When Opinions Matter DIETING Parable - by DianaDee Osborne

MARCH 22                                                                          SUBSCRIBE  
"Other people's opinion's don't matter." 
That's another one of those pretty SOUNDBITES 
we hear so much on FB & Twitter, 
often with pretty pictures --
like in the 4D     Devotion for yesterday. 
                     (Daily Devotions for Daily Dieters :)
 .
Sometimes TRUE> 
Only God's opinion truly matters.  
.

We're tempted to quickly respond to opinions of us with a bit of anger, like
"I think I'm a pretty nice & caring person." 
 "God will deal with them for all their gossip." 

= COMMON REACTIONS when we hear people criticize. 
But repeatedly God's word tells US to 
encourage others to obey Him, to have what we call the 'Fruits of the Spirit' 
        (Galatians 5 end, which includes describing people who DON'T).
Sometimes God speaks to our hearts   (Psalms: "minds")
with a warning thru others' view of us.
The only way to obey: 
To pray for wisdom (James 1:5) and 
gently speak Truth to them: Ephesians 4:25, and 4:15. 
And humbly remember:
   Sometimes people will obey God by                   
     speaking Truth in Love to US. God calls us to  
   pray for wisdom, including about opinions.        
They might be God's gift to us... His Wisdom on 
how or IF to respond to opinions certainly is!

PRAYER

LORD GOD,  I confess I'm self-conscious about how I look ...
sometimes about silly things, but especially about ways people might
criticize me about, including my makeup or hair styles, my clothing, and
of course related to my weight.

Please forgive me for any unloving thoughts when people "share opinions"
with me. Help me to just pray for your wisdom, to respond kindly as Jesus would,
to consider their words, and do with them as you call us to do by seeking truth:
Either ignore them without holding grudges, or pray for how I should 
change to reflect these ideas that You've brought to my attention through them.

I'm sorry for being so self-focused. What I want MOST: To reflect you.
Help me do so, I pray... Romans 8:26 praying for help in praying!....
so that I'll grow in reflecting You as You said in 2nd Corinthians 3:18.   LINK
For I dearly love YOU, Lord, more than me.  More than me.

Supporting Scriptures  
2nd Corinthians 3:18.   LINK
"So all of us who have had that veil removed can see and 
reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord—who is
the Spirit—makes us more and more like him as 
we are changed    into his glorious image.

==========================================================
©2015 (by DianaDee Osborne (all material),  all rights reserved.  
FREE personal usage; see website.
** But feel free to print with copyright info, & share for nonprofit usage!
Contact via:  https://www.facebook.com/dianadee.osborne
With thanks to BlueLetterBible.org  for providing God's Word in easy-to-research format.  Additional encouraging resources at 
http://DianaDeeSongStories.blogspot.com

Pretty Words Soundbites Dieting Parable - by DianaDee Osborne

MARCH 21                                                                          SUBSCRIBE  
The pretty poster below is "spreading like wildfire"
on Pinterest and Facebook. And it looks nice.
I made a file to remind me of the words....
but I didn't put it in my PHOTOS directory.

I put it my computer's BIBLE STUDIES folder --
with the filename "False teaching 2nd Corin 12_10". 

The words LOOK right, 
SEEM Biblical, and-- after all-- they 
seem to Quote God's Word. 
But look it up: 
 NOTHING     about DOING stuff first and 
"THEN GOD COMES".... 

 

God ACTUALLY inspired this Word from Himself:
"Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, 
in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. 
For when I am weak, then I am strong." - 2 Corin 12:10

That POSTER is SO WRONG,  including for when we
need His help in dieting... fighting temptations (I Corin 10:13),
wisdom on what to eat that will make us healthy,
wisdom and encouragement on which exercises are best.
God yearns for RELATIONSHIP with us...
not just end results!   He loves for us to ASK HIM to
step in and be with us as our Guide all thru this 
journey of Life.
================================= 
God's Supporting Scriptures
God says just the opposite of this picture: 
Pray &  WAIT  on Him. 
Psalm 37:9 and 46:10.         CLICK ON EACH FOR LINK
Isaiah 30 as well as the oft quoted Isaiah 40 >>
     WAIT... then will RISE up like Eagles. 

FB, Twitter etc great for obeying God in encouraging each other 
(I Thess 5:11,   and  Hebrew 3:13). 
But 
BEWARE OF PRETTY SOUNDBITES. 
Satan "sounded good" to Eve-- 
and even in "encouraging", 
pretty words to Jesus.
                                        (Matthew 4   AND   Luke 4).

PRAYER

LORD GOD,  I do need Your help. I can't do like that poster misquotes of You,
struggling and failing in efforts on my own without You...
never asking Your help until I'm desperate.
I need You now and humbly ask your Presence, your Help...
As YOU invited me, I BOLDLY come to your Throne of Grace...
Hebrews 4:16.  THANK YOU for being 
          SUCH a God who gladly offers help!

==========================================================
©2015 (by DianaDee Osborne (all material),  all rights reserved.  
FREE personal usage; see website.
** But feel free to print with copyright info, & share for nonprofit usage!
Contact via:  https://www.facebook.com/dianadee.osborne
With thanks to BlueLetterBible.org  for providing God's Word in easy-to-research format.  Additional encouraging resources at 
http://DianaDeeSongStories.blogspot.com

Naughty Cat Dieting Parable - DianaDee Osborne

MARCH 20                                                                         SUBSCRIBE  
What *IS* it with cats??! Literally, for 5 minutes I walk away forgetting to close the closet door that's above stairwell space: It's like a waist-high shelf and up, so I keep my many boxes of greeting cards in there. Took out the address book to go make a quick phone call-- & then there's a CRASH. 

Lea *knows* she's not allowed thru any doors in our small open-design house. Yet the moment she gets a chance, thinks she can get away unseen...... 

Of course, I suspect that God too must sometimes
 'shake His head' wondering, 
"What *IS* it with people??" ... 
He gives us blessings far beyond little cat toys & treats... 
yet it seems we so often are searching 
for something else to amuse us....

    Why am I always seeking new foods to try?   
Is it because I'm bored with God's many blessings...
   Tired of "waiting on the LORD"? (Psalm 46:10)

When I can answer that,
I'll know a strong tool for
fighting temptations to "eat beyond".

PRAYER

LORD GOD,  Please help me to remember to focus on ALL your blessings---
more than just good food  (and it IS indeed a blessing to have more than I need,
thank you!). I ask that you help me to PUT  ON  your gifts weapons
against temptation... Ephesians 6:10-end.  Including the SWORD of Your WORD.

==========================================================
©2015 (by DianaDee Osborne (all material),  all rights reserved.  
FREE personal usage; see website.
** But feel free to print with copyright info, & share for nonprofit usage!
Contact via:  https://www.facebook.com/dianadee.osborne
With thanks to BlueLetterBible.org  for providing God's Word in easy-to-research format.  Additional encouraging resources at 
http://DianaDeeSongStories.blogspot.com

Railroad Tracks Dieting Parable - by DianaDee Osborne

MARCH 19                                                                          SUBSCRIBE  
My family traces back to Elkhardt Indiana, but I never
went there until 10 years ago. I had lived thru childhood
in towns where people's race or income level was described
by their housing... such as:
  'They're from the wrong side of the tracks'           
In Elkardt, I found that there is "no such thing".
It's a hub for many trains, and
   train tracks criss and cross ALL through the town,
   at odd angles until it's easy to see:
  'These tracks don't even HAVE sides!          



Train tracks go in many directions--
many that are RIGHT.  We just decide: Which  
one do we believe will get us where we need to be?
There are different ways to become healthy:
Diet of specific foods, just cutting calories, adding exercise,
meeting with friends for support, seeking help from a doctor...
If we ask God's help in deciding HOW to become
more healthy -- which track to take -- He gladly
gives wisdom.... His promise in James 1:5. Just ask.


God's Supporting Word 
Proverbs 3:3 -- Determine to take good path:
Let not mercy and truth forsake you;
Bind them around your neck,
Write them on the tablet of your heart,
Proverbs 3:5-6 -- Follow GOD's leading:
Trust in the LORD with all your heart,
And lean not on your own understanding;In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He shall direct your paths.


“Who knows but that perhaps 
dedication to improving health may
prepare us for future, important trials...

JAMES 5:11                              CLICK FOR LINK

"Indeed we count them blessed who endure.  You have heard of the perseverance of Job and  seen the end intended by the Lord— that the Lord is very compassionate and merciful. JAMES 5:16                              CLICK FOR LINK Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.

PRAYER

LORD GOD,  Sometimes I *feel* overwhelmed by all the decisions to make
in trying to become healthier... how to diet best for my body type, how to
find time and the right exercise... how to find doctors to help me...
which vitamins are best... or if I need more. Please help me... Give wisdom,
and forgive me on those days when I get frustrated and give up... for awhile.

==========================================================
©2015 (by DianaDee Osborne (all material),  all rights reserved.  
FREE personal usage; see website.
** But feel free to print with copyright info, & share for nonprofit usage!
Contact via:  https://www.facebook.com/dianadee.osborne
With thanks to BlueLetterBible.org  for providing God's Word in easy-to-research format.  Additional encouraging resources at 
http://DianaDeeSongStories.blogspot.com