RTW March 30
Make Promises I Plan to Keep
My Takeaways
Something Old
So much is promised on a “mountaintop experience.” Joshua 24:16-24
- We will never abandon the Lord and serve other gods. (Joshua 24:16)
- We will serve the Lord. (Joshua 24:21)
- We will obey Him alone. (Joshua 24:24)
What have I promised on the “mountaintop” that I have failed to keep below?
“Mountaintop” experiences are momentary.
We have
- To be realistic about our “mountaintop” promise.
- Don’t make a promise based on a moment. (influence of others and emotion)
- Remember it’s better not to make a promise than make one and not keep it.
- Remember there is grace when we fail to keep our promise.
- Real living takes places at the bottom of the mountain and requires daily dependence on the one who created the mountaintops.
Something New
I wonder who was in charge of keeping up with Joseph’s bones. (Joshua 24:32)
Something to Do
Live like the mountaintop in the valley
???Today is Day 30 !!!!!!!!!! ???
As always, God has perfect timing for the perfect lesson today right?!
I want to sincerely THANK everyone who has prayed for me these past 30 days as I made my Nazarite Vow to do the Whole 30 and fast from FB starting both on March 1st until today March 30th.
I did it friends! GOD DID IT!!
I have not veered or strayed, looked left or right and did not eat one thing that I wasn’t supposed and haven’t been on FB since Feb 28th! ??????
I have learned SO much. I am not the same person I was 30 days ago. This month has been life changing for me. And this was only possible because my heart was softened and ready for this due to my being in the word for the previous 2 months of this year. God gave me the strength! This was not due to anything I had done accept my full dependence on Him to help me every single day, every single decision, choice, thought, action and meal. I want to show how this all came together in today’s reading.
(22:2) (Jennifer), You have done ______, you have obeyed _____, you have been careful to _______. The Lord, The Mighty One, is God!
(22:34) “Witness” share this testimony, what God is doing in me with others.
(23:1) Years passed, (23:3) you have seen everything the Lord your God has done for you. The Lord your God has fought for you. (23:5) Just as the Lord your God promised you. (This is his promise to me as I continue on this journey to Whole Health.)
(23:6) So be careful to follow everything. Do not deviate from it, turning either to the right or the left. (I had a serious stronghold, I required this structure and focus-I cannot return to my old ways, that is over now.)
(23:8) Rather cling tightly to the Lord your God as you have done until now.
(23:9) For the Lord has driven out great and powerful (strongholds for you).
He has began the process of breaking my food addiction, idol worship of food, sin of gluttony.
(23:12) But if I turn away and cling to ….(food again instead of God and go back to my old ways), they will be a snare and a trap to you, a whip for your backs and thorny brambles in your eyes and you will vanish from this good land (my promised land, freedom from food addiction), the Lord your God has given you.
(23:14) Deep in your heart you know that every promise of the Lord your God has come true. Not a single one has failed!
I can continue to trust Him in this even after my mountaintop experience and I go back to real life. The daily dependence is crucial!
(23:15) But I cannot break the covenant of the Lord by worshipping and serving other gods (idols, food, comfort eating, overindulging, gluttony), if I do I will quickly vanish from the good land He has given me (freedom-my promised land!)
(24:5) I brought you out as free people! ??
(24:8) I brought you into the land! ??
I destroyed them before you! ??
I gave you victory over them! ??
(24:10) I rescued you! ??
(24:12) It was not your own strength that brought you victory!
Yes and amen!!!!
The Lord is the strength of my life! Psalm 27:1
(24:13) He has given me everything that I have. Land, home, food, freedom, health, victory!
My To Do:
(24:14-15) So fear the Lord and serve him wholeheartedly. Put away FOREVER the idols. Serve God alone.
(24:15) But as for me and my family, we will serve the Lord! Yes and Amen!
(I have a metal sign with this verse on it hanging in my kitchen)
(24:18) I will serve the Lord, for he alone is God.
I journaled and documented my 30 day journey. I gave each day a title and a verse that God gave me to help me that day. I would love to share them with you as they helped me focus on God each day. The journey went from Whole 30 to Whole Life.
God > Whole 30. He just used it as a foundation to begin to bring me into my promised land of Whole Health. I have a long journey but time and a pattern of good choices leads to victory over time. I desire to be healthy for God, healthy in every way. I weighed myself Day 1 and again this morning. I lost 13.8 lbs and dropped 1 pant and 1 shirt size. Although that is thrilling and awesome, nothing feels better than actually doing it and knowing that my heart is actually changing. That is what needed to happen for these strongholds and idols to be broken. My focus very quickly around day 2 or 3 went from my experience to God’s experience through me. My focus was on Him and He carried me through. It was ALL in His strength. I’ve tried since I was a teenager to do something about my health and my eating habits, addictions and issues. No hope. Here I am now at 40 years old and see the only way that anything works is by surrendering it ALL TO GOD!!! It’s all for Him, not for the scale, pant size or anything to do with me. My body and my health are his. He deserves ALL the Glory for anything I have accomplished.
I can do ALL things through Christ who strengthens me! ❤️ Phil 4:13
Thank you for reading all of that. Your prayers carried me through and He answered them powerfully!
If anyone would like more details from my journal or have any questions, please feel free to email me
[email protected]
Going forward I will not go back to my old ways of eating. I am recommitting to another 30 days of good choices, depending on Him, slow and steady, short amounts of time that are attainable, pressing on in His strength and continuing my journey to Whole Health. It doesn’t stop here. ❤️
P.S. I’m also permanently deleting that FB idol (for me it’s an idol). I don’t need it, I haven’t missed it. God says destroy it.
“Lord with your strength I’ve got no excuse”
https://youtu.be/DuZPOVFcFJ4
This song is an anthem and a tribute to our friends in the Bible. Enjoy!
Hey Girls, we just finished up another book of the Bible, Joshua, congratulations. We lost 2 great leaders today. “After all this, Joshua son of Nun, the servant of God, died. He was 110 years old. They buried him in the land of his inheritance at Timnath Serah in the mountains of Ephraim, north of Mount Gaash.” and “Eleazar son of Aaron died. They buried him at Gibeah, which had been allotted to his son Phinehas in the mountains of Ephraim.” What sad times. Our next reading wil prove this as we begin the book if Judges. If you would like a sneak preview check out what the Bible Project says at this link https://youtu.be/kOYy8iCfIJ4 You’ll see for yourself that the next book we encounter is quite disturbing. Joshua discovered that a life fed by meditation on the Word of God and lived in accordance with the promises of God brought true blessing, fulfilling purpose, and rich reward. At the end of his life, he declares, “Choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve . . . . But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD” (24:15). God’s way starts with difficulty and ends with joy (Prov. 4:18), while the way of sinners starts with ease and ends with sorrow (Prov. 14:12). Joshua has chosen to live in God’s Word and walk in God’s way. I’ve learned a lot from this book and like Joshua I too will serve the Lord. Have a great weekend girls, and stay in the word.
Thanks for the reminder about The Bible Project videos! They are so good! Also, I had missed in today’s reading that Eleazar died so thanks for pointing that out.
This is an article I found very helpful in describing strongholds.
https://newlifespiritrecovery.com/addiction-is-a-stronghold-but-what-does-that-mean/
I posted a rather lengthy comment but it’s saying awaiting moderation so I’m not sure if it’s posted. I just wanted to update on my 30 day journey! Hopefully it will post soon ?❤️
I’m looking forward to the update! I’m still praying for you each day during my RTW time.
Thank you so very much Mary!
~There were many commands in today’s reading that I noted in my journal under My Something To Do. However, what I decided to share here was Joshua 24:19a which says, “You are not able to serve the Lord, for he is a holy and jealous God.” Though the people said they would, they were not able to serve God perfectly. Neither am I, which is why they and I need a Savior. Thanks be to God! He has provided one in Christ Jesus!
~Following is a prayer from the New City Catechism devotion book that addresses this better than I can:
“Holy God, left to our own devices, we transgress your law at every turn. We have no defense, but must plead guilty before your throne of judgment. Your law condemns us and cuts through our pretensions to righteousness, convincing us that we desperately need a Savior. Amen.”
I have been noticing the repeated words throughout Scripture to cling to the Lord. My mind always goes to Saran Wrap. I put it on things and because it is so tight it keeps the food protected and longer lasting. I need to cling to God like Saran Wrap be that close and not let go. He doesn’t let go of me so it is I who must make sure I don’t let go of Him.
Something Old
Much to my amazement….my Something Old is the same as it was last year on this day:
Joshua 22:3b…..”even though the campaign has lasted for such a long time.” I was tempted to be discouraged by that, at first, thinking that I am in the same battle as I was last year. Then I began comparing the details and the changes and the advances. And most importantly, the faithfulness of the Lord throughout. He has not left me nor forsaken me. I look forward to next year…and revisiting this exact same verse and seeing what He has done!
Something New
Joshua 23:1, “the years passed, and the Lord had given the people of Israel rest from all their enemies.” Ah. There is the promise. I need to hear this and believe it.
Something To Do
Joshua 24:15. “ …….choose today whom you will serve.” Each moment of every day we have a choice. May I intentionally choose the Lord, not just on the mountaintop, but also in the darkest valley.
???Today is Day 30 !!!!!!!!!! ???
As always, God has perfect timing for the perfect lesson today right?!
I want to sincerely THANK everyone who has prayed for me these past 30 days as I made my Nazarite Vow to do the Whole 30 and fast from FB starting both on March 1st until today March 30th.
I did it friends! GOD DID IT!!
I have not veered or strayed, looked left or right and did not eat one thing that I wasn’t supposed and haven’t been on FB since Feb 28th! ??????
I have learned SO much. I am not the same person I was 30 days ago. This month has been life changing for me. And this was only possible because my heart was softened and ready for this due to my being in the word for the previous 2 months of this year. God gave me the strength! This was not due to anything I had done accept my full dependence on Him to help me every single day, every single decision, choice, thought, action and meal. I want to show how this all came together in today’s reading.
(22:2) (Jennifer), You have done ______, you have obeyed _____, you have been careful to _______. The Lord, The Mighty One, is God!
(22:34) “Witness” share this testimony, what God is doing in me with others.
(23:1) Years passed, (23:3) you have seen everything the Lord your God has done for you. The Lord your God has fought for you. (23:5) Just as the Lord your God promised you. (This is his promise to me as I continue on this journey to Whole Health.)
(23:6) So be careful to follow everything. Do not deviate from it, turning either to the right or the left. (I had a serious stronghold, I required this structure and focus-I cannot return to my old ways, that is over now.)
(23:8) Rather cling tightly to the Lord your God as you have done until now.
(23:9) For the Lord has driven out great and powerful (strongholds for you).
He has began the process of breaking my food addiction, idol worship of food, sin of gluttony.
(23:12) But if I turn away and cling to ….(food again instead of God and go back to my old ways), they will be a snare and a trap to you, a whip for your backs and thorny brambles in your eyes and you will vanish from this good land (my promised land, freedom from food addiction), the Lord your God has given you.
(23:14) Deep in your heart you know that every promise of the Lord your God has come true. Not a single one has failed!
I can continue to trust Him in this even after my mountaintop experience and I go back to real life. The daily dependence is crucial!
(23:15) But I cannot break the covenant of the Lord by worshipping and serving other gods (idols, food, comfort eating, overindulging, gluttony), if I do I will quickly vanish from the good land He has given me (freedom-my promised land!)
(24:5) I brought you out as free people! ??
(24:8) I brought you into the land! ??
I destroyed them before you! ??
I gave you victory over them! ??
(24:10) I rescued you! ??
(24:12) It was not your own strength that brought you victory!
Yes and amen!!!!
The Lord is the strength of my life! Psalm 27:1
(24:13) He has given me everything that I have. Land, home, food, freedom, health, victory!
My To Do:
(24:14-15) So fear the Lord and serve him wholeheartedly. Put away FOREVER the idols. Serve God alone.
(24:15) But as for me and my family, we will serve the Lord! Yes and Amen!
(I have a metal sign with this verse on it hanging in my kitchen)
(24:18) I will serve the Lord, for he alone is God.
I journaled and documented my 30 day journey. I gave each day a title and a verse that God gave me to help me that day. I would love to share them with you as they helped me focus on God each day. The journey went from Whole 30 to Whole Life.
God > Whole 30. He just used it as a foundation to begin to bring me into my promised land of Whole Health. I have a long journey but time and a pattern of good choices leads to victory over time. I desire to be healthy for God, healthy in every way. I weighed myself Day 1 and again this morning. I lost 13.8 lbs and dropped 1 pant and 1 shirt size. Although that is thrilling and awesome, nothing feels better than actually doing it and knowing that my heart is actually changing. That is what needed to happen for these strongholds and idols to be broken. My focus very quickly around day 2 or 3 went from my experience to God’s experience through me. My focus was on Him and He carried me through. It was ALL in His strength. I’ve tried since I was a teenager to do something about my health and my eating habits, addictions and issues. No hope. Here I am now at 40 years old and see the only way that anything works is by surrendering it ALL TO GOD!!! It’s all for Him, not for the scale, pant size or anything to do with me. My body and my health are his. He deserves ALL the Glory for anything I have accomplished.
I can do ALL things through Christ who strengthens me! ❤️ Phil 4:13
Thank you for reading all of that. Your prayers carried me through and He answered them powerfully!
If anyone would like more details from my journal or have any question please let me know and I can email you.
Going forward I will not go back to my old ways of eating. I am recommitting to another 30 days of good choices, depending on Him, slow and steady, short amounts of time that are attainable, pressing on in His strength and continuing my journey to Whole Health. It doesn’t stop here. ❤️
P.S. I’m also permanently deleting that FB idol (for me it’s an idol). I don’t need it, I haven’t missed it. God says destroy it.
“Lord with your strength I’ve got no excuse”
https://youtu.be/DuZPOVFcFJ4
This song is an anthem and a tribute to our friends in the Bible. Enjoy!
I would like any info on your journaling and details and how you set it up as well as Whole 30. Is it like KETO I have a lot of the same struggles with food as you. My e-mail is [email protected]. Thanking you in advance. I want to start April 1 for my first 30 days
So proud of you!! Excited for what God has in store for you and what he has already done. Check out Trim Healthy Mama. They have a great healthy sustainable eating plan and are Christian women who have encouraged me a lot in being healthy and in other areas of life!
Thank you so much for sharing. You are such an inspiration. You inspired me when you first posted and I also struggle. I go to WW but had gained weight and could not stay on track but with God’s help and this Bible Study it has changed my thinking. I can do nothing without God. I just gave everything to God and haven’t had sugar for a month and have not missed it. I also read Lysa Terkeurst devotional “Made to Crave”. God is with me every step of the way. I’ve started this Bible Study several times but this year I made a vow to God that this is my year to really study and get closer to Him and I feel Him more and more. Bible Study has to be my main priority not the last thought of the day!
My reply was for jlg5309 .