In the morning...

     I am not, nor have I ever been, a "morning person" - and often times I believe this particular characteristic of mine conflicts with my spiritual walk. Countless times I've heard the phrase "Start your morning with Jesus!" Well, my morning time with Jesus usually consists of a five second prayer as I run out the door with a pop-tart in my hand. Don't get me wrong, I spend quality, one-on-one quiet time with Christ, but it usually occurs around 11 p.m. while I'm sitting on the bed about to fall asleep. And, if I'm not completely focused and prayed up, I usually do end up asleep before it's over. God has shown me some amazing messages in those late night studies, but what good is a message if I learn it and fall asleep immediately after? If I start my morning with God, and receive the message first thing in the morning, then I have all day to practice it. This is not only a lesson God has been trying to instill in me recently, it is a message He has tried to instill in all of His children since the days of the Old Testament...

     *Joy comes in the morning (Psalms 30:5)
              If you are a child of God, then you have a reason to be joyful. God has forgiven you, delivered you, restored you, and set you on a new path. He has given you new life, and a new song to sing. Above all He has given you the hope of an eternal life with Him. Wake up every morning ready to serve Christ with a smile on your face and joy in your heart!
     *Pray & cry aloud in the morning (Psalm 55:17)
              Start the morning on your knees, seeking God. Ask for forgiveness from yesterday's mistakes and failures. Ask for direction and discernment in the day ahead. Make your requests known to Him. But above all, simply praise Him for His undeserved and continual acts mercy.
     *Sing of His mercy in the morning (Psalm 59:16)
              Make a joyful noise unto the Lord! Begin your morning by giving God the praise He deserves.
     *Show His lovingkindess in the morning (Psalm 92:2)
              God's love for us is beyond comprehension. His kindness and mercy towards us is far beyond what we deserve. We are so unworthy, yet He continues to bestow blessings upon our lives. If you woke up this morning with breath in your lungs, then you have something to be thankful for. He has given us a reason to smile, so wake with a smile on your face and joy in your heart. If we live a defeated life, then nonbelievers have nothing to desire. Show them of the Love of God daily through your words and through your actions.
     *Hear His lovingkindess in the morning (Psalm 143:8)
              Every morning God desires to speak to you - be sure to take the time and listen. Don't let the distractions of the busy morning drown out His still small voice. Open His word, open your ears, open your heart, and let Him speak. He wants to tell you of His love and offer you guidance and direction for the day ahead. He will not lead you astray - listen to His voice, and follow in the direction of His words.
     *Sow thy seed in the morning (Ecclesiastes 11:6)
              The word "sow" means to "plant seeds in the ground for future growth." In other words, start your morning by being a witness for Christ. If you woke up this morning, it was for a reason - the reason we are alive is to share the Good News of Christ. Colossians 3:17 says, "Whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus." In other words, if you let all that you say and do be to glorify Christ then seeds will be planted in the hearts of nonbelievers. Eventually, those seeds will take root and become salvation. In that moment you will be able to take pride in the fact that you were a part of that individual's salvation, all because you obeyed the will of God and began your morning by helping to sow the seed.
     *Execute judgment in the morning (Jeremiah 21:12)
              The word judgment often times has a negative connotation, but it simply means to to do what is right and fair. Seek justice in the morning; let your actions be just. Isaiah 1:17 says, "Learn to do well; seek judgment, relieve the oppressed, judge the fatherless, plead for the widow." In other words, seek do the right thing every morning, make the right decisions, and follow through with those decisions.
     *The Lord's mercies are new every morning (Lamentation 3:23)
              Because of God's immense mercy and compassion towards us, every day is new beginning. Begin each morning by asking for God's forgiveness, then forgive yourself and move on. Don't go through the day feeling defeated about something that happened yesterday - start the day fresh. 2 Corinthians 5:17 tells us, "If any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold all things are become new."
     *Prepare an offering every morning (Ezekiel 46:15)
               God doesn't want you to offer a lamb as a burnt sacrifice every morning before you leave for school or work; he simply wants you to make a sacrifice. Psalms 51:16-17 says, "For thou desirest not sacrifice; else would I give it: thou delightest not in burnt offering. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and contrite heart." In other words, humble yourself before God every morning. If you are a born again believer, then you've already given Him your heart, so give Him your life as well. Begin each day by surrendering yourself completely to God. Ask for His will to be done throughout the day, and offer to be His hands and feet.