no procrastination. no delaying. no avoiding

Every day we need to ask God to fill us with His Spirit. — Lori Wilhite, Ephesians, Beautiful World Bible Study A Spirit-Filled Life by Lori Wilhite, from Ephesians, Beautiful Word Bible Study Ever felt like you were going through life without much life going through you?   Mornings. I loathe them. I live by the quote, "The early bird can have the worm because worms are gross and mornings are stupid." Truer words have rarely been spoken.   Every night when I set my alarm for the next morning, I do advanced calculus to figure out what time I need to get up. I take the time I need to be ready to go, minus the time it takes to get ready, minus the number of times I want to hit the snooze button (times those 9-minute snoozes), equaling what time the alarm will first go off. Whew.   Despite the multiple snoozes, many days I feel like I'm walking through life in zombie mode. Partially awake, mostly dead on my feet. I know I'm not alone. Studies show that one-third of us are zombie-ing through work, school, and family time because of a sheer lack of sleep.   It's not just the sleep-deprived versions of ourselves shuffling around like the mindless, aimless walking dead.   Most of us are sleepwalking our way through life, numbed by the same ol', same ol' nature of our daily routines.   Same job. Same commute. Same struggles. Same relationships. Same hurts. Same challenges. Same conversations. Same arguments. Same addictions. Same secrets. Same excuses. Same disappointments. Same heartbreaks. Same resentments. Same sadness.   Same. Same. Same.   We're going through life without much life going through us.   We've become captives to our complacency. It is time for a wake-up call.   Here in Ephesians 5:14, Paul is quoting what was likely a worship song of the church at the time so it would have been familiar to the Christians living in Ephesus.   This is why it is said: 'Wake up, sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.'   Paul isn't talking to people far from God in this passage.   He's speaking to Christians, followers of Jesus. Paul is saying: Hey, believers who love Jesus, it is time to wake up!   You need to rise from the dead — from your zombie-walking life! You were meant for so much more than sleepwalking through life.   Many of us are living a drowsy life of faith. We've been lulled back to sleep in a stagnant spiritual life. We drift into autopilot in our relationship with Jesus. We're drawn back to darkness and death.   That's right. People who love Jesus, those who follow Him, can be asleep to the life He holds out for them. They can miss the incredible life Christ has for them.   Just because you're alive doesn't mean you're living.   God offers us so much more than a stagnant life; we just need to wake up and rise up to live in it!   It's time to wake up to God and also to rise up to opportunity. Paul goes on in verse 15,   Be very careful, then, how you live — not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.   If we wake up and understand the Lord's will, we can rise to the opportunities He has before us. Time is short. The world's a mess. Make the most of every opportunity, not just for yourself, but for the glory of God.   There is no one better at delaying opportunity than the procrastinators among us. It's okay. It's good for us to just admit it. I'm a procrastinator, too.   Here, Paul is saying: No procrastination. No delaying. No avoiding. Wake up and seize every opportunity you've been given by Jesus for Jesus.   How do we seize those opportunities? We lead a spirit-filled life.   When we accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior, we receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. We have the Holy Spirit. But we need to be filled with the Spirit and keep being filled with Him daily — because we leak.   Every day we need to ask God to fill us with His Spirit.   To guide us and direct us by the Holy Spirit. To be under the control of the Spirit. We need to pray for God to fill us and keep on filling us with the outpouring of His Spirit.   The Spirit will lead you to take advantage of every opportunity God has for you.   He can use you as a tool in your workplace for His glory. He can give you a word of encouragement for someone who is desperate for it.   He will prompt you to lift someone up in prayer at the moment they need it most.   He will move you to show kindness to a person who feels like the whole world is against her.   He can direct you to bless someone who feels overlooked or overwhelmed. He can help you walk with your head held high. Written for Devotionals Daily by Lori Wilhite, author of Ephesians, Beautiful Word Bible Study. Watch the Trailer  WATCH Your Turn   Here's the charge to us as believers: No procrastination. No delaying. No avoiding. We must wake up and seize every opportunity we've been given by God for Jesus. Let's lead a spirit-filled life every single day! Come share your thoughts with us. We want to hear from you! ~ Devotionals Daily COMMENT Share this devotion with someone who needs it today. NEW RELEASE   Save 30% off Ephesians, Beautiful Word Bible Study   by Lori Wilhite   You are a chosen child of God, saved by His grace, forgiven and free. It's time to walk with your head held high. Softcover, Regular: $22.99 Sale Price: $16.09 (30% off) eBook price: $11.99 + free U.S. shipping* on orders $35 or more SHOP NOW This Study Guide includes: Individual access to 6 streaming video sessions Personal study between sessions Scripture memory cards and verse coloring pages Leader's Guide The book of Ephesians is about identity. It's about learning who we are, living who are, and then leveraging who we are. When we do that, we stop walking in defeat, and instead, walk with our heads held high.   Too often, our shoulders slump under the weight of family struggles, financial stress, and feelings of insecurity. We are pushed down by insignificance, insecurity, and an overwhelming sense of powerlessness, disappointment and discouragement.   You are not meant to be under that burden any longer. You are a chosen child of God, saved by His grace, forgiven and free. It's time to walk with your head held high.   In this six-session video Bible study (DVD/digital downloads sold separately), Lori Wilhite draws on her experience as the pastor's wife of a large congregation located in the town otherwise named 'Sin City' to share the truth of what Paul tells the Ephesians about unity and its direct reflection of our hearts, our focus, and our love for God.   The Beautiful WordTM Bible Study Series helps you connect God's Word to your daily life through vibrant video teaching, group discussion, and deep personal study that includes verse-by-verse reading, Scripture memory, coloring pages, and encouragement to receive your own beautiful Word from God. In each study, a central theme—a beautiful word—threads throughout the book, helping you connect and apply each book of the Bible to your daily life today, and forever.  Get a sneak peak inside Learn More and Save Shop the companion study materials  Ephesians Study Guide with DVD Regular: $49.99 Sale Price: $34.99  Ephesians Video Study Regular: $29.99 Sale Price: $20.99  SHOP THE COLLECTION   *Sale prices valid through 9/30/2021, ending at 11:59pm EST, excluding eBooks and audiobooks.  eBooks and audiobook purchases are fulfilled by our partner, Glose.  Free U.S. shipping on orders over $35 valid, excluding Alaska and Hawaii Devotionals Daily ~ our mission is to help you grow and share your faith. Did you receive this message from a friend? Sign up to start receiving Devotionals Daily. FaithGateway ~ our mission is to help you grow and share your faith. Copyright © 2021 HarperCollins Christian Publishing. 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