(spiritual) Devotion #2

Hi, Everyone. Thank you to all who posted such kind replies yesterday to the first devotion on the Main and the Christianity forums. This is from my journal entry on April 10, 2007. I hope you enjoy it. In prayer today, I asked God to help me with this area of self-control, for I know that on my own I can't seem to exercise it. He was so clear in saying to me, "Don't you think that if you purpose in your heart to work with Me, for My glory, that I will enable you to do it?" Of course! It was a lightbulb moment for me! God will enable me. If I do my part, He will do His part. I don't have to strive. (Sigh of relief) I don't have to strive. God gave me II Corinthians 3:16-18, "Whenever a person turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit." I knew from the moment I had repented of wrong motivations for losing weight and gaining self-control, the "veil" was taken away. I knew that I had begun a transformation process, and if I keep my eyes on the glory of the Lord, I will become more and more like Him. The Lord challenged me to look deeper into my heart, for an additional, more negative, more destructive motivation. At first I didn't know what He meant, so I asked for the wisdom that only His Holy Spirit can give, and I waited. Soon, it came to me. I realized that, in the past, I have been motivated to stay heavy, to hate my body, and, even though I knew it was wrong, to self-destruct. All of that is sin. On my knees once more, I confessed it. I acknowledged that God had made me, and, as His child, my body is His temple. I asked for forgiveness and for help to know how to do ALL to His glory and honor. Today, ask God to help you know what your part is in this weight-loss journey, and ask Him to do His part as you do your part. Blessings, Mary

Thanks for your devotion today, Mary. I know that for a very long time, I was keeping the weight on so I would not be attractive to men. I had a problem with sexual abuse as a teenager, and it caused me to behave promiscuously when I was younger and thinner. Being heavy protected me from myself in a way. God has helped me tremendously in healing that abused teenager, and behaving in a Godly, pure way since the weight loss, though not without a lot of temptations to deal with. But He is faithful and does not allow me to be tempted beyond what I can bear. Have a great day. Hugs, Trish

Thanks Mary!! Last year, I studied the book of Ephesians in Bible college and learned for the first time that we have to sit (rest) in the Lord before we can stand and then we walk. Jesus did all of the work, we just have to accept his free gifts of healing, restoration, salvation, and total freedom. I one ran from the Lord because I thought He was all about rules that and the first time I messed up that He was going to throw me in Hell. I was so relieved when I realized it was quite the opposite. He gives us rules to protect us, like any good father, but he looks for ways to bring us back to Him when we mess up. I am reading the OT prophets right now and in Jerimiah(sp) God warns of the upcoming destruction, but He keeps giving them chances to come back. Hebrews 13:8 says that Jesus is the same yesterday, today and forever. That is so familiar and just so awesome!!