Family of God: [FamilyofGod] Thanks/ Temptation

I want to thank everyone for their prayers. I am feeling much better.

I have IBS the pain that I was having in my back and tummy was caused by trapped gas. I never had pain in my back like that before.

Yesterday, I started on a new journey. That of a non smoker. (I have been afflicted with this for almost 25 years.) It is has been over 27 hrs since I have had a cigarette. Let me tell you that temptation is there staring at me in the face. I live with 4 other smokers. I know that Jesus is with me on this journey. For HE has helped me so much already.

For we know that Christ was also tempted. He was tempted with riches and fame. He was tempted with food. Each time, he fought back satan with the word of God.

I am also reminded of Luke 4:16-19.This takes place after Jesus had been tempted of satan in the wilderness.

16. And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up: and, as his custom was, he went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and he stood up for to read.
17.And there was delivered unto him the book of the prophet Esaias. And when he had opened the book, he found the place where it was written,
18. THE SPIRIT OF THE LORD IS UPON ME BECAUSE HE HATH ANOINTED ME TO PREACH THE GOSPEL TO POOR; HE HATH SENT ME TO HEAL THE BROKENHEARTED,TO PREACH DELIVERANCE TO THE CAPTIVES, AND RECOVERING SIGHT TO THE BLIND, TO SET LIBERTY TO THEM THAT ARE BRUISED,
19.TO PREACH THE ACCEPTABLE YEAR OF THE LORD.

Some of this passage of scripture I had problems understanding. To set liberty to them that are bruised. Even looking up the meanings of the words didn't help. So, I went back to Isaiah where Jesus was reading from.

Isaiah 61:1,2

1.The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me; because the Lord hath anointed me to preach the good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of prison to the that are bound;
2.To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn;

Many of you who were once smokers or addicts know where I am coming from. Cigarettes can take a hold of person and put them in prison. They can run your life. (Besides ruin it too.)Right now, cigarettes are about the only thing that I can think about. That is for today. Starting in the morning I am going to tell those thoughts exactly where they can go. (For those of you who do smoke. I am not condemning you or telling you that you have to quit. That is between you and God. I am just giving you my own experience. For I was convicted of this several years back. Never did anything about it. This is the last stronghold that satan has over me.)I have heard that the first 3 days are the hardest. And to create a habit do it for 21 days.

I know that Jesus is right there with me as I tackle this head on. With HIS help I can do anything and am stronger than anything.

There are 3 verses that keeps going through my head over and over.

1. I can do all things through Christ which stengtheneth me.
Philippians 4:13

2.Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.
1 John 4:4

3.What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?
For ye were bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.
1 Corinthians 6: 19,20

My next step on my journey is to start walking or moving. I have got to do something. Cause I am eating us out of house and home. I am already a big woman and I don't need to get any bigger. Some of you know that I have heel spurs in both feet that the doctor will not operate on cause they will come right back. I also have knees that are going out. I am going to do what I can. My thinking is that anything is better than nothing. I have got to watch my weight also due to other health conditions.

Keep me in your prayers as I continue on this journey that I have started. I will keep you updated on my progress.

God bless,
MaryC