EARLY EVERY MORNING
27th Mar 2019
On the back cover of a great book I have just finished reading, it says, “When Mary Kissell committed to getting up early every morning to spend time in prayer, she began a practice that would revolutionise her life.” We have known Barry & Mary for a very long time, they had a profound effect on our lives and were instrumental in us receiving the Baptism in the Holy Spirit.
Many years ago, I was trying to discover what would be the next step in my life and ministry, and went to see a friend who lived in St. Ives. He was a man of God, who I respected highly, and I poured out my plans and ideas to him. He listened carefully and thoughtfully, and then asked me just one question, “Are you spending time with God in prayer and the Word? That’s all I can hear from God.” I was silent, and then feeling rather ashamed admitted that I was spending little time in God’s presence on a daily basis.
I returned to Truro with none of my bright ideas endorsed, and walked into the town and bought a yellow alarm clock. I set the time for an early start, went down to my study and lit a gas fire and set it to ‘miser rate’, as our finances were tight. Daily I met with God in the Word and in prayer. There were no instant results, but I had set my sights on being obedient to the ‘word’ I had received.
As time went by God opened up the way for us to be part of a very significant ministry, which changed our lives, leading to adventures that we could have hardly imagined.
Mark 1:35 says, “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.” If it was a vital part of Jesus’ life why do we think we can live differently and still thrive?
Joyce was reading another biography at the same time, and observed that the person whose life was in a mess, had no daily quality time with God, and had allowed unforgiveness to dominate!
What are you doing - “early every morning”?
by Charles Sibthorpe
