No child, I don’t want you fasting for weight loss. Instead I want you to listen to Me. Eat when I say eat and fast when I say fast.
Last week I impressed upon your heart to fast one meal. But you didn’t listen. So your disobedience led to a binge. Several days later, I impressed upon you to wait until the next meal before eating. But again you didn’t wait. This led to another binge.
Then yesterday, after vowing to fast until supper with only three hours to wait, you picked up a fast food snack on the way home. You didn’t wait, but instead you rationized, “It’s a small snack.” This led to a three hour binge before supper. Don’t you know there’s no rationalizing disobedience.
Child, it’s not the fasting I’m looking for. No, it’s an obedient heart I’m looking for. I want you to learn to listen to Me. Listen and obey.
I want My children to walk in victory, not defeat. If you had listened to Me, yesterday would have turned out different. It would have been a day of victory for you. But instead, it was another day of defeat. My child, it’s not My will for you to walk in defeat. It is My will for you to walk in victory. I have victory planned for you. If only you will listen and obey, then victory is yours.
Today, I have already designed for you victory. Now you choose, walk in victory or defeat. You get to choose. Choose this day whom you will serve, your self or My will. After all, what did “self” ever do for you?
Remember this, spiritual fasting brings increased power to your prayers. If you look to Me, I will enable you to do this. I will fill you with increased power to resist temptation.
But you, My child, do not have enough willpower to fast for weight loss. Just trust Me to lead you. As you listen and obey, you will succeed. For I have already planned for you victory indeed.
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But as for me, I trust in You, O Lord; I say, “You are my God.” Psalms 31:4
Seek the Lord and His strength; seek His face evermore! Psalms 105:4
Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage. Galatians 5:1
Miracles still happen. Yes, in spite of my stupidity, miracles still happen. For those enquiring minds who want to know, from March 19th to March 25, I’ve lost 4 1/2 pounds. Wow! Yes, God still works miracles today. Ya’ll hear me? He still works miracles.
What follows now is a my eating record. Overall it’s boring, yet at the same time it’s amazing how God has showed me grace and forgiveness. To all you who focus on healthy eating, please accept my apology. Once you read this, you’ll realize if I can lose weight in spite of all these mess-ups, surely you can lose weight too. You’ll see. After all, you’ll be amazed at the amount of grace God has, both for me and you too.
Beginning 3/19, MONDAY: Lord, what do I eat for breakfast today? (Ate- wheat toast with butter, 1/2 cup apple juice, & 1 tablespoon chicken salad.) Lord, can I have two tablespoons chicken salad? – [No] – Lord, can I have a pear half with mayo & cheese? [Yes, you may. But choose the smallest one.]
Mid-morning: Lord, I have such severe indigestion. Can I have one no sugar added fudgsicle? (Ate one. Granted it helped, but I didn’t wait for an answer.)
Lunch: Lord, can I have more chicken salad? [Yes, but only two spoonfuls. No more.]
Later afternoon: Lord, this indigestion is awful. Since the first one helped, can I have another fudgsicle? (Ate two. Granted they helped my indigestion. But again, I didn’t wait for an answer.)
Supper: (Ate 1 bowl of corned beef and cabbage, 1/2 piece cornbread, & 1 roasted chicken leg.)
3/20, TUESDAY: Lord, lead me today concerning Your will, what I am to eat, not eat, cook, not cook, do, not do, think, not thin, and say, not say.
Breakfast: Lord, what do I eat now? [Are you hungry?] –No. – [Then wait until you’re hungry.]
After 8:15 am : Lord, this indigestion is horrible. Because of this, may I have a fudgsicle for breakfast to calm my stomach down? [Yes.] I think it’s the Vitamin D pill the doctor prescribed. Finally, I checked Google for side-effects. However indigestion as a side effect was not listed. (Since they do calm my stomach, I ate one fudgsicle.)
9 am: (Still had indigestion. Therefore I ate another fudgsicle.)
11am: Lord, what do I eat for lunch? (Ate leftover corned beef & cabbage with small piece of cornbread.)
45 mins. after lunch: (Ate 1 small roasted chicken leg.) Lord, could I have some chicken salad? [No.]
1 pm.: (There was leftover chocolate cake from Dad’s birthday on the table.) Lord I want some chocolate cake. – [No.]
Supper: (I didn’t write it down. Now I’ve forgotten. Sorry.)
Just before bed: Lord, I just ate two more fudgsicles. I didn’t care, didn’t ask, just ate them. Forgive me. Lord, make my heart want You more than anything.
3/21, WEDNESDAY: Lord, do I weigh myself this morning? [No, trust Me.] Lord, this is hard. [Trust Me Child.]
Breakfast: 2 tablespoons chicken salad, 3 apple slices.
9:45am.- I’m hungry with slight indigestion. (Drank one bottle of water.)
10:30am. -(Ate another fudgsicle.)
Lunch: (Two tablespoons chicken salad, 1 pear half with mayo & cheese.)
Supper: (Lettuce, tomato, & carrots with Ranch dressing, 1/2 hamburger patty, and handful of fried okra.)
3/22 THURSDAY: 6:45 am. -Lord, I’m hungry. What do I eat for breakfast? When do I eat? (Ate nothing, got busy, sidetracked.)
11:13am.- Lord, is it okay to leftover corned beef & cabbage? How about more chicken salad? [Yes on corned beef & cabbage, but only 1 tablespoon chicken salad and nothing else.] – – ( Ate corned beef & cabbage, 1 tablespoon chicken salad, and a little piece of cornbread.)
Supper: (Ate piece of roasted chicken, stir-fry vegetables, & salad with Ranch dressing.) Lord, I really want a piece of that pecan pie. (To begin with I resisted it. Then I ate a small pie of pecan pie. Afterwards, I wanted more pie, so I got a fudgsicle. Then I threw half of it away after feeling convicted.)
3/23 FRIDAY: Breakfast (Ate 1 tablespoon of chicken salad, 2 apple slices, 1/2 ham & cheese sandwich.)
Lunch: (Ate 1/2 bowl of pink eyed purple hulled peas, the best ever, 1/2 bowl of green beans & potatoes, and 2 slices apple.)
BINGE: (Ate 1/2 box of fudgsicles, and four or more pieces of Dad’s chocolate birthday cake. )
Supper: (Ate one fried chicken leg, new potatoes, and salad with Ranch dressing.)
While cleaning up the kitchen: (Ate right out of the pot, a lot of leftover potatoes.) Lord, forgive me.
3/24 SATURDAY: First thing, I started to weigh myself first to check for damage control. The Lord spoke to my heart, “Don’t weigh today, wait until Monday. Follow My eating plan for you. Trust Me and see what I will do.”
Supper: We had a family potluck. I followed my sister-in-law’s advice, “Just get only three spoonfuls of what you want.” So I had a little of everything including a spoonful of homemade cheesecake and peach cobbler. Okay, confession, I got more peach cobbler.
3/25 SUNDAY: First thing, I started to weigh myself. The Lord again spoke to my heart, ” Child, your weight is not important to Me. It’s your heart I’m interested in.”
Breakfast: (Ate 1/2 bowl Rice Chex with milk.)
Lunch: (Ate salad with Ranch dressing, and 3 bowls, yes 3 bowls, of baked steak, new potatoes, and carrots. ) Lord, forgive me, but it was so good.
Supper: I was still full from lunch, so I choose not to eat anything. After all, I’m going to weigh myself in the morning. Since I’m still full, I just won’t eat anything now.
After 9pm.- (Ate 4 fudgsicles. )
After 10pm. (Ate two bowls of leftover lima beans with ham.) Then I waddled off to bed shaking my head at myself. I can’t believe I ate all this. Now how’s this going to affect those scales in the morning?
After all these mess-ups, when I weighed myself Monday morning, the scales said I had lost 4 1/2 pounds. Wow! Now you know why I said, “God is a God of miracles. If He did it for me, the champion of mess-ups, certainly He will work a miracle in your life too.
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Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down; for the Lord upholds him with His hand. Psalm 37:24
. . . Mercy triumphs over judgement. James 2: 13
But I have trusted in Your mercy; my heart shall rejoice in Your salvation. I will sing to the Lord, because He has sealth bountifully with me. Psalm 13:5,6
I threw this cake in the garbage to remove the temptation.
Miracles still happen in spite of my stupidity. It’s amazing to me that I can share with you, my accountability partners, I had a weight loss of 4 1/2 pounds this past week. Just know it wasn’t due to my efforts, but because of God’s grace and patience with me. It’s due to His wonderful love and forgiveness.
God has granted me miracles within this weight loss journey. And He’ll grant you miracles in your weight loss journey too. Because God has allowed me to start over a million, trillion times, I know He has a new beginning for you too. After all, He’s no respecter of persons, especially me. It seems I’m the champion of mess ups. Instead of being an example of obedience, I’m the example of what not to do and how not to eat. Yet God never gives up on me. He hasn’t given up on you either.
Yes, there’s been many stupid decisions on my part. As the saying goes, “Stupid is, stupid does.” For those who look at my story for your encouragement, I ask your forgiveness. My story is not one of easy or quick success. No, it’s one of constant setbacks, struggles, and lots of failures on my part. The only victory I can claim is the victory and miracle of Jesus Christ.
For those who look to my food plan as a pattern for healthy eating, I also ask your forgiveness. You’ll be horrified when you read my next post about how much and what I ate. Yet, I still lost weight. It’s an amazing miracle to me. I can only give credit to God’s mercy.
My original weight loss of 90+ pounds (a major miracle in my life) was not due to what is considered by experts to be a healthy diet plan. No, instead it was due to portion control. God knew after a lifetime of trying to follow assorted diets and failing each one, I needed something I could live with.
Therefore I don’t follow a structured food plan/ diet at all. Don’t look for a diet plan here. Every diet plan I’ve ever tried only resulted in more weight gain when I returned to my normal eating patterns. So God led me to eat in smaller portions. Thereby portion control.
After my gaining back 30 pounds due to stupid decisions on my part, God is now working to teach me to stop and seek His will before I eat. Really I should seek His will before all things. Also He’s working to increase my trust in Him. And He’s focusing on helping me learn obedience to Him. Listen, every time I make a decision to obey Him, it’s a miracle. If you really knew me, you would know this is true.
Next post will be about food issues. Yuck!
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Jesus looked hard at them and said, “No chance at all if you think you can pull it off by yourself. Every chance in the world if you trust God to do it.” Matthew 19:26MSG
Being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ. Philippians 1:6NKJV
For I, the Lord your God, will hold your right hand, saying to you, “Fear not, I will help you.” Isaiah 41:13NKJV
Amazing love, how can it be? Why do You love me Lord? I certainly don’t deserve Your love. After all, we both know how I am.
I love those who love Me, and those who seek Me diligently will find Me. Proverbs 8:17
Lord, above all else I need You in My life. Without You I’m nothing, but a mess. Would You guide me, lead me, and help me follow Your will for today? How about being in control of my whole life, all of me? I’ve been trying to handle these struggles of life on my own and I’m so tired.
Create in me a clean heart and a steadfast spirit. Psalm 51:10
Would You grant me a testimony of Your delivering power so others will know You can deliver them too. I want them all to know of Your amazing love. Then let each one of them also have their own testimony of Your delivering power, so we can help each other. Also I want my size 10 pants back.
Child, you will have those size 10 pants back. And you are a testimony of My love. I love you just as you are. After all you can’t earn My love for I freely give it to those who desire My love.
Thank you Lord for loving me. I know I don’t deserve it.
Child, I hear your prayers and your heart cries. I see. I know. All is well between us for My forgiveness is freely given , not earned. Don’t worry about trying to deserve or achieve My love for I freely give it without strings attached and without demanding repayment, or recompense. I repeat, there is nothing you can do to earn My love. It’s a free gift and I give it to those who seek it. Now I give it to you.
Thank you Lord.
Being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ. Philippians 1:6
Child of Mine, I always finish what I start no matter how many steps you take backwards. I still finish what I start, always, even My work in you.
Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. Matthew 7:7
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Lord, right now I need a new food plan especially since I gained some weight. One of my friends lost weight by counting calories. On the other hand my sister lost weight by avoiding mostly all carbs. Assuming I could stick to it, which diet would work for me? Since I need to get back in those size 10 pants immediately, which food plan would bring the quickest weight loss?
Before when I lost 90 pounds, You instructed me to eat only three meals a day, half portions, and no snacks. At that time, you said it didn’t matter what I ate. Just remember to follow these basic instructions. At that time not only did I gain self-control, but I also lost 90 pounds as a result.
But now it’s a different story. Presently I’m struggling with everything, eating only three meals a day, eating half portions, and the part about no snacks. I blew that one for sure, for months now. What seemed easy before now seems so hard. It feels impossible. For the most part I’m not having success with any food plan. I had success back then, why not now? What can I do?
I think maybe this time I might actually need some kind of diet, rather a food plan. Would You give me a food plan? You created my body and You know what is best for it. So could You give me a food plan?
Child, ask and ye shall receive.
Thanks Lord, I need some kind of rules to follow especially since I’m not succeeding at all in my eating. Okay Lord, what are the rules for now? What is the new food plan?
Ask Me first, eat later.and then ye shall receive weight loss.
Lord, I need the rules.
The Pharisees had many rules, but they failed. You are My child, a child of the King. You don’t need rules, You have Me.
What? How am I to eat? How am I to lose this extra regained weight?
Ask and ye shall receive.
Lord, I’m asking. What is my new food plan?
There will be no diet rules. For now, you can no longer eat until you ask Me first. You can no longer choose your food until you consult Me first. As you seek My advice, then I will answer you.
What? . . . Lord, this is too hard. I need rules. Rules are easy to follow. What you’re asking me to do seems too simple, yet at the same time too hard.
Child, the Pharisees had plenty of rules and look how they succeeded. You asked and I answered. Now you can no longer eat anything and expect to lose weight unless you ask Me first and then eat later.
How simple can this be? When you ask, ye shall receive. I will give you success when you ask. Trust Me.
(Gritting my teeth.) Okay Lord, today. Just for today, I will try this and we will see how well this works. For today, I will try.
My child, if you ask for My wisdom, then I will grant you wisdom. Now watch and see what I will do. Oh, and ask about what you are to drink too.
Lord, is there any hope for me? I must confess, but You saw what I did and You know. Yesterday, I got plastered, yes plastered, by my drug of choice- food. (*See note at end.)
I choose to be a vegetable yesterday, not eat vegetables, but BE a vegetable. I sat in my chair all day, watched movies , grazed in the kitchen (or my chair), and got plastered on everything I could find to eat. It’s a good thing I was too lazy to go to the store for more. Otherwise, it would have been worse.
Lord, I was so bummed out over this dog situation. I’m never praying for You to send a dog again.
Yes, be careful what you pray for. Sometimes I do give you exactly what you ask for even though it’s not the best for you, just to let you learn what is not best for you.
You asked for a dog that your husband would like. I sent you a manly dog, tough and macho. Your husband liked him, but you always had that underlying slight fear, especially when you read those bad reports about this breed.
You feared for your grandchildren feeding this dog while you were gone on your trip, which I orchestrated by the way. But I told you then, that I had shut the mouth of a lion. Then I asked did you not think I could shut the mouth of a dog too?
Yes, that gave you peace, but you can’t deny the relief you felt when you returned and saw all was safe. This dog is leaving your home because I will not have My children living in fear, no matter how unwarranted it is. Child, sometimes fear is a good thing if it is wisdom disguised as fear. But sometimes fear is sent to distract My children from My will and My love for them. Then they take their eyes off of Me and get their eyes focused on their fear instead. Didn’t one of your Presidents say these words? “We have nothing to fear, but fear itself.”
Yes, I’m giving this dog a new home, rest assured. Then you can focus on what’s left, your husband, your family, your home, the “grand-dog”, and your new assignment.
Yes, I did lead your friend to send you a text of encouragement about her earning four stars in four days, a star for each day of eating in submission to My will. Do you remember how I led you to write that?
Yes Sir.
Now I want you to return back to your starting mark again, specifically the START OVER mark. Return back to My Presence and start over again. You will return to eating food that is beneficial to your body and turn away from this useless, unnecessary food. You will also learn a new way of cooking to benefit your husband. He will lose weight too. Oh, and the grand-dog, Willow, will lose weight as well. Remember how the vet told you that the best thing you can do for this dog is to stop feeding him.
I say stop over feeding him, your husband, your family, and especially yourself. Extra food is not your friend. No, it is your enemy. Extra food steals your victory and leaves you defeated and discouraged. So why do you run to food for comfort?
Now today is a new day. No longer will you say, “I got plastered.” No longer will you turn to food for comfort. Now walk in the path I have prepared for you, which by the way does not include your television.
Note: This post was written earlier this week. For more information, see the previous post. This post is part two of that story.
At this time life is so much better. Eating is under God’s control now. He is a good God and patient too.
The pit bull was adopted by some relatives of one of our friends. They have 3 acres of land for him to run in. We only have a small suburban yard. His new family stays in contact with me about how’s he doing. They even sent me pictures. It seems all is happy especially the dog.
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Holy 30 Devotional
**This short devotional, “Holy 30” (See picture of Day 29 & Day 30) is based on I Peter 1:16. First Baptist of Tillman’s Corner published this devotional. I didn’t write any of it, but I do have permission to share it with you. These are the last two entries of this devotional.
If you would like some additional information about our church check out this website: http://www.fbtc.org/ . You can also listen to some sermons from our pastors. Enjoy them, I do.
Inconsistent, hmmm . . . . My middle name should be “Inconsistent”. Let me explain. First, I’m inconsistent with my writing. second, I’m inconsistent in keeping my house clean, and finally, I inconsistent with handling my money. You know, keeping the checkbook up to date and paying bills when due. Yes, I’m certainly inconsistent there.
I dream of projects to create a side business, so I spend money collecting all the supplies necessary. Then said projects just sit there for weeks, or months because my interest became focused on other things. This explains why I have a huge collection of lace, material, and crochet dollies. I had dreamed of making vintage aprons and selling them for profit. But one day I’d sew some on an apron, then for several days I’d lay it aside. Inconsistent, I’d say. Yep.
There’s is one thing I do consistently. That’s crying out to the Lord. It seems that I cry out to Him about everything. It’s wonderful how He is always there ready to listen.
But sometimes I don’t listen to His instructions. Uh-oh. Free will, anyone? I need to listen more, trust more, and obey more. Listen, trust, and obey. Yea, that’s it.
For instance, see those plastic containers. I’d made a Facebook post to give these away for free. Stated that if no one wanted them, in the garbage they would go.
Just yesterday, garbage day, I gathered them up to throw away. But on the way to the garbage can, it came to me, “Just hold them a little longer. Friday is the next garbage day. Wait until then.”
My logic side (Yes, it shows up sometimes, though rarely.) said, “No, I said if no one claimed them, they were going to the garbage.” So I put them in the garbage can and walked back in the house.
Later in the evening, a lady contacted me saying that her church could use these containers. Oh no . . . , they were already gone. Garbageman already took them. Oh no! How I wished I had listened to God’s Holy Spirit guiding me.
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Lord, I’m so sorry I didn’t follow Your leading. I was so busy completing my plans that I didn’t pay attention to Your guidance. I’m just sick about this. A church could have used these. Please forgive me and help me to listen. Open my ears to her Your voice and pay attention. Then help me to obey Your leading.
And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. Romans 12:2
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths. Proverbs 3:5-6
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go. Joshua 1:9
Trust in Him at all times, you people; Pour out your heart before Him; God is a refuge for us. Selah Psalm 62:8
And again: “I will put My trust in Him.” And again: “Here am I and the children whomGod has given Me. Hebrews 2:13
Trust in Him at all times, you people; Pour out your heart before Him; God is a refuge for us. Selah Psalm 62:8
For the word of the Lord is right, And all His work is done in truth. He loves righteousness and justice; The earth is full of the goodness of the Lord. Psalm 33:4-5NKJV
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**The short devotional, “Holy 30” (See picture of Day 19 & Day 20) is based on I Peter 1:16. First Baptist of Tillman’s Corner published this devotional. I didn’t write any of it, but I do have permission to share it with you.
If you would like some additional information about our church check out this website: http://www.fbtc.org/ . You can also listen to some sermons from our pastors. Enjoy them, I do.
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Below are two books I love. They emphasize listening to God’s voice. They help me during those times when I’m crying out.
You can find both books on amazon.com. No, I’m not an affiliate for Amazon.com. I keep telling myself I’m going to, just never do. Guess that’s something else I’m inconsistent with or could that just be an old fashioned case of procrastination? Sigh
Lord, I have many mountains in my life. One is to lose weight, but the biggest mountain I have is the prodigals I love and the heartache of their choices. Lord, how can I climb that mountain? How can I let them know of my disapproval of their choices, but yet, still reassure them of my love for them?
Better than that, how can I reassure them of Your love for them without making them feel condemned and judged? Lord, I love my prodigals more than my own life. And I know You love them more than I do, but how can I help them see that?
What is your overwhelming mountain? You know, the one that seems so impossible. Is it weight struggles? Or is it a child or grandchild you love who is making horrible choices and you know these choices will result in heartache and pain both for them and you? Is there any hope at all? Yes, with God on your side all things are possible.
Oh, and it helps to have some friends pulling for you too. Last Sunday night, I went to choir fighting to hold back tears. It was just too much to talk about. It hurt. Thank you Lord for the choir member who looked at me and said, “I feel like I should pray with you.” How wonderful it was to have her pray for me. Let me be that aware to pray for others when they are hurting.
Last Sunday morning, the preacher told a story of a daughter’s love for her Dad. She had tried to witness to him many times, but he always rejected Christ. Then she got kicked in the face by a horse. This resulted in many surgeries, but today to look at her you’d never know of her injury. After she had healed from her injury, she again shared with her Dad the story of God’s love for him. This time because of her injury, he listened and accepted Christ. Later she said, “If it took going through all that for my Dad to accept Christ, then it was worth it.”
The preacher then asked, “What are you were willing to go through for those you love to accept Christ?” He then told us to come to the altar and talk to God about it. I went to altar and told the Lord that I was willing to die for my prodigals, whatever it took.
(This may be a cop-out, because I’m looking forward to heaven. Can’t wait. So don’t get upset with me. It seems that living’s the hard part. But God is not calling me to die, instead He is calling me to live for Him.)
After I left the altar, He spoke to my heart and asked, “Are you willing to let them go? Do you trust Me?” Oh Lord, dying is easier. Sigh. Yes Lord, I meant it when I said I would give up anything to see them come to know You. Sigh. I trust You.
Then right before evening choir, due to many words said by others and words said by me confirming to them my disapproval of their life choices, I now had the pleasure of picking up grandchildren from school taken away from me. This was my punishment for expressing my disapproval. That’s why I went to choir fighting tears. Picking up grandbabies from school is both a pleasure and a delight. Yes, it’s better than dessert.
Isn’t it wonderful that the Lord cared enough to pre-warn me of this? Knowing that He knew before I did gave me peace. Knowing that He cared enough to forewarn me, gave me peace. Yes, God is in control. He does know all things. Yes, I will give them all up in order that they all, both grandbabies and the prodigals, may come to know Christ, the Lord.. Thank you Lord for the assurance of knowing You knew and You are there watching over these I love so much. Thank you Lord for Your love.
Prayer: Lord, do whatever it take to bring our prodigals home to You. Thank you for loving them more than we do.Therefore, we know we can thrust You to take care of them for You have plans for them, plans not to harm them, but to prosper them. You have plans for them a hope and a future. We know You are in control and we trust You. Amen.
Our church is forming a Saturday morning prayer meeting for the lost. I’m going to pray for my prodigals. We’re going to pray for all our prodigals. There is not one family that hasn’t experienced a touch of heartache in one form or another. Therefore we are joining together to bombard heaven in behalf of our prodigals and all the prodigals of our city.
If you have a prodigal you love, form a group with others who are concerned and heartbroken over their prodigals and bombard heaven. God hears our prayers and He is in control. We can trust Him. You will fight strength in praying with others. Pray until your mountains move.
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“For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them.” Matthew 18:20
So Jesus answered and said to them, “Assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith and do not doubt, you will not only do what was done to the fig tree, but also if you say to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea,’ it will be done.” Matthew 21:21
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**The short devotional, “Holy 30” (See picture of Day 19 & Day 20) is based on I Peter 1:16. First Baptist of Tillman’s Corner published this devotional. I didn’t write any of it, but I do have permission to share it with you.
If you would like some additional information about our church check out this website: http://www.fbtc.org/ . You can also listen to some sermons from our pastors. Enjoy them, I do.
_____________________________
I am NOT an affiliate of Amazon. com, but I plan on it. Just haven’t taken the time to figure it out.
That’s not whats important, our prodigals are what’s important. I highly recommend these two books. Check them out on Amazon.com. My friend gave me the first one and I cried as I read it. It’s full of stories and prayers. The second one I’m still in the process of reading. Awesome.
Lord, am I an introvert? You know how much I enjoy being alone. Studying and writing are alone type activities and they’re so satisfying.
Lord, I read that introverts focus more on internal feelings rather than outside stimulation. Yep, I think that’s me. The article stated that introverts were more quiet, reserved, and introspective. It stated that introverts feel the need to “recharge” by spending time alone after being with a large group of people. That explains why, although I love Sundays at church, I look forward to Mondays, a day of rest after the busy weekend.
What about being a people pleaser? Yep, I could be one of those too. People pleasing is hard work because as someone said, “You can’t please all the people all the time. And it causes stress and frustration when you don’t please those you’re trying to please. I overeat when others are not pleased with me. No wonder, I lean toward being an introvert. Lord, could You help me Stop overeating due to my interactions. Could You help me interact with people better and have unity with others?
My goal should be to share Your love with others. Could You help me share Your love with others? Could You increase my social skills so I can work with others as a team to share Your love?
But Lord, even with my hang ups, I want to serve You. So lead me where You want me to serve You. Where do You want me to serve? Help me find the place of service that I can be part of a team of those working for You.
Also, Lord could the team You put me with actually like me?
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Though one may be overpowered by another, two can withstand him. And a threefold cord is not quickly broken. Ecclesiastes 4:12
You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you. John 15:16
*Lord, what do I do today? What do I eat? Do I fast? I’ve been fasting all day and then in the evening I go crazy and eat everything. I’m gaining weight trying to fast. Guess I’m just not a good “faster”. (*Insert from below)
Lord, I’m sorry I ate all that last night. Help me focus on You. Direct my steps, words, actions, and my thoughts so that all I am and do is according to Your will today and everyday. Your will, not mine, be done.
Thank you for loving me. We both know I don’t deserve it. Forgive my sin of gluttony. Help me to turn away from this sin. And Lord, I want back in my clothes. You know, those size 10’s hanging in the closest.
Child, you don’t think of these things when you are reaching forth for more food to eat.
Yes Sir, You’re right. It’s as though my mind goes blank, and I don’t think at all except for “What can I eat now?’
Lord, what do I do today? What do I eat? Do I fast? I’ve been fasting all day and then in the evening I go crazy and eat everything. I’m gaining weight trying to fast. guess I’m not a good “faster”.
Do I try to fast again today? Do I just eat soup, just soup today? Once I fasted for 40 days only eating soup and I lost 15 lbs. in one month.
Lord, it seems I’m so weak spiritually now. I’m unable to fast, just can’t succeed at it. I go crazy at the end of the day being a human vacuum cleaner. What can I do? What do You want me to do?
Child, today you wait until your stomach growls before you eat anything. That is your fasting for today.
After your stomach growls, then come to Me and ask Me what to eat. I’ll tell you then what I want you to eat. What I do want, My child, is for you to look to Me for your guidance. You are being trained to look for My guidance in everything, even to what you eat. I want you to depend on Me for everything.
The reason you didn’t succeed at following man-made rules for weight loss is because rules don’t change the heart.
It is your heart that loves the food. Misplaced love. I desire for you to love Me above all else, especially your food. I want you to love Me with all your heart, soul, and mind first above all else.
Child, I gave you success before in weight loss and I will again. Only this time you are to never go back. Determine in your heart to seek My love first and above all. You know the sense of shame and failure that gluttony brings. Why would you go back?
Lord, I don’t know. Please don’t turn me over to a reprobate mind where I just eat and eat mindlessly. And then I grow bigger and bigger until I blow up.
As long as you seek Me that will never happen. Don’t be afraid. Know I am with you and I will guide you each step, each day. But you must seek My will throughout your day, not just in the morning quiet time.
Child, just as you eat three meals a day, spend quality time in My Presence three times a day. You should focus on spending time with me throughout your day. So this is your “new diet plan”, spend time with Me at least at least three times a day.
Lord, what do I do, carry a notebook with me everywhere I go?
If that is what it takes, then I say, “Go for it.” If that is what helps you focus on Me and My Presence versus your food, yes do it. You have a victory notebook. Use it.
I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. Galatians 5:16NKJV
“Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty [emancipation from bondage, true freedom].” 2 Corinthians 3:17 AMP
For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Romans 8:5-6
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**The short devotional, “Holy 30” (See picture of Day 13 and Day 14.) is based on I Peter 1:16. It was published by First Baptist of Tillman’s Corner. I didn’t write any of this devotional, but I do have permission to share it with you.
If you would like some additional information about our church check out this website: http://www.fbtc.org/ . You can also listen to some sermons from our pastors. Enjoy them, I do.
Also if you click on the underlined scripture tab, you will be connected to Bible Gateway. This is a great source for locating Bible scriptures through the computer.
