Can you believe it? Another year has passed, 2013 is history. And now we have ushered in a new year, 2014. Notice in the image above that we do it with others. It is as we encourage, lift up, laugh, cry, share, challenge, motivate, affirm and celebrate one another that this year will unfold all that God has for each one of us.
The last few weeks, in anticipation of today, I have been contemplating as to a “word” to focus on in 2014. Several quotes have crossed my path, and some were already recorded in my Bible, which made me wonder if this “word” was not meant to be mine for the year….
- “I believe in Christianity as I believe that the sun has risen: not only because I see it, but because by it I see everything else.” ”• C.S. Lewis
- “Faith is not the belief that God will do what you want. It is the belief that God will do what is right.” ”• Max Lucado, from He Still Moves Stones
- “All I have seen teaches me to trust the Creator for all I have not seen.” ”• Ralph Waldo Emerson
- “This is what the past is for! Every experience God gives us, every person He puts in our lives is the perfect preparation for the future that only He can see.” ”• Corrie ten Boom, from The Hiding Place
The year 2013 presented challenges and opportunities to me for which I will always be grateful. Through those challenges, God grew me. I so want more of that in 2014. And then I read:
It’s impossible to please God apart from faith. And why? Because anyone who wants to approach God must believe both that he exists and that he cares enough to respond to those who seek him. (Hebrews 11:6, The Message)
And so my word for 2014 … 
I want to grow in faith so my life will please Him. I want to approach Him more. I want to have faith that He cares for me and will respond to me as I seek Him each day. I want to see more of Him, of His activity not only in my life but in the lives of those around me. I want to have faith that He will move more, change more, resolve more, restore more, mend more, heal more, bless more, be more evident. May faith abound this year in my life!
Faith is believing what we do not see and the reward for this kind of faith is to see what we believe.(St. Augustine)
*Thank you, Lisa, for making my One Word button for me!
Today I am linking with … Three Word Wed. and Wordless Wed. and Circles of Faith and Let’s Be Friends and Tell His Story and A Little R & R and Ladies Only Blog Share .
Ah, FAITH. That is a great word for 2014. I have so many areas in my life that need polishing and refining. Faith …
Thank you again for visiting me! I pray you experience great growth in your faith walk in 2014.
Love,
Beth
Thank you so much! May 2014 grow us in unexpected ways 🙂
I want to see more of Him, too, Joanne! Thanks for always encouraging me and I can’t wait to see what God shoes you this year as your faith in Him deepens beyond your wildest imaginations!
Thanks, Holly! May we see Him each day in unexpected ways!
Just love this Joann,
Yes – faith is a great word for this year. I am still working on my word… Hasn’t come yet. Too many to choose from. I am sure that God will show me soon.
Blessings and Happy New Year,
Janis
It is so true that there are so many words to choose from. I had to spend a few days, quiet before Him, to figure out the one word for me. Happy New Year, friend!
This is a great word. I still have to grow in that area! The word God gave me is ‘hope.’ Very encouraging. Can’t wait to read about how God brings this word to life for you! Happy New Year!
Hope is a great word. It is full of anticipation. Reading your word, brought to mind the verse, “And hope does not disappoint us…” (Rom. 5:5). I am looking forward to how God brings about each of our words in our lives! Happy New Year to you as well!!!
A beautiful word for the New Year! Looking forward to watching this word unfold here in 2014!
Thanks, Barbie, I am too! It truly is exciting to start a new year!
Love your word for this year, and especially the scripture in Hebrews! May your New Year be richly blessed! <3 Heart Hugs, Shelly
Yours as well, Shelly! I am so glad to have “met” you this past year!
Growing in faith is a wonderful goal for this new year. My first time to visit with you! Happy New Year and God Bless!
So glad that you visited me. I am looking forward to all that God has for me to learn about faith this year. May He bless your year!
A beautiful word for the New Year. I have to admit I almost went with Faithful. I was sure my word was Joy, but in a recent sermon given by my pastor I thought maybe it was to be Faithful. As I look at a print out of Ann Voskamp’s Joy Dare calendar I’m positive Joy was the word He wanted for me. :)))
I look forward to seeing how our words unfold for us both in 2014.
So grateful for you!!
Much love,
Beth
So funny, Beth. But God has a way of leading us to the word for us personally. May He so fill you with His joy that it spills out everywhere you go!
Love,
Joanne
One Word…that speaks for All others! I love it! You truly live by your words and I am soo blessed to be called your friend!
Thank you, Rosanne! I am sure there is much that God has for me to learn about faith this year. I look forward to sharing with you!!!
Jo, thanks for bringing us straight to the point —- finding that one word! What a great way to start the year. “Faith” (without it we can’t please God)
Lord, increase my faith.
Thanks for the beautiful quote of Corrie Ten Boom
Mare, best prayer – “Lord, increase my faith!” May we pray this every day.
Faith, what a great word. I am confident that God will move more, change more, resolve more, restore more, mend more, heal more, bless more, be more evident in your life in 2014!
Thank you! May He do the same in yours as well! Grateful that you stopped here!
I started: “Jesus Calling” It’s a 365 devotional. Read it first thing in the morning to start my day off right 🙂 Love the quotes above! Many blessings in 2014!
Gabby,
I have had “Jesus Calling” since it first came out. A friend gave it to me. It has blessed me year after year and I have given it to all my family and friends as a gift. I feel God’s Spirit is right in the midst of it and reading the Scripture that backs up the reading further blesses me.
Last year Joanne posted a sentence from each day’s “Jesus Calling” and it spurred me on to reread it again.
I am praying that reading this devotional book will bless and encourage you in a powerful way.
Love & Blessings
Marilyn
I have used the devotional several times already. I always get something new each time. This year I am starting off with “Jesus Lives” another one of hers with about 180 devotionals. May you have a blessed year ahead as well!
I have prayed about this and I believe my word for 2014 is LISTEN.
Marilyn – that is such a wonderful word. May He give you ears that will hear & a heart that will listen in the days ahead. Love you!
I just love this process of finding our word. I do believe God draws us to a word as we seek Him. Of course, the word Faith is wonderful. And I love the Max Lucado quote. Sometimes our faith is a little too dependent on how we think God should answer our prayers. I also thought of one of my very favorite scriptures. “Now faith is being sure of what we hope for, and certain of what we do not see.” Bless you in this New Year, Joanne. And thanks so much for visiting us at Circles of Faith. Maybe you’d like to Guest Post with us? We’d love to have you.
Elise, I love how you shared that sometimes our faith is a little too dependent on how we think God should answer our prayers. I have found, in my life, He grows my faith more during the times He answered my prayers in unexpected ways. It is then I learned more of Him. I have very much been blessed finding Circles of Faith. I would be honored to guest post with you all. If you would let me know how I go about doing that, I would love to! Thank you so much for asking me.
When I think of faith I think of the acronym: Forsaking All I Trust Him. May 2014 be faith-filled for you.
Thank you so much for sharing the acronym. While I have heard it before, it had not come to my mind. As soon as I read it, I knew of someone I need to pass it on to. Am grateful that you shared it! Thank you so much for stopping here today! Blessings!