Devotional for Dieters

[Judy Harder]

February 17


John 16:33
'These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.'


Sometimes we just get tired of dieting. It takes a lot of energy to diet, and without the foods we love, we're sometimes too weak to fight any longer. Our diets become bigger and bigger burdens. If we're not careful, we can lose sight of the fact that our diet won't last forever. All things come to an end if we will only be patient enough to wait. It helps to remember the temptations of Christ; how He triumphed over them, and then, before long, how they ended. Dieting is not punishment, but discipline. Though it can be a tribulation, losing weight carries with it a special joy.
Today's thought: As the fat fades, so does the tribulation!

[Judy Harder]

February 18


Romans 16:20
And the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly.


I remember going to a cafeteria with my friend once while I was on a diet. I told my friend that I was only going along to keep him company, but that I wouldn't eat anything. Once there, however, I was drawn to a particular piece of German chocolate cake. I de-bated with myself for the longest time, then finally gave in and went to the counter to buy it. On my way back to my seat, I turned took quickly, and the cake fell from my tray to the floor, where I proceeded to step on it. I always felt that perhaps God was trying to teach me something. The source of my temptation did indeed end up under my feet!
Today's thought: Food wasted is better than food waisted!

[Judy Harder]

February 19


Revelation 3:21
'To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.'


The ultimate goal of our Christian walk is to be like Jesus. The ultimate goal of our diet is to be trimmer and more fit. Both goals require great discipline and commitment. Both goals carry valuable rewards with them. It makes sense to combine the goals whenever we can. If we will diet prayerfully, constantly relying on Jesus Christ for comfort and strength, then we will please the Lord and lose weight at the same time. With Christ we become overcomers, and we are promised that we will share in Christ's reward in our heavenly home!
Today's thought: I cannot be beaten, as long as Christ is on my side!

[Lookatmeknow!!]

Judy, I read these every day!!  They really help me with my "Diet", which I have decided to call a life style change.  Because I am changing so much about myself, not only the outside but the inside at the same time.  I do rely on God to help me with my life style change.  I appreciate you posting these so much!!!  Have a GREAT Day and God bless you!!!

[Judy Harder]

February 20


Psalm 37:5
Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.


Alice Layden was a woman with no self-control. As long as I knew her, she had been terribly overweight. I hadn't seen Alice for over two years when she showed up one day on my front door-step. She looked fabulous! When I asked how she had finally done it, she said, 'I asked God to help me, and I just kept asking Him. Every morning, every noontime, each evening, and anytime I felt hungry, which was almost all the time, I just said a little prayer for God to get me through. He did it! After I thought I'd just about run out of things to try, I found what I should have known all along. God did for me what I was unable to do for myself!'
Today's thought: The more time spent in prayer, the less time left to eat!

[Judy Harder]

February 21


Hebrews 9:23
It was therefore necessary that the patterns of things in the heavens should be purified with these; but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices then these.


I took a youth group to a play on Good Friday once while I was fasting. All I could think of was how hungry I felt. I was a little cranky, and I found it difficult to concentrate on the play. Suddenly, I looked at the face of the young man who played Christ. His face was contorted with the pain and suffering of our Lord. I looked at a face which truly mirrored everything Jesus had been through, and I was ashamed at myself for the self-pity I had indulged in. When I compared my minor discomforts with the true sufferings of Jesus, I realized I had nothing whatsoever to complain about.
Today's thought: I will think of what I have, rather than what I have not!

[Judy Harder]

February 22


1 Peter 5:7
Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.


David was driving everyone crazy. He seemed to breeze through his diet while everyone else struggled. At first, everyone assumed he was cheating on his diet, but when he began losing weight faster than everyone else, they gave up on that thought. It was finally discovered that only one thing made David different from the rest of the group: David was a Christian. He began sharing his faith and told the others they could cast all their cares on the Lord, and God would help them face all their trials and temptations. The group not only lost weight, they gained faith!
Today's thought: As we cast our cares on God, He casts His love on us!

[Judy Harder]

February 23


Proverbs 18:10
The name of the Lord is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.


Kate was so thankful that Dennis was willing to spend time with her. Since she started her diet, Kate had tried everything in her power to keep from being alone. When she was alone, she ate. When she was with friends, she didn't feel the need quite as strongly. When she was with friends who understood her, they helped her keep her mind off food. Dennis was one of those understanding friends. He would talk and laugh and make her forget all about eating. He made himself available as much as he could, and Kate was truly grateful. She felt he was a fortress she could run to, where she would be safe from the temptations of food and drink.
Today's thought: God gives us places of refuge when we tire!

[Judy Harder]

February 24


James 1:13
Let no man say when he is tempted, 'I am tempted of God:' for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man.


A woman I knew once told me, 'If God wants me thin, He'll make me thin. Besides, He wouldn't have made so many tempting things if He didn't want me to eat them.' The poor woman took no personal responsibility for herself, and within a year of our conversation, she was dead. Her heart just couldn't take the strain anymore. Though God will be faithful to help us, He will not do it all Himself. He does not tempt us, nor does He cruelly tease us. He wants only to help us, but we must want to help ourselves.
Today's thought: God is not the source of temptation, but the solution!
 

[Judy Harder]

Devotions for Dieters
Welcome to Devotions for Dieters, a free devotional from Crosswalk, the world's largest Christian website.

February 25

Psalm 37:16
A little that a righteous man hath is better than the riches of many wicked.

'I know my limits,' Jean said. 'If I only keep a little food in the house, then I won't be tempted to eat too much. If I stock up, I just know I'll end up stuffing myself. It's better to just avoid the temptation altogether.' Often it is better avoid our temptations rather than try to face them head-on. We cannot enter into gluttony if we restrict the amount of food we keep on hand. Often our diets are made successful because of the preventive measures we take.
Today's thought: Knowing our limits helps us limit our wants!