ObesityHelp

Hi, Everyone.
I realized that I had one more very important point to make before wrapping up the mini-series on giving, so it is today's devotion.
I have a prayer request. I know that the Lord will manifest healing in my thyroid, but until then, this fatigue is really difficult to handle. I need energy and mental clarity, to be able to write the new devotions. Please pray for me, especially today, as I attempt, once again, to write. This is God's project.
Please pray for those having surgery today, as well as for those who are recovering from surgery. Pray for all those who are hurting today, for God's comfort and peace. Thanks for praying, everyone.

Life Plan Devotion #147 [It's All About Him]

II Corinthians 9:11 "You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God" (NIV).

     In connection with the Kingdom principle of sowing and reaping, we have learned that
1) One's harvest is in proportion to the amount of seed sown.
2) Giving is a "matter of the heart," and must be done thoughtfully, prayerfully, and decisively.
3) God blesses the giver, so the giver can give more.
4) Generous givers are remembered, forever.
     Today, let us look at the final point of this portion of II Corinthians 9:6-11. In the King James Version, verse 11 says, "Being enriched in every thing to all bountifulness, which causeth through us thanksgiving to God."
     The Greek word for "enriched" is “ploutizō” and it means "to make wealthy." The Greek word for "bountifulness" is “haplotēs” and it means "sincerity (without self-seeking), generosity, liberality." The Greek word for "thanksgiving" is “eucharistia” which means gratitude: act, grateful language (to God, as an act of worship):--thankfulness (giving of) thanks; thanksgiving."
     God blesses givers, in every way, for their generosity that flows from a sincere, selfless act of giving. Yes, God gives to givers, so the giver can give more, and God provides for the needs of the giver. The ultimate purpose of the gift and the giver, however, is to produce, within the giver and the recipients of the gifts, gratitude to God and worshipful giving of thanks.
     Oh, can you see that, truly, it is all about Him! Godly giving begins and ends with God. He prompts, He instructs, He enables, He provides, He blesses, and He deserves all the praise. We can do nothing, especially give to others, without Him.
     Be a giver God can bless, for "You will be made rich in every way. Then you can always give freely...your many gifts [taken] to the people who need them. And they will give thanks to God" (NIRV).

What this has to do with weight loss: Yesterday, I received a message from a friend, and she talked about thinking about how blessed we are (each of us). I don't think we do that enough. Do you? God has richly given us all things to enjoy, yet how many do we take for granted. Take some time out for gratitude today. Even with regard to your weight-loss journey, you are surely blessed with those who help you. Give thanks to God for each person who has walked this path with you. Give thanks to God for His abiding presence and help, too.

Confession:
I am a giver. God makes me wealthy in every way, so I can be generous in every way. I thank God and worship Him with great praise, as do those He enables me to help.

Blessings,
Mary

Hi, Everyone.
I thought I had finished the mini-series on giving yesterday, but then I realized that I had one more point to make, which I will do on Monday, and then we'll start something new on Tuesday.
Today, please remember to pray for all those who are having or are recovering from surgery today. Please remember me in your prayers, as I write new devotions, and, as always, it encourages me to hear from you.
My family just left for school and work, and it's very quiet. I feel the tug of the Master, to spend time with Him. Typing these devotions prepares my heart, quite often. It's a blessing, and I thank you for allowing me to share.
Today's devotion, from my personal journal dated May 11, 2007, is about a topic that many of us try to avoid, but it's such an integral part of our weight-loss journey. 

Flashback Friday Devotion #33 [Excuses, Excuses]

     This morning, after my Quiet Time, I began to pray for God's teaching for me today. After getting quiet before Him, I "heard" Him ask, "Are you going to the pool today?" [I have a friend with an indoor lap pool.]
     With a cringe, I replied, "No, Father. There isn't time." I think I heard a holy "Hmm." I felt so convicted! I began to explain myself. "Lord, You know I spent days in pain, at the beginning of the week, then we had to take the car in to be checked out, then...well, I could have gone yesterday. I just didn't, Lord. Oh, I'm lazy, Lord. What's the word You use in Your Word?"
     I waited, and the word came to me..."sluggard." Ouch! It's amazing, though. I did not feel condemned. I felt convicted, but I also felt so loved!
     I went to my concordance and found "sluggard" in Proverbs 26:13, "The sluggard says, 'There is a lion in the road!'..."  I started laughing so hard, because THAT IS ME! I can't do this or that because "there's a lion in the road!" Excuses, excuses. I've got a million of them!
     Now I see that I must fight laziness, just as I fight gluttony...with God's help. I repent of my laziness, and I'm asking God to help me do some form of exercise at least 5 days of the week. If, for some reason, I can't get out to exercise, I can walk inside and/or lift hand weights. [Update: I just bought a tabletop arm ergometer/bike from WalMart.com, for just under $40, and I now have a Gazelle.]
     I desire to make permanent changes in my lifestyle, to be healthy, trim, and fit, for the rest of my life, by the mercy of God and for the glory of God.

Today, evaluate how well you're doing in the area of exercise. How can you make it a time of praise and worship? To inspire you, watch the following video of a multigenerational praise and worship dance team, who performed "I Hope You Dance" on Mother's Day. My favorite members are the two mothers, holding their baby. If dancing at church is new to you, keep in mind that "David danced before the Lord with all his might" (II Samuel 6:14), even though his wife, Michal, didn't like it. 
http://www.godtube.com/view_video.php?viewkey=0b0e22b18e8cce 10a14f

Blessings, and I Hope You Dance,
Mary

Hi, Everyone.
I weighed, and I'm down 3 of the 4 lbs. gained, so I feel very blessed. Thank you for your prayers. Keep it up; it's working. :)  Please pray for me, too, as I spend time writing new devotions, that I will hear the voice of God and be obedient to His direction.
Prayer is powerful, that's for sure. One of my OH friends and I (as well as other believers) prayed in agreement for the salvation of her daughter, and yesterday my friend posted that her daughter has accepted Jesus as Savior. The angels in Heaven rejoiced, and so did I. :)
Please pray for those having surgery or recuperating from surgery today.

Life Plan Devotion #146 [Experiment in Tithing]

Malachi 3:10 "'Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,' says the LORD Almighty, 'and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it'" (NIV).

     Today, we end the mini-series on giving. Perhaps you've heard it said that "You can't outgive God." That is so true. John Bunyan (author of Pilgrim's Progress) wrote, "A man there was and they called him mad; the more he gave, the more he had." The "world" doesn't get that, but, for the Christian who knows, believes, and acts on God's Word, that saying is true.
     While we are not to tempt or test God, there is one place in the Bible where He gives us permission to test Him, to "prove" Him. It's Malachi 3:10 (our key verse above). With that verse in mind, read the following true story about an experiment in tithing.
     Perry Hayden, a Quaker from Tecumseh, Michigan, in 1940, heard a message on tithing, based on John 12:24, "I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds" (NIV). He asked himself, "How much is 'much fruit' (King James Version of 'many seeds'), and how would tithing affect that?"
     Mr. Hayden committed, before the Lord, to take 1 cubic inch (360 kernels) of wheat, sow it, and of everything that came in from that cubic inch, he'd tithe 10%, then sow the remaining 90% back into the ground. He would do that for 6 years.
     These are the basic statistics, in the interest of space:
Year #1, it took 4' x 8' to plant 1 cubic inch of wheat. He had a small harvest. He tithed 10%, sowing the remaining 90 percent. He continued the practice of tithing 10% of the harvest and sowing the remaining 90% back into the ground, each year for 6 years.
Year #2, it took 24' x 60' to plant.
Year #3, it took 3/4 of an acre to plant.
Year #4, it took 14 acres to plant.
Year #5, it took 230 acres to plant.
Year #6, 5,000 bushels of wheat kernels were sown on 2,666 acres.
     360 kernels of wheat became 55 billion kernels of wheat in 6 years! Figuring the average yield of wheat farmers in the area, if they had not tithed but had sown 100%, they'd have made only about $21,000 over the 6 years. With Mr. Hayden tithing 10% and sowing 90%, God prospered his yield above the average farmer's, so that he made $288,000 in 6 years.
     If you tithe, God will bless the remaining 90%!

What this has to do with weight loss: Every day, you sow a seed for your weight-loss harvest. With every good habit, you set into motion a harvest of good health. Just as the farmer must be patient after sowing seed, resisting the urge to dig it back up to see if it's growing, you must be patient and allow for the slow changes. Just as the Lord honors your obedience in tithing, giving you an abundant harvest, if you partner with Him, and if you don't give up, one day, you'll see a whole new, healthier you.

Confession:
I am a tither. I give God 10% of all I earn. He blesses the remaining 90%, and I experience Floodgate blessings from Heaven.

Blessings,
Mary

Hi, Everyone.
If you hear the echoing strains of The Hallelujah Chorus this morning, that will be me...celebrating the first day of school. My grandson begins 4th grade, we survived the summer, and I get my quiet house back.
I'll be wrapping up the giving mini-series tomorrow, so please pray for me as I seek the Lord for guidance as to where to go next. I've been praying about it, and I know He will lead because He's been all over these devotions from the very beginning. He is so faithful!
Please pray for all those having surgery or recuperating from surgery today.

Life Plan Devotion #145 [Four Promises]

II Corinthians 9:10 "Now He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness" (NIV).

     In connection with the Kingdom principle of sowing and reaping, we have learned that
1) One's harvest is in proportion to the amount of seed sown.
2) Giving is a "matter of the heart," and must be done thoughtfully, prayerfully, and decisively.
3) God blesses the giver, so the giver can give more.
4) Generous givers are remembered, forever.
     I love this verse (II Cor. 9:10), because it contains four promises within it. The first promise is that God will supply seed to the sower. If I desire to be a generous giver, God is going to help me do that, by providing the seed. If you sincerely pray, asking God to provide so that you can give more, He will do it. Back up your prayer with the Word from II Cor. 9:10, and watch God work!
     The second promise is that God will supply "bread for food" to the sower. You see, God does not just care that you are able to give, He cares that your needs are supplied, as well. The Greek word for "sower" is spĕirō (spi’-ro), which not only means "to scatter," but it also means "receive seed." Both promises are held within that one Greek word, sower.
     The third promise is that God will "supply and increase your store of seed." Not only will God make sure you have seed to sow (if you ask for it), but He will go beyond that. God is so willing to "multiply the loaves and fishes." If you know about these promises and act on them by praying and believe that you receive, you will see that "increase" of "seed." It could happen all at once, but most believers have faith to see it happen gradually. God will move according to your heartfelt faith.
     The fourth promise is that God "will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness." This is the fruit of the believer who abides in Christ and in the Word. The harvest will be physical, spiritual, and financial. Keep track of your blessings, as you generously give, and you will see the "fruit." Get into the habit of really paying attention. So often we look for the "windfall," when the incremental blessings (like small raises in pay) are important, as well.

What this has to do with weight loss: No matter how much weight you have to lose, the number can look rather daunting. Instead of focusing on the entire amount, focus on 10 lbs. at a time, or even 1 lb. at a time. As you rely on the Lord to give you the help to release one pound of weight, He will supply that help. As you are obedient to His instruction, He will honor your obedience and you will see another pound of weight go. It's a gradual process, and one which requires patience. Take it one day, one pound at a time.

Confession:
God provides and multiplies seed for me to sow, and He takes care of my needs.

Blessings,
Mary

Hi, Everyone.
Have a great day, and please remember those who are having or are recovering from surgery today.

Life Plan Devotion #144 [How will you be remembered?]

II Corinthians 9:9 "As it is written, 'He [the benevolent person] scatters abroad; He gives to the poor; His deeds of justice and goodness and kindness and benevolence will go on and endure forever!'" (Amplified).

     Our key verse defines God's giver as one who "scatters abroad" his gifts. That means that God's giver is a liberal giver. Visualize with me two seed sowers. One sower reaches into his bag of seed, grabs the biggest handful he can, and flings the seed, repeating the process over and over, until the ground is covered with seed. The other sower carefully counts out three seeds, to place in each hole, and repeats the process every 6 inches. Which one is the generous sower? The first one, of course. Which one will reap the abundant harvest? The first one.
     According to Psalm 112:9, God equates giving with "righteousness." An easy way to remember the meaning of "righteousness" is to think of it as "right standing with God." It also means "equity (or character or act)." God's giver gives because it's a natural outpouring of thanks to God, and, frankly, it's "the right thing to do."
     Based on the fact that the early Christian church had "all things in common" and "gave to those who had need" (Acts 2:44-45) and the fact that, over all, traditionally, Jewish people are well off because they take care of one another, I believe that if every churchgoer gave as he/she should give (10% tithe and over and above that, in offerings), there would be no need for government-funded social programs. It's rather difficult to feed someone spiritually, if that person is physically hungry. I know it's overwhelming; the need is so great all over the world, but what could happen if God's people gave and gave generously. 
     The "righteousness" of God's giver "endures forever." How long will you be remembered, after you're gone? One of the ways you can be remembered is by being a giver. No, you don't have to give a huge amount and have a plaque put up with your name on it (that would seem to go against the scripture that says, "When you give, don't let your left hand know what your right hand is doing" Matthew 6:3). Others will recognize a giver, because a giver will give of not only their treasure, but their time and talents, as well.
     When you give, you bless others, but you also reap blessings on yourself  and your family, blessings that will continue from generation to generation. God will see your secret giving and "will reward you openly" (Matthew 6:4), not only in "the here and now," but for all eternity.

What this has to do with weight loss: On the weight-loss journey, we can become too focused on our journey, too focused on the number on the scale, too focused on our weight issues, that we forget that there are more important things (and people). We must strike a balance between being focused on self and focused on others. There's room for both. In the end, though, it really won't matter how much weight we lost. What will matter is how we influenced others. May that influence be for good, not ill, so that when others reflect on our life, they'll remember how we helped and didn't hurt, and may the memories attached to our name and life live on long after we're gone.

Confession:
I am a generous giver, and my "righteousness endures forever."

Blessings,
Mary