God sets us free; we are promised that in the word. Why is the battle with food so difficult? Perhaps because we have to eat every day, and so anytime our flesh is acting up, we have to battle. Will we ever overcome it, or will this be a continuous battle? I do not know.
Eating is not a sin; gluttony is a sin.
Beth Moore helps me understand my battle in her book Breaking Free
"To travel forward on the road to freedom we must move the obstacle of idolatry. We begin by recognizing the obstacle as idol worship, but we may find removing it difficult. The first two obstacles to freedom (unbelief and pride) can be removed effectively by a matter of choice: we can choose to believe God, and we can choose to humble ourselves before God. I am not minimizing the difficulty, but I am suggesting the obstacles can be removed by volition. Some of the idols in our lives (things or people we have put in God's place) can take much longer to remove. Some of them have been in those places for years, and only the power of God can make them budge. We must begin to remove idols by choosing to recognize their existence and admitting their inability to keep us satisfied."
So if I can let God's power work through me, I can overcome this obstacle of eating for satisfaction that should only come from my relationship with God. Paul said when we are weak then we can be made strong because God's power can work in us. Even he said the well-known phrase "Oh, wretched man that I am. Who can deliver me. . .?" The battle is raging, but I am not giving up, and I believe by faith that Christ is working in me, and that I will not listen to the flesh nor walk carnally.
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
five benefits and five obstacles
The last few days I have rested in His presence; the struggle is gone for now though I know I will have to deal with it as the Lord wills.
I have been reviewing Beth Moore's book Breaking Free.
She lists 5 benefits in knowing God, and they are very important.
To know God and believe Him, to glorify God, to find satisfaction in God, to experience God's peace, and to enjoy God's presence. The obstacles she lists are unbelief (which hinders knowing God), pride (which prevents us from glorifying God), idolatry (which keeps us from being satisfied with God, prayerlessness (which blocks our experience of God's peace), and legalism (which stops our enjoyment of God's presence).
As I look at these I can relate it so much to Thinwithin. The more I know God, the more I want to glorify Him, and the more I glorify Him, the more satisfaction I have in God and the more I experience His peace. The more I enjoy His presence, the more I find satisfaction in Him, and desire nothing else at all. The more I desire nothing else at all, the more I obey God, then in turn going back to glorify Him and thank Him for all the help He has given me with my problem.
Pride could become an obstacle if I lose weight and keep my focus on that. I have done that in the past, but right now my weight loss is so small that God keeps me justifiably humble.
Prayerlessness is no longer an obstacle, and just as sure as I go without it I am back to square one. However, I don't want to get into legalism and think I am earning the right to lose weight.
God surely has His ways of keeping me close to Him; I have shared the loss of my daughter 4 years ago. As I keep my eyes on God, I am free from pain, but if I start drifting away then God releases His hand and the grief is overwhelming.
So any problem we have God can use it to keep us close to Him, whether it is the battle with food, the battle with grief, or any other problem we face daily. We can thank Him constantly that He works to keep us in His presence.
Hopefully tomorrow I will talk about idolatry.
I have been reviewing Beth Moore's book Breaking Free.
She lists 5 benefits in knowing God, and they are very important.
To know God and believe Him, to glorify God, to find satisfaction in God, to experience God's peace, and to enjoy God's presence. The obstacles she lists are unbelief (which hinders knowing God), pride (which prevents us from glorifying God), idolatry (which keeps us from being satisfied with God, prayerlessness (which blocks our experience of God's peace), and legalism (which stops our enjoyment of God's presence).
As I look at these I can relate it so much to Thinwithin. The more I know God, the more I want to glorify Him, and the more I glorify Him, the more satisfaction I have in God and the more I experience His peace. The more I enjoy His presence, the more I find satisfaction in Him, and desire nothing else at all. The more I desire nothing else at all, the more I obey God, then in turn going back to glorify Him and thank Him for all the help He has given me with my problem.
Pride could become an obstacle if I lose weight and keep my focus on that. I have done that in the past, but right now my weight loss is so small that God keeps me justifiably humble.
Prayerlessness is no longer an obstacle, and just as sure as I go without it I am back to square one. However, I don't want to get into legalism and think I am earning the right to lose weight.
God surely has His ways of keeping me close to Him; I have shared the loss of my daughter 4 years ago. As I keep my eyes on God, I am free from pain, but if I start drifting away then God releases His hand and the grief is overwhelming.
So any problem we have God can use it to keep us close to Him, whether it is the battle with food, the battle with grief, or any other problem we face daily. We can thank Him constantly that He works to keep us in His presence.
Hopefully tomorrow I will talk about idolatry.
Sunday, January 4, 2009
dealing with anger
In the Bible study Freedom from Emotional Eating, my lessons have been on anger. I wasn't feeling anger about anything; as a matter of fact, God just let me have a season of rest.
So I set that aside and told myself, I will use this when anger comes. And it did. And it was justified. I used the method of truth journaling, and ask myself why I was angry. I was hurt because someone actually told a lie on me. I didn't perceive it as a lie, it was a lie. And then the person embarrassed me in front of about 50 people. I am not exaggerating. I am telling this story not to get sympathy, but to express great delight in how God is teaching me to deal with life. For this is life; people are going to make us angry. Sometimes I get angry for selfish reasons, but such was not the case this time. I went before the Lord, and I refused to do anything but seek HIM. I told no one, and I took the Word and prayed it,and then asked Him for help. OF COURSE, He is always faithful. Why do I not do this more often??
A lady on TW told me about a devotional. I want to get it, but I was reading an excerpt that I just have to share today:
So I set that aside and told myself, I will use this when anger comes. And it did. And it was justified. I used the method of truth journaling, and ask myself why I was angry. I was hurt because someone actually told a lie on me. I didn't perceive it as a lie, it was a lie. And then the person embarrassed me in front of about 50 people. I am not exaggerating. I am telling this story not to get sympathy, but to express great delight in how God is teaching me to deal with life. For this is life; people are going to make us angry. Sometimes I get angry for selfish reasons, but such was not the case this time. I went before the Lord, and I refused to do anything but seek HIM. I told no one, and I took the Word and prayed it,and then asked Him for help. OF COURSE, He is always faithful. Why do I not do this more often??
A lady on TW told me about a devotional. I want to get it, but I was reading an excerpt that I just have to share today:
Because I am your constant companion; there should be a lightness in your step that is observable to others. Do not be weighed down with problems and unresolved issues, for I am your burden-bearer. In the world you have trials and distress, but don't let them get you down. I have conquered the world and deprived it of its power to harm you.In me you may have confident Peace.
(Jesus Calling: Enjoying Peace in His Presence—Devotions for Every Day of the Year By: Sarah Young)
Thursday, January 1, 2009
seated in heavenly places
Sometimes I am so busy working on pleasing the Lord, and I find myself genuinely surprised that God leads me to rest in Him.
Ephesians 2:6-7: And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness towar us through Christ Jesus.
Paul prayed for us to understand the love of God in Ephesians 3:16-19: That he would grant you according to his riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; that Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God. Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly aboe all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us.
When I am tired of thinking about it all, and I am simply trying to seek God, He blesses me to just bask in His love and His grace, and everything else grows "faintly dim, in the light of his marvelous grace." (I am quoting a song here, that I cannot place as of yet, I will footnote it when I find it)
Ephesians 2:6-7: And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness towar us through Christ Jesus.
Paul prayed for us to understand the love of God in Ephesians 3:16-19: That he would grant you according to his riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; that Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God. Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly aboe all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us.
When I am tired of thinking about it all, and I am simply trying to seek God, He blesses me to just bask in His love and His grace, and everything else grows "faintly dim, in the light of his marvelous grace." (I am quoting a song here, that I cannot place as of yet, I will footnote it when I find it)
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
with what judgment you mete
Lord,
Forgive me for judging others. I think I am not doing it, and then YOU show me that I am. I do not judge others for what they look like, what size they are, what they have; yet You have shown me that I judge others when they do not behave as I think they should. You have shown me this through feelings of disappointment that I have in others.
Thank YOU, Lord, for continuing to work on me.
When I am where you want me to be, I get my promotion: HEAVEN. Sometimes I can't wait. In the name of Jesus I ask. Amen
I have noticed anger cropping up in me, and that is not something I ususally have to deal with; I believe I have used emotional eating to deal with it, and now I have to face up to my feelings. I ran across the lesson in my Freedom from Emotional Eating book that I wanted to share in hopes of being more of "the real thing." On page 101 B. Raveling tells of 4 things that might make us angry:
1. I'm expecting another person to make me happy. (I used to go through this with my husband
when we were first married, but I believe I have learned that only God can make me truly
happy)
2. I don't think I should have to suffer. (I know better and think I always have since I became
a Christian due to good, solid Bible teaching).
3. I have unrealistic expectations for others. (WHAM! The Holy Spirit punched me good!)
4. My self-esteem is dependent on the approval of others. (Not a problem that I know of, or
else the good Lord knows I can handle only so much chastening at one time)
The author says about unrealistic expectations of others:
This is a common source of anger for the person who has a highly developed sense of right
and wrong and for the perfectionist. Here are some examples of this;
getting mad at a daughter-in-law because she's a poor
housekeeper and you think everyone should have a clean house, getting angry with a co-
worker because she calls in sick when she's not really sick, or getting mad at a child or friend
who appears to have no ambition or passion when you have lots of it and think everyone
should have it!
Wow, she read my mind!! I don't have any daughter-in-laws and I am not a perfectionist about housekeeping. Someone may be judging me for that one. I do sin in judging people that might call in sick, and leave me with their work to do. And I think I know they are not sick, but just knew this day would be a very difficult one, and didn't want to face it. Well, sounds like judging to me. Guilty!
And I do get irritated with people that do not seem passionate about the Lord, and the Lord's work. Now sometimes I know people need to be more obedient, and it wouldn't take a rocket scientist to figure that out, but there are times I know I have judged wrongfully. How do I know? I have lost my peace.
Matthew 7 says not to judge for what judgement we measure out, will be given back to us. I need to get that huge beam out of my own eye before I try to help someone with a speck.
When I do I think I will have more success with the weight loss.
Forgive me for judging others. I think I am not doing it, and then YOU show me that I am. I do not judge others for what they look like, what size they are, what they have; yet You have shown me that I judge others when they do not behave as I think they should. You have shown me this through feelings of disappointment that I have in others.
Thank YOU, Lord, for continuing to work on me.
When I am where you want me to be, I get my promotion: HEAVEN. Sometimes I can't wait. In the name of Jesus I ask. Amen
I have noticed anger cropping up in me, and that is not something I ususally have to deal with; I believe I have used emotional eating to deal with it, and now I have to face up to my feelings. I ran across the lesson in my Freedom from Emotional Eating book that I wanted to share in hopes of being more of "the real thing." On page 101 B. Raveling tells of 4 things that might make us angry:
1. I'm expecting another person to make me happy. (I used to go through this with my husband
when we were first married, but I believe I have learned that only God can make me truly
happy)
2. I don't think I should have to suffer. (I know better and think I always have since I became
a Christian due to good, solid Bible teaching).
3. I have unrealistic expectations for others. (WHAM! The Holy Spirit punched me good!)
4. My self-esteem is dependent on the approval of others. (Not a problem that I know of, or
else the good Lord knows I can handle only so much chastening at one time)
The author says about unrealistic expectations of others:
This is a common source of anger for the person who has a highly developed sense of right
and wrong and for the perfectionist. Here are some examples of this;
getting mad at a daughter-in-law because she's a poor
housekeeper and you think everyone should have a clean house, getting angry with a co-
worker because she calls in sick when she's not really sick, or getting mad at a child or friend
who appears to have no ambition or passion when you have lots of it and think everyone
should have it!
Wow, she read my mind!! I don't have any daughter-in-laws and I am not a perfectionist about housekeeping. Someone may be judging me for that one. I do sin in judging people that might call in sick, and leave me with their work to do. And I think I know they are not sick, but just knew this day would be a very difficult one, and didn't want to face it. Well, sounds like judging to me. Guilty!
And I do get irritated with people that do not seem passionate about the Lord, and the Lord's work. Now sometimes I know people need to be more obedient, and it wouldn't take a rocket scientist to figure that out, but there are times I know I have judged wrongfully. How do I know? I have lost my peace.
Matthew 7 says not to judge for what judgement we measure out, will be given back to us. I need to get that huge beam out of my own eye before I try to help someone with a speck.
When I do I think I will have more success with the weight loss.
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
transparency
Posting a blog was never anything I wanted to do. I have been a rather private person.
As I read the blogs of others on TW, I admired them for being so open.
Guess what?? God is requiring this of me.
So here goes: Accountability partner-I must tell Allison how I have done and be totally honest.
I must also write here what the Lord wants me to write.
I have been doing this in obedience, but guess what I have gotten?? PEACE, sweet peace about the struggle with my weight.
Now it is obvious that some weight is coming off and some pieces of clothing are getting loser; also I can sit Indian fashion in the floor and on the bed, hadn't been able to do that in awhile.
AND a great blessing: yesterday I actually forgot to eat, yes it is a miracle. The bad thing is I forgot to feed my grandson. I offered to fix him pancakes for breakfast, he said no, and then at 2 I realized he had not eaten. Of course, he eats plenty, but I was just a little worried.
Last night I spend too much time on the computer; what I did was not bad in itself: looking at pictures, leaving messages, answering email, but I lingered to long and began to nibble. I didn't binge or anything, but ended a very positive day on a bad note.
I WILL not get on the computer tonight and I will go to bed early.
My study on Esther (Beth Moore bible study) is so rewarding.
Her words:
As I read the blogs of others on TW, I admired them for being so open.
Guess what?? God is requiring this of me.
So here goes: Accountability partner-I must tell Allison how I have done and be totally honest.
I must also write here what the Lord wants me to write.
I have been doing this in obedience, but guess what I have gotten?? PEACE, sweet peace about the struggle with my weight.
Now it is obvious that some weight is coming off and some pieces of clothing are getting loser; also I can sit Indian fashion in the floor and on the bed, hadn't been able to do that in awhile.
AND a great blessing: yesterday I actually forgot to eat, yes it is a miracle. The bad thing is I forgot to feed my grandson. I offered to fix him pancakes for breakfast, he said no, and then at 2 I realized he had not eaten. Of course, he eats plenty, but I was just a little worried.
Last night I spend too much time on the computer; what I did was not bad in itself: looking at pictures, leaving messages, answering email, but I lingered to long and began to nibble. I didn't binge or anything, but ended a very positive day on a bad note.
I WILL not get on the computer tonight and I will go to bed early.
My study on Esther (Beth Moore bible study) is so rewarding.
Her words:
And as Beth Moore says, I want to make the enemy of my soul sorry he messed with me.
One of the most important partos fo fulfilling our destiny will be transparency.We develop false shelters to protect us....The revelation of a person's destiny always demands a revelation of the person. Consider the wording (to Esther, ch.4): "If you remain silent at this time." The Hebrew word translated silent in this verse can also be translated conceal.
Of coure Beth Moore is relating the concealing of Esther's identity. Mordecai is letting her know she must now reveal her idenitity, and yet he was the one that cautioned her to hide that she was a Jew at the beginning. We can relate that to any of us as we become more open, and then we are more honest with ourselves. . If I am transparent with my problem with overeating, perhaps it will help others. I know that when I was so open about my mourning in the loss of my daughter, others reached out to me. Even today I am supposed to meet with someone that has so many losses and just needs someone to talk to. I want to be more transparent, even if it is painful, the end product will be worth it.
Monday, December 29, 2008
my flesh
Lord, I offer you my body today as a living sacrifice. Help me to honor you, and when I do fail I know you will bring good out of my failure and teach me something. I know my body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, and I want to behave like it is. In the name of Jesus I ask. Amen
The more real I am the more joy I have. I have been a private person, yet God is leading me to be more and more transparent. I am starting to see the purpose of that; things become clearer and I talk about them; I really do not like talking about me all the time; I want the focus to be on God, but perhaps it is going to take awhile to get me out of the way.
From Day Six of TW:
The more real I am the more joy I have. I have been a private person, yet God is leading me to be more and more transparent. I am starting to see the purpose of that; things become clearer and I talk about them; I really do not like talking about me all the time; I want the focus to be on God, but perhaps it is going to take awhile to get me out of the way.
From Day Six of TW:
God is our foundation (Isaiah 33:6) and our body is His temple (I Cor. 6:29). We have the profound privilege of welcoming the presence of God to dwell within us, just as He once dwelt within Moses' tabernacle and Solomon's temple.
The dwelling places He chose for His glory were extravagant in every detail. Likewise our bodies are very special to God because He is the master architect, the landlord, and He has chosen to join us in tenancy. God doesn't dwell in the mediocre. He chooses only the most splendid structures in which to live.
Are you beginning to catch a glimpse of just how incredible and special you are in God's eyes? God esteems you. You are a favored one. You are an expression of His glory, created in His image to know Him personally and to make Him known.
As we continue this journey, let's remember that we are in the process of rebuilding or restoring this temple in which He has chosen to dwell. Thankfully we don't have to wait until the work is completed before He comes to live with in us. (Or to be happy, these are Merry's words) His work on the cross is completed, and because of that He chooses to dwell within us now. (Awesome, my words again) Let's be certain that our bodies, as His temples are suitable for His indwelling presence. (This is my heart's desire)
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