Every year I always pray and ask the Lord for a Word concerning the coming year and this is what I believe I heard for 2023. This is a little different this year from previous years because as I prayed I heard four different words. First, this is the year to focus on “Christ in me”, Second, “be prepared”, Third, “Confession” and Fourth, tend to your garden. As I continued to pray over these words I believe the Lord said to me this was a season for personal growth and to take care of these three plants.
The first plant is our personal relationship with Jesus. You can grow deeper in this area if you want to. This is to be done through communication, hearing, listening, looking, being watchful and aware, which I felt was the “be prepared” part. It wasn’t Him saying beware or a warning in the “be prepared” part as much as Him just saying to be aware that there were things to come in a positive sense and could be missed if we are not paying attention. We are to keep our eyes and ears open watchfully. Part of this personal growth is to be through our confession and communication with the Lord. This is how our heart will grow in loving Him and being His friend.
The second plant is to be active in building His Kingdom by looking how to flow with His Kingdom Ways/Purposes. As opportunities come up to jump in and be a doer of the Word, looking to assist when possible in this flow.
The third plant is His Blessing, but it wasn’t looking at how to be blessed but at where you are already blessed. Look inwardly in your life first, next look outwardly to where you sense His strongest flow coming from your life. Then look at the people and events or activities in your surroundings that God is blessing which have nothing to do with you. As you see these things pour yourself into them.
Keep a sharp focus on these three areas. Water and fertilize them by prayer, words and participation.
I felt Him stressing to me to pay no attention to those things and events happening around us which are of the world and things of the world. It is a time to truly evaluate the flesh and leave it behind. Things are going to grow exponentially, however that which is of the flesh will as well. It is going to be a season of growth with good rich soil which will grow anything so be careful what you plant for it will grow.
Mk.4, Gal 6:7-10
7 Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. 8 The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. 9 Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. 10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers. NIV
Col 3:1-4
Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. 3 For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. NIV
Christ in me, Be Prepared, Confession, Tend to Your Garden
Gal.2:20, Col.1:27-28, Psalm 19, 141:1-4, Mt.25:1-13, 1Pet.3:15, 1Cor.16:13-14
