Life Plan Devotion #151 [Even in the wilderness]

Joshua 1:9 "Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go" (NIV).

We have been looking briefly at the wilderness wanderings of the children of Israel, as they were led out of Egypt (the land of bondage) to Canaan (the land of promise). For the next few days, let's look at what it all means for you, right here, today.
Perhaps you are smack in the middle of your own wilderness wandering, right now. Perhaps you will find yourself in one in the future. Perhaps you have been in one in the past, and you've learned a few things. Allow me to share some of the lessons I learned, from my own wilderness wanderings.
I want you to know, fellow believer, lesson #1, that even in the wilderness, God provides and guides. The fact that you're in the wilderness does not mean He has abandoned you. Look to Him to guide you through the wilderness. He will do it. Look to Him to provide for you while in the the wilderness. He will be faithful to do that, as you trust Him.

What this has to do with weight loss: I'll be honest. I want this weight-loss journey to be easy, to be effortless. I want each day to be like it was right after surgery, when no matter what I did or didn't do, I lost weight. It was exciting to get on the scale, to lose a pound or more nearly every day, it seemed, for months. Well, it isn't like that anymore. Now, the scale certainly shows what I've done or not done, and, frankly, some days it feels like I'm in some weight-loss wilderness, and it's difficult to walk it. Maybe you're there, too. Let us remind ourselves that even if it feels like it, we are not alone. We have each other, and, more importantly, we have the Lord who provides and guides, as we look to and trust Him.

Prayer for Today:
"Heavenly Father, thank You for reminding me today that I can be strong and courageous, and that You do not want me to be afraid or discouraged. Thank You that the reason is that You have promised to be with me, wherever I go, even when I am in a wilderness. Thank You for your faithful provision and guidance through the most difficult of circumstances, the times when the path is strewn with stones, for I know that with You on my side, I will make it to the land of promise. Remind me, if I forget, Father. I pray in Jesus' Name. Amen."

Go forth today, encouraged, knowing that God is with you wherever you go.

Life Plan Devotion #1 [Be Fearless]

Through research, I've found 533 documented phobias. A phobia is defined as "a persistent, irrational fear of a specific object, activity, or situation that leads to a compelling desire to avoid it." If you think about it, almost any noun (person, place, thing, or idea) can be connected to a phobia.
The majority of us do not have to deal with a phobia. However, most of us deal with fear, in some form. How would you respond if I asked you, "What are you afraid of?" That fear can be a positive impetus, causing you to seek God's strength and power, or it can be a negative impetus, keeping you from trying new things, including that which would help you fulfill God's plan for your life.
God tells us not to be afraid ("Fear not," "Do not be afraid," "Have courage," etc.) 365 times, in the Bible. That's one God-Encouraging word for every day of the year! God knows that fear is the strongest weapon of the Enemy (Satan). Determine to uncover and root out every fear in your life. God will help you be able to do that.

Joshua 1:9 [NLT]
"'This is My command--be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.'"

What this has to do with weight loss: Perhaps you have done hard work to remove fear, only to discover that you have one more--the fear that, even with weight-loss surgery, you won't be able to lose your excess weight, or you fear that the pounds will return. You may have so much weight to lose that it seems impossible, but "with God all things are possible" (Matthew 19:26).

Prayer for Today:
"Heavenly Father, I know You want me to 'be strong and courageous.' You have told me to 'not be afraid or discouraged' and that You are 'with [me] wherever [I] go.' Today, I pray that I will learn to trust You more and more. Help me to track my progress toward freedom from fear, so that I can always remember how far You've brought me. I thank You, in advance, for delivering me from all my fears. I pray in the Name of Jesus. Amen."

Go forth today, and be fearless!