Whom Are You Following?

Lately, I've been thinking a lot about diet & health.  I continue to seek God's guidance concerning the best way to feed my family & myself in order to work with Him in creating healthy bodies for us all.  The only food plan I've found in the past that seemed to help at least SOME of my symptoms was one that was quite low carb.  But I found myself quite concerned about the very limited amount of fruit and legumes that were allowed when eating that way.  I kept feeling there was something wrong when so much of the food God made was severely restricted.

When I read 1 Timothy 4:1-5, it seemed to be validation of these feelings. 

"But the Spirit explicitly says that in later times some will fall away from the faith, paying attention to deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons, by means of the hypocrisy of liars seared in their own conscience as with a branding iron, men who forbid marriage and advocate abstaining from foods which God has created to be gratefully shared in by those who believe and know the truth.  For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected, if it is received with gratitude; for it is sanctified by means of the word of God and prayer." (NAS - emphasis mine)

One of the things that I notice here is that not only are some of these ideas being brought to us by "deceitful spirits" - some are even "doctrines of demons".  That's pretty direct!  However, as I have come to understand how the food we eat can lead to cravings for things that hurt us, and even affect our frontal lobes creating impulsive behavior & fuzzy thinking in general, I can see how that could actually be the case!

I continued to seek God's guidance and was led to listen to a series of interviews - mostly with researchers who were MD's or PhD's, though others were included as well.  The recurring theme was "whole foods, plant based", and that description really resonated with me.  Here were people advocating eating all of the foods that God created to serve us as food (from my reading, though he later gave permission to eat meat, that was not the way we were created, nor what the animals were created for).  

Through these interviews I heard so many interesting research findings about this lifestyle in general, and also about specific foods.  I felt (and continue to feel) that it's important to look to God for my answers about diet rather than to some researcher or someone who claims to have received divine revelation.  I believe that God will tell ME what is best for me (though sometimes he may speak through someone else's ideas). It was still tempting, however, as I listened to interviews with these "experts", to start looking to their specific ideas with regard to specific foods, instead of checking in with God about what I "should" be doing.  

It was at this time that I was led to Colossians:

"See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, according to the tradition of men, according to the elementary principles of the world, rather than according to Christ." (Col 2:8 NAS)

It seems to me that at least one of the "elementary principles of the world" are that it's not true unless you can prove it scientifically.   Though I can enjoy hearing about scientific studies that demonstrate how "fearfully and wonderfully made" our bodies are, I felt I was being clearly told that I was NOT to rely on "scientific studies" to clarify my food choices.  The truth is that even if the researchers are very ethical and are doing their very best to create an un-biased environment for their studies, they can misunderstand their results.  And that's not even getting to those unethically based and downright deceptive "scientific studies".  For my specific food choices, I need to look to God, and God alone.  

As I continued reading in Colossians, I came to these verses:

"Do not let anyone who delights in false humility and the worship of angels disqualify you. Such a person also goes into great detail about what they have seen; they are puffed up with idle notions by their unspiritual mind. They have lost connection with the head, from whom the whole body, supported and held together by its ligaments and sinews, grows as God causes it to grow. Since you died with Christ to the elemental spiritual forces of this world, why, as though you still belonged to the world, do you submit to its rules: “Do not handle! Do not taste! Do not touch!”? These rules, which have to do with things that are all destined to perish with use, are based on merely human commands and teachings. Such regulations indeed have an appearance of wisdom, with their self-imposed worship, their false humility and their harsh treatment of the body, but they lack any value in restraining sensual indulgence."  (Col 2:18-23 NAS)

Father, thank you for such direct and clear guidance!  I am so grateful that you are willing to educate me directly about ALL the choices I make in my life.  Thank you for working in me to bring about the healing I so greatly need.  Thank you for your love for me & my family.  Thank you for your patience with me as I seek to know your will - and for your strength and wisdom as I make the choices you've directed.  Thank you, Father!

DO IT . . . As For The Lord

This morning I woke up from a dream about a woman I'll call "N" with whom I've had difficulty in the past because at least to my eyes she has not treated me as the friend she claimed to be.  I long ago forgave her and interactions have been cordial, though I seldom see her. 

At any rate, in my dream, this woman was in charge of a radio station that was about to go under.  As she talked to me about it, I made a suggestion about a content change that I thought would enable them to reach a much larger demographic and perhaps turn things around financially.  She wasn't at all sure she wanted to try it, but they HAD to do something.  She promised me that if it worked, she'd be sure to reward me.  At the time, I didn't feel it was necessary, but she said she would, and that was fine.

Some time later (in my dream), I happened to be in conversation with someone who talked about the station's change in venue (the change I had suggested), how forward thinking that change had been, and how the station really hit the market with the venue change at the right time.  I was pleased to hear that my suggestion had worked so well, and was eager to discuss it with "N" to hear how things had gone from her perspective.  

In my dream, I soon got my wish. She was effusive with talk of how well the change had worked, but told me that she had decided that since I already had so much, she didn't figure I really needed a reward, so she had given the reward money that she had planned to give to me to one of her friends or family members instead - because they really needed it.  She was sure I wouldn't mind.

Naturally, in the dream, I DID mind - though I didn't say so.  As I started to wake up, with that thought in my mind, I realized - "Wait a minute!  What am I doing begrudging her for her actions?  That idea wasn't mine, it was God's and indeed He HAS already blessed me abundantly.  If He doesn't choose to directly reward me through her in this situation, it's none of my business!"  Immediately, all resentment I had held toward this person in my dream left me (Thank you God!  What a miracle!)  As I lay in bed thinking about these things, a phrase came to mind.  It is found in two different places in the Bible - both written by Paul (emphasis mine):

"Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not people, because you know that the Lord will reward each one for whatever good they do, whether they are slave or free."  Ephesians 6:7-8 NIV

"Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you serve." Colossians 3:23-24 NASB

These passages are addressing the way believers who are slaves, should behave toward their masters.  As I read the passages in several translations, I realized that a few translations spoke of them being "servants" but most used the word "slaves".  And it suddenly hit me.  In the passage I was looking at the last several days (Psalm 143:8-12), one of the things I was to live, was that I was God's servant.  I had a feeling that if I looked up that word in the original language, it could also be translated "slave".  Sure enough, that's what I found.  I remembered a story I had recently read that was set in an era where slaves were common.  It was made clear that slaves could be - and were - loaned out to other people as the master chose.  The slave certainly didn't expect compensation, gratitude, or even proper treatment from the master to whom they were loaned.  They were where their master put them and that was that.  

I continued to ponder all these things and the change of heart I received the moment I chose to recognize that "N" didn't owe me anything in my dream because all my gifts and good ideas come from God.  Imagine how joy filled my life would be if I no longer felt any resentment, no matter how fleeting, toward anyone when they behaved in a way in which I would have felt slighted in the past!  What if I truly behaved as God's slave with no thought to whether or not I was receiving the earthly "rewards" to which I was "entitled"?  Another Biblical phrase comes to mind - that shows up 3 times in the NASB (again emphasis mine).  

• "In God, whose word I praise, In God I have put my trust; I shall not be afraid. What can mere man do to me? - Psalm 56:4

• "In God I have put my trust, I shall not be afraid. What can man do to me?"  Psalm 56:11

• "The Lord is for me; I will not fear; What can man do to me?" Psalm 118:6

And I suddenly realize that FEAR was at the root of my previous behaviors; fear that I would not be treated fairly.  Fortunately, I've been promised that God's perfect love casts out fear (1 John 4:18).  Thank you, Father!

Father, thank you for your continued work in me to cleanse every corner of my heart.  Thank you that you take care of me so well! I trust you, Father; I am your slave.

As I pray those words, I hear His reply:

No longer do I call you slaves, for the slave does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I have heard from My Father I have made known to you. John 15:15 NASB

And I suddenly realize how big a deal our adoption as children of God is!  We've been slaves - first slaves to sin, then slaves to Him as he purchased us from our evil master.  We would willingly serve Him as slaves for our whole lives when we realize that He purchased us and is such a caring master.  But He not only sets us free, He calls us friends! And when He sets us free, we are free indeed! ("The slave does not remain in the house forever; the son does remain forever.  So if the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed."   John 8:35, 36 NASB)

While looking up the previous verse, I accidentally hit something and found myself reading these words: 

"He who speaks from himself seeks his own glory; but He who is seeking the glory of the One who sent Him, He is true, and there is no unrighteousness in Him." John 7:18 NASB

Clearly my initial behavior in my dream stemmed from "seeking my own glory".  But in my dream, as in real life, when I choose instead to seek the glory of the One who sent me, I experience an amazing sense of freedom and true joy.

Father, I think I'm finally starting to understand some of these things.  Thank you so much for purchasing my freedom and not only setting me free, but calling me friend - and your adopted child!  You are an amazing God!  Your love is so far beyond what humans can conceive!  Father, I realize that even though you have set me free, sometimes, I have behaved as though I were still a slave to my human sinful nature.  Father, I claim your freedom today.  I am indeed your slave and willingly serve you.  I am so grateful for your friendship and your love! You are an amazing God and Father!  I love you, Father.

Quiet Strength and Discipline

This morning I awoke so differently than yesterday!  Ever since my posting yesterday, I've been filled with such peace!  I am SO grateful!  For my devotional time this morning, I decided to look up more about the "peace of God" - the phrase used in the KJV of the verse I quoted yesterday from Philippians 4:7.  The concordance only listed one other passage with that phrase.  It is found in Colossians:

So, chosen by God for this new life of love, dress in the wardrobe God picked out for you: compassion, kindness, humility, quiet strength, discipline. Be even-tempered, content with second place, quick to forgive an offense. Forgive as quickly and completely as the Master forgave you. And regardless of what else you put on, wear love. It's your basic, all-purpose garment. Never be without it. Let the peace of Christ keep you in tune with each other, in step with each other. None of this going off and doing your own thing. And cultivate thankfulness. Let the Word of Christ — the Message — have the run of the house. Give it plenty of room in your lives. Instruct and direct one another using good common sense. And sing, sing your hearts out to God! 17 Let every detail in your lives — words, actions, whatever — be done in the name of the Master, Jesus, thanking God the Father every step of the way. (Col 3:12-17 - from THE MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary Language © 2002 by Eugene H. Peterson. All rights reserved.)

What if every morning, as dress my body for the day, I also take the time to consciously dress my mind and heart with these "clothes"?  What a wonderful habit to start!  What would it mean for me to consciously dress in compassion, kindness, humility, quiet strength, discipline, even-temperedness, forgiveness, love, peace, and gratitude as I begin each day?  How would this affect the way I live my life? 

As I look over this list, I see many attributes that I seek to embody on a regular basis.  A couple of things in this list stand out to me today: quiet strength and discipline.  It seems to me that clothing myself in these attributes contributes to experiencing that peace that passes all understanding.  For some reason I've never before thought of "quiet strength" and "discipline" as spiritual attributes to aspire to.  And yet, when I think about it, the only way I can live in quiet strength is by placing my trust in God to see me through the challenges each day brings, and discipline is required to keep at it until it is an established habit. A phrase flits through my mind - "in quietness and confidence shall be your strength."  I look the verse up and find it in Isaiah:

For thus saith the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel; In returning and rest shall ye be saved; in quietness and in confidence shall be your strength: and ye would not.  But ye said, No; for we will flee upon horses; therefore shall ye flee: and, We will ride upon the swift; therefore shall they that pursue you be swift. One thousand shall flee at the rebuke of one; at the rebuke of five shall ye flee: till ye be left as a beacon upon the top of a mountain, and as an ensign on an hill. And therefore will the Lord wait, that he may be gracious unto you, and therefore will he be exalted, that he may have mercy upon you: for the Lord is a God of judgment: blessed are all they that wait for him.  (Isaiah 30:15-18 KJV)

How many times in life have I run from my problems?  Yesterday morning when I was feeling so anxious, it was so tempting to run away from the feelings by stuffing myself with food!  And I could have justified it so easily by telling myself that eating a good breakfast is important to my health!  I'm SO GRATEFUL that I chose to take my concerns to God instead!  The result of that decision was that not only did I have peace yesterday, but instead of waking up this morning feeling bloated and still anxious, I was able to awaken feeling peace and contentment!  Thank you, God!

Father, I am so grateful for the peace you've given me!  How amazing it is that I can experience such peace when nothing has changed relative to the CIRCUMSTANCES in my life that had created the anxiety.  All that was needed was a change of heart and mind - a reminder to rely on you for guidance and strength and to trust your leading in all things!  Thank you for the opportunities you are bringing my way, and the strength you give to see them through. And thank you for the clothes you've given for my mind and heart! I love you, Father!