WATCHWORD:
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Philippians 4:13
Meditation:
An Amazing Morning!
I woke up at 6:30 a.m., a night’s sleep interrupted only once by leg cramps. Nearly eight hours sleep! That, in itself, was amazing. Usually I get five, maybe six hours a night. I felt rested, attentive and relaxed as I sat with my devotionals and my coffee. Usually my time with the Lord begins about 4 a.m. and I look forward to that hour of reading, meditating and praying. This morning was different, and I am not referring to the time on the clock.
My time with the Lord may not look any different from your own. Start with a simple prayer of gratitude for the night and for what the Lord has prepared for me. Then I consider Verse-A-Day, scripture with a commentary. Our Daily Bread is next with scripture, meditation, prayer and the comments of other worshippers. I look forward to Oswald Chamber’s devotional, My Utmost for His Highest, then listen closely to what Jesus Calling is saying to me. I close with a prayer of thankfulness and pray blessings on family, friends and what the Lord has prepared this day.
Each devotional usually has something different to think about, but this special morning was different. The four readings/meditations were all knit together to form one powerful message from God. Check this out:
Verse-A-Day – 2 Thessalonians 2:9-12. Know the living God, focus on Him. Do not let the distractions of the world take you away from the conviction that Jesus is everything you need.
Our Daily Bread – Luke 10:38-42. We are reminded of the Mary/Martha dichotomy. Choose the better and it will not be taken from you. Too often the distractions, the to-do list of tasks, problems and even service to others, which contributes to feeling of being overwhelmed, and we take our eyes away from the Lord. We pray, Father, help me to remove those distractions and draw me closer to You. Amen.
My Utmost for His Highest – Luke 18:31, 34. God’s purpose is never the same as man’s. Sometimes God’s call to each of us, runs counter to the demands of family, society, etc., and we find ourselves in the cross-hairs of distractions that pull us way from what the Lord would have us be. A follower of Christ is someone who trusts in the knowledge and the wisdom of God, and leans not on our own understanding. When you focus on Him, He will help you overcome distractions. So be it.
Jesus Calling – Psalm 37:7. “Sit quietly in My presence while I bless you. Rest in My sufficiency as you consider the day before you.” This is not the conclusion of my time with the Lord, this is the beginning of my day. These are my marching orders to keep looking to Jesus and communicating with Him throughout the day, together. He will help me to be a Mary and step away from the distractions of Martha.
That was my amazing morning. Occasionally one or two devotionals will fit together. It is a rare event when all four point me in the same direction; keep focused on Jesus, defeat distractions, choose the better and trust Him. Makes no difference what this day may contain, I have Jesus, He is mine and He is the Way and the Truth and the Life.
An amazing morning! Ain’t it great to be a child of God? Hallelujah!
Watchword Alert – This Coming Saturday:
How’s your faith, your walk with God? Care to share? What? You say it is personal? Let’s talk about that, on Saturday. — Stan
Morning Prayer:
Precious Jesus, Lord and Savior, I hold Your hand and walked joyously with You through this day. I know that together we will experience the pleasures and endure the difficulties the day may bring. We will be prepared for everything: the stunning scenery, the winds of adventure, cozy little nooks for rest when I am weary, and much more. You are my Guide as well as my companion. You know every step of the journey ahead of me. I don’t have to choose between staying close to You and staying on course since you are the Way, staying close to You is staying on course. I will concentrate on enjoying the presence of You in my life and the knowledge that You will never leave me every step of My way. You have assured me that I can do all things: meet every challenge, every celebration, every bump on the road through You who gives me all the strength I need. It’s with gratitude that I surrender it all. Amen.
