The To-Do List

Tuesday, May 10, 2016
Listen to this devotional:
Listen while you read: "Standing By A Purpose True"1 (Lyrics)

Luke 22:42 – Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done. (NIV)

Climbing up onto the stable roof and re-tarring all the rolled asphalt shingling is not my idea of fun. In fact, it's one of the last things that I ever wanted to see on my to-do list. And yet there it was: "tar barn roof".

Oh me, oh my! I really don't want to do this. I mean, I really, really don't want to do this! It's a heavy, dirty, messy job and very hard on my knees, but if I want the stable roof not to leak, I know what I need to do.

How like that is to obeying God's Word from time to time. If I'm honest, there are things in Scripture that I sometimes really, really just don't like having to do. Really, you ask? Honest? Yes, it's true. There have been times when I have simply not wanted to obey:

Matthew 5:38-39 – You have heard that it was said, "Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth." But I tell you, Do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. (NIV)

Colossians 3:13 – Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. (NIV)

Matthew 7:1 – Do not judge, or you too will be judged. (NIV)

Ephesians 4:26 – "In your anger do not sin": Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry. (NIV)

Sometimes, it's just hard to do the right thing, the thing that needs doing in order for us to keep maturing and growing to be more like Christ. But much like needing to re-tar my stable roof, to get the results that I want, I have to accept the job at hand, with God as my helper, and simply do it.

So I guess I know what I'm doing today. How about you?

Prayer: Father God, help each one of us today to do the job at hand that You have placed before us, whether it be large or small, physical, mental or spiritual. Help us to do it with the grace and strength, the diligence and humility of Christ, our Lord and Saviour, the One Who knows how to do the hard things in life that really need doing. In His name, we pray. Amen.

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About the author:

Lynne Phipps <lynnephippsatlin@gmail.com>
Tawatinaw, Alberta, Canada

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1 Comment

  • PresbyCan Feedback says:

    Another good reminder Lynne.


    You are up to you age in work!! Be well.


    Thanks, Lynne. It is important to be reminded that we are the staff, not the clientele. We need to get to work!


    Lynne – I loved it! In a practical sense, I have found the shorter the list, it’s more likely the tasks will get done.


    Well said, Lynn, profound thoughts well expressed and conveyed!
    Blessings.


    Dear Lynne,
    Yes, well done you.
    And that’s a big amen sister.


    Good message Lynne; it reminded me of Jesus’ words in Matthew 11:30: For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Thank God He is always there to lift our burdens and help us accomplish whatever needs to be done.
    Blessings.


    For sure, Lynne, there’s no way I’d know where to begin, nor how to tar a house roof, much less a barn roof!
    Sure am glad Christ’s always there listening to us. Praying to become more like him, obedient, even when I really, really don’t want to be.
    Thanks for writing. Blessings.


    Hi Lynne:
    Sometimes it is so hard to do the right thing and grow stronger, in the Lord. How blessed we are to have the assurance that underneath are the everlasting arms of He who loved us and saved us and is willing to assist us as we get up and get going.
    This was a fine message, urging us to do the things that are right in the eye of the Master.


    Good morning.
    Re: the nasty jobs. If we get something that we really don’t want to do, or cannot do, we have a list of high-school students who want time on their Community Service hours, and are happy to get a few dollars towards their spending money, or next year’s school expenses. Works well both ways!
    Blessings today and always!


    Wow. Your devotional came at the proper time. I have been researching and touring places for my mother. Unfortunately, she will not be able to return to her granny apartment because of health problems. It is a bittersweet situation. It is amazing the feelings of guilt and other emotions that pass through my mind, but in order to receive the proper care that she needs, I have to let her go and place her into an assisted living place. Amen to your words.


    Thank you Lynne for your forthrightness. I figured it was you, from the first few sentences, and as usual, it very closely matches the very prayer I had just made about following HIS directions, not going my own way. I think you could write the phrase WITH GOD’S HELP in capitals. I’m not sure those are the very words you used, but it is surely the crux of the matter – God’s call on our daily walk and IN CHRIST as we go. If only I could master the wandering of my mind and stick to the path He sets before me.
    How I love your stories. God bless.


    Dear Lynn,
    Thank you for sharing. I needed this today. God Bless you.

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