VALGOOD

^“When tempted, no one should say, ‘God is tempting me.’ For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He tempt anyone; but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.” James 1:13-15

What is the difference between being tested and tempted?

I read the above verses about temptation the other morning and thought about the fact that temptation comes from our own evil desires, which after conceived gives birth to sin. I often feel like when temptation comes that I want to blame circumstances or someone else. After all, I didn’t put the billboard up with that desirable picture of a caramel frappe on it! I wasn’t even thinking about how good this thousand-calorie drink tasted until I saw the sign. How is that my fault? But, truly, it’s my own desires within me that allow such temptations to give birth to sin, rather than saying no to something I know isn’t good for me.

But doesn’t God have control over all things? Is He the one tempting me?

I thought about the verses from the Old Testament that tell us that God tested His people. For example, Psalm 66:10 says “For you, O God, tested us; you refined us like silver.” I specifically remembered Exodus 15 where the Israelites were grumbling against the Lord because they were in the dessert and came to a place of bitter waters, and the Lord told Moses to throw wood into the waters to make them sweet to drink. Exodus 15:25b-26 said “There the Lord made a decree and a law for them, and there He tested them. He said, ‘If you listen carefully to the voice of the Lord your God and do what is right in His eyes, if you pay attention to his commands and keep all His decrees, I will not bring on you any of the diseases I brought on the Egyptians, for I am the Lord, who heals you.'”

Isaiah 48:10 says ” See, I have refined you, though not as silver; I have tested you in the furnace of affliction.” Job certainly knew affliction and said that when God had tested him, he would come forth as gold (Job 23:10). Hebrews 11:17 reminds us of how God tested Abraham to see if he would sacrifice his only son, and Abraham obviously passed!

I often thought of God’s testing like temptation. But, James tells me that this viewpoint was wrong. So, what’s the difference?

It wasn’t until I was giving my finals last week that I began to see the distinctions between the two. Allow me to use my class as an example to illustrate the point. As an instructor, I work hard to give my students the skills and knowledge they need to pass my exams. From homework assignments to lectures to fun review games, I am investing time and energy into my students in hopes that they will ace my tests. I am overjoyed when students are learning and do well in my class! I don’t ask questions that will purposely trip them up; I am simply gauging whether they have truly learned the material.

In the same way, God has given us ample instruction in His Bible, through our pastors and teachers, and by His Spirit so that we have everything we need to pass His tests and come through affliction refined and purified. He isn’t sneaky and trying to trip us up; instead He loves us, and He even sent His Son to die for our sins for the times we’ve failed.

He doesn’t delight when we give into temptation, and He isn’t the one tempting us to do wrong. He may test us, but He knows that we CAN PASS His tests! We have everything we need to ace them!

So, the next time we’re sensing strong temptation; we must first realize that it is not from God. It is our own evil desires within us that allows temptation to give birth to sin. But, we can stop that from happening and overcome it; as James tells us “Don’t be deceived” (James 1:16). Instead, we need to dig into God’s Word to see what we should do. After all, “Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him” (James 1:12).

Are you feeling trials and temptations? It reminds me of the old hymn “What a Friend We Have In Jesus” (linked below). Know that Jesus knows our every weakness – so take it to the Lord in prayer! If you’re struggling with temptation, if you’re feeling like God is testing you and you’re not sure that you’re coming out refined without being burned, then I recommend you pray and lay it before God. He wants you to pass! He’s the One who will strengthen and equip you for this leg of your journey. Trust Him rather than blame Him! See how He will help you overcome!

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for Your Word that helps us. Thank You, God, for being faithful. You don’t trick us, You don’t tempt us, and You don’t discourage us. Rather, You bring us through the difficult parts of life so that we may pass and become refined, more pure, and more like You. God, thank You for preparing us so that we can pass the tests of this life. Thank You for allowing us to bring our needs to You, our faithful God, in prayer. Thank You for showing us once again just how much You care for us! We don’t deserve it, but we humbly praise You for it. Father God, help us become healthy and thin for Your glory. Help us resist temptation, not allow it to give birth to sin in our lives. Instead, help us go through trials and temptations and press on to receive the crown of life You have for us. We love You, Lord God. In Jesus’ Name we pray, AMEN!

This morning in my daily readings, I came to Revelation 2-3. I was struck by all that was promised to him who “overcomes.” Revelation tells us over and over again “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches” followed or preceded by these promises.

• “To him who overcomes, I will give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is the paradise of God” (Revelation 2:7).
• “He who overcomes will not be hurt at all by the second death” (Revelation 2:11).
• “To him who overcomes, I will give some of the hidden manna. I will also give him a white stone with a new name on it, known only to him who receives it” (Revelation 2:17).
• “To him who overcomes and does my will to the end, I will give authority over the nations” (Revelation 2:27) and “I will also give him the morning star” (Revelation 2:28).
• “He who overcomes will be dressed in white. I will never blot out his name from the book of life but will acknowledge his name before the Father and His angels” (Revelation 3:5).
• “Him who overcomes I will make a pillar in the temple of my God. Never again will he leave it. I will write on him the name of my God and the name of the city of my God the new Jerusalem, which is coming down out of heaven from my God; and I will also write on him my new name” Revelation 3:12.
• “To him who overcomes, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I overcame and sat down with my Father on his throne” (Revelation 3:21).

I began to pray that we would overcome, and I looked up the definition. What does it mean to ‘overcome?’ According to dictionary.com when the word ‘overcome’ is used with an object, it has four possible meanings:

“In your struggle against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood.” Hebrews 12:4

This morning my daily readings of the Bible brought me to Hebrews 11-12.  Before starting to read, I always ask God to speak to me through His Word, and He is faithful to answer that prayer. What powerful reminders are in these two chapters from today!

Hebrews 11 begins “Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. This is what the ancients were commended for.” What are we hoping for? What aren’t we seeing yet that we have prayed about? For me, I’m longing for a healthier body. And I have to have faith that if God is calling me to it, He will bring me through it!

Hebrews 11:6 tells us “And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him.” Do you believe God rewards you when you earnestly seek Him and His will for your life? Do you have faith and trust Him to accomplish His purpose for you?

In this chapter, Paul gives many examples of faith from the Bible. By faith, Abel brought a better offering than Cain (11:4), when warned Noah “in holy fear” built an ark to save his family (11:7), Abraham when called to go to a place that would later become his inheritance “obeyed and went even though he didn’t know where he was going” (11:8), by faith Moses refused to be known as the son of Pharoah’s daughter and instead chose to be mistreated along with the people of God “rather than enjoy the pleasures of sin for a short time” because he was looking ahead to his reward (11:24-26).

I said “wow” when I thought about how Moses looked to God rather than enjoying the short-lived pleasures of sin. Can I look to God rather than the food I’m craving and the short-lived pleasure it will give me?

Paul continues to remind us of God’s faithfulness to those He called – from the Israelites walking through the Red Sea on dry ground (11:29) and the walls of Jericho falling (11:30) to lions’ mouths being shut (11:33) and the flames of fury quenched (11:34). Do we serve an awesome God?!?! Do we believe if He did all these things that He has the power to change us and save us from our own struggles with sin?

Yesterday was a bit of a rough day for me in this journey, I’ll admit. I think we can all relate to the fact that some days are easier than others. But, when I came to Hebrews 12, I felt like God was lovingly saying “SUCK IT UP!” And sometimes, that’s what I need to hear.

When we’re enduring God’s discipline (which Hebrews 12:7 tells us that we are to endure hardship as discipline) God reminds us to look to His perfect example. Fix your eyes on Jesus (12:2) who endured the cross for the joy set before Him; consider Him who endured such opposition “so that you will not grow weary and lose heart” (12:3).

If you’re struggling like me to eat healthier and lose weight, then remember that “in your struggle against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood” (12:4). When I read that verse, I smiled at what God was telling me. I felt like He was saying “Yep, you might have it hard. The discipline may not feel good, and everything in you might be craving your old lifestyle. But, you haven’t resisted to the point of dying, drama queen! Keep on going; I love you like a child and can’t have you not disciplined for the rest of the life I have for you.”

It was endearing and hard all at the same time. I have to believe that God is faithful to accomplish His work in my life. At the same time,  I have to endure discipline and not grow weary in the struggle. Like Moses and many of the great prophets of old, I have to look beyond the short-lived pleasure of sin to the greatness of God and my reward if I trust and obey Him.

If you’re on this journey with me, know that God is faithful, He loves you like a child, and His discipline is for your ultimate benefit. And keep pressing on!

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You first of all for being faithful. When we read the Bible, we see story after story of your mighty wonders and we are filled with awe of who You are. Thank You for being trustworthy, and thank You even for the discipline in our lives. Lord, we recognize that while this time isn’t necessarily “fun,” it is worthwhile. We trust You and we ask You for grace and mercy during this time in our lives. May we become healthy and thin for your ultimate glory. Help us look to Jesus as our example, and thank You for the blood He shed that covers my sin so I don’t need to be yoked with it anymore. Praise You, Father. In Jesus’ Name, AMEN!

“I say to myself, ‘The LORD is my portion; therefore I will wait for Him.'” Lamentations 3:24

I remember watching a Beth Moore video and her saying that she’s sure in heaven they only serve fried chicken and not this boneless, skinless stuff we eat here on earth. I laughed at the comment, but recently I thought ‘I doubt there’s any food in heaven.’

Do you shudder at the thought of no food in heaven like I did? The minute I thought it, I was appalled.

But, then I thought about it more. We won’t have these physical bodies that require food for sustenance. So, why should there be food in heaven? For our pleasure and enjoyment? This is where I came to the conclusion that I doubt food is even wanted in heaven. After all, we will be face-to-face with our God! His holiness will surround us; we will know no greater joy than being in His presence. I don’t think we’ll even give thought to the lowly things of this earth at that moment. The Lord will be our portion.

Of course, I don’t claim to have any idea what heaven is truly like (never been there!). But, the fact at how annoyed I first became at the fleeting thought that food won’t be part of my eternal experience made me realize once again how addicted I am to it and the albeit brief enjoyment I get out of eating.

I’ll share a story with my readers that I’ve never shared before – a visual reminder to me of how much of a grip food has had on me and why I need God to set me free.

The story begins with our church doing different challenges so that we could better relate to those who are truly poor in the world. One of the challenges was to eat nothing but rice & beans for an entire week. I thought this challenge sounded a little too easy, so I thought I should make it nothing but one 8 oz. serving of rice & beans each day, similar to what the pastor had said was typical of those living in the poor country we were discussing.

I remember being surprised that the first day wasn’t that difficult. I told myself when I was hungry during the day that I’d be eating well that night. Rice & beans sounded delicious and I was thankful for them when dinner time arrived. The next day I was really hungry. I felt weak by dinner time, but I made it. On the third day, I was half dizzy by dinner time and I spilled my rice & beans when I was getting into the refrigerator. Picture it in your mind with me. I was starving (not really; after all, I was still overweight!). And the only thing I was allowing myself to eat was now on the floor, spilled out of the container that had held it by falling from the top shelf.

So, I did what anyone else would do (so I told myself) – the FIVE SECOND RULE! I reasoned with myself that I am a neat freak and typically keep my floors nice and clean. I literally got down on my hands and knees and as I was cleaning up the rice & beans, I began to eat them cold right off the floor. Sounds disgusting, no? At that moment, I felt the gentle presence of God reminding me that I was bowing down to food, right before my very fridge. I stopped right then and there and saw myself for where I truly was at in life. I was literally on my knees, doing something I knew to be wrong, simply because my desire for food had gotten the best of me. I felt like I had reached an all-time low. (And I’ll be honest in saying that I haven’t eaten rice & beans since then!)

When something simple like the pleasure of food holds us captive, how can we be set free? The answer, I’m learning, is to let God be our portion. In my current Bible study, author Dee Brestin recommends running to the Psalms when we’re hungry to be filled up. While at first I thought that sounded strange, it has actually helped when I’ve done it. I think asking God to be our portion before filling our bellies is a way to be set free from this type of bondage.

So, as you go through this week, ask God to be your portion. While He will be in heaven, can He be here on earth as well? Can we take more pleasure in our time with Him than our time spent with food? Can we wait on Him?

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for being our delight. Thank You for teaching us and leading us in a better way, one filled with discipline and self-control. God, we admit that we are weak. We have sinned in this area by making something other than you of extreme importance in our lives. Please free us and help us keep You alone as our portion in life. We wait for You to change us and fill us. Keep us in line with Your Holy Spirit. We praise You and thank You. Please make us healthy and thin for Your glory. In Jesus’ Name, AMEN!

“Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.” Psalm 27:14

We live in a day and age of instant gratification. If we have a craving, we feel the need to instantly satisfy it. But, I’m starting to learn (and this one is tough for me!) that God asks us to wait – maybe not forever – but for Him and His perfect timing.

The other night, I was craving something sweet, and we happened to have Rice Krispy treats in our house. Having one sounded AMAZING! It was on my mind and I was having a severe hankering. My husband suggested that we wait to eat the treat until the boys went to bed, for they had already brushed their teeth and just needed tucking in. He put the treat next to my night stand, and we went in with our boys to read them their stories, say prayers, refill their waters (and all that goes into our long goodnight process). When my husband suggested we wait, I was appalled at the idea at first. I wanted one NOW! But, I knew he was right, so I figured it couldn’t hurt to wait a little bit. But, I was genuinely amazed that I didn’t even want it when we finally got back to our room. In fact, it was laying on my night stand the next morning when I woke up because I didn’t eat it.

I’m seeing this pattern over and over again. I think I have to have something right now – a severe craving has a hold on me. But, if I tell myself to wait an hour, the strong urgency passes and I can think more rationally about it. Zig Ziglar notes “The chief cause of failure and unhappiness is trading what you want most for what you want right now.” Can anyone else relate to this? I strongly desire to be thin, and yet I’ve traded that goal time and time again for tempting food. This can be true even of our finances and other areas of life – can we be disciplined for God’s glory?

The pastor of our former church had emailed me a video that he was going to show the youth group (since my hubby & I used to serve in this ministry) and I thought it was cute but also a good way to drive home the point.

Can we wait for what God has for us? Knowing our loving Savior, what He has planned for us will be better than what our flesh instantly desires if we can “be strong, take heart and wait for the Lord!” Ephesians 2:3 reminds us that before we were saved, we “gratif[ied] the cravings of our sinful nature” but by God’s grace and Christ’s death & resurrection, this is no longer the way we are to walk.

So, this is my challenge for this week (and trust me when I say that I’m challenging myself as much as any of my readers). When we crave something that we know doesn’t fit with the healthier lifestyle we’re trying to obtain, can we simply wait? We know we won’t say no to certain foods forever, but can we say “I’m going to pass this time” or “I’m going to wait an hour or two and see if I still really desire it.” Give the Lord time to impress upon you His will and see if we can hold out for the long-term satisfaction rather than the short-term gratification.

If you’re in, share a comment! Let’s hold each other accountable and up in prayer!

Dear Heavenly Father, we thank You for Your righteousness. We thank You for the gift of salvation. At one time, we all lived like everyone else – gratifying the desires of our sinful nature. Now that we are alive with Christ, will you help us live out the walk of faith? Will you help us be strong? Will you help us take heart? Will you help us wait on you? When those strong cravings come, will you remind us, Holy Spirit, that You have something better for us if we can just hang tight and wait for it? Thank You for being for us! Thank You that You have won the victory! Thank You for calling us as Your children! Help us glorify You in all we say and do. In Jesus’ Name, AMEN!

“In all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.” ~Romans 8:37

Have you ever felt discouraged? Maybe you’ve given into temptation and wrestle with the feelings of never being able to change. Or possibly present circumstances that you have no control over aren’t going your way. There are times that we just feel ‘down’ and unsure of how to move forward. I think that while we don’t see it at the time, these are critical moments in our journey.

So, what’s one way to continue putting one foot in front of the other (so to speak) to get us back on track rather than completely falling off the wagon? We need to remember God’s view of us.

Isaiah 1:18 reminds us that while our sins were like scarlet, the blood of Jesus has made them white as snow. Sometimes we get caught up in the past, remembering all that we’ve done wrong. This morning my reading lead me to 2 Corinthians 7:10: “Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death.” Having remorse for slipping up yet again brings us to a point of telling God that we’re sorry and asking for forgiveness. Since we believe in Christ, we know that He has paid the penalty for our sins on the cross (just as we celebrate today, on Good Friday!). But the next part of that verse says that it leaves “no regret.” We must learn to move forward in this forgiveness. If we keep dwelling on it, it’s worldly sorrow and a trick of the enemy to stop our forward momentum.

So, the next time you’re feeling like you have stopped dead in your tracks, you throw back to the enemy exactly who he’s dealing with, according to God’s Word. Taken from my mom’s devotional Bible, Elisa Morgan (1996) writes:

Who does God say I am?

• I am made in the image of God (Genesis 1:26-27)
• I am a child of God (John 1:12)
• I am a temple – a dwelling place – of God. His Spirit and His life live in me (1 Corinthians 3:16)
• I am a saint (Ephesians 1:18)
• I am righteous and holy (Ephesians 4:24)
• I am chosen and appointed by Christ to bear fruit (John 15:16)
• I am God’s workmanship – His handiwork – born anew in Christ to do good works (Ephesians 2:10)
• I am chosen of God, holy and dearly loved (Colossians 3:12)
• I will resemble Christ when He returns (1 John 3:1-2)
• I am fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalm 139:14)
• I am God’s treasured possession (Deuteronomy 14:2)

Can you add to this list? Think through your Biblical knowledge and try.

I thought of my study of Ephesians, how we’re adopted as sons so we have an inheritance (1:5), chosen and predestined according to God’s pleasure (1:11), sealed with the Holy Spirit (1:13), and so on.  But, as I was mentally going through all that the Bible says about who we are in Christ, I thought of Romans 8:37 that tells us “in all things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.” The very next verse tells us that NOTHING can separate us from the love of God.

No sin we commit, no circumstance we face, nothing can change the fact that we are God’s chosen children. I think about how much I love my kids. If they ever screw up (and of course they have already, they’re just little kiddos!), I am pleased when they tell me that they were wrong, agree not to do it again, and then leave the situation encouraged to do better. I wouldn’t want them to wallow in it and not realize just how much I love them. I want them to grow from their experiences. How much more God loves us and wants even better for us! He loved us so much that Jesus died on the cross for our sins and was raised again so that we could live eternally with Him!

God doesn’t want you to be stuck in circumstances. If you’ve given into temptation, confess, repent and begin to live life with no more regrets. When you see temptation again, remember who you are in Christ. You are more than a conqueror! You are a holy child of God. You were created to be set apart, holy & righteous. You can live an abundant life because Christ died for you. Keep on moving! 🙂

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for loving us, even when we didn’t deserve it. Thank You for seeing us separate from our sin. Thank You for sending the final answer and authority over sin. Thank You for Your willingness to pay the ultimate price for our sins so that we can be free and keep walking in this journey You’ve called us to. Please help us know who we are in you. Help us recognize that the enemy is dealing with God’s holy, loved and chosen child. Help us grasp that that means. Remind us of who we are in You the next time we feel like we just can’t go on. Thank You, Father God, for giving us the ability to live an abundant life. Please make us healthy & thin for Your glory. In Jesus’ Name, AMEN!

I remember hearing this song and being encouraged – enjoy it and remember who YOU are!

We recently went to a church event that had various kiddo activities after an Easter egg hunt. Both boys got in line for the ring toss station. My 5-year-old missed the first toss, but hooked the ring perfectly on the second try. The volunteer operating the station congratulated him and gave him the prize basket so he could pick his favorite color for a top that spins around. My boys love these! He beamed, and my 3-year-old looked excitedly at the prize, grinning from ear-to-ear. He was next in line and stood at the spot he was told to and took his first toss, which was too far to the right. We encouraged him to try again, and this time his toss was too hard and veered left. We suggested a gentler toss with his third and final ring. He obeyed our instructions, only to have the last one not quite reach the goal. But, he had given it his best effort. He stood in front of the woman at the station, eagerly awaiting his prize for trying. But, she didn’t even so much as give him a smile. She simply said ‘NEXT’ and held onto those tops like they were her own personal money. As the realization that he wasn’t being offered a top because he wasn’t good enough to get one, his eager expression turned to a sad downcast look as he quietly walked away without saying a word. It made me feel downright awful.

That night after the kids were in bed, I thought about the morning and how I could have saved my little buddy from feeling like a failure. My husband reminded me that we’d rather have him experience disappointments with simple things like a prize than things that really matter. After all, that’s part of life. And while I know his words are absolutely true, I was still angry. This was supposed to be a fun church event, and it made my 3-year-old feel bad! I wanted to go back and scream at the lady, “At least Jesus doesn’t demand perfection from us but freely gave His gift of grace and salvation!!!”

As those words sunk into my very being, I calmed down and thought about the profoundness of this statement. We really do NOTHING perfectly and can’t earn this gift of grace.  For if we could be perfect and free from sin on our own, we wouldn’t need the cross and His gift. But, we can’t. As Romans 3 reminds us, there’s not even one among us who hasn’t sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.

I again thought about my struggle of glorifying God with my body. There are times I think I can “earn” it by eating less or working out. But, I can’t be free from the sin without God’s grace. For if I wouldn’t be so caught up in sin, I wouldn’t look like this in the first place. Instead, I must remember that I’m only free from what has ensnared me most of my life by the blood of Jesus on the cross. It is HIS gift that I’m free, not what I am on my own apart from God. As Paul writes: ^“And if by grace, then it is no longer by works; if it were, grace would no longer be grace” Romans 11:6.

I can choose to walk in the freedom I’m given because I can remind myself daily that I am no longer a slave to the sin. I don’t have to overeat to be content. I can say no, not because of who I am but because of the price that’s been paid. I can walk in freedom not because I earned it but because I have been given the gift of grace. Jesus paid for my sin so I don’t have to feel guilty about it anymore. I can truly do a 180 degree turn and say no more and believe that it’s true because I’m counting on God’s grace rather than my good deeds to save me.

Going back to my story from earlier, it would be like “big brother” Jesus stepping in and taking his turn after my 3-year-old. He would hit the goal with perfection and then give up his prize to my son who didn’t earn it. A gift with no strings attached. Only, the gift is far better than a top that spins and cost far more than the effort of landing the ring toss… it cost His life and yet He was still willing to save a sinner like me.

As I thought of this last night, I wanted to shout like those did so long ago with their palm branches in John 12:13 “HOSANNA! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!” Hosanna means “God saves!” He’s saving me daily. [If you’re not saved and are ready to find out how, please send me a message. It’s the best decision you’ll ever make!]

If you need to lose weight and are caught up in a life that you feel is unworthy, don’t give up hope. If we could save ourselves by our own efforts, we wouldn’t look or feel this way in the first place. Instead, we have to remember that we are saved by God’s grace, His gift, in His timing. He will save us and has already freed us from the power of sin with His death and resurrection. We can count on that freedom even when we’re feeling trapped. We don’t get what we deserve (death from sin), we get what we don’t deserve (freedom, salvation, the victory prize!). The beauty of grace is that it makes life not fair…

Dear Heavenly Father, we thank You for revealing Yourself to us through Your Word. God, most of all, we thank You for Your grace. God, we don’t deserve to look thin and healthy. We’ve created habits of over-indulging and laying around and most days feel trapped into this lifestyle forever. But, Your Word tells us that we aren’t slave to our sin. We are freed by the power of the blood. We are saved! We get the prize even though we couldn’t earn it. Thank You for Your willingness to fulfill the plan for our lives that includes our salvation. Please help us walk in victory, as winners of the prize that we didn’t earn. We acknowledge that we live by Your grace and Your gift alone. If we become healthy and thin, may we glorify You every step of the way. Hosanna! Thank You for saving us! Bless You, oh King of Israel! Thank You! You are worthy of our time, worship and honor. We are most humbled at the thought of all You’ve done for us. Help us live according to Your Word today and forever. In Jesus’ Name, AMEN!

“‘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 over-eaters 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 above and remembered the old saying “all things in moderation.”

All things are permissible for us. BUT not all things are beneficial. So, it’s important to ask ourselves (and the Holy Spirit), is this benefiting 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.
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!

“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

Sometimes I think there is a general feeling that God doesn’t care all that much about our physical bodies. After all, what’s on the inside is what counts, right? But, I realized through my studying of Scripture on this very subject that God does care a great deal about how we treat our bodies.

To really make a permanent behavior change rather than just dieting, I have to constantly think about and change my perception of obesity. While many folks in our country struggle with their weight (myself included!), I realize that overeating and overindulging is actually sinful. [I’m not pointing the finger at anyone but myself here – after all, I’m just learning this myself].

The above verse notes that 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. Yikes!

Why does it matter to God? I can’t begin to express His thoughts (other than what I read in the Bible) but some basic observations make me realize how important it is to be physically fit. For one, I heard a speaker who started a blog about being fit for service. There are times that God may call us to serve in an area where it will demand us to be physically fit – whether that’s able to go with less food on a missions trip or lifting children or running with a broken-hearted friend. It’s next to impossible to serve others if we ourselves are not in good health. Next, I also know from experience that when we’re carrying more weight than we’d like to be, we’re less likely to jump into social settings. We shy away from invitations to swim or gatherings where we feel awkward in our own skin. Being able to share Jesus comes most naturally when we feel confident in who we are. Finally, I think that we are able to relay what hope we’ve found in God when we are practicing good self-discipline in all areas of our life. Would you take advice from a drug addict? If the answer is no, why should someone take advice from you if you’re not free from an addiction to food?

While this may sound harsher than I mean for it to, I think a reality check sometimes is a good catalyst for change. I know for me, 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 desiring major life change in the area of weight, then you’ll need a lot of that grace! It’s only by God’s power that we’ll be able to break free from addiction and start the path to being fit for His glory and service. May we continue to walk in the hope He gives us!

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!

“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 number of pounds I need to lose as a whole, it seems daunting. 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).

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!