Awakening

What does it take for men to wake up? For some it may take tragedy. For others, it may take less arduous circumstances like the birth of a child. Situations can vary when it comes to waking people up from spiritual sleep. An awakening of biblical proportions requires one key element: repentance. Sin separates us from the Lord. Sin kills our joy. Sin mars and soils our garments of praise and clothes us in the spirit of heaviness. Sin makes a mock at righteousness and calls it legalism. Sin bears no burden and feels no pain. Sin is selfish and rude. Sin is haphazard and risky. Sin is the joyride of youthful passions without the wisdom of the aged (Gen. 4:1‑8; Rom. 6:20‑23; Isa. 59:1‑2).

Man who sins can only expect the damnation due him. A man who steals can only expect poverty. A man who lies can only expect the paranoia of mistrust. A man who fornicates can only expect the fear of getting some STD. A man who refuses to exercise can only expect bad health. A man who walks the tightrope can only expect to descend when he falls. A man who sleeps can only expect to wake up. Wake up! Wake up! Wake up! That’s all I hear the Lord saying. The Church is in need of some men who dare to raise the bar and climb the mountains and become unpopular for the sake of Christ, even hated. We are trying to make the unsaved man our friend so we can win him to Christ just like it’s done in the movies.

Yet, Jesus preached hate. Read these verses out loud so they sink to the depth of your soul. They may be the rude awakening you need to set your soul aflame:

Matthew 10:22 (KJV) And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved.

Matthew 24:9 (KJV) Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name's sake.

Luke 19:14 (KJV) But his citizens hated him, and sent a message after him, saying, We will not have this man to reign over us.

Luke 21:17 (KJV) And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake.

John 15:18 (KJV) If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you.

John 15:24‑25 (KJV) If I had not done among them the works which none other man did, they had not had sin: but now have they both seen and hated both me and my Father. [25] But this cometh to pass, that the word might be fulfilled that is written in their law, They hated me without a cause.

John 17:14 (KJV) I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.

Word for Today
Misapprehend – To apprehend incorrectly; misunderstand

Quote for Today
When you lie, it’s like walking a tightrope with an elephant on your shoulders. It’s hard enough to walk the tightrope of life; why lie and make it harder.
– raj