At the beginning of every year, it seems that The Lord gives me a verse to spend my year growing toward. Usually the Truth in that particular Scripture will be challenged many times over the year. And often, that same truth will follow me into the next year, because I’m a painfully slow learner.
Boy, is this going to be a challenge! Unfortunately, in the flesh, I’m one of those “think AS you speak” kind of girls. My brain doesn’t naturally stop and process before I act. I’m not making excuses… I just sayin‘… it ain’t gonna be easy! But God didn’t really call us to “easy”, did He? He calls us to LIFE – Abundant Life – and in my experience, Abundant Life can’t be lived out easily in the flesh.
I’ve already failed to filter some things through these words. And those of you in my personal life will probably witness me failing frequently. But thankfully, with each fail, and after seeking forgiveness and restoration, I’m forming a battle plan for the next time I’m tempted to disregard these instructions from the Lord.
What are the Eight Words that are to mark my thoughts, actions, reactions, and speech? (I’m glad you asked!) They are:
Comfort
Joy
Wisdom
Trust
Obedience
Love
My God-given instructions for these words: Before I think, say, or do anything, make sure that it promotes at least one of these 8 words. If it doesn’t, stop thinking it, don’t say it, and don’t do it!
Easy enough? Right?
What about you? Has God given you a Verse or a Word for the year? If so, please share! (If I knew how to do a “Mr. Linky” here, I would. But since I don’t, please leave a comment. I’ll add them to this portion of the post as they come in.)
Christy said: The verse the Lord has given me for this year is Isaiah 43:18-19. I want more than anything for this year to be marked with me knowing Jesus in a new and deeper way.
I just love what God gives his girls for New Years! My theme is “Year of No Fear” and My verse is Isaiah 41. I’m memorizing most of it for battle! One of my favorite parts is this: Don’t panic. I’m with you.
There’s no need to fear for I’m your God.
I’ll give you strength. I’ll help you.
I’ll hold you steady, keep a firm grip on you. Isaiah 41:10, The Message
Lisa Smith
From Melanie@Bella~Mella: I have decided not to ask for a word or verse for this year. Last year I got “Double.” 2009 seemed to have turned out to be “Double Trouble.” I guess I’m afraid of what else might happen.
Jennifer says: My word for 2010 is JOY – I’m choosing joy no matter the circumstance/day/situation….and just one word has been a challenge plenty thus far – I can’t imagine eight!! God is going to bless, I’m sure.
Elaine says: “Living temple” is mine from 1 Corinthians 6:19-20. Every choice that I make needs to fall under this one blanket. Where I go, what I say, who I choose to do life with, etc. All can be weighed out underneath the awesome privilege of being God’s “living temple.”
peace~elaine
"Living temple" is mine from 1 Corinthians 6:19-20. Every choice that I make needs to fall under this one blanket. Where I go, what I say, who I choose to do life with, etc. All can be weighed out underneath the awesome privilege of being God's "living temple."
peace~elaine
My word for 2010 is JOY – I'm choosing joy no matter the circumstance/day/situation….and just one word has been a challenge plenty thus far – I can't imagine eight!! God is going to bless, I'm sure.
I have decided not to ask for a word or verse for this year. Last year I got "Double." 2009 seemed to have turned out to be "Double Trouble."
I guess I'm afraid of what else might happen.
Melanie@Bella~Mella
I just love what God gives his girls for New Years! My theme is "Year of No Fear" and My verse is Isaiah 41. I'm memorizing most of it for battle! One of my favorite parts is this: Don't panic. I'm with you.
There's no need to fear for I'm your God.
I'll give you strength. I'll help you.
I'll hold you steady, keep a firm grip on you. Isaiah 41:10, The Message
Blessings on 2010!!
The verse that the Lord has given me for this year is Isaiah 43:18-19. I want more than anything for this year to be marked with me knowing Jesus in a new and deeper way.
I love the words you have shared and I think it's a great reminder for me too 🙂
I look forward to when we meet again!