EMPOWER:  to give official authority or legal power to (Merriam-Webster, 2014).  

Empower - the word of the week for week 1 of our Made to Crave OBS.  How has the word empower empowered me?  

1.  I made a sign that says "You are EMPOWERED through Jesus" and has the Scripture "Everything is permissible, but not everything is beneficial.  1 Corinthians 10:23".  I have a copy of this on the front of my journal and another posted on a cupboard door in my kitchen.

2.  I got in the car today to go grocery shopping (which I was dreading), turned on the radio and the first song that was played was Mandisa's "Overcomer".  How awesome is that?!?  The theme song for our group comes on the radio.  Now some would say this is coincidence, but not me.  I knew immediately it was a God thing and that He was EMPOWERING me to OVERCOME buying foods that I don't need.  

3.  Instead of buying the things I love and normally crave I bought healthier alternatives.  

•   Chocolate - replaced with 90 calorie Fiber One bars
•   Red licorice - replaced with low calorie, low fat energy bars
•   Ben & Jerry's ice cream - replaced with weight watchers ice cream bars (already in individual portions) 

4.  Last night I made a blueberry pie for my husband.  I knew making blueberry would be safe so as to not give in and eat any as I hate blueberries.  I made fat-free pudding for myself and placed in individual size servings so as to not overeat.  And thus far I have only had 2 servings, after dinner last night and after dinner tonight.

Thanks  to prayer, submission and the empowerment God has given me, I have VICTORY during the first 5 days of our study.  Thank You Jesus!!