I have discovered two secrets that help me wake up early in the morning. The first is positioning my alarm clock across the room so I am forced to get out of bed when it rings (no return to bed allowed). The second is realizing that if I press through about 10 minutes of feeling dog-tired, then I’ll feel awake and I’ll be glad I got up early for the whole rest of the day.
The first order of business after stumbling out of bed and downstairs is to make a pot of hazelnut coffee. I then set up my fan (I love both the sound and the breeze that a fan provides), gather my devotional materials, make my wakeup calls to Nicole and Kristin (Janelle has opted out of a wakeup call right now, due to pregnancy sickness) and by this time I’m alert enough and ready to begin my quiet time.
For the past few years I have followed Brian and Kristin’s new plan (see Kristin’s post)—reading through the Bible using For the Love of God commentaries by D.A. Carson. I found it to be very beneficial. However this year, I wanted to study certain books of the Bible more in-depth. I have chosen an Old Testament book (Genesis), one of the gospels (Mark), and an epistle (Philippians). My husband helped me select commentaries for each book to supplement my study: Genesis, by Bruce K. Waltke; The Gospel According to Mark, by James R. Edwards; Paul’s Letter to the Philippians, by Gordon D. Fee.
Along with my book study (I’m presently in Philippians), I also read one Psalm per day using Charles Spurgeon’s 2-volume commentary on Psalms, and follow it up by reading the designated day’s meditation in Charles Spurgeon’s, Morning and Evening. (I guess you can tell we are big fans of Spurgeon!)
Like Nicole, I keep my journal in a computer document. This allows me to copy and paste verses and quotes from my journal to include in an encouragement email or use in other documents as desired.
For my prayer time I use the Lord’s Prayer (Mt. 6:9-13) as my guide. Recently the pastors of my church did a teaching series on the Lord's Prayer which has proven to be a huge help in my prayer life.
After praying, I take a few minutes to create my “to-do” list for the day. I then copy and paste from my journal and add to the top of my “to-do” list what I want to take in to the day for mediation. I keep this list folded in my pocket and refer to it throughout the day. This verese and quote heads up my “to-do” list for today:
"Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name." Ps. 29:2
“The actions which flow from His character are glorious; but while He intends that they should manifest to His creatures His goodness, and mercy, and justice, He is equally concerned that the glory associated with them should be given only to Himself. Nor is their aught in ourselves in which we may glory; for who maketh us to differ from another: and what have we that we did not receive from the God of all grace? Then how careful ought we to be to walk humbly before the Lord! The moment we glorify ourselves, since there is room for one glory only in the universe, we set ourselves up as rivals to the Most High.”
--Charles Spurgeon, Morning and Evening, p.458.
Finally, while getting ready for the day, I worship with the help of a music tape. My present favorite is "Upward: The Bob Kauflin Hymns Project" by Sovereign Grace Music.
In concluding this little series on the spiritual disciplines I want to emphasize once again that we don't think we are the standard for godly quiet times. We are struggling along, striving to glorify God just like each one of you. Our purpose in this series was not to highlight our own accomplishments, but to hopefully give you new ideas and fresh encouragement to seek God each and every morning!
