“DELIGHT YOURSELF IN THE LORD, AND HE
WILL GIVE YOU THE DESIRES OF YOUR HEART.”
Psalm 37:4 ❤ (Verse on Bible Hub)
Forget New Year’s Resolutions. Choose a guiding word instead for the year.
A brand new year brings a fresh chance to start again, doesn’t it? New dreams, fresh energy and a clean slate!
Some of us are still struggling and waiting on the Lord to come through with healing, deliverance, guidance and/or provision. If 2017 was not a good year for you and your mind and soul are exhausted, believe us when we say that we completely understand because we have personally experienced some hardships ourselves. Some we are still walking through.
But we want you to know that we are praying fresh HOPE and JOY over ourselves and over you, Sweet Sister. And we are aware that anytime is a good time to start over with a fresh new perspective from God, not just on January 1’rst!
Our Heavenly Father is always forward moving.
God is always up to something new!
He is always working for our good and preparing the way before us. In Isaiah 43:19, God asks if we can ‘see’ or perceive Him working?
Why is our ability to believe that He is ‘able’ so important?
Just moments before He healed two blind men in Matthew 9:27-31, Jesus asks them: ““Do you believe that I am able to do this?”
When they responded “Yes Lord!” Jesus touched their eyes and said ““According to your faith let it be done to you.”
In Matthew 8:13, Jesus tells the Roman Officer “Go! Let it be done just as you believed it would.” And his servant was healed at that very moment.
Finding a Word to fit my Season of Life
Me myself… I feel like I need to slow way down this year. My words were “Intentional” in 2016 and “Fearless” in 2017. But this year I feel like the Lord doesn’t want me to plow full force ahead into the new year. I can get so busy working for Him rather than with Him or from Him. Instead He wants me to posture myself to stay yielded to Him in our secret place so He can fill me completely.
For a few weeks I thought my word would be “Healing” in 2018 for the physical and emotional pain in myself and family members, but the Holy Spirit woke me a few mornings ago and whispered He was taking me beyond healing to a wholeness I hadn’t experienced before.
“The LORD is my Good Shepherd, I have ALL that I need.” Psalm 23:1 (Emphasis mine)
I will lack nothing or want for anything in 2018.
Looking up the word ‘whole’, I find it means ‘Complete, full, unbroken, undamaged, undivided, uncut, fulfilled.”
I want that for myself and my family so I asked the Lord to help me with what He wants my new word to be. If it’s not ‘Healing’, is it ‘Wholeness?’ Is it ‘Completeness?’
My New Word for the Year
Then I walked into Lifeway yesterday to purchase a new planner for 2018 and I instantly knew which one belonged to me! And my word for this year was written on the cover is … DELIGHT!
On the inside was my Scripture Verse for this year:
“Delight yourself in the LORD, and He will
give you the desires of your heart.”
Psalm 37:4
My word will be “Delight”.
I looked up ‘Delight.’ It means ‘Contentment, Joy, Pleasure, Satisfaction, Rapture, Relish, Transport.’
That is so like God. He doesn’t want me to focus on my need and desire to be made whole. In Him I have all I need and will ‘want’ for nothing in 2018! He wants me to focus on delighting myself in Him. As I focus on delighting in Jesus, He will give me the desires of my heart. In His own way. In His own time. He will heal me and make me whole and complete.
I have to share that I had a sweet moment with the Lord yesterday. A few girlfriends and I just signed up for a weekend Ladies Conference in Pensacola this April. I just discovered yesterday that the title of this conference is going to be ‘Fearless!’ My word from last year lol…
Some things are definitely carrying over into this new year! Don’t you just love how God does things? Everything seems to connect and weave together in Him and in His time.
What word has God given you for this year? Comment below and your name will be put into a drawing. Two readers will receive a personal angel painting from me. I will match your hair color and style to the angel in the painting and add your word for the year. Thank you so much for all your support. Means the world to me.
Blessings xo …
❤
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Hmmmmmm, I don’t do words for myself but I do them for the ministry (which is probably still related to myself LOL). Last year it was “HOPE”. This year’s is “WORTHY”. I feel like so many women don’t know their worth so this year we want to do everything we can to make sure they do!
Thank you so much for sharing your Words and Scriptures with us! 2 Ladies have been randomly selected to receive an 8×10 personalized Angel Painting from me. They are Annie McGuire and Chris Carter @TheMomCafe! We will need to touch bases so I can begin creating your paintings and send them to you! I will post both of your paintings within this post when finished! Thank you friends! XO Blessings, Donna Miller
Awesome!! 🙂 My email is dailyhisdisciple@gmail.com if you want to send me the details. Thank you! 😊
Thank you Annie! Details are on the way!! ❤
Oh my goodness what a BLESSING!! I am just thrilled to win one of your beautiful Angel paintings Donna! God bless you for this beautiful gift. My email: Chris@TheMomCafe.com. Thank you, friend.
You are so welcome Chris! It is my joy to create this for you! I will email details to you of what I need from you to complete this! Blessings … Donna XO
Oh Donna, I LOVE IT!! It is just beautiful! Thank you for such an incredible gift. I can’t wait to put it up in my office space where I can see it all the time. You are so kind to bless me with this!
What a beautiful and encouraging post! I’ll stand in agreement with you for delight in 2018! My word in 2017 was breakthroughs, and by the grace of God, there were many. This year, my word is actually a phrase: change and growth. This applies to multiple areas of life and I look forward to evaluating where things stand by the end of the year!
Hi K. Lee!! So nice that you stopped by! We appreciate your kind words!! I am constantly going through growth and change too!! God is so good! So thankful to hear that you had an awesome year of breakthroughs in 2017!! Praise God!! Blessings to you in 2018!! XO Donna
Praying for you Patty. Dig into His Word and He will strengthen you on the inside, in your spirit. The enemy wants to keep you down but you are braver and stronger than you know. Sis. Love you too. XO Donna
My word for 2018 is FREEDOM. God continues to show me what it means to be free and in His word. I was married to a narcissist, controlling, abusive man for 29 years and finally broke free in 2014. God was there and gave me the strength to break free. He showed me how special it is to be his bride and not let the enemy control me any more. So, I am FREE and am following the Word of the Holy Spirit.
I love your word! I don’t know how people get through the tough times without Jesus! So grateful for your testimony of freedom! That is so awesome! Blessings Jerri! XO Donna
You are so gorgeous. My daughter is Michele Armstrong. I like the idea of a verse for the year.
You are too kind Earlene. Thank you for stopping by! I hope you have a blessed year!!
“Purpose” is my word for 2018. And my life verse for the year is 43:19: ” See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.”
I love that verse Michele! That one has got me through some serious tough times! It helps me to keep my eyes on Him and off my circumstances! Blessings, Donna
my word is IDENTITY … and I am not sure of the exact scripture quite yet. A few of them rattling around <3
That’s a really awesome word that the Holy Spirit is speaking over you Geri! Our identity in Christ is so important! Love it! When you get your Scripture, email it to me at freshgrace4today@gmail.com and I will pray it over you! Blessings … Donna XOXO
I’ve been having a difficult time figuring out my “word of the year” for this year… But, whenever I think about it, one word keeps coming up in my mind “Fight”.
There is one passage in the Bible I keep coming back to, or, keeps coming back to me over and over again. It’s Ephesians 6:11-18
“Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places. Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm. Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness. For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared. In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil. Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.” (NLT)
I truly believe that this year God is going to be really starting to train me to be a Warrior. I’ve had dear women of God come to me and tell me “I don’t know why, but God has been calling me to pray that you’ll become a warrior”. I truly believe it was prophetic, because that was MONTHS before God started speaking into my hear about being a Warrior for him. I truly believe this year is going to be the year he starts to really train me so that I can step into the ministry he has for me!
Oh girl! God is preparing something big for you! Praying for you right now Kristen!! Speaking blessings, favor and courage over you! XOXO Donna
Donna wow. What a great post. God always speaks through you to me. YES, YES I have ALL we need in Him.
My word is LOVE. I love (ha) how He worked all that out. It fits with the I am Loved Bible study, and He just keeps confirming over and over in the P31 word of the year. Who knew? He knew that I need it reinforced over and over. AND, it looks like He did with you too. Love your planner and your word of the year.
My verse, “Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.” Matthew 22:37 (KJV)
May you DELIGHT in Him this year like never before.
Thank you so much Debbie!! You always encourage my heart!! I love that you chose the word ‘love’ this year! And so cool how OBS is starting the year off with that word also! That is confirmation!! I love when Jesus does that! I look forward to our study together!! XOXO Donna
This is a sweet post. I love how scripture is woven through-out! My word is COURAGE. Keep blogging for Christ dear sisters.
Thank you so much for your encouragement Tammy! Praying and speaking courage over you sweet sister!! XOXO Donna
My word for this year is to play my part without wasting time and just let Jesus be. Many are the times I have tried to force things; but not again; not me.
Lol Judith, you sound like me! Praying for both of us to let God be God and for us to just be obedient to do our part! Blessings to you! Donna
Love your word of the year. My word for the year is boldness, believing in God and acting on it.
Awesome ‘word’ Ava! Praying you on sweet sister! XOXO Donna
When I went back to look at the Scriptures about Jesus healing people, a LOT of the Scriptures said that Jesus made them WHOLE. I love the fact that Jesus is our great Healer, and that there is nothing too hard for Him. This year my word is Hope.
Yes me too Susan! I love that nothing is too hard for our Jesus! This Scripture came to mind as I prayed over you. I am praying Isaiah 40:31 over you! “But those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. Susan will soar on wings like eagles; She will run and not grow weary, she will walk and not be faint.” XOXO Donna
My word is Faith. I am faithfully made by my heavenly father. Could you imagine life without faith? I can’t! As much as I disappoint him he still has Faith in me and I in him. Faith is not a thing you can give to a person, it is a feeling in your soul and as you grow in faith no-one can take it away.
Awe so glad you stopped by Sweet Cousin! Good word! I am so grateful that as much as I disappoint Him, our Heavenly Daddy never gives up on me! And He will never ever give up on you!! XOXO Donna
I love that scripture. I pray God provide all that you and your family need while you delight in him. My word for this your is “Victory”. Last year God gave me “Patient Endurance”.
That’s so sweet! Thank you for your prayers, Tara! I love your word, Victory!! Praying for for you to experience lots of it in Jesus this year!! XOXO Donna
Hey Donna, It’s my first time visiting your blog as a result of a tweet someone posted. I’m so glad I came by because I love the idea of a word and verse for the year. I’ve never thought to do that but I don’t see myself ever not doing it again. Yesterday during the day I briefly wondered if God could ever love me like He loved David and didn’t think much of it. Then in the evening I opened my Bible to continue reading Ephesians as I have been doing this week but Spirit led me to Isaiah 55. At verse 3 I read this:
“Give ear and come to me;
listen, that you may live.
I will make an everlasting covenant with you,
my faithful love promised to David.”
I cried because that’s how much God loves me, not just me, every believer. We all know how much He loved David:-) So that’s my verse and my word for the year is LOVE.
Thank you for your beautiful post, it’s left me inspired and ready for great things this year.
Sibo, I am SO GLAD that you stopped by! Your comment has truly encouraged my heart this evening! That is so God that He had you see that verse right when you needed it so much! He is so good, isn’t He? He LOVES us so much! And I love that your word for 2018 is LOVE! So sweet! Bless you sweet friend! XOXO Donna
OH what beautiful words you have all chosen and scriptures that truly inspire! I was blessed to be nourished by them all…
My word is “Clarity”. I’ll be praying for direction, for guidance, and for God to reveal many answers in areas of my life I am uncertain about. I haven’t thought of a scripture to go with it, but reading your different verses, I feel compelled to find one. THANK YOU!
Thank you Chris! I am praying right now for you to have clarity this year for all your heart is searching for in Him! Blessings sweet sister! xo
DELIGHT!!! What an amazing choice! I love it. Thank you so much for sharing the great care you take in choosing your word.
Thank you so much!! 🙂
I enjoy hearing the encouragement through people picking a word to focus on and to live by. I have decided not to pick one this year and just be led by the Spirit as needed. However, last year I had picked Restore/ Renew and that is exacting what God did! He is right on time!
Yes He sure is! Thank you for stopping by this morning Maryann! Blessings to you this year! Donna
Love those words for the year!
Thank you!! Hope you have a blessed year!! 🙂 Donna
Beautiful post! I love that you talk about your word following you into the next year. God doesn’t have to be finished with our word after one year. My word is “community” and verse is Proverbs 27:17 “Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.”
Thank you Christina! I love when God does that! Good word and verse!! Thank you for joining us here today! 🙂 Donna
Wow, what a wonderful post. Very uplifting. My word for 2018: FORWARD:
Philippians 3:13
Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead
….and….
Ezekiel 1:12
And each went straight forward; wherever the spirit was about to go, they would go, without turning as they went.
Wow Bonnie! Your word and Scriptures are awesome! I like how Ezekial 1:12 says “Wherever the Spirit was about to go, they would go, without turning as they went.” I felt a leap inside as I read that! I am praying for you!! Thank you so much for stopping by today! Blessings, Donna
I chose Delight as well, from the same verse, Psalm 37:4. But I’m also writing out all the verses that speak of delight, and purposing to memorize some of them. I want to be intentional to delight in the word and in the Lord. ❤️
Annie I need to look up all the verses and memorize them also!! That will be awesome! I am praying you on!! XOXO Donna
Thanks Donna
The joy of the Lord is my Strength. Neh 8:10 . Joy and strength are my words this year. Loved a look at your group. Pinned and shared!
I love your words Tanya! I am praying Jesus’ joy and strength to fill you and carry you in 2018! Thank you so much for sharing here!! XO Donna