"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!
Monday, September 21, 2009
Sunday, September 20, 2009
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!
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!
Saturday, September 19, 2009
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!
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!
Friday, September 18, 2009
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 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!
Thursday, September 17, 2009
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!
"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!
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
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!
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!
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
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!
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!
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