Three Powerful Strategies to Deepen Your Relationship with Christ in 2025

We’re well into 2025 already, and what an exciting year it’s shaping up to be! I’ve just returned from a conference on the Holy Spirit hosted by Bridgetown Church in Portland, Oregon. It was a refreshing time of worship and spiritual insights.

I am excited to announce that our 2024 Year In Review is at the mailing company and should be in your mailbox by the end of this month if you are on my ‘snail mail’ list. (If you’re not on the physical mailing list, just reach out; we’d gladly update your information.) You can always review the digital copy here.

Every year, as I move from the end of one year to the beginning of the next, I naturally reflect on the past and look forward to the future. In 2025, I want to grow closer to Christ. How about you? Here are three ways we can strengthen our faith this year.

First, Faith and Trust

• Understanding Faith: Faith in Christ is more than just believing; it requires a commitment to follow Him and trust in His promises. This includes acknowledging that God is good, has a plan for your life, and is in control of all circumstances.
• Practicing Trust: You can strengthen your faith by studying Scripture, reflecting on God’s past faithfulness in your life, and sharing testimonies with others. Trust grows when you step out of your comfort zone and rely on God for guidance and support in daily decisions.

Second, Prayer

• Types of Prayer: Prayer can take many forms: adoration, confession, thanksgiving, and supplication (ACTS). Adoration focuses on worshiping God, confession involves acknowledging our sins, thanksgiving expresses gratitude, and supplication is making requests for ourselves and others.
• Building a Prayer Habit: Set specific times each day for prayer. Consider a prayer journal—writing down your prayers can help you express your thoughts and allow you to look back and see how God guided you.

Third, Love and Service

• Christ’s Love: Christ’s love is both unconditional and sacrificial. Acknowledging this love enables us to extend grace to others and view them with compassion. Jesus loves you so much that He gave His life. Thinking about that each day can be transformative.
• Serving Others: Seek out opportunities to serve in your community, church, or through outreach programs. This can involve volunteering in many different ways, such as assisting those in need or simply being there for someone who is struggling. Acts of service reflect Christ’s love and help foster a sense of community and connection with others.

If you ask God to help you embrace these concepts, you can deepen your faith, nurture your relationship with Christ, and grow & go deeper with Him in 2025. Each area supports the others, resulting in a more fulfilling walk with God.

Thank you for being such a vital part of this work. You are loved! Here’s to an excellent 2025 as we walk, grow, and live in Christ!