It seems that 2019 has come to an end rather quickly.  And yet, we have been surrounded by challenges everyday – many of which has drugged us down paths we did not want to find ourselves on at the end of the year.

I see many putting out their “Words for 2020,” from the Lord. And yet, there is much discussion on whether God actually gave those words out for people to live by – to be challenged with.

So this morning, as I looked back through my journal to see where I came from – from this day one year ago. I would challenge those who stated that they received a word from the Lord, a year ago, to reflect upon their journey.  What did they learn? How did it challenge you? Do you even remember that word?

My journey started out this year, 2019, with a bigger challenge than normal. The challenge was built upon words that have been given to me over the past 20 years. There is a pattern to those words. The big picture of this year was that my words matter. And broken down to one thought in particular was “To Know.”

The Wonder Of It All!

Yes, my words have mattered this year.  It has been a growing process for me. I have been more vocal this year than I have been in years past. And while in training, I have learned that I did not always make the mark.  Some days, I failed. But through this journey I have several things that I can look back on and see that I did accomplish some challenges:

• I learned more about Him. I have studied His Word. I have contemplated His Word. I have been challenged to know more about Him – through His Word and through experiences.
• I know more about His Word. I was challenged throughout this year to read through the book of Isaiah.  Each day I wrote out the Scripture and read from at least five different translation and compared the words.  Some days, I was led to look up the words in Hebrew, Greek, and Aramaic. Some days, I looked up in commentaries to see what others thought about what God said.
• I have been challenged to speak up about what is happening in the world around me. Not so much from my own heart, but from the heart of God. Stopping and thinking before allowing the words to travel forth from my mouth.
• I have been challenged to be silent. To wait upon the Lord. To give out a word or two and challenge others to contemplate those words.
• I have been challenged to point others to Christ Jesus. To share some of my experiences and challenged another to seek to know Him better too.
• I have been challenged to become more aware of His Presence.

Precepts. A statement that helps you focus upon the way you are living.

Psalm 19:7-11 – The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple; the precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart;
the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes; the fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever; the rules of the Lord are true, and righteous altogether.
More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold; sweeter also than honey
and drippings of the honeycomb. Moreover, by them is your servant warned;
in keeping them there is great reward. (ESV)

God’s Precepts are bigger than my precepts. I need to feed upon His Words and ask Him to challenge me to become more like Him.

My Song: Learn ways to find encouragement. Share words with others that give them hope. Challenge one another. Challenge yourself to grow more in the Lord – to Know Him in ways that you never thought would be possible. Then give God the Glory.

The Words That I Would Say 

Never give up. Always allow the Heavenly Father to challenge you to become more like Him. When you fail, admit it. Then grab His Hand and let Him pull you back up and keep going. Journal. That way, you will remember where you started and where you are now.