Time flies so fast. It's as if I was just writing down my faith goals for the year 2012 yesterday. And just this previous week, I'm officially over with my faith goals for this year.
Every January, I am not only excited to start fresh. I'm more excited of God's plans and promises for the year ahead. I love January because it's the time I can look back to the ups I'm thankful for and for the downs I pray that improvement and betterment will cover. It's also the season where I get to list down the prayers I'm faithful for including the bucket list I want to downsize.
Before I took the time to pray and think of the things I'm believing for 2013, I reviewed my 2012 Prayer and Fasting booklet and saw for myself the number of prayers that were miraculously answered by God. I sought to it that I cancel out every prayer answered off my list. But I was totally unconscious that 96% of these were fulfilled! Imagine 96/100! What an all-loving and generous God we have.
I was so joyful to see that my prayers were not wasted all because I have a faithful God. Yes, I was in awe that only 4% wasn't fulfilled. And from deep within, I felt victory and triumph. These answered faith goals wouldn't end up as glory days if not for God's perfect will and promise. More than my faith goals, I was reminded of God's faithfulness to us. His faithfulness to us is overflowing and unbelievable that it leaves one wanting for more of Him in our lives.
We can be fervent with our prayers and be tirelessly faithful in our walk, but these will not be enough to reach what we all desire to achieve. If not for the One who is more loving, more compassionate and more faithful, we wouldn't be able to receive these riches in full reward. It is still God who is responsible and working even in every faith goal we have. We may not notice it because we are busily and impatiently working hard for it (believing this might help) or too focused on raising our palms up high in receiving it that we lose the real focus which is Christ.
Psalm 89:2
"I will declare that your love stands firm forever, that you established your faithfulness in heaven itself."
Psalm 89:8
"O LORD God Almighty, who is like you? You are mighty, O LORD, and your faithfulness surrounds you."
Faith goals are not about us. But it is about Jesus' faithfulness to us.
It is the kind of faith that does not leave you empty-handed.
It is the kind of faith that draws you to believe more in uncertainties.
It is the kind of faith that teaches you to love and accept.
It is the kind of faith that humbles you down in patience.
It is the kind of faith that makes you worship the Lord more.
It is the kind of faith that each one of us should have.
A faith like that of Jesus.
Just as the Word for my 2012 faith goals says:
JOHN 16:23
"In that day you will no longer ask me anything. Very truly I tell you, my Father will give you whatever you ask in my name."
Indeed, I can't ask for more. Whatever I've asked in His name was rewarded to me solely because He was faithful more than I. Thank You Jesus, that even though my faith falters at times, Yours was always intact and immovable. And, thank You, that I can't ask for anything more because Your love for us had completed it all.
A faith like Jesus.
Make it one of your 2013 Faith Goals.
Sealing this with love,
Diane
