And he said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it. For what does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses his soul? For whoever is ashamed of me and of my words, of him will the Son of Man be ashamed when he comes in his glory and the glory of the Father and of the holy angels. (Luke 9:23-26 ESV)

And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him. (Hebrews 11:6 ESV)

We must always pray for faith and growing trust in our God because there is great reward in those who seek Him. Let us never cease to seek Him in the times of good and bad for it is by faith we are saved, justified, and holy in the eyes of God. Like the rest of Hebrews 11 faith allows God to do great and mighty things through us so let us trust Him to do so!

“For no good tree bears bad fruit, nor again does a bad tree bear good fruit, for each tree is known by its own fruit. For figs are not gathered from thornbushes, nor are grapes picked from a bramble bush. The good person out of the good treasure of his heart produces good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure produces evil, for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks. (Luke 6:43-45 ESV)

Let us be a tree of the good; producing fruit in other people’s lives making our influence attractive to those around us so that we can share more of the good in Jesus Christ to them also. I pray that every year we can look around us and see how we have impacted people’s lives in a positive and powerful way through and for the glory of Jesus Christ.

But now even more the report about him went abroad, and great crowds gathered to hear him and to be healed of their infirmities. But he would withdraw to desolate places and pray. (Luke 5:15, 16 ESV)

Prayer is incredibly important especially to Jesus and so we must follow suit taking time everyday to get away from everything and spend time with our God.

For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence, for my hope is from him. He only is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be shaken. On God rests my salvation and my glory; my mighty rock, my refuge is God. Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your heart before him; God is a refuge for us. Selah (Psalms 62:5-8 ESV)

Let us look solely to God for He is our only refuge our rock and the creator of this world. Our hope is only found in Him and His son for we have been given true life through Jesus.

Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world. He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, having become as much superior to angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs. (Hebrews 1:1-4 ESV)

We have access to the God of the universe only through the sacrifice of His son. Let us be thankful always for Jesus and what he has given to us.