Happy New Year! It has been a while since we have posted and wanted to take this opportunity to share some thoughts as to stay focus on Christ for 2023. One way to start the new year with Christ Jesus is to take some time to reflect on your relationship with Him and how you can strengthen it in the coming year.
This might involve setting aside regular time for prayer and Bible study, seeking fellowship with other believers, and finding ways to serve and share your faith with others. Another important aspect of remaining steadfast in Christ is to focus on your spiritual growth and aim to become more like Him each day. This might involve working on character traits such as love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Finally, it can be helpful to have specific goals or aspirations for the year that align with your faith, such as reading through the Bible or committing to a specific service project.
Here are a few Bible verses that may be helpful as you seek to start the new year with Christ Jesus and remain steadfast in your faith:
Colossians 3:1-2: “If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.”
Psalm 119:105: “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.”
Philippians 4:13: “I can do all things through him who strengthens me.”
Hebrews 12:1-2: “Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and author of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.”
James 1:2-4: “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have Its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.”
It’s important to remember not to be discouraged by the chaos and challenges of this world. Instead, we can find hope and strength in Christ. Here are a few additional Bible verses that may be helpful in this regard:
Isaiah 41:10: “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
Psalm 46:1: “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.”
Matthew 11:28-29: “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”
John 16:33: “I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”
2 Timothy 1:7: “For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.”
We pray 2023 is a year of spiritual growth and a deeper relationship with our savior Jesus Christ.
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