Caller ID

What did we do before caller ID? 

It's hard to imagine that there was a time when the phone would ring and we just picked it up with no idea who was on the other line!

Then, through the miracle of technology, we advanced to answering machines.  That gave us at least some choice regarding whether to pick up the phone or not, because we could always let the call go to the machine and then check it later.

Today, most of us wouldn't even THINK about answering the phone without checking caller ID first.  And, in those instances when we cannot get to the phone in time, caller ID even takes the place of the answering machine, allowing us to know who we missed.

Some of us are truly diligent and dedicated when it comes to utilizing caller ID to determine who is on the other end of the line.

Why is it then, that some of us readily believe and receive every wind of doctrine or gossip that comes our way without checking the identity of the source?

We are supposed to try the spirit by the Spirit when it comes to discerning whether it is God who is trying to reach out and touch us, or if the contact is coming from someone or something else.

Some of us faithfully read the horoscopes and live our lives according to whether it says we are "compatible" with this sign or that one.  But, do we faithfully seek God and His divine Word when it comes to who He has determined we are compatible with?

Have we checked the caller ID to see exactly who the horoscopes' guidance is coming from?  Remember, God communicates with us through His Word, which is a lamp unto our feet and a light unto our path (Psalms 119:105). 

I don't recall His Word directing us to look to the stars for guidance, nor do I recall Him stating that He would even give the stars power to direct us. On the contrary, God says in Psalms 32:8 "I will instruct you and teach you in the way which you should go; I will counsel you with My eye upon you." 

If you have been relying on horoscopes, psychics, Radio/TV personalities and other sources for guidance, I encourage you not to provoke God's jealously by continuing to seek everything and everyone but Him for guidance.  Check to see who is on the line when advice starts coming your way, and if it doesn't have God's signature on it, don't pick up.

How can we recognize God's signature?  Well, we can only recognize it if we have seen it enough times.  Where do we see His signature?  In His Word!  We have to read His Word enough to be able to "hear" God's voice. 

It's no different from when we listen to certain music or read certain books regularly.  After a while, we "hear" the signature sound of the artist or the author, and we can readily distinguish a counterfeit from the real thing.

When we really begin to spend consistent, quality time in God's Word--praying, reading, reflecting and meditating on it-- it begins to sink into our spirit.  It sharpens our minds and gives us a richer perspective on what we see and hear.

God's Word enables us to divide the truth from a lie.  So, when someone says we can't do something, we check the caller ID to see if God is sending His Word through them or if something else is going on.  After all, God tells us that we "can do all things through Christ who strengthens us."

If what we are attempting or desiring to do is through Christ and not based on our own understanding, then the Lord will give us the strength to do it.  On the other hand, if we check the caller ID and we see that God is trying to show us that what we are doing is not through Christ and will not glorify Him, it may not be something we cannot do, but perhaps something we should not do.

Let's stop blindly responding to everything that looks and sounds like what we are searching for and take time to check things out against our spiritual Caller ID.  We will find ourselves experiencing less drama and trauma as we prepare to excel in 2012.

BNcouraged!

Rev. Karen