1 Corinthians 6:19-20 NIV — Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.

Today begins the first full week of 2025. Often as a new year begins we choose resolutions or goals to focus on in an effort to better ourselves. Many times our goals are related to losing weight or exercising more. We start off strong at the beginning of the year but rarely stick with our resolutions for the entire year. 

While it is always good to work to better ourselves, this year let’s approach our goals a little differently. This year, let’s ground our goals spiritually. Instead of choosing to lose weight and exercise for the earthly and material reasons, let’s focus on honoring God by caring for His temple. What can you do today to honor God with your body? How can you reflect Him in the food and exercise choices you make today?

Let’s pray. Dear God, thank You for the price You paid for me. May I stay grounded and focused on the sacrifice You made and may I honor You with the choices I make to care for my body. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

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Take some time to read and meditate on this week’s featured scriptures.

1 Corinthians 6:19-20 NIV — Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.

Philippians 4:8 NIV — Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.

Mark 12:30-31 NIV — Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.”

Philippians 3:13-14 NIV — Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

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Spend some time listening to the following songs as you pray and meditate on the week ahead focused on goals. What goals do you have for your body, mind, and spirit?

Breathe by Hillsong United

O Come To The Altar by Elevation Worship

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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Isaiah 9:6 NIV — For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Today is Christmas Eve. Children and adults are filled with excitement about gifts, good food, and the fellowship tomorrow brings. Let’s take a moment to ponder Christmas Eve in Bethlehem thousands of years ago.

Imagine how Mary and Joseph must have felt. They were surely exhausted from their travels and ready to rest for the night. The two of them had been visited by the angel and told of the holy child Mary was carrying, but did they really understand? Did Joseph and Mary realize the son she was carrying would deliver each of us from our sins? Did they comprehend the heartache they would later face? Think of the worries each of them carried.

As we go about our Christmas Eve, let’s be mindful of the true meaning of this day for Christians. Today is the day before our Savior’s birthday, which in turn should be a birthday celebration for each of us. Take a moment to listen to Breath of Heaven by Amy Grant before you spend some time in prayer.

Let’s pray. Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for today and the blessing today holds. I am so thankful for the willingness of Mary and Joseph to be the earthly parents of our Savior. As I go throughout my day, help me to be mindful of the true meaning today holds for me as a Christian. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

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