2025 Word of the Year:
PURSUIT
Verse of the Year:
But you, man of God, flee from all of this, and PURSUE righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance, and gentleness.
1 Timothy 6:11
My Daily Pursuit:
- PRAY Give God the first moments of your day through prayer.
- BIBLE Read and meditate on scripture.
- FAST Participate in a fast for the purpose of pursuing after God.
PRAY (A prayer plan taken from the Lord’s Prayer)
Matthew 6:9-13, This, then, is how you should pray: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.”
P – Praise – Give God thanks for who He is and what He has done.
R – Repent – Confess sins, ask for forgiveness, and acknowledge your dependency upon God.
A – Ask – Present your needs and the needs of others before God.
Y – Yield – Surrender your will to His will and listen for His voice.
BIBLE (Daily Bible Reading)
We believe part of pursuing God is spending significant time in his word. The SOAP process is designed to give structure to your study. Open up to the suggested passage for the day and then spend equal time on each part of the SOAP process. It is best to have a pen and journal so you can keep a record of your time but it is not mandatory.
HOW TO S.O.A.P.
Scripture… Observation… Application… Prayer
S
Open your Bible to your reading for the day. Take time reading and allow God to speak to you. When you are done, look for a verse that particularly spoke to you and write it in your journal.
O
What do you think the scripture you read meant to the people it was written to in their context? What do you think the Lord is saying to you through this passage?
A
Personalize what you have read, by asking yourself how it applies to your life right now. Perhaps it is instruction, encouragement, a new promise, or corrections for a particular area of your life. Write how this scripture can apply to you today.
P
This can be as simple as asking God to help you use this scripture or even a prayer for a greater insight on what He may be revealing to you. Remember, prayer is a two-way conversation, so be sure to listen to what God has to say!
Reading Schedule
Upward in Worship
January 6 – 1 Timothy 6:11-16 & John 4:21-24
January 7 – Romans 12:1-2 & Exodus 20:1-6
January 8 – Psalms 63:1-4 & Luke 4:5-8
January 9 – Psalms 42:1-5 & Revelation 4:9-11
January 10 – Psalms 100 & Psalms 95:1-9 & 2 Corinthians 1:3-4
Inward in Commitment
January 13 – Psalms 139:1-18 & 2 Peter 3:9
January 14 – Ephesians 4:11-16 & Hebrews 12:1-3
January 15 – 1 Peter 2:1-10
January 16 – Galatians 5:13-26
January 17 – 2 Timothy 3:14-17 & Galatians 2:19-21
Outward in Love
January 20 – Matthew 25:35-40 & James 2:14-17
January 21 – John 13:1-17 & John 13:34-35
January 22 – 1 Peter 4:10-11 & Colossians 3:12-17
January 23 – Matthew 6:1-4 & 2 Corinthians 9:6-11 & Mark 12:41-44
January 24 – Matthew 9:35-38 & Matthew 28:16-20 & Romans 10:14-15
FAST (Draw Close to God)
The goal of fasting is to draw nearer to God. Biblical fasting always has to do with eliminating distractions for a spiritual purpose; it hits the reset button of our soul and renews us from the inside out. It also enables us to celebrate the goodness and mercy of God and prepares our hearts for all the good things God desires to bring into our lives. Remember, your personal fast should present a level of challenge, but it is very important to know your body, your options, and, most importantly, to seek God in prayer and follow what the Holy Spirit leads you to do.
Complete Fast
In this type of fast, you drink only liquids, typically water with light juices as an option.
Selective Fast
This type of fast involves removing certain elements from your diet. Like removing alcohol, caffeine, or sugar.
Partial Fast
This fast is sometimes called the “Jewish Fast” and involves abstaining from eating any type of food from sun up to sundown.
Soul Fast
This fast is a great option if you do not have much experience fasting food; Fasting things like social media or television.
Recommended Reading – “The Pursuit of God” by A.W. Tozer