Starting My Morning Right

“Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed.”—Mark 1:35

Jesus prayed. He had to step away and connect His soul to recharge just as we need to do. He is our example. We can’t hear God’s voice if we don’t’ get alone with Him to listen.

Mark 1:35 tells us that Jesus got up very early in the morning and found a quiet place to pray by Himself. He drew strength for His day through His morning prayer time.

At this stage in my life, first thing in the morning is the best time for me to get centered with Christ for my day. When I was stay-at-home mom with young children, I didn’t always have this luxury. I would say a quick prayer before I got out of bed to get my children ready for the day. My quiet time was either after they went to school, in carpool line or after they went to bed.

One of the biggest blessings of being an empty nester is starting my mornings reading my Bible and favorite devotions. Each morning, I thank God for another day. Starting my day talking to God, opens the door for Him to enter my heart. Even though the world might not change from my prayers, I do. I gives me more peace.

Spending time with God at the beginning of my day, sets the tone. It connects me with Him. A rushed morning steals my peace. If I don’t stay in touch with Him during my day, it is difficult for me to feel His presence

When God feels distant, it isn’t because of Him, but us. He is not a distant God. We draw near to Him so He can draw near to us. Regular scripture reading enables us to know God more and more. It gives us direction, guidance, and boundaries in life.

There have been many mornings when I read a scripture that speaks to me at the exact time I need it. The enemy know this and will do whatever he can to distract us from spending dedicated time with God.

With all of our electronic devices, it’s not too hard for him to do this. It’s a struggle. I no longer have the distraction of my mom calling or feeling the need to check her camera, but as soon as I pick up my iPad to read my devotions, I can easily get distracted going through my emails.

Many, many, many, times, I have found myself saying, Lord, forgive me for getting distracted. Rather than make the devotional in my inbox part of my morning quiet time, now it is saved for later when I go through my emails.

It has also helped going back to my hard copy Bible for my daily reading. However, I do still enjoy the YouVersion verse of the day that has a video and devotion that go along with it. By turning off my notifications, I can still incorporate this as part of my devotion time. I have had to find the right balance for me.

All of us are wired differently and what works for me, may not work for you. The most important thing for all of us is to set aside a portion of our day to spend time with our Prince of Peace.

Father God,

Forgive me, when I let the distractions from the enemy take away from my quiet time with You. I thank You for Your grace and mercy to start anew each morning. Help me to approach You with a focused heart. Fill my mind and heart each morning with scripture by revealing Yourself more clearly to me. May it permeate my thinking this week. I lift those up to You who are struggling with this. Reveal to them where they can carve out alone time with You to recharge their weary soul. I pray these things in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

October Verse

“Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.”—Matthew 7:24 (NLT)

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Living Life Well

“Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his faithful servants.”—Psalm 116:15

Since starting this blog 8 years ago, I have mentioned an aunt who not only prayed for my salvation as a young adult, but also became one of my spiritual mentors once I was saved.

Sadly (but also a celebration for where she is), my Aunt June went to be with Jesus last Sunday, September 7th. While I didn’t get to talk to her, I had been communicating with one of my cousin’s. She was at peace knowing she had lived her life well. At 84 years old, she was ready to meet Jesus.

She was a woman who truly finished the race well. Up until her last days on this earth, she was still praying for the salvation of family members. She had a heart to save the lost. She wanted everyone she loved to know Jesus so she would one day be reunited with them in heaven.

Over the past three decades, she was someone who not only helped me in my faith walk, but being a writer herself, she was the person who encouraged and gave me the confidence to be an author. I knew I could always call or email her for advice.

I will never forget talking to her when I was recently widowed, crying to her. I couldn’t understand why a loving God could leave me a pregnant single mom. She told me, there wasn’t a way to answer that. We live in an imperfect broken world where bad things happen to good people. She went on to say, Lisa, you have two choices in life. You can either choose the “I” or the “E.” You can be bitter and angry because of what happened to You, or you can be a better person because of it. God will use you.”

I needed to hear that. For me, that wasn’t much of a choice. However, had I not had Jesus in my heart, bitterness could have easily taken root. I thank her and the many others who had been praying for my salvation for that gift.

She was also someone who you knew if you asked her to pray for you, she would faithfully do so. I would do the same for her. I can only hope to be who she was for me for someone else.

Even though, the inspiration for this post was my aunt’s recent passing, I feel as if I should also mention another faithful servant for the Lord, who went to be with Jesus this week.

If you didn’t know who Charlie Kirk was, by now you probably do. Having listened to his podcasts and debates over the years, they weren’t hateful as some are portraying. He spoke God’s truth. He would go to college campuses having civil conversations with those who opposed his views. He boldly defended the morals and values of our Bible.

I can’t help but think of his wife, Erika. I know what it is like to have a husband unexpectedly and tragically die at too young of an age. I know the grief and heartache she is feeling right now. I can’t imagine on top of that having to deal with some of the hate, anger and unkind words being spewed about the man she so dearly loved on top of that. Praying the love and support pouring out to her from all over the world will cancel out negative comments being said.

I still can’t believe she went on national television to speak about her husband’s assassination two days after his death. She has thousands maybe even millions of people praying for her. It is through these prayers she was able to speak like she did.

I resonated with her saying her husband’s death would not be in vain. Of course, my circumstances were totally different. This is when I was reminded of my Aunt June’s words with me about choosing the “E” and not the “I.” 

None of us are immune to bad things happening to us. However, we can make this world a better place by staying true to our faith just as my aunt and Charlie Kirk did and what his wife will continue to do.

Not all of us are called overseas to be missionaries. We have a mission field outside our front door. Making the name of the Lord known is our greatest job to accomplish here on earth. God invites us to be a part of proclaiming who He is. We live out our faith to the watching world. We share Jesus’ death and resurrection until we are called home.

Father God,

I lift those who are grieving the death of a loved one. May they feel the intercessory prayers being prayed on their behalf. I thank You for blessing me with a spiritual mentor like my Aunt June. I ask that one day, I can be that for someone else. I know You will lead and equip me to share my faith as well as help me grow someone else’s. I lift up the Kirk family as they navigate this unexpected tragedy. Continue to comfort and surround them with people who speak life and truth into their lives. I know good can come out of what the enemy meant for evil. Prick hearts to rise up to be bold in their faith and not bow down to the narrative of the culture. I pray these things in the mighty name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

 September Verse
“You have a strong arm; Your hand is mighty, Your right hand is exalted.”—Psalm 89:13 (NASB)

If you are knitting or crocheting gifts to give away, please make sure you tweet @KnitPrayShare or share your projects on the Knit, Pray, Share Facebook page or Instagram using the hashtag #KnitPrayShare. Be sure to attach a tag to whatever gift you make.