“Starting Your Day with the Lord”
It’s a little odd having this post on my mind today, since honestly my Bible reading got pushed to the afternoon due to my schedule.
I do try to start my time with the Lord in the morning, for this simple reason. I rather start my day with the Lord because it reminds me to seek Him first, keeping my priorities in check. Often times, not every time because I am imperfect, but it’s easier to face situations when I have already spent time in prayer and His Word. Here’s an example: It’s easier to face situations when a choice of giving into anger or not is before me . If I haven’t had that time with the Lord, then it’s harder but not impossible , with help of the Holy Spirit, to remind me of scripture I have learned. I have the opportunity to obey or reject the prompting and be reactive due to high emotions in the moment whether I have prepared myself for such a moment or not.
I encourage you to seek the Lord early, just like Jesus sought God the Father while on earth.
Mark 1:35
35 Early in the morning, while it was still dark, he rose up and went out, and departed into a deserted place, and prayed there.
Maybe early for you may not be a specific time, as the birds sing at the morning sunrise , if you aren’t a morning person, or work a job at night. Seeking Him early, may be more in a priority sense.
I encourage you to also use a physical Bible , over a cell phone app when possible. It’s easier for a child or family member to realize you are reading and spending time with the Lord , if they see a Bible and maybe a journal in front of you for notes. If the child is old enough to entertain themselves, then you can say, “We can do (insert activity) after I read my Bible. If they see you on a cell phone, they may assume that you are scrolling on social media, and they can start chatting. Who knows they may began reading the Bible themselves , or maybe even start an extra family Bible study during the day. Let them see you being intentional about your relationship with the Lord.
No matter when you spend time with the Lord, remember it’s important and isn’t in vain. The Holy Spirit will bring to mind what you’ve read and learned when needed. It’s a crucial and critical help in the times of trial and temptation. God promises a way of escape , if we seek to obey Him and choose obedience over giving into sin. Those who know and love Jesus as Lord and Savior, will one day be with Him spending time with Him forever . Why not start today?
John 17:3 (Jesus Himself speaking to the Father in the garden before going to the Cross.)
3 This is eternal life, that they should know you, the only true God, and him whom you sent, Jesus Christ.
You may not find the answers to whom or if you marry, what job to take, or city to live in, but there are many commands that are a part of God’s Will.
Such examples are :
Philippians 4:4-9
4 Rejoice in the Lord always! Again I will say, “Rejoice!” 5 Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand. 6 In nothing be anxious, but in everything, by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your thoughts in Christ Jesus.
8 Finally, brothers, whatever things are true, whatever things are honorable, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report: if there is any virtue and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. 9 Do the things which you learned, received, heard, and saw in me, and the God of peace will be with you.
1 Thessalonians 5:13b- 24
Be at peace among yourselves.14 We exhort you, brothers: Admonish the disorderly; encourage the faint-hearted; support the weak; be patient toward all. 15 See that no one returns evil for evil to anyone, but always follow after that which is good for one another and for all.
16 Always rejoice. 17 Pray without ceasing. 18 In everything give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus toward you. 19 Don’t quench the Spirit. 20 Don’t despise prophecies. 21 Test all things, and hold firmly that which is good. 22 Abstain from every form of evil.
23 May the God of peace himself sanctify you completely. May your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
24 He who calls you is faithful, who will also do it.
Matthew 6:24-33
24 “No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You can’t serve both God and Mammon. 25 Therefore I tell you, don’t be anxious for your life: what you will eat, or what you will drink; nor yet for your body, what you will wear. Isn’t life more than food, and the body more than clothing? 26 See the birds of the sky, that they don’t sow, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns. Your heavenly Father feeds them. Aren’t you of much more value than they?
27 “Which of you by being anxious, can add one moment§ to his lifespan? 28 Why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow. They don’t toil, neither do they spin, 29 yet I tell you that even Solomon in all his glory was not dressed like one of these.30 But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today exists and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, won’t he much more clothe you, you of little faith?
31 “Therefore don’t be anxious, saying, ‘What will we eat?’, ‘What will we drink?’ or, ‘With what will we be clothed?’ 32 For the Gentiles seek after all these things; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. 33 But seek first God’s Kingdom and his righteousness; and all these things will be given to you as well.
Colossians 3: 1-17
1 If then you were raised together with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated on the right hand of God. 2 Set your mind on the things that are above, not on the things that are on the earth. 3 For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ, our life, is revealed, then you will also be revealed with him in glory.
5 Put to death therefore your members which are on the earth: sexual immorality, uncleanness, depraved passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. 6 For these things’ sake the wrath of God comes on the children of disobedience. 7 You also once walked in those, when you lived in them, 8 but now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and shameful speaking out of your mouth. 9 Don’t lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old man with his doings, 10 and have put on the new man, who is being renewed in knowledge after the image of his Creator, 11 where there can’t be Greek and Jew, circumcision and uncircumcision, barbarian, Scythian, bondservant, or free person; but Christ is all, and in all.
12 Put on therefore, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, a heart of compassion, kindness, lowliness, humility, and perseverance; 13 bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, if any man has a complaint against any; even as Christ forgave you, so you also do.
14 Above all these things, walk in love, which is the bond of perfection.15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body, and be thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly; in all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your heart to the Lord.
17 Whatever you do, in word or in deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
How will we know why God gave us breath for today, if we seek Him when the sun sets? How do you spend such days? Do you know what purpose God had for you that day? Did you seek Him to know where to go, or did you cross paths with someone that God intentionally wanted you to speak with?
How will we know if we don’t seek Him? Will we let God accomplish His Purpose for our breath that He gives each day, or will we pursue our own plans?
Proverbs 16:1-9
1 The plans of the heart belong to man,
but the answer of the tongue is from Yahweh.
2 All the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes,
but Yahweh weighs the motives.
3 Commit your deeds to Yahweh,
and your plans shall succeed.
4 Yahweh has made everything for its own end—
yes, even the wicked for the day of evil.
5 Everyone who is proud in heart is an abomination to Yahweh;
they shall certainly not be unpunished.
6 By mercy and truth iniquity is atoned for.
By the fear of Yahweh men depart from evil.
7 When a man’s ways please Yahweh,
he makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.
8 Better is a little with righteousness,
than great revenues with injustice.
9 A man’s heart plans his course,
but Yahweh directs his steps.
*All Scripture is from the World English Bible
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