As we start a new year, I had a self-reflection time and looked back to the year 2022. I had my ups and downs but I also saw God’s hand, faithfulness, mercy, favor, and vivid presence throughout the whole year. Even though during my dark times I wasn’t sometimes hearing from God, I can now testify that He was always there with me. Now I understand the statement “having faith in Jesus makes us understand life backward”. I wasn’t aware of His presence then but now I can see that He was with me because I have seen the end of some of the things that were bothering me.
“In fact, this is love for God: to keep his commands. And his commands are not burdensome, 4 for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. 5 Who is it that overcomes the world? Only the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God.” 1 John 5: 3-5
To believe in someone or something one must love the person/ thing first. In the same way, one should love God to be able to believe in Him. One of the things that helped me tremendously this past year was keeping God’s commands. I learned to hide every word God was revealing to me deep in my heart and was going back to cherish the word during the tough time to be reminded of His promises. I wasn’t getting it right every time but I learned to always stand up again and continue my journey. This was my way of combatting the devil and overcoming the world. Hiding the word in my heart, going back to the word during tough times to be refueled and rising again.
One other thing that I found crucial in my journey with God this past year is obedience. I don’t think anyone can have a good relationship with a parent without being obedient to them. We also need to be obedient to our Heavenly Father to have a healthy two ways relationship with Him and grow spiritually. I am sure that no one has ever been disappointed by being obedient to God.
“And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. 12 Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life.” 1 John 5: 11-12
In this new year and all the years to come, let us be reminded that if we have Jesus, we have eternal life. Jesus came to give us life in abundance and for us to live joyfully. Let’s stop giving power to worldly things/the devil to steal our joy. Let’s rejoice in the Lord (Philippians 4: 4-5)
“This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. 15 And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him.” 1 John 5: 14-15
As a child approaches his/her father with confidence, may we always go to our Heavenly Father with confidence, full of faith in Him, and always hiding His word in our hearts. May we always be obedient to Him even when we are doubting ourselves because He is the reason we overcame the world the past year and He is also the reason we will able to go through everything this year will bring to us.
Prayer: Father God, thank you for your protection throughout the past year. Thank you for showing up every time I needed you and having my back countless times. I pray that my relationship with You continue to grow deeper in this year. Help me to be obedient to everything You are telling me to do without a blink of a doubt, grow my faith in You and help me to be a good ambassador, Father. I love You and I need You always, In Jesus’ name, Amen.
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