Sleep Not!
Saturday, November 2
Acts 20:7-11 (NKJV)
“Now on the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul, ready to depart the next day, spoke to them and continued his message until midnight. There were many lamps in the upper room where they were gathered together. And in a window sat a certain young man named Eutychus, who was sinking into a deep sleep. He was overcome by sleep; and as Paul continued speaking, he fell down from the third story and was taken up dead. But Paul went down, fell on him, and embracing him said, “Do not trouble yourselves, for his life is in him.” Now when he had come up, had broken bread and eaten, and talked a long while, even till daybreak, he departed.”
Devotion
While doing God’s work, studying, or simply waiting, you may suddenly feel so tired, and fall asleep. In the case of Eutychus, he fell from a high place and died. But what seemed like a hopeless situation became a source for a miracle. The phrase from today’s theme scripture: “his life is in him,” speaks volumes. When we receive Jesus Christ as our personal Lord and Savior, we are a new creation, the old has gone and the new has come! Life has been breathed into us and we can rejoice in life everlasting!
When you are overwhelmed and unable to take another step, look up, rest a while, and be refreshed. You do not have to over exhaust yourself and tire yourself to death. It’s okay to stop and have your bearings. You do not need to keep rushing off to the next assignment. Better is slower. It means taking time to nurture relationships; seeking God’s face, instead of His blessings; and, walking in righteousness and obedience, instead of simply adding to numbers and raising more funds and growing without taking root.
Jesus showed us the way. In Matthew 28:18-20 (NKJV), “And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.
Today’s Prayer
Dear Heavenly Father,
I am exhausted. I have done everything I need to do to press on, in spite of the heaviness I feel. There are still so many things that I still need to do, but I thank You for Your grace to complete them. I lay down all my cares at Your feet. You alone are able to carry me through these difficult situations. A praise song comes to mind: “My heart and my soul, many times they fail, but there is one truth, that always will prevail: ‘God is the strength of my heart (3x) and my portion forever!’” Thank You Lord Jesus for the life You bring! Thank You for giving life to my dry bones, and breathing life back to my whole being. I am nothing without You Lord. You are my everything! In the Name of Jesus, I pray. Amen.
Apply It Today
As you surrender all your cares to God today, be reminded that the Lord Jesus Christ lives. You are never alone. The Holy Spirit will guide you, every step of the way, if you would let Him. Today, if you hear His voice, yield. Surrender all to Jesus and allow him to carry you through all the storms of life!
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