Except for the yellow coating that has pollinated the outdoor world, today has been beautiful! The dear hubby tackled the first mow of the season making our lawn appear manicured, or at least cropped 😉. Living here in the Johnson Farm’s subdivision has been a delight for the past 6 years. With the memory of moving day popping up on Facebook, I was reminded of how our gracious heavenly Father orchestrated the whole ordeal. And Y’ALL! springing out of bed this morning, my seventh day on the plant-based eating posture, I was amazed at how energized I felt!

And even more, I am marveling that I am not constantly thinking about the things missing in my eating plan (My sweets and meats 😉). It truly is a phenomenon in my book!! And yet, that is just like God!

“Because we understand our fearful responsibility to the Lord, WE WORK HARD…Christ’s love controls us. Since we believe that Christ died for all, we also believe that we have all died to our old life. He died for everyone so that those who receive his new life will NO LONGER LIVE FOR THEMSELVES. Instead, they will live for Christ, who died and was raised for them.”

2 Corinthians 5:11-15, NLT

We were made to live for Jesus NOT OURSELVES; God made us for Himself, and we are God-loved, so once we are God-rescued, our focus is on Him and His Word. God desires to give us more of Him.  

As my Retreat continues, focusing on Psalm 119 has given me great joy. And as I dig into the words of this Psalm it is certainly clear that conformity to God’s Word is what brings a blessing and real joy:

“Joyful are those who obey his laws and search for him with all their hearts.”

Verse 2

Prayerfully, this is becoming my spiritual sweets and meats.

The Psalmist cries:

OH, THAT OUR ACTIONS WOULD CONSISTENTLY REFLECT YOUR DECREES.

Verse 5

And then he pledges to live a life that pleases the Lord as his thank offering (v. 7b). Joy filled people follow the instructions of the Lord and keep His commandments. Their hearts have one main goal in life—to please Him!

To please God as a thank offering is the true sweets and meats.

What are your spiritual sweets and meats?