Devotion #4

Hi, Everyone. I love reading your replies to these devotions. Keep them coming, as they minister to me as well as to others. The following is from my personal journal dated April 12, 2007. It still speaks to me! Today I was wondering why, when I had asked God for help in the past, it hadn't happened that way. He led me to Psalm 81:11-12, "My people did not listen to My voice,...did not obey Me. So I gave them over to the stubbornness of their heart, to walk in their own devices." How true, I realize. Was it a year ago, two years ago (I don't remember) when God gave me an eating plan, but I did not follow it, after a few weeks/months. God gave me a way to exercise, by walking in my friend's lap pool, but I quit going, after quite a few months. Delayed obedience is disobedience. God "gave [me] over to the stubbornness of [my] heart, to walk in [my] own devices." It was done out of love, not out of loathing. How thankful I am that God is a God of second chances...of one million chances! My desire is to be fully obedient this time. I'm not going to rush this journey. I have asked God to teach me every day, only as much as I can take in and apply each day, for as long as it takes. I'm not looking for a quick fix. I want to learn what I need to learn, apply it in my heart and life, and leave the results and timing up to God. I am eager to receive from Him. I echo the words of Jeremiah in Jeremiah 15:16, "Your words were found and I ate them, and Your words became for me a joy and the delight of my heart; for I have been called by Your name, O LORD God of hosts." I went back to Psalm 81:11-12 and read verse 10 also. It was a "wow!" moment. God says, "...open your mouth wide and I will fill it." That's the key! I need to open my mouth, like a baby bird, for God to fill me. He will do that through His Word, so I must open my ears to hear what He wants to say to me. Today, think about all you've learned about weight loss and how you're doing with applying that knowledge. Determine to be obedient today. Thank God for how He's helping you. Blessings, Mary