Imagine

Do you have a word for the new year? A verse for the year? I’m still praying about mine.

Last year my word was courage, and my verse was Joshua 1:9.

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage;
do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God
is with you wherever you go.
NKJV

Each year I take a quiz offered by DaySpring before I decide upon my word of the year, although I usually select something else. In late December, after I answered seven questions on their website, they reported my word was imagine.

Imagine? At first, this word bothered me. Sounded selfish. Imagine big things, fame, and fortune. Imagine traveling anywhere in the world. Imagine having anything you’ve ever wanted, and it’s yours. As a person who struggles with selfishness, I said no to this as my word for the year.

But then, when I read this word in Scripture, I decided imagine may be a great word for the new year.

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us.
Ephesians 3:20, NIV 

God’s voice is glorious in the thunder. We can’t even imagine
the greatness of his power.
Job 37:5, NLT 

God can do anything through us. Exceedingly, abundantly, more than we ask or think. We only need to be willing. Willing for Him to use us in ways we never thought possible. With His power at work within us.

As Christians, I believe it is good to think big, pray big, and ask big. The Holy Spirit resides in us and gives us the power to do whatever God has called us to do.

This word is not about naming it and claiming it. It’s trusting God for all He wants to accomplish through us. Fulfilling His purpose in our lives. Whatever that is.

But God has placed another word on my heart. I’ll continue to pray and seek Him regarding my word for 2024.

Please share your word or verse if you have one.

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What’s Your Word? (dayspring.com)

Photo by Constant Loubier - Unsplash

Strength and Courage

Last month I shared that my word for 2023 is courage and my verse is Joshua 1:9.  

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage;
do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go. (NKJV)

To remind me of my word and verse for the year, I ordered this cup. (Notice my cat, Paka, looking out the window at the bird feeder!)

I enjoy a homemade mocha most mornings while focusing on God’s Word, praying, or writing.

Along with my word and verse, last month I posted this acrostic created using the word courage, reminding me of areas to focus on to draw closer to the Lord in 2023.

 Call upon the Lord with both big and little decisions.

Open my heart to Him in worship.

Unite with others for fellowship and accountability.

Remember the Lord is always with me.

Allow God’s love to lead me—not fear.

Grow in His Word.

Endure through the hard times and never give up.

Three weeks ago, the Lord directed me to step out in strength and courage to incorporate five of the seven letters above by doing one thing—joining a women’s Bible study. This Bible study is fifty miles away from my home. And if you remember from my last blog post, driving is not my favorite thing to do.

Which five letters? O—open my heart to Him as we gather together in worship; U—unite with other women for fellowship and accountability; R—remember the Lord is always with me even while driving; A—allow God’s love to lead me and not fear on the long trek; G—grow in His Word through participating in the Bible study.

Fortunately, after thirty miles, I’ll join a couple of other ladies and ride with them the rest of the way. And God will be with me ALL the way. Even while driving on the Interstate.

Although it’s a long way to travel, I’m looking forward to meeting new people and growing closer to the Lord through this time of study with other ladies.

I hope your 2023 is off to a good start and you’re growing closer to the Lord too. May He lead you into the truth of His Word and guide you with strength and courage to fulfill His plan and purpose for your life.

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Top Photo by Greg Rosenke - Unsplash

Winding Roads

For the past three years, I’ve chosen a word and Bible verse to focus on during the new year. This year, my word is courage, and my verse is Joshua 1:9.

Webster’s New World Dictionary defines courage as the attitude of facing and dealing with anything recognized as dangerous, difficult, or painful, instead of withdrawing from it; quality of being fearless or brave; valor.

I dislike driving. The older I get, the more difficult it becomes. And the Interstate is the worst with people flying by me at fifteen to twenty miles per hour over the speed limit.

This week I had an eye doctor’s appointment. A drive that could have taken me twenty-five minutes took me at least ten minutes longer by avoiding the highways, and it was worth it to me. But I’ve found that I don’t care to drive the back roads either. Here in Tennessee, the roads I often drive on are hilly, narrow, and winding with drop-offs along them. Not wanting to drive causes a problem when I need to go somewhere or meet with someone.

I need to face this difficult situation before I become a hermit. I need courage. Fortunately, I know the Lord promises to be with me wherever I go. My strength and courage grow in knowing He is by my side.

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage;
do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God
is with you wherever you go.
Joshua 1:9, NKJV

I need courage in other areas of my life, too, but I’ll spare you that list. Below, I created an acrostic, using the word courage, of areas to work on to draw closer to the Lord in 2023 and to develop more courage in my life.

Call upon the Lord with both big and little decisions.

Open my heart to Him in worship.

Unite with others for fellowship and accountability.

Remember the Lord is always with me.

Allow God’s love to lead me—not fear.

Grow in His Word.

Endure through the hard times and never give up.

May your year be filled with love, joy, peace, and courage. And please share below your word or verse of the year for 2023 if you have one.

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     Webster’s New World Dictionary, 2nd college ed. (1984), s.v. “courage.”

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Photo by Jason Leung - Unsplash