September 24, 2012 - My Personal Best

Good morning and I am so sorry this is late. I am preparing a group of messages for the weekend and I am studying to make certain I am communicating what God intends. Thanks for your prayers. I am speaking five times in 3 days, so I would covet your prayers. :) I have been studying Cain and Abel for one of my illustrations and looking at their story. I imagine that growing up they played X-box together and four square. Maybe? I'm sure, as they were the first 2 children, they spent a lot of time together. They each had had their own giftings and interests, as many of our children do. Not a problem. However, Cain's decision to NOT bring his best to God prompted a jealousy pocket in him and eventually led him to kill his brother and perhaps best friend. He looked at his brother, who HAD done what pleased God, made a comparison and opened the door to sin. Comparison is a curse! When questioned by God about Abel.......his response, "Am I my brother's keeper?" REALLY? Not only have we embraced sin, we now want to deny, cover up and be sarcastic. For us, we must fight the urge to look at someone else who is having a stronger run with their health journey and compare. We each have a choice as to what we eat and do each day. We need to do OUR personal best EACH DAY and celebrate another's personal best. YES! If they seem to have an easier journey - don't compare - celebrate! Comparing led to a violent death and circumstances Cain was not prepared to handle. For us, judging and comparing, causes such inner turmoil. Sometimes people "jump on the band wagon" not because they want to be healthy.......they don't want the friends in their inner circle to look better. STOP! Being healthy is not about how we look, it's about living life to the fullest and giving OUR personal best to our body, so it can give IT'S PERSONAL BEST to us. :) The fastest way to break the comparison trap is to ask God to heal the inner hurts that are in our hearts. These hurts can cause us to see life from a WRONG perspective. Make good choices today and tonight - celebrate a good day. Tomorrow, hit the repeat button. Keep your eyes on the finish line which is a healthy body. That's the prize for which we reach. Thursday morning will be my last last blog until October 8th. I will be home on the 5th, but will need some family time. :) I WILL BE HOSTING OUR HEALTHY LIFE GROUP ON OCTOBER 7th. That is from 6:00-7:30. I will need it after being in a hotel for days. :) Please come and bring a friend! Love you, PK