LISTEN UP!

Can you hear that? What is that sound? It's SO LOUD that I know I can't be the only one who hears it! Is that "Reveille"—the Army wake-up call? I know they usually play it at 7 a.m. as they hoist the American flag up the pole.

What time is it anyway?

That's a great question, and I want to thank you for asking! Why? Because God is trying to wake us and shake us up!

God has already awakened the dawn even before the sun rises.

"Awake, my soul! Awake, harp and lyre! I will awaken the dawn." —Psalm 57:8 (NIV)

"Jesus replied, 'The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified.'" —John 12:23 (NIV)

Are you awake yet? If not, I'm not sure you'll hear the trumpet or the shofar call sounding either.

I hope you can hear these calls because, as I said, God wants to wake us and shake us up! Can't you feel the urgency?

We don't just need to wake up—we also need to stay wide awake and remain sharply in tune with all that is going on around us.

God walks with us and talks with us, no matter what path He has us on. Some days we feel like we're having a mountain-top experience with God, and we're on top of the world. Even when we feel like we're on the hardest path of our lives in the deepest valley, God is with us. It doesn't matter where you currently are on your life's path; God wants our full attention. Please don't keep going in the same circle around the same mountain, or give up. Keep climbing no matter how hard it gets.

"Do this, knowing that this is a critical time. It is already the hour for you to awaken from your sleep [of spiritual complacency]; for our salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed [in Christ]." —Romans 13:11 (AMP)

"So then let us not sleep [in spiritual indifference] as the rest [of the world does], but let us keep wide awake [alert and cautious] and let us be sober [self-controlled, calm, and wise]." —1 Thessalonians 5:6 (AMP)

Satan wants us to think and feel like God is apathetic about what we're going through. He wants us to feel the same about where we are on this path called life. Are your spiritual senses open? What is your spiritual vision and hearing like? We need to be in perfect tune and absolute pitch with God and all that He has for us while we're on this path during our lifetime on earth.

"Faith shows the reality of what we hope for; it is the evidence of things we cannot see." —Hebrews 11:1 (NLT)

"But blessed are your eyes, because they see; and your ears, because they hear. I tell you the truth, many prophets and righteous people longed to see what you see, but they didn't see it. And they longed to hear what you hear, but they didn't hear it." —Matthew 13:16-17 (NLT)

"The Lord says, 'I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you.'" —Psalm 32:8 (NLT)

"Your ears will hear a word behind you, 'This is the way, walk in it,' whenever you turn to the right or to the left." —Isaiah 30:21 (AMP)

"For every promise from God shall surely come true." —Luke 1:37 (TLB)

"For no matter how many promises God has made, they are 'Yes' in Christ. And so through him the 'Amen' is spoken by us to the glory of God." —2 Corinthians 1:20 (NIV)

No matter what you're going through, my prayer is that as you read this, you will become more aware of the Lord's presence and that you will stay in perfect alignment and in perfect step with His steps. Don't ever give up on your personal relationship with the Lord Himself. Let Him increase the growth that He is creating within you and for you.

He has an abundance of spiritual blessings for you along the way. He has perfect provisions for you that are well beyond your expectations and comprehension. I urge you to build your faith and trust in Him. He will equip you with so much joy, wisdom, and guidance.

My personal prayer for you is that you will always remain diligent with ongoing endurance and perseverance, persistent with steadfastness. Also, I pray that you will remain completely fruitful and prosperous. Furthermore, I urge you to be aware of and fulfill both your spiritual gifts and calling that God has given to you. I encourage you and challenge you to be a good soldier.

"Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." —James 1:4 (NIV)

"Take with me your share of hardship [passing through the difficulties which you are called to endure], like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No soldier in active service gets entangled in the [ordinary business] affairs of civilian life; [he avoids them] so that he may please the one who enlisted him to serve." —2 Timothy 2:3-4 (AMP)

Now that you are awake and the day has started, what kind of soldier will you be as you travel down the path that God has created for you to travel on?

At the end of it all, may God call you a good and faithful servant. Together with Him, it will be a great celebration!

"The master was full of praise. 'Well done, my good and faithful servant. You have been faithful in handling this small amount, so now I will give you many more responsibilities. Let's celebrate together!'" —Matthew 25:21 (NLT)