What Beth Moore taught this morning on Life Today was too good not to share. "Thriving In a Season of Chastising: The Teaching Nature of God." Here are the notes I took, and I encourage you to look up and read each scripture reference.
Sometimes we cause our own suffering (painful consequences). We've done it to our self. How do we deal with that? Our problems are the result of, for example, our own pride, poor financial decisions, going forward despite a warning deep within, etc. It catches up with us in consequences & Fatherly chastisement.
Heb. 12:5-13. Discipline produces righteousness & peace.
Heb. 12:15. You cannot deserve grace. There is grace, even when you blew it!
The difference between consequences & chastisement:
Consequences are part of the natural order of God as Boss. It's the same for the believer & non-believer: You reap what you sow.
Chastisement is the supernatural order of God as Father.
*When we allow God to overtake our consequences, they become part of a teaching process.
Ps. 103:10-13. God does not treat us as we deserve, thankfully.
IF A CONSEQUENCE WILL TEACH US, GOD WILL ALLOW IT, ESPECIALLY WHEN WE NEED TO REPENT BUT WE'RE NOT REPENTING. Consequences get us to the place where we're ready to change. Heb. 12:5b.
WE HAVE TO ACCEPT THE FAULT WE HAVE TO ACCEPT. Accept your responsibility in the matter. Be willing to "own it." No one is totally innocent. Until you accept responsibility, you won't be able to "get on with it."
This was the first part of the teaching. I want to remember to catch the show one week from today, to hear more. I need this. Anyone else need it, too?
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Monday, September 28, 2009
Announcement
Hi, Everyone.
I need to take some time away from posting the Life Plan Devotional. Please read previous issues here or, if you frequent ObesityHelp.com, on my OH profile blog. There are many more devotionals posted there. Everything is all right. I just need some time.
Blessings & Prayers,
Mary
I need to take some time away from posting the Life Plan Devotional. Please read previous issues here or, if you frequent ObesityHelp.com, on my OH profile blog. There are many more devotionals posted there. Everything is all right. I just need some time.
Blessings & Prayers,
Mary
Life Plan Devotion #102 [My God]
Philippians 4:19 [NLT]
"My God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus."
Philippians 4:19 is a familiar verse, yet how many see it as a promise? And how many who see it as a promise have meditated on it and spoken it until it gets down deep, on the inside? We must get past reading, even memorizing this verse, to the point where we know that we know it. How will you know when Phil. 4:19 has "landed"? ALL your cares, concerns, and worries will lift, even if your present circumstances (your need) hasn't changed one bit.
Meditating on a verse means thinking about it, praying over it, part by part, phrase by phrase, sometimes word by word. Let's do that, over the next few days. I have found that a verse gets down deep in my spirit much quicker, that way.
The first phrase in Philippians 4:19 is "My God." Wow! Think about how amazing it is that you can say, "He is MY God!" If you are a born-again believer then He IS your God, and you have all the rights, privileges, and responsibilities that go with being His child. Every promise in God's Word is "Yes and Amen" to you. I love what the word "Amen" means: "So be it."
Notice that Phil. 4:19 says, "My God shall supply all [my] need..." It says "My God," not "my job." Having a job is great. Getting a weekly paycheck is a blessing, but we must remember that no man is to be our source of provision. No paycheck should be your source. If it is and you lose your job, you're in for a terrible trial. However, when God is your source, even if you lose your job, you will know that He will provide for you. You'll get another job, and He will meet your every need in the meantime.
Christians mean well, but so often we limit God. We put "the plan" together in our mind, as if God needs our help to work through the issue of provision. Not only is that a slap in the face of Jehovah-Jireh (the God Who Provides), but it is a sure sign that we don't believe He is able to deliver us, to save us, to provide for us. It shows a lack of faith, for if we're trying to come up with "the plan," we are saying we don't trust God to show us "the plan" and to cause it to come to fruition.
If we do not limit God, He has an unlimited number of channels through which to get provision to us. There are conditions, of course, and we'll explore them together, but, in short, if you are a born-again believer, if you are a sower (a giver), God has obligated Himself to supply all your needs. Expect God to come through for you!
What this has to do with weight loss: Whatever your need is, on the weight-loss journey, expect God to supply (provide for) that need.
Confession:
I am a born-again believer, so I confidently claim the promise that "My God shall supply all [my] need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus."
"My God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus."
Philippians 4:19 is a familiar verse, yet how many see it as a promise? And how many who see it as a promise have meditated on it and spoken it until it gets down deep, on the inside? We must get past reading, even memorizing this verse, to the point where we know that we know it. How will you know when Phil. 4:19 has "landed"? ALL your cares, concerns, and worries will lift, even if your present circumstances (your need) hasn't changed one bit.
Meditating on a verse means thinking about it, praying over it, part by part, phrase by phrase, sometimes word by word. Let's do that, over the next few days. I have found that a verse gets down deep in my spirit much quicker, that way.
The first phrase in Philippians 4:19 is "My God." Wow! Think about how amazing it is that you can say, "He is MY God!" If you are a born-again believer then He IS your God, and you have all the rights, privileges, and responsibilities that go with being His child. Every promise in God's Word is "Yes and Amen" to you. I love what the word "Amen" means: "So be it."
Notice that Phil. 4:19 says, "My God shall supply all [my] need..." It says "My God," not "my job." Having a job is great. Getting a weekly paycheck is a blessing, but we must remember that no man is to be our source of provision. No paycheck should be your source. If it is and you lose your job, you're in for a terrible trial. However, when God is your source, even if you lose your job, you will know that He will provide for you. You'll get another job, and He will meet your every need in the meantime.
Christians mean well, but so often we limit God. We put "the plan" together in our mind, as if God needs our help to work through the issue of provision. Not only is that a slap in the face of Jehovah-Jireh (the God Who Provides), but it is a sure sign that we don't believe He is able to deliver us, to save us, to provide for us. It shows a lack of faith, for if we're trying to come up with "the plan," we are saying we don't trust God to show us "the plan" and to cause it to come to fruition.
If we do not limit God, He has an unlimited number of channels through which to get provision to us. There are conditions, of course, and we'll explore them together, but, in short, if you are a born-again believer, if you are a sower (a giver), God has obligated Himself to supply all your needs. Expect God to come through for you!
What this has to do with weight loss: Whatever your need is, on the weight-loss journey, expect God to supply (provide for) that need.
Confession:
I am a born-again believer, so I confidently claim the promise that "My God shall supply all [my] need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus."
Sunday, September 27, 2009
Life Plan Devotion #101 [Promises]
II Peter 1:3-5a "By His divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. We have received all of this by coming to know Him, the one who called us to Himself by means of His marvelous glory and excellence. And because of His glory and excellence, He has given us great and precious promises. These are the promises that enable you to share His divine nature and escape the world's corruption caused by human desires. In view of all this, make every effort to respond to God's promises" [NLT].
Webster's Dictionary defines "promise" as "a declaration that something will or will not be done, given, etc." Depending on one's criteria for that which constitutes a "promise," there are at least 1,260 and may be as many as 6,000 promises in the Bible. Just so you know how I feel about it, I say there are 31,173 promises, for that is how many verses there are in the entire Bible. For this writer, every word in the Bible is God-breathed and true. Radical? Perhaps. It has been my experience that when one lines himself/herself up with the Word of God, in thought, word, and deed, one finds that "God can be trusted to keep His promise" (Hebrews 10:23).
No doubt you, reader, have been on the receiving end of a promise unfulfilled, and, when that happens, it is upsetting. In a perfect world, all promises are kept. I have good news! God keeps His promises! God keeps His word. "God is not a man, so He does not lie. He is not human, so He does not change His mind" (Numbers 23:19a). Moses (the commonly-accepted writer of the Book of Numbers) goes on to ask, "Has He ever spoken and failed to act? Has He ever promised and not carried it through?" (19b). The answer is "No."
The psalmist David walked with God and, at times, counter to God. No matter what, David came to learn and know that "God's way is perfect. All [His] promises prove true" (Psalm 18:30). The Apostle Paul, in the Book of Romans, chapter 4, talks about the faith of Abraham (considered to be the father of faith). Paul tells us that "Abraham never wavered in believing God's promise. In fact, his faith grew stronger, and in this he brought glory to God. He was fully convinced that God is able to do whatever He promises" (vv. 20-21).
If you want to please God, if you want to see all of the promises in God's Word fulfilled in your life, you must know Jesus Christ as your Savior, "For all of God's promises have been fulfilled in Christ with a resounding 'Yes!' And through Christ, our 'Amen' (which means 'Yes') ascends to God for His glory" (II Corinthians 1:20). Believers across the millennia testify that "Those who know [His] Name trust in [Him], for [He] [does] not abandon those who search for [Him]" (Psalm 9:10).
Hebrews 6:18b [NLT]
"We who have fled to [God] for refuge can have great confidence as we hold to the hope that lies before us." [Note: specific noun, for non-specific pronoun, inserted by author, for clarity.]
What this has to do with weight loss: If you would experience success on the weight-loss journey, you must have hope that it will happen. There is a place of protection, safety, and refuge. It is in God and in His Word. Hang on to Him, and you will hang on to hope.
Prayer for Today:
"Heavenly Father, I choose to take You at Your Word, that Your Word is true. I want all that You have for me, so show me what that is, in the pages of Your Word, and help me to see how to make sure it comes to pass for me. I pray in Jesus' Name. Amen."
Go forth today, with great anticipation for the fulfillment of God's promises in your life.
Webster's Dictionary defines "promise" as "a declaration that something will or will not be done, given, etc." Depending on one's criteria for that which constitutes a "promise," there are at least 1,260 and may be as many as 6,000 promises in the Bible. Just so you know how I feel about it, I say there are 31,173 promises, for that is how many verses there are in the entire Bible. For this writer, every word in the Bible is God-breathed and true. Radical? Perhaps. It has been my experience that when one lines himself/herself up with the Word of God, in thought, word, and deed, one finds that "God can be trusted to keep His promise" (Hebrews 10:23).
No doubt you, reader, have been on the receiving end of a promise unfulfilled, and, when that happens, it is upsetting. In a perfect world, all promises are kept. I have good news! God keeps His promises! God keeps His word. "God is not a man, so He does not lie. He is not human, so He does not change His mind" (Numbers 23:19a). Moses (the commonly-accepted writer of the Book of Numbers) goes on to ask, "Has He ever spoken and failed to act? Has He ever promised and not carried it through?" (19b). The answer is "No."
The psalmist David walked with God and, at times, counter to God. No matter what, David came to learn and know that "God's way is perfect. All [His] promises prove true" (Psalm 18:30). The Apostle Paul, in the Book of Romans, chapter 4, talks about the faith of Abraham (considered to be the father of faith). Paul tells us that "Abraham never wavered in believing God's promise. In fact, his faith grew stronger, and in this he brought glory to God. He was fully convinced that God is able to do whatever He promises" (vv. 20-21).
If you want to please God, if you want to see all of the promises in God's Word fulfilled in your life, you must know Jesus Christ as your Savior, "For all of God's promises have been fulfilled in Christ with a resounding 'Yes!' And through Christ, our 'Amen' (which means 'Yes') ascends to God for His glory" (II Corinthians 1:20). Believers across the millennia testify that "Those who know [His] Name trust in [Him], for [He] [does] not abandon those who search for [Him]" (Psalm 9:10).
Hebrews 6:18b [NLT]
"We who have fled to [God] for refuge can have great confidence as we hold to the hope that lies before us." [Note: specific noun, for non-specific pronoun, inserted by author, for clarity.]
What this has to do with weight loss: If you would experience success on the weight-loss journey, you must have hope that it will happen. There is a place of protection, safety, and refuge. It is in God and in His Word. Hang on to Him, and you will hang on to hope.
Prayer for Today:
"Heavenly Father, I choose to take You at Your Word, that Your Word is true. I want all that You have for me, so show me what that is, in the pages of Your Word, and help me to see how to make sure it comes to pass for me. I pray in Jesus' Name. Amen."
Go forth today, with great anticipation for the fulfillment of God's promises in your life.
Saturday, September 26, 2009
Life Plan Devotion #100 [God's Armor--Sword of the Spirit]
In the defensive Armor of God, the Sword of the Spirit (the Word of God) is the only offensive weapon. God Almighty teaches His children to tell of His strength [the Greek version of the Old Testament says that God "ordains praise"], silencing His enemies and all who oppose Him (Psalm 8:2), and He instructs us to "write [His] answer plainly" (Habakkuk 2:2) and to speak to our mountain (Matthew 17:20).
If you are a true believer and follower of Jesus Christ, then silence your avenger and every foe with praise, by daily putting on the Armor, wielding the Sword of the Spirit, and speaking out loud who you are--blessed. God will be most pleased, and the enemy will flee.
"The LORD my God is with me [Numbers 23:21]. I am blessed, and no one--not even Satan--can change that [Num. 23:20]! God has blessed me in all the work of my hands. He has watched over my journey. He has been with me, and I have lacked nothing. [Deuteronomy 2:7] In the presence of the LORD my God, my family and I rejoice in everything I put my hand to, because the LORD my God has blessed me [Deut. 12:7]. I am blessed in the city and blessed in the country! I am blessed when I come in and blessed when I go out. [Deut. 28:3,6] I am God's servant, He has blessed my house, and it will be blessed forever [I Chronicles 17:27]. I tithe, so I have enough to eat and plenty to spare; all my needs are met [II Chron. 31:10; Philippians 4:19]. God has put a hedge around me and my household, and blessed me [Job 1:10]. The LORD, my Rock, lives, and I praise Him! God avenges me, subdues nations under me, and saves me from my enemies. God exalts me above my foes, and rescues me from violent men. [Psalm 18:46-48] God has granted me eternal blessings and made me glad with the joy of His presence [Ps. 21:6]. God heard my cry for mercy. He is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in Him, and I am helped. [Ps. 28:6-7] I take refuge in the LORD. I will never be put to shame. I am delivered in His righteousness. [Ps. 31:1] I am blessed, for my transgressions are forgiven, my sins are covered. The LORD does not count my sins against me. [Ps. 32:1-2] The LORD is my God. He has chosen me as His inheritance, and I am blessed. [Ps. 33:12] I maintain justice and do what is right, and I am blessed [Ps. 106:3]. I respect the LORD, so I am blessed, and my children will be mighty. Wealth is in my house. Even in darkness, light dawns for me, because I am gracious, compassionate, and righteous. Good comes to me, because I am generous and lend freely, and I conduct my affairs with justice. I will never be shaken. I will have no fear of bad news; my heart is steadfast, secure. I look in triumph on my foes. [Ps. 112:1-8] I have all faith, so I share in the blessings of Abraham, the man of faith [Galatians 3:9]. God has blessed me with all spiritual blessings in Jesus Christ [Ephesians 1:3]. I am strong in the Lord and in His mighty power. I put on all of God's armor so that I am able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil, every evil ruler and authority of the unseen world, every mighty power in this dark world, and every evil spirit in heavenly places. I put on every piece of God's armor so I am able to resist the enemy, and after the battle, I will be standing firm. I stand my ground! [Eph. 6:10-14] I say 'no' to ungodliness, and I live a self-controlled, upright and godly life, while I wait for the blessed hope--the glorious appearing of my great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for me, to redeem me from all wickedness and to purify me [Titus 2:12-14]. I am blessed. I persevere under trials, and when I have stood the test, I will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love Him, and that includes me! [James 1:12]"
If you are a true believer and follower of Jesus Christ, then silence your avenger and every foe with praise, by daily putting on the Armor, wielding the Sword of the Spirit, and speaking out loud who you are--blessed. God will be most pleased, and the enemy will flee.
"The LORD my God is with me [Numbers 23:21]. I am blessed, and no one--not even Satan--can change that [Num. 23:20]! God has blessed me in all the work of my hands. He has watched over my journey. He has been with me, and I have lacked nothing. [Deuteronomy 2:7] In the presence of the LORD my God, my family and I rejoice in everything I put my hand to, because the LORD my God has blessed me [Deut. 12:7]. I am blessed in the city and blessed in the country! I am blessed when I come in and blessed when I go out. [Deut. 28:3,6] I am God's servant, He has blessed my house, and it will be blessed forever [I Chronicles 17:27]. I tithe, so I have enough to eat and plenty to spare; all my needs are met [II Chron. 31:10; Philippians 4:19]. God has put a hedge around me and my household, and blessed me [Job 1:10]. The LORD, my Rock, lives, and I praise Him! God avenges me, subdues nations under me, and saves me from my enemies. God exalts me above my foes, and rescues me from violent men. [Psalm 18:46-48] God has granted me eternal blessings and made me glad with the joy of His presence [Ps. 21:6]. God heard my cry for mercy. He is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in Him, and I am helped. [Ps. 28:6-7] I take refuge in the LORD. I will never be put to shame. I am delivered in His righteousness. [Ps. 31:1] I am blessed, for my transgressions are forgiven, my sins are covered. The LORD does not count my sins against me. [Ps. 32:1-2] The LORD is my God. He has chosen me as His inheritance, and I am blessed. [Ps. 33:12] I maintain justice and do what is right, and I am blessed [Ps. 106:3]. I respect the LORD, so I am blessed, and my children will be mighty. Wealth is in my house. Even in darkness, light dawns for me, because I am gracious, compassionate, and righteous. Good comes to me, because I am generous and lend freely, and I conduct my affairs with justice. I will never be shaken. I will have no fear of bad news; my heart is steadfast, secure. I look in triumph on my foes. [Ps. 112:1-8] I have all faith, so I share in the blessings of Abraham, the man of faith [Galatians 3:9]. God has blessed me with all spiritual blessings in Jesus Christ [Ephesians 1:3]. I am strong in the Lord and in His mighty power. I put on all of God's armor so that I am able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil, every evil ruler and authority of the unseen world, every mighty power in this dark world, and every evil spirit in heavenly places. I put on every piece of God's armor so I am able to resist the enemy, and after the battle, I will be standing firm. I stand my ground! [Eph. 6:10-14] I say 'no' to ungodliness, and I live a self-controlled, upright and godly life, while I wait for the blessed hope--the glorious appearing of my great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for me, to redeem me from all wickedness and to purify me [Titus 2:12-14]. I am blessed. I persevere under trials, and when I have stood the test, I will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love Him, and that includes me! [James 1:12]"
Friday, September 25, 2009
Life Plan Devotion #99 [God's Armor--Helmet of Salvation, Part XVII]
The enemy doesn't have to do much more than whisper, "This is just the way life is; there's nothing you can do about it," pairing it with a seemingly hopeless situation, and, chances are, you will give in to the fear of powerlessness/helplessness. I know that has been true in my life.
Due to repressed memories and trauma from a rape at 15 and an abusive first marriage, I suffered from depression, anxiety, fear, and panic attacks. Even as a believer, I know what it is like to wake up in the morning, clinging to the Lord and trusting Him to get me through the day. Like David, I prayed to God and reminded Him that, "You are my fortress, my refuge in times of trouble" (Psalm 59:16-17).
The enemy wanted me to feel powerless to change my situation of depression and panic attacks (and all that entailed), just like he wanted me to feel powerless to change the situation in my first marriage. While he was successful for a time, in both circumstances, I came to realize that because I am a believer, I am never powerless. It took some time, but I climbed out.
Are you in a situation that has you brought down low? You don't have to stay there. Climb up! Climb out! Allow God to help you experience what David did, and caused David to pray, "You armed me with strength for battle; You made my adversaries bow at my feet" (II Samuel 22:40). God says to you, "...I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with My righteous right hand" (Isaiah 41:10).
Daniel 11:32b [KJV]
"...The people that do know their God shall be strong and do exploits."
What this has to do with weight loss: An exploit is "a striking or notable deed; feat" (Webster's). Do you ever get the feeling, while on the weight-loss journey, that it will be considered an "exploit," should you make it to goal weight with your sanity in tact! Let me assure you, if you know God and allow Him to empower you, you will do it!
Prayer for Today:
"Heavenly Father, sometimes life is really hard, and the enemy wants me to think that there's no way out, that there's nothing that I or anyone else can do to change the situation. I recognize that as a lie, Lord, because You have told me in Your Word that You will strengthen me and help me. I'm so thankful that, in the midst of terribly tough times, I can feel Your Hand holding me up. I love You so much for that! Father, when I'm in a seemingly hopeless situation, remind me that I can climb up and out of it, with Your help. Help me to know what to do, and help me to take that first step, the next step, and the next. I pray in Jesus' Name. Amen."
Go forth today, trusting in the One who gave you the Helmet of Salvation (Deliverance) and the Sword of the Spirit (the Word of God) to remind you that He can and will deliver you from the fear of powerlessness/helplessness.
Due to repressed memories and trauma from a rape at 15 and an abusive first marriage, I suffered from depression, anxiety, fear, and panic attacks. Even as a believer, I know what it is like to wake up in the morning, clinging to the Lord and trusting Him to get me through the day. Like David, I prayed to God and reminded Him that, "You are my fortress, my refuge in times of trouble" (Psalm 59:16-17).
The enemy wanted me to feel powerless to change my situation of depression and panic attacks (and all that entailed), just like he wanted me to feel powerless to change the situation in my first marriage. While he was successful for a time, in both circumstances, I came to realize that because I am a believer, I am never powerless. It took some time, but I climbed out.
Are you in a situation that has you brought down low? You don't have to stay there. Climb up! Climb out! Allow God to help you experience what David did, and caused David to pray, "You armed me with strength for battle; You made my adversaries bow at my feet" (II Samuel 22:40). God says to you, "...I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with My righteous right hand" (Isaiah 41:10).
Daniel 11:32b [KJV]
"...The people that do know their God shall be strong and do exploits."
What this has to do with weight loss: An exploit is "a striking or notable deed; feat" (Webster's). Do you ever get the feeling, while on the weight-loss journey, that it will be considered an "exploit," should you make it to goal weight with your sanity in tact! Let me assure you, if you know God and allow Him to empower you, you will do it!
Prayer for Today:
"Heavenly Father, sometimes life is really hard, and the enemy wants me to think that there's no way out, that there's nothing that I or anyone else can do to change the situation. I recognize that as a lie, Lord, because You have told me in Your Word that You will strengthen me and help me. I'm so thankful that, in the midst of terribly tough times, I can feel Your Hand holding me up. I love You so much for that! Father, when I'm in a seemingly hopeless situation, remind me that I can climb up and out of it, with Your help. Help me to know what to do, and help me to take that first step, the next step, and the next. I pray in Jesus' Name. Amen."
Go forth today, trusting in the One who gave you the Helmet of Salvation (Deliverance) and the Sword of the Spirit (the Word of God) to remind you that He can and will deliver you from the fear of powerlessness/helplessness.
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Life Plan Devotion #98 [God's Armor--Helmet of Salvation, Part XVI]
We have looked at 4 of the top 5 most common fears used by Satan, to try to discourage and defeat you, the believer: the fear of want/lack, the fear of peril/danger, the fear of sickness/disease, and the fear of death/dying. Today, let's look at the fifth and final most common fear used by Satan, the fear of powerlessness/helplessness.
If you have ever felt like a victim of circumstances or had thoughts similar to, "Poor thing. Everything bad happens to you. It's just one thing after another, and you're powerless to change it," you've experienced the whispers of the enemy, to try to get you to fear that you are powerless or helpless.
The apostle Paul, when he sought help from the Lord 3 times for a "thorn in the flesh...a messenger of Satan sent to buffet [him]" to be removed from him (II Corinthians 12:7), the Lord said to Paul, "'My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness'" (II Corinthians 12:9a). Paul understood that there is purpose in supposed weakness, "so that Christ's power may rest on me," and he even went so far as to say, "Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses" and "That is why, for Christ's sake I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties." How could that be? Paul sums it up by saying, "For when I am weak, then I am strong." (II Corinthians 12:9b-10)
Paul experienced something that God wants each believer to experience, that though Satan "meant it for evil, God meant it for good" (Genesis 50:20). Satan had been going crazy, ever since his right-hand man, Saul, the one who had imprisoned and caused to be killed more believers than any one person, had himself come to know Jesus, so much so that God changed his name from Saul (which means "asked for") to Paul (which means "small" or "humble"). Satan wanted Saul back, so he tried over and over to put fear of powerlessness/helplessness on Paul, hoping that Paul would revert to his old Saul (and sin) nature. But it didn't work, because Paul knew the power of God's grace, not to "put up with" but to "conquer all."
Paul said to the Corinthians, and God says to you today, that He (God) "is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work" (II Corinthians 9:8). In what things? In all things. When? At all times. How much will God give you, of what you need? All that you need. How much grace will you experience? All grace. Why fear that you are powerless or helpless? You shouldn't, for you, as a true believer, are anything but powerless, far from being helpless.
Philippians 4:13 [Amplified]
"I have strength for all things in Christ Who empowers me [I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him Who infuses inner strength into me; I am self-sufficient in Christ's sufficiency]."
What this has to do with weight loss: How many times, on the weight-loss journey, have you asked yourself, "Can I really do this?" For the believer who realizes who he/she is in Christ, the answer is a resounding YES, not because the believer has personal strength or fortitude, but because his/her Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, is El Shaddai, the All-Sufficient One. When you feel weak in your ability, and find yourself giving in to the fear that you are powerless and helpless, remember that you "have strength for all things in Christ Who empowers [you]."
Prayer for Today:
"Heavenly Father, Satan wants me to fear that I am powerless and helpless, and sometimes it's true. During those times, help me to know that when I'm weak, I'm really strong in You. On my own, I can't do it, but in You, there's nothing I can't do! I praise You for that, and I pray that I'll live it out. In Jesus' Name. Amen."
Go forth today, choosing the power of God over the fear of powerlessness.
If you have ever felt like a victim of circumstances or had thoughts similar to, "Poor thing. Everything bad happens to you. It's just one thing after another, and you're powerless to change it," you've experienced the whispers of the enemy, to try to get you to fear that you are powerless or helpless.
The apostle Paul, when he sought help from the Lord 3 times for a "thorn in the flesh...a messenger of Satan sent to buffet [him]" to be removed from him (II Corinthians 12:7), the Lord said to Paul, "'My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness'" (II Corinthians 12:9a). Paul understood that there is purpose in supposed weakness, "so that Christ's power may rest on me," and he even went so far as to say, "Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses" and "That is why, for Christ's sake I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties." How could that be? Paul sums it up by saying, "For when I am weak, then I am strong." (II Corinthians 12:9b-10)
Paul experienced something that God wants each believer to experience, that though Satan "meant it for evil, God meant it for good" (Genesis 50:20). Satan had been going crazy, ever since his right-hand man, Saul, the one who had imprisoned and caused to be killed more believers than any one person, had himself come to know Jesus, so much so that God changed his name from Saul (which means "asked for") to Paul (which means "small" or "humble"). Satan wanted Saul back, so he tried over and over to put fear of powerlessness/helplessness on Paul, hoping that Paul would revert to his old Saul (and sin) nature. But it didn't work, because Paul knew the power of God's grace, not to "put up with" but to "conquer all."
Paul said to the Corinthians, and God says to you today, that He (God) "is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work" (II Corinthians 9:8). In what things? In all things. When? At all times. How much will God give you, of what you need? All that you need. How much grace will you experience? All grace. Why fear that you are powerless or helpless? You shouldn't, for you, as a true believer, are anything but powerless, far from being helpless.
Philippians 4:13 [Amplified]
"I have strength for all things in Christ Who empowers me [I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him Who infuses inner strength into me; I am self-sufficient in Christ's sufficiency]."
What this has to do with weight loss: How many times, on the weight-loss journey, have you asked yourself, "Can I really do this?" For the believer who realizes who he/she is in Christ, the answer is a resounding YES, not because the believer has personal strength or fortitude, but because his/her Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, is El Shaddai, the All-Sufficient One. When you feel weak in your ability, and find yourself giving in to the fear that you are powerless and helpless, remember that you "have strength for all things in Christ Who empowers [you]."
Prayer for Today:
"Heavenly Father, Satan wants me to fear that I am powerless and helpless, and sometimes it's true. During those times, help me to know that when I'm weak, I'm really strong in You. On my own, I can't do it, but in You, there's nothing I can't do! I praise You for that, and I pray that I'll live it out. In Jesus' Name. Amen."
Go forth today, choosing the power of God over the fear of powerlessness.
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