Being Good and Choosing Christ

This post is a response to Natasha's....

It's so easy to compare ourselves to others and then conclude that we are "good people." But when we compare ourselves (contrast ourselves) to God, we realize what wretched sinners we are, and that only God is good ("dirty, rotten, stinkin sinners" as my friends and I used to say when I first got saved).

Paul says, "Oh wretched man that I am! Who will save me from this body of death??" He also called himself, "the chief of sinners." How could he think he was the chief of sinners?? No way, not Paul! But it's because God had made him well-acquainted with his sin. And that's the only we can say of ourselves, "I am the chief of sinners!" is when we know our sin so well, and we are so repulsed by it, and we just think, there can't be anybody as bad as I am! Shouldn't we think of ourselves this way?

As far as choosing to follow God it is never the easy road. As long as we are in this flesh, we will never find it easy. But, it's always the most rewarding, most satisfying, most fulfilling choice. "Broad (easy) is the way that leads to destruction, and narrow (hard) is the way that leads to life." I love what you said, Natasha, about our flesh seeking out sin. We are not neutral. We are looking for temptation, and that's why when it comes to us, it's so easy to say, "YES!" I never thought of that verse in James as meaning that. But that is what it's saying!

"But each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire..."

Yes, God has chosen us (hallelujah!) and He wants us to choose Him everyday. And since it's so difficult, He gives us fellow believers...Christian friends...fellow sisters in Christ who love us enough to hold us accountable and ask the hard questions and get in our kitchen when we need it!!! Thank you, Natasha, for being that friend for me. And I hope I can continue to be that friend for you.

And for all you fellow sisters in Christ who are struggling in this area, just rest in Christ and trust in His love and power for you. Don't focus too much on your failure....acknowledge it -yes-grieve over it-yes- repent of it -yes- and then embrace Christ's victory for you!

"We know that our old self was crucified with him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin....for the death he died he died to sin, once for all, but the life he lives he lives to God. So YOU ALSO MUST consider yourselves DEAD TO SIN and alive to God in Christ Jesus." Romans 6

God's Holiness

God's Holiness

As I continue to strive towards God's Holiness, I realize that I compare myself to the world's standard and not His. Of course, I would like to think that I am "better" than most, but in reality, I am NOT! I continue daily to struggle with my choices to follow God's standard or "my standards". It should be easy right? Sinning is much easier and much more desirable to our flesh. In James, (1:14-16) it talks about how our flesh seeks out our worldly desires. In my case, food, and lots of it. Not only the amount, but the fattening and unhealthy foods. I use food to replace the void that only God can fill. Why? I don't know. Maybe because I am lazy. It is easier to turn on the t.v. or get on email than to get on my knees before Him. It is much easier to drive through a fast food restaurant than to plan the meal, shop and prepare it at home.

One thing I know. God does not want this for me. He wants me to choose Him. He has chosen me. May I be reminded of this. Praise you Jesus!



James 1:13-16 When tempted, no one should say, "God is tempting me." For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.

Hello Everybody! I'm checking in tonight....I did not have a good day. I did not want to even post tonight but Natasha and I agreed we'd take turns posting everyday. I don't want to discourage anybody with my lameness.

So, take this as a lesson in what NOT to do. I mentioned before that I have a hard time when I am in a relaxed, fun atmosphere. Today I went out with my family to a restaurant and just decided to eat whatever I wanted. I was more concerned about not spending too much money rather than picking the healthiest thing. I also wanted something my kids would like in case they wanted to have some of mine.

And it wouldn't have been a big deal if I had just eaten half of it. But I ate about 7/8 of it. I left some on my plate so I wouldn't look like a total pig. Goodness. I think I do better when I am fasting. Even though it is hard, it's actually easier not to eat anything, than to just try to eat a little bit.

I also have not been offering myself to the Lord at the beginning of each day, like I should. To offer my body to Him as a living sacrifice. I haven't spent much time with Him these past few days.

So, I guess I need to spend some time with Him tonight before I lay my head down to sleep. Keep me accountable, everybody! Ask me if I did it!


Psalm 63:3 Because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you.

Weigh in

The last two days were wonderful. I had a great time supervising my niece's "dance" party. Not to mention all the exercise I got from running up and down stairs and just having fun with the kids.



I have not weighed in like Claudia has. Not because I am afraid of what will show, but because I want to wait until next Friday. The day, in my mind, that I am holding myself responsible to.



I had small victories this weekend. I kept myself focused on my relationships to others, not food. I spent time taking care of my body by exercising, not by eating. I prayed a lot. That is my saving grace in all of this. We have a God who wants to talk to us all the time. And boy, I can talk. But, it is great that He never gets tired or weary of that. It is comforting to know that I am not invisible to Him, like I feel sometimes in this world. As a heavy person, I do not feel heard or seen sometimes. God sees our heart.

Praise you Jesus!

Weigh-In Update

Today was Natasha's and my weigh-in day. I lost 2 pounds. I am pretty happy about that, needless to say. But, tonight, I feel yucky because I ate too many snacks while watching a movie with my family. My stomach is too full.

Whenever I'm eating healthy snacks, I feel like it's not a big deal to have take an extra bite here and an extra bite there. But then it ends up being too much.

I am on Weight Watchers, so I know what my point limit is. But it's just so hard when there's sort of a "party" atmosphere and I'm relaxed and having fun.

Here's where you're supposed to say, "That's no excuse!" That's what Natasha would say, right Natasha? I need to stick to my points if I'm going to continue to lose weight!

So, now I'll try to make up for it tomorrow by exercising! My goal for exercising is not a high and lofty goal....2 days/week, 15 min/day. Eventually I will increase that! But for now, it is easily attainable and I need to take "baby steps."

So, anyway, this is not any kind of an exciting post. Just a little update for you to know how I did today! Natasha can post tomorrow and let you know about her weigh-in and her night with her family at a birthday party.

She can also share with you this really awesome thing she read in the book about holiness that she's been reading. It was very convicting! But good.

Thanks to those of you who've been commenting! Natasha and I are soooo excited to have people reading and interacting! God bless, goodnight!!

My Eyes are on You

I woke up this morning feeling glad. Glad because after a very long, difficult day of fasting yesterday, I now can eat.

Natasha and I decided we are going to fast once a month, and yesterday was our first time. No, this is not a weight-loss tactic. We want to fast in the biblical way and that is, to fast and PRAY. Pray for ourselves to honor God in our eating and in the way we care for our bodies.

It's amazing how fasting makes me think about God more, and my relationship with Him. Yes, fasting also makes me think about food more, BUT, when I think about food and how much I want it, I always ask myself, "Do I ever want God this much? Do I ever ache to have God like this?" And the answer is always, "no."

But I want to!! I want so badly to have stomach pains and a headache and lack of concentration when I don't get God's word in me and spend time with Him. I want it to affect me like that. I want to desire God more than my daily bread. I want to find my satisfaction in God regardless of if I get satisfaction from food.

So, last night, I was so hungry when I went to bed. And at first, the only thing that was keeping me from eating was Natasha. I couldn't bear the thought of telling her the next day that I blew the fast. But then, as I lay myself down, I started thinking about people in the world who have to feel like this everyday. They don't get to eat everyday. They don't know where their next meal is coming from. And here I am, I have a whole kitchen stocked with food, and I know I will get to eat the next day.

So, I stopped complaining and went to sleep.

When I woke up, I wasn't feeling the same hunger pains that I went to bed with. So, I was glad. I was able to just take my morning in stride, and not raid the refrigerator and start stuffing my face. I just made my coffee, toasted my bagel and enjoyed my break-fast.

God is so good to me. I have absolutely nothing to complain about.

I also read this article this morning that has nothing to do with eating, but it sort of piggy-backs off what Natasha said in her post yesterday about trusting Jesus to fight our battles for us. Here's the key verse:

“We are powerless against this great horde that is coming against us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you. (2 Chronicles 20:12)

I LOVE that verse!! We do not know what to do but our eyes are on You!! You really should read this story from 2 Chronicles 20 about Jehoshaphat facing the armies of Moab, Edom and Ammon. God is so amazing.

http://www.desiringgod.org/Blog/

Jesus fighting the battle

Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord (Acts 3:19).

I am exhausted. Tired of fighting this same battle. ME, fighting this battle. Not the Lord, not allowing Him to do this for me. The above verse tells me that if I truly REPENT, and TURN to God, my sin will be wiped out. My sin of gluttony. My overindulgence. My pride and selfishness. Not just turning from overeating, but doing a 180 turn away from gluttony to God. I cannot just turn 90 degrees away from eating, but I must also turn that other 90 degrees to God. How does this happen? What must I do? I desire rest.

Matt 11:28-30 tells me how! Jesus says,"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."

It will not be easy to take his yoke. I will have to let Him lead me. I cannot lead, I must follow. That means I must turn down that second helping. I must stop eating candy when I should be eating fruit. I should cook dinner instead of going through the drive thru. Learning to say no to all of my cravings at all times and yes to my Savior. Glorifying Him in my food choices.


Spending time with Him. Finding my rest in Him. Not food. He promises. I will find rest and refreshings times.



Praise you Jesus!