Devotion #18

Hi, Everyone.
This is part of an email I received from the OH Staff, so I will post this devotional on the Main and Christianity forums, as well as my profile blog.
"We posted the sticky post for the newer members that may not know about other forums and just wanted to bring it to their attention. We are in no way saying you can not post on the main forum."
After three weeks on Nana duty, I just got my 8-year-old grandson out the door, to school. I love him to pieces, but I'm glad to have a quiet day ahead of me. So...if you're hearing an echo of The Hallelujah Chorus, that's me!
Today's devotion is from my private journal dated April 26, 2007.

     This morning I was singing, and part of a chorus really struck me, "Free, I long to be free, I long to die to myself, entrust my life to Someone Else..." and that's what drew me to the topic of freedom.
     The Lord led me to John 8:31-32, "If you continue in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine; and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free."
     I remember how a food image would lodge in my brain. I could try to ignore it, but it kept after me until I would give in and obey the demands to indulge. Then I'd feel bad and ask for God's forgiveness, but soon that scenario would play itself out again. That is slavery!
     Now, I have hope, because I've asked Jesus to free me from this bondage, not through my willpower but through God power! God will enable me to say no.
     It is the truth that sets me free. If I am a slave to sin, I am deceived. I have believed a lie. I've believed that overeating will satisfy me, or will relieve stress, and other lies. I must examine every temptation and ask, "Is this true?" Only when I continue to embrace truth will I be able to leave overeating behind. Since Jesus is "the way, the truth, and the life," I must embrace Him.
     In Luke 4:18-19, Jesus gives His mission, to release men and women from their chains of captivity. He said, "The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, because He anointed Me to preach the gospel..., to proclaim release to the captives, and recovery of sight to the blind, to set free those who are oppressed..."  Jesus breaks the power of sin and releases me from the prison of sin. Oh, how I praise Him for that!
     Living in the freedom that knowing Jesus gives is a choice. Just as I have the freedom to turn my back on Jesus, I have the freedom to choose to yield to Him. Just as I have the freedom to overeat, I have the freedom to choose to eat only until satisfied. Just as I have the freedom to indulge my flesh, I have the freedom to choose to crucify my flesh. Just as I have the freedom to carry pounds of excess flesh, I have the freedom to choose the disciplined eating and exercise habits which will cause my body to release the excess weight.
     Freedom from the domination of flesh is possible. Freedom from satisfying every craving is possible. Freedom from overeating is possible. Freedom to have a body that is honoring to the Lord is possible. Jesus will set me free, as I yield to Him and His Word, and "[she] whom the Son sets free is free indeed"!

Today, consider how well you're yielding to and choosing the freedom that Jesus gives, especially in the area of your eating and exercise habits.

I love hearing from you, as you share what God is doing in your life.
Blessings,
Mary

I thank God for the freedom I have to turn over control to him.  He is the master and controls everything in his hand and I don't have to carry that pressure or that stress of trying to maintain the control.

Amen!!! That's what I say, my SC friend.
Blessings,
Mary