Wednesday, March 13, 2013

First Things First

I make this post at the risk of sounding undignified and a little overbearing. I risk the possibility of sounding too procedural and technical. It is worth the risk! Read on.

The most exciting part of my day is the very beginning. Often I lose sleep due to anticipation of being with Jesus the very first thing. Of course I can have my time with Jesus any time of the day (or night). And yes, His presence is with me 24 X 7. But He and I have something extremely special...very early in the morning. I know that when I awake and enter the Most Holy Place...He's waiting eagerly for me. He's kept me through the night for the very purpose of my simply being with Him in the morning. This sets my day for me. Being with Jesus first thing in the morning causes me to be more aware of His presence throughout the entire day. The truth is I just can't put it off.

Listen to the words of the David, the Psalmist:  "Awake, my glory! Awake, harp and lyre! I will awaken the dawn." (Psalm 57:8) Here the Psalmist tells himself to wake up. He tells his musical instruments (the ones with which he worships God) to wake up. Then he says that with himself and his musical instruments of worship, he will wake up the dawn! When the sun finally breaks over the horizon, he has already entered the presence of God and has been there awhile! Wow! What a blessing! David says it again in the 108th Psalm, "Awake, harp and lyre; I will awaken the dawn!" (Vs. 2)

Why is the early morning so special for me? No one else is up. This (for me) enhances the intimacy I experience with Him. It's not that I cannot get alone with Jesus any other time of the day. (I do that too!) But I simply wake up longing for Him. Another reason is seeking Jesus the VERY first thing gives Him the proper priority, and thus gives me the proper perspective of Him. He is my everything, my life, my Lord, and preeminent in everything. And frankly being with Him early simply lifts me up. That's the best way to start the day in which I desperately need Him...all day long...every day.

You may be thinking, "What do you do with Him so early in the morning?" I simply do the same things I do whenever I meet with Him. I worship Him! I just "be" with Him! "How do you do that?" For me I enter into His presence with praise and worship music. I hold my Bible. I often open my Bible and see what He is speaking to me. I pray in the Spirit. I pray in English. I worship in the Spirit. I worship in English. My entire being is focused on Him. Sometimes I meditate on His Word. Sometimes I say nothing. The greatest part about it all is that there is no set pattern! The only requirement is to desire to be with Him. Believe me, it will change your life!

How would you like to experience MORE of Jesus? How would you like to dispel the complacency in your relationship with Him? There is no doubt about it...you can! But you must do what is necessary. What is that? Desire it. Desire more! Desire to be "on fire" for Him. Then you make your time with Him (similar to what I've explained above.) Put Him first. Awaken the dawn as David did in pursuit of His heart. Make it your conviction to seek Him until you find Him in a greater way! True fact: God desires to spend intimate time with you. He waits for you to draw closer to Him. He wants you to come to Him with a resolute heart that will not relent until you find Him. Once you do...you won't want to relent!

I challenge you....do it!  There is more for you. Jesus is waiting! I'd love to hear from you on this one!


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