HAPPY 2022 ~ #ONEWORD for the NEW YEAR!

 

...and it's that time of year again, where instead of resolutions, we have chosen to be resolute and intentional about changes and things in our lives for the New Year. The time where a lot of churches and individuals, and even businesses and worldly business and secular minds take time to choose their #oneword or #onelittleword for the YEAR ahead.

My #ONEWORD for 2021 was PURSUE... to pursue and seek after more of God, in these 6 areas specifically. (spelling out the word pursue)

Prayerful -- 1 Thessalonians 5:17

Understanding/Wisdom -- Exodus 35:31

Righteousness -- 1 Timothy 6:11

Spiritual Truth -- Psalm 86:2 & Psalm 78:2

Unwavering Faith -- Matthew 21:21

Excellence -- Proverbs 31:10; Ruth 3:11; Matthew 5:16; & Philippians 4:8

As I am still in pursuit of more of God, and these areas above, I still will cling to the word PURSUE but also include MINDFUL or RENEWAL... We completed a ZOOM study this year (technically 6 weeks in November and December) on choosing a changed mind, using a booklet by the same title, "Choose a Changed Mind" by our friend and Evangelist Anita Pearce. In this book (which I highly recommend to you - see below to order) she digs deeper into the words/principles found in Philippians 4:8 (which was one of my verses above). The eight principles or thought patterns in the Scripture include true; noble; right; pure; lovely; admirable; excellent & praiseworthy (depending on the translation you read, but basically the same meanings). She ends the chapter with "By renewing our thought patterns according to these principles, our characters will be transformed. We will become reflections of the holiness of our Lord Jesus Christ." So one of my goals for 2022 is to continually RENEW my MIND... which includes being more MINDFUL of what I choose to think on.

We can CHOOSE our thought patterns, and this is a tool that is useful to know and remember. It is OUR choice alone to hold onto the good and get rid of the bad... better yet, don't even let the negative and bad ones in! Stop them at the door and deny them entrance. One sentence that came to me (through Holy Spirit) while reading the book was "BE A BOUNCER of YOUR MIND!!" Those bouncers outside clubs, etc don't just let anyone in. They use their muscle to keep out the ones who don't belong -- even those with a fake ID. Don't even let those words of false prophets in! There is a lot of deceit in the world today that is masquerading around as truth. Keep the lies out and bring in the truth!!

How do we go about living out our #ONEWORD??

For me, it's starting with DAY 1... gaining wisdom again through reading the BOOK of PROVERBS! There are 31 chapters in Proverbs and 31 days in January. I am going to be more intentional with reading and writing about wisdom gleaned! Writing this BLOG POST today on DAY 1 will also hopefully help keep me accountable, and I hope to share some revelations and fun from my Bible Reading adventures this year (not just Proverbs this month, but as the year continues) -- so that next year, my blog post for 2023 won't be right after this one. (OOPS!)

For YOU... first, choose your word... through prayer, through much thought and deliberation... and however else you want to choose it. Maybe through reading the Word, or through reading this post a word pops into your mind... If you don't have a relationship with God and are just choosing a word that your business is following, or if your church is choosing a word... you can definitely use that word too... but there is a personal word out there for YOU for 2022, find it!! Then make a call to action... DO IT! Choose to do something that will help you get to where you want to be... where God is calling you to be!! If you need some help, contact me and I will creatively share some ideas.

BUT... most of all, FOCUS on the LORD and make 2022 a great one!! "Set your minds on things above, and not on earthly things!" Colossians 3:2

** IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO ORDER THE BOOK "CHOOSE A CHANGED MIND" by ANITA PEARCE - visit her website INSPIRATION MINISTRIES here, and order from her shop, or I think they are on Amazon.ca too. **

HAPPY NEW YEAR!! Be Blessed to be a BLESSING!!

WOW~! It's a NEW YEAR again... HAPPY 2022!!

HAPPY NEW YEAR... again... feels like I just wrote it... (and looking at this blog I did)

I originally tried to focus more on my writing and it being one of the cre8tive outlets that I would use more in 2021... and again, that wasn't done as well as I had hoped. Thankfully, I have other outlets and did use my writing in other ways (I did set up an Instagram with @mitzshewrote after one of my favourite TV shows growing up Murder She Wrote, where Jessica Fletcher (aka Angela Lansbury) was a mystery writer.) 

However, this year of not writing here on the blog was not seen as a failure. I did also grow in other areas, and of course, we all know that even though 2020 was an interesting year, 2021 was also interesting and had its own ups and downs. As we grow older, we see that time seems to fly by quicker. The old saying was always "Time flies when you're having fun", but clearly I don't have to tell you that 2021 was not all fun and games (and I love games)! But seriously, this year seemed to fly by. 

As 2020 came to a close, and 2021 began, we were still bogged down by the Cov!d pandemic and the effects of it, whether it hit your home, close to home, or at least someone you knew. Whether or not you believe in the complete pandemic, there obviously has been a lot of things attached to it that have changed the world we live in. (Not going to get into it - move on!)

As 2022 begins, I am in a more contemplative state of mind and have had a lot of days of relaxation and time to myself (which is yes unusual)... but it reminds me that God is the ONLY one who brought us through. Although things around us have changed greatly, He has NOT changed. He isn't surprised by what is happening. Whether you believe in Him or not, He is there, and He is the One who sits on the High Throne. As believers, we can boldly go before that throne due to His love and grace. This year is a year to help bring in the Prodigals and the Lost souls to the Kingdom... time is moving quickly and time, as we know it here on earth, is quickly coming to an end.

NOW is the time... TODAY is the day of salvation... January 1st, 2022... is the PERFECT day for you to begin your FIRST STEPS (or steps again) with the FATHER, His Son JESUS, and our comforter and guide HOLY SPIRIT!! In the story of the PRODIGAL SON, which I just re-read in one of my devotions, it says, "So he returned home to his father. And while he was still a long way off, his father saw him coming. Filled with love and compassion, he ran to his son, embraced him, and kissed him." (Luke 15:20) You have to do your part and take the first step towards the Father, whether it's a first step or a u-turn back, and then God in His great love and compassion will run to you! IF THIS IS YOU... then take the time to "come to {your} senses" (Luke 15:17) and come (back) to the Father in repentance. We are ALL sinners, and we all have felt those feelings of unworthiness. But the Father calls us back as a SON, not just a servant!

Now, maybe you are like me, still a sinner who is saved by grace, but you haven't truly run from the Father, you've stuck close like the older brother. (He still sinned in his own ways, but the Father forgave him). Where was the older son while all this was happening?? In verse 25 it says, "Meanwhile, the older son was in the fields working...". The older son was working and doing his part. Taking care of the fields was his responsibility. The verse continues, "When he returned home, he heard music and dancing in the house, and he asked one of the servants what was going on." Then he hears the news of his brother returning home, and goes into a form of self-pity. Instead of being happy that his brother has returned (and can now take some of the responsibility for the work), he wallows in his own self-pity. Self-pity leads to our own fall, which can lead to anger, depression and despair. The Scriptures say that "The older brother was angry and wouldn't go in." (Luke 15:28) BUT GOD...  His father came out and begged him... and again wallowing and his anger turned to depression, and he complains to the father about all that he has done for him, and that he never even got a young goat for a feast with his friends. The father then reminds him that ALL he had was always the sons all along. The Scripture says "His father said to him, 'Look, dear son, you have always stayed by me, and everything I have is yours." (Luke 15:31) So, the older son could have had a young goat for a feast with his friends... he could have had anything that belonged to the father; to the family (other than the wealth inheritance that was given to the younger son earlier in the chapter).

Now normally, this parable is spoken of or taught, in regards to the Prodigal Son, or in regards to the Father welcoming the son home and it is compared to the Father welcoming those who have strayed from the faith... the Prodigal Son has been compared allegorically to those who once loved the Father and were 'Christ-followers' who have now walked away from their beliefs. The Father obviously is God the Father. He has so much love and compassion for all to come to know Him and be in a relationship with Him, as a 'son'. The older son should be happy for a lost soul to come back to the Father. But this time around (& I'm sure I've thought about it before, but it hit me this time), I'm stuck on the fact of the older son and those words found in the 31st verse above, "Look, dear son, you have always stayed by me, and everything I have is yours." The older son was faithful to the father, therefore like a believer who has been faithful to the Father, doing the work and staying by Him. In the parable, the older son at that moment was mad about a young goat for a feast, but really, the father said 'EVERYTHING that I have is yours'... so it got me thinking, what else does the FATHER have for us that we have not 'asked for' or just taken hold of... because everything that He has is ours.

I always hear of different preachers or teachers speaking of "open heavens", and the verse that has come up a lot in recent teachings is "we have not, because we ask not" (James 4:2)

So let 2022 be a year of new chapters, clean slates, salvations/lost being found, prodigals returning, and believers asking and receiving more and more from the Father... 

BE BLESSED TO BE A BLESSING!

Happy 2022 Blessings to you and yours!

 

What's your #ONEWORD for 2021?

     So we all know it has been a year... as we sit back on NEW YEAR'S EVE 2020, we can reflect on the year that has passed and wonder about the year ahead. Most NEW YEAR'S EVE nights are spent with friends or family, enjoying food and festivities... but again 2020 threw a wrench into those plans, and the government and their Covid-19 regulations have put an end to getting together. Again they want to throw us into isolation and try and put fear into our lives as we enter the new year. But we are not isolated alone, we always have GOD with us. He is our wisdom, strength, peace and more!

     Usually during the end of the year, and the beginning of the next year, people make resolutions. They decide on things that they want to change or need in their lives. Some people choose to make more time for family; make more time for God; read the Bible more; lose weight or have a more proper diet or choose to eat more healthy foods; etc. However, most people don't stay with some of the resolutions they make, and so for the last several years people have chosen #oneword or #onelittleword for the year ahead.

     I somehow don't have a record of words I have chosen, but I remember in 2017, I (along with Holy Spirit) chose "resolute" and "#finishwell" in 2018. I don't remember what word was chosen for last year... I know "vision" was a big theme as it was 2020. Our vision sure was cleared this year, physically and spiritually. We saw that although the world was in chaos around us, our GOD was still in control and on His throne and gave most of us PEACE. Our vision was altered as we shifted our vision on things of the world to things of the Kingdom. During the first quarantine, we grew closer to God and His Word. He allowed our vision to be focused on Him. This year, I believe Holy Spirit is leading me to the #oneword #onelittleword PURSUE. Pursue after Him... Pursue after Truth... Pursue after what is Right...  I was led to a Bible Verse found in 1 Timothy 6:11 which says, "But you, Timothy, are a man of God; so run from all these evil things. Pursue righteousness and a godly life, along with faith, love, perseverance, and gentleness."

       I enjoy learning more about WORDS and ETYMOLOGY (the study of words).  The word etymology derives from the Greek word ἐτυμολογία (etumología), itself from ἔτυμον (étumon), meaning "true sense or sense of a truth", and the suffix -logia, denoting "the study of". The word pursue in the Greek means; "to run swiftly in order to catch a person or thing, to run after; to press on: figuratively of one who in a race runs swiftly to reach the goal; to seek after eagerly, earnestly endeavour to acquire". I also like to take words apart and choose other words to go along with them... so taking the letters in the word PURSUE, I can pull out different things that I will PURSUE this year. 

PURSUE

        Prayerful - 1 Thess. 5:17

        Understanding/Wisdom - Exodus 35:31

        Righteousness - 1Timothy 6:11

        Spiritual Truth  - Psalm 86:2 & Psalm 78:2

        Unwavering Faith - Matt 21:21

        Excellence - Proverbs 31:10; Ruth 3:11; Matthew 5:16; Philippians 4:8

    I love to learn and am a #lifelonglearner and have always loved God and His Word. But it means a lot more when you walk in relationship with Him and gain understanding and revelation when reading or being taught His Word. This year will prove to be a time of greater growth in the Lord spiritually and I have #greatexpectations to what is going to happen.

What's your #ONEWORD?? Let me know in the comments and I can keep you in my prayers when I am reminded of you. THANKS!

BE BLESSED TO BE A BLESSING!

What's Your #oneword For 2017?

So little known knowledge to me, is this #oneword thing that goes around each New Year... I guess this year is the first time I paid attention to it. Obviously I have seen the word 'Resolutions' many times, and settle with myself to not make 'resolutions' but to be 'resolute' (since one of my amazing husband's messages at church years ago). Resolute is to be 'admirably purposeful, determined; unwavering; marked by firm determination; bold; steady; faithful, persevering, unshakable, unwavering, etc...' (Dictionary.com and Thesaurus.com)

One of my friends posted a word, 'intentional', and that struck a chord... but obviously not wanting to choose the same word, I went to Pinterest for some inspiration. One of the words that I found while searching Pinterest was 'mindfulness' and that sounded really good until I searched the meaning and came up with more things about Buddha and Buddhism, so I chose to stay away from that word, but still keep the thought of being mindful of things around me. Not so much the meditation part of the Buddhist way, but to focus my thoughts on being 'intentional' or 'purposeful'.  Now that was a good word too, as I try to do things for a 'purpose'. I had other words come to mind, and eventually they all lead back to that word, 'resolute'. So I believe in 2017, God is wanting me to be serious about being 'resolute'. While on Pinterest I found these amazing verses found in Scripture. I have read them many times, but have mostly stopped in the verses before it, regarding youth, and not looking down on the youth, etc because I teach and train the younger generations in my church. But the verses found in 1 Timothy 4:15-16 rang true with me. I have read and re-read the verses regarding teaching being important as we will be judged more strictly

"Give your complete attention to these matters Throw yourself into your tasks so that everyone will see your progress. Keep a close watch on how you live and on your teaching. Stay true to what is right for the sake of your own salvation and the salvation of those who hear you." 1 Timothy 4:15-16 NLT

"Cultivate these things. Immerse yourself in them. The people will all see you mature right before their eyes! Keep a firm grasp on both your character and your teaching. Don't be diverted Just keep at it. Both you and those who hear you will experience salvation." 1 Timothy 4:15-16 The Message

Some words I went through...

Mindfulness -- NOPE... we don't want to associate with Buddha/Meditation in that way.
Diligence --Perseverance
Steadfast -- Stand your ground, resolute
Purposeful -- intentional
Watchfulness -- alert and vigilent
Discernment - the act of discerning. acuteness of judgement and understanding. 'Discerning' - to perceive by the sight or some other sense or by the intellect; recognize or apprehend; to distinguish mentally; recognize as distinct or different; discriminate
Resolute -- firmly resolved or determined; set in purpose or opinion; characterized by firmness and determination, as the temper, spirit, actions, etc. Synonyms: firm, steadfast, fixed, earnest, unwavering, undaunted, intentional, purposeful, bold, persistent, relentless, uncompromising, unshakable...  'admirably purposeful, determined; unwavering; marked by firm determination; bold; steady; faithful, persevering, unshakable, unwavering, etc...'

So we had a prayer night at the church to start off the New Year, and I had my 9 year old niece and nephew with me. They were getting a little bored just sitting in church praying, so they pulled out the Bible from the pew in front of them, and I told them that God could show them a verse that they could understand, or that would speak to them. Our Pastor had shared a verse about being unwavering, and my niece found a verse in Hebrews 2:1-4

A Warning against Drifting Away

2 So we must listen very carefully to the truth we have heard, or we may drift away from it. 2 For the message God delivered through angels has always stood firm, and every violation of the law and every act of disobedience was punished. 3 So what makes us think we can escape if we ignore this great salvation that was first announced by the Lord Jesus himself and then delivered to us by those who heard him speak? 4 And God confirmed the message by giving signs and wonders and various miracles and gifts of the Holy Spirit whenever he chose.

So this went with my #oneword that I had chosen earlier, yet also with the New Year message. We must listen to the truth we have heard, and as a teacher I must teach the truth. We must stay true to the truth... and the Truth is Jesus. We must not waver in our thoughts, nor waver in the truth. We have taught our Junior Youth group about Absolute Truth, and that it's opposite to the world's view of truth. They think just because they make it legal, it's now right or truth. But according to 1 Timothy, we need to stay true to what is right for the sake of your own salvation and the salvation of those who hear you.Jesus is the Truth, and the Jesus is the only way to the Father, and our salvation rests in Him alone.I look forward to 2017 being 'resolute' and standing firm. 

HAPPY NEW YEAR~!

(forgot to post this YESTERDAY - oops!)

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!! ~ WHITE AS SNOW...

" 'Come now, let us reason together,' says the LORD. 'Though your sins are like scarlet,

they shall be as white as snow;

though they are red as crimson,

they shall be like wool."

ISAIAH 1:18 NIV

So here in Southwestern Ontario, we had a GREEN Christmas... how sad is that. Well it was still a blessing celebrating the BIRTH of our SAVIOUR with friends and family. But now, that it is the 2nd day of 2010, our city is full of the WHITE STUFF! Looking at the SNOW makes you think of many things. Some people have feelings of JOY when they think of sledding, snowball fights, building a snowman, making snow angels, skating, and more... Others may have feelings of FEAR, as it brings the thoughts of accidents, and getting lost in the snow. Me, I love SNOW, because of the fun things that were mentioned alongside JOY, but also because it reminds me of the Bible Verse that Jesus washes us white as snow. It is a NEW YEAR, and if we have asked for repentance, we have a NEW clean slate to start out our lives with. I reminded our Junior Church 'ReignForest of Faith' Children of this true and exciting fact. Some people hate change, and new things... but I love it!

In the Bible, it says that JESUS came to set us free, and He died for our sins. He sends our transgressions from us as far as the East is from the West. That is exciting news for all of us. Our BLACKENED hearts that are full of sin, can now be washed WHITE as SNOW, because of the RED blood of Jesus!

Do you have this FREEDOM? Have you accepted JESUS as your LORD & SAVIOUR? Well what better way to start the NEW YEAR than with Jesus by your side. He is your Pilot, not your co-pilot. He will lead you into GREAT new things, and will do EXCEEDINGLY and ABUNDANTLY more than you can ask or think or imagine! ("Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen." Ephesians 3:20-21 NKJV)

To experience this FREEDOM, it's as easy as ABC...
It only takes a moment, to change your life forever. If you so desire, you can re-commit your life to Him as well too ~ it's never too late, while you are alive anyway.


A- - Admit to God you are a sinner, and repent and turn away from your sin


B- - Believe that Jesus is the Son of God and He gave His life for you and me


C- - Confess your faith in Jesus as your Saviour and your Lord forevermore

This simple prayer will change you from the inside out.

Another thought regarding the SNOW, is that it is fresh and unmarred... one of my dear friends wrote this quote... it is worth pondering. "On this New Year's day, as I look at the beautiful white blanket of snow--no footprints--nothing but an expanse of white : I'm reminded of how much it is like today---a whole year before us--untrodden-unmarred. May the footprints we make-if followed, lead others in paths of peace and righteousness and point them toward the ONE leading us." (E.K.) Isn't that so true? We have a NEW path set before us this year. May we truly walk in the path that the Lord is leading us on, and not live by our own desires and dreams. May we remember that God does have a plan for each of us, and that plan includes living eternally, where none should perish! "FOR I KNOW THE PLANS I HAVE FOR YOU SAYS THE LORD..."

"'For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the LORD, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you,' declares the LORD, 'and will bring you back from captivity. I will gather you from all the nations and places where I have banished you,' declares the LORD, 'and will bring you back to the place from which I carried you into exile.'" JEREMIAH 29:11-14 NIV 

We were reminded by our Pastor on Christmas Eve, that God indeed does have a plan for all of us. No matter what we've done, where we've been, or who we've been with, God still deeply loves each one of us, and wants the BEST for us! Remember this truth, as you begin your NEW YEAR!

May the Lord bless you and keep you, and make His face to shine upon you and bring you peace! (Numbers 6:24-26)

~Blessings;