I used to make resolutions every year and not stick to them.  Anyone else?  This year I didn’t want to make any resolutions.  I wanted to choose one word that would change my life.  I wanted one word that would empower me to keep moving forward in my faith.  I needed one word to cling to this year as I started over in many aspects of my life.  Isn’t it easier to focus on one word than a whole list of resolutions? For me, that’s a big YES!

The one word that will focus my life this year is INTENTIONAL

As January 1st hit, this is the word the Lord put on my heart: INTENTIONAL.  I didn’t even ask Him for a word.  I just woke up with this burning desire to be more INTENTIONAL this year.  I have been luke-warm for far too long and let certain circumstances hold me back.  So this year I plan to be more INTENTIONAL not only in my faith but in SHARING my faith.  I plan to be more INTENTIONAL with my prayer life, my quiet time, my health, my relationships, my job, and my blog.

These are the things I wrote on my one-word art that we had to make our first day back at work after the Holiday break.  I didn’t even know we were going to have to do that when the Lord put this word on my heart but we got an email telling us to have a word ready for the day we came back.  Isn’t God’s timing always perfect?  He had already given me a word.

WORDS HOLD POWER

I’m constantly posting quotes from people in leadership and ministry roles because their words hold so much meaning and so much encouragement for others.  I want to share those with everyone when I come across one that has moved me. Their words hold power!

You don’t have to be in one of those roles for your words to hold power!  All you have to do is pray and think about the word that will hold the most power for you this year, in this season, in this set of circumstances so that when you fall, you think on your word and get back up.  When you think you can’t do it today, that word tells you that you can!

This word is not to replace God’s word!  It is important that we fill our minds and hearts with His words DAILY so that we are armed with His truths against the enemy!  God’s word is the most important and the most powerful words you can ever hold onto!  They will carry you through anything and everything!

I’m talking about having a word that keeps you focused on God’s plan for you. 

God’s plan for me this year is to be more INTENTIONAL in what He has called me to do.  It’s why I created a Facebook group called Moving Forward in Faith.  This group holds me accountable and stretches my comfort zones.  I can write all day but the Lord also wants me to speak and going live in this group with these women who have joined me is the next step.  If He had never put that word, INTENTIONAL, on my heart, I may never have made this group.  I may never have taken that next step He wants me to take!  I am so thankful that He moves me in the right direction and I want to keep moving forward in my faith!

KEEP YOUR WORD FRONT AND CENTER

Just like I write scriptures and prayer requests on my bathroom mirror, I’ve also written my word so that I see it first thing in the morning. This way I am reminded daily that God has an INTENTIONAL plan for my life and I am to keep moving forward in that plan.  I have my one-word art that we made during Staff Development taped to the mini-fridge next to my desk so that I see it at work.  I’ve made a sign to put in my kitchen so that I see it there as well!

Keep your word where you can see it daily!  I also encourage you to keep scriptures around your house where you can see them daily! I’ve been known to write scriptures on the front of my microwave that I’m trying to memorize because I definitely use that every single day!

My pastor recently said, “Toxic thoughts cannot be removed, they have to be replaced.”  Let’s replace them with God’s word and with our personal word He gives us to focus on this year!  It will be a life-changing year for us if we do!

What is your word this year?  What is God calling you to do?

If you need more encouragement or accountability, please feel free to join us at Moving Forward in Faith on Facebook.  We are a new group of ladies from all over with one thing in common- we all love the Lord and want to help lift each other up!