First Things First

Tom Barnard

 

“Praise the Lord! Give thanks to the Lord, for his is good! His faithful love

 endures forever. Who can list the glorious miracles of the Lord?

Who can ever praise him half enough?”

(Psalm 106:1, 2 NLT)

 

“No day is unmeetable if, on rising, our first thought

is to thank God for the blessings that his loving care has brought.”

Helen Steiner Rice

 

One of the benefits of having an office in the home is the close proximity to one’s work. Computer, files, printer, books, names, phone numbers, addresses, kitchen—oops, forget the kitchen. The actual distance between my bed and my computer is roughly 30 feet. The kitchen is another 40 feet in a different direction from the computer. To be candid, my first thought in the morning is what may be waiting for me on my computer. I turn it on before I walk to the kitchen to fix my breakfast. My first intentional thoughts in the morning are on incoming messages, not meditations. My loss.

 

I have a friend whose feet never touch the floor in the morning before he begins his day with God on his lips. What a wonderful discipline. No, what a wonderful blessing! He literally puts first things first. And talking with God is first thing with him. Here is his daily morning prayer:

 

Holy Spirit of God, I commit myself to you today. Guide, direct, control and use me. Assign me in the kingdom today according to the will of God—for the glory of God. Send me updates and promptings throughout the day. Open the Scripture to my understanding and show me how to apply it to my life. Teach me to discern the deceit and disguises of Satan so that I can take authority over him in the name of Jesus regarding matters of body, soul, spirit, and material things. Let my spirit-anointed and Spirit-guided influence impact all those I come in contact with today. I seek this same lifestyle for all my family, my Christian friends and associates. In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

 

My friend takes seriously the admonition of the psalmist, “Who can ever praise him half enough?” And the answer is: No one. And when is enough enough? The answer is: It is never enough. So, let us agree to begin putting first things first. Tomorrow will be a good day to start.

 

Heavenly Father, I am without excuse. I know you want to hear from me—morning, noon, and night. You have done your part, for the psalmist was right when he said that your faithful love endures forever. I have not done my part. I have not praised you half enough. Please forgive me. Lead me to a disciplined prayer life that begins at the break of day. Amen.