What causes us to awaken?

What arises us from our slumber?

What wakes us even while we are deep in our bed, fast asleep?

Would we willingly arise earlier IF we knew the truth?

Would we willingly crawl out from under the bed covers, stand, and walk away IF we saw the truth?

Would we willingly take in less sleep IF we knew that the darkness could be laid aside as the light permeated?

Do we find a joy-filled heart when the darkness of the night is almost gone,…as the light fills our room?

Do we open our eyes to see the night fleeing, even as it scurries from corner to corner of our heart?

And do we walk away from the darkness, stepping each dawn into Freeing Light—more today than yesterday?

The Bible tells us that the night should flee more and more and more—of our being—as we are filled more and more and more with the light.   We believe this truth because (as we said) the Bible tells us so (multiple times), & the Bible speaks only truth!

In Paul’s letter to the believers, who were living in Rome, he offered hope.  Even in oppression, still we have freedom; even though surrounded by the dark shadows of the world, we can walk toward the light; and even though we believed years ago, we must be ever-changing, ever-growing, and ever-maturing in our spiritual sanctification.  There is no room to stand still….unchanging. 
“Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.   Do this, knowing the time, that it is already the hour for you to awaken from sleep; for now [our] salvation is nearer to us than when we [first] believed.   The night is almost gone, and the day is near.   Therefore let us lay aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light.   

Let us behave properly as in the day, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual promiscuity and sensuality, not in strife and jealousy.     

But put on the LORD Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh in regard to its lusts”   (Romans 13: 10-14).

On this calendar day—-on this TODAY—on March 11, 1999—-twenty-two years ago, today—-I learned a final lesson from my dad.  He worked second shift at the factory, a shift he seemed to tolerate because it allowed him more daylight hours to accomplish what he loved—-FARMING.

On this particular morning, he arose from his slumber, ate some breakfast, dressed for the daily chores and farm tasks, took off his watch and placed it upon the shelf, walked out the door to climb upon his red tractor, and then went home to heaven. You see, my Dad taught me how to be ready, how to be prepared to leave, to go. You see, my Dad was a Christian, a believer.

I am one of five children, so on that day, twenty-two years ago, today……

Dad taught us a valuable lesson.

Dad taught us how to be prepared to go home.

Dad taught us that God’s timing is not bound by an earth-driven clock (a wristwatch).

Dad taught us that when Jesus comes, let Him find us working, obeying, not slumbering, but doing what we love, what HE has skilled us to do, living in the land, rejoicing and breathing in the dawning of the new day, and not walking in darkness, trapped by the night.

Dad taught us so much on that day, the day he went home to heaven.

Thanks dad for our final lesson.  You were a good instructor, a good teacher, a worthy mentor, and a loving father.

Thank you dad for teaching us life lessons….How to work, How to dress up and just act silly, How to appreciate life-purchases we saved to buy, How to love our siblings and family (and even How to draw and leave funny notes on the kitchen counter for those we love). Thank You, Dad.

God’s Word is so clear, every word, every verse, every passage, every chapter, every single part.

Do This.

Love fulfills the law.

Already, it is the hour.

Awaken.

Arise from our slumber.

We believe more today than when we first believed.

Our salvation is closer than when we were first saved.

The night flees. & The day is so near.

The light will soon come.

Lay aside all that encumbered us.

Place on what we need to wear to be sustained within the light.

Behave.

Put on Jesus today….&….every day.

Make no excuses for the flesh.

Walk daily (more today than yesterday) within the light [of God].

Sanctification is a huge “church” word, but really (in simplicity) it means that we should be transformed by God’s Spirit into Christ’s image as we journey toward our home in heaven.
We cannot live the Christian life on our own; we need God’s Holy Spirit indwelling us.
We cannot overcome the lusts of the flesh and live in total obedience to God without God’s Holy Spirit indwelling us.
We cannot rely upon our own strength to get us through the day; we need God’s Holy Spirit walking every step of the day with us.
If we know and have received God’s gift of eternal salvation, then…..

Let us rejoice today—Jesus lives through us.

Let us rejoice today—God’s Holy Spirit indwells our every moment of every day.

Let us rejoice today—God has prepared a place for is to come home to when this life is over.

& Let us rejoice today—Our name is recorded, written down, secure in heaven (Luke 10:20).

So, Paul writes to remind the Roman believers and to remind us.

Do not stumble through this one day, half in the dark and half in the light, but walk uprightly. &

Do not wear bedclothes, but put on God’s armor of light.

Do not slumber, but walk in newness of life. &

Do not forget that we are closer to home than we were yesterday, so we too should be more transformed on this day, ready to meet our LORD.  & Finally,

Do not misbehave and live for sinful lusts today, “But put on the LORD Jesus Christ,”… and LIVE (Romans 13: 14).