#Wordoftheyearpart2  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
Last December we challenged you to choose a word of the year for 2017. Many of you texted or emailed me the word you chose. I encourage you to use this last couple weeks of 2017 for self-examination.

If you chose a word, how did it go this year? Whether you chose a word or not, ponder your spiritual growth and begin to brainstorm a possible “word of the year” for 2018. Let me share with you my reflections from 2017.
My word for 2017 was JOY. I must say, God has given me so much to be joyous about. But as I warned you in the blog about choosing a word of the year, Satan worked hard to steal my joy. Thankfully, I was equipped to deal with Satan’s ploys. Daily devotion time, discussions with Christian friends, and listening to the Christian radio station have all helped to keep me focused on JOY and to not become overcome by frustration when the Devil would send discouraging situations my way. At times the schemes of the Devil have actually been comical. As I shared last year, a wonderful Christian friend gave me a visual reminder of my word of the year and I have kept it on the table beside my chair where I have my daily devotion time. At one point last month when I was having a particularly difficult time I was sitting in my chair reading a devotion and glanced at my table to see the following scene…

Notice the plastic “critter” that is beside my JOY sign…a SNAKE! What a perfect illustration of Satan, represented by the serpent, trying to steal my joy! LOL! When I realized the hilarity of this, I truly laughed out loud and used it to spur on my joy!
During 2017 I have found myself in the midst of some difficult situations and circumstances. But through it all God has taught me that my JOY doesn’t come from circumstances but from the deeply rooted faith in HIM. In a Bible study our Sunday school class is doing, Chase the Lion, Mark Batterson states; “One of the purest forms of worship is praising God even when you don’t feel like it because it shows God that your worship isn’t based on circumstances. Worship is based on the character of God.” Batterson continues by writing, “The circumstances you complain about become the chains that imprison you. Worship is the way out. Stop focusing on what’s wrong about you and our circumstances and start focusing on what’s right about God.”
“Finally brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any moral excellence and if there is any praise-dwell on these things.” Philippians 4:8
So now I ask you to begin pondering a word for 2018. What will be your theme or goal for yourself? Next week I will share my word for 2018 and I look forward to hearing yours! Below is a song that has truly been my “theme song” for the last few months of 2017.

#Worshipwithus     Old Church Choir by Zach Williams

#Flexibility By: Julie Wicker

My word for 2017 has been Flexibility. I too have a tendency to struggle with Joy. Not sure why because I am blessed beyond measure. I think it is because we are human. I tend to want to control every situation in my life so by me being flexible when things don’t go as planned or my to-do-list does not get done I don’t have to let it take my joy in that moment. Billy Graham says, “Being a Christian is more than just an instantaneous conversation it is a daily process whereby you grow to be more like Christ”. I believe having a word of the year helps me be more intentional. I am excited to see what word God lays on my heart for 2018.

#Prayer   #Asacrificeofpraise  By: Julie Wicker

Father,
As I pray today I enter your gates with thanksgiving and your courts with praise, I thank you and praise your Great Name for I know your love endures forever and your faithfulness lasts for my generations and generations to come Psalm 100:4-5. Help me to focus on whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable so that I may have a heart of praise Phil 4:8. I devote this time of prayer to you, being watchful and thankful Col 4:2. I pour out my heart to you, for you are my refuge and I will trust you always Psalm 62:8. Today I will put on your full armor so that I can stand against the devil’s schemes to steel my joy Eph 6:11. I desire to receive the full measure of my joy only you can offer John 17:13. I pray that I will continually offer to you a sacrifice of praise and that my lips will confess your name Heb 13:15. As I am continually learning to be content in any and every situation. I stand on your promise, that I can do all things through you who strengthens me Phil 4:12-13.

In the name of Jesus
Amen