Tanya Merritt

As we enter into Holy Week with Palm Sunday, let’s joyfully embrace this special day and welcome the Messenger of peace, the Victor over death, our Lord Jesus Christ, into our hearts. 🌿✝️🙏🏻

Many years ago, a dear friend challenged me to prayerfully pick a single word to define my new year instead of making a New Year’s resolution. I can honestly say while I was hesitant at first, it’s become my favorite tradition of the New Year. I look forward each December to the next word I feel God has chosen for me to define my upcoming year.

Since that day many years ago, our Heavenly Father and I have worked through Change, Renew, Trust, Seek, Growth and Faith. Now, in 2024, I’m excited about FLOURISH. I quickly learned the “change” of 2018 was within me and directly related to my relationship with God. Every year since then, each word has held a special meaning for me in my walk with Christ.

As my dear friend challenged me many years ago, today, I challenge YOU to do the same. Prayerfully ask God to give you a word, a single word, to define your new year. I promise you won’t regret it, and I can’t wait to hear all the beautiful things God does in your lives this year.

Our Heavenly Father didn’t just create us to get by and survive. His desire for us is to live a life of abundance and to experience the fullness of every good thing that He has for us. We were created for a purpose, and the Bible gives us glimpses of His heart. We were made to know God’s love and, most importantly, to be in a relationship with Him, to live in His presence, and to know Him.

May you each have a blessed and happy new year!

”Those who are planted in the house of the Lord Shall flourish in the courts of our God.“ Psalms‬ ‭92‬:‭13‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

”Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.“
‭‭Philippians‬ ‭3‬:‭13‬-‭14‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Father, thank You for daily reminding me of Your promises, Your love for me, and my identity in You. Teach me to keep my eyes fixed on You so I am not swayed by the storms. I will fear not, because You have redeemed me. You have called me by name; I am Yours. When I pass through the waters, You will be with me; and the rivers will not sweep over me. When I walk through the fire, I won’t be burned and the flame won’t set me ablaze. Please guide me through every challenge I face so that my response may always bring glory to Your Name. I love You! Amen.

“I will be with you.” Five simple words that if believed change everything.
Isaiah 43-44

tanyamerritt.com

Today I am thankful that nothing, NO-THING, in our lives is wasted. We can be confident that our Heavenly Father is always at work guiding our steps and using every part of our lives to bring Him glory, even in ways we will never understand.

Self-criticism sometimes seems natural and will always allow an easy path for self-doubt to creep in. It is too easy to get anxious and worry about not having done this or that just right, or maybe about being behind on this, or feeling like you should be doing that, whatever your “that” is. In these moments, pause and allow the Holy Spirit to remind you of your worth. Know your worth and “be still.” Be still to remember His great love for us. He never gives up on us, and ultimately, He will complete all the great works he has started in us. Thankfully, there is nothing you or I can do to mess this up, regardless of how often we side-step our path, even with the best intentions!

So today, choose to allow this truth to inform you about what you believe about your circumstances and the path you’ve found yourself on. Place your hope in Him alone, and let the truth of His unstoppable love sink into your heart and fill you with joy and hope.

Enjoy your day, friends! ❤️

Lord, thank You for the gift of Your Word. Open my ears to hear Your voice speaking to me through it. Help me to focus and concentrate on all that You are saying as you speak. Help me remember Your words, and remind me of them again and again throughout my day. Let Your Word and Your voice take deep root in every area of my life. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

When making decisions, pray for guidance and ask God to show you what is best for your life and how to best honor Him. Take time to meditate on His word and seek out His wisdom. Remember that He is the ultimate source of truth and love, and that He desires your best. Trust in Him and make decisions that reflect your faith and love for Him.

No matter the situation, no matter the void, no matter the lack, God is enough. He is more than enough, as Ephesians 3:20 perfectly states, “To him who can do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine.”

Grow in grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. 🙏

The only way our faith will ever strengthen is for us to use it. God's promises are not dependent on our abilities but rather on His.

Have a great Monday, friends! 🙌🏻

Nothing in your life is wasted. Don't forget: God is always at work.

tanyamerritt.com

Do you feel stuck in a cycle of circles in
your life? Never be afraid to change. That next step,
could just be the step that changes your life.

“She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she
laughs without fear of the future.”
‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭31‬:‭25‬ ‭NLT‬‬

tanyamerritt.com

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!
‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭5‬:‭17‬ ‭NIV‬‬

🎉 The moment we give our lives to Christ, we become new!
🎉 We are blessed, chosen, forgiven, redeemed, lavished with grace, united together, and secured for Heaven - everything in our new life starts in Jesus!

Father, thank you that you loved us first. Thank you that in Christ we are made new, chosen, redeemed, forgiven, lavished with grace, secure, and so much more! Please keep our hearts humble before You, and cause our transformed lives to glorify You. May the overflow of Your love pour out on all our relationships. In Jesus name, Amen.

Tanya G. Merritt