"For this purpose I was born and for this purpose I have come into the world-to bear witness to the truth." John 18:37b (ESV)
Pilate wants to know if Jesus is a threatening king. Jesus is telling him something about kings and about truth. True kings are witnesses to eternal truth. Jesus is The True King. In stating his purpose to Pilate, Jesus is offering this political imposter an opportunity to move from the world of make-believe power into a kingdom based on the rock of eternal truth.
Pilate, like many today, scorns the idea of a singular truth. "What is truth?" he asks. Isn't truth whatever is right for me? Who is to say that anyone has the one and only truth? Different cultures have adopted truths for themselves and each one is as valid as the other, right? There are many teachers who are sincere and have taught many concepts of truth - how can we know which one is right? Does it matter? What is "right" anyway?
Jesus made his claim: "I am the truth." Either he is or he is not. What could he have meant by that bold declaration? Truth is simply the way things really are. God, as revealed in Christ, is truth. He was in existence before anything. He is ultimate reality. Before material, thoughts, and ideas, he was. All creation came from him. It all conforms to reality as defined by him. He is truth about everything. Even after sin corrupted the creation, he defines the purpose of history through the redemptive plan of revealing his Son. Since God is ultimate truth (reality), he tells the truth about everything. When he speaks, he uncovers the truth about God, man, sin, salvation, purpose, and meaning. He cannot speak deception since his very nature is truth.
When Jesus told Pilate that his purpose was to bear witness to the truth, he was declaring that he was accurately expressing the nature of God on earth through his human body. He was saying that, contrary to depraved human minds trying to justify their deviation from truth, there is a truth about everything, and he is a viable witness. There is no need for contemporary Christians to be embarrassed that Jesus said he alone is truth. If he isn't, we have no hope. Of course he is truth. He is the Son of God. He is not saying that others have not known some truth, but he is saying that he alone is the embodiment of eternal God in human form. When he speaks, he speaks truth. Those who want to live in reality must hear and believe him. Those who choose to pick and choose their reality will live in degrees of deception.
We can live in truth. Jesus said that knowing the truth would liberate us. It is our only hope. We live in a world that has been infected by deception. In this darkness many are claiming there is no final reality. But there is hope in Christ. He has sent his Spirit to guide us into all truth as he makes him known to us. Now we can be witnesses to the truth. This is not an optional luxury for the over zealous radicals. This is the way of life God has designed. We are so blessed to have access to truth. We must not ignore it.
Saturday, September 4, 2010
Where Are Today's Brave Pioneer Women? by Lee Grady
In the oil country of western North Dakota I met a brave woman pastor who is blazing a spiritual trail.
Barb Becker is one tough lady. Raised by alcoholic parents in a mining camp in Wyoming, she lived a rough life that included drugs and promiscuity. People continually told her she was good for nothing. She hated herself and became suicidal.
But in 1985, on the same day she planned to kill herself, she bought a little book called Power for Living for 25 cents at a second-hand store, read the Christian testimonies in it and prayed to receive Jesus as her Savior. She became so hungry to know God that she read the Bible straight through four times in three months and ended up getting baptized in the Holy Spirit.
It has not been an easy journey. In fact, when some church leaders suggested back in the 1990s that she should consider a pastoral position, she dismissed the thought. Despite the fact that she was one of the first women in western North Dakota to drive trucks for the oil industry, she did not feel qualified to be a pastor.
But God challenged her attitudes in May 2000 when she attended a conference in Saskatchewan, Canada. A Nigerian pastor, Femi Ogunrinde, issued a call for people to come to the altar if they were not sure of their spiritual callings. As Becker stood at the stage with her eyes closed, she thought to herself: Lord I can't do this. I'm a woman.
Ogunrinde then said into the microphone: "Some of you are telling God you cannot fulfill your calling because you are a woman."
That got Becker's attention, but she continued her silent argument with God. Lord, I can't be a pastor. I haven't been to Bible college or seminary.
Ogunrinde then said, as if on cue: "Some of you have disqualified yourselves because you haven't been to Bible college or seminary."
Becker was starting to get emotional at this point. Her protest continued: But Lord, my husband is not where he should be with You.
The Nigerian preacher responded again from the stage: "Some of you have said you cannot be a leader because your husband is not serving God."
Becker was aware that God was doing painful surgery as He challenged every one of her lame excuses. But Lord, you know I can't do this in Watford City.
Ogunrinde challenged her again. "Some of you are saying, ‘Lord, I cannot serve you in this way because of the place where I live."
At that point Becker began sobbing. She let go and surrendered to the call. When she got back to her seat, a friend jabbed her with her elbow tauntingly and said: "Do you get it now?"
Becker was ordained in August 2001 and has pastored Glory of the Lord since then. But it hasn't been an easy job for a woman to lead a church in a conservative religious community. Some people have actually shunned her.
Rita Hovet, one of Becker's best friends and supporters, says some locals first castigated Becker as "the weird lady who used to drive a truck." And Hovet added: "Some people actually used to get on the other side of the street when they saw Barb coming."
I talked to Becker at length last week when I ministered in her church. She said Christians have told her she is "in rebellion," either because she teaches from the pulpit or because her husband isn't in ministry with her.
"They don't realize that I couldn't do what I do without my husband's full support," she says. Then, with a smile, she adds: "But really, I'm not mad at anybody."
When I heard how Becker surrendered to her calling at that altar in Western Canada, I couldn't help but imagine that there are many women today—all across this country—who have disqualified themselves for the same reasons Becker listed. I believe it is time for all of us to rip up our excuses.
The beautiful scenery I saw when I was in North Dakota last week reminded me that much of the American West was pioneered by courageous women who defied stereotypes and broke molds. When Congress passed the Homestead Act of 1862, which offered free land to people willing to settle it, many women accepted the offer (years before they could vote) and endured incredible hardship to carve out farms and ranches in arid areas.
A similar opportunity has opened for women today. The Holy Spirit beckons from Acts 2:17: " ‘And it shall be in the last days, God says, ‘That I will pour forth of My Spirit on all mankind; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy'" (NASB, emphasis added).
Some Bible scholars refer to this verse as "the Great Emancipation Proclamation" for women. Because of the miracle of Pentecost, gender barriers have been obliterated. In the age of the New Covenant, the Holy Spirit's anointing and supernatural gifts are available to all, regardless of race, age, economic status or gender.
We need thousands of Barb Beckers today. My prayer is that a whole new army of women pioneers will arise in this hour to win the lost, heal the broken and claim new territory for the Lord.
Barb Becker is one tough lady. Raised by alcoholic parents in a mining camp in Wyoming, she lived a rough life that included drugs and promiscuity. People continually told her she was good for nothing. She hated herself and became suicidal.
But in 1985, on the same day she planned to kill herself, she bought a little book called Power for Living for 25 cents at a second-hand store, read the Christian testimonies in it and prayed to receive Jesus as her Savior. She became so hungry to know God that she read the Bible straight through four times in three months and ended up getting baptized in the Holy Spirit.
"My prayer is that a whole new army of women pioneers will arise in this hour to win the lost, heal the broken and claim new territory for the Lord.""I was the woman with seven devils," Becker says, comparing herself to Mary Magdalene in the Bible. Yet today Becker pastors Glory of the Lord Family Ministries, a growing charismatic church in Watford City, N.D.
It has not been an easy journey. In fact, when some church leaders suggested back in the 1990s that she should consider a pastoral position, she dismissed the thought. Despite the fact that she was one of the first women in western North Dakota to drive trucks for the oil industry, she did not feel qualified to be a pastor.
But God challenged her attitudes in May 2000 when she attended a conference in Saskatchewan, Canada. A Nigerian pastor, Femi Ogunrinde, issued a call for people to come to the altar if they were not sure of their spiritual callings. As Becker stood at the stage with her eyes closed, she thought to herself: Lord I can't do this. I'm a woman.
Ogunrinde then said into the microphone: "Some of you are telling God you cannot fulfill your calling because you are a woman."
That got Becker's attention, but she continued her silent argument with God. Lord, I can't be a pastor. I haven't been to Bible college or seminary.
Ogunrinde then said, as if on cue: "Some of you have disqualified yourselves because you haven't been to Bible college or seminary."
Becker was starting to get emotional at this point. Her protest continued: But Lord, my husband is not where he should be with You.
The Nigerian preacher responded again from the stage: "Some of you have said you cannot be a leader because your husband is not serving God."
Becker was aware that God was doing painful surgery as He challenged every one of her lame excuses. But Lord, you know I can't do this in Watford City.
Ogunrinde challenged her again. "Some of you are saying, ‘Lord, I cannot serve you in this way because of the place where I live."
At that point Becker began sobbing. She let go and surrendered to the call. When she got back to her seat, a friend jabbed her with her elbow tauntingly and said: "Do you get it now?"
Becker was ordained in August 2001 and has pastored Glory of the Lord since then. But it hasn't been an easy job for a woman to lead a church in a conservative religious community. Some people have actually shunned her.
Rita Hovet, one of Becker's best friends and supporters, says some locals first castigated Becker as "the weird lady who used to drive a truck." And Hovet added: "Some people actually used to get on the other side of the street when they saw Barb coming."
I talked to Becker at length last week when I ministered in her church. She said Christians have told her she is "in rebellion," either because she teaches from the pulpit or because her husband isn't in ministry with her.
"They don't realize that I couldn't do what I do without my husband's full support," she says. Then, with a smile, she adds: "But really, I'm not mad at anybody."
When I heard how Becker surrendered to her calling at that altar in Western Canada, I couldn't help but imagine that there are many women today—all across this country—who have disqualified themselves for the same reasons Becker listed. I believe it is time for all of us to rip up our excuses.
The beautiful scenery I saw when I was in North Dakota last week reminded me that much of the American West was pioneered by courageous women who defied stereotypes and broke molds. When Congress passed the Homestead Act of 1862, which offered free land to people willing to settle it, many women accepted the offer (years before they could vote) and endured incredible hardship to carve out farms and ranches in arid areas.
A similar opportunity has opened for women today. The Holy Spirit beckons from Acts 2:17: " ‘And it shall be in the last days, God says, ‘That I will pour forth of My Spirit on all mankind; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy'" (NASB, emphasis added).
Some Bible scholars refer to this verse as "the Great Emancipation Proclamation" for women. Because of the miracle of Pentecost, gender barriers have been obliterated. In the age of the New Covenant, the Holy Spirit's anointing and supernatural gifts are available to all, regardless of race, age, economic status or gender.
We need thousands of Barb Beckers today. My prayer is that a whole new army of women pioneers will arise in this hour to win the lost, heal the broken and claim new territory for the Lord.
Su Tiempo Señalado Le Espera por Francis Frangipane
Tiempos Señalados
A pesar de la creciente conmoción en nuestro mundo, un ultimo, gran derramamiento de misericordia durante los tiempos finales permanece (ver Mateo 24:14; Hechos 2:17). Esta estación sobrenatural de gracia ha sido predeterminada. Es un “tiempo señalado” del Señor.
Para aquellos que no son conscientes, un tiempo señalado es, en verdad, un abierto despliegue de la soberanía y poder de Dios. En el descubrimos con absoluta certeza que nada es imposible para Dios. Porque esta es una estación donde Dios cumple Su voluntad en la tierra, llevando a realización en el proceso Sus promesas, y las esperanzas y sueños de Su pueblo.
El Salmista escribió, “Mas tú, Jehová, permanecerás para siempre, Y tu memoria de generación en generación. Te levantarás y tendrás misericordia de Sion, Porque es tiempo de tener misericordia de ella, porque el plazo ha llegado” (Salmo 102:12-13).
Hay un tiempo señalado que viene para Israel, y un tiempo señalado para usted y para mí. Si el Señor lo ha prometido, ciertamente El lo hará ocurrir.
Recuerde: Abraham y Sarah habían esperado en fe durante un cuarto de siglo por la promesa de Dios. Finalmente, al llegar casi a sus cien años de edad, el Señor le dijo a Abraham, “Al tiempo señalado volveré a ti, y . . . Sara tendrá un hijo” (Gen .18:14). Un año más tarde, “en el tiempo que Dios le había dicho” (Gen. 21:2), ¡Isaac nació a la vejez de sus padres!
Mientras que ciertamente hay, tiempos señalados de juicios (ver Marcos 13:33), la frase en la mayoría de los casos representa un tiempo, preestablecido por Dios, cuando El revela “maravillas, designios concebidos desde tiempos antiguos [que se despliegan] con toda fidelidad” (Isaías 25:1).
Los demonios pueden pararse contra el Señor; las naciones pueden alinearse para pelear con El. No importa. El que se sienta en los cielos ríe. Porque El hace que “todas las cosas le sirven” (Salmo 119:91).Incluso los planes de Sus enemigos son revertidos y puestos al servicio de los propósitos de Dios (ver Gen. 50:20; Rom. 8:28; Hechos 2:22-23).
Si Dios le dio una visión, una esperanza espiritual o sueño para su futuro, habrá un tiempo señalado donde aquello que Dios habló ocurrirá. Así el Señor nos asegura,
“Escribe la visión, y declárala en tablas, para que corra el que leyere en ella. Aunque la visión tardará aún por un tiempo, mas se apresura hacia el fin, y no mentirá; aunque tardare, espéralo, porque sin duda vendrá, no tardará” (Hab. 2:2-3).
Si usted tiene una visión o promesa de parte de Dios, esa visión tiene asimismo un tiempo de cumplimiento. Escríbala y póngala donde pueda verla cada día. Aunque se tarde, espérela. Porque ciertamente ocurrirá en el tiempo señalado.
Designados Siervos de Dios
Cuando el Señor se manifiesta a si mismo abiertamente en el tiempo señalado, en realidad El se mueve a través de una red de poder que El estableció en lo oculto durante un tiempo de preparación. Su obra aparece de pronto, pero su preparación puede haber tomado muchos años. Como sea, un tiempo señalado fluye a través de personas designadas. El predestina el tiempo de sus irrumpimientos de antemano, incluso mientras El trabaja silenciosamente dentro de sus corazones preparándolos.
Considere la palabra del Señor a Sus discípulos: “No me elegisteis vosotros a mí, sino que yo os elegí a vosotros, y os he puesto para que vayáis y llevéis fruto, y vuestro fruto permanezca” (Juan 15:16).
Cada discípulo siente que, en algún momento, él o ella eligieron a Cristo. Más aun, la verdad más profunda es que Dios nos eligió a nosotros antes de la fundación del mundo y ha estado trabajando en nosotros. Al tiempo señalado elegimos a Cristo, pero solo después que El nos eligió a nosotros (ver Efesios 1:3-5). No podríamos ni aun venir a Cristo si el Padre no nos trajere (ver Juan 6:44).
Aun así, El que nos eligió asimismo nos designó para dar mucho fruto. El mismo poder que obró en nosotros la entrega y luego inspiro nuestra fe continúa obrando en nuestros corazones a través de nuestros días, designándonos para dar fruto. La idea de que nos podemos sentar silenciosamente en la iglesia es un engaño. Puede que usted de una mirada a su vida y se sienta improductivo. Pero Dios todavía no ha terminado con usted. ¿Cree que Dios lo ha elegido? Entonces crea también que El lo ha designado para que dé fruto.
La Obra del Enemigo
Alguien puede argumentar, “Pero yo conozco personas que eran buenos Cristianos que han desaparecido.” Sí, pero en muchos casos hallara que, en algún momento, ellos cayeron en profunda desilusión respecto a alguna fracasada expectativa espiritual. La desilusión no es simplemente un triste, emocional estado de la mente, la desilusión profunda puede en realidad apartar nuestros corazones de la fe. Es la obra del enemigo. La desilusión demoníacamente manipulada realmente puede “des” “señalar” a una persona del destino de Dios para su vida.
He conocido a muchos quienes iban bien, avanzando hacia su destino señalado. El futuro que Dios tenía para ellos parecía casi tan cercano como para saborearlo. Entonces fueron desilusionados respecto a alguien o algo. Al aceptar en sus almas esta desilusión diabólicamente manipulada, su fe se adormeció; un amargo invierno tomo control de sus almas. Es aquí, incluso en la agonía de la desilusión, que el justo aprende a vivir por fe (ver Hab. 2:1-4).
Nosotros todos enfrentamos tiempos de desilusión. Yo transite por un tiempo cuando la promesa de Dios parecía casi como una tonta fantasía espiritual. Durante casi tres años no estuve involucrado en el ministerio pastoral. Ninguna puerta se abría. Dios estaba trabajando en mi alama haciéndome confiar en El, pero yo me sentí abandonado y arrancado de mi llamado. En un momento de miserable honestidad, ore, “Señor, Tu prometiste que aquellos quienes confiaran en Ti no serian avergonzados. Maestro, Tú conoces todas las cosas. Mira mi corazón. Estoy lleno de desilusión.”
El Señor simplemente respondió, “Tu vida no ha terminado.”
Por supuesto, yo sabía eso. Era un saludable hombre de no más de cuarenta años. Aun así, el maleficio de la desilusión había inundado mi alma con tinieblas, haciéndome erróneamente concluir que Dios había terminado conmigo.
Escuche bien mi amigo: Satanás puede detener nuestro destino si aceptamos el poder de la desilusión en nuestras vidas. Una vez que aceptamos el peso de una profunda des-ilusión, con frecuencia el volvernos atrás no está lejano. Vea, la des-ilusión nos separa de nuestra visión, y sin visión el pueblo perece.
¿Carga usted desilusión en su corazón? Renúncielo. Perdone a aquellos quienes lo han defraudado. ¿Ha fallado usted personal o moralmente? Arrepiéntase profundamente y regrese al Redentor. Espíritu Santo, te pido que ¡remuevas del corazón de mi hermano y hermana el paralizador aguijón de la desilusión!
Amado, el Espíritu de Dios ha venido a hacerlo libre del efecto de la des-ilusión. Él le recuerda, la cita con su destino aun está programada.
A pesar de la creciente conmoción en nuestro mundo, un ultimo, gran derramamiento de misericordia durante los tiempos finales permanece (ver Mateo 24:14; Hechos 2:17). Esta estación sobrenatural de gracia ha sido predeterminada. Es un “tiempo señalado” del Señor.
Para aquellos que no son conscientes, un tiempo señalado es, en verdad, un abierto despliegue de la soberanía y poder de Dios. En el descubrimos con absoluta certeza que nada es imposible para Dios. Porque esta es una estación donde Dios cumple Su voluntad en la tierra, llevando a realización en el proceso Sus promesas, y las esperanzas y sueños de Su pueblo.
El Salmista escribió, “Mas tú, Jehová, permanecerás para siempre, Y tu memoria de generación en generación. Te levantarás y tendrás misericordia de Sion, Porque es tiempo de tener misericordia de ella, porque el plazo ha llegado” (Salmo 102:12-13).
Hay un tiempo señalado que viene para Israel, y un tiempo señalado para usted y para mí. Si el Señor lo ha prometido, ciertamente El lo hará ocurrir.
Recuerde: Abraham y Sarah habían esperado en fe durante un cuarto de siglo por la promesa de Dios. Finalmente, al llegar casi a sus cien años de edad, el Señor le dijo a Abraham, “Al tiempo señalado volveré a ti, y . . . Sara tendrá un hijo” (Gen .18:14). Un año más tarde, “en el tiempo que Dios le había dicho” (Gen. 21:2), ¡Isaac nació a la vejez de sus padres!
Mientras que ciertamente hay, tiempos señalados de juicios (ver Marcos 13:33), la frase en la mayoría de los casos representa un tiempo, preestablecido por Dios, cuando El revela “maravillas, designios concebidos desde tiempos antiguos [que se despliegan] con toda fidelidad” (Isaías 25:1).
Los demonios pueden pararse contra el Señor; las naciones pueden alinearse para pelear con El. No importa. El que se sienta en los cielos ríe. Porque El hace que “todas las cosas le sirven” (Salmo 119:91).Incluso los planes de Sus enemigos son revertidos y puestos al servicio de los propósitos de Dios (ver Gen. 50:20; Rom. 8:28; Hechos 2:22-23).
Si Dios le dio una visión, una esperanza espiritual o sueño para su futuro, habrá un tiempo señalado donde aquello que Dios habló ocurrirá. Así el Señor nos asegura,
“Escribe la visión, y declárala en tablas, para que corra el que leyere en ella. Aunque la visión tardará aún por un tiempo, mas se apresura hacia el fin, y no mentirá; aunque tardare, espéralo, porque sin duda vendrá, no tardará” (Hab. 2:2-3).
Si usted tiene una visión o promesa de parte de Dios, esa visión tiene asimismo un tiempo de cumplimiento. Escríbala y póngala donde pueda verla cada día. Aunque se tarde, espérela. Porque ciertamente ocurrirá en el tiempo señalado.
Designados Siervos de Dios
Cuando el Señor se manifiesta a si mismo abiertamente en el tiempo señalado, en realidad El se mueve a través de una red de poder que El estableció en lo oculto durante un tiempo de preparación. Su obra aparece de pronto, pero su preparación puede haber tomado muchos años. Como sea, un tiempo señalado fluye a través de personas designadas. El predestina el tiempo de sus irrumpimientos de antemano, incluso mientras El trabaja silenciosamente dentro de sus corazones preparándolos.
Considere la palabra del Señor a Sus discípulos: “No me elegisteis vosotros a mí, sino que yo os elegí a vosotros, y os he puesto para que vayáis y llevéis fruto, y vuestro fruto permanezca” (Juan 15:16).
Cada discípulo siente que, en algún momento, él o ella eligieron a Cristo. Más aun, la verdad más profunda es que Dios nos eligió a nosotros antes de la fundación del mundo y ha estado trabajando en nosotros. Al tiempo señalado elegimos a Cristo, pero solo después que El nos eligió a nosotros (ver Efesios 1:3-5). No podríamos ni aun venir a Cristo si el Padre no nos trajere (ver Juan 6:44).
Aun así, El que nos eligió asimismo nos designó para dar mucho fruto. El mismo poder que obró en nosotros la entrega y luego inspiro nuestra fe continúa obrando en nuestros corazones a través de nuestros días, designándonos para dar fruto. La idea de que nos podemos sentar silenciosamente en la iglesia es un engaño. Puede que usted de una mirada a su vida y se sienta improductivo. Pero Dios todavía no ha terminado con usted. ¿Cree que Dios lo ha elegido? Entonces crea también que El lo ha designado para que dé fruto.
La Obra del Enemigo
Alguien puede argumentar, “Pero yo conozco personas que eran buenos Cristianos que han desaparecido.” Sí, pero en muchos casos hallara que, en algún momento, ellos cayeron en profunda desilusión respecto a alguna fracasada expectativa espiritual. La desilusión no es simplemente un triste, emocional estado de la mente, la desilusión profunda puede en realidad apartar nuestros corazones de la fe. Es la obra del enemigo. La desilusión demoníacamente manipulada realmente puede “des” “señalar” a una persona del destino de Dios para su vida.
He conocido a muchos quienes iban bien, avanzando hacia su destino señalado. El futuro que Dios tenía para ellos parecía casi tan cercano como para saborearlo. Entonces fueron desilusionados respecto a alguien o algo. Al aceptar en sus almas esta desilusión diabólicamente manipulada, su fe se adormeció; un amargo invierno tomo control de sus almas. Es aquí, incluso en la agonía de la desilusión, que el justo aprende a vivir por fe (ver Hab. 2:1-4).
Nosotros todos enfrentamos tiempos de desilusión. Yo transite por un tiempo cuando la promesa de Dios parecía casi como una tonta fantasía espiritual. Durante casi tres años no estuve involucrado en el ministerio pastoral. Ninguna puerta se abría. Dios estaba trabajando en mi alama haciéndome confiar en El, pero yo me sentí abandonado y arrancado de mi llamado. En un momento de miserable honestidad, ore, “Señor, Tu prometiste que aquellos quienes confiaran en Ti no serian avergonzados. Maestro, Tú conoces todas las cosas. Mira mi corazón. Estoy lleno de desilusión.”
El Señor simplemente respondió, “Tu vida no ha terminado.”
Por supuesto, yo sabía eso. Era un saludable hombre de no más de cuarenta años. Aun así, el maleficio de la desilusión había inundado mi alma con tinieblas, haciéndome erróneamente concluir que Dios había terminado conmigo.
Escuche bien mi amigo: Satanás puede detener nuestro destino si aceptamos el poder de la desilusión en nuestras vidas. Una vez que aceptamos el peso de una profunda des-ilusión, con frecuencia el volvernos atrás no está lejano. Vea, la des-ilusión nos separa de nuestra visión, y sin visión el pueblo perece.
¿Carga usted desilusión en su corazón? Renúncielo. Perdone a aquellos quienes lo han defraudado. ¿Ha fallado usted personal o moralmente? Arrepiéntase profundamente y regrese al Redentor. Espíritu Santo, te pido que ¡remuevas del corazón de mi hermano y hermana el paralizador aguijón de la desilusión!
Amado, el Espíritu de Dios ha venido a hacerlo libre del efecto de la des-ilusión. Él le recuerda, la cita con su destino aun está programada.
Your Appointment Awaits You by Francis Frangipane
Appointed Times
In spite of escalating turmoil in our world, there remains one last, great outpouring of mercy during the end times (see Matt. 24:14; Acts 2:17). This supernatural season of grace has been predetermined. It is an "appointed time" of the Lord.
For those unaware, an appointed time is, in truth, an open display of the sovereignty and power of God. In it we discover with absolute certainty that nothing is impossible for God. For this is a season when God fulfills His will on earth, fulfilling in the process His promises, and the hopes and dreams of His people.
The Psalmist wrote, "But You, O Lord, abide forever, and Your name to all generations. You will arise and have compassion on Zion; for it is time to be gracious to her, for the appointed time has come" (Ps. 102:12-13).
There is an appointed time coming for Israel, and an appointed time for you and me. If the Lord has promised, He will certainly bring it to pass.
Recall: Abraham and Sarah had waited in faith for a quarter of a century for the promise of God. Finally, as they neared one hundred years of age, the Lord told Abraham, "At the appointed time I will return to you . . . and Sarah will have a son" (Gen .18:14). One year later, "at the appointed time" (Gen. 21:2), Isaac was born to aged parents!
While there are, indeed, appointed times of judgment (see Mark 13:33), the phrase most frequently represents a time, preset by God, when He reveals "wonders, plans formed long ago, [that unfold] with perfect faithfulness"(Isa. 25:1).
Demons may stand arrayed against the Lord; nations may align themselves to fight Him. It does not matter. He who sits in the heavens laughs. For He makes "all things [His] servants" (Ps. 119:91). Even His enemies' plans for evil are reversed and made to serve the purpose of God (see Gen. 50:20; Rom. 8:28; Acts 2:22-23).
If God gave you a vision, a spiritual hope or dream for your future, there will be an appointed time when that which God spoke comes to pass. Thus the Lord assures us,
"Record the vision and inscribe it on tablets, that the one who reads it may run. For the vision is yet for the appointed time. It hastens toward the goal and it will not fail. Though it tarries, wait for it; for it will certainly come, it will not delay" (Hab. 2:2-3).
If you have a vision or promise from God, that vision also has a time of fulfillment. Write it down and place it where you can see it every day. Though it tarries, wait for it. For it will certainly come to pass at the appointed time.
Appointed Servants of God
When the Lord manifests Himself openly in an appointed time, He actually moves through a power grid He established in hiddenness during the time of preparation. His work appears suddenly, but its preparation may have taken many years. Either way, an appointed time flows through appointed people. He predestines the time of their breakthrough in advance, even as He works silently within their hearts in preparation.
Consider the Lord's word to His disciples: "You did not choose Me but I chose you, and appointed you that you would go and bear fruit, and that your fruit would remain" (John 15:16).
Every disciple feels that, at some point, he or she chose Christ. Yet, the deeper truth is that God chose us before the foundation of the world and has been working in us. At the appointed time we choose Christ, but only after He chose us (see Eph. 1:3-5). We could not even come to Christ had not the Father drawn us (see John 6:44).
Yet, He who chose us also appointed us to bear much fruit. The same power that worked surrender in us and then inspired our faith continues to work in our hearts throughout our days, appointing us to bear fruit. The idea that we can just sit quietly in church is a deception. You may look at your life and feel unfruitful. But God is not done with you yet. Do you believe God has chosen you? Then believe also that He has appointed you to bear fruit.
The Enemy's Work
One may argue, "But I know people who were good Christians who have fallen away." Yes, but in many cases you will find that, at some point, they fell into deep disappointment about some failed spiritual expectation. Disappointment is not just a sad, emotional state of mind; deep disappointment actually can sever our hearts from faith. It is the enemy's work. Demonically manipulated disappointment can actually "dis-appoint" a person from God's destiny for their lives.
I have known many who were doing well, moving toward their appointed destiny. The future God had for them seemed almost close enough to taste. Then they became disappointed in someone or something. By accepting into their souls this demonically manipulated disappointment, their faith turned dormant; a bitter winter took over their souls. It is here, even in the throes of disappointment, that the righteous learn to live by faith (see Hab. 2:1-4).
We all face times of disappointment. I went through a time when the promise of God seemed like a foolish spiritual fantasy. For nearly three years I had not been involved in pastoral ministry. No doors would open. God was doing a work in my soul to cause me to trust Him, but I felt abandoned and cut off from my calling. In a moment of abject honesty, I prayed, "Lord, You promised that those who believed in You would not be disappointed. Master, You know all things. Look at my heart. I am full of disappointment."
The Lord simply replied, "You're life is not over."
Of course, I knew that. I was a healthy young man not older than forty. Yet, the spell of disappointment had flooded my soul with darkness, causing me to conclude erroneously that God was done with me.
Listen well my friend: Satan can stop our destiny if we accept the power of disappointment into our lives. Once we accept the heaviness of a deep dis-appointment, backsliding is often not far away. You see, dis-appointment cuts us off from our vision, and without a vision people perish.
Are you carrying disappointment in your heart? Renounce it. Forgive those who have let you down. Have you personally or morally failed? Repent deeply and return to your Redeemer. Holy Spirit, I ask You to remove from my brother and sister the paralyzing sting of disappointment!
Beloved, the Spirit of God has come to release you of the effect of the dis-appointment. He reminds you, your appointment with your destiny is still set.
The preceding message is adapted from a chapter in Francis' book, This Day We Fight published by Chosen Books. For ordering information, please visit the Arrow Bookstore at www.arrowbookstore.com.
In spite of escalating turmoil in our world, there remains one last, great outpouring of mercy during the end times (see Matt. 24:14; Acts 2:17). This supernatural season of grace has been predetermined. It is an "appointed time" of the Lord.
For those unaware, an appointed time is, in truth, an open display of the sovereignty and power of God. In it we discover with absolute certainty that nothing is impossible for God. For this is a season when God fulfills His will on earth, fulfilling in the process His promises, and the hopes and dreams of His people.
The Psalmist wrote, "But You, O Lord, abide forever, and Your name to all generations. You will arise and have compassion on Zion; for it is time to be gracious to her, for the appointed time has come" (Ps. 102:12-13).
There is an appointed time coming for Israel, and an appointed time for you and me. If the Lord has promised, He will certainly bring it to pass.
Recall: Abraham and Sarah had waited in faith for a quarter of a century for the promise of God. Finally, as they neared one hundred years of age, the Lord told Abraham, "At the appointed time I will return to you . . . and Sarah will have a son" (Gen .18:14). One year later, "at the appointed time" (Gen. 21:2), Isaac was born to aged parents!
While there are, indeed, appointed times of judgment (see Mark 13:33), the phrase most frequently represents a time, preset by God, when He reveals "wonders, plans formed long ago, [that unfold] with perfect faithfulness"(Isa. 25:1).
Demons may stand arrayed against the Lord; nations may align themselves to fight Him. It does not matter. He who sits in the heavens laughs. For He makes "all things [His] servants" (Ps. 119:91). Even His enemies' plans for evil are reversed and made to serve the purpose of God (see Gen. 50:20; Rom. 8:28; Acts 2:22-23).
If God gave you a vision, a spiritual hope or dream for your future, there will be an appointed time when that which God spoke comes to pass. Thus the Lord assures us,
"Record the vision and inscribe it on tablets, that the one who reads it may run. For the vision is yet for the appointed time. It hastens toward the goal and it will not fail. Though it tarries, wait for it; for it will certainly come, it will not delay" (Hab. 2:2-3).
If you have a vision or promise from God, that vision also has a time of fulfillment. Write it down and place it where you can see it every day. Though it tarries, wait for it. For it will certainly come to pass at the appointed time.
Appointed Servants of God
When the Lord manifests Himself openly in an appointed time, He actually moves through a power grid He established in hiddenness during the time of preparation. His work appears suddenly, but its preparation may have taken many years. Either way, an appointed time flows through appointed people. He predestines the time of their breakthrough in advance, even as He works silently within their hearts in preparation.
Consider the Lord's word to His disciples: "You did not choose Me but I chose you, and appointed you that you would go and bear fruit, and that your fruit would remain" (John 15:16).
Every disciple feels that, at some point, he or she chose Christ. Yet, the deeper truth is that God chose us before the foundation of the world and has been working in us. At the appointed time we choose Christ, but only after He chose us (see Eph. 1:3-5). We could not even come to Christ had not the Father drawn us (see John 6:44).
Yet, He who chose us also appointed us to bear much fruit. The same power that worked surrender in us and then inspired our faith continues to work in our hearts throughout our days, appointing us to bear fruit. The idea that we can just sit quietly in church is a deception. You may look at your life and feel unfruitful. But God is not done with you yet. Do you believe God has chosen you? Then believe also that He has appointed you to bear fruit.
The Enemy's Work
One may argue, "But I know people who were good Christians who have fallen away." Yes, but in many cases you will find that, at some point, they fell into deep disappointment about some failed spiritual expectation. Disappointment is not just a sad, emotional state of mind; deep disappointment actually can sever our hearts from faith. It is the enemy's work. Demonically manipulated disappointment can actually "dis-appoint" a person from God's destiny for their lives.
I have known many who were doing well, moving toward their appointed destiny. The future God had for them seemed almost close enough to taste. Then they became disappointed in someone or something. By accepting into their souls this demonically manipulated disappointment, their faith turned dormant; a bitter winter took over their souls. It is here, even in the throes of disappointment, that the righteous learn to live by faith (see Hab. 2:1-4).
We all face times of disappointment. I went through a time when the promise of God seemed like a foolish spiritual fantasy. For nearly three years I had not been involved in pastoral ministry. No doors would open. God was doing a work in my soul to cause me to trust Him, but I felt abandoned and cut off from my calling. In a moment of abject honesty, I prayed, "Lord, You promised that those who believed in You would not be disappointed. Master, You know all things. Look at my heart. I am full of disappointment."
The Lord simply replied, "You're life is not over."
Of course, I knew that. I was a healthy young man not older than forty. Yet, the spell of disappointment had flooded my soul with darkness, causing me to conclude erroneously that God was done with me.
Listen well my friend: Satan can stop our destiny if we accept the power of disappointment into our lives. Once we accept the heaviness of a deep dis-appointment, backsliding is often not far away. You see, dis-appointment cuts us off from our vision, and without a vision people perish.
Are you carrying disappointment in your heart? Renounce it. Forgive those who have let you down. Have you personally or morally failed? Repent deeply and return to your Redeemer. Holy Spirit, I ask You to remove from my brother and sister the paralyzing sting of disappointment!
Beloved, the Spirit of God has come to release you of the effect of the dis-appointment. He reminds you, your appointment with your destiny is still set.
The preceding message is adapted from a chapter in Francis' book, This Day We Fight published by Chosen Books. For ordering information, please visit the Arrow Bookstore at www.arrowbookstore.com.
Becoming a Habitation of Safety by John Meyer
Busy streets, busy lives and busy blackberry devices. We all share one common theme in today’s world and that is, busyness. We run around with our heads in a buzz because that is what society demands of us now. Some would say that technology has become a curse because of it, others say it is a blessing because it makes our lives easier in many ways, and I for one love new gadgets and technology. They do make things run a little more smoothly. However, I am reminded by those closest to me that they can become all consuming, if allowed to. No matter what you think or how you feel about new advances in the “tech world” we live in, it is still very much a reality and it isn’t going away. There is something that is taking place though underneath of it all though. I think one of the main concerns people in general have, is that our society is fast becoming a computerized habitation. We have replaced humans with computers and live operators with recordings. We’ve replaced face to face interaction with an email or a text and it’s easy to respond without a voice attached. It seems the further we journey into the world of digital impressions and graphic display, the more we strip the human presence out of our midst. The surface of our daily “rush” seems like all is well, but what price are we really paying underneath of it all.
I do a lot of interacting online and have met some great people across the globe. We feed each other our responses at break neck speeds as we hit the enter button every few seconds. It’s great to “hear” someone’s response as I see it appear in front of me. Our thoughts fly as quickly as we can slap the key board. Once and awhile I stop myself and think, Oh! Should I have said that? My thoughts race as I wait for their reply. Most of the time I am careful, but there are those times when I have wanted to climb into my computer with a giant eraser in hand and quickly wipe away what I had written, thinking it may have caused an offense as they were unable to hear the “tone” in which I had said it. Ever been there? Good! I’m not alone!
You see, the problem with this fast paced world is sometimes we only have a moment to think and respond. There is hardly any real time to sit and have lengthy conversation over a cup of coffee, sitting face to face with someone in a place of safety anymore. Oh sure, we have Starbucks down the street from our home or workplace and we can order a Venti over a few words, but to have quality interaction in a place where we can be ourselves is something we have to work at making happen. I have to purposefully wipe out a section of my calendar, turn off the iphone and most importantly, turn off my computerized brain for a time, to truly engage in meaningful conversation.
Designed for safety
When we start out in diapers and high chairs, all we knew was that we were being taken care of by somebody. Hardly any of us can remember what that experience was like. We just know that we are now grown up and we made it through the baby stage with someone changing our plastic pants and wiping the split pea “mush” off our face. In a healthy family environment where love was present, we either had a mom or dad or both, who nurtured our growth. No one really had to show either parent how to love or protect us, it was already present within them to do so. It was part of their nature to love, protect and talk funny to us. There was laughter and playfulness throughout our youth because of a place called home, where love and safety were the norm. At least that is the way it was for me as a child, until I was old enough to realize the reality that our home had its share of problems just as much as the next family.
I am truly sorry if you were not one of the families that experienced much love, it must have been very difficult for you. But if you have become a child of God, then you belong to a loving family now and one that is eternal. You may think, really? I haven’t seen much love in the church, at least in my church. Again, I apologize and grieve inside over the thought of it. While it may be true to a degree in many places, there is a transformation of a different kind beginning to happen all across the globe. God is pouring out His love and grace to all those who are open and ready to receive it. He is transforming the hungry into vessels of safety. He is taking those who have been through the furnace more than a few times and causing them to shine with heaven’s fragrance and love that is tangible.
God never meant for anyone to become a haven for harm. When He created Adam in the garden, His goal was not for Adam to become a monster, but a lover forever. He created him for love and to multiply that love to every generation that would follow. The Garden of Eden was a sphere or space in time where everything screamed safety. Before he sinned, Adam could walk out of his house and leave all of the windows, doors and screens wide open. He could leave his vehicle running for years without anyone ever stealing it.
It was a place where you could bare your soul and no one would slam you for it. The garden was consumed with love and acceptance, because The Owner was full of it. He was full of transformational intimacy, grace, mercy and empowering encouragement. Can you imagine living in a place where you could totally be yourself without fear of someone making fun of you? That is the zone or place God wants us to dwell in today. It’s called abiding. It’s the place where God still lives, it’s the garden of His presence and it ours for the taking. Once we tap into this supernatural realm, we will begin to live in a place we were designed for.
Love takes up residence in human flesh
John 14: 23 Jesus replied, “All who love me will do what I say. My Father will love them, and we will come and make our home with each of them.
The home is where the heart is they say. Home for most of us is a place where we can let our hair down (if we have some) and we can be our exact selves. It’s a place where we feel a sense of safety and peace as we lay down at night. Or at least it should be this way. Even more important, home is where we are loved by those who are closest to us. But the “home” Jesus is talking about here in John, is a place of permanency in living vessels. This changes the whole game entirely. Perhaps you don’t have a safe place to call home in the natural. Maybe you live in a literal war zone and safety is not something you have on a daily basis. If you live in harm’s way, then be encouraged my friend because God, THE God of the universe can come in and take up permanent residency inside of you.
The Master and lover of our soul said that both He and Father would make their home inside of us. This means that not only is it exciting, it is overwhelmingly assuring. Why? Because the bible says that God IS love (1 John 4:17-18). In fact, let’s take a closer look at it.
God is love, and all who live in love live in God, and God lives in them. And as we live in God, our love grows more perfect. So we will not be afraid on the day of judgment, but we can face him with confidence because we live like Jesus here in this world. Such love has no fear, because perfect love expels all fear. If we are afraid, it is for fear of punishment, and this shows that we have not fully experienced his perfect love. We love each other because he loved us first.
Now, if God lives in us, then that means we live directly inside of love. That means there is no way we can escape it. Furthermore, there is no fear inside of mature love, because The God of love drives it away by His very presence. The scripture says that if we are afraid, it’s because we fear punishment due to our own frailties and bumblings. It just means that we haven’t really gotten to know love yet. In other words, if I am consumed by Love’s presence all the time, then ho win the world can fear even come near my door? I will tell you how, we allow it in through our own immaturity. It’s like we constantly live in a schizophrenic state of fearing one moment and then at home inside of love’s safety. We are human and humans tend to yield to paranoia at some levels. But if we really begin to understand that God makes His home in our hearts, then the only real substance it should produce in and through us is the fruit of the Spirit.
Gal. 5:16-24 So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves. The sinful nature wants to do evil, which is just the opposite of what the Spirit wants. And the Spirit gives us desires that are the opposite of what the sinful nature desires. These two forces are constantly fighting each other, so you are not free to carry out your good intentions. But when you are directed by the Spirit, you are not under obligation to the law of Moses. When you follow the desires of your sinful nature, the results are very clear: sexual immorality, impurity, lustful pleasures, idolatry, sorcery, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissension, division, envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and other sins like these. Let me tell you again, as I have before, that anyone living that sort of life will not inherit the Kingdom of God. But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things! Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there. Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives. Let us not become conceited, or provoke one another, or be jealous of one another.
Notice in the above scripture the Holy Spirit only produces what The Father has living inside of us, it’s called love. If He is love, then it is only natural that peace, joy, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control, would come with it. You see, love is a habitation of good and safety, all the time. Love is not what the sinful nature states, it is the opposite. If we live in an environment where hostility, jealousy, quarreling, anger and division exist, then how can the full force of love even be present? It can’t because love casts out all fear and the things just mentioned in the scripture above are rooted in fear. This is why God says He leads us by STILL waters; not raging, turbulent waters.
Rough rapids carry all of the debris and noise, where still waters
enable us to hear the still small voice of love whispering to our hearts.
Those who are constantly living in a state of turmoil and rage of the soul, are never really able to understand the value of the fruit of the Spirit, because they see them as weak or stagnant. If a person thinks that acting tough or living in fight mode all the time is what it takes to be a real man or woman, then stillness and gentleness is just not that appealing. If they are used to living in survival mode due to abuse of some kind, then to them, obtaining a place of stillness or peace seems impossible because they think they can never be “good enough” to receive it.
Fear has no place to call home
Have you ever had a panic attack or known someone who has? If so, then you know it isn’t very fun. People have them due to fear and the fear of the unknown or even being alone. It’s a state or condition where there is a loss of safety and peace. Panic attacks are real and if not treated properly they can lead to a miserable existence, to say the least. To those who suffer from this oppression there is no real peace and certainly no place to call home; the indwelling of safety. The bible says that God does not give us a spirit of fear, so a present evil is always trying to gain entrance by constantly knocking on our soul. The only way to slam the door shut is to abide inside of something or someone who has the power to keep it far away from us. Love is that Someone. His very nature is safety and rest. He is The only One Who can take away the panic and trade it for peace. He is The One Who dwells in goodness, because He is good.
If hostility and fear sit next to you for every meal, it’s time to give them an eviction notice and then welcome a habitation of safety in your home. If you do, then you will indeed become that Habitation of safety to someone else. The fruit of the Spirit is a habitual place of safety and if the fruit resides within us, then all we need to do is spend more time with The Source of love to uncover the wonders of a restful place called home. In return, the abiding will consistently splash out of us to welcome another weary soul to their own place of safety.
We may not have had the best of examples throughout our lives in many different ways and we may not have even seen it much in our “church” circles, but stay tuned my friend because there is a people who have been through the fire and have come out refined. They have been taken through the kiln of life and they have been reduced to nothing but love. The kind that says, “I have no agenda other than to help you succeed in this life and I will do it through the voice and embrace of love”. These are the folks that we will see more of in the days ahead and because of it; we will all start to become houses of safety for the fearful of heart.
Make Your eternal home real to us Father….
John 17:20-22 “I am praying not only for these disciples but also for all who will ever believe in me through their message. I pray that they will all be one, just as you and I are one—as you are in me, Father, and I am in you. And may they be in us so that the world will believe you sent me. “I have given them the glory you gave me, so they may be one as we are one. I am in them and you are in me. May they experience such perfect unity that the world will know that you sent me and that you love them as much as you love me.
John Meyer - livinginpurpose@gmail.com
Thursday, September 2, 2010
29 Tips for Keeping Portions Under Control by Debra Pivko
29 Tips for Keeping Portions Under Control
When it comes to food portions, size matters. In a world filled with "supersized" options, all-you-can-eat buffets, and extra-large pizzas, it's no wonder people overeat. Have you ever found yourself in one of these situations?
- Eating snacks straight out of the bag while watching television, or even grabbing a second bag to munch on because your show is still on.
- Continuing to finish your food at a restaurant because others are still eating, even though you're full.
- Arriving at a party starving, so your dinner consists of fried appetizers and mayo-laden salads.
- Eating an entire packaged item only to realize later that it actually contained multiple servings.
At restaurants
- Doggie-bag it. Don't finish your food just because it's there—or because you're still at the restaurant waiting for others to finish. Most restaurant portions contain more food and calories than you need for one meal. Bring your leftover food home, or allow the busboy to take it away early. Even better, have the server pack half of it to go before bringing it to you. It seems like an odd request, but it's not uncommon these days
- Share with a friend. When you split a meal, not only do you cut the price in half, but you cut the calories in half, too!
Order the lunch or appetizer portion. Lunch and appetizer portions are cheaper and contain fewer calories than full-sized portions.
- Avoid buffets and all-you-can-eat specials. If you're like me, you want to try everything when you go to a buffet. That's why it's better to avoid buffets when you're trying to control the size of your portions. When you have no choice about where you go (like a large family gathering or party), find the smallest plate and fill it up with the healthy stuff like grilled chicken and vegetables first. If you must go back for more, allow yourself one trip. And only get what you really want. It's such a common habit to take a bit of everything, but if you can savor one reasonably sized serving of your favorite item, you'll enjoy it a lot more.
- Choose items with large portions of veggies. Or order salad or fruit on the side instead of fries. If you're starving, you can fill up on high-nutrient, low-calorie food to keep full.
- Eat your favorite "indulgence" foods every now and again. Totally denying yourself the foods you take pleasure in is a surefire way to set yourself up for failure. So go ahead and treat yourself once in a while to avoid feeling deprived. But eat a smaller portion, and savor every bite.
At home
- Hang up fridge visuals. Don't swing the fridge door open mindlessly. Think before you eat. Hang up a picture of how you once looked, that one piece of clothing you wish you could fit into, someone who you want to look like, or even someone you don't want to look like. Take a moment to think about what you're really hungry for and about your weight loss/health goals before you grab something out of the fridge. I've gone as far as putting up a "closed after 9 PM" sign on mine, since I can't seem to find a fridge lock with a timer.
- Preplan your groceries. Don't shop when you're hungry and you'll be less likely to bring unhealthy food home. Stock your house with healthy foods and snacks that are easy to grab when you're hungry, such as fruit, cut-up vegetables with hummus, or light cheese and crackers. You can also purchase single-serving snacks. I love The Skinny Cow® ice cream sandwiches. (Mint chocolate is my favorite.) They're less than 150 calories and are preportioned so I know when I'm finished.
- Don't eat straight out of the box or bag. If you do this, odds are you'll finish everything in it—or at least eat more than one serving. Instead, fill a small container or baggie with a single serving and leave the rest in the kitchen.
- Break leftovers down. Instead of putting leftovers in one big container, break them down into single-serving meals or snack-sized portions before storing them.
- Hang wall mirrors. We tend not to eat as much when we see ourselves.
Use smaller plates. If you can't fit as much food on the plate, you're likely to eat a smaller portion. Even better, use non-microwavable plates so you can't heat up seconds—lay down a sheet of wrinkled-up foil, or use one of Grandma's metal-glazed dishes; both are considered unsafe for microwave use by the USDA.
- Don't put serving bowls of food on the table. Fill your plate in the kitchen and put your leftovers away promptly after they cool so it's too much of an effort to go back to the kitchen to get seconds.
- Look at the serving size listed on the package. You may not realize you're actually dishing out a double serving of packaged food for yourself. Make sure you look at the nutrition label so you aren't overeating without even knowing it.
At work
- BYOL (bring your own lunch). When you make your own lunch, you get to control the portion and exactly what's in it. Cook a big batch of food on Sunday, like pasta and veggies or chicken and brown rice, then refrigerate or freeze portions to take with you.
- Keep healthy snacks at your desk. When you have healthy snacks at your desk, you won't be as tempted to head over to the vending machine for candy or chips. I love Pirate's Booty® Aged White Cheddar baked corn and rice puffs at 130 calories per serving, or Kashi® TLC Honey Sesame snack crackers. Make sure to divide them into single portions in baggies so you don't overeat. And keep them tucked away in a drawer rather than on top of the desk in plain sight.
Keep protein bars handy. Protein bars can be a lifesaver when you don't have time to run out to get food, or a meeting postpones your lunch for a couple of hours. Watch out for bars that only have a few grams of protein and seem to taste more like candy bars than meal replacements. P90X® Peak Performance Protein Bars are jam-packed with 20 grams of protein. My favorite flavor is the chocolate fudge. They save my stomach from growling louder than the speaker in meetings and can replace a meal in an emergency.
- Research healthy lunch places near work. A few minutes of research can save you calories in the long run. Some places have light menu options with smaller portions that contain fewer calories. Plus, you can look up the nutrition information for many popular restaurants online even if they're not posted on the menu. And, of course, remember to avoid those all-you-can-eat specials.
- Stock up on Shakeology® single-serving packets. I actually set reminders in my email calendar for 3:30 each day so I remember to have a Shakeology shake as my afternoon snack. It keeps me from raiding the fridge like a maniac when I get home for dinner. Shakeology single-serving packets not only contain protein and fiber that help you feel full, but also whole-food ingredients to nourish your body—all with only 140 calories a serving. I know that whether or not I eat healthily throughout the day, as long as I have my Shakeology, I'll be getting all the nutrients I need, and I'll feel full so I won't overeat.
- Drink tea—and lots of water. If you're filling up on zero-calorie water and tea, you'll feel fuller and eat less when it's mealtime.
- Log what you eat. Hold yourself accountable for what you eat. If you're a Team Beachbody® member, you can track your meals here or keep a notepad handy if you're not near a computer. Keeping track of everything you eat will help you take a closer look at your eating habits so you can make better choices.
- Don't always have your cake and eat it too. There are about 300 people who work with me. If I ate cake every time there was a birthday, I'd have it almost daily. (Fortunately, Beachbody discourages people from bringing sweets to the office.) It's OK to treat yourself to some cake occasionally, but don't always eat it just because it's there. Make sure that when you do choose to indulge, you stick to your nutritious meal plan for the rest of the day, and just augment it with a small slice of cake.
- Bring healthy snacks to meetings. If you're hosting a meeting, instead of the usual donuts and pastries, provide fruit, veggies, hummus, cheese, and wheat crackers. If you're not in charge of food-planning for meetings, break room, or vending machines, request that healthy food alternatives be made available at your office. After all, a sugar crash 30 minutes after the morning meeting isn't going to boost anybody's productivity.
At parties
- Pre-eat. Before you leave home for a party, eat your own healthy, nutritious food. When you arrive at the party, you can focus on the people and the festivities instead of making a beeline for the buffet table. You can still enjoy tasting the appetizers, but you'll be satisfied with less.
Be a healthy host. Hosting a party? Serve healthy food. Your guests will thank you—plus you'll probably burn a ton of calories running around playing host!
- Wait 20 minutes before going back for seconds. Sometimes, especially at extravagant parties, there's an endless variety of delectable food you'd never make or buy for yourself. Make sure you sit down with your first plate and eat slowly. It's okay to go for seconds, but before you do, take your time enjoying your food and conversing with fellow partygoers for at least 20 minutes while that first round of food digests. After you do, you may realize you've already had enough. And if you do decide to go back for seconds, don't restock the plate with everything on the table. Just take a small amount of a few of your favorites.
- Don't hover around the food table. This is a recipe for disaster. I've found myself picking up olives and crackers as if my hand had a mind of its own. Take a cracker and run—far, far away from the food table. If you're still hungry, walk back over—but don't hover. Your waistline will thank you.
- Treat yourself with nonedible rewards. It's natural for people to associate events and personal accomplishments with food. Holidays, weddings, football games, movies, job promotions, housewarmings, school events, community
celebrations—customarily , they're celebrated with food. Instead, though, try treating yourself with nonedible rewards. Work out, watch a TV show, get a massage or a manicure, buy a new outfit, or phone a friend to share your excitement. Focus on the reason for the celebration rather than the food. - Dress to impress. Don't wear clothes that let you overeat without feeling or showing it. If you wear extra-loose, über-comfy clothes—or ones with an elasticized waistband—you might eat more. Instead, try wearing an outfit you look great in—if possible, one that's a little bit formfitting. Then there's less room to get away with eating too much. Besides, you'll get deluged with compliments that'll make you feel so great you won't want to overeat.
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
Ordering a Burger Teaches Forgiveness by Joyce Meyer
What Arguing Over a Hamburger Can Teach
You About Forgiveness
by Joyce Meyer
Years ago, I made the mistake of asking my husband, Dave, for the last bite of his hamburger. For most of us, giving someone that last bite is more of a sacrifice than the first bite-because you still have so much left! But that last bite... I didn't realize before how much of a test it could be, especially for Dave.Our exchange began as usual, with his offer, "I'm going to stop here and get a hamburger. Do you want one?"
"No, no, no. I don't want anything."
"Are you sure you don't want anything? Let me get you one."
I firmly said, "Dave, I don't want a hamburger."
He said, "I'll eat what's left."
I said, "I do not want a hamburger."
"Ok."
He bought a hamburger, and it smelled so good. I waited and waited, trying my best not to ask for a bite of that hamburger. But he got down to the last bite, and I couldn't stand it.
I asked, "Do you suppose I could have that last bite?"
Dave got upset with me and huffed, "Why didn't you let me get you a hamburger?! I'll buy you all the hamburgers you want. Why do you only want to eat mine?"
"It's only one bite!" I defended. "You don't have to be so selfish!"
He said, "All right! Here it is."
I said, "Nope, I don't want it! I wouldn't eat that hamburger now! You couldn't pay me to eat that bite of hamburger!"
He said, "You eat this!"
I said, "I'm not eating it!"
He said, "You eat it!"
I said, "I will not!"
"Well, I'm not eating it," Dave replied, "so you might as well." So I took it, shoved it in my mouth and chewed it up.
Needless to say, I was upset. But not just because Dave had hurt my feelings, but also because I'd compared the way he treated me to the way I saw other men treat their wives. I said, "Well, other men give their wives bites of their food. I just ask you for one stinkin' bite of your hamburger and you throw a fit!" I was mad for about an hour after that argument.
What God Said About My Pity Party
It takes a little while for the Lord to get through to us when we're enjoying our vengeance and self-pity, just as I was. But finally, I started feeling the Lord deep within me saying, "Joyce, you are acting ridiculous. The man told you he would buy you a whole sack of hamburgers if you wanted them."
Dave had offered to buy me a hamburger even if I wanted just one bite of it. He'd clearly asked me in advance not to ask for his. It doesn't matter what other men do. Sharing that last bite of hamburger bothered Dave. The person to whom you are comparing your spouse probably has some faults your spouse doesn't have that would drive you crazy and be just as difficult to accept. What's the sense in pushing something on your spouse if it bothers them? Just don't do it.
Loving Means Trusting
Any relationship isn't as healthy as it could be when people hold on to little things that have hurt or offended them. It's difficult to completely open yourself up after being hurt because you're afraid you'll be hurt again. Nobody can promise that loving someone won't hurt. In fact, you can't love without being willing to be hurt. It's not possible.
You can't have real love unless you're willing to forgive. Love keeps giving the other person another chance. Love keeps trusting them over and over again, expecting them to do the right thing the next time. I realize there are big hurts as well as little things we deal with daily, but love covers it all.
Choosing to Let Go of the Past
Sometimes we may not even know what is agitating us, but we need to decide to let go of its irritating hold on us. Ask the Lord to reveal what it was that caused you to feel bitterness or resentment. You may be surprised at what He brings up, but when you see the truth, decide to let go of that grief. Decide to forgive the person who didn't respond to you in the right way.
It took me several days to completely get over the hamburger incident. That's the truth! My feelings had been hurt because Dave didn't want me to have that bite of his hamburger. But I had to get over it and move on.
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