My One Word - 2017

 

Bible Verses About Diligence

Diligent

ˈdiləjənt/

adjective

1. having or showing care and conscientiousness in one's work or duties.

Proverbs 13:4 - The soul of the sluggard desireth, and [hath] nothing: but the soul of the diligent shall be made fat.

Proverbs 10:4 - He becometh poor that dealeth [with] a slack hand: but the hand of the diligent maketh rich.

Galatians 6:9 - And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.

1 Corinthians 15:58 - Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.

Proverbs 22:29 - Seest thou a man diligent in his business? he shall stand before kings; he shall not stand before mean [men].

2 Timothy 2:15 - Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

Proverbs 12:24 - The hand of the diligent shall bear rule: but the slothful shall be under tribute.

2 Peter 3:14 - Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless.

2 Peter 1:10 - Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall:

Ecclesiastes 9:10 - Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do [it] with thy might; for [there is] no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest.

Proverbs 11:27 - He that diligently seeketh good procureth favour: but he that seeketh mischief, it shall come unto him.

James 1:12 - Blessed [is] the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.

Proverbs 6:6-8 - 6 Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise:

7 Which having no guide, overseer, or ruler,

8 Provideth her meat in the summer, [and] gathereth her food in the harvest.

Philippians 3:14 - I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

"Mom, What's for Dinner??!!"

4 Weeks of Prepped Food for the Family! 

We all Hear it. 

From the kids, from the husband... and sometimes our own ever-frazzled heads!!! 

There's Work. School. Doctor Appointments. Errands. Emails. Church. Personal Fitness. Orthodontists. Dentists. Football. Soccer. Cheer. Band. Gymnastics. Growing housework. Piled up dishes. Hungry Bellies... Demands, Demands, Demands. 

I get it! We are BUSY MAMAS! Maybe your list is slightly shorter or more lengthy? I tell you one things -- in this fast-paced, ever-busy life, it can all get overwhelming. 

This ONE THING has eliminated a few of my stressors lately -- all because a friend said "I THINK WE CAN!" 

And guess what???? By Jiminy, WE DID IT! 

"Meal Prep" may sound intimidating, but knowing that I have my family's dinner mapped out, planned and prepped for a solid MONTH makes me feel AMAZING! 

So -- no more NECESSARY Weekday 8pm Subway and McAllister's trips after PiYo & Soccer on Mondays, PiYo, Football & Prayer Meeting on Tuesdays, Church on Wednesdays, and Soccer on Thursdays! YES!!! This had become our LIFE!!! Trying to pick and choose the healthiest of options because I was rapidly losing the progress I had made from previous dedication to clean-eating and meal-prepping. YES. There had to be a turning point, and this has been IT!!

Dinners are prepped and frozen, ready to be placed in the crock pot, or set in the oven. Guesswork ELIMINATED. 

Variety? YES. 

Clean Recipes? YES. 

21 Day Fix Approved? YES! Breakfast Burritos

1. Chicken Fajitas
2. Chicken Tacos
3. Chili
4. Lasagna
5. Mini Meatloaves
6. Pork Chops
7. Pork Carnitas
8. Spaghetti

For two families of 4 we prepped lunches, dinners and half of our breakfasts. The other half of breakfasts, all snacks and FRESH VEGGIES are planned and will be bought and/or prepped weekly. 

"BUT HOWWWWWW??? I just CAN'T!!!!"

For me, all it took was:

• a friend saying - "Hey, You wanna...?"
• a little time planning and gathering clean recipes I liked. 
• setting aside the time to prep it all in one evening. 
• a husband with faith in me. 

We are 1/2 way through the first week of our meal plan, and the husband and kiddos have enjoyed everything they've consumed. No Fast Food. Family Meals. 

You can, too.

I'm pretty excited about prepping in bulk again NEXT month!!!!
(Big Shout Out to my friend Candice Simon, girl, I absolutely could not have done this without you!!) 

To Join Pam's Team, or request further information, please feel free to Contact her HERE. 

Obese Bodies and Malnourished Souls

Could it be that we are suffering a malnourished soul while walking around in obese bodies? 

America has become so overwhelmed with an obesity epidemic, while slipping farther away from the "Christian Nation" we were once declared to be. 

How is that? 

We've taken to filling the void in our life's with whatever makes us feel good. Hobbies, relationships, food, busyness, money, shopping... Whatever instantly gratifies the flesh. 

In Matthew Chapter 19, Jesus instructed the rich young ruler to "go, sell all that you have and five to the poor, and come, follow me." Yet he couldn't. He allowed those things in his life to control Him. It had power over him. He couldn't bear to leave it. 

Is that how I am with my abundance of breads and sweets? My candy, cookies and cake? Can I not turn from them for my HEALTH sake? No, not to save my soul, per se, but what about to prevent health problems that I KNOW are hereditary, yet can be prevented with a good healthy diet? 

There IS something programmed in us that needs to be filled. A desire that is unquenchable with earthly goods. It's a craving programmed deep inside of us that can only be filled with a relationship with Jesus Christ. 

My prayer today, for us all, is as Paul wrote in Ephesians 1:17 

“[For I always pray to] the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, that He may grant you a spirit of wisdom and revelation [of insight into mysteries and secrets] in the [deep and intimate] knowledge of Him," 

Get a hunger for God. A craving for His Word. Don't look for cheap substitutes to fill our time and spend your energy. ❤️

Food Cannot Rule You!

You do not have to be ruled and governed by your shortcomings and failures. 

Psalms 139 tells us that we are fearfully and wonderfully made! Regardless of our size, color, height or weight! Yes, I said it. Regardless of what we look like, God loves us... However, God didn't create us to be constant downtrodden or live in defeat. 

Do you feel defeated by your carnal cravings? Do you feel bound by your physical appetite? Are you allowing your life to be dictated by what you're going to eat? Are you allowing cravings to control your life? 

That's a problem. Ouch. How can we be victorious, if something as small as the tastebuds in our tongue actually governs our life?? 

Don't get me wrong- treats are great during time of celebration, but indulging is unrestrained action. 

Unrestrained. Without guide. 

When we turn to food during stressful times, we're looking for comfort. But the Bible tells us that God is our comfort! Salty cravings and cookies during sad times.... The Lord should be our Joy! 

Have we succumbed to putting our trust more in food than we have in God? Do we trust that brownie to make us feel good more than we trust God? Will that cake really solve the stressors of financial difficulties or the jumpy nerves from dealing with an ill-tempered child?? 

Gut check. Really. 

I want to seek GOD in all that I do, including what food I partake in. 

Does that mean never indulging? No. It means facing life prayerfully, and not turning to sweet and treats to solve my stress and worries. 

What about you? ❤️

Made to Crave...What, Exactly?

We were created by God -- with an "empty space" in us -- an empty space that only God can fill. 

We were "Made to Crave" -- But what is it that will Satisfy our hearts and souls? 

So. Is it any wonder that in our mind & bodies, we... 

   *crave excitement? 

   *crave chocolate? 

   *crave comfort? 

   *crave comfort FOOD? 

   *crave the "feel good" feeling? 

   *crave love? 

   *crave acceptance? 

   *crave hobbies? 

   *crave something new? 

   *crave change? 

But that emptiness we try so desperately to fill can ----> ONLY be filled by God himself! 

We must get to a point in life that we recognize WHO we are, and WHOSE we are. Develop our relationship with God, fill our "empty" place with: 

  >His Joy

  >His Comfort

  >His Peace

  >His Love 

  >His Acceptance

  >His Endorsement... 

Quit looking to food to fill that void. 

Quit looking for comfort in stress eating. 

Quit trying to fill that void with every passing fad. 

God is Love. And Perfect Love [God] casts out all fear. Be at Peace with who you are and WHOSE you are-- and know without a doubt: 

YOU ARE MORE THAN ENOUGH!