Buzzzz  Buzzzz  Buzzzz!  The alarm goes off.  Every day at 5 AM.  Time to roll out of bed and get ready for a new day.  And some days its a struggle to get this carcase moving.  Just 15 more minutes of sleep.  Please.  God why did you make the mornings so early?!!

Well God did make the mornings.  The evenings too.   And He called both of them good.  It seems God also made “morning people.”  Those who have their greatest energy level in the morning.  Lets take a minute, and look at some of the joys of being a morning person.

God promised the children of Isreal thaey would see the glory of the Lord in the morning (Exodus 16:7).  This promise came to them when they were hungry and in need of something to eat.  God supplied manna every morning until they reached the promised land.  Like the children of Isreal, we too can see the glory of th eLord when we seek Him in His Word.  Each morning He provides the nourishment for the day.

Another blessing of morning time is it often brings an end to suffering and sadness (Psalm 30:5).  Each day brings us a new opportunity to seek God for a fresh perspective on the problems and need in our lives.  When we give every minute and every circumstance of each day to the Lord, we can expec to use His light dawning throughout our day.

There are many examples in Scripture about people who rose early to meet God or to be about God’s business.  Among them was Abraham, Moses, Joshua, Gideon, Job, and even Jesus.  The Gospels tell us that Jesus went at dawn to teach the people who gathered in he temple courts.  The most glorious event of Christianity — the Resurrection — occurred in the early morning.

Why not try spending a little time with God first thing in the morning starting tomorrow?  Think of it this way….  As you watch the light of the day coming up, you will see that it will begin to dispel the darkess of the night.  God will do the same thing in your life if you give Him the time of day.   His Glory will outshine any darkness you have in your life and you’ll gain a whole new perspective on the day.

Amazing grace
How sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me
I once was lost, but now I’m found
Was blind, but now I see

‘Twas grace that taught my heart to fear
And grace my fears relieved
How precious did that grace appear
The hour I first believed

My chains are gone
I’ve been set free
My God, my Savior has ransomed me
And like a flood His mercy reigns
Unending love, Amazing grace

The Lord has promised good to me
His word my hope secures
He will my shield and portion be
As long as life endures

My chains are gone
I’ve been set free
My God, my Savior has ransomed me
And like a flood His mercy reigns
Unending love, Amazing grace

My chains are gone
I’ve been set free
My God, my Savior has ransomed me
And like a flood His mercy reigns
Unending love, Amazing grace

The earth shall soon dissolve like snow
The sun forbade to shine
But God, Who called me here below
Will be forever mine
Will be forever mine

You are forever mine

For years, people attempted to shoot spider monkeys with tranquilizer guns or capture them with nets, but they discovered the monkeys were nearly always faster than their fastest draw or quickest traps.  Then somebody discovered the best method for capturing this elusive little monkey.  They found that if you take a clear, narrow-mouthed glass bottle, put one peanut inside it, and wait, you can catch a spider monkey.

What happens?  Get this!  The spider monkey reaches into the bottle to get the peanut, and he can’t get his hand out of the bottle as long as it is clenching the peanut.  The bottle is so heavy in proportion to his size, he can’t drag it with him - and the spider monky is too persistent (or stupid) to let go of a peanut once he has grasped it.  In fact, you can dump a wheel barrow full of peanuts right next to him, and he won’t let go of that one peanut!  Amazing!

Then it got me thinking…  Hmmmm… how many times are we like that spider monkey?  No, not holding on to peanuts.  But holding onto things we should not.  How many times are we unwilling to change a habit, or give up something we know is sinful in God’s eyes.  Why is it sometimes we stubbornly cling to our ways?

You know God tells in Philippians 4:13 ”that we can do ALL things through Christ.”  Emphasis on ALL.  And in 1st Corinthians 10:13 “that God is faithful and he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bare.”  So maybe it all boils down to just CHOOSING to let go!  Not easy I know.  But by choosing to open up our hand and letting go of the things causing us to sin, we will have a free hand to hold onto God’s. 

As we start another week remember that we REALLY CAN DO ALL THINGS THROUGH CHRIST.  This week spend time talking to and listening to God.  Make a stand and CHOOSE to let go of things.  And then see how God works in your life this week.

In the movie “Titanic,” male lead actor, Leonardo DiCaprio uses the line “Make it count,” within a scene where he is explaining that although he is a man with a barely-there income, he believes in making each day count. In other words, getting the most out of all the good things life has to offer.

The ironic thing about this scene was that as he spoke to the group of wealthy and prestigious men and women around his dinner table, there was a look of envy and respect that filled most of their eyes. Here these filthy-rich individuals seemed to have it all, and yet, it was clear they did not share this young man’s zest and appreciation for living despite all they had.

How true this is with many of us today. We often struggle to get ahead. We may or may not possess all of the material things society tells us will bring us more enjoyment, but many people still walk around unfulfilled. How long will it take for us to fully realize that peace and joy will never be found in money, temporary thrills, or material items, because such blessings come only from acknowleding our Creator and living according to His design.

What about you?  What are you doing to make your life count?

Going day from day in an artificial stupor will not cut it.  It is time to set aside those foolish and childish things, and to seek those things which are truly satisfying.  A new week is starting so why not Make It Count.  Do you have a relationship with Jesus Christ?  No?  Then make it really count and seek and ask Him for forgiveness of your sins.  Not sure what to do, go to www.Need4Mercy.com for some guidance.  Already know Christ?  Then make this week count and vow to spend time every day this week in fellowship with Him.  Then every day go out and Help someone in need.  Or be a role model.  Seek to be a man or woman of godly character living life to the fullest by living life “like” Jesus.

Make a change and make THIS a “Make it count” week!

Grab your Bible and check out Psalm 23.  It’s probably the most familiar of psalms.  Here are a few thoughts for weary people like us.

The Lord is my Shepherd.

         If there is something you need, you can count on Him.

He leads me … and restores my soul

His name and character are committed to doing the best for us. No wandering in the dark necessary. A new start is at hand!

He prepares a table for me

I am nourished every day in His presence. I experience wholeness there.

He is with me in the valley

Not just death, but any dark place I may be walking through. He will defend and guide us there. We are at peace because He is with us.

I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever

God’s house is His presence … Himself. We can live there today and bask in His goodness and mercy.

Take time this week to spend with the One who can truly refresh you and experience Gods BEST for you.

Years ago a speedboat driver described a racing accident he had from which he managed to survive. He had been nearing top speed when his boat veered slightly, striking a wave at a perilous angle which sent the boat flying into a spin. The driver was thrown out of his seat and propelled deep into the water – so deep that he had no idea which way was up. He had to remain calm and wait for the buoyancy of his life vest to begin pulling him towards the surface. Then he swam quickly in that direction.

Life can put us in a tailspin at times, making us wonder, WHICH WAY IS UP? We can lose our sense of direction and the focus which keeps us on course. How do we recover our bearings?

The answer may be as simple as that discovered by the speedboat driver: Stay calm and let the “upward pull” bring us back to the surface. The upward pull in our lives in that which looks beyond our finite selves to the greater infinite reality of God.

A Grandfather was taking a walk with his young granddaughter. He asked the girl “How far are we from home?”

The young girl answered, “Grandfather I don’t know.”

“Well, do you know where you are?”

Again, seemingly unconcerned, “No, I don’t know.”

Then the grandfather said to her in his gentle, humorous way, “Sounds to me as if you are lost.”

She looked up and said “No Grandfather, I can’t be lost. I’m with you.”

Our Heavenly Father never loses sight of us and never leaves us. As long as we remain aware of His presence and are sensitive to His “upward pull,” we will always know which way is up! So this week as we begin to sink in our daily chores and responsibilities, take time to be calm and spend some time walking with your Heavenly Father. Let his Holy Spirit guide you gently upward to once again breathe the fresh air.

Gods promise to us in Hebrews 13:5 - I will NEVER leave you or forsake you. He’s there, just take time with Him.

Gordon was out for a walk one day wen he saw a boy he know carrying a birdcage. Inside the cage were several frightened little brown birds. “Where did you get those birds?’ Gorden asked.

“I trapped them in the field,” answered the boy.

“What do you plan to do with them?”

“Oh, I’ll play with them for a little while, then I’ll probably feed them to my cat.”

Gordon felt a surge of pity for the little birds. They were made to be free. To fly free. But here they were huddled in the bottom of a bird cage. They seemed to understand what a gloomy future lay before them.

“Would you sell them to me?’ Gordon asked.

The boy was surprised. There was nothing special about these little field birds. They didn’t sing. They had no colorful feathers. They couldn’t be taught to talk to do anything else. But Gordon was serious about his offer and he bought the birds and cage together. When the boy was out of sight, Gordon opened the cage and let the birds go free. “That boy told be the birds couldn’t sing. But when I released them and they flew heavenward, it seemed to me they were singing “Freedom, freedom, freedom!!”

That’s a great picture of salvation. Gordon bought those birds in order to set them free. You too were bought with a price! On the cross, Jesus paid the ransom to set you free from the cage of sin and death.

Salvation is one of those religious words you hear so often that you almost forget it actually means something. Whenever you hear the word salvation, think “rescue.” You can think of lots of situation were somebody is in need of rescue – a pilot shot down behind enemy lines, a mountain climber stuck on a rock face, a family in a burning house. What do all rescue scenarios have in common? In each case somebody’s in a mess they can’t get themselves out of. To be in need of rescue means you have lost the ability to act for yourself. And obviously if you can’t help yourself, somebody from the outside has to get involved in your situation if you have any hope to get out of it.

Jesus, IS the great Rescuer. We don’t need just a little help getting ourselves out of the hole of sin and death. We don’t need a few helpful tips that would allow us to figure out for ourselves how to get out of the mess we’re in. We need a Savior, a Rescuer, just as surely as those caged birds needed someone to open the cage for them. Jesus bought you to set you free!

If you are still caged by sin, then turn to Jesus. You can’t open the cage by yourself. You can’t earn you way out or buy your way out. You need a Rescuer to get you out of the mess you were born into. Jesus has paid the ransom to set you free. Receive his gift and fly away in freedom! If you are unsure, check out www.Need4mercy.com. It’ll guide you to your freedom.

Ephesians 2:8-9 (NRSV) By grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God — not the result of works so that no one may boast.