PRAYER JOURNAL 8/14/2019
Three months ago, Steve and I decided to tweak our eating
habits, get away from sugar and wheat and try the Keto Lifestyle…I love
it!
Because I am me; a firstborn with a perfection obsession, if
I decide to do something, I research it, learn everything I can, both positive
and negative, and enter in gung-ho because I intend to be successful. I talked with other Keto-success people,
watched videos, read studies, collected recipes, downloaded apps, planned menus
and joined Keto-forums…my head is exploding with Keto-knowledge, carb counts
and new words like, “ketones,” “fat-adaption” and “autophagy.” Fast forward 3
months and 30 pounds later, I declare SUCCESS!
BUT THE LIFESTYLE DOESN’T END BECAUSE
YOU EXPERIENCE A VICTORY!
The Keto-forums that I am on have a variety of members; the Curious, the “I Love New Fads”, the “Nothing
Else Has Worked”, the “I Have a Bad Doctor’s Report”, and
the Committed. The biggest trend I see, however, is the “Special
Situation and I need to Lose” person. The comments go like this….
“I have a Class Reunion in September and need to lose 15 pounds, how
many carbs can I eat and still achieve my goal.”
“I’m getting Married next spring and don’t want to “roll” down the
aisle; hoping I can lose 50 pounds.”
“Please pray for me, I’m a Senior Citizen and need to lose 10 pounds by
December; is this possible?”
To these comments, everyone replies with tips and encouraging words, but Me being Me…my comments are usually, “If you will make up your mind to commit, you can.” “If you will stop doing what got you to this point, you will.” “If you can’t say NO, don’t bother; just buy a bigger dress.”
To these comments, everyone replies with tips and encouraging words, but Me being Me…my comments are usually, “If you will make up your mind to commit, you can.” “If you will stop doing what got you to this point, you will.” “If you can’t say NO, don’t bother; just buy a bigger dress.”
IF YOU CHANGE YOUR LIFE BECAUSE OF A
SPECIAL EVENT, YOU WILL GO BACK TO THE OLD; EASIER; FLESH-PLEASING LIFE STYLE
ONCE YOUR INCENTIVE IS OVER!
Having served God for over 50 years, I have witnessed this
same thing happening spiritually over and over.
I have actually seen people enter the church, run to the altar on Sunday
Night, cry and snot and repent, get up and dance their way out of church and
never be seen again…THE EVENT WAS OVER!
Others have come because of a SITUATION. Perhaps it was
physical, financial, marital or one of the other thousands of situations in
which we humans become entangled. They
come for awhile, they embrace the church and the church embraces them, they are
excited about this new life and praising God and then SUDDENLY…one day they suddenly become too busy; become occupied
with other pursuits…THE SITUATION IS
OVER!
And then there are the dear ones that have “tried
everything else;” the Searchers.
Perhaps you witness to them, give them a Bible Study or share a testimony. These are things they have never heard;
something NEW; something they’ve
never tried and they are so excited. UNTIL…they start living the lifestyle
and find out there is SELF-DENIAL
and sometimes you have to use the word, “NO.” They count the cost and decide their bloated
life of Self-Gratification and Sin is easier and more to their “liking.”
Another “New Adventure” is on the horizon…THE EXCITEMENT HAS PASSED!
CHECK YOUR INCENTIVES!
If you just “do” Keto or any diet because you
want to look a certain way or have an event coming up, you may lose the weight
but once the event is passed you also lose your incentive. When the temptations
come you are powerless to say NO. You ask, “How much can I cheat; how many carbs/calories can I consume and still lose weight?” Then you find yourself in the same
condition you were before you ever began.
If you turn to God because you have hit rock bottom, are in
a bad situation, or just want to try something new, you will walk right for a
period of time; until the SITUATION
gets resolved or the excitement wanes.
Unless you fall in love with Jesus Christ; see your sinful
state and realize you are powerless to save yourself, the incentive to serve
God will pass. You will ask, “How much sin can I engage in and still enjoy the Blessing of God?” Then you will give in to the temptations when Satan sends them
your way; BELIEVE ME, HE WILL!
When you become FULLY
PERSUADED….When you are TRULY
CONVERTED…When you decide to ABSOLUTELY
COMMIT…no matter the situation; regardless of life’s mundane moments; on
the mountain or in the valley…when LIVING
FOR GOD BECOMES A LIFESTYLE…everything will change.
You will WALK
differently; your VOCABULARY will
change with new words of Praise; you will FEEL
differently because Peace and Joy have replaced the Anxiety and Discontent; You
are a NEW CREATION…
AND YOU WILL LOVE IT
BECAUSE YOU LOVE HIM!
No comments:
Post a Comment