FIRST THINGS FIRST!
Several decades ago, I heard some wonderful advice about starting the day off right. “Since the first 90 seconds sets the tone for the next 16 hours, begin your day with a smile!”
Over the years, I’ve met numerous people who indeed begin their days with comparable rituals. One man (with occasional protests from his wife) actually begins each day by enthusiastically clapping, followed with a hearty, “It’s going to be a great day!” Others go from their bed to their knees, earnestly praising God for another day of life. Still others spend their first moments of each daythanking God for 5 or more blessings.
King David agreed. Listen to his words in Psalm 63:1-4. “O God, You are my God; EARLY (first thing in the morning) will I SEEK YOU; my soul THIRSTS for You; My flesh LONGS for You In a dry and thirsty land where there is no water. So I have LOOKED FOR YOU in the sanctuary, to see Your power and Your glory. Because Your lovingkindness is better than life, my lips shall praise You. Thus I will BLESS YOU while I live; I will LIFT UP MY HANDS in Your name.
If you want to begin each day in the best possible way, do one of more or the following immediately after waking or rising:
· Thank God for the day, along with blessings such as your salvation, family,
health, home, heat, food, etc.
· Sing a song of thanksgiving, such as, “Thank You, Lord!” or “Count Your
Blessings!” (Having a songbook nearby will help.)
· Read a Psalm or Bible passage related to gratitude. (Try Psalm 23, 37, 42, 46,
56, 100, 117, 136, 139, or 145.)
· Write a “note” to God, telling Him how much you love, appreciate and need
Him. (Praying “on paper” tends to make us focus on what we are saying, and helps us communicate on a deeper level.)
With this in mind, I will slightly modify the wonderful advice I mentioned at the beginning of this article. “Since the first 90 seconds sets the tone for the next 16 hours, begin your day with God!”
Jesus, always Jesus!
Dennis
Several decades ago, I heard some wonderful advice about starting the day off right. “Since the first 90 seconds sets the tone for the next 16 hours, begin your day with a smile!”
Over the years, I’ve met numerous people who indeed begin their days with comparable rituals. One man (with occasional protests from his wife) actually begins each day by enthusiastically clapping, followed with a hearty, “It’s going to be a great day!” Others go from their bed to their knees, earnestly praising God for another day of life. Still others spend their first moments of each daythanking God for 5 or more blessings.
King David agreed. Listen to his words in Psalm 63:1-4. “O God, You are my God; EARLY (first thing in the morning) will I SEEK YOU; my soul THIRSTS for You; My flesh LONGS for You In a dry and thirsty land where there is no water. So I have LOOKED FOR YOU in the sanctuary, to see Your power and Your glory. Because Your lovingkindness is better than life, my lips shall praise You. Thus I will BLESS YOU while I live; I will LIFT UP MY HANDS in Your name.
If you want to begin each day in the best possible way, do one of more or the following immediately after waking or rising:
· Thank God for the day, along with blessings such as your salvation, family,
health, home, heat, food, etc.
· Sing a song of thanksgiving, such as, “Thank You, Lord!” or “Count Your
Blessings!” (Having a songbook nearby will help.)
· Read a Psalm or Bible passage related to gratitude. (Try Psalm 23, 37, 42, 46,
56, 100, 117, 136, 139, or 145.)
· Write a “note” to God, telling Him how much you love, appreciate and need
Him. (Praying “on paper” tends to make us focus on what we are saying, and helps us communicate on a deeper level.)
With this in mind, I will slightly modify the wonderful advice I mentioned at the beginning of this article. “Since the first 90 seconds sets the tone for the next 16 hours, begin your day with God!”
Jesus, always Jesus!
Dennis
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