Conquering The Struggle

It has been a really long time since I've written in this blog...on this blog...since I've blogged.  See I don't even have the lingo down.  (wink, wink, smile)  I have struggled with what format this blog is supposed to take and months ago it was revealed to me how this was supposed to be used.  With a blog named "Manifesting the Glory of God Within" then it should reflect how to manifest God's glory or the glory that is being manifested.

Not sure why I didn't think of that before I created it but I know now.  Having confessed that, the blog...MY blog is going to take on the form of sharing the way I am most comfortable manifesting God's glory within.  That is in how I spend my time studying my scriptures and the revelations I received from my study.  Often my revelations are just for me, but many of them are supposed to be shared. 

I know I've been directed to share them so whatever is written here is solely for the glory of God.  I am simply a servant, a disciple of Jesus Christ, following a command God has given me for my life.  If I could ask for anything to happen for anyone who reads this, my prayer is that you receive it and your desire for greater knowledge of the scriptures is ignited so you can use them as a means of personal revelation.  That's what I have gained from reading and studying.  And truly it has been the best medium for getting to know my Heavenly Father, His Son and Spirit. 

Let me explain how I come about receiving my revelations, then I'll share one in the next entry.  First of all it is a process for me.  First thing in the morning, after using the bathroom, I pick up my journal and write.  The first thing I write is the entire verse or set of verses I received from my study the day before.  As I'm writing, if I hadn't yet learned what the message was for me, it is generally revealed.  I include the revelation somewhere in my journal entry.  When I'm done writing I pray to Heavenly Father, thanking Him for the time we had to share together, for lessons learned and power given.  Then I ask Him for my message for the day.  If I have a question, then I ask the question and I read until I feel compelled to stop.  It's that simple.  You'll know when you have your message. 

Sometimes I get distracted.  Sometimes I have no idea what I read and have to start over.  In those instances, I pray for focus if I haven't already asked for it.  It usually takes me anywhere between 2-10 minutes to get my message.  Sometimes it's the very next set of verses.  Sometimes it's a couple pages away skipping over Scripture Mastery or even old mission scriptures.  It's not that they aren't relevant, they just are not part of my message for that day that's all. 

OH!  Another VERY important component of studying my scriptures...Hold on let me clarify.   My daily scripture study is the Book of Mormon.  That's where I get my messages from.  I also study the Sunday School lessons on Sunday mornings.  The curriculum for 2011 is the New Testament.  OK, back to the other important component.  For my Book of Mormon study, I use a unmarked copy of the blue Book of Mormon otherwise known as the investigator's edition.  This way I'm not led to something else I may have marked at another time.  Using that edition gives me a clear slate to receive revelation.  

Other thoughts before I close:

1) If I don't have time to write in my journal, then I always read.  I use always because I need my message or my day is truly thrown off.  So I strive for always.  I have some pages in my journal where there are just scriptures written down because I read and got my message but hadn't written for a few days or even a week or more.  BUT I READ.

2) If you've had trouble keeping a journal, I suggest starting with a gratitude journal.  I challenge everyone to write 5 entries in their journal daily and not repeat an entry for 10-14 days.  At the end of 10 days you have 50 DIFFERENT reasons to be grateful.  It's actually pretty awesome.  For me I wrote things I was struggling with because 1 Thessalonians 5:18 says, "In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you."  That includes the icky stuff. 

What I have found is that including the icky stuff allows me to receive revelation on how to make it un-icky.  It's an amazing thing.  It's because I'm open to the situation existing as it is knowing that it is either an opportunity for God to manifest His glory in my life or an opportunity for me to repent.  Either way, I win. 

I'm excited about not just knowing what to do with this blog but also making the time to do it.  I hope you enjoy this journey with me.  God's continued blessings.  Always...(s.m.i.l.e.)