For years now, I have joined in with many others who have started the New Year with a selected word to claim for the next 12 months. For me personally, this word is not necessarily humanly picked; rather, through thoughtful prayer, I feel as if it is divinely planted. Eventually, at some point, the word just comes to me, and my heart knows, "this is it."

I encourage you to think and pray about a word for the year. Allow the Lord to speak to your heart. One friend of mine has chosen the word "good". Another friend has chosen the word "listen". I have yet another friend who has a pottery painting party for many, so that these differing choice words can be painted on cups, vases, or plates to claim, celebrate, and remember all year long.

In 2016, my word for the year was "bend" (bend to listen intently, bend to know Christ more). I wasn't completely sure of what all the Lord was going to teach me with this word, but He already knew full well. It turns out in March of that year, I was asked to go through a 40 day prayer journey with a group of women. The author of the prayer guide suggested that I start and end the day on my knees. Because of the humbling benefits of "bending" in this way, I have kept the practice ever since.

In 2017, my word for the year was "pursue" (pursue Christ, pursue others for Christ with my giftings). Again, I experienced the unfolding of this word all year long in God's creative ways. One example is that in September of 2017, my husband Mac and I were asked to do a couples Bible Study with Bill and Terri Howard, who are the founders of none other that PURSUE Ministries. God indeed has a plan!

In 2018, for some reason, and at this point only God knows fully why, my word is "forward" (forward with His plans, forward march with His ministry). What will this year unfold pertaining to this word as I seek, trust, and obey Him? Today, I do not know, but I certainly look "forward" to what He has had planned from the beginning.

Seek His Word first, and let Him guide your heart. Ask Him to divinely plant a word in you; then wait and listen.

And your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, "This is the way, walk in it."
Isaiah 30:21

Last Sunday, my pastor Rob Sweet, enlightened me to a new thought concerning an ancient title. He pulled apart this familiar Christmas passage:

And a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; and the government will rest on His shoulders; and His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace. Isaiah9:6

Concerning the title, Prince of Peace, Rob explained that another term for Prince is Administrator, and then, another word for Peace is Wholesness; thus, the Prince of Peace becomes the Administrator of Wholeness. I like this thought. It gives me a new perspective on what Jesus wants to do for you and me. Our well-being is His concern.

We must understand from the start that His peace is not like the world's peace which tends to numb feelings or cover hurts with temporary fixes. No, His peace does the opposite, really. The Prince of Peace seeks to expose wounds and uncover hurts for the purpose of administering wholeness in our souls. Truly, only Christ, through His Spirit can touch us with this kind of healing.

And He came and preached peace to you who were far away, and peace to those who were near; for through Him we both have our access in one Spirit to the Father. Ephesians 2:17-18

Will you let the Prince of Peace have your heart this Christmas? Remember, even in the manger bed, the Messiah had the cross set before Him for the purpose of making you whole. There, He bore all your sorrow and all your sin.He reconciled all things to Himself, having made peace through the blood of the cross (Col. 1:20).Let Him have you, all your wounds, all your hurts, all your pain. Unveil your deepest longings as well as your most hidden sins to your Savior. This is why He came. He is able to administer peace that is beyond anything that this world could offer. Will you allow Him to do this for you?

This Christmas season, each day, say to Him in faith, "Prince of Peace, please come." 

Are you looking for a Christmas Devotional for yourself, personally, or for your family?

I invite you to readWho Is this Jesus? And Why Did He Come? This bookletis a simple, consice 25-day devotional, starting on December 1st, that will point you and your family to the heart of the Christmas Season: JESUS…Who HE IS, and Why HE CAME. Each day holds one truth to ponder in order to keep your Savior on the forefront of your mind and in the center of this season.

Check out this FREE ON-LINE devotional on my website:www.respitefortheweary.com.(See the picture of the devotional cover on the sidebar and click.)

May you and your family be blessed as you choose to cultivate a heart of worship this season for the King of kings, the Lord of lords, our Immanuel.

I grew up in the deep southern woods of Mississippi--lots and lots of pine trees towered over our home. So when I moved "way up here" in Tennessee, the colorful fall season took me by surprise. Year after year, I am mesmerized by the radiant reds, the fiery oranges, and the brilliant golds that are bursting from the trees and bushes--incredible, breath-taking beauty.

I'm sure I am not the first to correlate God's seasons with His love story:

Fall represents His dying for us on the cross.

Winter represents His burial, enclosed in a death that we will never have to endure.

Spring represents His resurrection... a newness of life for all who believe.

And Summer represents the growth and abundance of this new life.

So, here we are again in the seasonal cycle; the glorious fall surrounds us. It's hard to believe these brilliant leaves on the trees are actually dying. But isn't that exactly what happened at the cross? Listen to Jesus' words to His Father, just before He was taken into custody:

Father, it's time. Display the bright splendor of Your Son so the Son in turn may show Your bright splendor." (msg, John 17:1)

Come to Me all you are weary and heavy laden and I will give you rest.
Matthew 11:28Two thousand years ago, the King of Glory hung on a tree, dying. His fiery passion for the world He loved held Him there, not the nails. His perfect crimson blood was willingly shed for you and me. And as our Savior's life was drained from Him, it was the most tragically beautiful gift to behold. Before the darkness of "winter" encroached, the Light of the World triumphantly cried out, "It is finished." Indeed, it was awe-full.

Today, this day, when I see the radiance all around me and watch these colorful trees of the field clapping their hands, I know why they're applauding. I want to join them in honor of the King that gave His life a ransom for many. And I too, just as the trees are "teaching" us in this season, want to die to myself so Christ can live radiantly inside and outside of me, drawing many to His marvelous light.

Yes, as I look all around me, I will praise Him, and thank Him, and worship Him... for His glorious Fall.

Creation reflects the creator. When you see a wonderful work of art, or watch an awesome movie, or read an incredible book, you naturally applaud the one who "birthed" the masterpiece.Now look around you. Whether you're in the mountain range of Colorado, or by the oceanside of the Florida beaches, or in the hills and valleys of Tennessee, a majestic Creator can be applauded. All of His creation praises Him! I love how Scripture attests to this truth: Let the heavens rejoice, and the earth be glad; let the sea resound, and all that is in it; let the fields be jubilant, and everything in them. Then all the trees of the forest will sing for joy (Psalm 96:11-12)

Let us remember and take to heart that we, too, are His creation. As a matter of fact, we are His crowning glory, the ones fashioned with hearts and souls and minds. He made him a little lower than the heavenly beings and crowned him with glory and honor (Psalm 8:5).So if the sun, moon, and stars, the birds of the air, the fish of the sea, the mountains, hills, and valleys, if all of these things are praising His name, shouldn't we as well? And shouldn't we be leading the way?Choose to praise Him today. Shout "thank You's" and sing adorations to the Creator of your unique and gifted self; because, human being, you were made for this...Arise shine, your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you. Isaiah 60:1

 After I read a passage of Scripture, I like to close my eyes and see it come alive in my mind; the picture gives me more understanding of the words.

Today, I saw Psalm 116 in three different stages:

1. The psalmist is captured and he is crying out for help. "The cords of death encompassed me, and the terrors of Sheol came upon me; I found distress and sorrow... I cried, 'O Lord, save my life.'" (v. 3-4)

2. The Savior hears his cry and delivers! "I love the Lord because He hears my voice...the Lord preserves the simple; I was brought low, and He saved me...He has loosened my bonds." (v. 1, 6, 16)

3. The psalmist then cannot help but give thanks and praise for His Savior's grace and compassion. He says, "I shall pay my vows (of thanksgiving) to the Lord, oh may it be in the presence of all His people...Praise the Lord!" (v. 18-19)

This psalm is the cycle of life, is in not? What cords are tied around you today? Worry, fear, doubt, pride, shame? Cry out to your Savior right now. He hears your voice and will faithfully cut these constricting chains. Leave these strongholds at the foot of the cross; don't pick them up again. And then, with free hands, loosened feet, and a full heart, GO to many and tell them what the Lord has done for you. Praise Him today for the continuous and redemptive act of love manifested at the cross. Yes, praise the Lord!

(see other posts: Picture Scripture, Picture Scripture II, III, IV)