Receive Jesus

I’m not sure how you feel about it, but it seems to me like time goes by a little faster every year. I remember thinking around June that I couldn’t believe we were about half way through the year. Now, we are just a few days away from the new year.

As you reflect on the past year, you have probably experienced various ups and downs. And as the year comes to an end, you may have mixed emotions depending on what you have been through or what you are currently going through. 

As we go through the challenges of life, they can make us feel closer to Christ as we press into Him for the provision we need, and trust Him to be who He promised to be in our lives. However, there are also times where the weight of the challenges we face can leave us feeling discouraged or wondering why God would allow us to go through certain situations.

The joy in all of this, is that God never stops being God. As a co-worker reminded me recently, His presence is always with us. So, no matter where we find ourselves in life, we can rest assured that God is still God. He is still in control. And He still loves us. And I pray those truths will bring you comfort today. 

At the beginning of the year, I mentioned that my word for 2025 was, “receive.” I did not post about it as much as I initially thought I would, but God was continuously teaching me about receiving throughout the year. When God first revealed that receive would be my word, I was excited. But I also remembered, based on past experience, that the words God gives me are usually not without challenge. He uses them to stretch my faith so I can continue to grow up in Him. Plus, I know that receiving is closely linked to giving and I wondered, “What will God require me to give so that I may receive?” 

Although God taught me to give in various ways, I discovered that what He desired most from me was surrender. He simply wanted me to give myself to Him. It is through daily surrender to God that we are able to receive from God.

We often struggle to surrender because we find it hard to give up control or should I say, the illusion of control. Somehow, we feel better when we believe we are in control. But needless to say, we are not really in control. And life has a way of reminding us of that because it can change so quickly. We are better off, when we learn to rely on God. And learning to rely on God is a daily process. But as we go through the process, He is walking with us. He freely extends His goodness and mercy to us, His joy which is our strength, His forgiveness when we repent, and His discipline, which He administers with love to keep us on the right path. God is patient with us, as we learn to live the surrendered life. 

As I focused on surrendering to God, I was able to better receive His rest (both spiritual and physical), His provision so He could care for me, His courage so I could obey His will and His perspective on the situations life brought my way that were difficult to understand. Surrendering enabled me to receive God’s wisdom and instruction as I read His Word and learned to apply it to my life one day at a time, with the help of His Holy Spirit.

Is surrendering easy? No it isn’t. In fact, the Bible tells us in Matthew 7:13-14 NLT that choosing to surrender to Jesus is a difficult road.

“You can enter God’s Kingdom only through the narrow gate. The highway to hell is broad, and its gate is wide for the many who choose that way. But the gateway to life is very narrow and the road is difficult, and only a few ever find it.

“Only a few ever find it.” That hits hard but at the same time it makes sense when we consider the current state of the world. The greatest thing we can do as born again believers is receive the gift of Jesus daily. Each day, we must wake up with a renewed commitment to receive not only what He gives, but who He is. God always wants to show us more of who He is but we must be willing to surrender ourselves to Him, and commit our ways and our plans to Him. Proverbs 16:3 NIV says to, “Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans.”

Dear Heavenly Father,

As we close out 2025, thank you for carrying us safely through another year. There have been joys during the year, but there have also been pains. You know what each one of us stands in need of today and you promised to supply our every need. Show us areas where we need to repent and live according to your Word so that we may experience the intimacy with you that Jesus came to give us. 

Help us to surrender ourselves to you daily so that we may receive all you have for us each day. As we grow in you, help us to better see your perspective and understand your plans for us. It is not always easy to receive your truth because in most cases, the world we live in is contrary to your truth plus we are sometimes torn between Your Spirit and our own desires. But empower us to rise above any lies and deception the enemy brings our way so that we may receive your truth and live in victory. 

Thank you for giving us the Spirit of power, love and sound mind that we may go forth courageously, choosing You instead of fear. May your Word light our path, and your Spirit lead us on level ground as we walk into this new year with You.

In Jesus’ name. Amen.  

Psalm 143:10 NIV, “Teach me to do your will, for you are my God; may your good Spirit lead me on level ground.”

I will continue to pray for you. Thank you for your love and support, may God bless you and your family in the coming year. Dawn