Quick! What's the first commandment? Did you remember that the first of the 10 Commandments is "You shall have no other gods before Me" (Exodus 20:3, NKJV)? A "god" is an idol, defined in The Strong's Dictionary of Bible Words as "a fashioned idol, likeness, the worship of such," and, interestingly, "pain."
God commands and demands that He be first in your life. Does God have first place in your life? How can you know? Here's an acronym, F.I.R.S.T., and some questions, to assist you in knowing the place God has in 5 major areas of your life. We'll look at one area per day, for 5 days.
Finances (the F in F.I.R.S.T.)--Take a look at your checkbook register, and you'll get a good idea where your heart is. It is true that "where your treasure is, there will your heart be also" (Matthew 6:21, KJV). Do you tithe? Do you tithe 10 percent? Do you tithe from your gross or the net pay? Is your tithe check the first check you write, after getting paid, or the last? Do you give to other godly causes, as an offering, above your tithe? Do you sow into good ground/good ministries? Do you prayerfully ask God what He would have you give and then are you obedient to His leading? Do you "give until it hurts" and then trust God to provide? Is God first in your finances?
In these uncertain economic times, the best way to recession-proof your finances is to put God first in them. There is only one place in the Bible where you are invited to test God, and that is in the area of tithing. Read Malachi 3:10, and if you're a regular tither, claim the promise. If you're not, consider taking God up on His challenge. Just know that the blessing may not happen right away, but it will happen, and part of that blessing is God taking care of your needs, no matter what's going on in your life (or in the economy) [Philippians 4:19].
Matthew 6:33 [NIV]
"But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well."
What this has to do with weight loss: It's expensive to have weight-loss surgery, and it's not cheap to live with it. There are vitamins and supplements to take, protein shakes and other protein-enriched foods to purchase, yearly blood work and follow-up visits, and that's only the beginning. The best way to be able to afford all of that is to put God first in your finances, for when you do that, He promises to give you "all these things." Prove Him on it.
Prayer for Today:
"Heavenly Father, when I look at the state of the economy, it can sure get scary, but I thank You that there is no recession where You live. Since Your Word says that we believers are "seated in heavenly places" (Ephesians 2:6), there shouldn't be recession issues with us. Thank You for Your Word that teaches me that if I put You first, everything else will work out. Lord, I know that Your children are not immune to trials, but I praise You that You have promised "never to leave [us] nor forsake [us]" (Hebrews 13:5). I don't have to worry about finances, as long as I put my trust in You and seek You first. I know You are worthy of my trust. Help me to do what I should do, so You can do all You have promised. In Jesus' Name I pray. Amen."
Go forth today, putting God first in your finances.
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Monday, July 27, 2009
Life Plan Devotion #39 [Epiphany]
In my quiet time some time ago, Deuteronomy chapter 28 was the next chapter to read in my Read Through the Bible schedule. Little did I know that I was in for an epiphany (a dramatic realization).
Deuteronomy chapter 28 is a long chapter, 68 verses to be exact. You know how it is sometimes; you read and read and read. Your mind begins to wander. You lose the writer's train of thought, and then you read something and KAPOW! you're hit smack over the head with God's Word. You sit up straight, catch your breath, then let it out slowly and say, "Oh, my!" or "Wow! That's me!"
That is exactly what happened to me, when I read Deuteronomy 28:65-67. There was a perfect description of me...well, of the me I used to be, before God delivered me. Now, I know that Moses was talking to and about the children of Israel, but all of Scripture can be used in a personal way. These are the verses that describe the "pre-deliverance me": "Among those nations you will find no repose, no resting place for the sole of your foot. There the LORD will give you an anxious mind, eyes weary with longing, and a despairing heart. You will live in constant suspense, filled with dread both night and day, never sure of your life. In the morning you will say, 'If only it were evening!' and in the evening, 'If only it were morning!'-because of the terror that will fill your hearts and the sights that your eyes will see" (NIV).
That was me, without exaggeration. I suffered for years from anxiety, depression, panic attacks, insomnia, restlessness, heart problems with no physical cause, various body aches and pains, etc., and I was never satisfied. Yes, I was a Christian, but my life was lackluster, without daily victory.
After reading those verses and realizing that they described the old me, I recognized that the verses were the "effect"/result in some "cause and effect." So I started backtracking through the chapter, looking for the cause. It must be something terrible, I surmised...some major sin, perhaps.
I found it in a verse that begins with the cause and effect conjunction "because." Verse 47 says, "Because you did not serve the LORD your God joyfully and gladly in the time of prosperity," and that comes down to one word--ingratitude.
Have you ever considered what a daily diet of ingratitude, not being grateful or expressing gratitude, can do to you over time? Now you know. Trust me, it's not where you want to go.
I challenge you to pay attention to your daily life and everyone in it. See all for which and for whom you should be grateful. Thank God, and thank those people in your life. You will be healthier and happier, if you do.
I Thessalonians 5:18 [NIV]
"Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."
What this has to do with weight loss: It is so tempting to grumble about many things on the weight-loss journey, like dealing with a stall or having to eat a certain way, but a daily diet of ingratitude does not serve your mind, body, and heart well. No matter what's going on, be thankful, and see how your body reacts.
Prayer for Today:
"Heavenly Father, all too often I forget to thank You in all circumstances. That does not serve me well, and ingratitude is not in Your will for me. Help me to open up my heart and mind to gratitude. I desire a thankful spirit. May I be the child who comes to You often, just to say, 'Thank You, Father.' I pray, in Jesus' Name. Amen."
Go forth today, giving thanks in all circumstances.
Psalms for Surgery is a CD full of precious promises of health, healing, and wholeness, spoken quietly, with beautiful background music. You will feel gratitude well up inside you, as you listen to this CD. For sample sound bites, visit http://www.cdeanhall.com/products.html.
Deuteronomy chapter 28 is a long chapter, 68 verses to be exact. You know how it is sometimes; you read and read and read. Your mind begins to wander. You lose the writer's train of thought, and then you read something and KAPOW! you're hit smack over the head with God's Word. You sit up straight, catch your breath, then let it out slowly and say, "Oh, my!" or "Wow! That's me!"
That is exactly what happened to me, when I read Deuteronomy 28:65-67. There was a perfect description of me...well, of the me I used to be, before God delivered me. Now, I know that Moses was talking to and about the children of Israel, but all of Scripture can be used in a personal way. These are the verses that describe the "pre-deliverance me": "Among those nations you will find no repose, no resting place for the sole of your foot. There the LORD will give you an anxious mind, eyes weary with longing, and a despairing heart. You will live in constant suspense, filled with dread both night and day, never sure of your life. In the morning you will say, 'If only it were evening!' and in the evening, 'If only it were morning!'-because of the terror that will fill your hearts and the sights that your eyes will see" (NIV).
That was me, without exaggeration. I suffered for years from anxiety, depression, panic attacks, insomnia, restlessness, heart problems with no physical cause, various body aches and pains, etc., and I was never satisfied. Yes, I was a Christian, but my life was lackluster, without daily victory.
After reading those verses and realizing that they described the old me, I recognized that the verses were the "effect"/result in some "cause and effect." So I started backtracking through the chapter, looking for the cause. It must be something terrible, I surmised...some major sin, perhaps.
I found it in a verse that begins with the cause and effect conjunction "because." Verse 47 says, "Because you did not serve the LORD your God joyfully and gladly in the time of prosperity," and that comes down to one word--ingratitude.
Have you ever considered what a daily diet of ingratitude, not being grateful or expressing gratitude, can do to you over time? Now you know. Trust me, it's not where you want to go.
I challenge you to pay attention to your daily life and everyone in it. See all for which and for whom you should be grateful. Thank God, and thank those people in your life. You will be healthier and happier, if you do.
I Thessalonians 5:18 [NIV]
"Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."
What this has to do with weight loss: It is so tempting to grumble about many things on the weight-loss journey, like dealing with a stall or having to eat a certain way, but a daily diet of ingratitude does not serve your mind, body, and heart well. No matter what's going on, be thankful, and see how your body reacts.
Prayer for Today:
"Heavenly Father, all too often I forget to thank You in all circumstances. That does not serve me well, and ingratitude is not in Your will for me. Help me to open up my heart and mind to gratitude. I desire a thankful spirit. May I be the child who comes to You often, just to say, 'Thank You, Father.' I pray, in Jesus' Name. Amen."
Go forth today, giving thanks in all circumstances.
Psalms for Surgery is a CD full of precious promises of health, healing, and wholeness, spoken quietly, with beautiful background music. You will feel gratitude well up inside you, as you listen to this CD. For sample sound bites, visit http://www.cdeanhall.com/products.html.
Sunday, July 26, 2009
Life Plan Devotion #38 [Ebenezer]
Yesterday's devotion was about regrets and how we should confess them to the Lord, gain forgiveness for them, learn from them, and then let them go, rather than continue to think and talk about past regrets. However, there are some things from the past that we must not forget. We must remember our Ebenezer.
Ebenezer--I'm not talking about Ebenezer Scrooge, from Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol. No, for this Ebenezer, you must go back several thousand years, to a decisive battle between the Israelites and the Philistines. Following that battle, the grateful Israelites set up a stone as a reminder of the Lord's help in the battle. They called that stone "Ebenezer," which means "Stone of Help," and every time the people looked at the stone, they were reminded of how God rescued them from their enemies.
Look back on your own life. What battles have you faced? How did God help you? Did He fight alongside you? Did He fight for you? God is faithful. He is our true Ebenezer, our help in life's challenges. He has helped us through, has answered prayer, and given us strength. May we never forget, and may we be eternally grateful.
I Samuel 7:12-13 [NIV]
"Samuel took a stone and set it up... He named it Ebenezer, saying, 'Thus far has the LORD helped us.' So the Philistines were subdued and did not invade Israelite territory again."
What this has to do with weight loss: The weight-loss journey can sure be a battle ground, and losing weight a huge battle. However, you do not have to fight it alone. God wants to be your Helper, to fight that battle with and for you. Be sure to let Him do that, for if you do, you will be victorious, and you will be a living memorial stone of how God helped you through.
Prayer for Today:
"Heavenly Father, when I look back on the battles I have faced in my past, I am filled with thanksgiving to You, my Helper. There have been battles that You and I fought side by side. There have been battles that I could not fight, and You fought them for me. I am filled with gratitude to You, Faithful God. Help me to raise my Ebenezer, a memorial to Your faithfulness, and may my Ebenezer be a life lived in faithfulness to You. I pray in Jesus' Name. Amen."
Go forth today, a living Ebenezer to The Living Ebenezer.
Ebenezer--I'm not talking about Ebenezer Scrooge, from Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol. No, for this Ebenezer, you must go back several thousand years, to a decisive battle between the Israelites and the Philistines. Following that battle, the grateful Israelites set up a stone as a reminder of the Lord's help in the battle. They called that stone "Ebenezer," which means "Stone of Help," and every time the people looked at the stone, they were reminded of how God rescued them from their enemies.
Look back on your own life. What battles have you faced? How did God help you? Did He fight alongside you? Did He fight for you? God is faithful. He is our true Ebenezer, our help in life's challenges. He has helped us through, has answered prayer, and given us strength. May we never forget, and may we be eternally grateful.
I Samuel 7:12-13 [NIV]
"Samuel took a stone and set it up... He named it Ebenezer, saying, 'Thus far has the LORD helped us.' So the Philistines were subdued and did not invade Israelite territory again."
What this has to do with weight loss: The weight-loss journey can sure be a battle ground, and losing weight a huge battle. However, you do not have to fight it alone. God wants to be your Helper, to fight that battle with and for you. Be sure to let Him do that, for if you do, you will be victorious, and you will be a living memorial stone of how God helped you through.
Prayer for Today:
"Heavenly Father, when I look back on the battles I have faced in my past, I am filled with thanksgiving to You, my Helper. There have been battles that You and I fought side by side. There have been battles that I could not fight, and You fought them for me. I am filled with gratitude to You, Faithful God. Help me to raise my Ebenezer, a memorial to Your faithfulness, and may my Ebenezer be a life lived in faithfulness to You. I pray in Jesus' Name. Amen."
Go forth today, a living Ebenezer to The Living Ebenezer.
Saturday, July 25, 2009
Life Plan Devotional #37 [Regrets]
My grown baby boy turned to me and said, "Mom, you know I love you. Please don't take this the wrong way, but for such a smart lady, you can be kind of dumb." That jolted me out of my regrettable fog, where I'd been regretting my regrets of the past. [redundancy intended]
Regrets...I've had a few [do you hear Frank Sinatra?]. If you feel sorrow or remorse for an act, fault, disappointment, wrong committed or errors made in the past, feel a sense of loss, disappointment, or dissatisfaction in connection with the memory, you're experiencing regret. Regret can be for something that was done or not done.
What are your regrets? Do you regret not saying "I love you" one more time? Did you miss an opportunity to tell someone about Jesus? Do you look back at your years of parenting, and one situation, where you could have done better, looms over all the times you did it right? Perhaps you had a moral failure or abandoned a dream you now see you could have achieved. Maybe you made a poor business decision or blamed someone else for a mistake you made. Could it be that your biggest regret is nor forgiving yourself or living with anger for far too long?
Unless you're at the end of your life and beginning eternity without knowing Jesus as your Savior, regrets are a waste of time. You can't go back and change the past. God wants you to know that He's aware of all your regrets, and He wants you to admit them, learn from them, make restitution (if needed), and move on. Instead of your deepest regrets becoming a heavy chain around your ankle, that ties you to the past, allow them to become the best part of your testimony of God's grace. Confess your regrets, repent of them, receive forgiveness for them, and then let them go. If you choose to continue to dig up those regrets, that Jesus has removed from you and given a proper burial, you'll become enmeshed in them all over again, and you will miss out on the blessings God has planned for you. That, my friend, would be the biggest regret of all.
Proverbs 5:11-14 [Message]
"You don't want to end your life full of regrets, nothing but sin and bones, saying, 'Oh, why didn't I do what they told me? Why did I reject a disciplined life? Why didn't I listen to my mentors, or take my teachers seriously? My life is ruined! I haven't one blessed thing to show for my life!'"
Regrets...I've had a few [do you hear Frank Sinatra?]. If you feel sorrow or remorse for an act, fault, disappointment, wrong committed or errors made in the past, feel a sense of loss, disappointment, or dissatisfaction in connection with the memory, you're experiencing regret. Regret can be for something that was done or not done.
What are your regrets? Do you regret not saying "I love you" one more time? Did you miss an opportunity to tell someone about Jesus? Do you look back at your years of parenting, and one situation, where you could have done better, looms over all the times you did it right? Perhaps you had a moral failure or abandoned a dream you now see you could have achieved. Maybe you made a poor business decision or blamed someone else for a mistake you made. Could it be that your biggest regret is nor forgiving yourself or living with anger for far too long?
Unless you're at the end of your life and beginning eternity without knowing Jesus as your Savior, regrets are a waste of time. You can't go back and change the past. God wants you to know that He's aware of all your regrets, and He wants you to admit them, learn from them, make restitution (if needed), and move on. Instead of your deepest regrets becoming a heavy chain around your ankle, that ties you to the past, allow them to become the best part of your testimony of God's grace. Confess your regrets, repent of them, receive forgiveness for them, and then let them go. If you choose to continue to dig up those regrets, that Jesus has removed from you and given a proper burial, you'll become enmeshed in them all over again, and you will miss out on the blessings God has planned for you. That, my friend, would be the biggest regret of all.
Proverbs 5:11-14 [Message]
"You don't want to end your life full of regrets, nothing but sin and bones, saying, 'Oh, why didn't I do what they told me? Why did I reject a disciplined life? Why didn't I listen to my mentors, or take my teachers seriously? My life is ruined! I haven't one blessed thing to show for my life!'"
What this has to do with weight loss: We who are on the weight-loss journey experience regret. We regret that we gained weight in the first place, and we regret that we didn't have weight-loss surgery sooner (just to name a few). Since you can't go back and change the past, be determined to quit wasting time thinking about or voicing regrets of the past, even in the area of weight issues. Let them go, so you can live today fully alive and without regret.
Prayer for Today: "Heavenly Father, I don't want to live my life regretting the past, and I certainly don't want to end my life full of regrets. Today, Lord, I choose to confess each regret to You, and then I'm going to ask for Your forgiveness for each one. I promise to allow You to provide forgiveness, forgiveness which I will accept, and then I'm going to allow You to remove each regret and bury it. I pray that I will never go digging it up, in the future. I repent of the time I've wasted thinking of and talking about past regrets. I can't change the past. I know that, Lord, so I'm asking You to help me learn from the past, live for today, and make better choices in the future. I pray in Jesus' Name. Amen."
Go forth today, with no regrets.
S.T.A.R.T. (Strategies To Achieve Recovery & Transformation) Program, 2-CD set for the bariatric patient, can help you make the changes necessary on the inside, in order to see changes on the outside. Listen to a sound bite from each track at http://www.cdeanhall.com/products.html.
Friday, July 24, 2009
Life Plan Devotion #36 [A Closer Walk]
Recently, someone asked me how she could get closer to God. It's really very simple, because it's all about relationship. God is a relational being, and so are we. There are, basically, 5 steps to an intimate relationship with the Lord.
Step 1: You must be born again. If you have experienced frustration spiritually, found it difficult to follow a spiritual pathway, find that you're uncomfortable when you go to church, read your Bible but you don't seem to get anything out of it, etc., you may not be truly born again. If you grew up in a Christian home and you've always gone to church, you may be assuming your salvation. You see, God has no grandchildren...only children. Salvation is personal, not hereditary. If you cannot pinpoint a moment when you said "yes" to Jesus, then it's time that you have that encounter. (Romans 10:13)
Step 2: You must talk to Him. Just as in any relationship, communication is key to an intimate relationship with the Lord. He longs to hear from you. Talk to Him in prayer. Talk to Him with your thoughts. Talk to Him out loud, throughout your day. (Philippians 4:6; I Thessalonians 5:17)
Step 3: You must listen to Him. Good relationship building revolves around talking and listening. When you talk to Him, don't forget to listen. When you read the Bible (and you should, daily), listen for His voice, His teaching, His prompting...just for you. It is His love letter to you. (Proverbs 8:32-34; I Thessalonians 2:13)
Step 4: You must seek to follow Him. Knowing the Lord should make a difference in how you live. There should be a change in the way you think, speak, and live. It many not be instantaneous, but there should be noticeable, ongoing changes. (John 10:27; I John 2:6)
Step 5: You should keep a daily, updated heart account. At the end of every day, take some time to be with Him, and ask Him to show you if you said or did anything that day that "missed the mark." He will lovingly show you, and you should then ask for forgiveness, knowing that it is assured. (I John 1:9)
It isn't difficult to know, follow, and be intimate with the Lord, but it does take decision, desire, and commitment. After that, it's as easy as breathing in and out.
Colossians 2:6-7 [Amplified]
"As you have therefore received Christ, [even] Jesus the Lord, [so] walk (regulate your lives and conduct yourselves) in union with and conformity to Him. Have the roots [of your being] firmly and deeply planted [in Him, fixed and founded in Him], being continually built up in Him, becoming increasingly more confident and established in the faith, just as you were taught, and abounding and overflowing in it with thanksgiving."
What this has to do with weight loss: There is no greater accountability partner and encourager on the weight-loss journey than the Lord. He is as close as the mention of His Name, and when you partner with Him, you will be successful in the desire of your heart (releasing and maintaining weight loss). Let Him be your helpmeet.
Prayer for Today:
"Heavenly Father, I desire an intimate relationship with You. To have that, I must truly have had a personal encounter with and accepted Your Son as Savior. Once I've settled that question, I know that spending time with You in prayer and the Word will be as effortless as breathing. More than anything, I want to say, 'You are the air I breathe.' May we get to the point, You and I, that others cannot tell where I end and You begin. I pray in Jesus' Name. Amen."
Go forth today, walking side by side with Jesus.
Whether or not you're facing surgery, Psalms for Surgery is a wonderful way to relax at the end of the day, meditating on the Psalms. Check it out at http://www.cdeanhall.com/products.html.
Step 1: You must be born again. If you have experienced frustration spiritually, found it difficult to follow a spiritual pathway, find that you're uncomfortable when you go to church, read your Bible but you don't seem to get anything out of it, etc., you may not be truly born again. If you grew up in a Christian home and you've always gone to church, you may be assuming your salvation. You see, God has no grandchildren...only children. Salvation is personal, not hereditary. If you cannot pinpoint a moment when you said "yes" to Jesus, then it's time that you have that encounter. (Romans 10:13)
Step 2: You must talk to Him. Just as in any relationship, communication is key to an intimate relationship with the Lord. He longs to hear from you. Talk to Him in prayer. Talk to Him with your thoughts. Talk to Him out loud, throughout your day. (Philippians 4:6; I Thessalonians 5:17)
Step 3: You must listen to Him. Good relationship building revolves around talking and listening. When you talk to Him, don't forget to listen. When you read the Bible (and you should, daily), listen for His voice, His teaching, His prompting...just for you. It is His love letter to you. (Proverbs 8:32-34; I Thessalonians 2:13)
Step 4: You must seek to follow Him. Knowing the Lord should make a difference in how you live. There should be a change in the way you think, speak, and live. It many not be instantaneous, but there should be noticeable, ongoing changes. (John 10:27; I John 2:6)
Step 5: You should keep a daily, updated heart account. At the end of every day, take some time to be with Him, and ask Him to show you if you said or did anything that day that "missed the mark." He will lovingly show you, and you should then ask for forgiveness, knowing that it is assured. (I John 1:9)
It isn't difficult to know, follow, and be intimate with the Lord, but it does take decision, desire, and commitment. After that, it's as easy as breathing in and out.
Colossians 2:6-7 [Amplified]
"As you have therefore received Christ, [even] Jesus the Lord, [so] walk (regulate your lives and conduct yourselves) in union with and conformity to Him. Have the roots [of your being] firmly and deeply planted [in Him, fixed and founded in Him], being continually built up in Him, becoming increasingly more confident and established in the faith, just as you were taught, and abounding and overflowing in it with thanksgiving."
What this has to do with weight loss: There is no greater accountability partner and encourager on the weight-loss journey than the Lord. He is as close as the mention of His Name, and when you partner with Him, you will be successful in the desire of your heart (releasing and maintaining weight loss). Let Him be your helpmeet.
Prayer for Today:
"Heavenly Father, I desire an intimate relationship with You. To have that, I must truly have had a personal encounter with and accepted Your Son as Savior. Once I've settled that question, I know that spending time with You in prayer and the Word will be as effortless as breathing. More than anything, I want to say, 'You are the air I breathe.' May we get to the point, You and I, that others cannot tell where I end and You begin. I pray in Jesus' Name. Amen."
Go forth today, walking side by side with Jesus.
Whether or not you're facing surgery, Psalms for Surgery is a wonderful way to relax at the end of the day, meditating on the Psalms. Check it out at http://www.cdeanhall.com/products.html.
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Life Plan Devotion #35 [This is Love]
A favorite holiday of many is Valentine's Day. Planning a special something for your valentine is fun. The "doing" part of love is wonderful, but how do you measure up to the "being" part of love?
God is love, and when you have God in you, you are to be love, too. According to I Corinthians 13:4-7, "Love endures long and is patient and kind; love never is envious nor boils over with jealousy, is not boastful or vainglorious, does not display itself haughtily. It is not conceited; it is not rude and does not act unbecomingly. Love does not insist on its own rights or its own way, for it is not self-seeking; it is not touchy or fretful or resentful; it takes no account of the evil done to it [it pays no attention to a suffered wrong]. It does not rejoice at injustice and unrighteousness, but rejoices when right and truth prevail. Love bears up under anything and everything that comes, is ever ready to believe the best of every person, its hopes are fadeless under all circumstances, and it endures everything [without weakening]" (Amplified). Wow. How do you measure up to that love meter?
For me, the part that jumped out was "takes no account of the evil done to it [it pays no attention to a suffered wrong]." That's hard, because we women tend to keep an account of wrongs we've suffered, from childhood on. We hang on to the hurt. We can go to our 50th high school reunion, see that person, and get mad all over again.
Yes, we tend to keep an account of those who've done us wrong, but Jesus asks, "If you love only those who love you, what reward is there for that?" (Matthew 5:46, NLT). Jesus had just talked about "the law that says, 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy,'" and He went on to say, "But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you! In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven..." (Matthew 5:44-45, NLT).
I know it's not natural to love your enemies, to pray for those who persecute you, but the good news is that, for the believer, you have supernatural ability right inside you. You've just got to tap into it, and that requires a daily crucifying of your right to be angry, bitter, and resentful. The reward is so worth it, though. The reward is a restoration of joy and peace in your mind, heart, and life.
Hebrews 12:14-15 [NLT]
"Work at living in peace with everyone, and work at living a holy life... Look after each other so that none of you fails to receive the grace of God. Watch out that no poisonous root of bitterness grows up to trouble you, corrupting many."
What this has to do with weight loss: Living with a root of bitterness lodged deep in your heart will poison even your ability to release excess weight. Bitterness is a form of hatred, and hatred spreads. It begins to affect how you respond to and react to others, and, eventually, it turns inward once again, and you will find that you are unhappy with yourself and discontented with many aspects of your life. Root out that root of bitterness, throw it away, and you will find that the joy and peace that replaces it will cause great things to happen...even jumpstart your weight loss.
Prayer for Today:
"Heavenly Father, there are those who have deeply hurt and wounded my heart, and it has been difficult for me to forgive them and forget the hurts. I want to love my enemies, as You said in Your Word. I want to pray for them and let go of the anger and bitterness I've held in my heart for so long. I want to be filled with the joy and peace that You want me to experience, so, I ask You to help me do what I cannot do on my own...take no account of wrongs done to me and to love even my enemies. Fill me so full of Your love that it spills over to even the unlovable. I pray all this in the Name of Jesus. Amen."
Go forth today, walking in love.
The Guy Detector (a book I proofread) gives girls the tools to stay safe. Read more about it (last product listed) at http://www.cdeanhall.com/products.html.
God is love, and when you have God in you, you are to be love, too. According to I Corinthians 13:4-7, "Love endures long and is patient and kind; love never is envious nor boils over with jealousy, is not boastful or vainglorious, does not display itself haughtily. It is not conceited; it is not rude and does not act unbecomingly. Love does not insist on its own rights or its own way, for it is not self-seeking; it is not touchy or fretful or resentful; it takes no account of the evil done to it [it pays no attention to a suffered wrong]. It does not rejoice at injustice and unrighteousness, but rejoices when right and truth prevail. Love bears up under anything and everything that comes, is ever ready to believe the best of every person, its hopes are fadeless under all circumstances, and it endures everything [without weakening]" (Amplified). Wow. How do you measure up to that love meter?
For me, the part that jumped out was "takes no account of the evil done to it [it pays no attention to a suffered wrong]." That's hard, because we women tend to keep an account of wrongs we've suffered, from childhood on. We hang on to the hurt. We can go to our 50th high school reunion, see that person, and get mad all over again.
Yes, we tend to keep an account of those who've done us wrong, but Jesus asks, "If you love only those who love you, what reward is there for that?" (Matthew 5:46, NLT). Jesus had just talked about "the law that says, 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy,'" and He went on to say, "But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you! In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven..." (Matthew 5:44-45, NLT).
I know it's not natural to love your enemies, to pray for those who persecute you, but the good news is that, for the believer, you have supernatural ability right inside you. You've just got to tap into it, and that requires a daily crucifying of your right to be angry, bitter, and resentful. The reward is so worth it, though. The reward is a restoration of joy and peace in your mind, heart, and life.
Hebrews 12:14-15 [NLT]
"Work at living in peace with everyone, and work at living a holy life... Look after each other so that none of you fails to receive the grace of God. Watch out that no poisonous root of bitterness grows up to trouble you, corrupting many."
What this has to do with weight loss: Living with a root of bitterness lodged deep in your heart will poison even your ability to release excess weight. Bitterness is a form of hatred, and hatred spreads. It begins to affect how you respond to and react to others, and, eventually, it turns inward once again, and you will find that you are unhappy with yourself and discontented with many aspects of your life. Root out that root of bitterness, throw it away, and you will find that the joy and peace that replaces it will cause great things to happen...even jumpstart your weight loss.
Prayer for Today:
"Heavenly Father, there are those who have deeply hurt and wounded my heart, and it has been difficult for me to forgive them and forget the hurts. I want to love my enemies, as You said in Your Word. I want to pray for them and let go of the anger and bitterness I've held in my heart for so long. I want to be filled with the joy and peace that You want me to experience, so, I ask You to help me do what I cannot do on my own...take no account of wrongs done to me and to love even my enemies. Fill me so full of Your love that it spills over to even the unlovable. I pray all this in the Name of Jesus. Amen."
Go forth today, walking in love.
The Guy Detector (a book I proofread) gives girls the tools to stay safe. Read more about it (last product listed) at http://www.cdeanhall.com/products.html.
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Life Plan Devotion #34 [Pack your bags]
Pack your bags! No, you're not going on a trip, but I hope and pray your bags do. Each of us has baggage we carry around, full of things we need to let go of, get rid of. What's in your baggage? Is it sin, heartache, bad memories, abuse, worry, fear, deceit, regret, unhealthy boundaries, unhealthy relationships, family secrets, a guilty conscience? If so, it's the heaviest baggage you'll ever carry. It's baggage you're not meant to carry.
Every piece of emotional baggage, every "shoulda, woulda, coulda" will pull you into the past and rob you of joy and living in the present. You were not created to carry baggage. When Jesus died on the cross, He accepted the sins of the whole world, past, present and future, and that included your emotional baggage. Since He carried it all, why do you need to carry it now? You don't. Take care of your emotional baggage today, and stow it with Jesus. He'll take it and throw it into the Sea of Forgetfulness, and it will be gone for good.
Psalm 51:2 [The Message]
"Scrub away my guilt, soak out my sins in Your laundry."
What this has to do with weight loss: Carrying emotional baggage, failing to deal and heal, causes pounds of pain to accumulate in one's body. As you free yourself of that which is inside, you will free your body of excess weight, and every pound of pain lost will add years of abundant, joyful living.
Prayer for Today:
"Heavenly Father, there is baggage in my life, and even though it must have filled a need up to this point, I want to let go of that emotional baggage and fill every need with You. Scrub away my guilt, every shame and regret, and soak out my sins in Your laundry. If You wash me, I know I'll be clean. I've carried these things for too long, Lord, and I didn't need to. Jesus carried it all, on that cross so long ago, and I'm sorry that I didn't see that it was enough for me. I want to live a life that pleases You, a life full of joy and peace, so I'm making the decision today, at this very moment, to stow my baggage with You. I know that it is done, and they're gone for good! Thank You, Lord. In Jesus' Name. Amen."
Go forth today, free of emotional baggage.
S.T.A.R.T. Program (Strategies To Achieve Recovery & Transformation), 2-cd set for the bariatric patient, can help you make the changes necessary on the inside, in order to see changes on the outside. Listen to a sound bite from each track at http://www.cdeanhall.com/products.html.
Every piece of emotional baggage, every "shoulda, woulda, coulda" will pull you into the past and rob you of joy and living in the present. You were not created to carry baggage. When Jesus died on the cross, He accepted the sins of the whole world, past, present and future, and that included your emotional baggage. Since He carried it all, why do you need to carry it now? You don't. Take care of your emotional baggage today, and stow it with Jesus. He'll take it and throw it into the Sea of Forgetfulness, and it will be gone for good.
Psalm 51:2 [The Message]
"Scrub away my guilt, soak out my sins in Your laundry."
What this has to do with weight loss: Carrying emotional baggage, failing to deal and heal, causes pounds of pain to accumulate in one's body. As you free yourself of that which is inside, you will free your body of excess weight, and every pound of pain lost will add years of abundant, joyful living.
Prayer for Today:
"Heavenly Father, there is baggage in my life, and even though it must have filled a need up to this point, I want to let go of that emotional baggage and fill every need with You. Scrub away my guilt, every shame and regret, and soak out my sins in Your laundry. If You wash me, I know I'll be clean. I've carried these things for too long, Lord, and I didn't need to. Jesus carried it all, on that cross so long ago, and I'm sorry that I didn't see that it was enough for me. I want to live a life that pleases You, a life full of joy and peace, so I'm making the decision today, at this very moment, to stow my baggage with You. I know that it is done, and they're gone for good! Thank You, Lord. In Jesus' Name. Amen."
Go forth today, free of emotional baggage.
S.T.A.R.T. Program (Strategies To Achieve Recovery & Transformation), 2-cd set for the bariatric patient, can help you make the changes necessary on the inside, in order to see changes on the outside. Listen to a sound bite from each track at http://www.cdeanhall.com/products.html.
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