“From the rising of the sun unto the going down of the same the LORD’S name is to be praised.” – Psalm 113:3
Although I am retired, I still have a fairly busy life. I don’t think I could name exactly what it is that seems to keep me busy, but my retirement is definitely not as “unbusy” as I thought it would be. Because of this, I still use a calendar to keep track of birthdays, church events, camping trips, and other goings-on in my life. I also have a phone that constantly sends me reminders of more regularly scheduled activities like taking medication, dental appointments, and even when to eat (as if I really needed that!) Anything that is important to me, that I want to be sure I don’t forget, is usually on my phone, and its alarm alerts me when the time has come for me to do something. Why do I do this? Because I do not always remember to do what I need to do. No matter how important they are, I can be so involved in other things that without a reminder, I forget to do them.
Perhaps I should include these on my phone reminder list as well:
- Praise the Lord today – “Every day will I bless thee; and I will praise thy name for ever and ever.” (Psalm 145:2)
- Study the Word of God today – “This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.” (Joshua 1:8)
- Take up the cross of Christ today – “And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.” (Luke 9:23)
- Pray today – “Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer;” (Romans 12:12)
- Encourage someone today – “But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.” (Hebrews 3:13)
- Rejoice today – “This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.” (Psalm 118:24)
- Thank God today – “Unto thee, O God, do we give thanks, unto thee do we give thanks: for that thy name is near thy wondrous works declare.” (Psalm 75:1)
I think it’s time for me to update my daily agenda…
Take time to be holy, speak oft with thy Lord;
Abide in Him always, and feed on His Word.
Make friends of God’s children, help those who are weak,
Forgetting in nothing His blessing to seek.
Take time to be holy, the world rushes on;
Spend much time in secret, with Jesus alone.
By looking to Jesus, like Him thou shalt be;
Thy friends in thy conduct His likeness shall see.
(from “Take Time to Be Holy” by William Longstaff)
“Yet they seek me daily, and delight to know my ways, as a nation that did righteousness, and forsook not the ordinance of their God: they ask of me the ordinances of justice; they take delight in approaching to God.” – Isaiah 58:2
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What’s on your agenda for today?