The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness. — Lamentations 3:22-23 ESV
Before I (Kathie Lee) began my new job as co-host of the fourth hour of The Today Show in 2008, I felt the Lord tugging at my spirit with the words of Matthew 6:33: Kathie, seek first My kingdom and My righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
I remember responding, “Lord, You know that’s what I am trying to do — put You and Your kingdom first in my life.”
Then I felt Him gently rebuke me: You’re not listening. I said to seek Me first!
“Lord,” I questioned, “do You mean first thing in the morning before anything else?” In my heart, I sensed His clear answer: Yes.
Wow. I already got up earlier than most — usually right before dawn. “Really, Lord?” I said. “Before I go into work?”
Yes. I felt Him tenderly remind me, As you begin your day, so goes your day.
So I began to wake up before 4:00 am and pray for an hour for my family members, friends, colleagues, world situations, and personal concerns. Then I would open the Bible and study God’s Word for an hour more, with my puppies and the birds outside my window as my only company.
This new discipline soon became the best part — and my favorite part — of the day. Changing my morning routine has changed my life. I began not only to study the Word but also to memorize as much as I could so that Scripture would become a living, breathing part of me. No textbook needed, no study guide necessary — just the pure, life-giving, sustaining Word of God settled deep in my soul.
One of my favorite verses is Psalm 18:30:
As for God, His way is perfect: The Lord’s word is flawless.
Friends, this is either a fact or a lie. There is no middle ground. This is why I have grown so passionate about learning what the Bible really says. If I am going to base my life on something, it has to be the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, so help me, God! But how can we live the truth if we don’t even know it?
The word truth occurs in the Bible over 200 times. God places immeasurable value in it, and He longs for each of us to seek it, find it, and apply it to our lives. All too often we are so overwhelmed by technology, our personal dramas, and our endless ambition that we neglect to study God’s Word. Imagine how it breaks the heart of our heavenly Father, who loves us, when He sees us putting our energy into everything but the one thing that can bring us life.
Adapted from The Rock, the Road, and the Rabbi, copyright Kathie Lee Gifford
Jesus is the Word. He alone gives life and that eternally when we seek, find, and follow Him, His Word, and depend on His righteousness for our salvation. May God bless you richly this week as you meditate once again on what the Father has given you through His Son. May we daily draw near to worship, praise, and give thanks while we experience comfort and peace in His abundant grace, love, and mercy.
Let me know what you are reading in God’s Word…how He is speaking to you. I have begun my 5th journey through the New Testament this year and it has been the most wonderful journey I have ever taken. I have the Old Testament on CD’s and have decided to begin that journey as well. Keep believing, trusting and following the only wise God, to whom be glory, power, and dominion both now and forever more!
Today is Holy Wednesday — the day that the Sanhedrin plotted against Jesus… the day that a woman named Mary came to Jesus (at Simon the Leper’s house in Bethany) and poured out her heart and her treasure (a very expensive perfumed oil called Nard) on Jesus’ feet… the day the disciples disdained her sacrifice… the day Judas went to the Sanhedrin and sold out our Savior for a bagful of coins. It’s a day of sorrow. Today, we can bring our sorrow to Jesus, a Man deeply acquainted with sorrow, and know that He understands.
Pastor Dale