The Battle

I heard this passage twice this morning.  Once in the car and another in an online devotional:

http://odb.org/2010/12/15/a-submission-problem/

I have said MANY times that I do not believe in coincidence.  There's more to this morning's 

conviction,  but I know that this passage from James is DEFINITELY describing my battle 

with food.  It's time to put it down and turn to the only ONE who truly satisfies my needs.

I begun reading a book, Made To Crave, Satisfying Your Deepest Desire With God, Not 

Food.  It's written by Lysa Terkeurst.  I am not sure why I decided to read it, but I am 

SO glad that I did.  This book is convicting!  For the first time in a LONG time, I am 

stopping a praying for strength instead of gobbling up the chocolate chip cookie (or five) 

that is sitting on the kitchen counter.

Oh, I wanted it so bad this morning when I walked in.  My head told me that the kids were

gone and Mike is asleep.  No one would see me, right?  I could be real quick and no one 

would know.  Besides, they would be SO good with my coffee!

I immediately stopped, gripped the counter, and prayed for strength.  As I was praying 

a thought popped into my head.  "There's oatmeal in the pantry."  So guess what I had 

for breakfast... oatmeal!  

Instead of stuffing myself with cookies and still being hungry, I sat and ate my oatmeal 

(which was actually really good!) and studied this passage in James.  

The Bible I studied from this morning is an ESV, but I'm posting from the Amplified because I 

like the way it's worded for my situation.  I've highlighted the parts that stood out the most to me.

Today is a new day and God WILL win this battle!!!!!!

James 4:1-10 (Amplified Bible)

 ¹WHAT LEADS to strife (discord and feuds) and how do conflicts (quarrels and fightings) originate among you? Do they not arise from your sensual desires that are ever warring in your bodily members?

    ²You are jealous and covet [what others have] and your desires go unfulfilled; [so] you become murderers. [To hate is to murder as far as your hearts are concerned.] You burn with envy and anger and are not able to obtain [the gratification, the contentment, and the happiness that you seek], so you fight and war. You do not have, because you do not ask. [I John 3:15.]

    ³[Or] you do ask [God for them] and yet fail to receive, because you ask with wrong purpose and evil, selfish motives. Your intention is [when you get what you desire] to spend it in sensual pleasures.

    ⁴You [are like] unfaithful wives [having illicit love affairs with the world and breaking your marriage vow to God]! Do you not know that being the world's friend is being God's enemy? So whoever chooses to be a friend of the world takes his stand as an enemy of God.

    ⁵Or do you suppose that the Scripture is speaking to no purpose that says, The Spirit Whom He has caused to dwell in us yearns over us and He yearns for the Spirit [to be welcome] with a jealous love?^(A)

    ⁶But He gives us more and more grace (^[a]power of the Holy Spirit, to meet this evil tendency and all others fully). That is why He says, God sets Himself against the proud and haughty, but gives grace [continually] to the lowly (those who are humble enough to receive it).^(B)

    ⁷So be subject to God. Resist the devil [stand firm against him], and he will flee from you.

    ⁸Come close to God and He will come close to you. [Recognize that you are] sinners, get your soiled hands clean; [realize that you have been disloyal] wavering individuals with divided interests, and purify your hearts [of your spiritual adultery].

    ⁹[As you draw near to God] be deeply penitent and grieve, even weep [over your disloyalty]. Let your laughter be turned to grief and your mirth to dejection and heartfelt shame [for your sins].

    ¹⁰Humble yourselves [feeling very insignificant] in the presence of the Lord, and He will exalt you [He will lift you up and make your lives significant].