Maintaining Spiritual Zeal - Pt. 2

16. We all feel better if our minds are being exercised. Read more than the daily paper and novels. Do more than watch the TV. Think. Read non-fiction. The more you use your mind the better.

17. Get organized so that you use your time to maximal efficiency. It is amazing what you can do if you plan well.

18. Listen to CD’s while driving. That can redeem the time.

19. Write down thoughts and inspirations that have come to you or you’ll forget them.

20. Every day, find time to be alone. Once again, every day, find time to be alone.

21. When you are bowed down, then talk to God on the spot. Try to nip small problems in the bud. Don’t wait until later.

22. Make friends with as many godly people as you can.

23. Keep some little cards; inscribe new Scriptures on them; commit them to memory.

24. Remember that the shortest bridge between despair and hope is to say, 'The Lord Omnipotent is King.'

25. Keep smiling when you are tricked and criticised.

26. Take your work and studies seriously, but not yourself at all.

27. Develop a forgiving attitude (most Christians are doing the best they can).

28. Do everything for double usefulness. Bake two cakes or two quiches and take one to someone who is housebound. Write two letters to missionaries when you are in the rare writing mood.

29. Men and women, 'we must hurry.' That was the great word of William Chalmers Burns in Scotland as he thought of the shortness of the time. Buy up the opportunities of the week that lies ahead. It will never return.

30. Never resist an inclination to pray.

Paul the Apostle urges us to ensure that the energy of the Spirit is at work in us constantly with no hindrances preventing it. Resist the hindrances, remove the obstacles, and maintain the glow. You cannot work up the fire but you can remove the ashes and be stirring up the gift of God within you. We must not quench the Spirit. We must resist the drift to becoming lukewarm. That is not an option. The Lord will spew us out of his mouth if we do not become fervent in spirit. We must recapture every day our first love.


-- Geoff Thomas