Life Plan Devotion #121 [Just do it]

Joshua 1:8 "This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success" (NKJV).

We have looked at two of the three "my part" clauses in this promise of success. Today, let's look at the third clause of Joshua 1:8, "that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it."
The Hebrew word for "observe" for Joshua 1:8c is shâmar (shaw-mar’), which means "guard, protect, attend to: be circumspect, take heed, keep, mark, look narrowly, observe, preserve, regard, reserve, watch."
It is not enough to read God's Word. Without illumination of the Holy Spirit, without being circumspect ("heedful of circumstances or consequences," Webster's), the reader may as well be reading the newspaper or a novel, for all the good it will do him/her.
The following is a list of how some versions state our Joshua 1:8c clause:
--"...so that you may be careful to do everything written in it" (TNIV).
--"...take heed to do according to all that is written therein" (Darby).
--"...Make sure you do everything that is written in it" (NIRV).
--"...observe and do according to all that is written in it" (Amplified).
--"...obey it completely" (CEV).
--"...obey everything that is written there" (NCV).
--"...making sure you practice everything written in it" (Message).
God's Word is our instruction book, and it is essential that we know it and mediate on it. There is a third key aspect, and that is that we must do what the Word tells us to do. In John 14:15, Jesus said, "If you love me, keep my commandments" (NKJV). He also said, "If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching" (John 14:23, NIV).
I remember seeing a church marquee that said something like, "If you're a child of the king, there ought to be a family resemblance." How true! I fear we have many who think they are Christians, may have grown up in the church, may attend church, may even have signed a card or repeated a prayer, but are not truly born again.
Don't get me wrong. I'm not judging. "All have sinned and come short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23, KJV), but each of us must take a good long look at our own life, at what we see, say, and do. In First John 2:3, we are told, "We know that we have come to know him if we obey his commands" (NIV).
God's Word is meant to transform us, to help us "look" more like our Father and King. In James 1:22-25, we are admonished to "be doers of the Word [obey the message], and not merely listeners to it, betraying yourselves [into deception by reasoning contrary to the Truth]. For if anyone only listens to the Word without obeying it and being a doer of it, he is like a man who looks carefully at his [own] natural face in a mirror; For he thoughtfully observes himself, and then goes off and promptly forgets what he was like. But he who looks carefully into the faultless law, the [law] of liberty, and is faithful to it and perseveres in looking into it, being not a heedless listener who forgets but an active doer [who obeys], he shall be blessed in his doing (his life of obedience)" (Amplified).
Reading, meditating on, heeding and obeying God's Word is not legalism; it is liberty. It's the "my part" of the promises found in Joshua 1:8 and James 1:25 (among many other promises).

What this has to do with weight loss: As you allow God's Word to transform you on the inside, your "outside" will reflect that, as well. See what God's Word has to say about your weight-loss journey, and then just do it. The end result will be amazing.

Confession:
I read, meditate on, heed, and obey God's Word, so I can claim God's promises.

Life Plan Devotion #24 [Obedience]

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

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

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

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

Go forth today, and be radically obedient.