All relationships can be difficult at times, but they should not be destructive to our well-being. Learn the difference between a destructive pattern and a difficult season with this free resource, “Is This Normal? 15 Red Flags You May Be Missing in Your Relationships.”

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What Are You Putting First?

July 27, 2015

I’m the kind of girl who likes to get her day started bright and early. I want to answer emails, text messages, and be totally caught up on social media hours before the first alarm goes off in my house. And as long as everything I read and see is positive and encouraging and completely wonderful, I can say with enthusiasm, Yes! I can take on this day!

But in reality there’s usually something I click on that is less than awesome. And when I choose to give the first moments of my day to those things… those shouts of the world… instead of spending them with God, I sense my soul getting a bit parched. Small things annoy me. The Lord seems a little farther away from my life that day. And I just can’t shake that nagging feeling that I’m not measuring up.

Even if you’re not an early riser, I have a sneaking suspicion that you know what I’m talking about. I want to start giving my first thoughts of the day to the Lord. So, here are 3 reasons that we should reach for God’s Word in the morning instead of social media, email, and other distractions:

1) What feeds us, affects us. When I wake up, my mind is like a dry sponge. What I soak up first will saturate me most deeply. If I don’t want to be consumed with the stresses of my day, I must soak up what will renew my mind instead: God’s Word. Even if it’s only for 5 minutes, I’ve got to put the world on hold until I’ve checked in with God.

“Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.” Philippians 4:8 (NIV)

2) There are scientifically-proven benefits. I read some research by Dr. Caroline Leaf recently that revealed something so fascinating. When we sleep our brains produce baby neurons. How we use those new neurons first thing in the morning determines so much about our patterns of thought for that day. And that process is called… neuroGENESIS! How cool is that?! Giving the Lord our first thoughts – our genesis thoughts – each day can really help us process life in healthier ways. So from a spiritual and scientific standpoint our first 5 minutes really matter!

“ …We take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.” 2 Corinthians 10:5b (NIV)

3) God desires to help us. He wants to give us the exact instruction and comfort we need to handle all He sees coming our way—how to act and, even more challenging, how to react in every situation. But we can’t experience that if we aren’t spending time with Him. Giving Him our first thoughts each day is the perfect way from the start to receive His protection and direction for that day.

“In everything you do, put God first, and he will direct you…” Proverbs 3:6 (TLB)

At Proverbs 31 Ministries, we think it’s so important to give the first moments of our day to God. And our brand new app, First 5, is designed to help you do just that! You can set your morning alarm in the app and when you turn it off, the first thing you’ll read is a 5-minute teaching from the Bible.

We’re excited to announce that First 5 is ready for download and our very first in-app study of the book of John begins TODAY!

All you need to do is download the free app to get started. Find out more at www.First5.org.

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15 Comments
  1. Pat

    I absolutely agree with what you say about how our first thoughts in the morning affect how our day starts!!! There have been recent mornings (this past weekend) that I got caught up checking emails first (before going on to my devotion time) and then replying to some and then before you know it, my “devotion” time is up and I have to get ready for the day whether it be VBS, Church or work!!! Then I feel like the rest of my day is just not right… Like things just aren’t clicking smoothly! Thank you for your insight and your contagious love for The Lord!!! You and the Proverbs 31 Ministry Team inspire me!!! The Holy Spiritis definitely is working thru you gals!!! God Bless you!

    Reply
  2. Nathalie

    I’m grateful for this post…for the connection I made to the information I learned at my school in-service last week (brain research and how it affects learning).

    I need this kick-in-the-pants to refocus…to spend time with God…so I’ll be especially prepared to greet whatever the rest of each day.

    Reply
  3. Wendy Kim

    Thanks Lysa! I’ve just been changing my morning routine, so I can wake up earlier and make sure I have time with the Lord and get some exercise in, so this was perfect for me to read. The analogy about the sponge and the point about the baby neurons really drove the point home! I look forward to giving God my first 5 (at least) and can’t wait to check out the app.

    Reply
  4. Tricia Glenn

    I’m in the middle of reading The Best Yes. Super excited to find your blog. Your advice & fun read are encouraging me!!
    God Bless

    Reply
  5. Stephanie King

    I can’t log in to the first 5 app. It’s not recognizing my password, and when I click “recover password”, nothing happens. What am I doing wrong?

    Reply
  6. Peggy

    I was wondering if there is a way to share in First 5 app without having one of those high tech iPhones or Androids like via your computer or through Windows 8 apps? I’ve enjoyed all that I have been able to see and think this is GREAT! as always, belssings ~Peggy

    Reply
  7. Sarah Camille

    I’ve been waiting for this app and I’ve officially downloaded it. So excited for this experience. Thankful for your desire to bring your vision to life! Unfortunately, I missed a few things from shespeaks. Will you be including other types of media into your archives in the future or will the archives solely be for daily devotionals? Either way, thank you for developing this app!

    Reply
  8. Kim Sullivan

    I absolutely LOVE the First5 app! Some of my days are extremely busy right from the moment I get up, but now with First5, I have access to God’s Word first thing when I wake and it is feeding my heart, mind, and spirit! THANK YOU!!!

    Reply
  9. 200fingersanstoes.com

    Stop wasting those baby neurons on news feeds. I have been shaping my response to the day by spending the first moments in reflection an study of God’s word and the results are a fresh view of everything.
    A better outlook is at your fingertips and the first5 app makes it even easier.

    Reply
  10. Whitney R

    Such a great post, Lysa! Can’t wait to download the app!

    Reply
  11. Melissa

    I started First 5 today. It is an answer to prayer. I have a 9 month old who is most often my alarm clock in the morning and 4 other children age 3-9. I haven’t been carving out time for God even though I want to make it a priority. I meet with a group of moms bi-weekly who also struggle with putting their relationship with God first. I’d love a heads up about when the next series of First 5 is starting and when we can order the books for the next study. (We will be meeting again in September). I think this would be a great devotional for us as individuals that we can share about when we meet. Last year we read your books “Best Yes” and “More than a Good Bible Study Girl” and though they have been inspiring most of our good intentions are still just intentions. Thank you for your passion to help women draw close to God.

    Reply
  12. Iris

    This is truly a wonderful app. You are right, our day shapes on the first things we encounter. If we start it off with God, it is good start. Our days may not be perfect, but we can also trust that God is with us throughout the day.
    Thank you for creating this app.

    Reply
  13. Lauren Gaskill | Making Life Sweet

    Morning time is so important but it’s something that is often overlooked! It’s easy to hit our alarm and instantly get on Facebook or Twitter, but I’ve found that starting my days with the Lord sets me up for a better day.

    Reply
  14. Coleen McLean

    Every night and every day I end my day and start my day on my knees. Having my youngest daughter soon to be 31 who has NOT made the best choices in life and my beautiful granddaughter soon to be 11 living with me and me being the only provider and having just went through colon cancer, how I need the Lords strength. Love to read your messages.

    Reply
  15. Adrienne Zastrow

    Thank you for an amazing post! I needed this today! We are in the process of building our home and are currently living in our camper so that we will not have two mortgages. I will be releasing to God my desires to build quick and be more patient so that what he has in store for us will be so much better! No matter how long it takes us to reach project completion I know God has everything in control and I need not worry!

    Reply
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