a new word for the new year... light...

For several years now... at the beginning of a new year... I've asked Him for one word to define my walk with Him for the year...

Past years' words have been...
obedience...
journey...
new...
freedom...

This year's word...

Light...

light... something that makes vision possible... spiritual illumination... truth...

---Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary, 11th Ed.

He actually brought the word to my attention several months ago...

before I even thought about a word for 2017...

I've been learning He is the only source of light...

Then Jesus again spoke to them, saying, "I am the Light of the world;

he who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life."

John 8:12 NASB

He alone makes vision possible...

illuminates the spiritual reality around us...

reveals truth...

Those who follow Him not only walk in the Light of Life...

they are the light of the world...

He says to His disciples...

"You are the light of the world. ..."

Matthew 5:14 NASB

My prayer recently...

in many situations...

How do I be light in this circumstance...?

How can I reveal Your light to this person...?

To shine His Light as a follower...

is to bring Him glory...

because what is more glorious...

than light... in a very dark place...

Have you asked Him for one word this year...?

It's a spiritual discipline which has had a surprising impact in my life...

If you get one I'd love for you to share it here in the comment box...

[click on the post title... scroll to the bottom... type in the box...]

new year... new word...

The spiritual discipline...
one word... for a year...
continues to call me...

The past three years...
a single word... has helped define...
my walk with Him...

2013... Obedience...
2014... Journey...
2015... New...

This year... the word came before I even asked...
a word... that's already... having an impact...

My one word... for 2016...

Freedom

Already... I sense these words connecting... into a truth...

Obedience to Him...

is a journey with Him...

into a new life...

of freedom...

freedom... noun... 1. the quality or state of being free: as a: the absence of necessity, coercion, or constraint in choice or action b: liberation from slavery or restraint or from the power of another: independence c: the quality or state of being exempt or released usually from something onerous...

The Word regarding freedom...

For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore,

and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.

Galatians 5:1 ESV

For you were called to freedom, brothers.

Only do not use your freedom

as an opportunity for the flesh,

but through love serve one another.

Galatians 5:13 ESV

Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is,

there is freedom.

2 Corinthians 3:17 ESV

The Greek translated... freedom... means...

• liberty to do or to omit things having no relationship to salvation... true liberty is living as we should not as we please... Enhanced Strong's Lexicon
• the word denotes "freedom" of access to the presence of God... Vine's Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words

My favorite... freedom of access to the presence of God...

What a great freedom...

one we only have in Christ Jesus...

Consider this year... your freedom...

to approach Him... and ask for a word...

No telling where it might lead...

Father God... thank You for freedom...

teach me what it means in my life...

show me how to glorify You...

 with the freedom You've provided...

new

A week or so ago... as the end of the year loomed on the calendar... I began to wonder if the discipline of a word-for-the-year would continue...

The past two years... a single word... has been an important part of my relationship with Him...

First... obedience...
then... journey...

I posed the question... Is there another word...? for another year...?

And... Yes... there is a word...

New

So as this year's journey... comes to an end... already... I'm wondering... about the new year...

And he who was seated on the throne said,

"Behold, I am making all things new."

Also he said, "Write this down,

these words are trustworthy and true."

Revelation 21:5 ESV

Maybe you could begin asking Him if He has a word for you for 2015...?

If you receive one... I'd love for you to share it here...

just add a comment to this post... to let us know...

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