1. Set your alarm with a worship song! Mine is "Fall Afresh" by Jeremy Riddle and it is the first thing I hear in the morning and automatically fills me with the Spirit.
2. Read your Bible before you check your phone! Something I am extremely guilty of is rolling over and grabbing my phone and checking it for texts/emails/social media. Plug your phone in across your room so you have to get up to turn it off, that will help you get up and outta bed and keep you from rolling over and having that be your first source in the morning. So instead, place your Bible right next to your bed and read something! Also, STUDY your Bible. Get commentaries! (Warren Wiersbe is my fav) - Study His Word! In context. What a blessing, we have SO many sources!! If you are looking to spend a lot of time in the Word see below, but let scripture be the first thing your eyes see, your mind dwells on, and that your heart rests in. Think of how much time we spend working out to look hot, let's spend more time working out to look holy, amen? " for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come." (1 Timothy 4:8)
Side Note: I have been doing this lately (Number = Chapters)
10 Psalms
5 Proverbs
4 Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, John)
3 Epistles (Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians)
2 Hebrews (Book of Hebrews - you can change this random book as you progress)
1 Revelation (Book of Revelation - again, you can change as you progress through!)
3. Journal & Pray! I actually do this before I start reading but it is good to journal. I know that I am a scatter brain when it comes to prayer! There is SO much to pray for! Even making an outline of names, countries, specific requests, etc. makes it easier for me. Especially in the morning. Sometimes I write them all out, sometimes I just do bullet points and pray verbally. Whatever works for you. Don't get overwhelmed if you can't spend time praying for every little thing, trust me... If we had all the time we could be praying 24/7 there is that much to pray for. I also like praying simple things to help me focus on Christ throughout the whole day. I LOVE praying Fall Afresh by Jeremy Riddle. And stuff like the bullet list below the lyrics
"Spirit of the living God come fall afresh on me,
come and wake me from my sleep. Blow through the
caverns of my soul, pour in me to overflow."
- Let me live today in love with You and You alone Jesus
- May Your name always be on my mind and in my conversations
- May I say Yes to Your Spirit's leading all day today - use me! I'm ready!
- May Your Word be at the forefront of my mind and in every thought
- May I chose joy and walk in the freedom You died to give me
- May I serve You and You alone in all that I do today
- May I not grumble or complain about ANYTHING, for I know that others have it harder and I am ridiculously blessed to live in Orange County, CA
- May I shine brightly with your love, gentleness, and Holy Spirit so that others may see You.
- May I simply delight in all that You are and prove to be a good example and disciple of You.
- May I be a bold ambassador of Your Gospel message and speak of the Good News of Jesus Christ
- Help me to stop for the one and show Your love tangibly in this world
4. LISTEN TO WORSHIP MUSIC! I can't tell you how much I recommend this!! I know it's typical and a "Christian" thing to do but let's be honest... If you are constantly worshipping God and keeping your focus on Him you are going to naturally find that you are more filled with Him and less worried about this world. I DARE you to listen to only worship music for a week. Just try it. And I mean real worship music, not like stuff that is considered "Christian" music but worship as in Jesus Culture, Hillsong, Jeremy Riddle, Brian and Katie Torwalt, etc. It will bring you joy! I promise!
5. Hang out with Christian friends! I may bum some of you out but your main source of fellowship should be with Christians! Yes, we are to be friends with non-Christians, we are called to place ourselves in relationships with non-believers but Proverbs also says a lot about Christian fellowship and friendship. Who you hangout with is who you are going to be influenced by. Do your friends influence you to Christ? Do you talk about worldly things more than Jesus Christ? Do you worship, pray, and read God's Word with your friends? Those are some things to think about in the long run. Who do you surround yourself with? Are you receiving and giving in your friendships? Are you challenged to worship God more with your life by your friends? If not, let's fix that. I happen to love people and you. E-mail me (Lkulick2@gmail.com) and I will get you some friends who do all of the things I just listed... well, they try to very often... no one is perfect :)
We are all sinners here and everyone needs grace in all of these. I would just challenge us to be followers of Christ who take steps towards Christ, who are ACTIVE in our relationship with Him.
When we as children of God are constantly in His presence we will automatically and naturally have peace and joy beyond understanding, for in His presence there is FULLNESS of Joy! (Psalm 16:11)
Are you always worrying? Stressing about this life? Worrying about other people's lives? Spend more time in His presence, trust He is who He says He is. Trust His hand on your life and the life of others. He is in control. Delight in that truth.
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