Dec. 1, 2008 - Earnestly and Early- The 5 AM Club

O God, thou art my God early will I seek thee; my soul thirsteth for thee,
my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is.
Psalm 63:1 KJV


O God, You are my God; I shall seek You earnestly;
My soul thirsts for You, my flesh yearns for You,
In a dry and weary land where there is no water.
Psalm 63:1 NAS


These are different versions of the same verse. The Hebrew word shachar translated into early in King James and earnestly in the New American Standard. 

I have been rising extra early for the past few weeks, desiring to spend time alone with my Lord in the quiet morning hours.  Sometimes I have company and sometimes not, after all I don't want to be stingy with those quiet morning hours. 

I have made it a habit over the years to read my bible and pray first thing in the morning after I rise.  When the girls were little I would get up extra early so that I could have my quiet time with the Lord without interruptions.  I would almost always take a little catnap in the afternoon when the girls would nap, but as time when on I just got up a with everyone else and then had my quiet time.  Still first thing, but more likely to be interrupted or cut short. 

After reading on Sarah Mae's blog about rising early and reading her link to Carloyn Mahaney's post about rising early, I decided to do the same.  My commitment is to rise early, read & study my bible and pray.  While it may not always be 5 AM it will be the first thing that I do.

Does it have to be first thing? No, but when you do something earnestly do you usually put it off till you have time or do you make every effort to do it right away?

Does it have to be 5 AM? No, this is just what I am choosing to do now. 

Will it make a difference in my life?  Yes, I believe it will. 

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Comments

Dec. 1, 2008 - Untitled Comment

Posted by Anonymous

That is so interesting about the different versions...early and earnestly. You make a very good point about seeking something earnestly - you're right, you don't put it off. Thank you for the great perspective!

Sarah Mae :)

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Dec. 1, 2008 - Untitled Comment

Posted by Anonymous

Love the KJV wording, and the correlation between the two. Thanks for encouraging us!

Traci

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Dec. 1, 2008 - Untitled Comment

Posted by Hope@Pinkadoodledoo

I'm just getting started with the 5 am club as well. I've gone through seasons of getting up early and seasons of sleeping late, and it is always the seasons of getting up early that make a HUGE difference in my attitude and days!

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Dec. 1, 2008 - Untitled Comment

Posted by Anonymous

Wonderful thoughts on Motivate Me Monday! Thanks so much for sharing!

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Dec. 2, 2008 - It DOES make a difference!

Posted by Mama9blessings

Have you ever read Laine's Letters (http://www.lainesletters.com )? I found her New Year's Day in 2000, (staying up until 5:30 to read many of her letters! ) and I, too, have had seasons of getting up early and others where I don't. Sometimes it's sickness, pregnancy, and other things out of my control. Sometimes it's just lazy flesh! : P

But I also find when I get up earlier than everyone else and spend time in the Word, it makes ALL the difference in *everything* I do! I just started getting up earlier again before losing the baby, and now I'm unable to bounce out of bed quite as easily. But I know it's a season, and I still make sure the Word is first. It's my lifeline all the time, but especially now!

Thanks for your post, Robin! (And for your sweet words of comfort the other day on my blog!) Oh, and thank you also for the links! A nice "drink" of cool water to my soul today! : )

Blessings to you!

Trisch

Edited by Mama9blessings on Dec. 2, 2008 at 9:52 PM

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Dec. 3, 2008 - Lovely blog

Posted by Anonymous

Good afternoon, It is a pleasure to have linked over to your blog. I had originally followed a link to Emily Rose's blog from Sew Mama Sew, and then a visit to you. :~)

My name is Kath, I am blessed with two sons (teenagers) that I am homeschooling. Andrew will be graduating in just a few weeks. Oh my!
Your young ladies are both so very talented! I will enjoy stopping in to visit you now and again. Thank you for sharing yourself with us.

Blessings,
Kath

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Dec. 3, 2008 - Untitled Comment

Posted by Anonymous

I just wanted to say hello, having just come across your blog through the blog-vine. I too have seasons of getting up early. I miss that right now, having a seven month old who is still trying to get the hang of sleeping at night!
Lovely blog!
Blessings,
Hannah

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Dec. 4, 2008 - Untitled Comment

Posted by Laura

Thank you for the reminder, I have gotten out of the habit lately of rising early to start my day in the Word.

Peace be unto thee,
Laura @ http://godshallblessus.blogspot.com

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