‘The Incredulity of St. Thomas’ by Caravaggio. (Source)
Or so a pious tradition has it.
…
20 Scriptures To Pray & Meditate On For A Fruitful New Year
(Source)
Happy New Year, friends!
Do you need His promise this next year?
God’s promises in His Word are our best hedge against discouragement and unbelief. With this new year right here before us, we look to the Bible for direction by meditating on God’s Word:
New Year Beginning
“This month shall be the beginning of months for you; it is to be the first month of the year to you.” ~Exodus 12:2
New Birth – A Living Hope
“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In His great mercy He has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.” ~1 Peter 1:3
Hope For the Future
“In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps.” ~Proverbs 16:9
“For I know the plans I have for you,” says the LORD. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.” ~Jeremiah 29:11
“You crown the year with your bounty, and your carts overflow with abundance.” ~Psalm 65:11
A New Creation
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” ~2 Corinthians 5:17
A New Heart
“Then I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean. Your filth will be washed away, and you will no longer worship idols. And I will give you a new heart with new and right desires, and I will put a new spirit in you. I will take out your stony heart of sin and give you a new, obedient heart. And I will put my Spirit in you so you will obey my laws and do whatever I command.” ~Ezekiel 36:25-27
Forgetting the Past
“No, dear brothers and sisters, I am still not all I should be, but I am focusing all my energies on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I strain to reach the end of the race and receive the prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us up to heaven.” ~Philippians 3:13-14
Learning from Past Mistakes
“Our fathers disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in his holiness. No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.” ~Hebr. 12:10-11
Wait On the Lord
“Be still in the presence of the LORD, and wait patiently for him to act. Don’t worry about evil people who prosper or fret about their wicked schemes.” ~Psalm 37:7 (NLT)
“Yet those who wait for the LORD will gain new strength; they will mount up with wings like eagles, they will run and not get tired, they will walk and not become weary.” ~Isaiah 40:3
God’s Timing is Perfect
“He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end.” ~Ecclesiastes 3:11
Each New Day is Special
“The unfailing love of the LORD never ends! By his mercies we have been kept from complete destruction. Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each day. I say to myself, “The LORD is my inheritance; therefore, I will hope in him!” ~Lamentations 3:22-24
Don’t Look Back
“Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. 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.” ~Isaiah 43:18-19
Shine Brightly
“In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” ~Matthew 5:16
Now Is The Time
“So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.” ~Psalm 90:12
Healthy Spiritual Habits
“And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.” ~Hebrews 10:24-25
A Road Map
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” ~Proverbs 3:5-6
“…make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love.” ~2 Peter 1:3-10
“Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!” ~Psalm 34:8
“I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.”~Romans 12:1
So let’s continually dwell on the rich, soul-filling Word of God! Have a blessed New Year!
And check out my 2018 Reading List: New And {Worthy To Be Revisited} Older Books
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