Life Plan Devotion #79 [God's Armor--Shield of Faith, Part VII]

Last time, we looked at the 3 most commonly used "darts of the evil one" (doubt, discouragement, and depression). Today, let's look at the first of 4 practical ways to guarantee that you can extinguish every flaming weapon of Satan. How do you "hold up the shield of faith, to stop the fiery arrows of the devil" (Ephesians 6:16)?
To extinguish every dart, you must think faith. You must "take every thought captive to the mind of Christ" (II Corinthians 10:5). The enemy will try to whisper thoughts that are counter to the Word of God, because if he can plant a seed of doubt, discouragement, or depression in your mind, he knows that thought can become a feeling, that feeling can become an action, that action can become a habit, and that habit can shape your character (who you are) and your life (what you experience).
To take every thought captive, you must think the thoughts of Jesus, and those thoughts are contained in the Word of God. Spend time in the Word, and be "washed by the cleansing of God's Word" (Ephesians 5:26). Do that, and you will think faith and be able to extinguish every flaming weapon of Satan.

Philippians 4:8 [NLT]
"Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise."

What this has to do with weight loss: Every pound of excess weight is gained or lost in the mind first. Follow the trail from the scale to the mind and you will see that is so. The enemy wants you to think thoughts of doubt, discouragement, and depression, even about your weight. The Lord wants you to think thoughts of faith, hope, and love, even about your body and its ability to release weight. Which thoughts will you attend to today?

Prayer for Today:
"Heavenly Father, I know it is crucial that I think faith, that I wash my mind in the water of Your Word. Help me to do that today, Lord, so that every thought I think this day will bring honor to You and victory to me. I pray in Jesus' Name. Amen."

Go forth today, and think the thoughts of faith, to defeat the thoughts of doubt, discouragement, and depression.

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.