devoted's Journal, 10 December 2014

Hi Casi, Read your journal entry for today and just basked in the passages you wrote. God is your refuge and strength. Ephesians 3:12...In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of Him. The passage I have taped underneath my monitor is Isaiah 60:1. Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee. Casi, when you feel the urge at night to snack on something claim these passages and know that these urges are human yes, but we are also being tempted to give in to our deep convictions to the Lord to get healthy. If you are having these urges to "indulge", then make it something that won't add any calories to speak of and will satisfy the need to have something. I entered just today what I had last night for a snack. I had never tried kale before I had heard that it can be baked and used as a snack, so I tried it and was absolutely flabbergasted at the taste and the fact that it was healthy with not many calories at all. I also get Claussen pickles and eat a spear really SLOW. (Like a nut, lol, I nibble on the outside skins then take tiny bites of the flesh...it's time consuming but by the time I'm done, my urge to have anything more has totally passed. Then I fill myself up on decaffeinated teas. I have taken on a new "addiction" at night to drinking Celestial Seasonings Holiday Teas. They're such a treat and it's something I can keep on shoving down my throat, lol. The Lord is here with us every step of the way. Remember, at night when you THINK you want something, you really don't want to blow it by eating something you shouldn't and this is NOT of the Lord and if it's not of the Lord, you know WHO it's from...remembering where our strength comes from, it's easy to say, "get thee hence, satan"! We WILL do this! God's light and glory are shining in our life! There is a song (tons of them) that I sing that I'm sure you know..it's called "I am the Vine, you are the branches". I am clinging right along on the branches to the Vine. We are where the Lord wants us in Him. Stay strong in the Lord and be of good courage! I'm going to be sending a CD of mine to Melissa in a week or so, if you'd like me to send you one, please let me know. Some of the passages you've already mentioned are in some of the songs I sing. You have a wonderful day in the Lord!!  

So true. God bless you. 

In order for God to help you, YOU HAVE TO BE TOTALLY COMMITTED TO HIM IN EVERYTHING YOU DO! He can only help you as much as you want to help yourself. 

Thanks Casi and star71 for the encouraging Word in your posts. It is so easy to get distracted and forget where our strength comes from and struggle to do it by ourselves. All for His Glory! 

I know I say this a lot and have begun to feel like I am beating a dead horse, but 2 timothy reminds us that God has given us His Spirit, and His Spirit is not a Spirit of fear, or timidity, but of love, power and SELF-DISCIPLINE. We all struggle in sticking to our plans and vision, but thank God He has given us His Spirit that we can get right back on task and give it all we got. Be blessed!! 

I just feel SO blessed, coming on here and reading all of your posts of encouragement and support! THANK YOU!!! What an amazing group of friends I've found here! I SOOO appreciate each of you! Thank you, SO MUCH! I appreciate your friendship, I appreciate your support, your encouragement, and your prayers .. MORE than you could know! xxoo 

(And you GO AHEAD and beat that dead horse, Pastor Jedi Ninja!! The Word inspires me, encourages me, and helps me!! THANK YOU!) The Word of God is LIFE and POWER! It IS my life line! :)