What are you empowering?

(A quiet lake in Southern Idaho that jeremy and I visited recently)

God is so generous to teach us if we ask Him to do so.  Recently, I've been on a mission to learn to truly love my Lord more deeply than ever before.  The things he's asked me to do as this has unfolded have been varied.  Some of them have been easy and some have been difficult.  Each one has had purpose far beyond what I understood at the moment of command.

But obedience has brought with it greater understanding and light in dark corners.

I wanted to take a moment today to share with you some of the specifics, finishing with one that a dear woman of God shared with me only today.

One of the first revelations came as the Lord asked me to begin memorizing Scripture.  I began by looking at small portions, either from the bible study I was working on or perhaps the reading I was engaged in that week.  But then, the Lord asked me to do something a bit more intensive.  I'd heard of the concept before, and decided that it was too difficult for me to accomplish.  (Hmmm, wonder where that idea came from???? Any ideas?)  

The Lord asked me to memorize a book of the bible!  In particular, 1 Peter.  And so, because he's also been teaching me to obey, right away, I began.  I don't think I can express to you the joy and peace that has come to me through this exercise.  Not only so, but did you know that repeating a scripture until it's burned deeply into your heart is a form of bible study like NO OTHER!? 

I've found that when I struggle with a particular portion, it is ALWAYS because the Lord wants me to seek Him for the meaning of that bit.  In 1 John 2: 27-28, it tells us that the Spirit WILL teach us! '  As for you, the anointing you received from him remains in you, and you do not need anyone to teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about all things and as that anointing is real, not counterfeit—just as it has taught you, remain in him.'  And so I ask my Lord what those portions mean and He begins to open my mind and heart to understand through the Spirit's teaching.  

The Lord has also asked me to step out of some of the things I was doing to make room so that I can do what He wants me to do.  He's asking me to do the things that bring Him glory.  They are often quieter than the things I was doing before.  But the joy I've had in watching Him change the lives of people around me is without compare.

He's asked me to spend more time just getting to know Him. This particular bit I've been a little reluctant to do.  But He is faithful, and today, through a friend, confirmed my need for obedience in this area.  Thank you Jesus, I will follow.

So the last thing I want to share?????  My friend shared this with me today.  You empower what you focus on.  If you focus on failure, hurts, bad habits, etc, that is what you are giving power to in your life. This is why Our Lord tells us to think on whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable.   If anything is excellent or praiseworthy, think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me, put into practice. And the God of peace will be with you. (Phil 4:8-9)

So.....what are you empowering in your life today?