Rising Early Part 1-Conviction

So I’ve been reading the book “Shopping for Time” by Carolyn Mahaney and her three married daughters. Which by the way is an outstandig book. They have challenged in the area of rising early. I have always had the tendency to have just enough time in the morning to get done the necessities and have a quick quiet time. I’ve decided I’m going to do a little three part series on why it is important to rise early because in reading their book I’ve been very convicted and I know it’s a battle that a lot of people face daily.

Well, a while back the Mahaney Girls created a club that they mentioned in their book called “The 5am Club.” This club was created simply to make better use of their time in the morning while being able to spend more time meditating on God’s word and enjoy being in His presence.

They ask the question, why morning? Here is some biblical encouragement as to why we should rise early to seek the Savior.

The palmist directs his prayer to the Lord in the morning and then watches for the answer….

Psalm 5:3-” O Lord, in the morning you hear my voice; in the morning I prepare a sacrifice for you and watch.”

Jesus himself rose early to pray….

Mark 1:35-“And rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, he departed and went to a very desolate place, and there he prayed.”

John Piper offers this advice:

“I earnestly recommend that it be in the early morning, unless there are some extenuating circumstances. Entering the day without a serious meeting with God, over his word and in prayer, is like entering the battle without tending to your weapons. The human heart does not replenish itself with sleep. The body does, but not the heart… We replenish our hearts not with sleep, but with the Word of God and prayer.”

To be continued tomorrow……

Daily Bible Verse:

Psalm 92:4-“For you O Lord, have made me glad by your word; at the works of your hands I sing for joy."

Draw Me Close

Last week at Church we sang the song “Draw Me Close.” As I stood there in worship I was deeply affected. The reason why I was so affected was because my prayer to God lately has almost been the exact same words as the song lyrics below, that He would draw me close to Him and that He would be my one and only desire.

“Draw Me Close”
Verse 1: Draw me close to you
Never let me go
I lay it all down again
To hear you say that I'm your friend
You are my desire
No one else will do
No one else can take your place
To feel the warmth of your embrace
Help me find my way
Bring me back to you

Chorus:
You're all I want
You're all I've ever needed
You're all I want
Help me know YOU are near


God has been so faithful to me!

Daily Bible Verse:

Proverbs 12:20-“Deceit is in the heart of those who devise evil, but those who plan peace have joy.”

Cultivating a Joyful Heart Part 2

God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in him. John Piper says, “If this is true, that God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him, then look what is at stake in the pursuit of joy. The glory of God is at stake. If we say that pursuing joy is not essential, we are saying that glorifying God is not essential.”

Wow! “If we say that pursuing joy is not essential, we are saying that glorifying God is not essential.” This was an eye opener for me. I had never thought of the fact that when I think pursuing joy is not essential, that means that ultimately I’m not glorifying God.

John 15:11 “These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.”

John Piper has once again reminded me that, “God created me so that I might spend eternity glorifying him forever. He also says that, “being satisfied in God is our calling and duty.”

How often have I failed to be delightfully satisfied in God. I have recently found that to get through life there is nothing more important then to have the joy of the Lord as my strength!

Father I pray that you would grant me the grace to have a long and lasting joy in you. I pray that I would be fulfilled by your grace with eyes fixed on the cross daily. Help me to realize that there is no reality more breathtaking then your son Jesus Christ!

Daily Bible Verse....

Psalm 66:1-2-“Shout for joy to God, all the earth; sing the glory of his name; give to him glorious praise!”

Cultivating a Joyful Heart part 1

If you’re like me, finding the joy of the Lord to be my strength can be difficult at times, especially when I’m in a busy season of life or just in a season of needing to trust God for the unknown.

John MacArthur has helped me realized how important it is to cultivate a joyful heart. He say’s…..

“Spiritual joy, on the other hand, is not an attitude on chance or circumstances. It is the deep and abiding confidence that, regardless of one’s circumstances in life, all is well between the believer and the Lord. No matter what difficulty, pain, or disappointment, failure, rejection, or other challenge one is facing, genuine joy remains because of the eternal well-being established by God’s grace in salvation. Thus, Scripture makes it clear that the fullest; most lasting and satisfying joy is derived from a true relationship with God. It is not based on circumstances or chance, but is the gracious and permanent possession of every child of God.”

When he said “regardless of one’s circumstances” I was convicted! It was like a dagger going right into my heart. How often have I failed to cultivate a joyful heart in the midst of trying times.

John Piper say’s that “Knowing God is the key to being happy in God.” I need to be reminded daily that to have my joy in the Lord is not just a gift, it’s a command!

Daily Bible Verse:

Psalm 51:12-"Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit."

Hello Friends!

Hi everyone! Thanks for checking out my blog. Hopefully the posts will be encouraging and persistant. All posts are intended to serve others in your walk with the Lord, in order to bring glory to His Holy Name. Enjoy!

One thing I'm going to try to accomplish every day is to post a daily Bible verse that will hopefully be encouraging and uplifting to others.

What better time to start them now....

Nehemiah 8:10 "For this day is holy to our Lord, and do not be grieved, for the joy of the Lord is your strength."

Holy Father, I pray that daily I would turn to you whenever I am grieved and as the spcripture says, "find the joy of the Lord as my strength." Thank you for you steadfast love and mercy your pour out on my undeserving life daily.

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