Which Voice?

I have been involved with a 12 week Team Beauty challenge for the last month.  I have enjoyed it so far.  It has kept me really accountable to my meal plan and exercise.  I am down six pounds so far and have a little over 6 pounds left before it's time to party!  

BUT today I messed up.  It started off good.  I had a great day with a shake for  breakfast and lunch.  I gave into temptation at a ladies fellowship at church tonight.  I tried to steer clear of the desserts, but I gave into a peanut butter "crack" brownie (Rice Krispy crack).  I also kept nibbling on an organic but not necessarily healthy pumpkin cobbler crumble of sorts.  I also had a few too many meatballs.  I posted my food to the accountability group, but I omitted a few details.  As I was driving home, my tummy started to feel the effects of my choices. Yes, they were my choices.  No one forced me to eat anything.  I chose to and I chose to go back.  Then it began, the thoughts.  The guilt.  The beating myself up for making the choices that I made.  But this time, I chose not to listen.  I told Satan to get out.  I prayed to God for forgiveness, and I let go of the guilt.  I nipped the thought in the bud before it had a chance to fester and eat away at me.  I decided right there that I would exercise when I got home.  I did put a video on and got a good ten minutes of exercise in.

This may not sound like a big deal, but for me this was a major victory.  I am learning to practice taking captive my thoughts and not allowing them to dictate my feelings and attitudes.  It is a work in progress, but I know that I will continue to grow.  No one is ever going to steal my joy.  I am in charge of what I think, and I choose to think on the things that are lovely, pure, and noble.  God's got a plan for you and I, we just need to make sure we listen to His voice and not the voice of the Enemy.

Watch. Wait. Listen. Learn.

What are you doing here?

What are you doing here?  I would hope that you are here to read this awesome blog post.  No, seriously, what are you doing here?  I was asked a similar question recently asking what did I give up to be here.  The question puzzled me for awhile.  What did I give up to be where I was?  My first thoughts were  a significant pay cut and a flexible schedule with many breaks.  Then my thoughts went to why was I there.  I really didn't know why I was there.  On the surface, I was to teach children about Jesus.  Below the surface, I was there to learn some very difficult life lessons.

In church the next Sunday, I learned Elijah, the prophet of God, was asked the same question.  God asked him, "What are you doing here, Elijah?"  Elijah's reponse was of despair and lonliness.  I could totally relate.  I was drained physically, emotionally, and mentally.  God showed his power and came to Elijah in a still small voice and repeated the question.  Elijah's answer remained the same.  God moved on with further instructions said, "By the way, 7,000 people have not bowed the knee to Baal, so you are not alone, just sayin'" (paraphrased). 

I pondered this question and my answer.  I was there to learn some valueable lessons about myself.  I am not alone, I don't have to do everything myself.  When I am in control, nothing goes well for very long.  When I allow God to have control, there is this unexplicable peace and joy to life even in the midst of the unknown.

At this very moment in life, God has called me to know Him more and make Him known.  I am patiently waiting for my next harvest.  What am I doing here?  I am getting to know God and telling everyone I can about Him.  I am trusting God and taking one step at a time.  What are you doing here?  Whatever your answer, remember you are not alone. God is with you if you have believed on Jesus.

If you have not believed on Jesus, you can.  It is a free gift.  You must first admit that you are a sinner (Romans 3:23).  Everyone has sinned-thought, said, or done something that breaks God's laws.  Next, you must believe that Jesus died to pay for your sin.  Sin requires payment.  Death and  separation from God is the required payment for sin (Romans 6:23).  Jesus died a horrific death on a criminal's cross for you and me.  You must believe on Jesus Christ, and you will be saved (Acts 16:31).  Then you choose to make Jesus the Boss of your life.  It is a free gift and you can't earn it Ephesians 2:8, 9 says, "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:  Not of works, lest any man should boast."  It's FREE!  That will be the best decision you will ever make in life.  Whatever you are doing here, I hope and pray that you know God or will get to know Him.  If you have any questions, feel free to message me.