Hi, Everyone.
Tomorrow is Friday, so look for the Flashback Friday Devotion. Please pray for Ms. Ronnie. I believe she had surgery on Monday, so I'm hoping to read an update soon. Please pray for all August surgery people.
When money is tight, like it is for so many these days, we tend to tighten our purse strings, especially in the area of giving. However, it is during the lean times that we should plant for a bigger harvest. That's faith, and God honors and takes care of givers.

Life Plan Devotion #138 [Guidelines for Giving, 1 of 3]

II Corinthians 9:7 "Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver" (NIV).

     Last time, we looked at II Corinthians 9:6 and began to look at the Kingdom principle of sowing and reaping. We discovered that which farmers know--we harvest in proportion to the amount of seed we sow.
     Today, let's begin to look at II Corinthians 9:7, a verse in which God, through the Apostle Paul, gives us three guidelines for giving. For today, we will look at the first guideline. The intent, as always, is to reflect and learn. It is not to condemn. While you may experience conviction, if you experience condemnation/guilt, that's the work of the enemy, not the Holy Spirit. How can you know the difference? Satan loves to condemn, by giving you negative, condemning thoughts which have no "answer" or resolution. The Holy Spirit may convict, but He does so lovingly, with the intention of giving you the opportunity to repent and receive forgiveness, pointing you to the Word, which contains the "answer."
     The first guideline for godly giving is that the giver should prayerfully decide the amount to give and the place to give it. The decision, according to II Corinthians 9:7, should be made in one's "heart." The Greek word for "heart" is kardia (kar-dee'-ah), and it means "heart, thoughts, feelings (mind)."
     If you find that you quickly dig into your pocketbook or wallet while the offering prayer is being prayed, or you're busily writing your tithe check as the offering plate is being passed, you are missing out on the worship experience that giving is meant to be.
     If you are not already doing so, I encourage you to take time each week, in advance of your giving, to pray. Praise God that He is Jehovah-Jireh (the God Who Provides), thank Him for His many blessings, ask Him how much He would like for you to give (above your tithe) and where you should give it (missions, building fund, special projects, etc.). He may or may not put a certain amount on your heart, but whether He does or not, the final decision must be yours.

Deuteronomy 16:17 [NLT]
"All must give as they are able, according to the blessings given to them by the LORD your God."

What this has to do with weight loss: Have you had people help you on your weight-loss journey? I know I have, and one of my greatest joys is when I can give back to someone who has helped me or even to a person who is just beginning their journey. While I am no expert in weight-loss circles, I can give that which I am able to give--my experience, my encouragement, my prayers, etc. God has blessed me, so I must "pay it forward." How can you give what you are able to give, today?

Confession:
I give thoughtfully, prayerfully, and with the intent to bless, as I am able.

Blessings,
Mary

Hi, Everyone.
A fellow believer, Tami R., from South Carolina (my home state) tragically lost her husband. Please read her post, and visit her profile, as she requested, and let her know that you are lifting her and her children up to the Father.
Here's the link to her post: http://www.obesityhelp.com/forums/amos/3999230/My-Dear-Belov ed-OH-Friends-I-Have-some-very-sad-news/action,replies/topic _id,3999230/page,1/
Blessings,
Mary

Hi, Everyone.
One of the things I love to do is give to others. I don't say that with any sense of false pride, because even the gift of giving is God-given. I remember when my family was poor. I also remember when my family began to come up and out of poverty, through hard work and following the Lord, especially in being obedient to tithing and putting God first.
Please remember in your prayers today those who are having WLS today/this week, as well as those who are recovering from surgery. 

Life Plan Devotion #137 [Sowing & Reaping, Day 2]

II Corinthians 9:6 "[Remember] this: he who sows sparingly and grudgingly will also reap sparingly and grudgingly, and he who sows generously [that blessings may come to someone] will also reap generously and with blessings" (Amplified).

     Two types of sowers or givers are mentioned in II Corinthians 9:6, as well as the reaping that results for each. The Amplified Version says that "...he who sows sparingly and grudgingly will also reap sparingly and grudgingly, and he who sows generously [that blessings may come to someone] will also reap generously and with blessings."
     The word "sparingly" is used only once in the early English versions of the Bible, and that is in II Corinthians 9:6. The Greek word for "sparingly" is pheidomenōs (fi-dom-en’-oce), and it means "stingily." The sower or giver who sows sparingly or stingily will reap the same harvest--a small one.
     On the other hand, the sower or giver who sows "generously" or bountifully will reap the same harvest--a large one. Which type of sower/giver are you? In order to answer that question truthfully, you must take a good look at your heart, at the intent of your giving, as well as the amount you give and the harvest you have experienced.
     Check yourself and your experience with the following verses from the Amplified Version of Proverbs 11:24-25. "There are those who [generously] scatter abroad, and yet increase more; there are those who withhold more than is fitting or what is justly due, but it results only in want. The liberal person shall be enriched, and he who waters shall himself be watered."
     According to Proverbs 22:9, "A generous man will himself be blessed..." (NIV). Jesus said, "Give, and it will be given to you... With the measure you use, it will be measured to you" (Luke 6:38, NIV).
     If your "harvest" is not what you want it to be, I encourage you to look at your "sowing." The principle is clear; we harvest in proportion to the amount of seed we sow. That's the way it works for the farmer, in the physical realm; that's the way it works for the believer, in the spiritual and physical realm.

What this has to do with weight loss: What do you sow into the lives of others on their weight-loss journey? There are many opportunities to sow. You can sow your time, your talents, and, yes, even your treasure. Whether you're sowing time in prayer for those having surgery, giving a word of encouragement, sharing a protein sample, purchasing vitamins for someone in financial need, or even donating to a fund so someone without insurance can afford surgery, it will all come back to you. I've seen it over and over. It's a good feeling, too, knowing that you helped someone else. We are blessed to be a blessing.

Confession:
I sow seed generously, and I reap a bountiful harvest. I bless others, and I am blessed.

Blessings,
Mary

Colossians 1:13-14

I have been redeemed and forgiven of all my sins.

¹³For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, ¹⁴in whom we have redemption,^{a]" class="footnote">[a]" class="footnote">aa]" class="footnote">]} the forgiveness of sins.

I never really examined this scripture before.  When I was lost in my sins, I never saw myself as needing rescuing.  I actually saw the life that the legalists lived as torture....too many can'ts.  Can't do this...can't do that.  Ironically, the can'ts were things I never quite saw, or still see, as sins.  I choose not to do a lot of those can'ts anymore, but I did not need rescuing from those things. 

I needed rescuing from Hell, and Satan's control over my mind and behavior.  Being part of His kingdom gives me freedom to choose obedience.  Prior to my redemption, I had no choice.  I sinned.  Period. 

Now that I am redeemed, I have forgiveness.  Mom never forgave me for anything I did.  Forgiveness was a foreign concept for me.  I have been a believer for over thirty years, and only recently have been able to comprehend what forgiveness is about.

Thanks so much Trish. They really need the prayer. My friends sister in law passed away Saturday and the wake was today. She was only 21 years old. The family needs losts of prayer.

In  Christ
Karyn