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Temporary Fixes...

Dear Friends,

As many of you know, there’s a ragtag group of GiG, embracing the challenge of the 40 Day Sugar Fast. We are coming down to the home stretch. This experience has allowed me to relate on a deeper level with the men at the recovery treatment center I volunteer; addiction regardless of the vice (sugar, exercising, shopping, gossiping, hoarding, alcohol, drugs, etc.) gets in the way of our relationship with Jesus.

Maybe sugar isn’t your vice, but I guarantee you we all have one. For me, I knew I had a love hate relationship with sugar, but I had no idea how integral consuming sugar had become in my life. If fasting from sugar and feeling physically better is all I take away from this experience, it’s a temporary fix. However, I sought a heavenly solution. I’ve spent more time in God’s Word, more time in communion with him when the cravings were in full effect. What the Spirit has revealed to me is that often I would reach for sugar when I needed a boost of energy. Now that I’m aware, instead of reaching for that sugary snack, I grab hold of a more nutritious alternative. Something without refined sugar along with a spiritual snack in the Word. Those of you still in this battle—press on!

GiG, last week my snack pack included, returning to Psalm 119. There were three verses that seeming leapt off the page…

127 Truly, I love your commands more than gold, even the finest gold. May we be encouraged to lead. 128 Each of your commandments is right. That is why I hate every false way. 165 Those who love your instructions have great peace and do not stumble. Psalm 119: 127, 128, 165 NLT

The fruit (no pun intended) of loving God’s ways is that we hate every wrong path. Focusing on sin, like focusing on sugar isn’t a healthy strategy for resisting it. Neuroscience research simply reinforces what God has said on the subject—what we focus upon and how it impacts our lives. Yup, a renewed love for God’s Word changes our appetite and shifts the focus of our thoughts. We can develop new appetites and locate distasteful stuff that used to interest us.

GiG, do you want peace that is beyond your understanding? How about peace that testifies we’re known and loved by the Most High God? It’s available because he gives us light in every circumstance and situation.

May we be thankful for the Living Word, who comes to bring peace and a new way of thinking, living, and loving others. Let’s live life on purpose and we’ll find our peace.

God’s Got It…so we can know the TRUTH—Prayer is reaching out after the unseen; fasting is letting go of all that is seen and temporal. Fasting helps express, deepen, confirm the resolution that we are ready to sacrifice anything, even ourselves to attain what we seek for the kingdom of God. Andrew Murray

D. Andrews

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