2010: A Year of FAITH

" Put simply, faith is believing in something you haven't seen. If you're a Christian, that means believing that what God has said is true and then acting in accordance with that conviction, regardless of what everyone else believes and how the world expects you to act. It means you'll probably act in ways that defy reason. It may mean giving up your ambition, and it may cost you your comfort. It may even cost you your life." -John MacArthur

Wow, I can't believe it's a new year, a new decade, a whole new season; it feels like just yesterday we were celebrating the much anticipated and very "unknown" Y2K aka the millenium and here we are 10 years later a-ok! I have been doing a lot of thinking about a lot of things, something I think most of us do as new years come and for some reason or another we think that it is only at the beginning of a "new" year that we can start afresh, although as Lamentations promises us, His mercies are new everyday. The reality is, everyday is a fresh start! That is an encouraging promise I sooo love to cling tightly to. But nonetheless it is a new year and a time to really think about priorities and goals and how to pursue our Lord with more spiritual fervor!

I have a sweet friend of mine who every year comes up with a word that sort of defines her year, the word is something that she prays about and desires to unfold in her life to the glory of God. Anyways, she has inspired me to do the same thing, to pick a word for 2010 that will define every part of this year and that will motivate me to live a life that is wholly set-apart for Him. So after some thinking and prayer it came to me, my word for 2010 is FAITH. Why you might ask? Well let me explain. Over the past 8 years as a follower of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ He has proven Himself faithful time and time again and has taught me time and time again what it means to boldly trust Him. I have learned that with Him ALL THINGS are possible and apart from Him nothing is possible (Philippians 4:13). The kind of faith He requires us to have, He demands from us, is the kind of faith that trusts wholeheartdly in Him. The kind of faith that is willing to trust their Lord no matter where He leads or when He leads, the kind of faith that has surrendered their dreams, hopes and desires to the will of the sovereign Father knowing that His plans are far better and that all things will work out together for good. The kind of faith that as William Carey once said expects great things from God and attempts great things for Him! I want that kind of faith, I want to be empowered for His glory by that kind of faith and I want to live a life that exemplifies that faith in everything I do.

So as 2010 begins my faith is increasing, my prayers are being laid before His throne with newfound boldness and I am so excited to see all HE does! And Mark 11:22-24 is my theme verse for this year, "Have[a] faith in God," Jesus answered. "I tell you the truth, if anyone says to this mountain, 'Go, throw yourself into the sea,' and does not doubt in his heart but believes that what he says will happen, it will be done for him. Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours." May your faith this year be increased too!!