Morning Discipline 1 – A New Day Begins

Good morning!

It is a new day and I’m so glad you could join me as we start our journey toward renewing our minds and improving our self-discipline. If you’re just joining me, you can read my article, “Morning and Evening: A New Self Discipline Journey” to learn more about why I am doing this, and how this may benefit you as well.

With that said, let’s start our morning together!

BREATHING EXERCISE

Before we begin let us take some deep breaths to calm our mind and prepare us for this mornings discipline. You can do this on your own, or for your convenience, I have included a short video below to walk you through an easy breathing exercise.

Music For A NEW DAY

I personally like to have some soft music in the background, so if that’s something you like as well below you will find a song you can play for the duration of our time together.

Prayer FOR A NEW DAY

Now that we’re calm, let us transition to a time of prayer. Over the next few minutes you can pray on your own or feel free to use the following prayer:

Dear Lord,

This morning as I contemplate a new day, I ask you to help me. I want to be aware of your Spirit leading me in the decisions I take, the conversations I have, and the work I do. I want to be more like you, Jesus, as I relate to the people I meet today–friends or strangers. Jesus, you were always about your Father’s business and I thank you that he is now my father too because of what you did on this earth.

Although I know that I am weak, I also know that by the power of your Spirit, I can be strong in the work I do, the decisions I make, and the words I speak. I thank You that You promise to be with me always, and for being the same yesterday, today and forever.

Amen.

5 Powerful Morning Prayers to Start Your Day | Prayer For a New Day | http://www.abide.com

Affirmations FOR A NEW DAY

Affirmations are one way we can speak to our minds and set the tone for our day. Sometimes, when the struggle to make it through the day hits us hardest it takes the words of our lips, and the truths God has spoken to and about us, in order to penetrate the deepest reaches of our minds and keep us moving forward.

Here are a few affirmations for this morning that you can put in your pocket and carry with you throughout your day.

As you read through them, repeat each one out loud at least three times before moving to the next. Take your time. Close your eyes and say them to yourself as well. Let these words sink into your heart and mind this morning:

1. I will not fear because God is always with me.
2. God is the one who helps me.
3. I am precious in the sight of God.
4. God has thoughts of peace for me.

Scriptures FOR A NEW DAY

As Christians, our affirmations should be rooted in the strength and power of God who empowers us and strengthens us to face every trial and every day (both good and bad).

Here are some scriptures that further support the affirmations we just spoke to ourselves. Again, repeat each one three times out loud before moving to the next one. Take your time. Maybe try to commit these to memory as well:

1. Isaiah 4:10, “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.”
2. Isaiah 41:13, “For I, the Lord your God, will hold your right hand, saying to you, ‘Fear not, I will help you.'”
3. Isaiah 43:4, “Since you were precious in My sight, you have been honored, and I have loved you; therefore I will give men for you, and people for your life.”
4. Jeremiah 29:11, “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.”

Todays Challenge

It is indeed a new day and a new journey. Yesterday has passed, and tomorrow has not yet come. Today is the moment we have been given, and we must seize it and live it like there is no tomorrow.

Our challenge today is this: Learn the power of the word “No”.

As much as many of us would like to, we can’t say “Yes” to everything. As hard as it is, there are times we must learn to say “No” in order to protect our time, to not overextend ourselves, and to ensure we can invest ourselves fully in what we have already committed to–be it our jobs, our spouses, our children, or something entirely different.

Today, tell yourself that it’s OK to say “No” and ask God to help you discern when you should say “Yes” or “No” to something being asked of you.

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