I Want A Disciplined Life

These are some disciplines I want to maintain each day in no particular order. However I need order in my life or I'll get to feeling bedraggled.

(1) Do elastic band arm exercises, which keeps my shoulders from feeling tight in addition to helping to condition my upper body.

(2) Keep my apartment as neat as a pin. When I don't it just gets to looking worse. I'm so much happier when my apartment looks nice.

(3) Read the Bible online following Prof. Horner's Bible Reading System, reading at least half of the ten chapters each day. I love the staying in the Word and I miss too many blessings if I don't stay in the Word.

(4) Blog about what was most meaningful to me in my day's Scripture reading.

(5) Earnestly work on memorizing a Scripture acrostic. Knowing God's word well enough to recite it any time floods my mind with transforming spiritual truths.

(6) Eat 1,500 to 1,800 calories of healthy food each day. I can't feel my best if I don't eat healthily and I want to lose weight. Knowing I'm genuinely working on losing weight makes me more cheerful and optimistic.

(7) Walk or swim everyday if at all possible, unless I'm really tired and need to rest. Exercise makes me feel great and I want to stay at the top of my game. Aerobic exercise burns fat too.

(8) Avoid procrastinating on anything I really need to get done-- make it a priority. I think procrastinating can keep you from flourishing.

I may be adding more things to this list.

Greeting the Day With a Smile!

This morning meditating on two scriptures I'd memorized helped me to get up and face the day enthusiastically! I'm so thankful I slept last night. I've had several sleepless nights lately. This forces me to sleep in the daytime. Sleeping in the daytime a lot it brings greater temptation to go back to sleep even if I've just gotten plenty of sleep. Daytime sleeping causes me so much consternation. I'm left with hardly any time to be productive. There are so many things that I need to do!

I thought about fruit of the Spirit which I had prayed about last night.

Galatians 5:22-23 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. (NIV)

Thinking about this scripture this morning, I mostly asked for peace and patience in starting my day.

Next Proverbs 21:5, which I also prayed about last night, came to my mind. This Bible verse really encouraged me. I prayed for diligence and a profitable day.

Proverbs 21:5 The plans of the diligent lead to profit as surely as haste leads to poverty. (NIV)

These two scriptures along with prayer filled me with good cheer. I sprang up out of bed with enthusiasm and began my day with courage!

A Great Day!

Yesterday I took a pretty ride out in the country to where my church is having it's family weekend. I played dominos for the first time except for on a computer and it was fun. I noticed I was feeling a lot more calm and relaxed on my way home. I sure was glad. Another thing I thinked really helped was the prayer of my friend, who said she'd pray for me after she asked how I was doing on Facebook and I told her about one inconsequential thing after another upsetting me. Thank goodness I think I'm over this now and today has been a great day. I went to church this morning and the service was mostly hearing awesome testimonies after our singing. I really loved the music and getting to sing along.

I awakened early this morning and found a lot of great scriptures on love. After church I made them into a scripture acrostic and started memorizing a couple of the scriptures this evening. Having a new set of scriptures to memorize fills me with exuberance! God's word is so precious and is so powerful too. One of the things I love to do after I've memorized a set of scriptures is to meditate on them and pray through them. This seems have a trememdous impact and gets the power for daily victory flowing through me.

After my walk this evening I sat on the porch with my mom for a few hours with candy for trick-or-treaters. We had a wonderful talk about what her growing up years were like. I just love hearing her tell me about this. I think my mom is such a neat person.

Armor of God

We CAN be strong in God's mighty power!!!

Belt of Truth
When we obey God's Word then we know the truth. The truth is what sets us free! If we don't gird ourselves with the belt of truth we could end up getting tripped and falling and injured instead of being at liberty to live life the way Christ wants us to. God lovingly gave us his Word which is the Bible because it really is the truth we need for living our lives which successfully counteracts the lies of the devil.

Breastplate of Righteousness
Realize the vast importance of watching over your heart with all diligence and living a life of righteousness. God loves righteousness. Consistently live your life as if your thoughts and acts are going to form a strong powerful breastplate of righteousness which will keep you spiritually close to God, instead of straying to ways that are hazardous.

Feet Shod With the Preparation of the Gospel of Peace
From believing the gospel of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ we walk in newness of life! Everywhere we go we walk with readiness to let God's Word be our light. We share the good news of the gospel of Christ!

Shield of Faith
Faith comes from hearing the word of God. Faith is evidence of things hoped for. The shield of faith protects us from the fiery darts of the evil one. God refines us with fire to purify us. The evil one wants to set our lives aflame with destructive fire from hell. The shield of faith can extinguish every flaming dart of the evil one. When we are beset with fiery darts and saturate ourselves with God's Word a satisfying hiss from the extinguishing of the fiery darts will be readily aparrent.

Helmet of Salvation
God loved us so much he sent his Son to die in our place for our sins-- so that if we believe Jesus died for our sins and commit to live a life that pleases God, we receive God's forgiveness and eternal life. Rejoice in God's lovingkindness and great goodness and that He's always available to powerfully answer us when we cry out to Him for help, remembering that God's ways are so much higher than our ways.

Sword of the Spirit, Which is the Word of God
Fighting with the sword of the Spirit helps us to walk in the Spirit with victory over the world and the flesh and the evil one. God's word is quick and powerful and helps us to mightily win the battle. Keep your sword gripped firmly in hand to fight with. Don't forget that we are in a war against spiritual forces of evil.


Ephesians 6:10-18
10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;(KJV)

My Heart and Housecleaning

I was glad to have a day without anything planned except to do laundry and housecleaning. I got a lot accomplished today and plan on working on the rest of the things on my "to do" list tomorrow. It wasn't a struggle at all, as it often is, to nudge myself to start housecleaning today. I'm still saying a lot of scriptures I've memorized to help me with this. What greatly motivated me today was a commentary I read on Proverbs 17:3 last night.

Proverbs 17:3 The fining pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold: but the LORD trieth the hearts. (KJV)

I was really thinking about all the effort I had put into memorizing scripture, for the purpose of becoming diligent in caring for my home, realizing that God was going to try my heart after I got up and had breakfast to see if I actually would be diligent. I got a lot of things completed that I had been wanting to do and I even had fun doing it.

I took a one mile walk this evening and I'm glad that, even though I didn't walk two miles, at least I got in both housecleaning and a walk today. If I keep at it I think my stamina will improve and then will be able to take more two mile walks. I want to be sure I work at keeping a clean home home and not just on exercising.

Great Warm Weather

I've enjoyed my day inspite of problems I'm having. Taking a walk in the bright warm sunshine was nice. The warmth lifted my spirits and has me happily anticipating spring. I would have liked it even better if I didn't have to pause fairly often due to getting winded. I still enjoyed being outside and the sunshine was beautiful. I'm not out of the woods with my back yet. I enjoyed spending about an hour neatening up my home. It looks so much better. I can tell my attitude towards housework is majorly improving. I'm quite happy about this. The time I spend doing housework adds up and I see the beginnings of the progress I want so much. My latest Scripture acrostic is really changing my outlook for the better. I love the effect God's word has on me.

This evening I went out to eat catfish with my mom, stepfather, aunt, uncle and his sister and brother-in-law. The catfish was really good. The golden glow of the sun setting through the woodsey country side was so pretty. They were talking about eating cake after returning to my mom's home. I thought about it but came home and had a no sugar added popsicle. I've found that if I want my diet to continue, I can't resume my dieting fast enough. Most of the time when I eat something out of the ordinary I'm careful to make sure I count calories to make it fit into my daily calorie allowance.

I Got Motivated

Lately I've been getting sleepy at about 6pm every evening. I'm glad I'm not even sleepy yet at almost 8pm so maybe I'll sleep through the night. In the middle of the night last night I was wide awake and wrote the Scripture acrostic in the previous post. God brought to my mind several of these Scriptures right before I wrote the acrostic. I got more Scriptures from previous acrostics that I had written. I made this acrostic to inspire me to be better at taking care of my home. Years ago I used to be pretty good at this. I want to do my best and be consistent in it. I memorized the Scriptures that make up the first word in the acrostic tonight. I got so motivated after reciting these scriptures that I did some cleaning I'd been procrastinating over a long time. This builds my hope.

I'm really glad my diet is going well. I'm doing great at getting this diet tailored perfectly to fit my needs. This is really nice because I get to eat things I really like, even dark chocolate. On another post I might describe my diet to you. I really want to burn calories exercising, plus exercise makes you feel great. I didn't get to walk this afternoon due to wheezing. This is from a drug side effect. It seems like anything that really helps my joints causes wheezing.

I'm looking forward to my Aunt and Uncle's visit. They'll get here tomorrow afternoon. My youngest sister and I didn't get together yet this week like we'd planned, but we might tomorrow.

New Scripture Acrostic

I was trying to think of scriptures to encourage me to only eat healthily and God brought scriptures about following to my mind. I've got these memorized now. Today I wanted to go get something fattening to eat, but when I recited these scriptures it was totally nipped in the bud. Hence I don't have to worry about any of those calories or any ill effects of the junk food. Hallelujah! God's Word is wonderful and full of power! Praise the Lord!

P L E A S I N G God

Pure
2 Timothy 2:22
Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart. (KJV)

Love
1 Corinthians 13:13 &14:1
And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.
Follow after charity... (KJV)

Eternal life
1 Timothy 6:11-12
...follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness. Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses. (KJV)

Acceptable
Romans 14:17-19
For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost. For he that in these things serveth Christ is acceptable to God, and approved of men. Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another. (KJV)

Spirit
1Thessalonians 5:15-19
...but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men. Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. Quench not the Spirit. (KJV)

In Christ Jesus
Philippians 3:12 &14
Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. ...I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. (KJV)

Noble
Philippians 4:8
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable-- if anything is excellent or praiseworthy-- think about such things. (NIV)

Good
3 John 1:11
Beloved, follow not that which is evil, but that which is good. He that doeth good is of God: but he that doeth evil hath not seen God. (KJV)

August Scripture Memory

I'm behind on Scripture memory. I made this Scripture acrostic tonight. I've been really having a struggle resisting eating sweets. I know how much Scripture helps me to have victory. Most of these are Scriptures I've memorized before. Quoting a lot of Scripture in the face of persistent temptations is so powerful. It really helps me to get on a higher spiritual plane. I definitely want to put this into practice more often. I like the title of this acrostic because it reminds me that I need to make God first place in my life and live a life that glorifies Him.

GOD FIRST

God
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. (KJV)
link to New International Version

O
Psalms 34:8-9 O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him. O fear the LORD, ye his saints: for there is no want to them that fear him. (KJV)
link to New Living Translation

Delight
Psalms 119:24 Thy testimonies also are my delight and my counsellors. (KJV)
link to New International Version

Faith
Galatians 2:20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. (KJV)
link to English Standard Version

In the Spirit
Galatians 5:22-25 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.(KJV)
link to English Standard Version

Right
Proverbs 8:6-9 Hear; for I (wisdom) will speak of excellent things; and the opening of my lips shall be right things. For my mouth shall speak truth; and wickedness is an abomination to my lips. All the words of my mouth are in righteousness; there is nothing froward or perverse in them. They are all plain to him that understandeth, and right to them that find knowledge.(KJV)
link to New International Version

Selfish
Proverbs 18:1 He that separateth himself seeketh his pleasure, he is vehement against all sound wisdom. (Darby)
link to King James Version

The battle
Ephesians 6:10-12 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.(KJV)

link to New American Bible Version

I Love Sunshine

It was cold this morning but warm and sunny this afternoon. I sunbathed on my patio for a few minutes this afternoon. I really love being in the bright sunshine. Today brought back wonderful memories of sunbathing at the beach with friends when I was a teenager. It was fun to wade out into the Gulf and cavort with my friends. You might be shocked at the percentage of a century in which I lived on the Gulf coast, in my home town. I was frightened away by hurricane Katrina, even though my rental home, which was only about three blocks from the beach sustained only very minor damage. I remember praying for God to dispatch angels to protect my home and I'm very thankful for God's protection. My parents also moved away from the coast and now we live in the same town as my brother and youngest sister. It's super nice that we live in the same town now. My other sister lives just an hour away but I wish she lived in the same town too.

In the bright sunshine is where I want to be spiritually! Lately God has been teaching me new truths from 1st John Chapter 1. Verses 5-10 describe what I think is essential to the process of spiritual growth. I love the Bible. It's God's holy Word and it is truth so vitally needed in our lives. If I fail to admit my sin 1 John 1:10 says I make God a liar and His Word has no place in my heart.

Click on the link to read 1st John 1 in the New Living Translation:

http://www.blueletterbible.org/Bible.cfm?b=1Jo&c=1&t=NLT

I John 1:1-10
1 That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life;2 (For the life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and shew unto you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us;)3 That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ.4 And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full.5 This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.6 If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth:7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.8 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.(KJV)

Ephesians 5:8-9 For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light: (For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;)(KJV)

1Thessalonians 5:55 Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness. (KJV)

Spring Weather & Encouragement through Scripture

I went back to get my umbrella when I was leaving for my walk late this afternoon. I walked in the rain a few blocks then the rain stopped. I loved the scent of rain in the air and the nice breeze. It was nice being able to enjoy a beautiful overcast day instead of the weather dictating my volatile mood, I noticed it was getting sunnier though just as I returned home.

I dealt with my cravings for a fast food hamburger-- actually I had justified getting a fast food hamburger, then I talked to God about seriously considering getting a fast food hamburger when it wouldn't be good at all for my health. Confessing this to God was a turning point for the good. I love 1st John 1:9!

I John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (KJV)

I decided to cook some lentils with garlic & cumin. They're delicious too. I simmered the lentils in a minimal amount of water and cooked them til al dente perfection so they would have kind of a meaty taste.

Reading some scriptures from Nehemiah and the 8th chapter of Proverbs today helped give me some enthusiasm for housecleaning today. Scripture is so inspiring. Overcoming procrastinaton related to negative attitudes is a real battle for me often, but I think I'm beginning to see light at the end of the tunnel.

Here is a link to Proverbs 8, New International Version:

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=prov%208&version=31

These scriptures in Nehemiah tell of the opposition faced in rebuilding the wall of Jerusalem, and how the opposition was overcome!

Nehemiah 4:1, 8-9, 17, 19-21 & 6:9
But it came to pass, that when Sanballat heard that we builded the wall, he was wroth, and took great indignation, and mocked the Jews. ...And conspired all of them together to come and to fight against Jerusalem, and to hinder it. Nevertheless we made our prayer unto our God, and set a watch against them day and night, because of them. ...They which builded on the wall, and they that bare burdens, with those that laded, every one with one of his hands wrought in the work, and with the other hand held a weapon. ...And I said unto the nobles, and to the rulers, and to the rest of the people, The work is great and large, and we are separated upon the wall, one far from another. In what place therefore ye hear the sound of the trumpet, resort ye thither unto us: our God shall fight for us. So we laboured in the work: and half of them held the spears from the rising of the morning till the stars appeared. ...For they all made us afraid, saying, Their hands shall be weakened from the work, that it be not done. Now therefore, O God, strengthen my hands. (KJV)

Learning More From Scripture

Let your manner of life reflect an attitude that is admirable, with attributes of calmness, wisdom, diligence and peacefulness-- which is useful for management of responsibilities, problems and challenges. See life as a chance to serve God through good stewardship. Let vitality be aparrent in your efforts as you walk in all kinds of good works God had in mind when he created you. This is what I've been learning from James 3:13 and Ecclesiastes 9:10 (scriptures below). These two scriptures have been on my mind this week. Recording things God is teaching me through Scripture inspires me and helps me to be focused.

Studying James 3:13 in the original Greek language proved insightful. At the link you can study the Greek words of this verse. Strong's numbers for the words of this verse are displayed. When you click on a Strong's number you can see the Greek definition.

http://www.blueletterbible.org/Bible.cfm?b=Jam&c=3&t=KJV#conc/13

Ecclesiastes 9:10 Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest. (KJV)

Ephesians 2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. (KJV)

James 3:13 Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom. (KJV)

James 3:17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. (KJV)

Spiritual Alertness & Committment

I was studying my Bible, while at the doctor's office yesterday for a check up. Something really clicked regarding how to avoid repeatedly stepping into ruts of one kind or another.

God is teaching me a lot about this. While taking a break from housecleaning today I tried to put what God has been impressing on me into writing...

How do you react to manufacturer’s instructions regarding something you’re in need of understanding? How important is it for instructions to be based on facts? How connected to the outcome is alert carefulness in the following of an important set of instructions?

God’s Word is truth, and it is so vitally needed in our lives. Woven all throughout our lives are opportunities, in which drawing from the wisdom of God’s Word is so needed.

God wants us to have righteousness, peace and joy. Neglecting to follow his instructions, while at the wheel navigating things in our lives, diminishes our righteousness, peace and joy. Alertness is vitally important in driving; this is a good analogy for illustrating how important it is to have a vigilant alertness, to choose to revere God and His Word, through our actions-- in every instance of our lives.

• It's important to stay immersed in God's Word and seek answers from His Word.
• Remember how you respond to God's Word will determine "IF":

"I'm Free" or "I'm Fettered by sin".

• Persistently pray.

John 8:31b-32 If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.(KJV)

1 Peter 5:8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: (KJV)

Ephesians 6:18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; (KJV)

James 4:17 Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin. (KJV)

I hope you'll feel free to comment. We can help to build each other up in the admonition and teaching of God's Word!