Happy 2016!!! I hope it is off to a wonderful start. About four years ago I decided to forgo making a New Year’s resolution. I had never been successful in keeping one. Instead I had a faithful friend that encouraged me to pray and ask God to give me a word that would direct my steps and keep me focused. She also encouraged me to find a verse that would go along with my word. I did it! You would think that picking one little word out of the English dictionary would not be so eventful or powerful but let me tell you from experience…it is!!!  It has been life changing for me and CHALLENGING! This year is no different. When I felt the Lord affirm my word…I cried! This is not going to be easy. He is stretching me and asking me to keep sharing His TRUTH!

TRUTH – 2016 Word of the Year
“If you abide in my word, you are TRULY my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you FREE.” John 8:31-32

I heard Him whisper this to me as tears were falling. “Gennie, you have told many about my GREAT LOVE and SAVING GRACE, don’t be afraid to tell them some of the hard TRUTH.  I want to set my people FREE!!!” You guys, it is His word, THE TRUTH, that sets us FREE! He didn’t give us His Holy word as a punishment, or as a list of rules to follow, but as a guide to show us a way straight into His loving and redeeming arms when we follow them. I kept returning to Him in prayer asking for confirmation. Honestly, I didn’t want this to be my word. I thought I might have misheard Him, I was doubting that this was real. Just as I was ready to dismiss it, I walked into my girl’s bathroom. We gave them markers that can write on mirrors for Christmas. We wanted them to encourage each other with them…speak life!  I was expecting to see, “You’re AWESOME!” “Thanks for being a GREAT SIS.” “I love you!” “You can do it.” But I found God’s word instead…His TRUTH! Chill bumps!

A couple of days later I received a text from my girlfriend. I had asked her to pray over me and my word. I was doing the same for her…there is POWER in PRAYER!!!  She texted back that she had been reading in Acts about Paul’s truth and how God used so many unusual things to get His truth across to the stubborn Jews. She affirmed me and said, “I know God will use you and unusual things in this same way!!!” WOW!

Then I turned to Acts myself to study and look at what I found, “One night the Lord spoke to Paul in a vision: “Do NOT be afraid; keep on speaking, do not be silent. For I am with you, and no one is going to attack and harm you, because I have many people in this city.” Acts 18:9-10

He answered my prayer when I asked for confirmation not once, not twice, but three times!  So you guys…this will be a year of TRUTH! I have no idea where He is leading me but when He asks me and affirms me, I GO!

How about you? What is your word of the year? What is your verse? How will you complete these blanks? This is the YEAR I purpose to:

EMBRACE:_______________________

ENGAGE:______________________

BE:____________________________

Let me encourage YOU to pray and seek Him for His answer for you. May His affirmations be as sweet for you as they were for me. Let me also encourage you to step into it…whatever it is…don’t be afraid of it! If He is calling you TO IT He will certainly bring you THROUGH IT!!!  He is faithful!

Dearest Heavenly Father,

Thank YOU for being so faithful. Thank YOU for answering and hearing us when we pray. Lord, for my friends that are reading this that desire to stay focused on you throughout this New Year, please speak to them. Give them ears that hear and eyes that see! Lord, help us to be obedient to wherever or however you chose to use us for your glory. We will go Lord, if you lead us!!!  It’s in Your Son’s most Holy name I pray, Amen!