Hope in my Resolutions
Are you a New Year’s resolution or a “word” person?
Some people choose a word to focus on throughout the year; one they believe God has especially for them while others list the things they plan to do to improve their life.
I’m both.
Can’t help it. I’m a conformist. I see the beauty of both traditions as well as the faults. I, like 99% of other humans, break resolutions by mid February. I also choose a word only to forget it in 6 months or less and struggle to remember what it was by the time December rolls around. But….
BUT…..
I love this yearly ritual. So I do both.
My New Year Resolutions (I’ve got 4)
So, here’s the thing, in order for me to read more, I have to watch less Netflix. (Yikes!) Pray for me please. As I read more I hope to share those good books with you. Let me know about the books you’ve been reading and recommend too.
- 2. Exercise 3 to 5 times a week which includes 20 minutes on my stationary bike in the mornings.
I cannot ask myself if I want to ride my bike. I’m really bad about letting myself off the hook. (Do you do this?) But this exercise requires nothing. It’s free. It’s inside, so the weather is not a factor, and I can exercise in my pajamas. I have to do this in the morning, because after school, I’ve got no willpower.
- 3. Kick the bread and sugar addiction.
I have to treat this just as an alcoholic would wine. The more sugar/carbs we eat, the more we want. Our bodies really do crave what we put in them.
- 4. Start a podcast. (EEK! I’m excited about this one. Please keep me in your prayers. I don’t know when I’ll be launching, but I do sense the Lord leading me this way. Stay tuned. Leave a comment with suggestions for the name of the Podcast.)
I could probably list more resolutions. But these are the main ones. How about you? (Share in the comments below.) I’d love to be praying for you.
And to add to my resolutions is my word for the year.
My One Word . . . . Hope
It’s resonating in my spirit as I type.
I’m not sure why God is whispering this into my life, but there’s no doubt this is my word for the year. Looking back at 2018, I gave up on a couple of dreams. Reality threw some dirt over the top. They aren’t buried completely. I can still see them just beneath the surface of my heart, but at the same time they seem almost dead. I’m not sure if that is what my “hope” is for, but it’s sweet to think so.
This is the thing I’m learning about dreams and hope. God’s dreams are always better. I just need His perspective and to trust where He has me today. Things are not always as they seem. Knowing this gives me hope.
Hope is something most of us need in one area or another. Maybe it’s needed for your marriage, or to get married. Maybe it’s for your children to be Christ followers or for the deep desire to be a mama one day.
Some are hoping for healing.
Others have given up hope for their body to be restored.
But I’m here today to encourage you not to give up. Don’t give up on hope.
Nothing can change our perspective, our hearts, and our truth like God’s Truth can. I believe that when we let God’s word seep down deep into our soul, and we make His truth our hope, we not only survive but thrive. Make these seven verses yours this week.
Bite of Bread Reading Plan on Hope with Prompts (Printable)
Isaiah 40:31: but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.
Prompt: If possible, go for a walk or run today. As you walk, spend the entire time giving God your praise and thankfulness. No petitions or confessions as this time, just worship as you walk or run. Notice the difference in your spirit when you finish.
Romans 5:5: And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.
Prompt: Love changes things. Where are you in your acceptance of God’s love for you? Write a prayer asking God to help you receive His love for you in deeper places of your heart. These seven scriptures can give oxygen to a dying hope. Make them yours.
Romans 15: 13: May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Prompt: This is one of my favorite verses. Write down all the things that make God the God of hope. Does this stir joy and peace?
Romans 8: 24-25: For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have? But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.
Prompt: I love the promise the word “patiently” holds. If someone tells you to be patient, it’s a promise you’re almost there–at least in my experience. In the context of this verse, the hope is our adoption as sons and daughters of God. Our hope is not blind. Our hope is written down. It’s in the history books, and despite many attempts, it’s never been annihilated. Close your eyes and picture yourself as a daughter of God. Write down what you look like. How does this affect what you’re hoping for in this world?
Psalm 3: 2-4: Many are saying of me, “God will not deliver him.” But you, Lord, are a shield around me, my glory, the One who lifts my head high. I call out to the Lord, and he answers me from his holy mountain.
Prompt: Who has told you to give up or quit? Who’s told you it’s impossible. Well, Bill Johnson of Bethel Church says that if what we feel called to do is possible, it’s not from God, because He always calls us to the impossible. Lift your head to the sky and cry out to the Lord for greater trust. Then ask Him what to do today. Just today. Then go do it.
2 Corinthians 4: 17-18: For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.
Prompt: Don’t go by your feelings. Don’t follow what you can see. Write a prayer asking for eternal vision.
Hebrews 11:11: And by faith even Sarah, who was past childbearing age, was enabled to bear children because she considered him faithful who had made the promise.
Prompt: Underline the reason why Sarah was able to conceive even in her old age and long past hope. Do you consider God faithful? List the reasons why you can (even if you struggle with this.)
Thursday Night Live! Join Me! (New Time.)
You’re invited to join me in my home Thursday night at 7:30 PM ET. In the past, we’ve started at 7:20, but let’s try 7:30 this week. Just join me on my
FB timeline, bring your Bible and journal, a cup of decaf, and cozy slippers. It will be a time of sweet fellowship, encouragement from the Word and strengthening to hold onto our hope for 2019. I hope you can join me or watch later on my
YouTube channel.May I Pray?
I cannot think of a greater honor than to pray for those reading this today. Hold my hands. . . .
“Dear God, thank you for my friends who have joined me here to share our hopes of 2019 and all that a new year brings. Fresh starts. We need it, Lord. You know exactly where we need your hope in our lives. God I pray your Word will breathe fresh hope into those hopeless places in their hearts. You don’t think like we do or do things like we do, so please help us trust your ways and timing. Bless those reading this Lord; bless them. In Jesus I pray. Amen.”
Digging Deep in Hope,
Andy
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Hi Lora-Lynn! Thanks for sharing your resolutions and your plan to get healthier spiritually and physically! I’ll think of you as I ride my bike in the mornings. I’m currently only doing 15 minutes with some floor exercises. I think your night devotions with Ray sound great. I love discussing the Bible with Mike. Blessings, my friend! May this be a great year!
I, too, am promising to do better with exercise. I have a stationery bike and plan to ride 28 minutes with 2 minutes in floor stomach excercises. But after 28 minutes on the bike, I don’t do the 2 additional minutes. So now I plan to do the 2 minutes first, or I have to do 30 minutes on the bike. That should work!
I am resolving to do a nightly devotion with my husband. I am really good with a nightly devotion and morning prayer time. God is good to wake me 30 min or an hour before the alarm every morning. That’s my praayer time. I would like to get Ray to be more devoted to nightly devotions. He does them some, but not nightly.
That’s all I can think of for now. Wish me luck!