Day One of TLT

Reminder: I don’t recommend the free online version of The Lord’s Table as it comes with an assigned mentor that may or may not color the experience positively. The written workbook, gone through prayerfully with the Lord as guide, receives my heartiest recommendation. 🙂
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From my journal on October 19, 2008:

Not to us, O LORD, not to us but to your name be the glory, because of your love and faithfulness. – Psalm 115:1

This is a turning point for me. It seems strange because it hardly seems “new” and yet it is new. I’ve been focusing on food–having less of it (or else!)–and my weight–trying to keep it steady. These are wrong things to have my focus. The more I try to focus on these as my goals, the less “successful” I am at achieving these. I must focus on God and His glory. That is the only proper motivation.

I begin the Lord’s Table workbook. My goal is to focus on how satisfying the LORD is. The intro says, “The Lord’s Table (TLT) places a radical emphasis on satisfying your soul in Christ. We also stress the need to repent of overeating and/or any other sinful eating habits.” I need to quit minimizing my attitude toward my eating and body. I’ve allowed it to take on a life of it’s own.

See, I have refined you, though not as silver; I have tested you in the furnace of afflication. For my own sake, for my own sake, I do this. How can I let myself be defamed? I will not yield my glory to another. – Isaiah 48:11

Whenever anyone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. Now the Lord is Spirit and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect (or contemplate) the Lord’s glory are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord who is the Spirit. – 2 Corinthians 3:16-18

Lord, I choose to contemplate YOUR glory. I choose this holy obsession…YOUR glory, Lord. To fixate on you and your glory. Please show me what this means, Lord.

The testimony on page 3 of the workbook of TLT is powerful. There are some thoughts that come from it for me.

* So often I eat to satisfy whatever craving I have. THIS SHOULD NOT BE! Lord, please forgive me.

* My eating is often SINFUL – don’t lustfully – greedily. Yes, I eat a LOT less than I used to, but the heart attitude must change to one of giving thanks for the portion He alots me.

* My eating is often SELF-CENTERED and not honoring to God. Lord, please forgive me and change me.

* Lord, please set me free from sinful eating and a sinful focus in my life.

* I want to seek satisfaction in walking with and fellowshipping with Christ instead of in food.

Summary of Day 1 of TLT workbook:
Only God’s glory is to be my motivation for this journey–for all of life. Not to maintain my weight loss. Not to get glory. I want to do ALL I do with God’s glory in view and as my primary motive.

Application: What motivation do I have for this journey?