Category Archives: weight loss

Glory to God, Chains are Falling

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Lord, I want to bring You glory, not for me, but for You. Not only show me how, but also could You help me so that I could bring You honor and praise. , I want to ask You Also Lord, I want to ask if You would forgive me for returning back to my old ways of overeating consequently damaging the testimony of Your delivering power in my life.

And He said to her, “Daughter, be of good cheer. Your faith has made you well. Go in peace.” Luke 8:48

Child, this verse applies to you as well. Not only am I watching over you, but also I know of your weaknesses. So now move forth toward your victory. No longer hold your head down, but look up instead for your victory is coming. In fact I’m giving you victory. Look up and be excited about life for it’s a wonderful gift I’ve given to you. Instead of extra food, I want you filled with excitement, be filled with optimism, and be filled with My Spirit. Rejoice My Child for victory is yours.

 Thank you Lord for Your mercy. I can hear those chains of food bondage falling off now.

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Oh, what joy for those whose disobedience is forgiven, whose sin is put out of sight! Yes, what joy for those whose record the Lord has cleared of guilt, whose lives are lived in complete honestly!  . . .                                                                                                . . .  I confessed all my sins to you and stopped trying to hide my guilt. I said to myself, “I will confess my rebellion to the Lord.” And You forgave me! All my guilt is gone. . .                                                                                                                                          . . . The Lord says, “I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you.   Psalms 32: 1,2, 5, 8. NLT

                                                ______________________________                                                                                                                                    

 

I’ve blotted out your sins; they are gone like morning mist at noon! Oh, return to me, for I h ave paid the price to set you free. Isaiah 44:22 TLB

Lord, thank you for setting me free. I hear the chains falling off.

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 PERSONAL DISCLOSURE CONCERNING ADVERTISEMENTS:

Not My Car- But I like it. Don’t You?

I’ve decided to add advertisements to this blog. To begin with, if I published through a free site others would place their own advertisements here. Then we’d be subject to their choices even if we didn’t agree with their choices. So why should I allow others to advertise on this blog?

If I choose to monetize, then I get to choose the advertisements. Therefore I can choose advertisements I approve of and willing to purchase myself. If it doesn’t meet my standards, then you won’t see the advertisement.

A while back I use a free site for this blog and they advertised how Twinkies could help you through your rough times. See how letting others choose their advertisements won’t work for me. I’ll never advertise products to feed your or my food addiction.

I struggled with using advertisements. But after reading “The  Parable of the Talents” in Matthew 25:14-30, I concluded that advertisements could help to support blog expenses. Please don’t feel obligated in any way to order from any of these advertisements unless you want to.

The first advertisement:

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Yes, this  is the book I wrote with God’s help. To order, just click on the book button and you’ll be redirected to Amazon.com. Then I’ll receive a small commission from them for my own book. Why not?

If you decide to order from any other advertisements posted on this blog, I’ll receive a small commission from that company. But rest assured,  I’ll never use advertisements I don’t approve, or be willing to order myself. As a matter of fact, I plan on ordering this Amazon Prime after publishing this post so I can make commission from my own order. How’s that for a plan.

Check out these links.

Try Amazon Prime 30-Day Free Trial (This will save me postage when I order from Amazon. Sounds good to me. Maybe this one will pay for itself in postage alone.

Amazon FreeTime Unlimited Free Trial   (This is for children. I cancelled my Netflix, so this may be a good option for the grandkids.)

http://Try Audible and Get Two Free Audiobooks  (My oldest son loves audio-books, so I included this for him. )

Fast From Social Media? Please Lord, No!

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Lord, help me to fast today, especially tonight after supper. That’s when the Gluttony Monster comes. I want to kill him!

Then Child, don’t feed him. I’ll tell what else you need to fast from, . . . your social media/cell phone. Fast from your cell phone tonight after your supper.

What? . . . Oh Lord, I’m not sure I can do that.

Your mind turns off when you are zoning out. Therefore when the Gluttony Monster shows up you’re already zoned out. That’s why you’re weak, your mind is zoned out. You’re allowing social media and the Gluttony Monster to control you. How can I renew your mind when you are zoned out?

It’s the same when you watch television with all those food commercials. The power of mind suggestion is a powerful thing. Satan knows how to use it to keep My children defeated. But no more, for I have defeated him with My Holy Spirit. As My children yield their wills to My guidance, I can lead them to victory.

But Lord, what will I do with myself at night after supper?

Well, let’s see. . . Maybe you could talk to your husband. Or maybe, you could go outside for a walk. Which by the way, you’ve become weak My child, physically, mentally, and yes, even spiritually.

Lord . . .

Yes My child.  . . You could also feed yourself My Word. That’s really what you need to become stronger, more of Me. 

If you’re sitting in the same room as your husband while he’s watching television, get your notebook and write notes to Me. You can talk with Me even while in a room with others and the television blaring. Do you think you can only talk to Me during your morning devotional time? 

Not so, I want to be involved, rather included, in all areas of your life. Don’t shut Me out of your evenings just because the house is not quiet. Child, that’s one reason the Gluttony Monster can enter in. Because you shut Me out when you zoned out on that cell phone of yours. To repeat Myself, I want to be included in every area of your life, not just your morning quiet time. 

Now I’m calling you to a fast. Yes, I want you to fast the time period after your evening meal. Give that time to Me. Whether the house is quiet or not, I want that time period of your day.  You can include your family, but I want you to be aware of My Presence. So yes, I’m calling you to a fast. No food and no social media after your evening meal for 40 days. 

But Lord, I usually eat my evening meal around 5 P.M. And that’s at least four hours before bedtime. What will I do with myself?

You’ll figure it out. It will end up being your favorite time of the day. Your evenings will become full of peace instead of food. How would you like that?

By the way, others have said that reading Psalms brought them peace. Why don’t you try that?

Or you could complete a craft project or write on your computer. Then you would be creating, My child. You’d be copying Me by creating something out of nothing. Humans were created in My image. That’s why it makes them happy to be creative, for they are creating just as I created. It is part of My nature, to create. Since humans are created in My image, it is part of their nature too. 

You also could go for an evening walk and enjoy the nature around you. Nature is My creation, you know. Child, there is so much joy for you to experience. That’s why I want you to fast after your evening meal, both from food and social media. Not to take away your pleasure, but instead to fill you with My pleasure and find joy in My creation, both in your creation and in My creation. 

Now what do you say? Are you willing to fast after your evening meals for 40 days, both from social media and unnecessary food? 

Okay Lord, I’ll try.

Try nothing, you will. If you truly want the joy I’ll bring, then you will.

Yes Sir. I will. Thank you for talking to me.

Child, you were wondering how to break this bondage of gluttony. So, here’s another key to your freedom, fasting after your evening meal. Do this and you will see what I will do. Keep a record of the joys I bring to you each day. Your joy will increase and your victory will come back.

Another thing My child, lately you’ve been bringing that social media into our morning meeting place. Don’t do that anymore. I want your eyes on Me, not your social media. 

Child, through this next 40 days of fasting, you’re going to gain strength, physically, mentally,  and spiritually too. Just watch and see what I will do. Now I’m going to send Victory as your evening companion. Instead of the Gluttony Monster, you will have Victory coming in. All My children are winners, living in victory. Victory is yours to be had too. I’m sending Victory now to be your companion. Look for it. 

Lord, thank you for talking to me. Thank you.

Child, you could also spend your evening time in intercession for those you are concerned about, those you love and those on your prayer list. Then you could watch and see what I do in their lives as well. 

Yes Sir.

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 Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. Romans 8:37 NKJV

For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. 1 John 5:4 NKJV

 

 

Now Give Me Your Broken Heart For Love

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Now give Me your broken heart so I may fill it with My love. Come to Me, My child. Allow Me to hold you and heal your broken heart. Yes, you can cry. Especially cry out your pain. Release it to Me and I will heal your brokenness. 

But I have trusted in Your mercy; my heart shall rejoice in Your salvation. Psalm 13:5

Lord , I can’t even believe what I did last night. I’m so ashamed. Even my friend questioned my lack of self-control. You know I have no self-control. In fact, I’ve never had self- control. So I guess I’m just an embarrassment to You. Lord, I really don’t want to be an embarrassment to You

Child, you aren’t an embarrassment. And you won’t be, for I have you covered by My Blood. 

Child,  I’m here to wash your feet.

Oh Lord, You know how dirty I am.

Child, I love you in spite of your dirty feet, dirty hands, and even your dirty face. What I long for is your heart. I want your heart. I want your desire to be more for Me rather than your sin pleasures. If only you could know the peace I could give you. After all, there is pleasure in a clean heart. Come, allow Me to cleanse your heart. Then once your heart is clean, your feet, your hands, ,and  your face will follow.

Give Me your heart. Once you fall in love with Me, your eyes will not be so enticed with the pleasures of sin. You’ll only have eyes for Me. Love Me, My child, for only I can cleanse your heart of all your hurts, pains, and disappointments.Only I can heal what is broken. Only I can restore what has been stolen by the enemy. 

Come to Me. Allow Me to hold you and heal your broken heart. Yes, you can cry now. Cry out your pain. Release it to Me and I will heal your brokenness. 

You’ve been looking for love in others. Overall, they will always disappoint you. Look to Me for perfect love for I will never disappoint you. Seek My love and you will find the one true love you have always wanted. Given that humans are incapable of the love you desire. Only I can fill that need. Come to Me.

Lord, thank you for these words of comfort and love for me. They are indeed special to my heart. I’m so sorry I’ve embarrassed You. I do so want to make You proud. Please forgive me.

Lord, I don’t want to be an example of backsliding. Instead I want to be an example of Your victory.

My child, indeed you already are one of My victories.  I love you.

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Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.      Romans 8:1

In all these things we are more than conquerors through Him that loved us. Whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world, even our faith. Romans 8:37

So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. John 8:36

You will show me the paths of life; in Your Presence is fullness of joy; at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore. Psalm 16:11

Do You Want Me To Fast For Victory?

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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

Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand. . . .  For I, the Lord your God, will hold your right hand, saying to you, “Fear not, I will help you.  Isaiah 41: 10, 13
He also brought me up out of a horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my steps. Psalms 40:2 
Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead. I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:13,14 
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Miracles Happen In Spite Of-

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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.”

Breakfast: (2 slices apple, 2 tablespoons chicken salad.)

Lunch: (1 fried chicken leg, 1 tablespoon chicken salad, & 3 slices of apple. )

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, My Stupidity

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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?

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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 First, Eat Later

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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.

What? (Gritting my teeth even more.)

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If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. James 1:5
I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go;
I will guide you with My eye. Psalm 32:8
 
Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? I Corinthians 6:19

Got Plastered/ Holy 30 Devotional- Day 29 & 30

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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.

This is the last of the Holy 30 devotional.

Be blessed My Friend,

Pitbull Dog & Gluttonous Eating / Holy 30 Devotional-Day 27 & 28

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Lord, thank you the pitbull dog didn’t bite anyone while we were on our trip, especially the grandchildren who fed both dogs while we were gone. Later we found out the pitbull dog threatened our elderly neighbor.  I’m grateful the dog didn’t get through the old semi-rotten privacy fence. Thank you Lord for watching over all and keeping them safe.

Also, thank you  for our travel safety as we retreated for a rest and to celebrate our 45th wedding anniversary.Thank you for Your wonderful mercy Lord. The weather was beautiful and so were the mountains.

We ate here on our Honeymoon in 1973.

We were on the way home from our anniversary trip at Gatlinburg, Tennessee when our elderly neighbor called. He was very upset and complaining because our pitbull dog  had terrified him by growling and jumping up on the privacy fence. Also the dog had  pushed one of the fence boards loose and now had our elderly neighbor terrified.  He was afraid the dog was going to come through the fence and attack him. Because of that, now the neighbor won’t even go into his own backyard due to being afraid of our pitbull dog.

65 pounds of pure muscle.

This dog was a stray that just showed up. We fed him and he stayed, but now due to our neighbor’s extreme fear Hubby says this pitbull needs to go. I agree. I have to admit I’ve become a little leary myself.

Also Lord, I’m ashamed to say I gluttonized last night. After determining not to overeat during our trip and struggling to maintain food sanity throughout, I get home and gluttonize like a crazy person. Guess I was tired from the trip and bummed out over this pitbull dog situation. What are we going to do?

Lord, I know I don’t deserve Your help, but could You help us with this pitbull situation? Could You help us find him a good home?

Child, I am helping you. Now rejoice in this, for I am in charge. Trust. I have already picked out a new home for him. Now, about you . . . 

Do You think I should make another Facebook post about someone else adopting the dog?

Child, I want to talk about you now. . . Do you know how much I love you?

Sir, I can only imagine.

Right. What did I do for you?. . . Just for you?

Uh. . . You died for me.

Child, you must die to all that is “self” for Me. I can only trust those who are completely yielded to Me, just as you can only trust a dog who is submissive to you. If you desire to be used by Me and you say you do, then you must be totally yielded to Me. You must die to all that is “self”.

But Lord, how? I haven’t succeeded in total victory yet, only partially, only sometimes. So how can I die to self? I struggled against this overwhelming urge to overeat throughout our entire trip only to get home and eat until I was bloated. Yes, we ate “high on the hog” celebrating our 45th anniversary throughout this trip. We shared dessert most every meal. But I did keep it in control, portion wise and I ate no snacks at all.

Then after we got back home, around 7pm, I stood on the scales before eating supper. I should have known better. The scales showed a three pound gain. I know nighttime is not the best time to weigh myself, but I did it anyway.

And what were your thoughts before getting on those scales?

Uh, . . . I thought, “I don’t care what they say. I’m still going to eat all those leftovers.”

Child, that was your first mistake. You declared you were going to eat all the leftovers no matter what the scales said. Did you think to ask Me what I thought? Did you seek My will concerning your food?

No Sir.

I see. Child, it was your “self” that wanted it all. You weren’t even hungry. You just wanted to eat due to stress. Am I right?

Yes Sir.

What should you do next time?

Lord, should I share with the others on that Pittbull Facebook group about the fence board being loose and let them know the pitbull dog acted like he was going to get into the neighbor’s yard? The neighbor was afraid the pitbull dog was going to attack him.? Some of those people on that FB group said I should get rid of the neighbor and not the dog. What???

Child, . . . don’t change the subject. What should you do next time?

Uh, . . . first of all I shouldn’t have weighed myself after a 10 hour ride in the car. Then I shouldn’t have determined to eat all the leftover pasta from the night before. I should have asked You first Lord about what I should eat?

Child, I blessed you with many blessings throughout your trip. You won many food battles. I gave you victory throughout. Then you get home stressed over this dog issue and proceed to calm yourself with food. Did this help your situation?

No Sir.

Know this child of MIne, I am working out this dog issue for your good. I shut the mouth of a lion and I shut the mouth of this dog. Now I’m giving you an open door to provide a better home for him. Yes, I said a better home for him. I’m relieving you of this stress, worry, and even your fears concerning this dog. Watch and see what I will do. Trust Me. You don’t handle it, I will. I will send him to a new home and you will feel good about it.

Now yield yourself to Me so I can set you free from your self-inflicted chains of bondage to compulsive overeating. 

Ok Lord, here I am. Do with me as You wish. I am Yours.

By the way, those size 10 pants are already yours now. I’ve already planned it. 

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Note: On Friday, a family came to meet our pitbull dog. They said they already had a pitbull and love them. They said they have three acres of fenced land for him to run.

When they got here, they played with this pitbull in ways we never have. He was so excited he was jumping up and down like a rabbit. Overall he immediately took to them and they seemed thrilled with him.

When they were ready to leave he hopped in their car so happy to go. Not only did he act so happy to be with them, but also he never even told us bye. He was so excited to be with them that he never even looked back.

Lord, I praise You for answering our prayers. Since I now get daily messages from the new owners with updates of all he is doing and how happy he is, I can see how You answered this need of a good home for this dog.

Thank you Lord!

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The Lord your God is merciful and compassionate. He won’t withdraw His Presence from you if you return to Him. 2 Chronicles 30:9

. . . Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good, and let your soul delight itself in abundance. Isaiah 55:2

If the Lord delights in a man’s way, he makes his steps firm; though he stumble, he will not fall, for the Lord upholds him with his hand. Psalm 37:23–24

Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness for they shall be filled. Matthew 5:6

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Holy 30 Devotional

**The short devotional, “Holy 30” (See picture of Day 27 & Day 28) 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.

(Lord above all, show me how to reach them with Your love. )

(Lord, not only could You show me how, what, and with whom I can share Your love with, but also could You open my eyes to see those around me with needs  that I don’t see now. In addition, open my eyes, ears, and heart to each of those You have given to me. Finally,  help me minister Your love to them in such a way so that it will cause them to seek Your love for themselves.)