Ninety Days

Begin Again, Day 1

Pat — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 05:00:25 +0000

DAY 1 COMMENTARY: BEGIN AGAIN

Hi, my name is Pat and I am a grateful believer in the Lord Jesus Christ. I welcome you to Ninety Days: Encouragement for the Christian Overeater.

This is a commentary on Day 1: Begin Again.

The verse: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, ¹⁴I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. Phil. 3:13-14

Forgetting what is behind: God calls me to live in this present time. He calls me to take His Power, right in this very instant, and run the race before me in the power of the Spirit.

Hebrews 10:39 reminds me: we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who believe and are saved.

Straining toward what is ahead: Doing the will of God will take work. This is not always an easy road to travel. Nevertheless, God is ready to provide all the power necessary to get through any testing.

1 Corinthinans 10:13 reminds me: No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.

I press on toward the goal: The devil will do all he can to divert me from keeping my eyes on Jesus. When I take my eyes off of Jesus, I lose sight of who I am in Jesus. I am no longer among the unsaved and the lost. I am a new creation in Christ Jesus.

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! ¹⁸All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: ~ 2 Corinthians 5:17-18

God has called me: Because I belong to Jesus, my life has been spoken for. I have a new purpose. I have been called to bring the Good News to the lost and to encourage the saved. I now have “beautiful feet.”

Romans 10:14-15 says : And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? ¹⁵And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!”

My overeating made it very hard for me to forget what was behind. When I was overeating I was often seized with self hate. I was overweight. I hated seeing my body mishapened by the fat. I was ashamed of how I obsessed about food and eating all the time. The indigestion was often unbearable. Moreover, the guilt of breaking promises to myself filled me with remorse and shame.

When I became abstinent in 1987, I had no idea that it would be the beginning of 22 plus years of back-to-back abstinent. I did not know, personally the God who loved me so much that he cared about my overeating. But He knew me. He loved me so much that He healed me and I want to sing His praises forever.

Perhaps as you listen today, you have lost sight of this loving God. Perhaps you have never known Him. It is my hope that this message will help you to see that the Lord cares deeply about your abstinence. He wants you clean and powerful. He wants you following in His footsteps to help the hopeless find hope.

Let the Lord clean up your act with the food so that you can be of maximum service as a follower of Jesus. Call out to Him. Asked for a filling of the Holy Spirit each time that it seems that life if too much and you need something to eat. Remember, if you have to eat about anything then you are making it bigger than God. Nothing is impossible with Him. You can get done what He calls you to do AND you don’t have to eat about it either.

Father, thank you for all that You have given to us. Thank you for all that You have planned for our lives. Help us not to be afraid. Give us faith to trust that You love us and You want us to succeed. Give us strength to follow Your call to our hearst. We want abstinence today and everyday. We can not do this without You, and we cry out to You for the willingness and strength to press on and claim our victory. Jesus is Lord and we have our victory in Him! We pray in His name. Amen.

Ninety Days Audio: Day 18

Pat — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 01:59:04 +0000

James 1:19~ My dear brothers; take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry.

Day 37: JESUS FIRST

Pat — Sat, 19 Sep 2009 23:09:19 +0000

I can get so focused on serving the Lord that I can forget about making Him the center and not the work that I desire to do. Jesus is God in the flesh and God is love (1 John 4:16). If I am so busy doing service that I don’t have time to sit at the feet of Jesus, then I am way too busy!
Each time I read, study, and apply the truth of the Bible, I am sitting at the feet of Jesus. Scripture was given by God to train me in this battlefield of life. (2 Timothy 3:16-17)
There have been times in my history when I have passed up opportunities to offer a place of fellowship because I worried that our home was not good enough, or clean enough, or pretty enough, etc. There have also been times when I have behaved like Martha: running around so hard trying to get things ready that I forgot to be kind and gracious and accepting. It is my prayer that the Lord will give me the willingness and the strength to refresh those that He sends from His storehouse of grace.
When I was first getting abstinent, it was important to understand that my abstinence is not a diet, but a way of life. As I progress in years, I see that a big pitfall is trying to make my abstinent meal bigger than life—both physically and emotionally. When finding the “biggest and the best” becomes my primary focus, then I am missing the mark again. Extra preparation and choice food is appropriate from time to time, but when it becomes a necessity for every meal, something is wrong emotionally and/or spiritually with me. I find that it is wise to step back and do inner reflection when I notice that my day is beginning to center around my abstinent food and not on the Lord. When one particular abstinent item is becoming too, too important, I pray fervently for the Lord to give me the willingness and the strength to let it go. When the willingness comes, I give Him the glory, and go on with my life.
How can I serve God if I can’t hear His directions? I definitely need to stay abstinent so that the chatter can stop in my brain. I also need to have time apart with Jesus. This includes prayer, Bible study, and reflection. True service begins with beding my heart and giving honor to God who has made all of the good in my life possible.

Day 36: SOMEBODY’S PRAYING ME THROUGH

Pat — Sat, 19 Sep 2009 21:44:39 +0000

The Bible is very clear that the believer has an obligation to pray (James 5:16). After I have vented my frustrations to another believer, I am called to allow him to pray over me. This prayer will bring about my healing through the power of Jesus Christ, my righteousness.
I am always pleasantly surprised when someone, out of the blue, calls to tell me that they have been praying for me. How loving is that! This is why it is senseless not to be honest with prayer warriors about my fears, doubts, anxieties, and concerns. These servants of God know first hand the power of Jesus and they stand on His promise to hear and answer their prayers (Matthew 7:7).
Praying in itself is not what makes the difference. It is Jesus, alone, that gives prayer its power. Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross has given the believer the right to approach the throne of grace. I am heard because I pray in the name of Jesus.
Compulsive overeating in the believer is the result of spiritual warfare. The devil knows the right lie to tell and the faith of the overeater has not grown enough to see the lie for what it is. For those of us who are not currently struggling with the food, it is our responsibility to pray diligently for those who are still believing the lie. I pray to never believe that I am “home free.” I pray to be diligent in my prayers for abstinence for us all.
One of my favorite verses about prayer is Philippians 4:6. This verse gave me permission to pray even when I did not think that I could do it good enough. As a new Christian, I often compared myself to those who had walked with the Lord much, much longer than I. Compared to them, I felt like my prayers were stilted and stiff. It was a glorious day when I realize that I could pray about my praying! I still pray about my praying. When the voices tell me that “I’m not doing it right”, I make their taunt into a prayer. I tell God that I don’t have the ability to pray rightly in my own power. I ask Him to make me better. (And He does!)

Day 35: SO GRATEFUL

Pat — Sat, 19 Sep 2009 21:02:39 +0000

Evangelism begins with Jesus Christ. I must first remember how He rescued me from destruction and brought purpose and direction into my life. This rememberance brings the necessary attitude of humility which is so essential in working with the seeking and the lost.
After Jesus drove out the demons from the man that lived in the tombs (Luke 8:26-39), the people of the town found him sitting at the feet of Jesus. He was so grateful for what Jesus had done that He begged to go with Jesus. But Jesus had a greater need for the man. He told him to go back home and tell those there how much God had done for Him. Because Jesus is Lord, where I witness will be up to Him. In truth, if my life is close to Him, I will be witnessing in every place that I go.
I never know when Jesus will send an indiviual to me who desires to hear the gospel. Knowing the Bible is not an option if I desire to serve effectively. I pray that God will keep me diligent in my daily study so that I might know and apply His word in my day to day life. I pray that I always remember that He alone gives me the willingness and the strength to remain disciplined in this area (Phil 2:13). I pray never to be puffed up because of the service He allows me to do.
After years and years of abstinence, it would be easy to get complacent about this miracle in my life. Working vigorously with those who are trying to get clean with the food reminds me to stay vigilant. I am truly just one bite away from a binge. At the same time, this fact does not keep me crouching in fear. This fact of vulnerability keeps me close to the word of God which always bring me back to Jesus. I can think of no better place to live my life.
Pride is the underlying root cause of impatience. Impatience is particularly ugly when it shows itself as I work with others who have come to me for help. Jesus waited many years for me. I pray that He keeps me far away from even thinking that another is taking too long to grow up. I pray that the gentleness of Jesus will flood each and every area of my life, each and every day.

Pursuing God

Pat — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 15:35:09 +0000

I waited patiently for the LORD; he turned to me and heard my cry. (Ps 40:1)

{ Dear Father, I am so grateful that you are a patient God who is teaching me how to wait. For so many years I ran away from you. For so many years I chased that which could never give me true peace. Thank you, Father, for not giving up on me.}

He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. (Ps. 40:2)

{Dear Father, it is only now that I can see how far down I had sunk. The devil had lied to me and I had believed his lie. He had covered up my ablility to see. He was behind the eating fixation that ruled my life. Thank you for eyes to see this today. Thank you for the willingness and strength to pursue you today and not the next food experience. Thank you for giving me a way to eat that has freed up my life to serve you well. I pray to be an example to my brothers and sisters who are still wasting their precious gift of new life through food consumption and obsession.}

He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear and put their trust in the LORD. (Ps. 40:3)

{Dear Father, thank you making Jesus the new song in my life. Thank you for the joy I feel in giving Him praise. Thank you for the example that you are allowing me to be as I follow closely behind Jesus. Thank you for your word which is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.}

THINK ABOUT IT/ WRITE ABOUT IT

Are you still running to food as a way to have have fun and/or relieve stress? Do you see that the devil is using you whenever you do this? When have you pursued God with all your might? Describe what it was like. If you have never experienced the day by day joy of working hard for the Lord, write about why you think this is so? Could your eating have anything to do with this? Why or why not?

Day 34: SPONSORSHIP

Pat — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 20:45:35 +0000

In John 14:26 Jesus tells His disciples that the Father will send the Holy Spirit who will teach them and remind them of everything He has said. This lets me know that the Holy Spirit is the teacher. When a heart is surrendered to the Lord, the indwelling Spirit can bring many blessings through that surrendered heart.
In my early years of abstinence I was told that “humility” can be thought of as ”teacheability.” Pride, humility’s opposite, keeps me resistant to learning from others. As long as I insist on doing things “my way” I lose out on vital lessons that could move me closer to the unique calling that God has made on my life. When I behave in this rebellious manner, “my way” can become an idol. (Jonah 2:8)
My abstinence requires a daily surrender to the fact that managing my food by myself is not an option. Before this present abstinence, I had many years of trying to sponsor myself. I would justify “today’s indulgences” by making promises about “tomorrow.” The truth, then and now, is that I have no promise of tomorrow. God has given me today. Turning my back on His convictions is sin. (James 4:17) When rebellion threatens to return, I am learning to stay away from the extremes of self condemnation and justification. The best use of my time is to pray sincere prayers for willingness and strength. (Philippians 4:6-7)
Sometimes I would point out the personality imperfections in a sponsor as my justification of not working with and learning from a mentor. The Bible reminds me that there is no one righteous. (Romans 3:23), nevertheless, God can use anyone or anything to teach lessons of living. He used a donkey to teach a prophet (Numbers 22:21-41). He used a servant to instruct a commander (2 Kings 5:13). He used food to teach me.
When I was first getting abstinent and had my weight to lose, there was a popular saying– “Service is slenderizing.” I have found that sincere, compassionate work with other compulsive overeaters can truly take away hunger. The Holy Spirit is needed to serve with sincerity and compassion. When I am filled with the Spirit of God, my service becomes a form of praise and this is more satisfying than the richest of foods. (Psalm 63: 1-5)

Day 33: MISUNDERSTANDING

Pat — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 15:47:16 +0000

Griefs and sorrows are a given in this life (John 16:33). But I never have to carry the burden of these alone. Jesus knows everything about me. I pray to remember to turn my mind to Him again and again when life is starting , once more, to feel too heavy.
As Jesus was proceeding toward His final agony, many misunderstood. Some even mocked and jeered Him (Matthew 27:29, 31; Mark 15:20; Luke 22:63). But Jesus knew before the cruxifiction, why He came and what was going to take place (Matthew 20:19; Mark 10:34; Luke 18:32). Because of His willing sacrifice, God sees me as His child and I have a home waiting for me in heaven.
My abstinence is a God-given gift. God knew what I needed, so He provided a way for me to live my life day by day while staying “clean, clear, and committed” with my food. Sometimes I find that the people that have the hardest time with my abstinence are the ones that need abstinence the most. I pray not to argue with those who criticize or find fault with my abstinence. Instead, I pray that they will find a way to have peace regarding their own eating and weight issues (2 Timothy 2: 24-26).
Jesus said that the devil is the father of lies (John 8:44). It is no surprise then that the devil works hard to make that which will help me, look bad, and that which will hurt me, look good. {Father, please open my eyes. Let me know when I am being lured into the devil’s schemes again regarding food abuse. Please help me to disassociate all positive adjectives from those foods that I can misuse. Help me to choose and enjoy the foods that keep my body lean and healthy. I pray this in Jesus’ name. Amen.}
It was very prideful of me to think that I could approach a holy God without a mediator. On the other hand, it would be very foolish of me to not graciously receive the ONE mediator that the Father has provided (Colossians 1:15-22). Jesus is my only mediator, which is why I pray in His name.

Day 32: A STEADFAST MIND

Pat — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 13:42:13 +0000

Peace is an inside job. Jesus Christ is the necessary ingredient for all true and lasting peace. There is a saying: “No Jesus. No peace. Know Jesus. Know peace!” Jesus has warned that I will have trouble in this life (John 16:33), but through it all I can enjoy His peace (No matter what!), because He has overcome the world.
Circumstances and conditions often threaten to take my eyes off truth. The result is that my thought can become consumed with fear and my feelings can begin to spiral downward. The love of God is eternal. Jesus has been given so that I can have a focal point for living. It is vitally important that I route out the thoughts that are ungodly (2 Corinthans 10:4-5), and fill the empty places in my life with the word of God.
God’s love is powerful. Nothing can permanently keep me down. God has redeemed me and He keeps me from being consumed by the hardships of this life. (Lamentations 3:22-23). Although God desires that I have loving relationships with others, He must at all times be the most important relationship in my life. He loves me. He guides me. He gives me the wisdom to live my life victoriously. He will never let me down. He is eternally dependable!
I have no guarantee of tomorrow. So many times, when I was struggling to get abstinent, I would tell myself that I would “go back on my diet” as soon as I completed the binge that I was emmersed in. This was a lie. The truth is that whenever I refused to admit the seriousness of my overeating, the longer it took to break its grip. For me, a recovering compulsive overeater, uncontrolled eating is a sin. Compulsive overeating is not God’s will for me. When overeating compulsively, I am relying on food to cope with life. This is fruitless and foolish (Jonah 2:8) I pray to always and at all times call on the Lord instead of running to food.
Jesus modeled the importance of prayer. (Matthew 26:36; Mark 1:35; Luke 1:16; John 17:1-26) My time apart with the Lord is the most important part of my day. When I spend time apart with the Lord, I regain an eternal perspective.

Inner Discontent

Pat — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 20:14:52 +0000

Because he knew no contentment in his bellly, he will not let anything in which he delights escape him. ~ Job 20:20

When I was actively overeating, I would sometimes refer to my binges as “chasing after the magic muffin.” I was seeking that elusive sensation that would bring about a change in my feelings. Inner discontent played itself out through compulsive overeating. I desperately sought relief in anything that promised delight. I found the lure of food impossible to resist. I would eat until I was stufffed and sick to my stomach.

Instead of food, God desires me to find my delight in Him (Psalm 37:3-6) As I read and study the Bible consistently, day after day, I find myself being filled up with Jesus. It’s delightful to discover for myself that the Lord truly loves me deeply. He knows my name and I am richly blessed!

{Open my eyes, Father, whenever I foolishly allow myself to become obsessed with food—even abstinent food! You alone are my delight. Teach me how to be content, even when my feelings are all over the globe. In the name of Jesus, rein me in. Amen.}