ObesityHelp

Hi, Everyone.
We'll continue with the F.I.R.S.T. Place devotion on Monday. Have a great weekend. Today's devotion is from my personal journal dated April 15, 2007.

     I've been looking at scripture that includes references to food, which has been an interesting adventure. Today I read John 6:25-29, and part of it (verse 27) jumped out at me, "...Do not work for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give to you..." I took that to the Lord in prayer, and I "heard" Him say, "Change your focus from the physical to the spiritual, from food to Me."
     I remember the verse in Matthew 4:4, where Jesus quotes from the Old Testament, "Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God." Physical food (bread) is found in the physical realm. Spiritual food (the Word, the Bread of Life) is found in the "mouth of God," the Bible.
     God is impressing upon me that feeding on His Word will enable me to resist the devil's attempts to lure me into the same old sinful habit of overeating and using food as a comfort or to fill a void that only God can fill.
     Not long ago, I prayed about John 10:10, "I have come that you might have life and have it more abundantly." I knew that through Christ's death on the cross and believing in Him and accepting Him as my Savior and Lord, I have eternal life, but I had to admit that I did not consider my life as truly "abundant." I asked Him to show me how to have abundant life, for I didn't want to die before I die, which was what I felt I had been doing for a long time.
     Through a sermon of Pastor Scott's, I realized that no matter what I do, no matter how small and insignificant, I could "do all for the glory of God." I had been looking for something great that I could do for God, and it wasn't happening. When I realized that everything I do, if I do it for God, is significant, I began to feel like I was living a more abundant life.
     I feel now that God is showing me more of how to have an abundant life. He has shown me that, as a Christian, when I overeat, I deny the sufficiency of Christ, thereby missing out on the abundant life which Jesus gives. Every bite that I take that is more than what my body needs, Jesus asks, "Am I not enough?"

Today, make a conscious effort to focus more on the spiritual food than on the physical food.

Blessings,
Mary

Life Plan Devotion #42 [F.I.R.S.T. Place, Part III]

     The past several days, we've been looking at the first 2 areas of life, Finances and Interests, to see, individually, if God has first place in your life. Today, we'll look at the third area.
     Relationships--Think about your relationships, how you interact with your spouse, children, family, your friends, boss, coworkers, pastor, brothers and sisters in Christ. When a scribe asked Jesus Christ, "Of all the commandments, which is the most important?" Jesus answered, "The most important commandment is this: 'Listen, O Israel! The LORD our God is the one and only LORD. And you must love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength.' The second is equally important: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' No other commandment is greater than these" (Mark 12:28-31). Putting God first in your relationships means that you think, speak, act, and react the way He wants you to, according to His Word. Is God first in your relationships?

I Peter 3:8-9
"...Sympathize with each other. Love each other as brothers and sisters. Be tenderhearted, and keep a humble attitude. Don't repay evil for evil. Don't retaliate with insults when people insult you. Instead, pay them back with a blessing. That is what God has called you to do, and He will bless you for it."

What this has to do with weight loss:  There's nothing like a pre-WLS diet or a post-surgery hormonal shake-up to drive even the sweetest person to spout surly sayings. The road to weight loss can seem like a battlefield. Just make sure that when the war's over, you don't look back to see the ground littered with wounded, bleeding, or battle scarred friends, family, and fellow workers.

Prayer for Today:
"Heavenly Father, I'm involved in many relationships, with varying connections and commitments. You have called me to love each person with whom I come in contact. Help me to think, speak, act, and react out of love and love alone. I admit that sometimes it's so hard to do that, but I want to, Lord. Help me to be sympathetic, humble, and when I'm insulted, help me to react with love and kindness. I pray in the Name of Jesus who said, 'If someone slaps you on the right cheek, offer the other cheek also' (Matthew 5:39). Amen."

Go forth today, putting God first in your relationships.

Life Plan Devotion #41 [F.I.R.S.T. Place, Part II]

     Last time, I asked you if God has first place in your life. I introduced an acronym, F.I.R.S.T., and we looked at the first of 5 areas, finances. Today, we'll look at the second area.
     Interests--Think about your interests, what you like to do in your spare time. Perhaps you like to watch television, read, spend time on the computer, etc. Take stock of the content of your interests. Is God honored by that which you see or read or do? If God were to make a surprise appearance at your front door, would your first reaction be to shut the door and turn something off or throw something away? How does your thought life (the starting point of all "interests") measure up to the Biblical directive to think about that which is "pure, lovely, of good report, of virtue and worthy of praise" (Philippians 4:8)? As Paul writes, "Those things...do" (v. 9). Is God first in your interests?

I Corinthians 10:31b
"...Whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God."

What this has to do with weight loss: For each person on the weight-loss journey, every part of the weight-loss process becomes a major area of interest. Much time is spent making and carrying out plans, so one can be successful. That honors God, if one's intent is to honor God with his/her body. However, if one's interests turn to a transfer addiction (shopping, alcohol, drugs, promiscuous sex, etc.), then God is not honored. Whatever you do, if you do it all for the glory of God, He is first in your interests.

Prayer for Today:
"Heavenly Father, there are many things, people, and activities that interest me. My desire is to be involved only in the interests that bring honor and glory to You. I want You to be the center of every interest. Be the Lord of my interests. Be first place in my life. And, Lord, if I'm involved in any interest that does not honor You, I ask that You give me that nudge in my spirit, and help me to get that interest out of my life, through Your power. I pray in Jesus' Name. Amen."

Go forth today, putting God first in your interests.

Life Plan Devotion #40 [F.I.R.S.T. Place]

     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)? 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." An idol is anything or anyone that takes the place of God.
     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--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). 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 trust Him 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 (Philippians 4:19).

Matthew 6:33
"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 bloodwork 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, put You first place in my life, so You can do all You have promised. In Jesus' Name I pray. Amen."

Go forth today, putting God first in your finances.

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 wanter. 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."
     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
"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 in a certain way, but a daily diet of ingratitude does not serve well your mind, body, and heart. 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.