Live Now! Watch Here
Pursuing God

Pursuing God

Standing Up After the Fall
A 5-Day Guide

In last week’s message from our ORIGIN series, Teaching Pastor Bryan Pope discussed the fall of humankind, and how one decision has trickled down and impacted our individual lives in this very moment. But we don’t have to wait for heaven and the hope of a restoration. We can pursue it right now. Let’s break the cycle, own our brokenness, and pursue God like it was intended in the beginning. Below are daily practices to help you in that pursuit.

Day 1
Seek His Presence

Many of us feel distant from God often not because He isn’t near, but because there are so many other things vying for our attention. If someone gave you directions to a specific location—a longitude and latitude where you could literally meet God and just be with Him—wouldn’t you change your plans right now to make the trip? 

You can grow closer to where God is. Today, go to the place where you connect best with Him, without distractions. Is that on a walk outside? Maybe it’s getting up early and having a cup of coffee as the sun comes up. It could even be at the gym blasting worship music. Perhaps you haven’t found the perfect place and this is your opportunity to try something new. Wherever you connect best, remove all distractions and visualize God being right there with you.

He says, ‘Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.’” – Psalm 46:10 (NIV)

As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, my God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God?” – Psalm 42:1-2 (NIV)

How lovely is your dwelling place, Lord Almighty! My soul yearns, even faints, for the courts of the Lord…” – Psalm 84:1-2 (NIV)

Day 2
Make a Plan – Prioritize Time with God

When Sunday is over we know… Monday is coming! The schedule, work, school, family, friends—they all unleash with the sound of the alarm on Monday morning. Spending time pursuing God cannot be wedged between meetings for five minutes or whenever there is an unexpected break in the action. So what can we do?

Be intentional! Remember that staying connected to God throughout your day starts by planning to do it. That plan may start with a commitment to make connecting with God the very first thing you do when you wake up. The most meaningful seasons often start with a simple commitment to start our day with God.

Here are some options to commit to today and consider as a daily practice:

  1. Join us at 7:30am for Daily Worship. If you missed it at 7:30am, it’s available all day on our Facebook and YouTube.
  2. Schedule your own devotional time or Bible reading. 
  3. Bookend your day—start with a devotional, end in prayer.

But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” – Matthew 6:33 (NIV)

Day 3
Study Jesus

In every relationship we have, we study the other person in that relationship. The better the student we are, the deeper the relationship. Our relationship with Jesus is exactly the same. Understanding the nature of who Jesus is involves our commitment to read and study that nature.

Today, pick any of the four Gospels—Matthew, Mark, Luke, or John—and read and hear the words of Jesus Himself. It’s a great place to start.

So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.” – Romans 10:17 (NIV)

Day 4
Start a Conversation…maybe more than one.

A relationship that is rooted in the pursuit of God includes conversation with Him. We commonly call that prayer.

But prayer isn’t just us lifting our voices up to God in hopes that our requests will be granted. Prayer in its purest form is such a gift, and that gift involves both talking and listening. Here’s the hard part—it takes more than just a few minutes to hear from God, and some days a clear response may not come. Of course not every person hears the booming voice of God. Hearing from God comes in many forms—it could be a thought, a feeling of peace that comes over you, or even just a word that comes to mind. From that moment, it’s important to stay connected with God throughout the day. Do prayer check-ins, as if you are texting or messaging your best friend throughout the day—you actually are! Pray continually!

Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” – 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (NIV)

Day 5
Help Someone

Pursuing God includes us relentlessly trying to love like He does. What better way to grow closer to Him than by being selfless? If you have ever felt that moment of joy when you do something for someone else—especially if it’s unexpected—that is the joy of knowing God has used you to show His care for someone else. So take some time today and be aware of how you might be the hands and feet of Jesus. What is He calling you to do today? 

In everything I have shown you that, by working hard, we must help the weak. In this way we remember the Lord Jesus’ words: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.‘” – Acts 20:35 (NIV)

RELATED ARTICLES

W.W.J.D.

by Chelsey Williams

Flight Delayed

by Rick Bolton

OTHER RESOURCES

Purpose Through Prayer

a 5-Day Prayer Guide

Daily Worship +

On demand, custom opportunities
to connect with God every day.

Celebrate Recovery

A biblical and balanced program that helps
us overcome our hurts, hang-ups, and habits.

© 2023 Passion Community Church. All Rights Reserved | Privacy Policy