One Word…

As the clock ticks towards midnight… not just any midnight, but the end of 2017… I confess, I’m excited!  Not to see 2017 end, but to see 2018 begin!

For the past few years, I’ve embraced the One Word Challenge… asking the Lord to give me a word to characterize the upcoming year.  It’s a word that would reflect what the Lord wants to do in and through me during this season. (I gave up on New Year’s resolutions a long time ago!)  My sweet friend, Deanna Shrodes, writes more about the One Word Challenge.

For 2017, the word He gave me, “training” wasn’t too exciting!  But quickly the Lord confirmed in my heart that this was His word for me and why.  Now, looking back over the past year, I can see where I’ve been trained and had the opportunity to train.  The result has been growth in many areas of my life!  There is value in what has transpired in my life and I am so thankful!  Yet, I’m ready to embrace the new things the Lord has for me!

But forget all that—it is nothing compared to what I am going to do.
For I am about to do something new.  See, I have already begun! Do you not see it? I will make a pathway through the wilderness. I will create rivers in the dry wasteland.”       
Isaiah 43:18-19 (NLT)

Last Sunday, I realized how close we were to the end of the year and I reminded the Lord that I needed a word for 2018. Suddenly, I felt Him drop a word in my spirit with a kiss on my forehead!  Truly, the Lord holds precious gifts for us and is just waiting for us to pause and listen!

After this “mic drop” moment, I meditated on the word the Lord gave me for 2018.  Immediately, I searched for a Scripture to confirm the word.  I can’t help but smile and feel His favor on me for this new season.  (Cliff hanger… I’m not going to share the word yet!)

What about you?  Have you had it with resolutions that have rotted away?  Are you ready for a fresh approach to a new year?  Steal away for a few moments and seek His face.  Ask Him to whisper His heart into yours.  What word can you embrace for your new season?  Set your sights towards how He will move in and through you in 2018!

Let all that I am praise the Lord; with my whole heart, I will praise His holy name.
Let all that I am praise the Lord; may I never forget the good things He does for me.
He forgives all my sins and heals all my diseases.
He redeems me from death and crowns me with love and tender mercies.
He fills my life with good things. My youth is renewed like the eagle’s!” 
Psalm 103:1-5 (NLT)

I would love hearing the word the Lord gives you, so please share!  I’ll share mine too… soon!

Live loved!

Don’t Write on Yesterday’s Page

There’s something exciting about “new.”  Imagine that feeling of popping open the fresh box of pointed crayons, smelling that new car scent, opening an untouched jar of peanut butter, pulling out a new pair of jeans.  New is adventurous!  New is refreshing!  New is an untouched opportunity!

Maybe you’ve heard someone say, “I can’t wait for the new year, I’m ready to be done with this one!”  We celebrate each January 1st as a new beginning and a fresh start. It represents an untouched opportunity to explore, grow, and change.

But why wait?  By waiting for the close of the official calendar to evoke freshness in our lives, we are missing the blessing of each new day!  Too often we wake up in the morning just to have our minds flooded with the happenings of yesterday… missed opportunities, frustrated moments, forgotten commitments, harsh words…  all stains that should stay with yesterday but are allowed to bleed into today.  Don’t begin today by writing on yesterday’s page. Each new day is a new beginning.  You were designed to open to a fresh page when your eyes embrace the morning light!

The Prophet Jeremiah experienced loss, anger, and frustration, yet he reminded himself (and us), “The faithful love of the Lord never ends! His mercies never cease. Great is His faithfulness; His mercies begin afresh each morning.” (Lamentations 3:22-23, NLT)

What are these mercies that are new for us each morning?

His faithfulness-Isaiah 30:18, I Thessalonians 5:23-24

His unconditional love-Psalm 103:11, I John 4:9-10

His forgiveness-Micah 7:18-19, I John 1:9

His strength-Isaiah 40:28-31, Philippians 4:13

His grace-Psalm 84:11, Romans 5:20-21

His peace-Psalm 29:11, John 14:27

As you step into your new day, what is it that you need today… His faithfulness, love, forgiveness, strength, grace, peace? All of those things? Me too!  And they are all found in our Savior!  He is never further than a whisper away!  Don’t wait for a new year to gain a fresh beginning; start each day with a new page!

Don’t stop there though, as you experience God’s faithfulness, love, and forgiveness, extend those gifts to the others in your life! Offer forgiveness that isn’t requested; give grace to those who offend; show kindness that is undeserved.  Freely you have received it, so freely give!

Our Father is a God of new beginnings!  He promises to forget our mistakes and help us clean up our messes.  Our eyes and feet point forward because that is how God designed us to move… forward into what He has for us today without clinging to the stains of yesterday.  Let each day unfold on a fresh page, purified and ready to reflect God at work in you and me.

Live Loved, because you are!

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