A new year, for many people, is a time to recommit themselves to long-standing goals. Whether you have New Year’s resolutions or not, it is a great time to dive deep into God’s Word. Some people pick a reading plan. Others find themes they want to explore. No matter what approach, the Bible is full of verses and promises that can be especially poignant and potent during at the start of a new calendar.
Spiritually fortifying oneself at the beginning of the year can aid in rising to challenges, feeling the Holy Spirit, and growing closer to Jesus Christ. The Lord uses even the smallest verses in the Bible.
Whether beginning in Genesis, or working backwards from Revelation, having Bible verses to strengthen the spirit is always an important part of the Christian walk.
Here are twelve verses to start the New Year strong.
“The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. ‘The Lord is my portion,’ says my soul, ‘therefore I will hope in him.’”
At the beginning of the year, it is good to be reminded that God is eternally merciful, and renews His love for us over and over again. He is our portion for our daily needs, and carrying that hope into the new year will provide strength and courage to face trials.
“Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.”
The Lord is making a new creation in the believer. Whether or not that is immediately apparent, God is turning each one of His children into a more righteous individual. He will change circumstances as well. If things are bad right now, it will get better. If God can part the Red Sea, resurrect the dead, and put rivers in the desert, He can and will work all things for His children’s good and His glory.
“Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
What a wonderful reminder that Christians should always go to God praising Him, and can always go to Him with needs and requests. Especially after the rush of the holidays, resetting our minds to thank God and go to Him in thankfulness for another year is a great reminder, and seeking peace of God is a great New Year’s resolution.
“Know well the condition of your flocks, and give attention to your herds.”
While there may not be many professional shepherds these days, the sentiment is nonetheless important today. In essence, it is a reminder to be responsible with that which God has blessed the individual. In the New Year, find the resolve to be more responsible with money, take better care of clothing, and value God’s blessings more.
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.”
Another good verse that can substitute as a New Year’s resolution. Often, getting stronger requires humility. This year, trust in God’s strength rather than your own. Follow the Lord’s path. Acknowledge God’s sovereignty this year and find spiritual renewal and purpose.
“The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the laws. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”
While every person will die once, sin and death have no power over the people who have new life in Christ. When facing the New Year, walk into it with confidence knowing the battle is won!
“For the sake of Christ, then I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”
This year, some Christians will face persecution for their faith. It may be mockery or losing a job opportunity, or it may be loss of family and jail. No matter what may come, use everything and anything, including the hardships, to draw closer to and glorify the Lord Jesus. When we are little, God’s greatness shines brighter, and He cares for His own.
“For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.”
This verse is a great reminder for the New Year that God gifted His children with courage, power, love, and self-control. Often, people struggle to possess and embody these character traits. It need not be as difficult. Strive to rely on the Lord more this year for betterment.
“Seek the Lord and his strength; seek his presence continually!”
Priorities can get thrown off by things that, in the grand scheme of eternity, are not very important. Be in God’s presence continually, at work, with family, alone, and during personal highs and lows. A New Year means new chances to seek God’s presence.
“And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength...you shall love your neighbor as yourself. There is no other commandment greater than these.’”
Some of the best sources of hope and strength are the words of Jesus Christ himself from the Gospels. This verse reminds us of what Christians are called to, which is to love the Lord and to love others. Refocusing on what God wants from us can help put the New Year in focus, and hep us re-evaluate our priorities
“For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.”
Bolster yourself for the New Year with one of the Apostle Paul’s boldest statements. There is no reason to feel ashamed of the Gospel! So go into the New Year boldly proclaiming the Gospel to the world! Rely on the Spirit to lead you to people who are open to the truth, and share the good news of Jesus Christ to your neighbor, your co-worker, and those who need to know Jesus personally.
“For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm."
What a better verse for strength in the New Year than the one that calls us to take up the armor of God for victory in our spiritual battles? Every day is a chance for new triumphs over ourselves, over Satan, and for Christ. Our leader and Savior has won the great victory, and if we lean on Him, we shall have victory as well.
Every day is a gift from the Lord, and His Word is one of our greatest tools for approaching the day with strength and victory. Turn to the Lord in all things, and He will carry you through the New Year.
Morahboss is a freelance writer and editor. He maintains a faith and lifestyle blog morahboss.blogspot.com, where he muses about the Lord, life, culture, and ministry.
The university was named after the Nigerian educational administrator and human rights activist Tai Solarin (1922–1994). It is the second university approved in Ogun State, and the 76th approved university in Nigeria. It was proclaimed a full-fledged university by the former governor of Ogun state, His Excellency Otunba Gbenga Daniel on 29 January 2005.The former Tai Solarin College of Education was approved by the Nigerian Universities Commission in 2005 as a university after a thorough analysis and appraisal of its facilities' academic brief. Tai Solarin University of Education (TASUED, pronounced TARSUD), established on 29 January 2005 by the administration of His Excellency, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, is a unique tertiary institution in the country. Apart from being the first of its kind in Nigeria, she also shares a unique feature as the only institution in the country that offers both the bachelor's degree programmes in educ...
💥💥TAI SOLARIN UNIVERSITY OF EDUCATION STUDENTS' UNION(TASUEDSU)💥💥 ✨TEAM LET'S ASSIST STUDENTS' 2019/2020✨ *TP UPDATE‼‼‼* Some students complained about noninclusion of their details in the just concluded first phase supervision. This is due to the non completion of their posting registration at the TP secretariat. All Coll. Reps. are hereby advised to inform such students in their college to report at the secretariat between Monday, 9th and Wednesday, 11th December to complete such. By this release, the secretariat is hereby directed to make necessary preparation for this exercise and ensure that only students in the category described above are registered. The secretary should collate and distribute to respective college reps by Thursday, December, 12th for necessary action. *Chairman UTPB* I AM ADEWUYI TAIWO ELIJAH *(FABULOUS GG) *TASUEDSU P.R.O *09034473940 *Aluta Pen of Redefinition.
I notice that some students are yet to be offered Admission by JAMB in which this is delaying them in submission of their Brown File. Why are you yet to be offered Admission by JAMB? *1)* For instance when you register for JAMB you choose Economics or any other course but TASUED gave you another course,you are to do change of course on jamb portal; without this JAMB won't give you Admission. *2)* There are some that are yet to accept JAMB Caps and some are yet to upload there O level result *3)* Some are yet to accept JAMB transfer, after accepting it, print it out and submit it to the Admission office at *(BLOCK F)* ,they will surely attend to you. With this am very sure that you will be offered Admission by JAMB. So I will urge those affected that they should make a move on this so as to meet up before the deadline! if possible they will extend the date for the submission of Brown File do the necessary things now to avoid late submission...
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