From: Beverly French [frenchb@vcss.k12.ca.us]
Sent: Sunday, September 15, 2002 6:40 AM
To: Heritage
Subject: Sunday Blessings to All

"In the morning, O Lord, Thou wilt hear my voice;
 In the morning I will order my prayer to Thee and eagerly watch." Psalm 5:3

Another translation says "In the morning I will direct it (my voice) to You, and I will look up."

"Blessed is the day whose morning is sanctified!  Successful is the day whose
first victory was won in prayer!"   (Joseph Parker)
That time in the morning that is set apart unto the Lord sets our focus on the One who is in control.  As we spend time with Him in quietness, in His word and in prayer our day begins on a sure foundation and in confidence we watch and wait for His leading and guiding.

We are to worship and pray in fellowship with one another, but there is also a call for private devotion and prayer. Jesus, Himself has set the standard before us in Mark 1:35, "And in the early morning, while it was still dark, He arose and went out and departed to a lonely place, and was praying there."

Jesus said His own are not to be like the hypocrites, "But you, when you pray, go into your inner room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in secret, and your Father who sees in secret will repay you."  Matthew 6:6

We start off our day with prayer and meditation, but it does not end there for to be led and guided by His Holy Spirit we must be in continual communication with Him. Mark 5:16 speaks of Jesus and tells us, "But He Himself would often slip away to the wilderness and pray."

With the Psalmist we say,
"Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart
 Be acceptable in Thy sight,
 O Lord, my rock and my redeemer."  Psalm19:14

Meditation is devout contemplation on the Lord God Almighty and the things of God.  It is characteristic of the spiritually minded. Romans 8:5-6 says, "For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit.  For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace."

"The thoughts of the righteous are right,
 But the counsels of the wicked are deceitful."  Proverbs 12:5

In Proverbs 1:33 we see these words of Christ who is wisdom, " But whoso hearkens to me [Wisdom] shall dwell securely and in confident trust and shall be quiet, without fear or dread of evil."

So, "...In quietness and trust is your strength."  Isaiah30:15b

What a way to start and continue the day; in continual communication with Omniscient, Omnipotent, Omnipresent God! Praise Him and give Him all honor and glory always.  Amen!

.