Created To Love Blog: One Word That Will Change Your Life
This blog recaptures January small group discussion. If you did not make it for January, please join us next month, February 24, at 4:00 pm. We are doing a book study on the book ReNew: Breaking Free from Negative Thinking, Anxiety, and Depression authored by Julie Winter. We will read the first two chapters before the next meeting.
Have you ever set a New Year resolution goal? How did it work for you? How long were you able to focus on your resolution? Did you it make a dynamic impact in your life? Well, if you were able to stay focus on your resolution and make a dynamic change, you are truly a rare breed! Research shows that 87% of people make resolutions and less than 20% of them keep them.
Initially, I thought my one word was “focus.” But as I continued to study the word, the Holy Spirit guided me to Psalm 51 where David talks about having a “clean heart and a steadfast spirit.” The Holy Spirit asked me, “What does steadfast mean?” I had an idea, but I needed to KNOW. He whispered again, “Look it up.” So, I did! I read the definition slowly and quietly as I began to weep . . . Loyal, faithful, omitted, devoted, dedicated, dependable, reliable, steady, true, constant, staunch, firm, determined, relentless, implacable, single-minded, unchanging, unfaltering, uncompromising, unswerving, unhesitating and unflinching. Oh my God!
Amazingly enough, Dan Britton, Jimmy Page, and Jon Gordon, author of the book, One Word That Will Change Your Life, discovered a system that truly works. I also heard Pastor Dennis Rouse, Lead Pastor at Victory World Church share that he and his wife Co-Pastor Colleen select a new word each year. It does require a hard-long look at your weaknesses and your strengths. It does require focusing on things of the past and looking at what you want to happen in the future. It is focusing on that one word that the Holy Spirit drops in your spirit when asking Him, “What is one word that will change my life?” You see, he knows everything about you. He knows how your life will pan out. He knows your weaknesses. He knows your strengths. He knows your beginning and your end. He knows those deep dark places of the soul that you have shared with no one. HE KNOWS YOU! So why not be transparent before Him so that HE can transform your life in such a way that you will make an impact for yourself and others.
So, are you ready? Drum roll, please! It is just that, ONE WORD. That is one word that will change your life. As we focus on our lives, I am sure that we can think of several habits that we would like to leave in 2018. I am sure you can think of some habits that you would like to bring with you into 2019.
I have read the book and below is the most important takeaway. Get alone with the Holy Spirit and answer the following questions earnestly.
ONE WORD THAT WILL CHANGE YOUR LIFE
What happened last year that I want to change this year?
What is one thing, one habit that if I start doing it today, it will impact my life forever?
What is one thing, one habit that if I stop doing it today, it will change my life forever?
What is one word that will change my life? The word is ________________________
Be moved only by the prompting of the Holy Spirit.
Look up the one word and write the definition. Study the word to get the full meaning and understanding of the word.
Find two scriptures that relate to the “one word.” Write them here. These scriptures will be the pillars that you will stand on during the year.
How will you be mindful of your one word daily? (use it as a password, place it on your mirror put it on your social media page, frame it and place it on your desk.
I look forward to hearing how the Holy Spirit is working in your life !
Prayer: Lord, we come to you know with all of who we are, faults and imperfections, everything. You know that sometimes we have a hard time believing what your word says about who we are, what we have and what we can become. But today, Lord we choose to trust you and to believe what your word says. This year is a year of change and not returning to what we once knew. We are choosing to move forward and to be steadfast!
Anyone can change their current circumstances if they are willing to put in the work. Change is not for the faint and weak of heart. You must have stamina. You must be resilient. You must be steadfast. You must have tenacity. YOU MUST
BELIEVE YOU CAN AND GO TO WORK!