Category Archives: Sleeping

Person sleeping in bed with bedside table showing phone, coffee mug, alarm clock, and book
Bible, End Times, Gospel, Romans, Scripture, Sleeping, Time

KNOWING THE TIME

ROMANS 13:11

“Do this, knowing the time, that it is already the hour for you to awaken from sleep; for now salvation is nearer to us than when we first believed.”

I set my alarm on my phone every night in order to make sure I am awake at a certain time. Nine times out of ten, though, I wake up about five minutes before the alarm goes off. Sometimes I awaken before that. It’s like my body clock just knows the time. I can’t wait each morning to get up, get my coffee and get into the Word. I need that morning cup of joe and my morning time with the Lord.

I just love this verse. It’s so full of imagery. Before the Gospel was presented to us, the time was full of darkness and sin. But Paul says, “it is already the hour for you to awaken from sleep.” In other words, “WAKE UP! Daylight’s burning!” Paul knew the importance of the day. He knew the time of salvation was near. This is a call for each of us to get up and get going. We’ve got work to do.

APPLICATION

It’s one thing to know the time you are supposed to do something and actually showing up and doing it on time. For instance, going to work on time. I have heard it said that if you’re early, you’re on time and if you’re on time, you’re late. I have always tried to be on any job I had before it was time to start working. As a supervisor I was always in my office before my employees. But I had to be aware of the time in order to do that.

In 1 Thessalonians 5:5-8, Paul writes a similar thought to the church in Thessaloniki. “5 for you are all sons of light and sons of day. We are not of night nor of darkness; 6 so then, let’s not sleep as others do, but let’s be alert and sober. 7 For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who are drunk, get drunk at night. 8 But since we are of the day, let’s be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet, the hope of salvation.”

The days are dwindling, brothers and sisters. As Paul says, “salvation is near.” This salvation, many believe, refers to our ultimate salvation from sin and darkness. Can you imagine? Don’t you want that for your loved ones? Don’t you want to share the good news of the Gospel with those you know need to hear it? It’s time to wake up! The world needs to hear the message of Christ, before it’s too late.

Thank You, Lord for waking me up to the Gospel. Give me opportunities to share it with others.

If the Lord should lead you to support our ministry, check out our ministry page at Trans World Radio (www.twr.org/carl-willis). 

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Abiding, Bible, Darkness, Light, Scripture, Sleeping

WAKE UP!

EPHESIANS 5:14

“For this reason it says, ‘Awake, sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.’”

There is something to be said about getting a good night’s sleep. As for me, normally I am asleep in a matter of minutes. I fall asleep quickly. So, when sleep evades me, it is unusual. Last night was one of those nights. My stomach was hurting, and I could not get comfortable. I was literally awake all night. No fun! I knew morning would come eventually, but it took its sweet time, lol. I was so thankful to see the light out the window.

This passage today is quite controversial. It’s not so much what it says, but where it comes from. Paul is obviously quoting some passage somewhere, but few commentators agree from where. Here’s where I land – if the Holy Spirit inspired Paul to use this quote, that’s good enough for me. The exact source isn’t important. The fact that this quote came from the mouth of God is. There is also nothing that particularly stands out as mind blowing in the words used. Paul is telling the Ephesians (and us) to wake up and allow Christ to shine on and through them.

APPLICATION

Some scholars speculate this is a quote from Isaiah 60:1-3. That passage reads, “1 ‘Arise, shine; for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD has risen upon you. 2 For behold, darkness will cover the earth and deep darkness the peoples; but the LORD will rise upon you and His glory will appear upon you. 3 Nations will come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your rising.”

The whole purpose of Christ shining on us is for us to reflect that light on others. Just call us the moon! It has no light of its own. It simply reflects the light of the sun during its waxing and waning. And when that “new moon” period comes when the moon is completely dark, the sun is still shining. It hasn’t lost its brilliance. The moon has just passed out of its path.

Listen, believer, don’t pass out of the path of Christ’s light. Stay always in His path so you can reflect His light. You will have periods of your life when you will wax and wane spiritually. Just don’t allow yourself to go dark. Paul tells us to wake up and rise from the dead. Get moving. Shine the light of Christ! He wants to use you to reflect His light on others.

I want to reflect Your light, Lord, at all times.

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