The Year Of Great Faith - 2025

I love exceptions. I like to see people doing something different from what everyone else is doing. In fact, it is the description of the Kingdom of God. It is different from the kingdom of this world. We are called to be holy, separated and set apart to God from the ordinary. Let’s look for exceptions and pursue them as the Holy Spirit leads us.

Here is one exception Jesus noted and there are not too many of them in scripture. “Jesus was amazed and said to those following him, “Truly I tell you; I have not found anyone in Israel with so great a faith.”

Why did Jesus say he has not seen such a great faith in Israel? Let’s read the rest of the story:

"When he entered Capernaum, a centurion came to him, pleading with him, “Lord, my servant is lying at home paralyzed, in terrible agony.” He said to him, “Am I to come and heal him?” “Lord,” the centurion replied, “I am not worthy to have you come under my roof. But just say the word, and my servant will be healed. For I too am a man under authority, having soldiers under my command. I say to this one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and to another, ‘Come,’ and he comes; and to my servant, ‘Do this!’ and he does it.”

Hearing this, Jesus was amazed and said to those following him, “Truly I tell you; I have not found anyone in Israel with so great a faith. I tell you that many will come from east and west to share the banquet with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven. But the sons of the kingdom will be thrown into the outer darkness where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” Then Jesus told the centurion, “Go. As you have believed, let it be done for you.” And his servant was healed that very moment.” - Matthew 8:5-13. 

In Luke’s narration (please read Luke 7:1-10), the centurion only found out later that the servant has been healed.

Let’s define faith in the simplest term. Faith is believing there is God, hearing from God and doing what He has said. Faith is believing and trusting God without evidence. Faith has no value if it is not tested. If we want great faith, we must be tested on the faith. – see James 1:2-4.

What do we see in the encounter of Jesus and the centurion? The centurion recognized and acknowledged that Jesus, is God the Son. He called Jesus, “Lord”. If Jesus is not Lord and God to you, you won’t even take your case to Him and you would not listen to Him. Is Jesus your Lord? If not, repent, believe in Jesus today as your Lord and Savior. And be filled with His Holy Spirit to live a new life in Christ. Amen.

“Lord,” means Jesus is not at the same level as the centurion and he understood this very well. The centurion was in charge of people just like our present-day bosses. Lordship comes with authority and vested power to accomplish great things.

We should go to God, praying like the centurion who believed and went away without immediate evidence of seeing what he asked for. The object of his faith is Jesus and Jesus’ words.

Our problem is that we often don't believe. We demand Jesus to do it right now. We forget that He is God and does what he wants according to his will. He is sovereign and His will must be done on earth as it's in heaven. Let’s stop trying to push God around. He knows and does the best at his will and time for His glory. Amen. 

Lord, “just say the word.” I believe, please help my unbelief.

What is your goal and purpose for 2025? Let us lay it at the feet of Jesus and walk away in faith knowing that He will surely bring it to pass according to His will and for His glory. God will refine the goal and us along the way before the end of 2025 to make us more like Christ.

This is the year of great faith in the Lord. Let's take a break from mundane prayers and pray big kingdom prayers, that are targeted to reform and transform lives for the glory of Jesus.

Who do you want to see come to faith believing Jesus for the first time and be born again? Let’s list them and without ceasing pray for them in 2025, and take action to speak to them about Jesus’ saving gospel. Start with people on your phone contacts and pray for all repeatedly throughout 2025.

Please hear me out. Not that healing, shelter, food is not important but if I am to ask, I will ask for the biggest and the best. God is longing for all His unsaved children to come to Him. Pray God's heart and will. Jesus has a prayer request too. See Matthew 9:35-38 and Luke 10:2-3 on Jesus' request for laborers into His harvest. Let's be answers to this prayer request. 

Yes, I want my son to be healed; at the same time, I want the best and greatest for Jonathan and that is that he would come to the true faith and trust in Jesus and be saved for eternity. Amen.  Will you join me in this prayer in 2025? In fact, let's extend it to everyone we know who have not come to faith in Christ. 

For what shall it profit a person to gain the whole world (including healing) and lose his soul and miss eternity with God forever? Without being saved, many that are healed and made well even through medical interventions will end up in hell, separated from God. Let’s get the BIG picture. 

There's a waiting required when we prayer. God has times and purposes. Case in point, Zachariah and Elizabeth.  Listen: “But the angel said unto him, Fear not, Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John. And thou shalt have joy and gladness; and many shall rejoice at his birth.” - Luke 1:13-14. The couple were old and of course have been praying for all these years, but God has now answered because John had to be born before Jesus was to be born.

Notice that the Centurion was asking for the healing of a servant and not even his own son. We must go beyond ourselves and seek the good of others. God loves those kinds of intercessory prayers and actions to help others and bring glory to Him.

Exercising faith in God is very costly. You may go for a long time being laughed at and lose your reputation. You may be uprooted from your comfort zone and often reduced to your wits-end where only God can help you. Are you still willing to exercise faith in God in 2025? Many things will happen this year to confound us but we must continue to believe in the God who raises the dead and rose from the dead. Amen.

Yes, exercising faith is our worship and what we bring to God. It is all about God's glory and not what we can get from God.

Let’s make time to wait on God in worship, in meditation/study of His word and in prayers. Then, we will clearly hear from God and move in faith. Without the exercise of faith, it is impossible to please God. 

Let’s keep in mind that we are saved by grace through faith and not by works; but to do good works after salvation to the glory of God. Ephesians 2:8-10. Help change a life this 2025.

Do something different that is inspired by the Holy Spirit this year and take a step of faith; for whatever is not done in faith is sin. There is no limitation when God inspires you in whatever you do or in your occupation. 

At the end of the age, God is looking for faithfulness not necessarily fruitfulness. Listen: “His master replied, “Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness.” Matthew 25:23. 

Also, let's pause and think about the implications of Jesus' rhetorical question in the parable of the persistent widow. "When the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on earth?" - Luke 18:8. It seems like Jesus is looking for believers, faith and faithfulness and it may be lacking in the end times. This is just one thought. 

May we be warned that Jesus was also "amazed" on seeing the unbelief/faithlessness of his own people of his hometown; He could not do much miracles among them - Mark 6:6.

Finally, Jesus reminds us of the ultimate consequence of not believing Him as Lord and Savior. The unbelievers "will be thrown into the outer darkness where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” - AKA, hell. The believers, "many will come from east and west to share the banquet with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven."

Hear (faith comes by hearing God’s word), believe and trust and obey God in 2025. This is my goal for 2025. What about you? Happy New year and New you and me in 2025!

Lord, we thank you for 2025. Please help us to believe in you and amaze you with our great faith in you this year and forever.  Amen.