“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, and he shall direct your paths.” Proverbs 3:5,6 NKJV

It’s that time again! The New Year and the sense of renewed hope that it brings.

And of course, we know it is truly nothing more than the changing of a calendar, the changing of the date from one year to the next, but it always offers a renewed sense of hope.

Hope for newness, hope that all old challenges to pass away and dark nights dawning now with hope of a brighter day.

And with all going on in the world and all the events we are watching play out before our very eyes as we will go forward in our study of all things apocalyptic, I did want to take a moment and send out a holiday wish and reminder that once you trust in Jesus, you have no need to fear these things.

Jesus wants us to be aware of the time, as he told us “So likewise ye, when ye see these things come to pass, know ye that the kingdom of God is nigh at hand.” Luke 22:31

Also, as he commanded the disciples, “Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves; be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.” Matthew 10:16  

Some teachings, especially prophetic writings can be heavy and quite terrifying, but we have to be aware, for ourselves and also for those around us in whose lives we pray to be a light.

Now to start our New Year off right on God’s promise of this: Psalm 17:4: “Concerning the works of men, by the words of thy lips, I have kept me from the paths of the destroyer.”

Twenty-two scriptures to hopefully encourage and prayerfully equip you with verses to remember as we take on the new season of unknown, knowing that the word of God never changes and while we never know what a year may bring, we do know that we have these promises and that is why we are to trust in Him and not be so concerned with it appears that we see.

#1. “Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the Lord thy God, he it is that goth with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.” Deuteronomy 31:5

#2.”Blessed be the Lord, who daily loadeth us with benefits, even the God of our salvation.” Psalm 68:19

#3. ” The righteous cry, and the Lord heareth, and delivereth them out of all their afflictions.” Psalm 34:17

#4.” Behold, the eye of the Lord is upon them that fear him, upon them that hope in his mercy; To deliver their soul from death, and to keep them alive in famine.” Psalm 33:18,19

#5. “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.” Lamentations 3:21-23

#6.” Wait on the Lord, and keep his way, and he will exalt thee to inherit the land; when the wicked are cut off, thou shalt see it.” Psalm 37:34

#7. But the salvation of the righteous is of the Lord; he is their strength in the time of trouble.”

#8.” God is our refuge and strength, and very present help in teh time of need.” Psalm 46:1

#9. “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

#10.”And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM;…” Exodus 3:14

#11. ” Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was I am.” John 8:58

#12.“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish; but have everlasting life.” John 3:16

#13.”And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life; he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.” John 6:35

#14.“Blessed are the poor in spirit; for their’s is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are they that mourn; for they shall be comforted.

Blessed are the meek; for they shall inherit the earth.

Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness, for they shall be filled.

Blessed are the merciful; for they shall obtain mercy.

Blessed are the pure in heart; for they shall see God.

Blessed are the peacemakers; for they shall be called the children of God.

Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake; for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.

Rejoice, and be exceeding glad; for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.” Matthew 5:3-12

#15.“Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days; be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.” Revelation 2:10

#16. “Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.” James 1:23

#17.”Submit yourselves, therefore to God, Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” James 4:7

#18, “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.” Romans 8:1

#19.”And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.” Ephesians 4:30

#20.” There is one body and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; One Lord, one faith, one baptism, One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.” Ephesians 4:4-6

#21,”Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” Hebrews 11:1

#22.”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

Φλογιζω NBJ 2021/ Reverend Nina Brown Johnson