I wanted to start this series of my Christian life for quiet some time now. But was stuck with the nitty-gritty of how to approach it. I knew I was lacking the kind of discipline or dedication that is needed to help me have an intimate spiritual relationship with my living God.
Therefore, I've decided to use this platform to share my personal experiences of how in my weakness, inner emotional hurts and pains, chronic failures - I found the love of Jesus always there filling in the gap between the love I needed and the love I received.
In this post, I share my Jesus-centered morning routine which I started quite recently. I hope this inspires you to start your mornings and end your nights with Jesus.
For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. ~ Jeremiah 29(11-14)
Why is it important to have a God-centered morning routine?
How you spend the first hour of your day is the key to unlock your life's purpose. Give the Lord Jesus Christ the preeminence, the first place, in everything you do and he will direct your ways. It is a wonderful thing to start the day in prayer and bible study, especially, in those early hours before the mundane work begins.
I have experienced positive benefits when I gave my first hour or half an hour to the Lord. He strengthens me to carry out my day-to-day activities with much better ease and comfort rather than feeling overwhelmed or anxious about anything and everything under the sun.
In the morning, Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I plead my case to you and watch expectantly. ~ Psalm 5:3
To make profound changes in your life, you need either inspiration or desperation ~ Anthony Robbins
When to wake-up?
For me personally, after becoming a mother spending time in personal prayer has been a challenge. As it says in the above quote out of desperation to change my ways came this inspiration to wake-up early. I noticed when I wake up an hour or two earlier than my kid. I'm able to spend that quality (alone) time with the Lord.
There are days when I wake up at 5 AM and there are days when I wake up at 6 AM. Therefore based on your own personal situation decide what time works best for you. Just remember to start and end your day with the Lord.
What method to adapt to renew your mind, quieten your soul and change your thoughts, emotions, feelings?
.1. What I do before I go to sleep is I pray and ask the holy spirit to increase my longing for spiritual knowledge and wisdom. This bedtime affirmation routine tells my subconscious that I trust in the Lord and he will help me wake up early in the morning feeling well-rested and energized to start my day.
.2. Once I've sprung out of bed, teeth brushed, face washed, and a tall glass of water gulped down. I head to my living room, where I kneel and bow down in prayer, humbly submitting to the Lord, my God. I recite the Litany of Praise and worship God for the next 5-10 minutes. This is something I picked up after reading this book called 'Miracle Hour' by Linda Schubert.
.3. Then I read the Holy Bible and listen to the gospel message on the chapter I just read on YouTube. This helps me retain the information I read in a much better way.
Currently, I'm reading Judges (chapter 5) and Psalms (chapter 55) from the Old Testament. I'm listening to these two YouTube channels:
Biblical Synopsis Chapter Wise
Calvary Chapel Ontario
.4. For the next 15-20 mins, I reflect and write in my journal what I read and understood from the sermons I listened to. I've found that writing helps me open my heart, and quietened my soul. This activity in particular clears my conscience, it renews my mind and helps me stay centered on the Lord.
.5. Keeping what I wrote in mind, I carry out my day-to-day activities with this confidence knowing that I'll find God's mercy and grace throughout the day. The holy spirit that's working in me will bring every purpose God has for my life to fruition. The holy spirit not only cleanses me but also fills my life with God's electric love and heals my past/present wounds and scars that have the power to dominate my thoughts and suppress my physical and emotional freedom.
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