For the last several years, instead of making New Year’s Resolutions, which are quickly broken, I’ve chosen instead a “One Word” for the year with a Scripture (or Scriptures) and sometimes a song.
Asian woman praying
Usually the word or the theme for the year comes to me as I pray, read the Bible, listen to worship/praise, stay alert to my surroundings (such as in nature), or even see a recurring word/phrase on Facebook.
Woman liking post on Facebook
The word bears witness with my spirit that it’s what God desires to cultivate in my life in a deeper way, I begin to see the word or phrase repeatedly (kind of like you starting to notice red SUV’s on the highway), and He always tests me on the word! For example, this year 2019 my one word was “humility.” And boy, did I get tested on it!
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God is gracious to do these things, though. His desire is to form you and me more fully into the image of Jesus Christ, as He creates us into His masterpiece. (Ephesians 2:10, NLT)
me with the HOPE pic in our bedroom
I believe I finally have my One Word for 2020: HOPE.
And I believe my song for 2020 is Even If by Mercy Me, which you can listen to at YouTube here.
My Scripture for 2020 is Romans 15:13:
“May the God of HOPE fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may OVERFLOW WITH HOPE by the power of the Holy Spirit.”
Once again, I don’t really WANT this particular word, because I am sure God is going to TEST me on it. I already have been tested the last several years and I don’t feel like going through more of what feels like HOPELESS, and even IMPOSSIBLE, situations!
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But I choose to trust God. I researched the definition of hope.
The online definitions are:
- to want something to happen or to be true;
- to desire with expectation of obtaining or fulfillment;
- to expect with confidence–to trust.
The Biblical definition of hope is:
- confident expectation of what God has promised and its strength in His faithfulness.
I also used the Blue Letter Bible online to find out the meaning of hope in Romans 15:13 in the original language.
The word hope is elpis (Strong’s G1680) and means “anticipate with pleasure; expect or confidence; faith.”
In Thayer’s Greek Lexican, hope means “that in which one confides; that to which one flees for refuge; expectation.” I love that picture of fleeing for safety and protection!
There are many things in my life right now that I’m HOPING for. But it can’t just be wishful thinking on my part. I must truly hope–have confident expectation that God is going to perform His word in mine and my loved ones’ lives.
“So is My word that goes out from My mouth: It will not return to Me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.” (Isaiah 55:11, NIV)
What is it that you are hoping for–having expectant confidence, belief, and trust in Jesus–during 2020? Do you have a “One Word,” Scripture, and/or song yet for this coming year? Leave your comments below.
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