Getting up early to read God’s Word was not in my plans a year and a half ago. I was the kind of person who did my best studying/reading at night. Now, when I’m in a “bible study” I will still do my homework at night. But, it was put on my heart years ago to get up early and read His Word. I can’t remember which Beth Moore study began the conviction in me years ago, but she planted the seed in my head and heart. Notice that she “planted the seed”. That didn’t mean I did start waking up any earlier on a daily basis, but I did try a few times. I kept falling asleep on God.
Every now and then, after my failed attempts to rise and shine early, I would try again set my alarm early and get into His Word. I noticed that when I did start my day off reading scripture, the day seemed to go better.
Last year, my pastor, Dr. Michael Lewis, challenged us to read the bible through in a year. Oh no, here I go again. I felt convicted to do my reading early in the morning. Ugh! (Stop writing, Stephanie. Push the pause button and go to church).
(Welcome back from church. Push the play button now) Boy, oh boy, am I glad God had me push pause on my devotion writing this morning. When I got to children’s church this morning, I just knew it was going to be great! We started a new series with a western theme. Children’s Pastor Bill Bender and I have done this curriculum before, and the skits are a hoot. Yeehaw! One of the questions asked during the review time was: “What can we do to find out God’s plan for our lives? (a) pray, read our bibles, and go to church (b) ask our friends (c) watch a bunch of movies (d) play video games?” Of course the answer is (a). (See the picture below) Yep! That confirmed in me that my prayer, reading the bible, and going to church this morning was the right choice. God has something in store for me to help me continue my daily journaling.
After children’s church I went into “Big Church” (as the youngsters call it) and, again, could feel that I was in for something good. Good? I mean great! First of all, my precious brother in Christ, Mike Storter, whom has been battling cancer for three years, stood up, and with the clearest voice I have heard him speak in quite some time preached a “mini-lesson”. You see, OVER a month ago the doctors gave him 7-14 days to live. God is not done with him yet! (Thank You, Jesus!!!) One thing he mentioned was how God had “planted a seed” through him at the Moffitt Cancer Center. There were those words, “planted a seed”. Miracles happened and are still happening. (I want to encourage everyone to go to fbcpc.com and watch the webcast from today’s sermon.)
After Mike spoke, the songs and prayers presented today were spot on. We are blessed to have a pastor and staff and a body of believers who believe in evangelism. Our church is hosting an evangelism conference this week. Yesterday was the kick off day with a men’s rally and Retired General William (Jerry) Boykin as the guest speaker. My youngest son went and LOVED it.
This morning we had the privilege of hearing Dr. Jerry Wynn bring the gospel from the pulpit. He preached on Psalm 126:6. What was the first point out of his mouth? “The church must be committed to ‘sowing the seed’ to bring others to Christ.” Are you kidding me? God “planted the seed” this morning in my devotion to use those words, and He continued to put it on the forefront of my mind throughout the morning. Again, Thank You, Jesus! As a side note: Dr. Wynn also mentioned getting up early. When he was 15 years old his dad acquired a job for Jerry. He was to get up early and be at the peanut farm at 5:00 am. Jerry said, “Is there a 5:00am? I knew there was a 5:00pm, but 5:00am?” haha
I could go on and on about the sermon, but I truly hope you go online and check it out yourself. (I love a great expository preacher.)
Now, back to my journaling I had started before church… Now, I’m not saying you must read your bible in the early morning in order for your day to go well. Just read it! God wants you spending time with Him any time of the day. But, I can testify that the conviction for me to wake up early, then the challenge to read the bible through, and also journal my thoughts, have been a blessing to me. You see I am one who needs accountability. If it weren’t for the above steps to have taken place, I’m not sure if this website would have been created with this specific purpose. I written devotions for years and have shared with many. They encourage me to publish them in a book, but that freaks me out a bit. I feel so unworthy. Then I was encouraged to do a blog. Still, I was not feeling that it was the right time. Well, God had a purpose for me and this site all along. Instead of random things coming from me (those would be some of the devotions I post, not daily journaling), God made me accountable to rise up early, read His Word, and type my thoughts down after reading the scriptures. Now I had a purpose to do this website and to make me accountable. (Am I rambling? I feel like it. LOL)
I pray that a “seed is being planted” in someone’s heart to want to know more about God, grow closer to Him, and to share His love yourself.
You all are a blessing to me. Thanks for reading my ramblings each day. Have a blessed day, and go plant some seeds. God will bring about the harvest.
Psalm 119:147 “I rise before dawn and cry for help; I have put my hope in your word.”
Psalm 126:6, “They weep as they go to plant their seed, but they sing as they return with the harvest.”
Proverbs 8:34-36 (ERV) “Whoever waits at my door and listens for me (wisdom) will be blessed. Those who find me find life, and the LORD will reward them. But those who do not find me put their lives in danger. Whoever hates me loves death.”
Our children's church set.
| March 25 |