Stepping Into A New Year :: By Holly Spate

For many, the very thought of a new year evokes feelings of joy. It provides a boost to the heart, bringing a sense of fresh hope and a new perspective. For some, it provides a springboard… a chance to start over, to be better. It’s an opportunity to seek new adventures and improve oneself. A new year equals a new beginning… a beginning filled with possibility and surprises.

For others, a new year causes feelings of fear, anxiety and uneasiness. It’s not embraced with open arms but stepped into cautiously and reluctantly. The unknown is not a welcome invitation to many, and stepping into a new year can bring feelings of unwelcome stress.

No matter which feeling you may have as you step into 2023 (overly optimistic or cautiously anxious), there is a common truth for all that have chosen to put their hope and faith in Christ. This common truth brings peace, as it is good news! It is a reminder that there is no need to fear.

The good news for you as a believer in Christ is this…

A new year with Christ means another year with all He provides: hope, peace, love, joy, encouragement, direction, provision, forgiveness, new mercies.

A new year with Christ means another year of confidently knowing your heavenly Father has a plan and purpose for your days and your life.

A new year with Christ means you can trust, rely and lean on the very One who is the creator and author of your life.

A new year with Christ means more time to share His love, light and truth of salvation with others.

A new year with Christ means you can have full assurance that He is in full control and you need not fear.

A new year with Christ means you can be confident that your future is secure and your eternity bright.

A new year with Christ means you can always trust an unknown time to a known God.

As a child of God, you are not walking into 2023 alone…. He is with you, just like always. He’s walking beside you… guiding your steps, speaking to your heart, and keeping you safely in His care. He knows the future and has a plan for your life. Therefore, you have no need to be anxious.

Never forget… the very One who walks beside you today, who has walked beside you in the past, promises to take every step beside you. The King of Kings will never leave your side. As you walk into 2023, He is beside you… the Savior of the world is beside you. You may not know what the new year may bring, but you can have joy in knowing that you will be journeying with Jesus!

All believers can head into the new year with confidence and peace, resting in the knowledge that our Savior is good and He never changes… ever.

Hebrews 13:8 reminds of this truth, “Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.”

Lamentations 3:21-25 states, “This I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope. It is of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness. The Lord is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him. The Lord is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him.”

As we begin a new year, I’m reminded of 2 Timothy 3:16-17, which states, “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.”

Because God’s Word is encouraging, powerful, and serves as a blueprint for how to live life, I felt led to leave you with some beautiful scriptures as you venture into another year.

I pray you will print these verses and keep them in a visible place as a daily reminder of encouragement as you remember Who is in control and Whose child you are!

Praying your 2023 draws you closer to Christ as you hold to His truths and keep His Word hidden in your heart.

His promises are true. His love is unconditional. His plans are perfect. He cares for you… you are His!

Keep looking up, planting, praying, praising, thanking, forgiving, hoping, loving, sharing, encouraging and trusting.

May God bless each of you. Happy New Year to All!

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*Encouragement for 2023*

“Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things” (Philippians 4:8).

“Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you” (James 4:8).

“There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love” (1 John 4:18).

In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you” (1 Thessalonians 5:18).

“The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much” (James 5:16).

“And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful” (Colossians 3:15).

“I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for thou, Lord, only makest me dwell in safety” (Psalm 4:8).

“Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them” (Psalm 119:165).

“Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth” (Psalm 46:10).

“Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness” (Isaiah 41:10).

“What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee” (Psalm 56:3).

“I sought the Lord, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears” (Psalm 34:4).

“For I the Lord thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee” (Isaiah 41:13).

“Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest” (Joshua 1:9).

“Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6-7).

“The Lord is on my side; I will not fear: what can man do unto me?” (Psalm 118:6).

“Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me” (Psalm 23:4).

“For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind” (2 Timothy 1:7).

“Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil” (Ephesians 6:11).

“For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith” (1 John 5:4).

“Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ” (Philippians 1:6).

“Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you” (1 Peter 5:7).

“The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the Lord shall be safe” (Proverbs 29:25).

“For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father” (Romans 8:15).

“Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows” (Matthew 10:29-31).

“A good man sheweth favour, and lendeth: he will guide his affairs with discretion” (Psalm 112:5).

“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen” (Hebrews 11:1).

“Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost” (Romans 15:13).

“Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth” (Mark 9:23).

“Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby” Hebrews 12:11).

“And I will walk among you, and will be your God, and ye shall be my people” (Leviticus 26:12).

“But and if ye suffer for righteousness’ sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled” (1 Peter 3:14).

“For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith” (Romans 1:17).

“Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh” (Matthew 24:44).

“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end” (Jeremiah 29:11).

“If ye love me, keep my commandments” (John 14:15).

“But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:19).

“Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ” (Titus 2:12-13).

“Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also” (John 14:1-3).

“The Lord bless thee, and keep thee: The Lord make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee: The Lord lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace” (Numbers 6:24-26).

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