WHERE DianaDee IS this month :)

JUNE  IS  the month of music festivals,

so "I'm off" traveling, guitar in van.

And a child's keyboard book... easier to keep
in the front seat to jot down some melodies when
I pull over for a break!

First festival is a 14 hour drive,  so there's a lot of preparation for these many days and hours of 24/7 with God!  An amazing experience!
A time of Psalm 46: 10.... resting REALLY with God...

I invite you to check out some of my other
(FREE) resources.... these also are helpful
as we fight self-centeredness of *Every* type,
seeking to 

DIE TO SELF

DO FOR CHRIST,

REFLECT GOD --

All with the Holy Spirit's gifts of power & Wisdom....

Zechariah 4:6,  2nd Corinthians 3:15

MAIN  website    -- free songs
 http://dianadeeosbornesongs.com/Home.php

MAIN  blog --     STORIES  of the songs, with links to audio
http://dianadeesongstories.blogspot.com

SONG WRITING  blog --  

http://dianadeeosborne.blogspot.com  ("Easy Songwriting Hints")  

MUSIC RECORDING  blog --

http://DianaDeeGarageBand.blogspot.com

 Facebook     (Though I'm not adding notes while on travel) --
http://www.facebook.com/dianadee.osborne

"But Consider Him" Dieting (Hebrews 12:3) ..... by DianaDee Osborne

June 8                                                                                       SUBSCRIBE  
As the rain beat down and down, slamming the world yesterday,
my thoughts returned yet again to a deep sorrow that keeps slamming against me:  A church person who is vitriolic toward me. Would not talk to me to say why. Evidences indicate a passing to others the attitude...

Wounding, scathing, hostile, sharp, barbed, cutting, hostile....

=Vitriolic.   And= unwilling to listen to logical evidence of error.

These past 6 years brought this new experience to me... I've been DIS-liked by people, of course.  I suspect 95% of us are at times.
And--  hey,
      I'll be honest.... sometimes ** I ** dislike me.  With reason...
always related to me doing or saying something that doesn't reflect the way God would want me to do or say something.  (=My websites' theme verse 2nd Corinthians 3:18 -- Reflect God-- WITH the Holy Spirit's help,  'cause we sure ain't gonna succeed without Him.)

Here's why I am convinced BY GOD'S GRACE   that this
person's hatred toward me has helped me to grow --
      NOT  THAT  GOD  APPROVES  ANYONE'S  HATRED!
But -- yet again we declare:   Romans 8:28 is very true --

God DOES bring good OUT of evil and hatred, wherever it is:  

God's Supporting Word --  HEBREWS 12        LINK       

BACKGROUND VERSES  1,

1   Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares [us], and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,

KEY  VERSES:

2  Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of [our] faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 

3  For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls.

CONCLUSION   VERSES  -- AN   ORDER  TO HEAR  GOD's facts  as well as encouragements:

4   You have not yet resisted to bloodshed, striving against sin. And you have forgotten the exhortation which speaks to you as to sons: "My son, do not despise the chastening of the LORD, Nor be discouraged when you are rebuked by Him;  For whom the LORD loves He chastens, And scourges every son whom He receives.   If  you endure chastening, God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom a father does not chasten?  But if you are without chastening, of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate and not sons.  Furthermore, we have had human fathers who corrected [us], and we paid [them] respect. Shall we not much more readily be in subjection to the Father of spirits and live? "

 God's order --  for us Dieters,  too:        

It is GOD'S  job    to deal with -- to chasten -- to rebuke -- the person who hates me and you.   Even Jesus did not enact any sort of punishment or revenge.  DARE WE TO?

It is GOD'S  job    to enact any punishment. 

It is YOUR & MY   job  to pray for wisdom,
     act as we feel God leads us to (WITHOUT returning the
          acidic VITRIOLIC ANGER... That just delights SATAN
who, Jesus says, yearns to destroy you:  John 8:44,    First Peter 5:8).
It is YOUR & MY   job  to forgive and MOVE ON .....
     even if it doesn't seem fair.  Even if we don't deserve the
            hatred.  Even if it doesn't seem like God is giving that
person who caused us so much sorrow  'what she deserves".

 Why it's related to dieting:

   God calls us to respond to people's hatred,  to the
       deep sorrows they cause us AND maybe our children --  

              without angrily turning to food or shopping "or"
                    FOR COMFORT.  
   WITH   turning to Him -- Jesus --

    "who endured such hostility from sinners against                      Himself _____  LEST you become weary and                                discouraged in your souls. "                      
             AND MAKE SATAN HAPPY BY TURNING TO        
                       FOOD  ETC.  INSTEAD OF GOD.                   

RECOMMENDATION:  When you're too weary of hate-filled or simply unkind people,
      just sit and read through the Psalms.   This are not just the story of the Psalmist's life.
         THESE ARE WORDS of COMFORT and PROMISE God directed written for US.

PRAYER

LORD GOD,  I an so confused by people who cause trouble by others... who seem to DELIGHT in creating havoc and pain.  Who even seem to NOT SEE  what they are doing.  I truly believe the person who has hurt me so much really is Your Child -- who believes in Jesus and who thinks she's right and I'm wrong.  I've prayed and prayed but see nothing that I can do.
     If I'm wrong,  please give me Your James 1:5 wisdom to see it.
     Please give me your courage to do what is right.  As David said to his son Solomon,
using the words YOU put into David's heart,  please help me follow Your word of 
First Chronicles 28:20:  "And David said to his son Solomon, 

"Be strong and of good courage, and do it; 

do not fear nor be dismayed, 

for the LORD God--my God--[will be] with you. 

He will not leave you nor forsake you, 

until you have finished all the work 

for the service of the house of the LORD.

ROMANS 8:26  to end:
26  Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.
27   Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit [is], because He makes intercession for the saints according to [the will of] God.
28  And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to [His] purpose. ....

33  Who shall bring a charge against God's elect?    [It is] God who justifies. 

34  Who [is] he who condemns? [It is] Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us.
35  Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? [Shall] tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?
36  As it is written: "For Your sake we are killed all day long; We are accounted as sheep for the slaughter."   <GOD NEVER PROMISED A LIFE FILLED WITH JOY & BLESSINGS as preached>
37   Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us...

©2013 DianaDee Osborne (all material), all rights reserved. FREE personal usage; see website.  But feel free to print with copyright info, & share for nonprofit usage!
With thanks to BlueLetterBible.org  for providing God's Word in easy-to-research format.
Additional encouraging resources at 
http://DianaDeeSongStories.blogspot.com

Dieter's Grace - John 17:20 (Comfort SONG) ..... by DianaDee Osborne

June 7                                                                                       SUBSCRIBE  
God's Supporting Word -- Jesus prayed for us... you:

"As You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world. And for their sakes I sanctify Myself, that they also may be sanctified by the truth. "I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who    WILL  [to 21st century]     believe in Me through their word; that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me. And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one >> : 

"> I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me.  Father, I desire that they also whom You gave Me may be with Me where I am, that they may behold My glory which You have given Me; for You loved Me before the foundation of the world. 

"O righteous Father! The world has not known You, but I have known You; and these have known that You sent Me.  And I have declared to them Your name, and will declare it, that the love with which You loved Me may be in them, and I in them."

                ---Jesus

  A Joy Filled Song Prayer for us Dieters:        

"DIETER'S GRACE"  ©2011 DianaDee Osborne; all rights reserved
                 CLICK HERE FOR AUDIO LINK                          LINK TO MUSIC SHEETs

1
Thank You, Father God, for this food.  And for my self-control You have strengthened.
I bless You Lord, I thank You, God.  I worship You, Lord.  I PRAISE YOUR NAME!
    YOUR GRACE HAS SAVED ME!
    Your grace WILL save me..........
All my past focus on food has seemed to grab a  hold  on my soul.  but
    JESUS     prayed for me,  John 17:20,
    JESUS     prayed for us  all,  John 17:20......

2

Thank You, Jesus, for Your presence    by me    in this blessing meal You have given.
I bless You, Lord, I thank You, Jesus.  I worship You, Lord.  I PRAISE YOUR NAME!
    YOUR GRACE HAS SAVED ME!
    Your grace  WILL save me..........
Help me always focus on You.  I choose to give   You hold on my soul.   For
    JESUS     prayed for me,  John 17:20,
    JESUS     prayed for us  all,  John 17:20......

3

Thank You, dear Holy Spirit for answering prayers for wisdom that You have given.
I bless You, Lord, I thank You Holy Spirit.  I worship You, Lord.  I PRAISE YOUR NAME!
    YOUR GRACE HAS SAVED ME!
    Your grace  WILL  save me..........
You know my past focus on food.  Now I choose You as Lord of my soul.  For
    JESUS     prayed for me,  John 17:20,
    JESUS     prayed for us  all,  John 17:20......

CHORUS

I know Your Grace has saved me, God!    And as I say Grace for this food,

I pray, and put on Your Ephesians 6  armor   in this real war for my soul.

I thank You Jesus for  Your   Grace on that Cross, and

    prayers for me for protection for my soul....

        John 17:20 prayers    for me..................

4

YOU have warned in   First Peter 5: 8   that
Satan is a lion   hungry for us.
Jesus has warned, Luke 22: 31,  that Satan is real, wants me to hurt God.  Satan is real,... wants me to hurt God,        BUT
    YOUR GRACE HAS SAVED ME!
    Your grace WILL save me..........
Satan is real ----  out to get me to hurt God  ----  but
Jesus prayer for Peter  long ago......... and
    JESUS     prayed for me,  John 17:20,
    JESUS     prayed for us  ALL,  John 17:20.....

CHORUS
I know Your Grace has saved me, God.!    And as I say Grace for this food,
I pray, and put on Your Ephesians 6  armor   in this real war for my soul.
I thank You Jesus for  Your   Grace on that Cross, and
    prayers for me for protection for my soul....               
        John 17:20 prayers    for me..................                 
================================================================
 But ........        
          do I tell God "but a little comforting    food, shopping, __-ing,  won't hurt?  And  
                    I  want it anyway?                    

   Praying God's blessing over each food really helps....  

PRAYER

LORD GOD,  I want what You want.  Help me, with Your Spirit's help
 (2nd Corinthians 3:18) to truly WANT Your guidance.  
And even Your chastening  when I want what I want more....

©2011, 2013 DianaDee Osborne (all material), all rights reserved. FREE personal usage; see website.  But feel free to print with copyright info, & share for nonprofit usage!
With thanks to BlueLetterBible.org  for providing God's Word in easy-to-research format.
Additional encouraging resources at 
http://DianaDeeSongStories.blogspot.com

Still Trusting, Still Choosing Right Foods .... by DianaDee Osborne

June 6                                                                                      SUBSCRIBE  

Update from yesterday:
This has (still)  not been a good week.

And still not on the topic of dieting.

Things still seem  'falling apart' for some dear friends, who 

     dearly love God.   And it's not an unexpected question to God:
"What are You doing, LORD?  We just want to know."

Friends talk.  Jesus invites us to be friends,
if we choose to put HIS will first -- obey Him (John 15).  And friends don't mind respectful
honesty.   But.....
Have you ever had someone you considered a friend to
question your integrity....   to doubt your motives.... to question your LOVE and CARING for that person?  Even after you've repeatedly shown your love and caring in actions, not just words?

It hurts.  It hurts even more if your friend is also your child,
who you raised with love, whether a "natural" born child or adopted.   Jesus taught that those who follow Him are "adopted" so that God is our Father in heaven      (Matthew 5:16,  5:45,  5:48, 6:1, 7:11; 18:14, 23:9;  MARK  11:25-26,  LUKE 11:2.

SIDE NOTE:

    HOW  WE KNOW  THAT **ALL**  PEOPLE ARE   NOT   GOD'S CHILDREN,
even though it sounds nice to say?  --- John 8: 31 through 44 ... JESUS speaking.

      Jesus identified God's children  in verse 31 as "those Jews who believed Him".

      Jesus identified as Satan's children, in verses 39-45,  those who don't do as Abraham did,

      following God's righteousness and hearing Truth from God (40).  Who don't believe Jesus.   

How do we get through when we don't see Jesus

     being the Friend He promised to be in John 15, and we 

Have been meeting the condition of deeply seeking His Way #1?--
 of agreeing that God is our Father with the right to discipline us?
             -- Proverbs 15:10,  13:24.... 
      He who spares his rod hates his son, But he who loves him disciplines him promptly.

: 
We ask God. And trust our Heavenly Dad's love.  
Not an easy answer.
God is God.   Isaiah 55: 8 and 9.His thoughts are above us.  But so is God's LOVE.

               God loved us enough to send Jesus.                    
 We don't need food, drugs, drink, or "stuff" for comfort.

PRAYER

LORD GOD,  I don't have words.  I still need Your Spirit just to pray for me.
I still call upon Jesus's promise that Your Holy Spirit will pray for me if I ask, 
and so I do ask... Your wonderful invitation in John 14:26. 
And I keep waiting.  Please forgive  my impatiences and frustrations.
Please continue to deliver me from temptations to just   eat and eat,       and shop and shop,     and spend hours  on the Internet or in front of TV or phone screens.......  
I truly do know You are Sovereign,  LORD,    GOD !!!!   and obviously way beyond my
own intellect.  The worst that can ever happen is for those who love you to come sooner
than they'd expected to live with You in eternity.  Please forgive doubts.  I love You.

God's Supporting Word  - Galatians 4,           in New Living Translation
         "Think of it this way. If a father dies and leaves an inheritance for his young children, those children are not much better off than slaves until they grow up, even though they actually own everything their father had.  They have to obey their guardians until they reach whatever age their father set. 
         "And that's the way it was with us before Christ came. We were like children; we were slaves to the basic spiritual principles of this world.  But when the right time came, God sent his Son, born of a woman, subject to the law. 
 "God sent him to buy freedom for us             
      who were slaves to the law, so that He could 
   adopt us as his very own children.  And            because we are his children, God has sent the    Spirit of his Son into our hearts, prompting us  to call out,      "Abba, Father."                            

        "Now you are no longer a slave but God's own child.  And since you are his child, God has made you his heir.    Before you Gentiles knew God, you were slaves to so-called gods that do not even exist.   So now that you know God (or should I say, now that God knows you), why do you want to go back again and become slaves once more to the weak and useless spiritual principles of this world?" 

©2013 DianaDee Osborne (all material), all rights reserved. FREE personal usage; see website.  But feel free to print with copyright info, & share for nonprofit usage!
With thanks to BlueLetterBible.org  for providing God's Word in easy-to-research format.
Additional encouraging resources at 
http://DianaDeeSongStories.blogspot.com

Trusting Anyway Dieting ........ by DianaDee Osborne

June 5                                                                                      SUBSCRIBE  

God's Supporting Word on top.... much needed:

Isaiah 51:  12,  15-16  New KJV

"I, even I AM  He who comforts you. 

Who are you that you should be afraid of a man-- who will die-- and of the son of a man-- who will be made like grass?  

            .... But I [am] the LORD your God, 

Who divided the sea whose waves roared--  [Red Sea, Jordan]

             The LORD of hosts is His name.  

And I have put My words in your mouth; 

I have covered you with the shadow of My hand, 

that I may plant the heavens, lay the foundations of the earth, And say to Zion, 'You are My people.' "

   [ROMANS 11 ... as are Grafted-In Gentiles who accept 

                       Jesus as God's Son and their LORD].  

This has not been a good week.

I'm not talking about dieting.

Things have been 'falling apart' for some dear friends, who 

     dearly love God,  for months... and Friday seems to have
          begun a  free-fall.  Six days of falling so far.....
Friends who have served God for many many many hours....
          giving up  $$ and  "fun" time in their love for Him.
Friends who would not be in this situation had they been
          greedy to demand payments rather than graciously stepping
                  aside when those didn't come... a ministry to the LORD.
Who show their children many examples of patiently waiting on 
         God,    and constantly tell them God's promises.
  This time it's them. 
Perhaps next time it's you or me.
The question is -- how do we respond when the promises don't come?   In the past,  I know 
--- over-shopping brought me hours of forgetting the pain.  
--- TV-series DVD sets brought almost 4 hours per disk, 16+ hours
       per boxed set  of time forgetting the pain.
--- Over-eating brought "joy" amid the pain.
--- I've never liked the taste of alcohol but -- looking at my addictive  tendencies to food,  I have never DARED to even try to like it (as I did for coffee.  
               Coffee's great with 1/4 cup each of sugar & creamer.... :{
 

How do we get through when we don't see Jesus

     being the Friend He promised to be in John 15, and we 

Have been meeting the condition of deeply seeking His Way #1?

: 
We sigh and/or cry,
we cry to the LORD as the Psalmist often did,
and we simply believe God's Word.  God is God. How can you and I know what He thinks?  Isaiah 55: 8,  9,  10,  11.....
More importantly,
How can what WE think possibly be right if it's not the same as
      God's thoughts.  
God loved us enough to send Jesus... When all else fails: 
                  It's enough. 

               God loved us enough to send Jesus.                    
       When all else fails....  falls apart....... IT's ENOUGH.     

PRAYER

LORD GOD,  I don't have words.  I need Your Spirit just to pray for me.
Jesus promised The Holy Spirit will pray for me if I ask, and so I do... John 14:26. 
And I keep waiting.  Please forgive my impatiences.  I truly do know You are Sovereign,
always right.  The worst that can ever happen is for those who love you to come sooner
than they'd expected to live with You in eternity.  Please forgive doubts.  I love You.

God's Supporting Word 

"Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered."   -- Romans 8:26

. Jesus answered and said to him, "If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him.  "He who does not love Me does not keep My words; and the word which you hear is not Mine but the Father's who sent Me.  "These things I have spoken to you while being present with you.   

"But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you.   

Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.....     -- John 14:  23-27.   

And then verse 28 predicts His death on the cross ["I am going away"]  
                                              and His resurrection  ["and coming back to you"].

©2013 DianaDee Osborne (all material), all rights reserved. FREE personal usage; see website.  But feel free to print with copyright info, & share for nonprofit usage!
With thanks to BlueLetterBible.org  for providing God's Word in easy-to-research format.
Additional encouraging resources at 
http://DianaDeeSongStories.blogspot.com

In a Rush Clothing Choices ...... by DianaDee Osborne

May 31                                                                                       SUBSCRIBE  

            In a rush today.  Heading for church, 3rd day in a row,

for wonderful gift-from-God new worship musician ministry.

But... the bad news from a dieting standpoint....

I usually can dress, add touch-ups like makeup and a quick hair fix, and be out the door with a cup of last night's leftover coffee in

10 minutes tops.  Today I spent that long just trying to find a 3rd blouse for a 3rd-day-in-a-row job that looked OK on me.  Trying to hide a bit of the extra of me.

If you've been dieting awhile, you know what I mean.

How can it be, that this new summer finds me even a bit more snug in cool clothing than last,  after a year of being relatively careful in food choices,  of gym 4x a week minimum,  of.....  and etc.

So as I looked in my somewhat full drawers and closet of outfits 

that (1) almost fit, (2) will fit "in 3 or 4 or 5 months",  and

(3)  go along with my dreams of losing that 30 pounds,

 

I find myself facing not just clothes but 2 choices:

Shall I just de-clutter and give AWAY those clothes in Categories 2 and 3?   And then reward myself with new clothes when (if) I lose weight?  Going to Goodwill a lot, already,   means this is NOT really an  expensive choice.

We each might face that choice.  For me.... for now... the answer is...

that if I give away snug clothing,  it's saying "I give up."  

And my earnest prayer is to never give up.  

So... for awhile... there are some boxes of temporarily useless clothes in my home....

Here's 
God's Encouraging Word  :   STAND

Ephesians 6:11.  Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 

Ephesians 6:12.  For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers,  against the rulers of the darkness of this age,  against spiritual [hosts] of wickedness in the heavenly [places]. 

Ephesians 6:13.   Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day,   and having done all, to stand.   

======================================================================

  (Besides.... when we stand,                                 
       our clothes look more slenderizing....   :)    

PRAYER

LORD GOD,  please give me wisdom for ALL things in life....
even the "little"  things like my closet inventory of clothing.                     Jesus's Words Link:
Please help me to remember what's most important in life is NOT food and clothing...
      it is You.   I NEED Your help in *remembering*  this moment by moment....
            and then *making the right choices to act as You guide me.*  I do INDEED
PRAISE  YOUR  HOLY NAME,  my LORD JEHOVAH YHWH.... Lord JESUS.

©2013 DianaDee Osborne (all material), all rights reserved. FREE personal usage; see website.  But feel free to print with copyright info, & share for nonprofit usage!
With thanks to BlueLetterBible.org  for providing God's Word in easy-to-research format.
Additional encouraging resources at 
http://DianaDeeSongStories.blogspot.com

Daily Victory Prayer Dieting (I Need Thee Every Hour)... by DianaDee Osborne

May 30                                                                                      SUBSCRIBE  

song  "Daily Victory Prayer"           LINK to free audio

by DianaDee Osborne;  copyright 2009, all rights reserved.

SOURCE  for audio file:  http://dianadeeosbornesongs.com/Songs-2008-2012.php

LINK TO  FREE  LYRICS  FILE  
Based upon Ephesians 6:  10 to 18                                          
Dedicated to our God Who Strengthens Us, 16 October 2009
Album:  Amazing Power  'n'  Prayers
Part 2's  “I Need Thee Every Hour” lyrics by Annie Hawks;
    melody by Robert Lowry  (Public Domain CCLI 78811)   
 
1
Good morning, Father God.  Thank You for this night's rest.
Thank You for Your gift of You -- of all Your gifts, that's best!
Thank You for this new gift day.  I give You each hour.
I need Your great Spirit's Help.  I need Your grace and Power...
through this Day --  I need You, God!

CHORUS        I need Thee ev'ry hour, most Gracious Lord.  
                Temptations lose their power when Thou art nigh.....
2
Now I prepare for this day.  I choose to follow Your Plan.
I choose to obey Your Word in Ephesians Six.
Thank You for Your true Promise, I shall win each battle
if I follow You my Leader and dress for success..
through this Day --  I need You, God!        <CHORUS>
 
3
I put on Your Belt of Truth.  God help me believe just Truth.
I put on the breast-plate of God's holy righteousness.
Help me guard my emotions.  Guard my heart from wrong feelings.
I choose to live by Your Truth and not by my feelings
through this Day --  I need You, God!         <CHORUS>

4
I put on Your shoes of Peace.  God, help me believe Your Peace.
I hold high Your Shield of Faith.  I trust in God -- not me.
I hold high Your Shield of Faith.  I trust in God -- not me -- 
              I REPEAT!
I shall hold up God's Shield when I'm tempted to do wrong
through this Day --  I need You, God!        <CHORUS>

5
I put on God's helmet.  God, protect my mind, I beg.
I need Your salvation -- Help my thoughts always please You.
I take up God's Sword, God's Word.  I choose to live by God's Word.
God's World always brings to us God's promised victory,
through this Day --  I need You, God!        <CHORUS>

God's Supporting Word 
EPHESIANS 6:  10-18 NKJV
“Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.
Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual [hosts] of wickedness in the heavenly [places].
 
Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.  Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness,  and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace;  above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one.  And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God;   praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints--”

          Are we ready to really pray this song?         

PRAYER

LORD GOD,  I am.  I am.  With Your help.  Please remind me to keep asking for Your help.
To NOT get careless and stop praying Ephesians 6.........


©2009 - 2013 DianaDee Osborne (all material), all rights reserved. FREE personal usage; see website.  But feel free to print with copyright info, & share for nonprofit usage!
With thanks to BlueLetterBible.org  for providing God's Word in easy-to-research format.
Additional encouraging resources at 
http://DianaDeeSongStories.blogspot.com

Bicycle Dieting Parable, Part 6 GETTING CARELESS... by DianaDee Osborne

May 29                                                                                     SUBSCRIBE  
I am STILL tired of dieting.  Yesterday was 'ok' --- 
    but I assuredly fought against that lovely looking fancy coffee.... Life isn't always fun.  I suspect you agree whole heartedly!

So what ABOUT that coffee to put a bit of enjoyment into life... 
or chocolate.... or (ummm) crunchy fried chicken with mashed potatoes..... 
              Are these really so bad??? .......  we start to ask ..................

John 14  is a comforting word from Jesus when we're weary.
This Bicycle Dieting Parable reminds me to "hang in" when 'tired'---
Click HERE  to view PART 1     of the   BICYCLE DIETING PARABLE  
  Other parts can be viewed also, with the parts in date order.


This   BICYCLE  PARABLE  is designed NOT just for dieting:

May it bring you MUCH JOY in  fighting ANY temptation..

THE PARABLE STORY  SETUP  from the May 22nd blog:

1.  Your mom loves you dearly and knows that having a bicycle would give you great joy.

      And seeing YOU have joy gives HER joy.

2.  So Mom makes an offer that you agree to.... You'll do 10 things for 6 months.
==================================================================================== 

                                 PART 6 --   GETTING CARELESS......

 3.  YOU'VE been doing Mom's list of ten things for SO long.  It takes SO much of your

      mental energy.  All your friends are having fun, and here you are at the house

      doing so much stuff you don't WANT to do.

4.   So you start thinking.... 5 more months until I get that bicycle are so long...

     SURELY  IT CAN'T HURT FOR ME TO GO PLAY SOCCER TONIGHT....

     I'll work harder tomorrow.

5.  Tomorrow comes.  You start thinking,

     MOM LOVES ME AND WANTS ME TO BE HAPPY.  SHE'LL UNDERSTAND IF  I .....

6.  A few more weeks pass by,  with you thinking,

     I  KNOW --- I'LL LEARN HOW TO BE MORE EFFICIENT,  AND THEN I CAN DO 

             THESE THINGS  ***BETTER***  FOR MOM....  in a few days.

And we know how the story ends.  I'll admit that I have absolutely LOVED the cartoon strips 

of Bill Watterson's Calvin and Hobbes  for a reason....  When it comes to dieting "homework",   I'm  "with"  Calvin. >>>>>>>

Why waste today's enjoyments when I can suffer later?

BUT.....
  Jesus said in John 15 that his friends  SHOW they're His friends by obeying Him. 
 Why's that so hard after all HE's done for us?

WHEN I GET CARELESS ABOUT ANY temptation,

I am telling God that I care more about myself

than I care about all that Jesus did for me... all He suffered for me... so that

     God  CAN  make "mom's"  offer of a bicycle in the future.

BUT -- IMPORTANT -- we CANNOT earn heaven's  "bicycle"   by good works.

So don't assume that the Bicycle Parable Parts so far add up to what you might be tempted ---

      (there's that word again) --  to think any ONE or 6 parts = the WHOLE parable....

PRAYER

LORD GOD,  I am so sorry that I get careless so often.
Please help me to truly focus on Your Goal for me...
heaven... because You really want to be with me for all     eternity.  What an AMAZING concept!     I assuredly don't deserve Your love... Thank you.  Please help me follow You.

God's supporting Word:
John 15:   whole chapter is essential.  Starting at 13 is the point of this specific blog:
JESUS is speaking:
"Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one's life for his friends.  

You are My friends if you do whatever  
                                    I command you."

©2013 DianaDee Osborne (all material), all rights reserved. FREE personal usage; see website.  But feel free to print with copyright info, & share for nonprofit usage!
With thanks to BlueLetterBible.org  for providing God's Word in easy-to-research format.
Additional encouraging resources at 
http://DianaDeeSongStories.blogspot.com

Bicycle Dieting Parable Part 5, FEARING .... by DianaDee Osborne

May 28                                                                                     SUBSCRIBE  
I am tired of dieting.
How 'bout you?  Tired of not being able to enjoy what I want....
This Bicycle Dieting Parable has helped me so much when 'tired'---
      especially where God led it to go....  
explanation  coming in a few more days! 
It's  the  process  that really makes God's encouragement  excitingly more clear.

Click HERE  to view PART 1     of the   BICYCLE DIETING PARABLE  
   Click HERE  to view PART 2     of the  PARABLE (where it's going)
     Click HERE  to view PART 3     (slacking off because you see no bad results)
Click HERE  to view PART 4     of the PARABLE - Comparing & Questioning 


This   BICYCLE  PARABLE  is designed NOT just for dieting:

May it bring you MUCH JOY in  fighting ANY temptation..

THE SETUP  from the May 22nd blog:

1.  Your mom loves you dearly and knows that having a bicycle would give you great joy.

      And seeing YOU have joy gives HER joy.

2.  So Mom makes an offer that you agree to.... You'll do 10 things for 6 months.
====================================================================================

                                 PART 5 --   FEARING......

Completely FORGET all the previous questions and ideas in the Bicycle Dieting Parable   so far.
This is a COMPLETELY  DIFFERENT  question,  idea for your consideration as you wonder why it's so difficult to fight the temptations against over-anything-ing   including shopping, smoking, drinking, Using "bad words", slouching in front of the TV or Internet, gossiping, trying to 'look good' --- there are MANY things that distract us from the Important things of our VERY limited Life.... that seems more and more limited as we watch all the easy ways to get killed that  News media and TV shows us: 
====================================================================================

Suppose you really have been working hard to
earn your bicycle... You've 
1.   Taken out the trash to the yard bin every day.            2.  Kept your room really pretty clean.
3.   Washed the dishes right after each meal, without Mom having to remind you.
4.   Did your homework each night.                              5.  Kept that bathroom clean, even the seat.
6.   Hung up not only your coats and clothes, but even sometimes your brother's.
7.   Did your own laundry.                                          8.  Didn't watch much TV and didn't complain about it.
9.   Was nice to Little Bro' who definitely deserved your occasional mumble under your breath.
10.   Went with your family to church without complaining, as an honor and obedience to God.

SUDDENLY  this thought comes to your mind:

IF I DO THESE  10  THINGS WELL,  Mom might see that I *CAN* do them--- and add ANOTHER 10 things in the future.

The fear catches you by surprise.  You know Mom loves you.  But isn't it logical to be afraid she might "compliment" your work by using you to do more?   What do you do?
  

Since this is a parable, there's no foolin'  ya:

        You know this is about God.        

And your first reaction might be "I'd never think that".   

But perhaps this is the time to pray James 1:5, and 

               ask God if perhaps there might be something to this in the reason 

                         why dieting (etc) is such a struggle for you.  

      Yesterday's question is always an important one:

       God -- like the Mom in this Bicycle Parable --
  loves to talk with you .... as long as you're being 
  respectful.  Not blaming God for  things, but sharing 
  your respect-filled, honest questions.  God already 
  knows your thoughts.  May as well be honest... it will help 
  YOU -- God doesn't need the help.  Like most Moms, God  
  might  say "Not now, you'll understand more later."
    OR God might answer.      We DO know this: 

GOD CANNOT LIE.    TITUS 1:2  and more. (It's simple logic: how COULD God  who is perfect become imperfect by telling even a single lie or 'fib'?)

James 1:5-6 is God's promise.

Earnestly seek His wisdom, and He WILL give it to you in the BEST time for you.

  It is a JOY to reach a point of honestly just asking our loving God for answers....

      .... We still have 2 choices:            

1.  Trust that God wants my good more than even I do.

2.  Get angry that God seems unfair in presenting us with a list of 10 things that reflect what His Heart wants us to do: 

Between the two, which attitude honors our God Who knows far more than even the best of Moms?

God's  Ten simple command-ments,  
which are LOGICAL  in (1) honoring God, and (2) taking care of people -- including you & me. They're in
  Exodus 20     which begins with a  REMINDER of all God had already done to free the people from decades of slavery.  

Have we listed what God in Love has done for YOU and ME?
The list start with Number One at verse 3, summarized:
    Put nothing and no one                         
as more important than God in your life.   

  God demands that we honor Him.   
 Why's that so hard after all HE's done for us?

PRAYER

LORD GOD,  I admit what You already know:  Sometimes I deliberately force my mind to stop thinking something it's heading toward because I know it's wrong of me. And sorta hope You won't notice if my thoughts get off of it quick.  Such as....  l sometimes start thinking that if I do the 'right' things that I should,  that I will discover that there are MORE 'right' things that You call me to do.  Please forgive me.  I know in my head that You love me and want what is best.  I know in my head that You know Everything... Your "List of Ten" truly is for OUR good as well as to give You God the honor You not only 'deserve' but right-fully require from us.  
      Please forgive me.  And help me to Want Your Wants.
      And to have Your help in following Your Ten --- NOT for 

salvation -- oh, no, You make it quite clear that Jesus is the

only Way to You (logical since He IS God, so the way to God).  Help me to follow Your Ten out of HONOR for You.
And help me to follow any other way You call me to... even if 10 thousand.

©2013 DianaDee Osborne (all material), all rights reserved. FREE personal usage; see website.  But feel free to print with copyright info, & share for nonprofit usage!
With thanks to BlueLetterBible.org  for providing God's Word in easy-to-research format.
Additional encouraging resources at 
http://DianaDeeSongStories.blogspot.com