Coffee in Heaven

    

 

I love to start my morning with a fresh, hot, tantalizing cup of coffee. I can’t resist inhaling the rich aroma and letting out a sigh of pleasure before I taste it. As the first few sips roll throughout my body I encounter a soothing and peaceful effect. 

My coffee experience illustrates the majestic elation I encounter whenever I listen to praise music. The wondrous love, grace, and mercy of God sweep over my heart and soul through life-affirming words, voices, and melodies. I have come to cherish and protect these exceptional personal times God shares with me. 

For many years I fought with depression. It was all I could do to find a good thought when my eyes opened. Through the help of a doctor, a prescription, and the counsel of a Godly woman, I began to change what I did when I awoke. I surrounded myself with Christian music, I searched out scriptures that dealt with my emotions and read God’s promises to me, I read other inspiring books, and I decided my first thought would be God. 

Every morning I pray, “Good morning, God. Thank you for your love and sacrifice so I can receive your mercy, grace, and love I need for this day to make me into the woman you want me to be. Help me to see where you want me to share the blessing you have given me. Thank you for your protection, wisdom, guidance, and strength. I surrender my will to you and ask you to guard your servant and help me release my faith in thought, word, and through deeds.”

The music, scripture, prayer, and my actions to focus on God first allowed him to heal my broken hurting heart and mind. I began to understand the meaning of relationship versus religion. God revealed His truth, His commands, His examples of character I was to follow, and my responsibilities as a follower of God. In this process I was healed of my depression.  I could stop the medication.  Praise God this pit no longer threatens me!

I know if I do not continue to start my days this way and guard my heart, I leave the door open to forces, words, ideas, and people Satan sprinkles into my head, my heart, and my life. We must guard our hearts against our human desires to argue with wrong, take problems on without God, or fall prey to our pride.  These are the same temptations Eve failed to beat.

I have come a long way, but scripture reminds me Satan is still in my life’s arena like a rodeo bull. He’s waiting for the moment I turn my back or forget he’s there. Never let your guard down. 

“So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall!” (1 Corinthians 10:12)

But with the love, wisdom, protection, and the power of God through His son Christ Jesus, we are armed, able, and standing firm in Him.  

“No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.” (Romans 8:27) 

How do you start your day?