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..
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.
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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:
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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.
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:
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.
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.
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.
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?
Why's that so hard after all HE's done for 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
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