First or ONLY Word of 2025?

???

{I don't know so I'm ...}

Not sure - as I begin with this first official blog post for 2025 (actually 2nd but the previous one was done by me in 2024) - whether this blog post should be my first & ONLY one; or just what will 2025 hold for me, my life & my Lord God in this year? As usual this might just be my way of just sorting all this out, by writing it out (as my personal therapy place) & processing the One Word for 2025, or perhaps I'll just become content, rather than wrestle with "having" to have a One Word. 

Is it a time for me to "RESET"(or REST) and/or hit "PAUSE" on blogging? Perhaps. After spending January 2025 in Prayer & Fasting, as I SEEK God & ask Him which One Word (and/or verse) and my direction for 2025; as I spent a considerable amount of time interceding for much, as this year got off to such a rough start & it doesn't seem to be getting any better, but each day seems worse - it's quite unbelievable the range of so many events & issues in our world & individual's personal lives. I still haven't fully grasped all of this yet. Maybe 2025 has started out this way for you, your life and your loved ones, too.

I hoped that I might come here with my One Word for 2025 and DECLARE with clarity & optimism my new One Word direction. I was hoping that I might have a One Word that might give a more positive outlook into 2025 and forward. Instead I'm here to share the Ones that are my considerations, or perhaps combination of them; and I will continue seeking God's confirmation for One from these One Words. I have been reading God's Word & verses and definitions of each of these One Words that I'm considering. Perhaps as you read this, you might be thinking that I'm striving or overthinking this choice of One Word & not leaning in and listening to God & His Will for me, knowing He knows all that 2025 holds. I sure hope not. Or perhaps since last year, I had a 2024 One Word that was primary, but also FOCUSED on One Word each week for 52 weeks, so I was accustomed to more than just One Word & liked the diversity and challenge. Even though I don't have a One Word for each week of the year, I'm thinking that I probably have One Word for each month as I sort & SEEK what God may be saying.

The easiest choice might be to just go with the One Word that the (in)courage quiz gave me. It's a good one for actually anyone. I had my verse for that One Word right away. There are many verses to choose from that contain this One Word. I started out with the verse that immediately came to mind from one of my favorite books, author & chapters in the New Testament. In fact, it's repeated frequently in that one chapter, in various verses. However, I quickly discovered that different translations use another word instead of that particular One Word, which  would make a good choice, also. Now this led me to choosing which of these would be better. The second one was more clear. I pondered awhile, but then I just put both words aside, for the time being. Funny though, how I was more drawn to the second one, not the one given by the quiz, even though they both mean the same. But having this problem with two great One Words right away helped me to wonder if perhaps this wasn't the One Word God was speaking for me for 2025, yet I knew it was one that no matter what One Word I ended up with, this One Word is one that would REMAIN and I would ABIDE closer to Jesus all year with either of these two. 

The next One Word, is one that came to me during 2024 while I was reading FOCUS (by the way, even that word seemed like a good consideration) and a Church has even chosen this as their Word. In fact, while that One Word was our FOCUS that week, I read a You Version reading plan & a sample of a book with this One Word which soon became a purchase since it was a 365 day devotional & a good one. But actually this also became a two word dilemma from the title of that book and the verse from God's Word that contains both of these words too. (sigh) Both One Words would be a good ANCHOR for my SOUL for 2025. Sometimes when this happens early, when you sense this might be my new One Word, it ends up being the right one. I need to just keep my eyes FOCUSED or FIXED on Jesus!

But then, two of the study books that I had purchased and set aside, decided that in January they would start an online study of their book and of course, since I was offline, I was unable to start with them. However, Lysa TerKeurst and Asheritah Ciuciu's books are waiting with excellent One Words for me (respectively): "I Want to TRUST You, But I Don't" and "DELIGHTing in Jesus: Rhythms to RESTORE JOY When You Feel Burdened, Broken or Burned-Out" ... both of these speak to me with my issues and lack of TRUST and my need for JOY and DELIGHT of Jesus more in my life, or maybe it's because I've dealt with those other "feelings" more than allowing His JOY to come forth and DELIGHT just in Him alone. Since I have been offline, unable to sign up or start with the beginning of these group book studies, I continue to read, seek and keep finding one of these words showing up in my daily Bible readings and verses. This alone makes me lean into this one as my 2025 One Word.

Yet I still have a few more One Words than these that I have been considering prayerfully & in God's Word. So this might be the ONLY Word I share in 2025 as a blog post. God's got my full attention, so I wait & STAND watch & stay alert, keeping my FAITH FOCUS in God's WORD. The Best ONE WORD! The ONLY True WORD I really need (the Bible comes in so many versions)!

I may be back to add more if time allows

or better yet if

GOD

prompts me

🙏🙏🙏

💙

or perhaps

I'll be content with

NO ONE WORD

but can I

SURRENDER 

and just

DELIGHT

in

JESUS

and

enjoy

RETIREMENT 

with Him

💙

(if only)

💙but
of course
I will
ABIDE
&
ANCHOR
in
JESUS
always
🙏🏼{not just 2025}💙⚓️💙 
I will
TRUST
Him
as I
STAND GUARD
Stay Alert
Keep the Faith to
REMAIN
in Him & His
PRESENCE
🙏🏼
"SEEK HIM FIRST"💙 and be 💙PRESENT🙌🏼
SO
Let's keep those weekly
DECLARATIONS
on SUNDAY going of CCR's
and her new book that I shared
"REVIVE"

🙏ing that our nation does:

"I will remember that every moment

presents the option to "Start FRESH"

I declare that the "path of the just is like

the shining sun, that shines ever brighter 

unto the perfect day." Proverbs 4:18

I declare that God alone places before us

an "Open door that no one can shut"

Revelation 3:8

I declare

Psalm 23:3 TPT

in Jesus' name and bring honor to

His Name! I TRUST in Him!

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I gave clues throughout this about my 2025 
ONE WORD
CHOICES
can you guess any?
and
which ONE do you
think I should choose?
OR
NONE
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because of my indecision
I may not be back
regularly
LENT,
books, and 
my current role 
keeps me from clearly
writing, or having time
so as I started this
might be my
ONLY
1
{naw, I need this, I think}
I am so glad it's February finally!
💙🙏💙💚📘

{because just look how much I kept 

going & going like the Energizer Bunny,

 once I thought this was it from me in 2025}

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In case, in my absence, you need some realBlogger inspiration from bloggers who write very well(besides the many *well-known ones)
Here are some of my favorites that I highly recommend:{I would have more but the others I knew are no longer blogging}Living Intentionally (Jeff & Angie Knight, missionaries)Peace for the Journey (*Elaine Olsen, author)Unveiling a Hope Filled Life (Lori Schumaker, author)Martha's Musings (Marsha Harwood, writerBiblical counselor, life coach, speaker)
I'm pretty sure all of these are speakers too & probably moresince I was active here, but they are on my "reading list"!
{if I find any others still blogging, I'll add them}
If you are a blogger, please add your blog & name in the comments.
Thank you!
I really have missed y'all!
💙Peggy💙

Last Words for 2024 and First Declarations of 2025

[I just found out when I recently wrote this blog post and combined the two themes so as to make it my 3460th post ending for the year 2024 that Blogger was including posts that I had in draft (even recent ones, so I eliminated a couple to CREATE space (lol) for some more) not shown - you know - 'like the CALM before the storm' (not really) - I'm just trying to cram all I can into 2024 CALMLY(ha) so when I'm offline for January that I've already shared what I need to... ] so while I'm away (not really, but how I wish I could, but I don't dare leave). Have you ever felt like that or stuck and not able to leave? Anyways, as I was thinking that I had arrived at the perfect 3460th post for 2024 ending {and it's not true, still checking on more drafts or saved ones possibly counted} I was planning to pre-post this one for 2025 and tell you that while I'm away ... but that I had written this ahead of going offline, I think I did that at least for one post last year, which is actually the beginning of 2024, maybe not. 

The main point is I have some loose ends in 2024 to tie up - and who knows if this one is the 3460th blog post or not. Just think of that though! That's enough for a book or two. 

[credit image: Sarah Young emails]

I believe that this image is my favorite for CALM!

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First off, breathe in - breathe out (CALM down) but I'm so excited about all my new books and many the Kindle Unlimited are allowing me to read until almost the end of February. One of the new books (but not Kindle Unlimited) I just got is/was a really great deal from the same author that introduced me (us) to "Breath Prayers" and what a life saver that concept was for me; and so many are using this now. I must really have been in a cocoon since Covid {well, I kinda have, actually} Jennifer Tucker's newest book, "Present in Prayer" introduces me to another new concept yet somewhat mixed in an old traditional way of prayer and scripture meditation. {More on this later. But this will be part of my January Journey time in Prayer.}

I discovered that the same group leaders with more & different people that I ended 2023 and began 2024 is doing their same prayer project for "A 50 State Prayer Project for Revival" and these are the dates for their Battle Plan (I missed some of the preparation time with them this time). Also their manuscript is available on Amazon, besides the free full-manuscript at their website IFWEWILL.COM 

BATTLE PLAN December 1-31, 2024 - 31 Days of Preparation New Year’s Day, 2025 - Time of Prayer and *Fasting January 2 - February 20, 2025 - 50 Days of Prayer

{I will only be joining them through January unless God tells me otherwise}.
The original reason I came back to do another blog post was two-fold: I have a few One Words that I believe God has been placing in my heart that I still need to sort out and see which one is the 2025 One Word meant for me from Him (part of the reason for starting my New Year with God and fasting from social media, etc.) to receive from Him alone & to pray for God's supernatural divine intervention and will to be done in our nation & the world hopefully (but not my will, His will - and certainly not the will of others imposing their will, beliefs, perspectives, ways, ideas, opinions, etc. on all or others [*another topic, but not for here - at least not today]. 

In a recent end of the year email from (in)courage - {it's a Miracle that I can keep up with and sort through all my emails and the emails of the other non-tech person in our household (only by God's grace, am I able), I noticed a special article and then it included a free quiz to find out your One Word (of course, it's limited, right) but it was worth doing. But (no) I'm not sharing what they gave me yet - in case God has another plan. The article was really inspiring and well done so of course, I took the time to do their quiz (even a few times, to see if it changed, or if I changed my response, how would it change) - yeah, I'm like that, but only because on some of the questions & set answers, I was contemplating more than one & then chose one but I needed to see if I had chosen the other what would happen and how would it affect My One Word. I'm sure (in)courage does not like you doing it over and over, hoping to get it to line up with whatever choice you were thinking & wanting it confirmed. Anyways, if you don't have a One Word, I recommend highly and even if you do - try it out. 

My other reason to come back and share one more time before 2024 ends is another new book (and not the two that I'm debating about which one to read first, or which book study to do that both start in January - not a good time for me to benefit fully from any community sharing and reading and discussing together, but I do have the books so ...).

The book that I want to share is by the same author as the one we did this past year in 2024 (CCR) with Cleere Cherry Reaves. Although I don't plan on sharing each week like I did with FOCUS, I do want to mention and share some of it. CCR has written quite a few books that I have taken the time to read or do the sample plans on YV (You Version) but unlike "Focus" and this new one, most of her other books are not for 52 weeks or a full year but maybe only 90 (or 30) devotions so without going and checking each one again, I'm not sure.

I believe that the most recent books she has written are: "Unfiltered..." and "REVIVE ..." (which relates to my second paragraph above & the prayer group). 

The rest of the last title, which is the book that I want to share today before going offline, continues with "... Declarations of God's Truth to Renew Your Spirit". I happen to believe that many of us, like CCR, need this constantly over our lives and households and loved ones near and far, especially as we enter 2025 and this age in which we live. 

It's important: 1st) to know the Truth, especially God's Truth; 2nd) to Renew our Spirit; 3rd) to Revive ourselves and our nation, and frankly to DECLARE God's Truth over and over and over; over ourselves and over our children and over all loved ones and over this nation. That could be a whole 'nther book; if anyone has time to write such a profound Truth Declaring book from God's Word spoken to us, then declare over our nation; and break all the untruths and uncertainties about to be unleashed. God help us. {sorry, but see how I so easily get sidetracked by this *other topic} I'm just overly concerned about all this. 

Each of CCR's Declarations are based on Scriptures in God's Word, from what I've read. I'm sure as you read them, you will recall the scripture that it comes from or can find it. It's not given in her book (as far as I've seen). On CCR's website, she speaks these each Sunday.

sample

which all came together in CCR's book

This is why I strongly sense that I am being called to read "REVIVE..." and DECLARE over our Weeks for all 52 weeks. The devotions and the Word of God (Scripture) are given but the Declarations are what I believe we need. Here are the ones for the Weeks in January by CCR

Week One

"1. I will believe that God is working all things for my good and His glory by opening and closing doors. 2. I will put on the full armor of God every day. 3. I will read the Word and lean into the Spirit for the true definition of good. 4. I will ask for joy, hope and peace when I need them - confident that Jesus hears me and He will provide. 5. I will praise God for the week ahead, knowing He is in control and He always operates in love."

Great Truth and reminders for every day! in every season!

Week Two

"1. I will devote myself to bring everything to the Father, knowing that nothing is too big or too small for Him. I will commit to being my full self before God. 2. I will unplug whenever possible, allowing moments for my soul to be recharged, renewed, and refreshed. 3. I will believe in the power and effectiveness of prayer. 4. I will talk to Jesus and ask Him to help me see others through His eyes of compassion and gentleness. 5. I will model my prayer life after Jesus, who prayed intentionally, passionately, and continually to His Father in heaven." {and so will I} 1st part of declaration just reaffirming and repeating

Just typing each of these out word for word (like writing them out)reaffirms them in my spirit and I sense the power in God.
As you can see each week, besides CCR's devotion and main scripture chosen,she shares 5 Declarations. 
For the next 2 weeks, I will only be sharing 2 of the 5.This way, you will have some of the Declarations for all of January, but if you follow CCR or get this book,you'll have all of them.

Week Three

"2. I will trust God's covering over my health, my finances, my emotions, my family, and my future. 3. I will live a life that reflects the truth I know and trust."

[skipped 1, 4, & 5]...but all were really good!

Week Four

"1. I will be intentional about stepping outside my comfort zone as often as possible. That's where faith lives." {🙏} "4. I will stop striving for God and let my focus be enjoying God"

[skipped 2, 3, & 5]like all the ones given, these are excellent also{especially #2 for me}

[the devotional titles and scriptures are not shared]
That should get your 2025 off to a great start!and then repeat every year until our Lord returns for us!
I do not know CCR personally but each book of hers that I've readinspires and encourages me as if I do know her because I agree with much of what she writesas if I had written it or like I should meet her,because I appreciate her style & clarity.Cleerely Stated{she's just so clever & creative}
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I DO highly recommend getting a copy of this book, if you can.💙When I return in February, God willing, I will be continuing in CCR's book, but not on this blog; and this post may be drafted by then.I quite possibly will have an entirely different God-driven purpose by then.After all someone dear to me, let me know that I was a"Difference Maker"and that's what I hope to be!💙"Here's My Heart Lord"❤️Not at all the typicalLAST WORDSofthe end of the year&the beginning of theNEWalthough I'm not looking forward to 2025I do wish all of youGod's Best
BLESSINGS FOREVERMORE💙Peggy💙"mazMagi"
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Whenever you think of me,as God puts me on your heart or mind,will you pray for meandmy trepidation for 2025.Thank you🙏🏼 

[image credit: Sarah Young 📧12/30/24]