Praise for Today — Dedication to Truth
The Armor of God is so powerful (each part of the armor is described in Ephesians 6:10-20). This armor can help us in our quest to remain faithful to God. Part of the armor is the belt of truth. Ephesians 6:14 encourages me to stand firm, with the belt of truth buckled around my waist. Here is an example of a lie and the corresponding truth that helps me in my quest for good health.
The lie: I have to do what everyone else is doing to fit in. If other people can make a certain choice, I should be able to make it too.
The truth: Other people’s choices are not my guide for making decisions about my health. My journey toward good health is personal, and I don’t need to compare my choices with anyone else’s. God encourages me not to conform to the patterns around me. I can honor God by caring for my body.
As one who has fallen for Satan’s lies many times, I recognize the wonderful power of the truth. If we keep our mind focused on God’s truth, we will remain close to Him. But when we let our minds stray and ponder the lies, we’re in danger of letting those lies lead us far away from our goals and possibly even away from the Lord.
In Romans 12:1-2 NIV the apostle Paul writes: “Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”
We can apply these beautiful words to our health. Caring for our bodies isn’t simply about a number on a scale, fitting into a certain size, or following the latest health trend. It can be an expression of worship. Because of God’s mercy toward us, we can offer our whole lives—including the health of our bodies—to Him.
I don’t have to make my health decisions based on what someone else is eating, drinking, exercising, or choosing to do. God has not asked me to live someone else’s journey. He has asked me to faithfully live mine.
This encouragement, “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind,” speaks directly to the battle that often takes place in my thoughts.
The world tells me to compare myself with others. It tells me that if everyone else is doing something, I should do it too. It tells me that I need to fit in, that I shouldn’t be different.
But God’s Word calls me to something different — to renew my mind and be transformed by His truth.
This is not about the choices other people make. It’s about my personal walk with God, so I don’t need to judge someone else because their choice is different from mine. I can respect that everyone should make their own choices without allowing their choices to become the standard for mine.
Romans 12:2 gives us the reason for renewing our minds: “Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”
This reminds me that my health journey is ultimately not about perfection. It is about faithfulness and walking with God following His will because His will is good, trusting that His health laws are best and will lead to the best outcomes for my health.
Keeping God’s truth in our hearts keeps us close to Him. When we call on Him in prayer, we can ask Him to help us recognize the lies that tempt us, renew our minds when we begin comparing ourselves with others, and give us wisdom to make choices that honor Him.
“The LORD is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth.” (Psalm 145:18, NIV)
Recipe for Today — Very Berry Blueberry Muffins
Very Berry Blueberry Muffins
Ingredients
- Cooking spray
- 1 cup all purpose flour
- 1cup whole wheat flour
- ¾ cup Sucanat® (whole cane sugar)
- 2 Tbs ground flax seed
- 1 Tbsp baking powder
- ¼ tsp salt
- 6 Tbsp Earth Balance® vegan butter alternative, softened
- 1 cup almond milk
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 cups blueberries*
Steps
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees
- Coat muffin pan (12 muffin pan) with cooking spray
- In a large bowl, mix together the dry ingredients
- In a separate bowl, mix together the wet ingredients (Earth Balance butter alternative, almond milk, and vanilla)
- Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and mix together
- Mix in the blueberries
- Place batter in muffin pan for 12 muffins
- Bake for 25 minutes at 375 degrees
*You can use fresh or frozen blueberries. I like to keep frozen blueberries on hand so I always have them. Before starting the recipe, I take the frozen blueberries and place them in a bowl with hot water so they can be thawing while I prepare the rest of the recipe. Then I drain off the water and they are ready.
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