Awaken to Renewal 
The 2020 Awakening! 
Terry R. Baughman
“According to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior” (Titus 3:5-6 NKJV). 
God loves people more than we do! In His divine favor and mercy He has extended the opportunity for salvation to everyone in the world. As John recorded, “God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life” (John 3:16). If He went to such great lengths to save us, why would He fail to restore and renew the fallen who had once received His grace? 
God’s incredible plan of salvation spans the generations and His provision is without limits. Paul wrote that we, “being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend … what is the width and length and depth and height—to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge” (Ephesians 3:17–19). It is only when we experience His love that we can begin to comprehend the dimension of His grace; then we can begin to know that which surpasses knowledge! 
When we were sinners Christ died for us, so why is it so hard to accept His love when we have fallen short and given in to sin? (See Romans 5:8.) It was to believers that John wrote, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9). This assures us that even as believers we will fail; we may falter and fall, but God is faithful to forgive. Grace is the gift of God and it is freely given. Paul said, “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God” (Ephesians 2:8). Grace is not just for our initial experience of salvation, but continually embraced throughout our journey of life. We need His grace to save us and to sustain us until the day we are in His presence. 
The message of grace does not condone sin and excuse our failings, but true grace lifts us from condemnation and enables us to become victorious over our sins. The Spirit of God works in us to transform us through the renewing of our minds. The renewal is part of God’s amazing work of transformation. The thinking of the world demands conformity, but the power of God transforms our thinking in alignment with His perfect will. Paul challenged us, “Present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God.” He said, “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God” (Romans 12:2).
The thrill of salvation and the joy in the New Birth experience is often assigned to new converts freshly touched by God’s grace and set free from the bondage of sin. However, the same ecstasy can be felt in the experience of renewal. The load of our own making can be just as burdensome as the sin we once carried. Our guilt, our shortcomings, our failings, and even our sin can become an overwhelming weight. There is hope in a fresh experience of forgiveness and radical relief in renewal. Awaken to grace. Accept His forgiveness and favor. Rejoice in the renewal of His Holy Spirit and walk forward in faith!
Theme passage:
“Knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep; for now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed” (Romans 13:11).

Awaken to Reality 
The 2020 Awakening! 
Terry R. Baughman

“By the rivers of Babylon, there we sat down, yea, we wept when we remembered Zion. We hung our harps upon the willows in the midst of it. For there those who carried us away captive asked of us a song, and those who plundered us requested mirth, saying, “Sing us one of the songs of Zion!” How shall we sing the Lord’s song in a foreign land?” (Psalm 137:1-4 NKJV). 

In the beginning of the novel coronavirus, known at COVID-19, we willingly hunkered down for two weeks, almost gleeful that we had a forced vacation to stay at home. At the end of March, stay-at-home orders were extended for another thirty days and our vacation was over. We then felt in confinement, imprisoned in our homes and wondering if we were breaking the law when we ventured out for something that wasn’t essential. 

The virus struck closer to home and many in our circles of friends became affected, some quite seriously, and a few friends died as a consequence of the pandemic. This caused us all to realize the seriousness of the rapid spread of the virus. Yet, we longed for the end of this outbreak, the opening of our favorite restaurants, and a quick return to normal life and routine events. 

As businesses and events began to open up the spike in infections and hospitalizations began to arise. This fueled more fears and the acute awareness that were were not back to normal. New restrictions were imposed and social gatherings were limited. Other constraints on our freedoms have been imposed by business owners, health authorities and local governments. 

As the weeks wore on we came to the realization that things will never be normal, at least not in the sense that we were accustomed to just a few months previous. Contact among strangers is not allowed. Plexiglas walls divide us from customer service personnel. Only the eyes and body language communicate and kind expressions and smiles are hidden behind masks, bandanas, or scarves. We pass in the stores without expression and it seems that we are completely alone in the middle of a crowd. 

We are not the first to feel displacement, isolation, and depression in the midst of difficult social and cultural disruptions. Many people have suffered far worse conditions and lived to share their experience. 

Thousands of the occupants of Judah were taken captive in and around Jerusalem and were enslaved. More than 50,000 people were marched in long processions roped together and driven like cattle for hundreds of miles to the place of their encampment. The weak or sick died on the journey or were abandoned without hope. At their destination there was only the prospect of slave labor offered in exchange for a meager existence in a strange land. Who can sing in a foreign place? This was their new normal. For seventy years in exile this was their reality. 

In America we have enjoyed a life of peace, liberties, and social acceptance, until now. While we hope to get back to something akin to our previous existence, we recognize that many liberties once taken for granted can swiftly be taken away. We cannot be lulled into apathetic acceptance of things as they are, we must awaken to the fact that we are nearing the end of time. Things are not likely to improve much, but rather there will be more challenges in the days ahead. 

Awaken to the new reality; embrace the times as a new opportunity and let us work, “while it is day; the night is coming when no one can work” (John 9:4).
​
Theme passage:
“Knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep; for now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed” (Romans 13:11).

Awaken to Purpose 
The 2020 Awakening! 
Terry R. Baughman

“And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose” (Romans 8:28 NKJV). 

Why are we here? Finding the answer to that question is sometimes a life-long quest. Seeking to find what our gifts are and the things that bring joy into our lives are ways we can begin to identify our purpose. God has placed gifts and abilities in each of us that bring fulfillment and satisfaction when we are able to use them for a purpose that is bigger than our lives and longer lasting than our existence. 

Purpose must be more than status or success. If we give all of our energies into merely acquiring financial accomplishments we will identify with the foolish man who only lived for more. He said, “I will pull down my barns and build greater, and there I will store all my crops and my goods” (Luke 12:18). His ultimate goal was to lay in store so much that he would never need to worry or work again saying, “Soul, you have many goods laid up for many years; take your ease; eat, drink, and be merry” (Luke 12:19). Jesus called him a fool because he did not know that he would perish and leave all of these possessions behind. This is the condemnation of one, “who lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God” (Luke 12:21).

The secret of success is, “Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you” (Matthew 6:33). Obtaining financial security is not evil and owning possessions is not wicked, but looking to those things for fulfillment or hoarding possessions for selfish passions will rob us of the true blessing that comes from finding God’s purpose in all our pursuits. 

Putting God first in our lives leads to a life of contentment and obtaining the favor of God. As Matthew recorded above, “all these things shall be added to you.” Paul assured us that a result of finding and fulfilling the purpose of God will be rewarded in “that all things work together for good to those who love God,” in the text (Romans 8:28). Living according to His will and seeking His purpose first in our lives will bring many blessings and the satisfaction of a life well-lived. 

As we seek His ways in our lives we will find a resource of strength and the prompting of His presence as we make decisions in alignment with God’s purpose. The wise man said, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths” (Proverbs 3:5–6).

It is time to awaken to our purpose in life. Rather than squander our days and waste our talents on things that will soon decay, let us arise to accomplish the eternal calling on our hearts. Relationships, spiritual growth, biblical studies, conversion of friends and family, these are the lasting events that will remain long after our lives are ended. 

In the time of the Covid-19 pandemic we have been made to assess our lives and weigh out the value of our activities. Many things have been deemed essential services while others become unnecessary. We find ourselves reevaluating our careers, our goals, and our spiritual connections. Let us arise and awakened to our purpose that God has called us to accomplish! 
​
Theme passage:
“Knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep; for now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed” (Romans 13:11). 
​

Awaken to Opportunities 
The 2020 Awakening! 
Terry R. Baughman

“Arise, shine; For your light has come! And the glory of the Lord is risen upon you. For behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and deep darkness the people; but the Lord will arise over you, and His glory will be seen upon you” (Isaiah 60:1–2 NKJV). 

When we awaken we become alert to our surroundings and sensitive to our environment. In the process of awakening it may be common to be confused as to what day it is or where we are, especially when traveling and in an unfamiliar setting. It often takes a few minutes to get our bearings and become aware of our surroundings. Once we are fully awake we should be able to think more clearly and begin to make plans for the day. 

Culturally it is possible to become dulled to our surroundings and drowsy with the familiarity of wickedness. Things that once were offensive become tolerated. The open expression of immoral conduct and social acceptance of that which was once forbidden become less alarming to the Christian simply because of the repetition and frequency of exposure. We become desensitized to sin and tolerant toward that which is offensive to God. We have become sleepy and our senses dulled. 

It is time to awaken, to arise from the slumber of our spiritual paralysis and to acknowledge the shame of sin that pervades our society. While we may wring our hands in despair or struggle in surrender concerning the condition of our world, we must never concede defeat nor condone the conduct of our culture. Awaken to the light of truth and the illumination of the Holy Spirit to expose the corruption of sin around us. The prophet predicted that, “darkness shall cover the earth, and deep darkness the people,” but he did not stop with the doom and gloom. He went on to declare, “The Lord will arise over you, and His glory will be seen upon you” (Isaiah 60:2). 

Rather than looking at the negatives, and there are plenty to choose from, let us  focus on the positive opportunities before us. The darker the night, the brighter the light will shine. We know that Jesus is the light, but it is interesting that the prophet said, “Your light has come! And the glory of the Lord is risen upon you” (Isaiah 60:1). While we understand it is the light of the Lord, yet it becomes our light when He shines upon us! It is our time to shine. Not to bring glory upon ourselves, but to acknowledge His presence and power shining through us, bringing honor to Him. “His glory” is to be seen in us and upon us. 

Paul wrote about the revelation that comes when, “the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them” (2 Corinthians 4:4). When the glory of God shines upon us we become illuminating in our darkened world. While most do not wish to draw attention to themselves it is our privilege to reflect His life and bring Him glory!

Paul said, “If our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing” (2 Corinthians 4:3). The only way for people to be saved is to see Jesus Christ in us and hear the saving gospel from our lips. Our greatest opportunity is to share the Light of the World in a culture that glorifies the dark and finds satisfaction in the shadows. 

It is time to awaken to our opportunity, to clearly see the privilege we have been given to shine in the end time. We have been called by God, “that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light” (1 Peter 2:9). Awaken to the light, “a light that shines in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts” (2 Peter 1:19).
​
Theme passage:
“Knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep; for now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed” (Romans 13:11).