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Every New Year is full of hope and promise. I usually renew my resolutions to lose weight, become more organized, and create more frequent blog posts. So far, I have not done much to get organized. It is the middle of February and I am still working on my “New Year’s” post. Instead of traditional goals, I will use one word for 2023 that helps me grow spiritually. I will persevere in 2023. Philippians 3:14 is, “I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.” Holy Bible, New Living Translation,Read More →

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I have flipped to the ending of a book when the action got too intense. I also search the internet for spoilers when watching a series. I can’t stand not knowing how a story ends. My life is the same in that I want to know my “endings”. Anytime I face uncertainty, I stay awake to map possible outcomes instead of resting. I waste time trying to solve a problem that can fix itself. Proverbs 16:5 is, “We can make our plans, but the Lord determines our steps.” Holy Bible, New Living Translation, 2015 God’s plans for me are better than anything I can imagine.Read More →

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Halloween is almost here. This past week, I have eaten more candy than I had in the past 5 months. My stomach is complaining. Even though I only ate a few pieces each day, my stomach complained about the excess sugar. It makes me wonder how my body processed the large amounts of sweets I used to eat. This morning, God showed me I had slipped on my Bible reading this past week. My tired brain wandered instead of concentrating on struggled morning devotionals. Since I started my day Jesus, I did not think to seek Him later in the day. Without God by myRead More →

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My mind can be as scary as a dangerous neighborhood. I know I should trust God instead of worrying. But, my thoughts can shift from calm to full blown anxiety in less than 10 seconds. My imaginary and unrealistic fears keep me awake at night. I get stressed out and forget to seek the Lord to help carry my burden. Psalm 23:4 is, “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.” Holy Bible, English Standard Version (ESV), 2001 The Lord walks with meRead More →

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The meaning of the Easter message gets deeper for me every year. I realize how much my stubbornness to surrender my food intake has cost. I once felt guilty because I continued to overeat. Instead of repenting, I found excuses. I not only feel bad because I could be smaller, but because I saw my disobedience from eating too much. Romans 5:8 is, “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Holy Bible, New International Version, 2011 Jesus died for all sin, including mine. I used to think my overeating was not that bad,Read More →

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I do my best to love others. I try to encourage those who are down and help when I can. When I am busy or tired, I forgot those “prayer requests” I promised to do. I find it hard to show love to those who are negative, mean, or hard to be around. It is hard to love, or be nice to people that bring me down. Romans 8:38 is, “And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today, nor our worries about tomorrow – not even theRead More →

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Finding satisfaction in the world is impossible. No matter how much I have, I see something else I think is needed. We are remodeling our house and I see updates we can’t afford to do. I want a few extra days after my spring break is over since the week off was not enough. My soul yearns for something not of this world to fill it. Psalm 63:5 is, “You satisfy me more than the richest feast. I will praise you with songs of joy.” Holy Bible, New Living Translation, 2015 I will never be satisfied with anything the world offers. God is the onlyRead More →

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Last week, the news of an major ice storm brought me into a sea of fear. I prepared best I could, but kept thinking “What if our electricity goes out?” I could not sleep with sounds of winter precipitation banging on my windows. I was certain our lights and heat would go out soon. When morning came and the power was still on, I still worried that it would go out. Instead of relaxing on my snow day, I wasted energy over something I had no control over 1 Peter 5:7 is, “Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.”Read More →

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Every January, I hear the world telling me to have more willpower. I know from experience that my power will never be enough. When I get stressed or have a weak moment, I sometimes slip into excess food. Trying harder does not stop me. I need more strength than I have. Philippians 4:13 is, “For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.” Holy Bible, New Living Translation, 2015 With Christ, I no longer do it alone. I tap into His unlimited strength instead using my futile willpower. There is no way I can avoid overeating on my own. I can call outRead More →

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Every New Year, I resolve to improve myself. Over the years, I have learned I am not perfect. I will never be kind enough to others and hit 100% on my personal health goals. I can resolve to do better and beat myself up when I fail. Philippians 3:12 is, “I don’t mean to say that I have already achieved these things or have already reached perfection. But I press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed me.” Holy Bible, New Living Translation, 2015 I will never be perfect. Jesus helps me make better choices and fix bad habits. He moldsRead More →