Reflect on 2025 and Refocus in 2026

Starting a new year is a good opportunity to reflect on the past and set goals for the future. Taking time for prayer can help provide guidance, and Scripture encourages regular self-reflection.

• Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time,

  because the days are evil. Therefore, do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the

  Lord is. (Ephesians 5:15–17)

• Consider your ways. You have sown much and harvested little. You eat, but you never

  have enough; you drink, but you never have your fill. You clothe yourselves, but no one

  is warm. And he who earns wages does so to put them into a bag with holes.

  Thus says the LORD of hosts: Consider your ways. (Haggai. 1:5–7)

• Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. (Colossians. 4:5)

Reflect—Consider 2025

• How did your faith shape your life in 2025?

• Was there a meaningful Bible verse or passage for you?

• Did any sermon, book, or person impact your life?

• How did you use your gifts to help others?

• Did you give of your time, talents and finances according to the commands of the bible?

• What was your biggest challenge?

• What gave you the most joy?

Refocus and Consider what lies ahead in 2026

Bible Reading

I find it helpful each year to plan what I hope to study for the upcoming year. Sometimes, I choose a Bible in the Year Plan, Visit the following website for an example. https://www.fivedaybiblereading.com

Bible Memory

Memorize Scripture on a regular basis and look for ways to grow in this area. I like to use notecards when I memorize scripture.

Consider what verses would you like to commit to memory this year? Also is there a friend or family member who could memorize with you?

Prayer

If we spent as much time on our knees in prayer as we do on social media and entertainment, what would happen to us spiritually? God can solve what we cannot even begin to comprehend. He is able. May we cry out to him.

Some questions to consider:

1. How can you set aside time for prayer each day?

2. When is the best time for you to pray?

3. How can you incorporate Scripture more into your prayer life?

4. What keeps you from prayer?

5. Who can you pray for specifically this year?

Fighting Sin

Hebrews warns, “Take care, brothers, lest there be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart, leading you to fall away from the living God” (Hebrews. 3:12).

The world, the flesh, and the Devil seek to harden our hearts by fostering unbelief in God’s goodness and sovereignty in our lives. Unbelief swells up into idolatry and our idolatry leads to disobedience.

Sin is of an encroaching nature; it creeps on the soul by degrees, step by step, until it has the soul to the very height of sin.

Some questions to consider:

1. What sin are you currently struggling with on a regular basis?

2. What methods (prayer, confession, accountability) can you employ to help you fight sin in your life?

3. How would you describe your social media use? Is it keeping you from face-to-face relationships, fostering discontentment, or eating away time that could be spent on other things?

4. How would you describe your affection toward God? (Warm, Vibrant, Joyful, Cold, Indifferent, Disappointed, Angry)

5. What ways can you seek to foster a greater affection for God in the New Year?

Church/Ministry

We’ve each been given a purpose, a mission. The Great Commission is for all believers: Go and make disciples (Matthew. 28:18-20). We’re also to use our unique gifts to serve the church (Romans. 12:3-8). Each believer has good works which God prepared in advance for them to do (Ephesians. 2:10).

In 2026…..

1. Who can you seek to share the gospel with this year?

2. How can you use your gifts to serve your church?

3. Who could you disciple in the faith this year?

4. In what ways can you be a loving neighbor to your community?

5. Is your giving (time, money, service) generous (1 Timothy. 6:18)? Is it cheerful and thankful (2 Corinthians. 9:7–11)?

Relationships

1. Is there someone you need to spend more time within the coming year? Or, perhaps, someone you need to spend less time with

2. Is there someone you need to forgive? Or perhaps someone you need to ask to forgive you?

3. How is your relationship with your family? What are you hoping for in the upcoming year?

4. In what relationship do you need God’s grace in a particular way? How can you boldly pray for his mercy and help in the coming year?

As we go into the new year, we can be hopeful for change because God’s power is sufficient in our weakness. His power fuels our efforts and his promises bear fruit in our lives:

God’s power referenced here is understood to provide all necessary resources for living and personal development, attained through an evolving understanding inspired by a higher calling characterized by excellence.

This guidance includes significant commitments that encourage individuals to strive towards improved character and ethical conduct, overcoming negative influences.

For this reason, it is recommended that we diligently enhance our faith with moral integrity; supplement integrity with knowledge; expand knowledge with self-control; reinforce self-control with perseverance; develop perseverance into ethical behavior; extend ethical behavior to mutual respect; and foster mutual respect as a foundation for genuine care for others.

For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ as we enter into and live out 2026.

Pastor Phil

Comments from readers

"Pastor Phil's insights through the Word of the Week have truly transformed my perspective on life's challenges. His simple yet profound words of encouragement help me make it through the day."

Emily Johnson

Springfield

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Michael Lee

Atlanta

"Recently I read pastor Phils word for the week on not being alone. Pastor Phils word, impacted me at a time when I felt like ending my life. After losing my wife to cancer, I did not want to live anymore, but now I know God is with me no matter what I face, I know beyond a shadow of a doubt I am never alone."

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Greensboro NC

"Recently while going through a touch situation in my life, I was devastated at the impact it had on my life emotionally. I was at my "wits end". I read books, talked with people, sought counseling, but nothing worked. After reading the Words for the week the past few weeks, I sense a change in my life attitude and decision making processing. It is amazing what a few words can do to change your life."

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Greensboro NC

"Thank you pastor Phil for your word of the week. I have been reading them since I found your website while searching for a church. Although you are in North Carolina, the past two months have been a blessing because the word you have been posting on your website is something have looked forward to. It means. a lot and I wanted to say thank you."

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Fort Worth Texas