Tuesday, January 3, 2017

2017 Is Going To Be . . .


Psalm 92:15 (MSG)
Such witnesses to upright God!  My Mountain, my huge, holy Mountain!

As 2016, winds down, I begin searching for a word to guide me in 2017.  The following are some I consider:  Hope; wait; dwell; lean; faith; trust, and promise.  It's a great list to choose from, but there is one problem.

None of these words choose me.

Frustrated, I share with my husband, Danny, my predicament.  "Don't worry," he assures me.  "Your word will appear all in good time."

"How can you be so sure?"  I ask, despondently.

Danny laughs.  "Because God always comes through," he declares.  "I'm as sure about you finding your word as I am about 2017 being a huge year!"

Can I believe my ears???  "That's it!!!"  I shout ecstatically.  "Huge!  HUGE!  That's my word!"

Because this year, I long to experience my Lord in a huge way.  I want to do everything in the name of my huge God to His huge glory, for He deserves nothing less than my huge devotion.

As I peruse Bible Gateway, using The Message translation and the key word, "huge," I am rewarded by the following inspirational Scriptures, not by any means exhaustive, which I now share with you.  ("Hope," in caps, mine)

Blessed are you who give yourselves over to God, turn your backs on the world's "sure thing," ignore what the world worships; the world's a HUGE stockpile of God wonders and God thoughts.  Nothing and no one comes close to you!  ~Psalm 40:4-5

Generous in love - God, give grace!  HUGE in mercy - wipe out my bad records.  Scrub away my guilt, soak out my sins in your laundry.  I know how bad I've been; my sins are staring me down.  ~Psalm 51:1-3

You who sit down in the High God's presence, spend the night in Shaddai's shadow, say this:  "God, you're my refuge.  I trust in you and I'm safe!"  That's right.  He rescues you from hidden traps, shields you from deadly hazards.  His HUGE outstretched arms protect you - under them you're perfectly safe; his arms fend of harm.  ~Psalm 91:1-4

"What a HUGE harvest!"  he said to his disciples.  "How few workers!  On your knees and pray for harvest hands!"  ~Matthew 9:38

"God's kingdom is like a pine nut that a farmer plants.  It is quite small as seeds go, but in the course of years it grows in to a HUGE pine tree, and eagles build nests in it."  ~Matthew 13:31-32

But Jesus was matter-of-fact:  "Yes - and if you embrace this kingdom life and don't doubt God, you'll not only do minor feats like I did to the fig tree, but also triumph over HUGE obstacles."  ~Matthew 21:21

At once the angel was joined by a HUGE angelic choir singing God's praises:  Glory to God in the heavenly heights!  Peace to all men and women on earth who please him.  ~Luke 2:13-14

Aren't these verses amazing?  Yes!  I am thrilled with the word that chose me this year!

Because I believe, with God's help, that 2017 is definitely going to be HUGE!


Have you chosen a guiding word for the year?  Please share in the comments!




25 comments:

  1. I look forward to learning more from you this year Martha. I don't have a word. Never have. I just want to experience an adventure with Him.

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    1. Maybe that should be your word, Bill - adventure! Life with God is definitely an ongoing adventure, that's for sure.
      Love and blessings!

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  2. Martha, I identified with your waiting time! A little over a year ago, I felt strongly that my word was "praise," which I frankly needed, and Praise Poems resulted. This year I wasn't as sure, but the word "Peace" kept coming to mind, and pretty soon, I saw the word everywhere I turned. May your search and writing life be HUGE and filled with peace. :)

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    1. Thank you, Mary! I love the word that has chosen you this year. Peace is definitely what all of us could use a HUGE dose of! :)
      Love and blessings!

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  3. Martha, It's interesting how God gave you your word and how you had several. I'm currently mulling over three or so words that have come several weeks a part. All that said, I'm still waiting for my word. The concept of one word for the year is the January theme at my church--we're to be praying about our own word, as well as a word for the church for 2017.

    I hope to know my word soon!

    Love and blessings!

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    1. I hope you do, too, Kim! Keep praying about it, and I know God will reveal it to you. Believe me, it will be the perfect one designed just for you!
      Oh, and it's cool that your church is trying to come up with a one word theme, too. That's a first for me!
      Love and blessings!

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  4. Sorry. I currently find the word "huge" to be hugely repellant. And, am thrilled to see the English translations of Psalms to never once include that term.
    But, if it resonates in your soul, may it work for you. I would prefer manifest.

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    1. Just remember, Roy, the word is "huge," not "yuge." Point taken! :)
      Manifest is a wonderful suggestion for a word of the year. A great reminder that it should be obvious to others that Christ's light and love shine through us.
      Love and blessings!

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  5. happy new year, martha! and i so loved that your husband partnered with you in bringing your One Word to fruition. can't wait to see how this pans out for you in the months ahead ...

    mine never did.

    ;-{

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    1. Happy New Year, Linda!
      Yes, that was serendipitous, but I'm so grateful for how God works in His mysterious ways. :)
      Having a word for the year isn't the be all and end all. Praying that if one settles in your heart, it will be because it fulfills God's plan.
      Love and blessings!

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  6. Oh how cool is that? It's just HUGE!!! God shows us His love and confirmations to us in a HUGE way! I know you will grow immensely in this new year...because God doesn't do things in a small way...when He does something it is HUGE and magnificent! Thank you for sharing these verses...it was wonderful to see them in a new light!

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    1. Thank you, Pamela, for your kind affirmations here.
      Yes! I am looking forward to the growth I feel God has promised me in this word. It's an invitation to step out of my comfort zone and trust Him to show me His huge storehouse of the best He has lined up for me to do and accomplish in His name. I'm excited!
      Love and blessings!

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  7. There was only one year that I received a 'word' for the year. I was not aware that people did this.

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    1. Carol, I've done this for only a few years when I learned about the practice from a fellow blogger. I've found it to be helpful in focusing on what is happening around me and acknowledging my inner feelings and concerns. As I mentioned to Pamela in the previous comment, "huge" is sure to put me out of my comfort zone, and as long as God is with me, that's absolutely fine!
      Love and blessings!

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  8. Martha, I love your heart for listening and waiting upon the Lord. It's also refreshing to hear about the partnership you have with your husband.
    Interestingly, it would seem the word "wait" is what the Lord has been bringing to my attention the last few weeks (message at church, from circumstances, the Word, His Spirit). It started with Psalm 62:5 NLT "Let all that I am WAIT quietly before God for my hope is in Him." Another translation for the word wait is REST. I'm still researching and pressing into God and, well, waiting for Him to reveal more.
    Praying for HUGE blessings on you and yours in 2017!
    Beckie from Spotlight

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    1. Beckie, your kind words here so touched my heart. God has taught me so much about the importance of waiting with patience and listening for His voice speaking. Believe me, I have a long way to go, but being His work-in-progress is enough for me!
      Wait and rest - both wonderful words to contemplate, especially if you are in a season where you feel something should happen now or you are becoming to busy to rest in Him. I'm sure the Lord will reveal His message to you in His sweet time.
      Love and blessings!

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  9. For many years, I had a word of the year, and like you, I felt that the word chose me or was revealed to me. I stopped having a word of the year in 2014, which is also when I stopped writing my first blog because I wanted a break from "words." I started a new blog in 2016, but still didn't have a word for the year. This year I still don't have a word, but New Year's Eve, I kept hearing "Shhhh...." So somehow I think that will be my guide this year. Ha!

    I love to take a word, like you did with Huge, and look up all the verses that contain it. Loved your sampling.

    PS--Re Beckie's comment about "wait"--my last word of the year in 2013 was "Wait." My favorite verse was Psalm 62:5. "For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence."

    Happy New Year!

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    1. "Shhhh . . ." Be still, and know that I am God.
      Oh, Galen, how I love the unexpected words the Lord places into our hearts and minds! Why not go for it? When life seems tumultuous and crazy and the walls are tumbling down, you can remember this and retreat to a safe, silent, peaceful place with Him.
      And it's so God-incidental that your word for 2013 is one Beckie is contemplating. It is a solid reminder that we are to wait upon God's timing; ours is but dust in the wind.
      Love and blessings! Happy New Year!

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  10. Amazing verses to lift up this word for you, Martha and love how Danny was part of your discovery. I am excited for this word for you. Onto the adventure we have before us!

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    1. Yes, Jean, adventure on! I think we are both up to it, don't you? And yes, I love how God uses Danny so often to give me insights into what I should be seeing already. A blessed partnership for which I am ever grateful!
      Love and blessings!

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  11. I thought I commented on this but must not have hit
    publish. Right now due to some health issue I would pick the word "trust". Seems I have an abnormality in my heart which will either require stints or surgery. Need one more test to give more information to the doctors. I was expecting my stress test to say it was stress causing my chest pains. A little adjustment on my part to what this year holds for me. Yep, I think it will be trust for this year but then I can't think of a year I did not need this word and action from it, it's always a trusting day.

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    1. Betty, your word is perfect at this time in your life and, as you said, it's something we must do every day - trust in the Lord.
      Know I will keep you in my prayers for complete healing for your heart problems. Hope you will keep us posted about whatever the doctors decide to do so we can pray more definitively for you.
      Love and blessings!

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  12. Pondering the infinitude of God and how He wants to live hugely through us... sounds like a great way to spend a year! Looking forward to what you share as always, Martha. Thanks so much!

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    1. Thank you, Jason! Yes, our God does want to live hugely in us and through us. Here's to one delightful and huge year!
      Love and blessings!

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  13. I don't know that I have a specific word, but I am banking on 2017 bringing a new and much improved set of adventures. Last year did it's best to drag me under. I'm certain I had some help from somewhere... Here's to your big year, Martha.

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