31. Almighty God, how good it is to be able to come in confidence before Your throne knowing that You dwell in the midst of praise from Your people. I extol Your mighty name today and I thank You for setting me free from the bondage of overeating. My struggle with food is lessening and I give You all the glory for that. I pray that my discipline and obedience remain intact this day. I pray that I might only boast in Your powerful name and not in any of my merit. I pray for continued strength today and I ask that You oversee my meal times. I thank You for forgiveness of sins and this new beginning, in Jesus’ name. Amen

Day 36 Scripture: 1 Corinthians 9: 24 Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize.

Application: Dieter’s are taught to give themselves little rewards for certain milestones like a 5 or 10 pound loss increment, or falling below a certain number on the scale. But in a real race, it is only the one who crosses the finish line who receives the prize. There are no trinkets and door prizes passed out along the way in a race. We are told to compete, or run in such a way as to get the prize just as if there were only one reward for the winner. Rewarding yourself is not a bad idea along the way, as long as that reward isn’t food. Unfortunately I have heard and seen time and time again that people treat themselves to a favorite, more than healthy portion of something extra for being so faithful thus far. Better to do as this passage suggests, run the dieting race with one goal in mind, crossing the finish line so that you will have the joy of receiving the reward of a perfectly sensible body again. Your Father in heaven will openly reward you at that moment.

Prayer: Father, I know that I shall have immeasurable eternal reward some day because Your Word promises me that. I am grateful for this opportunity to re-enter the race of life and be a competitor once more instead of unhappily sitting on the sidelines. Help me to run the race well and if I complete it knowing I have made You proud will be my reward in itself. Amen

My Commitment Today: