Welcome 2023!
Anyone ready for a brand-spanking new year? Hands up all over the room! Both of my arms are up and waving in a clean and clear new year. 2023…I have no resolutions. I have no grand plans. What I do have? A Godly Hope that we will live a year of kindness, kingdom, and a blessing that I am a kept woman!
Shall I expound!
Kindness
The eyes of the Lord watch over those who do right and His ears are open to their prayers. 1 Peter 3.12
Who doesn’t want God’s eyes watching over them and His ears paying attention to their prayers? I raise my hand enthusiastically.
Therefore, you might ask, “Susan, aren’t you kind?” Yes, I am but sometimes when truth is spoken, in love and concern, the recipient receives it as unkind. I would never be intentionally unkind. Please know that.
Having said the above, at times I can be snarky and say something unnecessary and unkind. In fact it has already happened two days into a new year! My dear friend Kathy posted on Facebook about a breakfast she was enjoying and I made the comment, “Gag!” Plain and simple, unnecessary and unkind. She immediately commented, “Be kind!” I humbly apologized and asked her to hold me accountable! Hopefully, a lesson learned.
Kingdom
We greeted the New Year with friends, complete with a sleepover. As we enjoyed New Year’s Day brunch the conversation got really deep and profound. I do love when this happens. We talked a lot about churches, NOT the Ekklesia.
Ekklesia is a Greek word defined as “a called-out assembly or congregation.” Ekklesia is commonly translated as “church” in the New Testament. For example, Acts 11:26 says that “Barnabas and Saul met with the church [ekklesia]” in Antioch. And in 1 Corinthians 15:9 Paul says that he had persecuted the church [ekklesia] of God.” The “called-out assembly,” then, is a congregation of believers whom God has called out of the world and “into His wonderful light” (1 Peter 2:9). The Greek ekklesia is the basis for our English words ecclesiastical (“pertaining to the church”) and ecclesiology (“the study of doctrine concerning the church”). (from Got Questions dot com)
Seriously, who hasn’t been disappointed and discouraged by a church experience? I know I have. But, Sunday morning when all was said – it occurred to me that when Jesus taught us how to pray in Matthew 6 – He prayed…
Your kingdom come. Your will be done On earth as it is in heaven. Matthew 6.10
Kingdom. Kingdom. Kingdom. May I live in 2023 with a Kingdom mindset. My opinion means nothing – The Word means everything. I hope to, and intend to, study this entire Kingdom principle further this year.
Kept
I remember when I was writing one of my blogs or books (I can’t recall which) I said, “I am a kept woman!” I am and I’m grateful!
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, 5 who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. 1 Peter 1.3-5
Do I have a witness!!!
God has birthed us to Living Hope and KEEPS us by His power through our faith and belief for His complete salvation. Oh yes! I must say, AMEN!”
Are you being kept?
In Summary
My “oneword2023″ is Kindness. The theme” is Kingdom. 2023’s status is Kept. Let’s hear it for the K’s!
Do you practice the oneword principle in a new year? If so, PLEASE let me know in the comments what it is and perhaps the reason.
Kindness & Hope,
Sus’ xo
P.S. Let me do a quick oneword review. I should add, in 2002, the Spirit of God dropped a huge word in me during a very difficult time in our family’s history. And, that word was HOPE – it has been the apex of my life since then. He is a God of Hope and He overflows Hope in me every second of every day!
- 2014…..Honor
- 2015…..Wonder
- 2016…..Discipline
- 2017…..Sufficient
- 2018…..Reap
- 2019…..Favor
- 2020…..Abundance
- 2021…..Steadfast
- 2022…..Grace
I never choose a oneword – God, by way of His Holy Spirit, drops in on me usually in October and clearly indicates the word for the coming year! How about you?
Have you read “Women, See Us Soar?” Be sure to check it out on Amazon.
It is always interesting and amazing how we all are led to our one word. Each is so different and the journey becomes one of growth. My word this year is “Guide” – “The Lord says, “I will guide you along the best pathway for your life, I will advise you and watch over you.” (Psalm 32:8, NLT)
May God bless each of us as He unfolds our words in our lives!
I read your post and love your word! Definitely Spirit-given!
Happy New Year! I liked your three Ks – they sound like a great focus for the year.
I don’t officially have a word this year, but hope is something I definitely want to focus on !
Hope is something we all need to focus on 24/7!!! xo
I love your K’s Susan! My one word for 2023 is STORY… I’m excited to see where God leads me in this! Stopping by from #inspirememonday
Laura, story is a great word. We all have one, eh?
Such a great post.
Thank you!
Susan, thank you for sharing your weakness. I know we all have them. I too have no grand plans–only to be faithful day by day.
The link up will start slow I’m sure, so I wanted to hop over here and get caught up. It’s nice having everyone’s blogs within a click-range away haha, because I easily forget (web addresses).
Have a great week!
“Despise not small beginnings!”
I love your “Ks” and your enthusiasm in this post! And yes, I am also a kept woman and so thankful God is always with me and has given us that sure hope. (Hope was my word last year). This year I have two words – abide and savor. Looking over your list of words I see some really good ones. Yet I’ve never used any of them. It is interesting how God leads us in different ways, but the words we end up with are the ones best for us! Blessings to you, dear Susan! We need to get together sometime! I’m your neighbor at #TeaAndWordTuesday this week.
Getting together is a goal of 2023.