Devotion #46

Hi, Everyone.
I trust you had a wonderful weekend, with a Sabbath full of the presence of the Lord. Today's devotion is from my personal journal dated May 24, 2007. The song that goes with it is amazing, in my opinion, so don't miss it. It's sung by an "everyday" choir member, but he does an awesome job, and the choir which backs him is good, as well. I love how some of the choir members respond to the song and how, at the end, many of the other choir members surround in prayer. You'll see what I mean, but read this first:

     This morning, I asked the Lord a question, "What will enable me to continue to be victorious in this battle against my flesh, becoming free from overeating, honoring You, Lord, in my body, and losing weight for the glory of God?" The answer was immediate and clear... "Humility."
     I was reminded of Proverbs 11:2, "When pride comes, then comes dishonor, but with the humble is wisdom.
     I can see how humility will continue to be essential in this God Gain Lifestyle (rather than Weight Loss Plan). Otherwise, I will think I can do this on my own, after experiencing success. Without humility, I can see that I might drift away from calling out to Him for help. I can predict what would happen. Eventually, I would begin overeating and gaining weight, and I'd be out of control, once more.
     When I read the Book of Deuteronomy, I could see myself in the pride of the children of Israel. Moses, in Deuteronomy 8:11-14 says, "Beware that you do not forget the LORD your God by not keeping His commandments, and His ordinances and His statutes which I am commanding, otherwise, when you have eaten and are satisfied, and have built good houses and lived in them and when your herds and flocks multiply, and your silver and gold multiply, and all that you have multiplies then your heart will become proud and you will forget the LORD your God who brought you out from the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery."
     This is my prayer:  "Heavenly Father, I kneel before You, humbly, in awe of Your love, mercy, and grace. I confess that I am nothing without You. I know that on my own, I can do nothing. With Your help, I am more than a conqueror. Help me to remove pride far from me, Father. You know how stubborn and rebellious I can be. I choose to lay that down today, Lord. I choose to die to my flesh today. I thank You for the grace You give me today. I depend on You, Lord. I need You. My desire is to fix my eyes on You and feed on Your Word. Help me to eat in a way that honors You today, Lord. I look to You to satisfy my heart. I thank You that even if temptation comes my way, You have made a way for me to bear it. I worship You. I know You are with me today. I thank You, in advance, that today will be a great day, not because of the strength of my own willpower, but because of the power of Your grace. As I humble myself in Your presence, I ask that You lift me up to walk in real, lasting victory. May everything I think, say, and do today bring honor and glory to You. I pray in the Name of Jesus, who 'humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.' Amen."

Today, check your heart for humility, for it is humility that will enable you to continue to be victorious in this battle against the flesh, continue to be free from overeating, continue to honor the Lord in your body, and continue to lose weight for the glory of God.
Listen to a man named Roc, from the Kannapolis (N.C.) Church of God, as he sings, "I Can't Even Walk Without You Holding My Hand." 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jgmKyK0aKfk&feature=related

Blessings,
Mary

Mary, Thank you!  I am singing in our revival next week and I think that's the song I need to sing.  The last time I had to sing, you sent me a video and at the 13th hour, I changed what I was singing to what was in the video and God came and walked the isles of our church.  Maybe God is working through you!
Laura

Hi, Laura.
Wow! That's amazing, but SO like God! Which video song did I send you? I've sent out several, so I don't remember the particulars. Sometimes it's my age. Sometimes, especially when God gives me a word for someone, I ask for confirmation, then I speak it, and then I usually forget it. I guess because it's not important for me to remember. I'm always cognizant of the fact that I can get puffed up, and I don't ever want to do that. If you ever see any of that yuck in my words, you have my permission to call me on it. God must get ALL the glory.
Blessings,
Mary

I"m trying to remember!  You're not the only one with memory issues..lol  It was a man who use to sing for Billy Graham.  I watched several of his videos after theone you sent me and he was on the Gaither Homecoming series also.  Oh, I wish I could remember.  It blessed me just as this one did.  I sat here with tears just flowing and my husband wanting to know what was wrong.  I had to tell him everything was right!  (Now he thinks I'm losing it..lol)

That's okay, Laura. I was just curious. I would love to hear you sing. I, too, sing special music at church. It's been quite a while, though, as I've been seeking physical healing here at home. I just couldn't take one more "Poor thing" look. I don't say that in a mean way. It's just that, no matter the intent, it began to wear down my faith to believe for my healing. God is working, and I'm getting stronger. I know that having WLS will be the final step, and I'll be able to reach out and touch the hem of His garment.
Your husband sounds sweet. My husband's so used to seeing me cry, he doesn't even ask. In his defense, it is true that I cry even over Hallmark commercials! :)
Blessings,
Mary