We have to be intentional. Lysa speaks of intentionally positioning ourselves to experience God. What does that "positioning" look like to you today?
I see "intentional, self-control, deny, learning, " thruout today's lesson.
I see the Fruits of the Spirit in a way I had not thought of them before.
"Self-Control"
God does expect us to put effort in our walk.
He calls us to "humble" ourselves.
But wonderfully He first gives us the winning formula:
"So I say, live by the Spirit and you will not gratify
the desires of the sinful nature'
Galations 5:16
Amazing thoughts for today's chapter.
I have read it over and over.
I knew this was more than a "weight loss" program
But little did I know how it would really touch me.
I pray that each of you will have a comment for today.
It's really encouraging to share with others. I am encouraged to read thru the comments that are attached to the 21 Day Challenge, if you haven't done so please take a moment and read a few of those.
2 comments:
Oh man! I was on a roll with some comments, and I lost them all. Darn. Here goes again, but I'm not sure I can capture all that I had written before.
This chapter was perhaps the most touching and convicting chapter to me so far. I've been struggling to find my "want to" in all of this, but after this chapter, I think I'm ready to tackle all of this.
I was most impacted by Lysa's comments about prayer in this area not being "a magical prayer." That we have a part to play. It's not that we do it all on our own power, because we know where that leads - straight down the path to failure. However, we have to take that first step through the way out that God makes for us. We can't be like the alcoholic sitting in the bar asking God to deliver him from alcohol addiction. We have to get out of the bar! For me, it means staying out of the chip aisle, candy aisle, and cookie aisle - yes and don't forget the ice cream section. I think I need to stay out of the whole store! LOL! All kidding aside, we have to take the first step through the power of the Holy Spirit. We can't expect that we're going to wave this magic wand of prayer and everything will be smooth sailing. If we have to deny ourselves, that means there will be pain or struggle of some kind. If not, then it really isn't denying ourselves. But the good news is that we can draw closer to Christ in the process.
I was cheering Lysa on when she quoted the scriptures in Philippians about running the race. I was yessing and amening all over the place, but just two verses later the phrase, "their god is their stomach" pretty much sucker punched me right in the gut. Mom and I recently did Kelly Minter's study "No Other Gods". Wow! I never thought of food as an other-god to me, but after reading what Lysa said, "If we find that certain foods (chocolate) are impossible to walk away from... then it's a clue that we are being ruled by this food on some level." If food is ruling me on any level then it is at minimum threatening to be an other-god in my life. There is not room for two masters. Jesus said in Matthew 6:24, "No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to one and despise the other." Jesus was talking about money here, but I think we can insert food addictions as well. I choose Christ. I resolve to rise up and take no this challenge through the power of the Holy Spirit!
I resolve as well to Choose Christ and take on this challenge through the power of the Holy Spirit! Amen sister. You and Patti's are my sentiments as well. I would comment more but I am under pressure to get my homework done by Friday. So back to work. God Bless you all.
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