Daily Bible Reading - Monday Jan. 5th

You know, the more I get into the word of God the more things keep jumping out and hitting me square between my eyes.  Yesterday the word seemed to go from being disciplined to being faithful, giving up everything we have known and following him.  When I read that and re-read that it hit me hard, I know He was talking about Andrew and Peter giving up everything they had and following Him.  That’s basically what the Lord has asked us all to do in a way,  give up our former lives of being overweight, all our habits and such that lead us to get there,  this surgery was kind of like the sacrifice and now we have to take up the cross and follow Him,  wow!  Now that may not make sense to ya but it really hit me right on my head,  I still have old habits I took back up after surgery and I’ve got to get rid of them take up the cross again and get on my way. 

In today’s reading again He goes on about following Him.  This time he’s told Abram to leave his country and fathers family and go where God shows him and He will make him a great nation.  You know for me that would be scary, going to the unknown, not knowing what was in store where we were going.  If you look at it, Abram did not seem to hesitate, he packed his things, got his wife and lot his nephew and they went where God told them too,  again that hits me in the head that I need to finish giving up my former life as an overweight person and follow Him, wow. 

Then in Matthew today’s reading goes into teaching us the beatitudes and goes into teaching about anger,  (ut oh).  I just want to hide.  Like Bec said yesterday, she’s had to deal with a situation in being angry at a person and asking for forgiveness, I’ve been there too,  I’m sure we all have actually.  Reading today in Matthew made me want to just hide my head.  He says “If you are angry with someone you are subject to judgment, if you call someone and idiot you are in danger of being brought before the court"  oh man,  how many times have I called someone an idiot when I felt angry,  sure I’ve asked God for forgiveness for being angry but I sure never read the part about calling someone an idiot. Praise God for His faithfulness in forgiving us.

If you go back up to verse 13 in chapter 5 of Matthew it talks about being the salt of the earth, letting our light shine, when we light a lamp we don’t put it under a basket but we let it shine in the whole house for everyone to see, that makes me think that’s sort of what we do here,  those that have had the surgery letting their light shine so others can see that need help that are going to have surgery.  Thank you all for being so faithful in helping others,  I know that’s such a blessing to those that are scared and not sure what to expect or do,  your faithfulness will be rewarded big time. 

***Bec*** Like you said yesterday, His word is some tough love,  it really seems He went from discipline to tough love, it all goes together I guess,  this tough love sure is hard to take sometimes but I know without it I wouldn’t be where I am today that’s for sure,  thank God for His tough love with me.  Thank you so much for pointing out things in the scriptures,  there are things I think I missed or did not read into it what you and others get out of it, this is why I am getting so much out of reading the bible with you all,  seems we all get a little something different and it just brings it all together, thank you!!

***Deb*** You know sometimes that has been my biggest weakness, trusting God, in the past I would question God asking why did this happen or why do I have to do this or why do I have to go to this church or do this in church or do that,  He put my flat on my back one day and asked me “Don’t you trust Me" ?  It’s still not easy but if we think about it, God is such a loving and faithful God, we know he would not put anything on us that we can’t handle or make us do anything we can’t handle, I’ve had such a hard time in that but thank God for His forgiveness and for Him allowing us to pick ourselves up and move on.  Thank you Deb for your faithfulness to the board here,  it means a lot that you share your life with us,  you just don’t know how much of a blessing that is to all of us.

***Jan*** I know what your saying,  I’ve read that verse so many times too and its just now being to sink into my thick head not only does it apply to our bodies but to our minds and what we feed our minds.  You know what we watch on tv goes into our spirits, I never looked at it like that until recently, wow!  Satan sure does know how to get to us through all kinds of area’s in our lives, if he can’t get to us in one area he will pound us in another area, that silly devil just never gives up but like you said, thank God for his forgiveness and the ability He gives us to pick ourselves up, brush off and keep on going, if we stumble or fall, we do it all over again,  how wonderful of a God is that? 

***Janet*** I don’t think God is punishing you like you might think.  Yes our bodies have been through the ringer because of being overweight.  You’ve asked God to forgive you and He HAS,  satan is like a roaring lion seeking who he can devour.  I have not had that much of a chance to sit down and talk to you or get to know you very well but from the times I have talked to you and seen you interact with others I really do see the spirit of God on you,  you have such a gift with people and such a talent in blessing people with your words and actions,  satan is just mad and is doing everything he can to bring you down but I know you’re a strong enough girl that your not gonna allow that to happen, satan needs to get into his thick head that he IS defeated.  God has so much in store for you and your family.  Don’t ever feel stupid for asking anything because your not at all.  Janet your such a blessing, you amaze us all sometimes.  Hang in there because the best is yet to come for you, I just know it.  Be sure to ready today’s devotion.

Today’s Readings 

Genesis 11:1-13:4
Matthew 5:1-26
Psalm 5:1-12
Proverbs 1:24-28

Daily Devotional for Dieters

1 John 1:9
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Once we decide for ourselves that being overweight is wrong, then it is vital that we put ourselves in God's hands. Though being overweight is not a sin, few people would say it is good. We should avoid everything that is not good. God will help us whenever we turn from things that are bad. Prayer is an important part of our attempts to lose weight. We can trust God to bless all our efforts to do what we feel is right. There is no reason to feel guilty for being overweight, for God forgives us our weakness and offers His own strength as our own. We can start our diets with a clear conscience and an assurance that God is with us every step of the way.

Today's thought: We have nothing to feel guilty about!

You have a wonderful fantastic day. 

Andy