Today was the last day of Bible study. We spent the school year studying the book of Revelation, the last book of the Bible. Many people have never read this book, some are afraid of it, and some think it is really hard to understand. The amazing thing about Bible Study Fellowship (BSF) is that each book is broken down into bite-sized pieces so that it is easier to understand and not too overwhelming all at once.
The other cool thing is that while I learned so much about the story of God’s redemption through His Kingdom, judgment, Christ’s return, God’s perfect mercy, the defeat of Satan, the new heaven and the new earth and God’s plan for the end of history, I also took away a ton of application. Today was sharing day and I was in awe of the line of ladies who got up to share stories about personal grief and pain, all the while praising God for His faithfulness in their lives. Amazing.
Over the last five years in BSF, whenever anything came up about idols, I had an uncomfortable feeling in my spirit. Most of us aren’t guilty of bowing down to a statue, which is how we think of an idol in Bible times, but we are guilty of putting other things before God. It may sound strange, but my idol has been food, and treats in particular. I’ve known this for a long time and have struggled with it. I’ve prayed over the issue for years. Last year I asked God to free me from this problem once and for all. So, I was excited to look back at my notes over the year and see how God has answered the cry of my heart to be set free from the bondage to an unhealthy relationship with food.
Since I wasn’t able to share at BSF I’ll share with you. Here are some of my take-aways from Revelation. See if you can find where they can relate with my struggle with food (and maybe yours too).
- Praise God in your situation; placed in God’s hands, your difficulty may be the way God chooses to transform your life, or through you, the lives of others.
- God is very specific in His instruction on how to live. I’m so thankful He is calling me and empowering me to make these changes.
- I pray that God would continue to accomplish His transformative power in me!
- A true understanding of who Jesus is and the depths of his love for you, radically changes the way you think and live.
- Only Jesus can satisfy the thirst in every heart.
- Thank you God, that I’m not longer “in love” with my sin!
- Victory comes through surrender.
- Invest in people now, because gold has not eternal value.
- Get out of the driver’s seat and switch seats with Jesus!
- Jesus, reign and give me strength to be victorious over the “rebel territory” of food and treats in my life.
- God is generous with grace, not wanting anyone to perish or be surprised by what’s to come. Even in His final revelation he bids, “Come…take the free gift of salvation.”
- Won’t you accept this free gift of salvation? If you want to know more about the “end of the story” I would be honored to share with you.
If you are ready to have victory over an unhealthy relationship with food by surrendering to Him, let me know. I am here for you.
