HAVE YOU PREPARED WELL FOR TODAY’S CHALLENGES?

READ PSALM 104

MORNING COFFEE AND MORNING MEDITATION…

Psalm 104:34

May my meditation be pleasing to him,

for I rejoice in the LORD.

Starting the day without coffee is unthinkable for many of us! In fact, how many people tell others not to talk to them until they have had their first cup of coffee? They cannot function without their cup of caffeine.

For many of us, though, starting the day without any kind of meditation on the Word of God is all too normal. Reading even a short passage of Scriptures is nice, but not necessary for many believers who assume that they can function easily without it. Obviously, reading a token number of verses cannot and should not be considered a lucky charm. Your day will not go better because God will be more favorable to you if you have spent a few minutes in the Word.

Reading, meditating, and praying allows us to think about God. It guides our thoughts in the right direction. It causes us to have a heavenly perspective, as contrasted to an earthly mindset. It prepares us to face difficult people, hard circumstances, with the right attitude.

Mark 1:35

            (Jesus) And rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, he departed and went out to a desolate place, and there he prayed.

Luke 5:15-16

            But now even more the report about him went abroad, and great crowds gathered to hear him and to be healed of their infirmities. But he would withdraw to desolate places and pray.

Jesus habitually set time apart from ministry and people to commune with his Father.

Take time to slowly read Psalm 104. Let these amazing truths permeate your mind. Become more aware of the majesty and sovereignty of God.

God reigns with total control over the earth. Everything was set in its place by the creating power of God. Nature has boundaries set by God. God sustains and orders everything in the world. God controls the cycles of nature, so that man can cultivate and expect the earth to produce its fruits. God has planned the correct habitat for every plant and animal. The seasons, the day and night are all planned and controlled by God. Every plant, every animal, and every person depends on God for life and nourishment.

The awareness of people or the beliefs of man do not change the complete control of God over all things and nature’s complete dependence on God’s rulings.

Does this meditation affect you? Does it make a difference? Preparing yourself for the day with meditation in the Scriptures is necessary. The only deterrent I have found is laziness!

Psalm 104:31-35

May the glory of the LORD endure forever;

may the LORD rejoice in his works,

who looks on the earth and it trembles,

who touches the mountains and they smoke!

I will sing to the LORD as long as I live;

I will sing praise to my God while I have being.

May my meditation be pleasing to him,

for I rejoice in the LORD.

Let sinners be consumed from the earth,

and let the wicked be no more!

Bless the LORD, O my soul!

Praise the LORD!

I have been encouraged by the number of people who have said that they begin their day reading these devotionals. My hope is that they would help to prepare you, and those with whom you may share them, to live each day with an awareness of God. They might even become a springboard to having a habitual time with the Lord.

Life is hard, so we need to be prepared! Praising God is the result of an informed heart. “I will sing as long as I live” - if we allow God to engrave His words in our hearts. Husbands and fathers, lead your families by your example! Wives and mothers, prepare yourself for your duties of the day! Everyone: begin your day with God! Share this devotional with others!