we do not perish,
for His mercies never end.
They are new every morning;
great is Your faithfulness!"
Lamentation 3:22-23 (Amplified)
With every sunrise, I remember this verse! God’s faithfulness and mercy are new every single morning!
The middle of January is almost here, and as we continue to move forward, we must remember God’s faithfulness in our journey.
At the beginning, we are excited and eager to take off! But as challenges, trials, and unexpected occurrences take place, we may lose our joy, or forget our reason for beginning anew altogether.
Do not be dismayed. God proved his faithfulness time and time again throughout the scriptures to our spiritual ancestors.
“Then the LORD came down in the cloud and stood there with him and proclaimed his name, the LORD. And he passed in front of Moses, proclaiming, “The LORD, the LORD, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin.” Exodus 24:5-7
“Your love, LORD, reaches to the heavens, your faithfulness to the skies.” Psalm 36:5
“What if some were unfaithful? Will their unfaithfulness nullify God’s faithfulness? Not at all!” Romans 3:3
“If we died with him,
we will also live with him;
if we endure,
we will also reign with him.
If we disown him,
he will also disown us;
if we are faithless,
he remains faithful,
for he cannot disown himself.” 2 Timothy 2:12-14
Even when we are unfaithful, God proves faithful. Even if we fail, God proves faithful.
Great is His faithfulness!
This week, I chose to write down my Christian (Spiritual) Bucket List. You know, a bucket list is a list of things you desire to do before you “kick the bucket.” I thought about whether a follower of Christ should have such a list, as our treasure is not here on earth, but in heaven. Then a wonderful reminder from Jesus’ life on earth came to me:
“He replied, “Go tell that fox, ‘I will keep on driving out demons and healing people today and tomorrow, and on the third day I will reach my goal.’ Luke 13:32 (emphasis mine)
Our Lord had a goal while he was on earth, and no power of hell, nor scheme of man distracted him from that goal. Walking in His footsteps, I, too, have a goal. Ultimately, the goal is to do the will of the Father. Daily, that goal is lived out through doing good to all, especially the family of believers.
“My food,” said Jesus, “is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work.” John 4:34
“Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.” Galatians 6:10
“And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.” Hebrews 13:16
“For it is God’s will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish people.” 1 Peter 2:15
“I also want the women to dress modestly, with decency and propriety, adorning themselves, not with elaborate hairstyles or gold or pearls or expensive clothes, but with good deeds, appropriate for women who profess to worship God.” 1 Timothy 2:9.10
His mercies are new every morning. Every day I have the opportunity to do good, to proclaim Him, and to live hidden in Christ.
Following are things from My Spiritual Bucket List. Some things on my list, I have already reached (I have put a star next to these for my own memory). Nevertheless, here it is:
1. Visit the Holy Land.
2. Win as many as possible to Christ and disciple them to maturity.*
3. Stand against an adversary for Christ.*
4. Become a prayer warrior.
5. Wash the feet of believers.*
6. Read through the entire bible.*
7. Evangelize a city.
8. Be a champion for the poor.
9. Homeschool my children.*
10. Plant a church with my husband.
11. Fast for an extended time.
12. Record my personal testimony.
13. Leave an inheritance for my children.
14. Contribute twice as much to the Lord for an entire year.
15. Write down the story of my life.
16. Memorize an entire chapter of the bible.
17. Become the funniest, most humorous person I know.
18. Write a book.
19. Find someone from my past and apologize.*
20. Pay off everything and get out of debt. (Romans 13:8)
21. Buy a pastor a suit.
22. Love my husband with everything I am.
23. Live a year in an unfamiliar country on mission.
24. Tell everyone that I love that I love them.*
25. Write a Christ-focused, God-honoring blog.*
26. Run a marathon.*
27. Bless a random family each month for an entire year.
28. Complete my educational goals.
29. Forgive someone.*
30. Use my spiritual gift to the fullest.*
Every morning, I have the opportunity to remember God’s faithfulness. I have the opportunity to step out and achieve the goals that transform me more and more into the likeness of Christ. Every morning I can make a fresh start.
Have you thought about what you desire to do for God, or how you desire to accomplish the task He has given you here on earth?
Take a moment and think about.
Remember His faithfulness, and set out on your journey!
