Christian Living

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Diet

So how is your blood pressure? Have you had your cholesterol checked lately? Often times problems in one of these areas is related to diet and nutrition. Ah, diet. Many only see the first three letters D -I - E, and think that is what they will do if they can't indulge in their favorite foods. We all know how important proper nutrition and diet is to maintain bodily health, but because it takes effort, discipline, self-control, and diligence, we are usually not motivated to change until we hear the words heart attack, stroke, death, or surgery. Painlessly and silently we are being weakened and destroyed, and by the time we have symptoms the disease is far advanced.
The same with our spiritual health. It takes work, discipline, self-control, and diligence to maintain a healthy spirit, and yet again, until trouble comes in our lives and someone says cancer, divorce, kids on drugs, or lay-off, we just try to get by on 5 minute devotionals for busy people and spiritual junk food. Slowly and insidiously we can become hard-hearted, and develop poor circulation among the brethren. Weak and vulnerable to attacks of unforgiveness, jealousy, selfishness, and bitterness it begins to be difficult for the Holy Spirit to breathe on us and through us.
Relationships will be broken; words spoken that cannot be taken back, ministry areas neglected, and opportunities to grow passed. What are we to do before it's too late?

- DIET -
Decide to follow Jesus. Decide to discipline yourself. Die daily to yourself, and devote time to spend with the LORD in prayer and bible study. Daily make the choice to spiritually feast on the Word of God, fellowship with the Spirit and fellow believers. Devote time and energy and effort to the things of God and the kingdom.
Invest in things that are eternal and not temporary. Invite others into your life who also are seeking first the kingdom of God. As carefully as you may investigate the contents on a box of cereal, carefully investigate the teaching you listen to. There are many false prophets and those who speak of the LORD, and yet the LORD does not know them. You should not either.
Exercise yourself as Paul did to always have a conscience void of offense toward God and man. Any beneficial exercise is hard work and must be done at least three times a week, if not daily. The same effort you would put into having a healthier body to avoid a heart attack or stroke, you should put into the things of the Spirit. Carefully examine those things in your life that harden your heart against the things of God and the people of God. What are you doing that has weakened your Spirit and caused you to forget the God of your youth?
Time. Endeavor to endure to the end. Like any diet the results don't always come as fast as we would like. Persevere and continue and God will be faithful to you. Ultimately it's God who conforms you to the image of His Son. Don't give up, when it seems nothing is happening. The Holy Spirit is working and you may be surprised at the changes others notice that you can't see. Trust in the LORD with all your heart. Trust in His promises. Take His yoke upon you.
If you cannot recall a specific time and moment in your life that you recognized you were empty and dying no matter how much you fed your life with fun, romance, knowledge, and work, I beseech you to first admit you are dying. If you were really honest with yourself you know you are dead and lifeless. Jesus came that we might have life and that more abundantly. To save your life, you must lose it. Are you ready to die to self? Read the Words of a fruitful life in John 15.
My sisters, it is time to get serious about the things of God. Just as the body will be susceptible to disease and sickness, so a spiritually weak woman is more vulnerable to attacks of the world, Satan, and the flesh. I beseech you this month to take inventory of your spiritual food pantry, and take action to save yourself from this wicked and adulterous generation. Realize the seriousness of the situation. It is a fearful thing to be separated from God by sin. Confess, repent, and forsake those things that are slowly killing you on the inside. Consider the cost, and ask yourself is it worth it to gain the whole world and lose your soul? I recently read that most people lose their soul for a lot less.

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