THE NUMBER YOU HAVE DIALED IS NOT IN SERVICE

I don't know about you, but it sure is frustrating to call a number on your phone only to receive the recorded message which says "the number you have dialed is no longer in service. Please try the number again or call your operator for assistance. This is a recording." The modern version probably does not say "dial" as today we "punch" in numbers and not "dial" them. Never the less the point is the same which basically is "sorry that person can not be reached". 

There is someone much higher and greater that can always be reached. He is never gone. He does not slumber or sleep. He is always ready day and night to come to your aid and that of course is Jesus. 

Psalm 121:3(NIV) says 'He will not let your foot slip-He who watches over you will not slumber.' Jesus is a 24/7 around the clock friend and counseling service. There is no toll free number you have to call to get Him. You simply call out to Him in prayer. He hears you. Hebrews 4:13(NIV) says 'Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight.Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.' Wow, isn't that great to know?

So call on God in good times and in bad times. Jeremiah 33:3(NIV) which is often called God's phone number says 'Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.' God speaks to us through his word primarily. You can not "hear" Him if you do not make time to be still and listen for His voice. 

Today why not make it a point to get alone with God and read His word and listen to His voice. He is there waiting to hear from you.

PRAYER: Today Lord I cry out to you. I know you are waiting to hear from me each day. Sometimes I just get too busy and forget to sit down ad be still and "talk" to you in prayer but let other things squeeze you out. That makes Satan happy but you very sad. Forgive me Lord. thank you for hearing my prayers. In Jesus' name.Amen.

PRAY AS YOU GO

We all have probably heard the terminology, "pay as you go". That sort of rhymes with "pray as you go" which I find is a valuable topic to give insight on. We should be praying in season and out of season. 1 Thessalonians 5:17(NIV) reminds us to 'pray continually.' Luke 18:1(NIV) says  to 'pray and never give up.' 

Pray is simply "talking to God", that's it. No fancy language or "thee's" or " thous" are needed. Depending on what church background you were raised in you might find it difficult to "pray as you go". Maybe you are used to formally memorized and recited prayers. Try to just simply talk to God, praise His name, and give Him glory. Matthew 6:7(NIV) says 'and when you pray do not keep on babbling like the pagans, for they think they will be heard for their many words.' In other words you do not need a theological degree to pray to God. He is our friend and He is waiting to hear from we His children around the clock. He is never off duty.

When you go about your day each day you need to try to be in an attitude of prayer. There is no need to wait till Sunday to pray in church but pray at all times. Pray driving down the road. Pray when you are walking about doing your errands. Pray when you work. Perhaps you can plan a "prayer walk" which is specifically set aside  to walk some area in need of prayer and pray quietly as walk along if you are somewhere you are able to and not draw attention to yourself. We are not to be doing is to say "Hey look at me! Aren't I great." 

How many of us tend to give up on God or get mad when things do not go as planned? Just keep doing life with God and keep praising Him and do not forget to thank Him for His answers. Jeremiah 33:3(NIV) often referred to as "God's phone number" says 'Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.' Make sure your heart is right because in Psalm 66:18(NIV) it says 'If I had cherished sin in my heart, the Lord would not have listened.' 

Is your heart right with God? Are you harboring hate, resentment, bitterness, jealously, or evil thoughts? Perhaps it is time to have a "come to Jesus moment" and get your heart right with Hi, then pray on wherever life takes you.

PRAYER: Dear Lord I love you and want to be able to not harbor bad stuff in my heart. I know sometimes there are things that crop up that Satan wants me to keep mulling over but I also know my heart needs to be right before you. Lord I confess my sin of _______________ (fill in the blank) and ask you to come into my heart and soften it and make me a new creation in Christ. In Jesus' name. Amen.

NOTE: There is a superb prayer ministry for ladies entitled Moms in Prayer(formerly Moms in Touch) which are moms and grandmoms praying for children and their schools, careers, or military. Check it out at www.momsinprayer.org. 

Men could no doubt benefit from their formula the Four Steps of Prayer. Check it out.

WHAT ARE YOU HOPING FOR?

Victory from an addiction? Recovery from a loss? Waiting for that military spouse or child to arrive safely home from a war zone? A prodigal child to return? Restoration of a damaged relationship? Gaining custody of a child or grandchild? Trying not to lose your home to foreclosure?

Many things in life at times make us feel hopeless. God is a hope giver. When you feel like you are hanging on to the end of your rope and just want to let go, cry out to Jesus! He cares. He loves you. He has a plan for you even though you may not feel like it at the time.

Many people are just worn out from waiting. Perhaps tired of life and wanting to give up. Satan, the enemy of our souls, would love you to give up and quit on life. He would love it if you had no desire to keep on waiting for your breakthrough.

In life things often are not easy. As an example if you are a divorced woman, through no fault of your own, all of a sudden forced to work to provide for yourself and perhaps children too, it can be very tiring. I know a few people in this situation. It is no fun for them and at the end of a day you just wish sometimes you could throw in the towel or maybe already be in paradise with Jesus.

Friend today is a new day with new hope. Lift your hands up to Jesus and praise Him for the good things in your life. Try for a moment to forget your "plight" and thank Him for what He has done and is going to do. Each day brings new hope in your life.

Psalm 147:11(NIV) says 'The Lord delights in those who fear Him, who put their hope in His unfailing love.'

PRAYER: Lord today I thank you for the good things in my life and there are many. Forgive me Lord when I have complained about things or let the enemy make me throw a pity party. I know Lord you are on my side and I have no reason to be disheartened or fear. In Jesus' name. Amen.

NOTE: Please check out my friend author Kathe Wunnenberg's website about hope at www.hopelifters.com.

August 6 her newest book published by Zondervan will be in bookstores and is in pre sale now through Amazon. The title is Hopelifter: Creative Ways To Spread Hope When Life Hurts.

DON'T BE A FOOL!

Crazy world we are living in today. What is wrong is being called right and what is right is being called wrong. Speaking up against something in the Bible makes you "hateful". Since when did disagreeing with something imply that we hated a person? The enemy is alive and well on planet Earth my friends, doing some of his best work yet this time trying to distract Christians and have people called evil if they won't tolerate something they know is wrong. Even ministers of the gospel, rabbi's and priests may not publicly have the courage to say what is in God's word is true.

For those unaware this is occurring and think I am crazy, let me tell you, it is happening and many times endorsed by our own government. Very sad day indeed.

In an excerpt from Psalm 14:1(NIV) it says 'the fool says in his heart, there is no God.' Many movements are underway to try to get rid of "religion" or anything that has a cross or Bible verse on it. Philippians 3:18-19(ESV) says 'For many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even with tears, walk as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their end is destruction,their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things." Does that remotely sound like today? It is going to get to a point if a Christian speaks up against evil or something that is wrong in God's eyes they may be arrested for being "hateful and intolerant'.

We know the "end of the story" so it is not necessary to sit around fearful and in a panic. We do need to be studying and equipping ourselves with knowledge of God's word. What if one day it got so bad Bibles were banned? It has happened in other places so why are we any different? Our Constitution is great only when it is obeyed and followed. Do you have enough of God's word stored up in your heart to help you through hard times that may come?

Psalm 119:11(NIV) says 'I have hidden your word in my heart that I may not sin against you.' If you are a parent, even of a newborn, you need to start now getting scripture into their tiny hearts. Every day read a Bible verse. 2 Timothy 3:15(NIV) says 'And how from infancy you have known the Holy scriptures which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Jesus Christ.' Young moms and dads out there or grandmas and grandpas, let your children hear the word of God daily. Their life with God is more important than nursery rhymes or Sesame Street.

So do you want to be a fool or have great wisdom? I think the answer is evident. Start today and get serious about getting into the word of God.

PRAYER: Lord I thank you this day for all you have given me. Thank you for the privilege of worship and studying God's word. I pray for those who may be residing in countries where Christian radio, television, and expression is cause for arrest or even death. Lord Jesus use me as a light in the dark world around me and keep me from ever being a fool. In Jesus' name. Amen.

GOD'S TIMING

Many times we become frustrated with prayer and think God just is not listening. He has a greater plan than we do and knows what he is doing. Perhaps you have been lifting a certain issue up in prayer for a family member or friend and it seems there is no change or breakthrough. God is not finished. His ways are not our ways and His thoughts are not our thoughts.

Many people experience the rough waters and storms of life and just feel like throwing up their hands in desperation. Perhaps some of you reading this can identify with that feeling. To continually dwell on a situation you have been praying to change you need to focus on God hearing you and loving you and then try to think about something else. The thought life has to come under control of the Holy Spirit.

Our thoughts can hold us captive almost like being in a jail cell. No way of escaping if we let junk continually drag us down. It is time to get up, get going, and shout out "Jesus you are Lord. Thank you for hearing my prayers for________ and fill in that blank". Then get busy thinking on something else. God is indeed in control.

Isaiah 55:8-9(NIV) says 'For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,”declares the Lord.As the heavens are higher than the earth so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than yours.' A second verse to "fix" your mind on is Philippians 4:8(NIV) which I refer to a good deal in my writings. You may have it memorized by now. It says 'Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.' When you decide to purposely think positive and on "good" things then your life will be much more peaceful. Give your concerns to God and wait for his answer in His time.

PRAYER:Your timing Lord is perfect. It sometimes is hard to wait but I know you hear my prayers and are working in the life of______________. (Fill in blank). You are in control Lord and the worker of miracles and I thank you for that. In Jesus' name. Amen.

ANOTHER DAY!!! YIPPEE!!

Oh happy day! Oh glorious day! Oh wonderful day!  So you say you are not a morning person? Well hop up out of bed one day and say one of the three statements above. Each day is a gift from God to go out into the world around you and shine His love on others. Don't lie in bed fearful, depressed, and moping. 

In Psalm 118:24(NKJV) it says 'This is the day the Lord has made. We shall rejoice and be glad in it!'  Are you able to get up and just say "thank you Lord for another day to impact the world" and then get up and get going?

Each brand new day comes with brand new challenges and a clean slate in which to begin. I find that great! We can choose to be positive and joyful or negative and fretful. What do you choose? 

I know God watches over me each and every day and that makes me smile. Lamentations3:22-23(ESV) says 'The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, his mercies never come to an end, they are new every morning.Great is your faithfulness.' 

Lift up your eyes and shout unto God that you love this day and what it holds for you. Psalm 90:12(NIV) says 'Teach us to number our days so we may gain a heart of wisdom.'

Most everyone is familiar with The Lord's Prayer. In Matthew 6:1(NIV) says 'Give us this day our daily bread' which means just what it says, "give us what we need"  not necessarily what we want. He does provide for us and our needs. 

Today you have a chance to go into the day with a new attitude. The past is gone. So why not say "yippee" and get on with it? God Bless You!

PRAYER: I am excited that with each morning sunrise we get a brand new chance to do things differently if we messed up somewhere or get to try new things. It is a new day to sing your praises. Help me resist the enemy trying to make me dwell in the past as I jump up joyful and say "use me today Lord". In Jesus' name.Amen. 

COMMITMENT

What does it mean to be committed? I am not referring to the days when people were "Committed" to a mental institution but the word commitment itself what does it mean and are you are committed person?

Today one of my best friends in Indiana and her spouse, whom she met in college, are celebrating 40 years of Holy matrimony together. As Dave says "Meet Becky my first wife" when he introduces me. I am not saying this to make those who are divorced feel bad because often times there are reasons for divorce such as abuse, neglect, adultery or some reason you had no clue and were blind sided when your spouse dropped the bomb shell on you. God forgives and you can begin anew.

I pray for my son and his wife daily to have a fantastic God filled marriage and do it till death do them part. I believe they will.

Commitment is more than just taking a vow before God to be faithful in sickness and health but it is to be committed to a project also you need to finish. Or to be committed to a friend to follow through on a task you promised to do.

Basically it is responsibility and loyalty to someone. In marriage you put your spouse first or should as you are now a team. Sure you have individual likes and dislikes but you are forged together for life to share life together.

Can you commit to something and follow through? Psalm 37:5(ESV) says 'Commit your way to the Lord , trust in Him and He will act.' Have you ever committed your life to Jesus? Did you feel different? I hope so. Commitment requires time. Are you willing to give time to the Lord to know Him better?

PRAYER: Today Lord I thank you for the ability to be committed. To follow through on a vow or a project. You strengthen me to follow you and to do what I promised. Help me as I seek your face to learn what commitment realy is all about. In Jesus' name. Amen.