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!!

"His Comforting Hand"

Day #110 - 'A Woman of Faith' Devotional
Verse: "When I am filled with cares, Your comfort brings me joy." Psalm 94:19 HCSB

Well today is a day of NEW BEGINNINGS, and I am excited, yet anxious about entering into the joys & challenges of the day. But knowing that God is on my side, and His comforting hand is upon my life I can take on any challenges the world has to offer. For I do remember that "...we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age,[c] against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places" and "therefore [I will] take up the whole armor of God, that [I] may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand." (Ephesians 6:12-13 NKJV)


Looking at the whole chapter of Psalm 94, and not just the 19th verse, God is reminding us that He is there. He sees what the evil of the world are doing, those who are led astray by the wiles of the enemy. They brag and boast because it seems as they are not receiving the punishment so deserved, but God sees & hears the truth. Even in cases where we are tested or challenged, and in times of discipline or correction, trouble or misruled. He is there to comfort us amidst our storm, 'providing a circle of quiet within the clamor of evil' for us. He will see that justice is brought forth, He protects His innocent & precious people. 'Can Troublemaker pretend to be on [His] side'?? The truth will be made known, and the truth will set us free! “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” John 8:31b & 32) Jesus is the TRUTH, and He shall be made known to the world through the gospel and our lives as an example.

Here's Psalm 94 (below)... read and remember that the Lord is on your side if you are a true believer and 'real' follower of Christ. Be blessed & thank Him today as you walk through the clamor of evil, and remember that He will place you in a circle of quiet, as He gives peace that passes all understanding. "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:6-7 (NKJV)




"Psalm 94 - God, put an end to evil; avenging God, show your colors! Judge of the earth, take your stand; throw the book at the arrogant. God, the wicked get away with murder— how long will you let this go on? They brag and boast and crow about their crimes! They walk all over your people, God, exploit and abuse your precious people. They take out anyone who gets in their way; if they can't use them, they kill them. They think, 'God isn't looking, Jacob's God is out to lunch.' Well, think again, you idiots, fools—how long before you get smart? Do you think Ear-Maker doesn't hear, Eye-Shaper doesn't see? Do you think the trainer of nations doesn't correct, the teacher of Adam doesn't know? God knows, all right— knows your stupidity, sees your shallowness. How blessed the man you train, God, the woman you instruct in your Word, Providing a circle of quiet within the clamor of evil, while a jail is being built for the wicked. God will never walk away from his people, never desert his precious people.
Rest assured that justice is on its way and every good heart put right. Who stood up for me against the wicked? Who took my side against evil workers? If God hadn't been there for me, I never would have made it. The minute I said, "I'm slipping, I'm falling,"

your love, God, took hold and held me fast. When I was upset and beside myself,

you calmed me down and cheered me up.  Can Misrule have anything in common with you? Can Troublemaker pretend to be on your side? They ganged up on good people,

plotted behind the backs of the innocent. But God became my hideout, God was my high mountain retreat, Then boomeranged their evil back on them: for their evil ways he wiped them out, our God cleaned them out for good. "
The Message (MSG)
Copyright © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene H. Peterson

"Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things." Philippians 4:8 (NKJV)

BE BLESSED & BE A BLESSING!

"Guard Your Heart"

DAY # 63 - 'A Woman of Faith' Devotional
Verse: "Guard your heart above all else, for it is the source of life." Proverbs 4:23 HCSB

NKJV -"Keep your heart with all diligence, For out of it spring the issues of life."
MSG (v. 23-27) "Keep vigilant watch over your heart; that's where life starts. Don't talk out of both sides of your mouth; avoid careless banter, white lies, and gossip. Keep your eyes straight ahead; ignore all sideshow distractions. Watch your step, and the road will stretch out smooth before you. Look neither right nor left; leave evil in the dust."
NIV- "Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it."

"Guard" -- by definition is;
–verb (used with object)

1. to keep safe from harm or danger; protect; watch over: to guard the ruler.
2. to keep under close watch in order to prevent escape, misconduct, etc.: to guard a prisoner.
3. to keep under control or restraint as a matter of caution or prudence: to guard one's temper.
4. to provide or equip with some safeguard or protective appliance, as to prevent loss, injury, etc.
5. Sports . to position oneself so as to obstruct or impede the movement or progress of (an opponent on offense): The linebacker moved to his right to guard the end going out for a pass.
6. Chess . to protect (a piece or a square) by placing a piece in a supportive or defensive position relative to it.
–verb (used without object)
7. to take precautions (usually followed by against ): to guard against errors.
8. to give protection; keep watch; be watchful.

To guard our hearts, is a defensive and offensive thing. Defensively we keep our hearts safe, by protecting, watching over, take precautionary measures, and restraining idle thoughts & words. Offensively we position ourselves as to obstruct or impede our opponent the enemy. Definition #4 above states, 'to provide or equip with some safeguard or protective appliance, as to prevent loss, injury, etc.' Our defensive equipment isn't like simple sports protective equipment, we can wear spiritual armour from God. This will help us defensively and offensively. (Read about the armour in Ephesians 6:10-18) We wear our 'helmet of salvation' to protect our heads, our minds, our thoughts, our visions & dreams, our senses -- but also our heart. What goes in, must come out. That which we see, hear, touch, smell & taste affects us in more ways than we think consciously. It affects our unconscious thoughts as well. The 'breastplate of righteousness' is full body armour, that protects our physical body, as well as our hearts. The darts of the enemy cannot penetrate through the breastplate to pierce our hearts. The 'belt of truth' basically keeps us on our feet, telling and sharing the truth. Jesus is the way, the TRUTH and the life -- satan conversely, is the Father of LIES. Know the Truth! Speak the Truth! Live the Truth! If we didn't have our belt on, our pants will come down. We don't want to face the enemy with our pants down! Our feet must be fitted with the 'shoes of the gospel of peace'. Everything we do, everywhere we go we must be spreading the peace of the gospel to the world. The gospel is where our salvation lies, our heart must believe it and confess it. Standing firm then, we take our 'shield of faith', with which we can extinquish all the fiery darts of the enemy (which protects our entire self); and our 'sword of the Spirit' which is the Word of God. Get the Word in, and it's the Word that will protect you. Use the Word on all occasions, in good and bad. Seek out the blessings, and the promises that are in God's Word for you and every believer. But remember to be obedient to the tasks at hand that the Lord has called you to, to receive those benefits. If we have the right stuff going in, our mind and our hearts will usually tell us the right thing to do. We all know the saying, 'Garbage in, Garbage out' -- but we don't usually think about it conversely, 'Good stuff in, Good stuff out'. As in the translation found in the Message, "Keep vigilant watch over your heart; that's where life starts. Don't talk out of both sides of your mouth; avoid careless banter, white lies, and gossip. Keep your eyes straight ahead; ignore all sideshow distractions. Watch your step, and the road will stretch out smooth before you. Look neither right nor left; leave evil in the dust." We are going to see, hear, smell and possibly touch or taste some things that are not meant for a 'child of the King' -- those things all impact us, and the way we think, act and speak. If we keep our eyes straight ahead, the 'sideshow distractions' can just be blurs as we pass them, leaving them 'in the dust' -- striving ahead as we look forward to the plans that the Father has for us. However, if we allow ourselves to be 'tempted', just one simple glance to the 'left or right' can keep our minds entangled, and therefore releasing the guard that is set upon our hearts.

Guarding your heart, mind and tongue -- Right now we are reading a book called 'The Power of Your Words' by Pastor Robert Morris. (Gateway Church) Such a great reminder to watch our tongues, and to guard our minds and hearts. I highly recommend the book, and I've only read up to chapter 4. :)

You can order it at your local Christian bookstore or online -- It's an older book, so you probably will have to order it.

Remember Jesus said, "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. Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things." Philippians 4:6-8 NIV

"What you heard from me, keep as the pattern of sound teaching, with faith and love in Christ Jesus. Guard the good deposit that was entrusted to you—guard it with the help of the Holy Spirit who lives in us."
2 Timothy 1:13-14 NIV

BE BLESSED & BE A BLESSING!

"Busy with Our Thoughts"

DAY #24 - 'A Woman of Faith' Devotional
Verse: Proverbs 20:5 NCV "People's thoughts can be like a deep well, but someone with understanding can find the wisdom there."

"Because we are human, we are always busy with our thoughts. We simply can't help ourselves. Our brains never shut off, and even while we are sleeping, we mull things over in our minds. The question is not if we will think; the question is how will we think and what will we think about."
('A Woman of Faith' Devotional. Day 24. ©2007 Freeman-Smith, LLC. Nashville, TN. 37202)



We are to think on things that are lovely, pure, holy, and more. The Bible says, "Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things." Philippians 4:8 NIV

**Ok, so I tried to post this on the 24th, yet I missed it by a minute, and my daily Bible verse changed to exactly this one... so this is the verse for today (the 25th) -- try to live it out TODAY!**

I am one of those people who's mind is always going... unfortunately it is still going in my sleep sometimes, and that is frustrating especially when I want to receive a dream or vision from the Lord. My mind can wander all day long as well... it brings back to remembrance a song written by a friend of mine, who is a great worshp leader, Dan Macaulay. (Chords for this song in the key of F, can be found here.) Check out his tunes at http://www.danmacaulay.com. ENJOY!

Captured Again - D Macaulay

My mind keeps wandering Lord
To other things I adore
Come again and capture me

My life's pursuits can all be
So often centred on me
Let my first love burn

In my heart there's a longing for
The glory of the Lord
Here I am lifted hands
Lord I'm walking through the door

I want to stand in your presence in all of your glory
And worship at Your feet
And as I lay down my idols and reach out for You
I am free   I am free

And you come with mercies from heaven
like I've never dreamed of
And shower me with grace
And as the earth fades away
I am captured again
In Your face Lord, in Your face.
© 2002 Dan Macaulay (Admin. by Spirit Born Music Publishing / Doxa Praise)
CCLI Song # 4370862 www.danmacaulay.com http://www.spiritbornmusic.com/

So allow God to refine and renew your minds through Christ Jesus. "Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will." (Romans 12:2 NIV)
"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. Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things." (Philippians 4:6-8 NIV)BE BLESSED & BE A BLESSING!