Morning Voice

Whose voice do you first hear in the morning on a typical day? The voice of your spouse, brother or sister? Perhaps you hear your roommate or pet wanting to be let out (the pet that is). For some, their first voice heard is on their iPod or talk radio. Maybe the first voice you hear is your own saying either, "Good morning, God!" or "Good God, it's morning!".

Recently, I realized God's voice was no longer the first voice I heard each morning and I more than missed hearing Him. I had lost something special. The good news was that it was simple to return to the special confidence, encouragement, and wonder each day would begin with hearing God's voice at the beginning of the day.

I have never audibly heard God. I do have thoughts, impressions, dreams, and leadings that are clearly God directing my life in specific ways.

3 Simple steps to letting God be the first voice heard each day:

1. Plan ahead. Set the alarm 20 minutes earlier, have breakfast with God ingredients on the table or counter: coffee or juice, Bible, notebook or journal, worship music, toast or cereal and fruit.
2. Expect to hear God. Listen to worship, read His word and just as you breath in fresh morning air, breath in the Spirit of the Lord. Pause, listen and He will speak to you.
   
3. Thank Him. Tell Him good morning. Thank Him that He is OK with your breath and bed hair. Thank Him for all the good things of yesterday. Get clean with any unconfessed sin. Ask Him to be with you throughout the day.

Those simple, intentional steps made God's voice the first I heard each morning again. It fills me with His joy, confidence and encouragement to face whatever the day may bring. It will do the same for you.

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