Just Do It!
NIV: Proverb 29:18 Where there is no revelation, the people cast off restraint; but blessed is he who keeps the law.
MATTHEW HENRY'S COMMENTS: How bare does a place look without Bibles and ministers! and what an easy prey is it to the enemy of souls! That gospel is an open vision, which holds forth Christ, which humbles the sinner and exalts the Savior, which promotes holiness in the life and conversation: and these are precious truths to keep the soul alive, and prevent it from perishing.
MY OBSERVATIONS: When desiring to lose weight, foremost it is told to do it for yourself, not others. Pressure from spouses or friends, or other family members are usually met with defiance and further weight gain. It may be their "vision" for you, but when it is not your very own idea and vision, loosing weight for another's sake, rather than for your own reasons, set you up for defeat at the first negative comment or attempt to sabotage the diet from that particular person suggesting it. You must lose weight and keep it off for yourself; and the Christian has an extra reason, and that is to do it because this is Christ's will concerning you. There comes a place and a prayer in your life that turns to revelation. I am finding my vision and peace. You will too. We are greatly humbled when we recognize that above all things God wants our bodies in health as also our souls. When we truly have a vision of how we can be in Christ, we no longer cast off restraint, but instead willingly put confines upon this out-of-control area in our life. You are not qualified to preach to others, until you have allowed Jesus to preach to you first. Do it now (dieting) because you want to please and obey God in all things.
Father God, we seek Your blessings in all areas pertaining to our life. We ask for the vision of walking in health in the Lord, and being all that He envisions us to be. We thank You now for the desire to be temperate and put constraints upon ourselves, for the sake of our Savior, Christ Jesus. Amen
NIV: Proverb 29:1 A man who remains stiff-necked after many rebukes will suddenly be destroyed -- without remedy.
My Observations: This proverb should drop us to our knees in gratitude to God. We resisted dieting for too long as our bodies began crying out for relief, and then suddenly God broke through as daylight, and we began our journey to safety for our bodies again. I have seen television programs where the featured guest is morbidly obese and bedfast, and I wondered what it took to get into that condition. Now I have the answer: But for the grace of God go I. Updates on many of these featured guests have sadly announced that they have passed away due to complications of obesity. Few have ever lost even a few hundred pounds on the road to health. My heart breaks for those whose way seem hopeless. We need to thank the Lord today that He caught our attention before we were without remedy.
Father God, we thank You for the ability to hear You pleading with us to turn around before we are without remedy. We thank You for the gift and sacrifice of Your Son, Jesus Christ who is still the same yesterday, today and forever. Amen
Today's Diet Tip: -29. Think of the typical American dinner plate: heavy on calories, fat and protein and light on carbohydrates. By contrast, a healthy low-fat diet will give lots of space on your plate to starch-pasta, potatoes, rice or another grain-and vegetables. Put thought and time on the preparation of your grains and vegetables.
Today's Positive Thought: Start by doing what's necessary, then what's possible, and suddenly you're doing the impossible.
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Obesity is the fine we pay for exceeding the feed limit.
