Daily Bible Reading - Monday - January 18th

In reading Genesis this morning we get to the story of Joseph, of course you know Joseph is hated by his brothers because their father loves Joseph more.  God gave Joseph dreams of his future, dreams of how well he was going to do and how he would one day be over his brothers but what did not show him in the dreams was how he would be imprisoned and what he would have to go through in order to get where God showed him in the dreams.  That makes me think of myself and my own journey of WLS.  I have dreamed for ages now of being thin and healthy and on the right track with my weight, like most of us have.  I had not thought or dreamt of how hard it would actually be to get the weight off.  In my mind I had pictured having the surgery and the path to getting thin would be smooth and straight when in reality it has been just the opposite, bumpy and curvy.  Like Joseph I longed to make my dreams come true but what I did not see in my dreams was what I would have to go through to get there.  I had not counted on all the little so called “demons" that was in my head to still be there.  The laziness of not wanting to exercise, the thoughts of wanting to over eat or eat the wrong things, all that stinkin thinkin that comes with being overweight and all.  I guess I thought I would also have a different mind that would be adjusted to losing weight but in reality only my stomach was operated on, not my brain.  But you know, that is where we have to turn our WLS over to God and let Him help us change our ways and thinking.  I had in my mind this would be much easier to get the weight off by having surgery.  It has made it easier to lose weight but it by all means hasn’t been the easy way out.  For those that think WLS is the “easy way out" I have one word for them, WRONG, it’s by far not the easy way out.  Thank God though we have Him to lean on and help us get through it all, without Him I would not have success but with God will have all the success we ever dreamed about.  What a mighty and awesome God we really do serve.  You all have a blessed Lords day.

Today’s Reading

Genesis 37:1-38:30
Matthew 12:22-45
Psalm 16:1-11
Proverbs 3:27-32

Daily Devotional

"For everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith"
(I John 5:4, NIV)

Are you facing some challenges or experiencing some unexpected setbacks? We all have things that come against us, but God didn't create us to be overwhelmed and overcome; He created us to be overcomers!

During those times when we do face challenges, it's our attitude that is really most important. Think about it for a minute. When something isn't going your way month after month, how do you respond? Are you tempted to get sour or start expecting the worst? Does your mind start going "ninety-to-nothing" playing out all the scenarios? It may be easy to get down and discouraged, but if we go around thinking it's never going to work out, our attitude limits what God can do. But when we dig our heels in knowing that God is bigger than our problems and that He already has a way out, when we fight the good fight of faith, that's what allows God to show up and turn negative situations around.

Today, remember, you are created to overcome. There is victory already in store for your future. Stand strong with the attitude of an overcomer and watch what God will do on your behalf!

A PRAYER FOR TODAY

" Father in heaven, thank You for making me an overcomer in Christ Jesus. I trust that You are bigger than my problems and that You are working on my behalf. Thank You for the victory in store for my future! In Jesus' Name. Amen."

Ooops havnt done that in awhile lol.  I was changing Susans avatar pic and forgot to sign back into mine lol.  Oh well. 

Y'all have a blessed day.

Andy

thats alright we know how the two of you are one....lol   much like Joe and I too and thats a good thing isnt it? Bless you and Susan for always being there....you have chalenged me with your sermons about turning the weight loss over to God for our thinking. instead of trying to do it on our own...lol we never did such a good job at it before so why would we think we could now. Im glad that God isnt too busy to take care of my little problems arent you???? Thanks again Andy.