ONE WORD

Can one word change your life? That’s been true for me. If you stop and think about it, I imagine it’s been true in your life as well. It may have been the name of a profession, like nursing or teaching. It may have been a place where you headed in a new direction because of the people you met or the things you saw. It may have even been the name of a favorite animal, who brought you comfort when nothing else could.

I started thinking about this after a friend sent me a four-day devotional about choosing one word as a theme for 2024. I wasn’t sure about picking out one word to be my focus for the whole year, but I decided to give it a try. Not long into the week, Holy Spirit gave me my one word—JOY. I certainly could use that, but could I choose it day by day?

After writing what you are about to read for the second or third time and hitting the wall again, let’s just say I’m not in a place of joy. I need to get this to you, so you can check out this devotion before it’s yet another day gone by in January. But here I am still in the rough draft. I ask the Lord, “What do you want to say? 

I hear him: “I never fail. Who’s inside of you?” 

Me: “You are, Holy Spirit. And that’s right, I don’t fail because you don’t.”

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me (Philippians 4:13). Paul didn’t learn this while sitting with a cup of coffee at his kitchen table. He wrote the letter to the Philippians while in prison, bound by chains. On the way there, he’d been shipwrecked, bitten by a poisonous snake. I don’t know about you, but I’ve too easily glided over the conditions of Paul’s life when he was writing this. But it’s key to understanding what he’s saying. When you’re at a party, it’s easy to eat up and be satisfied. But knowing the secret of being filled when the cupboards are bare, that’s a rare knowledge. Paul knew both. I’m not there yet, but he has some inside “trade” secrets to share, and joy is one of them.

Paul’s heart overflows with joy when he remembers that “out of their lack” the church loved and supported him financially. He rejoices no matter the circumstances. He leaves the past behind him (3:8) and presses forward in the call on his life. He’s not self-focused. He’s concerned about the Philippian church, wanting to see them encouraged, built up, not worrying about him. He’s rejoicing that the good news of Jesus is being preached, and he puts his imprisonment in the joy column, living his life for Jesus and others. 

I could park right there in the book, gleaning from and practicing what Paul is living. So this is the year I shake off the weights and sadness of past seasons. I choose to forget what is behind me, and trust the Holy Spirit to help me press forward into His high calling. I know each time I get in a jam, all I have to do is cry out and He will answer me. I receive the joy of the Lord. It will be used like a guide wire into 2024, and by His grace it will be a blessing for many.

I pray for my friends who will engage with this devotional, that the Lord would use just one word to encourage, strengthen and build them up in love. God, you see their hearts to serve you and serve the children. I pray the floodgates of heaven would be opened and multiplied back to them. I thank you for using their word in so many creative ways, but in the arena of prayer, let it be a declaration of your goodness over the children. 

Let’s pray.

Bless each reader with an infusion of your joy and grace to live in the fullness of your calling. Give us divine inspiration to know what to pray and when to pray it.

Lord, let your grace carry the children when they encounter various trials. Help them to choose joy in the midst of whatever comes across their path. I pray your supernatural anointing to impart this blessing to each one.

Lord, you are so faithful to be with us in our trials and with those suffering under the abuses of trafficking. We ask you to be a very present help to each one. Deliver them out. Break and burn the ropes that have bound them emotionally, mentally, physically, and spiritually. We pray for your fiery presence to continually surround them in their recovery process. Protect them from all evil.

Decrees from His Word

You say in your word that the joy of the Lord is our strength. We decree this truth over every heart and mind. Nehemiah 8:10 

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. Phil. 4:4

You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy…Ps. 16:11

A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones. Prov. 17:22

No one will take your joy from you. John 16:22

Let all who take refuge in you rejoice; let them ever sing for joy, and spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may exult in you. Ps. 5:11

The fruit of the Spirit…joy is their portion. Gal. 5:22

Here are current prayer requests. Thank you for your faithful prayers. You are making a difference!

Prayer Requests

God’s direction, wisdom, and provision for ministries as they move into 2024. God would also set a fiery hedge around them so the enemy has no access or means of attack.

For a new resident at a facility to receive the Lord’s peace and for the adjustment process for everyone.

Please cover S as she leaves placement and returns home.

For the peace of the Lord to rest on recently recovered L and for her host family to have divine leading to navigate this relationship.

Pray for T to move forward in her healing, to say no to unhealthy relationships, impulsivity would cease, and that her therapy would be fruitful.

Pray for C, who has experienced turmoil after returning home 2 months ago.

One Word That Will Change Your Life