Isaiah 50:4-5
The Sovereign Lord has given me an instructed tongue to know the Word and sustain the weary.
He wakens me morning by morning, wakens my ear to listen like one being taught,
The Sovereign Lord has opened my ears and I have not been rebellious; I have not drawn back.
She explained that she thinks about that verse as saying... I have not drawn back the covers and gone back to sleep when you wake me up to spend time with you. She gave a word picture of God looking down at us saying, "get up, don't stay in bed, get up, I want to spend time with you".
Well... this morning I looked over at the alarm clock and it said 5:29 am. I had told my husband last night to, " set it for 6am... although I should probably should get up at 5:30am". As I turned over to go back to sleep for that last 30 minutes... that verse popped into my head. So our conversation went a little like this...
God: "Don't turn back the covers, I want you to get up".
Me: "Lord, you know how tired I am." "I didn't sleep much yesterday morning when I got home from work." "You know that rest is important." "I will spend time with you when I get up at 6am." Thinking... I am sure that will be okay with God.
I closed my eyes and started to drift back off to sleep... only to hear in my heart,
God: "Who gives you rest?" "I do, now get up!"
Me: hearing my own words in my head, "I want to be God's YES girl"
So I ripped back the covers and got up. When my husband moved just enough for me to realize that he was awake... I said,
"You can turn off the alarm clock, I am getting up."
To only hear him say,
"WHY??"
Me: "Because God woke me up."
Husband: grunt... sigh...
So... then as I left the bedroom and closed the door... I thought about what I had been studying last night before I went to bed. It comes from Beth Moore's study Living Beyond Yourself... If you live a crucified life for Christ... few will understand. I just laughed and thought... well, ain't that the truth.
1Peter 3:15
But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared in give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.
8 comments:
Good Word to start the day off with.
I have sensed God's "wake-up call" to me more and more. For years, my very lame argument with Him was "Lord, You KNOW I'm not a morning person." Of course years ago my quiet time used to be at night. Problem with that is, at 41 years old, I'm not much of a night person either...more of a 10-3 person and those hours aren't terribly condusive to quality quiet time with Him.
Thanks for the reminder, Lynn. Have a great Sunday!
Melanie
Girl, trust me you are just gettin' started with Living Beyond Yourself. That is EXACTLY where it started for me. It became clear when I started the study that if I was actually going to get through it with any depth I was going to have to get up b/w 5:00 AND 5:30 every morning. God started waking me up and doing the same thing. Just stick with it and before long you'll be getting up earlier and earlier to RUN (NOT WALK) to your meeting place to find Him!! Early mornings are now my favorite time of the day!!! Even if they start at 4:30!! I can't wait to hear more about what God does with this time and you!!
God bless you
I still struggle with this. I set my alarm a few minutes early knowing I'll hit the snooze. I'm prayed and asked God to enable me to wake up and get up. Yet, to no avail...I'm not sure if He's waiting for me to do it totally on my own or what. I've heard many people say that they wake up at such and such time every morning and they believe God is waking them up. Yet, I struggle so bad with waking up. I've managed since the simulcast to get up almost every week day and Sunday morning (not Saturday...don't ask...I'm terrible when I have no routine). I've only made it to have 5 minutes and I've crept up to 15 but I'm at a plato with that.
I will tarey on and continue to try to do this on my own, try to be obedient without Him forcing. I just wish He'd push me a little like He did you.
Blessings.
Paula
You go, girlfriend! I hit the snooze button a few too many times this am!! I was faithful the rest of this week, but I know, that's no excuse!!! I'll do better next Sunday!!
Hugs,
Susan
"And she slips out of bed, not making a sound, and skips quietly down the stairs, anxious for the Word that would be there and be hers... just hers, today."
No, not many understand. ("Ain't that the truth!" Yep!) And it is hard to maintain. But isn't anything that's worth the work, worth it.
What a fun read, Lynn! Funny and a blessing. Good stuff!
Yes God has awaken me many times and said "Get Up" and unfortunately many times I didn't and then later God showed me the many blessings I missed out on by not obeying Him and getting up for Him to share His desires with me. I want to always surrender to his calling me so I pray I will always move when He calls. Thanks for sharing.
I started an online study this morning (90 Days with Jesus). If you have the book and would like to join just hop on over and click the button for it on my blog.
Because I am already doing Living Beyond in the evenings (for our Tuesday group) I knew I was going to have to get up early or I would not be able to do both. So. . . here's what I did. . .
I figured out how to get my cell phone to play Amazing Grace by Chris Tomlin for the alarm (because I HATE beep-beep-beep). I set it and put it in the bathroom. I HAVE to get up and out of the bed. Once my feet hit the floor I stayed up. And may I say that we had a great time "in our spot."
Paula(sweetpea), don't give up! Waking up has never been easy for me either. As a matter of fact I LOVE to sleep. But get this. . .during our last Beth Moore study (A Woman's Heart God's Dwelling Place) she said something that really changed the way I feel about getting up a little earlier.
The scripture reference was Luke 1:6-7 where Elizabeth was without child which has nothing to do with waking up early, and everything to do with God doing something in you that you can't do yourself.
Listen to what Beth said:
"When something comes easily for others but you can't seem to get it for yourself. . . maybe it's because you've been picked-out (not picked-on) to see His supernatural power in your life."
Keep getting up girl ~ and He will do a God thing in your life!
Lynn:
I would so like for you to read Alicia Chole's "Anonymous" book. I promise...it will bless your heart. If you're looking for a new read, this is it friend. Let me know if you can't find it. You can get a good deal through Amazon or via her website or on CBD. It's tailor made for you journey right now.
I'm excited to hear about your new chapter of living. God is going to bless you with some much needed rest and concentrated study time in his Word. I've been where you are and understand the "pull" between what once was and what now is.
If you ever need an ear, email me.
peace~elaine
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