Let's Use Visible Reminders!

There is a growing number of health-conscious folks who are discovering that wearing a pedometer helps them increase their level of daily exercise (see here). This step-counting device is both a recorder and a motivator for them. Knowing how many steps they take per outing, encourages them to walk more.

One woman's goal was ten thousand steps a day. To accomplish her goal, she began parking farther away from her workplace, walking up the stairs instead of taking the elevator, and doing more active tasks around her office. Her pedometer reminded her of her daily need to produce a healthy lifestyle change.

Visible reminders have a place in our Christian walk as well. When God instructed the Israelites to keep His commands in their hearts (Deuteronomy 6:6), He also told them to make visible reminders of His Word: (Deuteronomy 6:8-9 - see article and see YouTube video).

The purpose was not for simply physical decoration, but for spiritual deliverance: "Beware, lest you forget the Lord who brought you out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage (Deuteronomy 6:12). Writing the words of Scripture on a sticky note, a memory card, or a calendar, can turn our focus toward the Lord throughout the day. These visible reminders will encourage our steps of obedience to Him (Romans 6:17).

Let us memorize a verse of Scripture as we go to work this week, by writing it on a card, taping it where it is visible, and meditating on that verse during the day (see video). Habitually placing verses of Scripture into our subconscious mind, will produce not only an increase in Bible knowledge (Deuteronomy 6:6; Proverbs 2:1-6; Proverbs 4:20-21), but will keep us from sin and sinful habits (Psalm 119:11,98; cf. Psalm 37:31; Psalm 40:8; Hebrews 5:14).

Singing the words of psalms, hymns of praise, and spiritual songs while commuting to work, will help us keep the holy Scriptures fresh in our mind as well (Colossians 3:16; Ephesians 5:19).

—Mike Riley, Gospel Snippets