2025 WORD OF THE YEAR - FELLOWSHIP

Initial inspiration for selecting this word came from reading Charles Spurgeon's sermon entitled "Fellowship with God" 15 Sept 1861

Fellowship (1John1:3) (Acts 2:42) (Phil 3:10) 

F = Faith (the activity of believing) Faith hears the promise, hears the command, believes both, and acts in obedience. (Alistair Begg Truth For Life: 365 Daily Devotions)

E = Endurance/Encouragement (Rom 15:4-5)

L = Love (1Cor 13) ValleyofVision prayer Christian Love

L = Light (Psalm 119:30) (1 John 1:5) (Matt 5:16)

O = Obedience (John 14:15&15:10 (1Pet1:22)

W = Worship  (1Tim 3:14-16) (psalms)  We are made to worship.

S = Sincerity (1Cor 5:8)

H = Humility (Prov 15:33) Read and re-read the book of Job.

I =  Insight/instruction/wisdom (Prov xx)   

P = Prayer (2 Cor 1:11)

Read: Duties of Christian Fellowship by John Owen

Listen:  Music Album Fortress God by Praise and Harmony

Additional Inspiration from listening to sermons by: 

Ian Hamilton

 "What to do when you dont know what to do"

2 Chronicles 20:1-12  delivered 12 Jan 2025

Gary Elliott

"Greatest Mystery ever Told" 1 Tim 3:14-16  19 Jan 2025

"Liturgy of Living Sacrifice" Rom 12:1-9   26 Jan 2025

"Learning of the Conscience" Job 42  18 May 2025

WORD OF THE YEAR - HEART

 

As a follow-up to the practicality of last year's word (steward),

 I am focusing on what informs that Biblical action: a heart properly connected to the Creator ~

Per habit, an acrostic

H = HELP/HOPE - Psalm 121:1-2

E = ENDURE - Romans 15:4

A = ABIDE - John 15

R = REVIVE/RENEW - Romans 12:2

T = TEACH - Psalm 119: 64                     

With these I will do Scripture-based word studies and also focus on Psalm 119:  the very foundation for connecting one's heart to the Creator.

Not only will I read Psalm 119 methodically, but also will search for (and sing)  hymns/lyrics based on these verses.  Daily readings from Charles Bridges' commentary on Psalm 119 are already underway.

Re-listening to a JCMIII Psalm 119 series:  The Christian's Delight at Sermonaudio;  Anthony Curto also has some good ones.  I plan to reference commentaries by Thomas Manton, John Calvin, and Matthew Henry to supplement my study.

At church, Pastor Jess is preaching through Corinthians, so I will attempt to integrate his sermons with my personal devotions.  In addition, I hope to read up on the life and times of the Corinthians: biography of the Apostle Paul (for example, historical fiction byTaylor Caldwell and movie _Peter and Paul_)

That sounds like a good start for  2024 ~

Added later:  As this year draws to an end, I can report that this study has been most beneficial, but I am feeling like I have just scratched the surface.  I mean, there are over 500 references to the word *heart* in Scripture.  So, I may return to this word study again.   In the meantime, a new word for 2025 is taking shape.

2023 WORD OF THE YEAR

STEWARD

I am but a steward of the manifold grace of God ~ 

Matthew Henry's commentary on     Luke 16

An etching by Jan Luyken illustrating Luke 16:1-9 in the Bowyer Bible, Bolton, England.

Phillip Medhurst - Photo by Harry Kossuth

S = SINNER - 1 JOHN 1:8 - If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us.

S = SAVIOR - LUKE 2:11 - For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.

T = TREACHERY - Ezekiel 18:24b - None of the righteous deeds that he has done shall be remembered; for the treachery of which he is guilty and the sin he has committed, for them he shall die.

T = TRUTH - Ephesians 4:25 - Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another.

       

E = EVERLASTING PUNISHMENT - Revelation 20:10 - and the devil who had deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and sulphur where the beast and the false prophet were, and they will be tormented day and night forever and forever.

E = ETERNAL LIFE - JOHN 17:3 - And this is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent.

W = WICKEDNESS - Luke 11:39 - And the Lord said to him, "Now you Pharisees cleanse the outside of the cup and the dish, but inside you are full of greed and wickedness."

W = WISDOM - Luke 21:15 - for I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which none of your adversaries will be able to withstand or contradict.

A = APATHY - Rev 3:15-16 - I know your works:  you are neither cold not hot.  Would that you were either cold or hot.  So, because you are lukewarm (apathetic), and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth.

A = ABUNDANCE - Rom 5:17 - For if, because of one man's trespass, death reigned through that one man, much more will those who receive the abundance of grace and the free gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man Jesus Christ.

R = REBUKE - Psalm 119:21 - You rebuke the insolent, accursed ones who wander from your commandments.

R = REWARD - Psalm 19:11 - Moreover, by them your servant is warned; in keeping them there is great reward

D = DECEIVER - 2 John 7 - For many deceivers have gone out into the world, those who do not confess the coming of Jesus Christ in the flesh.   Such a one is the deceiver and the antichrist.

D = DISCIPLE - John 13:35 - By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.

PARABLE OF THE UNRIGHTEOUS STEWARD

Luke 16: 1-18

2022 WORD OF THE YEAR

 BEDEW

B = believe

E = enter

D = do

E = escape

W = water

WORD OF THE YEAR 2020

REST

R = remember

E = encourage

S = submit

T = treasure

 A seemingly passive word that pointed me to action so I chose action verbs to help me implement this godly exercise.

WORD OF THE YEAR 2019

SIMPLE

As 2018 draws to a close and the demands of 2019 are barreling down upon me, I have chosen a word to help me tackle my responsibilities.

S = straight-forward

I =  important

M = meaningful

P =  pleasing

L =  loving

E = economical

In this year's Advent devotional, each day I chose a word to focus on.... to help me remember how to apply the lesson.  As I read, usually the word would come quickly to the forefront and I would try and use it later in the day.

So with my anagram to help direct my steps in the coming year,

I will ask myself questions based on this SIMPLE word.

I will search Scripture for these adjectives, like a word study.

I will expect God's Protection.


Here's a link to the post the last time I chose a word  ;-)

WORD OF THE YEAR 2006

FOCUS

Allow me to be the first *lol* to admit that I am lacking in this area: focus. But every year, especially in Januarys, I renew my commitments and plod along. I look back, especially in Januarys, and assess myself with far less stringency than I should. Shame on me. Nevertheless, I hereby announce my 2006 intentions.

F stands for friendly
O stands for observant
C stands for creative
U stands for understanding
S stands for service

Click on the time to admit to your new year's resolution.