23 comments

Kimberly Wagner

New Year, New Focus

Posted on 12.31.09 by Kimberly Wagner | Twitter: @KimberlyWagner7
Topics: Relationship with God

2010 New Year AheadThe Christmas rush is over, the holiday meal is behind, and you “go-getters” have probably already relegated the lights and decorations to storage. Things should be slowing down a bit, so now is the perfect time to evaluate and plan. Many people view the start of a new year as the opportunity to begin an exercise and weight loss program, start new habits, or annihilate poor ones. This year, why not consider taking a spiritual approach to 2010’s entrance and make plans for tackling a new spiritual discipline or focus of study?

Consider a new level of spiritual maturity as your primary goal for 2010:

Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Let those of us who are mature think this way, and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal that also to you (Phil. 3:13–15).

When fall approaches, I start asking the Lord to place on my heart what I need to have as my spiritual focus for the next year. In 2005 it was cultivating “purity of heart” (Matt. 5:8), and the year was filled with refining! He made it clear that 2007 would be the year of taking trust to a deeper level and that certainly held to be true. I faced the threat of cancer three times that year. Last year’s focus was on prayer, and it has been a rich learning experience for me.

After spending time seeking the Lord about an area of spiritual growth for the year, I develop a plan. Here are a few suggestions if you’d like to join me in this activity:

  • Take some time each day to look up several Scriptures pertaining to the particular topic. A good way to accomplish this is by using a concordance. Simply look up a few references at a time, jotting down notes as you go and cross referencing related passages.
  • Record passages that are particularly meaningful or thought provoking on 3x5 cards or a journal for memorization and use for further meditation.
  • Research, purchase, and read good books on the particular topic. A good commentary is quite helpful as a study tool. Use resources as you would a school textbook. Don’t just read, but thoroughly study the subject.
  • Ask questions about the topic you’re studying. Be inquisitive in order to learn. Ask questions as you read Scripture, as you are in conversation with others, as you go through your day in prayer.
  • Go online to research the topic. Visit good websites which offer recorded messages like www.ReviveOurHearts.com, www.desiringgod.org, or www.gty.org/Resources/.
  • Humbly approach the topic of study, recognizing that although you may have some knowledge, there is still much to learn and apply to your life. Ask God for grace to grow in this area and to use your growth for His glory.
  • Share with others what God is teaching you. Allow your transparency and admission of need in this area to be an example and inspiration for others to follow in pursuing spiritual maturity.

Would any of you like to join me in this endeavor? If so, would you share the area of growth you believe God is leading you to cultivate this year? We can pray for each other as we enter this journey together!  

Comments

  1. I like the idea of a 3x5 card box with new thoughts and meditations. Thanks for sharing that....I think I will try that for 2009!
    posted by Karen
    on Thursday, December 31, 2009 at 9:46 am
  2. I'm honestly not sure what area of growth the Lord is leading me in. I will be a first-time mother at the end of January/beginning of February, and I think He will be teaching me a lot through that. I really enjoyed this post, though, and it gave me some food for thought.
    http://hoperoadblog.com
    posted by Anna
    on Thursday, December 31, 2009 at 10:17 am
  3. Thanks for the challenge to go beyond the normal wieght loss or annoying habit to growing spiritually in a definite way. The only thing I would ask is that it might be good to ask a husband or friend what they see as some of your weaknesses or blind spots are so that you can be open to God's leading in those area's as well. I heard a good sermon the other day by Warren Wiersbe that stated that time is usually our "enemy". It brings decay, delay and death. But to the Christian time is under the soveriegnty of God so rather than chaff at the "decay, delays, and the death" we can know that God is using each of these to work his plan in our life. That helped me to change my perspective on several events of the past year and look with eternity's eyes at the coming year.
    posted by Susan McCurdy
    on Thursday, December 31, 2009 at 11:27 am
  4. Our fellowship will be joining together tonight for food and fun but our main focus will be on sharing what God has done in our lives during this last year and what goals have been accomplished and then we will share our hopes and prayers for the coming year. It is such an encouraging and refreshing time to be able to come together with one goal and one heart as a body of believers... We all encourage and challenge each other plus lift one another up. We will make a binder afterwards with every families hopes and desired goals for the year (kids, too) and each family will get one after we put them together. I kept my book from last year out where I could frequently go back and look at it then I just took our family's page out and put in on the fridge so we could all be reminded often!! It is and was amazing to see how each one of us grew in those areas that we needed change or growth in!! God is sooooo good. I hope all who blog here will put there entire heart into a wholehearted, passionate, sincere relationship with the Lord this next year and watch His faithful hand work in your lives. He keeps His promises and blesses those who seek Him diligently. Happy New Year to the ROH staff and all my christian sisters out there! Maybe I can meet some of you at the "True Woman" conference this coming March in Chattanooga,TN!!
    posted by Barbara
    on Thursday, December 31, 2009 at 11:34 am
  5. Karen,

    I pray you will see much fruit as a result of applying yourself to using the 3x5 cards as a means of spiritual growth and encouragement. Let us know how it is going.

    Blessings!
    posted by Kimberly Wagner
    on Thursday, December 31, 2009 at 12:08 pm
  6. Anna,

    If you're wondering about where to start -- Susan mentioned a great suggestion in her comment. This is something I recommend to couples to do on a fairly regular basis: to ask one another what area of growth or improvement the other sees is needed.

    But, since you are about to be a new mom . . . you are entering one of the greatest seasons of refining known to women :-) Motherhood is filled with great reward and continuous opportunities for self-sacrifice which will produce greater sanctification in your life. I hope you'll continue to give us updates on that as you can!

    I enjoyed briefly perusing your blog -- good stuff :-) I would love for you to include the True Woman site on your blog roll!

    May you and your husband enjoy the days ahead as you anticipate the coming of your little one!
    posted by Kimberly Wagner
    on Thursday, December 31, 2009 at 12:18 pm
  7. Susan,

    Thanks for your comment and rich insights. By the way -- I love Warren Wiersbe's commentaries and sermons. Thanks for passing along some good thoughts from him.

    Blessings!
    posted by Kimberly Wagner
    on Thursday, December 31, 2009 at 12:21 pm
  8. Dear Barbara,

    Thank you! I love what you shared with us. I hope others will incorporate some of these good suggestions at their New Year's gatherings.

    I agree with your prayer for all who blog here and look forward to seeing you in Chattanooga!

    Blessings!
    posted by Kimberly Wagner
    on Thursday, December 31, 2009 at 12:29 pm
  9. Love...I really believe that the area of spiritual growth that I need help in is the area of love. Love for God...Love for my fellow believer...Love for my neighbor...Love for myself. I really want to know in a very real way what it means to LOVE. So...I'll be searching the scriptures and taking a quest into the love of God and asking Him to fill my entire being with his love so that I can, in turn, love those with whom I come in contact.
    posted by Jodi
    on Thursday, December 31, 2009 at 2:53 pm
  10. Kim this is a wonderful idea and of course working out and weight loss is on my list. That my quiet time would be ongoing and in the area of purity. And that my life would reflect the love of Christ. And other would see Christ in me. I also have such a hard time memorizing scriptures would love to do that as well. And a Seeking Him bible study that I am in the process of doing now. Thanks for sharing this and this is something I will be reflecting on tonight and tomorrow. Have a wonderful New Year!
    posted by Penny
    on Thursday, December 31, 2009 at 4:57 pm
  11. I suppose that my area of work is the same as it has been for that last few years. I really want to get up early enough to spend time with the Lord before the business of the day. Praying that my will to get up would be greater than my flesh that says, I'm tired, just a little more sleep. I could give a million excuses, but it doesn't solve the problem. I probably get up 2 or three times a week in time. But most the time I have to wait till right before I go to bed. Of course, I can talk with the Lord all day, when I want to, and that is just about whenever I get the chance. I also listen to Christian radio a lot and Christian music. Life has a way of making your head spin. I am very thankful that Jesus is compassionate and merciful. He knows that I am weak. So I just pray that He would use me despite my shortcomings. He gets more glory out of it anyway and then I realize I am not on my own. But someday God willing my desire for the Lord will out do my flesh daily. I think my additude stinks, kind of like Eeyore on Winnie the Pooh.
    posted by Cindy
    on Thursday, December 31, 2009 at 5:34 pm
  12. Last year I went into the new year ready and focused to learn about biblical womanhood. I was armed with a womens studies concentration, multiple bible studies, everything Mary Kassian and much scripture. Busy, busy, busy. I was really going to be fluent in this area...ready to mentor my mentees in my Titus 2 ministry at church in these principles as well. Instead I found myself on my face towards the end of the year...on my face because I was ashamed of my behaviors and on my face because I had tripped on my own (unseen) legalism so many times. I learned biblical womanhood allright, I learned it through seeing how far I was from it. This year I plan to enjoy our Lord, to seek Him, to worship Him, to learn of Him, to be still more and speak less. I plan to mentor as is biblical: with wisdom, encouragement and availability, NOT programming. I plan to put time at His table first, not the planning of those who will be at mine. He can direct that in my heart. I miss the encouragement on this website to just revel in the joy that is our salvation. There is so much discipline here, so many rules (specifically in the morning ROH emails which most days feel grim and gray). I understand what you are trying to accomplish (testing for sin in our lives) but you must know that it comes across as equal parts truth and joylessness. Where is the daily celebration? Where is the concentration direction off of self and onto Him? When our hearts are focused on Him, all, ALL else comes. We, in our own efforts and searching, will never change a thing. It is only He who changes. We confess, yes, we seek, yes, we obey, yes, but He changes. I would love to see more adoration of Christ here and less pounding. There will never be a lost one drawn to the pounding, rather only to the adoration. And as for the seasoned Believer, she will grow much more from time spent adoring, seeking, listening to Him than, well, anything else.
    posted by keitha
    on Thursday, December 31, 2009 at 9:14 pm
  13. Throughout the last couple of months my husband & I have gone through several hardships. I have not been asking God for a spiritual focus for the next year however He has made it abundantly clear that my focus should be patience. From the angry client at work to the miscarriage of my first child I am continually finding a peace & self control that is not of my own power. I want to take this oppurtunity that God has given me to cultivate this incredible gift that He has so graciously provided in my incredible time of need. I know that these lessons He is teaching me now are vital preparations for my future that only He knows. Thank you Kim (Mom) for your wonderful insights now & throughout the years. You are more of a blessing every day!
    posted by Rachel D.
    on Friday, January 1, 2010 at 9:08 pm
  14. Keitha,
    I think you have misread the spirit behind the things written on this blog. I know legalism--I was in it for years. To me, legalism is doing things with the mindset that they make you more spiritual or more accepted by the Lord. Real Christianity grows out of a heart of love for the Lord. Some of what I do now is the same, but it is motivated out of a totally different heart. I know Kim Wagner personally and her walk with the Lord is real, the insights on this particular post are just practical suggestions that have grown out of her personal time with the Lord--adoring/worsipping and enjoying Him. If you could meet her, you would see the joy of the Lord emanating from her. I hope this is helpful.
    posted by Vivian
    on Saturday, January 2, 2010 at 3:47 pm
  15. Jodi,

    Thank you for sharing. Wow. What an awesome study you have before you! I pray you will experience the love of Christ in deeper and more personal ways this year than you've ever known -- and that you will then allow that love to be displayed in your life as you share it with others!

    "We know love by this, that He laid down His life for us; and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren . . . let us not love with word or with tongue, but in deed and truth" 1 John 3:16-18.

    Let us hear how your cultivation of this fruit of the Spirit goes this year.

    Blessings dear sister,
    posted by Kimberly Wagner
    on Saturday, January 2, 2010 at 4:46 pm
  16. Dear Penny,

    It sounds as though you have several good goals you're working toward. I pray you will see fruit from your diligent labor this year and your desire for others to see Christ in you will be realized.

    I'm glad you're doing the "Seeking Him" study. Many women who've gone through that study have shared with me the huge impact it made on their lives. Often God uses it to uncover hidden areas of sin that have held them captive for years and once these things are brought to light and they respond in repentance, they begin to experience real freedom and joy.

    May you find joy in the journey of growing in Christ!
    posted by Kimberly Wagner
    on Saturday, January 2, 2010 at 4:56 pm
  17. Dear Cindy,

    Your comment about Eeyore made me chuckle! You said your attitude "stinks" but I have to disagree :-) Your statement: "I just pray He would use me despite my shortcomings" and your expressed desire for God to receive all the glory conveys a humble and willing heart.

    I pray that you will reach the place of discipline in your daily time with the Lord that He desires for you to reach (not one you may be striving for) and that your times with Him will be so richly rewarding that your passion for Him conquers the battle you are describing.

    Blessings dear sister,
    posted by Kimberly Wagner
    on Saturday, January 2, 2010 at 5:05 pm
  18. Dear Keitha,

    Thank you so much for your comment. I will personally take to heart your observations. I earnestly desire for women to experience the thrill and wonder of walking in fellowship with Almighty God.

    I continually seek His guidance as I prepare articles for this site, as I teach women in my church or in other settings, and as I walk through the course of my daily activities. I've never known any greater joy than abiding in Christ and bearing fruit for Him. When I share with women the process of sanctification and lessons from God's Word that He has taught me, I am failing if it comes across as "pounding."

    I absolutely agree that He is the One that brings change. My life verses are Hebrews 12:1-4. One of the rich principles God has taught me through this passage is that true joy comes from keeping my eyes "fixed" on Christ. That is at the heart and foundation of the Christian walk, but as I keep my eyes fixed on Him, He also calls me to lay aside sin and "every encumbrance" that entangles and prevents me from running the race well.

    What I was hoping to do in this article (as well as others I've written) is to encourage and inspire women to love and know Christ more, to go deeper and further in their walk with Him through a holy pursuit which will involve personal sacrifice.

    You mention that after your year of applying yourself to learning about biblical womanhood, you ended up on your face, seeing how far you are from it. I've been there many times and I'm thankful for those times when I've experienced His merciful conviction (not condemnation which is a different matter). I am thankful that my sins (which have been many) have been forgiven and for those of us who've been forgiven much, we have the experience of loving Him much who has forgiven us (Luke 6:47).

    I pray that this new year brings with it new opportunities for you to experience His mercy, grace, and lovingkindness. I pray that as you sit at His feet to receive instruction, you will be fueled with a greater passion and love for Him, for His Word, and for His church.

    Thank you much dear sister for giving me food for thought, reflection, and fuel for prayer.
    posted by Kimberly Wagner
    on Saturday, January 2, 2010 at 5:41 pm
  19. Wow.

    Thank you dearest Rachel, my precious daughter, for your kind words. I know this has been a difficult season for you and Adam, but I am thankful for how God is using it in your lives.

    I will continue praying for His grace to be poured out on you as you apply yourself this year to cultivating patience.

    Rachel, I am so thankful for the many ways God has used you to bring me to a greater knowledge of Him.

    I love you dear daughter, Mom :-)
    posted by Kimberly Wagner
    on Saturday, January 2, 2010 at 5:46 pm
  20. Dear Vivian,

    Thank you for your kind words and encouragement (as always) :-).

    May you and your family experience the wonder of seeing God continue to work in your lives in ways that only He can do!

    Blessings dear sister,
    posted by Kimberly Wagner
    on Saturday, January 2, 2010 at 5:48 pm
  21. Thanks Kimberly, for just being the loving Christian woman that you are. I was feeling low when I came to read here tonight but the dearness of your opening article, your desire to buckle down and get to know him deeper, with focus and purpose... helped me to feel heart burstingly hopeful... again. :c)

    Your gentle, conciderate, loving reply to Keitha was a real inspiration.

    I'm not mature enough in our dear Lord to do a focused study yet. Right now I thought I'd share with anyone else who's as 'young' as I am in the knowledge of Christ. I try daily to read in the new testament (When I'm through I plan to dig into the old! :c) ). I began this all with a purpose: To find out what God wanted me to search for in a prospective church. So, after a lot of prayer and fumbling a dear sister lead me to begin in the book of Acts. I've ALWAYS been intimidated by scripture. I know many, many Christians are, sadly. So I used to take it the 'one verse a day' way. That never got me much but through the day (which was more than I hoped for). Okay, so my point, here's how I do a daily study: I take time early in my day, I get a nice cheerful looking legal notebook (oh I REALLY, really like notebooks!) and my bible. I open in prayer, for understanding and ability to apply it in my heart, mind and daily life, then I read... and write down as I read, verse by verse, what I understand it to mean. I nearly never go back and read what I write. I write simply so I stay focused. As I write I think, and I digest as I go. Sometimes I even have two translations of the bible to get more perspective :c) .

    Just so you ladies know, it's the BEST, most REWARDING, EXHILIRATING part of my whole day, bar none. And this is coming from a woman who was born again and was fearful of reading the word for twenty years (give or take 5 years)!!

    Thanks to what you said Kim, I plan to have lined recipie cards with me now, so I can do what I always wanted to: Write down what inspires me, or motivates new purpose. Plus!!!! I hope I'll begin memorizing those as well. Please pray for me about this point (anyone who has a moment).

    Thanks so much, every sister here, for being a blessing in my day.

    Peace, love and blessings to all, may your year bring revival in your hearts for Christs purposes.
    posted by Jenny
    on Sunday, January 3, 2010 at 1:02 am
  22. Dear Jenny,

    Thank you for your kind words, your encouragement, and your transparency. It sounds like you have a good plan in place to help you grow in your love for Christ and His Word.

    I agree! My time in the Word (as you expressed) is my most rewarding and exhilarating time of the day :-)

    Drop us a line sometime through the year to let us know how it is going and what things you see God accomplishing in your life as a result of your intentional pursuit of Him.

    Blessings dear sister!
    posted by Kimberly Wagner
    on Monday, January 4, 2010 at 2:33 pm
  23. Dear Kimberly,

    I'll gladly let you know how it's going. I can't see how I could keep it to myself. ;c)

    One thing I thought I'd share with you (everyone else too :c) ) is: If my day starts out gray and I keep 'putting off' my quiet time in the word, it stays gray or goes to grim. BUT when my day starts gray and I get into the word, It's the brightest light in my day (even if it doesn't keep the grey off the whole day!.... which most often; IT SURE DOES!).

    Peace, love n' blessings back to u sister. :c)
    posted by Jenny
    on Tuesday, January 5, 2010 at 3:44 pm

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