The best part of wakin’ up

The best part of wakin’ up

Listen to my voice in the morning, LORD. Each morning I bring my requests to you and wait expectantly. – Psalms 5:3

Psalms 92:1-8

 1 It is good to give thanks to the LORD, to sing praises to the Most High.

 2 It is good to proclaim your unfailing love in the morning, your faithfulness in the evening.

 4 You thrill me, LORD, with all you have done for me! I sing for joy because of what you have done.

 5 O LORD, what great works you do! And how deep are your thoughts.

 6 Only a simpleton would not know, and only a fool would not understand this:

 7 Though the wicked sprout like weeds and evildoers flourish, they will be destroyed forever.

 8 But you, O LORD, will be exalted forever.

Whether you’re a fan of Folgers coffee or not, you undoubtedly know the jingle: “The best part of wakin’ up is Folgers in your cup!”  

The Folgers coffee iconic jingle made its debut in 1984. It became ingrained in American pop culture. Every time it is used or played; a royalty is paid to Folgers.

Well, times change. Future royalties for the song were auctioned off for $90,500 to a man known only as Josh C. He will now earn lifetime royalties whenever the jingle is played on TV, radio, or the Internet.

Did Josh C. make a good investment? The song earned $11,746 in royalties from October 2020 to October 2021. Between 2011 and 2021 and earned a total of $38,164. So within a few years, his investment will be recouped. For the rest of his life, the royalties will be pure profit.

This begs the question, “Is the best part of wakin’ up, Folgers in your cup?” Many children of the King say No! They contend that the best part of waking up is a morning quiet time with the Father. For George Washington Carver, it was the epicenter, the foundation of his daily life. “I have made it a rule to go out and sit . . . at four o’clock every morning and ask the good Lord what I am to do that day. Then I go ahead and do it.” (Scientists of Faith, books, google.com).

Over the centuries, many children of the King have developed a world-class prayer life. They were “all in” to prayer. They prayed long, they prayed often, and they prayed effectively.

John Hyde was known as the Apostle of Prayer. John Hyde’s prayer life put them in a small group of individuals who were known for their prayer lives: Andrew Murray, George Mueller, Charles Finney, Rees Howells, EM Bounds, AW Tozer, Leonard Ravenhill, etc.

One of the wonderful things about prayer is that it can be done at any time, and anywhere, under any circumstances, and may address any topic. There are no limits set regarding times, locations, or traditions, and rituals. There is no designated time for prayer. The Scriptures open a window into the prayer habits of many righteous people.

The prophet Daniel made it a habit to pray three times daily: morning, noon, and night (Daniel 6:10). King David did the same (Psalm 55:17).

Paul encouraged the children of the King to pray as much as they could.

Ephesians 6:18 Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.

1Thessalonians 5:17 Pray without ceasing.

Paul exhorted every child of the King to have “a mental attitude of prayerfulness, continual personal fellowship with God, and consciousness of being in his presence throughout each day” (ESV notes).

REFLECT & PRAY

Romans 12:12 Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying.

Father thank You for making Yourself available to spend time with each child of the King. What a fantastic have fellowship with You and Your Son the Lord Jesus Christ.

INSIGHT

When the Lord Jesus Christ was physically present with them on planet Earth, the apostles had a remarkable opportunity. They got to hang out with the Lord Jesus Christ, spending time and rubbing shoulders with Him. That is how they came to know Him and develop a deep personal relationship with Him.

John 3:22 After these things Jesus and His disciples came into the land of Judea, and there He was spending time with them and baptizing.

The Greek verb which is translated as spending time is diatribo. It literally meant to rub continually, to wear away, to be worn smooth, to wear out by rubbing. In the 21st century, many folks wear jeans that are worn through because of use. The genes are frequently cut to accelerate the process. In the New Testament, diatribo is connotes spending or passing time. Today’s modern equivalent would be hanging out or rubbing shoulders, or perhaps even burning daylight.

When we spend time with the Lord Jesus Christ, we rub shoulders with Him. It is transformational. We are the ones who get worn down. He smooths out our rough edges and we become different! We become more like Him. Every child of the King can experience this when they have a quiet time of prayer, reading the Scriptures, and reflection. We speak to Him, and He “speaks” to us.

Toward the end of the apostle John’s life, he recalls the wonder, the delight he had

spending time with the Lord Jesus Christ. Any child of the King can do the same.

1 John 1:1-4

 1 We proclaim to you the one who existed from the beginning, whom we have heard and seen. We saw him with our own eyes and touched him with our own hands. He is the Word of life.

 2 This one who is life itself was revealed to us, and we have seen him. And now we testify and proclaim to you that he is the one who is eternal life. He was with the Father, and then he was revealed to us.

 3 We proclaim to you what we ourselves have actually seen and heard so that you may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ.

 4 We are writing these things so that you may fully share our joy.

How is this possible? The Lord Jesus Christ is no longer on planet Earth, He has returned to heaven. The story of “doubting” Thomas provides some insight.

John 20:24-29

 24 One of the twelve disciples, Thomas (nicknamed the Twin), was not with the others when Jesus came.

 25 They told him, “We have seen the Lord!” But he replied, “I won’t believe it unless I see the nail wounds in his hands, put my fingers into them, and place my hand into the wound in his side.”

 26 Eight days later the disciples were together again, and this time Thomas was with them. The doors were locked; but suddenly, as before, Jesus was standing among them. “Peace be with you,” he said.

 27 Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here and look at my hands. Put your hand into the wound in my side. Don’t be faithless any longer. Believe!”

 28 “My Lord and my God!” Thomas exclaimed.

 29 Then Jesus told him, “You believe because you have seen me. Blessed are those who believe without seeing me.”

Though we do not see Him with our physical eyes, we see Him with the eyes of faith.

George Washington Carver made it a daily practice to set aside a time to meet and commune with Him. Every morning he would spend time with the Father and seek the Father’s game plan for the day. He had great success. His life is well worth emulating.

The best time to pray is anytime and we should be praying all of the time.

Is your investment being recouped?

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