5 Tips for Keeping God First in Your Day

It’s so easy, NOT

You read blog posts and articles about spending more time with God. Many of the posts tell you to spend time with God first thing in the morning. The authors make it sound so easy. They seem to have all the time in the world and a normal (whatever normal is) routine that includes God in most aspects of it.

Now whether or not that is the reality of their situation, makes no difference. Their intent is to encourage you. Most of them are amazing and wonderful people.

Subsequently, we are in a world of “just be positive” people…and truth be told, it’s hard out there. It’s also sometimes difficult at home. The world doesn’t want you to spend time in the Word. That would ruin the plans of the evil one. So he takes the faithful, the believers, and the seekers and gives them too much to do. He thwarts their plans to fit into a loving and caring church. He does everything in his power to keep believers from time with Jesus. He causes distractions and tears down relationships, knowing that relationships are an important part of life.

It’s a daily battle! To fix it, takes time. I know that most of you can’t take three weeks off to focus solely on refining a schedule and routine that soothes your soul. I struggle with this daily, and I have more time than most.

Here are 5 Tips for Keeping God First in Your Day to help you slowly but surely work into a routine that includes time with God.

1. Before you get out of bed

…sit up, ask the Lord to take control of your day, and then meditate on one scripture.
Choose a scripture that resonates with you.

Additionally, this is a good time for memorizing scripture. For one week after you pray, use the memory verse of choice to meditate on each morning (and of course throughout the day if possible). I started using The Original Navigators Topical Memory System Book a very long time ago. When I moved away from the person I teamed up with to do the study, it fell by the wayside. I recently pulled it back out and am teaming up with someone to start again. I have the old version, which is the link I put above. The box contains 4 Versions: NIV, NASB, KJV, and NKJV with Cards. If you’d like the new version, click the Amazon link provided at the end of this post. It’s a simple system that you can work with for years to come.

2. Listen to music

…first thing in the morning.

Listening to encouraging and uplifting music, with a positive Word, before you get going for the day dramatically increases your chances for happiness. Preparing your mind first thing in the morning gives you the ability to handle difficult situations that come at you throughout the day.

Ideas for listening to music in the morning:
a. Listen to something encouraging and uplifting. Sometimes I use worship music to help me pray.
b. Before you get out of bed, listen to one or two of your favorite songs of encouragement.
c. In the bathroom, while you shower and get ready for the day and while you eat breakfast.

3. After you pray and meditate in the morning

…get physically ready for the day.

Being ready for the day means you are prepared to leave the house at a moments notice. I look at this aspect from a positive perspective. It gives you the ability to be ready to accept an invitation for anything. When my children were young, many times we were invited last minute to something wonderful because there was an extra ticket or a last minute notice of an event. The times that the kids weren’t ready kept us from going. Do you know how long it takes to get 3 children ready to leave? How long does it take you to get ready to go out? So, be prepared for all of the wonderful things God has in store for you. Get dressed, fed, and ready to take on the world.

4. Say a quick, little prayer

…and say your memory scripture throughout the day.

One possibility of a quick, little prayer could be to give control of the day back to God. Others might be to thank God for being with you today or think of one thing to be grateful for. Leave your bible open to a page with the scripture upon which you are meditating.

It helps you in these ways:
a. It keeps your focus on God while you work, care for family, and go through your busy day.
b. It helps you memorize scripture.
c. It helps you to stay in conversation with God.
d. It helps you stay in a more positive zone.

5. Play music during the day.

If you work at home, try to have pleasant music playing softly in the background. If you work outside of the home, put in your earbuds and turn on music that will encourage or rejuvenate you.

Here is one of my favorite songs:

Finally, growing up in a Synagogue put me in a place of hearing the Word of God more often than most (unless of course, you went to Catholic school). After ten years of hearing the same verses week after week, I remembered some of them. Every Friday night the congregation would read out loud, in unison, these verses:

Honestly, I wish I had paid more attention and spent more time studying than socializing. Thankfully, this scripture was a clear word picture that made it easier for me to memorize. If you notice, it is telling you in every way to keep God’s Words; in your heart, on your doorposts, surrounding you.

God knows that we get busy. He understands our daily issues. As we stay in communication with Him throughout the day, He will guide us and give us power over our schedules and the busy-ness that we need to release. Don’t beat yourself up (if you are). A little bit each day is a great start! I know I feel better after time spent in the Word, and I know you will to0.

How are YOU keeping God first in your day? I’d love to know!

Blessings and Peace,
Susie