Christians often quote the Scripture that says to train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he won't depart from it (Proverbs 22:6). However, we don't always like to acknowledge that you must have self-discipline or self-control, which is a characteristic of the fruit of the Holy Spirit, in order to stay the course of righteousness that you were taught to follow as a child. Nevertheless, the Bible says to draw near to God and He will draw near to you (James 4:8). It also tells us to, "work out your own salvation" (Philippians 2:12).
As a child, you were probably educated in the fundamentals of Christianity as your parents made Christ the bedrock on which your life is built. Accordingly, you were fed spiritual milk and moved on to Christian baby food. As an adult, you should be feeding yourself solid Christian food by actively seeking God on a daily basis. This is the equivalent of drawing near to Him. It's humbly accepting that without Him, you can do nothing, especially when it comes to walking the path of righteousness. As you feast on the meat and potatoes of Christianity, the Holy Spirit should claim more territory in your life as you mature, and the sinful nature should be less evident. Learning to eat for God's glory is evidence of spiritual maturity. It's recognition that God is Lord over EVERY aspect of your life! It's also a part of your daily worship because Jesus said, "He who loves Me obeys My commands" (John 14:21). Love is synonymous with adoration, devotion, reverence, and WORSHIP. Consequently, out of a heart which loves and worships your Lord, like Paul, you must continue the godly training that began in your youth by disciplining your body and bringing it under subjection both physically and spiritually (1 Corinthians 9:27) in obedience to Christ when you realize that "your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whose you are. You are not your own. You were bought at a price. Therefore, honor God with your body and your spirit, which are God's" (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). If you're ready to mature spiritually by making eating and drinking an act of worship, purchase your copy of the Eating as an Act of Worship Teacher's Edition TODAY! In the book, you'll learn the biblical principles regarding the body, dieting, exercising, and maintaining a healthy body for the glory of God! To order your copy, just click on this link: https://www.amazon.com/…/ref=cm_sw_r_tw_awdo_x_540tybTP52QX9
0 Comments
Have you been lazy about working out? Did you give in to your cravings AGAIN? Did you succumb to bingeing and purging after weeks of therapy and healthy eating? Were you struggling with a trigger that leads back to anorexia this week? Have you regained most or all of the weight you lost? If so, I have something to tell you that you probably don't want to hear, "Get up and try again!"
I know your flesh doesn't want to, but it's time to get back in the health and fitness fight. Remember! The Bible says, "A just man falls 7 times and rises up again" (Proverbs 24:16). You're old enough to know the difference between stumbling and scraping your knee as opposed to actually falling down and breaking your leg. Recognize that a setback does not mean you have been defeated. Understand that the victor is the one who wins the war even though he may have lost a few battles. God has ordained victory over the mountain of obesity and eating disorders staring back at you in the mirror if you don't quit! Be strong! "Let us not become weary in doing good, for in due season we will reap the harvest if we do not give up" (Galatians 6:9). Losing weight and overcoming eating disorders is very difficult, especially when you're trying to do it with only your own feeble strength and willpower. Furthermore, the more weight you have to lose or the longer you’ve struggled with the disorder, the more impossible it seems to be free of it. What's worse is that you feel like you're in it alone, particularly when you're ready to lose weight or stop bingeing and purging, but those around you who are complicit in your dysfunctional relationship with food are content to continue living an unhealthy lifestyle. However, when you change your focus to eating for the glory of God, a wonderful thing happens! You're no longer in it alone! With God what seemed impossible is now attainable because He enables you to succeed where you once failed! His strength never fails, and His will isn't weak! But there will still be days when your flesh craves fried chicken instead of grilled chicken, French fries instead of baked sweet potatoes, starvation instead of eating, purging instead of letting your food digest and be absorbed to nourish your body. At those times, the enemy will try to make you believe that God has left you in the battle alone. Remember that Satan is a liar and God has promised, "I will never leave you nor forsake you" (Hebrews 13:5). All you have to do is trust Him, stand up, and get back in the fight. Then watch God fight for you and give you the laurels of victory! If you're ready to get up and get back in the health and fitness fight, purchase your copy of the Eating as an Act of Worship Teacher's Edition TODAY! In the book, you'll learn the biblical principles regarding the body, dieting, exercising, and maintaining a healthy body for the glory of God! To order your copy, just click on this link: https://www.amazon.com/…/ref=cm_sw_r_tw_awdo_x_540tybTP52QX9 The Bible says, "Foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child, but the rod of correction will drive it far from him" (Proverbs 22:15). Children behave foolishly because they are immature physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. Consequently, they must be disciplined or taught to act, think, feel, and live in a way that pleases God, keeps them at peace with others, and conforms to the laws of society in order for them to live abundant lives through Christ.
However, there is a major problem in the life of an adult who continues to behave like a foolish child. It's sad and very difficult to watch adults who lack self-control, who are easily angered, who overindulge in harmful substances or activities, or who never deny themselves pleasurable activities or things in order to pay their bills, provide for their families, or take care of themselves. They make the same mistake over and over again but never seem to learn from it. Unfortunately, that's what's happening to you in regard to food, beverages, and eating disorders. The hard truth is you're being a hard-headed, selfish, disobedient child who is determined to have it your way regardless of the consequences even though you know you're on the path that leads to destruction! You've not only been told repeatedly by loved ones, physicians, and public service announcements that your unhealthy lifestyle will lead to cancer, heart attacks, strokes or diabetes, but you have also seen the truth of this repeatedly with your own eyes as your family members, friends, neighbors, coworkers, and even church members succumb to the various obesity-related diseases and eating disorders. Nevertheless, like a child, you continue to play with fire and throw a violent, internal temper tantrum at the mere mention of starting a health and fitness plan. Notwithstanding, God the Father loves you and, like the good parent He is, He is patiently correcting you today by saying, "That's enough!" You must obey the voice of the Lord and accept His positive discipline, or you will reap the harvest of His negative discipline. On the positive side, obedience results in the healthy and fit version of you and a longer lifespan. Conversely, disobedience results in the negative consequences that lead to death which you may already be experiencing, namely, hypertension, high cholesterol, insulin shots, acid reflux, sleep apnea to name a few, and complications resulting from eating disorders such as anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, or orthorexia. Either way, God is faithful to perform His Word, for "the Lord disciplines those He loves as a Father the son he delights in" (Proverbs 3:12). I encourage you today to GROW UP! Be an adult who realizes and accepts that you just have to pull up your big girl underwear and get it done! If you're ready to obey the Voice of the Lord in develop mature eating and drinking habits, purchase your copy of the Eating as an Act of Worship Teacher's Edition TODAY! In the book, you'll learn the biblical principles regarding the body, dieting, exercising, and maintaining a healthy body for the glory of God! To order your copy, just click on this link: https://www.amazon.com/…/ref=cm_sw_r_tw_awdo_x_540tybTP52QX9 |
Ann Wooten Taylor
Ann is an attorney who has been licensed to practice law in the State of Arkansas since 2004, practicing in the areas of child abuse and neglect, special education, and unemployment insurance law. Mrs. Taylor is also the C.E.O. of Eating as an Act of Worship Ministries and a Christian author. Her first non-fiction, Christian book entitled, "Eating as an Act of Worship Workbook" was published and released by Life to Legacy Publishing in 2015. Her second book, the "Eating as an Act of Worship Teacher's Edition" was published and released in December 2016. Archives
January 2019
Categories |