Wednesday – January 26, 2011

8:00 a.m. – Devotion – Song “Thank You for your grace”
8:15 a.m. – Prayer
Daily Encouragement

January 26, 2011

Abigail's Choice

Rachel Olsen

"Haughtiness goes before destruction; humility precedes honor."


Proverbs 18:12 (NLT)

Devotion:

Marriages were often arranged in Abigail's era, and I wonder if this was true of hers. On paper her husband Nabal seemed like a "catch." He was wealthy, a good provider, and he liked to have fun and throw parties. But behind the scenes his self-control and integrity was seriously lacking, causing those closest to him to suffer.

Here is what we know about Abigail's husband Nabal from the Bible in 1 Samuel chapter 25:1-41:

*He is wealthy - that's partly due to David's protection of his land and flocks. (vs. 2,8)

*He's crude, and mean in all his dealings. (vs. 3)

*He sneers at guests who come in peace, and questions their character. (vs. 10-11)

*He shouts insults. (vs.14)

*He's stingy, not returning favors or repaying kindnesses showed him. (vs. 16, 21)

*He is so temperamental that people dread talking to him. (vs. 17)

*He thinks more highly of himself than he ought. (vs. 36)

*He drinks too much. (vs. 36-37)

Basically, Nabal was a self-centered, ill-mannered guy who didn't recognize God's provision or blessings in his life. And if you read his story, you'll see he was foolish enough to insult the most powerful man around (King David) but more importantly, he was foolish enough to insult the one true God.

God let Nabal face the ultimate consequence of his character - death (vs. 38-39).

Imagine yourself paired up in marriage to such a foolish, arrogant, sharp-tongued man as this. (I hope you have to imagine, and have not lived this.) How would you react towards him? What do you think living with him might do to your personality, or your character?

Might you grow depressed? Would you become withdrawn or timid? Would you nag him to do better? Would you grow bitter, angry and become argumentative back? Or, would you perhaps just "let yourself go" and decide not to care about anything?

Let's look at Nabal's wife Abigail, from that same passage in the Bible:
*She is smart and sensible. (vs. 3)
*People look to her for wisdom and leadership in times of trouble. (vs. 14, 17)
*She is decisive and wastes no time worrying, pitying her situation, or fussing at those who cause her trouble - instead she takes action to improve the situation. (vs. 18, 23)
*She is generous, (vs. 18, 27) even willing to lay down her life for others. (vs. 22, 24)
*She is humble (vs. 24, 41) and quick to ask forgiveness. (vs. 28)
*She speaks eloquently and tactfully - with a knowledge of God - as she gives one of the longest speeches by a woman recorded in the Bible. (vs. 24-31)
*She looks out for the well-being and reputation of others - even Nabal's. (vs. 25, 31)
*She trusts God, holds her tongue, and waits patiently for the right timing. (vs. 36-38)

Abigail has always been one of my favorite women in the Bible. She has it all - wisdom, character, courage, faith, eloquence, graciousness. She possesses both inner and outer beauty. But her life with this man Nabal was no picnic, and that's really why I admire her.

How many times did Nabal get drunk and say or do something demeaning to her? Yet she chose not to let her spirit die. How many times did she wish for revenge, though not seek it? How many times did he berate her, yet she wasn't paralyzed by his insults?

How many times did his foolishness cost her greatly, or those she cared about? Yet she chose not to count the costs to herself when she put her life on the line to spare his life and the other men's.

Abigail's praiseworthy character ran deep, which tells me her reverence of God did as well.

After Nabal's death, she married King David and they had a son. David would have seven other wives in his lifetime, but only Abigail earned his complete respect. Only she had a positive influence on him.

Abigail challenges me to choose differently - to be humble, wise and courageous. Her example teaches me that I can choose how I will allow my circumstances to shape my character. While Nabal's life clearly shows that haughtiness goes before destruction, Abigail's shows that choosing humility and wisdom allows God to shape my character and my circumstances. And it makes room for God to be glorified in both.

Dear Lord, today I humble myself before You. I confess my sins and ask You to help me develop and display the same wisdom and character as Abigail. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Tuesday, January 25, 2011 – Daily Devotion

AM – Devotion – “God is Great”

Prayer

Scriptures – Daily Encouragement

Lunch – Gym “Weights --- Lower Body”
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January 25, 2011

What's the Big Deal about Dwelling on the Past?

Melanie Chitwood

"Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing!"


Isaiah 43:18,19a (NIV)

Devotion:

A young married woman unloaded her marriage frustrations on a radio call-in show. Her husband had forgotten what the word romance meant. He never thought to bring her a sweet card or to plan a date. He didn't thank her or even notice her hard work, like laundry and keeping the house clean, along with working full-time.

I suspected her thoughts were leading her to a dangerous place. Sure enough, the young wife confirmed this with her next statement: After two years of marriage, she wondered if she'd made the right decision about this marriage. Maybe she should have married the guy she dated right after college, the one she regretted letting slip away from her.

Her fantasies of what might have been were leading her to a dangerous place of dwelling on the past. Thoughts of the past, or as today's Scripture puts it, "former things," can bombard our marriage mindset in damaging ways. See if any of these thoughts ring a bell:

• I wonder if I made the right decision about my marriage?

• I wish my husband were romantic (attentive or understanding) the way he was when we were dating.

• What happened to the great listener I used to have in my husband? Now all he wants to do is play sports or watch TV.

• Even though it was years ago, I just can't forgive the way he hurt my feelings.

• This isn't what I imagined marriage would be. What happened to all our dreams?

How can dwelling on the past damage our marriage? When we dwell on the past, we're robbed of the treasures of the present. We don't see the gifts God's given us right now in our husbands and marriage. Maybe he doesn't bring you flowers anymore, but he works hard every day to provide. He doesn't thank you for the clean laundry because he's busy with a house project he hopes will make you smile. He knows he made mistakes in the past, but he's trying hard to change.

The young wife on the radio found the world's answer to her marital frustrations. The radio hostess agreed that this husband was clueless and this young wife should question staying in this marriage.

I wanted to scream, Stop right there! You're going down a dangerous path! Maybe he wasn't a good husband. But I suspect he was just a human husband, one with flaws and shortcomings. Just like the husband had plenty to learn about marriage, so did this young wife.

God has a better answer for what to do when we find ourselves dwelling on the past in a detrimental way. He says, "See, I am doing a new thing!" (Isaiah 43:19) In other words, God asks us to redirect our focus to the good things He can and will do in our marriages. As we continue in Isaiah we come to a question we need to ask ourselves, "Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?" (43:19).

God's is asking, Do you see the good things I'm doing right now... in your life or marriage? Pay attention or you're going to miss out!

To redirect our focus on the new things God is doing in our marriages, we can pray about our marriage mindset, asking God to help us see the blessings, not the drawbacks. We can choose to think about how our marriage has gotten better, and look forward to the future we have together.

Reading this devotion may have triggered thoughts of some unresolved issues in your marriage. This isn't meant to minimize the bigger issues you might be wrestling with in your marriage. These issues may need to be resolved before you can move forward. Pray about it individually and as a couple, talk with your spouse, and seek godly counsel. These steps might be necessary before you can see God "making a way in the desert" (Isaiah 43:19).

Dear Lord, You make all things new. Will You give me new eyes to see the good things I sometimes miss? Help me not to dwell on the past but to focus on the present and future. You are making a way, Lord, and I trust You with my heart, my husband and my marriage. Help us deal with any issues that are damaging our relationship, so we can appreciate the new things You're doing. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Related Resources:

Visit Melanie's blog for more encouragement and a give-away that include her two marriage books.

What a Husband Needs from His Wife by Melanie Chitwood

What a Wife Needs from Her Husband by Melanie Chitwood

When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity because your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could, but we simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!

Application Steps:

Speak words of blessing to your husband such as, "Our marriage keeps getting better. Thank you for being an awesome husband."

• Tell your husband something specific that makes you thankful for him. For example, "Thank you for playing with the kids last night while I took a walk. That was a great break."

• Let your husband overhear you praising him to your kids or to friends.

• Send him an email telling him you can't wait to have some private time with him later that night.

• In your prayers tell God how thankful you are for your marriage.

Reflections:

Have I gotten stuck in a damaging pattern of seeing what my marriage lacks instead of seeing the blessings?

When I'm with my friends, do we criticize and complain about our husbands and marriage? Or do we help each other look for and see the "good things" we have?

Do I need to get counseling to help me move beyond unresolved past hurts?

Power Verses:

Isaiah 43:18-21, ""Forget about what's happened; don't keep going over old history.

Be alert, be present. I'm about to do something brand-new. It's bursting out! Don't you see it? There it is! I'm making a road through the desert, rivers in the badlands. Wild animals will say 'Thank you!' —the coyotes and the buzzards—Because I provided water in the desert, rivers through the sun-baked earth, Drinking water for the people I chose, the people I made especially for myself, a people custom-made to praise me." (MSG)

2 Corinthians 5:17, "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!" (NIV)

Tuesday, January 25, 2011 - Girlfriends

A Poem about our girlfriends.

Someone will always be prettier.

Someone will always be smarter.

Some of their houses will be bigger.

Some will drive a better car.

Their children will do better in school.

And their husband will fix more things around the house.

So let it go, and love you and your circumstances.

Think about it…

The prettiest woman in the world can have hell in her heart.

The most highly favored woman on your job may be unable to have children.

The richest woman you know, she ' s got the car, the house, the clothes ~ might be lonely.

And the Word says, ' If I have not Love, I am nothing. ' So, again, love you.

Love WHO you are

Look in the mirror in the morning and smile and say,

'I am too Blessed to be Stressed and too Anointed, to be Disappointed! '

'Winners make things happen~~ Losers let things happen. '

Be ' Blessed ' Ladies and pass this on to encourage another woman.

'To the world you might be one person, to me you are special!

Monday, January 24, 2011 - DAILY DEVOTION

7:30 a.m. - Devotion - Song "Thank You Lord (for all you've done)" - Walter Hawkins
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4FXq1Eff4M4

7:45 a.m. - Prayer

Study/Meditate
Daily Encouragement

Evening - Cardio Exercise

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January 24, 2011


Made to Crave

Lysa TerKeurst

"No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful, he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it."

1 Corinthians 10:13 (NIV)

Devotion:

I was walking through the airport when an incredible aroma suddenly grabbed my attention and taunted, "Do you know how happy I can make you?" A candy shop had just made a fresh batch of nutty, caramel popcorn.

There's nothing wrong with caramel popcorn except that it definitely wasn't on my healthy eating plan to which I'd committed. I felt my knees get weak, because I love caramel popcorn. I started to rationalize buying this special treat, thinking, "I can't get this flavor at home, and I'll take half home to my kids. What harm will a little caramel popcorn do?" I felt an extreme gravitational pull straight to the object of my desire in that moment.

The only thing that stopped me was redirecting my thoughts away from the popcorn and onto a new truth God had been teaching me: desperation breeds defeat. This truth was the perfect match for my temptation and helped me walk away.

In the book of Genesis, the Bible tells an interesting story about twin brothers who illustrate this point. The elder son, Esau, was favored by his father, Isaac, because of his prowess as a hunter. In contrast, the younger son, Jacob, was a quiet homebody.

One day, Esau returned home from an unsuccessful hunting trip totally famished, and demanded some stew from his brother. "I'll give you food," agreed Jacob, "but first, trade me your birthright." Esau replied, "Okay, I'm so hungry, I'm about to die." So Esau traded the honors due to him as the firstborn son for a simple meal of stew.

Upon first glance, it's easy to ridicule Esau's decision. I cannot imagine selling my whole birthright for a pot of soup. But I had to look at my own life and ask, "What great thing have I traded for so little in return? How often do I trade healthy food for junk food? What temporary pleasure have I craved so much that I gave up lasting victory?"

Desperation does indeed breed defeat. But God promises answers for desperate situations in 1 Corinthians10:13, which is the key verse in this devotion.

The "way out" that God provides is the ability to decide in advance what I will and will not eat each day.

I plan my meals right after breakfast when I'm feeling full and satisfied. The absolute worst time for me to decide what I'm going to eat is when I've waited until I'm depleted and feeling hungry. So I prepare a healthy snack to have on hand or keep in my purse.

When I'm unprepared or I've rushed through a proper meal, my stomach screams for something quick. And quick options usually come in a variety of unhealthy temptations, just as I experienced at the airport. However, that day I had decided ahead of time that I would keep an apple in my purse for a snack, rather than trade my healthy progress for something like caramel popcorn.

Let me be clear. I'm not saying that we should flee food. However, we must prevent the control that food can take over our lives. In my book Made to Crave, I unpack the reality that we were made to crave God, not food. To crave means to desire greatly and to think about intently. Interestingly, we are reminded in Matthew 6:33 to, "seek first His kingdom and His righteousness..."

I was shocked to discover the original Greek word for seek is "zeteo," which means, "to crave." In other words, we were made to crave God first and foremost. In a practical sense this means consuming food without letting food consume me. It means never trading my identity- my birthright -the victorious woman I'm meant to be, for any kind of temporary physical pleasure.

If we purposely begin to think before we eat, we'll be better able to see the "way out" that God promises when we are tempted. And keep our cravings centered on God alone.

Dear Lord, I acknowledge that I need You. I need You in my times of desperation and I also need You in times of jubilation. Help me to think ahead so I won't be weak when I am faced with a desperate situation. In Jesus' Name, Amen.


Application Steps:
Reflections:
What is a temporary physical pleasure you crave?
How does it inspire you to learn the meaning of "seeking God" is actually "craving God?"

Power Verses:
2 Timothy 2:22, "Flee the evil desires of youth, and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart." (NIV)

1 Timothy 6:12, "Fight the good fight of faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses." (NIV)

Friday, January 21, 2011 – Are we ignoring God when he desires to spend time with us, or are we too busy with our “TO DO” LIST..OUCH!

6:50 A.M. – DAILY ENCOURAGEMENT

7:00 A.M. – DEVOTION SONG / PRAYER – “Moving Forward”

7:30 A.M. - WEIGHTS "Upper Body"

January 21, 2011

Return the Call

Karen Ehman

"Answer me when I call to you, O my righteous God. Give me relief from my distress; be merciful to me and hear my prayer."


Psalm 4:1 (NIV)

Devotion:

"Ughhh!" I sighed as the telephone rang that morning...again. My frustration mounted as I replayed my morning's activities thus far in my mind.

I'd already answered a phone call from church, one from my son's teacher and yet another one from my other son's coach. I'd chatted with my hairdresser and made an appointment with the dentist, among about a half-dozen more connections that had to be made by phone. And it wasn't even noon yet!

My mind pondered as my heart began to race. "When am I ever going to get to the bottom of my never-ending "to do" list?"

I glanced at my caller ID to see who it was this time. The number flashing on my phone was a familiar one; that of my father. He is a retiree who has a great love for his grandkids and lots of time on his hands. I reasoned, since his schedule isn't nearly as full as mine, that I could call him back later at a time more convenient for me. So I ignored his call and turned my attention to my list.

On it were many tasks; some noble, some mundane. Normal errands such as "Pick up bread and milk" "Return library books" or "Fill car up with gas." But there were important items too like call a relative who was struggling with depression and ask the neighbor next door, who'd just had surgery, if he'd like our family to mow his lawn. There were even kingdom-building, ministry activities; finish my Bible study lesson and pray for a friend's operation taking place later that day.

Yes, my day was full; full of people and purpose. Why then did I feel so empty?

My thoughts returned to the call from my father. How many times had I ignored his calls, reasoning that, since his life as a retiree wasn't packed with activity, I could easily chat with him at a later time? But the reality of my hectic schedule, along with other relationship commitments, often meant that connecting with my father took a nearly permanent place on the back burner of life.

He was waiting; I was ignoring. I refused to return his call. And our relationship was at risk of suffering because of it.

It isn't just earthy fathers that sometimes get ignored. How many times have we "ignored" our Heavenly Father because of our screaming schedule and earthly relationship demands? Even though our lives may be full of good and "God" things—duties at church, connections with people—oft times we are so busy serving God and loving it, that we don't make time to actually love the God that we serve.

Today's key verse paints a picture of our loving God who is never too busy to answer us when we call. And He not only hears and answers, He gives us relief from our distress—even the too-busy-for-my-own-good kind of distress. The problem in our connection lies with us. He is calling. We ignore. And then, we don't bother returning His call.

Thankfully, God never gets tired of hitting or answering a "redial." He is waiting and longing, as He always has been, to have a deep, intimate relationship connection with us; one that requires we make one simple switch: We put Him at the top of our "to do" and our "must call" lists.

He is willing to answer, if only we will call.

Dear Lord, forgive me for ignoring Your calls to come and connect with You, free from any distractions. I'm ready now. Speak. I'm listening. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Thursday, January 20, 2011 – Daily Devotion

6-7 a.m, P90X Legs and Back

7:45 a.m. Devotion – Song “Lord, You Reign”

Prayer

Study Sunday School Lesson

“The Servants Mission in the World”

Scripture Isaiah 49:1-6

Golden Text – “I will also give thee for a light to the Gentiles, that thou mayest be my salvation unto the end of the earth” Isaiah 49:6



Isaiah 49:1-6 (New Living Translation)

Isaiah 49

The LORD’s Servant Commissioned

1 Listen to me, all you in distant lands!

Pay attention, you who are far away!

The LORD called me before my birth;

from within the womb he called me by name.

2 He made my words of judgment as sharp as a sword.

He has hidden me in the shadow of his hand.

I am like a sharp arrow in his quiver.

3 He said to me, “You are my servant, Israel,

and you will bring me glory.”

4 I replied, “But my work seems so useless!

I have spent my strength for nothing and to no purpose.

Yet I leave it all in the LORD’s hand;

I will trust God for my reward.”

5 And now the LORD speaks—

the one who formed me in my mother’s womb to be his servant,

who commissioned me to bring Israel back to him.

The LORD has honored me,

and my God has given me strength.

6 He says, “You will do more than restore the people of Israel to me.

I will make you a light to the Gentiles,

and you will bring my salvation to the ends of the earth.”

LESSON OUTLINE

I. God’s Servant – Isa. 49:1-4

II. God’s Strength – Isa. 49:5

III.God’s Salvation – Isa. 49:6

1. The servant in Isaiah 42:1-43:7 is Israel

2. Most scholars believe the servant is Israel’s Messiah, “The Lord Jesus” (Luke 2:32)

However, the Jews did not agree!

3. The “Isles” (Isa. 49:1) refers to the distant lands to which the servant’s message will be sent.

Note: The servant is to be a “light” to the Gentiles (vs 6)

The Great Commission is for “all Nations” (Luke 24:47)

47 and repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.



4. God called his Servant “from the womb” (Isa. 49:1) is reminiscent of both Jeremiah’s prophetic call (Jer. 1:5) and Paul’s apostolic call (Gal 1:15)

5 “Before I formed you in the womb I knew[a] you,

before you were born I set you apart;

I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.”

15 But when God, who set me apart from my mother’s womb and called me by his grace, was pleased

Note: Who God calls, He will qualify

5. The servant’s mouth will be “like a sharp sword” (vs. 2)

Rev. 1:16; 2:16; 19:15,21

16 He held seven stars in his right hand, and a sharp two-edged sword came from his mouth. And his face was like the sun in all its brilliance.

16 Repent of your sin, or I will come to you suddenly and fight against them with the sword of my mouth.

15 From his mouth came a sharp sword to strike down the nations. He will rule them with an iron rod. He will release the fierce wrath of God, the Almighty, like juice flowing from a winepress.

21 Their entire army was killed by the sharp sword that came from the mouth of the one riding the white horse. And the vultures all gorged themselves on the dead bodies.

Stopped at Outline 1

This you want to read! - Sugar is Your Enemy

SUGAR IS YOUR ENEMY

Our bodies are not burning FAT the way God designed is because one, we consume to much sugar as Amercians. Two, we eat too many processed foods and consume empty calories in the form of beverages (soda, fruit juices, alcohol beverages) etc. Your liver over works itself to attempt to shift through all the processed foods, so when it come times to help burn fat, it’s too tired and over work to do the job that it was designed to do.. LETS HELP OUR BODIES AND GIVE IT GOOD THINGS!

Carbs You don't need that FDA approves
whole wheat pasta, whole wheat bread

Carbs that will help you burn fat:
1. bread - sprouted grain bread, rice, spelt (Any Whole Food Store will sell these kind)
2. rice - Millet and quaino rice
3. potatoe - sweet potatoes
4. any fruit and vegetables

Good Fats vs Bad Fats
Fat does NOT make you Fat
Eat Good Fat = Burn Body Fat

fats to avaoid:
- Hydrogenated oils, canola oil, margarine, substitute butters (i.e. I can’t believe it’s not Butter)
fats to consume:
real butter
whole eggs
coconut oil
olive oil
avocados
raw nuts
Note: Eat the above in moderation

PROCESSED FOODS - ENEMY #2
ARITIFICIAL SWEETNERS, (i.e. Splenda, Sweet and Low, Aspartame)
FRUIT JUICES – (has HIGH FRUCTOSE CORN SYRUP..even if it promises..real juice, check the labels).. Moms give this to their children and wonder why their children are over weight
CEREAL – (Fruit Loops, Frosted Flakes, Apple Jacks)..check for High Fructose Corn Syrup
HIGH FRUCTOSE CORN SYRUP, (i.e. read labels; Probably about 80% of the foods you eat have it..)
Hydrogenated oils
SOY MILK
DIET BARs (i.e Fiber One bars – some have high fructose corn syrup)

Stick to stuff that contain one ingredient
- i.e. steak, tilapia, vegetables, chicken
READ LABELS - The more ingredients it has, you probably want to avoid it

its the quality of foods you eat
Eliminate the process food, bad stuff

Calories - starving yourself = "starvation mode" = holding onto all your 'BAD' food
Eat good foods in moderation, along with exercise and rest..it will equal a healthier you and in shape!!!

Questions, please ask!
msstayfit@gmail.com
aka Andrea Ransom