Tag Archives: New Year

What I Learned in 2018

This people I have formed for Myself; They shall declare My praise.  Isaiah 43:21 (NKJ)

Yes, it’s that time again.  Another year has passed and I find myself asking, “where has the time gone and what did I do with it?”   As I glance over at the grocery store newsstand, I see the various renderings of what 2018 has been about—politics, weddings, and celebrations of life.

As it is with the dropping of the New Year’s ball in Times Square, it is the tradition of In the Word Ministries to mark the start of the New Year by asking, “What did I learn this past year?”  This year, I avoided looking back at 2018 WordBytes or my journal to give me a hint.  Instead I simply asked the Holy Spirit to distill all I had experienced in 2018 into two or three areas I could share with you.  The Holy Spirit (as usual) exceeded my expectations and gave me one word—PURPOSE.  Although one word, my learning about purpose could fill volumes.  I will attempt to be succinct.  See if any of these resonate with you.

  1. It is critical to understand God’s purpose (Acts 17:28). Every New Year a dear friend asks me what I am believing and depending on God for in the upcoming year.  The better question should be, “how can God best use me for His purpose in the upcoming year?” Key to understanding purpose is accepting the sovereignty of God—the “True Source” of our purpose.  As we begin our year fasting and praying, we should seek to understand our purpose as a direct outgrowth of God’s divine plan (Eph. 2:10).
  1. It is important to pursue God’s purpose (Heb. 11:13). Not to follow God’s purpose is willful disobedience that can result in negative consequences.  This year, God challenged me to undertake an area that did not “fit” the core competencies or strategic plan developed for the ministry.  God had spoken this new direction to me in three separate prophetic messages over a four year period.  I knew it was a mistake—mine!  But God was patient.  And yes, God has the authority to “change our direction” and do a “new thing” in our lives (Is. 43:19). I finally accepted the direction although I haven’t a clue as to where God is taking me.  God, however, knows and that’s what is important (Gen.12:1-4).
  1. It is essential to position ourselves for God’s purpose (Heb. 12:1). In Isaiah 43, God shares His future plan to redeem His people, Israel, now living in captivity.  They had historically rejected God’s purpose which was to reflect God goodness and glory to the world ultimately bringing them into His eternal Kingdom.  But Israel pursued its own purpose (Jer. 17:23).  They were not in position to accomplish God’s purpose, therefore they were sent into captivity for 70 years.  Their disobedience and distrust of God deprived them of God’s glorious purpose.

Like the children of Israel, we as believers often miss God’s divine purpose for our lives because of a number of factors.

  • We may operate out of fear. We are afraid of God’s purpose.  We fear we may not have the skills and capability to what God desires.  You may not have what you think you need, but God, through His Holy Spirit within us, will equip us for every assignment He gives.
  • We may lack trust. We’re afraid God won’t give us what we want.  God may not give you what you want but, be assured God will always give you what’s best for you.  Learn more about the nature of God—His goodness and His greatness.
  • We may be bound by sinful habits and relationships that we aren’t willing to release. Even King Solomon in all his wisdom was hindered from fulfilling God’s purpose because of willful disobedience and sinful patterns in his life.  Confess, repent, and lay hold of the extraordinary purpose which God has for you today.  Trade in what you think is “good” for the “best” God has in store for you.

The Westminster Catechism is a series of questions and answers (proof texts), on which Believers, affirm their faith in God.  The first question (out of 107 questions), is this:  “What is the chief end of man?”  In other words, what is man’s purpose?  The answer, “Man’s chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy him forever.

“To glorify God” is realized when we represent His rule and presence on the earth.  Created in God’s image, man can bring into reality the kingdom of God on earth and be in intimate relationship with Him.  With and in Christ, we now can pursue God’s unique purpose for our lives (1 Pet. 2:9).

“To enjoy God forever” has begun with the presence of the Holy Spirit with us—a foretaste of the ultimate glory that we will experience in full when we next meet Jesus—in heaven (upon our death) or in the air (upon Christ’s Second Return) (John 14:3).   The end will be the same—“eternal enjoyment.”

In 2019, I am living to understand, to pursue, and to position myself for God’s purpose.  “Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.  For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever. Amen. ” (Matt. 6:10, 13)

What did you learn in 2018?

Things I Learned in 2017

“But let him who glories glory in this, That he understands and knows Me, That I am the LORD.”

Jeremiah 9:24 (NKJ)

 

Who’d a thunk it?  (Yes, that’s what I said.)  We are rapidly approaching two decades into the 21st century.  My, how time flies!   When people ask what I’ve been doing, it’s hard to respond:  “Just taking it one day at a time.” or “Putting one foot in front of the other.”  It’s hard to find words.

So it is with writing this year’s “Things I Learned”.  What have I gleaned from my faith walk this past year?  As I “examine myself, am I still of the faith”? (2 Cor. 13:5)  “Have I studied to show myself approved?” (2 Tim. 2:15)  Have I sought the “kingdom of God first” (Matt. 6:33) and am at “peace with all men”? (Heb. 12:14)

“Things I Learned” is written to share my major “ah ha’s” this year with regard to what I learned about God, about myself, and my faith. No judging or regretting. No New Year’s resolutions or personal improvement plans, only silent contemplation about how God has revealed Himself to me from eternity to time we called 2017.  What are the things I learned in 2017?

  • God is faithful and will do everything He can to aid in my success (Jer. 29:11-13). It is, however, my responsibility to insure I am aligned to receive His grace and power. I must exercise caution and be aware of those things in my “human nature” that can impede my “spiritual progress”—fear, doubt, pride and envy.  In my daily walk, I must recognize and “set aside the weight and the sin that so easily seeks to ensnare me” (Heb. 12:1):  the busyness of the day, the distractions of the urgent versus the important, or the spirit of unforgiveness I may harbor.  Lastly, to be successful in accomplishing God’s purpose, it is critical to understand the will of God.  While God’s will can be found throughout Scripture, the time I spend in prayer and meditation are key in understanding both His way and His will (Ps. 103:7).
  • God is in control regardless of what I see happening around me (Ps. 46:1-3).  Nothing catches God by surprise whether it is political wrangling, social disparity, or an ecological disaster.   Scripture teaches us three truths to sustain us in times of uncertainty and confusion:  God is completely sovereign, God is infinite in wisdom, and God is perfect in love.  Jerry Bridges writes in his book, Is God Really in Control:  “In His love, God wills what is best for us, in His wisdom He always knows what’s best for us, and in His sovereignty He has the power to bring it about.”  God has a plan for mankind which was created before the foundation of the world (Ep. 1:4, 10) and each day we are moving to the culmination of that plan.  There is no one or nothing that can thwart God’s plan.
  • God’s Word is critical for victorious living and spiritual transformation (Ps. 19:7-8). Why?  Because the Scriptures expresses the very mind of God.  It is God speaking directly to us.  How?  The “word of God is full of living power. It is sharper than the sharpest knife, cutting deep into our innermost thoughts and desires. God’s Word exposes us for what we really are” (Heb. 4:12, NLT).   God’s Word also renews our mind so that we begin to think like Christ (Phil. 2:5) leading us to be conformed to His image–the image God had originally designed for us in the Garden of Eden.  Through this process of “exposing and renewing”, or sanctification, we become true children of God (Phil. 2:15).  Investing time in God’s Word—devotional reading and systematic study—yield returns that are priceless, in this world and in the world to come (Ps. 19:10-11).
  • In 2017, I rediscovered the special blessing that can be found in Scripture memorization or as I prefer calling it, “writing God’s Word on my heart.” Oh, the things God has revealed to me about His goodness and His greatness as I’ve “planted” large passages of scripture in my spirit such as Psalms 19 and Ephesians 1.  As I memorized each line, I prayed that it would “take root and bear much fruit (Matt. 13:23).  This spiritual discipline is not about speed or quantity (how many verses I can learn) but in experiencing the “depth of the riches of His grace” God reveals to me.

What are the things I learned in 2017?  I learned that God is God and I’m not, and I’m more than okay with that.  However, the Prophet Jeremiah did a much better job in describing what is really important for us to learn in order to live victorious, successful lives:

Thus says the LORD: “Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, Let not the mighty man glory in his might, Nor let the rich man glory in his riches;  But let him who glories glory in this, That he understands and knows Me, That I am the LORD, exercising lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness in the earth. For in these I delight,” says the LORD.  (Jer. 9:23-24)

SELAH:  What are three (3) things you learned in 2017—about God, yourself, or your faith walk?

Things I Learned in 2016

Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not know yourselves,  that Jesus Christ is in you? 2 Cor. 13:5 (NKJ)

At the beginning of each year, I take time to reflect on the lessons I have learned during the past year.  Reflection, time given to consideration or serious thought, is a luxury we often deny ourselves.  It has been said that self-reflection is the school of wisdom.  Confucius described self-reflection as the noblest method by which we learn wisdom.  I especially like the Apostle Paul’s directive on self-reflection to the church at Corinth—examine yourself.  So I begin 2017 with this reflection—things I learned in 2016.

As input to this process I reviewed my daily journal, memorization cards, and the 2016 WordBytes topics.   These three sources reflect my spiritual mind and the areas of focus that the Holy Spirit has directed my attention to.  While my final list could expand to the last WordBytes of 2017, I have chosen those which I feel were most impactful to my learning and hopefully, added wisdom.  Here is my “short list”.

God is “much more” than anything I can ever imagine.  “Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us.” (Eph. 3:20) “More” (mallon) when added to verbs or adjectives denotes greater quantity, a larger measure, or a higher degree.  Following are just a few examples of God’s “much more”:

“Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound.”  (greater quantity)  (Rom. 5:20)

Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.” (larger measure)  (Rom. 5:9)

“How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?”  (higher degree) (Heb. 9:14)

With the changes in local policies and the upheaval in national politics, I have found God extraordinarily capable of providing me “much more” than I have needed for the circumstance at hand (Ps. 62:5).  In all my situations, as varied as they have been, whether in prayer for special healing or special intervention: in need of provision or protection: in time of praise or in need of His presence, God has shown Himself to be “much more” than I could have ever anticipated.       

Pursuit of God’s kingdom is to be the guarded focus of my life. “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.” (Matt. 6:33) The disciples didn’t fully understand what Jesus meant when He taught in the Sermon on the Mount.  Jesus continually reminded them to “keep their eye on the prize” (heaven) and on their “purpose” (preaching the Gospel).  In spite of all our biblical teachings, women’s conferences, and TV evangelists, it is easy to become entangled with the things of this world—“the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life.” (1 John 2:16)  These things promote “self” versus “Christ.”  It is critical that I remember “this is not my home” and I am merely a “time traveler” on a mission until I am called to my eternal home (Heb. 11:13; 1 Pet. 2:11).

Christ-like boldness is needed to address the changes of the 21st century.  “And for me, that utterance may be given to me that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel…that in it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.”  (Eph. 6:19-20)  Whether through the ministry or through WordBytes, I must boldly proclaim God as Sovereign Creator and Ruler of all life and Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior upon Whom I await His imminent return.  Pursuit of God’s truth is critical in a postmodern society where there is no absolute truth.  Therefore, denouncement of Scripture and its relevancy is to be expected (2 Tim. 4:3-5).  Let me “be prepared in season and out of season to correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction” (2 Tim. 4:2, NIV).  While we aren’t persecuted like our Christian brothers abroad, Christians in this country are daily being muffled by orchestrated cries of religious bigotry and intolerance.  Christ has given me a voice, I am to use it.

A dear friend and ministry partner asked me this week, “What are you believing and depending on God to do for you in 2017?”  Two powerful words emerged from her question—believing and depending.  First, I believe that God is able to do exceedingly above all I can ask and think.  And secondly, I will continue to depend on God to guide me into His perfect will.  Lastly, I am believing and depending on God to take those things I have learned in 2016 and leverage them into teachings that strengthen women for the journey God has purposed for them in 2017 (Jer. 29:11-13).

Now it’s your turn.  Scroll down to the “Leave a Reply” box and share what you have learned in 2016.  It’s time for you to reflect and develop your “short list.”