Just in Case

For me it was Senior Adult walking to keep the doctor happy. For him it was for a much more serious purpose. I was doing my casual mile and a half at the school track near my house. He was earnestly sprinting, jumping, stretching. On my last lap I inquired of him, “Football or track?” “Football and Basketball” he replied. “Where do you go to school?” I asked. “Oh, I don’t go to school anywhere. I’m just staying in shape in case anyone calls.” I walked on, thinking, “That’s it!” That’s what Paul was telling Timothy when he wrote, “Exercise yourself toward godliness for bodily exercise profits a little, but godliness is profitable for all things” (I Tim. 4:7-8). We are called to stay in spiritual shape, just in case God calls. What does that mean for you this week? What spiritual disciplines, what exercises, will you need to continue or implement, in order to be in shape when God calls? I wrote a book a few years ago that might prove helpful if you can find a copy of it. “DiscipleShape: Twelve Weeks to Spiritual Fitness” is out of print now, but there are usually a few copies available at www.amazon.com. Good luck with your spiritual fitness this week.

A few weeks ago I stopped adding the “Global Prayer Concerns” just to see if anyone inquired. One downside of writing this “Memo” each Monday is apart from a few responses, I never know if anyone is reading, and especially praying. Some asked, so the “Global Prayer Concerns” feature is back – for now. Join me in remembering the following global concerns:
• Many missionary E-mails that come to me are requesting prayer for the volunteer mission teams that will be traveling the globe to serve God this summer.
• Pray for seven pastorless churches in Vancouver, Canada. Surely God is calling more pastors than are listening and responding. Pray for opportunities for me to share the need with those who are open to God’s call on their lives.
• Pray for finances and personnel to complete the virtual prayer walk video of Vancouver Island, Canada (population 750,000 – churches closing weekly.). Contact me if you have interest.
• Pray for those who serve God in Saratov, Russia, population 800,000 and home to not only Russians, but also many Ukrainians, Tatar and German residents (home of the Volga Germans).
• Pray for the many international churches will have children’s camps this summer. Pray strength and insight for the workers and pray for many children to come to faith in Christ.