Week 4 - Day 2
I love a good word study and there was a great one right there in today's workbook!
pg 93 Jesus doesn't remove Paul's struggles, but He does give Paul a promise:
2Corinthians 12:9 ..."My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me.
Grace: divine love, favor, or assistance; mercy; loving-kindness
Sufficient: enough to meet the needs of a situation; adequate; plenty
Power: great or marked ability to do or act; authority; control; strength; influence; supremacy
Perfect: being entirely without fault or defect; lacking no essential detail; ideal; complete; just right
Weakness: lacking strength; feebleness; frailty; failing; limitation; disadvantage
pg 94 the word he uses for "rest" refers to a structure such as a tent, a tabernacle, or a dwelling...a dwelling place in which divine strength doesn't merely come and go but actually takes up residence.
That power is always there right within your grasp, all you need to do is reach for it and ask for it to overcome your weakness. Overwhelming isn't it! I personally experienced this concept when I overcame the temptation for a bag of chips. As soon as I asked for God to help me, the temptation was gone!
Truly it was - I went from being so distracted by the temptation that I could barely concentrate on working, to sending a desperate text message to bible study group asking for prayer, to being reminded to stand firm on God's Word. When I started reciting some of my memory verses, the temptation was gone!!!! All I can do is praise God and His perfect Word.
Monday, November 7, 2011
Made to Crave: Week 4 - Day 1
Week 4- Day 1
Chapter 10 - This Isn't Fair!
I read this chapter just one day after having to beg my bible study sisters to pray for me (thanks ladies!). As I have already written, one of the things I have cut out is chips- my favorite being salt & vinegar. Well, I have been doing fine with that and have not really missed them too much - until yesterday.
The case I am currently grading is about a snack foods company and one of the alternatives is to analyze whether or not to produce store brand chips. Yep, just fantastic! All I can think about is how yummy Food Lion brand salt & vinegar chips are and how badly I wanted a bag. It got to the point that it was incredibly distracting and I could hardly work because all I could think about was those chips! How ridiculous!!! But in the moment it was a serious battle - between my desire to stay on track and my incredible craving for a bag chips. Clearly Satan latched onto a big opportunity and threw a big ole temptation right into my face!
Thank God for friends who are willing to pray you out of any situation!!!! It was not long after I sent my frantic text message asking for prayer that I was able to put aside the temptation and get back to work. It also helped immensely (thanks Helen) to be reminded that Eve gave into to the desires of her flesh and that I should stand firm on the Word and His promises, just like Jesus did in the desert!
So after all that, I come to this chapter of the book and read the following that hits so close today...
pg101 But in that moment of temptation, I realized having a pity party was a clue I was relying on my own strength, a strength that has failed me before and would fail me again. I had to grab hold of God's strength and the only way to do that was to invite His power into this situation.
pg 103 Weakness is hard, but it doesn't have to mean defeat. It is my opportunity to experience God's power firsthand.
2Corinthinans 7b-10 there was given me a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me.
Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me.
But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me.
That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
Chapter 10 - This Isn't Fair!
I read this chapter just one day after having to beg my bible study sisters to pray for me (thanks ladies!). As I have already written, one of the things I have cut out is chips- my favorite being salt & vinegar. Well, I have been doing fine with that and have not really missed them too much - until yesterday.
The case I am currently grading is about a snack foods company and one of the alternatives is to analyze whether or not to produce store brand chips. Yep, just fantastic! All I can think about is how yummy Food Lion brand salt & vinegar chips are and how badly I wanted a bag. It got to the point that it was incredibly distracting and I could hardly work because all I could think about was those chips! How ridiculous!!! But in the moment it was a serious battle - between my desire to stay on track and my incredible craving for a bag chips. Clearly Satan latched onto a big opportunity and threw a big ole temptation right into my face!
Thank God for friends who are willing to pray you out of any situation!!!! It was not long after I sent my frantic text message asking for prayer that I was able to put aside the temptation and get back to work. It also helped immensely (thanks Helen) to be reminded that Eve gave into to the desires of her flesh and that I should stand firm on the Word and His promises, just like Jesus did in the desert!
So after all that, I come to this chapter of the book and read the following that hits so close today...
pg101 But in that moment of temptation, I realized having a pity party was a clue I was relying on my own strength, a strength that has failed me before and would fail me again. I had to grab hold of God's strength and the only way to do that was to invite His power into this situation.
pg 103 Weakness is hard, but it doesn't have to mean defeat. It is my opportunity to experience God's power firsthand.
2Corinthinans 7b-10 there was given me a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me.
Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me.
But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me.
That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
Memory Monday
First a check to see how I am doing on the last couple weeks of verses. This first one is my Nov 1 verse for SSMT verse #21.
1Corinthians 10:23
Everything is permissible, but not everything is beneficial.
Everything is permissible, but not everything is constructive.
Psalm 5: 3,8
Listen to my voice in the morning, Lord.
Each morning I bring my requests to you and wait expectantly.
Lead meoin the right path,O Lord, or my enemies will conquer me.
Tell me clearly what to do, and show me which way to turn.
Proverbs 16:3
Commit your actions to the Lord
and your plans will succeed.
Galatians 5:16
So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives,
so then you don't do won't be doing what your sinful nature craves.
Galatians 5:22-23
But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives:
love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.
There is no law against these things.
Have I mentioned that it is getting easier to memorize verses and that I am still reciting all of the ones since the beginning of the year! Yep, amazing to me as well. But the even more amazing thing is that I am often finding myself pulling verses I have memorized and being able to apply them to a situation or even a conversation. God puts His Word into our hearts for when we need it most. In fact, just today I opened my Bible to search for just the right verse to apply to a friend's situation and found two that apply just as well to me. Three memory verses to work on this week...
1Corinthians 6:19-20
Don't you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit,
who lives in you and was given to you by God?
You do not belong to yourself, for God bought you at a high price.
So you should honor God with your body.
Proverbs 15:18
A hothead starts fights; a cool-tempered person tries to stop them.
Psalm 69:1-3
Save me, O God, for the floodwaters are up to my neck.
Deeper and deeper I sink into the mire;
I can't find a foothold to stand on.
I am in deep water and the floods overwhelm me.
I am exhausted from crying for help;
my throat is parched and dry.
my eyes are swollen from weeping,
waiting for my God to help me.
About Memory Monday
I originally found Memory Monday with Joanne at The Simple Wife. The idea is to memorize a verse during the week and come back to her blog on Mondays to comment about it. That's it, nothing fancy, just simply an encouragement and reminder to memorize scripture for yourself. Please join in Memory Monday as a way to be blessed by hiding God's Word in your heart. And also join me in prayer for Joanne as she continues to recover from the stroke she had in January.
About Siesta Scripture Memory Team
This is another program to encourage us to memorize scripture and is hosted by Beth Moore over on her blog Living Proof Ministries Blog. This program is set up so that each person who wants to join the Siesta Scripture Memory Team will memorize two verses a month for all of 2011 and post a comment on the LPM blog on the 1st and the 15th of the month. If you do that all year you get to attend a Celebration with her and the SSMT next January! I so want to do that, don't you?
1Corinthians 10:23
Everything is permissible, but not everything is beneficial.
Everything is permissible, but not everything is constructive.
Psalm 5: 3,8
Listen to my voice in the morning, Lord.
Each morning I bring my requests to you and wait expectantly.
Lead me
Tell me clearly what to do, and show me which way to turn.
Proverbs 16:3
Commit your actions to the Lord
and your plans will succeed.
Galatians 5:16
So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives,
Galatians 5:22-23
But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives:
love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.
There is no law against these things.
Have I mentioned that it is getting easier to memorize verses and that I am still reciting all of the ones since the beginning of the year! Yep, amazing to me as well. But the even more amazing thing is that I am often finding myself pulling verses I have memorized and being able to apply them to a situation or even a conversation. God puts His Word into our hearts for when we need it most. In fact, just today I opened my Bible to search for just the right verse to apply to a friend's situation and found two that apply just as well to me. Three memory verses to work on this week...
1Corinthians 6:19-20
Don't you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit,
who lives in you and was given to you by God?
You do not belong to yourself, for God bought you at a high price.
So you should honor God with your body.
Proverbs 15:18
A hothead starts fights; a cool-tempered person tries to stop them.
Psalm 69:1-3
Save me, O God, for the floodwaters are up to my neck.
Deeper and deeper I sink into the mire;
I can't find a foothold to stand on.
I am in deep water and the floods overwhelm me.
I am exhausted from crying for help;
my throat is parched and dry.
my eyes are swollen from weeping,
waiting for my God to help me.
About Memory Monday
I originally found Memory Monday with Joanne at The Simple Wife. The idea is to memorize a verse during the week and come back to her blog on Mondays to comment about it. That's it, nothing fancy, just simply an encouragement and reminder to memorize scripture for yourself. Please join in Memory Monday as a way to be blessed by hiding God's Word in your heart. And also join me in prayer for Joanne as she continues to recover from the stroke she had in January.
About Siesta Scripture Memory Team
This is another program to encourage us to memorize scripture and is hosted by Beth Moore over on her blog Living Proof Ministries Blog. This program is set up so that each person who wants to join the Siesta Scripture Memory Team will memorize two verses a month for all of 2011 and post a comment on the LPM blog on the 1st and the 15th of the month. If you do that all year you get to attend a Celebration with her and the SSMT next January! I so want to do that, don't you?
Monday, October 31, 2011
Made to Crave: Week 3 - Day 5
Week 3 - Day 5
Chapter 9 - But Exercise Makes Me Want to Cry
Yeah, I didn't want to read this chapter either...but I did and gained new insight into exercise, specifically making the discipline of exercise an act of being obedient to God.
pg. 89 Every day I asked God to give me strength to stick with it this time...The more I made running about spiritual growth and discipline, the less I focused on the weight. Each pound lost was not a quest to get skinny bu evidence of obedience to God.
pg 91 I can either be loyal to honoring the Lord with my body or loyal to my cravings, desires, and many excuses for not exercising.
1Corinthians 6:19-20 Don't you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself, for God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body.
This verse screams MEMORY VERSE!!!
Chapter 9 - But Exercise Makes Me Want to Cry
Yeah, I didn't want to read this chapter either...but I did and gained new insight into exercise, specifically making the discipline of exercise an act of being obedient to God.
pg. 89 Every day I asked God to give me strength to stick with it this time...The more I made running about spiritual growth and discipline, the less I focused on the weight. Each pound lost was not a quest to get skinny bu evidence of obedience to God.
pg 91 I can either be loyal to honoring the Lord with my body or loyal to my cravings, desires, and many excuses for not exercising.
1Corinthians 6:19-20 Don't you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself, for God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body.
This verse screams MEMORY VERSE!!!
Made to Crave: Week 3 - Day 4
Week 3 - Day 4
pg 81 Define your week by obedience, not by a number on the scale.
I think this is a very important concept to remember throughout a weightloss journey. The scale provides a number, it gives us a concrete result - how much our body weighs at that moment in time. If we are trying to lose weight, then obviously we want that number to go down. But defining our success only by that number is dangerous. Expecially if we are wieghing ourselves every week. There will be weeks that you do everything right and do not see the scale move in the direction you want it to. Therefore, do not define your ongoing success by the scale only. Use the scale only to track progress to your ideal weight.
Your weekly, and even daily successes -or victories should not be defined by the scale but instead by obedience. If you are on a weight loss journey then you have "a plan". Your plan is how you going to lose weight, what you will eat or not eat, when and how much you will exercise, identifying your stumbling blocks, etc.
If you have a plan and obediently follow it, you will lose weight. The key to the measurement of success for your plan is obedience. If you do not lose weight, but are following the plan obediently, then you have to reevaluate your plan.
pg 81 Define your week by obedience, not by a number on the scale.
I think this is a very important concept to remember throughout a weightloss journey. The scale provides a number, it gives us a concrete result - how much our body weighs at that moment in time. If we are trying to lose weight, then obviously we want that number to go down. But defining our success only by that number is dangerous. Expecially if we are wieghing ourselves every week. There will be weeks that you do everything right and do not see the scale move in the direction you want it to. Therefore, do not define your ongoing success by the scale only. Use the scale only to track progress to your ideal weight.
Your weekly, and even daily successes -or victories should not be defined by the scale but instead by obedience. If you are on a weight loss journey then you have "a plan". Your plan is how you going to lose weight, what you will eat or not eat, when and how much you will exercise, identifying your stumbling blocks, etc.
If you have a plan and obediently follow it, you will lose weight. The key to the measurement of success for your plan is obedience. If you do not lose weight, but are following the plan obediently, then you have to reevaluate your plan.
Made to Crave: Week 3 - Day 3
Week 3 - Day 3
Chapter 8 - Making Peace with the Realities of My Body
Here are some key points from the chapter that jumped off the page and whacked me upside the head!
pg 81 Define your week by obedience, not by a number of the scale.
pg 82 Yes, eating healthy and exercising get our bodies into better shape, but we are never supposed to get the satisfaction our souls desire from our looks...The only true satisfaction we can seek is the satisfaction of being obedient to the Lord.
pg 83 if I allowed my brain to park in a place of dissatisfaction about any part of my body, it would give Satan just enough room to move in with his lie that strips me of motivation.
Do you see the links to your success yet? Seeking the satisfaction of being obedient to the Lord will benefit you spiritually, mentally, emotionally, and physically. Focusing on yourself, in any way negatively, only allows Satan in. Your level of motivation and your success are possible only when you are focused on getting closer to God.
Chapter 8 - Making Peace with the Realities of My Body
Here are some key points from the chapter that jumped off the page and whacked me upside the head!
pg 81 Define your week by obedience, not by a number of the scale.
pg 82 Yes, eating healthy and exercising get our bodies into better shape, but we are never supposed to get the satisfaction our souls desire from our looks...The only true satisfaction we can seek is the satisfaction of being obedient to the Lord.
pg 83 if I allowed my brain to park in a place of dissatisfaction about any part of my body, it would give Satan just enough room to move in with his lie that strips me of motivation.
Do you see the links to your success yet? Seeking the satisfaction of being obedient to the Lord will benefit you spiritually, mentally, emotionally, and physically. Focusing on yourself, in any way negatively, only allows Satan in. Your level of motivation and your success are possible only when you are focused on getting closer to God.
Made to Crave: Week 3 - Day 2
Week 3 - Day 2
Workbook - I'm Not Defined by the Numbers
2Peter1:3-8 His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires. For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
pg 68 It is through biblical promises that we find the courage to deny unhealthy desires...Getting healthy is not just about faith, goodness, and knowledge. We have to add to that foundation by choosing to be self-controlled and choosing to persevere even when the journey gets really hard.
Look at the phrase "if you possess these qualities in increasing measure". These qualities are like stepping stones. For example, you can't get to perseverance without first having self-control. These stepping stones are a model for your Christian life. The first step is faith, which is your faith in salvation. The faith you have when you are saved. As you grow in your faith and as a Christian your faith leads to goodness - or in the NLT 'moral excellence". You begin to live a life that turns away from sin and turns to God.
As you live a godly life you are continuing to grow as a Christian and gaining knowledge, you are getting to know God better. This knowledge leads to self-control, you are increasingly able to have discipline over temptations and desires. Increased self-control gives you the ability to have greater perseverance - to keep going no matter how hard it gets.
Godliness is your godly character, you are seeing the fruit of the Holy Spirit in your life.
Brotherly love is the love you feel for other Christians, you love them as your family.
And finally, love - the NLT says it this way "and finally you will grow to have genuine love for everyone."
If you are not at that final step, having genuine love for everyone (yes, that would be every single person in the world, even the worst of the worst), then you need to back down those steps and find out what step you are on in your Christian life and keep working on moving up. If you don't continue to grow as a Christian you will become consumed with yourself. A failure to grow means we have forgotten what God did for us. Instead, we want to grow further away from our old life and closer to God.
Workbook - I'm Not Defined by the Numbers
2Peter1:3-8 His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires. For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
pg 68 It is through biblical promises that we find the courage to deny unhealthy desires...Getting healthy is not just about faith, goodness, and knowledge. We have to add to that foundation by choosing to be self-controlled and choosing to persevere even when the journey gets really hard.
Look at the phrase "if you possess these qualities in increasing measure". These qualities are like stepping stones. For example, you can't get to perseverance without first having self-control. These stepping stones are a model for your Christian life. The first step is faith, which is your faith in salvation. The faith you have when you are saved. As you grow in your faith and as a Christian your faith leads to goodness - or in the NLT 'moral excellence". You begin to live a life that turns away from sin and turns to God.
As you live a godly life you are continuing to grow as a Christian and gaining knowledge, you are getting to know God better. This knowledge leads to self-control, you are increasingly able to have discipline over temptations and desires. Increased self-control gives you the ability to have greater perseverance - to keep going no matter how hard it gets.
Godliness is your godly character, you are seeing the fruit of the Holy Spirit in your life.
Brotherly love is the love you feel for other Christians, you love them as your family.
And finally, love - the NLT says it this way "and finally you will grow to have genuine love for everyone."
If you are not at that final step, having genuine love for everyone (yes, that would be every single person in the world, even the worst of the worst), then you need to back down those steps and find out what step you are on in your Christian life and keep working on moving up. If you don't continue to grow as a Christian you will become consumed with yourself. A failure to grow means we have forgotten what God did for us. Instead, we want to grow further away from our old life and closer to God.
Made to Crave: Week 3 - Day 1
Week 3 - Day 1
Chapter 7 - I'm Not Defined by the Numbers
This chapter has a basic and simple message...
pg 74 We can be victorious. We can step on the scale and accept the numbers for what they are - an indication of how much our body weighs - and not an indication of our worth.
We have to place our confidence in God and not in our self-image. If you have a poor self-image, then get closer to God and it will improve. If you let comments and remarks affect you, then learn to ignore them...how?
2Corinthians 10:5 We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.
Every comment or remark that comes your way is an opportunity to grow closer to God or further away from God. We grow away from God by allowing the remarks to hurt us and affect our self-image. But if we want to grow closer to God, then ask that comment or remark... pg 75 "Are you true? Are you beneficial? Are you necessary?" And if the answer is no, then we don't open the door of our heart. We make the choice to walk away from the comment and all the negative thoughts it could harvest if we let it in.
Fantastic advice!
Chapter 7 - I'm Not Defined by the Numbers
This chapter has a basic and simple message...
pg 74 We can be victorious. We can step on the scale and accept the numbers for what they are - an indication of how much our body weighs - and not an indication of our worth.
We have to place our confidence in God and not in our self-image. If you have a poor self-image, then get closer to God and it will improve. If you let comments and remarks affect you, then learn to ignore them...how?
2Corinthians 10:5 We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.
Every comment or remark that comes your way is an opportunity to grow closer to God or further away from God. We grow away from God by allowing the remarks to hurt us and affect our self-image. But if we want to grow closer to God, then ask that comment or remark... pg 75 "Are you true? Are you beneficial? Are you necessary?" And if the answer is no, then we don't open the door of our heart. We make the choice to walk away from the comment and all the negative thoughts it could harvest if we let it in.
Fantastic advice!
Memory Monday
Just a quick check to see how much work I still need to do on last week's verses...
2Corinthians 10:23
Everything is permissible, but not everything is beneficial.
Everything is permissible, but not everything is constructive.
Psalm 5:3,8
Listen to my voice in the morning Lord.
Each morning I bring my requests to you and wait expectantly.
Lead me in the right path, O Lord,
or my enemies will conquer me.
Tell me clearly what to do,O Lord.
and show methe path to take and which way to turn.
Proverbs 16:3
Commit your actions to the Lord
and your plans will succeed.
Yikes, need to work on that Psalm verse!
The next verses were also used in the Made to Crave book in Chapter 6 and are about allowing the Holy Spirit to guide us so that we can avoid temptations. When we let the Holy Spirit do that then we are rewarded with the fruit of the spirit.
Galatians 5:16
So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won't be doing what your sinful nature craves.
Galatians 5:22-23
But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives:
Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.
There is no law against these things.
About Memory Monday
I originally found Memory Monday with Joanne at The Simple Wife. The idea is to memorize a verse during the week and come back to her blog on Mondays to comment about it. That's it, nothing fancy, just simply an encouragement and reminder to memorize scripture for yourself. Please join in Memory Monday as a way to be blessed by hiding God's Word in your heart. And also join me in prayer for Joanne as she continues to recover from the stroke she had in January.
About Siesta Scripture Memory Team
This is another program to encourage us to memorize scripture and is hosted by Beth Moore over on her blog Living Proof Ministries Blog. This program is set up so that each person who wants to join the Siesta Scripture Memory Team will memorize two verses a month for all of 2011 and post a comment on the LPM blog on the 1st and the 15th of the month. If you do that all year you get to attend a Celebration with her and the SSMT next January! I so want to do that, don't you?
2Corinthians 10:23
Everything is permissible, but not everything is beneficial.
Everything is permissible, but not everything is constructive.
Psalm 5:3,8
Listen to my voice in the morning Lord.
Each morning I bring my requests to you and wait expectantly.
Lead me in the right path, O Lord,
or my enemies will conquer me.
Tell me clearly what to do,
and show me
Proverbs 16:3
Commit your actions to the Lord
and your plans will succeed.
Yikes, need to work on that Psalm verse!
The next verses were also used in the Made to Crave book in Chapter 6 and are about allowing the Holy Spirit to guide us so that we can avoid temptations. When we let the Holy Spirit do that then we are rewarded with the fruit of the spirit.
Galatians 5:16
So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won't be doing what your sinful nature craves.
Galatians 5:22-23
But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives:
Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.
There is no law against these things.
About Memory Monday
I originally found Memory Monday with Joanne at The Simple Wife. The idea is to memorize a verse during the week and come back to her blog on Mondays to comment about it. That's it, nothing fancy, just simply an encouragement and reminder to memorize scripture for yourself. Please join in Memory Monday as a way to be blessed by hiding God's Word in your heart. And also join me in prayer for Joanne as she continues to recover from the stroke she had in January.
About Siesta Scripture Memory Team
This is another program to encourage us to memorize scripture and is hosted by Beth Moore over on her blog Living Proof Ministries Blog. This program is set up so that each person who wants to join the Siesta Scripture Memory Team will memorize two verses a month for all of 2011 and post a comment on the LPM blog on the 1st and the 15th of the month. If you do that all year you get to attend a Celebration with her and the SSMT next January! I so want to do that, don't you?
Monday, October 24, 2011
Made to Crave: Week 2 - Day 6
Week 2 - Day 6
This journey is jam packed full of sacrifices (ah man, now I want a PB&J sandwich)...and now I am so distracted that I can't remember what my point was going to be...
oh yes, the journey to getting closer to God is all about self-sacrifice. And on this particular leg (ugg now I want a chicken leg - just kidding, I never really want chicken!) of the journey the sacrifices are making better food choices and denying yourself certain things that are not in the plan to getting healthy. Thinking about that made this verse comparison jump up off the page with a big flashing neon sign. Here is the key to getting through the perceived suffering of denying yourself with things not on the plan.
First read this familiar verse in NIV
Luke 9:23-25 (NIV) Then he said to them all: "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will save it. What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit his very self?
Now read it again but from The Message translation (a little side note...I just noticed that the standard abbreviation for the Message is 'MSG'. I have never paid much attention to this translation, thinking it was generally not that good (just like I avoid msg because it gives me headaches) but sometimes msg adds flavor! anyone craving chinese food about now? sorry! ok I am done with the food analogies now):
Luke 9:23-25 (MSG)
Anyone who intends to come with me has to let me lead. You're not in the driver's seat - I am. Don't run from suffering; embrace it. Follow me and I'll show you how. Self-help is no help at all. Self-sacrifice is the way, my way, to finding yourself, your true self.
This journey is jam packed full of sacrifices (ah man, now I want a PB&J sandwich)...and now I am so distracted that I can't remember what my point was going to be...
oh yes, the journey to getting closer to God is all about self-sacrifice. And on this particular leg (ugg now I want a chicken leg - just kidding, I never really want chicken!) of the journey the sacrifices are making better food choices and denying yourself certain things that are not in the plan to getting healthy. Thinking about that made this verse comparison jump up off the page with a big flashing neon sign. Here is the key to getting through the perceived suffering of denying yourself with things not on the plan.
First read this familiar verse in NIV
Luke 9:23-25 (NIV) Then he said to them all: "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will save it. What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit his very self?
Now read it again but from The Message translation (a little side note...I just noticed that the standard abbreviation for the Message is 'MSG'. I have never paid much attention to this translation, thinking it was generally not that good (just like I avoid msg because it gives me headaches) but sometimes msg adds flavor! anyone craving chinese food about now? sorry! ok I am done with the food analogies now):
Luke 9:23-25 (MSG)
Anyone who intends to come with me has to let me lead. You're not in the driver's seat - I am. Don't run from suffering; embrace it. Follow me and I'll show you how. Self-help is no help at all. Self-sacrifice is the way, my way, to finding yourself, your true self.
Made to Crave: Week 2 - Day 5
Week 2 -Day 5
Chapter 6 - Growing Closer to God
How can we get closer to God? The power that is available to us comes from the Holy Spirit living within us.
Galatians 5:16 So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won't be doing what your sinful nature craves.
If we let the Holy Spirit guide our lives then we are rewarded with the fruit of the spirit...
Galatians 5:22-23 But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!
If we do not have self-control then we are essentially turning away from God. The book says it this way on pg 61 - In the end, pursuing self-control does help my heart feel closer to Jesus and more pure to receive what He wants for me each day...instead of clogged with guilty feelings for my poor choices.
Chapter 6 - Growing Closer to God
How can we get closer to God? The power that is available to us comes from the Holy Spirit living within us.
Galatians 5:16 So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won't be doing what your sinful nature craves.
If we let the Holy Spirit guide our lives then we are rewarded with the fruit of the spirit...
Galatians 5:22-23 But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!
If we do not have self-control then we are essentially turning away from God. The book says it this way on pg 61 - In the end, pursuing self-control does help my heart feel closer to Jesus and more pure to receive what He wants for me each day...instead of clogged with guilty feelings for my poor choices.
Made to Crave: Week 2 - Day 4
Week 2 - Day 4 The Truth of who God says I am...
There is a list of scriptures in the book and in the guide that define who we are as a child of God. In the book there is only a short phrase and I wanted to see the entire verse so that is all I will do today is provide the entire verse for each one. Spend some time meditating over these verses so you can begin to grasp that you are indeed "made for more"!!!
the forgiven child of God.
Romans 3:24 Yet God, with undeserved kindness, declares that we are righteous. He did this through Christ Jesus when he freed us from the penalty for our sins.
the set-free child of God.
Romans 8: 1-2 So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus. And because you belong to him, the power of the life-giving Spirit has freed you from the power of sin that leads to death.
the accepted child of God.
1Corinthians 1:2 I am writing to God's church in Corinth, to you who have been called by God to be his own holy people. He made you holy by means of Christ Jesus, just as he did for all people everywhere who call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, their Lord and ours.
the holy child of God.
1Corinthians 1:30 God has united you with Christ Jesus. For our benefit God made him to be wisdom itself. Christ made us right with God; he made us pure and holy, and he freed us from sin.
the made-new child of God.
(ah-ha this is one of my first memory verses!) 2Corinthians 5:17 Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old is gone, the new has come!
the loved child of God.
Ephesians 1:4 Even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes.
the close child of God.
Ephesians 2:13 But now you have been united with Christ Jesus. Once you were far away from God, but now you have been brought near to him through the blood of Christ.
the confident child of God.
Ephesians 3:12 Because of Christ and our faith in him, we can now come boldly and confidently into God's presence.
the victorious child of God
Romans 8:37 No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us.
There is a list of scriptures in the book and in the guide that define who we are as a child of God. In the book there is only a short phrase and I wanted to see the entire verse so that is all I will do today is provide the entire verse for each one. Spend some time meditating over these verses so you can begin to grasp that you are indeed "made for more"!!!
the forgiven child of God.
Romans 3:24 Yet God, with undeserved kindness, declares that we are righteous. He did this through Christ Jesus when he freed us from the penalty for our sins.
the set-free child of God.
Romans 8: 1-2 So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus. And because you belong to him, the power of the life-giving Spirit has freed you from the power of sin that leads to death.
the accepted child of God.
1Corinthians 1:2 I am writing to God's church in Corinth, to you who have been called by God to be his own holy people. He made you holy by means of Christ Jesus, just as he did for all people everywhere who call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, their Lord and ours.
the holy child of God.
1Corinthians 1:30 God has united you with Christ Jesus. For our benefit God made him to be wisdom itself. Christ made us right with God; he made us pure and holy, and he freed us from sin.
the made-new child of God.
(ah-ha this is one of my first memory verses!) 2Corinthians 5:17 Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old is gone, the new has come!
the loved child of God.
Ephesians 1:4 Even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes.
the close child of God.
Ephesians 2:13 But now you have been united with Christ Jesus. Once you were far away from God, but now you have been brought near to him through the blood of Christ.
the confident child of God.
Ephesians 3:12 Because of Christ and our faith in him, we can now come boldly and confidently into God's presence.
the victorious child of God
Romans 8:37 No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us.
Made to Crave: Week 2 - Day 3
Week 2 - Day 3
Chapter 5 - Made for More
This chapter focuses on Ephesians 1:17-20 and the phrases that are underlined.
I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better.
I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is like the working of his mighty strength, which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms,
Here is a quick summary...
1. pg 52 - Be persistent...We need to ask for God's wisdom, revelation, and intervening power to be an integral part of our food choices.
2. pg 52 - We are made for more because we are children of God.
pg 53 - The truth of my identity as a child of God empowers me to believe that living in victory tastes sweeter than any unhealthy delicacy.
3. pg 53-54 Did you catch the real reason we need to keep asking for wisdom and revelation...for grounding ourselves in the truth that we are made for more is "so that you may know him better."
...getting to know God better - helps this whole adventure be less about food and exercise an lifestyle choices and more about embracing a chance for deep and wonderful connections with God.
4. pg 55 This is the power that is available to us! The same power that raised Jesus from the dead.
I don't have much to add to this day because it is s powerful. The idea that if I rely on His power to guide me through this weight loss journey, then the results will be that I can be healthy, but much more importantly I will come to know Him better. Now that leaves me a bit speechless...so I read the personal reflections questions at the end of the chapter hoping to be inspired for something more to write about. Instead I found a question that I am not sure how to answer yet...I need to ponder this one on my own...
pg 57 As you reflect back on each day, how will you know whether you relied on your own strength or leaned into God's strength?
Chapter 5 - Made for More
This chapter focuses on Ephesians 1:17-20 and the phrases that are underlined.
I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better.
I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is like the working of his mighty strength, which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms,
Here is a quick summary...
1. pg 52 - Be persistent...We need to ask for God's wisdom, revelation, and intervening power to be an integral part of our food choices.
2. pg 52 - We are made for more because we are children of God.
pg 53 - The truth of my identity as a child of God empowers me to believe that living in victory tastes sweeter than any unhealthy delicacy.
3. pg 53-54 Did you catch the real reason we need to keep asking for wisdom and revelation...for grounding ourselves in the truth that we are made for more is "so that you may know him better."
...getting to know God better - helps this whole adventure be less about food and exercise an lifestyle choices and more about embracing a chance for deep and wonderful connections with God.
4. pg 55 This is the power that is available to us! The same power that raised Jesus from the dead.
I don't have much to add to this day because it is s powerful. The idea that if I rely on His power to guide me through this weight loss journey, then the results will be that I can be healthy, but much more importantly I will come to know Him better. Now that leaves me a bit speechless...so I read the personal reflections questions at the end of the chapter hoping to be inspired for something more to write about. Instead I found a question that I am not sure how to answer yet...I need to ponder this one on my own...
pg 57 As you reflect back on each day, how will you know whether you relied on your own strength or leaned into God's strength?
Made to Crave: Week 2 - Day 2
Week 2 - Day 2
The Benefits of Accountability
Check this out! from pg 42-43 of the guide
The probability of achieving a goal is:
10 percent when you hear an idea
40 percent when you decide you will do it
50 percent when you plan how you will do it
65 percent when you commit to someone else you will do it
95 percent when you have an accountability appointment with the person you've committed to
That jump from making a plan to being accountable to someone really amazed me!
The Power of Accountability
What does the Bible have to say? I love this even more...
Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed.
If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble.
Likewise, two people lying close together can keep each other warm. But how can one be warm alone?
A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken.
Don't stand alone, you will be better equipped to succeed on this journey when you bring along your friends!
The Benefits of Accountability
Check this out! from pg 42-43 of the guide
The probability of achieving a goal is:
10 percent when you hear an idea
40 percent when you decide you will do it
50 percent when you plan how you will do it
65 percent when you commit to someone else you will do it
95 percent when you have an accountability appointment with the person you've committed to
That jump from making a plan to being accountable to someone really amazed me!
The Power of Accountability
What does the Bible have to say? I love this even more...
Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed.
If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble.
Likewise, two people lying close together can keep each other warm. But how can one be warm alone?
A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken.
Don't stand alone, you will be better equipped to succeed on this journey when you bring along your friends!
Made to Crave: Week 2 - Day 1
Week 2 - Day 1
Chapter 4 - Friends Don't Let Friends Eat Before Thinking
pg 41 - we need measures of accountability. For me, one of the most effective accountability measures has been mutually tracking progress with friends.
pg 42 - We must be aware that desperation breeds degradation...when what is lacking in life goes from being an annoyance to an anxiety we run the risk of compromising...
At this point the book used the following verses and discussed that when we are desperate, (such as when you would give anything to have something that is not on your plan), we become anxious and that opens the door wide open to an attack from Satan.
1Peter 5:7-8 Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.
Our friends can help us to stay alert by praying for us and they can help us be self-controlled. pg 43 - Friends help us remember that what we're giving up in the short term will help us get what we really want in the long term.
The book went on to discuss how pg 45 Knowing I couldn't hide little cheats...kept me from slipping."
Find friends who are willing to pray for you and will take this journey with you.
Chapter 4 - Friends Don't Let Friends Eat Before Thinking
pg 41 - we need measures of accountability. For me, one of the most effective accountability measures has been mutually tracking progress with friends.
pg 42 - We must be aware that desperation breeds degradation...when what is lacking in life goes from being an annoyance to an anxiety we run the risk of compromising...
At this point the book used the following verses and discussed that when we are desperate, (such as when you would give anything to have something that is not on your plan), we become anxious and that opens the door wide open to an attack from Satan.
1Peter 5:7-8 Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.
Our friends can help us to stay alert by praying for us and they can help us be self-controlled. pg 43 - Friends help us remember that what we're giving up in the short term will help us get what we really want in the long term.
The book went on to discuss how pg 45 Knowing I couldn't hide little cheats...kept me from slipping."
Find friends who are willing to pray for you and will take this journey with you.
Memory Monday
This past week I found three new verses to add to my memory list, which will put me quite a bit ahead of what I need to do for SSMT! Wouldn't Beth be thrilled haha!! These are verses that I have found in going through the first three chapters of Made to Crave.
2 Corinthians 10:23
Everything is permissible - but not everything is beneficial.
Everything is permissible - but not everything is constructive.
Psalm 5:3,8
Listen to my voice in the morning, Lord.
Each morning I bring my requests to you and wait expectantly.
Lead me in the right path, O Lord or my enemies will conquer me.
Tell me clearly what to do and show me which way to turn.
Proverbs 16:3
Commit your actions to the Lord and your plans will succeed.
About Memory Monday
I originally found Memory Monday with Joanne at The Simple Wife. The idea is to memorize a verse during the week and come back to her blog on Mondays to comment about it. That's it, nothing fancy, just simply an encouragement and reminder to memorize scripture for yourself. Please join in Memory Monday as a way to be blessed by hiding God's Word in your heart. And also join me in prayer for Joanne as she continues to recover from the stroke she had in January.
About Siesta Scripture Memory Team
This is another program to encourage us to memorize scripture and is hosted by Beth Moore over on her blog Living Proof Ministries Blog. This program is set up so that each person who wants to join the Siesta Scripture Memory Team will memorize two verses a month for all of 2011 and post a comment on the LPM blog on the 1st and the 15th of the month. If you do that all year you get to attend a Celebration with her and the SSMT next January! I so want to do that, don't you?
2 Corinthians 10:23
Everything is permissible - but not everything is beneficial.
Everything is permissible - but not everything is constructive.
Psalm 5:3,8
Listen to my voice in the morning, Lord.
Each morning I bring my requests to you and wait expectantly.
Lead me in the right path, O Lord or my enemies will conquer me.
Tell me clearly what to do and show me which way to turn.
Proverbs 16:3
Commit your actions to the Lord and your plans will succeed.
About Memory Monday
I originally found Memory Monday with Joanne at The Simple Wife. The idea is to memorize a verse during the week and come back to her blog on Mondays to comment about it. That's it, nothing fancy, just simply an encouragement and reminder to memorize scripture for yourself. Please join in Memory Monday as a way to be blessed by hiding God's Word in your heart. And also join me in prayer for Joanne as she continues to recover from the stroke she had in January.
About Siesta Scripture Memory Team
This is another program to encourage us to memorize scripture and is hosted by Beth Moore over on her blog Living Proof Ministries Blog. This program is set up so that each person who wants to join the Siesta Scripture Memory Team will memorize two verses a month for all of 2011 and post a comment on the LPM blog on the 1st and the 15th of the month. If you do that all year you get to attend a Celebration with her and the SSMT next January! I so want to do that, don't you?
Monday, October 17, 2011
Made to Crave: Week 1 - Day 6
Week 1 - Day 6
Getting a Plan
In the previous post I talked about my plan - following weight watchers online, what I have cut out completely and what I can still have only if I have enough points left over.
So what is the biggest difference between this plan and every other one I have come up with, tried and failed. That's easy - this time I believe that God is guiding me on this plan and through this journey. I could say that it is so convenient that in today's homework there is a list of scriptures that fit perfectly with that point. But it is not convenient, it is God, all of it. God worked through Lysa TerKeurst so she could write this book and God worked in our Bible study so that we did not do this study in April when we planned to, but instead put it off until He knew I was ready to understand that it is all Him!
Can you see Him working in your life yet? Maybe you are doing this study right now or are stuck in the rut of not being able to lose the weight, but still you are not feeling this same way - you are not excited to be on this journey yet. Then get closer to God and you will. Get closer to God by using your cravings as prompts to pray and also by memorizing scripture. Here are some great verses about having a Godly plan that were in today's homework.
Proverbs 12:5 The plans of the godly are just; the advice of the wicked is treacherous.
On your weight loss journey, perhaps this 'advice of the wicked' is Satan tempting you with cravings.
Proverbs 15:22 Refuse good advice and watch your your plans fail; take good counsel and watch them succeed.
How many times have you failed at losing weight because you did it on your own? The 'good counsel' is listening to God and asking Him to help you.
Proverbs 20:18 Plans succeed through good counsel; don't go to war without wise advice.
The weight loss journey is a type of war - a war with your sinful nature and human desires. Arm yourself with the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Ephesians 6:17b
Proverbs 21:5 Good planning and hard work lead to prosperity, but hasty shortcuts lead to poverty.
Having a plan is good, but you need to put in the hard work to follow the plan and succeed. Cutting corners and cheating on your plan or on your diet will cause you to fail.
Proverbs 16:3 Commit your actions to the LORD, and your plans will succeed.
This one I have added to my list of memory verses. Interesting that it just reminded me of another one of my memory verses...
Joshua 1:8 Study this Book of the Law continually, meditate on it day and night
so you may be sure to obey all that is written in it.
Only then will you succeed.
The Bible tells me that the only way I can succeed is to commit my plan to God and to study the Word.
...and to end this first week here is how the homework ended today, from the participants guide pg 30
Wherever you find yourself this day, know that God meets you there. He loves your willingness to explore this tender area of your life and He wants to help you take every step that leads you closer to freedom, closer to empowerment and, most of all, closer to Him.
Getting a Plan
In the previous post I talked about my plan - following weight watchers online, what I have cut out completely and what I can still have only if I have enough points left over.
So what is the biggest difference between this plan and every other one I have come up with, tried and failed. That's easy - this time I believe that God is guiding me on this plan and through this journey. I could say that it is so convenient that in today's homework there is a list of scriptures that fit perfectly with that point. But it is not convenient, it is God, all of it. God worked through Lysa TerKeurst so she could write this book and God worked in our Bible study so that we did not do this study in April when we planned to, but instead put it off until He knew I was ready to understand that it is all Him!
Can you see Him working in your life yet? Maybe you are doing this study right now or are stuck in the rut of not being able to lose the weight, but still you are not feeling this same way - you are not excited to be on this journey yet. Then get closer to God and you will. Get closer to God by using your cravings as prompts to pray and also by memorizing scripture. Here are some great verses about having a Godly plan that were in today's homework.
Proverbs 12:5 The plans of the godly are just; the advice of the wicked is treacherous.
On your weight loss journey, perhaps this 'advice of the wicked' is Satan tempting you with cravings.
Proverbs 15:22 Refuse good advice and watch your your plans fail; take good counsel and watch them succeed.
How many times have you failed at losing weight because you did it on your own? The 'good counsel' is listening to God and asking Him to help you.
Proverbs 20:18 Plans succeed through good counsel; don't go to war without wise advice.
The weight loss journey is a type of war - a war with your sinful nature and human desires. Arm yourself with the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Ephesians 6:17b
Proverbs 21:5 Good planning and hard work lead to prosperity, but hasty shortcuts lead to poverty.
Having a plan is good, but you need to put in the hard work to follow the plan and succeed. Cutting corners and cheating on your plan or on your diet will cause you to fail.
Proverbs 16:3 Commit your actions to the LORD, and your plans will succeed.
This one I have added to my list of memory verses. Interesting that it just reminded me of another one of my memory verses...
Joshua 1:8 Study this Book of the Law continually, meditate on it day and night
so you may be sure to obey all that is written in it.
Only then will you succeed.
The Bible tells me that the only way I can succeed is to commit my plan to God and to study the Word.
...and to end this first week here is how the homework ended today, from the participants guide pg 30
Wherever you find yourself this day, know that God meets you there. He loves your willingness to explore this tender area of your life and He wants to help you take every step that leads you closer to freedom, closer to empowerment and, most of all, closer to Him.
Made to Crave: Week 1 -Day 5
Week 1 - Day 5
Chapter 3 - Getting a Plan
Here are a couple lines that jumped at me from this chapter.
pg 35 - we want the results but have no desire to put in the work required.
pg 37 - Something had to give...I had to learn the discipline of giving up some things
pg 39 - I've come to look at this process as embracing healthy choices rather than denying myself.
Reading these lines gives me goosebumps. I could have written them myself! These three lines pretty much sum up my weight loss journey to this point.
1. simply, I have wanted to be skinny again, but have been to lazy to do anything about it - anything that works that is.
2. something had to give, it was long over due to make a positive change - for good. I cannot keep calling it baby weight when my babies just turned 5.
3. The point here is that I am not denying myself the occasional treat - as long as I remain within my daily and weekly points allowance.
I have chosen a few things that I have completely cut out (sort of).
- No chips (unless Santa brings me some - hint hint)
- No cheesecake (except for my birthday)
- No candy bars, nope not even for Halloween (but perhaps Santa will bring me mini Reese's PB cups and the Easter Bunny will bring me Cadbury Easter eggs)
- No eating after 7pm (except for popcorn and only if I am watching a movie, which is rare anyways)
Now if you know me you will notice that there are two items that are not on this list. They are the items that ultimately have made every other attempt at losing weight fail miserably because I tried to completely cut them out. So this time I do have a plan and that plan is following Weight Watchers and counting my points.
- I can have Pepsi, but certainly not every day and only if there are points left over for the day.
- I can have French Fries, but only on FRIday - and only if I have enough points left for the week.
So I have not denied myself these two things, but I have to work extra hard to save points if I want them - which means I have to make healthier food choices. Maybe that's why I have been enjoying salads - ummm no way! that can only be God!
Chapter 3 - Getting a Plan
Here are a couple lines that jumped at me from this chapter.
pg 35 - we want the results but have no desire to put in the work required.
pg 37 - Something had to give...I had to learn the discipline of giving up some things
pg 39 - I've come to look at this process as embracing healthy choices rather than denying myself.
Reading these lines gives me goosebumps. I could have written them myself! These three lines pretty much sum up my weight loss journey to this point.
1. simply, I have wanted to be skinny again, but have been to lazy to do anything about it - anything that works that is.
2. something had to give, it was long over due to make a positive change - for good. I cannot keep calling it baby weight when my babies just turned 5.
3. The point here is that I am not denying myself the occasional treat - as long as I remain within my daily and weekly points allowance.
I have chosen a few things that I have completely cut out (sort of).
- No chips (unless Santa brings me some - hint hint)
- No cheesecake (except for my birthday)
- No candy bars, nope not even for Halloween (but perhaps Santa will bring me mini Reese's PB cups and the Easter Bunny will bring me Cadbury Easter eggs)
- No eating after 7pm (except for popcorn and only if I am watching a movie, which is rare anyways)
Now if you know me you will notice that there are two items that are not on this list. They are the items that ultimately have made every other attempt at losing weight fail miserably because I tried to completely cut them out. So this time I do have a plan and that plan is following Weight Watchers and counting my points.
- I can have Pepsi, but certainly not every day and only if there are points left over for the day.
- I can have French Fries, but only on FRIday - and only if I have enough points left for the week.
So I have not denied myself these two things, but I have to work extra hard to save points if I want them - which means I have to make healthier food choices. Maybe that's why I have been enjoying salads - ummm no way! that can only be God!
Made to Crave: Week 1 -Day 4
Week 1 -Day 4
Replacing My Cravings
Psalm 5:1-3
Give ear to my words, O LORD, consider my sighing.
Listen to my cry for help, my King and my God, for to you I pray.
In the morning, O LORD, you hear my voice;
in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait in expectation.
The homework says that this Psalm is he prayer of a man who desperately needs Gods help. Besides pleading with God to hear our cry for help in verse 3, we can pray verse 8. This can be a prayer to replace any cravings or any kind of temptations we are faced with.
Psalm 5:8
Lead me in the right path, O LORD, or my enemies will conquer me.
Tell me clearly what to do, and show me which way to turn.
p.s. I have added Psalm 5:3&8 to my list of memory verses to work on :-)
Replacing My Cravings
Psalm 5:1-3
Give ear to my words, O LORD, consider my sighing.
Listen to my cry for help, my King and my God, for to you I pray.
In the morning, O LORD, you hear my voice;
in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait in expectation.
The homework says that this Psalm is he prayer of a man who desperately needs Gods help. Besides pleading with God to hear our cry for help in verse 3, we can pray verse 8. This can be a prayer to replace any cravings or any kind of temptations we are faced with.
Psalm 5:8
Lead me in the right path, O LORD, or my enemies will conquer me.
Tell me clearly what to do, and show me which way to turn.
p.s. I have added Psalm 5:3&8 to my list of memory verses to work on :-)
Made to Crave: Week 1 - Day 3
Week 1 - Day 3
Chapter 2: Replacing My Cravings
Just some thoughts on some of the ideas and visuals from Chapter 2
selections are from pgs 30-31
Each time I craved something I knew wasn't part of my plan, I used that craving as a prompt to pray...
A prompt to pray! Why didn't I think of that!!!
It was my way of tearing down the tower of impossibility before me and building something new...Brick by brick, I imagined myself dismantling the food tower ad using those same bricks to build a walkway of prayer, paving the way to victory...
Brick by brick, or pound by pound. Every pound lost is one brick laid on the path to victory. Psalm 23 says "He leads me down the paths of righteousness for His names sake" That path is His path and He is leading me! Praise Him for every single pound lost!
Help me, God, to feel satisfied with healthier choices.
Yep, pray when you crave!
The numbers (on the scale) hadn't changed yet, but my heart had. One day of victory tasted better than any of that food I'd given up ever could.
My heart has changed and I am seeing the numbers on the scale change, the numbers are finally going down instead of going up or staying the same!
Chapter 2: Replacing My Cravings
Just some thoughts on some of the ideas and visuals from Chapter 2
selections are from pgs 30-31
Each time I craved something I knew wasn't part of my plan, I used that craving as a prompt to pray...
A prompt to pray! Why didn't I think of that!!!
It was my way of tearing down the tower of impossibility before me and building something new...Brick by brick, I imagined myself dismantling the food tower ad using those same bricks to build a walkway of prayer, paving the way to victory...
Brick by brick, or pound by pound. Every pound lost is one brick laid on the path to victory. Psalm 23 says "He leads me down the paths of righteousness for His names sake" That path is His path and He is leading me! Praise Him for every single pound lost!
Help me, God, to feel satisfied with healthier choices.
Yep, pray when you crave!
The numbers (on the scale) hadn't changed yet, but my heart had. One day of victory tasted better than any of that food I'd given up ever could.
My heart has changed and I am seeing the numbers on the scale change, the numbers are finally going down instead of going up or staying the same!
Made to Crave: Week 1 - Day 2
Week 1 - Day 2: What's really going on here?
We had a discussion in our study group about water. Basically if you are not a water drinker you don't seem to ever be that thirsty. But if you are a water drinker you get thirsty and your body will crave that water. The more water you drink, the easier it is to gradually increase your water intake to eventually get to that goal of 6-8 cups of water a day. But can that work for foods too? Absolutely!
from the book: pg 23 - we crave what we eat. If I make healthy choices over a period of time, it seems to reprogram my taste buds. The more veggies and fruit I eat, the more veggies and fruit I crave. However, if I eat brownies and chips, I crave brownies and chips in the worst way.
In just a couple of weeks of changing my eating habits I am really seeing my food cravings change. I am enjoying eating salads for crying out loud! Great big huge bowls of salads! If you know me then you know that I have never truly enjoyed salads, it was just 'not my thing'. Only by the grace of God could this even be remotely possible!!!
Though this process, and it has only been a couple weeks, I am already loving God more because I am recognizing His hand in all of it. I am not giving into temptations, I am making much healthier food choices, but at the same time I am not depriving myself of a few treats - as long as I count the points and stay in the points range. Trust me, you can't stay within your points if you are trying to have treats every day or even every other day! Those treats gobble up those points pretty darn fast!
Oh and don't forget that this principle we crave what we eat works for memory verse too. I have memorized twenty verses (actually more because some of them have more than one verse) and am craving more. It is getting easier to memorize even though I keep adding to the list. I share this not to boast about how many verses I have memorized but to encourage you to do the same, it is so rewarding to have these verses on the tip of my tongue when I need them!
We had a discussion in our study group about water. Basically if you are not a water drinker you don't seem to ever be that thirsty. But if you are a water drinker you get thirsty and your body will crave that water. The more water you drink, the easier it is to gradually increase your water intake to eventually get to that goal of 6-8 cups of water a day. But can that work for foods too? Absolutely!
from the book: pg 23 - we crave what we eat. If I make healthy choices over a period of time, it seems to reprogram my taste buds. The more veggies and fruit I eat, the more veggies and fruit I crave. However, if I eat brownies and chips, I crave brownies and chips in the worst way.
In just a couple of weeks of changing my eating habits I am really seeing my food cravings change. I am enjoying eating salads for crying out loud! Great big huge bowls of salads! If you know me then you know that I have never truly enjoyed salads, it was just 'not my thing'. Only by the grace of God could this even be remotely possible!!!
Though this process, and it has only been a couple weeks, I am already loving God more because I am recognizing His hand in all of it. I am not giving into temptations, I am making much healthier food choices, but at the same time I am not depriving myself of a few treats - as long as I count the points and stay in the points range. Trust me, you can't stay within your points if you are trying to have treats every day or even every other day! Those treats gobble up those points pretty darn fast!
Oh and don't forget that this principle we crave what we eat works for memory verse too. I have memorized twenty verses (actually more because some of them have more than one verse) and am craving more. It is getting easier to memorize even though I keep adding to the list. I share this not to boast about how many verses I have memorized but to encourage you to do the same, it is so rewarding to have these verses on the tip of my tongue when I need them!
Memory Monday
I have been working a lot this past couple weeks which means I have not been reciting these as much, but let's see how well I know them anyways.
#1 Psalm 23
The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.
He makes me to lie down in green pastures,
He leads me beside the still waters.
He restores my soul.
He leads me down the paths of righteousness for His names sake.
Yea,though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death
I will fear no evil for you are with me.
Your rod and your staff they comfort me.
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil, my cup runs over.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
#2 Psalm 121
I raise my eyes towards the mountains.
Where will my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth.
He will not allow your foot to slip, your protector will not slumber.
Indeed, the protector of Israel does not slumber or sleep.
The Lord protects you,He is likeThe Lord is a shelter right by your side.
The sun will not strike you by day,nor the moon by night.
The Lord will protect you from all harm.The Lord He will protect your life.
The Lord will protect your coming and going both now and forever.
#3 2Corinthians 5:17
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ he is a new creation.
The old is gone, the new has come.
#4 Galatians 2:20
I myself no longer live, but Christ lives in me.
So I live my life in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God,
who loved me and gave himself for me.
#5 Romans 12:1
And so dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God.
Let them be a living and holy sacrifice, the kindthat He will accept.
When you think of what He has done for you, is this too much to ask?
#6 John 14:21
Those who obey mycommands commandments are those who love me
and because they love me, I will love them and my Father will love them
and I will reveal myself to each one of them.
#7 Haggai 1:5-7
Now This is what the Lord Almighty says, "Give careful thought to your ways.
You have planted much but have harvested little.
You eat butare not full never have enough.
You drink butare not satisfied never have your fill.
You put on clothes, but are not warm.
You earn wages only to put them in a purse with holes in it."
This is what the Lord Almighty says, "Give careful thought to your ways."
#8 Romans 14:17
For the kingdom of God is not a matter of what we eat or drink
but of living a life of goodness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.
#9 2Timothy 3:16
All scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true
and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It straightens us out
and teaches us to do what is right.
#10 Joshua 1:8
Study this book of the Law continually, meditate on it day and night
so that you may be sure to obey all that is written in it.
Only then will you succeed.
#11 John 15:7
But If you remain in me and my words remains in you,
you may ask for anything you want and it will be granted.
#12 Philippians 4:6-7
Do not be anxious about anything but in everything by prayer and petition
and with thanksgiving present your requests to God.
And the peace of God which transcends all understanding
will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
#13 Matthew 18:20
For where two or three are gathered together in my name,
there I am there in the midst of them.
#14 Hebrews 10:24-25
And Let us consider how we may spur one another on towards love and good deeds
and let us not give up meeting together as some are in the habit of doing,
but let us encourage one another - and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
#15 Matthew 4:19
"Come, follow me" Jesus said "and I will make you fishers of men."
#16 Romans 1:16
I am not ashamed of the gospelfor because it is the power of God
for the salvation ofall everyone who believes.
First for the Jew, then for the Gentile.
#17 Psalm 91:14
Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love
sothat we may sing for joy until to the end of our days lives.
#18 1John 4:7a
Let us love one another, for love comes from God.
#19 Psalm 119:89
Forever, O Lord, your Word is settled in heaven.
#20 Genesis1:1
In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.
This #20 verse is actually the current SSMT verse that I posted on the Living Proof blog, so I am a little ahead, and I have even been 'craving' more verses to memorize! Praise God for that! So because I am craving more verses to memorize I am jumping ahead and found this verse while reading Chapter 1 of the Made to Crave book - see the last post for more about that!
1Corinthians 10:23
Everything is permissible - but not everything is beneficial.
Everything is permissible - but not everything is constructive.
About Memory Monday
I originally found Memory Monday with Joanne at The Simple Wife. The idea is to memorize a verse during the week and come back to her blog on Mondays to comment about it. That's it, nothing fancy, just simply an encouragement and reminder to memorize scripture for yourself. Please join in Memory Monday as a way to be blessed by hiding God's Word in your heart. And also join me in prayer for Joanne as she continues to recover from the stroke she had in January.
About Siesta Scripture Memory Team
This is another program to encourage us to memorize scripture and is hosted by Beth Moore over on her blog Living Proof Ministries Blog. This program is set up so that each person who wants to join the Siesta Scripture Memory Team will memorize two verses a month for all of 2011 and post a comment on the LPM blog on the 1st and the 15th of the month. If you do that all year you get to attend a Celebration with her and the SSMT next January! I so want to do that, don't you?
#1 Psalm 23
The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.
He makes me to lie down in green pastures,
He leads me beside the still waters.
He restores my soul.
He leads me down the paths of righteousness for His names sake.
Yea,though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death
I will fear no evil for you are with me.
Your rod and your staff they comfort me.
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil, my cup runs over.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
#2 Psalm 121
I raise my eyes towards the mountains.
Where will my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth.
He will not allow your foot to slip, your protector will not slumber.
Indeed, the protector of Israel does not slumber or sleep.
The Lord protects you,
The sun will not strike you by day,
The Lord will protect you from all harm.
The Lord will protect your coming and going both now and forever.
#3 2Corinthians 5:17
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ he is a new creation.
The old is gone, the new has come.
#4 Galatians 2:20
I myself no longer live, but Christ lives in me.
So I live my life in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God,
who loved me and gave himself for me.
#5 Romans 12:1
And so dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God.
Let them be a living and holy sacrifice, the kind
When you think of what He has done for you, is this too much to ask?
#6 John 14:21
Those who obey my
and because they love me, I will love them and my Father will love them
and I will reveal myself to each one of them.
#7 Haggai 1:5-7
Now This is what the Lord Almighty says, "Give careful thought to your ways.
You have planted much but have harvested little.
You eat but
You drink but
You put on clothes, but are not warm.
You earn wages only to put them in a purse with holes in it."
This is what the Lord Almighty says, "Give careful thought to your ways."
#8 Romans 14:17
For the kingdom of God is not a matter of what we eat or drink
but of living a life of goodness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.
#9 2Timothy 3:16
All scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true
and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It straightens us out
and teaches us to do what is right.
#10 Joshua 1:8
Study this book of the Law continually, meditate on it day and night
so
Only then will you succeed.
#11 John 15:7
But If you remain in me and my words remain
you may ask for anything you want and it will be granted.
#12 Philippians 4:6-7
Do not be anxious about anything but in everything by prayer and petition
And the peace of God which transcends all understanding
will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
#13 Matthew 18:20
For where two or three are gathered together in my name,
#14 Hebrews 10:24-25
And Let us consider how we may spur one another on toward
but let us encourage one another - and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
#15 Matthew 4:19
"Come, follow me" Jesus said "and I will make you fishers of men."
#16 Romans 1:16
I am not ashamed of the gospel
for the salvation of
First for the Jew, then for the Gentile.
#17 Psalm 91:14
Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love
so
#18 1John 4:7a
Let us love one another, for love comes from God.
#19 Psalm 119:89
Forever, O Lord, your Word is settled in heaven.
#20 Genesis1:1
In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.
This #20 verse is actually the current SSMT verse that I posted on the Living Proof blog, so I am a little ahead, and I have even been 'craving' more verses to memorize! Praise God for that! So because I am craving more verses to memorize I am jumping ahead and found this verse while reading Chapter 1 of the Made to Crave book - see the last post for more about that!
1Corinthians 10:23
Everything is permissible - but not everything is beneficial.
Everything is permissible - but not everything is constructive.
About Memory Monday
I originally found Memory Monday with Joanne at The Simple Wife. The idea is to memorize a verse during the week and come back to her blog on Mondays to comment about it. That's it, nothing fancy, just simply an encouragement and reminder to memorize scripture for yourself. Please join in Memory Monday as a way to be blessed by hiding God's Word in your heart. And also join me in prayer for Joanne as she continues to recover from the stroke she had in January.
About Siesta Scripture Memory Team
This is another program to encourage us to memorize scripture and is hosted by Beth Moore over on her blog Living Proof Ministries Blog. This program is set up so that each person who wants to join the Siesta Scripture Memory Team will memorize two verses a month for all of 2011 and post a comment on the LPM blog on the 1st and the 15th of the month. If you do that all year you get to attend a Celebration with her and the SSMT next January! I so want to do that, don't you?
Sunday, October 16, 2011
Made to Crave - Week 1 - Day 1
Made to Crave
Week 1 - Day 1
This study is a bit different than others because not only does it have a Participants Guide but also a book to read. The homework from the guide says to read the introduction (already done - yeah me) and Chapter 1 of the book and note any insights or questions. Sounds pretty easy to me!
Chapter 1 - What's Really Going On Here?
In chapter 1 we learn that we were "Made to crave...God. Only God" and gives a Bible verse to show this.
Psalm 84:1-2 How lovely is your dwelling place, O LORD Almighty! My soul yearns, even faints, for the courts of the LORD; my heart and my flesh cry out for the living God.
So the question is then, if we crave anything other than God where do those cravings come from? The answer is simple...Satan! Wouldn't that be nice if it really were that simple, if we were aware that it was Satan tempting us then we would have the power, through God, to overcome that temptation. Guess what, it is that simple - isn't that simply amazing!!! Don't take my word for it - it is supported with scripture!
1John 2:15-16 Do not love this world nor the things it offers you, for when you love the world, you do not have the love of the Father in you. For the world offers only a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions. These are not from the Father, but are from this world.
Every time you crave something other than God, whether it is food, possessions, love from others, selfish pride or anything else - it is Satan tempting you. Satan is blinding you...
2Corinthians 4:4 Satan, who is the god of this world, has blinded the minds of those who don't believe. They are unable to see the glorious light of the Good News. They don't understand this message about the glory of Christ, who is the exact likeness of God.
okay so perhaps I took that verse slightly out of context because it is really saying that Satan blinds those who do not yet believe in God so that they cannot understand His message. But what I wanted to point out is that the Bible says that Satan is the god of this world - so it really is as simple as saying that craving anything other than God is Satan tempting you.
Satan tempted Eve and she gave in to that 'craving'. Satan also tempted Jesus, but Jesus refused to give in. Why? Because Jesus fought back with the Word of God. The Word of God is our weapon against everything of this world that we crave.
Are you working on memorizing scripture? The book had a suggestion for a memory verse - you can start with this one...
1Corinthians 10:23a "Everything is permissible"--but not everything is beneficial.
Excuse me while I go work on my memory verses!
Week 1 - Day 1
This study is a bit different than others because not only does it have a Participants Guide but also a book to read. The homework from the guide says to read the introduction (already done - yeah me) and Chapter 1 of the book and note any insights or questions. Sounds pretty easy to me!
Chapter 1 - What's Really Going On Here?
In chapter 1 we learn that we were "Made to crave...God. Only God" and gives a Bible verse to show this.
Psalm 84:1-2 How lovely is your dwelling place, O LORD Almighty! My soul yearns, even faints, for the courts of the LORD; my heart and my flesh cry out for the living God.
So the question is then, if we crave anything other than God where do those cravings come from? The answer is simple...Satan! Wouldn't that be nice if it really were that simple, if we were aware that it was Satan tempting us then we would have the power, through God, to overcome that temptation. Guess what, it is that simple - isn't that simply amazing!!! Don't take my word for it - it is supported with scripture!
1John 2:15-16 Do not love this world nor the things it offers you, for when you love the world, you do not have the love of the Father in you. For the world offers only a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions. These are not from the Father, but are from this world.
Every time you crave something other than God, whether it is food, possessions, love from others, selfish pride or anything else - it is Satan tempting you. Satan is blinding you...
2Corinthians 4:4 Satan, who is the god of this world, has blinded the minds of those who don't believe. They are unable to see the glorious light of the Good News. They don't understand this message about the glory of Christ, who is the exact likeness of God.
okay so perhaps I took that verse slightly out of context because it is really saying that Satan blinds those who do not yet believe in God so that they cannot understand His message. But what I wanted to point out is that the Bible says that Satan is the god of this world - so it really is as simple as saying that craving anything other than God is Satan tempting you.
Satan tempted Eve and she gave in to that 'craving'. Satan also tempted Jesus, but Jesus refused to give in. Why? Because Jesus fought back with the Word of God. The Word of God is our weapon against everything of this world that we crave.
Are you working on memorizing scripture? The book had a suggestion for a memory verse - you can start with this one...
1Corinthians 10:23a "Everything is permissible"--but not everything is beneficial.
Excuse me while I go work on my memory verses!
Made to Crave - Introduction
Diets don't work, or at least don't work for very long. If you need to lose weight you have probably tried all kinds of different things. I personally have tried Weight Watchers meetings, seeing a nutritionist, Jenny Craig, following a diabetic menu when I had Gestational Diabetes, Weight Watchers online, and even had a Fast Food fast for awhile. Guess what - the only thing that worked was that I was able to control my Gestational Diabetes simply by following the menu plan. Other than that I have pretty much only gained weight since getting married and having kids. The only thing I have been losing is sleep and my mind.
Until a few weeks ago when I had someone pray over me to take my relationship with God to the next level, to step it up a few notches. After that evening, I noticed a couple things changed immediately - memory verses became easier to memorize and I suddenly found my "want to" when it came to setting my mind to losing weight. I rejoined Weight Watchers Online and instead of sighing with utter complaint about making changes, I now have determination and a sense of perseverance, one that feels like it can see me through this long road. This time I am focusing on and setting smaller goals and most importantly praising God for every single pound I drop. It may sound like small changes, but I encourage you to give it to God. Let Him guide you through and only then will you succeed.
So all of this started happening about a week before my Bible study group started the study Made to Crave. As I began to read the Introduction I was amazed because the premise of the study is essentially the same as what I have just described. I will try to blog through this study (and pray that my blogging can catch on to some of that determination and perseverance!) and see where it takes me.
I have to give all the credit first to God because with Him all things are possible. Secondly, much of what I will be writing about will be coming directly from the Made to Crave study written by Lysa TerKeurst. I don't claim to be a writer, I am only processing what I am reading and learning into some notes on this little blog. If it helps you then praise God, because that is where the praise belongs! So let's get started...
Made To Crave - Introduction
Here are some key quotes (typed in italics) from the Introduction of the book that really jumped out at me. If I was a writer, I probably could have written them myself because that is how closely they hit home!
pg 11 - It's not the "how to" I'm missing. It's the "want to" ...really wanting to make changes and deciding that the results of those changes are worth the sacrifice.
I know "how to" lose weight, simply eat right and exercise. Not much more to it than that! So rather than being lazy about making the changes, now I am focusing on the results.
pg 13 I think we all get to a place sometimes in our lives when we have to give a brutally honest answer to the question, "How am I doing?"
Obviously if I was okay with my weight I wouldn't be doing this study or joining Weight Watchers AGAIN! Let's leave it that shall we...
pg14 We feel overweight physically but underweight spiritually. Tying these two things together is the first step on one of the most significant journeys you'll ever take with God.
pg16 I had to ask God to give me the desire to be healthy.
I did, and He has. Praise God! I pray that you will ask God the same thing so that you can also begin to get healthy, both physically and spiritually.
Until a few weeks ago when I had someone pray over me to take my relationship with God to the next level, to step it up a few notches. After that evening, I noticed a couple things changed immediately - memory verses became easier to memorize and I suddenly found my "want to" when it came to setting my mind to losing weight. I rejoined Weight Watchers Online and instead of sighing with utter complaint about making changes, I now have determination and a sense of perseverance, one that feels like it can see me through this long road. This time I am focusing on and setting smaller goals and most importantly praising God for every single pound I drop. It may sound like small changes, but I encourage you to give it to God. Let Him guide you through and only then will you succeed.
So all of this started happening about a week before my Bible study group started the study Made to Crave. As I began to read the Introduction I was amazed because the premise of the study is essentially the same as what I have just described. I will try to blog through this study (and pray that my blogging can catch on to some of that determination and perseverance!) and see where it takes me.
I have to give all the credit first to God because with Him all things are possible. Secondly, much of what I will be writing about will be coming directly from the Made to Crave study written by Lysa TerKeurst. I don't claim to be a writer, I am only processing what I am reading and learning into some notes on this little blog. If it helps you then praise God, because that is where the praise belongs! So let's get started...
Made To Crave - Introduction
Here are some key quotes (typed in italics) from the Introduction of the book that really jumped out at me. If I was a writer, I probably could have written them myself because that is how closely they hit home!
pg 11 - It's not the "how to" I'm missing. It's the "want to" ...really wanting to make changes and deciding that the results of those changes are worth the sacrifice.
I know "how to" lose weight, simply eat right and exercise. Not much more to it than that! So rather than being lazy about making the changes, now I am focusing on the results.
pg 13 I think we all get to a place sometimes in our lives when we have to give a brutally honest answer to the question, "How am I doing?"
Obviously if I was okay with my weight I wouldn't be doing this study or joining Weight Watchers AGAIN! Let's leave it that shall we...
pg14 We feel overweight physically but underweight spiritually. Tying these two things together is the first step on one of the most significant journeys you'll ever take with God.
pg16 I had to ask God to give me the desire to be healthy.
I did, and He has. Praise God! I pray that you will ask God the same thing so that you can also begin to get healthy, both physically and spiritually.
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
20 verses
I really miss blogging - really I do. Of course you would never know it by how much I have actually blogged in the last year or two! Anyway, here we go again... back to blogging memory verses. Even though I have not been posting for Memory Monday, I have actually been working on my verses. In the last few weeks I have been working even harder - I started taking my spiral notebook with me. Then I started opening it while I had it with me... What a concept! Did you know that if you take your verses with you and look at them and practice them, it doesn't take long at all to memorize them! Amazing!
Every week, Sam's kindergarten class has what his teacher calls a checkup. It is basically a test to see how well they are doing and what they are retaining. Memory Monday is my checkup, it will show me which verses I need to work more on. And yes, I do realize that it is actually Tuesday, but I didn't want to put it off another week.
I make the list of verses, then type them out from memory. After I have typed them all out I go back to my notebook and correct any mistakes in red - let's see how I have been doing with my memory verses for the year.
#1 Psalm 23
The Lord is my shepherd I shall not want.
He makes me to lie down in green pastures,
He leads me beside the still waters.
He restores my soul. He leads medown in the paths of righteousness for His names sake.
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil for you are with me.
Your rod and your staff they comfort me.
You prepare a table before me in the presence of myenemyenemies.
You anoint my head with oil, my cup runs over.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
#2 Psalm 121
I raise my eyes toward the mountains, where will my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth.
He will not allow your foot tostumbleslip, your protector will not slumber.
Indeed, the protector of Israel does not slumber or sleep.
The Lord protects you, the Lord is a shelter right by your side.
The sun will not strike you by day or the moon at night.
The Lord will protects you from all harm. He will protects your life.
The Lord will protects your coming and going both now and forever.
#3 2Corinthians 5:17
Therefore if anyone is in Christ he is a new creation.
The old is gone, the new has come.
#4 Galatians 2:20
I myself no longer live, but Christ lives in me.
So I live my life in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God,
who loved me and gave Himself for me.
#5 Romans 12:1
And so dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God.
Let them be a living and holy sacrifice, the kind He will accept.
When you think of all what He has done for you, is this too much to ask?
#6 John 14:21
Those who obey my commandments arethosethe ones who love me.
And because they love me, I my Father will love them and my Father I will love them,
and I will reveal myself to each one of them.
#7 Haggai 1:5-7
Now This is what the Lord Almighty says, "Give careful thought to your ways.
You have planted much but have harvested little.
You eat but never have enough.
You drink but never have your fill.
You put on clothes but are not warm.
You earn wages only to put them in a purse with holes in it."
This is what the Lord Almighty says, "Give careful thought to your ways."
#8 Romans 14:17
For the kingdom of God is not a matter of what we eat or drink,
but of living a life of goodness, and peace and joy in Christ Jesus the Holy Spirit.
#9 2Timothy 3:16
All scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true,
and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives.
It straightens us out andis useful to teaches us to do what is right.
#10 Joshua 1:8
Study this book of the law continually. Meditate on it day and night
sothat you may be sure to obey all that is written in it.
Only then will you succeed.
#11 John 15:7
But If you remain in me and my words remain in you
you may ask for anything you want and it will be granted!
#12 Philippians 4:6-7
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and petition
and with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
And the peace of God which transcends all understanding will
guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
#13 Matthew 18:20
For where two or three are gathered together in my name,
there I am there in the midst of them.
#14 Hebrews 10:24-25
And Let us consider how we may spur one another on towards love and good deeds.
And let us not give up meeting together as some are in the habit of doing,
but let us encourage one another - and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
#15 Matthew 4:19
"Come, follow me," Jesus said, "and I will make you fishers of men."
#16 Romans 1:16
I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation
ofall everyone who believes. First for the Jew, then for the Gentile.
#17 Psalm 91:14
Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love
so we may sing for joy until the end of ourlife lives.
#18 1John 4:7a
Let us love one another, for love comes from God.
#19 Psalm 119:89
Forever O Lord, your word is settled in heaven.
Shouldn't have too much trouble with the next verse...
#20 Genesis1:1
In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.
Like I said, it is amazing what happens when you actually practice them - mostly I have been reciting them while driving or jogging laps in the pool. The last three verses are the verses we are memorizing as a family during our family Bible study time. Truly amazes me how quickly kids can memorize verses and what they comprehend!
About Memory Monday
I originally found Memory Monday with Joanne at The Simple Wife. The idea is to memorize a verse during the week and come back to her blog on Mondays to comment about it. That's it, nothing fancy, just simply an encouragement and reminder to memorize scripture for yourself. Please join in Memory Monday as a way to be blessed by hiding God's Word in your heart. And also join me in prayer for Joanne as she continues to recover from the stroke she had in January.
About Siesta Scripture Memory Team
This is another program to encourage us to memorize scripture and is hosted by Beth Moore over on her blog Living Proof Ministries Blog. This program is set up so that each person who wants to join the Siesta Scripture Memory Team will memorize two verses a month for all of 2011 and post a comment on the LPM blog on the 1st and the 15th of the month. If you do that all year you get to attend a Celebration with her and the SSMT next January! I so want to do that, don't you? I am registered to go and praying that God will find a way for me to actually attend!
Every week, Sam's kindergarten class has what his teacher calls a checkup. It is basically a test to see how well they are doing and what they are retaining. Memory Monday is my checkup, it will show me which verses I need to work more on. And yes, I do realize that it is actually Tuesday, but I didn't want to put it off another week.
I make the list of verses, then type them out from memory. After I have typed them all out I go back to my notebook and correct any mistakes in red - let's see how I have been doing with my memory verses for the year.
#1 Psalm 23
The Lord is my shepherd I shall not want.
He makes me to lie down in green pastures,
He leads me beside the still waters.
He restores my soul. He leads me
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil for you are with me.
Your rod and your staff they comfort me.
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my
You anoint my head with oil, my cup runs over.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
#2 Psalm 121
I raise my eyes toward the mountains, where will my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth.
He will not allow your foot to
Indeed, the protector of Israel does not slumber or sleep.
The Lord protects you, the Lord is a shelter right by your side.
The sun will not strike you by day or the moon at night.
The Lord will protect
The Lord will protect
#3 2Corinthians 5:17
Therefore if anyone is in Christ he is a new creation.
The old is gone, the new has come.
#4 Galatians 2:20
I myself no longer live, but Christ lives in me.
So I live my life in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God,
who loved me and gave Himself for me.
#5 Romans 12:1
And so dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God.
Let them be a living and holy sacrifice, the kind He will accept.
When you think of all
#6 John 14:21
Those who obey my commandments are
And because they love me,
and I will reveal myself to each one of them.
#7 Haggai 1:5-7
Now This is what the Lord Almighty says, "Give careful thought to your ways.
You have planted much but have harvested little.
You eat but never have enough.
You drink but never have your fill.
You put on clothes but are not warm.
You earn wages only to put them in a purse with holes in it."
This is what the Lord Almighty says, "Give careful thought to your ways."
#8 Romans 14:17
For the kingdom of God is not a matter of what we eat or drink,
but of living a life of goodness
#9 2Timothy 3:16
All scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true,
and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives.
It straightens us out and
#10 Joshua 1:8
Study this book of the law continually. Meditate on it day and night
so
Only then will you succeed.
#11 John 15:7
But If you remain in me and my words remain in you
you may ask for anything you want and it will be granted!
#12 Philippians 4:6-7
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and petition
and with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
And the peace of God which transcends all understanding will
guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
#13 Matthew 18:20
For where two or three are gathered together in my name,
#14 Hebrews 10:24-25
And Let us consider how we may spur one another on toward
but let us encourage one another - and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
#15 Matthew 4:19
"Come, follow me," Jesus said, "and I will make you fishers of men."
#16 Romans 1:16
I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation
of
#17 Psalm 91:14
Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love
so we may sing for joy until the end of our
#18 1John 4:7a
Let us love one another, for love comes from God.
#19 Psalm 119:89
Forever O Lord, your word is settled in heaven.
Shouldn't have too much trouble with the next verse...
#20 Genesis1:1
In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.
Like I said, it is amazing what happens when you actually practice them - mostly I have been reciting them while driving or jogging laps in the pool. The last three verses are the verses we are memorizing as a family during our family Bible study time. Truly amazes me how quickly kids can memorize verses and what they comprehend!
About Memory Monday
I originally found Memory Monday with Joanne at The Simple Wife. The idea is to memorize a verse during the week and come back to her blog on Mondays to comment about it. That's it, nothing fancy, just simply an encouragement and reminder to memorize scripture for yourself. Please join in Memory Monday as a way to be blessed by hiding God's Word in your heart. And also join me in prayer for Joanne as she continues to recover from the stroke she had in January.
About Siesta Scripture Memory Team
This is another program to encourage us to memorize scripture and is hosted by Beth Moore over on her blog Living Proof Ministries Blog. This program is set up so that each person who wants to join the Siesta Scripture Memory Team will memorize two verses a month for all of 2011 and post a comment on the LPM blog on the 1st and the 15th of the month. If you do that all year you get to attend a Celebration with her and the SSMT next January! I so want to do that, don't you? I am registered to go and praying that God will find a way for me to actually attend!
Monday, October 3, 2011
One done, what's next?
We had just completed Beth Moore's Stepping Up Bible Study and jumped right in to another one - Beth Moore's Breaking Free the updated version.
I did not even attempt to blog through this study, although I did manage to get through all the homework. It was an intense and personal study and as always Beth is wonderful. So even though I have been very quiet on this blog, I have been quite busy with getting into the word.
One of the things that the Breaking Free study did was rekindle my passion for memorizing scripture - I will do a post about that next - and also to get busy losing some weight. It is fascinating to me that we were going to do the Made to Crave study in the spring, but for some reason we put it off - can't even remember why - and started into the Stepping Up study. Then Made to Crave was put off even longer until we did our summer study of Breaking Free. The fascinating thing is that I think I have so much more passion for getting healthy now, than I would have if we had done the study in the spring.
And to take it another step, when I was preparing for the start of the study over the last couple of days I truly felt God working through me. And I pray that He continues to work through me and through my wonderful friends who are planning to work through this study with me. So here we go with Made to Crave...
I have no idea what I will blog about during this study, I guess I will just go with the flow and see what happens!
Sunday, September 11, 2011
A good starter book...
Spiritual Warfare for Women: Winning the Battle for your Home, Family, and Friends
by Leighann McCoy
The author is upfront with the fact that the book took a different path than her original plan due to the circumstances she was facing as she wrote it. Although I do believe that these circumstances provided some strong material for the book I think in the end it caused it to be distracting. I was often left wondering if the book was supposed to be a book to provide tips for others to combat spiritual warfare or if it was biography of her life. It ended up being a bit of both but would have been better had she focused on one or the other.
This is a book that would be suitable for those new to the Christian faith or for those who are wondering what exactly "Spiritual Warfare" is. Under the context of being useful for beginners I think this book is wonderful and it would provide a good foundation for the understanding of spiritual warfare.
And so, even though I do not give the book a rave review, it is certainly a book that I will keep on my bookshelf. I will use it as a resource for those times when I need a devotional, a refresher on combating spiritual warfare or a quick reference for where to find particular scriptures for certain situations. The scripture referencing is the blessing of this book, because being in God's Word is what will ultimately combat any spiritual warfare that you encounter.
Disclosure: Bethany House, a division of Baker Publishing Group provided me with a complimentary copy of this book as part of their book reviewers program.
Friday, September 2, 2011
A strong lesson in forgiveness
A Place Called Blessing - Where Hurting Ends and Love Begins
by John Trent, PhD with Annette Smith
This story has an incredible message of forgiveness, which is the obvious lesson of this story. However, I also saw many more lessons such as humbleness, not being judgemental, kindness, overcoming hopelessness and of course unconditional love. It is amazing that so many lessons can be drawn from such a short story. This is an easy reading book, I picked it up one evening after the kids went to bed and finished it in about three hours. A very well-spent, emotional three hours!
The book ends with a few questions for each chapter. This would be a great outline for a small group and could provide the basis for starting some healing discussions for those in the group.
The book is a fictional story that fits together with the book by the same author called The Blessing, which i described as "Every child needs the blessing - the gift of unconditional love and approval that comes from one's parents. You'll see your child thrive as you learn about and give the five biblical elements of the blessing." I think I will add that book to my wish list!
Disclosure: Thomas Nelson Publishers provided me with a complimentary copy of this book as part of their BookSneeze.com book review bloggers program.
Imagine is still in my imagination
I was invited to attend the Imagine event in Washington, DC that took place last weekend. I am incredibly disappointed that I was not able to attend. I knew I would not be able to attend Friday evening because that was the first day of preschool for Ben & Carlee so I couldn't miss that!
However, I was considering driving up to Washington Friday night so that I could attend the event on Saturday. Only those plans were disrupted by Mean Irene! I chose to stay home with my family during the hurricane that was headed straight for us.
Although I was not able to attend I know that there are still many other locatons still to come and I encourage you to attend one of them. Here is a link to see the many other locations
Thanks to Women of Faith and Booksneeze for providing this opportunity! And all praise goes to God for sparing our family and community.
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
Women of Faith
Check out this exciting event!!
I have been invited to attend the Imagine event in Washington, DC!
Here is a link to see the many other locations
Thanks to Women of Faith and Booksneeze for this opportunity!
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
Stepping Up - Session 6
Session 6 - Blessing from Zion
And so we reach the end of the Stepping Up Bible Study. Funny how it took much longer than 6 weeks to complete...many times we were taking steps off of this particular path! This session discussed how Psalms of Ascent were centered around the Israelites pilgramage to Jerusalem and how we as Christians are also on a journey. Beth gave us 4 ways to have a satisfying journey.
1. We are to continually survey the road. Jeremiah 31:21 God gives us signs along our journey and the Holy Spirit helps us to interpret those signs.
2. Hebrews 12:1-2 tells us to lighten our load. All of our sin entangles us and does not let us get closer to God. To be able to take those next steps we need to throw off everything that is hindering us.
3. Take the next step with the strength that is provided by Him. Isaiah 40:28-31 He will give you the strength that you need to walk out of whatever valley that you are in.
4. Know with certainty that the destination is worth the trip. Isaiah 35:3-10 Our pilgramage will come to an end. We will meet God and have everlasting joy!!!
keep on walking...
keep putting one foot in front of the other...
keep on taking that next step
and every step we take we praise the LORD.
Psalm 134
1 Praise the LORD, all you servants of the LORD who minister by night in the house of the LORD.
2 Lift up your hands in the sanctuary and praise the LORD.
3 May the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth, bless you from Zion.
And so we reach the end of the Stepping Up Bible Study. Funny how it took much longer than 6 weeks to complete...many times we were taking steps off of this particular path! This session discussed how Psalms of Ascent were centered around the Israelites pilgramage to Jerusalem and how we as Christians are also on a journey. Beth gave us 4 ways to have a satisfying journey.
1. We are to continually survey the road. Jeremiah 31:21 God gives us signs along our journey and the Holy Spirit helps us to interpret those signs.
2. Hebrews 12:1-2 tells us to lighten our load. All of our sin entangles us and does not let us get closer to God. To be able to take those next steps we need to throw off everything that is hindering us.
3. Take the next step with the strength that is provided by Him. Isaiah 40:28-31 He will give you the strength that you need to walk out of whatever valley that you are in.
4. Know with certainty that the destination is worth the trip. Isaiah 35:3-10 Our pilgramage will come to an end. We will meet God and have everlasting joy!!!
keep on walking...
keep putting one foot in front of the other...
keep on taking that next step
and every step we take we praise the LORD.
Psalm 134
1 Praise the LORD, all you servants of the LORD who minister by night in the house of the LORD.
2 Lift up your hands in the sanctuary and praise the LORD.
3 May the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth, bless you from Zion.
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
Stepping Up: Week 6 - Day 5
Day 5 - The Lord Bless You
Psalm 134
1 Praise the LORD, all you servants of the LORD
who minister by night in the house of the LORD.
2 Lift up your hands in the sanctuary
and praise the LORD.
3 May the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth,
bless you from Zion.
Everytime you praise God you are doing what He created you to do. The lesson states "that we depart times of blessing God with blessings from God."
There are many moments of blessing or praising God through the Psalms of Ascent. The pilgramage to Jerusalem was all about praising God. Now in this final Psalm of Ascent we see the Benediction, the final words of praise the pilgrams heard and the final words were "May the Lord bless you." It is a final encouragement and a reminder that when we praise God we will be blessed.
Psalm 134
1 Praise the LORD, all you servants of the LORD
who minister by night in the house of the LORD.
2 Lift up your hands in the sanctuary
and praise the LORD.
3 May the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth,
bless you from Zion.
Everytime you praise God you are doing what He created you to do. The lesson states "that we depart times of blessing God with blessings from God."
There are many moments of blessing or praising God through the Psalms of Ascent. The pilgramage to Jerusalem was all about praising God. Now in this final Psalm of Ascent we see the Benediction, the final words of praise the pilgrams heard and the final words were "May the Lord bless you." It is a final encouragement and a reminder that when we praise God we will be blessed.
Stepping Up: Week 6 - Day 4
Day 4 - Bless the Lord
Psalm 134
1 Oh, praise the LORD, all you servants of the LORD,
you who serve at night in the house of the LORD.
2 Lift up holy hands in prayer,
and praise the LORD.
3 May the LORD, who made heaven and earth,
bless you from Jerusalem.
At the end of the journey to Jerusalem all that is left to do is praise the Lord! Nothing is more important than that. A quote from the lesson, "You and I...were created to praise God; so let's spend priority time doing what we came to do". The lesson also said this "Gratitude follows grace as thunder follows lightning. Has God lit up your sky with lightning that you've not answered with thunder?"
After hearing that metaphor for praising God I don't think I will ever view a thunder storm in the same way again!
Let's praise our Lord...
Psalm 134
1 Oh, praise the LORD, all you servants of the LORD,
you who serve at night in the house of the LORD.
2 Lift up holy hands in prayer,
and praise the LORD.
3 May the LORD, who made heaven and earth,
bless you from Jerusalem.
At the end of the journey to Jerusalem all that is left to do is praise the Lord! Nothing is more important than that. A quote from the lesson, "You and I...were created to praise God; so let's spend priority time doing what we came to do". The lesson also said this "Gratitude follows grace as thunder follows lightning. Has God lit up your sky with lightning that you've not answered with thunder?"
After hearing that metaphor for praising God I don't think I will ever view a thunder storm in the same way again!
Let's praise our Lord...
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
Stepping Up: Week 6 - Day 3
Day 3 - A United Family of God
Psalm 133
1 How wonderful and pleasant it is
when brothers live together in harmony!
2 For harmony is as precious as the anointing oil
that was poured over Aaron’s head,
that ran down his beard
and onto the border of his robe.
3 Harmony is as refreshing as the dew from Mount Hermon
that falls on the mountains of Zion.
And there the LORD has pronounced his blessing,
even life everlasting.
The previous day's lesson looked at unity in the family. Today the lesson expands into unity within the Church. This is not only within your local church, but the whole Church, the entire body of Christ.
I have often wondered what is the difference between all the Christian denominations and why there are so many. If we are all Christians then why are there so many different kinds of churches. It seem that Christians have broken off into so many different directions and denominations that the Church as a whole is confused and even some important, fundamental doctrines are not common among them. These differing beliefs have caused Christians to fight with Christians. The unity we are called to uphold is destroyed.
A couple of quotes from the lesson:
"Christ wants believers to be one: black, brown, or white. Charismatic or noncharismatic. Calvinist or Arminian. Southern Baptist or Freewill Baptist."
"Jesus' kind of unity doesn't exist until two people stand shoulder to shoulder who before stood sword to sword...Let's love each other when we wouldn't even like each other."
The lesson had an exercise in thinking about differing issues of various churches. Which issues are nonnegotiable fundamental doctrine and what are some issues that are varying between denominations. I thought of a few and then did an internet search. I was surprised at some of the real differences when I looked closely at this document that compares many denominational beliefs.
For example, I assumed that believing in the Inerrancy of the Bible was a solid foundational doctrine - well, not according to 2 of the 7 denominations compared. There was also one that views Satan metaphorically, one that does not entirely believe in eternal hell, 2 that believe it is possible to lose salvation, and 1 that believes that salvation can be found outside Christianity!
Satan is winning and we need to fight back!
Psalm 133
1 How wonderful and pleasant it is
when brothers live together in harmony!
2 For harmony is as precious as the anointing oil
that was poured over Aaron’s head,
that ran down his beard
and onto the border of his robe.
3 Harmony is as refreshing as the dew from Mount Hermon
that falls on the mountains of Zion.
And there the LORD has pronounced his blessing,
even life everlasting.
The previous day's lesson looked at unity in the family. Today the lesson expands into unity within the Church. This is not only within your local church, but the whole Church, the entire body of Christ.
I have often wondered what is the difference between all the Christian denominations and why there are so many. If we are all Christians then why are there so many different kinds of churches. It seem that Christians have broken off into so many different directions and denominations that the Church as a whole is confused and even some important, fundamental doctrines are not common among them. These differing beliefs have caused Christians to fight with Christians. The unity we are called to uphold is destroyed.
A couple of quotes from the lesson:
"Christ wants believers to be one: black, brown, or white. Charismatic or noncharismatic. Calvinist or Arminian. Southern Baptist or Freewill Baptist."
"Jesus' kind of unity doesn't exist until two people stand shoulder to shoulder who before stood sword to sword...Let's love each other when we wouldn't even like each other."
The lesson had an exercise in thinking about differing issues of various churches. Which issues are nonnegotiable fundamental doctrine and what are some issues that are varying between denominations. I thought of a few and then did an internet search. I was surprised at some of the real differences when I looked closely at this document that compares many denominational beliefs.
For example, I assumed that believing in the Inerrancy of the Bible was a solid foundational doctrine - well, not according to 2 of the 7 denominations compared. There was also one that views Satan metaphorically, one that does not entirely believe in eternal hell, 2 that believe it is possible to lose salvation, and 1 that believes that salvation can be found outside Christianity!
Satan is winning and we need to fight back!
Stepping Up: Week 6 - Day 2
Day 2 - A United Family of Man
Psalm 133
1 How wonderful and pleasant it is
when brothers live together in harmony!
2 For harmony is as precious as the anointing oil
that was poured over Aaron’s head,
that ran down his beard
and onto the border of his robe.
3 Harmony is as refreshing as the dew from Mount Hermon
that falls on the mountains of Zion.
And there the LORD has pronounced his blessing,
even life everlasting.
The lesson today talks about family unity and the idea that God placed us within our specific family for a reason. We can choose our friends and generally we make friendships with people that we prefer to be around. However, we cannot choose our family, we are stuck with them, but this can be good for us. The lesson stated "if we only choose to be around those who require virtually nothing hard from us, what will prompt us (force us) to change."
Of course we can also choose to not be around those family members that are hard to be around. But is that what we are supposed to do? No, God has put these family members permanently in our lives for a reason. That reason may be to require you to change something about yourself.
If you are estranged from any family member you need to seriously evaluate why that is and what you can do to change the situation. God is telling us in this Psalm that living in harmony with our family is as precious as the oil used to dedicate priests to God's service.
In Psalm 23 God anoints our heads with oil too. We are called into that same service and part of that service to God is to ensure harmony and unity within our families. This may seem an impossible task, especially in some situations, but think of what you can do to promote harmony or at least not provoke further disunity!
Psalm 133
1 How wonderful and pleasant it is
when brothers live together in harmony!
2 For harmony is as precious as the anointing oil
that was poured over Aaron’s head,
that ran down his beard
and onto the border of his robe.
3 Harmony is as refreshing as the dew from Mount Hermon
that falls on the mountains of Zion.
And there the LORD has pronounced his blessing,
even life everlasting.
The lesson today talks about family unity and the idea that God placed us within our specific family for a reason. We can choose our friends and generally we make friendships with people that we prefer to be around. However, we cannot choose our family, we are stuck with them, but this can be good for us. The lesson stated "if we only choose to be around those who require virtually nothing hard from us, what will prompt us (force us) to change."
Of course we can also choose to not be around those family members that are hard to be around. But is that what we are supposed to do? No, God has put these family members permanently in our lives for a reason. That reason may be to require you to change something about yourself.
If you are estranged from any family member you need to seriously evaluate why that is and what you can do to change the situation. God is telling us in this Psalm that living in harmony with our family is as precious as the oil used to dedicate priests to God's service.
In Psalm 23 God anoints our heads with oil too. We are called into that same service and part of that service to God is to ensure harmony and unity within our families. This may seem an impossible task, especially in some situations, but think of what you can do to promote harmony or at least not provoke further disunity!
Stepping Up:Week 6 - Day 1
Day 1 - God Talks Back
Psalm 132: 11-18
11 The LORD swore an oath to David
with a promise he will never take back:
“I will place one of your descendants on your throne.
12 If your descendants obey the terms of my covenant
and the laws that I teach them,
then your royal line will continue forever and ever.”
13 For the LORD has chosen Jerusalem;
he has desired it for his home.
14 “This is my resting place forever,” he said.
“I will live here, for this is the home I desired.
15 I will bless this city and make it prosperous;
I will satisfy its poor with food.
16 I will clothe its priests with godliness;
its faithful servants will sing for joy.
17 Here I will increase the power of David;
my anointed one will be a light for my people.
18 I will clothe his enemies with shame,
but he will be a glorious king.”
This Psalm shows how God answers prayers but then goes so much further. God granted the Psalmist plea that the king would not be rejected. Then He added so much more to it
- his decesendant would sit on the throne forever
- the city would be abundantly blessed
- his enemies would be shamed
- the king will be glorious and a light for the people
Ephesians 3:20 Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think.
We cannot begin to imagine what He can do. If we think it and pray for it, He will come up with something better. No matter what we think up and pray for, He can do it and much, much more. Of course, He may not grant our requests, but it is important for us to realize that He can. He is the maker of heaven and earth, so certainly He can do better than anything we can dream up!
Psalm 132: 11-18
11 The LORD swore an oath to David
with a promise he will never take back:
“I will place one of your descendants on your throne.
12 If your descendants obey the terms of my covenant
and the laws that I teach them,
then your royal line will continue forever and ever.”
13 For the LORD has chosen Jerusalem;
he has desired it for his home.
14 “This is my resting place forever,” he said.
“I will live here, for this is the home I desired.
15 I will bless this city and make it prosperous;
I will satisfy its poor with food.
16 I will clothe its priests with godliness;
its faithful servants will sing for joy.
17 Here I will increase the power of David;
my anointed one will be a light for my people.
18 I will clothe his enemies with shame,
but he will be a glorious king.”
This Psalm shows how God answers prayers but then goes so much further. God granted the Psalmist plea that the king would not be rejected. Then He added so much more to it
- his decesendant would sit on the throne forever
- the city would be abundantly blessed
- his enemies would be shamed
- the king will be glorious and a light for the people
Ephesians 3:20 Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think.
We cannot begin to imagine what He can do. If we think it and pray for it, He will come up with something better. No matter what we think up and pray for, He can do it and much, much more. Of course, He may not grant our requests, but it is important for us to realize that He can. He is the maker of heaven and earth, so certainly He can do better than anything we can dream up!
Monday, June 13, 2011
Got some work to do...
I have not been diligent in working on my memory verses, at least not all of them. So I thought I would work on a few at a time and post on Mondays to see if I can ever catch up. So let's see how I did the last few days...
Jan 1 - Psalm 23
The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.
He makes me to lie down in green pastures, He leads me beside the still waters.
He restores my soul, He leads medown in the paths of righteousness for His names sake.
Yea though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil for you are with me.
Your rod and your staff they comfort me.
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil, my cup runs over.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life
and Ishall will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
Jan 15- 2Corinthians 5:17
Therefore if anyonewho is in Christ he is a new creation.
The old is gone, the new has come.
Feb 1 - Galatians 2:20
I myself no longer live, but Christ lives in me.
And so I live my life in this earthly body
by trusting in the Son of God who loved me and gave Himself for me.
Feb 15- Psalm 121
I raise my eyes toward the mountains, where will my help come from.
My help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth.
He will not allow your foot tostumble slip, your Protector does will not slumber.
Indeed, the Protector of Israel does not slumber or sleep.
The Lord protects you,He The Lord is a shelter right by your side.
The sun will not strike you by day, or the moon by night.
The Lord protects your life. The Lord protects you from all harm.
The Lord will protect you from all harm; He will protect your life.
The Lord will protect your coming and going both now and forever.
Mar 1 - 2Timothy 3:16
All scripture is inspired by God... (that's it I can't remember any more)
Mar 15- Joshua 1:8
...meditate on it day and night... (that's it on that one!)
Apr 1- Romans 14:17
...(didn't ever work on memorizing this one)
Apr 15- Haggai 1:5-7
...(or this one)
May 1 - Romans 12:1
And so dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give you bodies to God.
Let them be a living and holy sacrifice, the kind He will accept.
When you think of what He has done for you, is this too much to ask?
May 15- John 14:21
Those who obey my commandments arethose the ones who love me.
Andthose who because they love me, my Father will love them, and I will love them,
and I will reveal myself to each one of them.
Jun 1 - John 15:7
...(haven't worked on it yet)
The verses for the May SSMT were actually a couple verses I worked on in February when I was being quite good at working on my memory verses. Now I am praying that I can get back to that point because apparently I have some serious memory work to do!
About Memory Monday
I originally found Memory Monday with Joanne at The Simple Wife. The idea is to memorize a verse during the week and come back to her blog on Mondays to comment about it. That's it, nothing fancy, just simply an encouragement and reminder to memorize scripture for yourself. Please join in Memory Monday as a way to be blessed by hiding God's Word in your heart. And also join me in prayer for Joanne as she continues to recover from the stroke she had in January.
About Siesta Scripture Memory Team
This is another program to encourage us to memorize scripture and is hosted by Beth Moore over on her blog Living Proof Ministries Blog. This program is set up so that each person who wants to join the Siesta Scripture Memory Team will memorize two verses a month for all of 2011 and post a comment on the LPM blog on the 1st and the 15th of the month. If you do that all year you get to attend a Celebration with her and the SSMT next January! I so want to do that, don't you?
Jan 1 - Psalm 23
The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.
He makes me to lie down in green pastures, He leads me beside the still waters.
He restores my soul, He leads me
Yea though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil for you are with me.
Your rod and your staff they comfort me.
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil, my cup runs over.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life
and I
Jan 15- 2Corinthians 5:17
Therefore if anyone
The old is gone, the new has come.
Feb 1 - Galatians 2:20
I myself no longer live, but Christ lives in me.
by trusting in the Son of God who loved me and gave Himself for me.
Feb 15- Psalm 121
I raise my eyes toward the mountains, where will my help come from.
My help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth.
He will not allow your foot to
Indeed, the Protector of Israel does not slumber or sleep.
The Lord protects you,
The sun will not strike you by day, or the moon by night.
The Lord will protect you from all harm; He will protect your life.
The Lord will protect your coming and going both now and forever.
Mar 1 - 2Timothy 3:16
All scripture is inspired by God... (that's it I can't remember any more)
Mar 15- Joshua 1:8
...meditate on it day and night... (that's it on that one!)
Apr 1- Romans 14:17
...(didn't ever work on memorizing this one)
Apr 15- Haggai 1:5-7
...(or this one)
May 1 - Romans 12:1
And so dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give you bodies to God.
Let them be a living and holy sacrifice, the kind He will accept.
When you think of what He has done for you, is this too much to ask?
May 15- John 14:21
Those who obey my commandments are
And
and I will reveal myself to each one of them.
Jun 1 - John 15:7
...(haven't worked on it yet)
The verses for the May SSMT were actually a couple verses I worked on in February when I was being quite good at working on my memory verses. Now I am praying that I can get back to that point because apparently I have some serious memory work to do!
About Memory Monday
I originally found Memory Monday with Joanne at The Simple Wife. The idea is to memorize a verse during the week and come back to her blog on Mondays to comment about it. That's it, nothing fancy, just simply an encouragement and reminder to memorize scripture for yourself. Please join in Memory Monday as a way to be blessed by hiding God's Word in your heart. And also join me in prayer for Joanne as she continues to recover from the stroke she had in January.
About Siesta Scripture Memory Team
This is another program to encourage us to memorize scripture and is hosted by Beth Moore over on her blog Living Proof Ministries Blog. This program is set up so that each person who wants to join the Siesta Scripture Memory Team will memorize two verses a month for all of 2011 and post a comment on the LPM blog on the 1st and the 15th of the month. If you do that all year you get to attend a Celebration with her and the SSMT next January! I so want to do that, don't you?
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