Week 30: Tuesday, It's Time To Wake Up

I have a good friend who is one of those bright-eyed and bushy-tailed early

morning folks. One day, when I accused him of sleeping in, he said,

“Baggett, I get up every morning and slap the rooster to wake him up.” Are

you one of those folks, or do you like to cover back up when the alarm goes

off and continue sleeping? Often, children want to go back to sleep in the

mornings, and parents find it difficult to wake them up. If, as adults, we

“hit the snooze” one time too many, it can really be problematic.

Transcript

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Welcome to Hearing God's Stories, a daily devotional on the parables presented by the Jenkins Institute.

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Week 30, Tuesday. The Parable of the Watchful Servants, Luke chapter 12, verses 35 through 40 by Steve Baggett. I'm Doyle Ferris. It's time to wake up. Today's scripture, Luke chapter 12 and verse 37. I have a good friend who is one of those bright-eyed and bushy-tailed early morning folks. One day, when I accused him of sleeping in, he said, Baggett, I get up every morning and slap the rooster to wake him up. Are you one of those folks? Or do you like to cover back up when the alarm goes off and continue sleeping? Often, children want to go back to sleep in the mornings, and parents find it difficult to wake them up. If, as adults, we hit the snooze one time too many, it can really be problematic. In the parable of the watchman, Jesus said, Blessed are those servants whom the master finds awake when he comes. Truly I say to you, he will dress himself for service and have them recline at table, and he will come and serve them. Luke chapter 12 and verse 37. If servants were found sleeping on the job, that can be disastrous. To a far greater degree, if people are found sleeping spiritually when Jesus returns in judgment, the results will be eternally devastating. When discussing the problem of spiritual laziness, Solomon counseled the lazy person to go to the ant, O sluggard, consider her ways, and be wise. Without having any chief, officer, or ruler, she prepares her bread in summer and gathers her food in harvest. Proverbs chapter 6, verses 6 through 8. He then asked, How long will you lie there, O sluggard? When will you arise from your sleep? Proverbs chapter 6 and verse 9. The ant doesn't need someone to wake him or to watch over him to be sure he does his work. Solomon stated that people need to be more like an ant, emphasizing the need to be a self-starter in life and in preparation for Jesus' return. Are you spiritually lazy or in need of someone to be sure you're spiritually awake? If so, you are in danger of being asleep when Jesus returns. So then let us not sleep as others do, but let us keep awake and be sober. 1 Thessalonians chapter 5 and verse 6. Today I will resolve to become a self starter and to be wide awake in service to Jesus and others.

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