Child, you shall have one. Because I’m a God of new beginnings and second chances. As a matter of fact, that’s why I died on that cross, to bring forth new life for all.
Therefore remember these words, “Behold, I will do a new thing, now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a road in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert.” Isaiah 43:19
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
*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.
Lord, I heard that others are fasting 40 days for our nation and the upcoming election. They’ll begin on September 30th and fast until November 8th. Should I fast too? If so, what kind of fasting would You have me do? I already cut my food portions in half. Do I give up desserts? Do I fast one meal a day? What kind of fasting should I do?
I have a trip planned during part of this time period. Food is a major part of this trip and I don’t want to ruin it for others traveling with me. I also don’t want them to know I’m fasting. It’s bad enough my friends watch as I cut my food in half. Then they ask if I think they should do the same. Lord, I can’t tell them how to eat. Only You can.
But what should I do about this fasting?
Do I give up television? I can do that easy. Television’s boring, although I do like my news station. I know I’ve become a news junkie with three news apps on my cell phone. I check them throughout the day and get new updates. I especially want to know about the events of this upcoming election.
But Lord, what about fasting in prayer for this nation? What would You have me to fast? What would keep me focused on prayer for this nation?
My child, . . . you could fast the News.
Yes, that a good idea. It would improve your attitude. I’ve listened to you complaining about different news events. I know of your constant worries over the future. Freeing your ears would eliminate your fears.
Oh Lord . . sigh. . . I’d rather give up desserts.
I don’t think I can do this. It’s just too hard. It’s an Election year!
What about Hubby? He turns on the news first thing every morning. He’s worse than me. Would you have me leave the room when he turns it on? What would that do for our marriage? I wouldn’t even be able to discuss current events with him. What would You have me do?
My child, stay in the room with him. But read your Bible, write, or pray while he’s watching the news. The people I’ve placed in your life need prayers and the needs are great.
If he discusses news with you, just listen. He will enjoy you listening. After all, you do that so little with him.
You allow the News to influence your mood for the day and you worry so much about the future. Don’t you know yet that I, the Lord and King, hold the future in My hand?
What about my blog or Facebook? Lord, are You sure You want me to fast the News? Desserts would be easier and others wouldn’t notice. Giving up the news is too hard.
My child on your trip others would notice. Besides do you think watching the news will help you make a difference in the world?
No Lord.
Would growing deeper in My Word help you minister to others?
I guess.
You know it would. Do you trust Me?
Lord, You know I trust You.
Do you think the world will survive without you watching every event on your television?
My child, I’ve already told you who will be the winner of this election- I AM. It doesn’t matter who sits in that chair, I am the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. I am the Winner. I am the One in charge.
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O, Lord, there is none like You, nor is there any God besides You, according to all that we have heard with our ears. 1 Chronicles 17:20
But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble. Matthew 6:33,34
Trust in the Lord, and do good; dwell in the land, and fee on His faithfulness. Psalm 37: 3
Every now and then we fall. This picture is from a bicycle fall in May 2011. My weight loss plan then was to ride a bicycle to lose weight and get in shape.
With that fall, I got in a shape alright, ended up in surgery with added cadaver bone, 7 screws, a metal plate, physical therapy, and two months in a wheelchair. I think I’d call that “in a shape”.
Just recently I had a spiritual fall. It didn’t hurt as much physically, except Continue reading My Fall
Someone asked me to share my secrets for losing weight. So I’ve listed 50 dieting helps that I’ve used throughout this journey. These have been posted before, but it’s helped me to review them again. Sometimes we just have to return to the basics again. Continue reading FIFTY WAYS TO LEAVE YOUR LOVER (FOOD)
(Disclaimer: I’m allowed sweets on my food plan though I can only eat half or less. The following list explains how I eat my sweets. I do find it interesting that since I’m allowed sweets, they just don’t entice me as they once did. Don’t get me wrong. I do love my deserts, but they no longer call my name. Sometimes I’m just not interested. Imagine that. God has set me free.
I do apologize to my friends that are on restricted diets for one reason or another. God gave me a food program I could live with for the rest of my life. He has a plan for you too. Everyone is different. This is just what worked for me. It was a slow process, but it was the easiest process for me. God knew I couldn’t stick to a diet after 41 years of dieting failures. So He gave me a plan I could stick to, which included some sweets.) Continue reading TIBITS/ HELPFUL HINTS – WHAT I LEARNED ON MY WEIGHT LOSS JOURNEY