27 February 2014

Intentional Sacrifice

**Intentional Sacrifice: Lysa talks about lasting, sustainable discipline and the importance of making one wise choice after another. What will this look like for you after our study ends? Do you believe it is possible?**

As I read the chapter 17 in Made To Crave (The Very Next Choice We Make), I found I needed to understand what sustainable means.  Its a word I've used over my life time but never put it and discipline together.  Do you know what I'm saying?  We are looking at "maintainable" discipline. We are looking at an "encouraging" discipline.  Is it even possible to "maintain" such a discipline?  Is it possible to "maintain" discipline when it comes to the food in my life?

Well, to answer that question, I need to look at the other disciplines in my life.  Is it possible for Vivian to have sustainable discipline when it comes to other choices?  YES!

Why?

1)  I don't want to rotate men in and out of my children's lives, therefore, I choose NOT to bar hop, pick up any Tom or Harry that gives me some sort of attention.

2) I don't want to displease God who has been so faithful in providing for me!  I know there's not a man who can fill me nor complete me the way God can. If He wills for me to marry someday, He'll make it happen.  If He doesn't want me to marry, then contently single I'll remain! :)

There's other disciplines I maintain too!  Each one of these isn't by my own strength!  Each one has two part accountability.  There is God's Holy Spirit and then there is a person or people I do not wish to disappoint.  It's God's Holy Spirit Who gives me the strength and reminds me there is something better in store for me when I choose to listen to His guidance, teachings, and shepherding.  It's family, both my physical family and my spiritual family, who love me and want the best for me and I want the best for them.

So, why can't I have a sustainable discipline with food?  All I have to do is apply the same concept!

1) I'm powerless on my own and need to rely on God's special gift ... The Holy Spirit.
2) I want to be around for my children's future stuff: graduations, weddings, even their children
3) I want to show God's faithfulness to others but I also want to show my faithfulness to Him; I want to be faithful to God's promptings and walk in His Spirit.
4) I want to be strong (physically) enough to help my elderly mother; and to help her quit worrying about my weight ... it really stresses her out because she knows I'm destined to have what she and my siblings have: heart disease and diabetes.  My mother has NEVER been over weight BUT if she were, she wouldn't be able to keep her blood/sugar in check.
5) I want to present my body as a living sacrifice to God.  (I heard a joke about living sacrifices!  "The problem with living sacrifices is they crawl off the alter!" LOL Oh, how many times have I crawled off the alter?)  A living sacrifice pretty much means what have I been willing to give up for Jesus Christ?  If I were to be thrown in prison because of my faith ... And the guards rolled in this tray of good smelling food ... And said "In order to eat till your stomach is content, deny Jesus Christ" ... Would I be able to withstand the smells, the growling stomach, and say "Jesus is my Savior and LORD!"  OR "Would I deny Jesus just to be able to eat?"  Well ... I won't be able to withstand that temptation in prison if I can't withstand that temptation now!!

What choices do I need to make?

1) I need to plan my days better! Have bananas, apples, or something healthy to reach for when I am hungry but it's not time to eat the full meal
2) Don't buy junk food to be in the house that triggers my nose.
3) Breads.  I LOVE BREADS! Name it!  Know what my two favorites are?  Pizza crust from like Domino's or Papa John's.  AND Those croissant rolls from Sam's Club!  Those are the top 2!! So, don't buy them! LOL  If I have only one, I can't stop at one.  
4) When making choices, include God in the decision making.  Pray.  When the cravings hit, pray.
5) One of the things I struggle with is scripture memory. I have managed to memorize some verses BUT what I have found is when the cravings hit, the brain shuts down. Keep scripture cards or verses written in a handy dandy purse size or pocket size book. Keep "go to scripts" on me at all times.  When the cravings hit and the brain can only recall John 3:16, I can whip out another verse to go with it! Especially here in the beginning stages!

I love how people say "God will do ALL  the work".  Well, that's only partly true. There is something I have to do.  I have to make the choice, the intentional sacrificial choice, to obey God.  It's a contract. IF I'm willing to live in obedience and mercy, He's willing to give me the strength to live in obedience and mercy.  
3. Intentional Sacrifice ~ Lysa talks about lasting, sustainable discipline and the importance of making one wise choice after another. What will this look like for you after our study ends? Do you believe it is possible? - See more at: http://proverbs31.org/online-bible-studies/current-study/#sthash.veeX00YO.dpuf
3. Intentional Sacrifice ~ Lysa talks about lasting, sustainable discipline and the importance of making one wise choice after another. What will this look like for you after our study ends? Do you believe it is possible? - See more at: http://proverbs31.org/online-bible-studies/current-study/#sthash.veeX00YO.dpuf
3. Intentional Sacrifice ~ Lysa talks about lasting, sustainable discipline and the importance of making one wise choice after another. What will this look like for you after our study ends? Do you believe it is possible? - See more at: http://proverbs31.org/online-bible-studies/current-study/#sthash.veeX00YO.dpuf
3. Intentional Sacrifice ~ Lysa talks about lasting, sustainable discipline and the importance of making one wise choice after another. What will this look like for you after our study ends? Do you believe it is possible? - See more at: http://proverbs31.org/online-bible-studies/current-study/#sthash.veeX00YO.dpuf
3. Intentional Sacrifice ~ Lysa talks about lasting, sustainable discipline and the importance of making one wise choice after another. What will this look like for you after our study ends? Do you believe it is possible? - See more at: http://proverbs31.org/online-bible-studies/current-study/#sthash.veeX00YO.dpuf
3. Intentional Sacrifice ~ Lysa talks about lasting, sustainable discipline and the importance of making one wise choice after another. What will this look like for you after our study ends? Do you believe it is possible? - See more at: http://proverbs31.org/online-bible-studies/current-study/#sthash.veeX00YO.dpuf

6 comments:

  1. I love your steps/plan! I have implemented some as well. I have also struggled with scripture memorization and need to do better with the note cards! thanks for the inspiration!

    ReplyDelete
  2. I especially liked your "when making choices, include God in the decision making". I had ignored his voice for far too long in the area of food. Blessings to you as you make the next choice a good one!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Great plan! I've implemented some of these as well. Thank you for the encouragement and reminder to keep pursuing God. Great job!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Vivian, you share some fantastic strategies to keep moving forward and cementing these new disciplines into your life. It's so great that you see the need to include God in your decision making and I pray He makes you strong to continue this journey!

    :) Missy (OBS Blog Hop Team)

    ReplyDelete
  5. Vivian! I loved it! Life is all about choices & it sounds like you are making some great ones.

    Stela (OBS Small Group Leader)

    ReplyDelete
  6. Thanks each of you for stopping by! New choices are hard but I know with Christ it is possible to make the changes and with Christ it is possible to stick with those changes! WE are ALL COURAGEOUS! :)

    ReplyDelete