Redemption

So I love that this is coming up. It ties in so well with what God has been doing in my life, and reminds me of another area of my life where I do need Him so desperately. Addiction? Oh, yeah. I know I am addicted to food. Food releases endorphins much like a drug, but this is not an addiction you hear about often. Gluttony is the Chritian's culturally acceptable sin, which, I think, makes it all the more difficult to beat. I'll just take a minute to remind myself by way of writing this who is the one who can deliver.

In Luke 4, Jesus reads from the following passage in Isaiah:

"The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has annointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor, and the day of vengeance of our God
to comfort all who mourn in Zion - to give them a beautiful headdress instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the garment of praise instead of a faint spirit;
that they may be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified.
***They shall build up the ancient ruins; they shall raise up the former devastations; they shall repair the ruined cities, the devastations of many generations"

There is no generational curse, failing, sin, or whatever you want to call it that He is not powerful enough to redeem. And remember our redemption is not by our effort alone, but by His power and grace that dwell in us and rest upon us. One more scripture quote from Galations 3:1-3
"O foolish Galations! Who has bewitched you? It was before your eyes that Jesus Christ was publicly portrayed as crucified. Let me ask you only this: Did you receive the Spirit by works of the law or by hearing with faith? Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh?"

When I began my weight-loss journey, I came across a program called Thin Within that is Bible-based and grace-driven. I was frustrated with the slow progress I heard about from other members, so I turned to a secular program with the same name. My weight-loss was very fast at first, but it's slowed down to a crawl, mainly because my willpower is not as strong as it was in the beginning. I didn't want to follow the first program, because I didn't want to link my weight-loss too closely with my walk with God. I didn't want to need to have grace for myself, but reading all of your posts, I realize now that, for me at least, it IS a spiritual issue. It is an issue I need to turn over to God. I cannot break the bondage food has me in on my own willpower, just as I cannot save myself from sin.

I titled this post redemption, because that's what it boils down to for me. Why is it so easy to allow the Spirit to be wholly responsible for my initial salvation, but then try to perfect myself through my flesh? If my flesh cannot save my soul, neither can my flesh perfect it. Jesus Christ has paid the price for my redemption - not only of my past, but also of my present and my future. He has bought me completely, and He is able to complete the good works he began in me. He has the strength to help me overcome my addiction to food. Cause I can overeat on a salad just like I can on pizza.
So here's my prayer for myself and my family who is struggling with me. "Lord give me grace to remember that I need you. Give me grace to remember that you provide all my needs and you will give us our daily bread - exactly what we need when we need it. And Lord, give me grace to accept your forgiveness when I take my comfort from anything but you first. And when I neglect to trust you for my daily bread. Amen."

I love you all, and I'm so glad we're going through this together. His grace is sufficient! Go and eat with God :)

Heather