I am really enjoying my Bible Study and prayer time. Today was so touching and I felt the presence of God mightly. As I was looking up and reading the verse in John 10:10, I realized what I have been doing for years. I have given the devil a foothold in my life through eating that has become a stronghold. Yes, the thief desires to destroy my health, my self-esteem, and peace. I can let him be a robber, or I can call on the one that is in me, my God. Greater is He that is in me than he that is in the world. 2 Timothy 4:18 says," Who will rescue me from every evil attack and bring me safely through this trial. Oh, why do I forget that I can not fight this battle alone. I can do ALL things through Christ who strengthens me.
Psalm 27:1-2
The Lord is my light and my salvation (deliverer). The Lord is the stronghold of my life. I pray that as I let Him be the light of my eating, the deliverer of fleshly desires, that He truly will be the only stronghold of my life.

Hi Reba! I sure do hope you still around . I was so excited about seeing you here. Those of you that don't know Reba and I know each other from the Outlook ministry on line, which is the old First Place on line. I had lost 90 pounds the first time I joined First Place and now I have trouble loosing 1 pound. Which is my own fault, as with any thing you got to work hard and let God do his part, well I did not do my part, that is the main reason I have been failing to loose weight. It is so good to see you Reba missed you and the girls so much! With my Christian Love Nita/TX Nita Ann

Today is a new day. Indeed, the Lord is my strength and my song. I am truly enjoying the Bible Study. I find that as I sit at the feet of Jesus that I am beginning to enter into a new rest for my soul.
I am slowly losing weight, but most of all the heavy burden of it all has been lifted. I realize that I have been filling my life with pleasures that only last for a moment. Yes, the hot fudge Sunday that I try to drown the cares of life and find that it does not bring satisfaction. As I sang the song this morning, Open the eyes of my heart, I want to see you; to see you high and lifted it up in my life. Oh, how I want to love Him more and love others like He does. You know He gave His all for me and my hearts desire is to give my all to Him. As I was reading the scripture verse yesterday in Matt. 16:24; Deny yourselves, take up the cross, and follow me. I truly need to die to the areas of flesh in my life that wants to rule. At any rate, my heart is being stirred with the goodness and love of my Lord.

Hi Msgal, I am curious what First Place Bible Study are you on?

I am on week 4 of Everyday Victory for Everyday People. I am loving the study. I also wrote out all the Bible verses on recipe cards, punched a hole in left hand corner and tied a pretty ribbon. I take the memory card list in the car and purse. I always have it to refresh when I have a few minutes. Oh, there is victory when we invite Jesus to enter our eating habits. We can over-come when we use the Word and prayer.

That is great! I have done that Bible Study have it some where and it is a great study. Do you do the Wellness Work sheets in the back, their great to do? I love Living in Grace! Not only does it bring us closer to the Lord but it goes over all the fats etc.... explains the diet really good, in the back.

I love today's study in Living in Grace....In First Place

As you know, freedom does not come without opposition. there will be days when you feel insecure and defeated. fear, doubt, unbelief and temptation will continue to try to gain a foothold. When you feel these things, know that you are literally in the midst of a battle for your freedom. Allow the Holy Spirit to rise up within you and say NO to the enemy. Don't give up - and don't ignore these attacks. Stand your ground and take action, using the full Armor of God to defeat the enemy( see Ephesians 6: 10-18)

On the road to weight loss and healthy living there will be ups and downs, but the difference when your walking with the Lord is the valleys aren't as deep ,as when you walked alone. Now, by the grace of God, when you stumble or feel weary and wounded, you don't have to give up. Instead you can simply run back into the arms of Jesus. One of the ways to do this is to open His Word and seek His comfort and direction.
I loved the Armor of God:
helmet - is salvation, protects your mind
Shield- faith
Sword - word of God
Shoes -peace
breastplate - righteous
belt-of truth

Hello! I am going to an orientation for First Place 4 Health on Dec. 10, and I'll be starting the program after the first of the year. I attended one of their events about 3 hours from me a couple weekends ago, and it was so inspiring! Looking forward to getting started and possibly posting with you.

That is great Tammy! Karen contacted me this morning to be a Leader on the Outlook Ministry which is First Place on line but the new First Place 4/health I will be with this time, so maybe we can learn together! You have been so blessed being able to go to one of their events, I have always wanted too. Someday if that is what God has instore for me will go to one. Wish you were closer to me would love to be in your group!

I also would love to attend one of their workshops. However, I am still enjoying my Everyday Victory Study. God is changing me as He is changing my eating habits. It is slow, but exciting. I have not been doing the CR reports in the back, but I am doing the suggested eating program. I bought a yearly book that has more space to write daily. I also record my eating journal on sparkspeople. com everyday. It is a free website that has much to offer in healthy eating. They also have a group that is accountable to 5 veg, and fruit a day plus 8 glasses of water. At any rate, it is a wonderful tool as well as First Place. I do love the First Place that is balanced spirit, soul, and body. i am doing my Bible memory which is a first for me.

I turn in my CR every night to my husband and that helps me from cheating on my diet and my friend sends me her menu that keeps her from cheating. It really helps to write down everything [even though little bites tasting the food to see if it taste right before you serve it] and give it to someone and ask that person to tell you even if you don't want to here it what you should of eaten. Example: my husband told me to get off the spaghetti I was eating to much of it, find something with less calories. I did not want to hear that but he was right and I love him so much for caring about me.

Are you on the older version diet Msgal or the 4/health diet?

Nita Ann, one of the women that I sat with that Saturday was involved with the Outlook Ministry.

The two main speakers for the event were Vicki Heath and Erin DuBroc. They were wonderful! I was pretty much sold on the program just from reading the book I picked up at a discount bookstore that caused me to do some research online. After talking to the women around me and listening to Vicki and Erin, it was a definite sell!

I pray that I am able to do what all is needed to do well with the program. My husband passed away in July, so things are a bit out of balance right now. Our son is in college, and he plans to move home for 2nd semester. His dad's death affected him more than he was letting me know. He will be commuting 2 or 3 days a week to the same school, about an hour away.

I'll stop rambling now. Looking forward to posting more when I understand the program! I have the kit, and I was advised to go ahead and start reading the member's guide and the one about healthy living. The leader that I talked to also told me to go ahead and start writing down the foods that I eat to get the habit started.

Oh Tammy I am so excited! I know just about all the ladies in the Outlookministry except the new ones. Can you remember her name? I have been wanting to meet all my friends so much. Have you ever visited the outlookministry.net community, if not please do! You can read, but can't respond unless your a member and we have our Bible studies behind a password. I have made some wonderful friends on there from all over the world. One friend I made on there is giving me her material so I can be a Leader! Now that is more than a friend she is my Angel! I am so excited!
I know that your going to enjoy First Place. If you have a problem with the program , I will help you out with an answer or contact one of my friends and see if they know the answer if I don't.
Tammy my heart cries for your loss . I know that it would be hard for me if I did not have Jesus in my life, if I lost my husband. I am so worried about him , he weighs over 325 and he eats everything in sight. I love him so much and I keep telling him he has to live till he is 103 because I plan to live till I am 100 and then we can go together on our journey, but don't think he is listening.
Children are so special, and your son sounds like a very special young man. I never get to see my daughter and grandchildren, I wish we lived closer. I am praying they come here for Christmas and I get to go to Marfa Texas to watch the kids show their animals in January.

Nita Ann, sorry I am so slow in responding. I can't remember the name of the person who I sat beside. I know she was from a small town in northern Ohio, and that's all I remember. Does it cost to belong to the Outlook Ministry? I'll have to check out the site. I hope your hubby comes around and listens to you. Being without mine has been very difficult, and I know with Christmas just around the corner it will get tougher. How far is your daughter from you?