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O God, you are my God; earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you; my flesh faints for you, as in a dry and weary land where there is no water.
- Psalm 63.1
The first word I say
In the morning when I arise:
May Christ’s cross be my armor about me.
- Anonymous, Early Welsh
What is the first thing on your mind when you wake up in the morning? To what do you devote the first hour of the morning?
Is it in seeking the Lord Jesus Christ?
And if not, then when does He figure into the list of your most important priorities?
Over the years I’ve met many pastors and church leaders who confess that they have but little time for prayer, Bible reading, and meditation. The day just breaks in upon them too fast.
The day breaking in too fast is not really the problem though. The problem is one of priorities.
Early in my walk with the Lord the man who led me to Christ, Rick Duwe, pressed and pressed me to devote the first hour of each day to being with the Lord. He taught me how to pray, gave me a Bible, and showed me how to read it profitably.
But nothing took.
I had all kinds of what I considered to be excellent reasons why I just couldn’t make that commitment. But Rick knew the real reason.
He poked his finger in my chest at the student union one day and said, “T. M., you just don’t want to spend time with Jesus.” When I protested I did, he said, “You will do in your life only and exactly what you want to do, and nothing more. When you want to be with Jesus in the morning, to pray and meditate in His Word, you will find the way to do it.”
I had to confess that Jesus just wasn’t the first thing on my mind each day – or through most of the rest of the day, either.
We should pray for one another, friends, and encourage one another so that we “only and exactly” want Jesus to be the upward prize and high calling of every moment of our lives.
“In the morning, when I rise;/in the morning, when I rise;/in the morning, when I rise,/give me Jesus!”
Get Him First Thing, and you’ll be more likely to have Him in everything, all day long.
What about you? Will you seek Jesus early and earnestly? Will you seek Him as the First Thing in everything in your life?
Psalm 27.4-6 (Joanna: “Immortal, Invisible God Only Wise”)
One thing we request but to dwell with You, Lord,
Your beauty to test and to think on Your Word.
In trouble You hide us secure in Your grace;
No foe may o’erride us: We sing of Your praise!
Write me for the free, 28-day meditation, Glorious Vision. This study of Psalm 45 and the hymn, "Fairest Lord Jesus," could be just the thing to help you have Jesus on your mind and in your heart more consistently each day. And it's free. Just send me an email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., and I'll send it right along. If you want more of this kind of Christ-focused discipline in your life, order the book, Be Thou My Vision, from our online store, and let our Celtic Christian forebears lead you for another 28 days into the very presence of our Lord Jesus Christ.
We hope you find Crosfigell helpful and encouraging in your walk with the Lord. If so, won't you consider sharing with us from your tithes and offerings? You can make a gift to The Fellowship of Ailbe by using the donate button here or at the website, or by sending your gift to The Fellowship of Ailbe, 19 Tyler Dr., Essex Junction, VT 05452. Thank you for your friendship, prayers, and support.
T. M. Moore, Principal
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