I have known for weeks now that is it time for me to start intermittent fasting (IF). I know from personal experience that IF is the most effective way I’ve found to get rid of visceral fat. Excessive visceral fat is responsible for the thickening of the midsection, which is a tell-tale sign of the beginning of the end of youth. IF has worked for me in the past, but I’ve been dragging my feet. Several reasons for this: 1) Just like most things, it is hard to get started; 2) I just started a new job and don’t need the added stress of dealing with hunger and the low energy that starting IF will bring; and 3) It will be better to start once things slow down for me. I’m glad I took the time to think about this writing prompt today. I see how I have only been making excuses. There is only one difference between an excuse and a reason. A reason provides comfort for the soul making it easier NOT do what needs to be done in order to reach the goal. Now is the time. (Proverbs 22:13; Matthew 26:41; 1 Peter 5:10-11)
Tag: dailyprompt
Ordinary Means
Daily writing prompt
When was the first time you really felt like a grown up (if ever)?
Looking back I can see that I began to grow up when I stopped praying for miracles and instead started praying for the strength to do the ordinary things and mundane work needed to produce a harvest from seed to fruit. Not that I have already attained to a fully grown measure in Christ. I press toward it though. The foolishness of youth often makes a miracle necessary, and God is merciful to all who come to Him in sincerity. It is just with wisdom and gray hairs, God expects us to thrive by the ordinary means of grace. (Psalm 126:6; 2 Timothy 2:22; Proverbs 20:29; 1 Peter 2:2-3; Ephesians 4:13; Philippians 3:12-14; Colossians 4:12)
Guaranteed
Daily writing prompt
What’s something you would attempt if you were guaranteed not to fail.
Only one thing in the known and unknown universe is guaranteed infallible, and that is the will of God. So, a better question would be…”What would you do if you knew the will of God for you?” Pray and expect God to make His will clear to you. (Proverbs 19:21, 16:33; Ecclesiastes 8:4; Psalm 62:11-12; Colossians 2:2-3; Hebrews 11:6; Psalm 40:8; Philippians 3:14-15)
Appeal to Heaven
There is one shining example in the Bible of a man named Job. I suspect that very few of us are as strong as Job and able to bear such a test while maintaining the integrity of our faith. Fear not, God is faithful. He will not allow you to be tested beyond what you are able to stand up under. (Job 1, 2:9-10, 13:15-16, 42:12-17; Psalm 92:1-2; Luke 12:32; 1 Corinthians 10:13)
Growing Up
Many of the places I used to go when I was younger now cause me to feel out of place. Many of the things I used to do in the pursuit of fun and happiness only ended up causing me and others pain and suffering. Conscience doesn’t allow me to go to such places, or do such things, now that I have finally learned to be mindful of keeping my conscience clear.
Woe to those who conscience is incapable of discerning what is wrong. Alcohol was one of my former vices that sedates the conscience and thereby facilitates all kinds of regrettable actions. Blessed are all those whose conscience functions as a guard to keep them from harming self and others. (Hebrews 5:12-14; 1 Timothy 4:1-2; Jude 1:8-13; 2 Corinthians 6:17; Psalm 119:9, 1:1-2)
Hidden Sweetness
The ability to work hard only comes from working hard. The fastest way to lose the ability to work hard is to refuse to do it. The hidden sweetness in all honest hard work well done is peace and contentment. (Ecclesiastes 5:12; Proverbs 14:4; Judges 14:14-18; 2 Thessalonians 3:10; Colossians 3:23-24)
Workout, Preach, and Teach
Daily writing prompt
List three jobs you’d consider pursuing if money didn’t matter.
When (not if) I no longer need to pursue money, I will enlarge my practice of faith and fitness to be a professional bodybuilder, a preacher, and a teacher of the Word full time. Everything by prayer. (2 Corinthians 4:7; Ephesians 2:10; Hebrews 11:6; 2 Timothy 4:2; Philippians 4:9)
The Absolute Best
“Read a little of the Bible every day,” my father told me when I left home for the very first time at the age of 17. However, I was well over the age of 40 before I started following this sage advice that has literally transformed my entire life. I wish I could have followed it sooner. I would have been able to spare those I love and myself much needless suffering if only I had followed my father’s advice sooner. (Proverbs 21:2; Psalm 119:9; Joshua 1:8; 1 Peter 4:15; Proverbs 16:3; Psalm 19:14)
Work, Eat, Sleep, and Repeat
Work is the primary capacity builder for energy. We develop the capacity to do whatever we consistently do. The more time required of us from work, the less of our precious free time we will waste on worthless things. Therefore, the more you have to do, the more you’ll get done. (Proverbs 26:14-15, 20:4; 2 Thessalonians 3:10)
To eat is next to work as a physical and spiritual energy builder. Balance is the key. Too little and we grow weak, too much and we get sluggish. (Ecclesiastes 10:16-18; Psalm 69:22; 1 Peter 2:1-2; Ephesians 4:13)
Next is sleep. Sleep is unique as it re-charges the whole of our being like nothing else can. The candle can be burned at both ends, but that will be short lived. (Proverbs 10:5; Psalm 127:1-2, 75:6-7)
Indeed, there is a time for everything under the sun. Work, Eat, Sleep, and Repeat is a time proven formula for sustaining ample energy to match the number of our days. (Ecclesiastes 9:10; Matthew 24:45-51; Isaiah 40:30-31)
Secret Ingredients
Attention and Responsiveness. O Lord, help us this day to pay attention to all that we should, and not be scattered by the multitude of distractions all around us. To hear what we need to hear, so that we can do what we need to do. Amen. (Ecclesiastes 11:4; Revelation 3:14-22; Psalm 32:8-10)
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