A man told a pastor that he was concerned that he would not be able to live for God over the long haul of his life.  The pastor said, “Do you think you could live for God for one day?”  The man said, “I’m not sure.”  The pastor said could you live for God for 5 minutes?”  He said, “I think so.”  The pastor said, “Okay, live for God for 5 minutes, then start over and do it again, and keep doing it the rest of your life!”

Now, the truth is, nobody can fully live for God even one minute, much less five, without the help and blessing of the Holy Spirit, but the pastor made a good point.   Even with the help of the Holy Spirit, we must commit ourselves to purposefully live for God.  It is much like the old saying about how you eat an elephant, and the answer being, “one bite at a time.”  You live your Christian life one moment at a time.  God has given us wonderful instructions, so that we will not sin, but then He lovingly and mercifully says that if we do sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ, the Righteous.  That means Jesus is on our side.  He is our attorney in heaven, and He has never lost a case.  There is no reason to fail, and every reason to win, because if Christ is for us, who can be against us?  We are more than conquerors through Him that loves us!

Over the past few years, I have heard the phrase often repeated, “It’s not how you start, but how you finish that is most important.”    I would not argue that the finish is “most important,” but I would hasten to say that a good start is beneficial, as well.

For several years in older youth and young adult life, I was absorbed in drag racing.  I studied ways to cut the elapsed time from take-off to finish line.  In drag racing, a good start is often the determining factor in the finishing result.  I realize, however, life is not usually like a drag race, but more like the longer, 500 mile races.  Nevertheless, a good start is very worthwhile.

How do you make a good start in Christianity?  It’s really not “rocket science,” as they say.  You start like you run and like you finish.  You start by following Christ, in love and obedience.   You start by immediately confessing your allegiance to Him, and you don’t stop confessing.  You start by purposefully trying to lead others to faith in Christ, and you don’t stop doing it.  You start by absorbing His word, in order to learn His will, and you don’t stop doing it.  Don’t waste a single day, and if you have wasted days, don’t waste another one.  You never know which day will be the finishing day, so start now.

As a boy, I learned to do “chores.”  They were every day activities that were my responsibility, and they were expected to be completed.  They were considered “my job,” and I was responsible for doing them routinely, without ever having to be reminded to do them.  I was not alone.  The boy at the house down the road from my house, had his chores to do, also, and so did most of the boys I knew.

At the time I was doing the chores, I sometimes wished I didn’t have to do them.  I would have much rather just gone out and played.  In retrospect, I believe doing those chores was some of the best part of my childhood training.  Employers love a “self-starter,” and someone who can discipline himself to get a job done.  Maybe it is my competitive nature, or maybe it’s those chores, but I do not want to settle for mediocrity in anything I do.  I am willing to discipline myself in order to accomplish goals, and it may just be because of the chores.  I don’t know if my dad was that smart, or if he was just trying to find some help in getting needed things done, but I have to take my hat off to him for giving me the chores.

Honesty is to speak that which is thought and to do that which is spoken. There are no contradictions or discrepancies in thoughts, words, or actions.

If we give attention to being honest in small matters, it will be much easier for us to be honest in larger matters.  It is dishonest to say to the person answering the phone, “Tell them I’m not here.”  Not only are you dishonest, but you are leading that person into dishonesty, as well.  Your honesty level in little things tells the story of how honest you really are in the big things.

Romans 12:17 says, “…provide things honest in the sight of all men.”    Colossians 3:17 says, “Whatever you do, in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.”

First Corinthians 15:33 says, “…evil communications corrupt good manners.”

I wonder if parents really teach their children much about manners anymore?  Do people still consider manners to be really important?

I ran across a list of things that one should never do, from a book published in 1880.  I found it on this site.  Some of the things are a bit dated, but they are worth a look.
Never exagerate.
Never point at another.
Never betray a confidence.
Never leave home with unkind words.
Never neglect to call upon your friends.
Never laugh at the misfortunes of others.
Never give a promise that you do not fulfill.
Never send a present, hoping for one in return.
Never speak much of your own performances.
Never fail to be punctual at the time appointed.
Never make yourself the hero of your own story.
Never pick the teeth or clean the nails in company.
Never fail to give a polite answer to a civil question.
Never question a child about family matters.
Never present a gift saying that it is of no use to yourself.
Never read letters which you may find addressed to others.
Never fail, if a gentleman, of being civil and polite to ladies.
Never call attention  to the features or form of anyone present.
Never refer to a gift you have made, or favor you have rendered.
Never associate with bad company. Have good company, or none.
Never look over the shoulder of another who is reading or writing.
Never appear to notice a scar, deformity, or defect of anyone present.
Never arrest the attention of an acquaintance by touch. Speak to him.
Never punish your child for a fault to which you are addicted yourself.
Never answer questions in general company that have been put to others.
Never, when traveling abroad, be over boastful in praise of your own country.
Never call a new acquaintance by their first name unless requested.
Never lend an article you have borrowed, unless you have permission to do so.
Never attempt to draw the attention of the company constantly upon yourself.
Never exhibit anger, impatience or excitement, when an accident happens.
Never pass between two persons who are talking together, without an apology.
Never enter a room noisily; never fail to close the door after you, and never slam it.
Never forget that, if you are faithful in a few things, you may be ruler over many.
Never exhibit too great familiarity with the new acquaintance, you may give offense.
Never will a gentleman allude to conquests which he may have made with ladies.
Never be guilty of the contemptible meanness of opening a private letter addressed to another.
Never fail to offer the easiest and best seat in the room to an invalid, an elderly person, or a lady.
Never neglect to perform the commission which the friend entrusted to you. You must not forget.
Never send your guest, who is accustomed to a warm room, off into  a cold, damp, spare bed, to sleep.
Never enter a room filled with people, without a slight bow to the general company when first entering.
Never fail to answer an invitation, either personally or by letter, within a week after the invitation is received.
Never accept of favors and hospitality without rendering an exchange of civilities when opportunity offers.
Never cross the leg and put one foot in the street-car, or places where it will trouble others when passing by.
Never fail to tell the truth. If truthful, you get your reward. You will get your punishment if you deceive.
Never borrow money and neglect to pay. If you do, you will soon be known as a person of no business integrity.
Never write to another asking for information, or a favor of any kind, without enclosing a postage stamp for the reply.
Never fail to say kind and encouraging words to those whom you meet in distress. Your kindness may lift them out of their despair.
Never refuse to receive an apology. You may not receive friendship, but courtesy will require, when a apology is offered, that you accept it.
Never examine the cards in the card-basket. While they may be exposed in the drawing room, you are not expected to turn them over unless invited to do so.
Never, when walking arm in arm with a lady, be continually changing and going to the other side, because of change of corners. It shows too much attention to form.
Never insult another with harsh words when applied to for a favor. Kind words do not cost much, and yet they may carry untold happiness to the one to whom they are spoken.
Never fail to speak kindly. If a merchant, and you address your clerk; if an overseer, and you address your workman; if in any position where you exercise authority, you show yourself to be a gentleman by your pleasant mode of address.
Never attempt to convey the impression that you are a genius, by imitating the faults of distinguished men. Because certain great men were poor penmen, wore long hair, or had other peculiarities, it does not follow that you will be great by imitating their eccentricities.
Never give all your pleasant words and smile to strangers. The kindest words and the sweetest smiles should be reserved for home. Home should be our heaven.