Eight Graceful Gleanings From 2025

Jesus Always. Jesus is near. Jesus is Enough. Jesus is Lord. Jesus is King.

As 2024 came to a close, I found myself praying with fresh desperation: that my prayer life would deepen, my hunger for Jesus would increase, and that I would learn to walk fully in the inheritance He purchased for me with His blood.

Now, standing on the other side of this year, I can testify that Grace is a person who loves intimately and shepherds gently.

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Here are eight gleanings of Grace from 2025.

1. Jesus is everything I need and more.

Christ is not a supplement to life; He is the source. Every longing, lack, and desire finds its fulfillment in Him alone.

There was a time when I ran from the Lord, yet He continually pursued me. He has revealed Himself as the Good Shepherd—when I have been faithless, He has remained faithful. Each year, each day, I ask for more of Him, and one thing I have learned with certainty is this: there is no me apart from Him.

Verses:

• “He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?”— Romans 8:32.

• “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.” — Psalm 23:1.

• “And you are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power.” — Colossians 2:10.

• “His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence.” — 2 Peter 1:3.

Key Truth:

To possess Christ is to lack nothing.

2. There is significant warfare around prayer and fasting—do it anyway!

Prayer and fasting starve the flesh and open a pathway to deeper intimacy, sharper discernment, and renewed spiritual authority. Opposition is not a deterrent—it is often an invitation to press in, be strengthened, and rely fully on the grace and power of God.

One of my three prayer requests for 2024 was that my prayer life would go deeper. I did not anticipate that this answer would come through fasting. Given everything that unfolded with my health during the first half of the year, fasting felt impossible. Yet God made a way.

In July, I began fasting three days each month. Almost immediately, I noticed a distinct and consistent pattern. Each time I selected my days to pray and fast, it was as though clockwork began to turn; the day before and the morning of, things would suddenly unravel. Pressure at work intensified, tension at home rose, and distractions multiplied.

Still, the Lord faithfully whispered to me to remain and let Him sustain me. And He did. What the enemy intended as resistance became refinement. Each fast strengthened my dependence on God, sharpened my spiritual awareness, and deepened my trust in His sustaining grace.

Verses:

• “For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.” — Ephesians 6:12.

• “However, this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting.” — Matthew 17:21.

• “So we fasted and entreated our God for this, and He answered our prayer.” —Ezra 8:23.

• “Moreover, when you fast, do not be like the hypocrites, with a sad countenance. For they disfigure their faces that they may appear to men to be fasting. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. But you, when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, so that you do not appear to men to be fasting, but to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.” —Matthew 6:16-18.

Key Truth:

Resistance is often confirmation that eternal fruit is attached to obedience.

3. Obedience brings blessing and the chief among them—nearness to God and clarity in hearing His voice above all others.

   
   

Obedience is not merely behavioral alignment; it is relational intimacy. In seasons of heightened deception, obedience becomes the pathway through which discernment is sharpened, and spiritual hearing is preserved.

The Lord began prompting me to change seemingly small things—the way I worked out, subtle adjustments to my meal plan, rising earlier to be with Him, or praying in the middle of the night. At the time, these changes felt inconsequential. Yet each act of obedience opened the door to breakthrough. Not a dramatic Red Sea moment, but something just as profound: His voice grew clearer.

With every yes, there has been a sharpening of my ability to hear Him and a deepening clarity in seeing Him revealed in the Word. Obedience decreased the noise and amplified communion.

Verses:

• “…To obey is better than sacrifice...” — 1 Samuel 15:22.

• “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.” — John 10:27.

• “If you love Me, keep My commandments.” — John 14:15.

• “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.”— John 15:5.

Key Truth:

Obedience tunes the ear of the heart and strengthens discernment.

4. The Sword of the Spirit is double-edged.

The Word of God is not passive; it is living, active, and meant to be wielded. The Sword of the Spirit is double-edged. Scripture stored in the heart becomes Scripture spoken—Spiritual Prayers and the spoken Word are a heavenly arsenal.

This year, the Lord impressed upon me the importance of praying in the Spirit. When my mind becomes inundated with what ifs, how comes, and whens, praying in tongues immediately lifts me into a posture of dependence and confidence, reminding me that He knows exactly what I need. Often, these prayers flow seamlessly with the Word of God, releasing Scriptures that strengthen, steady, and anchor my soul.

Verses:

• “For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.” — Hebrews 4:12.

• “And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints.”— Ephesians 6:17-18.

• “But you, beloved, building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit.” —Jude 1:20.

• “For one who speaks in a tongue speaks not to men but to God; for no one understands him, but he utters mysteries in the Spirit. The one who speaks in a tongue builds up himself, but the one who prophesies builds up the church.”— 1 Corinthians 14:2, 4.

Key Truth:

The Word must be both received and released to function as a weapon.

5. The Holy Communion is meant to be experienced often.

Communion is not a ritual to be observed, but a living remembrance, a bold proclamation, and a sacred participation in the finished work of Christ. The table is not confined by walls or seasons, nor reserved for moments of celebration alone; it is open and accessible whenever and wherever we choose to meet with Him. Receiving Holy Communion daily throughout this year has been instrumental for my heart, soul, mind, body, and spirit. It has slowed me, softened me, and kept me drawing near to Jesus. Each time I partake, I am reminded that I am loved, sustained, and kept—not by my effort, but by His offering.

Verses:

• “And He took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is My body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of Me.” Likewise He also took the cup after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood, which is shed for you.” — Luke 22:19-20.

• “For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death till He comes.” — 1 Corinthians 11:26.

• “You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.” — Psalm 23:5.

• “And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers.”— Acts 2:42.

Key Truth:

Holy Communion proclaims His death until He comes and declares victory in the presence of opposition.

6. The Lord deeply cares about the whole temple, every facet of it.

God’s concern extends beyond the regeneration of the spirit, transforming every aspect of our being. This includes our bodies, minds, and emotions. His great desire is for His temple to experience His wholeness, the full expression of Him in the earth. I was ill for the first six months of 2025, but the Lord continued to show Himself strong—my healer. Day by day, my weakness is exchanged for His strength, and I am finishing the year stronger than in 2024. Glory be to God.

Verses:

• “If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you.” —Romans 8:11.

• “Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers.”— III John 1:2.

• “When evening had come, they brought to Him many who were demon-possessed. And He cast out the spirits with a word, and healed all who were sick, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Isaiah the prophet, saying: “He Himself took our infirmities And bore our sicknesses.”— Matthew 8:16-17.

• “Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.” — I Corinthians 6:19-20.

Key Truth:

Healing is not peripheral to redemption; it is woven into it.

7. Promises I make to myself are a covenant with God.

Faithfulness begins in the hidden places of the heart. My words matter because I carry His Name, and integrity honors the God I represent. Over time, I’ve come to realize just how much weight words carry. Throughout 2025, I’ve learned that words do not merely describe the world around me—they shape it.

Because of this, I’ve become more intentional to speak life, to steward my words with reverence, and to treat them as sacred. My words matter because they represent my ABBA, and I desire that what I speak would reflect His heart, His truth, and His life-giving nature.

Verses:

• “Let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No.’” — Matthew 5:37.

• “When you make a vow to God, do not delay to fulfill it. He has no pleasure in fools; fulfill your vow.” —Ecclesiastes 5:4.

• “You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain.” — Exodus 20:7

• “And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”— Colossians 3:17.

Key Truth

Consistency before God strengthens credibility before others.

8. Intimacy with God always precedes activity for God.

Fruitfulness is born from fellowship, not frenzy. Abiding sustains what striving cannot and produces fruit that remains. The Lord has met me each morning, as though He is waiting for me to arise. My world has changed dramatically knowing He loves me and is over my days. When I rise, He is there, throughout the day–He is there, and at night before bed—He is there. His presence sustains me, and His Spirit guides and strengthens me in all I do.

Verses:

• “Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me.”— John 15:4.

• “…Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to his teaching.”— Luke 10:39.

• “Those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength.” — Isaiah 40:31.

• “Be still, and know that I am God.” — Psalm 46:10.

Key Truth:

Intimacy is the wellspring of enduring fruit.

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Heavenly Father,

I am grateful for the abundance of Your grace that has sustained me throughout this year.

Your presence is my comfort, Your peace my rock, and Your love my covering and confidence.

Lord Jesus,

Thank You for the blood that speaks better things, reminding me I am healed, whole, and walking in the truth—that as You are, so am I in this world.

Holy Spirit,

Thank You for Your sanctifying work in me, faithfully conforming me into the image of Christ, teaching me, leading me, and enabling me to walk in Your power and authority.

Abba,

I look forward to every moment, for each one is with You and in You. I love You. Thank You for loving me and caring for me so tenderly. I am filled with holy expectation as I look ahead, eager to behold Your glory unfold in the coming year.

In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

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I am profoundly grateful for the lessons the Lord has graciously placed along my path this year. They have drawn me closer to Him, sharpened my ability to hear His voice, and my continual prayer is that Christ would be fully expressed in and through me.

I pray that Jesus would be experienced in all of us in 2026, not merely spoken of or known about, but truly encountered. May His nearness be felt, His voice discerned, and His love received.

Jesus always. Jesus is near. Jesus is enough. Jesus is Lord. Jesus is King.

See you in the New Year, Friends!

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