Will you be "growing up" in 2015?

When 2015 ends, I want to look back and see a woman that was stretched and nurtured into someone even more beautiful than I was when the year started.  I already have a few Bible verses, themes and ideas running around in my mind about how God may be trying to shape and refine me for a new year. I hope you do also.  

Today I'm sharing one of those themes rattling around in my busy brain. Writing it down gives me a greater sense of accountability but I also hope it spurs you on to see how someone else is wrestling with and enjoying the process of discovering God and relationship with Him in deepening ways. I know this kind of conversation is one way God uses community to encourage and inspire us all.

The word CONSECRATED has been sticking out to me (along with ANOINTED) in scriptures since late fall. I've been planning to sit down early in the new year and prayerfully consider how the Lord would want me to consecrate my life in fresh ways. I've been thinking about my roles as wife, mom, daughter, sister, friend and servant of God but also looking at my lifestyle and disciplines to see how God might be prompting me to new and better ways.

I believe it's a good thing to be both content and aspiring as a Christian. I am content and confident that I am a child of God who is adored by Him just as I already am. I am also aspiring to be changed — to be more like Jesus. The older I get, the more aware I am of by brokenness, my sinful nature and my utter dependence on God. I find greater delight being in His presence than ever before.  

Here are three passages that are inspiring me: 

Leviticus 8:10  "Then Moses took the anointing oil and anointed the tabernacle and everything in it, and so consecrated them." 

Joshua 3:5 "Joshua told the people, 'Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the Lord will do amazing things among you.'” 

1 Timothy 4:4-6 "For everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, because it is consecrated by the word of God and prayer. If you point these things out to the brothers and sisters, you will be a good minister of Christ Jesus, nourished on the truths of the faith and of the good teaching that you have followed." 

SO HOW ABOUT YOU? Any themes, words or verses popping out for you lately or inspiring you into 2015? 

Let's encourage one another in how we're feeling prompted by the Lord to keep GROWING UP IN HIM.