Happy New Year, friends! I’m grateful for the year that’s gone by, but I’m looking forward to an amazing year ahead. See, I never intended to be one who chooses a word for a year. I don’t really do resolutions, either. Mostly, I try to walk quietly through the year and to listen to God’s voice. Last year, though, God gave me a word - one that I would need to cling to the whole year through. Friends, Hope 2014 was a year of drawing close to God and trusting, no matter what. After a full year of focusing on just one word, I asked God for a new word this year, because attention to just one word helped to keep me focused on what God had for me.. I heard Him the first time He said the word for 2015, and honestly, (shamefully) I tried to resist because I didn’t want to feel let down if the word didn’t apply in certain situations. But after a year of Hope, it was easier to trust for the new year. And so today, January 1 -
Redemption 2015
Image courtesy of Traci Michele.
Redemption. Honestly, it’s not the word I would have picked for this year. After all that has gone wrong in my life the past 15 months, I was not prepared to hear “redemption” as the word for this year. But God, in His wisdom, kept bringing Scripture verses, conversations and bigger perspective into my way of thinking so that I couldn’t get away from the word redemption.
He also reminded me that it’s not all about me.
When I started writing in this space, it was always about writing what I felt God was sharing with me, and letting Him do what He would with the words. God’s taken these simple posts around the world - to people I don’t know, in places where my geography knowledge has failed and I’ve had to look them up to remember their location.
Redemption is my word for the new year, yes, and I’m trusting God to redeem so many areas of my life that have become battle-weary and filled with scars of past wounds.
A few days ago I took some much-needed quiet time. The kids were off from school and happily doing their chosen activities so I climbed the stairs to my room and decided to turn on Pandora. I put on a station I haven’t listened to all that often and just sat and listened.
The first song was “Nothing But the Blood” by Jesus Culture,
the second song was “Manifesto” by The City Harmonic
and the third song was “Let it Rise” by Big Daddy Weave.
Through these songs, God kept saying “Redemption - write about it, because it will mean something different for everyone who reads it.”
And then, this was on my heart:
You can’t know Redemption without knowing the Redeemer.
I can sit here and tell you how I hope God will work His redemption this year in our marriages, our finances, our employment situations, our children - any area that might need some redeeming. Many of you could agree with me in those prayers and hopes.
Maybe, though, you’re here and don’t know that God can provide redemption in those areas.
We live in an imperfect world - a world with people who can’t save themselves from an eternity apart from God. We needed a sacrifice to atone for the wrong that we do, in order to be able to spend eternity with God.
Examples of sacrifices are used all throughout the Bible. Animals were used to atone for sin, the shed blood being what was needed for the atonement. It was in that manner that someone could receive redemption for their wrongdoing.
That same shedding of blood is what was needed for our redemption - for us to be able to spend eternity with God.
God the Father sent His son, Jesus, to be that atonement for us - to shed His blood for our sins. Jesus, being fully God, was perfect and so His blood could be shed for our sins. Accepting His free gift of salvation, His atonement for us, is the only way to ensure that we can spend eternity with Him.
But you won’t find Him on the cross anymore…He died, He rose again on the third day and He is in Heaven with the Father, where He’s preparing a place for us. (John 14)
I wonder - do you know Him?
How amazing to think that someone would love us, despite all our problems and messes, enough to want us to spend eternity with Him. It’s true - that’s how much He loves us. And He offers all of us that free gift of salvation, regardless.
You don’t have to be good enough.
You don’t have to have everything together.
Your life doesn’t have to be perfect.
You just need to accept that Jesus died for you, that He forgives your sin, that He loves you, and that He wants to help lead you in righteousness. That doesn’t mean you’ll never sin again - it does mean that He will help you when the temptations come. He will forgive you when you sin. You will still have to deal with the consequences of your choices, but His forgiveness does not run out.
If you don’t know Him, there’s a simple prayer that you can pray, and there is nothing special about these words - it can be any words you choose.
Dear Lord, I know that I need you to redeem my messes.
I acknowledge and accept your free gift of salvation.
Please forgive my sins and make me whole.
I give you control of my life - help me to walk in your ways.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.
If you prayed this prayer to accept salvation, would you let me know? You can comment here, you can find us on Facebook and hang out with us there. You can email me (see the Contact tab above).
This year can be your Redemption 2015 as well as mine.
I’m not sure what redemption is going to mean for each of us this year, and I don’t know what God is going to do this year, but I’m so eager to be following Him and to be available for what He has.
Do you have a word for the year? If so, would you share it? I’d love to know what’s ahead for you!
I’m linking up at One Word 365 at Front Porch Inspired and at Grace & Truth.
Redemption is a great focus! I was focused on that a few months ago when I asigned January as a month to share our testimonies on ALATB and I’ve been seeing a lot of testimony posts shared in groups! It’s always encouraging to read how Jesus has drawn someone to Himself!
Ren recently posted…The Loft: One Word
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Rebekah Reply:
January 7th, 2015 at 8:24 am
It really is encouraging! I’m looking forward to reading some of those testimonies at ALATB!
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Oh Becky, this post makes my heart sing!! I have been so privileged to watch from the edges your year’s journey. It is beautiful to see how the Lord is bringing redemption to your life. Thank you for sharing with us, and for being such a beautiful friend.
Leah Adams recently posted…The Loft ~ A Tuesday LinkUp ~ One Word for 2015
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Rebekah Reply:
January 6th, 2015 at 7:31 am
Thank you, Leah! I’m so looking forward to seeing what Jesus does this year, and what His plans are for redemption. Blessings!
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So beautiful. I just found your blog through The Loft. I have been blessed by your deep love for Jesus and heart for sharing His words through your writings. I look forward to keeping up with your blog this year - and your Redemption theme. God bless!!
Also, I wrote about my One Word today too. If you want to stop by my blog, I’d love for you to add this Redemption post to my One Word link up. http://frontporchinspired.com/2015/01/06/one-word-for-2015/
Anne
Anne Dahlhauser recently posted…One word for 2015
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Rebekah Reply:
January 6th, 2015 at 7:08 pm
Thank you so much, Anne! I really appreciate you taking the time to share your thoughts and to let us know about your linkup. I genuinely enjoy reading other people’s words and what God does in and through them.
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Love this!
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Rebekah Reply:
January 6th, 2015 at 11:25 am
Thank you! I appreciate you taking time to read it. 🙂
Happy new year!
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This is such an amazing truth and a wonderful word to focus on throughout 2015 Rebekah! Your blog is read with great excitement here in the UK - hopefully you don’t need a map for that one ;-). Your writing inspires, blesses and leads people to Jesus and I am thankful to be reading your words in 2015. Our God is so good! Happy New Year! x
Ruth Clemence recently posted…Broken Your Resolutions Yet? #OneWord
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Rebekah Reply:
January 6th, 2015 at 7:13 pm
Ah, Ruth, thank you so much! Your encouragement is always such a blessing! Lol - the UK is one I can almost always find on a map. 😉 Thank you so much for taking time to linkup and share with us. Looking forward to getting around to the rest of the posts in the next little bit! Blessings!
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Wow! I am so excited to watch your year unfold in the shadow of this word. Redeeming the time for it is holy. You will see and in the seeing your heart will be shaped in the form of your Redeemer. You are not only a people of the yielded heart, you are one who knows Him by name. Powerful!
coming to you from that special place - The Loft. ~Chris”
Chris Malkemes recently posted…For I Am Your God - Sovereign
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Rebekah Reply:
January 6th, 2015 at 7:19 pm
Chris, you are such an encouragement - sweet words that I needed to read this evening. God is all about redemption - there isn’t a part of life that He cannot redeem. I’m excited and anticipating His work this year! Thank you, Chris!
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Excellent word, Rebekah. I too never saw myself as a ‘word for the year’ person, and goal-setting gives me hives. But this year, the Lord gave me one so I’m going to fly with it. In fact, I already am feeling a sense of purpose from it. (My word is focus.)
I look forward to seeing what the Lord redeems for and through you this year!
Rebeca Jones recently posted…This Year I Will…Oh, Look! A Squirrel!
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Rebekah Reply:
January 6th, 2015 at 7:23 pm
Kindred spirits with the goal-settings and hives! 😉 I don’t even make lists anymore. Sometimes, on days when I’m sure that I didn’t get anything done, I’ll make a list of all I’ve done:
*woke up
*drank coffee
*made breakfast (x4 - usually Hubby fixes his own, sometimes he fixes ours, too)
*helped with schoolwork
*laundry….etc. Suddenly I realize ALLLL that I’ve done in a day. 😉
Focus is a great word - I will be so interested to hear how your year goes in relation to “focus”! Thank you for taking time to read and share your thoughts. Blessings!
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Redeemed. Without redemption there is nothing. Everything is contained in the one fact that all can be redeemed and restored if they only choose to be.
Thank you for sharing!
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Rebekah Reply:
January 6th, 2015 at 7:28 pm
Amen - YES! Praise God that He provides the way. This year I’m committed - sold out - to praying for those who still need to make that choice. Thank you, Donna!
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I love your word and this post. I love how you share the details of your life. And about our Savior, Jesus Christ. God bless you.
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Rebekah Reply:
January 9th, 2015 at 10:52 am
Thank you, Jennifer! 2014 was a growing year, for sure - God led me way outside my comfort zone. But He showed, time and again, that He was there. I believe I can offer that going forward - the knowledge that God, who offers salvation, offers saving in our day-to-day situations as well. May God bless you in this year as you live for Him!
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It came to me while reading that not only is Christ our redeemer, but he wants us to become redeemers too. My husband taught once in a Bible study that God chose only failures, wash-ups, society misfits. We were all wrecks, but he took that wreckage and made something beautiful of it. Perhaps this year, more than ever, he wants us pick the misfits out of society’s trashbin and help redeem them. Remembering where we came from. That we were/are redeemed, and taking that to others! Just a thought that came to me. And I’ll be looking forward to seeing what redemption brings to your life this year!
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Rebekah Reply:
January 9th, 2015 at 10:54 am
Yes - that He uses us in redemption is such a beautiful thing! And really, if we get right down to it, we’re all the misfits in society’s trash bin…the trash bin is the sin, and regardless of our circumstances, sin is sin. So whether someone lives in wealth without God, they are in sin, or whether they live in desperate circumstances without God, they are in the trash bin of sin. The fact that God allows us to be His hands and feet and help to redeem that situation through His salvation…simply amazing! Thank you for your thoughts! Blessings!
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Beautifully done, Becky! Way to use your word to preach the gospel!
Jen 🙂
Jen recently posted…“One Word” Disappointment
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Rebekah Reply:
January 12th, 2015 at 5:06 pm
Thanks, Jen! What a year we have ahead of us, eh? Trusting God to do big things in both our lives. Love you, friend!
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Thank you for sharing your word - I wish you a new year full of blessings.
Laurel Regan recently posted…Today’s Gratitude List + January 2015 Gratitude Linkup
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Rebekah Reply:
January 12th, 2015 at 5:05 pm
Thank you, Laurel! I appreciate you taking time to stop by and read the post. Blessings!
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I Love your word for this year!! I think it is perfect after 15 months of difficulties. He will redeem! I look forward to hearing about all the ways He does that for you this year! It makes me so excited for you! I love seeing how He works in people’s lives and brings freedom and redemption!
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Rebekah Reply:
January 25th, 2015 at 10:17 pm
Thank you, Aimee! I’m so encouraged by what God has planned for this year. I’m trusting God to put so many things back together that have come unraveled these past months, because He is faithful! Blessings!
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Great post to link up at Grace & Truth, Becky. Love ya,
Leah Adams recently posted…everyday jesus: seeing him at lunch
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Rebekah Reply:
February 1st, 2015 at 5:36 pm
Thanks, Leah!
Love you back!!
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This post thrills my heart with praise for our Redeemer! I’m so glad you linked it up at Grace & Truth. I pray it’s a means by which God draws many, many to Himself.
Jennifer recently posted…the power of one
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Rebekah Reply:
February 1st, 2015 at 5:31 pm
Thanks, Jennifer! God’s definitely doing a work in my heart, and I agree with you in prayer that many will be drawn to God. Blessings!
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