I remember many years ago when I was just starting school I had an alarm clock.  This wasn't your standard alarm clock by any means.  This was a Mickey Mouse alarm clock that actually spoke when it was time to wake up in the morning.  The shape of the clock made it look like a train and Mickey was on top because he was the Conductor.

I remember the sound it made early in the morning like it was yesterday.  It said, "Toot! Toot! Rise and Shine!  It is time to wake up!  Toot! Toot!"  It made the train whistle and everything.  I must admit on a side note that I have never really been a fan of Mickey Mouse.  I can relate to Goofy more I think, but that is probably a story for another time or a therapy session.

It can be hard to roll out of bed in the morning sometimes especially when it is cold and snowy outside and it seems like the sun just never shines like it used to.  We know that we must get out of bed and face the day and we as believers in Christ know that the Lord will lead us and guide us through our day.

Sometimes in our Christian walk we can become a little sleepy in the spiritual sense of things.  We may allow culture to dictate our thoughts and actions, but we who are believers in Jesus Christ must remember that we are to follow Him, Jesus, and not the world.  Sometimes it is easy to just go with the flow of things, but when we do that we are in danger of compromise.  We must never compromise God's Word or His will.  We must remain firmly established upon His Word and the truth of who He is.  We must cling to His principles that are revealed to us from the Bible.

I am reminded what the Apostle Paul says in Romans 13:8-14,

"8 Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for whoever loves others has fulfilled the law.

9 The commandments, “You shall not commit adultery,” “You shall not murder,” “You shall not steal,” “You shall not covet,” and whatever other command there may be, are summed up in this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”

10 Love does no harm to a neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.

11 And do this, understanding the present time: The hour has already come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed.

12 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.

13 Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy.

14 Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the flesh."

Paul reminds us to love one another which is summed up in the command that Jesus gave us which says, "Love your neighbor as yourselves."

Love doesn't do harm to those around us.  Love doesn't push people away of look down on them like we are so special or more important.  We aren't as great as we sometimes think we are.

We need to wake up as followers of Jesus Christ and rekindle the love we have for Him.  We also need to start loving one and other in the body of Christ.  We must not forget to love our neighbors as ourselves.

The Lord Jesus is coming back soon to take us, who are trusting I Him for salvation, Home to be with Him forever.  Let us cast off those sins that so easily ensnare us and trip us up.

Let us run the race of faith unhindered and focused on Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior.

Our salvation is nearer now than it has ever been.

The Body of Christ really needs to wake up and start living for the Lord Jesus in eager anticipation for His return.

Lord,
We are sorry that sometimes we get "sleepy" and need to be awakened.  Wake us up Lord.
Help us to love You more and more and help us to love others and You love us.
Lead us and guide us according to Your will.
In Jesus name we pray,
Amen.