via TJC
"And it shall come to pass that everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved. For in Mount Zion and in Jerusalem there shall be those who escape, as the Lord has said, and among the survivors shall be those whom the Lord calls." - Joel 2:32-33
In nearly every aspect of life, I am tempted to go on autopilot where I act out my daily routine without thinking outside myself. Autopilot is the vehicle through which the enemy introduces sin. In my base nature, my thoughts are not “captured” or aligned with Christ: I am making phone calls. I am mad at so and so. I’m staring at a screen. I am rushing to the car. My attention is drawn to the sinful. I am falling into my base nature.
Yet, here is this promise. Everyone, including me, can call on the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and be saved. A promise is a rule. God said it. I claim it - but how?
I started to think about it as hygiene: Calling on the name of the Lord should be something I do to stay healthy, just as I brush my teeth or wear clean socks each day. Here are two things that I do to ensure that I call on the name of the Lord:
1. Whenever I wash my hands, I turn off the water and I look at my soapy hands and I call upon the Lord Jesus Christ. I say, "Lord if you want, you can make me clean." I say "I am not worthy to receive you but only say the word and I shall be healed.". Every time. Every single time. That way, I do it.
2. Knees to Bed. I decided that there is only one way to enter and exit my bed: from my knees. I decided never to just lay in my bed. When that alarm goes off, I'm sleepy eyed and it's dark but I'm sliding off the bed and on my knees, half asleep. I don't get up until I call upon the name of the Lord. I don't get in until I call upon the name of the Lord. I say his name, out loud.
...and I surrender.
The act of calling upon the name of the Lord is not a mere ritual but a heartfelt expression of trust and dependence. When we surrender our lives to God and acknowledge our need for a Savior, His love and mercy overflow. To resist autopilot, I had to bake calling on the Lord into the things that I already do consistently. It works and you can do it too!
Daily Battle Order:
Today take the opportunity to pause to acknowledge the Lord during two of your regular daily tasks. Make a real effort to incorporate Him into your day and resist going on autopilot!
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