Every year I choose a few words as values and make them my life’s anthem.

Think of them like a really, really, really long house or trance song that plays into the night with the same beats, but a different mix throughout.

For 2011 I chose THREE WORDS that defined my life.

First word: FRUITFUL.

This has been the most fruitful year of my life so far…

I finished Not Another Dating Book & signed book #3 on forgiveness.
I got married!

Since I started the life-mapping-new-year’s-values-picking process over five years ago, I’ve worked extremely hard to stay focused.

But it hasn’t come without a price.

“He cuts off every branch of mine that doesn’t produce fruit, and he prunes the branches that do bear fruit so they will produce even more” (John 15:2, NLT).

Yep.
That’s me.
Broken and cut.
So I can grow more.

I simply want to say thank you God for seeing potential in me.
For thinking I’m strong enough to handle it.
For giving me your grace and making me even more fruitful.

Second Word: INHERITANCE

“But he knows where I am going. And when he tests me, I will come out as pure as gold” (Job 23:10, NLT).

This year has been the culmination of all my dreams, of waiting patiently on God to bring me one step closer to fulfilling His prophetic destiny on my life.

My reward is both a physical and spiritual inheritance. I am receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken–because of my personal relationship with Jesus Christ.

I love that ever since I can remember–my parents have been in full time missions work.

Serving the poor.
Reaching others around the world.
Equipping the church.

It is and has been my desire since I was a little girl to do the same. I may not have the same calling as my parents, but I believe that I am walking in the inheritance that God has for me today!

Third Word: GLORY

I have asked.
And I have seen His glory in my life.

I am so incredibly grateful for everything the Lord has done in my life.

“Deep in your hearts you know that every promise of the Lord your God has come true. Not a single one has failed” (Joshua 23:14b, NLT).

As a self-employed writer and speaker for the past few years–I’ve seen how easy it is to want to desire glory for myself.

For my name to be recognized.
For my name to be known.

I’m so glad that God took the time with me this past year.

To beat it out to me.
To reveal my spiritual inheritance.
All for His glory.

“Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who REMAIN in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit (See: FRUITFUL). For apart from me you can do nothing. When you produce much fruit, you are my true disciples. This brings great GLORY to my Father” (John 15:5, 8, NLT).

As I look forward to 2012, I want to continue on the straight path.

Look straight ahead,
and fix your eyes on what lies before you.
Mark out a straight path for your feet;
stay on the safe path.
Don’t get sidetracked;
keep your feet from following evil (Proverbs 4:25-27, NLT).

First Word: INTENTIONAL

As my blog header reads above: Intentional Discipleship Meets Personal Devotion.

+I will continue to write and speak on purpose and on behalf of my generation.

+I want my passionate heart to encourages you to follow Christ with me (nobody likes to be alone).

Second Word: REMAIN

It’s kind of redundant to follow INTENTIONAL with REMAIN, but it continues the theme last year of FRUITFUL. In order to continue to bear fruit and be successful for the Kingdom I. Have. To. Remain. In. Him.

Enough said.
Just sayin.
The end.

I hope you’ll join me and my friend Alece Ronzino.

Pick your word or words for 2012 and let’s go!

[Photos taken from iStockPhoto & Pinterest]

In 1997, my mom gave me a NLT One Year Bible. I was in the hospital with severe eczema all over my face and feet. She read to me Hosea 6:1-3 that says,

“Come, let us return to the Lord. He has torn us to pieces; now he will heal us. He has injured us; now he will bandage our wounds. In just a short time he will restore us, so that we may live in his presence. Oh, that we might know the Lord! Let us press on to know him. He will respond to us as surely as the arrival of dawn or the coming of rains in early spring.”

I was determined to find my own verse so I read through the One Year Bible for eleven months and twenty six days later I found it.

“In his kindness God called you to share in his eternal glory by means of Christ Jesus. So after you have suffered a little while, he will restore, support, and strengthen you, and he will place you on a firm foundation” (1 Peter 5:10, NLT).

My life has never been the same since and I wholeheartedly believe in reading the Word daily. That’s why I do what I do. I write, speak, teach, publish, laugh, and love according to what I’ve learned through this book. 1997-2011 marks my crystal anniversary of being in the Word. That’s 15 years of being fruitful and remaining in the vine that is Jesus.

Because I’m SO passionate about it I’m giving you 15 reasons to read through the Bible this year with me!!

1. Get to know Jesus. If you like someone you’re going to spend time & money getting to know them. It’s really that simple!

2. Be a follower. Disciple = follower. It’s not a spiritual term. You follow people on Twitter and Facebook, so why not be mindful to follow God FIRST?

3. Discipline takes time. Over the years I’ve discovered what works for me. Yearly devotional + One Year Bible + journal = a very happy Renee. Find what works best for you and stick with it!!

4. If you’re bored, God’s bored. I don’t remember who told me that, but it’s stuck with me. If you’re in the middle of reading your daily this & daily that and you find that you’ve replaced the ritual with religion. Get. Out. Quick. Find something else. Do something else. Go somewhere else. Ask someone else.

5. Don’t be afraid. Perfect love (from God) casts out all fear. Throughout a year’s time you and I will encounter trials and temptations. Watch for them and stay alert. Mostly though don’t be afraid. If you need help remembering this just open to Joshua 1. I think God says it like 8 times. Don’t be afraid…Don’t be afraid…just keep swimming…just keep swimming…

6. Ask. Just because you or I am in the Word daily doesn’t mean we still struggle. Ask for help!

7. Don’t do it alone. We need community. We need people. We need help. See if one of your friends or family can keep you accountable to spend your time daily with God. If you don’t tell others, they won’t know to ask.

8. Learn more! I’m like a sponge. I soak up everything I see, touch, taste, smell, read, etc. Here is a great way to spark learning in your life. Take a topic you read about in your daily quiet time and dig deeper.

9. Use helpful tools. My favorites are NLT One Year Bible, Streams in the Desert (devotional), My Utmost For His Highest (devotional), BibleGateway.com, You Version, and Logos.

10. Use your senses. The Bible actually says to taste and see what is good (Psalm 34:8). Food tastes good, your time with God should too!

11. Find your promise. There are a million (okay maybe not a million) promises. I like to treat my Bible as a text book and underline my favorite verses and write “Promise” up on the top margin to remind me of God’s promises.

12. Memorize Scripture. If you can quote your favorite movie, you can memorize Scripture. Just sayin’

13. Fall in love with God. No matter what you read, how difficult a passage is, or how frustrating it is to find time to spend with Him…He is worth it! All of it. All the marbles, all the money, everything in the world does not compare to Him!

14. His grace is enough. My heartache is knowing God, seeing that He can heal, and watching when He says no. Grace is figuring out that He is enough. No. Matter. What.

15. God is the Beginning and the End. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever. That means that January 1-December 31st is all under His control.

[New Year's Values] – Every year I choose a three values and make them my anthem. Think of them like a really, really, really long house or trance song that plays into the night with the same beats, but a different mix throughout.

I encourage you to find your own for 2011!

1. Fruitful: God made me fruitful in the land of my suffering.

Last year was a year of transition. I went from a cushy business as a ministry job to making 1/4th of my salary. It was a BIG risk and step of obedience, one of which I do NOT regret.

I am so honored that God would use me and my story of brokenness to encourage the lives of others.

PRAISE: Even though 2010 brought a lot of heartache with my second book being canceled due to the economy, I know God is bigger than all of that. In 2011 I’m writing my second book on suffering.

Key Passage: “The second son he named Ephraim and said, ‘It is because God has made me fruitful in the land of my suffering’” (Genesis 41:52, NIV).

2. Inheritance: My parents have served as full time missionaries since I was 8 years old. I KNOW I have a spiritual inheritance and some bigger shoes to fill. I look forward to all God has in store and being used by Him for his glory…which brings me to #3.

3. GLORY: If there’s anything I learned about transitioning into full time ministry (and staying in ministry) it’s glory. I want to see His glory.

As a speaker and author there is so much work involved. Or should I say self-work. It can be a thin (red?) line. What’s self-promoting versus paying the bills? Thank God His promise still stands. No doubt about it, in 2011 I want to see His glory. I look forward to God using me in spite of me FOR His glory.

What are your values for this next year?

Further Resources: Find your One Word for 2011 (or three). Visit my friend Alece’s blog and find out for yourself!

My New Year’s Values from the past three years.