2014 Goal - Standing on the Promises

WOW, where did the year go? 2013 was a little like being on an out of control roller coaster. There were lots of ups and downs, and curves, but thanks to Jesus I had access to a powerful and awesome God who saw me through to the end. I started 2013 off with health issues that took me to a new level of appreciation for God, life, and the pursuit of happiness. I ended the year a better person both physically and spiritually.

Apostle Paul’s second letter to the church at Thessalonica, was to encourage them to persevere through the storms of life. He knew a fact that I’ve had to learn this year and that is suffering brings maturity to one’s faith.

I now know and understand that regardless of the events or adventures that I may face in the coming year that God is in control. He said in Jeremiah 29:11 “I have good plans for you, not plans to hurt you. I will give you hope and a good future.” I am holding to this promise. I know there will be sorrow and problems, but whatever they are I know God has a plan to see me through them and bring me out a better and stronger person on the other side, just as He did this year.

I begin 2014 with a new appreciation for each new day that I am blessed to live. This year the biggest lesson I have learned is that if one truly seeks a relationship with God He will take you on a journey that will transform you and your life by the renewing of your mind, body, and soul.

Each year we work diligently to pursue our dreams and goals depending only on our own efforts and abilities and we only call on God in times of trouble. Do you have any friends, family, acquaintances that only call you when they need something? How does that make you feel? God is no different. God wants a daily relationship with us. After all, He created us from His very breath. Why would we not want a real relationship with Him?

My goal for this year, or whatever time I have left on this earth, is to seek an intimate relationship with God. When it is time for Him to call me home I do not want to come face to face with just an acquaintance, I want it to be like a reunion with an intimate friend and father.

Romans 12:2 (NASB) And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.

Some who read this will think because I have grown spiritually and now show a passion for sharing God’s word, for fellowshipping with like believers, and for seeking His guidance and plans for my life that I’m going through some sort of fanatic religious thing. We all have our passions whether it is teaching, running, gardening, or even partying. What strikes me as unfounded is that it’s okay for people to have all sorts of passions but when someone claims there passion is seeking God’s will people immediately roll their eyes and see it as some kind of a fanatic or bad thing. Well my desire and passion is to share God’s word and promises and to seek His will in my life. So judge me if you must, because I will not conform to some politically correct agenda that dictates what I can and cannot say or believe.

Like the song says, I will be “Standing on the promises of God our Savior Standing on the promises that cannot fail, when the howling storms of doubt and fear assail, By the living Word of God I shall prevail, Standing on the promises of God.”

I wish everyone the most awesome year of their life in 2014. Whatever life brings to me this year I will be prepared in Christ Jesus to face it, to beat it, and to be all I can be enjoying and appreciating every moment as it comes.

To all my prayer warriors, friends, and family who have supported me over this past year know that I love you and pray for only the best for you. May God be your guide in 2014.