You Are What You Eat

Have you ever heard the phrase “You are what you eat?” I’ve heard this all my life, and I have found it so true. Especially as I get more mature (aka older), I know this all too well. I am experiencing a whole new realm of how certain foods affect my body – how my digestive system reacts, how certain foods trigger headaches, and how for months and even years I may WEAR those Christmas or Valentine treats – yes, I BECOME what I eat!

Another truth I’m discovering is that I AM what I eat in the realm of my soul.
If I consistently “eat” negative, I become negative. If I eat positive … you got it! I BECOME positive!

The Apostle Paul encourages the reader in Philippians 4:8, “ Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things.” Think on these things, friend, so that you BECOME these things.

And again He writes in his second letter to the Corinthians, “But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit” (2 Cor. 3:18).

In other words, “What I consistently behold, I become” (Dr. Ray Vinson).

In OTHER, other words, I AM WHAT I EAT.

I’ve asked myself some questions lately, and I challenge you to do the same … and join me in the simple prayer at the end.

Who are my closest friends? Do I surround myself with negative, pessimistic people, or with people who uplift and encourage?

What am I reading, watching? Smut? Depressing songs? Trash TV? Or do I fill my mind with what is good – the stuff of Philippians 4:8?

What am I speaking? The things that come out of my mouth, immediately turn around and go right back into my ears! Am I speaking death, or am I speaking life?

Father, I repent from eating the wrong kinds of food for my soul – foods that bring death. I choose today to surround myself with life, from my choice of friends, to the things I read and watch, to the things that I speak myself. I choose life! Amen!

Peace,

Davina

When the Pressure's On

Did you ever open a bottle of coke after it had been shaken up? Or release the valve on a pressure cooker? Or maybe accidentally stick your finger in a rotten piece of fruit? You can always tell what’s inside when the pressure’s on.

And it is the same way with us. Have you ever used the excuse, “I’ve just been under a lot of pressure lately?” I have, and I’ll be the first to admit that’s a pretty lame excuse, because the pressure is not the problem. The pressure only serves to expose what’s on the inside (which is the problem). If hate and anger are on the inside, that’s what will spill out when pressure is applied. If joy and peace rule, then that’s what will spill out.

When Jesus was crucified, under excruciating pain and pressure, what did He say? He didn’t curse them – He prayed for them: “Father, forgive them, because they don’t know what they’re doing.”

The Bible and books of Christian history are literally full of stories of those who have been tormented, beaten, crucified, burned, stoned … and who could only find grace and forgiveness in their hearts for their persecutors.

The words of St. Paul, written from a prison cell, testify of the grace and peace available through the most difficult of circumstances: “I can do all things through Him who strengthens me” (Phip. 4:13). 

Father, help us today to stop making excuses for ourselves when we fall short under pressure. Help us instead reach up to You and receive Your grace and peace, to carry us through any situation that may come our way!

Peace - Davina

Will You Be His Disciples Too?

John Chapter 9 always makes me smile.

Jesus and His disciples were in Jerusalem. Jesus healed a blind man on the Sabbath Day, resulting in the outrage of the whole religious community. It was quite a scene. Everybody knew that this man was the one who used to sit and beg. They passed him regularly. Jesus must’ve known about him, too,

but He waited until the time was right to heal him. He waited until a Sabbath day. He could have either healed him the day before the Sabbath, or the day after the Sabbath. After all, the man had been blind all his life. What difference would one day make? I think Jesus did it on that particular day, to show the Pharisees for their true selves. They would have no problem pulling an ox out of a ditch, but healing a blind man? That was preposterous!

The other thing I find humorous is that the Pharisees kept on asking the man how he was able to see. He tells them and tells them again. Finally, he says, “I already told you and you wouldn’t listen. Will you be His Disciples Too?” Then after more rebuke from those crusty old religious fools, he tells them, “Wow! This is amazing! You don’t even know where He’s from, but He opened my eyes!” I don’t know about you, but I sense a bit of sarcasm in this ex-blind man.

Of course, the compassion of Jesus, the mercy, the power ... all these are definitely seen in this passage. But it still makes me smile.

Peace,

Davina