Sleep

SLEEP

When the Lord throws you a curve ball, He crooks your bat as necessary to slap a home run if you believe it so. Some who play the game of religion slumber; some sleep. Unless they awaken from their disassociation from God, they will neither see the curve ball coming nor correct their stance to encounter its arrival. In the word of God we see many examples of surprises appearing unto those unaware and unbelieving.

Genesis 2:21 “Ad the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam, and he slept: and he took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh instead thereof;” The first curve ball was unto Adam. The second was unto Eve from Satan. Both were spiritually asleep. Both changed the way God’s world was to progress to the ending of its allotted time. It would not be the last. Others came in many colors.

Matthew 1:24 “Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife:”

Joseph had mindset to put Mary away and not marry her because she was with child. In sleep the Spirit delivered hom a great truth that began another changing of the world. Along the way people were sleeping in different situations.

Matthew 8:24 “And, behold, there arose a great tempest in the sea, insomuch that the ship was covered with the waves: but he was asleep.” (Mark 4:38) “And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish? (Mark 4:38) “And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish?

Of course Jesus cares for all frightened and worried. He can and will calm the storm if we ask faith believing; be not afraid or worried over anything.

Matthew 9:24 “He said unto them, Give place: for the maid is not dead, but sleepeth. And they laughed him to scorn. (N0 faith)

Luke 9:32 But Peter and they that were with him were heavy with sleep: and when they were awake, they saw his glory, and the two men that stood with him.

They never would have slept if they had known the glory they were about to witness. We never know what is in store. Keep watch and pray. Even when our Lord was suffering grief here on earth his supporters slept. Do we sleep?

Matthew 26:40 “And he cometh unto the disciples, and findeth them asleep, and saith unto Peter, What, could ye not watch with me one hour? (Matthew 26:43) “And he came and found them asleep again: for their eyes were heavy. (Matthew 26:45) “Then cometh he to his disciples, and saith unto them, Sleep on now, and take your rest: behold, the hour is at hand, and the Son of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners.”

In church services, how many fight to not sleep or do sleep. Are they asleep or are they dead in spirit?

John 11:11 “These things said he: and after that he saith unto them, Our friend Lazarus sleepeth; but I go, that I may awake him out of sleep. (John 11:12) Then said his disciples, Lord, if he sleep, he shall do well. (John 11:13) “Howbeit Jesus spake of his death: but they thought that he had spoken of taking of rest in sleep.

Simon of old was the first martyr murdered by stoning.

Acts 7:60 “And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep.” He died. Are we walking dead, sleeping and sucking our thumbs?

Romans 13:11 “And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed.

Ephesians 5: 11 “And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them. 12 For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret. 13 But all things that are reproved are made manifest by the light: for whatsoever doth make manifest is light. 14 Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light. 15 See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, 16 Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. 17 Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.

1 Thessalonians 5:6 “Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober.” Jesus made it possible for us to die and live again if we so choose. (1 Thessalonians 5:10) “Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him.” Don’t doubt His coming as some do and say.

2 Peter 3:4 “And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation.”

Clearly all things are not as they were but life is as it was in the days of Noe. Know God, know peace. Amen. 04-18-2020 BLL