GPS-Goodnight Moon

OCT 01  / Sunday – Read Psalm 4:8 (ESV)

Overview: No matter what our age, we can all use some stories that bring us peace.

02 / Mon – Sleepy…or not?  |  Read Ps 63:6-8 / Is 26:3-4 (NKJV)

Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown, published in 1947, has become a classic children’s book that many parents read aloud to their little ones at bedtime. It can help them wind down as they transition from daytime to nighttime. Do you ever have trouble sleeping? Is it caused by anticipation for the exciting day ahead, like the start of vacation? Or is your sleeplessness caused by anxiety, worry, pain, sorrow or fear? What helps you fall asleep on nights like that?

03 / Tue – Anxiety  |  Read Phil 4:6-7 / 1 Peter 5:7

Anxiety is a feeling of dread or uneasiness, often brought on by stress. It can cause sweats, rapid heartbeat, and feelings of restlessness and tension. What makes you anxious, especially at night? What did Paul tell the Philippians believers, and us, to do about it? What was Peter’s advice? When you believe that God knows everything about every thing, that He is wise, good, powerful enough to take care of all your concerns, you can cast those anxieties on Him. Repeat as often as necessary.

04 / Wed – Fear  |  Read Acts 12:1-17 / Ps 4:8 / Jn 14:27

Peter was in a dangerous situation. King Herod had already executed John’s brother James and then arrested Peter. The Jews were hoping he would suffer James’ fate. The night before his trial, Peter was in a jail cell, being guarded by four squads of soldiers, double-chained between two of them with sentries at the entrance of the building. And he was asleep. How is that possible? When you can’t sleep, remind yourself of Jesus’ promise to give you his peace and then rest.

05 / Thu – Pain and sorrow  |  Read Job 30:16-17 / Ps 30:8-12 / Ps 30:1-5, esp v 5b

Can you relate to Job’s description of his pain? Suffering not only from physical disease but also emotionally after losing his children and his livelihood. Yet God healed and restored him. David too suffered great emotional pain and needed healing. His words in Ps 30 described the pit he was in and how the Lord brought him out. When you have trouble sleeping, remember you are not alone. As the Lord did with Job and David, he will bring you out. Don’t lose hope. Nothing lasts forever.

06 / Fri – Worry  |  Read Phil 4:8, 12-13 / 2 Cor 10:5 (KJV)

The primary definition of worry is to allow one’s mind to dwell on actual or potential difficulties or troubles. But an interesting secondary definition is how a dog ‘worries’ a bone by tearing at it, gnawing on it or carrying it around with its teeth. Is that what you sometimes do with the things that worry you? When it’s time for sleep, do your thoughts start to run wild? It is almost impossible to put them out of your mind, but it is possible to replace them. Next time this happens, you can say aloud “I trust you, Jesus” and then turn your thoughts to the things listed in Phil 8.

07 / Sat – Asleep at the wrong time  |  Read Acts 20:7-12 / 1 Thess 5:6-8

There is a time to sleep and a time to be awake and alert. It is important to know the difference. A young man fell asleep during Paul’s sermon. What was the result? This story is one example of how God can work out any situation for His glory and our good. But it also begs the question, are you sleeping when God may want to speak to you? Paul gave an important warning to the believers in Thessalonica. Will you ask the Holy Spirit to wake you up in any areas where the devil might be trying to lull you to sleep?