Can you believe we are over half-way through the month of January?
Wow, time sure has been speeding by, or so it seems. My husband and I were putting away the Christmas decorations just the other day. <GASP> – I know, you are in complete shock that it wasn’t done sooner, it should have been done sooner. It would have been done sooner, however my sweet darling husband was sick and not able to help, and well, getting all the outdoor porch decorations down by myself just wasn’t going to happen. Trust me, I thought about it, but the thought of wrestling several strands of ribbon lit garland all by myself – nah, it could wait.
As we were finally putting away the decorations, I was grumbling about the many hours spent taking them down, just so we could put them away, and even though it was pretty, it was a lot of work.
He said, “Hey, it’s almost Christmas time again, maybe we should just go put it all back.” Ugh – he was so not funny.
Last week, as I shared my #OneWord2016 – ADVANCE I was not really sure what to expect, I’m still not. Although, I am only one week into discovering this new word and all it entails, I have to say, God has been doing amazing things in my life in regards to my new word. I am excited to see what the rest of the year holds. In fact some of the advancement I have seen in my ministry this week has been what I would have expected at the end of the year … around Christmas time….. hmm maybe my husband is on to something??
After I received my #oneword, I began searching Scripture and seeking God for a verse that would be my anchor, my lighthouse, my reminder of ADVANCE for the entire year. Before I went to the concordance, I was praying and searching my mental memory banks and the only scriptures that came to mind all had to do with battles, and taking land, moving forward to take possession of Gods promises. However, as I was researching the word advance, I was moved by its multifaceted meanings.
Once in the concordance, I searched and read and searched some more, until I found the Scripture in 2 Samuel 22:30, which lead me to the same words in Psalm 18:29.
With your help I can advance against a troop; with my God I can scale a wall (Psalm 18:29 also found 2 Samuel 22:30).
As I was reading the entire chapters of Psalm 18 and 2 Samuel 22, I felt the Lord speak to my heart. I felt as if he was whispering to me that these verses were to be my inheritance word for 2016. A New Word – Advance! Now, a New Inheritance for the next season of my life and ministry.
You may be wondering what I mean by a Scripture being my new inheritance.
Let me explain. The first time I ever heard of an inheritance word, it was over 10 years ago, from speaker and author Graham Cooke. In his book, “Crafted Prayer: The Joy of Always Getting You Prayers Answered” he has an appendix section explaining the importance of an inheritance word.
I had never thought about things the way he did in regards to scripture, however, the stories he told were bold, and inspirational. He talked about God giving him a certain passage of Scripture as his inheritance for the next season of life and his ministry. It intrigued me, and so I began to pray for God to give me an inheritance word as well from Scripture. My very first inheritance word, was Isaiah 35. Then several years later, Romans 8, and now, Psalm 18.
So what exactly do you do with an inheritance word?
Well, you read it, over, and over for a season. All the while, asking God to speak to you. I ask Him for revelation. I also research the Scripture in commentaries, look up the original language and word meanings, and read some more. I journal on what new thing I receive each time I read it too.
I also do my best to memorize the Scripture as well. I will start with the one or two verses that stood out and then move to memorizing the entire chapter.
Inheritance words are a way for us to break down piece-by-piece exactly what God has given us as an inheritance and what our authority is as a believer. Yes, it is ALL available to us, however, we are also in process, moving from glory to glory to glory. We are constantly learning new things about God the Father, Jesus the Son, and the Holy Spirit, and what He has for us to do. With inheritance words, it gives us a chance to focus, learn, and walk in the things God has for us as we commit to and continue our journey of faith.
This week, I made a special journal to record the things God shares with me about the word Advance and Psalm 18. I am focusing on memorizing this one scripture.
With your help I can advance against a troop; with my God I can scale a wall (Psalm 18:29 also found 2 Samuel 22:30).
This past week as I was studying, I felt like the Lord told me to: Dream Big, Ask Big, Expect Big!
It took a few minutes to sink in before I realized this is an active part of my word – Advance.
I invite you to join me as we each Advance the Kingdom of God.
This week let us all:
Tweet ThisBe Blessed,
Debbie K
My Post: “Will You Sit with Me?” was featured here:
My Post: “The Journey through Change” was featured here:
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Debbie, I love this thought of an inheritance word! How beautiful! Now I’m off to scour the scriptures for this season’s inheritance word. Many thanks!
Ellen, Thank you. I am so glad you are inspired to find your own inheritance for this season. I can’t wait to hear what it is!
Debbie – I so appreciate the rich way you describe the #oneword ‘habit’ – it enriched my understanding. My word(s) this year are: ascribe/acknowledge. I love your verse for the year – Psalm 18 is one of my favorites. Blessings to you! I’m your neighbor at Faith’nFriends.
Sandra – Thank you so much. I am so glad we are neighbors today 🙂 Blessings upon you as well, and may God give you a scripture inheritance as well, for your word(s) of the year!
New concept for me, the inheritance word. I’m so glad we are parked next to one another at Susan’s today. It’s good to have a friend as a neighbor!
Susan – it is so good to have friends as neighbors. I am so glad I could introduce a new concept with you – – I pray God reveals His inheritance word for you through His Word this week.
Debbie, I had never thought of an inheritance word, but it sounds like a good way to keep our focus on scripture and on what God is calling us to do. When we are following our callings we are together helping to advance the kingdom. Blessings to you!I’m next to you at Susan’s place!
Gayl – so glad to have you be my neighbor again and yes, it does help keep me focused and moving forward. I pray God will show what His inheritance Word is for you in this season.
“With God I can scale a wall”. That tells me that with God anything is possible! I love your journal 🙂 I hope you can stop by:
http://collettaskitchensink.blogspot.com/2016/01/songs-on-sunday-greater-is-he-by-blanca.html
Colletta
Colletta – thanks for stopping by and thank you – and yes, with God all things are possible! I am really happy with the way my journal turned out too. Thanks for the invite to visit you 🙂
I’ve never heard of an inheritance word either…but I like it and will be pondering this over the next few days. Thanks for sharing, Debbie! xoxo
Holly, thank you so much for stopping by and I am glad that I was able to share something new and something for pondering. I have enjoyed learning and digging into the Scriptures God gives me. Blessings to you. 🙂
God’s storehouse contains unending blessing, and I love that He invites us to come into His throne room with boldness. Any time we spend pondering His promises is time well spent! Thanks for sharing with us at Grace & Truth!
Jennifer – Thank you for stopping by. You are so correct, it is definitely time well spent. Blessings to you.
Love this… I’ve been thinking a lot lately about God’s word being an inheritance of His Grace He wants in our mouths, to be spoken aloud, even as He created all things with a Word… doing as we see our Father do. Thanks for sharing this! So glad I was your neighbor on What Joy is Mine…
Pam – thank you for stopping by and leaving a comment. Yes, God’s word is an inheritance for us all – I love that you had already been thinking on this very topic before you came across my post. Hope to have you visit again soon.
Hi Debbie!
Visiting today as your neighbor in #The Beauty In HIs Grip. I was truly blessed by what you shared about your inheritance word. That was something I had not heard of before. Thanks for talking about this and sharing how the Lord has been speaking to you! As to the Christmas tree and decorations…..my husband and I just took ours down four days ago! I usually get the tree up by mid-November and I love to enjoy it as long as possible. Sitting there by the fireplace, it adds so much warmth with the lights, glittering ribbon, and icicles. This year I was late and did not get it up until the beginning of December so I was reluctant to take it down. I also kidded my husband that it involves enough time and work to put it up that I was thinking about hanging Easter eggs on it. Then we both laughed as we packed up another box!
Grace and peace,
Pam
Pam – I am so glad that I am not the only one that had Christmas decorations lingering way into January; You are so right, there is something about the twinkling lights that warms my heart. It also gives me a sense of anticipation and wonder. I am glad that I was able to share something new with you and pray that He will continue to reveal more. Blessings upon blessings.
I love how God finds a way to speak to our hearts through prayer and in specific scriptures. I love the idea of the journal, with your word for this year on it. Thanks for sharing with #SocialButterflySunday! Hope to see you link up again this week 🙂
Kelly, I am in love with my journal for the year with my word on it too and looking forward to all the amazing things God is going to say and share with me in regards to my word Advance. Thank you for taking the time to visit today and leave me some encouragement.
Debbie, I love the idea of an Inheritance Word. It’s inspiring me to look up the word He’s given me for this year and really study it! What a great idea! Thanks for sharing. I’m visiting from Thought Provoking Thursday linkup.
Alisa – thank you so much, I am so glad I am inspiring you to do the same with your word as well. I appreciate you stopping by and leaving a comment – hope to see you again soon.
Thank you for sharing your inspirational thoughts at #FridayFrivolity!! 🙂 Pinning and tweeting.
Thanks Sarah – appreciate you hosting your link-up each week too.