Flashback Friday Devotion #24 [Hollywood deaths & Vigilance]

Hi, Everyone.
     Three Hollywood icons have died: Ed McMahon, 86, June 23rd; Farrah Fawcett, 62, June 25th; Michael Jackson, 50, June 25th.
     Whether famous or infamous, death comes to each of us. Are you ready? It is reported that Mr. McMahon attended a protestant church faithfully and that Ms. Fawcett was a Catholic. I do not know about Mr. Jackson, although I seem to recall that he became a Muslim.
     None of that matters. It doesn't matter whether one attends church, is a follower of a certain denomination or religion, is a "good" person, or even a "bad" person. Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No man comes to the Father but by Me" (John 14:6). 
     Mr. McMahon lived a long life. His death was not a shock. Farrah Fawcett battled cancer for the past 2 years. Her death was not a shock. Mr. Jackson's death was a surprise, although he had not looked healthy for a number of years.
     My first thought, at hearing that Mr. Jackson had died, was Mark 8:36, "What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul?" I do not know if Mr. Jackson forfeited his soul, just as I cannot be certain of the eternal state of Mr. McMahon or Ms. Fawcett. Each person must examine his/her own heart.
     When each of us stand before Almighty God, where we spend eternity will be based on one thing, and one thing only: what did each of us do with Jesus?
     We are not promised tomorrow, so I ask you, dear reader, if you died in the next moment, are you 100% sure you would go to Heaven? Why, or why not? If you are not 100% sure, you can be, and I would be delighted to help you know how you can be sure. You may email me at [email protected], and I will be happy to talk with you.

     Today's devotion is from my personal journal dated May 2, 2007. I learned a very important lesson in my weight-loss journey that day. As always, I love to hear from you.

Flashback Friday Devotion #24 [Vigilance]

     I'll be honest. I'm a little confused today. After coming home from early prayer, I went over yesterday's [last Friday's] journal entry. I then began thanking God that "the Egyptians" (the army of gluttony) are gone. I was surprised to "hear" God say, "Be vigilant."
     Some verses came to mind, and I looked them up. I Corinthians 10:12 advises, "...let him who thinks he stands take heed that he does not fall." I also thought of the words of Jesus, "Keep watching and praying that you may not enter into temptation; the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak" (Matthew 26: 41). Then, of course, there's I Peter 5:8, "Be sober. Be vigilant. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour."
     So, my question is, "Is the army gone or is it not?" As I write this, I'm asking the Lord to help me understand, to give me wisdom. I slept three hours last night, so I'm really tired. I think that is making this more difficult than it should be. I'll just write what comes to me and then sort it out later.
     I can foresee that when I have days of victory behind me and I feel like an "overcomer" (which I am), perhaps there is danger of pride creeping in. Perhaps, instead of continuing as the student in this "God Gain" lifestyle, I think I should be the teacher (which is my gift, after all), long before I'm ready to teach anyone. I see that as a danger, and I can see that I must be vigilant against that pride.
     Just now, I could envision a chain, with large oval links. The Lord is helping me to see a chain of events that often happens, resulting in overeating. Actually, "chain of events" is not as accurate as "chain of emotions." I am definitely an emotional eater. It doesn't make sense to remove a link in the chain, because my emotions are my emotions. However, I see I can add a link in the chain, and that is prayer. I can add another link, and that is the Word. I can add a third link, reaching out to others to encourage and to be encouraged.
     Vigilance is both a defensive and an offensive weapon in the battle of losing weight. As a defensive weapon, vigilance allows me to be aware and wary, lest Satan should get into "roaring" distance of me. As an offensive weapon, vigilance allows me to guard the victory in my walk. The key to demolishing the stronghold of gluttony is to focus on the fact that Jesus already tore it down (at the cross), and only I have the power to rebuild it--brick by brick. Vigilance will help me avoid the enemy's infiltration or my rebuilding of the stronghold of gluttony and the resulting weight.
     Perhaps my flesh will always tend toward weakness, in the area of overeating. I don't really want to believe that, though. I want to know that "the Egyptians [I] have seen today [I] will never see again." Which is it? Victory or Vigilance? Maybe it's vigilance in my walk of victory. That's it! Vigilance in my walk of victory! Thank You, Father, for helping me to understand.

Today, consider what part, if any, vigilance plays in your ability to lose weight and keep it off. Are you an emotional eater? What "links of chain" can you add, to help you break the chain of emotional eating?

Blessings,
Mary

P.S. If you have time, enjoy this  3 minute 37 second video of Russ Taff singing Praise the Lord. Russ has battled his own addictions and is walking in victory. He is ever vigilant, though. May this song inspire you and encourage you today. 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZNYw_lWwwA8