“‘Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?’ For sin is the sting that results in death, and the law gives sin its power. How we thank God, who gives us victory over sin and death through Jesus Christ our Lord!”
I encourage you to take 15 minutes today to read the entire chapter of 1 Corinthians 15 for a very thought-provoking quiet time with the Lord.
Death is inevitable, but it was never part of God’s original plan. That’s why it feels so unnatural and unfair—we were not created to die! As powerful as death is, though, something is far more powerful—and that is eternal life through Jesus Christ. Not only can we have hope for the future in Christ, but today’s verse says we can also have victory over sin right now!
This is so wonderful to think about, I could write and write. But basically what I want to take from this verse is that I don’t have to be defeated by my sinful nature, nor by my fear of dying, any longer. Because I believe Jesus died on the cross for my sins, I am no longer a slave to the requirements of God’s law. Jesus conquered death once and for all when he rose from the grave, and he gives me power through him to conquer the sins that still plague me. And my physical death is just the end of my earthly story and the beginning of my heavenly story. Praise God!
How does this play out in my everyday life? Well, as far as my sinful nature goes, I don’t have to be a slave to food anymore. When I’m tempted to overeat, I can pray that God will show me a way out. He also encourages me when I stumble, that slip-up doesn’t mean I’m a failure. As far as my view of death, I can encourage others to be less focused on their fear of death and more focused on building their relationship with God.
How can you apply these verses to your faithwalk?
Copyright 2009
Showing posts with label overeating. Show all posts
Showing posts with label overeating. Show all posts
Monday, August 24, 2009
Monday, August 10, 2009
1 Corinthians 6:19-20
“Or don’t you know 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.”
I’m astounded to think that the Holy Spirit chooses me as his dwelling place, and that Jesus paid such an enormous price on the cross so that I would be included in his family. That is wonderful to consider, especially on days when I struggle with my self-image.
But the part, “So you must honor God with your body,” convicts me. I have overindulged in food most of my life. It’s not because I’m a glutton, though I do take pleasure in eating, especially sweets. The reason I’m 30 pounds overweight, one full year after my baby was born, is that I turn to food when I’m stressed out, and I don’t make time available for exercise.
I faced significant stress last year in several personal situations, as well as adjusting from two children to three. When I felt overwhelmed, I stood in our walk-in pantry with the door closed, shoving handfuls of chocolate chips in my mouth. I did this secretly because I didn’t want the kids to see—and I didn’t want to share! I used food to cope with stress, instead of asking the Lord to satisfy me in those painful moments.
As I read today’s verses, I recognize that when I overeat, I not only suffer from extra pounds, I also dishonor God. He wants me to cry out to Him when I’m overwhelmed or stressed. And He wants to provide the time and energy—and babysitting—for me to exercise too. I’ve been praying that God would help me with exactly that, but I didn’t see how our budget could include a gym membership. However, last week we received an escrow refund check of $600, and it lowered our monthly house payments by $43 per month. The gym membership is $42 per month, and I can pay for babysitting out of the refund check. What amazes me is that God cares about these details of my life, and He meets my needs in such practical ways.
It’s going to be a long journey to lose 30 pounds, but I know that God will sustain me. How can you ask Him to help you honor Him with your body?
Copyright 2009
I’m astounded to think that the Holy Spirit chooses me as his dwelling place, and that Jesus paid such an enormous price on the cross so that I would be included in his family. That is wonderful to consider, especially on days when I struggle with my self-image.
But the part, “So you must honor God with your body,” convicts me. I have overindulged in food most of my life. It’s not because I’m a glutton, though I do take pleasure in eating, especially sweets. The reason I’m 30 pounds overweight, one full year after my baby was born, is that I turn to food when I’m stressed out, and I don’t make time available for exercise.
I faced significant stress last year in several personal situations, as well as adjusting from two children to three. When I felt overwhelmed, I stood in our walk-in pantry with the door closed, shoving handfuls of chocolate chips in my mouth. I did this secretly because I didn’t want the kids to see—and I didn’t want to share! I used food to cope with stress, instead of asking the Lord to satisfy me in those painful moments.
As I read today’s verses, I recognize that when I overeat, I not only suffer from extra pounds, I also dishonor God. He wants me to cry out to Him when I’m overwhelmed or stressed. And He wants to provide the time and energy—and babysitting—for me to exercise too. I’ve been praying that God would help me with exactly that, but I didn’t see how our budget could include a gym membership. However, last week we received an escrow refund check of $600, and it lowered our monthly house payments by $43 per month. The gym membership is $42 per month, and I can pay for babysitting out of the refund check. What amazes me is that God cares about these details of my life, and He meets my needs in such practical ways.
It’s going to be a long journey to lose 30 pounds, but I know that God will sustain me. How can you ask Him to help you honor Him with your body?
Copyright 2009
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)