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bible to back up your vision, do i have a purpose, don't stop praying, fulfilling God's purpose in your life, great start for the year, how to find hope, how to find joy, how to fulfill my purpose, how to keep new years resolutions, joy for the new year, new beginnings, new years resolutions, scripture to meditate on for hope, starting the new year right
Don’t you just love this picture? This is the way I want to be this year…knowing that God has great things for me, believing Him for those things, and moving forward in joy.
Psalm 1:1-3 says, “How happy is the man who does not follow the advice of the wicked or take the path of sinners or join a group of mockers! Instead, his delight is in the LORD’s instruction, and he meditates on it day and night. He is like a tree planted beside streams of water that bears its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers.” – When I remember that We Are Planting Trees, Not Wheat I can focus on God, and not results. His instruction is my delight. Fellowship with others is my delight. This results in joy that is contagious because I am happy. What a great way to live!
Romans 8:31, “What then are we to say about these things? If God is for us, who is against us?” – Is Paul saying that no one is against him because God is for him? No, but he is putting things in perspective. When the very God of the universe is with us, in us, and all around us working on our behalf, what does it matter when a mere person turns their nose up at us? When we remember, truly know, that our God is for us, we can walk in strength and joy this year.
Philippians 4:13, “I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.” – One of my all time favorites because it reminds me that everything that is accomplished is due to His strength working in me. It has nothing to do with me and my maturity, or how much I have it “all together”, it is completely about Him. He is the Vine and I am the branch. (see John 15). The branch only gets its life from the Vine.
James 1:17, “Every generous act and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights; with Him there is no variation or shadow cast by turning.” – Our God is the greatest gift-giver of all time. He gave us Jesus! Pray that you have hands open to receive the generous, abundant life that He has for you. Pray that your hands are not only open to receive, but to give as He calls.
II Timothy 1:6-7, “Therefore, I remind you to keep ablaze the gift of God that is in you…For God has not given us a spirit of fearfulness, but one of power, love, and sound judgment.” – God has gifted you for service. Ask Him to give you clarity about how and where to use that gifting, and then pray for Him to keep that gift ablaze in you. Ask Him to move you forward in His power, His love, and His sound judgment. Ask Him to break those chains of fearfulness for good. This world needs you to be ablaze for the Kingdom.
Choose one, or two of these verses that really resonate and write them out. Repeat them throughout the day (especially right before bedtime). When doubts creep in, go back to the verse from last week’s blog (Mark 9:23-24) and pray as the father in this passage did, “I believe. Help my unbelief.” Then, continue praying your verses.
There is hope in our God. There is peace. There is joy. Let’s choose to live in it this year.
*image by Mother Nature Network
A Seeking Heart 