Before we jump in, let me state VERY CLEARLY that I do not believe that it is a sin NOT to do devotions in the morning. We cannot make non-sin issues into legalistic tasks and expect everyone to adhere to them. This is harmful and not helpful.
However, I do believe there is wisdom in getting up first thing and going to Christ. Yes, even for you Mamas with babies. I’ll explain but I need to be clear – this is not a sin issue, just wisdom that I am encouraging.
THE WISDOM OF FIRST
It shouldn’t be a surprise to us that God demands to be FIRST in our life; not second, not third, not an afterthought. He must be FIRST in all areas.
"But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” - Matthew 6:33 “You shall have no other gods before me.” - Exodus 20:3 "He must increase, but I must decrease.” - John 3:30
We absolutely make things a priority that we love or feel we need to have; coffee being a wonderful example. Most women feel like they cannot function without their morning cup of caffeine. They would make sure that they have their coffee, no matter what else is going on. We have coffee pots, keurigs, coffee shops we frequent, and even french presses. We love our coffee (or whatever it is you indulge in) and so you’re going to be sure you have it.
We should be this way 1000x MORE SO with Christ because not only is He our FIRST LOVE but He is the only One and thing that can absolutely fill us up, sustain us.
NOTHING should stop us from getting on our knees and spending our first moments with Christ. We need to be desperate for Him. If we needed to put on oxygen to breathe when we wake up, we’d immediately make that happen. We’d wake up and quickly reach for the oxygen tank and mask. We would know we cannot live without the assistance of the Oxygen. Again, this should be how we view being with Jesus. WE CANNOT FUNCTION WITHOUT HIM. First thing, we should reach for His Word and to be in prayer. If we started to believe our lives depended on Him, we would let NOTHING stop us from being with Him FIRST THING.
THE WISDOM OF KILLING THE FLESH
Our flesh is absolutely at war with the Spirit. We are told this multiple times in Scripture. Knowing this, WHY would we ever risk interacting with someone and beginning our day without first going to God and “killing our flesh” by putting on the ARMOR OF GOD?
"For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do." - Galatians 5:17 "But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh." - Galatians 5:16 "For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace." - Romans 8:6 "Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul." - 1 Peter 2:11
Look at Matthew 26:41 >>> “Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”
WE SHOULD NOT BE WILLING TO BEGIN OUR DAY WITHOUT RENEWING OUR MINDS WITH CHRIST AND PUTTING TO DEATH THE FLESH.
So, yes. We need to do this FIRST THING. FIRST THING.
SATAN SHOWS NO MERCY WHEN YOU’RE TIRED
Sisters, regardless of your circumstances: being a new Mommy, having a chronic illness, having sleepless nights, going through a trial or suffering…NO CIRCUMSTANCE WILL STOP SATAN’S WILL TO DESTROY YOU. He will show you ZERO mercy.
We must wake up and prepare for BATTLE and spiritual warfare happens around the clock. Satan doesn’t fight “fair.” He will strike you when you’re at your lowest. There’s no “war crimes” rules with us and the enemy.
"Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes." - Ephesians 6 "The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ." - 2 Corinthians 10 "Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings." - 1 Peter 5 "Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you." - James 4:7
GO TO THE LORD LADIES. ARM YOURSELF FOR BATTLE.
Can you imagine being in a war and instead of arming yourself against the enemy, you begin making meals and showering? The enemy is shooting arrows your way and instead of shielding yourself, you’re running around dealing with “life stuff?”
Do we take spiritual warfare seriously? Do we even believe it to be actually happening?
When you have babies, and yes – I have had 2 of my own and been a foster mother with 5 children in the home. I have experience, feed the baby, change the baby, get them settled and then get into the Word. If they’re sleeping, GET UP EARLIER THAN THEM. This is something that has changed our family dramatically – me getting up earlier.
But don’t be overwhelmed if you have little ones. Make it work ladies. If it’s important to you, you will.
"Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people." - Ephesians 6
THE WISDOM OF FOLLOWING BIBLICAL EXAMPLES
"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 "I rise before dawn and cry for help; I wait for Your words." - Psalm 119:147 "In the morning, O Lord, You will hear my voice; In the morning I will order my prayer to You and eagerly watch." - Psalm 5:3 "Now Abraham arose early in the morning and went to the place where he had stood before the Lord;" - Genesis 19:27 "Then they arose early in the morning and worshiped before the Lord, and returned again to their house in Ramah." - 1 Samuel 1:19
There is definitely Biblical examples we can model to worship the Lord in prayer, in music, and in the studying of His Word – in the morning!
I read the passages I have shared and yes, there are others, and it convicts my heart to give my FIRSTS to Christ.
I want to take spiritual warfare SERIOUSLY and I don’t want to be open to satan’s arrows (temptations) or my flesh. I want to be ARMED for the day in God’s RIGHTEOUSNESS – Having spent time in Prayer and in the Word, renewing my mind.
I don’t want my time with Him to be dependent on what else I have going on. If He truly is my LORD then everything, and I mean EVERYTHING, must fall second to HIM. Yes – even mothering. We do not neglect our children or our responsibilities. We make our time work for us and not the other way around.
I pray this has been encouraging and edifying. I pray you’ll trust the Lord to work in you as you seek Him FIRST. I pray that you’ll remember that His grace is sufficient when you’re tired or going through something hard. HE IS OUR PORTION AND OUR CUP; the fountain of living water.
He is our sword and our shield.
HE IS OUR LORD. We must be hidden in Christ and serve Him FIRST and then serve others.
WITH LOVE JILLIAN 