How do you start your day?

 

 

This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.
Psalm 118:24 ESV 

We are all different: some of us are early risers, and some of us are night owls. Me? I ‘m an early riser. I love the first hours of the day. You may be the opposite. No matter the time you begin your day, it is best to start with your thoughts toward God. By God’s grace, we are daily able to set our course, stay the course and navigate the course. Here’s how we do just that.

Set the course by speaking God’s Word first.
It is very important that God’s words are among the first we speak. These words set us on the right course for the day. Sometimes we wake up thinking about all kinds of things that really don’t matter. My mind can conjure up a lot of negativity between the time I sit up in bed and when my feet hit the floor! But when we discipline our mouths to speak God’s words first, it’s easier to bring everything else in line with what the Bible says!

Psalm 118:24 gives these words to get us started, “This is the day the Lord has made, I will rejoice and be glad in it.” Speaking God’s word is an important beginning to my daily routine. I have discovered the value of speaking the right kind of words when I arise.

Stay the course by resolving to fellowship with God first.
Once awake, we are pulled in many different directions. One of the best choices I made this year is the commitment to have my time with the Lord before going downstairs. I’ve learned that once downstairs, I’ll start talking to my husband, turn on the computer, take care of a few things, and get caught up in a few more things. Suddenly my time with the Lord is something to be worked in to my morning.

Spending time with the Lord first thing was one of my choices I’ve made this year, and it works well for me. I remember reading that Rick Renner, noted pastor and author, once said that he made this commitment with himself: “No Bible, no food.” So fellowshipping with God, even before breakfast or that first cup of coffee, is wise.

Navigate the course by daily asking for help with your weaknesses.

The Lord is always ready to help us. So often we neglect to ask Him until we come to the end of our abilities. Why not ask Him daily for help with our weaknesses? It will save much time and heartache. There are several areas that I daily ask the Lord for help in. Your needs may be different, but make sure you ask.

Every day I ask the Lord:

• To change me to be more pleasing to Him
• To give me wisdom and revelation knowledge, and for divine insight for the things that I don’t understand. I have often seen people stress over making decisions. If they ask the Lord for wisdom, sound decisions will be evident more quickly.
• To give me strength. Isaiah 40:31 tells us, “But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.” 

Confess this promise and strength will rise up on the inside of you.

You will be able to stand strong and recover quickly. You will receive strength when you commune with Him, and He certainly does renew your strength. 

The Word says that the joy of the Lord is our strength (Neh. 8:10). Try this. When you get stressed out, begin to laugh. You will find that as you laugh, your stress disappears and your strength is renewed.

Choose the quality of your day, by choosing how you will start it. Lift your head from the pillow knowing that you will set your course toward God and He will direct you.

Will you do that? Now, that’s the choice-driven life!

 

Today’s Bible Reading:

Deut 15-18; Luke 9; Psalm 115