I John 1:9 "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness" (NIV).
I have learned some lessons from my own wilderness wonderings, and I have shared several with you:
1) Even in the wilderness, God provides and guides.
2) Sin will stop the flow of God's provision to you.
Today, let's briefly look at Lesson #3, that repentance is the solution to the problem/barrier of unconfessed sin stopping the flow of God's provision to you.
It is crucial that you daily reflect on how you are living your life, what you are doing, saying, even thinking. Unconfessed sin is a spiritual cancer. Do not allow it to spread. I John 1:9 is a wonderful promise, and it is the solution to the problem.
Just as I John 1:9 states, when you know of (or the Holy Spirit reveals) an unconfessed sin, immediately confess it, knowing that the Lord is faithful and just, and forgiveness is instantaneous.
Yes, Jesus' sacrifice on the Cross paid for all the sins of all mankind--past, present, and future, but it is up to each of us to safeguard our close walk with Him, as well as break down the barrier of our individual shortcomings which can keep God's blessings from flowing to us, by utilizing confession and repentance. How true the saying, "Confession is good for the soul."
What this has to do with weight loss: The definition of "sin" is "missing the mark," and based on that definition, I miss the mark in my weight-loss journey quite often. Now, I can choose to feel condemned by that or I can choose to confess it, repent of it, and allow the Lord to help me to do better next time. All too often, it seems we do the former and just beat ourselves up by our lack of self-control, or our laziness, or our "cheats." Let's make a better decision, and choose the I John 1:9 approach, truly making each day a new start, even in our weight-loss journey.
Prayer for Today:
"Heavenly Father, I know I miss the mark often, daily it seems. My desire is to be sensitive to the Holy Spirit, who is faithful to shine His light on each area that I need to get right with You. May I also keep a clean slate, confessing and repenting of each time I sin in thought, word, or deed. I thank You that forgiveness is assured. May I do my part to bring down every barrier that keeps Your provision from coming to me. I pray in Jesus' Name. Amen."
Go forth today, with nothing between you and the Savior.
Showing posts with label weight-loss journey. Show all posts
Showing posts with label weight-loss journey. Show all posts
Sunday, January 17, 2010
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Life Plan Devotion #152 [It's a barrier]
Isaiah 59:1-2 "Surely the arm of the LORD is not too short to save, nor his ear too dull to hear. But your iniquities have separated you from your God; your sins have hidden his face from you, so that he will not hear" (NIV).
Last time, we looked at the first of just a few lessons I have learned in my wilderness wanderings, that even in the wilderness, God provides and guides. Today, let's look at the second lesson I have learned. It is a lesson that is crucial.
Lesson #2 is that sin will stop the flow of God's provision to you. Sin is a problem. It separates you from God, the very One who can provide for your needs as you're in the wilderness.
Sin creates a barrier. God will not look at sin, and He turns a deaf ear to the prayers of those living in unconfessed sin. What sin is worth living without the help of Almighty God?
What this has to do with weight loss: When the weight-loss journey begins to feel like a wilderness wandering, when you have asked God to help you but the answers just don't seem to come, it is helpful to take stock of your life. See if there is unconfessed sin that may be keeping the Lord from blessing your weight-loss journey. If there is, take care of it.
Prayer for Today:
"Heavenly Father, it is good to remind myself that sin is a barrier to Your provision, to Your willingness to intervene in my life. My desire is to keep a clean slate with You, every day. May I be so spiritually sensitive, that the second I even think of sinning, my conscience is pricked. I don't want anything to keep me from a close walk with You. I want to be a person You can bless. In Jesus' Name. Amen."
Go forth today, living a life God can bless.
Last time, we looked at the first of just a few lessons I have learned in my wilderness wanderings, that even in the wilderness, God provides and guides. Today, let's look at the second lesson I have learned. It is a lesson that is crucial.
Lesson #2 is that sin will stop the flow of God's provision to you. Sin is a problem. It separates you from God, the very One who can provide for your needs as you're in the wilderness.
Sin creates a barrier. God will not look at sin, and He turns a deaf ear to the prayers of those living in unconfessed sin. What sin is worth living without the help of Almighty God?
What this has to do with weight loss: When the weight-loss journey begins to feel like a wilderness wandering, when you have asked God to help you but the answers just don't seem to come, it is helpful to take stock of your life. See if there is unconfessed sin that may be keeping the Lord from blessing your weight-loss journey. If there is, take care of it.
Prayer for Today:
"Heavenly Father, it is good to remind myself that sin is a barrier to Your provision, to Your willingness to intervene in my life. My desire is to keep a clean slate with You, every day. May I be so spiritually sensitive, that the second I even think of sinning, my conscience is pricked. I don't want anything to keep me from a close walk with You. I want to be a person You can bless. In Jesus' Name. Amen."
Go forth today, living a life God can bless.
Monday, January 11, 2010
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.
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.
Friday, December 18, 2009
Life Plan Devotion #149 [Constancy]
Exodus 13:21-22 "By day the LORD went ahead of them in a pillar of cloud to guide them on their way and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, so that they could travel by day or night. Neither the pillar of cloud by day nor the pillar of fire by night left its place in front of the people" (NIV).
God's manifested presence to the children of Israel came in the form of "a pillar of cloud" by day and "a pillar of fire" by night. Try to picture that. I did. I "saw" everything from a tiny, fluffy cloud to a massive, thick cloud. I was leaning more toward the latter, especially since it had to have been large enough, as the pillar of fire by night, to adequately light the way for the vast number of Israelites, when they needed to travel at night. [Exodus 12:37 mentions 600,000 men. With women, children, and elderly men, the total could have been 2-3 million people.]
In looking up the words "pillar" and "cloud" for these verses in Exodus chapter 13, I found that the Hebrew word for "pillar" means "a standing column," and the word for "cloud" means "a cloud (as covering the sky); the nimbus or thundercloud." What an awesome sight that must have been, day or night. It was huge!
God's presence was constant, and constancy is still one of God's most beloved attributes. God's people, from the time of the wilderness wandering to this very day, tend to be a people who murmur, complain, and provoke God's longsuffering, yet He never leaves us. God is here, to lead and guide us, if we will only look to Him.
What this has to do with weight loss: God is constant in His offering to help, but are we constant in our accepting of that help. Think of your own weight-loss journey. If you have asked God to help you progress on your way, are you being constant/faithful in following His constant/faithful leading? He won't force you to, of course, but it is to your advantage to do so.
Prayer for Today:
"Heavenly Father, I praise You for Your unfailing, faithful constancy. I thank You for being willing to lead and guide me always, in every area of my life. I know that I must yield to Your leading, and that is my prayer for today. Father, I yield to You, in every way, in every area of my life. I know You will lead and guide me this day. May I follow constantly. In Jesus' Name. Amen."
Go forth today, following constantly your constant Heavenly Father and guide.
God's manifested presence to the children of Israel came in the form of "a pillar of cloud" by day and "a pillar of fire" by night. Try to picture that. I did. I "saw" everything from a tiny, fluffy cloud to a massive, thick cloud. I was leaning more toward the latter, especially since it had to have been large enough, as the pillar of fire by night, to adequately light the way for the vast number of Israelites, when they needed to travel at night. [Exodus 12:37 mentions 600,000 men. With women, children, and elderly men, the total could have been 2-3 million people.]
In looking up the words "pillar" and "cloud" for these verses in Exodus chapter 13, I found that the Hebrew word for "pillar" means "a standing column," and the word for "cloud" means "a cloud (as covering the sky); the nimbus or thundercloud." What an awesome sight that must have been, day or night. It was huge!
God's presence was constant, and constancy is still one of God's most beloved attributes. God's people, from the time of the wilderness wandering to this very day, tend to be a people who murmur, complain, and provoke God's longsuffering, yet He never leaves us. God is here, to lead and guide us, if we will only look to Him.
What this has to do with weight loss: God is constant in His offering to help, but are we constant in our accepting of that help. Think of your own weight-loss journey. If you have asked God to help you progress on your way, are you being constant/faithful in following His constant/faithful leading? He won't force you to, of course, but it is to your advantage to do so.
Prayer for Today:
"Heavenly Father, I praise You for Your unfailing, faithful constancy. I thank You for being willing to lead and guide me always, in every area of my life. I know that I must yield to Your leading, and that is my prayer for today. Father, I yield to You, in every way, in every area of my life. I know You will lead and guide me this day. May I follow constantly. In Jesus' Name. Amen."
Go forth today, following constantly your constant Heavenly Father and guide.
Thursday, December 17, 2009
Life Plan Devotion #148 [Guidance]
Exodus 13:21-22 "By day the LORD went ahead of them in a pillar of cloud to guide them on their way and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, so that they could travel by day or night. Neither the pillar of cloud by day nor the pillar of fire by night left its place in front of the people" (NIV).
Moses, empowered and protected by God, has led the children of Israel out of the land of Egypt, out of bondage, and bound for the Promised Land...Canaan. Between Egypt and "the land flowing with milk and honey," a wilderness must be crossed.
Picture with me an Israelite woman, perhaps from the tribe of Judah ("Judah" means "praise") rising early in the morning, lifting up the flap of the family tent, and walking out into the sunrise. She looks up at the sky, sees the standing-column pillar turn from fire to cloud, breathes a sigh of relief and whispers, "The LORD is still with us. Praise His Holy Name."
Nothing is more important to God's children than knowing that He is with us, that He does not leave us in our wilderness journey from this earthly land of Egypt to our heavenly Canaan Land. While we do not see a tangible evidence of God's presence, and, as we did the children of Israel, we have something better--His indwelling presence, and, as we look to Him and follow Him, we experience His daily provision and guidance.
As we begin a new mini-series on God's guidance, think about how He has guided you throughout your life, so far. Take a moment today to thank Him for His leading.
What this has to do with weight loss: There are moments on our weight-loss journey when we just don't know which way to turn. Perhaps there's something that just doesn't feel quite right, but we're not sure what it is. Perhaps our exercise routine has lost its effectiveness, and we're not sure what to change. Perhaps we're at a weight-loss plateau, so we need to know how to jumpstart our body. We have Someone who will guide us, who will give us ideas to try or put someone in our path who will give us just the right information we need, at just the right moment. God cares about every part of our journey, even your weight-loss journey. Turn to Him for guidance. He is faithful.
Prayer for Today:
"Heavenly Father, even though I cannot see You, as did the Israelites, when You went before them as a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night, I am persuaded that You never leave me or forsake me. You have promised that in Your Word. I need Your guidance, Lord, because I recognize that on my own, I can falter and lose my way. Thank You for showing me the path I should take this day. My eyes are on You, and my ears are listening for Your voice. In Jesus' Name. Amen."
Go forth today, walking in the guidance of your loving Heavenly Father.
Moses, empowered and protected by God, has led the children of Israel out of the land of Egypt, out of bondage, and bound for the Promised Land...Canaan. Between Egypt and "the land flowing with milk and honey," a wilderness must be crossed.
Picture with me an Israelite woman, perhaps from the tribe of Judah ("Judah" means "praise") rising early in the morning, lifting up the flap of the family tent, and walking out into the sunrise. She looks up at the sky, sees the standing-column pillar turn from fire to cloud, breathes a sigh of relief and whispers, "The LORD is still with us. Praise His Holy Name."
Nothing is more important to God's children than knowing that He is with us, that He does not leave us in our wilderness journey from this earthly land of Egypt to our heavenly Canaan Land. While we do not see a tangible evidence of God's presence, and, as we did the children of Israel, we have something better--His indwelling presence, and, as we look to Him and follow Him, we experience His daily provision and guidance.
As we begin a new mini-series on God's guidance, think about how He has guided you throughout your life, so far. Take a moment today to thank Him for His leading.
What this has to do with weight loss: There are moments on our weight-loss journey when we just don't know which way to turn. Perhaps there's something that just doesn't feel quite right, but we're not sure what it is. Perhaps our exercise routine has lost its effectiveness, and we're not sure what to change. Perhaps we're at a weight-loss plateau, so we need to know how to jumpstart our body. We have Someone who will guide us, who will give us ideas to try or put someone in our path who will give us just the right information we need, at just the right moment. God cares about every part of our journey, even your weight-loss journey. Turn to Him for guidance. He is faithful.
Prayer for Today:
"Heavenly Father, even though I cannot see You, as did the Israelites, when You went before them as a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night, I am persuaded that You never leave me or forsake me. You have promised that in Your Word. I need Your guidance, Lord, because I recognize that on my own, I can falter and lose my way. Thank You for showing me the path I should take this day. My eyes are on You, and my ears are listening for Your voice. In Jesus' Name. Amen."
Go forth today, walking in the guidance of your loving Heavenly Father.
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Life Plan Devotion #147 [It's all about Him]
II Corinthians 9:11 "You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God" (NIV).
In connection with the Kingdom principle of sowing and reaping, we have learned that
1) One's harvest is in proportion to the amount of seed sown.
2) Giving is a "matter of the heart," and must be done thoughtfully, prayerfully, and decisively.
3) God blesses the giver, so the giver can give more.
4) Generous givers are remembered, forever.
5) God provides for the needs of the sower.
Today, let us look at the final point of this portion of II Corinthians 9:6-11. In the King James Version, verse 11 says, "Being enriched in every thing to all bountifulness, which causeth through us thanksgiving to God."
The Greek word for "enriched" is “ploutizō” and it means "to make wealthy." The Greek word for "bountifulness" is “haplotēs” and it means "sincerity (without self-seeking), generosity, liberality." The Greek word for "thanksgiving" is “eucharistia” which means "gratitude: act, grateful language (to God, as an act of worship):--thankfulness (giving of) thanks; thanksgiving."
God blesses givers, in every way, for their generosity that flows from a sincere, selfless act of giving. Yes, God gives to givers, so the giver can give more, and God provides for the needs of the giver. The ultimate purpose of the gift and the giver, however, is to produce, within the giver and the recipients of the gifts, gratitude to God and worshipful giving of thanks.
Oh, you can see that, truly it is all about Him! Godly giving begins and ends with God. He prompts, He instructs, He enables, He provides, He blesses, and He deserves all the praise. We can do nothing, especially give to others, without Him.
Be a giver God can bless, for "You will be made rich in every way. Then you can always give freely...your many gifts [taken] to the people who need them. And they will give thanks to God" (NIRV).
What this has to do with weight loss: Yesterday I received a message from a friend, and she talked about thinking about how blessed we are (each of us). I don't think we do that enough. Do you? God has richly given us all things to enjoy, yet how many do we take for granted. Take some time out for gratitude today. Even with regard to your weight-loss journey, you are surely blessed with those who help you. Give thanks to God for each person who has walked this path with you. Give thanks to God for His abiding presence and help, too.
Confession:
I am a giver. God makes me wealthy in every way, so I can be generous in every way. I thank God and worship Him with great praise, as do those He enables me to help.
In connection with the Kingdom principle of sowing and reaping, we have learned that
1) One's harvest is in proportion to the amount of seed sown.
2) Giving is a "matter of the heart," and must be done thoughtfully, prayerfully, and decisively.
3) God blesses the giver, so the giver can give more.
4) Generous givers are remembered, forever.
5) God provides for the needs of the sower.
Today, let us look at the final point of this portion of II Corinthians 9:6-11. In the King James Version, verse 11 says, "Being enriched in every thing to all bountifulness, which causeth through us thanksgiving to God."
The Greek word for "enriched" is “ploutizō” and it means "to make wealthy." The Greek word for "bountifulness" is “haplotēs” and it means "sincerity (without self-seeking), generosity, liberality." The Greek word for "thanksgiving" is “eucharistia” which means "gratitude: act, grateful language (to God, as an act of worship):--thankfulness (giving of) thanks; thanksgiving."
God blesses givers, in every way, for their generosity that flows from a sincere, selfless act of giving. Yes, God gives to givers, so the giver can give more, and God provides for the needs of the giver. The ultimate purpose of the gift and the giver, however, is to produce, within the giver and the recipients of the gifts, gratitude to God and worshipful giving of thanks.
Oh, you can see that, truly it is all about Him! Godly giving begins and ends with God. He prompts, He instructs, He enables, He provides, He blesses, and He deserves all the praise. We can do nothing, especially give to others, without Him.
Be a giver God can bless, for "You will be made rich in every way. Then you can always give freely...your many gifts [taken] to the people who need them. And they will give thanks to God" (NIRV).
What this has to do with weight loss: Yesterday I received a message from a friend, and she talked about thinking about how blessed we are (each of us). I don't think we do that enough. Do you? God has richly given us all things to enjoy, yet how many do we take for granted. Take some time out for gratitude today. Even with regard to your weight-loss journey, you are surely blessed with those who help you. Give thanks to God for each person who has walked this path with you. Give thanks to God for His abiding presence and help, too.
Confession:
I am a giver. God makes me wealthy in every way, so I can be generous in every way. I thank God and worship Him with great praise, as do those He enables me to help.
Friday, December 11, 2009
Life Plan Devotion #144 [How will you be remembered?]
II Corinthians 9:9 "As it is written, 'He [the benevolent person] scatters abroad; He gives to the poor; His deeds of justice and goodness and kindness and benevolence will go on and endure forever!'" (Amplified)
Our key verse defines God's giver as one who "scatters abroad" his gifts. That means that God's giver is a liberal giver. Visualize with me two seed sowers. One sower reaches into his bag of seed, grabs the biggest handful he can, and flings the seed, repeating the process over and over, until the ground is covered with seed. The other sower carefully counts out three seeds, to place in each hole, and repeats the process every 6 inches. Which one is the generous sower? The first one, of course. Which one will reap the abundant harvest? The first one.
According to Psalm 112:9, God equates giving with "righteousness." An easy way to remember the meaning of "righteousness" is to think of it as "right standing with God." It also means "equity (of character or act)." God's giver gives because it's a natural outpouring of thanks to God, and, frankly, it's "the right thing to do."
Based on the fact that the early Christian church had "all things in common" and "gave to those who had need" (Acts 2:44-45) and the fact that, over all, traditionally, Jewish people are well off because they take care of one another, I believe that if every churchgoer gave as he/she should give (10% tithe and over and above that, in offerings), there would be no need for government-funded social programs. It's rather difficult to feed someone spiritually, if that person is physically hungry. I know it's overwhelming; the need is so great all over the world, but what could happen if God's people gave and gave generously.
The "righteousness" of God's giver "endures forever." How long will you be remembered, after you're gone? One of the ways you can be remembered is by being a giver. No, you don't have to give a huge amount and have a plaque put up with your name on it (that would seem to go against the scripture that says, "When you give, don't let your left hand know what your right hand is doing" Matthew 6:3). Others will recognize a giver, because a giver will give of not only their treasure, but their time and talents, as well.
When you give, you bless others, but you also reap blessings on yourself and your family, blessings that will continue from generation to generation. God will see your secret giving and "will reward you openly" (Matthew 6:4), not only in "the here and now," but for all eternity.
What this has to do with weight loss: On the weight-loss journey, we can become too focused on our journey, too focused on the number on the scale, too focused on our weight issues, that we forget that there are more important things (and people). We must strike a balance between being focused on self and focused on others. There's room for both. In the end, though, it really won't matter how much weight we lost. What will matter is how we influenced others. May that influence be for good, not ill, so that when others reflect on our life, they'll remember how we helped and didn't hurt, and may the memories attached to our name and life live on long after we're gone.
Confession:
I am a generous giver, and my "righteousness endures forever."
Our key verse defines God's giver as one who "scatters abroad" his gifts. That means that God's giver is a liberal giver. Visualize with me two seed sowers. One sower reaches into his bag of seed, grabs the biggest handful he can, and flings the seed, repeating the process over and over, until the ground is covered with seed. The other sower carefully counts out three seeds, to place in each hole, and repeats the process every 6 inches. Which one is the generous sower? The first one, of course. Which one will reap the abundant harvest? The first one.
According to Psalm 112:9, God equates giving with "righteousness." An easy way to remember the meaning of "righteousness" is to think of it as "right standing with God." It also means "equity (of character or act)." God's giver gives because it's a natural outpouring of thanks to God, and, frankly, it's "the right thing to do."
Based on the fact that the early Christian church had "all things in common" and "gave to those who had need" (Acts 2:44-45) and the fact that, over all, traditionally, Jewish people are well off because they take care of one another, I believe that if every churchgoer gave as he/she should give (10% tithe and over and above that, in offerings), there would be no need for government-funded social programs. It's rather difficult to feed someone spiritually, if that person is physically hungry. I know it's overwhelming; the need is so great all over the world, but what could happen if God's people gave and gave generously.
The "righteousness" of God's giver "endures forever." How long will you be remembered, after you're gone? One of the ways you can be remembered is by being a giver. No, you don't have to give a huge amount and have a plaque put up with your name on it (that would seem to go against the scripture that says, "When you give, don't let your left hand know what your right hand is doing" Matthew 6:3). Others will recognize a giver, because a giver will give of not only their treasure, but their time and talents, as well.
When you give, you bless others, but you also reap blessings on yourself and your family, blessings that will continue from generation to generation. God will see your secret giving and "will reward you openly" (Matthew 6:4), not only in "the here and now," but for all eternity.
What this has to do with weight loss: On the weight-loss journey, we can become too focused on our journey, too focused on the number on the scale, too focused on our weight issues, that we forget that there are more important things (and people). We must strike a balance between being focused on self and focused on others. There's room for both. In the end, though, it really won't matter how much weight we lost. What will matter is how we influenced others. May that influence be for good, not ill, so that when others reflect on our life, they'll remember how we helped and didn't hurt, and may the memories attached to our name and life live on long after we're gone.
Confession:
I am a generous giver, and my "righteousness endures forever."
Thursday, December 10, 2009
Life Plan Devotion #143 [Blessed]
II Corinthians 9:9 "As it is written: 'He has scattered abroad his gifts to the poor; his righteousness endures forever'" (NIV).
We have learned the following, in connection with the Kingdom principle of sowing and reaping:
1) One's harvest is in proportion to the amount of seed sown.
2) Giving is a "matter of the heart," and must be done thoughtfully, prayerfully, and decisively.
3) God blesses the giver, so the giver can give more.
Today, we will look at another way that the giver benefits. In verse 9 of II Corinthians chapter 9, Paul quotes the psalmist, from Psalm 112:9. What a great example, using the Word to back up what you say!
If one reads II Corinthians 9:9, as quoted from Psalm 112:9, without reading either passage in context, one might assume that the "he" of the verse refers to God, for surely He "has scattered abroad his gifts to the poor" and "his righteousness" indeed "endures forever." However, when one reads the previous verses of II Corinthians chapter 9 and the entire 112th chapter of Psalms, one understands that the "he" refers to the benevolent person, the giver.
I encourage you to read Psalm 112 (below), for it expounds on why "the man who fears [reverences] the LORD" is "blessed" (112:1). Reverence of God is the foundation of a life lived for Him. It speaks of awe, and when you are in awe of Him, you worship Him, and when you worship Him, you delight in serving Him. Giving is an integral part of serving Him.
Psalm 112 (NIV)
"Praise the LORD. Blessed is the man who fears [reverences] the LORD, who finds great delight in his commands. His children will be mighty in the land; each generation of the upright will be blessed. Wealth and riches are in his house, and his righteousness endures forever. Even in darkness light dawns for the upright, for the gracious and compassionate and righteous man. Good will come to him who is generous and lends freely, who conducts his affairs with justice. Surely he will never be shaken; a righteous man will be remembered forever. He will have no fear of bad news; his heart is steadfast, trusting in the LORD. His heart is secure, he will have no fear; in the end he will look in triumph on his foes. He has scattered abroad his gifts to the poor, his righteousness endures forever; his horn [symbolizes dignity] will be lifted high in honor. The wicked man will see and be vexed, he will gnash his teeth and waste away; the longings of the wicked will come to nothing." [Note: words defined in brackets by author, according to the original Hebrew.]
What this has to do with weight loss: Sometimes we believers who are on the weight-loss journey become afraid that it just won't happen for us, that, in the end, we'll end up the same as when we started. However, Psalm 112 promises that if we fear/reverence the LORD, delight in/follow His commands, good things are bound to happen, even when difficult moments come along the way. Give the Word to yourself, first, and then give to others, because you are blessed.
Confession:
I fear and reverence the Lord. I follow His commands. I am a giver. I am blessed.
We have learned the following, in connection with the Kingdom principle of sowing and reaping:
1) One's harvest is in proportion to the amount of seed sown.
2) Giving is a "matter of the heart," and must be done thoughtfully, prayerfully, and decisively.
3) God blesses the giver, so the giver can give more.
Today, we will look at another way that the giver benefits. In verse 9 of II Corinthians chapter 9, Paul quotes the psalmist, from Psalm 112:9. What a great example, using the Word to back up what you say!
If one reads II Corinthians 9:9, as quoted from Psalm 112:9, without reading either passage in context, one might assume that the "he" of the verse refers to God, for surely He "has scattered abroad his gifts to the poor" and "his righteousness" indeed "endures forever." However, when one reads the previous verses of II Corinthians chapter 9 and the entire 112th chapter of Psalms, one understands that the "he" refers to the benevolent person, the giver.
I encourage you to read Psalm 112 (below), for it expounds on why "the man who fears [reverences] the LORD" is "blessed" (112:1). Reverence of God is the foundation of a life lived for Him. It speaks of awe, and when you are in awe of Him, you worship Him, and when you worship Him, you delight in serving Him. Giving is an integral part of serving Him.
Psalm 112 (NIV)
"Praise the LORD. Blessed is the man who fears [reverences] the LORD, who finds great delight in his commands. His children will be mighty in the land; each generation of the upright will be blessed. Wealth and riches are in his house, and his righteousness endures forever. Even in darkness light dawns for the upright, for the gracious and compassionate and righteous man. Good will come to him who is generous and lends freely, who conducts his affairs with justice. Surely he will never be shaken; a righteous man will be remembered forever. He will have no fear of bad news; his heart is steadfast, trusting in the LORD. His heart is secure, he will have no fear; in the end he will look in triumph on his foes. He has scattered abroad his gifts to the poor, his righteousness endures forever; his horn [symbolizes dignity] will be lifted high in honor. The wicked man will see and be vexed, he will gnash his teeth and waste away; the longings of the wicked will come to nothing." [Note: words defined in brackets by author, according to the original Hebrew.]
What this has to do with weight loss: Sometimes we believers who are on the weight-loss journey become afraid that it just won't happen for us, that, in the end, we'll end up the same as when we started. However, Psalm 112 promises that if we fear/reverence the LORD, delight in/follow His commands, good things are bound to happen, even when difficult moments come along the way. Give the Word to yourself, first, and then give to others, because you are blessed.
Confession:
I fear and reverence the Lord. I follow His commands. I am a giver. I am blessed.
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
Life Plan Devotion #142 [When there's a need]
II Corinthians 9:8 "And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that always having all sufficiency in everything, you may have an abundance for every good deed" (NASB).
Let's read that again. "God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that always having all sufficiency in everything, you may have an abundance for every good deed." Can you "get by" on less, so you can do more for others, in God's work? Oh, how God will bless, when you say "yes"!
My sweet pastor's wife told a true story, at a get-together of the wives of our church's elders and deacons. I wish I had the specific details (names, places, etc.), but I don't. As best as I can remember, I will relate this true story.
A single woman wanted to give to missions, as the need was great. She felt very discouraged, because she cleaned houses for a living and, so, did not make very much money. However, she was a tither and told God that she would give what she could (beyond her tithe) to missions. She was faithful in her giving, and soon the Lord blessed in that she was given another house to clean. She responded by increasing her tithe and giving to missions. Soon, the Lord blessed in that she was given a raise. She responded by giving more.
Some years went by, and this woman faithfully served God with her tithe and offerings. No one, except the church treasurer, surely, knew about her giving. One day, a missionary that the church helped support came to the church. This missionary said to the pastor, "I want to meet the woman who has given [X number of dollars] to my ministry." The amount stunned the pastor, so he said, "You must be mistaken. We have no one in our church wealthy enough to have given that amount!"
The missionary, looking puzzled, said, "Her name is [so and so]." Surprised, and with a voice that bespoke his awe, the pastor called for the woman to come forward. The woman and the missionary embraced, tearfully.
You may not think that you have "enough" to give, and maybe you're right, but I'm here to tell you that if you give to God and His Work, "God can give you all you need. He will give you more than enough. You will have everything you need for yourself. And you will have enough left over to give when there is a need" (II Cor. 9:8, NLV).
What this has to do with weight loss: When I'm struggling in my own weight-loss journey, I feel so inadequate, like I have nothing to give to anyone. If perfection is required, in order to truly "pay it forward," then I have nothing to give. However, if perfection is not required--and I don't think it is--then I can at least encourage others. When I am in need, it comforts and helps me to encourage others in need. Even if you need for others to reach out to you, don't wait for that. You do the reaching out, and the Lord will see to your needs.
Confession:
I am a giver. God gives me all I need and more, so I can give more.
Let's read that again. "God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that always having all sufficiency in everything, you may have an abundance for every good deed." Can you "get by" on less, so you can do more for others, in God's work? Oh, how God will bless, when you say "yes"!
My sweet pastor's wife told a true story, at a get-together of the wives of our church's elders and deacons. I wish I had the specific details (names, places, etc.), but I don't. As best as I can remember, I will relate this true story.
A single woman wanted to give to missions, as the need was great. She felt very discouraged, because she cleaned houses for a living and, so, did not make very much money. However, she was a tither and told God that she would give what she could (beyond her tithe) to missions. She was faithful in her giving, and soon the Lord blessed in that she was given another house to clean. She responded by increasing her tithe and giving to missions. Soon, the Lord blessed in that she was given a raise. She responded by giving more.
Some years went by, and this woman faithfully served God with her tithe and offerings. No one, except the church treasurer, surely, knew about her giving. One day, a missionary that the church helped support came to the church. This missionary said to the pastor, "I want to meet the woman who has given [X number of dollars] to my ministry." The amount stunned the pastor, so he said, "You must be mistaken. We have no one in our church wealthy enough to have given that amount!"
The missionary, looking puzzled, said, "Her name is [so and so]." Surprised, and with a voice that bespoke his awe, the pastor called for the woman to come forward. The woman and the missionary embraced, tearfully.
You may not think that you have "enough" to give, and maybe you're right, but I'm here to tell you that if you give to God and His Work, "God can give you all you need. He will give you more than enough. You will have everything you need for yourself. And you will have enough left over to give when there is a need" (II Cor. 9:8, NLV).
What this has to do with weight loss: When I'm struggling in my own weight-loss journey, I feel so inadequate, like I have nothing to give to anyone. If perfection is required, in order to truly "pay it forward," then I have nothing to give. However, if perfection is not required--and I don't think it is--then I can at least encourage others. When I am in need, it comforts and helps me to encourage others in need. Even if you need for others to reach out to you, don't wait for that. You do the reaching out, and the Lord will see to your needs.
Confession:
I am a giver. God gives me all I need and more, so I can give more.
Monday, December 7, 2009
Life Plan Devotion #140 [Guidelines for Giving, 3 of 3]
II Corinthians 9:7 "Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver" (NIV).
We have looked at two of the three guidelines for giving, as outlined in II Corinthians 9:7. We have learned 1) the giver should prayerfully decide the amount to give and the place to give it, and 2) godly giving takes resolve.
Today, let's look at the third guideline for giving, 3) give cheerfully and privately, without desiring to be thanked or "showcased." II Corinthians 9:7 says that "God loves a cheerful giver." What does that mean?
Think about a time when you cheerfully gave a gift to someone. Were you happy to give it? Absolutely. Were you prompt in giving it? Certainly. Did you choose the gift carefully, thoughtfully considering the person to whom the gift would be given? Yes. Did you give, expecting nothing in return? Hopefully so.
Yes, God loves a "cheerful giver." The Greek word for "cheerful" is
hilaros, and it means "merry, prompt or willing." It's where we get the word hilarious. A cheerful giver is happy to give, delights in giving. The Amplified Version says "a cheerful (joyous, 'prompt to do it') giver [whose heart is in his giving]." A cheerful giver can't help but give!
Matthew 10:8
"...Freely you have received, freely give."
What this has to do with weight loss: When I think of my own personal weight-loss journey, I feel so blessed. I have "received" much. I've received encouragement from others, advice, information, prayers, even had monetary and other needs met by my church family, friends, relatives, and even strangers. I have received freely and, I hope, gratefully and gracefully. Now, whenever, wherever, however I can, I try to give back. How about you? How can you encourage someone on their weight-loss journey today? Never think that what you have to give is too small or unimportant. If you have freely received, I encourage you to "freely give."
Confession:
I give thoughtfully, prayerfully, decisively, and joyfully.
We have looked at two of the three guidelines for giving, as outlined in II Corinthians 9:7. We have learned 1) the giver should prayerfully decide the amount to give and the place to give it, and 2) godly giving takes resolve.
Today, let's look at the third guideline for giving, 3) give cheerfully and privately, without desiring to be thanked or "showcased." II Corinthians 9:7 says that "God loves a cheerful giver." What does that mean?
Think about a time when you cheerfully gave a gift to someone. Were you happy to give it? Absolutely. Were you prompt in giving it? Certainly. Did you choose the gift carefully, thoughtfully considering the person to whom the gift would be given? Yes. Did you give, expecting nothing in return? Hopefully so.
Yes, God loves a "cheerful giver." The Greek word for "cheerful" is
hilaros, and it means "merry, prompt or willing." It's where we get the word hilarious. A cheerful giver is happy to give, delights in giving. The Amplified Version says "a cheerful (joyous, 'prompt to do it') giver [whose heart is in his giving]." A cheerful giver can't help but give!
Matthew 10:8
"...Freely you have received, freely give."
What this has to do with weight loss: When I think of my own personal weight-loss journey, I feel so blessed. I have "received" much. I've received encouragement from others, advice, information, prayers, even had monetary and other needs met by my church family, friends, relatives, and even strangers. I have received freely and, I hope, gratefully and gracefully. Now, whenever, wherever, however I can, I try to give back. How about you? How can you encourage someone on their weight-loss journey today? Never think that what you have to give is too small or unimportant. If you have freely received, I encourage you to "freely give."
Confession:
I give thoughtfully, prayerfully, decisively, and joyfully.
Friday, December 4, 2009
Life Plan Devotion #139 [Guidelines for Giving, 2 of 3]
II Corinthians 9:7 "Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver" (NIV).
Last time, we looked at the first of three guidelines for giving, as outlined in II Corinthians 9:7. The first guideline for godly giving is that the giver should prayerfully decide the amount to give and the place to give it.
Godly giving takes resolve, and that's the second guideline. If there is no decision, there will be no resolve. Giving is not a matter to be decided lightly or out of impulse. If you give because someone has "played on your emotions," like a telethon pledge, you may find that you regret it later, or, worse yet, do not follow through on your pledge.
If you prayerfully make a decision to give, you will not fall prey to the opposite giving outcome, which is "grudgingly" (KJV), "reluctantly or under compulsion" (ESV), you "feel sorry that you must give...feel that you are forced to give" (CEV), "sad when you give" (NCV), give "out of regret or out of necessity" (HCSB), "give [when] you don't want to" (NIRV), "give, wishing [you] could keep it" (NLV).
The Message Version of II Corinthians 9:7 says it this way: "I want each of you to take plenty of time to think it over, and make up your own mind what you will give. That will protect you against sob stories and arm-twisting..." Prayerfully consider and decide the amount to give and where to give it, then be resolved to follow through, no matter what.
Ecclesiastes 5:4-5 [NIV]
"When you make a vow to God, do not delay in fulfilling it... It is better not to vow than to make a vow and not fulfill it."
What this has to do with weight loss: How many promises have you made, in connection with your weight-loss journey? How many times have you promised your spouse, yourself, and/or God that you will exercise regularly (whether you feel like it or not), eat fewer carbs (or whatever will serve your body well, causing it to release more weight), or not make your family suffer for your weight-loss journey woes? God sees a promise as a vow. He takes it seriously, and so should you. Seriously consider any promise before you make it, planning carefully how you will fulfill it, and follow through. Do you have to be perfect at it? No, but God expects a perfect try. He will help you do what you cannot, as long as you have done all you can.
Confession:
I give thoughtfully, prayerfully, and with the resolve to follow through, no matter what.
Last time, we looked at the first of three guidelines for giving, as outlined in II Corinthians 9:7. The first guideline for godly giving is that the giver should prayerfully decide the amount to give and the place to give it.
Godly giving takes resolve, and that's the second guideline. If there is no decision, there will be no resolve. Giving is not a matter to be decided lightly or out of impulse. If you give because someone has "played on your emotions," like a telethon pledge, you may find that you regret it later, or, worse yet, do not follow through on your pledge.
If you prayerfully make a decision to give, you will not fall prey to the opposite giving outcome, which is "grudgingly" (KJV), "reluctantly or under compulsion" (ESV), you "feel sorry that you must give...feel that you are forced to give" (CEV), "sad when you give" (NCV), give "out of regret or out of necessity" (HCSB), "give [when] you don't want to" (NIRV), "give, wishing [you] could keep it" (NLV).
The Message Version of II Corinthians 9:7 says it this way: "I want each of you to take plenty of time to think it over, and make up your own mind what you will give. That will protect you against sob stories and arm-twisting..." Prayerfully consider and decide the amount to give and where to give it, then be resolved to follow through, no matter what.
Ecclesiastes 5:4-5 [NIV]
"When you make a vow to God, do not delay in fulfilling it... It is better not to vow than to make a vow and not fulfill it."
What this has to do with weight loss: How many promises have you made, in connection with your weight-loss journey? How many times have you promised your spouse, yourself, and/or God that you will exercise regularly (whether you feel like it or not), eat fewer carbs (or whatever will serve your body well, causing it to release more weight), or not make your family suffer for your weight-loss journey woes? God sees a promise as a vow. He takes it seriously, and so should you. Seriously consider any promise before you make it, planning carefully how you will fulfill it, and follow through. Do you have to be perfect at it? No, but God expects a perfect try. He will help you do what you cannot, as long as you have done all you can.
Confession:
I give thoughtfully, prayerfully, and with the resolve to follow through, no matter what.
Thursday, December 3, 2009
Life Plan Devotion #138 [Guidelines for Giving, 1 of 3]
II Corinthians 9:7 "Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver" (NIV).
Last time, we looked at II Corinthians 9:6 and began to look at the Kingdom principle of sowing and reaping. We discovered that which farmers know--we harvest in proportion to the amount of seed we sow.
Today, let's begin to look at II Corinthians 9:7, a verse in which God, through the Apostle Paul, gives us three guidelines for giving. For today, we will look at the first guideline. The intent, as always, is to reflect and learn. It is not to condemn. While you may experience conviction, if you experience condemnation/guilt, that's the work of the enemy, not the Holy Spirit. How can you know the difference? Satan loves to condemn, by giving you negative, condemning thoughts which have no "answer" or resolution. The Holy Spirit may convict, but He does so lovingly, with the intention of giving you the opportunity to repent and receive forgiveness, pointing you to the Word, which contains the "answer."
The first guideline for godly giving is that the giver should prayerfully decide the amount to give and the place to give it. The decision, according to II Corinthians 9:7, should me made in one's "heart." The Greek word for "heart" is kardia (kar-dee'-ah), and it means "heart, thoughts, feelings (mind)."
If you find that you quickly dig into your pocketbook or wallet while the offering prayer is being prayed, or you're busily writing your tithe check as the offering plate is being passed, you are missing out on the worship experience that giving is meant to be.
If you are not already doing so, I encourage you to take time each week, in advance of your giving, to pray. Praise God that He is Jehovah-Jireh (the God Who Provides), thank Him for His many blessings, ask Him how much He would like for you to give (above your tithe) and where you should give it (missions, building fund, special projects, etc.). He may or may not put a certain amount on your heart, but whether He does or not, the final decision must be yours.
Deuteronomy 16:17 [NLT]
"All must give as they are able, according to the blessings given to them by the LORD your God."
What this has to do with weight loss: Have you had people help you on your weight-loss journey? I know I have, and one of my greatest joys is when I can give back to someone who has helped me or even to a person who is just beginning their journey. While I am no expert in weight-loss circles, I can give that which I am able to give--my experience, my encouragement, my prayers, etc. God has blessed me, so I must "pay it forward." How can you give what you are able to give, today?
Confession:
I give thoughtfully, prayerfully, and with the intent to bless, as I am able.
Last time, we looked at II Corinthians 9:6 and began to look at the Kingdom principle of sowing and reaping. We discovered that which farmers know--we harvest in proportion to the amount of seed we sow.
Today, let's begin to look at II Corinthians 9:7, a verse in which God, through the Apostle Paul, gives us three guidelines for giving. For today, we will look at the first guideline. The intent, as always, is to reflect and learn. It is not to condemn. While you may experience conviction, if you experience condemnation/guilt, that's the work of the enemy, not the Holy Spirit. How can you know the difference? Satan loves to condemn, by giving you negative, condemning thoughts which have no "answer" or resolution. The Holy Spirit may convict, but He does so lovingly, with the intention of giving you the opportunity to repent and receive forgiveness, pointing you to the Word, which contains the "answer."
The first guideline for godly giving is that the giver should prayerfully decide the amount to give and the place to give it. The decision, according to II Corinthians 9:7, should me made in one's "heart." The Greek word for "heart" is kardia (kar-dee'-ah), and it means "heart, thoughts, feelings (mind)."
If you find that you quickly dig into your pocketbook or wallet while the offering prayer is being prayed, or you're busily writing your tithe check as the offering plate is being passed, you are missing out on the worship experience that giving is meant to be.
If you are not already doing so, I encourage you to take time each week, in advance of your giving, to pray. Praise God that He is Jehovah-Jireh (the God Who Provides), thank Him for His many blessings, ask Him how much He would like for you to give (above your tithe) and where you should give it (missions, building fund, special projects, etc.). He may or may not put a certain amount on your heart, but whether He does or not, the final decision must be yours.
Deuteronomy 16:17 [NLT]
"All must give as they are able, according to the blessings given to them by the LORD your God."
What this has to do with weight loss: Have you had people help you on your weight-loss journey? I know I have, and one of my greatest joys is when I can give back to someone who has helped me or even to a person who is just beginning their journey. While I am no expert in weight-loss circles, I can give that which I am able to give--my experience, my encouragement, my prayers, etc. God has blessed me, so I must "pay it forward." How can you give what you are able to give, today?
Confession:
I give thoughtfully, prayerfully, and with the intent to bless, as I am able.
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
Life Plan Devotion #136 [Sowing & Reaping, Day 1]
II Corinthians 9:6 "Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously" (NIV).
There is a Kingdom principle of prosperity that not every believer understands. It is a principle that was more easily understood by past generations. The Kingdom principle that we will consider for a few days (at least) is that of "sowing and reaping."
Why has the Kingdom principle of sowing and reaping been misunderstood? As always, the most important reason why a biblical principle is misunderstood is that the believer has not had that principle illumined by the Holy Spirit. It is of the utmost importance that you, dear reader, pray prior to reading God's Word and specifically ask the Holy Spirit to give you wisdom and understanding.
The second reason why this particular Kingdom principle, that of sowing and reaping, has been misunderstood is that, typically, we are far removed from the farming lifestyle. Just ask a child where bread comes from, or corn, and you'll probably get the answer, "the grocery store." We, who are older and somewhat wiser, know better. Perhaps we can learn more.
We are going to spend a few days looking at giving, how it's tied to sowing and reaping, and the benefits of giving. We will look also at the type of giver that God desires each of us to be. I hope you will follow this mini-series, because the rewards may just be life-changing.
Proverbs 1:5
"Let the wise listen and add to their learning, and let the discerning get guidance" (NIV).
What this has to do with weight loss: Those who are successful on their weight-loss journey are those who don't know it all, recognize that, and are willing to listen to those who know more, as well as take the time and effort to research and read. The truly smart person is the one who is willing to be vulnerable, to ask what may seem to some as a dumb question (even though the only dumb questions are the ones never asked). If you need guidance, ask for it. We are here to learn and then aid someone else.
Confession:
I learn something new every day, not only so that I can improve myself but so that I can help others on their journey.
There is a Kingdom principle of prosperity that not every believer understands. It is a principle that was more easily understood by past generations. The Kingdom principle that we will consider for a few days (at least) is that of "sowing and reaping."
Why has the Kingdom principle of sowing and reaping been misunderstood? As always, the most important reason why a biblical principle is misunderstood is that the believer has not had that principle illumined by the Holy Spirit. It is of the utmost importance that you, dear reader, pray prior to reading God's Word and specifically ask the Holy Spirit to give you wisdom and understanding.
The second reason why this particular Kingdom principle, that of sowing and reaping, has been misunderstood is that, typically, we are far removed from the farming lifestyle. Just ask a child where bread comes from, or corn, and you'll probably get the answer, "the grocery store." We, who are older and somewhat wiser, know better. Perhaps we can learn more.
We are going to spend a few days looking at giving, how it's tied to sowing and reaping, and the benefits of giving. We will look also at the type of giver that God desires each of us to be. I hope you will follow this mini-series, because the rewards may just be life-changing.
Proverbs 1:5
"Let the wise listen and add to their learning, and let the discerning get guidance" (NIV).
What this has to do with weight loss: Those who are successful on their weight-loss journey are those who don't know it all, recognize that, and are willing to listen to those who know more, as well as take the time and effort to research and read. The truly smart person is the one who is willing to be vulnerable, to ask what may seem to some as a dumb question (even though the only dumb questions are the ones never asked). If you need guidance, ask for it. We are here to learn and then aid someone else.
Confession:
I learn something new every day, not only so that I can improve myself but so that I can help others on their journey.
Monday, November 30, 2009
Life Plan Devotion #135 [Delayed obedience]
Haggai 1:5-6 "Now this is what the LORD Almighty says: 'Give careful thought to your ways. You have planted much, but have harvested little. You eat, but never have enough. You drink, but never have your fill. You put on clothes, but are not warm. You earn wages, only to put them in a purse with holes in it'" (NIV).
In my quiet time last week, in reading through the Bible chronologically, I came to the book of Haggai. It is a short book--only two chapters. Do not let that make you think that this book is unimportant. On the contrary, it is powerful and timely.
The children of Israel had returned from Babylonian captivity. They were to build a temple. No doubt, had you asked them what was going on, why the temple had not been built, they would have said something like, "It is not that we are saying 'No' to God; we are just saying 'Not yet.'" God had to get tough with them, to make it clear that delayed obedience is disobedience.
God says (and says repeatedly in chapters 1 and 2), "Give careful thought to your ways." Through this suggestion of self-examination, God was trying to get His people to understand that they would do well to think carefully about how they were living. By "giving careful thought," perhaps they would conclude that their ways were not serving them.
God points out that the people had planted much but harvested little. God points out that the people ate and drank but were never satisfied. God points out that the people put on clothes but could not get warm. Finally, God points out that the people were earning wages but losing their pay, because they were putting their money in a bag full of holes. The reader senses a holy pause and seems to hear God saying, "How's that working for you?"
Delayed obedience is disobedience and will usher in a dissatisfaction and endless cycle of lack. The lack may be physical, emotional, and/or spiritual. It is the experience of dis-ease.
The children of Israel delayed building the temple, but they lived in "paneled houses" (Haggai 1:4). How often do we say that we cannot afford to follow God's leading, whether it's to tithe or to give to a building project or some other kingdom work, yet we think nothing of spending ten times that amount on acquiring something for ourselves or our family.
This is not meant to bring you to condemnation, dear reader, but to encourage you to examine yourself. Perhaps there is an area where God has been dealing with you (whether it involves finances or something else), but you have been saying, "Not yet, God. Not yet." I plead with you to say "Yes" to God, for anything else will result in dissatisfaction in the temple of your heart.
Will there be a "cost" to saying "Yes" to God? Probably. Will it be easy to do what He has asked you to do? Probably not. The purpose of difficulties, of trials, is to strengthen one's faith and reliance on the Lord. It is not an excuse to say "Not yet," or, worse yet, to say "No" to God.
What this has to do with weight loss: When I talk to someone who is experiencing frustration in their weight-loss journey (and even when I talk to myself about the same thing), almost every time, when it comes down to it, the issue is delayed obedience to what one knows one should be doing. As in everything, delayed obedience is disobedience. One cannot expect to see the scale show a lower number if one is not willing to follow the diet and exercise plan one has decided on. The result is frustration and a waste of time. When the Lord gives you a nudge about the problem area (and He will), pay attention and make obedience a priority. You'll be glad you did.
Confession:
I examine my heart, to see if there are things that God has asked me to do, that I have left undone. I turn every "Not yet, God" into "Yes, Lord."
In my quiet time last week, in reading through the Bible chronologically, I came to the book of Haggai. It is a short book--only two chapters. Do not let that make you think that this book is unimportant. On the contrary, it is powerful and timely.
The children of Israel had returned from Babylonian captivity. They were to build a temple. No doubt, had you asked them what was going on, why the temple had not been built, they would have said something like, "It is not that we are saying 'No' to God; we are just saying 'Not yet.'" God had to get tough with them, to make it clear that delayed obedience is disobedience.
God says (and says repeatedly in chapters 1 and 2), "Give careful thought to your ways." Through this suggestion of self-examination, God was trying to get His people to understand that they would do well to think carefully about how they were living. By "giving careful thought," perhaps they would conclude that their ways were not serving them.
God points out that the people had planted much but harvested little. God points out that the people ate and drank but were never satisfied. God points out that the people put on clothes but could not get warm. Finally, God points out that the people were earning wages but losing their pay, because they were putting their money in a bag full of holes. The reader senses a holy pause and seems to hear God saying, "How's that working for you?"
Delayed obedience is disobedience and will usher in a dissatisfaction and endless cycle of lack. The lack may be physical, emotional, and/or spiritual. It is the experience of dis-ease.
The children of Israel delayed building the temple, but they lived in "paneled houses" (Haggai 1:4). How often do we say that we cannot afford to follow God's leading, whether it's to tithe or to give to a building project or some other kingdom work, yet we think nothing of spending ten times that amount on acquiring something for ourselves or our family.
This is not meant to bring you to condemnation, dear reader, but to encourage you to examine yourself. Perhaps there is an area where God has been dealing with you (whether it involves finances or something else), but you have been saying, "Not yet, God. Not yet." I plead with you to say "Yes" to God, for anything else will result in dissatisfaction in the temple of your heart.
Will there be a "cost" to saying "Yes" to God? Probably. Will it be easy to do what He has asked you to do? Probably not. The purpose of difficulties, of trials, is to strengthen one's faith and reliance on the Lord. It is not an excuse to say "Not yet," or, worse yet, to say "No" to God.
What this has to do with weight loss: When I talk to someone who is experiencing frustration in their weight-loss journey (and even when I talk to myself about the same thing), almost every time, when it comes down to it, the issue is delayed obedience to what one knows one should be doing. As in everything, delayed obedience is disobedience. One cannot expect to see the scale show a lower number if one is not willing to follow the diet and exercise plan one has decided on. The result is frustration and a waste of time. When the Lord gives you a nudge about the problem area (and He will), pay attention and make obedience a priority. You'll be glad you did.
Confession:
I examine my heart, to see if there are things that God has asked me to do, that I have left undone. I turn every "Not yet, God" into "Yes, Lord."
Friday, November 20, 2009
Life Plan Devotion #134 [All the way]
Mark 4:35-38 "On the same day, when evening had come, [Jesus] said to [His disciples], 'Let us cross over to the other side.' Now when they had left the multitude, they took Him along in the boat as He was. And other little boats were also with Him. And a great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that it was already filling. But He was in the stern, asleep on a pillow. And they awoke Him and said to Him, 'Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?'" (NKJV)
When I read this in my quiet time, for the first time I noticed what Jesus said, in verse 35, "Let us cross over to the other side." It was as if God was saying to me, "I have plans for My people. My plan is not for them to fail halfway, or to stop halfway, or to die halfway." God has plans for you to make it all the way!
But while you're on your journey, someone else has the ability to project lies and thoughts that are exactly opposite of God's plans. He'll say things like, "You're going bankrupt. Your business is failing. Your family's going to get sick. You're going to die."
The devil is the one who comes up with thoughts that are the opposite of God's. The reason is he wants you to believe him, not God, and if you do, you'll have his ways instead of God's ways.
But Jesus said, "Let us cross over to the other side." That was the plan. They got in the boat, and Jesus fell asleep in the back. He was at peace, full of the assurance that His Father was with Him. He wasn't worried about a thing.
While they were crossing by boat, a storm broke. The winds blew, the waves rose, and the boat was soon full of water. The frantic disciples went to Jesus and woke Him up, crying, "Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?"
That's what was said, but it was first a thought. Someone thought, "We're going to die!" And someone said (Thomas, my guess), "We're going to die!" Fear spreads. Satan whispered a thought of fear, and they believed the circumstances rather than God's Word, which contains God's Thoughts and plans, and makes God's way available.
Jesus, Word made flesh, had said, "You are going to the other side," but the circumstances said, "You're going to die here." Someone chose to listen to the suggestion of the circumstances, hide it in his heart, worry about it, and speak it from his mouth.
Waking Jesus was like the way we pray when we're afraid, "God, I'm sick. Don't You care?" Or, "Lord, don't You see that I'm going broke?" That's the sequence: negative circumstance => negative thought => negative emotion => negative speech.
It doesn't stop there, though. The result is that God's plan for your life, His intended miracle for you, gets reversed. Rather than taking God's Word and allowing it to make His way available, the decision is made by the doubter to reverse the intended order of things.
Does God ever plan for you to fail? No. Meditate on the fact that God intends for you to succeed, to live, to get to the other side! Get it down inside your heart so deep that when the waves come, you'll see that they are nothing. Remember this, God's voice may be softer than the breeze, but it's louder than the storm.
What this has to do with weight loss: If you are experiencing a "storm" on your weight-loss journey, pay attention to your thoughts about that negative circumstance. Turn those negative thoughts into positive, faith-filled ones, and you will experience more positive emotions and faith-filled speech, and it's your speech, coupled with faith in God's Word, that will carry you to the other side.
Confession:
God plans for me to make it all the way, and I intend to cooperate with His plans. Satan is a liar, and I refuse to listen to his lies. I refuse to think his lying thoughts. I refuse to speak his lying words. My thoughts, emotions, words, and deeds line up with God's Word, and I will see God's intended miracle plans for me come to pass!
When I read this in my quiet time, for the first time I noticed what Jesus said, in verse 35, "Let us cross over to the other side." It was as if God was saying to me, "I have plans for My people. My plan is not for them to fail halfway, or to stop halfway, or to die halfway." God has plans for you to make it all the way!
But while you're on your journey, someone else has the ability to project lies and thoughts that are exactly opposite of God's plans. He'll say things like, "You're going bankrupt. Your business is failing. Your family's going to get sick. You're going to die."
The devil is the one who comes up with thoughts that are the opposite of God's. The reason is he wants you to believe him, not God, and if you do, you'll have his ways instead of God's ways.
But Jesus said, "Let us cross over to the other side." That was the plan. They got in the boat, and Jesus fell asleep in the back. He was at peace, full of the assurance that His Father was with Him. He wasn't worried about a thing.
While they were crossing by boat, a storm broke. The winds blew, the waves rose, and the boat was soon full of water. The frantic disciples went to Jesus and woke Him up, crying, "Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?"
That's what was said, but it was first a thought. Someone thought, "We're going to die!" And someone said (Thomas, my guess), "We're going to die!" Fear spreads. Satan whispered a thought of fear, and they believed the circumstances rather than God's Word, which contains God's Thoughts and plans, and makes God's way available.
Jesus, Word made flesh, had said, "You are going to the other side," but the circumstances said, "You're going to die here." Someone chose to listen to the suggestion of the circumstances, hide it in his heart, worry about it, and speak it from his mouth.
Waking Jesus was like the way we pray when we're afraid, "God, I'm sick. Don't You care?" Or, "Lord, don't You see that I'm going broke?" That's the sequence: negative circumstance => negative thought => negative emotion => negative speech.
It doesn't stop there, though. The result is that God's plan for your life, His intended miracle for you, gets reversed. Rather than taking God's Word and allowing it to make His way available, the decision is made by the doubter to reverse the intended order of things.
Does God ever plan for you to fail? No. Meditate on the fact that God intends for you to succeed, to live, to get to the other side! Get it down inside your heart so deep that when the waves come, you'll see that they are nothing. Remember this, God's voice may be softer than the breeze, but it's louder than the storm.
What this has to do with weight loss: If you are experiencing a "storm" on your weight-loss journey, pay attention to your thoughts about that negative circumstance. Turn those negative thoughts into positive, faith-filled ones, and you will experience more positive emotions and faith-filled speech, and it's your speech, coupled with faith in God's Word, that will carry you to the other side.
Confession:
God plans for me to make it all the way, and I intend to cooperate with His plans. Satan is a liar, and I refuse to listen to his lies. I refuse to think his lying thoughts. I refuse to speak his lying words. My thoughts, emotions, words, and deeds line up with God's Word, and I will see God's intended miracle plans for me come to pass!
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Life Plan Devotion #133 [What's God thinking/doing?]
Isaiah 55:8 "'For My thoughts are not your thoughts. Neither are your ways My ways,' says the LORD" (KJV).
Isaiah 55:8 is a verse that's often quoted when people don't understand why something happened the way it did, especially when the subject is sickness. I confess that I used to turn to that verse, too, when I just couldn't figure out why life didn't go as planned. One day, however, when I was reading the entire chapter of Isaiah 55, the Holy Spirit gave me a lesson on God's thoughts and ways.
The entire chapter of Isaiah 55 is written to the nonbeliever, the "thirsty" ones. It opens with an invitation to "Come" (verse 1), to "Listen" (verse 2), to "hear, that your soul may live" (verse 3). God says that if people will do those three things, "[He] will make an everlasting covenant with [them]" (verse 3).
Isaiah 55:6 has a more urgent tone to it, admonishing the unbeliever to "Seek the LORD while He may be found; call on Him while He is near." Then verse 7 begins the topic of God's thoughts and ways.
Isaiah 55:7 says, "Let the wicked forsake his way and the evil man his thoughts...," so when God says in verse 8, "For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways," He is talking to the "wicked," the unbeliever, not the believer! God is saying that His thoughts are not the same as the thoughts of the wicked, and the ways of the wicked are not His ways.
We believers can know God's thoughts and God's ways, and we'd better know them, if we expect to experience an abundant life here on earth! Sure, God is Infinite God and we are finite man, but we have all the God Thoughts we need--called the God-breathed Word! God's ways are written there, too, and when we pay attention to them, we will know how the Kingdom of God works, and we'll experience that right here on earth!
What this has to do with weight loss: When you encounter a "question mark" on your weight-loss journey, the answer can be found either in God's Word or in prayer. Seek the answer, no matter how long it takes.
Confession;
Now I know that God's thoughts and ways are contained in His Word, and I'm excited to learn all that He has to say so that I realize the abundant life that Jesus came to bring to me. It is my desire that my thoughts and ways mirror God's thoughts and ways.
Isaiah 55:8 is a verse that's often quoted when people don't understand why something happened the way it did, especially when the subject is sickness. I confess that I used to turn to that verse, too, when I just couldn't figure out why life didn't go as planned. One day, however, when I was reading the entire chapter of Isaiah 55, the Holy Spirit gave me a lesson on God's thoughts and ways.
The entire chapter of Isaiah 55 is written to the nonbeliever, the "thirsty" ones. It opens with an invitation to "Come" (verse 1), to "Listen" (verse 2), to "hear, that your soul may live" (verse 3). God says that if people will do those three things, "[He] will make an everlasting covenant with [them]" (verse 3).
Isaiah 55:6 has a more urgent tone to it, admonishing the unbeliever to "Seek the LORD while He may be found; call on Him while He is near." Then verse 7 begins the topic of God's thoughts and ways.
Isaiah 55:7 says, "Let the wicked forsake his way and the evil man his thoughts...," so when God says in verse 8, "For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways," He is talking to the "wicked," the unbeliever, not the believer! God is saying that His thoughts are not the same as the thoughts of the wicked, and the ways of the wicked are not His ways.
We believers can know God's thoughts and God's ways, and we'd better know them, if we expect to experience an abundant life here on earth! Sure, God is Infinite God and we are finite man, but we have all the God Thoughts we need--called the God-breathed Word! God's ways are written there, too, and when we pay attention to them, we will know how the Kingdom of God works, and we'll experience that right here on earth!
What this has to do with weight loss: When you encounter a "question mark" on your weight-loss journey, the answer can be found either in God's Word or in prayer. Seek the answer, no matter how long it takes.
Confession;
Now I know that God's thoughts and ways are contained in His Word, and I'm excited to learn all that He has to say so that I realize the abundant life that Jesus came to bring to me. It is my desire that my thoughts and ways mirror God's thoughts and ways.
Monday, November 16, 2009
Life Plan Devotion #130 [Can you believe it?]
Mark 9:23 "Jesus said unto him, 'If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes'" (NKJV).
Jesus made a powerful statement to the man who brought his son to Him for deliverance. He said, "All things are possible to him who believes."
The reason Jesus could say that is shown in Hebrews 1:1-2: "God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, has in these last days spoken in us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things..." (NKJV). How many is "all"? All means all! Jesus has been made heir of all things.
Then Romans 8:16-17 says, "The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs--heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ..." (NKJV). If you are a joint heir with someone, whatever he inherits also belongs to you. What did Jesus inherit? God appointed Him heir of all things.
Jesus said in Mark 10:27 (NKJV), "...with God all things are possible" and "all things are possible to him who believes" (Mark 9:23, NKJV). All things are possible to the person who believes because we believers are joint heirs with Jesus, the Heir of all things.
The believer must learn to believe God and tap his/her faith into God's grace and God's ability. If we in the true Church Body would just get hold of that, it would absolutely change our lives! All things are possible to us, when we believe.
What this has to do with weight loss: One of the hardest parts of the weight-loss journey, for most people, is to actually believe that one will get to and stay at one's goal weight. Allow God to help you paint a picture in your mind of what you'll look like at goal weight, and think of it often. Your imagination is God given. Use it for good, and that includes for your good. When you believe it, nothing is impossible.
Watch Leon Jackson, from Britain, sing When You Believe. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wMO4-HzMqRg
Confession:
With God, all things are possible. He is greater than any sickness, any disease, any difficulty, any lack. He is greater than all, and He lives in me--so all things are possible to me because I believe!
Jesus made a powerful statement to the man who brought his son to Him for deliverance. He said, "All things are possible to him who believes."
The reason Jesus could say that is shown in Hebrews 1:1-2: "God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, has in these last days spoken in us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things..." (NKJV). How many is "all"? All means all! Jesus has been made heir of all things.
Then Romans 8:16-17 says, "The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs--heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ..." (NKJV). If you are a joint heir with someone, whatever he inherits also belongs to you. What did Jesus inherit? God appointed Him heir of all things.
Jesus said in Mark 10:27 (NKJV), "...with God all things are possible" and "all things are possible to him who believes" (Mark 9:23, NKJV). All things are possible to the person who believes because we believers are joint heirs with Jesus, the Heir of all things.
The believer must learn to believe God and tap his/her faith into God's grace and God's ability. If we in the true Church Body would just get hold of that, it would absolutely change our lives! All things are possible to us, when we believe.
What this has to do with weight loss: One of the hardest parts of the weight-loss journey, for most people, is to actually believe that one will get to and stay at one's goal weight. Allow God to help you paint a picture in your mind of what you'll look like at goal weight, and think of it often. Your imagination is God given. Use it for good, and that includes for your good. When you believe it, nothing is impossible.
Watch Leon Jackson, from Britain, sing When You Believe. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wMO4-HzMqRg
Confession:
With God, all things are possible. He is greater than any sickness, any disease, any difficulty, any lack. He is greater than all, and He lives in me--so all things are possible to me because I believe!
Friday, November 13, 2009
Life Plan Devotion #129 [Ways to prosper]
III John 2 "Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in every way and [that your body] may keep well, even as [I know] your soul keeps well and prospers" (Amplified).
This God-breathed verse is one of my favorite verses, because everything that God wants for me is written in that verse. The apostle John is writing to Gaius, no doubt a fellow servant in the work of the Lord, but, as we know, every word in God's Word applies to each of us today.
The Greek word for "prosper" in III John verse 2 means: "help on the road; to succeed in reaching; to succeed in business affairs." The Greek word for "health" in III John verse 2 means: "to have sound health; to be well in body; to be uncorrupt (true in doctrine); to be safe and sound; to be whole." The Greek word for "prospers" is the same as "prosper," so the meaning is the same for this phrase that speaks of soul prosperity.
In this one verse, we have God's intent for us, that there be provision for our journey. God wants each of us to live a life in which we are happy, healthy, and whole. The provision is there, in God's Word. All we have to do is realize it, believe it, and walk in it.
God intends for each of us to prosper or succeed 1) financially. He wants us to "prosper in every way." That means that whatever business we have a hand in should prosper. That means that our bills should get paid. That means we should have plenty left over, to care for others and carry on the work of the kingdom right here on earth. Of course, giving God the tithe from the top and first is important and sets God's principle of financial prosperity into action.
While it is true that "money can't buy happiness," there is nothing "happy" about being poor! God does not have a poverty mentality. If He did, He never would have created gold, silver, precious gems. In Genesis 13:2, we are told that Abraham, the father of our faith, "was rich in cattle, in silver and in gold." Financial prosperity is part of the covenant. God wants us to be happy, and He knows that one cannot be truly happy if one's needs or one's family's needs are not being met.
God intends for us to prosper or succeed 2) physically. He wants each of us to be healthy in our body. If we are ill in any measure, whether it's that we are too tired or we are too sick, we cannot do the work God intends for us to do. God desires that we be effective workers for Him, so He is more than willing to heal us. Just as in financial prosperity, God has put principles of health and healing in His Word. If God's people could grasp the revelation of God's Word on health and healing, the world would be turned upside down by people on fire for God, who have the stamina to work tirelessly for the Kingdom.
God intends for us to prosper or succeed 3) spiritually. He wants each of us to be whole, to be "true in doctrine," to be eternally secure. Can a person be prosperous financially and physically, yet not be a Christian? Of course, but Mark 8:36 says it all, "What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul?" God desires that we be secure in every way, and that security begins at the foot of the Cross. God has put principles of spiritual success and prosperity in His Word. Following those principles is key to living a victorious Christian life.
God's intent is for each of His children to have "help on the road." We are not left on our own, to slave and beg for our daily bread, to search for a cure for what ails us, or to find someone or something to believe in. God can be Jehovah-Jireh, our Provider, if we will let Him, if we will follow the principles in His Word. God can be Jehovah-Rapha, our Healer, if we will let Him, if we will follow the principles in His Word. God can be Jehovah-Rohi, our Shepherd and Jehovah-Shalom, our Peace, if we will let Him, if we will follow the principles in His Word.
What this has to do with weight loss: God's intent for us is that there be provision for our journey, even our weight-loss journey. That doesn't mean it will be an easy one. However, if we will remember God's intention and make sure our intention is to do our part, to cooperate with His guidance, our weight-loss journey will be successful/prosperous.
Confession:
I am God's "Beloved," and He delights in my prosperity. God delights in my happiness, healthfulness, and wholeness. I partner with God by following His principles, and I marvel at how He provides for my journey!
This God-breathed verse is one of my favorite verses, because everything that God wants for me is written in that verse. The apostle John is writing to Gaius, no doubt a fellow servant in the work of the Lord, but, as we know, every word in God's Word applies to each of us today.
The Greek word for "prosper" in III John verse 2 means: "help on the road; to succeed in reaching; to succeed in business affairs." The Greek word for "health" in III John verse 2 means: "to have sound health; to be well in body; to be uncorrupt (true in doctrine); to be safe and sound; to be whole." The Greek word for "prospers" is the same as "prosper," so the meaning is the same for this phrase that speaks of soul prosperity.
In this one verse, we have God's intent for us, that there be provision for our journey. God wants each of us to live a life in which we are happy, healthy, and whole. The provision is there, in God's Word. All we have to do is realize it, believe it, and walk in it.
God intends for each of us to prosper or succeed 1) financially. He wants us to "prosper in every way." That means that whatever business we have a hand in should prosper. That means that our bills should get paid. That means we should have plenty left over, to care for others and carry on the work of the kingdom right here on earth. Of course, giving God the tithe from the top and first is important and sets God's principle of financial prosperity into action.
While it is true that "money can't buy happiness," there is nothing "happy" about being poor! God does not have a poverty mentality. If He did, He never would have created gold, silver, precious gems. In Genesis 13:2, we are told that Abraham, the father of our faith, "was rich in cattle, in silver and in gold." Financial prosperity is part of the covenant. God wants us to be happy, and He knows that one cannot be truly happy if one's needs or one's family's needs are not being met.
God intends for us to prosper or succeed 2) physically. He wants each of us to be healthy in our body. If we are ill in any measure, whether it's that we are too tired or we are too sick, we cannot do the work God intends for us to do. God desires that we be effective workers for Him, so He is more than willing to heal us. Just as in financial prosperity, God has put principles of health and healing in His Word. If God's people could grasp the revelation of God's Word on health and healing, the world would be turned upside down by people on fire for God, who have the stamina to work tirelessly for the Kingdom.
God intends for us to prosper or succeed 3) spiritually. He wants each of us to be whole, to be "true in doctrine," to be eternally secure. Can a person be prosperous financially and physically, yet not be a Christian? Of course, but Mark 8:36 says it all, "What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul?" God desires that we be secure in every way, and that security begins at the foot of the Cross. God has put principles of spiritual success and prosperity in His Word. Following those principles is key to living a victorious Christian life.
God's intent is for each of His children to have "help on the road." We are not left on our own, to slave and beg for our daily bread, to search for a cure for what ails us, or to find someone or something to believe in. God can be Jehovah-Jireh, our Provider, if we will let Him, if we will follow the principles in His Word. God can be Jehovah-Rapha, our Healer, if we will let Him, if we will follow the principles in His Word. God can be Jehovah-Rohi, our Shepherd and Jehovah-Shalom, our Peace, if we will let Him, if we will follow the principles in His Word.
What this has to do with weight loss: God's intent for us is that there be provision for our journey, even our weight-loss journey. That doesn't mean it will be an easy one. However, if we will remember God's intention and make sure our intention is to do our part, to cooperate with His guidance, our weight-loss journey will be successful/prosperous.
Confession:
I am God's "Beloved," and He delights in my prosperity. God delights in my happiness, healthfulness, and wholeness. I partner with God by following His principles, and I marvel at how He provides for my journey!
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Life Plan Devotion #128 [Friends make a difference]
Psalm 1:1-3 "Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers. But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on His law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers" (NIV).
Verse 3 of Psalm 1:1-3 should look familiar. It is rather like verse 8 of Jeremiah 17:7-8, which we looked at in our previous devotion. These verses, that open the Book of Psalms, describe the "blessed" man in terms of what he does not do, what he does, and what the result is if he follows through (lining up himself/herself with the Word of God).
Let's look at what a blessed man/woman does not do, as expressed in the Amplified Version. "Blessed (Happy, fortunate, prosperous, and enviable) is the man who walks and lives not in the counsel of the ungodly [following their advice, their plans and purposes], nor stands [submissive and inactive] in the path where sinners walk, nor sits down [to relax and rest] where the scornful [and the mockers] gather" (Psalm 1:1, Amplified). It matters with whom you associate (in strong friendship) and "follow" (in character and manner of living).
If you follow the "do" parts of the Bible, you won't even have to be concerned about the "don't" parts. "But his delight and desire are in the law of the Lord, and on His law (the precepts, the instructions, the teachings of God) he habitually meditates (ponders and studies) by day and by night" (Psalm 1:2, Amplified). Does that sound familiar?
We've already seen that to be "blessed" means to be "happy, fortunate, prosperous, and enviable," and that is reinforced by the result of following the "don't part" (v.1) and the "do part" (v. 2). "And he shall be like a tree firmly planted [and tended] by the streams of water, ready to bring forth its fruit in its season; its leaf also shall not fade or wither; and everything he does shall prosper [and come to maturity]" (Psalm 1:3, Amplified).
If you desire to prosper in all you do, be a "firmly planted" tree, allow the Holy Spirit and the Word to "tend" you, and watch your life bear "fruit in its season" (i.e., when the time is right).
What this has to do with weight loss: Sometimes, after weight-loss surgery, you cannot associate with the same people you did before. Sometimes your surgery results change the way "friends" see you and react to you. Your surgery will change you, definitely, hopefully all for the better. Relationships may go through a time of adjustment. That's all right. Work on them. If, however, there is a friend who is not supportive, who, rather, tries to sabotage your weight-loss journey, be honest about what you need from him/her, and if he/she cannot or will not change, you may have to let go of that friendship. I know these issues are tough, but your True Friend, Jesus, will help you through them, if you let Him.
Confession:
I'm careful with whom I associate, choosing to spend my time learning from God's Word, and the result is that I am blessed and prosperous in all that I do.
Verse 3 of Psalm 1:1-3 should look familiar. It is rather like verse 8 of Jeremiah 17:7-8, which we looked at in our previous devotion. These verses, that open the Book of Psalms, describe the "blessed" man in terms of what he does not do, what he does, and what the result is if he follows through (lining up himself/herself with the Word of God).
Let's look at what a blessed man/woman does not do, as expressed in the Amplified Version. "Blessed (Happy, fortunate, prosperous, and enviable) is the man who walks and lives not in the counsel of the ungodly [following their advice, their plans and purposes], nor stands [submissive and inactive] in the path where sinners walk, nor sits down [to relax and rest] where the scornful [and the mockers] gather" (Psalm 1:1, Amplified). It matters with whom you associate (in strong friendship) and "follow" (in character and manner of living).
If you follow the "do" parts of the Bible, you won't even have to be concerned about the "don't" parts. "But his delight and desire are in the law of the Lord, and on His law (the precepts, the instructions, the teachings of God) he habitually meditates (ponders and studies) by day and by night" (Psalm 1:2, Amplified). Does that sound familiar?
We've already seen that to be "blessed" means to be "happy, fortunate, prosperous, and enviable," and that is reinforced by the result of following the "don't part" (v.1) and the "do part" (v. 2). "And he shall be like a tree firmly planted [and tended] by the streams of water, ready to bring forth its fruit in its season; its leaf also shall not fade or wither; and everything he does shall prosper [and come to maturity]" (Psalm 1:3, Amplified).
If you desire to prosper in all you do, be a "firmly planted" tree, allow the Holy Spirit and the Word to "tend" you, and watch your life bear "fruit in its season" (i.e., when the time is right).
What this has to do with weight loss: Sometimes, after weight-loss surgery, you cannot associate with the same people you did before. Sometimes your surgery results change the way "friends" see you and react to you. Your surgery will change you, definitely, hopefully all for the better. Relationships may go through a time of adjustment. That's all right. Work on them. If, however, there is a friend who is not supportive, who, rather, tries to sabotage your weight-loss journey, be honest about what you need from him/her, and if he/she cannot or will not change, you may have to let go of that friendship. I know these issues are tough, but your True Friend, Jesus, will help you through them, if you let Him.
Confession:
I'm careful with whom I associate, choosing to spend my time learning from God's Word, and the result is that I am blessed and prosperous in all that I do.
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Life Plan Devotion #126 [Where is the wealth?]
Proverbs 13:22 "A good man leaveth an inheritance to his children's children: and the wealth of the sinner is laid up for the just" (KJV).
I don't know about you, but the first part of Proverbs 13:22, that a good man leaves an inheritance to his grandchildren, gave me pause. My husband and I are far from being able to do that. We can leave the kind of inheritance noted in the Amplified version, that of "moral stability and goodness," but we long to see the fulfillment of Proverbs 13:22a, and, with wise and righteous living, we will!
When I first read this verse, I wondered why the writer linked the leaving of an inheritance to the wealth of the sinner. Today, I believe the Holy Spirit gave me some illumination.
Typically, an inheritance is noted in a will. However, just because your name is included in a will does not mean much. First, you have to have that information, to know you're mentioned in the will. Second, you have to "make a demand" or go through some other legal process, to gain access to the inheritance that is yours.
The "just" (or the righteous) have a spiritual inheritance, as heirs of God and joint-heirs with Christ (Romans 8:17). Because of that fact, we righteous have all the rights and promises that go along with being a child of God. However, it does little good, unless we know about them and unless we "make a demand" on them.
According to Proverbs 13:22b, there is wealth (chayil): “goods, might, power, riches, strength, and substance” that is laid up (tsâphan): “hidden (by being covered over), reserved, (kept) secret” for the just (tsaddîyq): "lawful, righteous, just." That wealth is hidden, kept secret by sinners (the unjust, unlawful, unrighteous).
Satan helps his followers to prosper, but it is "ill-gotten gain." From the beginning of creation, everything was made for the subsistence, consumption, enjoyment, fulfillment, and use of God's people. The Garden was perfect; there was no lack. If you look at the Old Testament patriarchs, they were "the richest men in town." They were righteous (flawed, but righteous), and God richly blessed them.
God's Word has not changed; God has not changed. If He richly blessed "the just" over 2,000 years ago, why would His intention have changed? It hasn't changed, because God is still the same God, with the same Kingdom principles. It is we who have allowed "tradition" to dictate that a Christian should be poor or live modestly, or others will think that "the love of money," the "root of all evil," is at work.
Why do we allow the enemy to make us feel guilty, when it comes to money? Sure, we will have problems if we're greedy, but if we are "about the Father's business," we have every right to "make a demand" on the promise of Proverbs 13:22.
How long are we going to let Satan continue to steal from the righteous and give to the unrighteous? How long are you going to sit idly by, living paycheck to paycheck, wishing you could give to the work of the Kingdom much more than just the tithe? If "the wealth of the sinner is laid up for the just" (remember, God said it) then all you have to do is believe Him and receive it. Don't doubt God or His Word. He will be delighted to have you pray in faith, believing, *"ASK"ing for the wealth that rightly belongs to you, quoting Proverbs 13:22, and rejoicing that the wealth that belongs to you is on its way!
*See Life Plan Devotions #106-118
What this has to do with weight loss: The weight-loss journey, particularly that which involves weight-loss surgery, is not cheap. Even if one has insurance coverage, there are many expenses that are not included, especially after surgery. Too often, we fail to "count the cost" of maintaining a healthy post-op lifestyle. There are vitamins and supplements, protein supplementation, quality food to prepare (rather than fast food), and yearly (at minimum) blood tests, and those costs add up and are ongoing. It is a commitment to and investment in one's good health. How will you pay for it? If you have concerns about that, my advice to you is twofold: 1) Be a tither and giver, so you can claim Malachi 3:10 and Philippians 4:19, and 2) Ask God for help (Matthew 7:7). He will help you and give you ideas as to how you can plan and pay for that which you need, to have a fit body/temple for Him.
Confession:
I am clothed in the righteousness of Christ, so I confidently ask that "the wealth of the sinner" that is "laid up" for me, a "just" person, be uncovered and brought to me, so I can leave an inheritance for my grandchildren and do God's Work, in fulfillment of Proverbs 13:22.
I don't know about you, but the first part of Proverbs 13:22, that a good man leaves an inheritance to his grandchildren, gave me pause. My husband and I are far from being able to do that. We can leave the kind of inheritance noted in the Amplified version, that of "moral stability and goodness," but we long to see the fulfillment of Proverbs 13:22a, and, with wise and righteous living, we will!
When I first read this verse, I wondered why the writer linked the leaving of an inheritance to the wealth of the sinner. Today, I believe the Holy Spirit gave me some illumination.
Typically, an inheritance is noted in a will. However, just because your name is included in a will does not mean much. First, you have to have that information, to know you're mentioned in the will. Second, you have to "make a demand" or go through some other legal process, to gain access to the inheritance that is yours.
The "just" (or the righteous) have a spiritual inheritance, as heirs of God and joint-heirs with Christ (Romans 8:17). Because of that fact, we righteous have all the rights and promises that go along with being a child of God. However, it does little good, unless we know about them and unless we "make a demand" on them.
According to Proverbs 13:22b, there is wealth (chayil): “goods, might, power, riches, strength, and substance” that is laid up (tsâphan): “hidden (by being covered over), reserved, (kept) secret” for the just (tsaddîyq): "lawful, righteous, just." That wealth is hidden, kept secret by sinners (the unjust, unlawful, unrighteous).
Satan helps his followers to prosper, but it is "ill-gotten gain." From the beginning of creation, everything was made for the subsistence, consumption, enjoyment, fulfillment, and use of God's people. The Garden was perfect; there was no lack. If you look at the Old Testament patriarchs, they were "the richest men in town." They were righteous (flawed, but righteous), and God richly blessed them.
God's Word has not changed; God has not changed. If He richly blessed "the just" over 2,000 years ago, why would His intention have changed? It hasn't changed, because God is still the same God, with the same Kingdom principles. It is we who have allowed "tradition" to dictate that a Christian should be poor or live modestly, or others will think that "the love of money," the "root of all evil," is at work.
Why do we allow the enemy to make us feel guilty, when it comes to money? Sure, we will have problems if we're greedy, but if we are "about the Father's business," we have every right to "make a demand" on the promise of Proverbs 13:22.
How long are we going to let Satan continue to steal from the righteous and give to the unrighteous? How long are you going to sit idly by, living paycheck to paycheck, wishing you could give to the work of the Kingdom much more than just the tithe? If "the wealth of the sinner is laid up for the just" (remember, God said it) then all you have to do is believe Him and receive it. Don't doubt God or His Word. He will be delighted to have you pray in faith, believing, *"ASK"ing for the wealth that rightly belongs to you, quoting Proverbs 13:22, and rejoicing that the wealth that belongs to you is on its way!
*See Life Plan Devotions #106-118
What this has to do with weight loss: The weight-loss journey, particularly that which involves weight-loss surgery, is not cheap. Even if one has insurance coverage, there are many expenses that are not included, especially after surgery. Too often, we fail to "count the cost" of maintaining a healthy post-op lifestyle. There are vitamins and supplements, protein supplementation, quality food to prepare (rather than fast food), and yearly (at minimum) blood tests, and those costs add up and are ongoing. It is a commitment to and investment in one's good health. How will you pay for it? If you have concerns about that, my advice to you is twofold: 1) Be a tither and giver, so you can claim Malachi 3:10 and Philippians 4:19, and 2) Ask God for help (Matthew 7:7). He will help you and give you ideas as to how you can plan and pay for that which you need, to have a fit body/temple for Him.
Confession:
I am clothed in the righteousness of Christ, so I confidently ask that "the wealth of the sinner" that is "laid up" for me, a "just" person, be uncovered and brought to me, so I can leave an inheritance for my grandchildren and do God's Work, in fulfillment of Proverbs 13:22.
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