#Wordoftheyear By: Deborah Ard
“I am coming to you now, but I say these things while I am still in the world, so that they may have the full measure of my joy within them.” John 17:13
We are now in the last days of 2016. Most of us are reflecting on the blessings and troubles of the past year as we look ahead to a New Year beginning. As I mentioned in our last blog post, I have been praying and meditating for several weeks now about choosing a word for 2017. My goal was to choose a word that I would focus on daily amid the busy schedules that will ensue all too quickly. I have chosen the word JOY for my word for 2017. My prayer is that I will focus on the “full measure of His joy within me”. My daughter Briley helped to inspire this word for me. When we were listening to our local Christian radio station during the Christmas season she asked me why a certain song was considered a Christmas song. I told her the song was about Jesus so that may be why it was considered a Christmas song. She said that means all the songs on this station are Christmas songs. I had to smile at her new insight. After Christmas we were listening to the same Christian station and they were playing the music they play on a regular basis. Briley said, “Mama, every day is Christmas on this station!” What a simple and beautiful revelation. I realize Briley is so very right. Every day is Christmas to Christians. And we should live that way! Therefore I chose the word JOY to remind me daily to live out the promise of Christmas.
Have you chosen a word for 2017? If not, I encourage you to pray and meditate and consider choosing a word. I would love to hear from you about what word you choose. We can support and encourage one another. And sometimes we may need to remind each other to turn our focus back to our word. Because I must warn you, whatever word you choose will be the same word Satan will use to attack you. With that knowledge we must be sure to guard our hearts and minds and not allow Satan a foothold to use against us. This very thing happened to me when I first chose my word. God gave me my word and no sooner had I written it down than did Satan start playing havoc with me. I allowed him to stir turmoil with me about a situation which caused me to feel very down and sad. Thankfully, as I had my morning devotion time, I read a scripture and devotion that comforted and strengthened me. I also reached out to a friend who had shared her word for the year with me. Her loving words were just what I needed to encourage me. She even brought me a gift as a visual reminder for me to use this year.
So again, I encourage you to share your word with me or another friend. Let us tackle 2017 together as Christian friends. Let’s use our “word of the year” to change ourselves and as a result, change the world around us.
Mantra By: Julie Wicker
A mantra is a word or sound repeated to aid concentration in mediation. Its a God coincidence that Deborah’s word is Joy. The Holy Spirit has been nudging me to make a mantra based on Joy. Often I let my circumstances determine my joy. Billy Graham has said, “Happiness depends on circumstances; Joy depends on God”
“Dance through life, seek Joy in His presence”
This comes from scripture, Psalm 16:11 “You will show me the path of life; in your presence is fullness of Joy” and the song Heroes by: Amanda Cook “You taught my feet to dance upon disappointment”
#Prayer #Dance By: Julie Wicker
Father,
As I come before you, show me the path of life; that I might find the dance, for in your presence is fullness of JoyPsalm 16:11. I devote this time in prayer being watchful and thankful Col 4:2. Help me to focus on the blessings I receive within your full measure of Joy John 17:13. As I live by your spirit, help me to keep in stride with your spirit of Joy Gal 5:22-25. I long to learn contentment through all circumstances just as the apostle Paul has said in Luke 4:11-12, I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. Help me to find contentment in every situation, well fed or hungry, living in plenty or in want. I stand on your promise I can do all things through Christ who Strengthens me Phil 4:13.
In the sweet name of your son Jesus, we all say Amen
#Worshipwithus
Water Walkers 