All Day, Every Day
Children of God are called, challenged, encouraged and even commanded with a daily list of “chores” - things we should and must do daily. When I say “must do” I don’t mean that salvation is dependent on works, but if God’s children are to live profitable, fruitful, and meaningful lives, there are some chores or daily activities that they must do.
There are many occupations in this world that require 24/7 attention. One such occupation is farming. Personally, I love the idea of being a farmer, feeding the chickens, milking the cows, driving a tractor, planting a garden, and everything to do with being in the great outdoors. But I also understand that being a true farmer means it is extremely difficult to ever take a vacation or make plans with other people due to the nature of the job. Chicken eggs need to be collected daily. Cows have to be milked twice a day to prevent health complications. A farmer must be ready to assist with any medical complications their animals may have. I also understand tractors need servicing and repairs to keep the farm operations running, and I know a farmer has to be ready to work around the weather forecast, that is constantly changing, in order to get the crops planted and harvested. These are just a few of the many responsibilities a farmer has that requires daily attention and cannot be skipped or missed. Failure in these daily chores would result in a failed and unproductive farmer.
During the Covid-19 pandemic and even a heavy snow last year, while many occupations had employees take a short pause for a day, and even a couple weeks, I spoke to an egg farmer who said they could not allow their employees to stop even for a day. Someone had to show up to feed the chickens, move eggs, and clean up chicken waste or there would be major consequences to the chickens and to the egg industry.
Similar to farming, being a faithful follower of Christ requires 24/7 attention to daily “chores.” By “chores” I mean there are several things we must do daily if we are to be fruitful and effective in our christian life. While this list is not an exhaustive list, I want to highlight a few things from Scripture that if we fail to make an effort to accomplish, our christian walk will not be as effective as it can be.
These “chores” or daily tasks can and should be done with and through the strength of the Holy Spirit. If we try to accomplish these on our own we will be left worn out, empty, and defeated. However, with the power the Holy Spirit these, while not always easy, will lead to a place of joy and fulfillment.
Sacrifice self-made agendas
Luke 9:23–27
And he said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it. For what does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses or forfeits himself? For whoever is ashamed of me and of my words, of him will the Son of Man be ashamed when he comes in his glory and the glory of the Father and of the holy angels. But I tell you truly, there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see the kingdom of God.” (ESV) See also Philippians 2:1-11.
Study the Word of God
2 Timothy 2:14–15
Remind them of these things, and charge them before God not to quarrel about words, which does no good, but only ruins the hearers. 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. (ESV) Also see Acts 17:11
Rejoice, pray, and give thanks
1 Thessalonians 5:16–18
Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. (ESV)
Develop character that is truthful, knowledgeable, self-controlled, unwavering, godly, caring, loving
2 Peter 1:3–11
His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire. For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. For whoever lacks these qualities is so nearsighted that he is blind, having forgotten that he was cleansed from his former sins. Therefore, brothers, be all the more diligent to confirm your calling and election, for if you practice these qualities you will never fall. For in this way there will be richly provided for you an entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. (ESV)
Consciously watch out for sin
Ephesians 6:10–20
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak. (ESV)
This is not a list of “one and done” actions but an “all day every day” list. Take a few minutes to pray and ask God to reveal areas of your christian walk that need more attention. Commit to taking the appropriate steps to apply the changes you need to make in your daily routine.
There are many occupations in this world that require 24/7 attention. One such occupation is farming. Personally, I love the idea of being a farmer, feeding the chickens, milking the cows, driving a tractor, planting a garden, and everything to do with being in the great outdoors. But I also understand that being a true farmer means it is extremely difficult to ever take a vacation or make plans with other people due to the nature of the job. Chicken eggs need to be collected daily. Cows have to be milked twice a day to prevent health complications. A farmer must be ready to assist with any medical complications their animals may have. I also understand tractors need servicing and repairs to keep the farm operations running, and I know a farmer has to be ready to work around the weather forecast, that is constantly changing, in order to get the crops planted and harvested. These are just a few of the many responsibilities a farmer has that requires daily attention and cannot be skipped or missed. Failure in these daily chores would result in a failed and unproductive farmer.
During the Covid-19 pandemic and even a heavy snow last year, while many occupations had employees take a short pause for a day, and even a couple weeks, I spoke to an egg farmer who said they could not allow their employees to stop even for a day. Someone had to show up to feed the chickens, move eggs, and clean up chicken waste or there would be major consequences to the chickens and to the egg industry.
Similar to farming, being a faithful follower of Christ requires 24/7 attention to daily “chores.” By “chores” I mean there are several things we must do daily if we are to be fruitful and effective in our christian life. While this list is not an exhaustive list, I want to highlight a few things from Scripture that if we fail to make an effort to accomplish, our christian walk will not be as effective as it can be.
These “chores” or daily tasks can and should be done with and through the strength of the Holy Spirit. If we try to accomplish these on our own we will be left worn out, empty, and defeated. However, with the power the Holy Spirit these, while not always easy, will lead to a place of joy and fulfillment.
Sacrifice self-made agendas
Luke 9:23–27
And he said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it. For what does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses or forfeits himself? For whoever is ashamed of me and of my words, of him will the Son of Man be ashamed when he comes in his glory and the glory of the Father and of the holy angels. But I tell you truly, there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see the kingdom of God.” (ESV) See also Philippians 2:1-11.
Study the Word of God
2 Timothy 2:14–15
Remind them of these things, and charge them before God not to quarrel about words, which does no good, but only ruins the hearers. 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. (ESV) Also see Acts 17:11
Rejoice, pray, and give thanks
1 Thessalonians 5:16–18
Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. (ESV)
Develop character that is truthful, knowledgeable, self-controlled, unwavering, godly, caring, loving
2 Peter 1:3–11
His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire. For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. For whoever lacks these qualities is so nearsighted that he is blind, having forgotten that he was cleansed from his former sins. Therefore, brothers, be all the more diligent to confirm your calling and election, for if you practice these qualities you will never fall. For in this way there will be richly provided for you an entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. (ESV)
Consciously watch out for sin
Ephesians 6:10–20
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak. (ESV)
This is not a list of “one and done” actions but an “all day every day” list. Take a few minutes to pray and ask God to reveal areas of your christian walk that need more attention. Commit to taking the appropriate steps to apply the changes you need to make in your daily routine.
Recent
Archive
2023
October
2022
January
March
August
September
December
2021