Since I have used this Bible passage as an example of how the Lord God has positively influenced my overeating, this doesn't necessarily reflect the whole meaning of the verse. Debbie

COE Support Note:

If you REALLY want to read how Christ helped me throughout this weight loss and even when I was tempted, you should read some of the 100's of previous posts on https://christianovereaterssupport.blogspot.com/

A New Beginning!

Acts 15:18 Known unto God are all His works from the beginning of the world.

If God know everything from the beginning of the world, then He surely knows of every time I ate more than I should have. I lied about how much I ate to others. I snuck food or stashed it away just for me. Of all the times, I tried to rationalize the weight the scale told me, and all the times when I tried to give others advice, when I wasn't listening to my own.

 So, if God could love me in spite of all these things and all the things I've done in the past that I don't want anybody to know about, why is it so hard to love myself?????  You know that's a very big question! If Christ is forgiven me, why can't I forgive myself????

 Well, enough is enough, and if Christ can forgive me for everything, and I mean EVERYTHING that I have thought, said or done in my life, then I think He wants me and He wants you to have a new beginning--not holding on to the things we don't want anyone to know about. Not holding on to our inadequacies, but turning those over to Christ's very capable hands, so that we have a New Beginning, reveling in the love, grace and forgiveness of God! Pass this wonderful message on!

Because these posts are examples of how I've applied these Bible verses to my life, they don't necessarily reflect the whole meaning of the Bible verse. Debbie

For Those Confused: God is Not the Author of Confusion, but of Peace!

1 Corinthians 14: 31 For ye may all prophesy one by one, that all may learn, and all may be comforted. 32 And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets. 33 For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.

I know that there have been many times in my life where I have been confused about things and turned to food to comfort me. I have since learned to turned to Christ in those times and He gives me that Peace Which Passes All Understanding. He can do the same for you, should you be a person who gets confused when similar Bible passages have inconsistencies. There are some who use these inconsistencies to talk people out of their faith in Christ, making the person sound stupid for believing in God to start with. Remember, God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, so I hope to give an example to rectify this issue for those who are confused.

 When I was about 8, I was walking home from church and there was a car accident right on the corner of the block I lived on. I looked around and there were no adults to be seen to help, so I ran to my house and told my parents to call the police because of the accident. Then, I walked back to the corner, because I figured that the police would need my eye witness account. When I got to the corner, I saw several different adults telling the officer exactly what they saw and the officer really wasn't interested in talking to an 8 year old as a witness of the recent accident. For many years, I thought those adults lied. How could they know what happened, since there was no one else out in that area, besides me? Well, as an adult, I have realized that I may have overlooked many things that I didn't understand, at that point. It could have been that someone was in their kitchen washing dishes and saw out the window. Someone could have been working in their yard and was able to see the accident over the fence. Back then, people didn't have the tall fences that they do now. Someone could have been watching TV and could have seen the whole thing out their front room picture window. It's a matter of perspective!

 As an example, I will share four passages, one from each of the four gospels about when Jesus chased the money changers out of the temple.

 Matthew 21:12-13  Then Jesus went into the temple of God and drove out all those who brought and sold in the temple, and overturned the tables of the money changers and the seats of those who sold doves. And He said to them, "It is written, 'My house shall be called a house of prayer," but you have made it a den of thieves.' "

 Mark 11:15-18 So they came to Jerusalem. Then Jesus went into the temple and began to drive out those who bought and sold in the temple, and overturned the tables of the money changers and the seats of those who sold doves. And He would not allow anyone to carry wares through the temple. Then He taught, saying to them, "Is it not written, 'My house shall be called a house of prayer for all nations'? But you have made it a den of thieves.' " And the scribes and the chief priests heard it and sought how they might destroy Him; for they feared Him, because all the people were astonished at His teaching. 

 Luke 19:45-48 Then He went into the temple and began to drive out those who bought and sold in it, saying to them, "It is written, 'My house is a house of prayer,' but you have made it a 'den of thieves.' " And He was teaching daily in the temple. But the chief priests, the scribes, and the leaders of the people sought to destroy Him, and were unable to do anything; for all the people were very attentive to hear Him. 

 John 2:14-16 And He found in the temple those who sold oxen and sheep and doves and the money changers doing business. When He had made a whip of cords, He drove them all out of the temple, with the sheep and the oxen, and poured out the changer's money and overturned the tables. And He said to those who sold doves, "Take these things away! Do not make My Father's house a house of merchandise!"

 I used to take my frustrated 6th graders out to the playground each year when a ruckus would arise about someone not going out when they had clearly hit the 4 Square line. I would put half of the students on the far right of the center line and the other half on the far right of the center line. I would go and bounce the ball a few inches short of the left side of the center line and ask if I was out and had hit the line with the ball. All those on the right side were adamant that I would have been out. Then, I bounced the ball a few inches to the right side of the center line and asked the same thing. Some would say I was out, but by this time they started to understand that it depended on their perspective or where they were standing and viewing the situation.

 Well, the same thing holds true in the Bible, in some situations. They all saw Jesus overturning the tables of the money changers who were selling in the temple. Does it matter that one of the Apostles was more descriptive and told that Jesus made a whip of cords or that he listed more of the animals that were being sold? Does it negate the observation of the other three Apostles? He may have seen more from his perspective or he might have remembered more of the details. Remember, this was a very chaotic event and a lot was happening at that time. 

 Some of the details may have been skewed somewhat, based on their perspective, but it doesn't mean that the situation never happened. They all heard Jesus say the same basic thing about His house being a house of prayer but they have made it a 'den of thieves.' Does it matter that three of them referred to it as a den of thieves and one called it a house of merchandise? Does it negate the witnesses, because they didn't say everything word-for-word the same? Of course not, actually, it makes it a much more credible testimony, but there are those who would try to confuse Christians with details like this and make the Bible sound like it is full of lies, which it isn't. Remember God is not the author of Confusion, but of Peace!

I Was Hungry and Shouldn't be, I Needed the Fullness of God

Ephesians 3: 17 That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; 19 And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fullness of God.

I realize this isn't exactly what this Bible passage is talking about, but it did seem to apply to my situation in a different way today. I ate a late breakfast around 10:00 a.m. Usually, I eat breakfast first thing, but today, I had to run some errands, first. 

 I was thinking about how hungry I felt and couldn't wait for lunch. I looked at the clock on my computer and realized that it was only 11:30 a.m. That means that there's only been one and a half hours since I ate my breakfast. That's not enough time for me to be that hungry.  I realized that I needed to drink some water right away. Sometimes a person is really thirsty and they think that they are starving when they are just dehydrated. 

 Then, I need to be prayerful about whether there is something stressing me that's causing me to feel like I'm hungry-that's what I'm doing right now. I'm uncertain at this point, and need to focus on being filled with all the fullness of God, instead of thinking of eating. Actually, by the time I typed the previous sentence, it dawned on me that I've had to deal with some things and paperwork related to my dad's passing a few weeks ago. I think that's what it is. I miss my dad and taking care of these issues reminds me of how much I truly miss him! I am so thankful that Christ showed me what was bothering me rather than letting me eat the doorknobs off. That's one of my sayings, "I'm so hungry, I could eat the doorknobs off!"

Because these posts are examples of how I've applied these Bible verses to my life, they don't necessarily reflect the whole meaning of the Bible verse. Debbie

Not as Honest as I Like to Think I Am

1 John 1: 8 But if we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us.

I recently went to a library when we were out of town to try to update my out of date GPS. The librarian was very supportive, but I couldn't get it to work, because I needed a certain type of cord. I went and bought the needed cord and went back to the library, but I still couldn't update the maps on my GPS. I needed to download a particular program in order to do so.

 I knew I shouldn't have done it on a library computer, but by that time I wanted to complete this task so much that I let it overpower my better judgment, as I pushed the Install Now key. Fortunately for the library, they had blocked customers from downloading and installing programs on their computers and I was unable to update the maps on my GPS. I thanked the librarian for her help and she asked me several questions in hopes to help me remedy the issue. I told her that it wanted me to download a program in order to make the update, but I hemmed and hawed around implying that I hadn't done it, but I really had. 

 It bothered me right after I had done it. It reminds me of the days when I used to eat over every time I did something wrong in the eyes of God and ate and ate and ate when I turned in the coupon for a different brand of pineapple, sticking it in the middle of my other coupons. Sure, the grocery store person and the librarian didn't know what I had done, but God did and so did I. I prayed and prayed about this and tried to go back to the library the next day but it was closed. Several weeks later, I was in the same location and asked my husband to drive me by the library before we left, so I could apologize to the librarian. I'm so blessed to have such a supportive husband! I apologized to the librarian and told her that I had tried to download the program, although I knew I should do it. She was very gracious about it and I'm so glad that I was finally honest and admitted what I had done. It's kind of scary when you think about how Satan can tempt Christians in ways that seem minor, but can work a wedge in our relationship with Christ. Fortunately, Christ  gives us instincts about things, and when we listen to those instincts on our hearts, we are better off.

Because these posts are examples of how I've applied these Bible verses to my life, they don't necessarily reflect the whole meaning of the Bible verse. Debbie

The A List for God

Matthew 7: 1 Judge not, that ye be not judged. 2 For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.

I saw a picture of an actress and above her the article was titled: A List. I found myself saying that the dress she was wearing wasn't right for her. I think it was too dramatic of a color for her fair complexion and made her look washed out. Then, I realized that I was judging her. Immediately afterward, I realized that I am so very fortunate that Jesus doesn't judge me by the same critical standards that I use to judge others. 

 I feel compelled to share that somehow, I elude myself into thinking that I don't judge others and are very open. Obviously from this, I am very wrong! Fortunately for me, Christ doesn't look at me an all my bulges, floppy skin, thinning hair and many flaws and say, "Well, Debbie won't make my A List, because she's not perfect."

 Fortunately, Christ sees my heart despite all my flaws and what I truly am, a sinful human being who loves Him. He never gives up on me, even when I get swept into things like judging others and He brings me back to refocus on Him and all He's done for me. He opens my heart and tames my critical nature, showing me the errors of my ways. I am truly blessed!

Because these posts are examples of how I've applied these Bible verses to my life, they don't necessarily reflect the whole meaning of the Bible verse. Debbie

More Cravings Squelched

James 1: 12 Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love Him.

I recently posted about going to a dinner and taking the included dessert that consisted of three 1x1 inch pieces of different types of cheesecake. I figured, what can it hurt? Boy, was my thinking ever distorted. I should have known from previous experience that it could lead me back into a cycle of cravings and blood sugar highs and crashes.

 On the way home from that dinner, I craved a particular ice cream. I wanted it something fierce, but after praying about it, I didn't give into those temptations, but wanted to.  Each day since that episode, I have been craving sweets.  It's like Satan knows my vulnerabilities and he's been dangling temptations in front of me since I had given an inch or two with the cheesecake, maybe I will go the whole mile. Although this may not seem like a major thing to some who read this, if I continued to give in to Satan's temptations, it had the potential to negatively affect my relationship with my family, because I get cranky when I eat sugar, my health, because I have Hypoglycemia and it affects my blood sugar levels, and my faith, because when I turn to sweets or any food, it becomes a false god, because I've turned to the food instead of turning to Christ for comfort.

 This time, I was craving vanilla yogurt. I eat plain yogurt with my oatmeal most days, because I have Osteoporosis and my Endocrinologist suggested I add more yogurt to my diet. I wanted the vanilla yogurt in the worst way, but knew it was related to my cheesecake blunder! Being prayerful about this, Christ led me to buy some watermelon, since fruit doesn't seem to spike my blood sugar and cause it to crash at a later point. It was the perfect solution and Christ takes care of my eating issues any time I turn them over to Him. If He can do that for me, He can do it for you, if you ask Him to and listen to the instincts He gives you!

Because these posts are examples of how I've applied these Bible verses to my life, they don't necessarily reflect the whole meaning of the Bible verse. Debbie

Rolling Through without Taking Time to Look at the Scenery

1 Corinthians 8: 8 But meat commendeth us not to God: for neither, if we eat, are we the better; neither, if we eat not, are we the worse. 9 but take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumblingblock to them that are weak. 

I was lying in bed trying to read the Bible. When I have lots to do the next morning, I will sometimes read half the amount I like to read the night before, so I'm not too rushed the next morning. I don't like reading the Bible like a steam engine rolling through, but not taking time to look at the scenery.

 Anyway, I was lying in bed reading the Bible. I had the Bible leaning against my mid-section, as I read, but I couldn't read some of the verses on the bottom of the pages. I tried to push down, so that I could see what it said. That's when I realized that my stomach was so high that it covered the bottom verses.

 I pushed my stomach down several times and realized it was squishy and I wasn't in an awkward position that made my stomach higher. I really, truly wanted to rationalize the size of my stomach, but there was no way of doing so. Christ let me realize that not only my eating program that He had led me to had been lax, but my prayers to Him been lax, as well. I needed to turn these both over to Christ's very capable hands, because He alone can lead me from the slippery slope that I had been going down. With Christ as my primary focus, my life, my faith, and my eating have balance. I feel so blessed that He showed me this!

Because these posts are examples of how I've applied these Bible verses to my life, they don't necessarily reflect the whole meaning of the Bible verse. Debbie

Days After the Cheesecake Blunder

James 1: 13 Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth He any man: 14 But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.

For the next couple of days after I had given in to sampling the three different 1x1 inch pieces of different types of cheesecake, I continued to crave sugar/sweet things. I ate a decent amount of dinner, but I still craved something sweet. The reason I know I ate a decent amount of food, was because Christ led me to go through all the things I had eaten when I was trying to rationalize my hunger for sweets. Christ was right! I had eaten plenty, but I still had the craving for sweets.

It's one of the many reasons why I rarely eat sweets to start with, other than fruit. Once I try some, even a small amount, it's like Satan tells my body/mind, "See how good it tastes. You gave in once and I should eat a little more! What could it hurt?" The thing is, that once I give into temptations, it leads me into a downward spiral, not unlike when an alcoholic takes a drink after having been on the wagon. 

Additionally, after I eat sweets, it messes with my blood sugar levels, because I have Hypoglycemia and my blood sugar crashes later, sometimes the next day, and I'm cranky with other people around me. Fortunately for me, Christ reminded me of this and led me to eating some fruit, which satisfied my urge without negatively affecting my blood sugar!

Because these posts are examples of how I've applied these Bible verses to my life, they don't necessarily reflect the whole meaning of the Bible verse. Debbie

Cheesecake Blunder

1 Corinthians 10:13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.

I went to a dinner recently. Included in the price of the dinner, each person could select either a brownie or three 1x1 inch pieces of different types of cheesecake. I rarely, if ever, have dessert. I know from the 30+ years that Christ has healed me from my compulsive overeating, eating sweets is not good for me in several ways. For one, it throws off my blood sugar levels, since I'm Hypoglycemic. Usually after eating sweets, I have a period where my blood sugar drops, sometimes the next day, when I am cranky with others. Also, eating sweets other than fruit, will often get me to craving other sweets, which has the potential of being the downfall of the eating program that Christ has led me to over the years.

I didn't even resist the temptation and took the three pieces of cheesecake thinking it would be fun to sample the different types. What a blunder! After I ate them, I kept craving ice cream and not just any ice cream, but the Pistachio Almond ice cream that Braums has on occasion. 

After I got home, I kept thinking about the ice cream and wanted to find something to satisfy this urge. I needed to pray and ask Christ to heal my craving, because to eat other sweet things to satisfy this urge would just sent me in a downward spiral of eating sweets. It's just like when we are tempted with things of the world and we give into these temptations, it becomes hard to pull away from these sinful, worldly ways. Sometimes, it's difficult to stop falling prey to these temptations, but when we turn it and our weakness over to Christ's capable hands, He will free us from them, if we trust Him to.

Because these posts are examples of how I've applied these Bible verses to my life, they don't necessarily reflect the whole meaning of the Bible verse. Debbie

I've Got Wings

2 Timothy 2: 23 But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strifes. 24 And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient

It's kind of funny how I found this Bible passage to use for this post. I put the word "Wing" in my search and this passage was one of the many passages that came up with knoWing as one of the words. Initially, I wanted to write about the wings (flabby part on my underarms) that I noticed recently. The wings weren't minor ones, but major and I really didn't like realizing it. 

 At first, I tried to rationalize that these wings that I saw in the mirror had to do with having formerly been considerably overweight. Then, I realized that wings of that size couldn't only be from how heavy that I must be, but had to be related to how heavy I was becoming. How could that be? Christ took away my compulsive overeating over 30 years ago and blessed me with keeping the vast majority of the weight off for all that times. 

 So, what was different right now? I was slowly allowing myself to get too busy to focus. I prayed, but I didn't take the time to finish my prayers and allowed myself to be distracted by daily life. This passage is much more significant than I had thought when I selected it, because I find that I haven't been as patient and gentle-hearted to others and have been quicker to become frustrated.  Realizing this, lets me know that I need to be actively turning my life over to Christ's very capable hands on a daily, focused basis. 

Because these posts are examples of how I've applied these Bible verses to my life, they don't necessarily reflect the whole meaning of the Bible verse. Debbie

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