2012: Seek.
2011 was a first. At least the first time in my life where I read through the Bible in a year. No applause please, I’m embarrassed to have taken this long. Especially considering just how fruitful it was to be in the Word daily. Regret, however, is a horrible home to live in. It’s a new day, a new dawn!
Note: The iPhone and YouVersion’s Bible App made the process simple and enjoyable. If you haven’t read the Bible in a year I would strongly suggest you start!
The year was closing when I began talking to God about how to spend time with Him in 2012. I felt exposed. It would be easy to chose another great reading plan and go through the Bible again. Certainly nothing wrong with that, but it didn’t seem right. Growing in a relationship of intimacy with the King means not just doing things to meet His approval (which I already have), climbing a spiritual ladder aimed at impressing others (that’s what the Pharisees did), or receiving more satisfaction from checking off the list than from meeting with my Maker. Keep in mind, this is relationship. All of it.
Three areas I sensed God wanting to stretch me this year: 1. Knowing the Word, 2. growing a more profound secret prayer-life and 3. praying for/encouraging/sharing the Gospel with at least one stranger a day. Where the Word and genuine prayer are married, great offspring is possible. Most of the “breakthroughs” I’ve seen in public ministry were birthed out of quality time with Jesus. Everything that flows out of a genuine relationship with Jesus ought to inspire the world around us, because unbeknownst to the world, Jesus is ultimate inspiration.
My goal, in practical terms (simple steps/goals help me a lot), is to memorize 5 verses a week, one daily Monday thru Friday. Lord-willing, I’ll tweet these verses and write a short blog here at Come&Live! 5 days a week to coincide. The weekend will serve as time to rediscover and meditate on the verses I’ve memorized. I have no idea what to expect but I’m thrilled at the idea to have spent general time in the Word last year and now to spend more specific time this year. You can’t go wrong with more time in the Word. Period.
On the prayer front, I’ve been reading this EPIC EPIC EPIC book that my Father-in-Law recommended, “How to Develop a Powerful Prayer Life by Dr. Gregory Frizzell.” Here’s the only place I could find it online. I highly suggest it. It’s short, easy to read and written by a Baptist revivalist.
This has meant rising early and praying through 5 categories, in this order:
One: Praise/Thanksgiving/Worship
Two: Confession
Three: Petition (personal needs)
Four: Intercession (needs of others)
Five: Meditation (being still, listening to God)
In Outward expression, my prayer is that God would allow me to daily encounter others who need a heavenly touch, right here in my hometown. Through these weak hands made strong by the grace of Christ. One a day, Lord. For Your glory. Lead me to them or lead them to me.
Please don’t read this as Chad’s self-help plan or as his religious duties to fulfill – I view this challenge as an opportunity to become more like Jesus. Maybe God has called you to something similar? What about committing a verse a week to memory (that’s 52 verses at the end of the year!) Asking God to give you one public encounter weekly? Or simply that He would help grow compassion in your heart for others. What if you just started taking note of people and praying secretly to your Father as you walk by them? (#SecretPrayerBombs)
So, here goes!
Verse # 1: Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. – Matthew 6:33
Seek means to find, obtain or achieve something. Jesus was reminding us that we would have to work towards this, that it would require our active engagement. Diligence, commitment and discipline. It rarely just happens. Start here. Engage in the act of seeking first God’s kingdom, Jesus – His righteousness, and trust that everything else will work out.
“He who seeks, finds.”
- Chad
Inspirational. I feel challenged to go deeper into God and know him in new ways this year. Thanks!
Reading(or listening to) God’s Word all the way through – and praying for guidance as we do – is essential if we are to draw nearer to God, because then He will draw nearer to us. Our prayer life will become richer as we apply His teaching and tune in to His will for us. Each day will become almost effortless as we submit to God through Jesus Christ, our Lord, Saviour and Friend and step out in faith. We will talk (prayerfully) through our day so that we remain on course and remain effective for God wherever we are!
“Each day will become almost effortless as we submit to God through Jesus Christ, our Lord, Savior and Friend…” Amen Ian! been discovering this to be very true so far this year. I’ve recently come to realize that over-concentrating and trying to extract personal revelation from the Word as well as over-thinking the things that God would speak to me (two things that I was so used to doing as a Christian) was actually making my spiritual walk a tad bit miserable. But in this new season I’ve stepped into, I’ve begun to learn what it means to really walk in the peace of God… and what that looks like for me is not trying so hard to understand, not trying so hard to extract revelation, not trying so hard to think and wrap my mind around God and the things He speaks, but instead, giving the Holy Spirit room to do His thing… which has made my days feel so “effortless” like you said and so peaceful! Thank God for the rest we receive through the Spirit and His Word!
And Chad,
Knowing the Word is first on my 2012 list as well! My goodness, the abundance of fruit that comes forth from simply familiarizing yourself with scripture. It’s only Jan 20 and I’ve seen so much already!!! I can also say that delving into the Word 4 to 5 times a week with 3 other dudes has REALLY increased my capacity for revelation and understanding.
Also, “Where the Word and genuine prayer are married, great offspring is possible,” this is so true! Couldn’t have phrased it better!
Very encouraging, Chad! I always enjoy reading what you have to share. Thanks so much!