Made To Crave Bible Study ~ Peace

Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification. Do not

destroy the work of God for the sake of food. Romans 14:19-20

Have you ever realized that nothing tastes as good as peace feels?

Maybe you are thinking that is true but - how do you get to taste this portion of peace.

I shared with our group from my own discoveries and personal journeys that I am filled with peace when I am obedient to what I know is truth. The truth that I am talking about comes Gods Word. It is His Word that brings knowledge and wisdom into my heart and mind and fill me with Truths. These Truths help guide me and empower me to make right choices in every area of my life. The Truths have set me free from guilt and shame!

In this chapter on from Guilt to Peace I examined a particular area of my eating habits and challenged myself to take a break from daily snacking on chips & dips.

Now that might not sound like a big deal to you but to me and my family - it is a daily festival for us to partake in! We love us some Chips & Salsa or Chips and Dip!!

I am proud to say that I went 6 days without any chips and since then I have even cut back and have become more aware to my intake of this habit of snacking.

My husband has also joined in on cutting back!

The material we are learning about in Made to Crave has helped me to accomplish going on a 6 day fast from any chips. You may not think that this was a big challenge but to my family this is a big deal. We consume so many bags of chips and salsa & dips a week that we are known for it!

I am grateful that I have become aware of this and have learned truths that strengthen self control and give me the courage to deny unhealthy desires throughout my day.

Our bible study group is becoming more aware of this and each of us are growing into women of peace!

Made To Crave Bible Study ~ Determined!

Made To Crave ~ Week 2

Determined

Read Chapters 4 - 6

Be cheerful no matter what; pray all the time; thank God no matter what happens.

This is the way God wants you who belong to Christ Jesus to live.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (The Message)

Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

New International Version

During the next few chapters we will absorb scriptures and knowledge that will help empower us to become women of determination and not defeat!

When life's circumstances press in.

When life's journeys bring sickness, sorrow or pain.

When we are in a battle.

May we be reminded that our focus should be on God and not the object of our struggle.

I know that it is not an easy task to accomplish but if we apply the instructions that Paul encourages us with in 1 Thessalonians 5 then I believe we will be strengthened and become better fit spiritually, emotionally and physically to take care of ourselves and serve God & others.

In the Made to Crave Webcast Lysa encouraged everyone to desire more of God and to become
Women (Men) of Joy

Women (Men) of Prayer

Women (Men) of Thanks

A Woman (Man) in His Will!

I encourage you to be alert and ready to shift your focus from things that are distracting or bringing defeat into your lives - to - focusing on what God's word says is Right and True!

On page 48 of the study guide and page 53 of the book there are statements and

scriptures that speak of what God says is true about you.

Here are a few of them for you to read and fill in your name with.

Be determined to not identify yourself by your circumstances but by who you belong to and
what His word says about you.

_________, the forgiven child of God - Romans 3:24

_________, the set free child of God - Romans 8:1-2

_______, the made new child of God - 2 Corinthians 5:17

_______, the loved child of God - Ephesians 1:4

_______, the confident child of God - Ephesians 2:13

_______, the victorious child of God - Romans 8:37

Lysa's Pastor, Steven Furtick, suggests that we

Pinpoint the lie.

Find and Replace the lie.

Change not only the why - but the way you do things.

Holy Spirit Determination makes this all possible!

And accountability helps!

As we watched the video and discussed this weeks message I was deeply moved by the emotions & discussions that were taking place.

Eyes teared up when Lysa challenged us to remember who we were and declared over us that

we were not failures!

We are Jesus Girls capable of victory!

As those words sinked in there were thoughts that flooded our minds.

The battle was on and the determination fire was kicked in!

Here is what we are up against.

Thoughts that tell us lies.

Just as quickly as one of our ladies heard Lysa speak these things over us...she heard opposite in her head - but - quickly conquered those thoughts with the truth!

Emotions & Hurts that lead us to find comfort in food.

One of our ladies has struggled with weight issues most of her life.

Since childhood she has dieted and even suffered from an eating disorder for a period of time.

Her 9 year old daughter has a broken heart from her parents divorce and has told her counselor that food and snacks help her.

This sweet friend and mom is aching for her daughter and the battle they share.

She is determined to reverse this by the power & knowledge of God's Word!

Determination That Needs Strengthening

" Everything in me does not want to plan!"

We must be women who are determined to make changes in how we plan for shopping and preparation of meals.

Deciding in advance to stock our fridge with healthier eating options and not with packaged food that are filled with additives and unhealthy things!

You can cut down on shopping time and save money if you plan!

Dr Ski Chilton, a leading researcher in the study of gene-based nutrition, inflammation, and Omega 3's and author of The Gene Smart Diet

shared on the Made To Crave webcast recently - that we need to consume & get more Omega 3 into our bodies.

Omega 3 is good .

Omega 6 is not as good.

Omega 3 helps with aging.

Omega 6 promotes inflammation.

He recommends we eat Salmon, Makrel, and Cod to get a good source of Omega 3 and that we should limit our eating of Tilapia due to the higher levels of Omega 6.

For more info on Omega 3 & Omega 6 and your health.

Check out the articles here on Live Strong Website

and here on Dr Chilton's website.

As always - please further research and consult with your doctors for any additional info and guidance regarding your health and lifestyle.

My prayer for you this day is that you would be alert and aware of distractions that would take you from your desire to know Him more.

Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. Be self controlled and alert.
1 Peter 5:7-8

Be Inspired!

Vern

Quote Of The Week

"Break thru begins with desire."

Steven Furtick
Pastor of Elevation Church and Author of Sun Stand Still

Resources: NIV Bible, Message Bible, Dr Ski Chilton - www.genesmart.com, www.madetocrave.org

Made To Crave Bible Study ~ Empowered Part 2

Here is some additional encouragement for your journey of Craving God More!

Empowered Part 2

Psalm 131

My heart is not proud, LORD,
my eyes are not haughty;
I do not concern myself with great matters
or things too wonderful for me.
But I have calmed and quieted myself,
I am like a weaned child with its mother;
like a weaned child I am content.

The following are notes from the

Made to Crave Webcast that aired on

1/10/2011

www.madetocrave.org

Dr Ski Chilton gave some wonderful tips to empower us!

1. Women should get 25 Grams of Fiber daily. Fiber tells you your full and allows you to lose weight.
2. Drinking 16oz of water at the start of the day will help you to consume fewer calories.
3. Be Empowered by God to make better choices.

Empowerment From Lysa's Blog
3/23/11

Instead of focusing on the scale, on food (or whatever your struggle may be), and the harships of sacrifice - Focus On...

1. Our goal should be letting the peace of God rule in us.
Are You At Peace?
Isaiah 26:3
You will keep in perfect peace him/her whose mind is steadfast,
because he/she trusts in you.

2. Our desire should be to honor God with our bodies.
How did you honor God this week?
1 Corinthians 6:19-20
Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God?
You are not your own; you were bought at a price.
Therefore honor God with your bodies.

3. Our perspective should be to fill our soul with an abundance of Truth instead of our stomach (hearts & minds) with an abundance of food (junk).
What truths were you filled with this week?
John 8:32
And you shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free!

If we want to grow closer to God, we have to distance ourselves from the distractions holding us back. Part of that distancing process is focusing and magnifying God more & more...especially in our times of accountability.

Grab your pens, highlighters, journals and Made To Crave books and a Bible...

Pray and get ready to be Empowered!!

Let me know your questions, comments and how I can pray for you.

Blessings over you and your steps ahead!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

This book is not a how-to manual or the latest, greatest dieting plan. Made to Crave is a helpful companion to use alongside whatever healthy eating approach you choose — a book and Bible study to help you find the “want to” in how to make healthy lifestyle changes.

Every body has different health concerns so please consult with your physician before starting any new exercise or eating plan.

Made To Crave Bible Study ~ Empowered

Over the next several weeks I will be posting conversation's and information from a Bible Study I am doing with a group of girlfriends...as well as extra insight from recent webcasts about this material.

The Bible Study is called Made To Crave.

It was lived out and written by my friend Lysa Terkeurst of Proverbs 31 Ministries.

You can read more about Lysa on her blog by going here.

Made To Crave and other wonderful materials can be purchased through Proverbs 31 ministries - click here for more details.

We invite you to join us on this life changing journey. Each week I will post information that has the potential to transform all of us both spiritually and physically. I encourage you to get a copy of the Made to Crave book and study guide and come back several times weekly to walk this road with us. It is also important you have a bible to look up scripture verses and grow in the knowledge of His Word. You can also look up verses by going to www.biblegateway.com

MADE TO CRAVE ~ Week 1

Chapters 1-3

Psalm 84:1 -2

How lovely is your dwelling place, O Lord Almighty!

My soul yearns, even faints, for the courts of the Lord;

my heart and my flesh cry out for the living God.

Friends...We were made to crave.

Yes - desire, yearn and crave...Our God.

The Creator of Heaven & Earth.

Unfortunately, we have been lured away from desiring God the most

and replaced it with cravings for our sinful selves, the lust of our eyes

and

the boasting of ourselves.

1 John 2:15-16 (Amplified Bible)

Do not love or cherish the world or the things that are in the world.

If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in him.

For all that is in the world - the lust of the flesh (craving for sensual gratification) and the lust of the eyes (greedy longings of the mind) and the pride of life (assurance in one's own resources or in the stability of earthly things) - these do not come from the Father but are from the world (itself).

On page 21 in the MTC book - Lysa shares how our eyes are being fascinated by the love of so many things. She breaks down the 3 ways we are lured by our cravings.

Cravings = trying to get our physical desires met outside the will of God.

Lust of our eyes = trying to get our material desires met outside the will of God.

Boasting = trying to get our need for significance met outside the will of God.

But hang in there folks!!
You are fixing to get some TRUTH spoken to you and it will set you Free!!!

Made to Crave is not about helping you find your how-to; it's about helping you find your Want To!
Made to Crave will help you feel empowered rather than deprived!

I am praying for you and as a group we are all believing for some mighty break-thru's from the strongholds & habits in our lives that have sabotaged us for too long!

What is a stronghold you might ask?

2 Corinthians 10:4-5

The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.

Anything known or unknown that repeatedly sets itself up against the truth of God's Word.

Known strongholds are matters that we know are clearly repetitious & unacceptable both biblically and culturally - but we still carry on with them.

Unknown strongholds are matters that are hidden under laziness, ignorance, lack of understanding and may be culturally acceptable but biblically unacceptable.

For some their battle comes in the form of food...but what we will be learning over the next several weeks can be applied to whatever it is that you crave.

May our appetites change from desiring food, facebook, fashion and fun...to making healthy choices in all areas of our lives. And it's not that these things are bad...it's that sometimes they become greater than the things of God in our lives.

After watching the first video of this series I asked our group some questions about their "Want To" and how they are feeling right now.
This is their response.

"Changing how I eat makes me sad."

"I am resistant to a "want to" at this point...but as the knowledge comes forth my want to will want to change."

"I get negative thoughts"

"I need help because I deprive myself of food because I am a workaholic."

"My weight struggle interferes with my life. It interferes with my confidence, my relationships...how I respond to my spouse and my kids...how I respond to touch, etc..."

One lady shared - "Yea, I have a want to! I want to because I have to fit in a dress for my son's wedding!"

One of the most interesting comments was from one of my friends that makes healthy choices regarding her food and taking care of herself. She said..."Being on the healthy side has effected some friendships". She is trying to find a balance because some folks have a hard time with her not eating sweets or other stuff like she use to.

Can you relate to any of these comments?

How is your Want To?

May you be empowered by God to make better choices and to have the "Want To" to do it!!

This journey will challenge you to make some tough sacrifices but think of it as taking care of yourself by making a healthy decision...other than thinking of it as depriving yourself from something that taste good, looks good but is oh so bad!

1 Corinthians 10:23
Everything is permissable - but not everything is beneficial.

What reasons motivate you to be healthier?

After being diagnosed with breast cancer and experiencing the biggest battle for my life this past year - I have made a decision to take better care
of what God has given me.
In the midst of the battle I learned so much about myself, my body and my God that I want to crave wellness with Him and my body more than other stuff.
I am making the choice to live an "It Is Well With My Soul" life as best as I can...and to help others grow in the knowledge I have experienced - and hopefully spare them from having to take the difficult field trip.
So I end with this..please take care of yourself and listen to your body...most importantly listen to what God's Word, the Holy Bible, says about the hope & power available to you...and trust God to help you!

You were created for more!

Be Inspired,

Vern

Quote Of The Day
Lysa Terkeurst
from page 28 of the Made To Crave Book

"This wasn't really about the scale or what clothing size I was; it was about this battle that raged in my heart."