Why Morning Devotions are Vital - Mark 1:35-37
Illustration:William Wilberforce, Christian statesman of Great Britain in the late 18th and early 19th centuries, once said, "I must secure more time for private devotions. I have been living far too public for me. The shortening of private devotions starves the soul. It grows lean and faint."
Following a failure in Parliament, he remarked that his problems may have been due to the fact that he spent less and less time in his private devotions in which he could earnestly seek the will of God. He concluded, "God allowed me to stumble."
1. Jesus wanted to set an example for having time alone with the heavenly Father first thing in the morning. Even though Jesus kept a busy schedule He always put communion with His heavenly Father first as as a priority in everything in His day. Let us put God first in the morning as He then programs our thinking towards thing above rather than the cares of this earth. (Col. 3:1-4)
Illustration:Early African converts to Christianity were earnest and regular in private devotions. Each one reportedly had a separate spot in the thicket where he would pour out his heart to God. Over time the paths to these places became well worn. As a result, if one of these believers began to neglect prayer, it was soon apparent to the others. They would kindly remind the negligent one, "Brother, the grass grows on your path."
Today in the Word, June 29, 1992.
2. Jesus wants us to seek first His kingdom and righteousness and this begins by how we set our mind, emotions and behavioral direction during the first part of each day. What we think about is what we become. If we start each day with the worship, praise and abiding with the Vine we will bear much fruit, but apart from Him we can do nothing. (John 15:5-7)
Illustration:The first hour of the morning is the rudder of the day.
Henry Ward Beecher
3. Jesus awoke before daybreak because He wanted to avoid the distractions that would come from people, events and duties. Unless we are willing to make sacrifices in getting to bed early and rising early, we will not evidence a lifestyle that is fully yielded to the Lord. Give God the rights to your schedule and He will help you maximize your contributions in all areas of your relationships, activities and ministries.
Do not be choked out by the worries, riches, pleasures and troubles of this life. (Mark 4:1-22)
4. Jesus did not mind the criticism that He got from people who did not understand what He was doing. The disciples said, "Everyone is looking for you?" Jesus did not give into the sense of urgency that others wanted to project on to Him. He focused on the Father and accomplishing God’s will. When we are focused on the Father and His will then we will not fear what people think of us.
Learn how to fear God more than you fear people. In the fear of the Lord is riches, honor and life. Blessed is the man who fears the Lord and who keep His commandments. He will not fear when the evil day comes because His heart is steadfast trusting in the Lord. (Psa 112:1,2)
5. Jesus wanted to set an example of how to grow in grace and knowledge of God. (2 Pet. 3:18) Morning devotions helps us from majoing on the minor problems of life.
Learn how to maximize your contribution and character development by allowing the Spirit of God to transform you through the renewing of your mind (2 Cor 3:18; Rom 12:1,2)
6. Jesus’ example encouraged other great men to make morning devotions a key place where they found direction, inspiration and comfort in their times of need. (Acts 4:13) Peter, James and John were known as men of great strength and courage because they had been with Jesus.
The only way to find the source of direction, inspiration and courage to do what is essential is from close communion times with the Lord.
7. Jesus followed the word of God in giving the Father first place in His thoughts, prayers and activities. David wrote, "Let me hear your lovingkindness in the morning for I trust in You. Make me to the know the way in which I should walk for to you I lift up my soul." (Psa 143:8-11)
Allow the Lord to pour out His love, truth and trust in your heart as you wait on Him each morning for at least 15 minutes. Begin reading the Psalms and then move to the New Testament.
8. Jesus gained reassurance, acceptance and sense of belonging from the Father through morning devotions.
When we devote ourselves to the Lord and His word every morning He restores our soul. He makes us to walk in the paths of righteousness through the sweet whispers of His Spirit in our ears every morning when we devote ourselves to Him.
Ask the Lord to give you the ability to discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness since it is profitable for all things. (I Tim. 4:7,8)
9. Jesus prayed for others during those early hours of His devotions. We learn how to look not just at our own interests but also to the interests of others when we intercede for their needs.
Develop a prayer book where you record prayer requests that you can systematically pray over and see answers given.
10. Jesus prayed that people would be filled with the knowledge of God’s will with all spiritual wisdom and understanding.
He trusted God to give others enlightened eyes so that they could appreciate the hope, riches and power supplied to them through a born-again relationship found through saving faith in Jesus Christ.
Use your devotional time to ask God to give others wisdom so they can find greater riches in Christ.
11. Jesus praised God for all of His attributes during His morning devotions.
Make a list of God’s special characteristics like HIs omnipotence, wisdom, love and peace. You can also access a list of these by going to sermoncentral.com and typing in "attributes of God" in the sermon title section.
You will find hundreds of good attributes of God that you can praise God for during your devotions in this fine reference.
12. Jesus sang songs of praise, worship and joy during His devotions to buoys His emotions.
Take a hymnal or spiritual song book with you to your place of devotions.
Enter His presence with singing and His courts with praise. (Psa 103)
Learn how to serve the Lord with gladness as you begin your day with a song on your lips and heart.
13. Jesus used his devotions to remind Himself of all the wonderful blessings He had in God. (Eph. 1:3) Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ who has blessed us with every spiritual blessings in the heavenly places in Christ."
When we recall all of the resources we have in our inventory we can go forward in the day with great power, confidence and a willingness to serve others.
Conclusion:The first hour of the morning is the rudder of the day.
Henry Ward Beecher
David wrote, "Let me hear your lovingkindness in the morning for I trust in You. Make me to know the paths in which I should walk for to you I lift up my soul." (Psa 143:8)
If morning devotions were essential to Jesus and David they should be even more vital to our spiritual sustenance.
