Awake

For weeks I have sensed a need for alertness in my inner man. A revelation, for my need to awaken out of the spiritual slumber, the enemy tries to lull us into. This kind of spiritual slumber can result into a sense of tranquility and false peace leading to sudden loss of spiritual vision, vigor and alertness.

When I asked the Lord for His wisdom, He pointed out the letter to the church in Sardis, Rev.

3:1-3, as well as other scriptures:

"I know your works, that you have a name that you are alive, but you are dead.

Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die, for

I have not found your works perfect before God. Remember therefore how you

have received and heard; hold fast and repent. Therefore if you will not watch,

I will come upon you as a thief, and you will not know what hour I will come upon

you."

Romans 13:11 "..now it is high time to awake out of sleep..."

Ephesians 5:14 Therefore He says:"Awake, you who sleep, Arise from the dead,

And Christ will give you light."

Before we can arise, we must first wake up. We must come alive in the areas we may have

become sleepy and lazy.

Sardis was the wealthy capital of Lydia in what is today the nation of Turkey. The city was built

upon a high hill and it was like a fortress, seemingly impossible to conquer. It was a magnificent city full of life and vigor. Since God looks not at the outside, but at the heart, He knew that they were spiritually dead. They became complacent and felt the enemy could not overtake them, therefore they forgot to keep the watch. They did not keep themselves free from sin, and beneath the pious exterior was actually filth.

He told them to wake up, to remember, to hold fast and to repent. Jesus knew, they understood His reference to coming as a thief, because the history of their city Sardis spoke to them. Sardis was overtaken twice by the enemy by night, suddenly and unexpected, because they did not keep a watch. The watchmen on the wall were sleeping instead of being on their post.

The ten virgins also fell asleep, while waiting on the Lord. The message to them was about being prepared and filled up. The wise virgins had enough oil in their lamps and plenty more. The foolish virgins had to buy some oil and missed the time of their visitation. They even asked the wise virgins to give them some oil. But since they are wise, they knew the way to acquire this oil was by spending time with their Beloved and to fill up on Him; and this kind of investment could not be transferred.

The Lord is asking us to be vigilant and to keep a watch as individuals, but also watch over our

brethren. We are to cover each others weaknesses in prayer and realize that God's grace is

sufficient and in our weakness His strength is being made known. Jesus is our fortress and He is our defense. In Him we move and live and have our being. He has made provision for us and as we return to our first love, our times with Him become more intense and intimate. We are able to see as He sees.

In Hebrews 12:12 we are exhorted to "strengthen the hands which hang down, and the feeble

knees..." You can refer to my recent message on this verse "RENEW YOUR SPIRITUAL

VITALITY".

I pray that those things which are dormant within you are awakened and that the breath of God is breathing new life into your inner man. I declare: Come Alive to the things of God in your inner man! So that you arise and shine for your light has come and the glory of the Lord is risen upon you. May you understand the calling of God on your life and take a hold of God's promises and be watchful and alert.

May you have a hunger and thirst to seek His face and to draw close to Jesus.

~ Gabriele Gilpin