25 Ways to Keep Christ at the Center of My Life

I love this list so much that I made three copies of it.  I put one on our refrigerator, one on the boys’ bathroom wall, and one at eye level where the ironing board is (not that I spend a lot of time there).   This list first appeared in Neal’s “Daily Bread” about a year ago (and can also be found on his blog, http://www.preacherpollard.wordpress.com), but I wanted to share it here because I had an idea.  What if we all focus on one suggestion each day, using the number on the list that coordinates with the date?  That means today we’ll focus on #11, “I will reflect meaningfully on the price He paid at Calvary.”  Each month, start over again so that after a year of “25 Ways” in 25 days, keeping Christ at the center of our lives should be pretty ingrained.  We can share this challenge with our children and discuss it in family devotionals at the end of the day.  We can ask best friends to join in the challenge with us, and email each other encouragement.  Bible class teachers can turn this into a group effort by giving a list to each of the students.  Let’s see how much of a difference we can make in our families, churches, and communities by sharing this exciting challenge to grow ever closer to Christ!

Suggestions for how to focus on the list each day:

1. Start and end each day with a prayer about the specific way to keep Christ at the center.
2. Keep a journal.  Jot down Scriptures related to it, along with personal reflections.
3. Find at least one practical way to act on it.

25 Ways to Keep Christ in the Center of My Life

By Neal Pollard

1. I will absorb myself in the practice of prayer
2. I will actively practice kindness
3. I will find someone each day with whom to share Him
4. I will watch what I allow to grow in my heart
5. I will consider carefully how what I do effects my influence
6. I will actively encourage the people I daily encounter
7. I will assume and look for the best in others
8. I will nurture a hatred of sin and a love of sinners
9. I will treat Scripture as daily nourishment for my soul
10. I will keep a spiritual song in my heart
11. I will reflect meaningfully on the price He paid at Calvary
12. I will guard my tongue
13. I will think longingly about heaven
14. I will contemplate ways to be involved in the church’s work
15. I will love His church with a passion
16. I will cut out the tendency to rationalize or defend wrongdoing
17. I will be discerning about what is spiritual and what is worldly
18. I will grow in my understanding of what true love is
19. I will humbly acknowledge the greatness and power of God
20. I will do all within my power to help answer His prayer for unity
21. I will pursue souls with the same vigor that He did
22. I will look for ways to turn the conversation to the spiritual
23. I will long for times of worship and devotion
24. I will care less and less about my rights, feelings, and desires
25. I will think, speak, act, and look more like Him every day

Prayer for Today:  May I do all I can, dear Lord, to make it obvious that I belong to You.

Author: Kathy Pollard

I'm a Christian woman, happily married to my best friend, Neal. We have 3 grown sons, Gary, Dale, and Carl, and 3 sweet daughters-in-law, Chelsea, Janelle, and Emily. Neal preaches for the Lehman Ave. church of Christ in Bowling Green, KY. We love the Lord and His church! View all posts by Kathy Pollard