In the midst of everything going on in this world, and even what we encounter from day to day, one of the best ways to maintain the peace of God is to start our day in His presence. Engaging with God’s presence should be continued throughout our day but there’s something about starting our day with Him. There’s something about waking up and not starting our day with social media or emails, but instead sitting at the feet of our Father.
I don’t know about you but I’ve had plenty of mornings that were rushed and a little chaotic which set the tone for my day. I would sometimes find myself starting my day feeling anxious about getting into my work. But when I dedicate time in the morning to release my heart to the Lord, hear from Him, and get refreshed, the way I flow throughout the day changes.
As a daughter of God, He never wants what’s left. In fact, scripture tells us to give our first fruits to Him. (Insert scripture). I’ve heard this Scripture taught as it relates to tithing but I think it also relates to the first part of each day that the Lord gives us to see. So in today’s blog, I want to share a few tips with you to help you start your day with God
Be in a peaceful place to give all of your focus to the Lord
Sis, our time with the Father should never be about routine. It should always be about relationship. Whether your time with Him is 5 minutes or 50 minutes, it’s important for your heart to be in the right posture. This is why you want to make sure that your quiet time is in a place where you can focus your heart and mind on the Lord.
Make the sacrifice
There have been times in my walk with God when I didn’t want to wake up early or I didn’t know what to pray but I made the sacrifice and the reward was so much greater than a few extra minutes of sleep could ever be.
Another word for sacrifice is offering.
Whoever finds his life [in this world] will [eventually] lose it [through death], and whoever loses his life [in this world] for My sake will find it [that is, life with Me for all eternity].
Matthew 10:39 AMP
Not only is our quiet time with our Father an offering, but our lives should be an offering to Him. It is in the quiet times with Him that we draw closer to Him and He instructs us through His Word. So, whatever you have to do whether it be adjusting your schedule or getting up earlier, make the sacrifice to spend time pouring out to your Father and being refreshed in His presence.
Always have a place to record what God speaks to you
Whether it’s a notebook, a journal, or even your phone, start putting into your routine to always have something with you during your quiet time to write what God speaks to you. One thing I enjoy doing is prayer journaling. It has been a great way to release my heart to the Lord and I have had moments where, as I’m writing, the Lord begins ministering to me. It’s a beautiful exchange!
Always start your devotion time with praise and thanksgiving.
Shout joyfully to the Lord, all the earth.
Serve the Lord with gladness and delight;
Come before His presence with joyful singing.
Know and fully recognize with gratitude that the Lord Himself is God;
It is He who has made us, [a]not we ourselves [and we are His].
We are His people and the sheep of His pasture.
Enter His gates with a song of thanksgiving
And His courts with praise.
Be thankful to Him, bless and praise His name.
For the Lord is good;
His mercy and lovingkindness are everlasting,
His faithfulness [endures] to all generations.
~ Psalm 100
Praise and thanksgiving really do shift the atmosphere! You might be going through something right now but sis, you still have something to praise and thank God for! We can always think about something that reminds us of who God has been to us. He is all-knowing, never failing God and what He has done before, He can do it again!
Start Your Day With The Lord!