ANONYMOUS CALLER

 Many times when our landline phone at our house rings the caller ID will say "Anonymous Caller" and my initial reaction is to avoid the call assuming it is a sales pitch or plea for money. If your phone number at home is unlisted the callers on the receiving end do not know who is calling so they too may avoid picking it up. Even with a mobile phone if the caller is not in your contact list you may hesitate to answer.

When we "call" on God in prayer, if you have received Him as your savior, then He knows your voice and He knows exactly who you are. He listens and He cares. He speaks back to you through scriptures in the Bible as well as convictions of the spirit inside of you.

John 10:27(NIV) says 'My sheep listen to my voice and I know them and they follow me.' If any of you have ever witnessed a shepherd with his sheep, that is true. The sheep know their master and they know instinctively he will guide them to safety.

Have you asked Jesus to be your Lord and savior? Do you talk to Him in prayer? Have you repented or turned away from those sins that you know separate you from God?

In this world we live in today deceptive spirits of Satan are on the warpath and have captured even some believers to believe his lies. Make no mistake about it, Satan is the great deceiver. But we have the power to defeat him. Many may conform too much to the world and not enough to God. It can happen in a subtle way. Be on your guard. If you have a family member being deceived all you can do is pray that deception would stop and their eyes will be opened once again to the truth.

1 Timothy 4:1(NIV) says 'The Spirit clearly says that in the latter times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons.' No one knows the day nor hour of Christ's' return but I feel we are in treacherous times. When a President says publicly "We are no longer a Christian nation" and won't stand up for what is right according to the word of God, trouble is coming.

Does God know your voice? Are you living for Him? Are you turning away from evil and trying to do good? Today if you have never asked Jesus into your heart do it right now. Just say "Jesus come into my heart and live in me. I choose to follow you.Thanks for coming into my heart." Next find a church that is excited about Jesus. This may mean changing the denomination you were brought up in. There won't be denominations in heaven, I am pretty sure. Go where they teach the Bible and you can grow in Christ and are excited about being there.

Listen for God's voice and stay on the path that pleases Him.

PRAYER: Lord Jesus you are my strength, my shield, my deliverer, and my comforter. I thank you for being my shepherd as well. You tend to your flock with loving kindness and mercy. I thank you for that. In Jesus' name. Amen.

SHAPE UP FOR CHRIST

How is your spiritual fitness level? Just as a person who stays in shape has a physical fitness level and usually schedules their workouts if it is important to them, so too your spiritual side needs a work out too or it will become "flabby" in the sense it will go unused. Muscles need to be worked out with weights to stay toned and to keep trim. Your spiritual workout should include a good dose of scripture to set your mind thinking like Christ.

Many people probably neglect studying and reading the word of God because to them they are church members and go to church each Sunday. That is not enough my friend. Church is not a social club, although you can make friends there, but it is a place we go to recharge, renew, and refresh each Sunday. This "refreshment" needs to be a daily thing.

Let's say that government forces one day make owning a Holy Bible illegal as it is in many nations. Do not be fooled this could happen in the United States because already "religious rights" have been trampled on in several areas. Would you have enough in your "mental storage banks" to help you through tough times?

What do you normally fill your mind with? Secular television, novels, magazines, gossip, and other things that in the big scheme of things do not matter a whole lot. If you continue this practice and do not include daily training in God's word, the Bible, you risk being unprepared for the attacks and battles Satan is sure to throw your way. You have to defeat the devil and his demonic forces with the word of God. Quote scriptures to him and tell him to leave you alone because you are a child of God!

1 Peter 4:12(NIV) says 'Dear friends, not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test yours though something strange were happening to you.' When trouble comes your way or a trial it is good to know scripture and be able to know that God is with you. In 1 Peter 3:15 it reminds us 'sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asks you for the reason of hope that is in you, with meekness and fear.' Fear here meaning respect.

It is a good thing to set aside time daily for a walk or gym trip to keep your "temple of God" in good working order but it is equally or more important to work out with the Word of God, the Bible as well. Do you desire to be spiritually fit? It is a discipline all children of God who want to grow in Christ should put on their daily schedule.

PRAYER: Lord I know it is vitally important each and every day to spend time with you. Not just saying grace at meals but getting serious about growing in Christ. Forgive me Lord when I have allowed worldly things to squeeze out my time with you, I choose today to start anew and get into the Bible. I refuse to allow Satan to keep distracting me. In Jesus' name. Amen.

BE STILL, IF YOU CAN

Sometimes in order to hear from God you have to be still. This might mean changing your schedule for some peaceful quiet time and getting away if you are able. If you work full time you may have to be creative. One job I had I used to go outside the building to a little stream that ran behind the office and sat there and enjoyed the quiet on my short lunch break. Parks are nice places to go as well.

In the hustle and bustle of modern life, especially in major cities,
the pace can be quite frantic and fast paced. Bosses want something
yesterday! Work, work, work and then needing time to unwind. It is
crucial especially for the believer.

Psalm 46:10(NIV) is one of my favorite verses and it simply says 'Be
still and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations. I
will be exalted upon the Earth.'

Parents who try to get their young children in all sorts of activities
at the same time I feel are doing them a terrible disservice. Go to
piano, then off to dance, then soccer practice, next to art class and
so on. These young ones are hardly having time for a normal family
life and can certainly not have time for God.

If you are a Christian parent are you teaching your young children
about quiet times and peace? It is good to start it early. Even take
away some of the electronics for a while. In all those activities do
not leave out alone time with God. That goes for adults too.

I challenge you to find a creative way each day to have a time alone with God.

PRAYER: Thanks Lord for the gift of quietness. Help me use my time here on Earth wisely. Forgive me for the days I rush off and

THE 24 HOUR RULE

How many times in your life have you said or done something on the impulse and wish you could take it back? I know I have several times. The mouth and not thinking can really cause trouble,embarrassment, and hurt feelings.

It was suggested to me that before you react to a situation and embarrass yourself maybe give it at least a 24 hour period as more than likely you will not say or do what you did since you were reacting on impulse.

What is needed here? Patience and prayer are two things that come to mind. Galatians 5:22-23 says 'But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.' When you pray for patience, look out, because some "tests" may come your way. Self control can help you with not speaking when you should be quiet.

People acting on impulse can send a letter that they wish they could take back of the mailbox at the post office. Maybe before you had time to really think about something you can not hold your tongue. Emails,texts and voice mails can be left and the next day you say "I wish I could take it back!' Ouch!

Below are some verses from Proverbs that deal with speaking when we should remain quiet at least for a 24 Hour period.

Proverbs 13:3(NLT) 'Those who control their tongue will have a long life, opening your mouth can ruin everything.'

Proverbs 21:23(NIV) 'Those who guard their mouth and tongue keep their life from calamity.'

Proverbs 18:21(NIV) 'The tongue has the power of death and life and those who love it will eat it it's fruit.'

Proverbs 10:19(NIV) 'Sin is not ended by multiplying words, but the prudent hold their tongues.'

Proverbs 17:27(NIV) 'The one who has knowledge uses words with restraint,and whoever is understanding is even tempered.'

Proverbs 15:28(NIV) 'The heart of the righteous weighs its' answers, but the mouth of the wicked gushes evil.'

Proverbs 29:11(AKJV) 'A fool utters all his mind but a wise man keeps it till afterward.'

So you see that the Bible has much to say about our mouth and what comes out of it. When you have time someday do a word search in The Bible about words and the tongue. There are many more where the ones above came from.

PRAYER: Lord I need self control only you can give. I choose to speak wisely and not out of impulse. Help me stop and wait and think what I am about to say and if there is no goodness in it to refrain from opening my mouth. Help the words I say only bring glory to you. In Jesus' name. Amen!

DON'T BE AFRAID TO PRAY

Recently I was watching the Christian group "Casting Crowns" in concert on Trinity Broadcasting Network. It was an awesome time of praise and worship!

Lead singer Mark Hall of the group said in church he grew up in people were all sick but no one had problems. So in other words day to day struggles were not shared.

Some of you who maybe go to smaller churches where people speak out prayer needs.Usually they are all about someone sick but in fact no one says "Pray for so and so to be delivered from alcoholism" or "pray for little Johnny who is having problems with bullies at school" or "pray for this certain young man who is a prodigal". This is not to say you have to say everything "bad" in your life but if your church has altar prayer go up and pray. Let God know your needs. I am not meaning to make light of those who are ill but the point is, what other burdens do you carry?

Share your praises too! It is great to hear answers to prayer. You know it says in Psalm 22:3 that "He inhabits the praises of His people." In your prayer time at home try getting on your knees if you are able and lifting your hands up to him. Cry out "Lord you are Holy and mighty. I thank you for hearing my prayer."

It seems that those "hidden problems" everyone has stay hidden. Some people do not even share some prayer needs with their closest friends perhaps fearing condemnation. That right there is a lie from the enemy as a true friend loves you regardless. Find an accountability partner to share your prayer concerns with. It will give you so much freedom.

When your heart is breaking and you just don't know where to turn cry out to Jesus.

PRAYER: I cry out Holy, Holy, Holy Lord. Heaven and Earth are filled with your glory. I know you know the concerns on my heart and I know you have a plan and are working things out in your time. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Click link below and praise God in song.

http://youtu.be/VU_rTX23V7Q

KEEP WORKING HARD FOR JESUS

If you have a job be thankful. It is a gift from God. God never
intended people to be lazy and "suck on the government baby bottle" as
I call it. He intended for man to work hard as if working for Him.
Colossians 3:23 is a verse I like to call the Christians' work ethic
and it says 'Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart as
working for the Lord and not for human masters.'

1 Thessalonians 3:19(NIV) reminds us '..the one who is unwilling to
work should not eat.' Pretty clear and straight forward.

Here today in America we celebrate Labor Day. There are plenty of
people in our country today that like to let the government give them
everything and never lift a finger to earn it. They feel entitled to
it. There indeed are legitimate cases of those who are unable to
work, but if you can then you need to be. Working is a way a person
can feel good about providing for himself and/or a family. It builds
self esteem when you are contributing something.

Even the concept of just "shutting down shop" to retire is not in the
Bible. I have seen many older citizens who love working or
volunteering and contributing to society and not feeling like life
was over. It helps them to be around the younger generations too. If
you are retired and reading this I am not trying to guilt you but if a
person is in good health and able to work they should be allowed.

Stay home moms, your job is extremely important so please do not put
yourself down thinking you need to be in some office tower somewhere.

Today on this Labor Day be sure to give thanks for the gift of
employment and an income. Thank The Lord for the skills He has blessed
you with.

Proverbs 14:23 says 'All hard works brings a profit but mere talk
leads only to poverty.'

Both Ben Carson, MD and Star Parker, President of C.U.R.E. began life
in dire poverty and they were determined to make a good life for
themselves. It can be done. Never quit trying.

PRAYER: We celebrate the labor force today Lord and we thank you for
the blessing and gift of a hard earned income. I pray for those
needing jobs that you will encourage them to keep on and not give up.
In Jesus' name. Amen!

PARDON MY FRENCH

Have you ever heard someone curse then utter the phrase "Pardon My French" as a way to sort of think it is cute or comical to swear? Perhaps the phrase "They swear like a sailor". Both of these are rather insulting to French born people and sailors who do not curse. Never the less these are little cliches floating around out there.

Do you have a problem with the words that come out of your mouth being negative, hurtful, harmful, lewd, arrogant, belittling, or bragging? In the book of James chapter 3 we are told about the dangers of the tongue. Take a moment and get your Bible and look it up and read it. Verse 11 of that chapter says 'Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same stream?' We all know the answer is NO. Basically this verse likewise is trying to get at the point of our mouths should not bless people one moment and be cursing them the next.

Sad to say that cursing to many has become so common place many are desensitized to it. Many shows on TV just go "bleep" when someone utters a profanity. Many may think their explicative words are perfectly fine. Maybe no one has ever corrected them. When the F word is continually used over and over in someones speech they obviously are hardened by it.Christians slip up and cuss too and God wants you to have a pure heart and pure tongue. If you suffer from this "tongue malady" he can help you be delivered if you really want to.

Ephesians 4:29(NIV) is a good verse to maybe write on a card and refer to it and it says 'Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.'

Today here is a good verse to end with. 'Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer.' Psalm 19:14(KJV)

PRAYER: There are times I may be angry or frustrated but Lord forgive me if I have ever used a curse word. Also Lord I want to use my tongue to bring joy and bless people and not hurt them. I know with your help iIcan achieve purity in what comes from my mouth. In Jesus' name. Amen.