Words to Live by in 2012

Last week a Friend of mine on Facebook and in real life asked a question of sorts.  "In one word, sum up 2011." The responses were both positive and negative.  Ranging for Crazy, Sad, Rewarding, Fast, 2011?, Blessed, Accomplished, Insane, etc.  It prompted me to think and rehearse the events of my life in 2011, and what word or words I would use to describe it.

It became pretty clear to me that I was not going to be able to settle on just one word, but I could narrow it down to a singular progression of three words.  First there was WAITING.  Waiting for the Lord, which is something that I do not enjoy, by balancing the tension of uncertainty and of trusting in an all-knowing supreme God.  Then Waiting turned into ANTICIPATION.  The Lord was present and starting to move.  All I had to do was join Him with excited Anticipation.  Finally then, I am experiencing a TRANSFORMATION as God moved my family and me along a new path and set our course in a new way and ministry for His glory.

So what Word(s) define your last year or current situation?

While I firmly believe that it is important to rehearse and review the course of your life, we cannot allow our eyes to be entranced by what we see in the rear view mirror.  So let's look forward, and ask, "What Words will define your 2012?"

Proverbs 3:1-10, may give us some direction as we set some words before us to mark our way through 2012.

·         OBEY – Proverbs 3:1-2

o   Don’t forget my Commands/Teachings - Mind

o   Keep them in your Heart

o   Prove your Love by OBEYING – John 14:15  If you love me (Jesus) then Keep/Obey my commands.

§  Prosperity = SHALOM

·        Shalom means completeness, wholeness, health, peace, welfare, safety soundness, tranquility, prosperity, perfectness, fullness, rest, harmony, the absence of agitation or discord. 

         §  Shalom:  Prolong your Life

·         LOVE -  FAITHFULNESS – Proverbs 3:3-4

o   Steadfast Love – Mercy & Truth

§  bind . . . Neck - outwardly Wear Love & Faithfulness in All you do

§  write . . . Heart - inwardly govern our motives with Love & Faithfulness – who you are

§  Shalom: Favor and Good name with God and Man - Repuation

·         TRUST – Proverbs 3:5-6

o   With ALL your Heart

o   Don’t Lean on yourself - False sense of stability will always crumble

o   Lean on God in and for All things 

§  Shalom: Paths Straight 

·         WORSHIP – Proverbs 3:7-8

o   Deep Reverance for God

§  Set aside your own wisdom and shun evil

§  Fixing your Eyes to Jesus – Hebrewa 12:2

o   Submission to His Lordship and Commands

§  Shalom: Health to your Body

·         GIVE – Proverbs 3:9-10

o   Honor the Lord with your Wealth

§  No matter how much wealth you have there is always someone who has more.

§  We are Rich/Wealthy

o   First Fruits!

§  Give First

§  Live Second

·         Don’t allow your life to get in the way of your Giving

§  Shalom: Barns will be filled

·         Phil. 4:19 - And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.

Let these Words define your Life in 2012! 

Obey
Love
Faithfulness
Trust
Worship
Give

Shalom!