Open Heaven Devotional 2 January 2020 – Start Early II

Topic: Start Early II
(Open Heaven 2 January 2020)

Memorise: “Awake up, my glory; awake, psaltery and harp: I myself will awake early.” – Psalm 57:8

Read: Joshua 6:15, 2 Chronicles 20:20 (KJV)
Joshua 6:15;
15 And it came to pass on the seventh day, that they rose early about the dawning of the day, and compassed the city after the same manner seven times: only on that day they compassed the city seven times.

2 Chronicles 20:20;
20 And they rose early in the morning, and went forth into the wilderness of Tekoa: and as they went forth, Jehoshaphat stood and said, Hear me, O Judah, and ye inhabitants of Jerusalem; Believe in the Lord your God, so shall ye be established; believe his prophets, so shall ye prosper.

Bible in One Year: Genesis 4-7

Open Heaven 2 January 2020 Thursday MESSAGE:
Many times, people make plans for the day but are unable to complete them. Sometimes it is due to circumstances beyond their control, but most of the time, it is because they start their day late. I have discovered that the best way to achieve your goals in a day is to start when everyone else is still sleeping. At that time, you can work faster because there are fewer distractions. With God, a day starts in the evening; that is why in Genesis 1, you keep seeing “…..and the evening and the morning…..”. The day starts before the sun rises. If your day starts when it is still dark, then you are on the right track. Those who start their days early usually turn out to be high achievers. Our Lord Jesus is a prime example of this principle. Mark 1:35 states:

“And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, he went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed.”

This is the beginning of the year, so it is important that you start working on your goals early. While everyone is still getting themselves settled in the New Year, you can have a head start by breaking down your plans for the entire year so that you can work on them step by step. Certain countries win gold medals consistently at the Olympic Games primarily because they start preparing their athletes several years ahead for that one event.

Start working on your goals early. If you are a student, start studying from the beginning of the semester or term, not when the exam time-table is out. If you are an employee or business owner, start preparing well ahead for your deliverable. This principle is what separates the successful from the not-so-successful.

Start early this year.

Open Heaven 2 January 2020 Thursday Key Point:
Make up your mind today to imbibe the principle of starting early.

Open Heaven 2 January 2020 Thursday Hymn 2: All To Jesus I Surrender
1 All to Jesus I surrender,
All to Him I freely give;
I will ever love and trust Him,
In His presence daily live.

Chorus:
I surrender all,
I surrender all;
All to Thee, my blessed Savior,
I surrender all.

2 All to Jesus I surrender,
Humbly at His feet I bow;
Worldly pleasures all forsaken,
Take me, Jesus, take me now.

3 All to Jesus I surrender,
Make me, Savior, wholly Thine;
Let me feel the Holy Spirit,
Truly know that Thou art mine.

4 All to Jesus I surrender,
Lord, I give myself to Thee;
Fill me with Thy love and power,
Let Thy blessing fall on me.

5 All to Jesus I surrender,
Now I feel the sacred flame;
Oh, the joy of full salvation!
Glory, glory, to His Name!