What would have happened if I had disciplined my flesh by starting the day the right way? M-m-m-m-h, I guess I'll never know until I try approaching the next day, a different way.

Did you know that how we approach each day determines what will happen that day? Take my word on this; I have learned this lesson the hard way. If we let the day lead the way, by procrastinating at daybreak, we will be at the mercy of the circumstances of the day because we did not take time to prepare. You might think, "Now, how on earth can we prepare for the day when we don't know what's going to happen? We can't predict the future, right?" Well, maybe we can't predict the future, but we all know someone who can--God.

God wants us to dedicate the first part of our day to Him. Not because He is some kind of tyrant and wants to control our precious schedule and us. No! Instead, God wants to talk with us before our day begins to equip us and give us instructions on how to handle everything life will throw our way. He wants us to speak His word over our lives and pray that His will be done in every situation. God doesn't want us to wait until everything that can go wrong, goes wrong, and then start praying. We will never experience victory operating that way.

Jesus experienced peace on a continuing basis because He prepared Himself daily by spending time with God, FIRST! On one occasion Jesus had just healed many people the previous evening (See Mark 1:32-34). But, He still rose early the next morning to spend time with God...

"The next morning Jesus awoke long before daybreak and went out alone into the wilderness to pray." (Mark 1:35, The New Living Translation)

Why was it so important to Jesus to pray before dawn? Well, if we look at the next passage we find the answer. Before Jesus could even return from praying, His disciples came looking for Him because more sick and hurting people were looking for Him. They wanted to be healed too!

They said, "Everyone is asking for you." But he replied, "We must go on to other towns as well, and I will preach to them, too, because that is why I came." So he traveled throughout the region of Galilee, preaching in the synagogues and expelling demons from many people. (Mark 1: 37-39, The New Living Translation)

Jesus knew He had to get the strength and guidance He needed from God in order to complete His work for that day. So do we. Seeking God early allows us to start our day with confidence, power and a plan for success.

Today's Life Key: Approach each day with power by approaching God first.