THE LAST ONE:

 

ONCE UPON A TIME, when I was in my thirties, I was home on sunny day. It’s long ago, but I think my children were in school. The phone rang and a man very politely asked me if he could speak dirty to me…

Again, I can’t remember everything; and I don’t remember what he asked me verbatim. But without hesitation I can recall my immediate response and am pleased with it to this day and beyond. I said this: (and very closely to verbatim) “No, I won’t let you do that: but, I tell you what I will do. I will pray for you.”

The exchange of conversation stopped. He was quiet. I started praying for him in Spirit and in truth. He listened. He listened for a while. Then he hung up and never called back…

I continued my prayer, for my prayer was one of a Christian woman fully aware this man was trapped and warped. I make no excuses for his filth (which he never did relate to me. He was too stunned by the act of Christ in me, the hope of glory) I make no excuses for his lack of Christian love for me and others. I made no excuses for him in anyway. I just gave him and his sins over to God; but I didn’t let it go.

Whenever the subject of dirty phone calls comes up, I think of him and still pray for him not knowing if he’s dead or alive, sinner or saint.

Selah.

This has happened over thirty years ago. God’s love is amazing that He put into me godly concern for this then-broken man.

You know what else? I’ve made a decision (because of this time gone by I’ve thought about this quite a bit) that this man was a member of my church. I am certain of it.

Be careful who you get to know…

Selah.

 

 

THE FIRST ONE:

 

ANOTHER ONCE UPON A TIME I received a frightening phone call. I want you to definitely remember: at this time I was single, living alone, striving to make a good life for myself…

Selah.

I didn’t allow God into my life at this time. I was an idiot: but no more!

As I was alone at home in the evening, one night (and it was late at night) the phone rang. Back in this time of my life I had one phone with a cord: no caller ID, no silence ability so I could sleep through the night only if I took my phone off the hook…

Selah.

Curious and with a desire to stop the ringing, I answered. No on said anything. So how can that be a frightening phone call? Simple. It was! It was a breather! And I know a breather (a breather who is only deep breathing – no words at all) is deliberately trying to frighten a woman.

And he did!

Selah.

Why?

I didn’t love God! I didn’t call on Him for deliverance: I lived for my pleasure and lifestyle only! Shame on me! Yes! Shame on me! (Back then…)

I took a shot: “Phillip? Is that you? Phillip, that better be you!”  Phillip is my brother: we were very close and I was just hoping upon a thread he only meant it as a joke.

Nothing… Nothing but breathing. Hard breathing.

I hung up. I hardly slept at all that night. I truly was terrorized. The next morning I had to work and I told my lady friends what had happened. The empathy they gave me was very comforting.

I believed he would never call back again. He didn’t. To this day I am certain I know who it was: a guy who asked me out and I said no. Even as a godless woman, I had some knowledge of who creeps were…

In looking back these many years (for this call, the year was 1978) I see the two different responses I had. I am a new creation in Christ and now I know I’m hidden in Christ, safe.

NOTE: Please memorize and daily (at least once) recite Psalm 91. This psalm is all about God’s protection His children have a right to.

Now if I ever get a dirty phone call  know God is with me. I know He protects me physically. I make the devil flee! However, I am distressed that the man at the other end of the phone is out of line, totally. I know he needs to love God, himself, and others. Absolutely is on the wrong path, headed for Hell:

 

Matthew 22:35-40
One of them, an expert in the law, tested him with this question: “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”

 

I am so thankful that God is long suffering to the sinner. I thank Him for His willing patience! I, myself, didn’t submit to Him until I was in my twenties and I do, I tell people: “I’m so glad I didn’t die in my twenties, I would have gone straight to Hell!”

Have agape love for obscene phone callers, yet hold them accountable and don’t forgive them until they repent! Jesus doesn’t!

 

 

SCRIPTURES REGARDING THIS JOY STORY:

 

 

1 Corinthians 15:33
Do not be misled: “Bad company corrupts good character.”

 

Colossians 3:1-3
Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.

 

2 Peter 3:8-10
But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything done in it will be laid bare.