One little word...

Ok, so I'm a little behind now on this one, but it really plagued me for a good week before I really sat down and worked it out.

Ali Edwards' AEzine last week involved us thinking about and picking a word that summed up what we want for the year, or what we want to do, or want from ourselves for the year.

I thought about this a lot, as I really wanted the 'perfect' word, something deep and profound, lol. But in searching I also realised that everything I want to acheive this year is diverse and cannot really all fit under one word.

(Sorry SOF girls, this next bit is pulled almost word-for-word from my post on forum)
So after some time in the Word, and asking God what He wants me to focus on, I really felt Him challenging me to make GIVE my word for 2007. To be honest, it WAS the first word that came to my mind about a week ago when I read about this on Tam's blog. It's the word I keep coming back to, or moreso God keeps pulling me back to.

So I did a few scripture searches. The best of the lot comes from 2 Corinthians 9:6-15
'Remember this, whoever sows sparingly, will reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctant or under compulsion, FOR GOD LOVES A CHEERFUL GIVER.....
11 you will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God. this service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of God's people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God...'

So through giving, we are thanking God for the indescribable gift He gave us of Jesus Christ.

I believe God is particularly talking to me in this scripture about my giving to Him, by honouring my tithe. Of late months, we haven't tithed, and we know that hardships with finances only follow this decision. And we KNOW that in giving we receive and receive abundantly.... so God is telling me to honour that tithe with thanksgiving in my heart and with a generous attitute to Him...

Another scripture: 2 Cor 8:9 - 'For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich.'
Wow, what a challenge that one is!! Through my poverty, I can make others rich..??

Anyway, I beleive this how I need to address GIVE:

1. GIVING to God....
... my tithe
... my time
... my burdens
... my fears
... my petitions
... my praise and thanksgiving
... my prayers
... my ALL

2. GIVING to Others....
... financially, who are in need
... my time, building on my friendships
... my love and support, who need a friend
... encouragement in their Walk with the Lord or their self-worth
... gifts, that show I care and I appreciate them

3. GIVING to my Family....
... my ALL
... my time
... my dedication
... my appreciation
... my attention
... my God-given gifts and as a Mum and Wife
... my LOVE

4. GIVING to Myself....
... time with my Lord
... permission to not be perfect
... 'me' time
... freedom to discover my own scrapping style
... acceptance for who I am
... strength through Christ Jesus

WOW! That was awesome!! It seems GIVE really IS my word. That all just tumbled out of my spirit. I'm so excited to embrace this in 2007.

So my question each morning to the Lord will be: Father, how can I GIVE today??
Today's answer to that question - Give time, dedication, energy to my kids today & Give time to God through some devotion time.

Have a great day. Would love to hear what your 'word' for the year will be... if you've done this task, if not, check out Ali's blog, www.aliedwards.typepad.com