Blog Archives
Diet Results
Happy Monday! And congratulations to Alyssa Rose. I contacted her last night and she had this to say about the 10 Day Colossians Diet:
Thank you so much! I have to say I am a little shocked that I won. I didn’t see this as a way to win something but more of a great way to have a quiet time with the Lord and a place that would hold me accountable…
I think going through Colossians, I have learned a lot more about prayer, worship, and relationships. I think it has showed me on a more deeper level how important it is to be in prayer to God in a worshipful way. To pray not only for those who are closest to you that are on your mind at any given moment, but to also pray for those who might be driving in the next car beside you. You may not know them or their circumstances, but God knows them. Through this book I have learned more of the different struggles in my prayer life, and God is showing me that these are areas I need to be working on along with praying for the needs of my heart.
Congratulations again Alyssa!
After reading everyone’s comments, I think we all won going through this book together!
What was the most significant part of Colossians for you?
I really enjoyed reading and reading these passages. I feel like I really know this book now. (if we could only do this with every book in the Bible, right?!) Chapter 2 was my favorite. In particular, I love these verses:
My purpose is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. Colossians 2:2-3
So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness. Colossians 2:6-7
What kind of results did you experience?
Living a life of worship
We’re almost there! It’s Day 8 of the 10 Day Col Diet. Are you still with me? Remember, every comment you write is an entry to a fantastic giveaway! Winner will be announced on Monday.
Today’s Diet Dose: Colossians 3:16 – 4:6
Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives. Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom he gives. Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts. And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father. Col 3:16-17
Worship is not just a corporate act. It’s our every breath. In the above passage Paul instructs us to worship all the time – filling our lives with worship.
In fact, worship can be following the will of God in our Christian homes as demonstrated at the end of chapter 3. Wives submitting. Husbands loving (as Christ loves the church and gave up His life), Children obeying, etc…
The links below are previous posts written here on worship and are so appropriate for today. Dont’ worry, they aren’t long! Go take a look…
Challenge: How can you worship in your everyday moments today?
Day 7, Think on Heaven!
Day 7′s Diet Dose: Colossians 3:1-17
Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. ~Colossians 3:2
Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is worthy of respect, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if something is excellent or praiseworthy, think about these things. ~Philippians 4:8
So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. ~2 Corinthians 4:18
Parenting doesn’t come easy to me. In fact, parenting has challenged and stretched me in ways I never imagined. It seems to point out all my flaws and inadequacies.
Recently my older daughter has developed a sassy (talk back) attitude. As a family, we sat down together and read our diet scripture above, in particular verses 12-14:
Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.
We made a list of all the positive attributes Paul instructs us to clothe ourselves with to help us decide what we each needed to work on.
- Heart of mercy
- Kindness
- Humility
- Gentleness
- Patience
- Bearing with one another
- Forgiving
- Love
- Peace of Christ
- Thankfulness
Preacher-Man said he would try on on patience, daughter # 2 said she would be kind. I chose humility. And Miss. Sass my cherished daughter decided on love.
Well, wouldn’t you know it, God granted us many times during the day to work on our clothing line! The sewing wasn’t as straight as I would like it to be… but I’m not a perfect seamstress either. We’re working on it together!
As mentioned in spiritual weight loss, we can not be holy without God’s power. So, setting our minds to His power, His holiness, His strength is a worthy task.
from The Bible Knowledge Commentary:
Believers’ lives should be dominated by the pattern of heaven, bringing heavenly direction to their earthly duties. [Paul] was saying that life “in this world” will be better if it is lived by a power “beyond this world”, the power of the resurrected, ascended, glorified Christ.
Today’s Challenge: What are some practical ways we can keep our minds on things above?
- devote a particular time in your day to study or be quiet with Christ
- pray for good Christian friends to surround yourself with
- find a church to participate in worship and volunteer your time and talents
- join a weekly or monthly bible study
- memorize scripture or find a passage that helps you deal with your particular situation and write in on an index card and carry it with you throughout the day
- tell others around you what your goal is (memorizing scriptures or a particular prayer request) ask them to remind you of it through the week to help keep your mind accountable
- listen Christian praise music
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for further consideration:
Spiritual Weight Loss
Today’s Diet Dose: Colossians 3:1-17
(Welcome to the half-way mark of our 10 Day Col. Diet. Read the welcome from Day 1 for more info.)
Let me share a typical weight loss scenario in the life of ME…
-I research and decide on an eating and workout plan
-I prepare great healthy, well balanced meals
-I head to the gym
-The entire process energizes me and I start feeling great (even though my pants aren’t fitting any better)
-Within a couple of weeks I get frustrated because I’m not seeing the results I want
-I have a day of pigging out – because, well, I deserve it!
-The next day I feel awful and start the process all over again
-Fast forward a few more weeks of sticking to the plan and my pants are finally getting a bit loose
-In my mind I know that if I stick with the plan I’ll be able to wear more of the clothes hanging in my closet. But in my delirium of experiencing results I have another celebration. Not a small little treat, oh no! I gorge my body with all the goodies I have swore off for several weeks now. And my mind says, come on Shane, you can have your cake and eat it too! (hang with me there’s a point in all of this)
-The next week I still head to the gym but get lazy in my grocery shopping and therefore do not have the appropriate foods available for the good healthy meals that I really do want to make. So instead of breakfast I drink coffee. Instead of a nice big salad I eat some peanut butter left over from the kid’s lunch. I skip dinner because I’m running to the gym and have a meeting afterward. So, when I finally get home around 9pm I’m starving and send my husband out to the local fast food joint.
-The next day I’m feeling bad so I decide to forgo the gym and the eating plan all together
-By the next week the fat pants are tight again. Frustration sets in and I quit!
Ever been there?
You know, it’s the same with our spiritual life too. We decide to make healthy choices to get to know God more, to choose love not anger, to forgo our old sinful ways. But challenges come up and we get frustrated. We try to do it by our own power, but the strength isn’t there. The greed, rage, slander begin to flare up again and we feel like we’re fighting a losing battle. “I give up.”
Here’s the good news – You aren’t alone!
By our own strength we can not win. And that’s why GRACE is enough! God forgives more than we can even imagine. There’s no need to give up – because Christ has already won the battle. We can keep pressing ahead toward the goal.
Challenge: Pick one characteristic found in Col 3:5-10 to “rid of” and pick a positive characteristic to “clothe yourself with.” And remember, don’t give up! God can and will equip you for every good work. Find your strength in Him.
Diet Day 4 – Go for the roots!
(pic from jbbell.wordpress.com)***This post was published for Saturday but got slipped in behind our 10 Day Diet, sorry about that***
Today’s Diet Dose: Colossians 2:6-10 & Ephesians 3:13-21
Therefore as you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, having been firmly rooted and now being built up in Him and established in your faith, just as you were instructed, and overflowing with gratitude. (NASB)
(If you are stopping by for the first time today, you are welcome to join in the 10 Day Diet Challenge. It’s not too late! Read the intro or the greeting to day 1 for more information – especially the free book giveaway!)
I have always been fascinated by the image of taking root in Christ. One day I pray my fascination turns into a stronghold of truth.
You see, my roots are often shallow. They seem to be fair weather fans.
- If my depression flares – the roots wither and get choked by nearby poisonous weeds.
- If the kids act up – my roots turn dry and brittle then break at the first sign of challenge.
- If my relationships aren’t bearing fruit – the roots turn bitter and search for new earth.
See growing strong, deep embedded roots in Christ is not only a fascination, it’s a definite need,especially in times of trouble.
I know it takes time. Roots need to be tended in all kinds of weather. They need to be cared for - getting enough water, sun, and soil. But, sometimes, I just wish I was born with good solid roots. You know, the kind in the box that says “no assembly required”!
Read more from The Bible Exposition Commentary:
The tense of the Greek word [rooted] means “once and for all having been rooted.” Christians are not to be tumbleweeds that have no roots and are blown about by “every wind of doctrine” (Eph. 4:14). Nor are they to be “transplants” that are repeatedly moved from soil to soil. Once we are rooted by faith in Christ, there is no need to change the soil! The roots draw up the nourishment so that the tree can grow. The roots also give strength and stability.
Strength and stability in Christ – yes! That’s my quest.
So how do I, how do we, get there? Let’s allow that question be our challenge for today.
Challenge: Evaluate your roots. Are they young, older, feeble or solid? What type of soil is nourishing the roots? Are the roots getting enough water and Son-light? What can you do today to help strengthen and stabilize your root system?
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Does every diet make you suffer?
Today is Day 3 of the 10 Day Col. Diet. If you are stopping by for the first time, you may want to read the welcome from Day 1.
Day 3 Diet Dose: Col 1:24-29, Col 2:1-5 & 2 Cor 1:3-11
Every diet has its taste of suffering, doesn’t it?
Maybe its no more chocolate… or no salty foods… no carbs. ugh!
Then, of course, there’s the suffering in the gym… running, lifting, spinning… it never ends!
But, if you follow the plan – stick to it – what happens?
Results!
And that’s what I’m after today. How about you?
So what results can you expect from the 10 Day Col. Diet?
Paul states in our passage for today: I want you to know how much I am struggling… My purpose is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ…
Results? How does encouraged in heart sound? Or even united in love?
Or how about about the verses from 2 Corinthians: We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired even of life. Indeed, in our hearts we felt the sentence of death. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead. He has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us. On him we have set our hope that he will continue to deliver us…
Paul’s payoff? Relying on Christ, not self.
Want more? How about hope… hope for deliverance… hope that is full, not an empty promise.
In the midst of Paul’s words there is an underlying theme that is important for us to catch.
HE SHARES HIS SUFFERING.
He doesn’t hide, he doesn’t fold, he doesn’t fall asleep. (And he certainly doesn’t pretend that he has it all together!)
Paul continually tells his friends the truth about what is going on in his life. And the truth wasn’t pretty. However in sharing, Paul builds strength. In sharing, others find hope. In sharing, God receives glory.
Here’s the best part. Paul, being a servant of the gospel says:
Col. 1:29: To this end I labor, struggling with all His [Christ's] energy, which so powerfully works in me.
How amazing is that? Ultimately it’s Christ that gives us energy to carry on in the midst of our trials.
Day 3 Diet Challenge (this might be a tough one to swallow): Share your struggles with a friend. If you’re in a good place today, reach out to someone who may be suffering and offer hope. Don’t forget to comment to let us know you were here today!
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for further consideration:
10 Day Diet Plan
Welcome to the 10 Day Col. Diet! I’m glad you made it. And I hope you make it back everyday and participate! Starting today and for the next 9 days you will find a healthy dose of Colossians as well as a challenge for personal application. Every time you stop by, go ahead a leave a quick comment to let us know you were here. Each comment gives you an entry into a drawing. The more you comment, the more chances you have to win! The winner will get their choice of one of these book options: The Message (in denim color), Come Along, and What Happens When Women Walk in Faith.
Ready to get started?
Today’s Diet Dose: Read Colossians 1:1-14 & Colossians 4:2-4
The beginning and the end.
It’s the first and last thought on Paul’s mind.
Prayer.
Communication between friends, quiet moments listening, intimate soul searching talks.
In my journey, prayer has come and gone and come again.
I remember a time, maybe 3 or 4 years ago, where all I wanted to study was prayer. Then my depression kicked in and I moved into an isolated, lonely place hiding from God. However, God brought me back with a new desire for prayer in my life.
Prayer for some people is quiet time, reflection, meditation. It may include certain steps or move in a particular sequence. Some people record their prayers in notebooks or journal their way through prayer.
Today, God is teaching me an art of prayer that never ceases – an ongoing open dialogue that moves throughout the day. It has no rules or any boundaries. And I like it!
We always pray for you, and we give thanks to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. For we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and your love for all of God’s people, which come from your confident hope of what God has reserved for you in heaven. You have had this expectation ever since you first heard the truth of the Good News.Col 1:3-5(NLT)
This new outlook has brought new meaning to “we always pray for you.” Earlier in my journey those words sounded very intimidating. I imagined a monk in a hole somewhere with a large scroll and quill pen bringing constant supplication to the Father. (Not that there is anything wrong with that!) But if you read Paul’s writings you know he was very busy. Sure he had his solitude moments in jail. But, even in jail, read what he encourages us to do in Col 4:2-4:
Pray diligently. Stay alert, with your eyes wide open in gratitude. Don’t forget to pray for us, that God will open doors for telling the mystery of Christ, even while I’m locked up in this jail. Pray that every time I open my mouth I’ll be able to make Christ plain as day to them. (The Message)
Paul was always looking for opportunities to share Christ. He could have huddled quietly in the corner asking the guards not to disturb him because he was praying.
Of course, there are times when quiet solitude is absolutely necessary and vital for our health. But, prayer doesn’t have to be quiet. Nor does it have to be the same each and every day.
Prayer.
- consistent, constant, never-ending
- eager, persistent, tireless
- watchful, vigilant, spirited
Always praying, diligent and alert. That was Paul’s prayer life. How about yours?
Challenge: Take a base line measurement of your prayer life. How do you pray, when do you pray, do you have any rules to prayer? Then spend a few moments in evaluation. Allow God to speak to your heart about how He desires prayer to work for you.
Subscribe to Heart Reflections by Email —>Have the 10 day diet sent directly to your inbox!
for further consideration:
Take Time to Listen Today (quiet listening prayer)
Is Prayer Important (why pray)
Victories in Prayer (answers to prayer)
