Plumber with Plumbing tools on the kitchen. Renovation.
Dare I say it? Colder days are on the horizon. As much as we hate to admit it, it’s a fact that we must deal with in order to be prepared for it. Several mornings since the last week of August, we’ve run the heater in the camper to knock off the morning chill. And it won’t be long before we are turning on the heat in our homes.
With that in mind, today is National Tune-Up Day. “HomeServe USA founded National Tune-Up Day in 2014. They’re a leading provider of home emergency repair service plans. In 2014, the Registrar at National Day Calendar® declared the home maintenance awareness day to be observed on September 25th, annually.”1
The point of the day is that our heating systems need an annual tune-up before the bad weather hits. Waiting till the last minute or ignoring the tune-up entirely is ill advised and foolish. “A heating system tune-up includes:
- Removal of dust and dirt in your vents.
- Checking to make sure all your vents are not blocked or leaking.
- Ensuring your fuel jets are working correctly.
“Additionally, combustion gases should be analyzed and compared to the specifications of
your furnace. The blower access door needs to be checked to assure a tight seal at the furnace. Other necessary inspections include checking fresh air intake grills for blockage and burners for proper ignition and flame. While inspecting the furnace, check the drainage system for blockage and leakage, too. Drains and traps also need to be tested. Plus, the blower wheel, motor, wiring and all filters should also be checked for corrosion and damage. Heating contractors follow an extensive checklist when completing your furnace tune-up.”2
As Ben Franklin said, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” It would be a good idea to apply this to our personal lives as well! But how do we do it?
First, there needs to be an analysis and diagnosis of the system. Psalms 26:2 says, “Examine me, O LORD, and prove me; try my reins and my heart.” You can’t do an effective tune-up without knowing what to check and where the problems might be. Once we’ve prayed this prayer, Philippians 4:1-9 offers some areas where a tune-up is advisable. The list comes from Pastor Scott Childs of Northside Baptist Church in Quinns Rocks, Australia.
“Therefore, my brethren dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, my dearly beloved.” We need to tune up our RESOLVE. Are we resolved to stand fast in the Lord?
“(2) I beseech Euodias, and beseech Syntyche, that they be of the same mind in the Lord. (3) And I intreat thee also, true yokefellow, help those women which laboured with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and with other my fellowlabourers, whose names are in the book of life.” Tune up our RELATIONSHIPS. These two women weren’t getting along as they should, even though they were working for the Lord. Let’s examine our relationships and make sure that they are pleasing to the Lord and in harmony with each 
other.
“(4) Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice.” We should tune up our REJOICING. Having a joyful spirit is challenged by the problems of life. We all have problems, right? We must focus on the Savior and not on our temporary suffering.
“(5) Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.” Now, we need to tune up our REACTIONS.
“(6) Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. (7) And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” Let’s tune up our REQUESTING. Prayer must be our FIRST resort, not our last. Peace isn’t going to come when we are worried and stressed.
“(8) Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. (9) Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.” Finally, let’s tune up our REASONING. Christians can come up with some peculiar ideas! That’s going to happen when our thoughts aren’t right.
There are many other areas of our life that need tuned up by the Lord but Philippines gives us a good start. Always remember that our spiritual tune-ups are NOT seasonal but should be performed on a frequent basis.
Jeremiah 17:10 reminds us, “I the LORD search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings.”
1https://www.nationaldaycalendar.com/national-day/national-tune-up-day-september-25
2Ibid.
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