Honor God With Your Body

"Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought with a price. Therefore, honor God with your body." 1 Corinthians 6:19-20


I think these two verses are the cornerstone for anyone who desires a healthier, thinner body. I get the feeling that many folks think having the goal of being thinner is worldly or selfish...after all, we're working on a body that will eventually wear out and what's on the inside is what counts, right? I've even heard my favorite author say "you may have a large waist, but if you have a large heart, that's what matters." However, according to this verse, I believe God may view the point differently.

Our bodies are a temple where the Holy Spirit lives, as we highlighted before. We were bought with a price...a very real price where Jesus sacrificed his earthly body for our sin. We, too, are to honor God with our body. I think that this means that we are to treat it as a treasure, taking care of it and making sure to be as healthy as possible.

I also heard an excellent speaker on being fit for service, which I may have mentioned before. If we're sick, we can't serve others because we're not physically capable of it. If our bodies wear out and we die prematurely because of our own bad habits, how much more could we have served God on this earth before we get to be with Him in heaven? On the other hand, when our health is good, that projects into all other areas of our life. We can be of service to the Lord and our neighbors.

I also think when we're overweight, we're more self-conscious. It's more difficult to persuade someone to follow Christ when we have a lack of self-esteem or seem to be lacking in one area or another. Not that this is always the case, but it seems to me that I often become too wrapped up in what others think rather than focusing on the important issues at hand.

Taking care of our physical bodies allows us to grow emotionally, intellectually and Spiritually because these components are all wrapped together in one package while we are here on earth. The Lord commands us to honor Him with our bodies in His holy Word. Will you obey?

Dear Heavenly Father, we thank You that You care about our bodies. We thank You that You don't think of us as selfish when we are trying to do Your will. Father, please make us fit for service. Allow us to serve You and others on this earth while we are here. Thank You for the price You paid for our bodies and giving us the Holy Spirit to dwell in us. May our bodies honor You today and for the rest of our lives. May our journey not be a "diet" but rather our way of life from this moment forward. In Jesus' name, AMEN!

Juicy Fruit

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law." Galations 5:22-23

A couple years ago, I heard a great sermon on being "Juicy Fruit." The basic premise of the series was that life is going to squeeze you at times... and what will the world see when it does? Then the pastor talked about the fruit of the Spirit and how this is what we are to ooze, especially under pressure. I began praying the fruit of the Spirit over my oldest son, but every time I would get to the "self-control," I would cringe. Self-control is definitely an area that God is still working on in my life!

Going back to the basics of the fruit of the Spirit, these are things that should be in us simply based on the fact that the Holy Spirit lives in us. While we may not have joy, peace, patience, kindness, etc. on our own, the Holy Spirit produces all of them. If we are truly living by the Spirit, then these things should be evident in our lives. And not just some of them...all of them. If we are cultivating the fruit of the Spirit by allowing the Son to shed His light in our lives, putting the fertile soil of God's Word as the foundation of our being and allowing the Holy Spirit to impart its living water, we should see amazing results. Again, it's not necessarily on our own strength but by the very nature of God's Holy Spirit at work in our lives.

I look at that word self-control and I shake my head, thinking that I want "God-control." And the Lord does desire for us to bow our lives before His throne. But, He also gives us free choice and free will. He wants us to choose Him back, and He allows us to go through situations to refine our character. He asks us to have self-control when it comes to things like eating better, exercising more, saying no to unhealthy options, speaking with forethought, ridding our lives of sin, etc.

And if we're looking for more self-control, then where else should we turn but to the Holy Spirit?

Lord, we all need more self-control in our lives. While we want You to have full reign over us, we know that You have given us free will and desire for us to make good choices throughout our lives on earth that glorify You. We thank You that Your Holy Spirit produces this fruit in our lives. While we need all of the fruit of the Spirit, in this particular struggle, we ask for an overflowing of self-control. Holy Spirit, be our reminders. Give us that nudge...make known the Lord's will for us. We thank You and praise You for the work that You do within us. When life is squeezing us, we pray that we would exemplify "Juicy Fruit." In Jesus' name, AMEN!

The Prayer of Faith

^"Is any one of you in trouble? He should pray. Is anyone happy? Let him sing songs of praise. Is any one of you sick? He should call the elders of the church to pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise him up. If he has sinned, he will be forgiven. Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective." James 5:13-16

I'm smiling as I remember reading this passage when our small group was meeting in our house. We were actually studying the "Fireproof Your Marriage" series, and this particular week was on the main character's addiction to pornography. We had broken up into two groups - wives & kids in our living room and husbands downstairs in our family room. As we looked up all the verses for the study that week and began discussing them, my friends busied themselves with their kiddos and quickly said that this week really didn't pertain to them. I, on the other hand, with blushing cheeks absolutely on fire blurted out that I was addicted to food and really struggling. I felt like I had four heads with the reaction I got. [As much as I love the families in our small group, we are all at completely different places in our lives and walks with the Lord.]

But, it really didn't matter. I knew that the Lord saw my heart and that I was trying to be obedient to His Word to confess my sins. I felt the nudge of the Holy Spirit, and I knew that more than anything I wanted to be freed from the bondage of this addiction. We didn't end up praying right then and there as my oven went off and it was time for me to serve everyone dinner, but I felt the release of being obedient.

And I've been praying. And I'm asking you to join me in prayer. If we're going to win this battle against the enemy, we need to encourage one another and pray for one another! These verses remind us that the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well. While obesity isn't the average sickness, I still need to be healed! And if you're reading this blog, chances are that you're in the same boat.

I also need to be forgiven for the lifestyle I've chosen. I confess to you now that I have and continue to struggle with this addiction to over-indulging and laziness. But, I know that God hears and answers our prayers. I believe with my whole heart that the prayers of the righteous are powerful and effective. And - praise the Lord - I've already started to see the change as God works on my heart, mind and body. I pray that He's doing the same for you! May our thinner bodies and new lifestyles be a reflection of His awesomeness! To Him be the glory forever and ever!

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You hear our prayers. Thank You that Your Word tells us to confess our sins to one another. There is no shame in being honest about where we're at and what our struggles are. Lord, we need You or we're never going to be the person we're meant to be on this earth. Please help us! Please forgive us! Please heal us and make us well! Renew our minds and transform our bodies for Your ultimate glory. May we display your splendor through becoming slender. We love and honor You! You alone are worthy of our praise. In Jesus' name, AMEN!

According To Your Faith Will It Be Done To You

"Then He touched their eyes and said, 'According to your faith will it be done to you.'" Matthew 9:29

To start, we should back up and look at the beginning of this segment under the subtitle "Jesus Heals the Blind and Mute": "As Jesus went on from there, two blind men followed him, calling out, 'Have mercy on us, Son of David!' When he had gone indoors, the blind men came to him, and he asked them, 'Do you believe that I am able to do this?' 'Yes, Lord,' they replied. Then he touched their eyes and said, 'According to your faith will it be done to you'; and their sight was restored..." Matthew 9:27-30

Have you been asking God to make you thin and healthy? If so, do you believe in your heart that He is able to do this? If your answer is "well, yes, if I could just..." or "not if I keep eating and not exercising" or "maybe, but I'm not sure if He wants to..." or "probably, but He's much too busy," then maybe it's time to go back to the Bible.

There were MANY folks that came to Jesus to get His healing touch. What does the Word tell us about these two men in particular? First, they had a need - they were blind. Second, they simply followed Jesus and called out to Him, asking for His mercy. Third and arguably most important, they believed He was capable of curing them.

Blindness isn't a disease we typically see being reversed (vs. we've seen people go from heavy to skinny on their own methods). God shows us, however, that there is NOTHING too difficult for Him. If you've struggled with obesity your whole life, one touch from Jesus can cure you. FOREVER! No more yo-yo dieting and fighting this bondage on your own strength.

But, you have to believe that Jesus alone can make the difference. You have to believe that He wants to heal you (and look at how many people He healed in the Bible - why wouldn't He desire to heal you, His beloved? No sin can separate us from the love of God [Romans 8:39]). Jesus desires to touch your life - do you believe He can? Do you believe He will? According to this treasured verse, ACCORDING TO YOUR FAITH, WILL IT BE DONE TO YOU!

There are two more 'insights' that jumped out at me. First, Jesus touched their eyes. We have to see the situation differently if we're going to expect a change. The eyes were the problem for these men, but I think there was no coincidence in this area receiving a touch from the Lord. Begin to see yourself and your issue from the Lord's perspective. Allow Him to cure your blindness!

Next, I love that the men called Jesus "Lord." We have to allow Jesus full reign in our lives...He must be Lord if real change is going to occur. Back then, not everyone considered Jesus the Son of God or Lord. But, these two men who needed healed knew, and they showed Him the respect He deserved in how they addressed Him. When we come to Him with our problems, it's important to show Him honor and fear Him, even as He is the love of our life.

So, once again I ask you to search your heart, do you believe that He can make you healthy and thin? According to your faith, will it be done to you. I believe God can make this change for me and you...may my Lord prove me right! :)

Dear Jesus, we honor You as Lord and Savior. God, on our own, we can't cure this illness of obesity. We know that we need a touch from You. Lord, we know it's Your will for us to be healthy, holy vessels for Your glory. We ask today for a fresh restoration from You...we cry out "have mercy on us!" Please change our focus and how we view the situation. Touch our eyes, touch our hearts and touch our bodies. We need You, and we believe that You can change us. May You receive the glory for the miracle we're about to see!!! We love You, Lord God. You never cease to amaze us. Praise You! We love You and worship You today. In Jesus' name, AMEN!

Mercy, Not Sacrifice

"On hearing this, Jesus said, 'It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. But go and learn what this means: 'I desire mercy, not sacrifice.'[Hosea 6:6] For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners." Matthew 9:12-13

So many times, I hear from different people "God helps those who help themselves" and "nothing comes for free." But, how do these principles fit in with God's amazing grace? I love this passage because it reminds us that Jesus desires mercy, not sacrifice.

While we have sinned in overindulging ourselves in the past, God specifically reminds us in these verses that He sent His Son for sinners like us. Once again, Jesus' blood has saved us! While we can't keep on sinning, we can rest in the knowledge that God desires to have mercy on us. He can heal us, and there's nothing too awful we've done that prevents Him from loving us and wanting to be near us.

Know today that He loves you, wants to help you, and desires a relationship with you right where you're at! Rather than focusing on sacrifice, focus on His unending mercy and grace in your life. And praise Him for it!

Dear Jesus, we worship and adore You. Thank You for your ultimate sacrifice, that we can receive Your mercy. Lord, please forgive us - we have sinned! We are 'sick' and in need of a doctor - our great physician - to heal our bodies and make them the holy vessels they were meant to be. Please help us! We love You and praise You! You alone are worthy of our worship. In Jesus' name, AMEN!

You Will Eat & Be Satisfied

"And now, O Israel, what does the Lord your God ask of you but to fear the Lord your God, to walk in all His ways, to love him, to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, and to observe the Lord's commands and decrees that I am giving you today for your own good? To the Lord your God belong the heavens, even the highest heavens, the earth and everything in it. Yet the Lord set his affection on your forefathers and loved them, and he chose you, their descendants, above all nations, as it is today." Deuteronomy 10:12-15

"So if you faithfully obey the commands I am giving you today - to love the Lord your God and to serve him with all your heart and with all your soul - then I will send rain on your land in its season...and you will eat and be satisfied." Deuteronomy 11:13-15

You will often see my posts coming out of the Old Testament because that is where I'm studying, relatively speaking (of course I want to know the whole Bible!!!). Each day, the first thing I do is open God's word and ask for revelation. And God is so faithful! If you're feeling overwhelmed today with all that's involved in losing weight, make it simple. Get back to basics. The ONLY thing that's required of you is to LOVE the Lord your God and SERVE Him with all your heart and all your soul. Fear the Lord, walk in all His ways, observe His decrees and allow Him to guide your steps. You don't have to get bogged down with the trivial things in life - God will iron out the details for you. Simply follow His voice when He says 'come!' or 'go!'

The second set of verses promises that if we do this, He will send the rain (so that we can reap the harvest!) and that we will eat and be satisfied. I don't know about you, but lately I haven't felt all that satisfied with what I've been eating for one reason or another, from wishing it was healthier to feeling like I'm stuck in a rut with the same foods over and over to wishing there was more in my belly without it sticking to my belly (if I'm being brutally honest!). But, I hold fast to this promise that we will be satisfied! God will provide for us and meet our every need.

So, don't forget your true purpose in life...to worship Him, to love Him, to serve Him and to glorify Him. Praise be to Jesus!

Dear God, thank You for reminding us what You require of us. We do love You, Lord. Help us walk in Your ways, keep Your decrees and fear You alone. Thank You for the promise that You will provide everything necessary so that we will be satisfied when we eat. You are an awesome God, and we adore You. Be glorified today through us! In Jesus' name, AMEN!

Profaning the Things of God With Food

"Now Jacob cooked a stew; and Esau came in from the field, and he was weary. And Esau said to Jacob, "Please feed me with that same red stew, for I am weary." Therefore his name was called Edom. But Jacob said, "Sell me your birthright as of this day." And Esau said, "Look, I am about to die, so what profit shall this birthright be to me?" Then Jacob said, "Swear to me as of this day." So he swore to him, and sold his birthright to Jacob. And Jacob gave Esau bread and stew of lentils; then he ate and drank, arose, and went his way. Thus Esau despised his birthright." Genesis 25:29-34

Can you imagine purchasing something so valuable for so little? I've seen a commentator liken it to buying a wedding ring with a $1 cheeseburger from the value menu. According to John W. Ritenbaugh (2001) in his online commentary Eating: How Good It Is! (Part Two), Esau's major character flaw was that he valued immediate, sensual satisfaction over his birthright. He carelessly gave up the things of God to satisfy his appetite.

The Bible says Esau despised his birthright, meaning he treated it scornfully or with contempt. Hebrews 12:16 says ". . . lest there be any fornicator or profane person like Esau, who for one morsel of food sold his birthright." Profane (unlike what you may think it to be) simply means being irreverent toward what is sacred. Esau treated his sacred God-given birthright carelessly, thus profaning it.

Rittenbaugh (2001) notes that Esau is unconcerned about God, the things of God, and the future; instead he is worldly. And too many of us are like him. We as Christians need to get out of the immediate gratification mode when dealing with life's present circumstances and instead look toward the kingdom of God and what's important to our Heavenly Father.

"God's Word depicts Esau's worldliness through the medium of eating. Eating something he desired at the moment meant more to him than a tremendously valuable gift of God" (Rittenbaugh, 2001). Finally, Rittenbaugh comments and I wholeheartedly agree, "It is worth meditating upon how much satisfying immediate cravings and yearnings, perhaps even for food, presents a stumbling block to our pleasing God."

When I read this commentary on these verses, I knew that there were times I had given up God's good and pleasing will for my life to satisfy my immediate cravings...yes, even for something silly like food, which doesn't feel so silly when you're hungry. But, my desire is to please the Lord in every aspect of life and my prayer is to always consider God's kingdom before making a rash choice.

Dear Lord, we praise You abd thank You today for this word of God and for John Rittenbaugh's commentary on it. Please forgive us where we have profaned what's important to You by treating it as common or insignificant. Help us to always focus on the future and the good plans You have for us. Help us say 'no' when immediate sensual satisfaction in eating pleasure takes over our good judgment. May we always please You and value things that are valuable to You instead. Help us, Lord Jesus! We can't do this without You! In Your Name we pray, AMEN!

Holy vs. Common

"You must distinguish between the holy and the common, between the unclean and the clean..." Leviticus 10:10

When I start to think about 'what can I eat' vs. 'what should I stay away from' I feel that I get bogged down; specifically because the more that I have the thoughts of things in my head, the more I want them. So if I'm thinking of not eating carbs, then the more carbs are in my mind as I'm telling myself to stay away from them and soon the very thing I start craving is the sugar that I'm telling myself not to have. I could drive myself crazy!

As I was reading in Leviticus about the rules for the Israelites, God's chosen people, I realized that there are many things that they couldn't have that I think are 'normal.' Now I know that Jesus gave us a new covenant with his blood that we aren't bound by some of the old laws...He conquered sin and the grave forever! The more I wrestled with the subject of eating, however, the more this verse from Leviticus stuck out in my mind.

You see, we are to distinguish what is 'clean' or proper for us and our bodies. And how do we do that exactly? By reading God's word AND with the help of the Holy Spirit. The whole idea is that we are to be holy for God. While it may be "common" to eat this or that or behave a certain way, God doesn't call us to be just common. He tells us to be holy. In fact, Leviticus 11:44 (and 45, actually) say "I am the Lord your God; consecrate yourselves and be holy, because I am holy."

So, in your pursuit of eating healthier to look slimmer, don't buy into the world's views of what we're supposed to look like, eat like, or be like. Buy into God's! Ask yourself, does what I'm about to say or do go along with the holiness God is calling me to? If so, by all means, go for it! But, if you feel that check in your spirit from the Holy Spirit letting you know that your next action isn't on the path of holiness, then ask God to help you stay away from it. And believe that He will empower you to do so!

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You give us free choice. Thank You that You guide us in distinguishing between the holy and the common and between the unclean and the clean. Lord, there are times that we know what is right and yet we still do wrong. Please forgive us! And help us - through the power of your Son Jesus - to get back on the right path toward being holy since You, oh Lord, are holy. And, help us in what we should and shouldn't eat, what we should and shouldn't do and what we should and shouldn't say. Lord, may all of our lives be for Your ultimate glory. We love you, Lord Jesus! In Your name we pray, AMEN!

Discipline

"He humbled you, causing you to hunger and then feeding you with manna, which neither you nor your fathers had known, to teach you that man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord." "Know then in your heart that as a man disciplines his son, so the Lord your God disciplines you." Deuteronomy 8:3,5


This morning, I got on the scale....and it was humbling. A weekend of birthday celebrations for my son, and the outcome was not pretty. But, I knew that God was speaking right to me in my morning devotions when the Bible said "the Lord your God disciplines you." I desperately need discipline in my life. I know that God is teaching me that this life is not about food but rather the Word of God. May these two verses bring fresh revelation to you as well!

Dear Lord, thank You for causing us to hunger. Thank You also for feeding us and teaching us that we don't live on just bread but rather EVERY word that comes from Your mouth. Thank You for loving us like children that You discipline us...may the outcome of that discipline be what You're seeking in us. Please help us, Lord! Transform our minds, spirits and bodies. In the name of Jesus' we pray, AMEN!

Beautiful

"He has made everything beautiful in its time..." Ecclesiastes 3:11

What is your primary motivation for losing weight? Why do you desire a healthier body? While it may not be your number one goal, I think each one of us desires to be the beautiful bride of Christ.

This verse tells us that God has made EVERYTHING beautiful. I've seen the vast colors and shapes of flowers in a meticulously cared for garden, I've noticed the trees with colorful leaves on a mountain in the fall, I've seen the sky on a clear night when the sun is setting over the ocean... God knows what breathtakingly beautiful is and how to perfect it. And the Bible doesn't say he makes just some things beautiful... He has made everything beautiful.

But when? In its time. As the caterpillar is transformed into a beautiful butterfly, our lives must be transformed by the Word of God. In time, in our season, we will shine like the stars in the heavens. God is making YOU beautiful! Psalm 45:11 tells us "The king is enthralled by your beauty; honor him, for he is your lord." And Zephaniah 3:17 says, "The LORD your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, He will quiet you with his love, He will rejoice over you with singing."

I want my God to take delight in me. I want Him to rejoice over me with singing. I want him to be ENTHRALLED by my beauty. I want to honor Him with my life... beauty that starts from within and transforms my outward appearance. I am delighted that God is making me beautiful in a timing that He has chosen for my life. May you fall head over heels in love with our Lord, Savior and Master today!

Dear Jesus, once again we are reminded of how much You love us. We await our bridegroom, and we as a church long to be beautiful for You. God, we understand that by Your transforming power, You make us beautiful in Your time. And not just okay... BEAUTIFUL! Lord, we long for you to rejoice over us and take delight in us. Thank You that Your word tells us that You do. We ask for you to transform us into "beautiful" today. Please renew our minds with your Bible and transform our looks, starting with the inside and projecting outward. Make us healthy and thin and lovely. We ask these things in Your powerful and precious name, AMEN!

His Grace is Sufficient

"But He said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me." 2 Corinthians 12:9

I am weak. On my own, I can't stop eating. I can't seem to break my addiction to food. I can't seem to get up early to work out. But, when I am weak, Jesus' power is made perfect. His grace is sufficient for me! May His power rest on me today!

Dear God, we are weak. Thank You that You are strong! May Your perfect power rest on us today. Change us, mold us, make us more like You. Help us have healthier bodies for your glory. May we realize it's only through Your power and grace, which is sufficient for our needs. Thank You! Praise You! In Your name we pray, AMEN!

He Will Give You the Desires of Your Heart

"Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord; trust in Him and He will do this." Psalm 37:4-5

What is the desire of your heart today? I deeply desire to have a thin, healthy body. And, my delight is in my Lord. He never ceases to amaze me! Now, I just need to trust in Him, that He will do as He promised. And, I know God speaks the truth and is faithful, so why not trust Him completely?

When I was younger, I used to pray almost every night for a husband after doing my devotions. I had a list of qualities I wanted in that man, and God blessed me beyond even my wildest imagination. My husband not only met my expectations - he far exceeded them with things I didn't even know I needed... but God did. As I think about the past faithfulness of the Lord, not only for myself but stories of friends and family and stories within the Bible, I know that God is able to change my body and will give me the desires of my heart. I'm committing my way to Him and taking delight in the amazing God that He is. Will you do the same today?

Dear God, we trust You. We delight in You, for You are our salvation. You are our hope. You are the love of our lives. Lord, we desire to have healthy, thin bodies. Will You please help us? We commit our way to You, oh God. We believe You are faithful and true to Your Word. Thank You for not abandoning us on this difficult journey. You are amazing! In Jesus' name, AMEN!

Struggling With All HIS Energy

"To this end I labor, struggling with all His energy, which so powerfully works in me." Colossians 1:29

I love the reminder that this verse gives us - we struggle with God's energy. Some days I feel like I don't have the energy left to do what I must do on this journey. But, when I come to the end of myself, I labor with Christ's energy "which so powerfully works in me." Thank You, God!

Dear Heavenly Father, help us remember today as we struggle that You give us Your energy that powerfully works in us. Thank You for taking our burden from us and refreshing our mind, soul and body. We love you, Lord! In Jesus' name, AMEN!

I Cannot Carry It Out

"I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do."
"I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. For what I do is not the good I want to do; no, the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing."
"For in my inner being I delight in God's law; but I see another law at work in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within my members. What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death? Thanks be to God—through Jesus Christ our Lord!" Romans 7:15, 18-19, 22-25

Why is it that I can't seem to get it together? Why is it that I go back to the same sin time and time again? In my mind and in my heart, I know that eating less (and eating the right type of food), along with strenuous exercise, will produce weight loss, which is my goal. And while I know that eating vegetables is good in any diet book or plan made on earth, when I've had a rough or exhausting day, I sway right back to the comfort of foods I know I should be wary of like pasta and sweets. And, not only do I sit down to have them, I eat far too much for one person in one sitting. I know that I have the right parts of the equation down, I just can't seem to keep adding them together to equal the results I'm looking for.

Today I was up a pound on the scale. Last night I didn't eat a good dinner because of my overloaded schedule, which led to a late-night snack of massive proportions. Then I didn't work out this morning because I slept in, feeling exhausted from the day before and knowing that today was going to be busy. Why, Lord, do I go back to doing the same old habits? The answer is in this passage...because I have a sinful nature. In my very nature, I have the tendencies to become a slave to sin.

But, who will rescue me? THANKS BE TO GOD - THROUGH JESUS CHRIST OUR LORD! He is the only One who can save me. I've come to the end of myself. I obviously am not going to win this battle on my own. Once again, I must fall face down to the ground and humbly ask for forgiveness. Once again, I give my body and my strength over to the Lord and ask to exchange yokes. Once again I must ask for his mercy and grace in my life. And, I know that He can rescue me! He can break this bondage of slavery to sin.

While I can't seem to eat right on my own or exercise every morning without Him, I know that by His strength, we can continue on this journey...all for His glory. I have nothing to boast about except my Lord Jesus Christ.

Dear God, thank You for this passage. Lord, it helps me to remember that Paul, the amazing author of this passage, had similar struggles to me. Why can't we seem to do what we know is right? Lord, help us. Forgive us where we go astray, and lead us right back on the path of righteousness. Thank You that You can break this ugly cycle through Your Son Jesus. We are nothing in and of ourselves - our boast is only in You. May You receive all the glory and honor for the results we have faith are coming. In Jesus' name, AMEN!

Abundant Life

"The thief comes not but to kill, steal and destroy. You have come that we may have life and that we might have it more abundantly." John 10:10

What does 'abundant life' look like to you? As I reflect on my own life, I think about things I would have done differently and things that have turned out well. My sincere hope is that when my time comes to meet Jesus face to face in the heavenlies, I will not look back on how I've lived and have any regrets. I want to live life to the fullest, while also honoring God in everything I do. So many people think that they can't have "fun" and still have a relationship with Christ. How far from the truth that thinking is! The times when I've had no regrets are the times my walk has been strongest.

Things I would have done differently include times when I've been overweight and self-conscious. I didn't try out for sports, cheerleading or dance - things I would have wanted to do - in school because I feared I wouldn't be good enough. There are times that I didn't go to certain events because I would fear how I would look in a bathing suit or worse, if there was a weight limit, etc. I remember being asked to go white water rafting and thinking, what if I fall out and don't have the strength to climb back in? Living in fear of what others think and of my own body and its limitations is NOT abundant life. In fact, the ONLY thing I would have changed about my wedding day (other than my mom feeling a little better since she had a cold) would be how I looked in my wedding gown - I would have liked to have been much thinner.

We can't go back and change the past - the only thing we can do is affect the present and future. I want to live an abundant life where I am fit for service to others. I want to see as much as possible of my children's, grandchildren's and hopefully even great-grandchildren's lives. I want to be able to practice sports with them, go on family vacations, take walks or bike rides and not feel out of shape or out of "style." I also want my husband to think I'm the sexiest thing in town. :) I desire to have an abundant life, living every moment as if it may be my last.

Christ came that we might have that abundant life. He died on the cross for our past sins so that we can have freedom from addictions and the ability to change our lifestyle for His glory. He even promises to be with us always (Matthew 28:20) and help us in our struggles. Oprah once said "nothing tastes as good as being thin feels." I'm hoping I'll some day get to agree with her on that statement! Until then, I'm giving myself completely to God to allow Him to transform my life into abundant living. To Him be all glory, honor and praise!

Dear Jesus, thank You for giving us abundant life. Thank You for the cross and for walking alongside us. Lord, we want to live life with no regrets. Help us as we desire to make a change for Your glory and honor. Help us live life to the fullest! In Jesus' name, AMEN!

A Glorious Body

"But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables Him to bring everything under His control, will transform our lowly bodies so they will be like His glorious body." Philippians 3:20-21

This verse is an excellent reminder that Jesus has the power to bring everything under His control - including our bodies! He doesn't just have control over spiritual things, but also the very real physical issues we deal with everyday. I love that the promise in this verse is that He will transform our lowly bodies so they will be like His glorious body. I would LOVE to have a glorious body! And there's nothing I want more than to be like Jesus! And when He's doing the work - changing my heart, my mind, my thoughts and thereby my habits, I can simply rely on His grace once again and rest in trusting Him.

Dear Lord, we thank You for enabling Christ to bring everything under His control. We praise You that You are transforming our 'lowly' bodies. Lord, You know how much work they need! We ask that with Your almighty hand, You would give us a GLORIOUS body and make us more like Jesus. We love You, Father God! Thank You for Your amazing grace today! In Jesus' name, AMEN!

Eat What Is Good

"Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost. Why spend money on what is not bread, and your labor on what does not satisfy? Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good, and your soul will delight in the richest of fare." Isaiah 55:1-2

These verses speak to me in many ways. For one, I feel like sometimes we complicate our life far beyond what it needs to be - the Lord tells us to come to the waters and drink and to come, buy and eat! I love that it doesn't say "go" but rather "come." When we go to Him with our deepest desires and needs, He satisfies them. We don't need money or have to worry about the cost. We don't need to worry about a lot of things as much as we do. Instead, we need to trust that God can and will and allow Him to satisfy us.

Jesus tells us in John that He is the living water and the bread of life. So why do we spend our efforts and money on things that are meaningless and give Him so little of our energy and resources when He alone is the one who can delight our souls with the 'richest of fare?'

I also love that it says "listen, listen to me" ... there are time that I think God is all but shaking us and moving our faces toward Him. Oh, child! If we could just learn to eat what is "good." I think that things that are good for us would taste extremely good if we could just stop eating those things that aren't meant for our bodies. I still struggle with this... every day, unfortunately. When I started my Daniel fast during that Bible study, I decided not to eat anything the first day because I knew I was going to have to be good and hungry to eat nothing but veggies and fruit for ten days. And, by the next morning, I was RAVENOUS! And that fruit and those veggies tasted like the most glorious and flavorful things I had ever eaten.

But, the Word also says when we eat what is good, our souls will delight in the richest of fare. So, it's not just about our bodies but delighting our souls, the very place we commune with God. I think our physical bodies intertwine with our spiritual and emotional health. If one is good, the others are good. If our physical health is bad, it's hard for the rest of our lives to be in order.

Rather than labor in vain today, "come" to the Lord, drink from the living water, buy and eat bread without cost, and delight your souls!

Dear God, please help us to eat what is good. Lord, we come to You, thirsty and hungry for more both in the natural sense and in the spiritual sense. Jesus, we can't do this on our own. We need You, living water and bread of life! Delight our souls as in the richest of fare and satisfy our cravings and longings. Again, Lord, we ask for healthy and slim bodies for Your glory. Our boast will ONLY be in You, Father God! Thank You for letting us come to You with everything that we need and want. We love You! In Jesus' name, AMEN!

Not a Matter of Eating or Drinking

"For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating or drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit, because anyone who serves Christ this way is pleasing to God and approved by men." Romans 14:17-18

Once again, I think this verse points to where our focus is or where the treasure of our hearts is. If we're seeking first God's kingdom and righteousness, then we need to know that it's not about what we're eating or drinking but it's about peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. I personally love that this verse ends with pleasing God AND being approved by men. If we truly look at our motivations for losing weight, I think both of these are present - we want to please God, but we also want the approval of others. God knows where we're at, and His holy Word is full of wisdom for us in the area of desiring to live a healthier, thinner lifestyle. May we take His insight to heart!

Dear Father, thank You for giving us the treasure of the Bible. Thank You for reminding us that You know our every struggle in life and that You love us enough to dialogue with us about it through Your Word. God, help us not to focus on eating or drinking but seek Your kingdom and righteousness, including peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. May we continue to think of this journey not as a diet but as a significant lifestyle change, where serving You is our priority. We hope to please You in this way and also be approved by others. Thank You, Lord Jesus, for Your faithfulness in our lives. You are amazing! In Jesus' name we pray, AMEN!

Blessing Your Food & Water

"Worship the Lord your God, and His blessing will be on your food and water. I will take away sickness from among you." Exodus 23:25

I just got the stomach virus that was going around. What an AWFUL way to lose weight! (Actually, even with vomiting for 24 hours straight, I'm not sure that I lost all that much actual weight...UGH!) It reminded me of this verse, though, so I thought I would share it next. In my research on Israel, the main thing I noticed in the Old Testament is that God wants us to worship Him. We get so caught up in the things of this world, when really our one true purpose is worship. If we could keep that at the front of our thoughts and hearts, I think we would 'get' this life more. And, God promises to bless our food and water when we do!

I've often wondered why ice cream (a personal favorite) isn't completely healthy for us. How can something so marvelous be so fattening? And then I met two vegetarians that probably weigh around 100 pounds (if that) and eat ice cream every day. I'm learning it's not necessarily the type of food but the way we think about it and maybe how much we consume. But again, our thoughts and focus should not be food. Or dieting, for that matter. Our focus should be on worship, and God will bless our food and take sickness away! He can make us healthy! And thin! And financially well off! (Hey, why not?) God is GOOD! All the time!

Dear Father, we worship You today. Forgive us where we have chosen to worship other things. May our focus be on You today and may our bodies be living sacrifices for You. Thank You for blessing our food and water, and we pray that You would take all sickness away in the name of Jesus. Please make us healthy and thin and financially well off for Your glory. In Jesus' name, AMEN!

A Display of His Splendor

"The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the LORD's favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion—
to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes,
the oil of gladness instead of mourning,
and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair.
They will be called oaks of righteousness,
a planting of the LORD
for the display of His splendor."
Isaiah 61:1-3


You'll notice that the name of this blog comes from these verses. First of all, there is FREEDOM for those of us in captivity. Like I've said before, my weight loss journey only really began when I asked God to break the chains that have been holding me down for most of my life. I couldn't seem to free myself from the cycle of going back to overeating. I've been a prisoner of my own bad habits, but thankfully there is freedom in Christ! He can make this change permanent!

Second, how many of us need to hear that this is the year of the Lord's favor? I've felt His favor over this past year, and I'm looking forward to what God will do again this year. I say AMEN to the promises of God!

Third, I love the third verse. I'm so grateful to God for giving us a crown of beauty instead of ashes, gladness instead of mourning and a garment of praise rather than a spirit of despair. There have been many times throughout my life where being overweight has earned me ridicule. In fact, there have been many tears cried because of my looks or comments said or both. (In fact, this makes me blush as I write this.) But, God is changing that around... He gives us beauty where we have had sadness. It is by His grace that our lives are changed.

Most of all, though, I can't stress enough that I started really losing weight when I made a commitment to re-wallpaper my thoughts with His truth. I had to give up the feelings of despair and the thoughts that I would always look a certain way and instead open my Bible everyday and see what God says. His word has renewed my mind and given me new hope and new motivation. Yes, I may be forming different habits, but it is only by God's grace in my life. I want nothing more than to be called a planting of the Lord for the display of His splendor. If or when I reach my goal, the glory is all God's.

Dear Lord, may we each be a display of Your splendor. Lord, we thank You for the year of Your favor. We ask that when we look back next year on this moment, it would be a defining time in our lives where we are able to re-wallpaper our hearts and minds with Your holy Word and give up thoughts of despair and feelings of sadness. May we be called oaks of righteousness, healthy and thin for Your glory! In Jesus' name we pray, AMEN!

Living Sacrifices

"Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God - this is your spiritual act of worship." Romans 12:1

Today as you say no to food that you would like to eat or as you workout when you may not feel like it, tell God that you are worshipping Him with your body. Offer yourself as a living sacrifice to God. There is nothing more that I want to be than "holy and pleasing to God." The very thought of it gives me the motivation I need to continue my quest to have a healthy body for His glory. If you're denying yourselves or pushing yourselves only for yourself, many times we give up, thinking that we're not worth the effort. But, when we realize that these times can be worship unto the Lord, we can remember that He is worthy of all our sacrifice!!! Offer your body to Him today and see what He does to transform you, from the inside out.

Dear Heavenly Father, today we give You our bodies as living sacrifices. Make us holy and pleasing to You. We pray that You would accept our worship...make us more like Jesus. We love You and want to honor You. In Jesus' name, AMEN!

Don't Give Up!

"Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up." Galations 6:9

Today, after a long weekend of busyness, I must admit that I'm feeling a bit weary. But, I love the hope this verse gives us - at the proper time, we will reap a harvest if we don't give up! If I follow God's plan for my life, I know that good things are coming in His 'proper' time. By His amazing grace, this past weekend I hit an all-new low weight in my journey, and I fit into a new smaller pants size. I walked out of the mall all but giddy, thinking of how much the Lord has done in my life over this past year. God brings the reward for continuing to do good, which some days is simply putting one foot in front of the other and continuing to trudge along this weight loss path even if we are feeling weary. May He receive the glory for the harvest we will reap!

Lord, we confess that there are times we want the harvest NOW instead of at the proper time. I always love instant change, but I know there are things I'm learning in this process, things about myself and things about You. Father God, please help us when we feel weary. Give us the strength and motivation to continue on this path, and help us remember that a harvest awaits us just around the corner. We love you, Lord Jesus. In Your name we pray, AMEN!

Suffering in the Body

"Therefore, since Christ suffered in His body, arm yourselves also with the same attitude, because he who has suffered in his body is done with sin." 1 Peter 4:1

Do you ever feel that eating right and exercising are suffering? I hope I'm not the only one! I was working out to a DVD the other day and thought "this is suffering in the body, alright!" But, the above verse gives me hope. If we can go through this period of suffering (which doesn't even come close to the amount that Christ suffered in His body), we can be DONE WITH SIN! No more addiction to food, no more devil getting the best of our bodies, done with over-indulgence and no self-control, done, done, done! Glory to God in the highest!

Lord, we don't like to suffer, but we want to be done with sin. Please give us the same attitude as You have - allow us to transform our minds and our bodies during this time. Thank You that You have overcome evil for good! Bless us today, Father, in our walks to become more like You!

Seek FIRST

"But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well." Matthew 6:33

There are times that I get too caught up in focusing on losing weight. I find myself spending more time counting calories and planning when I'll exercise than praying, worshipping and reading God's Word. The Bible tells us to seek FIRST His kingdom and righteousness. Not, seek first whatever our passionate pursuit is at the time and then do church when we can squeeze it in. Earlier in this chapter, we learn we're not supposed to worry about what we'll eat or wear, but God knows our needs. Instead, we're to focus on Him and He will provide for us. So, my goal today is to think more about the Lord than anything, to seek His righteousness, and allow Him to provide the things I need (like a healthier body). And, praise God, He is the one who is able to give me what I truly need!!!

Dear Lord, please help us to put You first in all things. May we seek You first, and I ask that You will provide the things we need, including healthy food to eat and the motivation to keep on the right track for Your ultimate glory. In Jesus' name, AMEN!

Permissible, But Beneficial?

"'Everything is permissible for me'—but not everything is beneficial. 'Everything is permissible for me'—but I will not be mastered by anything. 'Food for the stomach and the stomach for food'—but God will destroy them both. The body is not meant for sexual immorality, but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body." 1 Corinthians 6:12-13

What stood out to me the first time I read these verses is the phrase "I will not be mastered by anything." There are times that I feel helpless in this struggle, I will admit. I heard once - and I'm thinking maybe it was Dr. Phil who said it - that an addiction to food is one of the hardest things in life because we can't just quit eating altogether. Alcoholics and drug users can say 'never again' but overeaters have to learn a life of moderation - we HAVE to eat.

I've tried several diets. From "lose ten pounds in ten days" to the "South Beach Diet" to the "cabbage soup diet," I've been there, done that. And I've lost some each time...only to gain it back when I quit. Each time I've wondered, is this what I should be eating? Or should I be cutting out that? I lost the most on the South Beach Diet, but it's next to impossible for me to cut carbs completely out of my diet. No fruit, no bread, no sweets, no potatoes and no pasta = cranky me (after awhile). Then during my study on the book of Daniel, I saw that he RESOLVED not to DEFILE himself by eating the king's royal food - he chose to eat only fruits and vegetables (see Daniel chapter one). So, I wondered should I not be eating meat, which is the opposite of the South Beach plan. Then I saw these verses and remembered the old saying "all things in moderation."

All things are permissible for us. BUT all things are not beneficial. So, it's important to ask ourselves (and the Holy Spirit), is this benefitting me when I eat it? Is there something beneficial about ingesting what I'm about to eat? There are many times I have to say no, other than to satisfy a craving. And I must not be mastered by anything. If I know it's not beneficial and I'm about to eat it, am I mastered by it? Can I say no and be okay? Can I say no to eating something and not be cranky? If there is a benefit in eating it, then I think by all means we should and not feel guilty.

While I know these verses are talking about sexual immorality, I've seen a few times in the Bible where sexual temptation and food indulgences seem to go hand-in-hand (maybe so husbands and wives can feel together in their quest to rid themselves of impurity in their lives...who knows?). This does talk about food, our stomachs and the fact that our body is meant for the Lord. And I want my body to be the best that it can be as an offering to my Savior, who has offered His body for me. Later on in this chapter, the Word says "Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body" 1 Corinthians 6:19-20. We were bought at a price - let's honor God with our bodies today!

Dear Heavenly Father, first of all, once again I'm reminded of the price you paid for us, and I can't thank you enough! I understand that while all things are permissible for us to eat, not everything is beneficial. So, help us to make wise choices and honor you with our bodies. Please give us moderation and may You be glorified in all we say and do. In Jesus' name, AMEN!

Weighed & Found Wanting

"Tekel: You have been weighed on the scales and found wanting." Daniel 5:27

Daniel Chapter 5 starts with the heading "The Writing on the Wall." We use this expression today to mean something is obvious, and the irony makes me smile. If you're unfamiliar with Daniel 5, I included a link so you could read it in context. In a nutshell, an ungodly Babylonian king was holding a feast and, in his drunken state, ordered that goblets taken from God's holy temple in Jerusalem be brought in for him to drink out of, along with his wives and concubines. Then they praised various gods other than the Lord.

In her study of Daniel, Beth Moore pointed out that these goblets had been sanctified and consecrated as holy to the Lord for use in His temple and then stolen by Babylon. Up until this point, they had just been in storage, but this arrogant king decided to use God's holy vessels to toast an unholy object, a created god.

Next, we see in this chapter that a hand appeared and wrote on the plaster of the wall "Mene, Mene, Tekel, Parsan." The king was terrified and no one could interpret the inscription, except for Daniel, a devout follower of God who had been given wisdom (see Daniel 2:21). Daniel foretold the king's death and the takeover of his kingdom.

In the Bible study, we learned that using our holy vessels for unholy purposes ends in destruction and displeases God. Our bodies are meant to be holy vessels, consecrated to the Lord. Therefore, we need to take care to what we celebrate or worship with them. I'll admit that there are times that I've put more emphasis on what I'm planning on eating that day than I've put on honoring God with my body. I've had to repent and ask for God's grace in redirecting my thoughts and ways.

I love how God puts little reminders in His Bible that He hears you and your prayers. The verse "Tekel: Weighed on the Scales and Found Wanting" literally jumped off the page at me like it was in highlighting. God knows our struggle; He sees when we step on that scale in the morning; and He knows that we have been found wanting... He is our refuge and our strength. May we use our holy vessels for holy purposes today!

Dear God, we have been weighed on the scale and found wanting. We confess that we have used our holy vessels to "toast" unholy things and we're sorry. We ask for your forgiveness and your help in using our vessels for your glory, that we may be consecrated and set apart for you. Help us today in this struggle to lose weight. In Jesus' name, AMEN!

Just Ask

"And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it." John 14:13-14

Anyone who knows me well knows that for a long time now, I've ended my prayers with "please make us healthy and thin and financially well off." I've gotten all sorts of comments and snickers, some asking for me to pray it for them as well to others (like my mom) saying that God only helps those who help themselves, which I don't think is true. I believe fully in amazing grace. God has the ability to bless us in any way He sees fit - He's God. But, one thing He requires is that we ask. I think the reason He wants us to ask Him is so that we learn to rely on Him and also praise Him for the answer. After all, God alone deserves the glory for answered prayer.

Sometimes if we think that we've done something on our own, we forget to praise the Lord for it. However, if we have come to the end of ourselves and bow face first on the ground humbly asking for the Lord's help in the name of Jesus, the Lord tells us that He will do it...so that the Son may bring glory to the Father. My prayer is that everyone who reads this blog would be bringing glory to God through their bodies and this journey of weight loss.

It absolutely excites me to think that the work is God's to do. I can't tell you what a relief that gives me - no more stressing about meals and exercise plans. God is going to change my body for His glory. And, what I've found to be personally true is that He can change my heart, my desires, my yearnings and even my life around. He has provided motivation, a way out, a new way of life. He has started the process of answering the prayer. While I'd rather be thin overnight, I think our God is one who enjoys the process of coming alongside us to encourage us, strengthen us and help us. He is all about our relationship with Him. So, lean on Him today. Let Him guide you, and most of all, I pray that you'll ask in expectancy, believing He can make this change for you! After all, John 16:24 tells us "Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete."

Dear Heavenly Father, we humbly come before you today and ask, in the name of Jesus', to have healthy bodies, thin bodies, bodies that glorify You through Your amazing Son. Lord, we believe it's Your will for us to be healthy, so we're asking for Your help today. Perform a miracle in our lives before the eyes of everyone in our sphere of influence and may we not forget to sing Your praise to any and all who would listen, reminding everyone that You alone receive the glory for answered prayer. We love you and thank you, Lord Jesus. You are amazing! In your name we pray, AMEN!

A Way Out

"No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it." 1 Corinthians 10:13

There are times, I admit, that I wonder how skinny people do it. I think they were born with better genes; and admittedly, some probably were. I also think that they don't struggle the same way I do with craving certain foods or a second (or third if it's really good!) helping of dinner or not enjoying sports or workouts. But, when I read this verse, I see that what tempts us is 'common.' It reminded me of a conversation I had with an extremely thin and physically fit gal I used to work with. She said "I'd love to eat a whole bag of Oreo cookies while watching TV, too (speaking about her husband at the time), but I don't because I care more about my body than the snack." It was a revelation to me. Someone who was thin also desired food; they just weren't addicted to it like I was. They could say no.

This scripture also tells me that we, too, can say no. God will provide a way out when we are tempted. That way may not always seem easy, but it will be there! Look for it!

When I think about the sheer number of pounds I have yet to lose, it feels pretty daunting. If I think about getting up everyday early to exercise, I just want to roll over and sleep more. But, if I focus one day at a time, one choice at a time, I think I can continue on this journey, with God's help. A healthy body starts with one decision at a time. The hardest thing for me is to say no to food. But, I keep reminding myself, it gets easier every time I stand up and say no (finding that way out). This comes from the Biblical principle "Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you" James 4:7. Each time you say no and resist the devil, he will flee from you since he has no power over your life!

So, when you're offered something that doesn't fit in with your new lifestyle, simply say "no thank you." It's hard the first time, but you'll feel so glad when the situation is over and you resisted the temptation. Each time gets a little easier; although I'm not sure it every gets truly 'easy.' As God prompts you in changing your lifestyle, submit to Him and resist temptations that come your way. There will be a way out!

Dear Jesus, we thank You that You provide a way out when temptation is knocking at our door. Lord, as we are entering this new chapter of our lives, please help us in seeing the way out - make it evident. I pray that we would have the will power to resist the devil and that he would flee from our lives in your powerful name! Help us to submit to Your will for us and realize that You are faithful to help us with each choice, each decision, each day of our lives. Thank you, Father God, for drawing us nearer to You on our quest to be healthy for your glory. In Jesus' name, AMEN!

Your Body is Sacred

“Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit lives in you? If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy him; for God’s temple is sacred and you are that temple.” 1 Corinthians 3:16-17

To really change my behavior permanently, rather than just deciding to do a diet for a set time period, I had to change my perception of obesity. Now, to give you a background on me, when my husband first went to one of my extended family reunions he said "WOW! You have a large family! And I don't mean in just numbers..."

Being overweight always seemed somewhat normal to me. But, I'm realizing now that obesity is actually a sin. Don't get me wrong - I'm not pointing the finger at anyone but myself. I have been overweight 90% of my life! When I read the above scripture verses, though, I realized my physical body is the temple where God's Holy Spirit lives. By overeating and giving into the laziness that seems to come so naturally to me, I'm destroying the very place where God desires to dwell.

It was a humbling conclusion to come to when I realized that I was wearing my sin where everyone could see it. But, humility is a great place to start when you're desiring a major life change! As the Bible says in 1 Peter 5:5, "God gives grace to the humble." And, if you're on the same bumpy road that I am in the weight loss process - where ups and downs are part of life as you iron out a good 'routine' - then you'll need a lot of that grace!

Dear Lord, it blows my mind that the Creator of the Universe would want to have His Spirit dwell within my temple. Please help me treat my body like the holy temple you've called it to be. Remind me, Holy Spirit, when I go to make a poor choice that You desire a better life for me. Thank you, Father God, for your unending grace in this process. Please keep us humble and walking with You. In Jesus' name, AMEN!

Because You Have Grown So Fat

“In that day their burden will be lifted from your shoulders, their yoke from your neck; the yoke will be broken because you have grown so fat.” Isaiah 10:27

When I read this verse in Isaiah, I literally blushed. I knew God was speaking directly to me as I “resembled the remark.”

I started my weight loss journey after completing Beth Moore’s "Breaking Free" Bible Study. In it, I learned about generational bondage and how sin can entangle us like a literal yoke on our neck. My entire family (other than my mom) struggles with weight issues and eating. It’s all I’ve ever known. I had all but given up the struggle, figuring that I have been fat for a long time and will probably die obese. But, after this study and realizing that God can do ANYTHING, I decided to try again, this time focusing on His strength. And, I’ve decided that I want to cut off this sin and its power to enslave before I pass it along to my children.

Beth Moore suggested that we need to become yoked to something else in place of the original sin or we will fall right back into temptation. The above verse, which almost jumped off the page at me reminded me of the following verse: "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light" Matthew 11:28-30.

So, we can exchange yokes – our yoke of bondage to addiction that is literally weighing us down for Jesus’ easy and light yoke. While part of weight loss is the choices we make about food and exercise, another large portion is being set free from the bondage of sin – something only Christ Himself can do. People who rely on their own strength to lose weight often yo-yo back and forth on various diets. I believe God can cure us forever. If it’s His will to set us free (and I believe it is!) then we will be free indeed.

God spoke to me through this verse, and I’m praying that He lifts the burden from my shoulders and the yoke from my neck. I’m done with sin and eating unhealthy and treating my body like it’s not a holy vessel! I am being set free of generational bondage and learning a new way of life...beauty and health that starts from the inside out!

Dear Lord, we thank You that You provide for us hope we can’t find anywhere else. We praise You that we can exchange yokes and that You alone can cure us from this addiction. Lord, we’ve tried other things in the past to help us in this struggle, but we believe by Your strength alone that this time we can see the enemy’s bonds broken off our backs and that we will no longer be know as “so fat.” In Jesus’ powerful and holy name we pray, AMEN!