Rejoicing Always KJV: Proverb: 8:6 Listen, I will speak of excellent things, And from the opening of my lips will come right things. NIV: Proverb: 8:30-31 I was filled with delight day after day, rejoicing always in his presence, rejoicing in his whole world and delighting in mankind.

MATTHEW HENRY'S COMMENTS: Christ, as Wisdom, calls to the sons of men. Where there is an understanding heart, and willingness to receive the truth in love, wisdom is valued above silver and gold. The Son of God declares himself to have been engaged in the creation of the world. How able, how fit is the Son of God to be the Savior of the world, who was the Creator of it! The Son of God was ordained, before the world, to that great work. Does he delight in saving wretched sinners, and shall not we delight in his salvation?

MY OBSERVATIONS: As we open our lips, not only to speak with and for Christ, let us also open our lips to allow only good, nourishing dietary needs to enter. A bad tree does not bear good fruits. (Lk. 6:43b) As Christians, there is no dietary food that is illegal, but as dieters there become many forbidden foods. Put into your lips that which is good. You will not lose weight by eating the very same foods that put weight on you. You must give up certain things to have a successful weight loss. It is all about restricting calories and limiting portion size, but you can make poor choices in just one meal and have your calorie allotment used up for the whole day. Learn to choose sensible so that you will have enough to satisfy you throughout the day. And then rejoice always, especially when our conscience is free from overindulging on the fruits of the earth which Christ created.

Dear Lord, May excuses fail to dissent this day..."I'm happy with my size"; "Big is beautiful"; "All things are permitted for me". We are worshipping Christ, not Buddha nor Baal. Help us to keep a right perspective in all things. Amen

NIV: Proverb 8:4 To you, O men, I call out; I raise my voice to all mankind. 5 You who are simple, gain prudence; you who are foolish, gain understanding.

My Observations: Right about now, I have been questioning my foolishness, as well as my sanity. How could I have possibly ignored my weight gain for 4 steady years. Why didn’t I diet at 10 or even 20 pounds? I could have been off this diet by now. I have come to understand the words, You who are simple, gain prudence. H It is not a compliment. It is a warning for simple-minded ones to gain wisdom. Wisdom would have alerted me that something was wrong in my choices. Wisdom would have alerted me that I was covering a problem with the comforts of food. Wisdom would have required that I react a lot quicker. I have, through Proverbs, gained wisdom and knowledge. I now know that this is more than a diet that I am on. It is a battle to regain the fruit of self-control.

Gracious Father, in Your mercy, equip me again with the fruit of self-control. Forgive my foolishness, and restore unto me the years that the locust has eaten. In Jesus’ name. Amen

Today's Diet Tip: 8.- Drink eight 8-oz. glasses of water a day. Water is essential to all bodily functions and has no calories. It is the perfect drink for dieters.

Today's Positive Thought: There are two ways of spreading light - to be the candle or the mirror that reflects it.