RISE AND SHINE!!

Rise and Shine... Give God the glory, Glory!

Rise and Shine... Give God the glory, Glory!

RISE AND SHINE! GIVE GOD THE GLORY, GLORY!

Children of the LORD!

            I remember singing this at Girls camp many years ago, and for some reason this morning it came to my mind, and I found myself humming to myself, bouncing around to get ready for the day.  Now keep in mind that I just flew back in from Oceanside, CA yesterday, and was bracing myself for a traumatic adjustment of the body back to VA time.  Not only did I feel awake, but I was in such a good mood!  I woke my kids by tickling and kissing them instead of the typical "WAKE UP KIDDOS!" accompanied by a spray of water... just kidding on the water.  

           As I went about my duties, I realized that the reason that I was in such a good mood was because I woke up, with the thought in my mind that I was a child of God, and 'rise with the LORD' in my heart. I think that hearing these words can work magic, as it did to this anti-morning woman.  But what affect it can have on us if we truly understand what it means to 'Rise with the LORD'  

 Alma 37:36-37

36 Yea, and cry unto God for all thy support; yea, let all thy doings be unto the Lord, and whithersoever thou goest let it be in the Lord; yea, let all thy thoughts be directed unto the Lord; yea, let the affections of thy heart be placed upon the Lord forever.

 37 Counsel with the Lord in all thy doings, and he will direct thee for good; yea, when thou liest down at night lie down unto the Lord, that he may watch over you in your sleep; and when thou risest in the morning let thy heart be full of thanks unto God; and if ye do these things, ye shall be lifted up at the last day.

               He asks us as we go to sleep at night to lie unto him, that he'll watch over us, and when we wake up, to let thy heart be full of thanks unto GOD.  And THEN comes the promise!! "...if ye do these things, ye shall be lifted up at the last day."!!  First is the commandment, then the appropriate blessing!  I think that one of the reasons it comes with such an incredible blessing, is because by going to bed at night and rising with the LORD, we cannot help but take it with us through the day... and it has a continuing effect of being lifted up at the last day.  So remember, as you prepare for each day, whether it's getting your kids up and going, preparing for work, or buckling down on that writing that you know you have been gifted to share, do it in the LORD.... and I promise that you will feel the blessing of that promise!  

Rise and shine, give GOD the Glory... children of the LORD!