My 2008

What do I expect my 2008 to be like? I've asked myself that question about a month ago. As I look back and review my 2007, there have been glitches here and there... slip ups and U-turns at *points* here... here...and THERE...

So do I get frustrated? Do I get resentful? I do indeed have the right to be angry with certain individuals and situations that cropped up in 2007, but I choose instead to look at these happenings and smile. Not because I'm looney and I'm not being real with life...if you know me long enough you will find I'm an extremely logic-minded person... but I choose to be happy and give thanks for the many, many happening sin 2007 because I have seen God's hand upon my life.

The times when I was stretched to my maximum in faith and emotions, God taught me that He can replenish that faith and emotional strength. There were times when my authority in Christ was challenged and God reminded me that He has given the keys to bind and loose in the heavenly places. I went through moments of not being understood, isolation and depression; but within those dark days, God was there to support, comfort and hold me in His arms when I cried and cried until my throat was raw and the tears would fall hot and fast. It was painful, but God went through more pain and I finally caught a glimpse of what it meant to be in the shoes of Jesus. I'm not claiming glory. I'm just realising what it means to DIE everyday and deny everything else and carry my cross.

So how is my 2008 going to be? Well... I want it to be God's 2008 for me. I've been challenged financially for these past few months, but I believe God will provide in 2008. I'm believing for a car to come in 2008. I'm believing that more disciples will be made and the youth will have a growing passion to be more like Jesus everyday and be key influencers in their own peer groups in school and out of school. I'm believing that God will use me more for His Kingdom's glory. I'm believing that God can have His way with me. I'm believing that 2008 will be a year where I submit and surrender more of myself to Him because He is the only person I trust with all my heart.

I want God in my 2008. In the year 2007 I confess there were times God was left out of the picture and I struggled with my own might and strength. But my 2008 will be different. I don't have any special offering to offer to God at the moment, but I'm going to lay my 2008...all 365 days of it... on the altar and offer it up as a burnt offering.

I'm offering my all to God. It will be my reminder everyday that everytime in 2008, whenever I stray from God's will... I've stolen the offering that rightfully belongs to God. Everytime I ignore God, it will mean that I've withheld what is rightfully God's from Him. It sounds like a serious reminder, but honestly... God is a serious God concerning our promises to Him.

God is serious about blessing each and everyone of us. He's serious in making us great.

But how many of us are willing to stay committed to God's promises and instructions to us? How many of us have strayed and chosen to be complacent with our faith? How many of us started fiery in our faith, but later our hearts become cold and troubled?

Are you ready to...
D......Do
I........It
E.......Everyday?

Take up your cross daily. Crucify yourself daily. Are you ready to DIE?