"I feel like I have to be saved every morning. I wake up and the devil is sitting in my face." -John Piper

Lately I had really felt God calling me to have my quiet time first thing in the morning. I had read this article by Tony Rienke that talks about the reasons why we choose to check our phones before spending time with God. 

It talks about how we feel we need to see if someone has mentioned us on Facebook or posted a picture of us Instagram or sent us a Snapchat. We put the attention that others give us above the attention that God give us. 

And that's definitely something I struggle with, God is constantly giving us attention and all He wants is for us to be in relation with Him!

So first thing when I wake up, I reach for my Bible, not my phone. And I'm going to be honest, it's a hard habit to change. A few times I caught myself subconsciously grabbing my phone. 

But when we read God's Word first thing, it gives us fresh eyes to conquer the day the way the Lord wants us to. 

The article quotes John Piper when he says, "I feel like I have to be saved every morning. I wake up and the devil is sitting in my face." Oh my goodness, he could not be more on point. 

Everyday, the devil is after you and he only wants you fall into the ways of earthly concerns.

Matthew 16:23 says,

"Jesus, turned and said to Peter, "Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns."

But when we wake up, and the first thing we put into our brains is Jesus, being concerned with God's desires is so much easier!

One of my favorite stories of the bible is in Mark 1, Jesus praying in a solitary place:

"Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed." Mark 1:35

God is with you from the moment you open your eyes in the morning. He graced you with opening your eyes so that you could glorify Him throughout your day! He wants you to have a glorious day and that will only happen if you seek Him first!