Is your new year off to a good start or are there problems weighing you down on this Monday morning? Wherever you are today, You are not alone. Our God is present and faithful to see you through whatever lies ahead. Place your trust in His limitless Grace.
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Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:6-7 – NIV
Are you someone who likes to make New Year’s resolutions? If so, how well do you keep them? How long into the new year do they actually last?
If you are like me, I have resolved to lose weight or exercise more, only to find myself slacking off in March. I resolved to have more patience, only to lose my cool the next week. Resolutions are hard to stick to. They take resolve, fortitude, commitment. Most of us struggle to display these admirable traits for more than 30 days.
This year, I am responding to a new type of challenge. My pastor shared some information about the “My One Word Project”. This project is not about resolutions, but about spiritual transformation. I know, I know. That’s very intimidating language, so I’ll simplify it. It’s about growing spiritually. It’s about strengthening your walk with God.
The project encourages you to select one word for the year. This one word will serve as a focal point as you walk through the ups and downs of life. The word should have meaning for you, should help you work on an area in your spiritual life where you have an opportunity to grow.
The project implores you to pray about your word and seek God’s guidance. Take time to make a list of potential words and consider their meaning. Find scriptures that include these words and ponder their significance in your life. Some common examples include: focus, discipline, grow, wisdom, knowledge.
Give some real soul searching thought to this word. You will reflect on it all year long.
Listening to my pastor’s challenge, I decided to take the plunge. I bought a copy of the book, “My One Word” by Mike Ashcraft and Rachel Olsen and have been delving into its contents. There is also great information available on their website, myoneword.org .
Interested? Join me in this challenge as we get 2019 rolling along. Make a list of options, pray on it and pick your one word.
I know…the curiosity is killing you. What is my one word? It’s “Abide”. Yes, abide. To grow spiritually, I feel I need to learn to rest more in God’s sovereignty. I need to fret less and trust more. I need to let go of anxiety and find His peace.
I am pulling together scriptures to reflect on as I embark on my journey. Two of them are listed in this message.
What do you think? Is this challenge for you? If so, join me as we step through the year and seek to shape our hearts in ways that deepen our relationship with our Lord. It should be an interesting quest. Whatever you decide, I pray 2019 will be a year of spiritual growth for you and I as we place our hope in the One true God that can change everything.
4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me.
John 15:4 – ESV
PRAYER
O Lord God, thank You for a new year, for a new opportunity to grow in our walk with You. Help us to rely on Your goodness, Your protection, Your provision. Lift our hearts when we are discouraged. Calm us when we are anxious or fearful. Remind us of Your unfailing love and shine Your Light upon our paths that we might follow wherever You may lead.
Faith Beyond Sight 