What would it mean for you to be early in all that you do? Early to meet deadlines. Early to church. Early to meetings (prayer meetings, business meetings, etc.). Early to attend a sports event. Early to work. Early to bed.
The dictionary says that early means "before the usual or expected time." The Bible says that Jesus got up early to pray. This, I believe, was a secret to his life on earth. Jesus would face more difficulty, more confusion, more demands on his time or energy than anyone, and yet He made 'time' to get alone and away with God early in the day.
Might I be so bold to say that if/as we make our time alone with God the one appointment, the one hour of our day in which we are early--coming to Him with an attitude of expectancy--we will (1) get our marching orders for the day, (2) be comforted in our present trials, and (3) be more inclined to hear His voice all through the day.
This week be early for the Lord. Be willing for Him to change your mind and heart about how you approach the spending of the precious commodity called time. Record in your journal what God says to you about being early for Him and others!
Be encouraged,
Becky
Becky,
ReplyDeleteThank you for this call. The Lord really spoke to me. I am a huge procrastinator and am always rushing to get places and usually running a few minutes late. Because of my procrastination and lateness I usually get really stressed. I will commit to do this assignment whole-heartedly this week. My prayer is that the Lord will change my heart and my mind in regards to how I spend my time. All of you ladies are in my prayers this week! Thanks for the encouragement Becky!!
In the church groups or studies I have attended, we noticed that the day of the meeting was the day the opposition would come.
ReplyDeleteIf ladies were going to have car trouble, last minute phone calls, any kind of last minute thing come up--well, it would make them late.
I've started getting up and ready at least two hours before I need to be somewhere like that.
Wont say it works all the time, because sometimes if I get ready too early I end up thinking I have time to spare (yes, I know this is a little wacky).
Also, my 'early' with God comes later at night.
My husband gets up at 4 or 5 am and is very active around the house in the am. Being self-employed, if I get up early I'll get hit with business.
So, my nights are when I give the next day to God. And if I ever can't sleep, I get up to pray as well.
Becky,
ReplyDeleteI have been involved in the group since January and I just want to thank you for all the encouragement and tips and everything you have spoken and written to us this year. It has helped me immensly. Just spending time daily with the Lord, reading the Change your Life Bible, and keeping a journal consistently has grown me in all three areas of time, calories and money. He has also strengthened my relationship with my husband and children, healed me from unforgiveness, opened my eyes to giving, helped me with priorities, helped me to see what is really important in life, organized me better...thank you, thank you so very much! He is Faithful and so willing to help when we humble ourselves before him, he hears our cries every morning. We have to be willing to let go, go limp in His arms, and let Him mold us, all for His glory, not our own. I have heard this over and over, now I know it to be true for me. He never lets go. He waits patiently until we are ready to surrender all to Him. And then, He pours in His healing balm. He truly is an amazing, awesome God who never gives up on us. Thank you that you don't give up on us either. Keep praying.
Carol
Read Oswald Chambers for today....
ReplyDeletemy point exactly!
After journaling about what it would mean for me to "be early" I felt the Lord prompting me to do an acrostic for BE EARLY. So, here it is!
ReplyDeleteBuffer Time
Engaged (focused)
Emancipation from the tyranny of rushing
Anticipation of the next "event"
Respect for the time of others
Lowers Anxiety
You're Available for God's Opportunity
Kind of fun!
http://theleakingwindow.blogspot.com/
S. Sheri, very cool!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the acrostic. I am going to use it...is that ok...???????????
ReplyDeleteDear Mickey... GO FOR IT!
ReplyDelete