A Good Way to Start Each Day

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discipleship

I have discovered that for me Ephesians 6:13-18 is a good daily checklist.
Why have a checklist?

Because the Christian life is one of conflict. You and I are in a battle. The question we must answer is, "Am I fit for the battle?"

Soldiers used to prepare for combat by putting on armor. We, too, can put on "armor." Ephesians 6:13 says "Therefore take the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand." Here is the "armor checklist" you can use each morning to see if you are fit for the day's battle:

TRUTH. "Stand therefore, having girded your loins with truth . . . " (v. 14)

I believe this means to have a mind that is saturated with the Word of God. " . . . thy law is true" (Ps. 119:142).

So I ask myself, Am I meditating on some Scripture today? Am I seeking to apply the Word of God to my life? Am I testing any bright ideas I have against the Word of God? Does the Word of God direct and rule my life? That's my first check.

RIGHTEOUSNESS. "Having put on the breastplate of righteousness . . ." (v. 14)

As I begin a new day, do I have a conscience void of offence toward God and man? If not, I will find the Spirit of God is hindered in my life. He will be hindered in helping me make the decisions I must make today, hindered in the work I must do.

Is all known sin confessed? Can I look everybody straight in the eye today or must I drop my gaze when I meet certain ones? Is my conscience clear?

TESTIMONY " . . . and having shod your feet with the equipment of the gospel of peace . . ." (v. 15)

I feel this simply means a Bible-based testimony "And they have conquered him (the accuser) by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony . . . " (Rev. 12:11)

Am I on the alert today for an opportunity to share a word of testimony with somebody, Christian or non-Christian? A Bible-based testimony is a weapon, an offensive weapon against Satan.

FAITH " . . . above all taking the shield of faith, with which you can quench all the flaming darts of the evil one." (v. 16)

Acts 27:25 says, "So take heart, men, for I have faith in God that it will be exactly as I have been told." And the most practical way for me to operate on this checkpoint is to ask myself, What promise or promises from God am I going to claim and seek to live by today? I'm going to act in faith on these.

Usually I find that these promises were given me during periods of protracted time alone with God. If you don't have something like this, get some before long. These promises will better equip you for the battle . . . something solid to fall back on when the going gets rough.

SALVATION "And take the helmet of salvation . . ." (v. 17)

Salvation is past, present, and future, isn't it? We were saved, we are being saved, and we will be saved. Someone has said, "We were saved from the penalty of sin, are being saved from the power of sin, and will be saved from the presence of sin."

Am I today entering more fully into the salvation that is in Christ? Going away from self, self-centeredness, and selfish motives?

SCRIPTURE " . . . and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God." (v. 17)

I feel this means a specific "saying" from the Scripture that you can apply in some instance during the day. This is precisely what Jesus did in the wilderness. He had a specific verse of Scripture to quote. Am I equipped today with some specific sayings?

You know what I've found? When I get too many sayings I get confused. I can use only one or two or three. Therefore, it's wise not to get too many for the day.

PRAYER "Pray 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." (v. 18)

In Psalm 55:10, David says that his enemies are after him day and night. How could he extricate himself from all those conspiring against him?

He needed help. And here is how he coped with it: "Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud; and he shall hear my voice" (Ps. 55:17).

That's what I do to stay in shape for the battle. Why not give it a try for a few days.

Lorne Sanny served as The Navigators' second president and chairman of the board for three decades. This article was first published in The Navigators Log, January 1970.