All the Wrong Choices

Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself. 1 Corinthians 6:19 NLT

The Epistle of John includes recognition of the importance of good health: “Beloved, I pray that in every way you may prosper and enjoy good health, as your soul also prospers. 3 John 1:2

As I reflected on my historical battle with food, my dilemma began in childhood. The maternal side of my genealogy included an acquired taste for fried foods, gravies, unclean meats, and rich desserts. As a result, our family history includes Heart disease, Hypertension, Diabetes, and Kidney problems. The majority of our family has one of the previously mentioned diagnoses, and is carrying the above recommended weight, even including a morbid obesity status.

The struggle is real. However, God promises us that He will provide a way out of temptation. Yesterday, I was invited to dine at Olive Garden. Although, this would never be my personal restaurant of choice; I acquiesced to please one of our elderly church Mothers. When I looked at the menu, my brain initiated the “get that food right now” process. My mouth watered as I looked at the enticing pictures of pastas ( heavily laden) with creamy sauces and mountains of cheese. Then God provided my way out. I began to look at the high calorie counts which included a high sodium and fat content(not listed on their menu-already prepared foods are high in fat and sodium) which would use up my weekly allocation. I ordered a vegetable flatbread which included unlimited salad. I strategized by heaping a large portion of salad on my plate and allowed myself only one of the scrumptious breadsticks. My downfall was the after dinner chocolate mints which I ate and enjoyed.

I am not fooling myself nor am I placing myself in a self-righteous mindset. My victory from making poor food choices is a daily struggle. I pray constantly to overcome the demon of appetite. However, I believe that I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me. The journey to optimal health continues, but, it requires active and willful participation.

The benefits that I have received from sacrificing:

1. 40 lb weight loss

2. Energy to maintain an active lifestyle.

3. Change in my outlook on life: no more negativity.

4. Most importantly, I have the desire to study God’s Word, and pray for guidance before making any decision.

When I do what is expected, God will lead me to the path of victory. I am grateful that He will never fail.

Sonya Johnson Ruiz

The Power of Rejoicing

Practical Messages for Impractical Times

Around midnight, Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening. Suddenly, there was a massive earthquake, and the prison was shaken to its foundations. All the doors immediately flew open, and the chains of every prisoner fell off! Acts 16: 25-26

Throughout the bible, God instructs his people to be filled with joy and to rejoice. We are to stop worrying, ask God in faith for what we need, and rejoice (by claiming and believing) that he will do exactly what he said he will do.

Philippians 4:4-7 (NLT) says:

4 Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice! 5 Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do. Remember, the Lord is coming soon. 6 Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. 7 Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.

Yesterday at church, I looked at many sorrowful faces sitting in the pews. Are our minds so bogged down with problems, that even in church, we are unable to let go, and embrace the never-ending love of our Creator?

So, how do we begin to receive the joy that God intended for us to have?

1. Develop a spirit of thanksgiving. Thanking God throughout the day for all blessings helps to keep our mind spiritually connected.
2. We are a beacon of light. Believing Christians are to express their happiness, and demonstrate to the world the inner peace that only comes from God, by smiling. In fact, your smile is a living testimony to others.
3. Watch your words! Stating positive words of encouragement, and praising God for his continuous grace and mercy, empowers us to overcome the toughest situations.
4. Read your bible. God has given us many practical examples in the Word. Do as Paul and Silas did; pray, and sing. Listen to spiritually uplifting music. God will deliver us.
5. Minimize the number of interactions with people who always focus on their problems. Unless it is your gift of ministry, most individuals are unable to maintain their own joy, when they allow others to bombard them with ongoing problems.

It is a personal choice to “always be full of joy in the Lord.” I encourage you to develop a daily plan on how to retrieve the joy, and happiness that God desires for you to possess. Praise the Lord! I am alive! I have one more day. I just can’t stop praising his name! Jesus!

Sonya Johnson Ruiz

An Abundant Life

Practical Messages for Impractical Times

As a nurse for many years, one of the most exciting things to hear is the sound of a beating heart; especially the sound of a baby’s heart inside the protective environment of its mother.

Everyday we awaken and our heart is beating, we are reminded that we are inside the protective environment of our loving Creator.

…I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. John 10:10 ESV

Sonya Johnson Ruiz

Meditate on these things

Meditate on These Things

4 Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!

5 Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand.

6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
8 Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things. 9 The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you.
13 I can do all things through Christ[b] who strengthens me.
19 And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus. 20 Now to our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen.
Philippians 4: 4-9, 13, and 19 NKJV

Today’s Devotional-The Word that Feeds Our Soul

Posted by Sonya Johnson Ruiz

The Condition of the Heart

But the ones that fell on the good ground are those who, having heard the word with a noble and good heart, keep it and bear fruit with patience. LUKE 8:15

At any time, the receptiveness of your heart will determine your response to God’s word (Luke 8:5-18). If your heart is like the trampled ground, hardened by the sin of bitterness and unforgiveness, you will be unable to accept a message from God. Though you hear the words of the message, you will remain unchanged. If your heart is like the shallow soil, on top of a rock, you will accept God’s word in your mind, but the truth will not penetrate your heart to make a difference in your actions.

A heart like thorny soil is a life that is distracted by the cares of the world; the pursuit of earthly pleasures prevents God’s word from taking hold and producing righteousness. The heart that is like good soil receives a word from God, applies it, and brings forth fruit in due time. This is the heart that Jesus desires in us, for the fruit will be a Christian life.

Any time you hear a word from God, whether through Bible reading, prayer, or worship, the way you respond will depend on how you have cultivated your heart (Hos. 10:12). How do you develop a heart that is like good soil? Repent of any bitterness, anger, or unforgiveness that is hardening your heart. Meditate on God’s word until it enters deep into your heart and not just your mind.

When you read or hear a word from God, apply it to your life and let God bring His word into reality in your life (Gal. 6:9). Protect your lifestyle. See that you don’t devote all of your energy to worldly concerns, rather than to pursuing your relationship with God. The condition of your heart will vary, depending on how you cultivate it. If it was receptive to a word from God yesterday, this does not guarantee it is receptive today. Daily prepare your heart for the word God has for you!

From Today’s Devotional-Experiencing God Day-by-Day

Producing the Fruit of the Spirit requires obedience to the Word of God.

Sonya Johnson Ruiz

Repentance

Now after John was put in prison, Jesus came to Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel.” MARK 1:14-15

Repentance is one of the most positive of all words. To repent means to stop going one direction, to turn around completely, and to go the opposite way. Repentance involves a dramatic and decisive change of course. God urges us to repent when the path we are taking leads to destruction. Repentance will save us from disastrous consequences! What a wonderful word! How comforting that the Creator loves us enough to warn us of impending danger!

Our problem is that we think of repentance as something negative. When we recognize our sin, we prefer to “rededicate” our lives to God. We may even tell others we have resolved to be more faithful to God than we were before we failed Him. Yet the Bible does not speak of rededicating oneself. It speaks of repentance! Repentance indicates a decisive change, not merely a wishful resolution. We have not repented if we continue in our sin!

From Today’s Devotional-Experiencing God Day-by-Day

Sonya Johnson Ruiz