The most important thought of any day is the first one.

Why? Because thoughts are cumulative and progressive. They are paths that we set out on that take us to a destination. Where do you want to end up? The journey of a thousand minutes, a thousand hours, a thousand days begins with a single thought.

Ps 149 is one of my favorite psalms, and one I begin my days with often. Why? Two reasons. First, it is positive - it is firmly planted in praise, worship and declaration. Second, it calls me to my task - it is the psalm of a Kingdom warrior.

In the Old Testament paradigm, that means that I am going to take on the enemies of Jehovah today and establish the Kingdom. God’s enemies are toast, because God is in me, and I have the honor, the ability, and the grace to end their influence on the planet. That is the way of a Kingdom warrior.

In the New Covenant mindset, that means that because of the Life of Jesus the Warrior that is in me, I will fight the good fight of faith that will change atmospheres, release the Joy, and shine the Light and Life of the Kingdom in every situation that I am in. I am “more than a conqueror” as I walk in the faith that “is the victory that overcomes the world.” The result is not dead bodies, but dead bodies touched by Life as I establish the rule of Heaven in my appointed place on the earth.

How does such a day begin? How does a Kingdom warrior wake up? Look at verse 5.

“Let the godly exult in glory, let them shout for joy upon their beds! Let the high praises of God be in their mouth, and a two-edged sword in their hand.”

When I gradually come to consciousness in the early morning (sometimes the middle of the night), and I am aware that I am awake, I declare the Name, “Jesus!” Jesus, being Lord of All, is the first Name, the first Word on my lips. What I have found is that because of the spiritually powerful nature of that Name, my spirit stirs to life. The mist of darkness fades, the cobwebs are brushed away, and my mind becomes alert. I am ready to live. And the first thought, my first choice of the day is relational. I call on the One Who Lives, the One Who is always with me. "When I am awake, I am still with You!" (Ps 139:18). As I voice my worship and declaration, I figuratively step into the cockpit of my race car and I am ready to travel. “Gentlemen, start your engines!”

As my “engine” begins to warm up, I feel the rumble of my motor – my spirit - and my mind starts to engage. I realize that another day on the planet is about to begin. I grab my Joy! and shout – figuratively – the highest praises of God that I can reach. Silently, for my wife’s sake, J I energetically declare the Greatness, the Goodness, and the Kindness of the God Who has brought me through another night, and Who has prepared for me another beautiful day at the racetrack.

Having warmed up my “engine”, by the time my feet hit the carpet and I grab my clothes and head to my prayer place, I am alive and rejoicing with the fact that the Kingdom has come in power and glory, and I am going to see it today with my own eyes! Sword in hand, I step into another day’s journey, ready to clear the land of darkness by shining my Light, the Light of Jesus Who is in me, Who has overcome all death, and Who reigns in power, today, here and now.

The wonderful thing? Verse 9:

“This honor – glory, majesty, splendor – have ALL His saints.”

The call to rule and reign as a warrior of the Kingdom is a call for every believer. The grace to overcome any and every obstacle that our day may present is available to all of us. The power is God’s, and the humility of our need actually puts us in the perfect place to receive, reveal and release His power in our circumstances. When that happens, the Glory is all His. What we could never have done by our own effort has been done perfectly!

So, what do you think? Are you awake yet? It is time for every Kingdom warrior to wake up and live the Kingdom Life. Let’s take this land and fill it with the Love, and Life and Joy of Father, Son and Holy Spirit. What will that look like? “Another day in Paradise!”

Have a great Kingdom day!

“Awake sleeper, arise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you!” (Eph 5:14)