Vision 2020Sample

Day 16 ## Wake Up! Romans 13:11, 12 (NIV) And do this, understanding the present time. The hour has come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. We all know what it is like to hear an alarm clock sound at the appointed time each morning. When the sound of our alarm clock reaches our ears each morning it’s a declaration that a particular time has come. It’s time to arise and prepare to fulfill the responsibilities that are scheduled for our day. In today’s verses the Apostle Paul reminds us of the critical nature of the days in which we live. He gives us a three-point call that should direct our thoughts, attitudes and actions every day. First, we are called to “understand the present time.” He describes the present time as an hour when “our salvation is nearer than when we first believed.” In other words, the present time is the time when the consummation of all things, the Second Coming of Christ is approaching. With this in mind he gives us a second call, “The hour has come for you to wake up from your slumber...” Because that day is rapidly approaching we cannot afford to spend our days in spiritual slumber. It’s time to rise up from our sleep and decide to seriously serve the Lord. Third, if we are going to effectively serve the Lord we must be properly dressed for our responsibilities and challenges. He reminds us that we are to take off a certain set of clothes and put on another. We are to “put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light.” We are to be prepared for “that day” putting on the right clothing! We are called to awaken to the reality that Christ is coming again. It’s time to awaken. It’s time to seriously consider the priorities of our lives. It’s time to take off the “deeds of darkness” and be dressed in the “armor of light”, prepared to win each battle against the influences of the world, our flesh, and the attacks of the devil! Consider making today the day that you wake up to the alarm clock and give your life completely to God.