Romans 8:1-3 Therefore there is now no condemnation [no guilty verdict, no punishment] for those who are in Christ Jesus [who believe in Him as personal Lord and Savior]. 2 For the law of the Spirit of life [which is] in Christ Jesus [the law of our new being] has set you free from the law of sin and of death…

As we seek to choose the Lord each day, it’s necessary to remember that we all have a desire to follow our flesh and think or do whatever “feels” right or seems easiest. As Paul argues in Romans 8, for those who are outside of Christ, there is no choice. They are controlled completely by their sin. Believers, Paul says, have the Holy Spirit living within them. By the Spirit, we are becoming more and more like Jesus. The Holy Spirit gives us the power to overcome our flesh. As Joshua told the Israelites, we can choose.

How might this choice play itself out, especially first thing in the morning? It seems that most people usually spend a few minutes gathering their thoughts for the day before they get out of bed in the morning. In these moments it can be a temptation to choose to think first about our day, our schedule, what we need to do, who needs to be where, etc. Before we know it, we can fall prey to the lies of the enemy and begin dreading our day or feeling overwhelmed by it, and then try to tackle it as soon as our feet hit the floor.

What if, instead, we were to choose the Lord? What if, by God’s grace, we would fight our sinful flesh, put it to death as God’s Word instructs us, and set our minds on Him instead of allowing our thoughts to run amok? Practically, what would this look like?

Acknowledge that the day belongs to the Lord. No matter how much we think about our day or our agenda, the reality is that every day belongs to Him. We begin by intentionally acknowledging this and who we are in Christ. This practice transforms how we think and live. We thank the Lord for the gift of a new day and acknowledge that He alone is sovereign and in control—not us. By His grace, we put aside our thoughts, concerns, and agendas and draw near to God, spending time in His Word and prayer.

If it is unacceptable in your sight to serve the Lord, choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve: whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you live; but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”Joshua 24:15 

We need God’s grace, and we want to be reminded that we can choose to set our mind on God or we can choose to set our mind on self. If we awaken and allow our thoughts to be consumed by ourselves or with our circumstances, what will we feel in the end? Discouraged! By contrast, when we choose to pray and seek the Lord instead, there can be peace, hope, and renewal.

Remember, you choose each day whom you will serve. And though it will take a moment-by-moment reorienting of your mind throughout the day, this choice begins first thing in the morning. So as you enter into this daily choice, trust in the One who created the new day and you. He will provide the grace you need to make each new day His.

8:1-9 Believers may be chastened of the Lord, but will not be condemned with the world. By their union with Christ through faith, they are thus secured. Bible Hub