Wake Up

 

Wake Up

Habakkuk 2:18-20

“What profit is the image, that its maker should carve it, The molded image, a teacher of lies, That the maker of its mold should trust in it, To make mute idols? ¹⁹ Woe to him who says to wood, ‘Awake!’ To silent stone, ‘Arise! It shall teach!’ Behold, it is overlaid with gold and silver, Yet in it there is no breath at all. ²⁰ “But the Lord is in His holy temple. Let all the earth keep silence before Him.”

 

The noise that we listen to everyday is competing for our time, affection, and attention. Wherever we may go there seems to always be something turned on making a noise or sound, talking, music playing, video games, Alexa’, our phones are on, electronic devices and other gadgets and equipment that we use. However, these noises on our devices have made a connection with us to the point each sound has a distinct message that we’ve resonated with.

People have become immune to all these things and have no self-control or balance in how to pull back from all the distractions and noise. The world is programming us to use its devices to live and work. Many have become enslaved to their video games, iPhone, social media platforms, stock exchange, bitcoin, beauty products, DIY’s videos, etc.  2 Timothy 3:1-7  But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: 2 For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3 unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, 4 traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, 5 having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away! 6 For of this sort are those who creep into households and make captives of gullible women loaded down with sins, led away by various lusts, 7 always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. 

Saints, we must be sober-minded, because we have an adversary Satan watching us. He rules this sphere with his demons and wicked spirits. He keeps the world busy with his world order. People are consumed with entertainment, materialism, innovations, politics, ideologies, and theologies. If we do not study and meditate on the Word of the Lord, the enemy will overtake our souls. Because he knows that we are weak and have nothing to fight with that would harm him. But, however, the Word of God is our weapon and sword.  Ephesians 6:11-18 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. 14 Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; 18 praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints—

We are in the world, but we must not let it rule over us. How much time are we spending in the presence of the Lord and are we meditating on the scriptures? There are many people who are living like the walking dead with their physical eyes open but are spiritually blind to the spiritual realm.  Some are proclaiming to be a Christian and yet they know more about the world’s affairs, trends, and interests than knowing their identity in Christ and are not confident in saying a prayer aloud nor willing to share their testimony when they first came to Christ. Revelation 3:15-17 “I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. 16 So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth. 17 Because you say, ‘I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing’—and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked—

Our names on the church roster and attending church will not save us. It is a ritual when we do a series of things according to a religion. This is an outward work that can sometimes make us puff up with pride if we are not careful. People tend to praise their fellowshipping and church works and feel superior to others who slack in going to church that do not work in any capacity at church. This is not a deal breaker with God. The most important steps in a believer’s life are to repent, accept Jesus as Lord and be baptized. Romans 10:9-10, 13 that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. 13 For “whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.” Romans 3:23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, Ephesians 2:8-9 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not of works, lest anyone should boast.

As believers, we must pray to the Father and read the Word daily. The Holy Spirit is dwelling within us. He makes His presence known to us after we accept Christ. Our faith must be in Christ because He is Lord. God demonstrated His love for us when His Son, Jesus died for our sins. He is risen. God is Omnipotent, Omnipresent, Omniscient and Omnibenevolence. His Word must abide in our hearts so that we will remain in the Lord’s will. The Holy Spirit is our helper and have sealed us to Him until the day of redemption. He is working in us so that we will produce fruit in our lives. Our minds must be renewed, so that we will follow Christ’s teachings and become ambassadors in Christ. This is the work of the Holy Spirit in a believers’ life. John 3:5-8 Jesus answered, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ 8 The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit.” 2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. 

The regenerative process is a lifelong journey as we become born again as infants, growing as babes into maturing in the Word and Spirit. The Holy Spirit is transforming us from the old man into the new man in Christ. We will become discipline in our devotion, love and walk in Christ. The things that once controlled us will lose its stronghold as we grow in the Spirit. The intimacy that the Holy Spirit reveals to us is life in the Spirit. He is changing us from glory to glory. 2 Corinthians 3:18 But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.

Christ is alive and His Spirit is within us. Our prayers, worship, praises, and thanksgiving must not cease. Ephesians 3:20 Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, These scriptures are breathing life into us as we take one step at a time. Let this mind be in us as it was in Christ Jesus. The blood of Jesus saves, cleanses, restores, and redeems us. We are overcomers by the blood of the Lamb. We are in a spiritual war. The day that we accepted Christ we have declared our faith in Jesus. Ephesians 2:1-2 And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins, 2 in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience,

There are two kingdoms fighting: the kingdom of God and Satan’s kingdom. Satan is the prince of the power of the air tempting us to sin against God’s law. He is enticing men and women to love the world, make idols, lulling them to sleep with living a debauchery lifestyle, chasing fame, mammon, etc. He is the father of all lies and is crafty and cunning. Genesis 3:1-6 Now the serpent was more cunning than any beast of the field which the Lord God had made. And he said to the woman, “Has God indeed said, ‘You shall not eat of every tree of the garden’?” 2 And the woman said to the serpent, “We may eat the fruit of the trees of the garden; 3 but of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God has said, ‘You shall not eat it, nor shall you touch it, lest you die.’ ” 4 Then the serpent said to the woman, “You will not surely die. 5 For God knows that in the day you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” 6 So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree desirable to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate. She also gave to her husband with her, and he ate.

Satan was the spirit operating in the serpent. Eve’s lust of the eyes blinded her from having discernment to recognize the evil spirit speaking to her was Satan’s plan to temp and entice her to eat the fruit. Perhaps it was her desire to be like God, therefore, she chose to disobey Him.  Today, we are still being tempted by Satan with his crafty and cunning ways with his demons and evil spirits. He uses the things that we use today to communicate with the world to keep us occupied with his foolishness and distractions through our electronics, gadgets, and other devices. He doesn’t want us to pray nor worship the almighty God. He occupies the air waves and makes all kinds of static and interference in the heavenlies so that we cannot hear from heaven. Daniel 10:10-14 Suddenly, a hand touched me, which made me tremble on my knees and on the palms of my hands. 11 And he said to me, “O Daniel, man greatly beloved, understand the words that I speak to you, and stand upright, for I have now been sent to you.” While he was speaking this word to me, I stood trembling. 12 Then he said to me, “Do not fear, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your heart to understand, and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard; and I have come because of your words. 13 But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me twenty-one days; and behold, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, for I had been left alone there with the kings of Persia. 14 Now I have come to make you understand what will happen to your people in the latter days, for the vision refers to many days yet to come.”

In conclusion, we must get rid of those things that so easily beset us. Colossians 3:5-8 Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. 6 Because of these things the wrath of God is coming upon the sons of disobedience, 7 in which you yourselves once walked when you lived in them. 8 But now you yourselves are to put off all these: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language out of your mouth. As children of God, we should desire to know what pleases Him and obey. John 3:16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. We must remember the words of Jesus and obey. Matthew 22:37-40 Jesus said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and great commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ 40 On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.”

Too Late

The clock is ticking as your heart beats

It is up to you to make that choice

Don’t worry about yesterday start today

Some souls didn’t wake up this morning

If you are blessed to see another day

Get on your knees and start praying

We are leaving this place called earth

There’s hope right now if you want it

The Lord is coming back for all who believe

Problems and worries will come one after another

If you choose Christ right now you will live forever

The time is at hand don’t wait till it is too late

ã2004 “Naima’s Inspirational Melodies”