{God used Nehemiah and His people to rebuild the wall in just 52 days. What could He do in our lives in just 52 days? Read more here: 52 Days}
Day 1
January 6
"Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!" (Psalm 139:23-24)
LORD, would you show me where I have grieved you with my sin. Point out anything in me that offends you and lead me along the path everlasting. Would you show me my blind spots, and lead me to repentance? I'm thankful your spirit guides, comforts, and refines. Help me to die to myself daily and seek first your kingdom and your righteousness above all else.
Day 2
January 7
"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." (Matthew 5:3)
LORD empty me of myself, my ways, my thoughts, my plans. I know I can't do life on my own and I am not the ultimate authority. Would you keep me poor in spirit, that I may be rich in delight of You?
Day 3
January 8
"You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore." (Psalm 16:11)
Oh LORD . . . just today, 3 days into seeking you intentionally, laying down my desires, fears, repentening, confessing, searching-I stand before 2 pastors, friends, mentors, and leaders who both suggest seminary. Father, would you make known to me the path of life?
Day 4
January 9
"For we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing" (2 Corinthians 2:15)
Father, Katie and I need your wisdom as to how to organize and lead this group of women gathering to read and grow with one another. Would you reveal to us how to be inclusive, not exclusive, and yet how we can grow towards you and deepen with one another? How can we be a sweet aroma?
Day 5
January 10
"Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ." (Galatians 6:2)
Just a few days into this and much has surfaced and a reminder of the importance to go to Your throne daily to pray. For myself, for others, for your Kingdom. How oh LORD, do you bear one another's burdens without letting it completely sink you?
Day 6
January 11
"He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds." (Psalm 147:3)
Oh LORD, I met with so many hurting people today. I am feeling overwhelmed, broken, and inadequate. Makes me desperate for You, your wisdom, and your return. Would you fill me with your wisdom on how to help and encourage others?
Day 7
January 12
"And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near." (Hebrews 10:24-25)
I am excited just thinking that today I will gather with other believers to pray and be encouraged. Thank you for your people.
Day 8
January 13
"I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing." (John 15:5)
Thank you for reminding me that when life is too full, too busy, too overwhelming . . . I need to pull away, sink deeply into Your presence, and abide. Apart from you I can do nothing. no. thing. LORD would you beckon me into your presence regularly? Would you help me to protect my time with You, my Good Shepherd, so that I may be able to shepherd others?
Day 9
January 14
"He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds." (Psalm 147:3) Right back here. You don't remove, you heal. As we walk through pain, would we look to you to sustain.
Day 10
January 15
“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied." (Matthew 5:6) My second memory verse for 2012. Father would you teach me what it means to hunger and thirst for righteousness?
Day 11
January 16
"All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work." (2 Timothy 3:16-17) First night of Academy. We studied how/why we interpret scripture. Context.Context.Context. LORD, please do not allow my own thinking to lead me astray. Would you give me tremendous discernment and wisdom as I approach Your word? Help me to the meaning of the text and apply it to my life.
Day 12
January 17
"Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth." (2 Timothy 2:15) LORD would you show me how to rightly divide your word? As I prepare to intake so much this semester, would you give me clarity? Would you allow all that I'm being taught to rest deeply into my heart and mind, that it would flow out into a curriculum for new believers? Father rid me of myself, let me be filled by You and Your wisdom. Help me to organize all that Your spirit will teach me in a way that it can easily be shared with others.
Day 13
January 18
"But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth." (Acts 1:8) So sweet hearing 5-9 year olds read this verse today. LORD would you show me what it means to walk in the power of Your Spirit? How to be your witness where I live, work, and play?
Day 14
January 19
"Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and YOU WILL FIND REST FOR YOUR SOULS. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30) Thank you for a time of rest tomorrow.
Day 15
January 20
This breaks my heart. I can't even understand this. As a Christian, a girl, and a woman who longs for a baby, it is overwhelming. Weeping. Broken. Help us to see our sin and repent!
It's a Girl
Day 16
January 21
"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." (Matthew 5:3) Thank you LORD for time spent meditating and learning this verse. We start in a lowly place to be raised high. LORD would you reveal to me where I am living in pride, my own strength?
Day 17
January 22
Construction begins! Today at Clovis we prepare to make room for the unreached. LORD, would you surprise us with all that show up and equip us to do the work?
Day 18
January 23
"All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness" (2 Timothy 3:16) Thank you LORD for Academy, for your word, and for Your spirit that illuminates. Oh Father, where am I blind to your truth? Would you provide me with great insight?
Day 19
January 24
LORD how do we help people deepen their relationship with you? How can we better make disciples? Ask good questions? Equip your people?
Day 20
January 25
"Shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly" (1 Peter 5:2) LORD, would you help me shepherd the people you have given me well, by the power of your Holy Spirit?
Day 21
January 26
"My brothers, if anyone among you wanders from the truth and someone brings him back, let him know that whoever brings back a sinner from his wandering will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins." (James 5:19-20) While I think about those you've asked me to shepherd, I also think about those who've wandered. As we talk about reaching the disconnected, reaching the one, would you show me who I am to reach? Who can I help bring back?"
Day 22
January 27
Here's to confession, repentance, and redeeming my time. Being faithful to what God has called me into and stop squirming out of what He's placed you in.
Day 23
January 28
I love how consistent God's word is. I usually read a psalm before I pray. I've been meditating on the first few verses of the Sermon on the Mount, what it means to be 'poor in spirit'. This place of poverty, humility, is the beginning place of salvation. Then I read this today "For the LORD takes pleasure in his people; he adorns the humble with salvation." (Psalm 149:4). Humility, then salvation.
Day 24
January 29
"Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted." (Matthew 5:4) A.W. Pink's commentart says "Many people recognize they sin, very few mourn over it." LORD, would you help us to be a people who mourn our sin?
Day 25
January 30
"And Jesus answered them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick." (Luke 5:31) Father even though it is hard walking through messy things with people, I am grateful that sin is being exposed and people are surrendering to you. So while it's hard, it is something to praise You for. Would you continue to allow us to keep your church a hospital so that we may minsiter to your hurting people?
Day 26
January 31
"Commit your work to the LORD, and your plans will be established." (Proverbs 16:1) As I sat with Kim yesterday setting some goals for the next few months, I'm reminded of this verse. LORD would you show my your plan? I pray you would guide me and work through me and that I would ONLY do the will of The Father.
Day 27
February 1
"God is the giver of time, and who has time for God?" -Ann Voskamp Reflecting on what it means to slow down and rest in the LORD today. LORD, would you help your people to keep the 'main thing' the main thing?
Day 28
February 2
Got my packet in the mail today from Western Seminary. LORD, would you give me peace and discernment as I puruse this option for my life?
Day 29
February 3
"But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.” (Luke 10:41-42)
Here's to choosing the good portion this weekend and resting in the LORD. I'm learning that the only way to accomplish anything, is to rest in the True Vine.
Day 30
February 4
"Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep." (Romans 12:15) Baby Beckham is here! For all that this journey has meant for friends, God we will never understand your timing or your ways. Praying that is such a sweet time of JOY for friends!
Day 31
February 5
Today is Super Bowl Sunday. One of the biggest days for human trafficking. http://theresurgence.com/2012/02/02/sex-trafficking-at-the-super-bowl "Learn to do good; seek justice, correct oppression; bring justice to the fatherless, plead the widow's cause. (Isaiah 1:17) LORD, would help us to seek justice and correct oppression?
Day 32
February 6
"And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose." (Romans 8:28) One of the days where I need to not only "know" this scripture, but believe it. When things aren't in my "time", would you help me trust anyway?
Day 33
February 7
"I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.” (John 15:5) We read this tonight in life group and journaled. Father, would you help us to be more like Mary, women who slow down and abide in You?
Day 34
February 8
"Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst.” (John 6:35) Thank you for your consistency in Your word. Reminds me of Matthew 5:6. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness. LORD would we hunger and thirst for you! Help us to be satisfied by YOU alone.
Day 35
February 9
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God." (2 Corinthians 1:3-4) Thinking of friends who are grieving today. Father, would you comfort them as they try to celebrate in the midst of grief?
Day 36-38
February 10-12
Spending time with my family this weekend! Thank you LORD!
Day 39
February 13
Thinking of those who are burnt out and overwhelmed. LORD, would you help us to stay connected to You, the True Vine? "I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing." (John 15:5)
Day 40
February 14
Valentine's Day! Today I remember my valentine, and those who are spending valentine's day alone. LORD would you comfort and heal those who are hurting and lonely today? He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds. (Psalm 147:3)
Day 41
February 15
My 4th scripture memory verse of 2012: “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God." (Matthew 5:9) Father, would you help me commit this to memory and help me understand Your word in a deeper way?
Day 42
February 16
Oh Father help us to be a people who hunger and thirst righteousness! That we would not "add you into our week" but abandon all to follow you! Forgive us of our lukewarm hearts and help us to seek You.
Day 43
February 17
"for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come." (1 Timothy 4:8) Father would you help to be faithful in physical exercise, but even more so, in godliness?
Day 44
February 18
Thank You LORD for allowing me to serve in a church that cares about your word, your people, and your glory. "And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers." (Acts 2:42)
Day 45
February 19
"And he said to them, “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath." (Mark 2:27) I missed my Saturday morning with you Father. Thank You for allowing me a time of rest and Sabbath today and tomorrow. Help me to rest in You and walk in the power Your spirit alone.
Day 46
February 20
Thank You for a morning of rest and a time of extended prayer. I wish I had mornings to spend with you . . . studying, reading, and writing. LORD, would you use my desire to write to glorify You? I don't know if what I write makes any sense, but I pray you would use it and refine this gift/talent for your glory.
Day 47
February 21
Talking about understanding Geneis 3 before we can understand John 3:16. So grateful to have a living room full of women, seeking to know You better! "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life." (John 3:16)
Day 48
February 22
Thank you that our identity is no longer "sinner" but "saint". "But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light." (1 Peter 2:9)
Day 49
February 23
Still reflecting on our conversation from our life group. How you knew when we're given a choice, we'd choose sin. So you made a way for us. Your plan was Jesus all along. "I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring; he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel.” (Genesis 3:15) Father, I am asking in a huge way for many of my friends and loved ones to come to a deep understanding of this verse and what it means to have a Redeemer. Would you open their eyes to believe? For those who already do, would you open their hearts to trust you more?
Day 50
February 24
Thinking about what it means to be meek. "Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth." (Matthew 5:6) LORD would help me to be meek, teachable, and trust you in all circumstances?
Day 51
February 25
Thank you for today. A time to rest in you, pray, listen and get my house in order! Would you always help me to be busy in my home? To keep my home as number one place of ministry? "to be self-controlled, pure, working at home, kind, and submissive to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be reviled." (Titus 2:5)
Day 52
February 26
In 52 days, you have:
-Sparked an interest in me about going to seminary (and confirmed it through 2 of my pastors).
-Affirmed my desire to write and proclaim you
-Renewed old friendships
-Given me opportunities to share the gospel w/old friends
-Revealed a holy discontent. That we'd abide in You, stay connected to the True Vine and be people who work out of an overflow. Help us to hunger and thirst for righteousness!
-No baby in the womb, but a strong desire to adopt!
-Confirmed the power and importance of prayer.
Father, would you continually draw me to the foot of the Cross, the throne of Grace, and beckon me to pray. Then help me to act and obey in courage!
