We all need reminders. Right? Most of us tend to forget and/or neglect things that are crucial. Sometimes a simple, or even a silly, word can be used to remind us of important things.
I love to write and I’m never without a pen. Sometimes I think I can’t think without a pen and paper. I probably jot down more notes than anyone you’ve ever seen. Even after all these years, I still write out all my sermon notes in long hand. I just can’t seem to break the habit.
The other day I was thinking about the importance of starting the day out right, so that we might walk with God. In a few minutes I came up with an acrostic based on the word W A L K. It serves to remind me of what I should do when I get out of bed in the morning. Hopefully it will be of a benefit to you as well.
Worship – This is the way we should start every day, and every prayer. We can’t expect anything to go right unless we put God first. To walk with the Lord we must give God the first part of every day, the first day of the week, the first tenth of every dollar, and the first place in every decision.
The “Lord’s Prayer” begins with these words – “Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name” (Matthew 6:19). Our prayer and our life is out of order unless God is first.
Ask – Since we are to “Pray without ceasing” (I Thess.5:17) we should wake up praying. We should go to sleep praying and get up praying. We should start the day with praise and then move on to petition. You never know what a day might hold – you better be prepared. We aren’t ready to meet the demands of the day until we pause to pray. Ask God for help!
Listen – It’s one thing for you to speak to God, it’s another thing for Him to speak to you. I’m not talking about some eerie, unearthly voice, or a burning bush experience. God speaks to us through His word and we aren’t prepared for the day until we’ve heard from our Lord. Absolutely nothing can take the place of reading and studying the Bible. We should have the attitude of Job, who said, “—I have esteemed the words of his mouth more than my necessary food.” (Job 23:12).
Keep – The Bible uses the word “Keep” many times and in many ways. Each new day brings us duties we are to perform. It’s not enough to just hear from God, ask for help, and worship God. We are to be “doers of the word.” The word “keep” reminds us of our duties for the day, our responsibilities.
We should keep the commandments of God, the commission from the Lord, the chores we’ve been given, the commitments we’ve made, the connection with our loved ones, the convictions we’ve embraced, the confidence that comes from trusting God.
WALK in this manner and you will have a good day. Think about it!
