‭‭James‬ ‭4‬:‭10‬ ‭NIV‬‬ —Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.

We hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas. As we head into a new year, I want to share my word for 2025: Humble. Although I feel I am a humble person, as I grow in our ministry and my service, I want to bring glory to God. James instructs that God will lift us. We don’t need to do the heavy lifting, we can choose to take up our cross and humbly come before God.

Sunday I shared the song, Simple Kingdom by Bryan and Katie Torwalt. From that song, I have selected my mantra for 2025: “Live and breathe His praise.” I will stumble but through my brokenness, I want to be a blessing to others. From the same song, I have also selected my prayer for 2025: Hallelujah, hallowed be thy Name.

Let’s take a moment and pray through ‭‭Matthew‬ ‭6‬:‭9‬-‭15‬ ‭NIV‬‬ —

“This, then, is how you should pray: “ ‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.’ For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.”

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Join us in meditating on this week’s scripture!

‭‭2 Chronicles‬ ‭7‬:‭14‬ ‭NIV‬‬ — If‭‭ my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.

John‬ ‭3‬:‭30‬ ‭NIV‬‬ — He must become greater; I must become less.

‭‭Philippians‬ ‭2‬:‭3‬-‭4‬ ‭NIV‬‬ — Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.

‭‭Philippians‬ ‭4‬:‭20‬ ‭NIV‬ — To our God and Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

‭‭James‬ ‭4‬:‭10‬ ‭NIV‬‬ — Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.

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Romans 15:13 NIV — May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Join us on our YouTube Channel as we reflect on Deborah’s mantra and words for 2025

Romans 15:13 NIV — May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Matthew 5:9 NIV — Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.

As we focus on a new year, I not only encourage you to choose a word of the year, but also a mantra. Mantras originated in Hinduism and Buddhism. It is often a phrase that is repeated to aid in concentration or meditation. Over the last few years I have chosen a mantra to repeat each day along with my word of the day to help set the tone of my day. 

My words for 2025 are peace and joy and it is my goal to not only be affected but also to affect others by focusing on those words. I want to be a person who affects the temperature in the room. This year my mantra is “be a thermostat.” Watch this short video titled Are You a Thermometer or a Thermostat? to help explain.

What have you chosen as your word to focus your attention in 2025? Have you chosen a mantra? Please share with us so we can be in prayer with you as we enter a new year together.

Let’s pray. Dear God, thank you for today and the blessings of today. Thank you for your divine inspiration to lead me to words and a mantra to shape my focus in 2025. Please continue to guide and direct my steps. May my words and actions promote peace and joy. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

Close out your devotion time today by listening to this song titled Peace Be Still by Hope Darst.

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Philippians 4:4-7 NIV — Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Now that Christmas is over, let’s turn our attention toward our word of the year for 2025. Have you chosen a word to focus on throughout 2025? 

This year God has led me to two words because one leads to the other. My words for 2025 are peace and joy. As I prayed about my word for 2025, God quickly led me to the word peace. As I read over scriptures and continued to pray, He showed me that peace in Him leads to joy.  

Today’s featured scripture is a formula for peace and joy. In short, we must turn our worries into prayers, present them to God, and He will give us peace. Peace in Him gives us an untouchable joy.

We would love to hear from you about your word or words for 2025. What has God led you to focus on in the year ahead? Choosing a word of the year is a great practice to stay rooted and grounded in Him.

Let’s pray. Dear God, thank You for Your promise of peace and joy. May I be intentional about turning my worries into prayers and allow You to guard my heart and mind with peace and joy. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

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Luke 2:1-21 NIV

Today is Christmas day. Take some time to read the above scripture and praise God for the true meaning of Christmas. Focus on versus 13 and 14 — Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

Choosing a life of walking on water with God, hand in hand with Jesus, and allowing the Holy Spirit to guide us, gives you and I a peace that is hard for nonbelievers to fathom. Being favored by God doesn’t mean we will live a life that is free of troubles or struggles. It means we have confidence in the presence of our Lord, trust His direction, and have faith that His plan is better than ours.

On this Christmas Day, take time to reflect on the first Christmas. If today isn’t as joyous as you would like, allow God to comfort and strengthen you. Most of all, have confidence in His presence, faith in His love, and rest in His peace.

Let’s pray. Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for the true meaning of Christmas. Thank you for sending Your Son to be my Savior. Help me to feel Your peace that passeth all understanding. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

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