I learned a better way to face the new year.
My very best friend is a missionary. We've been friends for close to 30 years. Several years ago, we started asking God for His word or words for the new year. Sometimes they were the same word. Sometimes they were different words that went together. Sometimes they were totally different.
I didn't get my word until I was the New Year's Eve prayer meeting at our church last night. We come together to praise and worship God. During breaks between worship songs, we prayed for our families, then our church, then our country, then for the people in our area who need to know the Lord, and lastly for people around the world who need to know the Lord.
My word is: Beloved. And more than that: Beloved of God. Because I'm Beloved of God, I can: Trust Him in All things!!
Philippians 4:4-5The Message (MSG)
4-5 Celebrate God all day, every day. I mean, revel in him! Make it as clear as you can to all you meet that you’re on their side, working with them and not against them. Help them see that the Master is about to arrive. He could show up any minute!
Because He loves me, I can savor Him. He loves me in all things and through all things.
Because of His love for me, He will always be with me, leading me and helping me.
Here's a wonderful promise from God.
Jeremiah 1:8The Message (MSG)
7-8 God told me, “Don’t say, ‘I’m only a boy.’
I’ll tell you where to go and you’ll go there.
I’ll tell you what to say and you’ll say it.
Don’t be afraid of a soul.
I’ll be right there, looking after you.”
God’s Decree.
I’ll tell you where to go and you’ll go there.
I’ll tell you what to say and you’ll say it.
Don’t be afraid of a soul.
I’ll be right there, looking after you.”
God’s Decree.
I hope 2016 is a healthy and happy year for you, Lena. Happy New Year!
ReplyDeleteHAPPY NEW YEAR! Blessings to you!
ReplyDeleteMay 2016 bring you good health, peace and joy. Happy New Year!
ReplyDeleteHappy new year!
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year! I am excited to learn what God has planned for 2016. :-)
ReplyDeleteThe word God gave me for 2016 is TRUST. Last year it was GRATEFUL for all of God's care and provisions during my husband's illness and death; so now I must TRUST God fully for my future, starting in 2016. sm CA wileygreen1(at)yahoo(dot)com
ReplyDeleteLena, I just love this post! I keep reading it, but I haven't got a specific word yet. You just ask God to give you a word for the New Year? I have never done that before, just tried to make positive changes. Thank you for this article and many blessings, beloved of God.
ReplyDeleteHappy New year. Shelia Hall sheliarha64@yahoo.com
ReplyDeleteMelanie, Caryl, Connie, Fredamans, Melissa, and Shelia, thanks for dropping by and wishing me a happy and healthy new year. I am getting stronger and able to do most of my normal activities more.
ReplyDeleteSm, trust is a wonderful word for a year. As you saw it was also part of what God told me. And grateful is another good word. He does provide for us during the hard times. I'm glad you experienced his care and provision during such a hard time.
Diana, yes, you ask God to give you a word, and then you listen. He may speak something into your spirit. Or He may speak to you through a sermon where one word sticks out to you. Or like with me, it was during a time of worship that the word came alive to me.
Happy New Year! I love the idea of God giving you a word. I'm going to pray for a word and listen real close. Glad to hear you are getting stronger. May 2016 bring you many blessings.
ReplyDelete