TL’s Spiritual To-Do List

Getting started in the day is often difficult for me to do. Even more important than getting my body going is firing up my spirit for a connected, empowered day. Here is my* "Spiritual To Do List" of directives, to help me keep my spirit in tune throughout the day. I hope in sharing mine, you may get some ideas for your own spiritual dialogue that helps you to, "continue steadfastly in prayer."

IN THE MORNING
Get grateful – Before you even rise from bed, thank God for life, breath, and another opportunity to live as His representative here on Earth. “This is the day the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.” (Psalm 118:24)

Get up – Stretch and breathe, affirming that God’s Spirit has been breathed into you. “The LORD God formed the man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being.” (Genesis 2:7)

Get breakfast – Thank God for the provision to get you through your day, and for the ability to bypass all the unnecessary luxuries and delicacies that others want, but you recognize you do not need. “Give me neither poverty nor riches, but give me only my daily bread.” (Proverbs 30:8)

Get wise – Read the chapter of Proverbs that corresponds to the day of the month. Thank God for wisdom. “Wisdom is supreme; therefore get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding.” (Proverbs 4:7) “If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.” (James 1:5)

Get clean – While in the shower, visualize the washing of water and blood of Christ that saves you. Ask for a fresh outpouring of His Spirit to empower you through your day. Acknowledge that His compassions are new every morning. (Lamentations 3:23) “Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow. …Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.” (Psalm 51:7, 10-12)

Get anointed – As you pour on your creams, lotions, or potions, give thanks to God for His ancient decree, “Do not touch my anointed ones; do my prophets no harm.” (Psalm 105:15) Recall your own baptism and remember that, “Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us, set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.” (2 Corinthians 1:21-22)

Get dressed – As you put on your clothes, reaffirm that you are clothed in righteousness, “…for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.” (Galatians 3:27) “Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.” (Colossians 3:12)

THROUGH THE DAY
Get going – Look for God to guide you and be willing to follow His lead. “Teach me your way, O LORD, and I will walk in your truth; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name.” (Psalm 86:11)

Get committed – Make sure God is a part of every activity of your day. “Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and your plans will succeed.” (Proverbs 16:3) “And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” (Colossians 3:17)

Get productive – Make the most of your day, remembering that each contact and every obstacle is an opportunity to demonstrate your faithfulness. “Our people must learn to devote themselves to doing what is good, in order that they may provide for daily necessities and not live unproductive lives.” (Titus 3:14) “Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.” (James 1:2-3)

IN THE EVENING
Get forgiving – Make sure you leave whatever grudges and disappointments at the bedside before you retire. “Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.” (Colossians 3:13) “But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.” (Matthew 6:15) “Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry…” (Ephesians 4:26)

Get introspective – Before concluding your day, look back and judge yourself. Commit to God your failures, and leave them for Him to deal with. “Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” (Psalm 139:23-24) “But if we judged ourselves, we would not come under judgment.” (1 Corinthians 11:31)

Get repentant – Confess your sin and return your life, your energy, your very being back over to God, and commit to Him all that you are. “If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” (2 Chronicles 7:14) “Into your hands I commit my spirit; redeem me, O LORD, the God of truth.” (Psalm 31:5)


*Note
I wrote this list of directives for myself, and later decided to share it online. It occurred to me that since it appears in directive format, this lends itself to a superior, instructing tone that was never intended. Please remember this is a personal "To-Do" list for me.

Let Go and Let God!

I was recently asked for advice by someone struggling to surrender control of their situation to God, and to overcome stumbling blocks to their faith. I was humbled at the request, since I too struggle with issues involving control. God spoke to me through my response to this dear lady, and I wanted to share it with you:

The most important tool in affecting change in ourselves (or anything for that matter) is prayer. I know of one particular prayer, prayed directly in the face of Jesus Christ, when He confronted the father of an afflicted child about his faith. The parent said, "I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!" (Mark 9:24) This prayer reminds me that, even when we believe, we can always believe more. To say what the fearful parent said is not the contradiction it appears to be. His previous actions give clarification. He brought his son to Jesus, demonstrating his faith. But then he said, "If you can…" as a lead-in to his request of Jesus. I think building the kind of faith that knows God will move instead of wishing He will takes prayer (talking to Him) and Bible reading (allowing Him to talk to you).

What has helped me build my faith is to reflect on the Scriptural examples of the faithful. Hebrews 11 has often been called "the Hall of Fame of Faith." Since you are looking for ideas, I recommend reading that chapter, then looking up the stories of each name listed there, and reflecting on each one, comparing their example to your own life. (Online tools like www.BibleGateway.com make such searches easier.)

God bless you as you turn loose of control and surrender your situation to God. It is only when He has free rein and total reign that He can make the most out of us. It is because of His power that we can, "Be still and know that I am God..." (Psalm 46:10a)

Clay Pots

We are all are clay pots, formed of dust and inspired to live by God's own breath.1 Since that moment, we have done all we can to try to fill those pots with all sorts of things that separate us from the Creator who made us.2 We adorn ourselves with all sorts of material possessions and false cheerfulness on the outside, to try and hide the fact that we are made out of dirt. Meanwhile, we try to fill ourselves with pride, arrogance, and self-indulgence, until our insides are coated with a bitter glaze that anesthetizes us against the warm wind of the Creator's living breath inside us.3

Living Water, the Holy Spirit of Jesus Christ, has the ability to fill us so completely if we let it that we will not only overflow Spirit Water, but the glaze within and without us will dissolve away, our very material will saturate, and our whole lives will permeate the Living Water of God.4 Then we will be useless to contain anything but Him,5 and we will constantly seep Spirit Love everywhere we go and onto everyone with whom we have contact.6

As that begins to happen, the fruits of the Spirit will begin to grow in, on, and around us.7 At the hands of the Master Vinedresser8 and in the true light of Jesus Christ,9 we will become a lush garden of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control, not by our power, but His.10

Notes:
1. Genesis 2:7
2. Isaiah 53:6
3. Isaiah 59:2
4. John 7:38
5. Jeremiah 2:13
6. Galatians 5:14
7. 2 Corinthians 3:18
8. John 15:1
9. John 8:12, 1 John 1:7
10. John 15:5, John 15:8

A Missionary's Graduation to Glory

Christian Missionary Matt Boden recently lost his ministry partner when his wife, Kaylee, died giving birth to their newest of four children. The following posting and photo were taken from the website of Matt and Kylee Boden’s Ministry. Matt and Kylee served the University of Central Florida until they began their work in the Global Outreach Center of New Mission Systems International, in Fort Myers, Florida.

Wednesday, March 17, Kylee Boden, pregnant in week 35, was rushed to the emergency room with a condition we now know was eclampsia. Doctors performed a Cesarean section and delivered Caleb Boden, who is healthy and well. Kylee experienced some intracranial bleeding and other complications, and she did not recover through the day. She met her Savior shortly before 6:00 that evening. Matt and Kylee have ministered at the Center for Global Outreach in various counseling, mentoring and training roles. Kylee's unexpected death touches as many lives as her great love did. They have four children: twins Seth and Lydia (5), Sarai (2 1/2), and Caleb.

Please pray for Matt and his family, and consider what God would have you do for them.

From Palm Sunday to Easter Sunday

On "Palm Sunday," five days before Christ's crucifixion, he entered Jerusalem on a donkey colt to the sound of cheering crowds hailing, "Hosanna!" (a word that means, "save us now"). "Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!" and, "Blessed is the king of Israel!" was on the lips of those who pushed in to see the celebrity. They laid palm branches in his path to demonstrate honor they would soon betray. (This is how "Palm Sunday" got its name.) This fifteen minutes of fame on Palm Sunday was a glimpse of the glory that was to come to Jesus. It was a preview of what was revealed to John and recorded in Chapters 19 and 21 of Revelation.

"I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice he judges and makes war. His eyes are like blazing fire, and on his head are many crowns. He has a name written on him that no one knows but he himself. He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is the Word of God. The armies of heaven were following him, riding on white horses and dressed in fine linen, white and clean." (Revelation 19:11-14; see also vs.1-16, and 21:1-2, 6-7.)

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The Jewish day traditionally begins and ends at sunset. Four days after Christ's triumphal entry into Jerusalem, as the sun set, beginning of the Feast of Passover, Jesus gave his disciples an important lesson. Because of this very special lesson, that evening would become known as, "Maunday Thursday," which means, "Service Thursday."

"It was just before the Passover Feast. Jesus knew that the time had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he now showed them the full extent of his love. 'I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.' 'A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.'" (John 13:1,15,34)

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The following day, Crucifixion Day, is referred to by many as, "Good Friday." It fell on the Jewish holiday of Passover, a day to commemorate God's protection from the death angel who was unleashed to plague the Egyptians who had enslaved the Israelites hundreds of years before. That great miracle of God required every household of Israel to kill a lamb and sprinkle its blood on the doorposts and lentils of each home. To spare each family's eldest son from certain death, God demanded the blood of a sacrificial lamb.

"Jesus used this figure of speech, but they did not understand what he was telling them. 'I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life---only to take it up again. No one takes it from me, ...but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father. My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand.'" (John 10:6,11,17-18,27-28)

"For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect." (1 Peter 1:18-19)

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For three days, Jesus' body lay in a freshly cut tomb in a garden near where Jesus was slain. The funeral was paid for by a wealthy follower of Jesus named Joseph, but his private tomb was sealed and guarded by the command of Pilate, the Roman governor. Earlier in his ministry, Jesus had prophesied, "For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of a huge fish, so the Son of Man will be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth." (Matthew 12:40) Jonah wasn't the only allegorical foreshadow of Jesus' stay in the tomb. Joseph, the favored son of Jacob, the father of all Israel, was cast into a pit, and the blood of a goat was smeared on his coat to cover his sale to the slave traders, but he was ultimately promoted to second in command of Egypt. Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego were hurled into a furnace because of their righteousness, but were seen walking around inside with a radiant fourth man, until the king released them and promoted them within the province. Daniel was sealed in a lion's den, but was spared death, protected by the angel of God, and later prospered with the kings blessing. Lazarus, the friend of Jesus himself, was mummified and placed in a grave for four days before the Christ called him forth.

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Resurrection Day is remembered as Easter Sunday. This is the day that makes all of Christianity matter. Had it not been for Christ's resurrection, there would have been no cause to celebrate his death, and even less purpose in commemorating his birth, for he would have been proven just a man. Jesus Christ was and is God. He was made man, faced and conquered death, and is now returned to God the Father, where he sits as God the Son, enthroned as King, forever. He sent his Spirit to be with us, guide us and teach us. He remains in the hearts of any who invite him in. Hallelujah! He is alive!

"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade—kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God's power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time." (1 Peter 1:3-5)

Sunday's Comin'!

The Late Dr. Bob Cook and "Walk With The King" Radio Broadcast

The 10-minute radio broadcast I listen to every weekday morning is now going online! 

 

Dr. Robert A. Cook is my broadcasting hero.  Today, I have discovered that the residual ministry of this wonderful encourager, who himself has graduated to Glory, will be expanding its web presence in April, 2010. I could not be more excited! If you have ever wished you could hear a bit of warm, caring, Christian encouragement in the mornings, I encourage you to get to know Dr. Bob's voice of loving instruction by visiting this website and by tuning into Family Radio in your area weekdays at 7:00 am, for his brief, but always uplifting exercise in encouragement. "Walk with the King today...and be a blessing!"

 

http://www.walkwiththeking.org/inner.html  shows a video about the upcoming website improvements.

 

~tl 

Waiting on God

Are you struggling to accept God's timing? In our heads, we know that God's timing is perfect, but there is often a gap between the knowledge that God will provide and the peace of feeling that truth in our souls. If you find yourself feeling impatient while you wait for God's hand to move, I encourage you to do what David did in Psalm 62:

⁵Wait in silence for God only,
For my hope is from Him.
⁶He only is my rock and my salvation,
My stronghold; I shall not be shaken.
⁷On God my salvation and my glory rest;
The rock of my strength, my refuge is in God.

I love Southern Gospel music. Karen Peck and New River sing a song by Sharon Husarik called, "Right on Time." I don't expect you to listen through the song just to humor me, but here are the words:

The news came to Jesus please come fast.
Lazarus is sick and without Your help he will not last.
Mary and Martha watched their brother die
They waited for Jesus- He didn't come.
They wondered why.
The death watch was over; buried four days.
Somebody said He'll soon be here
The Lord's on His way.
Martha ran to Him and then she cried
"Lord if You had been here- You could have healed him. He'd still be alive.
But You're four days late; and all hope is gone.
Lord we don't understand why You've waited so long."
But His way is God's way.
It's not yours or mine
But isn't it great when He's four days late- He's still on time!
Jesus said, "Martha, show Me the grave."
But she said, "Lord You don't understand- he's been there four days!""
The grave stone was rolled back.
Then Jesus cried, "Lazarus! Come forth!"
Then somebody said, "He's ALIVE! He's ALIVE!"
Right now you may be fighting a battle of fear
You've cried to the Lord "I need You now!" But He has not appeared.
My friend don't be discouraged
Cause He's still the same.
He'll be right here and He'll roll back your stone and He'll call out your name!
When He's four days late and all hope is gone
Lord we don't understand why You've waited so long.
But His way is God's way it's not yours or mine
But isn't it great when He's four days late- He's still on time!
Oh my God it's great when He's four days late- He's still on time!!!

If you have taken Christ's name, and have clothed yourself in His grace, you have made a powerful commitment to God, and Satan has heard of you. God has declared that you are worth fighting over, and even though Christ has won you, Satan is still struggling to sift you. At this present time, the devil is trying to make waiting painful for you. It won't be the last time. Waiting can often pierce the heart in ways that feel as real as a spear, but things worth fighting for are also worth the wounds. Put on the full armor, remember His power to provide, and stand.

LORD, I pray for the hearts of those who read this. May your peace come through this humble vessel and find the soul in need. Give us the strength to stand firm until your perfect timing is fulfilled. In Jesus' precious name, Amen!

~tl

The Balance of Hope

The life of condemnation teeters out of balance on fear, between the regrets of yesterday and the anxieties of tomorrow, crippling us with guilt and worry. In contrast, the gift of God is the life of hope built on a fulcrum of grace, that allows us to find forgiveness for our yesterdays and provision for an eternity of tomorrows. This hope empowers us to live this moment as a reflection of His grace to all those around us, here and now, to His glory for ever and ever. Amen!

~tl