It's already January, and the clock is ticking. Are you already on your way to achieving your faith goals for this year? If you are, then walk with God and follow Him to success. If you aren't, then let me encourage you:
We can do all things through Christ.
Friend, maybe you already have faith goals for this year, but you're afraid to reach them. Or maybe, you still don't know what God wants you to do for 2018. If you're the former, then I encourage you to trust in the Lord and follow Him. Proverbs 3:5-8 tells us,
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths. Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the Lord and depart from evil. It will be health to your flesh, and strength to your bones."
If you're the latter, however, let me help you by suggesting a few faith goals that every Christian should have every year. These are very fulfilling and very enjoyable to do, but also, they are very manageable.
3 things you can definitely do this year
1) Spread the faith
First, we've all got to want to share our faith with others. As Christ-followers, we ought to follow what the Lord Jesus Christ said:
"All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Amen." (see Matthew 28:18-20)
Friends, that is not a suggestion from Jesus. That is a command from the Lord. If we love Him and are truly following Him, we would do well to do what He said.
But the Good News is that it's so easy to do. Tell your colleague about a Christian book you're reading; invite some friends along to one of your church's outreach events; explain to a friend getting married why you chose to tie the knot in a church. There are so many ways we can witness right where we are - when we remember to!
2) Bring hope to others
As God's people who have put their hope in the finished work of Jesus Christ, it's our responsibility to bring the hope we have to others who don't have it. The Bible tells us that we are Christ's representatives - called "ambassadors" - who work to bring Him to people who don't know Him:
"Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ's behalf, be reconciled to God." (2 Corinthians 5:20)
We bring the message of love, hope, and pardon for all humankind. No one is exempted; since Christ died for all, it's but right for Him to be known by all. You can share hope with someone just by being you; offering a kind word; inviting someone out for a meal; befriending someone in need of a friend.
3) Grow in the love of God
Lastly, we must desire to grow in the love of God. Just like fruit-bearing trees need nutrition in order to bear fruit, we all need to grow in and be nourished by the love of God if we are to bear fruit. That's how it is. And it may not sound like a dramatic goal like climbing Mount Everest or getting that dream God, but friend, this is actually the goal God is most interested in you achieving.
The Lord Jesus Himself said in John 15:4-5,
"Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing."
We ought to desire to grow in our relationship with God. And thankfully it's never been easier. Download a Bible app, subscribe to a devotional website, read a chapter a week of an inspirational, faith-building book. God will honor your efforts.
