I've told you about my 10 year old, how his daily habit is to get up at 5:30 and read his Bible. If you are responsible for any deviation from this, he often gets upset! Lately, He's brought along one of his little brothers (our 7 year old) who (most of the time) joins him in reading as well. My wife and I have honestly been shamed by this. Our children are providing a better example for us than we are for them. So we've begun to get up a bit earlier and study so they can see us leading in this endeavor. It is our hope that all of our children develop this habit: to rise early and spend time with the Lord.
You know what I've discovered in adopting this habit? My day is fuller. By spending time in study and in prayer, I feel closer to God (most days), and can see His purpose even on the rough ones. By Seeking God first (as Jesus says to do), I have a tendency to be more Kingdom-Minded. This is my hope in sharing all of this: that you will stop being dependent upon preachers and teachers for your Bible Study (I'm even speaking of me), but you'll let the Holy Spirit teach you as you open God's word and read it for yourself. What is more, if you dedicate the first part of your day, as Jesus did, to spending time with the Father, whether through prayer, or study, or, preferably, both, you'll see the Bible's promise through James manifest itself in your life "Draw near to God, and He'll draw near to you" (James 4:8). Psalm 5 Give ear to my words, O Lord; consider my groaning. Give attention to the sound of my cry, my King and my God, for to you do I pray. O Lord, in the morning you hear my voice; in the morning I prepare a sacrifice for you[a] and watch.
For you are not a God who delights in wickedness; evil may not dwell with you. The boastful shall not stand before your eyes; you hate all evildoers. You destroy those who speak lies; the Lord abhors the bloodthirsty and deceitful man.
But I, through the abundance of your steadfast love, will enter your house. I will bow down toward your holy temple in the fear of you. Lead me, O Lord, in your righteousness because of my enemies; make your way straight before me.
For there is no truth in their mouth; their inmost self is destruction; their throat is an open grave; they flatter with their tongue. Make them bear their guilt, O God; let them fall by their own counsels; because of the abundance of their transgressions cast them out, for they have rebelled against you.
But let all who take refuge in you rejoice;
let them ever sing for joy,
and spread your protection over them,
that those who love your name may exult in you.
For you bless the righteous, O Lord;
you cover him with favor as with a shield.

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