Mark 14:72 English Standard Version (ESV) And immediately the rooster crowed a second time. And Peter remembered how Jesus had said to him, “Before the rooster crows twice, you will deny me three times.” And he broke down and wept.

A cock crowing is a wakeup call. This is not so much about denying Jesus as it is about that wake up call. We all get busy. We all have responsibilities. We all have concerns. How does the love of Christ fit into our daily plans?

It is so easy to let thoughtless routines become autonomic, being done without having to think. There is also something called autonomic dysfunction and here are some of its symptoms; dizziness and fainting upon standing up, or orthostatic hypotension. an inability to alter heart rate with exercise, or exercise intolerance.

Have we gotten to the point where we are intolerant of exercising our faith? When we do this the Holy Spirit will create in us a wakeup call. This inability to alter ones heart rate can be seen as not getting excited to exercise our faith. We get complacent, lose are zeal, and forsake worship.

Hebrews 10:25 English Standard Version (ESV) not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.

This habit is nothing new. The first century church experienced it as evidenced here. Let me point to the last part of this warning. It is even more important as the Day approaches. What day is that? The Lord’s Day. We spoke recently about that day seen in Ezekiel 14.

I understand that this day has been looked for with eagerness ever since Jesus ascended the throne. It is now nearly 2000 years later and we are closer now. How close is that day? What does it matter, the warnings are as valid if not more so than they were back then. We need to look within ourselves, as Peter did and see if perhaps we need a wakeup call.

Judges 5:6 English Standard Version (ESV) “In the days of Shamgar, son of Anath, in the days of Jael, the highways were abandoned, and travelers kept to the byways.”

During these present times finding those people who are on the edge and able to hear will not be easy. I begin here in Judges 5:6 because of Shamgar. Israel was being oppressed by the Philistines during these days and Shamgar sought to break the oppression by violent means. Does that sound familiar?

The highways represent paths of righteousness, straight paths easily traveled. It was how mankind could walk in God’s will and good pleasure. Those ways had been abandoned. Does that sound familiar?

The byways represent the crooked paths, were the acts of the travelers would be accepted among their fellow travelers but hidden from the sight of Shamgar. Does that sound familiar?

If we are to find those stragglers that have no desire to lead the violence, nor to oppose it, we will not find them in the highway. It is impossible to save souls in a church full of saved people. Does that sound familiar?

Matthew 3:1 English Standard Version (ESV) In those days John the Baptist came preaching in the wilderness of Judea,

Who is preaching peace, love and joy in the byways? Where is God’s love being seen? If you are wondering where the byways are, they are anywhere outside of our church sanctuaries. We all feel safe and protected in church. God is a God everywhere, even in the byways. If we walk in His will we can expect sanctuary protect to be extended wherever we go.

Do not take this word as any kind of encouragement to stand and yell at the leading edge of mob violence. Those people will not listen. Let God lead you in your search for the lost, to reach those on the edge that will still hear reason.