2019 gave me new milestones, and I’m sure that each one of us feels the same way. We experienced good things along with the bad. We laughed and cried throughout the year and again, ready to take on new challenges in 2020.
I learned a lot for sure, but I’m going to share my two key takeaways for 2019.
1. God’s Gift of Grace is Perfect
Acts 15:10-11
The Message (MSG)
10-11 “So why are you now trying to out-god God, loading these new believers down with rules that crushed our ancestors and crushed us, too?
Don’t we believe that we are saved because the Master Jesus amazingly and out of sheer generosity moved to save us just as he did those from beyond our nation? So, what are we arguing about?”
2019 proved to me that God’s grace is perfect. If you think you can do something that will make God love you less, then you are wrong.
You aim for maturity and growth for your benefit, not for God’s. His love is unconditional, He is faithful, and He doesn’t change.
Since I learned that God’s love is perfect and unconditional, here are things that I will do in 2020:
· Make room for mistakes
If I make a mistake, I won’t punish myself for it. I will seek the lesson in the experience and aim not to do it again. If I still commit the same error, I’ll go back to the drawing board and start over.
No more will I fill my head with negativity just because I made mistakes.
The Bible says that if I live on earth, I will err. Doing something wrong is inevitable, and I’ll make sure I handle it positively in 2020.
· Make time for fun
I will have more fun in 2020. I have filled my schedule with ministry and corporate work that it became difficult for me to do stuff in 2019.
I will block dates in my calendar for the family so I could experience life to the fullest.
· God is in control
I will make mistakes and plans will fail because of inevitable unforeseen circumstances. People will also let me down.
If all these things happen, I will not dwell on negativity and move on to the next step of the process. Worrying and holding grudges will not help. If I feel these negative emotions, I will ensure that I pray.
God will make things work together for my good, and all I need to do is to trust Him.
2. God is both the Lion and the Lamb
Matthew 11:1-6
New International Version (NIV)
1 After Jesus had finished instructing his twelve disciples, he went on from there to teach and preach in the towns of Galilee.
2 When John, who was in prison, heard about the deeds of the Messiah, he sent his disciples 3 to ask him, “Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?”
4 Jesus replied, “Go back and report to John what you hear and see:
5 The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor. 6 Blessed is anyone who does not stumble on account of me.”
I’ll give you some background to the verses.
The Jewish Messiah
The Jews believed that the Messiah was a person that will set Israel free from the power of Rome. Therefore, Jews do not believe that Jesus is the Messiah. They thought the Messiah would be someone who would take down Rome with power.
John’s situation
John was imprisoned and sentenced to death because he called out the king’s divorce. Scholars say that John sent his disciples to Jesus because he felt doubt and needed assurance about Jesus being the Messiah. These scholars think that John wanted Jesus to take down Rome so that he could escape death in the hands of Herod.
We all know what happened. Jesus didn’t save John, and John was beheaded.
The Lion and the Lamb
Jesus, as the Lion represents triumph. Victory over sin, sickness, and failure. Christians can claim prosperity, healing and victory in Jesus. A Christian’s victorious testimony can glorify God.
However, Jesus is also the Lamb. This means that Jesus is also the Lord of sacrifice. If an adverse circumstance will glorify God, then He would allow it to happen. That’s why He allowed John’s execution to occur. Perhaps, that’s why there are bad things that happen in the world that we couldn't understand.
Let’s sum it up
· God is a God of miracles, and He can give you your breakthrough
· God is a God of sacrifice, and He can allow you to go through seasons of pain
· We have different callings, and we should focus on our race and don’t look at others
· We have different struggles, and it doesn’t mean we’re weak
· We must respect one another because our resources and our journeys are diverse
· Encourage one another because the path God has for us can be extremely challenging
· Spread Jesus love because having an intimate relationship with Jesus is the difference between living life to the full and spiritual and physical death
I hope I didn’t discourage you from worshipping the Lord and seeking an intimate relationship with Jesus. Let me give you this verse:
Romans 8:28
King James Version (KJV)
28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
We will never understand the plans of God fully, but we can trust in His word. He will make things go our way if we trust Him. We may experience abundance or suffering, but God can turn any situation around for our benefit. We must trust His will.
The path of our lives may be challenging but hang in there. We will complete the course if we remain in our faith.
Thank you for reading this devotional story, and I pray that it encouraged and empowered you in your walk with Christ. Please read other devotional stories on the website. You might find Fantasyland, Beyond Fathom and Embrace Change appealing.
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