Here we go ladies! I hope you are ready. No more excuses. No more putting it off. It’s time to get serious, make some changes, and most especially grow strong in your relationship with the Lord.
This time WILL be different.
Visit the Made to Crave website to download and print the Fridge sign for week 1. This week’s word is:
EMPOWERED
Each time you are tempted this week or you become discouraged, remember that your power comes from God. We are empowered by Him. You have the power girl! Yea you do! Say it like this, “I got da powahhh!” (it’s just funner that way!)
You May Want to Copy and Print the Rest of This Post
Reading and Homework Assignments for Week 1:
Sunday-Read the Introduction chapter. Highlight and take notes as you read. Anything that jumps off that page and empowers you, write it on an index card or in a journal. Share in the comment section of this blog or on the new Online Bible Studies Facebook page where discussions about Made to Crave have already begun.
Monday-Read Chapter 1. Highlight and take notes as you read. When you get to a Bible verse that Lysa mentions, take our your Bible. Look up the verse for yourself. Underline it and write “MTC” beside it. Think on the verse or passage a moment. Journal or make a few index cards with Scripture or quotes that will keep you grounded or empower you.
Tuesday-Complete Chapter 1 Reflection Questions. Read the questions and record your answers in a journal or notebook. Be honest. These are just for your eyes or whoever you choose to share them with. Share as much or as little as you like in the comments section of my blog or on the Online Bible Studies Facebook page.
Wednesday-Read Chapter 2. Follow the same directions as on Monday. Check Melissa’s blog for an encouraging mid-week message! Post a comment to encourage others. If you have any questions for the Vlog on Friday, email them to Melissa. Melissa@MelissaTaylor.org.
Thursday-Complete Chapter 2 Reflection Questions. Follow the same directions as on Tuesday. Share as much or as little as you like in the comments section of my blog or on the Online Bible Studies Facebook page.
Friday-Read Chapter 3. This is the chapter where Lysa talks about how important it is to have a plan! Follow the same instructions as Monday and Wednesday. (you see a pattern forming here?)
Friday Vlog!!! Log on to this blog, www.MelissaTaylor.org. Watch a short video of me answering some of your questions from the week.
Friday Option: If you want to have all your work done before the weekend, go ahead and complete the Chapter 3 Reflection Questions. Follow the same instructions as Monday and Wednesday.
Saturday Option-If you didn’t do the Chapter 3 Reflection Questions on Friday, do them today.
Okay, that’s it! Print or “favorite” this page so you can keep up with this week’s study. I won’t be posting the schedule daily, so hold on to this!
I’m so glad we have gotten started! It’s time to quit making excuses, giving in, feeling guilty, resolving to do better and then mentally beating ourselves up for not sticking to our resolve. It might not be easy, but we can do it. I’ll be praying for you 
Blessings and Lots of Love!
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I’m really struggling with my weight; I truly believe that I am addicted to food. I’m leaning on the verse in 1 Corinthians 10:23, “Everything is permissible – but not everything is beneficial”. Since I believe food can be an addiction, I try to remind myself of the heroes we have at church that are recovering drug addicts. If they can be drug free for three, four, and five years, I can certainly eliminate the foods that are not beneficial for me with Gods help!
BEV
I feel exactly the same way! I feel like I’m dealing with a true addiction too. I work in a mental health office and my husband work in a jail. I feel like this battle is as big of a battle as some of our clients or some inmates. It seems much more difficult to be addicted to food since you have to have it to survive. It seems the world revolves around food. This is a huge stronghold in my life, but I can not continue to let Satan use food to control me.
Paula, thanks for your comments. I needed to know someone else was feeling the same way that I am. I am truly depending on God to help me not give up and again, I think of those that have conquered drug addition with the help of Christ and hopefully this will spur me on.
Beverly I have been in recovery from drugs for almost 6 years and I so find that it is harder to walk away from food – like you said we need it to survive and it is legal, but I am trying really hard to turn this addiction over to God also. I am also doing a Beth Moore James study and James chapter 1 vs 13-15 have so helped me today. I hope they help you also. Food has become such a stronghold in my life also but since starting MTC last week I am already noticing my pants fitting looser and a couple of lbs lighter on the scale, I must remember not to judge how I am doing by these things but God knows I needed a little encouragement to keep me going on this journey.
I am so so glad to see that i am not the only one who feels this way. I am the same way. I have struggled with weight my whole life, but i feel that my problem now is an addiction to the food too. It’s nice to know that i am not the only one that frels this way. I have to keep reminding myself that God gives me the strength to overcome any thing (food).
Amen, we’re in the same boat and we’re not alone—God gives us strength! Thanks so much for your comment.
I too am a food addict.
Sometimes I feel thankful that it’s food and not drugs or alcohol but it is an addiction none the less. 1 Corinthians 10:23 really stuck out to me as well. I think the ONLY way I can do this is with God’s help!
Hi there, I feel like I too have been dealing with a food addiction. It has gotten better in the past few months though because I went to the doctor for symptoms I was having and she ran tests and suggested to go gluten free since the tests showed I had a sensitivity to gluten. Now, I’m not telling you this because you may have sensitivities to food like I do but I may be able to help in another way as I had to stop eating wheat products, cold turkey, so I could feel better. How I was able to stop eating bread, pasta, and all other wheat products, is that at anytime I felt like I had to have something that I knew was not healthy for me (like craving fresh baked bread) I said to myself…”this is poison to my body.” For my body it really is a poison that affects my system to the point I was sick daily but if you think of those really bad foods as poison to your body (which they can be as they led to so many health problems if too much is consumed) you then reprogram yourself to not go to that comfort food the next time.
I now it may sound harsh but I haven’t strayed from my new lifestyle and now that I found this study and this book…I know the missing piece to help me with my struggles with weight has been found! I’m very excited!
May God bless you all on your journey!
I feel the same way. I love 1 Corinthians 10:23. I had never associated that verse with food before, but it has helped me so far this week.
From Chapter 1′s reading – I appreciated Lysa’s definitions of Cravings, Lust of eyes, and Boasting and wrote these in my Bible. I also liked her point that what we’re cravin will always depend on whatever we’re consuming.
I have read this book 3 times but it is speaking to me so much more this time as I am reading it slower and with a pen in hand. Anything that strikes me gets written down in my journal.
This is my second time, and I am doing the same thing – MUCH different experience when you aren’t just reading.
I devoured the book the first time and I could completely relate to Lysa. Sometimes I thought how is she getting inside my head cause I felt the same way about many things. This is also my second time through the book and I am so thankful for this study. I gained back 13 lbs. since I last read the book and I am so tired of this yo yo weight gaining. I am going to be empowered to overcome this battle and I will be praying for the other ladies doing this study too!
This is my second time through the book. I thought I was “getting it” the first time through but old habits die hard. Love having this online connection this time around.
I was happy to see others doing Weight Watchers! Back in Sept I joined and have lost 35 lbs so far. I needed some boundaries in my eating.
When I joined it was with the heartfelt prayer that God will help me to make my body, the temple of His Holy Spirit, a health and fit body.
I’m happy so many are on this journey of MTC!
Praying that we all grow in Him and pursue healthy lifestyles for His glory!
Thank you for the inspiration with Weight Watchers as well ….. I just joined on Sunday and hope that the combination of these two will help me to overcome this problem this time !!!
Praying for you and everyone involved.
May he keep us centered and devoted to him, following the life path he has cleared, watching the signposts, walking at the pace and rhythms he laid down for our ancestors. “And let these words that I’ve prayed in the presence of God be always right there before him, day and night, so that he’ll do what is right for me, to guarantee justice for his people Israel day after day after day. Then all the people on earth will know God is the true God; there is no other God. And you, your lives must be totally obedient to God, our personal God, following the life path he has cleared, alert and attentive to everything he has made plain this day.” (1 Kings 8:58-61 MSG) I am using this as a guide to make healthier food choices. Staying obedient in our journey will make our Father proud!
Read intro chapter…loved it. Journaled all my thoughts, highlighted the stuff that struck a chord. Praying for my “want to”.
Yes me too, I am praying for my want to! I say I “want to” but don’t really make changes to make that happen. So, I am trying during week 1 to be honest with myself and ask if I really want to. I surely know “how to”. I need to believe what Lysa said about deciding that the results of the changes we make are worth the sacrifice.
The verse that I was led to was 2 Peter 19b For a man is a slave to what ever controls him.’ Which got me asking myself am I a slave to other things and letting other things control me or is God really in charge ???
I am submitting this post for my own accountability. I read MTC in the fall. I found it near the check out at the grocery store. It “jumped” out to me. I was able to make changes in diet in excercise for a few weeks then went back to my comfortable, safe ways. Although I want to loose weight my main objective is to feel better. I am menopausal, have sleep issues and brian fog but am in fairly good shape. I take bio-identacal hormones but I can’t keep going back to my ND with the same complaints when I continue to eat lots of sugar and do not excercise.
The book spoke to me when I read it the first time as I go around with a constant longing and lonliness even though I have a loving family and access to friends. I try to fill the emptiness with food but the feeling is never gone. I need to fill it with God. I need to clear all the excess so I can do what God has in mind for me next. Hopefully, I can be successfull the next six weeks as I journey with the rest of you and Jesus.
Hi,
I just wanted to introduce myself and say Hi to everyone. I am so grateful for this journey, and I thank the Lord for all of you. I feel I am a part of something so important and so much bigger than myself. I have listened to M2C several times on audio file, and I have heard its message, but I never actually sat down and took my time studying the book. I have struggled with my weight all my life, and in the past 2 years, I lost and gained 100 lbs. I am hurt/damaged/traumatized by this “disease” and sinful behavior I have around food. My biggest problem is overeating.
Like many of you, I think Lysa tapped into the REAL answer to our struggle, and through the work of the Holy Spirit, I want to get well physically, emotionally, and spiritually, for the glory of God, whom I love with all my heart.
I loved many things in the introduction and chapter 1, but especially the comparison between our situations with food and the young man who could not give up his riches to follow Jesus. As Lysa so eloquently explains, “Jesus meant this [giving up of riches] for any of us who wallow in whatever abundance we have” (p. 15). As a Christian, the one abundance I can say I have is FOOD, and of course, I chose it instead of God to satisfy my deep longings. So many times I read this story in the Bible, and I sort of sensed what it meant, but I never really stopped to relate it to me, personally. I always thought it fit someone else better. But now, I see, it fits so well with my struggle with food. Jesus is asking me today to give up the BIGGEST thing that is more important to me than He is. He wants my whole devotion, sole devotion.
I am happy to say that slowly I am learning how to break away from food. I prayed several times today through the temptations and managed to pass on the cheap hot dogs at Sam’s Club and even the unhealthy cake served for my husband’s birthday. It’s funny that it didn’t even seem hard. I sort of felt protected, surrounded by an invisible armor. I even served the cake myself, but I had no craving to eat it. It felt as if Someone else fought the battle for me! And He did, didn’t He? Hallelujah! Oh how I love Him!
LOVE that invisible armor…I had it too last week at my daughter’s birthday…I planned ahead to taste ONE bite of her ‘usually scrumptious’ ice cream cake. I took one bite and it didn’t even taste good!…God works in intersting ways…He knew I needed that cake to not be delicious at that time! I felt and feel EMPOWERED! Blessing and empowerment to you as well!
So happy to be on this journey with all of you! Maintaining my weight is always a struggle for me and the older I get the harder it is for me to lose. I am so glad to have this support system and truly believe it will be the different in helping me lost and keep off this weight. Here’s to a great start ladies!
Does anyone have tips on how to not get overwhelmed in this comment/discussion section? I really want to read and participate but its SO much! Any advice from seasons studiers would be great, thanks!
Just try to identify instead of compare…..not sure I consider myself a seasoned studier….just telling you what helps me. Love amy
Day 2 thoughts….from personal reflections…
Have you ever pursued a craving–that made a positive contribution to your life? What distinguishes it from the craving that leads to unhealthy eating?
~Yes, I craved marriage and motherhood. It was honored by God. I sought the Lord first for those things-He answered and provided. For food-I just focus too much on it-I’ve had to seek Him for it, but it didn’t take as high of predence as marriage or motherhood as it is a SEEMINGLY MINDLESS task…It’s JUST EATING!
???but there’s more to it than that…so still learning!
After all this time i thought I was the only one that had these feelings. Now I know I am not. I love the way lisa describes that we look at how food with lustful eyes. Another thing that accured to me is the difference between Eve and Jesus. He was able to turn away from Satan because he was spiritually full of God. I want to be spiritually full with the Lord. So when it is time to face the food (demon) I will have the strength to make the healthy choice and be strong like Christ was.
I am hoping through this study I can learn to be diligent in making better choices for my health. I am tired of the roller coaster of diets that get me no where. I want to learn to rely on God and His power to help me to stop eating foods that are bad for me. I want to stop running to food for comfort.
Amen to that! I want to crave God, not food, so I can turn to Him first.
Made To Crave devotional today stated that “gluttony seems to be overlooked as an acceptable Christian sin. I’ve been an overlooker!!! That spoke to me.
Same here!
I’ve just been reading many of the comments below and I echo all of them with my struggles with food. I too, have read the book more than once. When I read the Intro and first few chapters for the first time I was hooked! For the first time EVER I felt that somebody out there understood. For the first time EVER someone was able to put into words the exact warfare that was waging inside of me. The fact that I could “feel full after a meal and still crave chocolate… for dessert” (page 20) started driving me to a cycle of guilt shame and discouragement one of which she also describes in the book. I am thrilled and praising God for this study and for all the support that God has brought my way. Thank you for sharing and I’ll be praying for all of you out there.
I’m starting late but spent the morning getting caught up on the first three days. Just checking how this online thing works. Is there just one blog post for the week and comments from ALL the days go here? Trying to read through everything but wanting to make sure I’m posting in the right place. Thought there might be a daily post for comments. Also, saw something on facebook about small groups. Is that something we were supposed to sign up for? I must have missed that info somehow. Thanks!
I had small successes yesterday – Monday. It was the first day in who knows how many years that I didn’t eat anything chocolate or in the candy family. I even made my kids peanut butter and chocolate cookies for dessert and didn’t even like the spoon! I pray that these small successes turn into a mountain of victory.
Congratulations! Small steps add up!
Just getting started on the MTC book! I have been dieting for years!!! I just really want to get off the dieting wagon and eat healthy but still be able to have treats! I just don’t believe God put chocolate on this earth to torture us, but I need to find balance!!! I tend to overeat at every meal!
I am looking forward to doing the online study!
Blesssings!!!!!!
Praying for guidance and willpower and the “want-to”. My problem is I Iove to eat! Right now, at this weight, I am not happy, can not fit into anything, and am out of breath most of the time! I know I can only win this battle with God’s Help!!!
So excited about this study! Started this book some time ago but never finished it so my plans are to get all the way through. I’ve started off the year well, so far and have even lost some weight prior to beginning this study. I know that food is an addiction for me and it’ssomething that I turn to in sadness, frustration, anger and even happiness. I want to be able to turn to God FIRST in all those emotions. So, here I am! Let’s do this!
I love the thought that “we consume what we think about. And what we think about can consume us if we’re not careful.” I am at my “goal weight” (thanks to WW) but my heart craves so many things before God! When pressured, I still run to food, or trying to find a coupon deal, or checking my e-mail 50x a day to see if maybe there is some encouraging message from someone… I want to learn to run to God first & trust that He will satisfy!
Elizabeth – I’m right there with you. I look to everything and everyone but God to fill my heart and body. This has lead me to many addictions which I thankfully have overcome. Stay strong and find comfort in the Lord. I’m praying for you.
Hello ladies! Im so excited that God put this book in my hands. It is just what I needed. I have been dealing with weight all my life. More after I had my second child I got to that point that I just didnt care anymore. And now I am 120lbs over weight. I am glad to be on this journey with all of you. It is nice to know I am not along!
The most empowering verse for me is Philippians 4:13: I can do all things through him who strengthens me.
I receive a number of daily devotionals in my inbox here at work, and one that really spoke to me today reminded me that nothing that I face in my day to day life, do I face alone – Jesus is standing there right beside me. When he promised that I would never be tempted with more than He and I could overcome together, he meant it literally. So the next time I come home from work and find myself alone, or find my house in shambles from the kids, or whatever else I face that usually leads me to indulge in food that is not necessary, I need to be reminded that as I stare at that panty full of sweets and treats, Jesus is standing right beside me and EMPOWERING me to make the right choice, lean on Him and eat responsibly.
I love the reminder that Jesus is standing right beside me. Thank you!!
Hi ladies. So happy to be here. I’m a little different. For me its not about weight – yes I’ve gained a few and by standards Im fine 5’8 136…but I feel awful. I have a lot of body fat and just dont feel good about my body. I love my curves so does hubby but I want to feel better in my own skin. I also want to feel better about food. I live to eat. food is on my mind 24/7 and I almost always have some food in my hand. Even health food can me bad for you – that whole bag of pirates booty goes straight to my booty! God is calling me to him not food and I need help in listening. Looking forward to the journey with each of you.
I just received my book in the mail and I’m excited to start reading it tonight. Our church is doing a 31 and change the month of January. We are supposed to pray about what we can give up for the month and spend more time on reading the word and praying for change in our lives. I gave up TV. So I have more time to pray and read the word. I found an online devotional which led me to Melissa Taylor and this book. I know I crave food and it is causing health problems. I’m healthy cautious but its easier to hear it then to apply it. But through God’s help I will do it. It’s not a coincidence that I found this. I believe God lead me hear. He knows I struggle with food.
I’ve been struggling with weight since I was 10 years old. I am now 22. The cycle of craving, binging, and feeling guilty is miserable. What hurts the most is I feel so separate from God when I eat too much (or unhealthy choices) because I know He is calling me to sacrifice the thing that has given me comfort for over half of my life. I don’t want to struggle anymore. I know God is all powerful, but I keep rationalizing bad choices at the last minute. Please pray for me ladies. I’ll pray for you all too.
Praying for you that God would be your comforter as you seek Him!
Kmommy – you are so right about eating being a seemingly mindless task – it’s something we all must do to survive. It’s almost as mindless as breathing – we aren’t even aware we are doing it. I hope to make my eating choices more intentional instead of mindless.
I have joined this Bible Study not so much as a weight loss program but in the hopes of deepening my relationship with Christ. Yes, I am overweight – a lot overweight. I have lost and regained so much weight over the years, I could not really say how much. For a time I am able to keep it off, but then Major STRESS hits and before I know it, a little bit here and a little bit there and I have gained back the weight plus an extra 5 or so pounds. After lots of yo-yo dieting, I decided if I could just maintain, at least I would not be gaining back more (I read about a woman who almost died because of yo-yo dieting and what it did to her body). That worked for a while. I am a STRESS eater. II think I see food as something I can control when everything else around me seems to be falling apart. Needless to say my weight shows I really am not controlling it either.
I need to look to Jesus for my comfort and help in times of STRESS, I do depend on Him so much, but I need His help in controlling this issue in my life. That’s why I am here. I wan Him to have COMPLETE control.
I know I am on the right track here after feeling very positive about this 2 days ago, yesterday I hit a down day. Didn’t necessarily over eat, just was feeling like I wasn’t sure how this would work – Well, I realize that’s Satan attacking and today is a new day.
I know I am heading in the right direction – Many things I am reading and hearing support MTC’s emphasis on where our desires should be – This was a post on Facebook from a friend that definetly fits right in – “Dear children, keep away from anything that might take God’s place in your hearts I John 5:21 (NLT)
Over and over in my life I see God giving me exactly what I need when I need it – I am now depending on HIM to do that where my eating is concerned.
Today I did not eat that slice of cheese while fixing my son’s lunch – usually I look at it and think how good it would be, I like the way it feels on my tongue – nope not today – I have the power of Jesus Christ to resist that temptation.
That temptation fit right in with what Lysa wrote about Eve’s and Jesus’ temptation – It is a process – I do not want to be like EVE and keep my eyes on the prize, so to speak, but want my eyes to be on Jesus Christ!
Thank you Lord that today, with your help, I was able to resist.
Sorry this is such a long post, but I have gotten a bit behind on the posts, not on reading MTC and Bible Study:)
Things that stuck out to me in chapter 2…
Is it possible I love and rely on food more that I love and rely on God? (OUCH!)
Sometimes (okay, a lot of time) I do crave food more than I crave God (forgive me, Lord!).
God never intended for me to want anything more than I want Him. I will use my cravings for food as a prompt to pray. Instead of wallowing in what I can’t have, I will celebrate what I CAN have!
I am doing this book study not for the food aspect but for the wanting to crave God more. I am a very fit 42 yr old that runs 1/2 marathons, I workout way to much and run every day. I am very healthy in my eating. My monster comes in the form of the treadmill, the pavement or the workout dvd’s. I feel as if I do not workout or run each day my day is not complete. I know that working out and running each day is NOT good for you mentally or physically, however my mind tells me different. I thank God each time I am on a run for my health, my ability to run races and eat healthy, however I know HE wants more from me than that, he wants me in the word and being able to show that to others (my family, my daughters, my neighbors etc) My passion is health and fitness and I would love to move forward with that and share with others but I have the fear of failing at it so I just keep it to myself.
I pray that through this book study that my mind is opened up and that my craving for God becomes stronger and that I can find the happy medium to be able to continue my runs and workouts and still get closer to God.
Wow I just read ur post…I can identify. I used to go to the gym for 2 hrs a day. Then I went thru a phase where I ran on my treadmill and then still did a Dvd. Can you say too much. Now I limit myself to 30 min. A day of walking/running on my treadmill. I listen to worship for 20 min while I workout and read my Bible the last 10. I hope that helps you. Love amy
I have to say after reading these post it makes me realize I am not alone in this battle with food. I have to be around it to survive but I know I can do all things through Christ and I will finallllly! win this battle
I just had my first official “ah-ha” moment. I don’t know why I never thought of making God my focus rather than food. I’ve always planned my day around food. It was just a natural thing for me to do. I’ve done this for so long that I do it out of habit. Now I’m realizing that I should no longer do this. As soon as the cravings hit me, I should start praying or saying one of the bible verses that I’ve written down. I’ll keep everyone in my prayers. Stay blessed!
I think not only do I want to focus on getting rid of thr crave for food for mudelf, I don’t. Want my kifs to struggle later in life like i have. I want them to also know God and have a strong relationship with him.
Wow so I just realized i mis-spelled many things in my post.
well its day 3 here for me up in canada and l have stuck to this. l am always so good at the beginning of a program and feel pumped, but what is it in my character that slips back and does not finish the race. l am a Christian and God knows the prayers of my heart yet l backslide so often. I dont like the feeling of failure and the thoughts that l will have to start again after feeling so defeated.
In the bible it says if we are faithful and ask the Lord he will give us the desires of our heart, but why take them away again after his promise. It should be done and l should not have the desire again to have food make me a slave. I so want this to be the last time l fight with food, as there are so many other things l wish to do in my life. l am a prayer warrior and have a beautiful family with grandchildern and l need to be praying for all of them too. So why does the Lord keep bringing me back here when l have asked and prayed so much to Him over this. I want to move on in my life and never have this struggle with food again or ever in my mind. I can visualize myself thinner and at a responsible weight and in control but l have yet to get there. Why doesnt the Lord finish this for me and put other desires in my heart. Ohh l get so frustrated with it all.
HIS POWER IS MADE PERFECT IN WEAKNESS. Read 2 Corinthians 12:9. He helps us,in his time. We are on a journey. We will not be perfect until we come face to face with God and Jesus. HE IS OUR HELP AND OUR SHIELD, HIS GRACE IS SUFFICIENT FOR US. Love amy
Reading all these stories has hit me hard & realize food was also my addiction but now knowing I have & will always have God to turn to I know I can lose the weight & totally keep it off this time. I have always been good at losing weight but it would always come back 2 fold but now I know it won’t come back……God Bless each one of us dealing with these issues & please have faith, I know I do.
I just started reading the book last night and finished the Introduction chapter. I know I am starting almost a week late, but I think as long as I’m starting it’s never too late. I hope to read with meaning but also catch up so that I can be on track with the study for the rest of the time. I love doing online studies. This is the 3rd study I have done on the book Made to Crave. This time as I started to read the introduction I felt something more as I read it. I look forward to reading the rest of the book with my eyes open and knowing God is right by my side through it ALL!!
Some of the things that I got out of the Introduction chapter were mainly the reminders that Lysa gave. I need to realize that my battle with food is more than just that I eat too much, it is that I am not focusing my efforts on God completely (spiritually, physically, and mentally). I think I have been pushing God aside lately and I feel guilty for doing it, when I am so busy or tired I just don’t feel like sitting and reading (usually I would fall asleep by the time I made time for it) but I could sit and read my fitness magazines just fine. I am looking forward to not doing that anymore, the first thing I will choose to read when I sit down to read will be my Bible or a devotional. That’s what I did this morning by finally opening up my Made to Crave book and reading it first thing! This is exciting, I feel like this is taking me out of a rut I have been in and causing me to refocus my life where I should be. I am very excited for all of the possibilities that this study is bringing to mind! I want to feel the desire to be healthy, listen to my doctor, and battle my issues with God’s help! I know that it is only through Him that I can do anything at all. Without Him I would not even exist! So why not trust Him with everything I do?
I no longer want to use all of the rationalizations on Page 13 of the book. I could unfortunately relate to all of them and it brought that to my attention, I have been making those excuses. But now that I have read them and know that someone else can relate, it feels so freeing! Thank you SO much Melissa for starting this study and all of you for participating. I read through a great deal of the posts today and it feels good to be able to participate with all of you, you ALL empower me to stick with it also!
God bless all of you as you participate in this study, whatever your reason!
Good Morning MTC group!
Such a refreshing change to be made in this study. I have found one way to starve off those cravings for the sinful is to pray each and every time I feel them. This has made it a great week. I haven’t been craving junk as much as the word of God. Now if only I could crave more vegetables
During my bible reading last week, I learned a valuable lesson from the life of Esau that I want to share with you. In the story of Jacob and Esau, Esau comes home from a long day of hunting and is famished. His twin brother Jacob has prepared a pot of stew, Esau smells the stew and asks his brother if he can have some. He actually states that he will die of starvation if his brother does not give him some of his stew. As the story goes, Esau ends up giving up his birthright for that bowl of stew and lives in servatude to his younger twin the rest of his life. Wow, that’s a lot to give up for a bowl of stew. The lesson to be learned from this well known bible story is that we need to look past the immediate emotions and cravings of the moment to the long term effects our decisions will have. Do you honestly think Esau would have given up his birthright for a bowl of stew if he had known how the rest of his life played out because of that decision? Talk about wanting a “do-over”. Well ladies, this is our “do-over”. Next time you are faced with the temptation of the twinkie, or the treadmill, and it seems that you will die of starvation if you don’t eat the twinkie, think of Esau and the huge sacrifice he made for a simple bowl of stew. Grab a handful of almonds or a piece of fruit, and walk away. Everything is permissable, but not everything is beneficial. Don’t make the same mistake (over and over I might add) as Esau. Pray to God for the Determiniation required to make better decisions in those moments of temptation. Each time you overcome that temptation, it gets easier and easier to face it the next time.
Good Evening MTC team mates! I haven’t met anyone yet…actually, I’ve just decided to stop by for the first time here (I think I left a msg on FB) but haven’t been able to do much since. Last Saturday night I became very sick…and progressively worse as the week went. I lost all appetite, strength and desire for anything! I was taken twice to the hospital, last time I was hooked up to an IV to be rehydrated and given meds for headache. So, it’s been a day or two of being home, getting back on my feet, and beginning to feel like I just might make it!
I’ve never forgotten about MTC but have always asked God, “Why now, why this?” God has a plan for everything and I trust Him with it all. During my illness, I’ve been made aware of a couple of things. 1. No matter what choices we make, there is an outcome. The outcome I’ve been experiencing because of the choices I’ve made in the past has not been fun this past little while. I realize I have slowly been allowing myself to shut down. I’ve done this by not exercising, eating whatever and whenever, living without goals or purpose, being more “me” minded than anyone else, etc (you get the pic.) Well, while on a gurnie, I realized that this is what life is for me if I don’t change. The other fear was becoming a diabetic. My Dad was a diabetic (God rest his soul) and because of it, I was sexually abused many times and totally lost who I was all about. It is only now I realize that I have an opportunity to find my identity and who “ME” is really all about. When I realized that there was a chance of being “diabetic” I felt like I lost the liberty of finding the real me. God has given me the chance to find out who I am and who He wants me to be. So…now that I’m back and getting stronger each day (PTL) I am on my way to a whole new outlook with a whole new action plan that God is taking me higher and over. That His plan for me is great and that I will not fear what man can do to me but press on to do what God can do through me. I knew this study was going to be good…even when I felt myself going down hill. One of my mottos is: “If it’s a tough beginning, you can be sure that it’s going to be a great ending.” …man, I’m looking forward to the end of the 6wks…which by the way will still be the beginning for me…this is a lifetime commitment I’m making.
Be blessed all of you. I pray God will give you strength to endure and new insight to encourage you each and every day.
Sister in Christ
p.s. I GOT DA’ POWA’!!! …and without Him…I am nothing!
Glenda
Ok…so, today I’m having a “pretty good” day. Well, one where I realize the need to put Christ before and above anything else. I’ve caught up on my reading and have answered the questions at the end of each chapter. My health is improving and my family is back together again. What more could I ask for? I realize that I’m still back in Chapter 1 of MTC…I need EMPOWERMENT! I need to have the motivation to make right/healthy choices. Boy, I AM STRONG-WILLED (… and is STUBBORN a part of that?) If not, than I’m that too. I know what needs to be done but why am I not doing it? What is stopping me from getting healthy? God, I need the eyes of my heart opened to see what it is that causes me to be disabled? …and one word comes to mind – OBEDIENCE. I know what to do, but I’m neglecting to do it! I have the tools to work with, but I’ve ignored them. What’s up with all of this complacency??? Lord, wow!!! I have a lonnnnggg way to go…but thank God He is going with me and that I won’t be alone!
…and then I have MTC Family! I’m so glad you are here with me. I pray that we will be encouraged as we walk this journey together. God will never leave us nor forsake us. He has a great plan for us and desires to do great things through us. I pray you will find strength for your journey. Be blessed today and always.
I am into week 2 and need some accountability – I answered all the questions after chapter 4 and realized I need some help – anyone out there doing this in or around Seattle, Washington?
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