Mastering Your Day through Order and Devotion

Establishing a life of order and devotion involves the daily cultivation of both physical and spiritual health through consistent, regular habitsCG 112.2+1. A structured day allows us to prioritize the worship of God and the improvement of the mind while fulfilling our temporal duties with dispatch and efficiencyARSH October 10, 1865, page 146.6+1.

Morning: Consecration and Planning

Upon rising, it is essential to begin the day by joting down the tasks to be accomplished and setting a specific time for their completionCG 112.2+1. This process facilitates "perfect clockwork" throughout all the operations of life and prevents the confusion that results from having no set time for anythingARSH October 10, 1865, page 146.6+1. Before engaging in labor, we must feed upon the Bread of Life, for the word of God must be daily studied, eaten, and digested to sustain the nourishment of the soul3MR 424.1+1. This spiritual exercise should be given priority, ensuring that no day passes without improving these God-like powersARSH October 10, 1865, page 146.6.

Mid-Day: Industry and Healthful Living

In our work, whether it be domestic labor or professional service, we are to avoid "slow, dilatory movements" and "fussy, lingering habits" by exercising the will to move with dispatchSpM 79.1+1. Every moment of time should be regarded as a sacred trust, utilized to glorify God and benefit others21MR 15.4+1. Physical exercise should be integrated into the daily routine to relieve the brain and maintain healthDG 178.1+1. In matters of diet, we must strictly adhere to regular periods for meals and never allow a morsel of food to pass our lips between these appointed times19LtMs, Lt 310, 1904, par. 4+1. Regularity in eating is of vital importance, as it allows the digestive organs the necessary periods for labor and restTSDF 38.1+1.

Evening: Reflection and Rest

As the day closes, we are to avoid overtaxing the system with late meals, ensuring the stomach has its work finished before we lie down to restTSDF 126.3+1. The evening hours should include periods for reading, reflection, and the cultivation of memoryARSH October 10, 1865, page 146.6. It is vital to maintain regular and abundant sleep, as this is when the body is built up and the vitality of the system is restoredCG 387.5+1. Finally, we must give an account of our stewardship to God, surrendering all to Christ and bringing every habit under the control of sanctified reasonLP 164.3+1.

All who study the word are represented as eating the word, feeding on Christ.... Even as the bodily necessities must be supplied daily, so the word of God must be da...— 3MR 424.1 (1990)

... good as when I sat down. And when the next meal comes, I am ready to take my portion, and no more. Regularity in eating is of vital importance. There should be a specified time for each meal. At this time, let every one eat what the system requires, and then take nothing more until the next...— TSDF 38.1 (1926)

It is the duty of every Christian to acquire habits of order, thoroughness, and dispatch. There is no excuse for slow bungling at work of any character. When one is always at work, and the...— ChS 237.1 (1925)

...Let us appropriate or lay out all our time, and then adhere strictly to such appropriations. Let us appoint a specified time to rise, breakfast, dine, sup, study, transact business, and even particular kinds, recreate, retire, and prosecute every avocation of life. Than this, few...— ARSH October 10, 1865, page 146.6

The importance of regularity in the time for eating and sleeping should not be overlooked. Since the work of building up the body takes place during the hours of rest, it is essential, espec...— Ed 205.4 (1903)

...ave a variety of objects on which to dwell. Its efforts, however, should not be made spasmodically. There should be system; not working the brain to its utmost tension for a time, and then letting it lie idle, but working regularly and steadily— HBH 124.2 (1868)