Half Staff Living, by DianaDee Osborne

FEBRUARY  9

Flags across America have been at half staff (half mast)  SO many times in the past few years.
  

Another day of remembering sorrow.

Because I often go through days not listening to TV or radio,
I don't know why flags are at half staff today.
But I know someone is grieving somewhere.

  Do you remember being a child,  not knowing sorrow?

              Not knowing what the adults around you?

  That "Time of Innocence",  we sometimes call it.

A time that many children around the world never know,
always being in hunger.  Maybe cold. Seeing sadness all around.
Adam and Eve did NOT know sadness. At first.
UNTIL  they decided that they wanted to know as much as their Father God.
Sometimes I wonder how many times in the decades that followed,
they wished they had never gotten the Knowledge they paid so dearly to get.


When our hearts are broken over Knowledge that we
dearly wished we had not come to know,

God is there.  God is here.  God will comfort.  If we ask.

Jesus promised:  The COMFORTER,  God's Holy Spirit,
YEARNS to help us amid all our sorrows.  We don't need to Over-Anything to
       find comfort..... Just to talk with our LORD.  
               And listen to His promises.  And believe God's love.

Not insult God by thinking perhaps He lied.   

Like the TEMPTATION thoughts Satan gave Adam and Eve.
A comforting starting place is the Book of John,  Chapters 14, 15, 16, 17...
As Jesus -- God's Son-- promised you long before you were born:

GOD'S JOHN 16:33  in-Person PROMISE:

"These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world."
--- Jesus  (GOD),  through JOHN 16:33,  King James Version

"I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. 

      Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. 

           But  TAKE   HEART,    because 

                 **  I  **    have overcome the world."

--- Jesus  (GOD),  through JOHN 16:33,  New Living Translation

"Estas cosas os he hablado para que en mí tengáis paz. En el mundo tendréis aflicción; pero confiad, yo he vencido al mundo."  - RVR
 
PRAYER
Like the Father of Mark 9:24.... LORD JESUS,  I believe Your promises.   Help my unbelief.  
Help me stand FIRM even when my eyes... 
       and my heart... don't 
           "see"   hope amid all the half staff flags in our world. 
Help me turn to YOU for comfort.... not to food, shopping, etc. 
 

©2013 DianaDee Osborne;  all rights reserved.  But feel free to print with copyright info, & share for nonprofit usage!

Envying Sea Gulls Dieting Parable ..... by DianaDee Osborne

FEBRUARY  9

Ever felt like just giving up?

Just too weary to keep fighting temptation?

Telling God, "I sure hope You forgive, because I just can't...."

Yesterday warn't a good day,   as Grandmom would say.

Kept fighting temptation against chocolate chip ice cream... and the chips won.
Obviously a cup or so can be fitted into  any diet plan.  But.....
I kept apologizing to God before, that I was so weary of being tempted.
I kept apologizing to God after, that I was so weary of giving IN to temptations.

I tried to write some Bible studies work, and fell asleep mid-afternoon.
I apologized to God for being lazy.
I tried to awaken my mind watching a NATURE show on TV.
I found myself envying the flocks of sea gulls,  thinking
   at least they don't have to keep fighting temptations 
      to over-eat.  They don't gain weight despite hours at gym.

And then 

    I apologized to God for complaining about how He made me.

Around 9 PM I realized -- I'd been having a nagging headache above my nose all day....
       and I remembered noticing that the trees are already putting out red pollen buds.
               First week in February, and the pollen is about to blast us.
So it was a bit of a comfort from God to
see the reason why I've been so tempted to overeat today --
  not just self-centered-ness,  
      but trying to overcome physical pain 
                  I hadn't even noticed.... physical tiredness 
                           that I wasn't really aware of.

It's easier to REFUSE to give up when we realize why we're tempted to give up.
Back to WISDOM -- When we ask God's help,  He helps.

And I forgot until tonight to pray for God's help.

Too embarrassed that -- yet again -- I was fighting to keep self-control.
         As soon as I prayed,  I realized that I'd been eating to try to feel better....

And there's a comfort,  a feeling better,  in seeing the reason why temptations are harder
sometimes.  A comfort in seeing the reason God does help and give wisdom when we ask:
Because,  like a loving earthly father,  He really does want to help us.   James 1:5 and 6
Doesn't want us to be so bogged down
        that we envy sea gulls.          

GOD'S ENCOURAGEMENT

"And let us not grow weary while doing good, 
for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart."
-- Galatians 6:9,   a verse for ANY struggle.  A PROMISE from God for ANY struggle.
                                                      CLICK HERE    to read multiple versions  
PRAYER
May the glory of the LORD endure forever; 
May the LORD rejoice in His works....
 I will sing to the LORD as long as I live; I will sing praise to my God while I have my being.  May my meditation be sweet to Him; I will be glad in the LORD"  -- Psalm 104: 31, 33, 34.  

LORD GOD, please continue to forgive my self-centeredness, though I don't deserve it.  I truly DO LOVE You, even when I've yet again given in to temptations.  You deserve so much -- and in the midst of my selfishness,  I still KNOW that ONLY YOU are God, not me,  and I truly WANT to give You pleasure.   

Please help me.... and help me endure in WANTING to keep fighting this battle against anything that does NOT give you pleasure. Including gluttony. That word I detest so much. Please help me remember YOU detest the selfishness of it..
 
©2013 DianaDee Osborne;  all rights reserved.  But feel free to print with copyright info, & share for nonprofit usage!

Baby Snakes Dieting Parable ......... by DianaDee Osborne

FEBRUARY  7

I was a country girl.  
And as a very young child, I like all children quickly received this  LOUD  lesson from my parents:

   Tiny newborn snakes can kill as fast -- or

              faster than an adult snake.

The scientific reason:
Adult snakes, like adult humans, have had time to learn how to control their physical body.
Adult snakes know how to not discharge all their venom at once,
      but to instead use only part of their storage of venom.

BABY snakes haven't yet learned that.

                                   At least, that's what we country kids were told. 
 So that cute, squiggly little brown snake isn't to be played with.   It can KILL.

At first -- it just hurts a bit.  But the venom begins dissolving muscle or something....
          the adults didn't give us details.  Just the END RESULT.

The SAME for  the so called "LITTLE" temptations that I look at,
that I  in my personal "fount of wisdom"  think are safe,
think I can play around with and not really get hurt.
Sure,  I won't kill anyone, won't steal, assuredly won't cheat on my wonderful hubby....

But that tasty little bit of gossip?   little whispers ask,
            What's the harm in sharing what really IS  true??
That little over-shopping?  
Extra drink?  
Extra junk food? 
Extra HEALTHY  food in too much quantity?
Even over-exercise....

They say that what doesn't kill us (right away)  makes us stronger.
Bologney.  (And oh yeah, the correctly spelled version of that .... well,.......)

God says even a SINGLE sin
               is a deadly snake bite to our soul. 

GALATIANS 3:  10-11a
"But those who depend on the law to make them right with God are under his curse, for the Scriptures say, 'Cursed is everyone who does not observe and obey all the commands that are written in God’s Book of the Law.'  So it is clear that no one can be made right with God by trying to keep the law. ”
     God's Word though Paul is  quoting Deuteronomy 28: 15 .

“But it shall come to pass, if you do not obey the voice of the LORD your God, to observe carefully all His commandments and His statutes which I command you today, that all these curses will come upon you and overtake you:

PRAYER
LORD God, give me WISDOM I pray.... James 1:5's promise from You...
to recognize the tiny SNAKES of TEMPTATION that I've been playing around with.
PLAYING with thinking dieting isn't all that important.
PLAYING with thinking that some temptations are little, unimportant "compared to".
Help me see the Truth of what they really are.... poisons that will
kill my time serving You and Your kingdom as You so richly deserve, with my love.

GOD'S  WORD

James 3:2.  For we all stumble in many ways. If anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to bridle the whole body as well. Continuing  (LINK) ...... NASB

James 3:8.  But no one can tame the tongue; it is a restless evil and full of deadly poison. 

James 3: 13 - 18

Who among you is wise and understanding? Let him show by his good behavior his deeds in the gentleness of wisdom.  But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your heart, do not be arrogant and so lie against the truth. This 'WISDOM' is not that which comes down from above,   but is earthly, natural, demonic.  

For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist there is disorder and every evil thing.  But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without hypocrisy. 

And the seed whose fruit is righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace. 

©2013, 2014  DianaDee Osborne;  all rights reserved.  But feel free to print with copyright info, & share for nonprofit usage!

EVEN MORE of God's Chapter 3 Patterns.. by DianaDee Osborne

FEBRUARY  6

MORE of GOD'S EXCITING PATTERN:  CHAPTER 3s...

"Chapter 3 Defeats Satan"   (draft song)
ALBUM:      Amazing Word 'n' Worship
Future Song location:   http://dianadeeosbornesongs.comSongs-2014.php

chorus....

              All who love Jesus live!

   Chapter 3,  Satan's FUTURE DEFEAT --

             by Jesus -- Revelation 3.      

4

When Satan says You NEVER win _ 
says to give up--- you'll always sin.
Laugh and quote God's WORD out loud:  
Colossians 3 -- Your LIFE is with CHRIST!

God BEATS Satan -- gives you power.

        God's pattern, Chapter 3 _  Ephesians. _ _ _

God's son Jesus redeemed me from sin.

        God's pattern, Chapter 3 _  Galatians. _ _ _

CHAPTER 3,  First Book of John --

          Jesus will DESTROY  Satan. _ _ _

CHAPTER 3, First Peter --- TRUTH --

        Satan and demons flee in fear  

             when you  COME beside GOD.

                               James 4:  7 and 8      
PRAYER
LORD I love you, LORD I thank you, and I  DO  draw near to You.  Protect me, I pray, for Your Names sake...... so that I may live to tell ALL people of your wonderful Greatness and Holiness! 

Colossians 3: 1-5
Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor at God’s right hand.  Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth.  For you died to this life, and your real life is hidden with Christ in God.  And when Christ, who is your life, is revealed to the whole world, you will share in all his glory.
        So put to death the sinful, earthly things lurking within you.
        Have nothing to do with sexual immorality, impurity, lust, and evil desires. Don’t be greedy, for a greedy person is an idolater, worshiping the things of this world.

Ephesians 3: 6, 16  (see the REST of this great Encouragement chapter!)
And this is God’s plan: Both Gentiles and Jews who believe the Good News share equally in the riches inherited by God’s children. Both are part of the same body, and both enjoy the promise of blessings because they belong to Christ Jesus... I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit. 

Galatians 3: 3, 22   (see the REST...)
How foolish can you be? After starting your Christian lives in the Spirit, why are you now trying to become perfect by your own human effort?  .. But the Scriptures declare that we are all prisoners of sin, so we receive God’s promise of freedom only by believing in Jesus Christ.

First John 3: 4, 6-7, 19
"Everyone who sins is breaking God’s law, for all sin is contrary to the law of God. Anyone who continues to live in him will not sin. But anyone who keeps on sinning does not know him or understand who he is.  Dear children, don’t let anyone deceive you about this: When people do what is right, it shows that they are righteous, even as Christ is righteous... Our actions will show that we belong to the truth, so we will be confident when we stand before God."

James 4:7-9
"Come close to God, and God will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, for your loyalty is divided between God and the world.  Let there be tears for what you have done. Let there be sorrow and deep grief. Let there be sadness instead of laughter, and gloom instead of joy.  Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up in honor."

©2013, 2014 DianaDee Osborne;  all rights reserved.  But feel free to print with copyright info, & share for nonprofit usage!
Other encouraging resources:  http://DianaDeeSongStories.blogspot.com

MORE of God's Chapter 3 Patterns .... by DianaDee Osborne

FEBRUARY  5

MORE of GOD'S EXCITING PATTERN:  CHAPTER 3s...

"Chapter 3 Defeats Satan"   (draft song)
ALBUM:      Amazing Word 'n' Worship
Future Song location:   http://dianadeeosbornesongs.comSongs-2014.php

3

When Satan blasts you about your past _ Quote God's Word about battles HE lost: _
God beat Satan in the Garden of Eden --

     God's pattern Chapter 3,  GENESIS. 

God beat Satan using  Moses  --

     God's pattern Chapter 3,  EXODUS. 

      By Christ's blood,  Satan CANNOT  WIN! _

             Second Peter 3 -- time coming _ when _

     Jesus RETURNS!    BLASTS Satan.   

              All who love Jesus live!

   Chapter 3,  Satan's FUTURE DEFEAT --

             by Jesus -- Revelation 3.      

PRAYER
LORD I love you, LORD I thank you, and I  DO  draw near to You.  Protect me, I pray, for Your Names sake...... so that I may live to tell ALL people of your wonderful Greatness and Holiness! 

Genesis 3  - explained in Romans 5

Exodus 3

2nd Peter 3
Verse 9: The Lord isn’t really being slow about his promise, as some people think. No, he is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent.
 
Revelation 3
Verse 11 on: I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take away your crown. All who are victorious will become pillars in the Temple of my God, and they will never have to leave it. And I will write on them the name of my God, and they will be citizens in the city of my God—the new Jerusalem that comes down from heaven from my God. And I will also write on them my new name. Anyone with ears to hear must listen to the Spirit and understand what he is saying to the churches."

James 4:7-9
Come close to God, and God will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, for your loyalty is divided between God and the world.  Let there be tears for what you have done. Let there be sorrow and deep grief. Let there be sadness instead of laughter, and gloom instead of joy.  Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up in honor.

©2013 DianaDee Osborne;  all rights reserved.  But feel free to print with copyright info, & share for nonprofit usage!
Other encouraging resources:  http://DianaDeeSongStories.blogspot.com

Discerning Prophets and Dieters ....... by DianaDee Osborne

FEBRUARY  5

     PROPHETS.      DIETers.   

           An Odd combination.   What do they have in common?

Well, first of all for my blogs --- Almighty God.  Everything I write is -- with prayers for
HIS wisdom and not mine -- written about
RELATION-SHIP  WITH  ALMIGHTY  GOD.

That's the only thing that really matters in life, because 

that's the only thing for you that will LAST into the NEXT life....   and yes -- there is life after death.

Mathematically speaking,  there are FAR too many evidences 
to ignore.... if we are truly seeking to discern truth.  
       Setting aside PRIDE in our own logic and knowledge
             with a humbleness that realizes,
                    Hey,  I'm NOT really a great fount of Wisdom.
Mathematically speaking,  there are FAR too  times in your life 
as well as mine seeing how it couldn't   be  "just  luck" .... 
         The right thing at the right time SO many times?
                   Once, twice, even 20 times -- maybe luck.  But all through your life?

BACK TO Prophets and Dieters:

A radio preacher was teaching how SATAN tries to give us FEAR.

If you don't believe in Satan, 

you don't believe in Jesus as being Truthful.   
Repeatedly Jesus  SAYS Satan is a REAL PERSON -- not 
     a "representation of evil."  Start with John 8:44  and Luke 10:18.  (there are many more)

A "PROPHET" told the radio preacher that he was going to get extremely ill and 
perhaps die during the next year.  The preacher went to God in prayer.  
The "Word" that the preacher heard in his heart from God was this:
       Look at this woman's life.  Is she showing my joy, peace, love for all people?
                   Or does she gossip and complain and get upset easily?
The preacher's answer was clear: 

     A prophet is someone with a MESSAGE from God.

           And God does not use persons who do not 

                 have Him within....  

and a person without God within shows this by being complaining, upset, and etc. all
the time.  We're not talking about emotions day to day.... but a lifestyle.

BACK TO Prophets and Dieters:

CAN  God give people a message through me?  Through you?
Or do people look at my (not-sometimes but) constant chaotic food choices,
or complaining word choices,  or over-anything choices that seek peace somewhere besides OR "in addition" to God?
Fruits of the Spirit:  Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness,   self-control.  

          If I don't have these,    can God use me to 

        share His Messages to His world of people?

 

GOD'S ENCOURAGEMENT  and  DEFINITION

People can TELL who does or does not have God's Holy Spirit, by their actions AND their words of wisdom:
Acts 6  (see verses 3, 8, 10) -- this is how Stephen was known to have God's Holy Spirit within Him:  "Therefore, brethren, seek out from among you seven men of [good] reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business... And Stephen, full of faith  and power, did great wonders and signs among the people. And they were not able to resist the wisdom and the Spirit by which he spoke" 

PRAYER
LORD, and I do mean  "LORD"  -- I pray you will help me have the mind and heart of Christ Jesus.... with all the fruits of Your Holy Spirit.  Not just for my joy, but so that I can bring YOU joy, sharing your messages with other people so they see you as the Great God that You are.  Please help me to truly reflect you.... Second Corinthians 3:18.  I cannot without You.
 

©2013 DianaDee Osborne;  all rights reserved.  But feel free to print with copyright info, & share for nonprofit usage!

The Architect's Chapter ............ by DianaDee Osborne

FEBRUARY  3

Hebrews 3, God comparing Jesus's work to an architect:

THE ARCHITECT'S CHAPTER
"For he [JESUS]  was faithful to God, who appointed him,
just as Moses served faithfully when he was entrusted with God's entire  house.
But Jesus deserves far more glory than Moses,
      just as a person who builds a house
        deserves more praise than the house itself.
For every house has a builder, but the one who built everything is God.
Moses was certainly faithful in God's house as a servant.
His work was an illustration of the truths God would reveal later.
But Christ, as the Son, is in charge of God's entire house.
And we are God's house,      * IF *   
we keep our courage and remain confident 
in our hope in Christ.
That is why the Holy Spirit says, "Today when you hear his voice,
don't harden your hearts as Israel did when they rebelled, when they tested me in the wilderness.
There your ancestors tested and tried my patience,
      even though they saw my miracles for forty years.
     GOD'S WARNING       
Be careful then, dear brothers and sisters.
Make sure that your own hearts are not evil and unbelieving,
        turning you away from the living God.
You must warn each other every day, 
while it is still "today,"
so that none of you will be deceived by sin and hardened against God. 
Paul quotes God's warning in Psalm 95: 7-11,

So I     [God]     was angry           
       with them, and I said,     

'Their hearts always turn away from me. 

They refuse to do what I tell them.'
     So in my anger I took an oath: 

 'They will never enter My place of rest.'"(Psalm 95: 7-11)

WITH THANKS TO GOD WHO SENT JESUS

TO PROVIDE A WAY FOR US TO TRULY REPENT

AND BE FORGIVEN OF ALL SINS......  See the book of First John.
 
PRAYER
God, soften my heart to be as YOURS,  seeking to be HOLY through Jesus, our LORD and Savior.  I pray this,  from my heart.  Be the Architect of my life.  Help me follow Your blueprints.

©2013 DianaDee Osborne;  all rights reserved.  But feel free to print with copyright info, & share for nonprofit usage!

God's Exciting Chapter 3 Patterns ..... by DianaDee Osborne

FEBRUARY  2

GOD'S EXCITING PATTERN:  CHAPTER 3 s...
Much joy is found in Chapter 3 of many Bible Books.
Check it out!
John 3 of course--- 16 & 17, God So Loved verses
Hebrews 3:  For we have become partakers of Christ if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast to the end,
James 3:17  But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy.

Draft song based on that concept:

"Chapter 3 Defeats Satan" 

ALBUM:      Amazing Word 'n' Worship  
FUTURE Song location:   http://dianadeeosbornesongs.com/Song-2014.php

1

When Satan tries to change the subject, 
as you pray for forgiveness,
blames you, warns how God hates sins.... 
laugh and say back to _ him _

"You are right and I have sinned. _ 
But I sorrow for my sins. _

With Christ's blood, I am forgiven _ 
'cause I love Him and repent."

  Chapter 3 _ God's pattern _ In His Hebrews book. _ _ _

  Chapter 3, I'm not deceived:  _ Not   hardened 

          by my _ sins. _

2

When Satan tries once more to deceive,
and he will -- Jesus said, John 8: 44, _
Laugh and declare NOT to Satan _ 
but aloud to Jesus your LORD: _ 

"Jesus, you're right, I know I've sinned. _
And I sorrow for my sins._

By Christ's blood, I am forgiven _ 
'cause I love YOU and repent."

  Chapter 3 _ God's pattern _ In His Book of John. _ _ _

  Chapter 3, I'm not deceived:  _  NOR  CONDEMNED 

            for my _ sins. _

PRAYER
LORD I love you, LORD I thank you,  Lord I seek not only your forgiveness, but your help in living the way that please YOU.  Please forgive and help me.

©2013 DianaDee Osborne;  all rights reserved.  But feel free to print with copyright info, & share for nonprofit usage!
Other encouraging resources:  http://DianaDeeSongStories.blogspot.com 

Amazing and Scary Things ...... by DianaDee Osborne

FEBRUARY  1

ONE THING ALWAYS ASTOUNDS ME....
        How I REPEATEDLY  try to diet and fail.

ONE THING ALWAYS AMAZES ME ......

        How God ALWAYS still loves me AND forgives when I ask.  IF  I truly repent and ask.... which I have done and do now.

ONE THING ALWAYS ENCOURAGES ME....
        How many times in His Word God tells me
              He will HELP me when I ask.

GOD'S ENCOURAGEMENT:  Philippians 4:13    LINK

I can do all things through Christ Who strengthens me. NKJV

For all things I have strength, 

         in Christ's strengthening me.  Young's Literal Translation.
Todo lo puedo en Cristo que me fortalece.......... RVR
==================================================================

ONE THING ALWAYS SCARES   ME.... And  it 
       should scare YOU too:
All of God's prophecies for Israel AND for
             us who are "grafted in"  (Romans 11), like Joel 2,
promise not only will God forgive all who return to Him ---
But that
A  TIME  EVENTUALLY COMES when GOD says  "ENOUGH"!. 
   Like 400 years of SILENCE after God's
warnings through MALACHI, when

   Israel KEPT REPENTING IN THEIR WORDS ---

         but their ACTIONS showed  they wanted 

          their sins  more than they wanted God.

                    Do  I ?     Do   you ?                             

PRAYER
God please forgive.... and keep forgiving.  For I truly DO repent.  But I need your help.  I pray Lord Jesus Christ, strengthen not only me for doing right including in my food choices and habit choices and word choices --- strengthen my HEART for pleasing YOU.  For You surely deserve the very best from me.  I love you.

-------------

©2013 DianaDee Osborne;  all rights reserved.  But feel free to print with copyright info, & share for nonprofit usage!
Other encouraging resources: 
Songs like "DIETER's PRAYER" and other song prayers at 
    Song location:   http://DianaDeeOsborneSongs.com/Songs-2008-2012.php