1 This will be a 31 day study in the Book of Proverbs looking at dieting, regarding conviction, cleansing and finally freedom by receiving our wisdom from the written Word of God. It will focus first on taking responsibility for why we are overweight, turning it over to God and then being set free from the past which hinders us. If you will faithfully follow the Book of Proverbs for 31 days, you will gain insight on how to let God bring you forth from your weight problem. Changing our diets to look like something God wants us to do is up to us. You can reject your responsibility or accept it. The decision is always ultimately yours. Please note there is two parts to each day's lesson. You might want to do one part at specific larger meals of the day. They each contain a short prayer in addition to the Lord's prayer you should say each meal.

Ill-gotten Gain There are 3 passages to look at today. The first two are as follows: NIV: Proverb:1:19: Such is the end of all who go after ill-gotten gain. It takes away the lives of those who get it. NIV: Proverb:1:31: They will eat the fruit of their ways, and be filled with the fruit of their schemes.

MATTHEW HENRY'S COMMENTS: Men's greediness of gain hurries them upon practices which will not suffer them or others to live out half their days. What is a man profited, though he gain the world, if he lose his life? much less if he lose his soul? Men cannot turn by any power of their own; but God answers, Behold, I will pour out my Spirit unto you. Special grace is needful to sincere conversion. But that grace shall never be denied to any who seek it. The love of Christ, and the promises mingled with his reproofs, surely should have the attention of every one. It may well be asked, how long men mean to proceed in such a perilous path, when the uncertainty of life and the consequences of dying without Christ are considered?

MY OBSERVATIONS: Apply the word's "ill-gotten gain" to weight gain. It will eventually take away your life, social and physical. The extra poundage is placed upon our bodies from eating more calories a day than needed. Permanent weight gain comes about no other way. When you look at the scale and it shows a gain, remember this passage, Ill-gotten gain". Did you limit yourself everyday to your 1,200, 1,400, or 1500 calories, or did you believe that it was all right to just stay at your allotted amount for a few days and that was good enough? Other than water weight fluctuation your body's gain is ill-gotten. There is no way to lose weight other than to cut back on calories. Apply the word's "fruit of their ways" and "fruit of their schemes" to the excess of poundage on the body. Not God's design, but ours. We are told that whatsoever a man sows, that he will reap. Be instead filled with the fruits of His Spirit, self-control and patience. Without these fruits the weight is not going to come off. The fruit of our way, and the fruit of our schemes is over-indulgence. We are going have to call on the Lord to help us do it His way.

2 Father God, I stand duly chastised by a loving Father today from the first chapter of Proverbs. I put myself in this position by my greed for ill-gotten gain and now I must pay the price. I ask Your forgiveness and cleansing in this area of defeat in my life. Grant me the patience and strength to overcome my flesh. Amen.

The third one is: NIV: Proverb 1:1-2 1 The proverbs of Solomon son of David, king of Israel: 2 for attaining wisdom and discipline; for understanding words of insight. My Observations: How quickly I ran towards wisdom, but failed to achieve discipline. Dieting is discipline; not for a day, a week, or a month, but to make a permanent change-- never go there again --discipline is something I must do daily from here on out. When I recognize that I must do something daily for the rest of my life, I free myself from thinking I can just do it occasionally and get the same results. We are told to pray without ceasing. If you have always struggled with weight gain, now you must change your habits without ceasing also.

Father God, I am ready to learn discipline. Help me in this area that I seem to be lacking in. Help me to not know all the answers, but instead come to You with all my questions. In Jesus’ name. Amen

Today's Diet Tip: Write your weight goal and post it where you'll see it everyday. When I got down to my last 35 pounds, I began a countdown and posted the reaming pounds where I could see it by the computer. It sure motivated me to see the numbers go down until I finally reached goal.

Today's Positive Thought: Forgive yourself for the past, love yourself for the future, and accept yourself for today.