Decide. Commit. Succeed!

I have recently become a Rep. for Beachbody! I love the company. I love the products. I love the way I feel after I have used them. But, I really love their statement. Decide. Commit. Succeed!

Decide~ period!

Decisions are all over the place~ what to have for all of our meals. When to run our errands. When to workout. When to spend time with the Lord. Sometimes the decisions are painful~ what flight to take to make sure I make it to FL before my mom passes away. A phone call to make a confrontation you are dreading. There was a time in my life that I had to make a decision about my health. I have four children. After the first three, I lost all of my weight fairly quickly. Man~ that was fabulous! After my fourth child, I didn't! Could it have been that I was in my 30s? Could it have been that I didn't consistently workout during my pregnancy? Or, could it have been that I hated the thought of eating salad/veggies my entire pregnancy and only wanted to eat ice cream, jelly beans, etc? Not sure! ;) I got to a point where I just thought~ this is how I am going to look for the rest of my life. Was I happy about that~ NO!!! But I had not made a decision to make any change in my life. I was up one morning and saw an infomercial for Turbo Jam. I watched the infomercial for a number of days before I made the decision to buy it and dedicate my time to actually working out and eating healthier.

Commit~ period!

Once I made the decision to buy my new workout, I had to decide to commit to it. I had to put in the time and energy it would take to follow the meal plan, and kick my butt in the exercises. I had to commit to not eating things that were unhealthy for me. I often asked myself~ "IIWI" (Is It Worth It?) Is this piece of pizza worth the extra calories and workout I am going to have to do~ sometimes it was a "no" & sometimes it was a "yes!" :)

Succeed~ exclamation point! :)

The decision paid off! The commitment paid off! In 10 days I had lost 8 pounds!!! It was such an amazing feeling to know that I felt better, looked better and was happier!

I think that "Decide. Commit. Succeed." applies to all areas of our lives. Decide to wake up in the morning and spend your first moments with the Lord in prayer and reflection about the day ahead, committing to Him and allowing the Holy Spirit to guide you. Decide to eat healthy and workout. Decide to spend more time with your family and love on 'em. When you ask yourself "IIWI"~ I would venture to say YES!!!! Yes, my friends, it is. :)

It's that simple!

I love it when we read the Word of God and it speaks to us so obviously! It's just so plain and clear what we, as Christians and believers of the most High and Awesome God, are supposed to do.

Isaiah 12: 4-6 breaks it down for us!

v4 Give thanks to the Lord, call on His name!
I am the first to admit that there are times where there is nothing resembling "thanks" coming from my lips. Life can be hard! I know that all too well. But, I will also be the first to say that if all we can do is Thank Him for saving us from our lives of sin and emptiness, isn't that enough!?!? I mean, WOW! Thank you, Lord for that alone!!!

v4 make known among the nations what He has done, and proclaim that His name is exalted.
I love looking back on my life and remembering all of the amazing ways that Jesus has moved~ for little 'ole me! Sometimes it is awesome writing it down in a journal or even posting it in on your fridge or mirror to remember that GOD MOVES and will continue to move. So, when we have that ever before us, it makes us excited to tell people what God has done in our lives!!!!!! Share your testimony~ do not be afraid or ashamed. Be Bold!!! He did it for you~ Praise Him!!

v5 Sing to the Lord, for He has done glorious things; let this be known to all the world!
Worship. Worship the Lord for the amazing things He has done in your life~ that only He could do!!! Think about all the times you sing around your home, or in the car... take time to sing to Jesus! Psalm 22 says He inhabits the praises of His people!!! Praise Him, friends, for all He has done in your life! :)

v6 Shout aloud and sing for JOY people of Zion, for great is the Holy One of Israel among you!
When we take our mind off of what is going on in our life and focus on Him (by worshiping Him)~ everything becomes peaceful! He is a God of peace!!! Shout for Him my friends!!! 1 John 4:4 says, "Greater is He that is in me, than he that is in the world!!!" Shout for the one that is GREATER!!!

"I Surrender All... I Surrender All... wait- WHAT?!?!

How many times have I sung that song in church~ hands held high~ telling Jesus that I surrender all?!?!? It is pretty amazing what I am truly saying, and then I think~

Do I really surrender all?

Me~ a borderline control freak~ can I really surrender ALL?

When I tell the Lord~ I surrender all~ I really do mean it, as hard as that is! But, I will admit to you, there are many times that I try it my way first... why can't I learn the first time that my way is NOT the best. There have been some very NOT SO FUN moments lately in my life that I have had no control over. Oh, believe me, I wanted to take control, but it was futile. Proverbs 3:5-6 says, "Trust in the LORD with all your heart, lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will direct your paths." He has our best interests at heart. If that means that I have to go through some not so fun times to stay on His path for me, then I accept. Sometimes I get scared, but I realize that my hope is in Him and Him alone~ all these other things will fail me and fade away, but He is always there! Romans 15:13 says, “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”
I encourage you, my friends, to surrender the things in your life that you really have no control over anyway. Trust in the Lord who loves you and wants amazing things for your life! I think that most people only quote Jeremiah 29:11, but there's so much more to it... starting from 11: "¹¹ For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. ¹² Then you will call on Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. ¹³ You will seek Me and find Me when you seek Me with all your heart. ¹⁴ I will be found by you,” declares the LORD...
He wants to be found by us!!! Put your trust, put your "ALL" in the creator of this universe b/c He has grafted you in His MIGHTY hands!