Mon.12.8.14...Get the Big Rocks in First


Last week we saw how Joshua as the new military commander was to invade and conquer the land that the Lord had promised to them. But what was mission critical to his success was to follow God’s battle plan for success. It was a surprising one that we wrote down and meditated on- “Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth (keep chewing on it); meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.” (Then you will thrive and successfully accomplish My will for you.) God’s word was to be top priority in Joshua’s life. We saw this also being lived out by Job and Jesus who both placed a higher priority on the real soul food of God’s word than their earthly food. As you recall, Job said, “I have treasured the words of his mouth more than my daily bread” Job 23:12. His priorities were in order. What could you suggest to help a friend who struggles with daily meeting with God in His word? Give him our saying- “No Bible, no breakfast or no Scripture, no sleep.”

Many strong believers begin their day by starting it with God and his word. I usually do. No, I’m not a legalist. I don’t care when you carve out time to spend time with the Lord. But I do know that each day gets busy with unexpected interruptions to our plans. (It’s been said, “If you want to make God chuckle, tell him your plans.”) Yet early in the morning or late at night tend to lack many of the interruptions, especially early in the morning.

Read Mark 1:32-35. Despite a late nighter of ministering to people, notice what Jesus did early the following morning. If even the Son of God made this his top priority, shouldn't we as well? Read also a prophetic passage about Jesus in this regard- it’s found in Isaiah 50:4.

To be clear, there is no command about when we meet with God. Some find the evening far better for them. The key to success here is making a commitment that you will not violate. That’s why “No Bible, no breakfast or no Scripture no sleep” is so helpful to live by. Our natural desire for food and sleep reminds us that we need to feed ourselves on God’s word and rest our souls in him. King David even made a vow not to go to sleep until he had found a place for the Lord to dwell (Ps.132:1-5). By application, have you found a place for the Lord in your schedule? Whether it be morning or night, the key is to keep your commitment to meet with him. Blessed is the man who does so.

1.- Write out Prov.8:34 on your MP3 card. Simply write “Did It” when you did it.

Okay, so what does today's blog title, "Put the Big Rocks in First" have to do with what we're talking about today? Everything! The following YouTube short reveals this-

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RE5geO3GDtk

2.-I don’t rely on my feelings whether to spend time with the Lord or not. He is my rock and my salvation and he calls me to lovingly meet with him daily. So I get this hugely important rock in everyday. Like busy King David, I have made a vow that I won’t go to sleep without reading God’s word and responding to him in prayer. It is the best commitment/practice of my life. God longs to meet with us and strengthen us day by day. So have you made or will you join me in making such a vow or commitment to get this all important rock in- to not go to sleep until you have spent time with God and his word? Simply answer Yes or No.

If so, then congratulations! I believe one of the practices to becoming a manly man is making crucial commitments and keeping them. (It's boyish to skip things when they get hard.) May the Lord bless you and give you many manly men who have learned by your life to make time with the Lord their highest priority in life. 

3.-R? Any relationship you sought to make right? You R respected for doing so.

4.-E? As you probably have noticed, E stands for Encouragement. We want to get you into the joy of encouraging your teammates. To begin with, simply give a word of encouragement to the brother who last commented above you. Just click on the "Reply" tab immediately under his comment and leave your words of encouragement. Then put 1. after 4.-E? if you encouraged 1 team member on the blog today. (Or 2 if you did so for 2 men, etc. Get in the habit of praying for the man that you encourage as well.) 

34 comments:

  1. Reading the blog on the taxi on the way to the airport... Out of country and back on 17th and making a vow to continue this daily journey together while I'm traveling, and also making a vow not to go to sleep each day of my life until I spent time with God and his word!

    Didn't write Proverbs 8:34 yet, as my 3x5 cards are in my luggage! But will write it down and confirm before I go to sleep today.

    Couldn't watch the video as I can't see the link for it?

    Alvin! Awesome to have you with us!

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  2. Right now my schedule is whacky. When I have to start work at 5a, I read when I get home and take the no scripture, no sleep approach. When I do not work I take the no breakfast, no bible approach.

    I enjoyed the illustration of the rocks and sand. I have taken out the little things that don't matter by just reading the bible. I certainly don't miss them.I have realized how important it is to stay in the word.

    Did it.

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    1. Wow Sam, if you start work at 5:00am I can only imagine how early you must be getting up in the morning.

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    2. Sam, thanks for setting a great example of this very subject of getting the most important Rock in no matter what.

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  3. Did it.

    The video was a great illustration of life as a Christian (busy life). We have to learn to prioritize our life's. God has to be first in everything. As Christians we know without Him things in life are impossible. As Christians we know with God all things are possible.

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    1. Very good Mike! Glad you liked the video too.

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  4. Wrote Prov. 8:34 on my card.

    No link was available to watch.

    Also very exited to make that commitment to seek His Word everyday of my life.

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    1. Ugh! Sorry you had problems with the video.
      Sam, udabest for helping out!
      So great to see you on stage yesterday! Way to go Roger!

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  5. It is on You Tube . Try this link.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=RE5geO3GDtk

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    1. Thank you Sam. Great inspiring video.

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    2. My pleasure to help. The video does not play with my phone because the plug-in is not supported. I can see it through the laptop. Hopefully Dave puts both next time. Hint hint.

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  6. Thanks for the link Sam :)
    DID IT
    WATCHED IT
    It was a great video that definitely brought some conviction my way to say the least. I will commit to not sleeping until I have had fed my soul, daily.

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    1. Very good John! Thanks also for leading us in worship yesterday. "Hosanna! Hosanna! You are the God who saves us. Worthy of all our praises."

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    2. My pleasure to help. The video does not pay with my phone because the plug-in is not supported. I can see it through the laptop. Hopefully Dave puts both next time. Hint hint.

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  7. I did post Proverbs 8:34 I am listening for his voice every day and looking for his guidance in all circumstances.
    I watched the video and it is convicting and hits home with me, as I juggle many daily tasks--but I put God 1st now always as my priority
    and look to him for answers to my prayers. I will always stay in his word as I am committed to live for him. My life has changed in every way since I got saved and there is no turning back--I'm moving forward.

    It is my pleasure and commit to be in God's word every day as 1st fruit of the day.

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    1. Excellent Jack! The Lord is seeking to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him. That's you!

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  8. Did it.
    And I will also make that commitment to not sleep until I have read the Word everyday.

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    1. Very good Eddie! You are a part of the fellowship of the flaming heart. Phileo...

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  9. 1) Did it
    2) I join in the commitment to not sleep until I have spent time with God thru His Word.

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  10. I did it

    Even with uneven things to do in my life I will commit again to a dedicated time as I wake as well as before I sleep. Such a daily thing is a very powerful workout against bad habit forming and proving of dedication directly to God in the highest.

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    1. Way to go Gary! That makes you unstoppable!

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    2. I was just able to look at the video and I can very vividly testify that not taking priorities in a very important consideration my life and being a man of "busy" I fell out of balance in life and I stepped away from ministry and fell behind.


      At this season in my life I found the effort in balance life's duties; and being excellent at my gifting and not weak or disabled in everything or trying to be everyone's hero. As this relates to our initial prayers our challenge and mine with the team is being very diligent and responsible the way God is for us.

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  11. Did it. Wrote proverbs 8:34 on 3x5. Keep my family and I in prayer, my brothers, as the enemy seems to always attack when he sees me getting closer to God.

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    1. Yes Daniel, the strategy of the enemy is to attack. But by walking dependently and honestly with the Lord and our brothers, we defeat him. Eph.6:10-18; Rev.12:11. Let us be true to who we really are.

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    2. Thanks Dave. The armor of God verses in Ephesians occurred differently for me during this reading and I am raising my shield of faith to deflect the enemies arrows... Faith in what is not seen.... Thanks!

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  12. 1. Did it
    2. I join in the commitment to not sleep until I have spent time with God thru His Word

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    1. Alright Israel! And you did it before midnight even!

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  13. Did it!

    Working harder to spend time with he Lord in my first hours...which means I really have to change what I do in the rest of my hours!

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    1. And I know that can be a hard adjustment. Way to go though Alvin!

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  14. 1. Did it
    2. No link to watch video.
    will make commitment to read and connect with the Lord daily before I go to sleep.

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  15. This is continuing to throw off my mojo. I know that I have to do this, I know that I want to do this but I continue to allow myself to be overcome by other events. I am constantly on the road and had multiple meetings today but I can NOT allow that to interrupt my time with the Lord. I am on now. It seems that before bed seems to be the time.

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  16. If you are making the Pledge- "No Scripture, No sleep" then you have just crossed the line and become "Unstoppable!" Congratulations Mark!

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