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Sacred Whispers Devotional
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What is your heart set on? What occupies the inner thoughts of your soul? The issues, people, and things that frequently come to your mind without active effort are likely what your heart is set on.
“And he did evil, because he did not prepare his heart to seek the Lord.”
2 Chronicles 12:14
What is your heart set on? What occupies the inner thoughts of your soul? The issues, people, and things that frequently come to your mind without active effort are likely what your heart is set on. It is so easy with the busyness of life to devote our attention, time, affection, and resources to things other than God. The real danger is when the stuff that crowds God out of our lives appears to be good, honorable, and pleasurable.
For example, we often excuse our neglect of our relationship with God because we are committed to our families, our work, or even our ministries. Or, we excuse our failure to cultivate our relationship with God because we are working hard and we have to provide for ourselves and others. Of course, God wants you to be a good husband, wife, father, mother, or church member, right? We convince ourselves that we are making the right choice and appropriately placing our priorities.
While it might appear that we are doing a good or even a godly thing, if we allow ourselves to get disconnected from the True Vine, then even our most sincere efforts at ministry, family, and work will be ineffective. In John 15:5, Jesus says, “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.” Even our most sincere efforts to do the right things fall flat when we are not connected to Christ.
Perhaps even more alarming, when we are disconnected from Christ, we become susceptible to doing evil. In 2 Chronicles, 2:14 (NIV), the Bible says of King Rehoboam that “he did evil because he had not set his heart on seeking the Lord.” Notice what the Bible does not say. It does not say that King Rehoboam did evil because his heart was wicked, or because he was on drugs or because of his ungodly upbringing. Instead, the Bible says that King Rehoboam did evil because he did not make his relationship with God a priority in his life.
Now, lets notice what happened because of this neglect. God had established Rehoboam as king of Israel when he was 41 years old. The Bible says, “he had become strong”, which simply means that his kingdom and reign had become securely established. But then Rehoboam and all of Israel “abandoned the law of the Lord” and became “unfaithful to the Lord.” Because of this, God allowed the Egyptian king to attack Israel and capture the fortified city of Judah.
When you allow the busyness of life to crowd God out, you become susceptible to disobedience and ultimately invite hardships and challenges into your life. You must actively fight this temptation and affirmatively set your heart on God daily. You do this by spending time reading and studying God’s word, by talking to God throughout the day, and by committing to fasting on a periodic basis.
Be encouraged to keep your heart focused on God. Seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness and learn to follow Jesus one day at a time. In Psalm 10:4 (NIV), David says: “In his pride, the wicked man does not seek Him, in all his thoughts, there is no room for God.” Never allow the pressures and interests of your life to crowd God out. Instead, actively and intentionally make room for God in your thoughts, heart, and life by committing to prayer, studying and meditating on God’s word, and to fasting.
By Derin Dickerson
Published on Jan 04 @ 3:04 AM EDT
8 comments
We are to be sure of the fact that no matter what we go through on this earth, it is limited. We must remind ourselves: ‘All of our suffering will soon come to an end.’ The suffering that we face will soon be a memory to be wiped away.
May the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you.
1 Peter 5:10
We are to be sure of the fact that no matter what we go through on this earth, it is limited. We must remind ourselves: ‘All of our suffering will soon come to an end.’ The suffering that we face will soon be a memory to be wiped away.
In the face of suffering, we must repeat to ourselves that our Creator is the one who holds all grace, and bury this treasured truth deep within. When we do, we will find the sufficiency that we seek. The grace that He provides us will comfort us and lead our souls to the reality that He has promised much greater than we are currently experiencing. Peter told these alien and sojourning believers that the Lord called them to His eternal glory in Christ. This means that we are already experiencing the first fruits of this eternal glory, which is why our perspective of suffering is impossible for the unbeliever to comprehend. There is also a greater sense of the incomprehensible greatness of glory that is ours in the future.
Understanding the glory that awaits us as believers is an important part of our suffering. It helps us better deal with life’s headaches and heartaches while reassuring us that there is a purpose to it all. We must humble ourselves to the truth that the Lord is in complete control and everything makes sense to Him, even when it doesn’t make sense to us. Not knowing should actually bring comfort to us, because many times when we think we know, we prove that we really don’t know. We must cast all of our cares, worries, and concerns upon Him, since He’s the only one who can do anything with them.
We must keep in mind that “trouble don’t last always”, and in the grand scheme of life, they only last for a very little while. After our time here on earth is complete, our Lord will perfect, confirm, strengthen, and establish us as we enjoy His presence forevermore.
By Matthew Watson
Published on Jan 03 @ 3:01 AM EDT
2 comments
John 11:1-44 is a beautiful narrative of Lazarus, Mary and Martha, the friends of Jesus. At first blush, we see a strange way for Jesus to treat his friends, especially when they are in need.
Then, when Mary came where Jesus was, and saw Him, she fell down at His feet, saying to Him, “Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died.”
John 11:32
John 11:1-44 is a beautiful narrative of Lazarus, Mary and Martha, the friends of Jesus. At first blush, we see a strange way for Jesus to treat his friends, especially when they are in need. In fact, John makes a point to emphasize in vv. 5-6, that “Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. So when he heard that Lazarus was ill, he stayed two days longer in the place where he was.” This is a great place to insert the ‘shocked face emoji’!
Now, if you are like me, I have serious problems – and quite a few questions – with the actions that Jesus chose to take, or not take, in this situation. A few of my questions are: ‘If you loved them, why would you wait?’ ‘Why would you not come when they called; why would you not meet this need?’ ‘This was not a trivial ask for those that you love; Lazarus needed a legitimate thing and apparently you did it for others, why not for them?!’
I can only imagine the myriad of emotions Mary and Martha experienced during these days of waiting for Jesus to answer, and then the unthinkable happens, Lazarus dies. Surely there was worry, anguish, fear, and possibly even anger at his delay. What is clear, is that when Jesus finally shows up, Mary is overcome with grief, and I detect disappointment too. She clearly verbalizes what I have in seasons of my life; “God, I expected this, but instead, I got that.” Or to carry that further, “I expected you to do this, but instead, you gave me that!”
This disappointment has been so tough for me to handle at times, that I even resolved to just stop asking; to stop praying. Not the “God, I know you are in control, so whatever you do is fine with me” kind of stop, but rather, the “I cannot bear the pain of not having what I am asking for” kind of stop.
This disappointment reflects that I have misunderstood the point of asking in prayer. Prayer is the intersection of my will and God’s will. Much like two cars that show up at a physical intersection, one has to yield to the other because he has the “right-of-way”. When it comes to praying, I know instinctively that I should be the one to yield, because it is best that God’s will gets the right-of-way. But, how exactly does that happen when I want what I want, think what I think, and even sometimes, legitimately need what I need?
This story helps us to see a key factor in the way God answers prayer. Notice what Jesus says when he first heard that Lazarus was sick, “This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God may be glorified through it.” (John 11:4) Jesus deliberately delayed going to take care of this family’s need, not because he did not care, but because He had a greater purpose than just healing Lazarus of this sickness. He was creating an opportunity to be glorified above this sickness. He was placing His priority over their priority.
I am reminded that I, too, should elevate His priorities above my needs and desires, and make my priority, his priority. This is the cure for disappointment in prayer, yield to the right-of-way – God’s glory.
By Sabrina Botts
Published on Jan 02 @ 3:56 AM EDT
7 comments
I, and a group of missionaries from our church, were on a short-term missions trip in Liberia, West Africa. We had set up a makeshift clinic in the little village town of Salala, Liberia, and a group of doctors, dentists, and volunteers were providing treatment to the patients who traveled from miles away and were thronging our clinic for medical treatment.
As you read today's devotional, play "YOUR GREAT NAME" from the Sacred Whispers Playlist.
Spiritual
GOD BRINGS GOOD OUT OF EVIL
By Marlin D. Harris
“But Joseph said to them, “Don’t be afraid. Am I in the place of God? You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.”
Genesis 50:19-20
I, and a group of missionaries from our church, were on a short-term missions trip in Liberia, West Africa. We had set up a makeshift clinic in the little village town of Salala, Liberia, and a group of doctors, dentists, and volunteers were providing treatment to the patients who traveled from miles away and were thronging our clinic for medical treatment. There was a mother who was carrying her newborn baby and had been waiting in line for her baby to be seen by a doctor now for hours. We noticed her in the line and quickly pulled her away and took her in to visit with the pediatrician who traveled with us on this trip. When we uncovered the blanket that this baby was wrapped in, our eyes met the saddest sight many of us had ever seen in our time of doing foreign missions. This baby was nothing more than tiny bones thinly covered by a frail layer of skin. There was no fatness to the baby’s flesh, and the skin had dried and was beginning to crack.
This was the worst case of malnutrition that our American doctors had ever witnessed. Immediately our hearts broke as the nurses and doctors attending to this child all began to weep while they feverishly worked. The first thing to do was to begin a small IV of fluids to help nourish this baby. Her little life depended on receiving that IV. The problem was that her flesh was completely nonexistent and there was no good place to insert the needle. The doctors poked and prodded her body trying to find a suitable place to insert the needle. When an insertion point was found, this frail, emaciated baby began to let out the loudest screams she possibly could to counteract the pain that she was experiencing. Despite her screams, the doctors absolutely could not stop. They had to pierce her skin, inflict great pain on this completely frail child and insert the needle. Not one person in the room had the heart to watch. Slowly, after the torture of being pierced was over, the fluid began to flow, and the baby’s life was saved. It was in that moment that I sensed the quiet voice of God saying, “this is what it feels like when I bring good out of what you call evil”.
Joseph is an important figure in the historical faith of the Old Testament Jews. He stands as a representative champion for many of us today. From his humble beginnings to his ‘multicolored coat,’ to his slavery and imprisonment, to his revelatory gifts, to his remarkable ascent to political power, Joseph’s story of faith reveals many profound truths that does for us what the Psalmist declared when he said, ‘You O Lord, will show me the path of life’.
In Genesis 50:19–20, when Joseph finally reveals himself to the brothers who betrayed him, he uses these halting words: “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good.” Though Joseph’s path was treacherous and life-threatening, it led him to a place where he could save his people, along with the Egyptians, during the bleak years of widespread famine. Could it be that all of his pain and betrayal was meant for this one climactic experience of his life? God had made all of the struggle and the suffering worth it.
Joseph saved hundreds of thousands of people because he was willing to suffer great disappointment and continuous tragedy. Just because life hurts you, doesn’t mean that you have necessarily been harmed. Joseph’s words ring true – God meant it for good. The wondrous beauty of this amazing power of God is that God is able to bring the greatest good out of the most painful evil. No evil has the right of ownership over our lives. Evil is only a tenant, soon to be evicted. Such as in the case of that little baby in Liberia, Africa, evil may be the needle, but God’s goodness is the life-giving fluid that somehow flows through it.
Joseph serves as a type of Christ. Jesus, who is the Great Deliverer from the Bondage of Sin, was done tremendous harm beyond compare. Who can deny that rejection by one’s own countrymen, betrayal by one’s own friend, a torturous scourging by trained Roman soldiers and ultimately a slow execution on a wooden cross is more evil than any man can abide? The weight of this evil is multiplied without measure when you consider that all of this was done to the sinless Son of God. The One we should be worshipping was the One that we are crucifying. Could it be that the enormity of our shame is what made the prophet Isaiah exclaim “we hid as it were our faces from Him…”? (Isaiah 53:3)
Though the sufferings of Christ are much to take in, the Father had a glorious purpose living in the backdrop behind it all. The Father planned our redemption in every lash of the whip that lacerated his back. He ordained our forgiveness in each drop of blood that oozed from his writhing body and thorn-pierced brow. God authorized his punishment so that you and I could be at peace. When He cried from the cross, He was paying our debt with His every breath. Like Joseph before him, all that the enemy intended for evil in Jesus’ life, God turned it into good.
In some degree, is not the story of Joseph and even Jesus, also our story. Is not the evil that blows into our lives with the force of a thousand hurricanes, under the ultimate control of our God. Will He not stop the enemy from his relentless desire to steal, kill, and destroy. Tell me, are we not ‘more than conquerors through him that loves us’ (Romans 8:37)?
God, who restores the years of our hurts, takes all the evil and pain and suffering and hopelessness in our lives, and ‘works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose’ (Romans 8:28). After all of your tears, and your anguish, you are still standing. You and I are living proof that Jesus brings good from evil. Pause here to worship with me! Our God turns evil into good! The final outcome of the hardest of circumstances belongs to Him and to Him alone.
You need not be enslaved to the power of evil or its effects in your life anymore. Fear over the hard days you may be facing has lost its authority to command your daily thoughts, emotions, and actions. Today you can rest in the assurance that you are loved, protected and that God is working all things out for your good—to his glory.
Prayer
Father, I thank you that you are always converting the hard stories in our lives into radiant testimonies of your faithfulness. During this fast, I defer and surrender to your work in the midst of the challenges I am facing. I revel in your promise to “make all things new” (Rev. 21:5) when you come again in all your glory. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Daily Spiritual Exercise
Is there a hard story in your life that God has turned around for good? Take a moment today to write down that story and make it a point to share it with someone that you know is going through a hard season right now. Your heartbreak of yesterday is now a beautiful and important part of your testimony of God’s faithfulness. Like Joseph, how has God used your story to impact the lives of others around you?
Physical
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HEALTHY CHOICES – HEALTHY LIFE By Traci Brockman (Additional Content Taken From Healthy Eating, God’s Way, By Cathy Morenzie) “So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” 1 Corinthians 10:3 The topic of healthy eating and what is the “right” kind of diet can be very confusing and fraught with many negative connotations. For every one list that describes a certain food as good for you, another warns that it is toxic. And while the word diet is often thought of in terms of food restriction, in its simplest form, diet just refers to the food that a person or community habitually eats. With that in mind, diets often vary based on geographic location, cultural practices, physical health needs and conditions and personal preferences. The question people most commonly ask is, “What should I eat?” Or some version of the similar question which includes: What diet is the right one for me—Keto, Paleo, LCHF, Mediterranean? Should I do intermittent fasting; and if so, how many hours and what should I eat when my eating window opens? These are all fair questions, but they are not the right questions. Truth is, most of us are not really looking for the healthiest way to eat when we ask these questions. We’re really looking for the “hacks.” We want the best, quickest, simplest, and most efficient way. Unfortunately, those are not always what’s right for our bodies. It does not matter whether you practice intermittent fasting, Keto, Paleo, or live solely on organic food. Healthy eating is an individual journey that will take time and practice. There really are no shortcuts, but you can learn the right approach to take. Even with the variation among diets, there are some tips that can be employed to increase healthful eating patterns. 1. Drink More Water. Water is helpful to keep you hydrated and can encourage drinking less of other beverages that may contain high calories and sugar. 2. Eat Protein at Every Meal or Snack. Protein helps to keep you feeling fuller longer, helping you to eat fewer calories. Good sources of proteins are eggs, lean meats, beans, and nuts. 3. Bake or Roast Instead of Grilling or Frying. How foods are prepared can increase their toxicity and risks of several adverse health conditions. So choosing to prepare foods by baking, broiling, roasting, and slow cooking for instance are better options. 4. Eat Vegetables First. Eating vegetables at the beginning of a meal can help slow carbohydrate digestion and increase feelings of fullness, leading to the consumption of fewer calories. 5. Cook at Home More Often. Cooking your own meals allows you to control the ingredients and know exactly what is in them. Making healthier food choices can be done in a variety of ways. And as we consider what we put into our bodies via foods and drink, our choices can be another way to glorify God and show respect and appreciation for the temples which we steward. As you eat, your body breaks down foods into their chemical parts which is where we get nearly all of the nutrients that our bodies need for maintaining proper and good health. The bulk of these nutrients are derived from carbohydrates, fats, and proteins. A very basic rule of thumb is to consume 33.3% of your daily calories from each of these groups. Carbohydrates Carbohydrates include a big umbrella of foods ranging from chocolate bars to bread, pasta, fruits, grain products, starchy vegetables, beans, legumes, and juices. They include both junk foods (refined carbs) and nutritious foods (whole grains, also called complex carbohydrates). Most of us eat too many refined carbohydrates and not enough complex carbohydrates such as beans, whole grains, and vegetables. Proteins They do most of the work in cells and are required for the structure, function, and regulation of the body’s tissues and organs. Protein can be found in most foods, but the most concentrated forms can be found in meat, poultry, seafood, eggs, soy, beans, and nuts. They are more difficult for our bodies to break down than carbohydrates, so they keep you fuller longer. Most of us do not eat enough protein. Fats Fats are nutrients in food that the body uses to build cell membranes, assist in hormone production, and a lot of other important roles. Fat-containing foods are avocados, nuts and seeds, or animal fats such as butter. They are more difficult to break down in the body, so they leave you more satisfied than carbohydrates. Most of us eat too many bad fats found in processed foods and not enough good fats found in avocados and nuts. Calories A calorie is simply a measure of energy that you ingest from the food you eat. Carbohydrates, fats, and proteins combine to make up the majority of the calories you consume each day. The number of calories that you eat each day should be based on your activity level, metabolism, age, height, weight, and sex. On average, you need 1,600-2,000 calories per day. In the Practical Action Section below, you’re going to start this process by getting a snapshot of how many calories you consumed yesterday and how many of them were derived from carbohydrates, fats, and proteins. Practical Action Today: Take the time today and calculate your daily caloric needs if you don’t already know it, and compare it to your current caloric consumption. What is the difference? If you have not already done so, set up a MyFitnessPal (myfitnesspal.com) account or another tracking tool that you prefer and begin tracking your food. To determine your daily caloric needs, 1. Go to: https://www.myfitnesspal.com/tools/bmr-calculator 2. For Additional resources: My Fitness Pal Training Video: 3. Visit:www.WeightLossGodsWay.com/myfitnesspal Reflect: Are you willing to let go of finding the perfect diet and discover the right way to eat for your body? Do you have a good understanding of the difference between carbohydrates, fats, and proteins? Select a few from each category that are right for your unique body. Which of the three macronutrients (carbs, fats, or proteins) are you most challenged with maintaining (either in excess, or deficiency), and what will you do to increase or decrease your consumption of them? [1] Prayer: “Lord, I thank You that You continue to challenge me so that I can grow stronger in You. With every challenge and every temptation, I call on You and call Your Name. I know that You will always answer me. Satisfy me with Your love. When I feel like I need more food, more satisfaction, more love, remind me that it is all found in You and You alone. Remind me that my food is to the will of my Father. Remind me of how little food I actually need each day and renew my taste buds so that they enjoy wholesome and nutritious foods. Give me a disdain for feeling like I need to feel stuffed. I declare that I eat within my boundaries and am satisfied. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.” |
[1] Morenzie, Cathy. Healthy Eating, God's Way: Weight Loss Devotional and Challenge: Calm Your Cravings, Overcome Obsessing, Hone Healthy Habits, and Build Biblical Boundaries (Healthy by Design). Guiding Light Publishing
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
Published on Jan 05 @ 12:27 AM EDT
Ever heard about the behavioral study where data was gathered on a playground? Surrounded by a fence, the playground was a flurry of activity for students in their free time.
As you read today's devotional, play "NO BONDAGE" from the Sacred Whispers Playlist.
Spiritual
FREEDOM FROM vs. FREEDOM FOR
By Matthew Pryor
(Content Taken From The Body Tithe Devotional, Spiritual Encouragement for Your Journey)
“It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.”
Galatians 5:1
Ever heard about the behavioral study where data was gathered on a playground? Surrounded by a fence, the playground was a flurry of activity for students in their free time. Swinging. Sliding. Laughing. Life was good. Then, researchers removed the fence. When the kids went out for recess the next day, they stayed mostly huddled in the middle of the playground. Now unsure about exploring, they were apprehensive and uneasy. The researchers put the fence back and the next day, and all the running, playing and carrying on returned. It was back to business as usual for the children. The fence gave them a sense of security. That security translated into greater confidence, and the fun followed.
At first glance, it would be hard to see how the fence boundaries gave the children freedom, but they did, and not just freedom “from” negative things, such as the temptation to wander off or the threat of dangerous people entering the playground. The boundaries also gave them freedom “for” things, such as exploring the playground, climbing on the equipment, and playing tag. That’s the flip side of freedom, and more specifically, freedom in Christ. Jesus doesn’t only release us from the negative: bondage to sin, guilt, performance-based acceptance, the law of sin, etc. He liberates us for the enjoyment of the positive: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control, for starters: “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.”–Galatians 5:1 (NIV)
This means that, as Christians, we can celebrate being released from the yoke of slavery. We can also take great delight in the blessings God has orchestrated for our pleasure. Some people say that you should not merely try to eliminate a bad habit. If you do, you leave an empty spot for that habit to return. You’ll be more likely to change your behavior if you replace the old habit with a new one.
Our mental outlook regarding our bodies should be no different. We are far too focused on what we are giving up: junk food, time, TV or Internet or books, and magazines, money, energy, resources, etc. Instead of focusing only on the sacrifice (i.e., junk food, time, TV, etc.), we should focus on the reward. We should replace the thoughts of what we’re freeing ourselves from with thoughts of what we’re freeing ourselves for.
We are freeing ourselves for things such as playing with our kids or grandkids without losing our breath. Savoring the countless all-natural foods God created for our taste buds to enjoy. Having sustained energy throughout the day. Minimizing potential injuries. Being less self-conscious in our swimsuit at the beach. Lessening the likelihood of being struck with certain diseases. Serving our neighbors, church, and community at a higher capacity. Running a 5K, or mini-marathon. Or taking a well-deserved Sunday afternoon nap.
This kind of freedom—the freedom “for”—is part of His perfect plan for our lives, wherever we are. 2 Corinthians 3:17 says, “Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.” Imagine! That same spirit resides in us, in our hearts. Wherever we are . . . freedom! The freedom He set us free for—the very freedom that lives in us—is a complete freedom . . . with two sides! The “from” and the “for”—both are designed for our benefit. Both are designed for His glory.
Prayer
Father, thank You for not just freeing me from sin. Thank You also for freeing me to enjoy You, that You might be glorified. Will You forgive me when I fail to remember all that You’ve freed me to enjoy? Please help me to live a life characterized by the freedom You have given me. I am free for Your glory. Amen.
Daily Spiritual Exercise
The Living Bible Translation of Psalm 34:4 says, “For I cried to him and he answered me! He freed me from all my fears.” What great comfort that He answers and that He answers in favor of freedom. Psalm 34 might be a good starting place for 3 to 5 minutes of ‘Worship and Prayer’ for today. It certainly is a great reminder of what the Lord is doing for us. As you pray, remember that freedom in Christ is freedom to enjoy the life He has designed for us—a life lived with that design is the freest of all, and consequently where we will bring Him the most glory.
Pryor, Matthew. The Body Tithe Devotional: Spiritual Encouragement For Your Fitness Journey (pp. 157-159). Sophros.
Physical
TRANSFORMATION – YOU ARE WHAT YOU EAT!
By Loretta Shelton
“Let not him who eats despise him who does not eat, and let not him who does not eat judge him who eats, for God has received him.”
Romans 14:3 (NKJV)
Our health depends on wise nutrition. The food we eat is assimilated into our bodies and becomes our nails, skin cells, and blood. In a real sense, we are actually becoming what we eat. In the same way, we are actually becoming—emotionally and spiritually—what we put into our minds. Proverbs 23:7 is the biblical version of you are what you eat. It says, “For as he thinks in his heart, so is he.”
Are you looking for a health transformation? If you want to see a transformation in your health and overall physical well-being, I recommend that you rethink how you view the purpose of food in your life.
We become what we eat and healthy nutrition is the foundation of self-respect and the personal care of your body. Paul provides input regarding eating in Romans 14:3 - “Let not him who eats despise him who does not eat, and let not him who does not eat judge him who eats, for God has received him.”
During Paul’s time, some Jewish Christians had grown little in their faith and kept old Jewish food laws. Other Christians ate all types of food. Christians should not look down or criticize the eating habits of their fellow believers whether they are carnivores or vegetarians or some combination in between. God accepts the eating habits of both groups. Christians should not judge whether meat is ingested nor the type of drink. There should also be no judgment or disrespect of a religious day or observance of the Sabbath as it relates to spiritual well-being, physical well-being, and overall health.
I am a pescatarian and have transformed my health and physical abilities by following the tips below. My incentive was my physician who classified me as obese, which was noted in my medical records and subsequently forwarded to my insurance company. My motivation was a desire for “transformation”. I was motivated to control what was in my realm of control and implement action plans to meet my physical targets. I lost over 40 pounds and have maintained my weight loss goal/s for over 6 months. I achieved this goal by limiting my intake of processed foods, cutting back on restaurant eating, and eliminating the consumption of fast food. I also committed to drinking more water (daily). (Note: Consult your physician or any other health care practitioner before attempting any recommendations presented below.)
In the transformation process, remember that “your being is impacted by your doing”. Therefore, one of the first elements of discipline is how you view food and how you control your hunger. The thought is that if you can control what you eat and drink you can control anything else in your life with the aid of the Holy Spirit. Let food be an incentive to give you the fuel needed to help your body transform and function as the Lord designed it so that you can be spiritually, mentally and physically equipped to fulfill God’s kingdom business. In working toward this transformation, continually recognize that “You Are What You Eat”!
Practical Action Today:
- Food Intake: It is recommended that 75% of daily food intake should be from plant-based foods.
- Eat Clean: The idea is to consume foods that are as close to their natural state as possible (e.g. more fresh vegetables and fruits, limit processed foods, try organic produce, avoid trans fats, eat less saturated fats and focus on good fats).
- Beverages: Severely reduce soda and sugary drinks from your intake; drink more water. It is recommended that individuals drink (in ounces) at least half of their body weight in water daily (e.g. 180 lb. individual should drink 90 oz. of water).
- Less Worry, More Sleep: Try to get at least 8 hours of sleep; turn off any distractions, such as a T.V. or anything that will interrupt your sleeping pattern.
- Less Processed Sugar, More Fruits: Consume fresh fruits instead of cake, cookies donuts, and candy.
- Less Meat, More Veggies: Fill half of your plate with fruits and vegetables.
- Healthy Choices: Re-purpose your refrigerator to include healthy choices for snacks (e.g. cut-up fresh veggies, washed fresh fruit, hard-boiled egg, or any other healthy protein source).
PRAYER:
Loving Father, I thank You that You have made me in a fearful and wonderful way. My body is Your temple and dwelling place on this earth, so Lord make me a wise and diligent steward of it. May the foods I nourish it with, be the foods that will bring it the greatest amount of health and wholeness. Lord strengthen me to resist when I am tempted to satisfy my cravings with things that will not bring me health. May this conviction extend to not only my food but to my thinking, my relationships, my entertainment, my pleasures, and all things that my life and heart enjoy. Make me Your vessel, and a house unto Your Name. In Your Name, I pray, Amen.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
Published on Jan 04 @ 12:33 AM EDT
One of the strangest and most difficult things to understand is the ‘silence of God’. When the heat of our circumstances seems to beat down upon our brow without mercy, God’s silence is simply baffling.
As you read today's devotional, play "ATMOSPHERE SHIFT" from the Sacred Whispers Playlist.
Spiritual
WHEN GOD IS SILENT
By Marlin D. Harris
“For so the Lord said unto me, I will take my rest, and I will consider in my dwelling place, like a clear heat upon herbs, and like a cloud of dew in the heat of harvest.”
Isaiah 18:4
One of the strangest and most difficult things to understand is the ‘silence of God’. When the heat of our circumstances seems to beat down upon our brow without mercy, God’s silence is simply baffling.
A young teenager from an ancient Aboriginal tribe is out in the thick woods on his first hunt with his father. His father had taken extra care to keep his son close to him and under his protective eye. However, when they rounded the corner of a low-lying thicket, they were, at once, staring in the face of a hungry wolf. The young boy is struck with a paralyzing terror, yet the father stands firm and is oddly and completely silent. The boy clings to his father for dear life and buries his head in his leathery leg coverings. The wolf snarls and paces, yet the father remains silent and doesn’t say a word. He simply stares at the wolf and never takes his gaze off of him. Then, almost as quickly as the wolf had appeared, he turned around and trotted away.
The boy asked his dad, why he was so quiet. Why didn’t he say something? Why did he not do anything? The father calmly turned to his inquisitive son and said, “I did. I stood my ground and looked him in the eye, and he knew that I was ready to fight to the death for you.” The father said, “me and the wolf were talking in a language without words”. The truth is that when it seems that God is silent, that is when He is staring the enemy in the eye and communicating with a language that we frail human beings could not understand. When the voice of God can’t be heard, that is when His eyes are piercingly fierce. Though it may seem that God is not talking to us, He is certainly speaking to our adversary, and He has already demonstrated that He will fight on our behalf, so much so that He Himself became a man in Jesus Christ, and died for us by the cruelty of the cross.
In the passage above, Assyria is marching against Ethiopia, whose people are described as “a nation scattered and peeled” (v. 2,7). As the army advances, God makes no effort to stop them, and it appears as though they will be allowed to do as they wish. The Lord is watching from His “dwelling place” while the sun continues to shine on them, yet “before the harvest” (v. 5) the entire proud army is defeated as easily as new growth is pruned from a vine.
Isn’t this a beautiful picture of God—remaining quiet and yet fighting on our behalf with His fierce countenance? Please do not ever confuse His silence with passive agreement or consent. He is making His presence known, and has merely turned His attention from speaking to us, to speaking to the enemies that seek to ravish us. In a realm where our eyes cannot see, there are ‘horses and chariots of fire’ (2 Kings 6:17) all around us waiting to respond at the command of the Lord of Hosts. God has proven repetitively in our lives that He will arise at the most opportune moment, just when the plans of the wicked are on the verge of success, in order to overwhelm the enemy with disaster. And as we see the evil of this world, as we watch the apparent success of wrongdoers, and as we suffer the oppression of those who hate us, let us remember those miraculous words of our strong and mighty God—“I will remain quiet and will look on.”
Yes, God does have another point of view, and there is wisdom behind His words. Why did Jesus watch His disciples straining at the oars through the stormy night? Why did He, though unseen by others, watch the sequence of anguishing events unfold in Bethany as Lazarus slowly passed through the stages of his terminal illness, succumbed to death, and was finally buried in a rocky tomb? And shall we even mention, why did the Father watch in silence as the Roman soldiers were nailing His Son to a wooden cross and the hordes of hell glistened with glee as the Holy Son of God bore the sins of the world?
In each of these moments, trust me, God was certainly not silent! He was simply speaking with a language that you and I could not understand, yet it was one in which all the evils of hell knew very well. He was in the shadows, staring down the enemy and waiting for the perfect moment to bring His decisive victory. In my life, and in yours, He has done this time and time again.
Is the Lord being quiet with you? Confidently rest in the truth that He is attentive and sees all that you are facing. You are not alone. He has His finger on your pulse and is extremely sensitive to even the slightest change. And He will come to your rescue when His Perfect Will has been achieved.
Prayer
Lord, thank You for the calm reassurance that when You are silent, You are working. I believe that You are working on my behalf, facing the enemy that I cannot conquer on my own. You are my champion in the fight, my anchor in the storm, and my hope that eradicates all despair. Thank You for Your faithfulness to me. May I learn to trust You in the quiet seasons, and cling ever closer to You when the wolf appears. In Your Name, I pray. Amen.
Daily Spiritual Exercise
Stop. Spend 15 minutes today listening to the voice whispering in the quiet of your heart. Do Hear Him? In the quiet is when He is speaking the loudest. That stirring in your heart; that is God. Only He can nurture your soul.
Physical
SPIRIT-LED EATING – AN ACT OF WORSHIP
By Thea Dennard and Pastor Marlin Harris
“So here’s what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering (an act of worship).”
Romans 12:1 (MSG)
Healthy eating and dieting are very mental because people often eat according to how they feel or based on emotions. As long as we look at our food, or our money, or our jobs, or even our families as something simply for us to consume for our own emotional pleasure, we will find that those things will never satisfy or fulfill us. In fact, God never intended for food to fulfill us. This is why the Holy Spirit inspired the Apostle Paul to write in the Scriptures in 1 Corinthians 6:13 “Meats for the belly, and the belly for meats, but God shall destroy both it and them.” This means that even though food is important for our bodies, it was never meant to have any eternal value to our souls. Food, and the mortal bodies that it feeds, will ultimately one day all be destroyed; only the spirit and the soul remains immortal.
The only thing that can make our lives whole and give us a deep, lasting sense of meaning is not food, but only God himself. Saint Augustine was right when he said “our hearts are restless, until we find our rest in Him”. So many people use food for something that it was never intended to do. It may give us an escape, or uplift our hearts for the moment, but soon the ‘high’ it brings wears off, and we are back in the mundane, stressful existence that we so desperately try to escape. The fact is that you and I should be joyfully living out our purpose until we simply have no desire to abuse food or to overeat.
Eating is much more an act of the mind than it is an act of the body. The fact that we eat may very well be physiological, but what we choose to eat is doubtlessly mental. When the mind is depressed, either because of loneliness, anger, grief, trauma, or simply boredom, it often turns to food to bring it comfort. However, it can be catastrophic to allow our minds to be controlled by these external circumstances of life. Renewing the mind actually means daily turning the thoughts and meditations of our minds over to the Spirit and Word of God. Romans 8:6 [ESV] says,
“The mind that is governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace.” [emphasis mine]
A decision to eat healthily should be at its core a spiritual decision to feed our body the necessary nutrients that it needs in order to foster a healthy and vibrant spiritual life. I have found that I can’t be my best for God, my family, and my career, when my body is sluggish, unhealthy, and ‘ill-nourished’. No person can repetitively harm his body, without also doing harm to his spirit.
Spirit-led eating is the practice of paying attention to how the food we eat glorifies God and serves His purposes. It is an awareness of how your food nourishes your body, soul, and spirit; an acknowledgment of God’s role in the food we eat by giving Him thanks for it, and a recognition that food is a gift from God.[1] When I am eating healthily, my mind, body, and spirit are all involved in the meal. This is genuine self-harmony. At every meal, “all” of me comes to sit at the table and be nourished. Perhaps this is why Jesus chose to use the act of eating as a fitting example of the Holy Communion that we have with Him and that He has with us. The various aspects of our being are never more in sync with each other than when we are eating. Our mind has chosen the best foods to satisfy the hunger of our bodies, which in turn will give it health so that it can serve as a house for our spirits a little longer, which enables us to serve the purposes of God.
Let’s move now from the mental and spiritual aspect of healthy eating to actually “walking it out”.
Practical Action Today:
A few tips for starting your new healthy lifestyle journey:
1) Clean out the junk food from your pantry and refrigerator. Give it away or throw it away.
2) Take a mental note of your local or main grocery store and visualize the food items on the outermost aisles of the store, this is called the ‘perimeter’ of the grocery store. The items found in the perimeter of grocery stores are usually fresher and less processed food items.
3) Go back to your healthy alternative list of food items that you wrote down on Day 1 of this Fast, and evaluate how many can be found in your grocery store’s perimeter. If many of them are still located in the center aisles of the store, see if you can tweak your healthy options/alternatives to ones that can be found or created from items found in the perimeter of the store.
4) Create your grocery list for the week. Be sure to add healthy snacks to eat between meals.
NOTE: The best way to shed unwanted bodyweight is with a faster working metabolism. One easy way to speed up your metabolism is by eating more frequently.
Try eating smaller, healthy meals every 3 hours. For example:
7:00 am - Breakfast
10:00 am - Snack
1:00 pm - Lunch
4:00 pm - Afternoon Snack
7:00 pm - Dinner
5) Before you go to the store, do a quick internet search on “how to read food labels” to educate yourself on what you should be looking for when reading things such as serving information, calories, nutrients, and the percent daily value (% DV).
6) Go grocery shopping! It’s almost impossible to eat healthy and frequently (try not to skip meals) when you eat out or on the go 24/7.
Prayer:
Father, I pray that you will grant me the wisdom and the sensitivity to know that everything in my life is meant to glorify You, including the food that you have so richly blessed me to be able to enjoy. Free me from the enslavement to ‘food-pleasure’ that I am so easily entrapped by, and allow me to know what true freedom in Christ really is. Empower me to live a whole, deep and satisfying life that is not controlled by what I eat, what I wear, what I drive, or where I live, but rather by Your Divine Presence and nothing more. Let me daily be ravished and engulfed by Your love. In Your Name, Amen.
[1] Morenzie, Cathy. Healthy Eating, God's Way: Weight Loss Devotional and Challenge (Healthy by Design). Guiding Light Publishing. Kindle Edition
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
Published on Jan 03 @ 12:59 AM EDT
A visitor at a school for the deaf was writing questions on the board for the children. Soon he wrote this sentence: “Why has God made me able to hear and speak, and made you deaf?” The shocking sentence hit the children like a cruel slap on the face. They sat paralyzed, pondering the dreadful word “Why?”
And then a little girl arose. She walked up to the chalkboard and with tiny tears slowly welling up in her eyes, she picked up the chalk and wrote the words that she had studied in her last Sunday School class at her church:
As you read today's devotional, play "My Worship" from the Sacred Whispers Playlist.
Spiritual
YOUR HEAVENLY FATHER KNOWS
By Thea Dennard and Pastor Marlin Harris
(Additional Content Taken From Streams in the Desert: Morning and Evening, by L.B. Cowman)
“Your heavenly Father knows.”
Matthew 6:32
A visitor at a school for the deaf was writing questions on the board for the children. Soon he wrote this sentence: “Why has God made me able to hear and speak, and made you deaf?” The shocking sentence hit the children like a cruel slap on the face. They sat paralyzed, pondering the dreadful word “Why?”
And then a little girl arose. She walked up to the chalkboard and with tiny tears slowly welling up in her eyes, she picked up the chalk and wrote the words that she had studied in her last Sunday School class at her church: “Even so, Father, for so it seemed good in your sight to do” (Matthew 11:26). What a reply! It reaches up and claims an eternal truth upon which the most mature believer, and even the youngest child of God, may securely rest—the truth that God is your Father and what He has done is what is best for us.
How challenging it is to come to a realization as profoundly painful as the one that little girl taught her class that day. The realization that though we do not understand all of the ‘why’s’ of life, we are confident that somehow in the Divine Wisdom of God’s Providence they are all good. We know they are good because they come from the heart of the Father. Our Father is not a frivolous parent who carelessly engages with his family, nor is He an absent father who is oblivious to the cares and needs of his children. No, our Father is the very God who created the world and the life that you and I live. He is the One who formed our bodies according to the enormity of His great Love for us. Our Father is the One who causes us to see the beauty of His wondrous love through the lens of the pains and tragedies that we face. He is the One who makes us strong by the heavyweights He helps us to bear, and He anchors our souls and causes the ships of our life to hold fast while being battered by the fiercest of storms. This is our Heavenly Father.
An old seaman once said, “In fierce storms, we must do one thing, for there is only one way to survive: “We must put the ship in a certain position, drop anchor and hold her there.” And this is precisely what you and I must do. Sometimes, like the Apostle Paul on his journey to Rome, you cannot see the sun or the stars to help you navigate when the storm is bearing down on you. This is when you can do only one thing, for there is only one way. Reason cannot help you, because there is no logic that can adequately explain why you are facing the mountain that is before you. Past experiences will shed no light because you are now at a place that you have never been before. In cases like this, friends with all of their noble and kind intentions often bring little consolation, because no one truly understands what you feel for they have not faced the danger that now stares you in the eye. Only one course of action remains: you must place your soul in one position and bear it steadily and unwaveringly before the Lord. You must anchor yourself steadfastly upon your God and trust that He has done that which is best.
And then, come what may—whether wind, waves, rough seas, thunder, lightning, or jagged rocks — you must lock yourself in the helm of the ship, firmly holding to your confidence in God’s faithfulness, and His everlasting love in Christ Jesus and ride out the storm.
What an amazing truth this is. It is simple, yet profound: God knows and has done what is best. Can you state that truth with full assurance and faith? Once you do, the great dove of your faith will no longer wander the skies in restless flight, but will settle its feet forever in its resting place of trust; in the good will of your Heavenly Father!
As elementary and ill-advised as it may be, I still believe that a day of understanding will come for each of us, however long that may take. We will understand as we see the tragedies that today darken the world we live in. We will soon learn how the pains and disadvantages we have endured fit in their proper place in God’s great plan. When that day comes, though it be an eternity away, we will see the overwhelming, magnificent brilliance of God’s great eternal plan for our life and we will be struck with awe, and we will laugh, in that day, with delight.
Chance has not brought this ill to me;
It’s God’s own hand, so let it be,
For He sees what I cannot see.
There is a purpose for each pain,
And He one day will make it plain
That earthly loss is heavenly gain.
Father, You are the Workman, and I am the frame.
Lord, for the glory of Your Name,
Perfect Your image on the same.
L.B. Cowman, Streams in the Desert
PRAYER
Father, the hardest lesson for me to learn is how to trust You, when I don’t understand Your plan. I know that You have purposed good for me, but there are times when my heart faints and my faith grows weary. In those times may You send Your Spirit to anchor me in the storm. You are the Sure and Steadfast God who has never failed me. May my heart trust in Your truth, when the trials assail me, and may my soul find its rest in Your truth that You know that which my fearful heart could never begin to understand. This is the strong tower that I lean upon. In Your Name, I pray. Amen.
Daily Spiritual Exercise
Today select one thing that has been on your heart and quietly dedicate the outcome of that situation totally to God. It may not be the heavy thing that you have been dealing with. Your faith may not be there yet, but start with the small things, and actively release control of the outcome to God. Then once you feel a peace about that, then move on to the next concern of your heart, and release the outcome of it to God; and then on to the next… Soon you will have developed the spiritual faith to release that heavy thing over to God. The ‘mountain of trust’ is large and steep, but you just have to start climbing one challenge at a time, and before you realize it, you will be at the top.
Physical
WHEN MY FOOD IS NOT GOD’S FOOD
By Thea Dennard and Pastor Marlin Harris
(Additional Content Taken From Healthy Eating, God’s Way, By Cathy Morenzie)
“And, He humbled you by letting you go hungry in the wilderness and then feeding you with manna, a food previously unknown to you and your ancestors. He did it to teach you that mankind does not live by bread alone; but rather by every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord.”
Deuteronomy 8:3
In yesterday’s Health Devotion you made your lists of unhealthy foods you enjoy eating and your list of healthy, alternative foods. At first, you probably were excited about the great possibilities while eager to go to the grocery store, then maybe you thought, “I don’t want all of these handcuffs on me! I work hard! I should be able to buy and eat what I want! The least I can do is enjoy my food!” This is all true and I am sure you are not alone in your feelings.
When you reach the point when you are about to let the enemy talk you out of staying on the healthy and fulfilling path that God desires for every one of us, you must remember “why” you are on that path in the first place. What was it that sparked in your heart the desire to take a journey of health? Simply put, why is being healthy important to you, and why would it be important to the people who love you? On a sheet of paper, take the time to write a letter to yourself and your loved ones telling them why you are choosing to get on – and stay on – the road to a ‘healthier you’. Why is it important for you to do this and why does your life need this change?
Yes, you have the right and the means to eat whatever you want, but remember 1 Corinthians 6:12 (NLT), “[You are] free to do anything—but not everything is good for you. And even though “I am free to do anything, I must not become a slave to anything.”
In Daniel 1:8-16, Daniel could have given in to the food temptations of the grand feast of King Nebuchadnezzar. After all, he was in the king’s palace. He was in a foreign land where no one would have been the wiser. He probably could smell the aroma of all the delectable foods and was probably hungry from living on vegetables and water. But his commitment was to eat only the food that God had determined he should eat[1]. He understood that the dietary laws in the Mosaic covenant weren’t just for physiological sanctification, it was also about spiritual cleansing and obedience to God. Even under duress and pressure, he wanted God to be glorified by what he chose to put in his body. We don’t often do that, do we? We often focus on what we have an appetite for, or what various tastes we crave. Frankly, sometimes we feel that we should be entitled to indulge our cravings because “you don’t know the rough week I had” or maybe we simply feel that life is not fair so why not just eat cake!
Doesn’t it feel like life isn’t fair sometimes? Gorgeous Sherry can eat whatever she wants and never gain a pound, and you only have to look at food and you’re up five pounds. It feels unfair, doesn’t it? And we can probably find many other instances in life where we don’t feel like things are fair. The Smiths across the street have the perfect family, and ours is… well, let’s just say, a lot less than perfect. Or Rick has just landed the perfect job, and you are still going on interviews to no avail, or maybe it’s the people who care the least about their bodies who seem to be healthiest, and you are constantly struggling with your health and ultimately, your happiness. Truth is, it is not up to us to judge what is fair and what is not fair. God calls us to walk the unique path that He has laid out for each one of us. He has made us all different, and He has given us each a destiny to strive towards.
Just like our individual path, there is a healthy “Divine Food” that God has specifically designed for you to eat and be nourished by today. It may be different than what it was when you were in your teens, or even your twenties. Whatever brings you health and not death, is the Divine food that God desires for you to eat. This is “your” food. Not the King’s delicacies, or the commercialized edibles, or the weight-stimulating comfort food that the latest eatery spot tells our flesh to crave, but rather it is – for you – the food of the Lord. The food that He placed on the earth to be our nourishment. That is “your” food! Let your food be your food and let’s stop feeling bad that we can’t always just eat cake. There are many things that you can enjoy. God has given you a variety and He has given them to you for your own health and safety. He knows what’s best for you and what foods will allow your body to thrive.
Practical Action Today:
Take a survey of your body – its health, discomforts, pains, or illnesses (minor or major). Perform a diligent search for healthy, natural foods that are helpful at counteracting some of these health challenges. Contact your physician and ask if adding those foods – and others they may recommend – would be helpful in combating the health issues you have noticed.
Take one week and journal everything that you eat, and schedule an appointment to speak with a Nutritionist about them, or seek trusted, proven advisors to help you determine what in your diet may be causing your body the most harm. [2]
Reflect on These Questions:
Why did Daniel refuse to eat the king’s food? How was he able to maintain his strength and energy despite the ‘meager’ diet?
What foods allow you to feel and perform at your best—energizing and revitalizing you?
Do you have any resentment about what you can and cannot eat? Have you specifically shared your frustration with God, and sought His direction and comfort for it?
Prayer:
“Dear Lord, I thank You for providing me with foods that nourish my body. They are designed specifically for my unique needs and I’m so grateful for that. You have created me so uniquely, my body is like no other. Help me to be grateful for everything that I have instead of focusing on what I can’t eat, do, or be. Help me to accept all that I am and all that I am not. Give me a spirit of gratitude and thankfulness and mature me so that there is no jealousy, envy, entitlement, or need to control. I walk with a spirit of contentment. Satisfy me with the foods that are within my boundaries and turn my eyes away from all other foods. Make me be the person who accepts what You have for me and let me celebrate it by giving You glory. In Your Name, I pray. Amen.”[3]
Additional Scriptures:
“And the Lord will guide you continually and satisfy your desire in scorched places and make your bones strong; and you shall be like a watered garden, like a spring of water, whose waters do not fail.” ~Isaiah 58:11.
[1] Morenzie, Cathy. Healthy Eating, God's Way: Weight Loss Devotional and Challenge (Healthy by Design). Guiding Light Publishing. Kindle Edition.
[2] Ibid.
[3] Ibid.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
Published on Jan 02 @ 12:56 AM EDT