you will see.

Prayer for Today:
"Heavenly Father, I want to be the unexpected one, the one who comes to You, to give thanks. I want to be so grateful that I throw myself at Your feet and raise my voice in loud praise to You. Never do I want to hear You ask of me, 'Weren't you healed, too?' Father, You have saved me, cleansed me, blessed me, helped me, provided for me, and loved me unconditionally, and I thank You. Remind me constantly of the millions of other wonderful things, people, circumstances for which I should be grateful. More than anything, I want to say 'Thank You!' with my life. In Jesus' Name, I pray. Amen."

Go forth today, in an attitude of gratitude.

S.T.A.R.T. Program (Strategies To Achieve Recovery & Transformation), 2-CD set for the bariatric patient, available at http://www.cdeanhall.com/products.html.

Life Plan Devotion #31 [Stealing the glory]

It is a joy to write this daily devotion for others. I enjoy reading the replies I've received. As I finished responding to someone who had replied to a devotion, the Lord whispered a question to me, "Would you still write and post the devotion if no one replied?" Wow. I hadn't thought of that before. Yes, I would...I think I would...I hope I would.
When you do something that benefits someone else, what's your motivation? Is it because it's a joy to do it, or is it because you enjoy the thanks you get from doing it? As believers, everything we do should be for the glory of God, not for self-glory.
I challenge you to do something for someone, anonymously. Don't tell anyone what you did. If, after the anonymous good deed, you are tempted to tell even just one person what you did, chances are you may typically fall prey to the temptation to steal the glory from God and put it on yourself. It's a struggle, but the Holy Spirit can help you to yearn for God to get all the glory.

II Corinthians 3:18 [NIV]
"We, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory, are being transformed into His likeness with ever-increasing glory..."

What this has to do with weight loss: What is your motivation to lose weight? For me, I wanted to be able to play with my grandchildren, be able to walk outside again, live longer and healthier, etc. Those are fine, but I realized that my body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, and He deserves a healthy temple. I Corinthians 10:31 says, "Whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God" (NIV). Now that's the best motivation--for the glory of God.

Pray for Today:
"Heavenly Father, I desire to reflect Your glory in all that I do. I praise You that I am being transformed into Your likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from You, not me. I pray that I won't get in the way by calling attention to myself, by trying to steal Your glory. Lord, teach me to humbly bow to Your glory, and may everything I do today bring honor and glory to You. I pray in Jesus' Name. Amen."

Go forth today, and reflect God's glory.

Psalms for Surgery CD available at www.cdeanhall.com/products.html.

Life Plan Devotion #30 [I give up!]

When I think of surrendering to God, I think of the saying, "He's God; I'm not." Surrendering to God is knowing who He is and trusting Him with every aspect of one's life. Surrendering is an act of humble submission. It's often the hardest thing to do, because we tend to hold on to things, people, and problems.
What do you have a tight grip on, today? Is it a worry, your past, a possession, a relationship, an addiction? Whatever you're holding on to today, give it to God. Turn it over to His care, and allow Him to be the Lord of every part of your life. You won't regret it, for when you can truly say, "All to Jesus I surrender," then "[you] will ever love and trust Him" and "in His presence [you'll] daily live" (from I Surrender All, hymn by Judson Van DeVenter, 1896; pronoun changes in brackets made by author, for sentence structure, flow, and clarity).

Luke 14:33 [NLT]
"[Jesus said,] 'You cannot become My disciple without giving up everything you own.'"

What this has to do with weight loss: I used to think that I could (and should) control everything about my weight loss, but it was a constant battle. As a believer, it felt like it should be a battle I could win. One day, I raised a white flag...not in surrender to the weight but in surrender to God. I gave up my pride, my wanting to manage and control this most unmanageable and uncontrollable part of my life, and I placed it at the Cross. I found that the moment I did that, things started changing. I wish I had done it sooner. Give God everything, even your weight-loss journey, knowing that He can be trusted to make your path straight.

Prayer for Today:
"Heavenly Father, I want, more than anything, to be Your disciple, Your follower, and in order to be Your disciple, I must surrender everything I am, everything I have, everything I desire, to You. Help me to be willing to do that today. I ask for wisdom to know what I'm holding on to, then give me the strength to lay it down, to give it to You. I know that anything that's difficult for me to lay at the Cross is the thing that's better off in Your care and control, anyway. I don't know why it's so hard to do that, though, Lord. I guess it's pride. Give me the courage to do the hard thing, to give up my pride, to surrender all, so that I may truly be set free. I pray in Jesus' Name. Amen."

Go forth today, and surrender all.

Life Plan Devotion #29 [One Week]

What if you knew you had just one week left to live? What would you do? Where would you go? What would you say? To whom would you say it? Would you right some wrongs? Would you say “I love you,” even when it had previously been difficult? Would the upsets that you’ve held on to for so many years suddenly seem insignificant? Would reconciliation become more important than resolution?
What if you lived every day as if it were your last? Living with a positive sense of urgency, to squeeze every bit of purpose out of life, would revolutionize your world. Value each new day as a gift from God, for that’s what it is. It’s a day to live, laugh, and love, and once it’s gone, it can never be reclaimed. Spend it wisely.

Isaiah 38:1-5 [NLT]
“…[The prophet Isaiah] gave the king [Hezekiah] this message: ‘This is what the LORD says: Set your affairs in order, for you are going to die. You will not recover from this illness.’ When Hezekiah heard this, he turned his face to the wall and prayed to the LORD, ‘Remember, O LORD, how I have always been faithful to You and have served You single-mindedly, always doing what pleases You.’ Then he broke down and wept bitterly. Then this message came to Isaiah from the LORD: ‘Go back to Hezekiah and tell him, This is what the LORD the God of your ancestor David, says: I have heard your prayer and seen your tears. I will add fifteen years to your life.’”

What this has to do with weight loss: What if you knew you had one year, and one year only, to lose your weight but that what you lost in that year would never be regained. You’d be motivated to make each day count, in the weight-loss journey. No doubt, you’d choose your food carefully, for quality as well as quantity. You’d exercise, and you’d be excited to do it. How can you change how you look at today, to make it the most rewarding day? Change how you think, and you just may change what you do. Change what you do, and you’ll change what you get.

Prayer for Today:
“Heavenly Father, You have gifted me with today. Help me to see it that way. Help me to take advantage of every moment I’m awake today, to live life with love and laughter, to give to others, and to be kind to myself. Give me a godly perspective about the temporal and the eternal. Set my feet in motion as if it were my last week on earth, so that I can affect lives for You. May I be grateful for every day You give me, for each one is a priceless gift. I pray in Jesus’ Name. Amen.”

Go forth today, and live as if you were dying.

S.T.A.R.T. Program (Strategies To Achieve Recovery & Transformation), 2-CD set for the bariatric patient, available at www.cdeanhall.com/products.html.

Life Plan Devotion #28 [Blessing]

As believers, sometimes we're faithful to God and His Word/principles, sometimes we're not. When we disregard God's principles, we're tempted to worship idols (anything that is seen as a replacement for Him). While He still loves us and continues to want the best for us, God will remove His blessing on our lives. It's a very loving act, for He knows that removal of blessings will encourage us to move closer to Him.
God has a purpose for blessing you. He delights to meet your needs, allowing you to prosper and enjoy abundant life. However, He wants you to know that you are blessed to be a blessing. Whatever time, talents, and treasures that God has bestowed on you, be willing to bestow on others. What you will find is that as you are blessed and, in turn, seek to be a blessing, the cycle of blessing will continue and grow.

Zechariah 8:13 [NIV]
"As you have been an object of cursing among the nations, O Judah and Israel, so will I save you, and you will be a blessing. Do not be afraid, but let your hands be strong."

What this has to do with weight loss: How many blessings have you experienced on your weight-loss journey? How many times have others been there for you, to encourage you, share their ideas with you, perhaps even chastised you when you needed some tough love? Have you given back? Are you a blessing to others? Seek to bless someone today. Write a note or sent a card, share a recipe, send an email, make a phone call, and pray for your friends. You are blessed to be a blessing. Bless someone today.

Prayer for Today:
"Heavenly Father, You have given me so many blessings. Your blessings, like Your mercies, are new every morning. Great is Your faithfulness. Thank You for blessing me. I commit my time, talents, and treasures to You. Today, Lord, show me how I can bless someone else, and help me to follow through. May I impact a life for You, today. I pray, in Jesus' Name. Amen."

Go forth today, and be a blessing.

Psalms for Surgery CD available at www.cdeanhall.com/products.html. It's amazing!

Life Plan Devotion #27 [Light]

I've been thinking about light and darkness, and I realized something. While light can be used to make darkness less dark, darkness can never be used to make light darker. Light makes a difference. If you are a believer, you have the Light of Jesus within you, and you are meant to carry that Light into a dark world. By the very nature of light, your Light will make a difference.
Light changes everything--our emotions, attitudes, and perceptions. Without the Light of Jesus, there is spiritual darkness. God calls each of us "out of the darkness into His wonderful light." We are called to shine that light and be a blessing to others (I Peter 2:9). As a believer, you have the Light that someone needs. Make sure to let your Light shine.

Matthew 5:14-16 [NLT]
"[Jesus said,] 'You are the light of the world--like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.'"

What this has to do with weight loss: The weight-loss journey is a life journey, and, as such, there are many joys and concerns attached to it. There are hurting people on that journey, and they need Light brought into their world. Take your Light into someone's world today. Deal with others with faith, hope, and love, for that will truly help each person and will bring glory to the Father.

Prayer for Today:
"Heavenly Father, You have said that I am light in my world. I am meant to shine, to do good deeds, so that others will praise You. Father, I want You to shine Your Light through me today. Help me to be a bold witness for You. Use me to impact others with and for the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I pray in the Name of Jesus, who is the 'true light' (John 1:9). Amen."

Go forth today, and let your Light shine.

Life Plan Devotion #26 [Wait]

I have been asked how I am given the daily devotion. The day before, I "hear" a verse of scripture or a topic from the Lord--something He puts on my heart. I meditate on it, think about it, pray about it, and just let it "percolate." Sometimes, I wake up in the night and think about it some more, often receiving more direction from the Lord, in prayer. In the morning, when I awake, I am usually able to sit down at the computer and allow God's message to flow through my fingers. He is faithful. All I have to do is listen and be obedient.
Yesterday, however, no topic came. By last night, I'll admit, I was a bit nervous. I knew, though, that God would come through, for I know that He has absolutely been "all over" this daily devotion, from the very first one. At 3:00 a.m., I awoke with a start and "heard" the word "Wait." I reached for my concordance and began to look up scripture with the word "wait." While it was a precious time of reading the Word, no certain scripture jumped out at me.
I began to pray for guidance in how to develop today's devotion around the word "Wait." After praying, I just got quiet, to listen. I felt led to go to www.GodTube.com (now called Tangle), and, once there, I simply typed in the word "Wait" at the Search. There were 2 videos listed with just that word as the title. The first one, while very nice, was not the one. The second one was the one.
I believe that there is someone--actually, more than one person--who needs to hear the message in this song, "Wait." I want you to know that this song is absolutely for you, today, from Almighty God. For those of you who are ministered by this song today, I ask that you reply. All you have to type is "This was for me" and, if you're willing, give me your first name. My pledge to you is that I will pray for you today. http://www.godtube.com/view_video.php?viewkey=332c014fdf6576afd323

Psalm 27:14 [NLT]
"Wait patiently for the LORD. Be brave and courageous. Yes, wait patiently for the LORD."

What this has to do with weight loss: The weight-loss journey is one full of waiting. You must wait for insurance approval or the money to pay for weight-loss surgery. You must wait for a surgery date, fulfilling pre-op requirements. You may be required to lose some weight on your own, first, or go through a six-month supervised diet. Perhaps you have had weight-loss surgery, and you're now waiting for your body to heal. Perhaps you're waiting for a plateau or stall to end or waiting to reach your goal weight. So much waiting. There's nothing inactive about waiting. While you're waiting, remember to wait patiently for the Lord, for as you do, He will reward your bravery and courage.

Prayer for Today:
"Heavenly Father, I'll be honest...waiting can be so hard and so lonely. Help me to know that You're with me, as I'm waiting for the next part of my journey to happen. Help me to be brave and courageous. Help me to wait on You to work on my behalf. May I wait patiently for You, Lord, and all You have for me, and may I be diligent to not give up. In Jesus' Name. Amen."

Go forth today, and wait, with courage.

Life Plan Devotion #25 [God's Timing]

God's timing is perfect. I know that's hard to believe, when you're in the middle of a difficult circumstance and you feel either that it should not have happened or it should change right now. "Where is God, and why isn't He doing His job?" you ask. Be reassured, God is here, and He's working on your situation. He's never early; He's never late; He's right on time...His time.
If you think about it, you can remember a time when God came through for you, seemingly at the last minute. Perhaps He acted on your behalf in a situation where you deserved a different outcome. Perhaps you were given grace to endure a most difficult situation. Perhaps you didn't get what you prayed for, only to find out later that God's "no" was definitely the best answer. And, yes, there will be situations where the understanding of the "why" and "when" will not happen until you step through Heaven's gate.
Trust in God's perfect timing, and thank Him in advance for it. That's part of the walk of faith. Remind yourself that if God brought you to it, He'll bring you through it.

Ecclesiastes 3:1 [NIV]
"There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven."

What this has to do with weight loss: Timing is everything, even in matters of weight loss. Sometimes insurance approval issues arise, and when they do, if you can trust that God knows if it's the right time or not, you will experience great peace, even in your disappointment. Sometimes your weight-loss results are less than or slower than expected, and when that happens, if you can live in obedience but leave the results up to God, you will experience great peace about the present and great hope about the future. Rest in God's timing, for every situation in your life.

Prayer for Today:
"Heavenly Father, You have reminded me today that there is a time for everything and a season for every activity under heaven. I thank You that I can trust You, my Omniscient (all-knowing), Omnipotent (all-powerful) God. You are the only One who knows me best but loves me most. Thank You for Your loving watch care over me. I will trust Your timing, even when I don't understand it. I ask You to coordinate my life on Your timeline. I pray in Jesus' Name. Amen."

Go forth today, in acceptance of God's perfect timing.

Life Plan Devotion #24 [Obedience]

When my children were small, I taught them a song. I can hear them now, singing, "Obedience is the very best way to show that you believe. Doing exactly what the Lord commands, doing it happily. Action is the key; do it immediately, joy you will receive. Obedience is the very best way to show that you believe." Obedience isn't a lesson just for kids. God desires, requires obedience, and when we learn to be obedient to God's Word, we experience much joy in life. "Easy," you say? What if God asks radical obedience from you?
In the past week, I've witnessed radical obedience from friends. One, a leader in a church, confessed to the entire congregation that he and his wife had not been good stewards of their money, and now they're forced to file for bankruptcy. God had challenged them to confess and seek forgiveness (from Him and from the church). They have vowed to pay back every creditor, even though not required to do so.
Another friend has been honest about unclaimed income and has contacted the proper authorities, all without knowing what the repercussions will be. It was the right thing to do. This friend, as well as another, have also been nudged by God to forgive the unforgivable. One has been able to, and I believe the other one will get to the place of forgiving.
When has God asked for radical obedience from you? It's often attached to something we desire to hang on to, perhaps even an area where we fear lack. We may not realize that it is by letting go that we come to a place of peace and provision.

John 14:15 [NIV]
"[Jesus said,] 'If you love Me, you will obey what I command.'"

What this has to do with weight loss: We know what to do, to release weight and get healthy. We know to exercise, follow the food plan given to us by our doctor or nutritionist, drink at least 64 oz. of fluid daily, and take our prescribed vitamins and supplements. Yet, how often are we truly obedient, 100% compliant? God honors obedience. You do your part, and He will do His.

Prayer for Today:
"Heavenly Father, I love You, and because I love You, I desire to obey what You have commanded in Your Word. I know it's for my own good, and I know that when I am obedient, I experience great joy and peace. Help me today, Lord, to follow Your plan for me, and if You ask radical obedience from me this day, I pray that I will do what You ask of me. In Jesus' Name. Amen."

Go forth today, and be radically obedient.

Life Plan Devotion #23 [Rest]

Do you feel compelled to keep everything running smoothly and to solve everyone's problems? If so, then you are bound to overlook your own emotional, spiritual, and physical health, and you will be tempted to use unhealthy ways to escape or avoid. There must be a balance between doing and being. After all, we're human beings, not human doings.
While it may be uncomfortable, sometimes it's good to question one's own motives, to see what's behind what we're doing or not doing. The point is not to get down on oneself. The point is to gain feedback, for the purpose of making sure one's life is in balance, one's relationships are healthy, and one's needs are being met. Sometimes a most holy choice is to rest or play.

Mark 6:31-32 [NIV]
"Because so many people were coming and going that [the apostles] did not even have a chance to eat, [Jesus] said to them, 'Come with Me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.' So they went away by themselves in a boat to a solitary place." [Specific nouns inserted in brackets by author, for clarity.]

What this has to do with weight loss: When life gets too hectic, too stressful, you may find yourself in the kitchen, graze eating. It's not because you're hungry, but it's because your body is crying out for rest or energy. While food can give a boost in blood sugar, it's temporary. Perhaps a better choice is to go for a walk or take a nap. Learn to analyze what your body, mind, or spirit needs, and fulfill those needs in helpful, appropriate ways.

Prayer for Today:
"Heavenly Father, there are moments on this journey when I realize that I've merely been doing and doing, going and going, and have ignored my needs or the needs of others. At other times, I realize that I've been trying to solve everyone's problems, when that's not my job. All of that gets me to the place where I make unhealthy choices, instead of asking myself what I need to do to get my life back in balance. I need Your help with this, Lord. Help me to know when I need to rest or when I need to play, and then help me to give myself permission to do so. I pray in the Name of Jesus who said, 'Come to a quiet place and rest.' Amen."

Go forth today, rested and ready for the day.

Life Plan Devotion #22 [Escape]

There is a saying, "You can run, but you can't hide." That is true, especially when it comes to trying to escape the pain of tough reality. Where do you go, what do you do, when you feel the need to escape, to avoid facing an issue in your life, or desire to find momentary relief from pressure? Be willing to face the truth, and your life just may change forever this very day, for the better.
Think of the last time you recognize that you were trying to escape or avoid facing a pressure, emotion, issue, or problem. Now, trace your footsteps. Where did you go? What did you do? Perhaps you went to the refrigerator or cupboard, the mall, the liquor store. Maybe you smoked cigarettes, popped pills, watched television, viewed pornography, or had an affair. What dangerous game did you play with your destiny, all in an attempt to escape from the pain of your past or present?
Trying to escape your emotions that well up, due to the pain of your past or present, is an exercise in futility, at best. Your emotions are God-given and are there to help you to heal. As difficult as it will be, face whatever reality is attached to your past or present. Feel the emotions, and honor them by giving them appropriate vent. If you need help from a professional, get it. Why be miserable one day longer than necessary? Why continue to avoid your pain by trying to escape it in ways that are destructive? It doesn't work, anyway. Let God help you face, deal with properly, and heal every wounded place in your heart and life.

Job 34:32 [NIV]
"Teach me what I cannot see; if I have done wrong, I will not do so again."

What this has to do with weight loss: All too often, we find ourself in the kitchen, staring into the refrigerator or cupboard, as if the contents had miraculously changed since we were there last. Are we hungry? No. If there's no true hunger, then what else is going on? That's the question to ask, in those moments. Practice investigating the real reason behind graze eating, overeating, or binge eating. Whatever comes up, deal with it in a way that doesn't involve food, because food is only fuel. It cannot heal a broken heart.

Prayer for Today:
"Heavenly Father, show me what, prior to today, I have not been willing to see. Help me to uncover the pain from my past or present, and teach me how to properly deal with it. My greatest desire is to allow You to heal every wounded part of me. I know You want that, too, but You've been waiting for my permission and my cooperation. Today, Lord, I commit to partnering with You, to do the 'hard thing,' whatever that may be. Whatever wrong I've done, and that includes trying to escape or avoid, I ask You to forgive me, and I pledge not to do so again, for it does not serve You (or myself) well. Thank You for the grace and help You will give me, to help me carry out my pledge. In Jesus' Name, I pray. Amen."

Go forth today, determined to face life with courage.

Life Plan Devotion #21 [Missing]

What would make your life complete? What's missing? Is it a job, money, health, a loved one, peace, joy, purpose? When you look at your life's puzzle, is there a major piece missing? Has that piece ever been there, or is it in pieces on the floor?
Throughout the Bible, we're told that God can make us "whole." Whether in the Hebrew or Greek, the word "whole" means "nothing missing, nothing broken." Whatever is wrong in your life, whatever is missing or broken, the answer is the Lord. I'm reminded of an old song, "Broken Pieces," which says, in part, "Have you failed, in life's battles, to accomplish your plan? Is your heart heavy laden? Do you fear the Lord's command? Do you feel that no one loves you and there's no use to try? Just bring your cares to Jesus, your soul He'll satisfy." The chorus says, "Pick up the broken pieces and bring them to the Lord. Pick up the broken pieces, trust in His Holy Word. He will put you back together and make your life complete. Just place the broken pieces at the Savior's feet."
Whether what you're missing can be replaced in this life or cannot be restored to you until you reach Heaven's shores, God can make you whole, right here, right now. Bring all of you to Jesus, and, in faith, lay it all (the pain, questions, hurts, disappointments, lack, wants, desires) at His feet. Just make sure you don't take it back up again. Instead, believe and trust God to restore you.

Matthew 9:22 [21st Century KJV]
"But Jesus turned about, and when He saw her, He said, 'Daughter, be of good comfort; thy faith hath made thee whole.' And the woman was made whole from that hour."

What this has to do with weight loss: For those of us with weight issues, much has been missing from our life: health, the ability to see food as only fuel, the energy and stamina to be an active part in the life of our family, and more. In its place is much pain, guilt, and regret. However, if we can see each day as a new chance to allow God to help us walk in faith toward wholeness, we will begin to experience the positive changes in our body, mind, and spirit.

Prayer for Today:
"Heavenly Father, I come to You, today, acknowledging that there are pieces to my life that are missing or broken. On my own, I'm helpless to do anything about that, but You, oh Lord, who created me whole in the first place, can put me back together. I'm bringing all the pieces of my life to You, Father, and I'm laying them at Your feet. Replace every piece, and wherever a piece cannot be replaced, for whatever reason, just replace it with Your presence, until I am whole, with nothing missing, nothing broken. I pray in faith and in the Name of Jesus, who shed His blood to heal me. Amen."

Go forth today, in health, healing, and wholeness.

Life Plan Devotion #20 [Take a leap]

Most of us can say that we've taken a step of faith, but how many times have you taken a leap of faith? A leap of faith is a financial, emotional, physical, or spiritual risk that, when God nudges you in that direction, you take it, letting go of what's safe, secure, and predictable, and, by taking that leap of faith, trust Him to catch you if you fall.
In the story of Jesus walking on the water, it's the wee hours of the morning, and the disciples in the boat think He's a ghost. He tells them, "It is I; be not afraid." Peter responds with, "Lord, if it is You, bid me come to You, on the water." When Jesus replies with, "Come," Peter gets out of the boat. That's a leap of faith, an emotional, physical, and spiritual risk for Peter.
Peter does fine, is walking on the water, until he sees the turbulent wind and waves and gives in to fear. Because he takes his eyes off Jesus, he begins to sink. He cries out, "Lord, save me," and "immediately Jesus stretched forth His hand, caught [Peter], and said to him, 'O you of little faith, why did you doubt?'" [Matthew 14:23-32]
A leap of faith is scary, because you have to take a giant step out of your comfort zone. I encourage you to pray about a leap of faith that the Lord would have you take. Just be prepared to be challenged. Whether it is, as examples, to give to a ministry until it "hurts," forgive the unforgivable, pursue a seemingly impossible physical goal, or share your testimony with a stranger as to what the Lord has done for you, if you follow through, you will experience a most amazing adventure and enjoy great reward.

Hebrews 11:8 [NIV]
"By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going."

What this has to do with weight loss: What seemingly impossible physical, weight-loss goal should you tackle? What would take such a leap of faith that your first step would be linked with a shake of your head and a deep breath? Even if the end result seems like foreign territory and you feel like you have no map, take the challenge and pursue your dream.

Prayer for Today:
"Heavenly Father, just like You called Abraham to go by faith, call me to a place that I will later receive as my inheritance. I want it said of me that I obeyed and went, even though I didn't know where I was going. Today, I pray that I will rely on Your Word as I face decisions. I ask, specifically, that You will give me the needed wisdom to know exactly what to do and when to do it. Ignite a spirit of faith-based risk in me, and may I be Your bold and devoted disciple. Nudge me more powerfully than You ever have before! Help me to step out of the boat, to keep my eyes on You, and remind me that You will catch me if I fall. I pray in the Name of Your Son, Jesus, who bids me 'Come.' Amen."

Go forth today, in a leap of faith.

Life Plan Devotion #19 [Need a makeover?]

Did you ever watch "Extreme Makeover"? No, I'm not talking about Ty Pennington and the Home Makeover Team, although it's a good show, too. I'm referring to the show which chose several less-than-beautiful women willing to hand over their body to a panel of experts in plastic surgery, dentistry, ophthalmology, diet and exercise, hair care, clothing, and makeup. There was a token psychologist, but it wasn't clear how involved the women were in personal counseling, which might explain the true shock on their face at their first "reveal."
What truly important thing about yourself would you like to change, that you would need God's help to accomplish? Perhaps additional questions to ask yourself would be, "How does God want to transform me? What change in my life would please Him?" Maybe you cannot move forward in your life mission, without this change. Whether you need courage to see a counselor, confidence to ask a friend for prayer, the self discipline to live a downsized life or stop abusing your finances, the determination to walk away from an unhealthy relationship, the submission to the nudge to quit rehearsing your past hurts so you can move forward into the present and the future, or the motivation to mind your own business, God can help you do what you cannot seem to do for yourself. Partner with Him, and the "caterpillar" in your life will become a "butterfly."

Romans 12:2
"Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--His good, pleasing and perfect will" (NIV).

What this has to do with weight loss: Every person on the weight-loss surgery journey wants to end up a svelte/handsome woman/man. What we soon realize is that our surgeon operated on our stomach, not our mind. There is emotional surgery that must be performed, if we are to be successful long term. As daunting a task as that may seem, it's helpful and comforting to know that the One who created us is ready, willing, and able to transform us. Allow Him to renew your mind and heart, and you will see the changes, inside and out.

Prayer for Today:
"Heavenly Father, help me not to conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but to be transformed by the renewing of my mind. When that happens, I'll be able to test and approve Your good, pleasing, and perfect will for my life. I don't want to live anymore in denial about what needs to change in me. I don't want to avoid doing the "hard thing" in that area of my life. I desire to be transformed, but it scares me. Today, I pray for the courage and strength to change the things that, with Your help, I can change, those truly important things that will please You and that will help me accomplish the life mission You have for me. I ask You to do the transformational work in me. Give me the courage, strength, and power to drop my resistance and quit making excuses. In Jesus' Name, I pray. Amen."

Go forth today, in the anticipatory joy of godly transformation.

Life Plan Devotion #18 [on the QT]

This devotion is on the QT--Quiet Time, that is. How's your Quiet Time with the Lord, or do you even have one? A Quiet Time is just that, spending a few minutes of quiet with the Lord, in prayer, in the Word, writing in a journal, confessing sin, memorizing verses, singing, reading a devotion, enjoying God's creative Hand outside, and even just being silent before Him so that you can listen for and hear His Voice.
Has your Quiet Time become an obligation or merely a habit, or are you ecstatic to have the privilege of coming into the presence of Almighty God, to praise Him, learn about Him, hear from Him, and see what assignment He has for you? Is your heart cold or on fire?
Just as any lover (one who loves), God longs for you to seek Him out, to desire to speak to Him and spend time with Him, just listening. Begin your day with Him, and you will find that your day will be aglow with His presence.

Matthew 6:6 [Message]
"[Jesus said,] 'Here's what I want you to do: Find a quiet, secluded place so you won't be tempted to role-play before God. Just be there as simply and honestly as you can manage. The focus will shift from you to God, and you will begin to sense His grace.'"

What this has to do with weight loss: Sometimes we forget that God is interested in every aspect of our life. While He loves you just as you are, no matter what you weigh, He desires for your life and body to be healthy. After all, your body is His temple, and doesn't He deserve to live in a healthy one? You have an Advocate in the Lord. Spending time with Him will empower you to resist the food issues, the unhealthy activities, that got you to the place of obesity in the first place. Go to Him for help.

Prayer for Today:
"Heavenly Father, I know that You want me to find a quiet, secluded spot where no one but You is watching me, so I won't be tempted to pretend to be someone I'm not when I am with You. You just want me to be with You, simply and honestly. I want that, too, for I know that as I do that, the focus will shift from me to You, and I will begin to sense Your Grace. I pray that the time I spend with You today will be the most incredible time possible. Make me mindful always of the privilege of being in Your Presence, and help me to realize that I need to 'refuel' more often, so I won't 'run on empty.' I pray in Jesus' Name. Amen."

Go forth today, in the glow of an awesome Quiet Time.

Life Plan Devotion #17 [Strengths & Weaknesses]

In thinking about the topic of today's devotion, I realized two things. 1) With attention, a weakness can become a strength. 2) With inattention, a strength can become a weakness. The second thing can happen, even before you realize it.
Good looks can lead to pride. Excessive privilege can invite hardheartedness. Leadership can turn into control or manipulation. Generosity can lead to overspending on others, in an attempt to buy love or friendship. Friendliness can turn into inappropriate flirtation. Obsessive planning can destroy spontaneity or cause one to be inflexible. Caring and compassion can become a failure to set healthy boundaries, and the result can be that one feels used and unsure of how to lovingly correct the situation.
There is the danger that we will become self-sufficient or abuse our strengths, using them in ways God does not intend. Our strengths become our comfort zones, and we can refuse to allow God to stretch us beyond those areas that make us feel secure. Sometimes He forces us out of our comfort zones, away from our strengths, so we can learn, in new ways, to depend on Him.

Isaiah 31:1 (NIV, with author's addition in brackets)
"Woe to those who go down to Egypt [place of bondage] for help, who rely on horses, who trust in the multitude of their chariots and in the great strength of their horsemen, but do not look to the Holy One of Israel or seek help from the LORD."

What this has to do with weight loss: Think of the weaknesses that led to your weight issue. Think of the attention you're giving to them and how you can see that they are becoming strengths. For example, perhaps you were an emotional eater, and, with attention to that, you are finding that you can deal with your emotions in a healthy manner, that does not involve eating. Conversely, think of a strength that, with inattention, could become a weakness. For example, perhaps you are at goal and maintaining, but, with inattention, you may find that you assume those pounds are "gone for good," only to find that the number on the scale begins to creep upward. With being mindful of your strengths and weaknesses, and with God's help, you can attend to them in ways that will benefit your weight-loss journey and give glory to God.

Prayer for Today:
"Heavenly Father, I don't want to go to any place of bondage, for help. I don't want to rely on anyone else but You. I don't want to trust in numbers or the great strength of anything else. I want to look to You, Holy One of Israel, only You. Today, help me to give attention to my every weakness so that they can become strengths, and help me to avoid inattention to my strengths, which could cause them to become weaknesses. Help me to be intensely aware of my responsibility to use my strengths wisely and to devote them wholly to Your glory. I pray in the Name of Jesus. Amen."

Go forth today, and attend to your strengths and weaknesses.

Life Plan Devotion #16 [Power]

When have you witnessed God's power in your life? Perhaps you've seen Him walk on water to get to you in time of distress. Maybe He's calmed a storm in your life or multiplied loaves for you. Recall a moment when God's power was evident to you. Remembering the miracles in your life will help you to live with gratitude and ready your heart to serve God more faithfully.
One of the manifestations of God's power that is most precious to me is His resurrection power. Whether it's a relationship or a life, God can bring it from death to life. I love the story of the raising of Lazarus (John 11:1-44). Not even death is more powerful than God! Do you need something raised from the dead? Trust the power of God to do a resurrection in your life.

Colossians 1:11 [NLT]
"That you will be strengthened with His glorious power so you will have all the patience and endurance you need."

What this has to do with weight loss: Each of us has a weak spot, when it comes to the weight-loss journey. Perhaps it's a certain food or an issue with exercise. Whatever that weak spot is for you, maybe you are apt to say, "I can't," and perhaps you're right. You can't, but God, through you, can! Depend on His strength and power to see you through.

Prayer for Today:
"Heavenly Father, You are Omnipotent God, and nothing is too hard for You. Today, I humbly thank You for the power You have poured into my life in the past, and I pray expectantly to see evidence of Your power in my life today and in the future. I invite You to display Your majesty through my smallness. Remember me, Your humble servant, who willingly bows to You and loves to brag about all You have done for me. You are awesome, and I worship You. In Jesus' Name, I pray. Amen."

Go forth today, and experience God's strength and resurrecting power.

Life Plan Devotion #15 [The pearl]

Do you know how a pearl develops? It happens when a foreign substance slips into an oyster, between its mantle and shell. This irritates the oyster, and the oyster reacts by secreting layers of a natural substance, to cover and protect itself from the irritant, eventually forming a pearl.
How do you react to irritants, whether they be situations or people? They can be either a constant source of irritation or an opportunity to allow God's grace to cover it and you. The result just may be a jewel.

II Corinthians 12:9 [NIV]
"...'My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness.'"

What this has to do with weight loss: There are many irritations that come with weight-loss surgery and the way of eating and drinking afterward, that are meant to lead to weight loss and maintenance. You can either react in frustration or you can submit to the process. God's grace will help you submit to the process, as you submit to Him.

Prayer for Today:
"Heavenly Father, knowing Jesus, the Pearl of Great Price, is precious to me. I thank You for the Grace that flows down and covers me. Help me, today, to submit to You and to the process of being smoothed out by heavenly sandpaper, those situations and people who tend to irritate. Help me to see it all as You see it, an opportunity to develop godly character and live as one of Your jewels. I pray in the Name of Jesus. Amen."

Go forth today, covered by Grace.

Life Plan Devotion #14 [Character]

Personal Note: My 7th grandbaby, Solomon Michael, was born yesterday, weighing in at 7 lbs. 11 ounces. Praise God for a safe delivery. Daughter-in-love, son, baby, and 3 brothers are all doing well.
Daily, each of us is given opportunities to build our character, to act and react in godly ways. Think about it...if you tend to be impatient, you will have opportunity after opportunity to exhibit patience or impatience. Either one is your choice.
Desire to exhibit the character of God, and since "God is love" (I John 4:8), love should be the foundation of our character. What would that look like? How do you measure up against the love yardstick today?

I Corinthians 13:4-8 [in list form, from NIV]
"Love is patient, kind, does not envy or boast, is not proud, not rude or self-seeking, not easily angered, keeps no record of wrongs, does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth, always protects, trusts, hope, perseveres. Love never fails."

What this has to do with weight loss: Any time we lack in the love department, within ourselves, we will try to fill that void with something, and for most of us, that something is food. However, since food is fuel and cannot meet any emotional need, the results are greater dependence upon food and weight gain. If you lack love, go to the One who is love.

Prayer for Today:
"Heavenly Father, I desire to exhibit godly character today. You are love, and I want to be like You. Help me, today, to be patient and kind to all I meet. Help me to empty myself of self. Help me to live with joy, because I rejoice in the truth. May I be faithful to be true to You and true to love. I pray in Jesus' Name. Amen."

Go forth today, and be loving.

Life Plan Devotion #13 [Life message]

Everyone is born with a talent or gift. Everyone is born with something they are meant to do. Everyone is born with some life message to share with the world. I believe those things are true. Not everyone submits to their gifting, their life work, or their message, but what an awesome thing when a person does!
What is your life message? Have you ever thought about that? It will be an encouraging comment that comes out of your heart and mouth, probably quite often. It's something that, if given permission, you would shout it from the mountaintop! Whatever life message God has given you to share, realize there is responsibility as well as privilege attached to it, and share your life message with passion.

Acts 20:24 [NIV]
"I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me--the task of testifying to the gospel of God's grace."

What this has to do with weight loss: The weight-loss journey is a race. Determine to run it well, and be a trophy of God's grace. Testify that salvation power gives you the ability to conquer the challenges of the race, and don't forget to encourage the other runners.

Prayer for Today:
"Heavenly Father, my life is worthwhile only if I finish the race and complete the task You have given me--that of testifying to the gospel of Your grace. Help me to know the message I was sent into the world to carry. Once I know my life message, help me to deliver that message with passion. What an awesome privilege to be Your trusted messenger. May I take the responsibility seriously. I pray in Jesus' Name. Amen."

Go forth today, and speak your life message to your world.