A Word To Live By

2008 has come and gone and as I wrote at the end of the year it's a great time to reflect on the past year. What I love even more is the start of a new year and what I can look forward to in the coming year.

I was encouraged to do this by a friend and I have found it helpful so I want to pass it on to you. It's finding a word and a verse to live by for the new year. I have found it helpful since it helps keep me focused on my daily walk, my work and my ministry. I find it helpful when it comes to dealing with people whether at work or at church or in the grocery store.

My word last year was love and my verse came from 1John 4:10 and it said we will know we are children of God if we are loving others and if we're not, well...... then we're a child of Satan.

I prayed about my word for the year and thankfully the Lord came through, like He always does and He brought me the word ENCOURAGEMENT. I was thinking, "Well Lord, I love encouragment. It's a spiritual gift of mine so why did you assign me this?" I believe He wants to build on the love He asked me to show others in 2008 and really build people up in 2009. This includes friends and even people I just meet.

The verse He gave me was from Hebrews 3:13 and it says, "But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin's deceitfulness." I so love God's Word.

I found a few interesting elements in the verse. Notice how it says we are to encourage daily. It doesn't say yearly or monthly or whenever you feel like it. I need to be encouraging people everyday. I believe the Lord has equipped me for this since I know He will never ask me to do something I can't do.

Encouragement for me might take the shape of a kind word, a kind act, a hug, a text to someone who is hurting, an e-mail. It really requires that my eyes be focused on Jesus and for Him to give me the discernment to watch for those that are hurting. First and foremost, I have to keep my eyes open to what is happening in my own home. I must build up Judy, Taylor and Shelby on a daily basis or I will be no good to anyone else.

I also love in this verse that we are to encourage daily so we don't fall into the trap of sin. Sin is not always packaged with the word SIN written on it. No, sin is alluring, deceiving and hidden. The enemy is the master deceiver. He is constantly whispering in our ear, twisting God's words and trying to get us off God's path.

So I have laid it out there for you. I encourage you (here's my opportunity for the day) to ask God for a word for 2009. Something that you can keep out front that will help keep your ministry and your life in some kind of order for the year. Something that will help you find purpose in life's problems and struggles.

Thank you for your encouragement and your prayers and I hope to blog at least twice a month while still maintaining my own study in His Word. Bless you all.