Learning to Receive

Happy New Year! I can not believe the holidays have come and gone so quickly and that we are already a little over two weeks into 2025. That shows us how quickly time passes by. 

For the last couple of years, I have been taking Bridget’s advice to pray about a word or phrase for the year. In 2023, my phrase was, “live free.” In 2024, my word was, “persevere.” In my experience over the last couple of years, having a word or phrase has helped me to focus more on some of the lessons that the Lord wants to teach me. The interesting thing is that while I may receive a new word or phrase at the start of a new year, the prior words or phrases remain relevant. So, I can keep learning and growing from them.

Throughout 2024, I found myself persevering through many things and it strengthened my faith. Sometimes I felt weary, but remembering God’s word to me to “persevere,” gave me strength to keep going. 

Around September 2024, I started praying about my word for 2025. Shortly after, the Lord started teaching me about the importance of receiving His peace. I realized that, although as Christians, we speak of God’s peace often, we must open our hearts and be willing to receive it, just like salvation. God offers it, but we must receive it.

“You cannot reach as far if your hands are closed. You cannot receive if your hands are closed. That is why God calls us to live with open hands.” -Doug Scalise

Photo by:
Martin Péchy of Italy 🇮🇹

Then in the following weeks, I received encouragement from the Holy Spirit to receive God’s comfort, rest, and courage. Shortly afterwards, while walking up the stairs to the third floor at work one morning en route to my office, I received clarity that my word for 2025, is “receive.” 

I am looking forward to learning to receive from God in this new year. The Bible tells us that giving is connected to receiving. Giving is not always simple, depending on what God asks us to give. So, receiving His strength and courage to give what He requires is important.

I pray that your 2025, will be insightful and that you would receive and experience the love of Jesus each day. May we all be willing to give what God requires of us in this new year so that we may grow in our relationship with Him and receive His bountiful blessings. 

Thank you for your continued support of my blog in this new year. I am thankful for you. ❤️🙏🏿

Hebrews 10:36 NIV, “You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised.”

 

Unknown's avatar

Author: Dawn

The love of Jesus will never fail you. Thank you for visiting my blog.

29 thoughts on “Learning to Receive”

  1. I love that quote about open hands! So true!

    My word of the year is “surrender”. I am learning to surrender everything to Jesus and letting Him lead me!

    Happy New Year!

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

  3. I love your focus word for 2025. Always expecting to receive from the Lord will increase your faith in Him. He is faithful in His Word. I pray that the Lord will continue to grant you the desires of your heart during the New Year.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

  6. Learning to receive with open hands and heart – a great word! Last year my word was light this year my word is listen. Be still and listen. A goal and word for 2025. Peace and Blessings! 💗🙏🌺

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

  8. Dawn, really good word. Like you it is Bridget who always gets me thinking of the word I should focus on for the year. I am yet to pinpoint the word but I always tend to take time and come to realise it within a month or so of the new year.
    So true what you said the prior words or phrases remain relevant, so we can keep learning and growing from them.
    Happy New year to you

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

  9. It’s how the word for 2024 and then 2025 aligns with that verse in Heb 10. I love love it❤️ I don’t have a word for the year but my New Year’s resolution was ‘personal accountability’ as in; be the person you want to see in other people. Be that person First of all. ❤️

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. Thank you! I didn’t even notice that when I initially chose the word. But God is good! He confirms things through His Word. I love your New Year’s resolution. Being accountable for our actions, is extremely important. Blessings ❤️

      Like

      Reply

    1. Persevering has been challenging but like you said, I have gained strength and grown closer to the Lord. Happy New Year! I hope your year is off to a great start! ❤️ ❤️❤️

      Like

      Reply

      1. Thank you. The start has been indeed great upto so far. Last year started no so great and ended the same so since this year starts great then I unticipate greatness only. They say you attract what you always think about so this year may we all think positive things so that nature can also be great to us. Have a lovely day.

        Liked by 1 person

  11. Dawn, blessings as your faith journey springs forward to receive what God will be sending. May every answer offer encouragement. As for me, my chosen phrase will be “stay connected.” I hope this reminds to stay connected more consistently in prayer, with God’s Word, family, and my Word Press community.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. Thank you, Richard. I’m looking forward to what God has in store for this year. I like your phrase. It’s wonderful that you will be intentional about staying connected in this coming year. I’m sure that will bring you positive experiences. May you be blessed on your journey as well.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

  12. Happy and Blessed New Year. “Receive” sounds like a powerful word for 2025.

    Wishing you Continued Growth and Blessings this year… 🙏

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. Thank you, Willie. I hope you have a happy and blessed new year as well. I’m looking forward to seeing what God teaches me about receiving. Blessings to you and your family. 🙏🏿

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

      1. Thank you so much. I’m really looking forward to seeing what God has planned for both of us in the New Year. I’m wishing you and your family a year filled with Blessings and Growth.

        As for me, January has already been full of challenges and trials, more than I anticipated. But I’m trusting God and keeping my eyes focused on Him as I wait to see what He has in store.

        I know many struggle in times like these, questioning God instead of Praising Him, but that’s definitely something I’m working to grow through.

        Be Blessed and Be a Blessing.

        Liked by 1 person

      2. Sorry to hear you are enduring many challenges and trials but thankful to hear you are choosing to trust God and stay focused on Him through it all. He promises to reward your faithfulness (Hebrews 11:6). I’ve had some challenges too but like you, I am looking up to the Lord. Blessings Willie!

        Liked by 1 person

      3. It’s a comfort to know that we can lean on God through the challenges. I’m praying for you and trusting that He will continue to guide us both.

        Have a Wonderful and Blessed Day.

        Liked by 1 person

Leave a reply to Beverley Cancel reply