The American Sleep Apnea Association estimates that 22 million of us suffer from some form of sleep apnea. This is a potentially serious disorder in which we repeatedly stop breathing in our sleep. The long-term effects of sleep apnea include high blood pressure, stroke, heart attacks, and is a risk factor for dementia.<\/p>\n\n
CPAP machines are the most widely used device for treating moderate and severe sleep apnea. Through a mask and tube the CPAP machine pumps a continuous stream of oxygenated air allowing you to breathe continuously while you sleep. When you first start using a CPAP machine, the pressure of the rushing air can feel suffocating, but you eventually get used to it.<\/p>\n\n
Two of the most common words translated as "spirit" in the Bible can also be translated "air." In Ephesians 5:18 the present passive imperative verb translated "be filled" tells us that we are commanded to be continuously filled with the Holy Spirit. Unfortunately, Christians suffer from Spirit apnea, a serious disorder in which we repeatedly stop breathing in the life-giving Spirit of God. It's a congenital defect borne out of our spiritual depravity. Spirit apnea, like sleep apnea, can have a grave effect on our hearts, minds, and actions.<\/em><\/p>\n\n Spiritual disciplines are like CPAP machines. They supply us with a continuous flow of God's life-sustaining Spirit. Some of these disciplines include prayer, fasting, Bible reading\/meditation, worship, giving, and evangelism. At first these disciplines can seem overwhelming. Over time though, you get used to them and begin to notice the effects. <\/em><\/p>","protected":false},"author":30,"featured_media":0,"template":"","tax_ctp_audience":[],"tax_ctp_authors":[],"tax_ctp_categories":[165],"tax_ctp_format":[171],"tax_ctp_illustration_types":[408,411],"tax_ctp_multimedia":[],"tax_ctp_point_editor":[],"tax_publications":[140],"tax_ctp_tags":[3366,3406,4156,4157,4158,4159,4998,5043,5049,5055,5060,5232,5259],"tax_ctp_topics":[380,382],"class_list":["post-37527","sermon-illustrations","type-sermon-illustrations","status-publish","hentry","tax_publications-ct-pastors","tax_ctp_tags-abundant-life","tax_ctp_tags-alertness","tax_ctp_tags-holy-spirit","tax_ctp_tags-holy-spirit-filling-of","tax_ctp_tags-holy-spirit-indwelling-of","tax_ctp_tags-holy-week","tax_ctp_tags-sleep","tax_ctp_tags-spiritual-discipline","tax_ctp_tags-spiritual-growth","tax_ctp_tags-spiritual-maturity","tax_ctp_tags-spiritual-power","tax_ctp_tags-victorious-living","tax_ctp_tags-wakefulness"],"acf":{"scripture_references":[{"first_verse":null,"add_second_verse":false,"second_verse":null},{"first_verse":null,"add_second_verse":false,"second_verse":null},{"first_verse":null,"add_second_verse":false,"second_verse":null},{"first_verse":null,"add_second_verse":false,"second_verse":null},{"first_verse":null,"add_second_verse":false,"second_verse":null},{"first_verse":null,"add_second_verse":false,"second_verse":null},{"first_verse":null,"add_second_verse":false,"second_verse":null},{"first_verse":null,"add_second_verse":false,"second_verse":null},{"first_verse":null,"add_second_verse":false,"second_verse":null},{"first_verse":null,"add_second_verse":false,"second_verse":null},{"first_verse":null,"add_second_verse":false,"second_verse":null},{"first_verse":null,"add_second_verse":false,"second_verse":null},{"first_verse":null,"add_second_verse":false,"second_verse":null},{"first_verse":null,"add_second_verse":false,"second_verse":null},{"first_verse":null,"add_second_verse":false,"second_verse":null},{"first_verse":null,"add_second_verse":false,"second_verse":null},{"first_verse":null,"add_second_verse":false,"second_verse":null}]},"yoast_head":"\n