SLEEP 3/6/19

SLEEP     “WORTH CONSIDERING”   3/6/19   (Across my desk this morning from Joel.)

Today’s Scripture
“..for he grants sleep to those he loves.”   (Psalm 127:2, NIV)

Blessings in Sleep
The Lord longs to pour out blessings on you constantly—even when you sleep! Understand that God has His hand on your life even in the midnight hour. He wants to speak to your heart and restore your dreams. He is taking care of those things that concern you. When you cast your cares on Him and trust Him to work out every detail of your life, you’ll be able to enjoy that sweet sleep that He has promised. Make the decision today to enjoy the blessing of the Lord as you sleep tonight. Say a prayer before you go to bed and cast your cares on Him. As you allow the Lord to bless and refresh you in sleep, you’ll see a tremendous change in your waking hours. You’ll be more invigorated, more alert, and full of the blessing of the Lord in every area of your life!

A Prayer for Today
“Heavenly Father, thank You for Your promise of blessing. I ask that You teach me to receive that blessing even while I sleep. I cast my cares on You and trust that You are working behind the scenes in my life. Thank You for watching over me and protecting me. Thank You for refreshing me as I sleep tonight. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.”

My Comments:
Sleep in the O.T. and new is often seen as being parallel to the soul in waiting for the judgment and a new body on the other side of the door in the Kingdom of God.   It is also associated with not being saved as in Rom. 13:11 or in being disconnected.   In 1 Cor. 11:30 it is associated with God’s Judgment in the Church.  And in 1 Cor.15:51 it is associated with the Rapture of HIS Church or the “Snatching away of those in Christ who are still alive at HIS coming.  (I rather like that idea,  hope I am still here for it.) 

So the use of sleep as a metaphor in Holy Scripture is profound and a really great study.

But as to nightly sleep, simple, being in a state of peace with GOD and all others does seriously help.
I also find that making a list of what I need to do for the next day on paper, puts those concerns to rest.   Also spending time with the Holy Spirit in taking inventory of the day or the past and asking forgiveness for those times when I have had my hand in the cookie jar does help put that to rest.
So with pen and paper next to your bed,  you get a “got to do” thought, write it down.  Some peaceful music prior to bed is a good idea.  And I like a cup of hot milk chocolate once in a while.

Of course as you get older the plumbing takes extra care and this and that makes for extra considerations but take the time to be prepared.   At my age I need to think more ahead.  But sleep can be a precious time of renewal as we consider the prophesy of Joel 2:28  (Acts 2:27)     And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions:

What the LORD started at Pentecost in sending the Holy Spirit is not over.  So be open to the Holy Spirit sharing with you in your dreams.  If HE has a clean chalk board to write on, He may surprise you.

Yours in HIS great love and wonderful grace and mercy,   Ken<><   www.Trinity-Aloha.org   (Past “Worth Considerings” are now available in our Web Links.)