What Have You Been Giving Jesus?

Did you know that April's challenge is Self-Control?

Jenna over at Feminine Farmgirl (click here) has been hosting a character quality challenge each month. This month we're focusing on Self-Control. Self control to go to bed on time each night, so that we can get up early enough each morning for the most important time of the day.

Our time with Jesus.

Don't shrug this off! The course of your day is determined by how you start it. I think it's a great idea to start and end my day with Jesus - reading His Word and thinking about how much He loves me.

The other day I caught part of a sermon that was on the radio, and the pastor was talking about this very subject, your time with God. Do you remember how in the Old Testament, when people had to sacrifice to the Lord, they were required to sacrifice the best they had?

"Honor the Lord with thy substance, and with the first fruits of thine increase."

~Proverbs 3:9

It was God's commandment to sacrifice young animals that were perfect, without blemish. Abel did this in Genesis 4:4. It says he brought "the firstlings of his flock". Basically, he gave God his absolute best.

The pastor asked this question. With respect to spending time with Him, are you giving God the leftovers? Are you presenting Him a weak, sickly lamb? The worst that you have? Maybe it's not your worst, but is it your best, either?

Your time is a gift from God. It's a tool He's given you. And if it's your goal to live your life for Him and serve Him, is a mere thirty minutes of your time each day so much to ask? If the Bible is to direct our daily lives, doesn't it make sense that we should at least read a little bit of it every day?

This topic has been important to me for several years. I still struggle with spending time with Jesus on a daily basis! But one thing I've figured out for sure, at least for my own life, is that if I don't make myself get up early and read the Bible first thing, it usually won't happen that day. Of course, this takes discipline! Who wants to get up with the sun, anyway?

I was just very convicted on this point last week when I heard that sermon. Wow. It even makes me think, is the mere thirty minutes I give God each morning really enough? Out of 24 hours, why do I feel that I can only spare half of one? This seems like a measly weak sacrifice to give Jesus. Lets think about this, friends!

What are you willing to give God? I'd love to hear your comments - don't forget that I love hearing from you! And if you haven't entered my giveaway (below), there is still time!