While browsing Facebook the other day, I saw something different on the section where you usually find your “memories” or old posts in the past years. I got curious so I checked it out, and it was a video entitled, “Israel Otto Manalo, 2018.” I watched the video, and It was a compilation of the posts that gained attention from my “friends” on the platform. I saw the photo of my wife’s citizenship ceremony, my brother’s post about my baby, my baby’s dedication ceremony, my baby’s first birthday celebration, my first Michael Bublé concert, and other moments that I shared with family and friends. The video put a smile on my face because it was not just a regular post for me, it was an electronic evidence of answered prayers for 2018. It was a collection of testimonies about God’s faithfulness. Amazing as it was, it’s not even a complete attestation of how good God has been to me this year. The Bible says: Psalm 77:11-14 New International Version (NIV) 11 I will remember the deeds of the Lord; Yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago. 12 I will consider all your works and meditate on all your mighty deeds.” 13 Your ways, God, are holy. What is god as great as our God? 14 You are the God who performs miracles; you display your power among the peoples. It is good to look back at what God has done for us. When we remember God’s blessings, we strengthen our faith. Life is not just about dwelling in the land flowing with milk and honey, it is also about the journey to the promised land! It’s about working hard to fulfill our destiny which means conquering giants and armies that stand in our way. More importantly, It’s also about knowing by heart that God is going to be with us throughout the process. One thing that I like to remind myself year after year is the moment when I decided to fully surrender my life to Jesus. My life was a mess and I had no idea how to get my life in order. I prayed to God in my desperation and asked Jesus to save me. Jesus was my way out of that pit. It’s selfish on my part I know, but God doesn’t care about why I called Him. He’s just happy I did and I’m eternally grateful. That’s why I want to share God’s goodness, mercy, grace and love to the world because it’s the least I could do. How about you? Do you remember when you committed to a relationship with Jesus? Do you remember how passionate you were? Do you remember how much you wanted to talk to Him day and night? Do you still remember? Revelation 2:2-5 New International Version (NIV) 2 I know your deeds, your hard work and your perseverance. I know that you cannot tolerate wicked people, that you have tested those who claim to be apostles but are not, and have found them false. 3 You have persevered and have endured hardships for my name, and have not grown weary. 4 Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken the love you had at first. 5 Consider how far you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first. If you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place. We may have neglected God but He never stopped caring for us. He’s just madly in love with every single one of us! It’s time we remember our first love. Let’s go back to when it all started. Set aflame the passion that we have for Jesus!