Mornings

Today I woke up early and God met me in my backyard. I hope this will encourage you to seek God's face. Maybe your backyard is your kitchen't nook. late evenings when all the kids are down or a quiet lunch alone. God, though, will make a place for you to meet with him in your "quiet time."

One of the sort of odd blessings of being "down and out" for a few weeks is my mornings. I'm sitting in my back yard-surrounded by grass, a large grape vine that is almost ready to be trimmed back. There are countless birds hanging out in the trees and my cat is chasing any living thing that moves-or should I say prowling. The temperature right now can't be above 80 with 0 percent humidity. It is downright pleasant. No one else is up and its me and the cat, birds and most importantly the Lord Jesus Christ. By the way-the cat and birds as well as chirping crickets and a few barking dogs only draw me closer to my creator today. My mind is taken to "I stand amazed in the presence of Jesus. . . And wonder how he could love me a sinner. . ." I also think of the verse about creation that so encourages me in my small existence. "I am fearfully and wonderfully made. . ." the Psalmist writes. "Be still and know that I am God." Right now it is awesome knowing God. Seeing Him work---knowing He is the great designer. Knowing he is the Great Savior. Understanding His great personal love that is always consistent and boundless. I honestly know that without surgery I would not have this moment, right now with God. I would have struggled sleeping-ended up sleeping in-then rushed off barely making it to church or school.

Psalm 46
1 God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
2 Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;
3 Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof.
Selah
4 There is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacles of the most High.
5 God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved: God shall help her, and that right early.
6 The heathen raged, the kingdoms were moved: he uttered his voice, the earth melted.
7 The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge.
Selah
8 Come, behold the works of the LORD, what desolations he hath made in the earth.
9 He maketh wars to cease unto the end of the earth; he breaketh the bow, and cutteth the spear in sunder; he burneth the chariot in the fire.
10 Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.
11 The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge.
Selah

So when I looked up "Be still" this is where I ended up. It just started out as normal morning in shut-tin existence. God took me where he wants me to be in His presence. He took me to a place so that I would be still. As a Pastor who has the work of a pastor, preaching and then a job on the side I usually take the philosophy of my devotions are my messages. I'll probably never abandon this totally to some extent. But, this week--I'm meeting God every morning-He's always there. It may take getting up earlier or getting to bed at 9:00 pm or something--but I need this kind of time with God every day. I'm amazed at the need for this quiet morning. Sitting in the office going through my Bible reading would not bring these truths to light in such a powerful way. God's at work-and "early will I seek Thee."