God’s Word for My Year - 2017

Openness is a noun, and is defined as lack of restrictions; accessibility.  It is also defined as acceptance of or receptiveness to change or new ideas.

My word for the year 2017, Openness.  I have been open to the will of God, and every day, I pray that I will have my eyes opened so that I may see what He has to show me.  He never fails to show me His glory.  Whether it is in something, or someone, I see God’s glory shining through.

The other day, I was with the person who does my hair.  There was a waiting period, and we were talking.  She shared with me what God was doing in her life.  I sat there smiling, because God was working in her life.  It was awesome.

She has had a tough life, and to see her give all that to God, was something that brings tears to my eyes as I am typing these words.  As we were talking, she was just exuding this new breath of life.  It was awe inspiring.

There are so many people on their own journey through life, and to see someone experience God, maybe for the first time, is just so cool.   She brought it up, and so for her to be comfortable with me, lets me know that the friendship we have is so much more than hairdresser and client.  She is my friend.

I hate to admit it, but for so long, my heart was closed off.  I kept people at bay, and didn’t let them fully in. I thought it was safer that way.  However, God is showing me a different way.  God is bringing people into my life, because I am open to it.  My heart is open. 

I am open to God using a sledge hammer to tear down the walls, or to chip away at the things in me that aren’t of Him.  Sometimes the chipping is uncomfortable, but necessary.  If I am open, God will keep going.

The journey of openness is sometimes filled with questions, and God is so patient with me.  He never gets upset that I question or have a momentary lapse of faith over the same thing.  Patiently, until I finally get it, He seems to always send me, either through song or reading, an encouraging word. 

This day was no exception.  He knew that I was trying to keep faith in the promises that He has given me.  Yet, I could not verbalize that there was this doubt.  It was just this feeling inside me. It has been festering, and I “tried” to give it to God. 

God knows all things though. So, He sends me a devotional forwarded to me by one of my friends, titled “God Knows Our Way, and His Plans are Good:  There’s Hope Ahead”.  The first paragraph is a verse that is one of my favorites:

“For I know the plans that I have for you.” Declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”  Jeremiah 29:11

The reason I underlined the first part, is that is how it was on the reading.  God underlined it for me.  He is saying, “Laura, I know that plans I have for you.  I’ve got this, and I’ve got you.”

It is an ever day journey with My God.  I remain open and focused on Him.  If I find I am tired, He is my strength.  As I am more open to God, the more my faith in Him will grow. I am just so thankful that God doesn’t give up in frustration with us.  He’s got me, He’s got you.  He’s got our back.

Dear Lord, I need you, every hour I need you.  You are God and I am not.  Your Will, Your Way, Your Time.  In Your Name Amen.

Laura Maxson

            

God’s Word for My Year - 2017

God is truly amazing.  He shows us answers to our questions in His timing and in His way. November 7, 2016, that is the date that God gave me my word for the year 2017. 

My word for 2017 is Openness.  I looked up the word to see what the dictionary defined it as. 

[Openness is a noun, and is defined as lack of restrictions; accessibility.  It is also defined as acceptance of or receptiveness to change or new ideas.]

God has started making the changes, and I have already been receptive to those changes.  The last six months have been full of changes and new ideas. I have been on a journey, not only emotionally, but physically.  There has been a constant in it all, and that is my Lord.

I would have to say the last three months, I have become closer and more dependent on God.  He keeps showing me His amazing love.  Every day I see His works all around me.  He is always there. 

This last several months have been some of the more challenging, and with so many questions that I have had.  God is showing me that He’s got me, and He’s got my back.  He will not lead me astray, or in the wrong direction.

“Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will rest in hope, because You will not abandon my soul to Hades, nor will You let Your Holy One see corruption.  You have made known to me the paths of life, You will fill me with joy in Your presence.”  Acts 2:26-28

Recently, as I was having my devotions, I was open with God and with myself.  I sat on the recliner that has become my prayer recliner.  I wrote down my prayer in my prayer journal, and as I wrote, I became more honest with myself.  God already knows my heart, but I was honest with Him too.

I was struggling and scared.  Doubt was creeping in.  Here He has given me this answer and I was having doubts.  Yes, I said it.  I was doubting Him.  He knew that I was, and He was there to reassure me. 

Though I was doubting him, I was focused on Him.  I looked to Him for the answers, and will continue to do so.  He is God, He can handle whatever I throw at Him, if I am open with Him, and with myself.

I realize that the doubts are of the devil, and in Jesus’ name, God rebuked the devil and the devil fled.  “Submit yourselves, then, to God.  Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” James 4:7.  I cling to that promise.

God is God and I am not.  I can’t do it on my own.  The more open I am, the more He can come into my heart, my mind, and my soul.  So, when doubts come in, I look to Him, and my heart is open.

I am open to the will of God.  He will not lead me astray.  You can trust Him too.

Dear Lord, Thank You for revealing yourself to me today in a moment of weakness, You were there to be my stronghold.  Thank you that I can be open with you and myself.  You are my Lord, In Jesus’ Name Amen.

Laura Maxson

            

January Prayer Topic: Year with God, Word with God

Curled up in my chair, I sat, January 1, 2017. I sat-writing words. 

My plan was to start the year positive and uplifting, to think about our word, to plan my year with God. But my mind was elsewhere. Just that morning I had planned on waking up early to spend time in worship. But, I didn't get up as early as I had hoped. By the time I wandered down stairs and set up my Bible and journal on the end of the couch, I wasn't the only one up. After getting a glass a water I turned around and there, sitting in my spot, was some else. Needless to say, I was a bit annoyed. Being the morning person that I am not, under my breath I made a comment about how they were in my spot. My spot, that I had obviously set up to spend quiet, quality time with God. Could they not tell? 

The response that came back, "Why don't you have your worship upstairs?" 

Though the response was asked in a very innocent manner, it got me fired up.

So, without a word, I took my things and headed back upstairs. Though no words were coming out of my mouth, my thoughts were non-stop. "How could they be so inconsiderate, couldn't they see that I had set my things there, didn't they know that I had planned on spending quality time with the Lord, now I have to go to my room where it was a mess, the bed was not made, my clothes sat on my dresser not put away. Did they not realized, that even though we had set up a special corner with a chair and my desk for me, I didn't want to be there this morning, I wanted to be downstairs on the couch!"

After setting my things in that chair, annoyed I looked at the unmade bed and folded clothes staring back at me. How can my mindset be positive and uplifting when I'm in the middle of this! So, I started to clean. As I made the bed I told the Lord, "This wasn't how it was suppose to start. I don't want to be annoyed or upset. So I'm going to do what 'they say,'-thank You for the things that are bothering me."

As I put away my clothes that had been sitting patiently all week, in their proper place, I rattled off under my breath how I was thankful that I had clean clothes, a bed to sleep in, for the person who had relegated me back upstairs. 

Finally, I was done. Now, I could have that positive, uplifting quiet time with God. Curled up in my chair, I sat, January 1, 2017. I sat-writing words. I started writing with a smile on my face, those same things I had just muttered under my breath as if that tantrum had never happen. 

6 lines-that's it. That's all my fake attitude could handle. Shaking my head, my hand started writing real words. How I really felt.

"Lord,

Please control my irritability, short temper, entitled, wavering feelings. I want to walk and talk with You all the time, be controlled by You, have You set my expectations, focus on You, be open to You, be patient, self-controlled, gentle, loving, kind, joyful, peace, good, faithful all in You and through You.

I'm not quiet sure where my heart is......"

What followed was a conversation with my God, in a quiet place, an undisturbed perfect place, to be real with God.  A place where true heart transformation could start. 

I tell Him my current struggles, my heart's desires, things I think should be my heart's desires, and He whispers back. 

Trust in the Lord, and do good;    dwell in the land and befriend faithfulness.Delight yourself in the Lord,    and He will give you the desires of your heart.Commit your way to the Lord;    trust in Him, and He will act.He will bring forth your righteousness as the light,    and your justice as the noonday.Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for Him
 Psalm 37:3-7

The One who already knows my heart and mind, had planned for us to have our time, in a place my heart could be real. 

Now-we could start planning.

"Forgive me Lord. i'm sorry, i was bitter."

I know.
I AM Patient, Kind, Long-Suffering, Full of Knowledge.
Lean on Me.
Learn from Me.
Trust in Me.

"OK Lord. Then we start. Start Today."

~kartini r. maxson