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Early in the Morning
The psalmist penned the following words: "In the morning, 0 LORD, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait in expectation" (Psalm 5:3).
From my own experience, I have found that encountering God early in the morning provides a sense of order and promise to each day. I have also found that if I miss those times of interaction with the Father, I usually play "catch up" the rest of the day. That might be true for your family as well.
Personal and family schedules are so demanding that many days you may not have time for formal family devotions. Why not start with placing a promise from Scripture on the refrigerator every morning for the family to read? Or before everyone makes a break for the door, you could form a family circle and pray for God's blessing and direction.
Everything I do is in God's hands, but I must do my part in prayer, then wait on Him.
Each day I live with expectation and in amazement of God's interest in my family and me. So much of that begins in the morning when I surrender myself and my schedule to His will.
There is a hurriedness to life that takes its toll on my ministry and my family if I do not stop in the morning and let God dictate who I am, what I will do and how I will get it done. I'm sure the same is true for your family.
We know the bottom line: Our Father wants us to spend time with Him. "Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul" (Psalm 143:8).
Be blessed; start your day with Him!
Taken from Focus on the Family magazine, May, 2007.
Article copyright © 2007, Focus on the Family.
All rights reserved. International copyright secured.
Used by permission
Dr. H.B. London is the vice president of Pastoral Ministries for Focus on the Family and the author of numerous books on and for pastors. He served as a Nazarene pastor for over 30 years in several churches in Oregon and California. He and his wife, Beverley, live primarily in Colorado Springs, Colo., and have two sons and four grandchildren.
Behind the Mask (part 2)
Ever feel like you need to wear a mask to cover up who you are? Are you concerned that, if people knew who you really are and how you really felt, they wouldn't understand?
Bivocational Battle Plan
One minister, two jobs and the family that's at the top of the list. The number of bivocational ministers, those in full- or part-time ministry who carry an additional job, is estimated by some researchers to be as high as 30 percent of ministers nationwide.
But the Grass Is So Green ...
"You should see the church they attend," Lucille said, armed with bulletin and newsletter. Creases formed across my brow as celebration gave way to comparisons a trap that had sprung too many times.
