Friends
Have you picked your one word for the new year? For those of you who have followed my blog for awhile, you are likely familiar with my one word challenge. Every year, I select one word for the year, one word to focus on, one to cling to, one word to foster my spiritual growth in the coming year. In previous years, I have selected words such as abide, hope, and entrust. I search for the word in scripture and included it in my prayers. Each of these words have challenged my spiritual status-quo, strengthening my faith walk.
Would you consider joining me in this one word challenge? If so, contemplate what word is right for you this year. Pray over it. Search the scriptures for it. Reflect on it all year long. Let your one word guide your spiritual journey in this coming year.
Let’s begin this new year with a prayer. Let’s walk through God’s Word, focusing on His promises, His plans, His presence, His faithfulness, and His grace.
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O Lord God Almighty,
I begin this new year seeking You,
Asking You to guide me in all I say and do,
Show me the way to go and help me
Stand on Your promises,
Trust in Your plan,
Rest in Your Presence,
Cling to Your Hand.
As I search Your word I seek Your Face,
Remembering Your Faithfulness,
Abiding In Your Grace.
Amen
As we stand on His Promises, let us remember these words:
“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand”
Isaiah 41:10 – NIV
““Because he loves me,” says the Lord, “I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name. He will call on me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him.With long life,I will satisfy him and show him my salvation.””
Psalm 91:14-16 – NIV
As we trust in His plan, let us believe that His plans are for our good:
“Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him, and he will act.”
Psalm 37:5 – ESV
“For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord. They are plans for good and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.”
Jeremiah 29:11 – TLB
As we rest in His Presence, let us cling to His loving Hand:
“He says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”
Psalm 46:10 – NIV
““Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”
Matthew 11:28 – NIV
Lord, You are good and steadfast and true. You love us with an everlasting love. Help us rest in Your faithfulness and abide in Your grace.
In the Merciful Name of Jesus, we pray,
Amen
By the way, my one word for 2024 is “rest.” I will rest in His presence, trusting in His good purposes and plans for my life, standing on His promises, remembering His faithfulness, abiding in His grace. Yes, I will study on “rest” this year, trusting God to see me through. What will you focus on in 2024?
New Year’s Blessings,
Anita
1/15/2024
Faith Beyond Sight 