Sojourner2Heaven

The More Things Change, The More They Remain The Same

2010-07-23T07:25:00.003-04:00

(Judges 3:9, 4:1, 21:25, Book of Judges)

People have not really changed since God created Adam and Eve. While billions and billions of people have lived and died since the first man and woman, people have not changed. A great study in human behavior is found in the Book of Judges. I want to encourage you today to take some time in the next few days and sit down and read the entire Book of Judges. It will take you less than an hour, and be worth every minute. Sadly, the spiritual lives of most Christians are exactly like the spiritual lives of the children of Israel in the Book of Judges. Here is how the pattern goes.

While everything is going great in your life, God slowly stops being your top priority. Actually, He often gets put far down the list of priorities. You quit praying every day, having that meaningful time alone, just you and the Lord. You quit reading your Bible every day. Going to church is not a MUST any longer. Allowing God to use you to bless others with your life isn't a burning desire. If it happens, that is fine, but it is not that important.

As God plays less of a role in your daily life, you slowly start making choices that you would not make when you are in that close, daily relationship with Him. At the time, they seem like harmless choices. But as the days go by, you are making more and more choices that are NOT pleasing to God. Deep down you know this, but you justify it by telling yourself that you deserve to have some fun, to do what YOU want to do. Slowly over time, it is no longer what God wants from your life, but only what YOU want.

One morning you wake up and your life is a mess. You see my friend, SIN ALWAYS HAS CONSEQUENCES. THERE IS ALWAYS A PRICE FOR SIN--A BIG PRICE. The Bible tells us, "Satan comes to "kill, steal, and destroy". When you forget God, when you quit making Him the head of your life, when you put God on the shelf because you think that you don't need Him, you have opened the door for satan to come in and destroy you!

Trust me, at first it won't be anything that bad. Satan is the great deceiver. He will deceive you into thinking that you don't need God. He will deceive you into thinking that it is YOUR LIFE, and you should do whatever YOU want to do. The longer that we live without God, the more choices that we make without praying, the deeper in sin we get. Sin is like quicksand, we sink slowly, and when God tries to get our attention, we ignore Him and sink deeper.

It is only when we are facing insurmountable odds, only when we have hit bottom, only when life is crashing down all around us that we finally decide to cry out to God. Look at the Prodigal Son. He had to lose everything, and be living in the worst conditions imaginable until he went home to his father. In our desperation we go to God, we repent, we ask His forgiveness, and we rededicate our lives to Him. Does that mean all of our problems magically go away overnight? NO! We didn't create our problems overnight,and they rarely go away overnight.

But we do now have God back in our lives and He is fighting for us, giving us the strength to get through each day, giving us the hope we need to move forward. Having God back in our lives doesn't eliminate us from having to deal with the consequences of our ungodly choices, but over time, He will help us to be victorious. Our life will be great again!!! We will look forward to waking up each morning. We will, once again, know the peace, the joy, the abundance that this life can offer. Many, however, like the children of Israel in the Book of Judges, will sadly start to forget God again, and the cycle will be repeated all over.

I love you and care about you so much. I pray today that this message opens the hearts of many as this trap satan uses so effectively is exposed. Here is the truth that I never want you to forget. WE NEED GOD ON THE MOUNTAINTOP JUST AS MUCH AS WE NEED GOD IN THE VALLEY!!! Let me repeat that. WE NEED GOD ON THE MOUNTAINTOP JUST AS MUCH AS WE NEED GOD IN THE VALLEY!!!

We all know to call on the Lord in our time of trouble. My word for you today is to call on Him ALWAYS!!! In this life, we will always have trials. No matter how close we are to the Lord, we all have to fight the day to day issues of living in this sin-filled world. Nobody can escape that. However, when we stay close to God each day, we can minimize the problems in our life that WE CAUSE through our rebellion!

Do you only call on God in your time of need? My admonition for you today is to call on Him EVERY DAY. Keep Him first at ALL TIMES. God has revealed to YOU today a common trap men and women from the beginning have fallen into. Receive this word from the Lord today and walk with God every day of your journey here on earth. Call on Him in your time of need AND in your time of plenty!!!

In His love and service,
Your friend and brother in Christ,

Bill Keller

If I can help you in any way you can contact me through my personal email at: bkeller@liveprayer.com

***ARE YOU 100% CERTAIN WHERE YOU WILL SPEND ETERNITY? The fact is you will die one day. At that moment, you will either spend eternity with the Lord or be cast into everlasting darkness forever separated from God your creator.
To know for certain you will be forever with Jesus, go to:
http://www.liveprayer.com/bdy_salvatn.cfm

Answers to Common Questions

2010-07-09T13:35:00.001-04:00

(1 Peter 3:15)

For Christians, especially those living in the United States, the verbal attacks by nonbelievers on those who have put their faith and trust in Jesus Christ is more open, more bold, and more intense today than ever before. I want to look at some of those attacks to help equip you to handle them better the next time a family member, friend, co-worker, someone at school, or a total stranger confronts you regarding your faith in Christ.

Let's start with my favorite one, Jesus. I am always amazed at how those who reject Jesus Christ for who He is, love to cite Jesus and claim to know what He stands for despite having never really read and studied His life and ALL He taught! Jesus had one mission in life and that was to die for the sins of mankind. He came to bring man salvation, everlasting life for those who would put their faith in Him. Those who reject Christ and live in rebellion to Him talk about Jesus being for peace and the poor, and if you are a true follower of Christ you have to be against all wars and working with the poor.

Does Jesus like war? Of course not, no reasonable person does. But Jesus also knew that war would be part of this lost world until God decides to bring it to an end and the Prince of Peace Himself returned. We, as a nation, have every right and responsibility to defend ourselves from those who would destroy us. Much like the children of Israel had a right and responsibility to defend themselves from those nations that would try to destroy them, there are evil forces in this world who would love to see the United States cease to exist. Thankfully, our forefathers understood this and defended our country to their death so that we could enjoy the great freedom and liberty we enjoy today. It is now our turn to defend this nation from its enemies to insure that our children have the same freedoms should the Lord tarry in His return.

As for the poor, Jesus said that we would always have the poor among us. He said very little other than to point out our responsibility to the poor. Talking about the poor is simply a smokescreen non-believers use to deflect attention from all of the REST of what Jesus said on issues like sin and how we are supposed to live our lives in accordance with the Word of God. They are quick to cite what Jesus said about peace and the poor, but never discuss what He said about following God and living a righteous life.

As long as we are talking about Jesus, whenever the issue of homosexuality comes up one of the classic statements of a non-believer is that Jesus never said anything about homosexuality. While there is no record of the question being presented to Him, there is no doubt that He would have responded by reaffirming God's creation intent of heterosexual monogamous marriage. Only this expression of human sexuality is blessed by God. Jesus, when questioned about marriage, responded by referring to God's plan for marriage. - (Matt. 19:1-12; Mark 10:1-12)

Of course, the two great lies of the homosexual community is that 10% of the people are homosexual and that people are born "gay." The fact is, less than 1% of the people will EVER engage in sex with someone of the same gender. Also, despite spending hundreds of millions of dollars in the last decade to prove people are born gay, they are no closer today than when they started. Who you have sex with is a CHOICE! You are not born to commit adultery, that is a choice. You re not born to have sex with children, that is a choice. You are not born to have sex with animals, that is a choice. You are not born to have sex with someone of the same sex, that is a choice. Like all sin, if you choose to do it long enough it may seem natural, but it is still a choice.

That brings us to the issue of same-sex marriage. God's definition of marriage found in Genesis is one man, one woman, for one lifetime. God didn't create Adam and Bruce, He didn't create Eve and Lucy, He created Adam and Eve. One man, one woman. Nonbelievers always ask what is it going to hurt you if people of the same sex get married. First, not only is it a perversion of God's Holy Institution of Marriage, but it destroys God's plan for the family which is the foundation of our society. I wish you could read some of the 40,000 prayer requests Liveprayer receives every single day. The
deterioration and destruction of God's plan for the family is the number one problem in our culture today. Having people of the same sex marry is not only a perversion of God's plan for marriage, but you now have these same sex couples raising children, further destroying God's plan for the family.

Probably the one issue that I have the most difficulty understanding is how ANYONE could support the slaughter of an innocent baby. Of course, the nonbeliever quickly states that it is NOT a baby. It is just a mass of tissue. I heard one tortured explanation recently where I was told that until 22 weeks and there is a functioning brain it is not a baby, just a mass of tissue and having an abortion is no different than removing a kidney! How sad. At the moment of conception there is a life, a life that can ONLY come from God. At that moment it is a living being and it is MURDER to end that life.

The other big issue raised by non-believers is the audacity of Christians to think that they are right and everyone else is wrong. How could God (a God many of them don't even believe exists) send billions of people to hell, when many good people follow Buddha and the host of false religions that exist in the world. The fact is, Christians ARE right, because God is right. It is God, not man, that revealed Himself to His creation and called on man to follow Him. It is God who gave us His Word to live by. It is God who gave us the plan of salvation through faith in His Son Jesus Christ. It is also God who gave man the free will to accept Him and His truth, or reject Him and His truth.

I love you and care about you so much. As a follower of Christ, we are challenged daily by family, friends, those we work with, go to school with, and even total strangers who have rejected our Lord and the truth of His Word about our faith in Christ. Never forget, the foundation of our faith is based on the inspired, inerrant Word of God, representing absolute truth and our final authority in all matters. Of course, the nonbeliever will always dismiss the Bible as a book written by men. They have to try and minimize what it really is to justify their rejection of it. The fact is, they are right. It is a book written by men UNDER THE INSPIRATION OF GOD, THE CREATOR OF THE UNIVERSE!!!

You will often hear a nonbeliever state that only the weak need Jesus, that it is a crutch to get through life. Actually, it is those who are REALLY weak who reject Him and live in rebellion to the Lord since it takes true STRENGTH to follow Christ and to live according to His Word. Anyone can follow the desires of their flesh like an animal, it takes commitment and resolve to be a follower of Jesus.

Never forget my friend, you will never change the heart of a non-believer by having all the answers. The reality is, nobody has all the answers and the non-believer will ALWAYS have more questions than there are answers since some things only God knows for sure. But you can open their heart to Christ in how you live your daily life, by being a vessel of His love and grace, and by being available when they hit those potholes in life we all hit along our journey. That is when you will have a real opportunity to share with them that Jesus is the only real hope and answer there is.

I will be praying for you. Praying that you will not allow those who reject Christ and the truth of God's Word to intimidate you into silence, or make you fearful of standing up for the Lord. God has called His children to be the salt of this earth and the light of the world. May you proudly and boldly proclaim to this lost and unbelieving world that Jesus Christ is the way, the truth, and the life, and that everlasting life is only found through faith in our Lord!

In His love and service,
Your friend and brother in Christ,
Bill Keller

If I can help you in any way you can contact me through my personal email at:
bkeller@liveprayer.com

***ARE YOU 100% CERTAIN WHERE YOU WILL SPEND ETERNITY? The fact is you will die one day. At that moment, you will either spend eternity with the Lord or be cast into everlasting darkness forever separated from God your creator. To know for certain you will be forever with Jesus, go to: http://www.liveprayer.com/bdy_salvatn.cfm

Wandering

2010-05-20T16:21:00.003-04:00

Isn’t God amazing?! He loves us so much that He is concerned with out cares & wants, He listens to our prayers, and He delivers us from harm and leads us through endless trials. I was thinking about how God listened to the pleas from His people while they were in bondage to the Egyptians. He sent Moses to lead them out of this captivity and take them to the promised land. And before the dust settled good, the Israelites grew impatient and started wandering,

“And when the people saw that Moses delayed to come down out of the mount, the people gathered themselves together unto Aaron, and said unto him, Up, make us gods, which shall go before us; for as for this Moses, the man that brought us up out of the land of Egypt, we wot not what is become of him …” (Exodus 32:1-4)

I read about how the Israelites of the Old Testament would struggle through periods of turmoil. When they would get back on track with God, He would bless them with times of peace & prosperity. The days of milk and honey would be abundant. But before long, they would start straying away from Him. In no time at all, they would go back to following the ways of the flesh; and back into bondage & turmoil. I shake my head at their stupidity. How is it that when they had it so good, by staying close to the Lord, would they allow themselves to fall back into the pit? This happened over & over throughout history. It happens today, time and time again. How is it that an alcoholic can fall off the wagon? How can a man/woman in a happy marriage fall into the temptation of adultery? Or how can a great preacher of God’s Word fall into shame?

Then I look back over my own life. I shake my head at my own stupidity. I’ve found that for me, the answer is very simple. I loose sight of God. The distractions of simple everyday life steal my focus from spending time alone with God. And in what seems like a quick shake of the head, I’m wandering off the path. I guess it’s as basic as human nature. Adam & Eve were the first to wander and people have been doing it ever since. In our straying, we don’t necessarily have to worship the golden calf like they did in the time of Moses. We can still go about our ‘good’ lifestyles. The only real difference is our focus.

Sometimes we start mentally patting ourselves on the back for being such good Christians, etc., then as our focus starts turning inward to ‘self’. The old nature kicks in and before long we are chasing our own wants & desires with little or no thought to God’s will.

For others, it starts with the feeling that God isn’t listening to us. Have you ever prayed for something specific and not gotten a YES immediately? Most people think that the only way God answers prayer is with a quick “Yes”. They rarely consider the possibility that He could say “No” or “Wait”. If we don’t get the desired response, we often ignore God and go about doing it ourselves. Folks, I don’t know a Christian alive, young or old, who hasn’t taken matters into their own hands. We don’t want to “wait” and we certainly don’t want to be told “No”.

Staying close to God is a minute by minute process. In the course of a day, I can wander away a dozen times or more. It usually starts with a wayward thought that more often than not is ‘self’ based, and away I go. Before I realize it, I’m off doing my own thing with absolutely no thought to what God may want.

Once again, we are like little children. We get so engrossed in ourselves that we forget to look to our Father for guidance & direction. Just like the Israelites, we toe the line for awhile, and then when everything is going smooth … we begin to wander. Common sense would suggest that we would be smarter to stay close to the Lord when times are good. But unfortunately our human (sinful) nature doesn’t adhere to common sense very well.

Have a great day and may the Lord bless you.

Be Still And Know That I Am God

2010-05-03T15:49:00.001-04:00

I often look about and feel frustrated and even angry at a world that seems bent on descending into chaos. Often I can recall some scripture that applies to it all as I witness this world boiling over it seems. I cannot fathom in this day and age how one could deny the truth of the Bible when everything we see happening in the world is told of, as we come closer to the final fulfillment of scripture. The Bible tells us that mankind will be scurrying to and fro, that evil will be called good and good evil. Reading about it all is one thing, but to actually witness it is altogether another. A world seemingly spinning out of control.

Sometimes I suffer from prophecy overload. I watch for the next event on the prophecy forecast, and am overwhelmed at the multitude of prophetic signs that either have happened or align themselves to happening. Yet the frustration builds as the world denies the truth. The scriptures tell us that scoffers will declare that it has always been the same now as in the past. There is nothing new under the sun. I read the news and get angry when I see a state has passed law that merely authorizes local law enforcement to enforce existing law, and yet this is an evil thing, but those who break the law are called victims. Unless I had seen it with my own eyes, I couldn’t begin to understand.

It truly seems to be a hopeless chaotic world out there. I ask The Lord to speak to me. Protect and guide my family and me. I ask Him to give me wisdom, to give me the right words to say as He brings me opportunity to tell others about Him. Then the chaos of life assaults me and I lose my focus, and ask again. Often satan wins his little skirmishes by distracting us from our purpose. I have often heard preachers tell that if satan can’t make us stumble then he will attempt to make us ineffective for God.

As I pray, often it is with questions, Lord, how do I, when do I, what should I…. And lately He seems to answer with His calming peace, speaking to my heart. Be still, and know that I am God. When our world is turned upside down and nothing seems to work, it is time to just sit quietly in the presence of the Lord and know He is there. It is in these times that He gives me peace and tells me to just wait on Him. It is that peace that surpasses all understanding. It is calm and comfort in the midst of the storm.

It is His answers that teach me to trust in Him, not myself.
Lord, how do I…. Be still? Sit and prayerfully listen for His voice.
Lord when do I? You don’t, He will.
Lord what should I? Not you, but Me says the Lord.

I still need reminding that I must let God lead me before I am to do, or say anything. How else can I learn to hear Him as He directs, if I don’t first learn Him, learn to hear His voice, if I don’t first sit quiet in His presence and wait for Him to speak. It is that daily building of a relationship that makes His voice more familiar to me each day. Jesus said “My sheep know my voice.” As I spend more time in quiet prayer and study of scriptures, I learn His voice and recognize Him talking to me even in the middle of chaos and turmoil. But in order to know His voice, I must first be still.

“But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.” Isaiah 40:31

Simply walking in faith,
Ray

I WAS AFRAID

2010-04-25T18:51:00.002-04:00

Matthew 25: 25 “ And I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth; lo, there thou hast that is thine.”
Matthew 25:30 “ And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”

There are a few verses I left out that give the complete story of the parable of the talents. But for the sake of this discussion, I want to focus on the third servant of the parable and his consequences for his inaction.

In the parable all three servants were aware of the Master’s eventual return. The third servant certainly knew his master well, for the missing verses tell of this knowledge. But the key here is the first three words out of this servant’s mouth. “ I was afraid”.

Most of my life, especially in my younger years growing up, I wanted to be accepted by my peers. My dad was blue collar and I grew up in a community of college professors and doctors. Most of the kids I went to school with were the sons and daughters of these “professional” people. It was the age-old story of growing up on the wrong side of the tracks. The few that had blue collar dads were from a hard drinking, rough and tumble lifestyle that was completely foreign to me. I was an outcast. I was afraid.

I accepted the Lord as my Savior when I was 16. Over the next 35 years of my wandering and often misguided life, I slowly began to accept Him as my Lord. In all that time I have encountered many situations where “I was afraid” to speak up and tell someone about Jesus. I was afraid to invest my Lord’s payment entrusted to me for His gain. The sacrifice of Jesus on the cross was His payment, the talent entrusted to me. The investment He made in me for the salvation of mankind. Should I hide that payment for myself then I am no better than the servant in the parable of the talents. I was afraid to be an outcast, an oddball. I was afraid of persecution, ridicule, and harassment. I have been afraid.

Matthew 10:32 “Whosever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven.” Read on through verse 42.

As the prophecies in the Bible continue to unfold, we see the evidence that Jesus will soon return in the clouds and call those who are His own to the marriage supper of the Lamb, often called the rapture of the church. The scriptures tell us that the final 7 years before Jesus final return as King to rule the earth will literally be hell on earth.

In Revelation 3:10 Jesus revealed to John the promise of an escape for those who are faithful. Escape from the “hour of temptation” that will come to the world. Elsewhere in scripture we are told to “pray that ye are counted worthy to escape the things to come” Luke 21:36, and again in 1 Thessolonians 5:9 the promise that believers can escape the wrath to come. In the parable of the talents and Luke 21:36 there is a strong hint that knowledge of Jesus, and even belief in Jesus, though sufficient for our salvation, may not make us “worthy” to escape the seven years of tribulation. There are many that believe that salvation insures your attendance in the rapture, and that may be true, or not….
If it were true, why would Luke write “pray that ye are counted worthy”?

The servant with the talent certainly knew his master, knew him quite well. He knew that his master would return for an accounting of his talents. Yet this servant was cast out. Why? Because, as the verses indicate, he was slothful. Lazy is another word for slothful. So mindful of his own skin that fear could and did immobilize him. Too afraid to go out and invest his master’s talents that had been entrusted to him.

Oh how often do the cares of this world sidetrack us from the things of God? We get busy, and though God tugs us, we fear to step up to tell someone about Jesus. Though we may be saved, we tend to coast along on that. Luke was talking to believers when he wrote “Pray that ye are counted worthy”. Why would this be necessary for those that have already accepted Jesus as savior? The scriptures are clear that we CAN NOT ever be “worthy” for salvation. Salvation is a free gift. The Bible says so. Worthy of what then? Jesus is fast returning to claim His bride. The rapture of the church is real, though it is not called rapture in our Bibles, it is written of there. To be worthy is to serve our Lord. My fear is that many who know Jesus will be caught asleep, without investing as it were. The scriptures tell us that salvation is free, but the rapture is for those that are worthy. Pray ye are counted worthy.

In conclusion read 1 Peter Chapter 4:12-19,

Verse 12 Beloved think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you……….
Verse 14 If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part He is evil spoken of, but on your part He is glorified...
Verse 19 Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to Him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator.

Simply walking in faith
Ray

Are You Ready?

2010-04-13T20:56:00.000-04:00

My wife and I were talking this winter about how would we have survived if we had been born in the time of our grandparents. The struggles they endured without the modern conveniences we have taken for granted. Who has not fantasized about what it would have been like to live in a different age? My wife has often said that she felt that God has blessed her to live in the most exiting age of all time. Watching prophecy unfold into reality before our very eyes.

The scriptures tell us that God knew us before we were born, that He formed us in the womb. As we were talking about this, this evening it seemed as God spoke to me. Not only did He know me as I was being formed, He selected each of us for this time. The Bible tells us that as we walk in faith, God Himself will place our footsteps. It is no accident that we live and work where we do. As we have been faithful He has placed each of us where are today.

In my prayer time and Bible reading, I have felt a growing urgency to get ready. The purpose the Lord has for my life is preparing to unfold. I have often wondered at the miraculous interventions in my life in times of danger. How God has preserved me and shown His hand as He intervened in circumstances that most likely would have resulted in my death. He has shown me that He has preserved me for His purpose. He has staked His claim on me as I have trusted my life to Him. HE knew me before I was born. He placed each of us in this time in history. We were born for today. Are we ready?

I believe the Lord is putting the last pieces of the puzzle in place. Each of His people are where He has placed us. He has a job for us to do as the closing act takes the stage. He is calling His own to get ready for the grand finale. Get ready. It is no accident where we live and work. It is no accident what school or job we go to daily. It is no accident where we shop, work or play. It is no accident, for the Bible tells us that God directs the steps of His faithful. Get ready.

As the stage is set for the final act, those who are ready will be called for the finale. Those who do not heed the call will be thrust aside, for God’s plan will go forward, lead follow or get out of the way. I believe the Lord is calling His own to get ready. Our Lord and Savior has His plan set for the final act. Get ready. Don’t miss the call. Cast off the cares of this world and get ready. Be ready to give cause for the faith we have in Christ. Draw nearer to Him. Listen for His voice. Our Sovereign God will complete His plan, and I believe that if we miss the call we will be replaced at this final act, for His plan will go forward. Are you ready?

Simply walking in faith,
Ray

Am I Guilty

2010-04-10T19:35:00.001-04:00

Is guilt a feeling or a condition? Often have I heard folks say, “I’ve done nothing to be forgiven for.” “Why do I need a Savior?” “I don’t feel guilty.” I’ve heard more than once of the inherent goodness that all people think is in us. I have to ask a question. Does anyone believe in the inherent goodness of a screaming two-year-old in the middle of a tantrum? Before a child is old enough to have been taught, what is their natural tendency? Do children have to be trained to obey or do they get training in disobedience? Ask a disobedient child if they feel guilty for hitting their sister, and unless they have been punished previously for it they will tell you no they don’t feel bad about it at all. Where is that inherent goodness? Sin comes naturally, with no feelings of guilt.

The Bible tells us that this is a fallen world, fallen from the presence of God because of disobedience, and that we all are born into a sinful world, whether we feel sinful (guilty) or not. Romans 3:10-18

Just as a small child needs to be trained to good behavior we all have the “sin” nature in us at birth. No one can claim that in order for a child to disobey he/she has to be trained to disobey. It comes natural. Whether we “feel” it or not, we are born guilty. We are born in sin.

The next question. Is there evil in the world? I have heard that certain members of congress and even the president are evil. I have heard those that believe in the basic goodness of humanity declare that former President Bush is evil. That could be debated endlessly. Would someone who looked into the eyes of four teenagers who brutally hacked a mother to death with a machete and stabbed and hacked her daughter nearly to death, be able to say that there is no such thing as evil? I looked at the photos, into the eyes of these four teens, and read the news reports that stated that there was no remorse in their behavior. It would seem to be true then, they feel no guilt. Think on that for a moment. With murder, lawlessness, drug abuse, and wars and killing, you are left with no other conclusion than there is indeed, evil in this world we live in.

“I have not done anything illegal or wrong since I was old enough to understand right and wrong” Really? What were your thoughts the last time someone barreled through a stop sign and you had to slam on the brakes to avoid a collision? I know what mine were the last time that happened to me. “If I could get my hands on you right this minute……..” you finish the thought. Been there done that. Or perhaps a man who has never committed an act of unfaithfulness against his wife, yet how often has he turned to look at a short skirt and thought of what he would like to do? Jesus said in Matthew 5:28 that the thought is all that is needed to be guilty of the sin. So again, is guilt a feeling or a condition? It would seem that, especially in the case of this murder that happened a few short months ago, that guilt is a condition regardless of any feelings. Or the lack thereof. It would also seem that there is the ability for evil or sin in even the very young, or innocent.

“O K. So maybe I do need some kind of forgiveness, maybe. But what kind of loving God, would allow all this evil in the world?”

Let me ask this? What kind of loving parent allows their children to make mistakes? Do parents not use the mistakes of a toddler to train children toward good behavior as they grow older. Or do they chain them down so they can never do wrong? Would a loving parent lock up their children to never experience the fullness of life or allow them the opportunity to make their own decisions? It has been said that if you love someone let them go, if they come back to you, then they are yours. If they never come back they never were yours.

God the father, our Creator, wants our love. Not because He commands it, but freely given, He desires it. Just as any parent, He warned of the result of disobedience, yet mankind disobeyed. The result is the sinful nature we are all born into. The evidence is beyond dispute. It is an evil world we live in. Otherwise good people have sinful thoughts that put them at odds with a Holy God. Throughout time mankind has proven that they could not be “good enough” to build a relationship with Almighty God. In our fallen state, we would be incinerated to be in the presence of God. It is the very nature of God that requires His separation from us to protect us. It would be the same as walking on the surface of the sun to try to be in the presence of Holy God. The very nature of God requires a covering of sin, a payment for sin.

A loving God, who desires His creation to love Him and be with Him, has provided a way for us to come to Him.

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him shall not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not His son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.”John 3:16 & 17.

God doesn’t send people to Hell. Jesus died a horrendous death on a cross to pay the whole price for all the world’s sin. The debt is paid. The choice is ours. It is an evil world. There is sin in each of us. Forgiveness is offered to all. Jesus has it covered with His perfect sacrifice. The choice is yours to make. The Bible promises eternity for all. It is our choice where we spend it. Accept Jesus Christ as Savior, and choose life.

Simply walking in faith,
Ray

In These Final Hours

2010-04-05T08:08:00.001-04:00

I want to share an article that we found over the weekend. After discussing it, we contacted the author and received permission to post it here and on Mountain Home. We encourage you to read & ponder this. Feel free to print, forward, or email this as you wish, the author asked only that the words remain unchanged.

In These Final Hours
Matthew 25:1-5

1 "At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. 2 Five of them were foolish and five were wise. 3 The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take any oil with them. 4 The wise, however, took oil in jars along with their lamps. 5 The bridegroom was a long time in coming, and they all became drowsy and fell asleep. As I was praying for us all this morning, the Parable Of The Ten Virgins came to mind; half of them were prepared, half were not, but all of them were asleep. Every time I read those words over the years, I wondered how that applied. Serious Christians make genuine efforts to be paying attention, and that shows. For all that, Scripture cannot be broken, so there is something there that isn't obvious. In that way, the Parable Of The Ten Virgins is rather like a plant of some kind coming up, but the gardener won't know exactly what it will be until it gets big enough to recognize...

The people of Rapture Ready, and this does fully include myself, agree that the Rapture will be the definitive announcement of the beginning of the Tribulation. Yet we are seeing the world around us sliding into a sink of depravity, confusion and a shocking failure of leadership that we didn't honestly think could happen, especially in America. We just didn't think that lawlessness could become as widespread as we are actually seeing it unfold before our very eyes! From the climate to the crime rate to our political and church leadership, we are absolutely stunned at how fast things have gotten so weird. We honestly thought we had been building a better society than we see around us. How could we all have possibly been so mistaken??? I think, right about now, we are all at least somewhat numb with shock, wondering how so much effort to build this nation under God seems to have become anything but...

If we look carefully at the whole Parable Of The Ten Virgins, the Lord is clearly not disappointed that any of them were asleep, so the five wise virgins with oil in their lamps didn't disappoint Him. So the Christians who have been taking the Bible, prayer and serving the Lord seriously haven't failed. The fact that the five wise virgins were called wise in the first place illustrates that this group had been doing their job. So we are not failing, even though that might not be how it looks this morning... Yet some very strange teaching has been creeping into the church at large, and leaders who it seems should have known better, seem instead to be falling for some very strange deceptions. How and why is this happening?

Christians, by nature, don't go poking their noses into pagan practices, therefore Christians, by nature wouldn't know a whole lot about those things. No sane person, let alone a Christian person, would go into the bars and private clubs my homosexual late best friend blundered into when he "came out". So Christians, by default, had no idea what could possibly go wrong if a lesbian got elected Mayor of Houston for example. Christians had no idea how much could possibly go wrong when, in an effort to love our enemies as instructed in Scripture, decided to try tolerating homosexual behavior and other inadvisable lifestyle practices, we tried to love others... Many, many well-meaning people tried to give peace a real chance by permitting others around us to live in peace, rather than batter them with condemnation as was once done in the first half of the 20th century. It seemed like a good idea to some people back in the 1970's and 1980's when enough of the real depravity was still restrained, and nobody guessed what the depraved were actually capable of. But the Lord knew... He knew the whole time... I think He had to let all this happen, so that when the time comes, no one will be able to get in His Face and accuse Him of being unjust in judgment. What we are seeing in these bizarre new age and gay pride agendas, and in the Muslim militantism as well is the fulfillment of Romans 1:25-27 while the Holy Spirit is not only still active on Earth, but being poured out as never before, exactly as God promised He would.

So, dear brothers and sisters, and be of strong heart and bold faith. Yes, we were all sleeping, and we were all taken by surprise by the evil that had been hidden until these last hours. That’s OK, we can hear the Bride Groom coming with His friends singing and playing music as He approaches to claim what is His. There is still time to trim our lamps and make sure we are ready. Things are not as out of control as they look, and the Lord God will highly exalt His Son Jesus Christ through the great harvest of all who are truly His! He Will Triumph, His Holy Light will Blaze in these darkest of hours...

Behold, He is coming and will not tarry...

Amen... Come Lord even so...

May the Lord bless you as you seek to serve Him.

Standing On Our Rights

2010-04-02T18:42:00.003-04:00

... And Knowing what they are.

A Christians Conclusion

In light of recent events, I have decided to address this business of rights a little differently than I had planned at first. As American citizens we all have been blessed with a constitutional guarantee that the government cannot infringe on our rights of worship. Some who declare to be Christians have actually done more damage for the cause of Christ than good. As I have stated in part 2, some have used scripture out of context to justify their behavior. When I talk about standing on our rights, I am talking about lawful procedures to protest against our government overstepping its constitutional boundaries.

As a Christian I believe in responsible and lawful citizenship. We need to study the scriptures to understand God's direction in this. We need to read the constitution to understand what our rights actually are. We need to trust in the Lord and do good so as to be above reproach. 1 Peter 2:13-21. Actually all 1 Peter chapter 2 applies here, but especially these verses.

1 Peter 2:13 "Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme; 14 Or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and the praise of them that do well. 15 For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men: 16 As free, and not using your liberty for a cloak of maliciousness, but as the servants of God.
17 Honor all men, love the neighborhood. Fear God, honor the king. 18 Servants be subject to your masters with all fear; not only to the good and gentle, but also to the froward. 19 For this is thankworthy, if a man of conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully. 20 For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? But if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God. 21 For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:"

Nowhere does the Bible condone or permit murder or insurrection. Jesus spoke of the things to come in Matthew 24. The only action He suggests is to flee. The book of Matthew was written to the nation of Israel. Those scriptures tell of a time of evil power coming against the nation of Israel, and Jesus told them the sign to watch for and then flee. In the books of 1Peter and in Ephesians, 2 Timothy and Philippians, we as Christians are told to submit to God's delegated authority, for all authority is given through Him and by Him. We are told not to murmur and dispute but do good.

Philippians 2:14. "Do all things without murmurings and disputings: 15 That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world."

The very idea of a Christian militia is a Biblical oxymoron. The tactics of the devil in the days to come will be to sway public opinion against Christianity. We will be viewed as just another radical religious group. It is now more important than ever that Christians act peacefully in society, to do good as God directs, and stop the bickering and squabbling. Yes as citizens of The United States we have rights and must exercise them. Vote, stand against evil, unarmed and on our knees. Philipians 2:12-15

In part 2, I talked of preparation. I am talking of preparing to show the love of Jesus to our nation. Help your neighbor, feed the hungry, shelter the homeless, give to God's work and prepare to meet The Lord when he comes for His own, read the Bible. Our government will fail us; we need to show a nation of unbelievers that God will not fail us. That is preparation.

I call to mind the quote of John Adams,

"We have no government armed with power capable of contending with human passions unbridled by morality and religion. Avarice, ambition, revenge, or gallantry, would break the strongest cords of our Constitution as a whale goes through a net. Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other."

It is truly a government for the people by the people and of the people. Our constitution was written for a Godly people. We have become a nation without Christian morals. Law breakers and lovers of self. There is no hope in government. Our only hope is in Christ.

Simply walking in faith, Ray

Standing On Our Rights

2010-03-29T20:00:00.003-04:00

... And Knowing what they are
Part II

Three or four generations ago, many believed that our government was a moral and upright government. Many felt that government was the means by which morality would be enforced. The church failed to teach Biblical citizenship. Charity is the responsibility of the church made up of its members, Equal rights is a Biblical foundation regardless of skin color or gender yet the church subjugated women to second class citizens. If a Christian society had stood with their neighbors in times of need, the dust bowl, the depression, then socialist government programs would never have been. The "church" didn't educate its members. Many churches preached opinions based on incomplete Bible quotes that were narrow and often selfish in its presentation. Some even twisted scriptures to keep blacks subjugated into slavery. The "church" failed. People rebelled against the church and turned to the government to fix the ills of society.

When those who are waking up begin to see that the government has repeated the same tendencies of the church in it's "interpretation" of the Constitution, they want to take America back. Fully three generations of people who have rebelled against the church and all things Biblical loudly say "NO!" They do not want to go back. I believe the Bible tells us we cannot go back. All that is happening in the world today is told of in Scripture.

Those of us who believe in God and His word in Scripture must go back to the basics. While we still have a few of our "rights", we must spread the good news without fear of being persecuted for soon we will be persecuted and must not fear. We must prepare by reading our Bibles ourselves. By praying, by preparing, by spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ. There is no other hope in this world. Our government is nothing more than what the people have wanted, without Biblical morals, in complete rebellion of even the law. We can and should stand against corruption and immoral government. We must vote our conscience. However we will not change this government. The Scriptures tell us that the governments to come will be completely evil. We have only one hope. Jesus Christ.

Without a moral society, this government will not work. John Adams knew this. Organized religion has failed in it's prime directive, to spread the good news of Christ's soon return for His followers. As followers of Christ, it falls upon each of us to read ALL of our Bibles, Pray, and spread the news. Quit using scripture to beat others into submission, instead us the scriptures first as a mirror, and second as a step to help others up towards the Father through Christ. Prepare to help your neighbor in times of trouble, feed them, shelter them, and clothe them. Tell them it is the Lord that has brought them hope, help and salvation through the cross. Tell them He lives and is reaching out to them today with the same hope, help, and salvation. Time is short.

Simply walking in faith, Ray

Standing On Our Rights

2010-03-19T15:43:00.002-04:00

... And Knowing what they are

"We have no government armed with power capable of contending with human passions unbridled by morality and religion. Avarice, ambition, revenge, or gallantry, would break the strongest cords of our Constitution as a whale goes through a net. Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other."
- John Adams 2nd President of The United States of America

First amendment to the Constitution of the United States states:

“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.”

Whether you choose to believe in God or not, you should know why this country became great. Basic moral principle found in The Bible was the foundation upon which the Constitution of The United States was written.. Most people are not aware that there is no such phrase in the Constitution as “Separation of church and state”. This phrase is a quote from Thomas Jefferson in a letter written to the Bishop of a church. It has no legal standing in deciding the Constitutionality of any law! Yet it has been the reason for many Supreme Court decisions. If letters and journals of the founding fathers are to be consulted in order to find the intent in the Bill of Rights, then the same must hold true in all court decisions and all writings of the various founders. Yet this has not been the case.

Few people argue against most of the morals found in the Bible. “Thou shalt not commit murder, Thou Shalt not steal.” and much more. The entire concept of liberty and justice is found in the scriptures. The Bill of Rights and The Declaration of Independence are both written from a Biblical perspective. The very rights that society expect are, according to these documents, granted to mankind by God. Our Constitution is the written law of government that is supposed to guarantee that government will not take those rights away, because this earthly government does not hold authority over God.

The first amendment to the Constitution begins with the statement that “Congress shall make no law respecting establishment of religion (italics mine). The key word is religion. Religion is the way in which people worship God. Religion is a church denomination/organization. Going back to some of the reasons for the American Revolution, and even for the emigration from Britain, the King had established a specific religion and decreed that all must worship God in this particular religion. None had denied the existence of God the creator. The first part of the first amendment was to prevent government from telling a citizen how they must worship. It never once was to indicate that government could declare there is no God or deny God. Indeed, God is the restraint on government to insure citizen’s rights according to the founders.

Without acknowledging that higher authority, John Adams warned that government would not recognize the Constitutional restraints placed upon it, and will continue to strip away citizen rights and erode the Constitution. When fighting to maintain our Constitutional rights, we can’t exclude any part of them and yet maintain them, neither exclude or deny who granted these rights without weakening the very foundation of the Constitution we are defending.

Responsible citizenship requires that we read and understand the Constitution. If we try to tear it apart based on our selfish desire to deny the highest authority and grantor of our rights, then we are left to trust that government will honor the Constitution based only on the oath of office. That hasn’t worked out very well for a long time. Without God, what authority do we have in demanding our rights? This is the very thing John Adams, 2nd President of the United States of America, warned us about.

Over time the Supreme Court has eroded the first amendment to exclude all things Godly from our Constitution and government. Our current government has taken steps to continue to erode the first amendment. If you know where to look and follow the news, you will find reports where peaceful citizens who believe in the Constitution, God, and the first and second amendments are coming under government scrutiny and have been labeled as possible terrorists. Included in this assessment are the people who have sworn to defend the Constitution and have been trained in arms, military personnel returning from Iraq.

When that which is honorable is outlawed, the only thing that remains is corruption. The first step toward a totalitarian rule is the erosion of the rights of the citizenry. The Patriot act was an essential step towards this end. Of all the Presidential acts that were undone, this one was the more dangerous, yet this current president allows it to stand. His reasoning is it is still necessary for the protection of the nation. It brings to mind another quote. "Necessity is the plea for every infringement of human freedom. It is the argument of tyrants; it is the creed of slaves."
- William Pitt

I finish with a final quote from someone who was there at the birth of this great nation. I believe that in order to fully understand and defend our rights, we most acknowledge the foundations for those rights and the beliefs of their authors, without which our house will fall.

. "A patriot without religion in my estimation is as great a paradox as an honest Man without the fear of God. Is it possible that he whom no moral obligations bind, can have any real Good Will towards Men? Can he be a patriot who, by an openly vicious conduct, is undermining the very bonds of Society? ... The Scriptures tell us "righteousness exalteth a Nation."
- Abigail Adams

What Life Is Really All About

2010-01-18T19:23:00.000-05:00

(Isaiah 58:7)

We often get so caught up in living of our lives day to day that it is easy to forget why God has given us this wonderful gift of life. It is to serve and glorify Him. That is the bottom line of why we are here. Unfortunately, we can get far, far away from that purpose during the course of our years here on earth. Obviously, one of the enemy's goals is to keep us distracted so that we cannot fulfill that God-given purpose.

Once a person comes to know Christ by faith, the enemy has lost the battle for that person's soul. However, the battle then centers around making us as ineffective as possible in serving God in our daily lives. The more he can keep us distracted with the burdens of life, the less effective we are in our service to God.

This passage of scripture in Isaiah helps us to focus on what this life is really all about. It is not about seeing how much wealth we can accumulate in this life, or how much power we can acquire, or how well-known we can become. All of the things the world judges us by are absolutely meaningless when this brief journey is over.

It is the wood, hay, and stubble the Bible talks about that will burn up when tested by fire (1 Corinthians 3:12-15). The gold, silver, and precious stones are those things we do in this life that stand the test of eternity. It is our true service to our Lord.

If you want a starting point of how to please God, what kinds of things we can do in our life to follow our Lord and have an eternal legacy, get your Bible out and read verse 7 in the 58th chapter of Isaiah. This is what our life really is all about. Being there for those in need. Helping those who are lost in this life. Sharing the love and hope of Jesus Christ with those we meet along our journey.

One of the questions I get every day is how to be in the will of God. There are so many passages in the Word of God that help us know what we can do in our life to be in the will of God. This verse in Isaiah is a great place to start.

I love you and care about you so much. I will be praying with you today that the Lord helps you to realize no matter what problems you are facing, no matter how many obstacles there might be this very moment, there are always others who are in worse shape, always others who are struggling even more than you are. We have a responsibility to be an ambassador for Christ in our daily lives. This is how we fulfill our purpose in life.

My challenge to you today is to be aware that there is an enemy out there who will try everything possible to distract you from fulfilling your God-given purpose. Be aware of this trap. Rise above it no matter what you may be dealing with and find ways each day to share the hope and love of Christ with someone.

God did not place people in your life, in your path each day by accident. It is your opportunity to serve Him, and lay up treasures in heaven for eternity as opposed to focusing on the treasures of this life that will all one day pass away. The goal of every child of God should be to please HIM, and let God use our lives to make a difference for HIS Kingdom!

In His love and service,
Your friend and brother in Christ,

Bill Keller

If I can help you in any way you can contact me through my personal email at:
bkeller@liveprayer.com

***ARE YOU 100% CERTAIN WHERE YOU WILL SPEND ETERNITY? The fact is you will die one day. At that moment, you will either spend eternity with the Lord or be cast into everlasting darkness forever separated from God your creator.
To know for certain you will be forever with Jesus, go to:
http://www.liveprayer.com/bdy_salvatn.cfm

No Coincidences With God

2010-01-14T03:20:00.000-05:00

(Proverbs 16:4, 19:21)

If there is one thing the Bible clearly teaches, it is that there are NO coincidences with God. There are so many outside elements that you have no control over in your life, starting with your birth, ending with your death, and including everything that transpires in between those two events. The reason I want to bring up this issue today, is to give you the confidence and assurance that everything that is happening in your life today is part of His Divine plan for your life.

One of the reasons I stress so much to walk with the Lord daily, be in the Word of God, pray, seek Him each and every day, is so that you will follow His plan for your life. You see, we can bring much unnecessary pain and heartache into our life by exercising our God-given freewill to ignore God and rebel. However, that does not stop God from still being in control. When we are in rebellion, when we are not on the path God wants us to be on, that is when we miss the joy, the peace, and the abundance this life can offer. That is when we are missing the blessings of God in our life.

I want you to understand clearly today that it is no accident you live where you live, you work or go to school where you do, you recreate where you recreate, or shop where you shop. It is no accident the people that are in your life are there. You see my friend, there are NO coincidences with God, things just don't "happen." There is a Divine purpose and reason for each and everything that goes on in our life. That includes the good, and bad things.

The natural question becomes, why? In many cases there simply isn't an answer. Again, holding on to the fact there are no coincidences with God, helps us to build our faith during those times when there are more questions than answers. It also should give us the confidence and boldness to go out each day, knowing that God has a reason for everything we are experiencing in our life. Understanding what we are going through each day is not an accident, but part of His plan gives us the incredible freedom to live each day for Him.

I realize that many of you are going through difficult times in your life today. You are dealing with death, illness, financial difficulties, marital problems, issues with your parents or children, challenges at work or school, the walls seem to caving in all around you. How this could be part of God's plan may seem beyond comprehension. This was the same place a man named Job found himself at one day. In spite of everything, he never lost his faith in God, and it was part of God's plan to bless him abundantly.

We never know how God will deliver us from trouble, how He will bless us. Our job is to hold on to our faith, continue to praise Him in spite of the problems we face, and know He will never leave us or forsake us. The Bible tells us that there will be times our faith is tested. It is at those times our faith becomes real to us, and grows. We grow more spiritually in the valley than we ever could on the mountaintop. It is in the valley that we recognize God as our only source of hope and learn how to trust Him. It is those times in the valley where it is just us and God that we realize how much He loves us.

I love you and care about you so much. Know today that God is with you, that nothing in your life is an accident, and that God is in control. It is no coincidence that the Lord has brought our lives together at this time in your life. I want you to know that I am here for you in your time of need. I will be praying for you. God is still on His throne, and in 100% control at all times.

There are no coincidences with God!!!

In His love and service,

Your friend and brother in Christ,

Bill Keller

Restoration

2009-12-22T17:54:00.001-05:00

(John 21:15-17)

One of the most encouraging things the Bible teaches us is that God is a God of restoration. The Bible tells us that we all sin and fall short of God's glory, but what happens to us after we sin is what I want to focus on today. One of the most visible sins in the Bible has to be Peter's denial of Christ. After following the Lord, living with Him, seeing the miracles, hearing the teachings, even being so bold to proclaim Jesus to be "the Son of the living God"...this same Peter, in fear of his life, denies even knowing who Jesus is. If the story of Peter ended there, it would indeed be tragic.

However, we see that same Peter, just days later in John chapter 21, being restored to fellowship by Jesus. We then read about that same Peter in the book of Acts becoming a pillar upon which the early church was founded, boldly proclaiming Christ without regard to his own life any longer. The lesson is that in spite of our sin, God is a God of restoration, so that He can use us to fulfill His plan.

After we sin, the most important thing we can do before the restoration process takes place, is to confess our sin and ask God's forgiveness. 1 John 1:9 tells us that if we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us, and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. God wants to forgive you! God wants to cleanse you! But you have to make the first move. You have to swallow your pride and admit to God you sinned.

You have to be sick enough of the sin to want to be rid of it. I am not talking about that "morning after" confession either. I am talking about that confession that says I am sorry, and I am ready to walk away from this sin once and for all. We all feel sorry for our sins after we commit them. The issue is whether we are ready to deal with them once and for all, and allow the restoration process to begin. My friend, it is not God holding back that process, it is you. You have to be serious.

Once we make up our mind and decide to make the necessary changes to walk away from our sins, we then confess our sins and repent. We have now opened the door for God to restore us. You see, God never stops having a plan for your life. Don't forget, your purpose is to serve and glorify Him. He desires to restore us to fellowship, not only because He loves us, but because there is still work for us to do.

If you are looking for that peace, that joy, and that abundant life the bible speaks of....I am telling you that you will ONLY find it in a daily, intimate relationship with Christ. You will only find it in a life totally and unconditionally surrendered to Him and His will. You will only find it when you are fulfilling your God-given purpose of serving and glorifying Him with your life.

I love you and care about you so much. Be encouraged today...God is not through using you. He still has a perfect plan and purpose for your life. It is now up to you. Just like He restored Peter, and used Peter in a mighty way, God wants to use you. The only difference between you and Peter is that Peter turned from his sin, repented and confessed his sins to the Lord...thus opening the door to God's forgiveness and restoration.

God loves you so much. Turn from your sin, confess and repent of those sins, and let God restore you today. No matter what you have done, God's grace is sufficient and His love is endless. He wants to say to you, just as He told Peter..."Do you love me?... Feed my sheep."

In His love and service,
Your friend and brother in Christ,

Bill Keller

If I can help you in any way you can contact me through my personal email at: bkeller@liveprayer.com

***ARE YOU 100% CERTAIN WHERE YOU WILL SPEND ETERNITY? The fact is you will die one day. At that moment, you will either spend eternity with the Lord or be cast into everlasting darkness forever separated from God your creator.
To know for certain you will be forever with Jesus, go to:
http://www.liveprayer.com/bdy_salvatn.cfm

Experiencing The True Meaning of Christmas

2009-12-14T07:03:00.003-05:00

(Isaiah 41:17; James 2:5)

I am saddened every morning as I open the business page to read about another company laying off thousands of people. While it is only a number in a story to most, the fact is each number is a very real life, with a very real family, that will probably be facing very real financial issues because of losing their job. While there is never a good time to lose your job, it is especially difficult at this time of year.

We are expected to buy gifts for our family and close friends. We are expected to decorate our homes. We are expected to attend various parties and events. All of these require EXTRA MONEY, over and above our normal monthly living expenses. This time of year that is supposed to be personified in the word JOY, quickly becomes a nightmare for many who simply don't have the money to do all they feel they are expected to do.

First, let me reiterate the point I made last week. Christmas is NOT about gifts. Christmas is NOT about decorating your house. Christmas is NOT about parties. Christmas is the day each year that we set aside to celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. It is HIS birthday. THAT is what Christmas is all about, celebrating the birth of our Lord.

Of course, it is impossible to deny the gross commercialism that marks this time of the year. But we have choices. We CHOOSE to get caught up in how the world celebrates Christmas. I have yet to read a news account of someone that was forced at gunpoint to go to the local shopping mall and spend thousands of dollars on presents. I realize that if you have children, being able to provide them presents on Christmas morning is important.

However, what is MORE important is making them aware of what Christmas is really about. The greatest gift that you can give your children this Christmas is NOT some toy that they will forget about in a month. The greatest gift that you can give your children this Christmas is the knowledge of what this blessed day is really about...the birth of Jesus!

Some practical ways that you can do this is by attending some of the fabulous Christmas pageants many churches now put on. In many cities, some of the larger churches put on incredible, professionally produced Christmas programs that do a marvelous job of telling the story of Christ's birth. Taking your children to see these great productions will be fun and help them understand the true meaning of Christmas. Another great thing to do with your children is to teach them that Christmas is NOT about getting presents, but about giving to others. Getting them involved in helping to prepare a bag of groceries that you give to a ministry feeding the homeless is a very easy way to help them learn the blessing of giving.

Within your own home, sitting down with the entire family and reading the Christmas story in Luke chapter 2, spending time as a family in prayer thanking God for the wonderful gift that He gave this world that first Christmas, going as a family to church and celebrating His birth together all help your children learn that Christmas is the time we set aside each year to celebrate the birthday of Jesus. YOUR CHILDREN WILL CARRY THESE MEMORIES, AND THE REAL REASON OF CHRISTMAS WITH THEM FOR THE REST OF THEIR LIVES!

I love you and care about you so much. My heart breaks as I read about those who have lost their jobs this past year, knowing the financial hardship that will be on them and their family. Each day at Liveprayer, we respond to thousands of people who are in this situation. It becomes magnified at this time of the year, because of the pressure the world has put on us to "participate" in how it celebrates Christmas.

My word for you today is that you don't have to fall into the trap of buying lots of gifts, or decorating your home, or going to all the parties. Those things are NOT what Christmas is about. The true peace of this season, the true joy of this season, comes from celebrating the birth of Jesus. HE is the reason for the season. The greatest gift that you can give someone this Christmas is to share with them the REAL meaning of Christmas. The greatest gift you can receive this Christmas was given over 2000 years ago when God gave you His son Jesus!!!

In His love and service,

Your friend and brother in Christ,

Bill Keller

If I can help you in any way you can contact me through my personal email at: bkeller@liveprayer.com

***ARE YOU 100% CERTAIN WHERE YOU WILL SPEND ETERNITY? The fact is you willdie one day. At that moment, you will either spend eternity with the Lord or be cast into everlasting darkness forever separated from God your creator.
To know for certain you will be forever with Jesus, go to:
http://www.liveprayer.com/bdy_salvatn.cfm

Human Nature

2009-12-09T03:27:00.001-05:00

(Deuteronomy 9:24; 1 Samuel 15:23)

Dealing every day on the Internet and every night on the TV program with people who choose to live in rebellion to God and His Word, it is sad how satan has so blinded people with his lies that they live in wanton ignorance regarding what awaits them the moment they die. They think by believing there is no God or that God will not judge them, they can live their lives any way they want, being accountable to nobody. The fact is, God WILL hold each person accountable whether they like it or not!

The reality is, people hate someone telling them what to do. That rebellious nature is evident in children, and is something most people deal with throughout their entire life no matter how old they get. That sin nature all men are born with breeds rebellion against authority. The authority of your parents. The authority of your teachers. The authority of the law. THE AUTHORITY OF GOD!!! Man by his very nature does not like being subject to ANY authority.

This is why parents have so many problems with their children. Children by nature rebel against their parents and only do what they want. This is why so many teens and young adults end up hurting, damaging, even destroying their lives at such a young age. Since they are older, they have more freedom to exercise their rebellion by drinking, doing drugs, having sex, not doing well in school, polluting their minds with porn, horrible music, becoming preoccupied with death and the dark side of life. Satan has an endless array of traps out there for teens and young adults to fall into when they want to rebel.

Of course, as people get older, their rebellion does not cease, and often increases. Adults make the choice to break the law, get involved in illicit sexual affairs of every kind in and out of marriage, "escape" through drugs, alcohol, gambling, and a whole host of other addictions that people become enslaved to, not to mention just living in such a selfish way that others get hurt through their choices. Even those in their golden years still live in rebellion in a multitude of ways.

The point I am making today is that because of the sin nature we are all born with, living our lives in rebellion is "natural" and something we all must fight all the time. The reality is, most people choose NOT to fight their rebellion, giving in to their natural desires to do what they want, when they want, and how they want, regardless of the consequences. So many simply choose to just give in to their rebellious nature and don't even care what the consequences of that rebellion will be.

Of course, this includes a person’s spiritual life as well. The first sin was the sin of pride, satan deciding that he wanted to be God. It was an act of rebellion for God's creation to try and supplant the Creator. God created man with free will. The free will to obey Him or the free will to rebel against Him. Man had ONE RULE to follow in the Garden, ONE! Sadly for us and all mankind, Adam decided to rebel against the one rule God gave him, and thus sin entered into the human condition, and as a byproduct of sin, that rebellious nature we all fight.

Because of man's broken relationship with God his Creator, his rebellion extended to his spiritual life as well. He no longer honored and revered God, but saw God as the "rule maker." Man, of course, not wanting to follow any rules, found it easier to simply act like God didn't exist. God gave man His Word so His creation would know how to live this life in victory. Again, man had no desire to follow anyone's rules, even God's, so he quickly dismissed God's Book.

THE ETERNAL MISTAKE MEN MAKE IS THIS. YOU CAN GO THROUGH THIS LIFE ACTING LIKE GOD DOESN'T EXIST SO YOU DON'T HAVE TO FOLLOW GOD'S RULES, BUT WHAT SATAN FORGETS TO TELL YOU IS THAT ONE DAY YOU WILL DIE AND AT THAT MOMENT GUESS WHAT? YOU WILL BE STANDING BEFORE GOD YOUR CREATOR TO BE JUDGED! YOU WILL BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE BY GOD WHETHER YOU LIKE IT OR NOT!

I love you and care about you so much. Here is what I learned as a child, as a young adult, as a grown man, and still learn every day about rebellion, IT COSTS! There is always a huge price to pay when we choose to live in rebellion to our parents, to our teachers, to the law, to anyone in authority over us, and especially to God! REBELLION IS NOT FREE!

One of the things that drives me every day is knowing that those who are living their lives in rebellion to God, living their lives without Christ, will die at any moment and be judged by God for their sins and cast into hell for all eternity. THAT IS THE REAL FATE OF MEN WHO DIE WITHOUT JESUS! This is not a game. Death is final and there are no second chances. Those who die without Christ are destined to spend eternity in a place created for satan and the fallen angels who followed him. ETERNAL PUNISHMENT IS NOT A SPANKING, OR BEING GROUNDED, OR BEING EXPELLED FROM SCHOOL, OR BEING PUT IN JAIL...IT IS FOR ETERNITY!!!

I am saddened by those I encounter every day who have decided to listen to the lies of satan that there is no God, or that they can live however they want and God doesn't care. Saddened by those who listen to the lies of satan that the Bible is not God's Word, thinking if they deny what that Book is, they don't have to follow it. Saddened by those who have been so blinded by the lies of satan they can't even begin to comprehend the fact that the moment they die they will be standing before God their Creator to be judged. Saddened because I know those who buy into these lies will be spending all eternity in hell!

I will be praying for you today. If you are one of those people who is living in rebellion to God, to the Truth of His Word, refusing to accept Christ as your Savior, please hear this plea today. There is a very real God who created you and loves you so much. He is also a God of judgment. He has given you a way to find an everlasting relationship with Him if you will only surrender you heart and life to His Son Jesus who died for your sins. Please, take a moment and watch this video clip. If you do not know with 100% certainty that if you died in he next 30 seconds you will be forever with God your Creator, you MUST watch this clip! http://www.liveprayer.com/altarcall.cfm

Because of the sin nature we are born with, we all have to fight rebellion our entire life, in all areas of our life. That is why having a relationship with Christ is so critical. It is through the power of the Holy Spirit indwelling every Believer that we have the strength to live our lives in OBEDIENCE, not rebellion. I will be praying for you today as you follow the Lord each day and live your life in obedience. There will come a moment for each of us when this life is over, and at that moment we will be standing before God. GOD WILL HOLD US ACCOUNTABLE WHETHER WE LIKE IT OR NOT!

In His love and service,
Your friend and brother in Christ
Bill Keller

If I can help you in any way you can contact me through my personal email at: bkeller@liveprayer.com

***ARE YOU 100% CERTAIN WHERE YOU WILL SPEND ETERNITY? The fact is you will die one day. At that moment, you will either spend eternity with the Lord or be cast into everlasting darkness forever separated from God your creator.
To know for certain you will be forever with Jesus, go to:
http://www.liveprayer.com/bdy_salvatn.cfm

The Closing Act

2009-11-24T08:18:00.003-05:00

The Scriptures warn of how life will be as the end of this age draws to a close. In the book of Revelation it warns how if these times are not shortened even the elect would fall. Some say that refers to those who come to the Lord after the rapture and others say it speaks to now. In either case I think the Bible is clear. We are living at the end of this age.

I have become so disillusioned with the "church". Very few in my area seem willing to address what I feel should be screamed from the rooftops. Repent!! The Lord is returning soon and is even at the door. Christians should be focused on two things, Get right with the Lord and reaching the lost. This should be the urgent message to all.

I listen with huge disappointment to Christian media and I cannot believe the time and money spent to bring messages of everything from seeking God's blessings (money) to weight loss. Selling self-help books on Christian living and trying to understand your child and how to manage your money, and how to get out of debt. The list goes on and yet the answers are all in the book, the Bible!

Where is the fire? Where are the leaders who preach salvation and admonishment and lead Bible studies on serving the Lord and living for Christ? All the answers to life's questions are in the scriptures.

It is no wonder that a so-called Christian nation has voted into office a government that stands in complete rebellion of everything Jesus stands for. But the Bible foretold all that is happening now. The hard times that await this country have to come to pass for the antichrist, that is waiting in the wings, to appear on the world's stage. The Bible tells how mankind will wax worse and worse, lovers of self, liars and adulterers. Having a form of Godliness without believing the power thereof. The scriptures are clear that the entire world will come against Israel. This nation, until now, has always stood in defense of the nation of Israel; but that stand has been steadily withdrawn for more than a decade until we now have a government that opposes Israel.

Wake up people! We are NOT going to change Washington. As Christians we may be fortunate enough to escape the total collapse of the United States, but we will not change it. Christians need to focus on our primary cause. Reaching the lost for Christ. This should be our only focus, no DRIVE, in life. The church should be screaming at the top of its collective lungs to get the Love of Christ out there to the lost souls of this world.

Yes, feeding the hungry, clothes for the needy, these are all part of showing the Love of Christ to a lost world. Losing weight, understanding your teenager and living in prosperity are not. The proper way to raise children and care for the temple and manage finances is all in God's Holy word. Buying more and more self help books is a waste of the resources God Blessed us with when people around the world are stepping into eternity every day without the knowledge of Jesus Christ.

There is one book with all the answers to life's problems. It does not need rewording, repackaging, or costly seminars to understand it. Read God's word with a sincere heart for hearing God's will for our lives is all it takes. $30 for a good Bible and a pastor who is on fire for the Lord and not afraid to lead according to God's word and you have all you need in the self-help category.

On that day when I see Jesus, I want to hear Him say, "Well done thou good and faithful servant, enter now into the rest of your Lord". Do you want also to hear Him say this to you? Brothers and Sisters in Christ, this is the time for which we were born. Join me now and let's work the harvest. A Holy harvest for our Lord and Savior. Now is the time and the workers are few. Let's reach out in His love proclaiming the good news of Jesus Christ.

Simply walking in faith, Ray

Mountain Moving Faith

2009-11-04T11:14:00.001-05:00

(Joshua 5:13; Chapter 6; Exodus 14:13-21)

Do you expect the walls of Jericho to tumble down, the Red Sea to part, or do you just live your life hoping a wall doesn't tumble down on you or you are not drowned in a sea? One of the biggest problems we have today is that people don't believe God for real miracles any longer. They are completely content with the status quo. They are perfectly happy with everything remaining just as it is. They get into a comfortable routine in their life and their goal each day is to simply get from one day to the next without any major problems. People have no greater expectations in their life other than just making it through the day.

Sadly, this has also become the mindset of the church and many ministries. Their goals are not mountain moving miracles but mere survival. They have figured out how to operate from year to year and have become totally content with the status quo. They quit depending on God to sustain them and instead have turned to the cleverness of man. They have quit listening to what God may be calling them to do and only do what is safe. No longer do they think about doing great things for the Kingdom, only what they have to do to survive.

My friend, God's people, His church, those ministries He has raised up in these last days HAVE NO SPIRITUAL GUTS! It takes spiritual guts to be a Moses. It takes spiritual guts to be a Joshua. If you want "Jericho-Wall tumbling, Red-Sea parting" faith you have got to be willing to put it all on the line for God regardless what the personal consequences may be. You have got to trust God no matter what may happen to you. Those men and women through the ages who have done great things for God, who God has worked real miracles through, paid the ultimate price and laid everything on the line, including their very life, to do what God called them to do.

TODAY, NOBODY IS WILLING TO PAY THE PRICE TO DO GREAT THINGS FOR GOD! GOD'S LEADERS MUST LEAD BY EXAMPLE!!!

Joshua was a great military general. I am sure Joshua looked at taking down the walls of Jericho as being virtually impossible. No doubt Joshua could call on his military expertise and make an attempt to take down the walls of Jericho and nobody would have blamed him for failing. Let me tell you something my friend, when you have the hand of God on you, NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE!

What happened was Joshua sought the counsel of the Lord and was given a special battle plan for taking down the walls of Jericho. Joshua put everything he had on the line to follow what God told him to do. He put his entire faith and trust in the God of Israel and God honored his faith and miraculously brought down the walls of Jericho.

I love you and care about you so much. We are living in a day and time when now more than ever we need God's miracle working power. We need men and women of God who will dare to hear God's voice and regardless of the personal consequences go out and let God use their lives. Men and women of great faith who will believe God for the impossible, who refuse to listen to those who say why something can't be done, but believe that WITH GOD ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE!!!

I will be praying for you today. Praying that you will spend some time with God in prayer. You see, Moses; Joshua; Esther; David; Solomon; Elijah; Peter; Paul; these were all just normal people that were born into this world as you and I were, lived their life as you and I do, but heard from God and allowed God to use their life for Him. The fact is, God WANTS to use your life! God WANTS to do great things through your life! God WANTS to work miracles through your life!

The questions I leave you with today are these. Are you willing to give God your life -- to fully, wholly, and unconditionally surrender your life to Him? Are you willing to put all that you have on the line, pay whatever price there may be even if it's your very life for God? Do you have the faith to trust God no matter what He may be calling you to do? God is still in the miracle business in the year 2009 and He is looking for a Moses; a Joshua to lead the people today!

In His love and service,
Your friend and brother in Christ,
Bill Keller

If I can help you in any way you can contact me through my personal email at: bkeller@liveprayer.com

***ARE YOU 100% CERTAIN WHERE YOU WILL SPEND ETERNITY? The fact is you will die one day. At that moment, you will either spend eternity with the Lord or be cast into everlasting darkness forever separated from God your creator.
To know for certain you will be forever with Jesus, go to:
http://www.liveprayer.com/bdy_salvatn.cfm

Rebellion

2009-09-29T16:39:00.000-04:00

(Deuteronomy 9:24; 1 Samuel 15:23)

Dealing every day on the Internet and every night on the TV program with people who choose to live in rebellion to God and His Word, it is sad how satan has so blinded people with his lies that they live in wanton ignorance regarding what awaits them the moment they die. They think by believing there is no God or that God will not judge them, they can live their lives any way they want, being accountable to nobody. The fact is, God WILL hold each person accountable whether they like it or not!

The reality is, people hate someone telling them what to do. That rebellious nature is evident in children, and is something most people deal with throughout their entire life no matter how old they get. That sin nature all men are born with breeds rebellion against authority. The authority of your parents. The authority of your teachers. The authority of the law. THE AUTHORITY OF GOD!!! Man by his very nature does not like being subject to ANY authority.

This is why parents have so many problems with their children. Children by nature rebel against their parents and only do what they want. This is why so many teens and young adults end up hurting, damaging, even destroying their lives at such a young age. Since they are older, they have more freedom to exercise their rebellion by drinking, doing drugs, having sex, not doing well in school, polluting their minds with porn, horrible music, becoming preoccupied with death and the dark side of life. Satan has an endless array of traps out there for teens and young adults to fall into when they want to rebel.

Of course, as people get older, their rebellion does not cease, and often increases. Adults make the choice to break the law, get involved in illicit sexual affairs of every kind in and out of marriage, "escape" through drugs, alcohol, gambling, and a whole host of other addictions that people become enslaved to, not to mention just living in such a selfish way that others get hurt through their choices. Even those in their golden years still live in rebellion in a multitude of ways.

The point I am making today is that because of the sin nature we are all born with, living our lives in rebellion is "natural" and something we all must fight all the time. The reality is, most people choose NOT to fight their rebellion, giving in to their natural desires to do what they want, when they want, and how they want, regardless of the consequences. So many simply choose to just give in to their rebellious nature and don't even care what the consequences of that rebellion will be.

Of course, this includes a persons spiritual life as well. The first sin was the sin of pride, satan deciding that he wanted to be God. It was an act of rebellion for God's creation to try and supplant the Creator. God created man with free will. The free will to obey Him or the free will to rebel against Him. Man had ONE RULE to follow in the Garden, ONE! Sadly for us and all mankind, Adam decided to rebel against the one rule God gave him, and thus sin entered into the human condition, and as a byproduct of sin, that rebellious nature we all fight.

Because of man's broken relationship with God his Creator, his rebellion extended to his spiritual life as well. He no longer honored and revered God, but saw God as the "rule maker." Man, of course, not wanting to follow any rules, found it easier to simply act like God didn't exist. God gave man His Word so His creation would know how to live this life in victory. Again, man had no desire to follow anyone's rules, even God's, so he quickly dismissed God's Book.

THE ETERNAL MISTAKE MEN MAKE IS THIS. YOU CAN GO THROUGH THIS LIFE ACTING LIKE GOD DOESN'T EXIST SO YOU DON'T HAVE TO FOLLOW GOD'S RULES, BUT WHAT SATAN FORGETS TO TELL YOU IS THAT ONE DAY YOU WILL DIE AND AT THAT MOMENT GUESS WHAT? YOU WILL BE STANDING BEFORE GOD YOUR CREATOR TO BE JUDGED! YOU WILL BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE BY GOD WHETHER YOU LIKE IT OR NOT!

I love you and care about you so much. Here is what I learned as a child, as a young adult, as a grown man, and still learn every day about rebellion, IT COSTS! There is always a huge price to pay when we choose to live in rebellion to our parents, to our teachers, to the law, to anyone in authority over us, and especially to God! REBELLION IS NOT FREE!

One of the things that drives me every day is knowing that those who are living their lives in rebellion to God, living their lives without Christ, will die at any moment and be judged by God for their sins and cast into hell for all eternity. THAT IS THE REAL FATE OF MEN WHO DIE WITHOUT JESUS! This is not a game. Death is final and there are no second chances. Those who die without Christ are destined to spend eternity in a place created for satan and the fallen angels who followed him. ETERNAL PUNISHMENT IS NOT A SPANKING, OR BEING GROUNDED, OR BEING EXPELLED FROM SCHOOL, OR BEING PUT IN JAIL...IT IS FOR ETERNITY!!!

I am saddened by those I encounter every day who have decided to listen to the lies of satan that there is no God, or that they can live however they want and God doesn't care. Saddened by those who listen to the lies of satan that the Bible is not God's Word, thinking if they deny what that Book is, they don't have to follow it. Saddened by those who have been so blinded by the lies of satan they can't even begin to comprehend the fact that the moment they die they will be standing before God their Creator to be judged. Saddened because I know those who buy into these lies will be spending all eternity in hell!

I will be praying for you today. If you are one of those people who is living in rebellion to God, to the Truth of His Word, refusing to accept Christ as your Savior, please hear this plea today. There is a very real God who created you and loves you so much. He is also a God of judgment. He has given you a way to find an everlasting relationship with Him if you will only surrender you heart and life to His Son Jesus who died for your sins. Please, take a moment and watch this video clip. If you do not know with 100% certainty that if you died in he next 30 seconds you will be forever with God your Creator, you MUST watch this clip! http://www.liveprayer.com/altarcall.cfm

Because of the sin nature we are born with, we all have to fight rebellion our entire life, in all areas of our life. That is why having a relationship with Christ is so critical. It is through the power of the Holy Spirit indwelling every Believer that we have the strength to live our lives in OBEDIENCE, not rebellion. I will be praying for you today as you follow the Lord each day and live your life in obedience. There will come a moment for each of us when this life is over, and at that moment we will be standing before God. GOD WILL HOLD US ACCOUNTABLE WHETHER WE LIKE IT OR NOT!

In His love and service,
Your friend and brother in Christ,
Bill Keller

If I can help you in any way you can contact me through my personal email at: bkeller@liveprayer.com

***ARE YOU 100% CERTAIN WHERE YOU WILL SPEND ETERNITY? The fact is you will die one day. At that moment, you will either spend eternity with the Lord or be cast into everlasting darkness forever separated from God your creator.
To know for certain you will be forever with Jesus, go to:
http://www.liveprayer.com/bdy_salvatn.cfm

Garbage In, Garbage Out

2009-09-23T07:21:00.002-04:00

DAILY DEVOTIONAL
(Proverbs 2:11)

There is a familiar saying in the computer world, "garbage in, garbage out".
How perfectly that saying can be used in regard to the things we see and hear each day. Let me ask you a question. Would you take a steak, rub it all over the floor, and than eat it? Or how about taking a glass that has been in the garage or basement for a year, and filling it up with water and drinking it? Or what about picking a tomato out of a garden and eating it without washing the dirt off of it?

I am sure by now you have to be thinking I must be losing it, that I really can't be serious. The fact is, we would never think about doing these things, eating and drinking things that are dirty and not clean. Yet, consciously or subconsciously we do that every single day by what we allow ourselves to see and hear.

For those who have been reading my Devotionals for a while know, I try to teach balance. We live in a very real world, and have to put our faith in context with living in this world. We will NEVER be able to live apart from the sinfulness that infests every part of life. Over the years, sin has crept into every element of life and that is a reality we must not only deal with but never lose sight of. While we can never be totally immune from the sin that infects our world, we can take measures to minimize our exposure to it. We can be diligent to guard ourselves from it. We must always be careful about letting sin into our life.

Today's Devotional is a warning that should not be taken lightly. It is a trumpet call to stop, and pay attention to what God is trying to say to you this day. DO NOT IGNORE THIS WARNING. How we think, how we act, are manifestations of what we are exposed to in this life. What we see and what we hear go into our "computers" (brain) and become elements in our thought process, and ultimately in our actions.

If you think for a second that what you listen to, and what you watch does not have a bearing in how you think and act, you are sadly mistaken. The Bible talks about the renewing of our mind. This is literally talking about reprogramming our "computer". Deleting all of the garbage and useless information we have stored up, and replacing it with Godly, inspirational content. Just like the saying "garbage in, garbage out" is true, so is "God in, God out."

I love you, and care about you so much. You really do mean much to me. It is no accident God has brought us together for this season. I pray today that you will heed this warning. Be aware of what things you allow yourself to hear and see. Understand the harmful affect so much of the world can have on your life if you allow it in. I am not saying don't go to the movies again,or ever watch TV, or never read a non-Christian book or magazine, or only listen to Christian music.

What I am saying is think before you listen to a CD, think before you start reading a book, think before you watch a TV program, think before you go to a movie. Simply ask yourself if this is content you want to input into your "computer," and what purpose it will serve.

Be careful, because the enemy is the great justifier. John 8:44 says he is a liar, the father of lies. He will tell you that it is okay, that it is just entertainment, it is just harmless fun. Remember, what you allow yourself to hear and see WILL be part of you. Just like you are careful about what you eat and drink, be equally as concerned about what you see and hear!

In His love and service,
Your friend and brother in Christ,

Bill Keller

If I can help you in any way you can contact me through my personal email at:
bkeller@liveprayer.com

***ARE YOU 100% CERTAIN WHERE YOU WILL SPEND ETERNITY? The fact is you will die one day. At that moment, you will either spend eternity with the Lord or be cast into everlasting darkness forever separated from God your creator.
To know for certain you will be forever with Jesus, go to:
http://www.liveprayer.com/bdy_salvatn.cfm

I Believe

2009-09-09T06:30:00.000-04:00

For those unfamiliar with Bluegrass, I want to introduce Dailey & Vincent. Although they have been performing for many years, we just 'discovered' them recently. They are more than just Bluegrass, they are more than just gospel, they are gifted in a way that very few have been to spread love, laughter, and such profound truths about God, family, love, and self.

Treat yourself. Sit back, close your eyes, and enjoy a moment with Dailey & Vincent. You will be glad you did.

Jesus said, "Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; and where I am, there ye may be also." John 14:1-2

Do you believe?

May the Lord bless you.

Salvation Roulette

2009-09-05T05:48:00.008-04:00

(Romans 6:1-18)

Why not live however you want and simply accept Christ right before you die? These are two questions I get asked often from both Christians and non-Christians. Many non-Christians are looking for an "angle" with God. Those Christians see people living this way and think it is unfair,especially when they are living a life of obedience to God. Today, I want to look at the answers to these questions to help the non-Christian realize that you can't play games with God, and for the Christian to understand that God's grace is available to everyone.

Why not sin and just ask God to forgive you afterwards? Sadly, this is a far-too-common mindset, especially among Christians. They are faced with the opportunity to sin and the knowledge that God will forgive them actually motivates them to give in to sin. Of course, satan is there encouraging this perverted thought process, telling the person to, "Go ahead and sin, you know God will forgive you." Some look at the promise of God's forgiveness as a license to sin.

First of all, will God forgive you? Absolutely. God is not a liar. If you repent and ask Him to, He will forgive you, but listen to me carefully. God knows your heart! Never forget that consequences ALWAYS follow sin, just like blessings ALWAYS follow obedience. Will God forgive you if you repent and are serious? Yes. However, that does not stop whatever consequences there may be from your sin. As I share with you often, sin costs. It costs much more than you ever expected to pay. So yes,God will forgive you when ask Him,but what you are doing by sinning is opening up your life to whatever consequences there may be from your sin.

Why not live however you want and simply accept Christ right before you die? This is what I call "salvation roulette." Can a person live their life in complete rebellion to God and His word, and then right before they die accept Christ and be saved and spend eternity in Heaven? ABSOLUTELY! That thief on the cross lived his life without Christ and it was with his last breaths that he came to know Jesus. Some may think this is a great plan. Live your life however you want and in those last moments accept Christ and God's free gift of everlasting life with Him. Only one problem. You may never get that chance!

How many people die instantly in a car accident or some other accident? How many people die of a heart attack or suffer some other health issue where they are incapacitated? People die daily as victims of crime, in natural disasters, in every way imaginable. Those people never had the opportunity to accept Christ in their last breath and if they were living their lives apart from Him, are separated from God their Creator for all eternity. No my friend, you are playing with your eternal soul when you take on the mindset that you will simply live your life your way and right before you die accept Jesus.

Now many people who love the Lord and do their very best to follow Him each day, get enraged when they see people living a life of debauchery and in their last moments accept Jesus. They feel like they have been "cheated" in some way. This is exactly what happened to the brother of the Prodigal Son. He became infuriated with his father that his brother, who chose to live in complete rebellion to his father, was given royal treatment when he returned home. He felt like he got cheated, like it wasn't fair.

First, never forget, NONE of us are worthy of God's love or His promise of everlasting life. NONE OF US! We are all saved by faith and GOD'S GRACE, His unmerited favor that we did nothing to earn. As I stated earlier,consequences follow sin and blessings follow obedience. The person who lived their life apart from God has had to suffer the consequences of their rebellion throughout their life. Without the Lord they never knew the peace, the joy, the abundance that this life offers. Their rebellion kept them from fully achieving God's plan and purpose for their life. Sadly, their rebellion throughout their life kept them from knowing the fullness of God's love.

The person who does follow the Lord throughout their life has enjoyed God's blessings, even in the midst of the trials and tribulations we all face in this world. That person has lived knowing God's love as well as His peace, His joy, and enjoyed the abundant life Christ spoke of. The person who follows Christ in their life also has the blessing of allowing God to use their life for His plan and purpose. Never forget, serving and glorifying the Lord is our purpose in this life. I can assure you that a person who follows Christ throughout their life enjoys a full and rich journey that those without Christ will never know.

I love you and care about you so much. So many people are deceived by satan into thinking that they can simply sin against God and than go ask Him to forgive them. The fact is, they can. What satan conveniently forgets to tell you is that you now have to pay a price for that sin. Oh yes, God WILL forgive you, but that does not stop you from having to deal with the consequences of your sin. You can't sin and not pay a price and often that price is so much greater than you ever imagined it would be.

The other lie of satan so many buy into is that you can live your life however you want and at the last moment, accept Jesus and God's free gift of everlasting life. The fact is, you can. However, you are playing games with your everlasting soul since you may never have the opportunity to confess Christ as your Savior and you will die in your sin and be lost for all eternity. That is why the Bible proclaims, "Today is the day of salvation." Even if you do have the opportunity to accept Christ at the very end, you have sadly forfeited the peace, the joy, and abundance this life can offer by not having Christ in your life earlier. In essence, your life has been wasted.

I will be praying for you today. Praying that you will not fall for either of these lies of satan. Satan wants to destroy you, God wants you to have the very best. Destruction comes when you listen to and follow satan, blessings come when you listen to and follow Jesus. Jesus said, "If you love me you will obey me." We prove our lives for Christ through our obedience, faithfully serving and following Him every day. Instead of looking for ways to sin, and live in rebellion to God, look for ways to serve Him and bring glory to His name in how you live your lives each day.

In His love and service,
Your friend and brother in Christ,
Bill Keller

If I can help you in any way you can contact me through my personal email at:bkeller@liveprayer.com

***ARE YOU 100% CERTAIN WHERE YOU WILL SPEND ETERNITY? The fact is you willdie one day. At that moment, you will either spend eternity with the Lord or be cast into everlasting darkness forever separated from God your creator.
To know for certain you will be forever with Jesus, go to:
http://www.liveprayer.com/bdy_salvatn.cfm

Let Your Light Shine

2009-08-07T16:34:00.001-04:00

One of the commands that Jesus has given His children is to go out into this world that we live in and "let our light shine before men." This was NOT a suggestion of something we can do on a Saturday afternoon when we are bored. This was a direct command to LET OUR LIGHT SHINE in this dark, lost, and sin-filled world that we live in. Today, I simply want to reiterate that order Jesus gave to His children 2000 years ago. To fulfill our God-given purpose in this life, we have to serve and glorify HIM with our lives. (Matthew 5:16)

Ultimately, that is what the life of EVERY believer is all about.

I will never forget back January 1996 when the National Religious Broadcasters held their annual convention at the huge downtown convention center in Indianapolis. One evening at about 5:30 p.m., I left the convention center by a side door. As those who live in the Midwest know, 5:30 the afternoon in January, it is getting dark, it is cold, and it is very dreary. The moment the door to the convention center closed behind me, there was a moment frozen in time when everything stopped.

The Holy Spirit spoke to me as plain as I am speaking to you now. He told me that behind that door, inside the convention center, was a collection of some of the most gifted men and women on the face of the earth. There were hundreds of millions of commerce involved in the Christian broadcast world. Yet, with all of those incredibly gifted people of God, with all of those vast resources, outside that convention center was a dark, dreary world that for the most part, DIDN'T EVEN KNOW THEY EXISTED!!!

For the most part, all they were doing was trading dollars with each other, enjoying the fellowship Christians enjoy together, and simply self perpetuating the Christian broadcast world to survive one more year! Rather than letting their light shine before ALL men, they were content with keeping their light in the safety of the world that they had established. And as guilty as the Christian broadcast world is of this, the church is just as bad; stay within the safety of the four walls and keep the doors locked!!!

Now, you know a little about where my passion comes from for the work that is being done every day through Liveprayer. I loved my time of preaching in churches all over the country, but knew deep inside this was not where God wanted me long term. I loved my time in the Christian t.v. world, but knew that this wasn't really where God wanted me long term. Why? Because in both cases I knew that the light of Christ in me was not being seen by the majority of those who needed it the most. Those in the world who were lost, looking for answers, trying to find just a tiny piece of hope to hold on to.

I HAD THE ANSWER THEY WERE LOOKING FOR!!!

That is why I am more committed then ever to make Liveprayer VISIBLE in a world where the majority of God's work is INVISIBLE!!! One of the things that has frustrated me for so long is how bold satan is in getting out his message that leads to the death and destruction of so many every day. Yet the people of God, who have the only REAL answer to life, are so afraid to be just as bold. Well, I am not afraid, and I have no idea how much work God has left for me to do, so I am going out each day and giving 100% of all that I have to let the beacon of light that is Liveprayer shine bright enough for the entire world to see!

The enemy has boldly used the Internet to do his work, well, we are using it in just as boldly to proclaim the hope and love of Jesus Christ, and will continue to increase the amount of people that we can reach each day. The enemy boldly uses television for his purposes. The Liveprayer television program has been a vehicle for nearly 7 yrs that is JUST as bold as anything satan does! This is EXACTLY what we need to do. Find ways of packaging the Gospel and get it to the mainstream public!!!

You see my friend, the strategy of most Christian organizations has always been to operate within the confines of the walls of the Christian world. It is safe there, they don't have to deal with the endless attacks the lost world will bring on them, AND it is very expensive to try and compete in the secular world. BUT IT IS OUT IN THE LOST WORLD WHERE OUR LIGHTS WILL OUR NEEDED THE MOST! We have created a synergy between the Internet and secular TV to BOLDLY proclaim that there is hope, that there are answers, in the name of Jesus!

To me, THAT is what Jesus meant when He told us let our light shine before men. That is what He has called YOU to do, and that is what He has called ME to do. Now, more then ever this world needs the hope that we have and know in Jesus. It is time to let our lights SHINE AS BRIGHT AS WE CAN UNTIL THIS ENTIRE DARK WORLD IS LIT UP LIKE IT IS HIGH NOON ON A SUNNY DAY IN FLORIDA!!!

I love you and care about you so much. I pray today that you not only take this message to heart for your own life, but that pray for me as God brings together all of those people and resources necessary to let Liveprayer be a powerful beacon of light in this world. The Bible says that people perish for lack of vision. Well, people in the world we live in are perishing every moment, being lost for eternity. One major contributing factor is the lack of vision among God's people. For reasons only God knows, He has given me the vision of how to play a small part in taking His message of hope to the masses.

NOW IS THE TIME FOR THE LIGHT OF LIVEPRAYER TO SHINE BRIGHTLY IN THIS DARK WORLD. NOW IS THE TIME FOR YOUR LIGHT TO SHINE BRIGHTLY!!! May you and I always be faithful to honor what Jesus asked us to do!

In His love and service,
Your friend and brother in Christ,
Bill Keller

Sin Has A Price

2009-07-10T17:27:00.003-04:00

(Hebrews 13:4; Matthew 5:28; Ephesians 5:22, 25)

Last weekend came the tragic news that former All-Pro NFL quarterback Steve McNair was shot 4 times and killed, found dead with a young woman who had a single gunshot wound to her head. McNair came out of a small college, Alcorn State, and went on to a great pro career with the than Houston Oilers that moved to Nashville and became the Tennessee Titans.

"Air" McNair as he was known, was a tough player who led the Titans to their only Super Bowl appearance several years ago, where they ended up 1 inch from the goal line on the last play of the game, losing to the St. Louis Rams by 7 points. McNair had a wife, 4 children, and was known as a great guy who did lots of great work in the community. That is why the details of his death are so sad.

As it turned out, McNair was killed in a Nashville condo he was sharing with his 20-year-old girlfriend. She was a very troubled young lady, had told friends prior to last weekends tragedy that she was worried about her finances, had seen McNair with another woman days earlier, and had thoughts of "ending it all." Last Saturday as McNair slept on the couch, she pulled out a gun she had bought a few days earlier, shot him in the temple, shot him 2 more times in the chest, and than one more time in the other temple. She sat down next to him, put the gun to her head, and pulled the trigger ending her life.

This sad story is a great reminder to men and women who are cheating on their spouses, SIN HAS A PRICE. Sometimes you will pay the ultimate price for your sin. While you think you are getting away with your sin, never forget God is watching. In the end, is it worth the cost? Satan is so crafty as he entices men and women to sin. It looks so attractive. It looks so perfect. He knows your weaknesses. He will give you all the justification you need. Once you give in, all of a sudden the bill for your sin starts to come in. It is like getting a $5,000 water bill, or a $12,000 electric bill. Satan is only going to laugh at you when you complain about the price!

Would you be Concerned if your Husband or Wife Read your Emails or Instant Messages? What about listened to your phone calls? What about if they knew every place you go each day? How about the places you go when you are out of town? Would you worry if your husband or wife heard a tape of all the conversations you had each day with people of the opposite sex? For those who are still reading, you either have no problem being this open with your spouse or you are now under great conviction and God is speaking to you today.

For those who have no problem being this open with your spouse, praise God! A marriage centered in Christ should include this type of openness and transparency. With Christ at the head of your life and loving and honoring your spouse as the Word calls for, there is no reason you should be afraid to allow your spouse to read your emails or Instant Messages, listen to your phone calls, know exactly where you are at, or hear any of your conversations with people of the opposite sex. I pray that you will continue to love and honor your spouse so that you can always be this open and transparent.

For those who are under conviction by these words today, this could be the very tap on the shoulder from God that will keep your marriage from ending in divorce. Satan is very subtle in how he destroys marriages. No marriage ends in divorce overnight, but over time. One of the chief ways people open the door for satan to come in and destroy their marriage is in their relationships with people of the opposite sex. If your heart began racing as you read those questions, if you know deep down you would never want your spouse to read your emails or Instant Messages, hear your phone calls, know exactly where you are at all times, or hear a tape of the conversations you have with people of the opposite sex, please hear what God is saying to you today. It may very well save your marriage!

Nobody wakes up one morning and decides to become an alcoholic. They have a few drinks, it becomes part of their life, and over time they get into bondage to alcohol. Nobody wakes up one morning and decides to become a drug addict. They experiment with drugs occasionally, begin to use them more frequently, and over time they get into bondage to drugs. It is the same thing with someone who is in bondage to food, shopping, gambling, making money, sex, or any other type of bondage you can name. A person doesn't get into bondage to anything overnight, but over time.

This is also how relationships outside of your marriage develop, over time. You get friendly with someone of the opposite sex at work, you see them every day, you make sure you spend some time with them every day, talk to them every day, you start to develop that elementary school crush and fantasize about them, pretty soon you create opportunities to have lunch with them or see them after work, and during this process the conversation turns from work to your personal lives and often to sex. One thing leads to another and one day you and your co-worker are in bed together.

Even if this relationship never culminates in having sex together, never forget that Jesus said if you lust in your heart you have committed adultery. You are giving someone else the emotions, feelings, and attention that should ONLY be given to your spouse. When you got married, that is the person God gave you for the rest of your life to pour all of your emotions, feelings, love and attention into. NOBODY ELSE! That is the person who God gave you to enjoy sex with. NOBODY ELSE!

Satan's new lie to people that there is really nothing wrong with carrying on a relationship with someone "online." The reality is, you begin to pour your heart, emotions, and feelings into this person you are having the online relationship with just like if you were with them in real time. Ultimately, in most cases it actually does evolve into meeting in real time and ends up being no different than any other extra-marital affair. It all started so harmlessly. A few innocent emails and Instant Messages that became more frequent, more personal, more sexual in nature. The next thing you know you are actually sitting side by side with this person.

Again, even if this relationship never culminates in having sex together, never forget that Jesus said if you lust in your heart you have committed adultery. You are giving someone else the emotions, feelings, and attention that should ONLY be given to your spouse. When you got married, that is the person God gave you for the rest of your life to pour all of your emotions, feelings, love and attention into. NOBODY ELSE! That is the person who God gave you to enjoy sex with. NOBODY ELSE!

I love you and care about you so much. Pray for the families of Steve McNair and this troubled young woman who killed him and herself. They need the Lord's strength during this difficult time. Today's message is a warning that you must guard yourself from opening the door to satan, allowing him to enter into your marriage and destroy it through your relationships with people of the opposite sex.

If you are married, you simply cannot allow yourself to get too close to someone who is not your spouse. You have got to be aware this is an avenue the enemy will use to try and destroy your marriage. The way you judge if you are getting too close to someone of the opposite sex is by answering the original questions I posed. If the answer to any of them is "yes," you need to back off because you are too close to that person.

I will be praying for those of you today who God brought under conviction because you know that you would NOT want your spouse to read your emails or Instant Messages, hear your phone calls, know all the places you go, or hear the conversations you are having with people of the opposite sex. Be like Joseph and RUN from this relationship NOW before it destroys your marriage. God is speaking to you today and God is trying to help you save your marriage. I will be praying for you to listen to Him and cut off ALL communication with this other person.

I already know many of you will email me and tell me that your spouse doesn't understand you, that you have "grown apart," and a whole plethora of reasons to try and justify your involvement with someone who is not your spouse. SAVE IT! Let me encourage you that if you put the same time, effort, emotions, feelings, and energy into your spouse as you do this other person, you would be amazed at how different your relationship with your spouse would be. Whatever the problems in your marriage may be, being involved with someone else is NOT the answer. I will pray today for God to bring healing and restoration to your marriage. The first step, however, is to cut off all communication with this other person you are involved with.

I will also be praying today for those of you who are dealing with a spouse who has become involved with someone else. Never forget, you are not responsible for the actions of your spouse. God gave us each free will and only He can change your spouse's heart. Now is the time to make your faith real and learn to trust God during this difficult time. Find your peace and strength in Him each day and know that He is still in the restoration business! I will be praying for you and for your spouse to turn their heart and life back to the Lord and bring healing to your marriage.

Would you be concerned if your husband or wife read your emails or Instant Messages? What about listened to your phone calls? What about if they knew every place you go each day? How about the places you go when you are out of town? Would you worry if your husband or wife heard a tape of all the conversations you had each day with people of the opposite sex? If the answer to any of these questions is "yes," God is speaking to you today. Please, listen since your marriage is at stake.

In His love and service,
Your friend and brother in Christ,
Bill Keller

If I can help you in any way you can contact me through my personal email at: bkeller@liveprayer.com

***ARE YOU 100% CERTAIN WHERE YOU WILL SPEND ETERNITY? The fact is you will die one day. At that moment, you will either spend eternity with the Lord or be cast into everlasting darkness forever separated from God your creator.
To know for certain you will be forever with Jesus, go to:
http://www.liveprayer.com/bdy_salvatn.cfm

From Generation to Generation

2009-06-24T08:16:00.000-04:00

Throughout the history of the world, written accounts weren’t always the means by which history was passed down. Some cultures, like many of the native Americans, didn’t have a written language. The passing of history, life lessons, and morals were passed by word-of-mouth from one generation to the next. Today, many of us rely on the written words of others to teach our youth. We rely on the teachers in public schools to interpret these words and instill their own beliefs in our children.

In Psalm 145 King David writes,

“I will extol thee, my God, O king; and I will bless thy name for ever and ever. Every day will I bless thee; and I will praise thy name for ever and ever. Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised; and his greatness is unsearchable. One generation shall praise thy works to another, and shall declare thy mighty acts.” (Psalm 145:1-4)

Do you have children? When was the last time you talked with them about the majesty and glory of God? Do you take time to watch a sunset with them and marvel at the awesome wonder of His love and faithfulness? How about the grandchildren? Have you taken a moment to explore the intricate world of insects with them and explain how our God, the Creator of this vast universe, designed each tiny insect with as much care as He used to put the enormous planets into place?

I know some dear women who work in a daycare tending to the brand new babies. They sing “Jesus loves me” to these tiny infants as they rock them to sleep. They pray over these children as they nap. If you don’t have a child of your own – borrow one. A single parent could use a break. No child is too young or too old to share the love of Jesus with. And just as the potter molds the clay, we are often the hands that God uses to mold the next generation.

May the Lord bless you.

Are you crying out to God?

2009-06-06T08:05:00.002-04:00

There is an old saying, "no one ever comes to God from the mountain top". When everything is going your way and life couldn’t get any better, do you seek God’s grace and mercy? When everything you do works out, and you almost think that you have the midis touch, do you humbly fall at the feet of Jesus? And when everyone you meet greets you with joy and admiration, do you long to cling to the rock of refuge?

Regardless of lifestyle or raising, most people are familiar with the 23rd Psalm:

"The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: He leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for Thou art with me; Thy rod and Thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: Thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever."

This little psalm has been read, quoted, and prayed at funerals and in foxholes for generations. Someone experiencing the glorious mountaintops of life didn’t write this. These are the words of someone that has gone through great trials and found peace. Peace that only God can give during those times of distress. Are you seeking that peace? Are the trials too much? Do you want to find the shelter from trouble that only God can provide? It’s there waiting for you. In the Scriptures Isaiah declares,

"For thou hast been a strength to the poor, a strength to the needy in his distress, a refuge from the storm, a shadow from the heat, when the blast of the terrible ones is a storm against the wall." (Isaiah 25:4)

You can have that peace, that protection, and that love which heals all wounds. Look to the Scriptures. They are our Creator’s love letter to us. Call out to Him. Ask Him to make Himself real to you. Trust Him. "Elohim = English form "God". Formed from El = strength, or the strong one, and Alah, to swear, to bind oneself by an oath, so implying faithfulness." (Definition from the Scofield Reference Bible)

"Every Word of God is pure; He is a shield unto them that put their trust in Him" (Proverbs 30:5)

Look around you. This world full of wonder couldn’t possibly have created itself. We have a Creator and He loves us so very much. Seek Him.

May the Lord bless you as you walk with Him today.

The Signs of the Times

2009-06-03T08:47:00.004-04:00

Of all the pages at sourner2Heaven.net, the most viewed page is the one on prophecy. That page doesn't go into theology or interpretation of the Old Testament prophecies, it merely contains the words of Jesus in Matthew 24, in straightforward Scriptures verse by verse. God's Word speaks for itself in very plain English (King James translation of the original text).

I found a video this morning on ProphecyTube.com entitled "Soon"(embedded below) that brings this text to life in light of real world events. At Sojourner, we're not Bible scholars, merely Bible students. In some aspects, it is very exciting to see the prophecies written thousands of years ago coming to be in our lifetime.

For those who have accepted Jesus as your Lord & Savior, it's time to wake up and prepare for His soon return.

... behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest. (John 4:35)

For those who are at the crossroads in life and are faced with the decision of your eternal future:
* The Bible is true.
* There is a real God, He loves you, He sent His Son Jesus to die for your sins, and resurrected Him on the third day.
* Heaven & Hell are very real.
* Your soul will live on after your physical body passes away, and today is the day to decide where you will spend eternity.

And this is the will of Him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on Him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day. (John 6:40)

The choice is truly black or white. There is no gray. Do you choose to accept and live for God? or do you choose the the lies of satan and eternal damnation in Hell? Choose wisely. Time is growing short and unlike the lies of reincarnation, there won't be any 'do overs'.

May you seek the Lord in your choices today & may the Lord bless you.

We Need God In America Again

2009-05-26T11:38:00.002-04:00

Please take a few moments to watch this video. It says more today than any words I could possible write.

May the Lord bless you & may He have mercy on us.

Get Outside The Church

2009-05-13T10:43:00.001-04:00

(Luke 19:1-10)
One of the things I love about reading the accounts of the ministry of Jesus was the fact He never lost sight of what He had come to do. He came to preach the Good News to the lost and hurting of the world. His ministry was NOT in the church of His day, but was to those outside of the church. Jesus took His message of hope into the streets to those who were living without God in their life, telling them that there was a better way to live. JESUS HAD SPIRITUAL GUTS!

Today, more than ever, we need men and women of God with those same spiritual guts. The church has become institutionalized and satisfied with the status quo. Forty years ago, it was simply a matter of opening the front door and the people would come. That is not true in 2009. We have a large percentage of 2 full generations now that do not attend church. Children that grew up in homes void of God are now having their own children, which of course, will also grow up in homes void of God. The world that we live in
continues each day to boldly present a message that is in direct opposition to the Truth of God's Word.

Sadly, rather than going out and challenging that ungodly message, the church has decided to withdraw from the world and isolate itself. Rather than being the salt and light God has called us to be, we have found it more "comfortable" to simply withdraw and stay to ourselves. We feel safe in our churches since we are with "our own kind." We have our OWN TV stations. We have our OWN radio stations. We have our OWN books and magazines. We have our OWN music. We have our OWN schools. Rather than using these great resources to reach the lost, we have found it is much easier (and more profitable) to simply "preach to the choir" and isolate ourselves from the rest of the world.

This message today is a wake up call to men and women who love the Lord. God did not call us to isolate ourselves from this world, but to go out into the world and share the hope and love of Jesus Christ. I have never seen so many people that are afraid of the world that we live in. Did you not read in the Bible in 1 John 4:4 that tells you, "Greater is He that is in you, than he that is in the world?" Did you not read in the Bible that we are "more than conquerors?" Did you not read in the Bible that we are called to go out into the "highways" and invite the lost to know Christ? God did not call us to hide our light under a bushel, but to share that light with this dark world we live in! God is looking for men and women with "spiritual guts" to take His message to the lost and hurting of this world.

I love you and care about you so much. There is a world outside of the four walls of the church that is lost, hurting, and looking for answers. They won't come to church, watch Christian TV, listen to Christian radio and music, read Christian books and magazines, or go to Christian schools. To reach these people, we have to do what Jesus did and GO TO THEM. Understand that when you take Christ into the world, they will not always be nice. They have lived their life rejecting God so most likely will not be open to your message. But never forget that your labor for the Lord is not in vain.

Even those who reject what you are saying have at least had a seed planted in their life. God will allow you to minister to people that are at a place in their life where they realize there has to be a better way. They WILL be open to accepting Christ as their Savior and changing their life. Jesus told us that the harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few. The church has forgotten the most important part of being a Christian, and that is we are here to serve, NOT be served. We are like Eli, sitting in our grand palaces, getting so fat that we can't even move. God has called us to rise up and take His message of Christ's love to the lost and hurting of this world we live in. That my friend, takes spiritual guts.

In His love and service,
Your friend and brother in Christ,
Bill Keller

If I can help you in any way you can contact me through my personal email at: bkeller@liveprayer.com

Oh What a Beautiful World

2009-05-11T08:24:00.001-04:00

As I was driving to the farm to feed the cattle I became engrossed in just how beautiful everything around me appeared. The sky was so blue and clear, even if there we a few cotton ball clouds floating by. The fields were a lush green, swaying gentle in the spring breeze. The trees ran the spectrum for the color green, new life of each tree was making itself known to the world. Oh, how beautiful everything God allowed me to see.

Earlier this morning all of nature received a good bath, removing all the dust and dirt from the plans and even from the air. I had sat this morning thinking what a terrible day this would be; rainy and dreary. I know we need rain from time to time but I have things to do that require dry ground. I am sure glad I had to feed today. From a sullen somewhat depressed spirit I was elevated to a spirit of wonder and praise of God.

As I continued to the farm my thoughts moved from the beauty of our world today to the beauty of the Garden of Eden. Yes, I can only imagine but I am blessed with the ability to imagine, dream and visualize. I am very sure that Adam’s home was far more beautiful than our world today. I could see Adam and Eve strolling down a path of that garden conversing with God. I could hear the birds sing; I could see the animals stop to greet their creator and God drew near. The gentle breeze caressed all it touched and the fragrance of the many flowers travels in that stream of air. Oh, what a beautiful garden must have made for our grandparents.

I was in a dream world as I drove and that led me to think of Heaven. I recalled the description of the New Jerusalem recorded by John in Revelation; how majestic, how awesome. Then the other side popped up and I realized this is only a human description and not really as it will be. We are told that it has even entered in to the mind of man what God has prepared for us. Yes. I have been told it has not entered in the mind of man but my mind has to try to fathom the splendor that waits. All thoughts of what it might really be are useless since I am limited to the knowledge I have acquired throughout life and wasn’t blessed with a ‘new revelation’.

Yes we have an awesome world filled with the beauty of God’s creation but it was once much more beautiful. With that thought I was convicted of my sins that have contaminated this world. I immediately asked God for forgiveness for all the wrong I have done and particularly all I have done to diminish the beauty of earth. My forgiveness received I was led to ask forgiveness for all of mankind in regard to our lack of stewardship of God’s world. I believe all was placed here for our use and pleasure but it wasn’t given us to waste or abuse.

I am not really sure the point of all this might be but I feel, deep within my heart, that we should take a few moments and appreciate the wonder of all that is around us. We should take time to express our thanks to our Creator and the Creator of all the beauty we behold. We should strive to use wisely and not from a sense that this is here because we have a right to use it or deserve it. All that I saw as I drove, I considered a blessing and I thank God for giving me the ability to see it and secondly the spirit to appreciate it and be thankful for it.

God thank you for the rain you sent earlier to wash away all that contaminated your world and thank you for opening my eyes and heart to see all your hands have made. Thank you for lifting my spirit and for riding with me as I went to feed. Amen.

Spreading His Word,
Don

Happy Mother's Day

2009-05-10T06:11:00.002-04:00

(Matthew 15:21-28)

A mother's love. On this day that we honor our mothers, I thought it fitting to share with you this wonderful story from God's Word that personifies a mother's love. I have often said a mother's love can be broken down into the 3 P's. Pleading, persistence, and prayer. I can testify today that the only reason I am in the ministry is because my mother who is with the Lord now, pleaded, was persistent, and prayed. I have no doubt that many of you know
Jesus as your Savior because of your mother's prayers. So in honor of our mothers, let me break down the 3 P's of a mother's love for you.

A mother will plead for her child. It was the deep love for her daughter that drove the Canaanite woman in today's scripture to Jesus, pleading for mercy for her daughter. In our time of despair, "something" pulls us to God. Many people, who openly reject God, will cry out in a time of need. Even believers will live apart from Christ, not giving Him much time in their
daily life...until the trials come. This mother in her hour of need, knew where to go to plead for help.

Persistence is something that defines a mother. Moms have a God-given talent to stay on something, no matter how long it takes, to get the job done. Many times, God delays His answer to test our belief, much like He did in the parable of the persistent widow in Luke 18:2-5. Are you serious about the needs in your life? Then don't give up...be persistent. Isaiah 65:24 gives us that special promise, "Before they call I will answer; while they are still speaking, I will hear." God has promised to hear and answer our
prayers, but that does not always mean in our timing. Often, we need to be persistent, like this Canaanite mother who was not going to be denied the miracle she sought for her daughter.

If persistence defines a mother, then prayer is her greatest weapon. In verse 25 of today's scripture we hear the simple prayer of faith, "Lord help me!" Moms are prayer warriors. Moms know that it is prayer that moves the hand of God. Moms know that prayer works because it demonstrates to God that we are powerless in our own strength, and have put our faith in Him. Jesus healed this woman's daughter because of her faith!

I want to encourage you today to honor your mother, she is a great gift from God. It is also God's commandment that we honor our mother. For those of you who have been estranged, separated from your Mom due to the events of life, please, swallow your pride and contact her today. No matter what may have happened in the past, tell her that you love her. I understand that many mothers have not been what God called them to be, but through your love, God can restore them.

For those like me whose Mom is with the Lord, let me suggest calling a local nursing home and finding out the name of a lady who has no family, no regular visitors. An inexpensive arrangement of flowers and 5 minutes of your day just to tell her she hasn't been forgotten on this Mother's Day will touch a life like you can not even imagine. I am a firm believer that the little acts of kindness, even to strangers, are our most effective and
powerful ministry. Don't let this day pass without making it special for your mother.

I love you and care about you, and it is my goal each day to encourage you and challenge you to have that intimate daily relationship with the Lord that He desires to have with you. I know from years in the ministry, one of the biggest concerns for Moms is their unsaved children. Mom, let me stand in agreement with you today for your unsaved children, praying with you for
their salvation since I realize that is your number one prayer request. Millions will be in Heaven because of the prayers of mom!!!!

To all the Moms out there today, may you be richly blessed on this day.

In His love and service,
Your friend and brother in Christ,
Bill Keller

A Walk In The Garden

2009-05-07T11:18:00.003-04:00

“Music is the wine that fills the cup of silence.” (Robert Fripp)

As I go about my day, I often catch myself humming a tune. I’ve always enjoyed a variety of music. Some days a fast beat helps me get motivated and moves me right along. On other days, the down-to-earth sound of Bluegrass matches my mood best. Then there are times when it’s just God and me in the silence. That’s when the songs of my childhood come back to me and tug at the edge of my thoughts. Songs like “In the Garden”

“In The Garden”
(1st & 2ed stanzas)

I come to the garden alone, While the dew is still on the roses; And the voice I hear, falling on my ear, The Son of God discloses.

And He walks with me, and He talks with me, and He tells me I am His own, And the joy we share as we tarry there, None other has ever known.

He speaks, and the sound of His voice is so sweet the birds hush their singing; And the melody that He gave to me within my heart is ringing.

And He walks with me, and He talks with me, and He tells me I am His own, And the joy we share as we tarry there, None other has ever known.

As I sing this, in my mind I see images of a quiet walk in a grassy garden with flowers, shrubs, and trees all around. The thought that God will meet us where we are and wants to spend time with us one-on-one humbles me. He created man for fellowship. He wants to spend time talking with us every day.

“And they heard the voice of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God amongst the trees of the garden. And the Lord God called unto Adam, and said unto him, where art thou?” (Gen. 3:8-9)

This leads me to believe that Adam’s walks with the Lord were a regular occurrence; and when Adam sinned, he couldn’t face God. So he hid. More often than I care to admit; that’s what I do. When my wayward spirit leads me down the wrong path, I find myself pulling away from God. I hide myself in distractions like TV, loud music, and even ‘busyness’. Do you ever do that? Some call it drowning out the voice of our conscious. I suspect I hide because if I were to face God, I would need to confess my sin and turn away from it.

Sometimes I get stubborn and don’t want to confess and repent. The more I dig my heals in, the more my pride rears up. Why should I have to humble myself? After all, everyone else sins sometimes.

You know, in really thinking about it, that sounds just like a rebellious child. If you’ve ever spent any time at all around children, you’ll remember watching them make the most irrational excuses for not being obedient. My favorite one is: “Everyone else does it!”

If we, as children, were to keep turning back to God when we mess up and draw closer to Him instead of pulling away, we would find that our loving Father would wrap us in His forgiveness. We would find the peace and joy that only He can give.

David described it best in one of his songs, “Thou wilt shew me the path of life; in thy presence is fulness of joy, at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.” (Psalm 16:11)

Take a walk with the Lord today. Find comfort in being in His presence and (re)discover the peace that can only come from time spent with your loving Father.

May the Lord bless you.

Does God Have Faith In You?

2009-04-21T21:04:00.001-04:00

Silly concept, ridiculous idea may be your response and that maybe accurate but it is a thought that entered my mind. I am sure the Holy Spirit placed this in my brain to be mulled over and to instruct me and to lead me to a greater knowledge of God.

We often hear people make comments concerning their faith and trust in another person. They may say such things as, “I have complete faith in John, and he is so dependable and always honest in all he does. I am sure he would be very trustworthy in this situation.” The opposite is also true. People respond with distrust about certain people. Their opinion is based on observed or ‘hear say’ evidence. If God does have faith in people, he might have faith in the first but it is very doubtful if He would in the second.

I haven’t found a direct reference in the Bible where God states that He has faith in some person. In a sense he did express confidence in Job. Job was an honorable man and is spoken of very highly in the Bible. Some of the characteristics of Job mentioned in the book bearing his name included: Job was said to be perfect. This means that Job was obedient to God and did as he was instructed to do. Job feared God. Job had a proper and healthy concept and respect for God. He reverenced God. Job avoided evil: Job avoided even the opportunity to do evil. We are not told Job was sinless but that he avoided sin to the best of his ability. Job was a family man: Job had a wife and seven sons and three daughters. Job was active in their lives and taught them in spiritual matters. Job was a businessman that was very successful. And lastly, Job was respected by his peers.

Job is our example of one of God’s children that He had faith in. Job had strong credentials to fulfill this place of trust with God. Makes me wonder if I come remotely close to such a place of faith. Let’s eavesdrop on conversations in heaven and see how God allowed Job to show his makeup to the world and particularly to Satan.

It seems from this story of Job that the angels had the practice of reporting to God from time to time. Remember Satan was once the angel Lucifer. It is the time for the angels to report and it is Satan’s turn to speak with God. God asks Satan what he has been doing to which Satan response that he has been traveling over the earth. God then brings up Job; he asks Satan if he has considered Job. God speaks highly of Job. Now it is Satan’s turn to respond and he does so by asking the question, ‘Does Job fear God without a cause? Have you not protected him and blessed him abundantly?’ Satan makes a wager with God: “Put forth your hand a touch all Job has and he will curse you.”

The gauntlet has been thrown down and God gives Satan permission to touch all he has but not to touch Job physically. Round one of the fight has begun. Satan hurries for the throne room of God and goes directly to Job and begins to take away all he has. If you have ever though you have had it bad; think on what happened to Job. Job first loses his oxen, then his sheep, followed by his camels. His final loss was the sudden death of his seven sons and three daughters. Now hear this: after all this, Job rent his clothes, shaved his head and fell to the earth and worshipped. Not a foolish charge brought against God; Job simply remained without sin throughout this ordeal.

A frustrated, upset Satan returns to God to up the stakes. His first boast had been wrong but he was confident that his next approach would bring the desired results. God agrees to allow Satan access to Job’s body and to inflict him with painful boils. Even with the loss of all material blessings and the loss of his health, Job continued to praise God.

Now back to the original question about God having faith in you. If Satan approached God would God ever consider bringing your name before Satan for such a test? I am sure this testing has happened at other times. Would you be as understand and keep your focus and allegiance on God as all you have and your health disappeared?

I have evaluated myself as I have been typing this and to my shame I find that I would probably fail such a test. An even worse problem is that God would never consider me for such a test. I don’t think it would be recorded of me that I am perfect, or that I have the proper reverence for God or that I always avoid evil. Yes, I have a family and I am a businessman; and for the most part, I am respected by my peers. It is sad to be at this stage in my life and have to honestly grade myself as failing the requirements for a test like this from God. Maybe I have spent too much of my life concentrating on those that speak of relationship with people. Maybe my reputation with man is more than my reputation with God. Does God have faith in you? This is your question to answer.

Spreading His Word, Don

Special Message From A Friend

2009-04-10T06:04:00.004-04:00

HAVE YOU MADE THE DECISION TO ACCEPT JESUS? You will make many big decisions throughout your life. Where you will go to college, what career you will have, who you will marry, having children, are just a few. However, there is no decision that you will make during your life greater than where you will spend eternity when this brief life is over.

The Bible teaches us that tomorrow is promised to none of us and that each day is a gift from God. When you die, your body will go back to the dust of the earth as God mandated, but your soul, the part of man made in God's image is eternal. Where your soul spends eternity is a choice each individual who lives will make during their life. It is God's desire that ALL come to repentance and none be lost. He sent His Son Jesus to die for the sins of all mankind so that thru faith in Jesus man could be reconciled back to God and have the assurance of everlasting life with his Creator.

My friend, nobody who is honest will dispute that they will die one day, and nobody who is honest will dispute they commit sin. We ALL sin and fall short of God's glory and it is our sin that separates us from a holy God. GOD LOVES YOU! He is willing to forgive you of your sins if you will simply ask Him. There is nothing you have done in your life that God won't forgive you for if you ask Him. He does not want to see your soul perish for eternity, but wants you to spend your eternity with Him.

Please, take a few moments, the most important few moments you will ever spend and read the following few paragraphs. These words can literally change you for all eternity. I am praying for you!

For God so loved the world, HE GAVE. Today is the day that we celebrate one of the greatest events in human history. We celebrate today the death of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, God's gift to the world. Today is truly a day of rejoicing. Because of this gift from God, we can be forgiven of our sins and reunited with our Creator for eternity. So much of what I deal with each day in this Devotional is to help you walk through this short journey here
on earth victoriously and productively. But we must never forget that our time here is very short, and there is an eternity waiting for us when this journey is completed.

I want to focus for just a minute on this most special day, to that split second when our life on this earth is finished and we are launched into eternity. Do you have the assurance this very moment that when your life is complete, your eternity is going to be spent in Heaven with God your Creator?

If the answer to that question is anything but a resounding YES, then let me just share this simple truth with you. You see, our God, our Creator so loved this world, so loved His creation, that He sent His Son, His only Son to be part of this world. Jesus had one mission in this life. It wasn't to be a great teacher, though He was a great teacher. It wasn't to be a great prophet, though He was a great prophet. It wasn't to be a great miracle worker, though He did work many great miracles. No my friend, Jesus came to this world to perform only one job...to die.

You see, the reason it was vital for Jesus to be immaculately conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of a virgin was so that He was not infested with the same problem you and I are born into this life with, sin. Otherwise, the best He could have done was to die for His own sins. Jesus lived on this earth for some 33 years before it was time to complete His work. That work was finished on a cross on the hill called Calvary where He hung, and then died as the perfect sacrifice for the sins of this world. That is why,
whosoever believes in Jesus, shall not perish, but have everlasting life!

Believing in Jesus is the only way to be saved because it was Jesus who died for our sins. There are no other ways to be saved, no other roads to God, there are no other plans of salvation!!! This is God's one and only plan to reconcile His fallen creation back to Himself. This is the only way that you can escape eternity apart from the God who created you in His own image. It is through His grace and by your faith in Jesus Christ!

There are many incredible mysteries in the Bible. There are many doctrinal issues that will never be fully understood until we are in Heaven. But God made the most important decision of this life very easy and simple to understand. He gave every one the same opportunity to have their sins washed away and be assured of an eternity in Heaven. That is why we celebrate Good Friday today. That is why we put our faith and trust in Jesus Christ.

The most important decision you will make in this life is not who you will marry, or where you will live, or what kind of job you will have. The most important decision you will make in this life is to accept Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior. If you have not done that yet, the Bible says that TODAY is the day of salvation. I would invite you to go to, http://www.liveprayer.com/bdy_salvatn.cfm. Pray to ask God to open your heart, read the words, pray the prayer, and accept today God's gift to you this Easter season, the gift of everlasting life through His son Jesus.

I love you and care about you deeply. For those of you who already know Christ as your Savior, I would encourage you to forward this to someone that you know who is lost and without hope this Easter. What better present to give someone than the opportunity to know Jesus as their Savior and God's free gift of everlasting life. I pray that you will take time today to focus on the gift that God has given to us in His Son Jesus. He gave His very best gift to us, which is why I will continue to encourage you each day to give your very best to Him.

In His love and service,
Your friend and brother in Christ,
Bill Keller

Walk Down The Roman Road

2009-04-09T16:35:00.007-04:00

Back in the old days when family or friends came to visit, everyone would either sit on the porch & visit, or more often than not they would take a walk down the road and discuss important issues in their lives.

Take a walk with me down the road …

The Roman Road

"For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God." (Romans 3:23)

I hear all too often how if you’re a good person, God wouldn’t send you to hell. The popular thinking is that being kind to family & friends, giving generously to those in need, and trying to live a wholesome life should be enough to get the approval of God. There are several denominations who base their entire teaching on this thinking.

The fact is, we don’t have to be taught how to sin. Mankind is born with a sinful nature. Lying to save ourselves from punishment is as natural to us as eating when we’re hungry. How about being envious of someone else’s possessions? Have you ever looked at a pretty girl or handsome man and entertained lustful thoughts? If we are real honest with ourselves … sinfulness is our very nature.

"But God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." (Romans 5:8)

God lovingly created us in His image. God knew that before we were ever born we would need a Savior. Christ the Savior came to earth, lived a sin-free life, and died for our sins ~ before we took our first breath, Salvation through Christ was waiting for us.

"For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ or Lord." (Romans 6:23)

We were created with a fleshly body and a living soul. The fleshly body is just the covering for our spirit. The body grows old, gets sick, and dies. The idea of a physical death scares folks.

Our spirit was created to live forever with God. But God, being loving, simply allows us to choose Him, or not choose Him. Let me ask you something ~ when you love someone and want to have a lasting relationship with them, (be it marriage, a parent-child relationship, or a friendship), do you want that relationship to be forced or do you want them to choose to love you in return? We can program a machine/robot to act the part of a friend or we can seek out to have a real flesh & blood relationship. God could have created us to automatically love & worship Him; but He wants a real relationship with us. In accepting Jesus Christ as our Lord & Savior, we are choosing God and in making that choice, our spirits will live forever with Him. That is His free gift to us. But a gift is only appreciated if we choose to reach out & receive it.

"That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation." (Romans 10:9-10)

This isn’t about religion, it isn’t about becoming like those other Christians. It’s very simple ~ this is just between you & God. Listen to your heart. Does your heart want to have a loving relationship with Him? Do you want the Salvation that He so freely offers? With your heart, believe that Jesus died on that cross for you, believe that God raised Him from the dead, confess Jesus as your Lord & Savior ~ thou shalt be saved.

"For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved." (Romans 10:13)

Call out to Jesus. Confess your sins to Him. Ask Him to come into your heart and your life. When you do, your name will be written in the Book of Life. When you confess your sins, God promises to cleanse you of all unrighteousness. That means your sins will not only be forgiven, but it will be as if they never even occurred. And when you die, you will forever be with the Lord in heaven.

"For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God. So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God." (Romans 14:11-12)

Either by death or by the passing of this world, we will all stand before the Lord. We will have to give account of our lives, our thoughts, and our words to Him. Even the most arrogant & powerful people on earth will KNOW beyond a doubt that there is only ONE True God, and they will bow in His presence. Will you bow willingly now, while there is still an opportunity for Salvation through Christ, or will you bow later when all opportunity is gone? If you wait until later ~ it’ll be too late.

No one is promised tomorrow. If your life were to end today, would you be ready to stand in God’s presence to give an account of your life?

If you’ve chosen Salvation through Jesus Christ, drop me a line using the comment button, your message won't be posted if you don't wish. I want to celebrate with you the path that you've chosen.

May the Lord bless you.

He Waits For You

2009-04-07T07:30:00.006-04:00

I've wondered about something for years. How can we as people stand up and say that we are the center of our universe? I've been hearing more & more about how many people either deny the existence of a God or believe that mankind evolved from pond sludge to become the master of his own universe. Many subscribe to both beliefs passionately. After alot of thought & some studying, I've come to some conclusions.

I've determined that the atheist viewpoint just simply makes no sense. How can there not be a Supreme God? All it takes is a simple walk outdoors to reaffirm the existence of God. Look up at the stars at night ~ Did man put them there? If not, how did they get there?

“The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork.” (Psalm 19:1)

The trees that stand so majestic were created to be self-sustaining. "And God said, Let the earth bring forth grass, the herb yielding seed, and the fruit tree yielding fruit after his kind, whose seed is in itself, upon the earth: and it was so." (Genesis 1:11). Man neither created the tree, nor does the tree need man for survival. Man has tried to imitate God's work by cloning and he's tried to change God's design with 'genetic modification'. But man can not 'create' it himself. The best he can hope for in cloning is a second-rate copy; and in modifying the genetics that God designed in the seeds of our food, we loose the nutrients & benefits that were in the original fruits & vegetables. Is there no God? How can anyone witness the miracle of birth and deny the existence of an Almighty God?

I've noticed that atheist tend to talk about God more than Christians do. I wonder why that is. Is it that they don't actually believe in God or is it because they believe in Him but are rebelling against Him? The Scriptures say, "The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God." (Psalm 14:1) Have you ever seen a child throwing a tantrum? “You’re not my mother!” they often proclaim. “I don’t have to listen to you, you’re not my father!” The patient parent will go along and wait for the child to get over his ‘mad’ and come back to reason. This usually occurs when the child in his/her rebellion either gets hurt or gets into a situation where they are scared & need help. To me, that’s how folks spouting atheism sound. And God in His love & patience allows them time to realize that they truly do need Him. But His patience will be pushed too far.

For those who believe in the pond sludge theory, well, all I can say is they have a lot more faith than I do. I heard the theory described in one sentence a long time ago ~ “From goo to you by way of the zoo.”

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom & instruction.” (Proverbs 1:7) and “A fool’s mouth is his destruction, and his lips are the snares of his soul.” (Proverbs 18:7)

God loves us so much. How can anyone choose to live a life of complete rebellion when we have a loving Father that just wants to wrap us in His love and tell us again how He is with us through our trials & tribulations?

Are you in a situation today that seems to be bigger than you can handle? Reach out to the Creator of the universe, the One who loves you so much that He waits patiently for you to turn to Him. He loves you. He sacrificed His Only Son so that you can spend eternity with Him in Glory.

“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16)

If there were no promise of Heaven, I would still choose God. His love fills me with peace in the time of so much uncertainty. Would you like that peace? Reach out to God. He waits for you.

May the Lord bless you.

God's Creation ...

2009-03-30T11:48:00.004-04:00

"I will praise thee, O Lord, with my whole heart; I will shew forth all thy marvellous works." ~ Psalm 9:1

Decisions

2009-03-20T20:16:00.002-04:00

Sometime back, I watched, at least part of, the movie ‘Back to the Future’. This isn’t a review of that movie but somehow God used it to speak to me. I am sure most have seen the movie and I think I had seen parts of it before, but this time, one of the last lines spoken by Doc, the scientist, was what hit me, what spoke to me.

The girlfriend of Marty said something about the words on a letter she had received from the future had vanished. Doc told her the future for her hadn’t been written yet and that she and Marty would write their future each day. Such an amazing thought! The future is in each of our hands, at least part of it; we make choices each day that determines our future for years to come.

Each time any of us make a choice we write a line into our life’s book and that choice will dictate our path. I remember struggling with the decision of which college to attend. To me it was a life altering decision but as I look back on that simple decision I realize how it has molded my life and set me on a path. I met a girl at the college I chose, we got married, we had a son, we went our separate ways, and I raised my son. A simple decision about the place to play basketball and to get an education led to the place where I became a husband, for a short time, and became a father, for many years now. I can’t honestly say God was a part of that decision making; it was more based on my likes and dislikes. But God used it to bless me with my first son who is now one of my dearest friends; he is also very involved in the Lord’s work. Did I make the right decision? I have no idea what God had planned for me but I am very happy I made that decision. A decision about college determined a segment of my future.

A number of years later I remarried, we became very involved in the youth work at the church and I began to write. Even in college, I enjoyed writing and had something published in the school paper about a ‘snipe hunt’. I soon made the decision to get more involved with the Lord’s work and became the superintendent or a church affiliated youth camp. While serving there I became involved with the paper the camp published and wrote many article for that paper. After a few years the church called a new pastor, who was also the president of the camp, my boss. He decided I was too busy for the work with the paper and he took the job. I decided to give up writing, another change in my life over a simple decision.

Before I left the work of the camp I had taken training to become an Emergency Medical Technician. I needed such training for the camp; we were located in a very rural part of the county, maybe ten miles from the hospital. When I left the camp, I was offered a job as an EMT for the service in the county where I lived. I accepted with the condition that if a Paramedic class became available I could attend. We agreed and I began a lengthy career in emergency medicine. After about a year with the service I was asked if I wished to purchase it. My wife and I prayed and we felt it was God’s will that we get involved in this work. Shortly after beginning to operate our ambulance service we both began Paramedic training. All the decisions that have such a bearing on our future. We continued in this work for almost twenty years; then it ended with bankruptcy and divorce. It was God’s will for us to begin but along the way we pushed the senior partner, God, out. I can’t tell you that was one of my better decisions, but I made it.

There have been numerous decisions made in my life some good and some not so good. The best decision I have ever made and the one that determined my eternal future is accepted Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior when I was about ten. Yes Jesus was Lord then but throughout the years He has been and He hasn’t been. Many times I made the decision to make myself Lord of my life.

If you have never made that most important of all decisions then now is the time to make it. We are told in II Corinthians 6:2 that ‘now is the accepted time, now is the day of salvation. If you haven’t made the choice to accepted Jesus then you have made the choice to reject him, either way you have made a decision that affects your eternal future. Just as I was happy about my choice of the college I attended because of the results I want you to be happy with your choice about Jesus. Let me give you a hint; you won’t be happy if you continue to reject Jesus because you will spend eternity in Hell. Hell is a place of punishment created for Satan and his angels but is now the place of punishment for all those that refuse to accept Jesus.

If have chosen to accept Jesus then your eternity is certain but is your present being spent as it should be? We are told that we are saved unto good works. We weren’t saved just to keep us from hell but for us to serve God in this life. Joshua said ‘choose you this day whom you will serve, but for me and my house, we will serve the Lord’. Have you ever chosen to serve God? This is one of the good decision you can make.

We face each day with many decisions to make and many of those will have lifelong consequences in our life. What decision do you face now? Makes very good sense to me to ask the one that knows the future for help: ask God. Each day you write a page in the history of your life and make decision for the future of your life. Decide wisely!

Spreading His Word, Don

Be Careful What You Say

2009-03-17T01:06:00.000-04:00

Over the years, I have from time to time heard people say ‘My God’, “Lordy”, and “Jesus” at times of shock, hurt, or anger. Maybe they were really addressing God Almighty but I doubt it in most cases. The use of these names and titles were used as slang or even as curse words. In response to such language I would often ask “Close friend or just a casual acquaintance.” The one using the slang word or curse word was shocked and didn’t usually give a reply.

On a few occasions they would say a ‘close friend’ and have a very sheepish look on their face; much like they had been caught with their hand in a cookie jar. I never had the response ‘a casual acquaintance’. I feel sure that many of these had never been introduced to God or to His Son, Jesus. They were some of the millions that have failed to be introduced even though I am sure they had heard the words since they were using them; inappropriate as they were.

We need to get a firm realization of who God really is and how we are expected to conduct ourselves with Him. What I am about to say you will call remedial Christianity. Let’s go back to our person, with the sheepish look on their face, that told me God or Jesus were close friends. They were saying to me I know God well and consider Him my friend but I made mistake and used His name in the wrong way. Not only did they use the name wrong, they were showing dishonor to God. We are to honor God and, also, to fear God. They also remembered one of the Ten Commandments that say we are not to take the name of the Lord in vain.

I didn’t try to correct these people; it appeared to me the Holy Spirit was doing that job properly. I am sure that when the next occasion arose that they considered using the name of the Lord in vain that the Holy Spirit called to remembrance this experience. It was not my place to preach to them but simply to call what they had done to their attention; this I had done.

There is another problem with the improper use of the name of the Lord and that is that it can become a stumbling block to the hearer. Let’s suppose that I was not a believer in Christ and I heard this person make such a comment. I am aware that the one speaking God’s name is a ‘so-called’ Christian and a member of such and such church, maybe even a leader in that church. I know enough to realize what has been said is wrong according to the teaching of his church and even what I had heard the Bible said.

And they want me to come to that church? Why should I? This member is absolutely no better than I am and I am not a hypocrite. I am just what I am and everyone knows I am. I wouldn’t dare try to kid anyone about being involved in this religious stuff. Hey, ol’ boy, you are no better than me and in my book you are not as good as me because at least I am honest. As I said, ‘I am what I am’; sure I have a few beers and I do other things that your church says I shouldn’t but who are you, Mr. Take God’s Name in Vain.

It is up to us to show Christ to the world and not present ourselves as fakes. Sure we will sin from time to time and make many mistakes, but be on constant guard concerning your behavior when around others. You are being watched very closely by the lost world. Satan is on their side, so when you least expect it expect it: bang with the hammer and ‘God damn’ slips out of your mouth never to return or to be taken back and it always happens that there are people to hear your slip. If this happens, God can use it for His good if you will allow Him.

Consider this; I make such a mistake and am heard by others. The words have been spoken and the harm has been done, unless. I quickly ask God for forgiveness and for help in rectifying this with those that heard me. God is very concerned about the lost and is no willing that any should perish; He will help you say the right thing to the hearers. God promises in His word to always give us the words we need to say in any situation, if we will allow Him to use us for His honor and glory.

Maybe something like this will come out of your mouth; Wow, boys, I am very sorry for my mistake of using God’s name improperly, I ask that you forgive me for this wrong. I know I am not supposed to do such things but even though I have accepted Jesus as my Lord and Savior I still sin even though I don’t want to. You know we are all sinners and there are two types of sinners in this world: lost sinners, the ones that have not yet accepted Christ as Savior and saved sinners, those who have accepted Christ. Boys while I am talking with you; which are you?

Amazing how God can turn bad into good if we will allow ourselves to be used by Him. Don’t get me wrong, I am not saying to go out and sin so God can use your sin to reach a lost person. He just might but don’t test God in such a way.

Spreading His Word, Don

No Fear (part 1)

2009-03-15T19:59:00.003-04:00

2 Timothy 1:7

As I look around at our nation and hear the fighting over political viewpoints, I begin to realize how skewed our views as a nation have become. Skewed and divergent.
On one side is the doom and gloom as our nation races towards socialism and financial free fall; and the other extreme is the hope that our government will straighten things out and there will be prosperity for all.

As a Christian, I have to look out of this chaos, to the Lord, for answers and direction. Psalm 121 promises my safety and security.

With many Christian leaders proclaiming that God will judge this nation, a nation that was founded on God's principles, it would be easy to succumb to fear. Prophecies of the Lord's judgment vary from economic collapse to civil unrest, violence and martial law. It would be easy to become so fearful of what is to come, to become paralyzed by fear even before the bottom falls out.

Instead I look to God's survival handbook for believers, the Bible. I have begun to learn how this all works. I have read how we are to have faith, Romans Chapter 5 especially verse 9. Without faith we will be beaten down, Ephesians 6:16. God promises that faith and prayer will cause God to move in our behalf, Matthew 17:20.

How do I exercise faith? How does this work? For me it's as simple trusting God and a short prayer: 'Lord give for my hands only what You want for me to handle, only as much as I can handle, and for the rest Lord, please take care of it.'

As I go through any given day, the stresses and problems are never in short supply. Overdue electric bills, little or no income, vehicles in need of repair & no money for parts. The list is always too long. I feel the resources I have are never enough. What I am supposed to do?

That is when faith gets a work out. Faith means trust in the Lord. If I trust Him I will obey Him. If I obey Him it is because I trust His written word as the final authority for life. Though I am in no way perfect, and stumble often, I try my best to honor His word and live according to His survival handbook. Jesus said that with faith as like a little child we shall see heaven. Matthew 18:3. Therefore I try to trust in God's direction through His word and believe with faith like a little child. Often what I read in the Bible makes no earthly sense, but even as a little child believes what a parent tells them without understanding, I take on faith what God's word tells me. It is in this complete trust in Him that He blesses me.

God has provided for my needs every time. Many times it is obviously a miracle. Sometimes you might explain it away as coincidence. If you believe in the Almighty God who created Heaven and earth, a sovereign God, who is who His word says He is, there is no such thing as coincidence.

It is a thrill to watch Him work. I have been blessed in that the more I trust Him, the more I see the miraculous where there could be no explanation of coincidence. I have heard good and decent folks attempt to explain away God's moves under the "coincidence" label. Paul wrote that faith is believing in things not seen. I believe that faith is an action word, a verb if you will. If you have it, you DO it.

One thing I want to be sure is clear. Faith alone is worthless. God has brought me through circumstances that teach me very clearly that if I have faith in Him, I must accept Him on His terms. I read things in the Bible that I don't understand. I have encountered many people that say they believe in God, but don't agree with this or that. How many times I have heard the phrase "I just don't agree with that" or "How can a loving God do…….?". Personally I think most of these folks really haven't read the whole book. Those that may have, really don't want to confront sin the way God does. They don't want anyone, not even God to tell them what is sin. Some folks act like they want to straddle the fence rather than stand for God's principles. The go along to get along crowd. I believe that God is going to take this world and this nation to a place where fence straddling will be a thing of the past. That old saying, "you got to stand for something, or you'll fall for anything" comes to mind. I know from personal experience that faith requires standing on God's word, all of it. He has proven to me over and over that accepting Him on His terms and acting on faith trusting all He has said means that He alone will provide and guide me through whatever happens.

Whatever comes in this nation as God judges it and the world for thumbing their collective noses at the Almighty, My faith is in Him. I have seen Him do it. His word tells how He has done it. And I know He will take His people, by faith, through what is to come.

Thank God He make His truth easy to understand, even for a simple person like myself. Simply walking in faith, Ray

Urgent Message from David Wilkerson

2009-03-12T17:40:00.003-04:00

In the past couple of days, there has been an urgent message sent out by David Wilkerson, pastor of Timesquare Church in New York City. This has been added to the Fellow Travelers page & The Road Ahead page. We encourage you to see this, pray about what you've read, and follow the Lord's guidance.

Also, David Wilkerson currently has a blog David Wilkerson Today. You will be blessed by his messages of hope.
May the Lord bless you,
Fellow Sojourner,
Lee Ann

Grace

2009-03-09T09:14:00.000-04:00

‘Amazing Grace! How sweet the sound.” Yes, how sweet the sound, also how sweet the fact that God has provided grace sufficient to save you and me. Amazing grace to save me from a justifiable eternal destruction in a lake of fire prepared for the devil and his angels: Eternity in Hell.

Ephesians 2:8-9 tells us, “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast.” Only by the amazing grace given us by God can anyone of us have hope of salvation.

The dictionary defines ‘grace’ as the unmerited divine assistance given man for his regeneration or sanctification; also, mercy, clemency, pardon, forgiveness—the favor and love of God; influence of God operating in man to improve and strengthen. The assistance of God, the forgiveness of God, the love of God, and the influence of God: all compose the grace of God. But wait! Have you ever considered the fact that God’s plan of salvation is truly that; God’s plan of salvation? The first step in God’s plan for the salvation of man was to provide for the atonement of man’s sin.
Romans 5:10-11 says, “For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to god by the death of His Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by His life. And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement,” An atonement is the act or fact of making up for something, This atonement, in accordance to God’s plan of salvation, required the sacrifice of the Lamb of God. John 1:29 says, “The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.”
Yes, Jesus, God’s only begotten son, the Lamb of God, had to give his life in sacrifice as the atonement for each of our sins. Mark 16; 24 says, “And when they had crucified him.” Romans 3; 11 tells us, “There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God.” God has provided the atonement through the death, burial, and resurrection of His Son, but how can man be saved if he doesn’t even seek after God?

Another step in god’s plan of salvation provides: John 6:44, “No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.” God draws man to Jesus Christ and then amazing grace brings salvation to man who simply believes on the Lord Jesus Christ.

Amazing grace how sweet the sound that saved a wretched like me. God’s plan of salvation in action – saving people like you and me. “The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness: but is longsuffering to usward, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.” II Peter 3:9

Spreading His Word, Don

Why Fight God

2009-03-04T14:28:00.000-05:00

Yes, many of us are guilty of fighting with God. We stand toe to toe with him and express are wishes and desire, even if they are contrary to His.

The reason for our combat is this part of us that is referred to as ‘free will’. When God made each of us he placed this ability into every human that has lived on earth. We have the right and privilege of making the final decision concerning our actions. God may lead us, try to persuade us, and in other ways try to sway our decision to His will but we and we only make the final decision.
After thinking about fighting with God, I have decided it is expected of us. As part of our education and forming us into the image of his Son He often allows us to choose our way. We all know that our way is best because we and we only really know the situation.

As part of confession time, I must admit of a great warrior ‘against’ the leadership of God. I rank up with such fighters as Muhammad Ali, Jesse James, and others. I have used reason and logic to argue my point with God. I have even used His word (I thought) against Him. Most of the time I write it ends up being something from my life; so here goes again.
I had felt the call to preach for a number of years and I decided that just wasn’t a place of service for me. Yes, I wanted to be close to God and to serve Him but only in a way that fit with my schedule and the rest of my life. I didn’t have time to prepare and study to be a preacher.

Excuse one was that I couldn’t speak in public. Does that sound familiar? Do you remember hearing the story of God speaking with Moses through a burning bush? God appeared to Moses in a burning bush as Moses was in the mountains tending his sheep. God told Moses that He wanted Moses to return to Egypt, to confront the Pharaoh, and get the Israelites out. To paraphrase a bit, Moses said, ‘who me? You know Lord I don’t speak clearly. Maybe you made a mistake and should pick another.’ God had a ready response by say that as they spoke Moses’ brother Aaron was on his way there and Aaron could do the speaking for Moses. Of course Moses didn’t give up with his fight against God that easily, but God was ready and had a rebuttal for every argument that Moses offered.
I did the same thing many times and I could back it up. When in high school, my poor English teacher would have to threaten me at times to get me in front of the class to give a report. I would sweat and my voice would tremble. I had much rather have been sent to the principle’ office for about 3 licks than to stand before those people. In college, I remember sitting on the instructor’s desk as I gave a report in a class. I guess it was funny looking because he laughed.

I used the argument that I was not formally educated; that one didn’t hold much water with God. I have no disagreement with formal Christian education but true spiritual knowledge and understanding comes through the Holy Spirit and not from some text book. I wish I had more formal education because it says the Spirit will call into remembrance. If it isn’t there, there is no recall. We are told to ‘study’. We must consume every bit of information we can to fill the mind.

My ‘ace in the hole’ was the argument that I had been married before which is unacceptable in many denominations. The heat was being turned up on me and I just knew that I would soon have to agree to preach but I still had my ‘ace in the hole’. One day the time came to play that ace. I stood toe to toe with God and said, ‘but your Word that a preacher is to be the husband of one wife, therefore I can’t preach.’ Just as God had a rebuttal for Moses, he did for me. He very lovingly and calmly said, ‘I know, I wrote the Book.’ The fight was over, I had fought the good fight but God won. Then my brain went to work to see if I could get the last word and sure enough I had a spectacular idea. I simply said, ‘Alright, God, I will preach but you have to provide every sermon. Wasn’t I just brilliant? Kind of silly now that I am thinking about it. Sure He would provide the sermon or in this case article. It is His Word and we are simply the instrument chosen to spread His message.

Many of God’s chosen and probably all have at one time fought with God. Consider such notables as Joshua, David, Elijah, Jonah, and Paul. Paul was at one time God’s most committed opponent. Paul was determined to put an end to these upstarts and their heretical teaching. Paul was a driven person, totally committed to the task before him. All that really happened to Paul on that Damascus road was that his task was changed. Yes Paul accepted the saving grace of God and accepted the one he had fought to erase as his savior. After a period of time of education in the truth of God’s way, Paul began just as earnestly to spread the message he had struggled to silence. Paul didn’t do this task half way. He gave God all of him, even his physical life.

If you remember I earlier said that most if not all fight against God. It makes very good sense to do so. How many of us want to make a decision with only the facts about one side of the issue? I hope most of us try to find the truth before making any decision. God is big enough to allow us to look at both sides. He keeps us in His view and will continually try to direct us along the right path. Yes, he allows us to fall at times just like a parent with a young child allows that child to fall as it learns to walk. Did you realize that child could be very late or never learn to walk if you didn’t allow him the freedom to fall?

We aren’t robots and love God and serve God because that is according to our programming and we can do nothing else. We love God and serve Him because we make that choice. We may make it with the scares of doing it our way but those are valuable reminders of God’s love and patience.

Am I finished fighting with God, probably not. I want to serve God and do as he directs but I also want my way.

Why fight God? So you can learn, experience, and mature. It isn’t the worst thing you will ever do; just as long as you final decision is to surrender to the guidance and service God. The worst thing you will ever do is to make that final decision to continue to do it your way and to reject God.

Spreading His Word,
Don

They Got Their Feet Wet

2009-02-27T15:23:00.002-05:00

Joshua 3:2-3 and 13-17
“And it came to pass after three days, that the officers went through the hosts; And they commanded the people, saying, When ye se the ark of the covenant of the Lord your God, and the priests the Levities bearing it, then ye shall remove from your place, and go after it.

And it shall come to pass, as soon as the soles of the feet of the priests that bear the ark of the Lord, the Lord of all the earth, shall rest in the waters of Jordan, that the waters of Jordan shall be cut off from the waters that come down from above; and they shall stand upon an heap. And it came to pass, when the people removed from their tents, to pass over Jordan, and the priests bearing the ark of the covenant before the people; and as they bare the ark were come unto Jordan, and the feet of the priests that bare the ark were dipped in the brim of the water, (for Jordan overflowed all his banks all the time of harvest,) That the waters which came down from above stood and rose upon and heap very far from the city of Adam, that is beside Zaretan: and those that came down toward the sea of the plain, even the salt sea, failed, and were cut off: and the people passed over right against Jericho. And the priests that bare the ark of the covenant of the Lord stood firm on dry ground in the midst of Jordan, and all the Israelites passed over on dry ground, until all the people were passed clean over Jordan."

Amazing isn’t it! There is so much in these verses. I have tried to glean just some of the wonders presented here to share with you.

First, the people were told what they were to look for or what would be their sign and what they were to do when they saw the sign. When they saw the ark being carried by the priests they were to spring into action. They were to leave their place (comfort zone) and go after it.

Many of us wear out the carpet and our knees asking God for leadership in things that he has given guidance in His word. The Bible is full of commands and other guidelines for us to follow and we don’t have to even ask if it is god’s will. Is it God’s will for you to share the gospel with your lost neighbor? Sure Acts 1:8 says we are to be witnesses first in Jerusalem or locally. We have been told; don’t waste your time and God’s time asking if this is His will.

The Israelites had been told, when they see the ark being carried by the priests to get up and go after it. Was it necessary to have a prayer meeting to seek God’s will in this? NO! They had God’s directive.

As the priests carried the ark, did they have a prayer meeting seeking God’s leadership about crossing the Jordan? NO! They had been told that as soon as the soles of their feet touched the water that it would be cut off and stand upon a heap.

Now visualize this. The priests carrying the ark of the covenant are walking toward the Jordan which is flooded and out of it banks and over a half mile behind them come all the Israelites weary from their travels around the wilderness. Was this the blind leading the blind? Yes, in some ways it truly was. The priests had blind faith that when they got to the water’s edge and stepped into the water that God would do as he had promised and the Israelites had faith that God would take them across the river into the promise land.
Now visualize this. Here we all go, heading toward the work God has given us to do. Maybe it is crossing a river but maybe it is crossing a street to witness to our neighbor. As we near the edge what do we do? Fall to our knees in prayer seeking god’s will whether we should cross that barrier before us to do as God has directed or simply continue forward. Too often with all good intentions we allow ourselves to be hindered by doubt or fear.

I wonder if the priest worried as they neared the swollen banks of Jordan if they might drown. Or be swept away as the waters rushed to their destination in the salt sea. As we come closer to the barrier before us do we fear what might happen to us? As we cross that street will we be hit by a wild driver, will the neighbor’s dog bite us, or will we fall as we cross their yard.

The priests marched forward and as their feet touched the water’s surface a miracle happened. The lord, the Lord of all the earth, caused the water flowing to the sea to start piling up in a heap. Have you ever seen water pile up in a heap? It did that day. That is a miracle but it says that the priests stood firm on dry ground in the midst of Jordan.

No where in this passage is there any mention of a week or two of warm sunny days with a nice brisk wind? How was the ground of the river bed firm and dry? It doesn’t say how God chose to do this but it does say the ground was firm and dry. A miracle? Yes!
Now let’s back up and tell this story the way we might have done it if we were there.

When the officers went around telling the people to be prepared this would lead to a business meeting and the appointment of committees to handle each aspect of this task. Some at the meeting would have suggested buying boats, someone might even have suggested building a bridge, but for sure most would have agreed it is not common sense to just walk out in the water and think we can get across. It is too deep at flood time.

If we all finally agreed to buy boats the next question is where is the money. We can’t do this until we have enough boats and we can’t buy the boats until we have the money in our account. I guess we will have to postpone entering the promise land to we can get the money raised. Does this sound familiar? How often does God tell a church to do a work and the response is we must have the money first?

Remember the phrase in verse 13 which says ”the Lord of all the earth.” The Lord of all the earth is the same Lord that was able then to stop the river’s flow and to dry the ground. Amazing that he is not now able to provide yours and my meager needs.
Hebrews 11:1 says, “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen".

Substance means real, three dimensional and evidence is facts so faith is real facts, not just pipe dreams or wishes. You don’t find my name in the hall of Fame of Faith heroes. I lack faith. I pray for more faith. I am not writing these words to you because I do them and you don’t. God gave me this. maybe just for me but it won’t hurt you to take it and chew on it and see if at least part of it is digestible for you.

What we do for God without faith doesn’t please him. We must operate on faith and through faith to please God.

Sometimes we just have to throw the world’s ways of doing things out the door and bear the ridicule of our neighbors when we follow God’s plan.

Spreading His Word, Don

Instructions for Assembling a Saint

2009-02-23T12:59:00.001-05:00

Have you ever opened that big box, which contains a purchase you just made, to find pieces and parts innumerable? Somewhere in all that mess are one or more sheets of paper called the “assembly instructions”.

God in His infinite wisdom has provided us with assembly instructions and a picture of the finished item – a Saint. If you look closely, the “Saint” you see is “saved by grace”. God wishes for all to be saved. In 2 Peter 3:9, the last part of that verse says, "not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance”. Those that receive this offer have taken one step toward God’s plan.

A saint will become a Christian, meaning “Christ-like”. Just because a person is ‘saved’ doesn’t mean they are Christ like. Romans 8:29 “For whom He did foreknow, He also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the first born of many brethren.” God’s purpose is to transform the saint into the image of Jesus.

The final purpose for the saint is for fellowship with God. When God first created Adam and Eve in the garden, the Bible tells us that in the cool of the day that God walked and talked with Adam. The Creator and the creature had fellowship; but that was broken by Adam’s sin.

1 John 1:3-7 tells us of that fellowship regained, “That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with His Son Jesus Christ. And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full. This then is the message, which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in Him is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: but if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin.”

God has a unique plan for each person. For each person born, God has a plan that will take that person from birth through death into fellowship with Him in Heaven. God’s plan for your life was established long before you were born. In Jeremiah 1:5, we read that God knew Jeremiah before he was created in the womb of his mother. God had already set forth the plan for Jeremiah’s life; to be a prophet. “Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations.”

Is that just a mass of unmeaning cells in a woman’s womb? I don’t think so. Why would an “all knowing” God ordain such a mass to be a prophet? In Luke 1:44 “For, lo, as soon as the voice of thy salvation sounded in my ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy.” A mass of cells without organization or importance leaps in a mother’s womb over the news that the Savior is to be born.

You and I are no different from Jeremiah or any other creature of God. God has a plan for our total existence before we are born. The more closely we follow God’s plan, the greater is our ability and opportunity to serve Him and to fellowship with Him.

God does not abandon us at the graveside. Luke 16:22 “And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham’s bosom; the rich man died and was buried.” Even in death the saint is not forgotten, but is personally cared for by God’s angels. The saint is given a personal escort to the throne room of God. 2 Corinthians 5:8 “We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.”

God has established the criteria for a “Saint” and set forth a plan for each of us. God has also provided the instruction manual. God has given us His Word, the Bible, to provide the step-by-step instructions to attain His plan. Psalms 119:105 “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path.” We have the instructions, the goal is defined, and the finished product is assured if we will only follow the instructions.

How many of us open the carton, remove all the parts, scan over the assembly instructions and say to ourselves “I can do it, I don’t need to waste time reading and following the assembly instructions? How many of us do the same thing with the instructions provided by God? I don’t need that; if I read them I wouldn’t understand them anyway. I’ll do it my way. You have a choice in every situation to do it your way and you will construct a final product, but it won’t be the product desired by God.

Now we will open the carton we have before us and see if we can assemble a “Saint”. No, this is not a job for just one person, for this job to be done properly, it will take hundreds or even thousands of other people. I do have the responsibility to do my part of the assembly. If I fail to do my part, the assembly will not be properly done on this new prospective saint and I will have deviated from God’s plan for my life. Even the prospective saint will be, after reaching a point in the assembly, responsible for some of their own completion.

As we open the carton, we take out the parts required for beginning the assembly. What do we find? A 6 pound, 9 ounce baby. On examining the contents, we find the baby to be healthy. If the baby had been unhealthy or handicapped in some way, we might have required additional tools for the assembly. Since our baby is healthy, let’s see what tools are required for the successful completion of our part in this task. The tool list says we first need the instructions - God’s Word. This is a tool we will need through out the assembly. We will need to keep this tool close by.

The second tool required is a good example. Barry Splichuk said, “The country clubs, the cars, the boats, your assets may be ample, but the best inheritance you can leave your kids is to be a good example.” Children learn by example, children mimic what they see others do whether it is good or bad.

This list of tools seem to grow as the child grows, thus the need to continue to go back through the instructions again. As our Father, God understands what it’s like to raise up a child. He understands the challenges required to mold and help develop character and ability in a child … HIS child … you … me. In His love for us, He gives us very detailed instructions to help us not only raise our children; but He also gave us instructions for our own assembly. God loves us so much that with the Holy Spirit and the willing hands of His servants, we were given a love letter filled with instructions to not only become saved by grace but to also become the “Saints” of the One true God.

Why Don't I? continued

2009-02-16T13:50:00.000-05:00

Part two of what I have to say is directed at us saved sinners.

Why I Don't I Serve God?

I previously presented the Gospel plan of Salvation to the lost sinners. The purpose of Salvation is not to provide you with a "fire escape". Ephesians 2:10 says, "For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works."

Yes, you are saved for the purpose of serving God or doing good works. To those of us who know that we are saved, why don't we serve God or produce the good works He wants? There are probably hundreds of good excuses, but for the next few moments think on these. Some of which I have used.
FEAR. Yes, fear of what people say or might say. We all like the acceptance of those around us. We fear the possible rejection from our family, friends, and neighbors if we agree to serve God in the manner He requests.

We fear change. We all have a comfort Zone and we don't like to have anyone or anything to push us beyond the boundaries of that comfort zone. "Lord, I am very happy doing just as I do now, and I love you very much, but just don't ask me to change and have to do something new for you".

We fear failure. Many of us think,if I do decide to do what God is asking of me - I might fail. We need to realize, it is impossible to fail (truly fail in God's eyes) if we are doing as God has requested. Remember when God asked you to do anything for Him. Along with the rest comes the guarantee that He will always be with us and will provide all that is necessary to accomplish the work. When we surrender to this leading of God the responsibility for the results becomes God's. God asks us to do a work not to produce results, we are simply workers; He is the producer.

Another reason I don't do as God asks is that I am busy serving God. Whoa, did I just say what I think I said? How can I use serving God as an excuse for not serving God.

Allow me to give you an example of how this can be used and is often used by the good church person. Back in the late 70's and early 80's, I served full time as the superintendent of Mt. View Baptist Camp. During a portion of my time there I experienced probably the most spiritually back-slidden state I have been in since I was saved. I am sorry God, I can't do whatever the request might be; 'I am very busy serving you full time. This is where you put me and I am busy doing your work'.

How many of us hide behind the fact we have a position in the church of service even when God is asking us to serve in another way? It can be a very easy excuse to use. Remember we are in a process of being conformed to the image of Jesus and a process is motion not remaining as we are.

A very common excuse for failing to serve God and produce good works is that we say we are too busy. Better be very careful when you use the excuse you are too busy. Maybe you say, my job just takes all my time & I would serve if I just had the time. Remember, God can give you the time to serve Him by removing the obstacles. We are created in Christ Jesus unto good works.

We are to be willing to forsake all ~ our families, our vocation, our everything to serve God. Jesus must have priority in our lives.

The last reason I will give for not serving is partying. I am not talking about a social gathering or a drunken bash. How many are guilty of hosting a pity party? I am guilty!

Circumstances in our lives, wrong choices and decisions apply stress and we find ourselves concentrating on the problem and removing our focus from God. As we deepen our involvement in our problem, we become angry and bitter at God. We begin to see God as the source of our problems, or at least, as failing to solve our problems as we desire.

In this angry, bitter state with our focus on ourselves and away from God it is very easy to refuse to do as God asks.

These are just a few of the reasons, make that excuses, why I don't or at least at times haven't served God as He has requested. Nowhere in the Bible are we told that we must serve God. The choice is ours. Just as Joshua said in Chapter 24, verse 15, "Choose you this day whom you will serve".

If you are allowing some of these excuses I have mentioned or you use an excuse that is different, now is the time to ask God to forgive you of your disobedience and ask Him to lead you into the service He wants you to perform.

The choice is yours ~ we are created in Christ Jesus unto good works. Choose you this day whom you will serve.

Why Don't I?

2009-02-13T15:58:00.007-05:00

I have divided this topic into two parts directed at two different types of sinners. If I just hurt your feeling by saying "sinner". Then maybe this message is for you.

The first part is "Why Don't I accept Jesus as Savior"?

Maybe you have made a profession of faith in Christ Jesus and have been baptized. If you have accepted Jesus and are a child of God the Father, then please pray that these words be used to touch someone's heart.

The reasons why people don't become saved are many. One that I have experienced a few times has to do with the worldly goodness of the person and how he or she compares their life with others around them. Allow me to use this illustration to explain what I mean.

A few years ago, when I witnessed to my uncle, his response was something about how he was as good as some church member, deacon, or preacher. His argument presented me with a problem because in a human sense I have to agree with some of the examples he mentioned. Humanly speaking he was better than some of these people.

My response was to read to him Romans 3:23 which says, "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God". If this is the excuse you are using, hear again this verse, " For all (the word all includes you, me, and everyone else)have sinned, and come short of the glory of God".

Some may know I work with cattle and when I was preparing this, I thought of all those frisky calves that are so hard to enclose in a small fenced area They are just hard to move from place to place. This verse means that God surrounded all of us frisky people and included us in this all because we all have made the choice to sin. Like a calf at times does, none of us have escaped the condemnation of our sin.

Yes, you are a sinner, I am a sinner, and every person you meet is a sinner. Now that we realize we are all in the same field - the field of sin; what are the results or responsibilities for being a sinner?

In Romans 6:29 we learn what we have earned for our sins, "For the wages of sin is death". Yes, we are all sinners and because of this sin, there must be a death. For each one of us, someone must die. We are now coming to the place where everyone must make a decision.

You may choose to die for your own sins and spend eternity in Hell - apart from God, or you can choose Jesus who is the perfect substitute. In 1 John 2;2 we read, "And He (Jesus), is the appeasement for our sin". This says that Jesus' death on the cross of Calvary met God's demand for a death for sin and if you will accept His sacrificial death, it is a just replacement for your own deserved death.

WE have established that all of us are sinners and that sins demand death as payment; and we know that there is a substitute available. He willingly became our substitute. But before we can avail ourselves of this substitute, we must first repent of those sins. We are told in Luke 13:3, "Except you repent ye shall all likewise perish".

It is not enough to recognize that you are a sinner, but you must repent of those sins (or have sorrow for those sins). This is not simply sorrow about being caught, or having to suffer the punishment, but sorrow and true regret for having committed those sins.

You realize you are a sinner, there must be a death for those sins to satisfy a just God; Jesus' death is the acceptable substitute; you feel true sorrow for your sins and are willing to repent & turn away from sin; what's the next step? What must you do to be saved from the just wages for your sin?

Acts 16:31 gives us an example of a jailer asking that same question. Here is what was said, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved? And they said, "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved". Here is what you must believe in order to be saved: I am a sinner, Christ died for my sins, He was buried, and He arose on the third day.

He willingly received your rightful wages for you sins. Now you need to ask Him to receive you, forgive you, and save you. If you realize that you need the salvation only offered by Jesus Christ, all you need to do is call out to Him. For example, you could say: "Dear Jesus, I am a sinner. Please forgive me of my sins and help me turn away from them. Save me Jesus and wash me clean. I accept you as my Savior and my Lord from this day forward. Amen."

If you have prayed that simple prayer, please email me (at: angus9418@hotmail.com) so I can celebrate your new birth in Jesus with you. Jesus is waiting right now to forgive you and wants to have a loving relationship with you. But the choice is yours.

I Am Rich

2009-02-09T16:07:00.004-05:00

"You go looking for blessings, you will find them." I was told that today by a cashier in a store I visited on my way home. She is always so cheerful, which is a great blessing to me each time I visit that store. Our conversation and particularly her comment about blessings brought back to my mind the thought I have carried and even shared; I am one of the riches people in the world.

Why would I consider myself among the richest of this world, you may be thinking. I will assure you it is not based on my bank account, stock portfolio, real estate assets or any other form of material wealth. My richness is based on those things that 'money cannot buy'.

First, I am loved. I have always been loved and I will always be loved. There are many people of this world that love me. At times throughout my life I have felt alone and unloved by anyone on this big floating ball called earth; but in fact, there have always been a few, and at times many, who truly love me.

As important as the love of my fellow man may be, it pales to the love of God. God loved me to such a degree that he sent His son to become a sacrifice for me. I am not being arrogant or egotistical with this statement; but for whatever reason He may have, He loved me enough to allow His Son to die for me. Yes, that same Son died for you too. That makes you a potential rich person as well.

This is an unconditional love; never requiring that I be a 'good boy' before He will express His love. I have to do nothing to receive this love. He just loves me.

Second, I am rich because I have a guaranteed job with benefits. When the economic conditions take a down-turn, people begin to worry about the security of their jobs and the possible loss of that very valuable 'benefits package'. I don't have that worry anymore. When God's Son, Jesus, died for me, became a sacrifice for me, and I accepted that sacrifice as payment for the debt I owed, I received an unending job. I was 'saved unto good works'. Don't even go there. I am not speaking of salvation by works, I am speaking of works as the result of salvation.

Just as God called by name Bezaleel in Exodus 31:2, He called me to a special work. If you continue to read further verses after this call to Bezaleel, you will find it was for a particular task and that God had equipped him with all the skills necessary to do the work. I have within me, all the skills necessary to do whatever God calls me to do. You also have those skills to do all that God has in your job description.

I have a guaranteed job if I will only accept it. I have heard the old saying that 'so & so won't work in a pie factory'. I have the choice to respond to God's job offer by saying 'no', but if I do, I am very guilty of disobedience and some of the benefits associated with accepting the job won't be mine.

I have the promise from my employer, if I accept His offer, that He will provide all my needs. I no longer have to be concerned about all the necessities of life. Sure I have to work and do the task assigned by my employer to receive this promise, but I would be very foolish not to accept.

A third, and for now a final, reason I am rich is that I am offered a two-fold guarantee if I accept this work. Guarantee one says that everything I will ever need to perform this job will be freely and timely provided by the employer. I never have to be concerned about budget limitations or break downs in delivery scheduled. Everything I need, and when I need it, is the promise that is made to me.

The second part of this guarantee is that I can't fail. If I accept the position offered to me by God, and do the work assigned to me by God, I can't fail. Yes, if judged by man, I may be a complete flop, but man isn't my employer, so man has no right to judge my performance. The Bible tells us that if we follow Jesus and do His will, we will be hated by man.

Rich beyond belief is what I am. I hate to admit that I don't always follow the work assignments of God, so I must forfeit some of the benefits or maybe I should just say blessings associated with obedience. Sometimes I even fail to show up for work. A day without pay isn't good when God is your employer.

As I think over all of this, I realize it only makes sense even in my feeble brain to be as committed employee and do all that the employer asks of me. If I adhere to His plan, I have it made.

Would you like to be rich? It is very simple. Accept the gift of love the Father gave. Makes sense to me to accept the sacrifice Jesus made on the cross and let His death pay your sin debt. If you decide to accept, then you have eternal job security with fantastic benefits. The choice is yours.

The Cure

2009-02-07T13:23:00.007-05:00

For many years, possibly for more years than I realize, we have been inundated with self-help books. The people of this culture have been and are searching for that magic potion or mystical word that will transform each man, woman, and child into a well rounded, successful, positive, happy, rich individual.

Today, we have what may be termed an epidemic of low self-esteem, low self-confidence, and low self-worth. We have been told that this is caused by the deterioration of the family and the home, violence on TV, the spread of drugs, the rise of crime and even the fall of organized religion. These are not the cause; but merely the signs and symptoms of the disease which has infected our society. The diagnosis is the eternally fatal disease of sin. The carrier of this disease is satan. The method of infection used by satan is the lie.

Throughout history, the human race has been subject to a number of life threatening diseases. Man has been faced with leprosy, the plague, and today AIDS. These diseases have brought the death of great numbers of people, but, as devastating as these diseases were and are, only a relatively small percentage of the population were ever infected.

Just how widespread is this disease called sin? What percentage of the population has been infected? Romans 3:23 says, "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God." This verse tells us that everyone has been infected with sin, there are no exceptions given. The word used to denote who is infected is the word "all". As bad as the previously mentioned diseases may have been, none of them infected everyone. Now, since you know you are infected with sin, what is your prognosis? Romans 6:23 says in the first part of that verse, "For the wages of sin is death".

Each of us can look around and see the signs and symptoms of this disease. We can see the horrible effects this disease has on our world, our society, and even our homes. Today, if you were diagnosed with AIDS, you would probably consider it as a notification of your impending death; you would probably consider it a death sentence. The Bible has just told you that you are infected with sin and that the result of that infection is certain death. You have been placed under a death sentence.

Low self-esteem, a feeling of low self-worth, and a feeling of total hopelessness is mankind's response to the disease of sin. Many may have never been told what the Bible has to say about their condition; but just as you and I know we are sick before the doctor confirms it, each person knows there is something dreadfully wrong with them. They know that they are in need of something to make them right.

This would be a very sad world; and I too, would feel hopeless if this were the end of the story. What I have said thus far is absolutely true. Yes, satan introduced sin into this world through a lie and that sin has infected every man, woman, and child that has ever lived, and yes, the results of sin is death, unless there is a cure provided.

Hallelujah! There is a cure for this disease! Satan and the disease he spreads were forever overcome by Jesus Christ. When Jesus shed His blood on that cross on Calvary's Mountain, He met God's requirements for a cure for those infected with sin. Jesus provided the cure with the shedding of His blood, but just like the cure for any other disease, you must accept that cure. If I had a syringe filled with a drug that would cure AIDS and you had been told today that you have AIDS, would you not want me to give you the cure? The problem is ~ you must first admit that you have AIDS and then you must ask me for the cure. The cure that Jesus offers for the disease of sin is much the same; you must first admit that you are a sinner (infected with sin), repent from the practice of sin (turn away from sin), and ask Jesus to save you from the results of sin (ask Jesus to administer the cure to your life).

If you are demonstrating any of the signs or symptoms of low self-esteem, low self-worth, hopelessness, or you're attempting to discover a cure through drugs, alcohol, crime, or something else; you may need the cure only Jesus provides. If you have never gone to Jesus and asked Him for the cure then you need to do that now. The cure is certain and complete and free for the asking. But if you never go to Jesus, the result is just as sure as the cure. The failure to receive the cure is sure eternal death.

If you would like to be cured; you need to simply bow your head and with sincerity say something like the following to Jesus:

"Jesus, I admit that I am a sinner, I admit that the practice of sin in my life was my choice. Jesus, I want to now repent of that sin and to turn away from it forever. Jesus, I ask you to administer the cure you freely provide to my life. Jesus, I ask you to save me. Thank you Jesus for this wonderful gift of eternal life. Amen."

If you have just admitted that you are infected with sin and repented of the sin, you are now cured from sin, and eternal death is no longer your destiny. However, just as we retain the scars and deformities when we are cured from other diseases, we will retain signs left from the disease of sin. These can often be diminished. It takes time, effort, and loving support.

Just because you are now cured from the disease that caused you to have a low self-esteem, or to feel unloved or hopeless, don't expect these to suddenly disappear. When you go to the doctor to receive a cure (injection) for an illness; even though the cure has been administered, there is still a period of time that your body requires to heal. The symptom of low self-esteem advanced with time; the effects of the cure may take some time to become complete.

Some of you, when I say that you need a cure from the disease of sin may have said to yourself, "Oh! I remember a time in the past when I received the cure from Jesus. I don't need the cure again; but I do need something."

You're possibly experiencing a relapse. The cure did not remove the disease from the world and you may be guilty of returning to the things you practiced before you were cured. All of us may, and most will, experience times in their lives when the lies of satan will lead us away from following the treatment of the Great Physician Jesus. When this happens, we are told to again admit our sin and and He will remove that sin from us as well. 1 John 1:9 says, "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and cleanse us from all unrighteousness."

I was saved (received the cure) when I was 10; but there have been many times in my life that I have relapsed into the practice of sin. Recently, things were not going to suit me. I became rebellious and began to doubt that God loved me. A few days ago, it suddenly became real to me that God truly loves me - Don Huffaker. Yes, I have heard people quote John 3:16; and I am sure I have in the past personalized the verse by saying, "For God so loved Don Huffaker, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life".

How many are like me? What do you think brought the realization of God's love to me? Depression! Yes, I was very depressed. I felt unloved, (by both God and man), without worth in this world, and a total failure in all that I endeavored to do. I was having a real pity party. I was struggling to do God's will and to follow His leadership for my life. I was reading self-help books, the Bible, and praying, but nothing seemed to help the way I felt about me.

I don't remember exactly when or why it happened, but I realized that I was deeply loved and worth God's cure. I became aware of the fact that I, Don Huffaker, was and is worth the sacrifice of God's Son. God sent His Son to earth to die a cruel, agonizing death on a cross for me - Don Huffaker. Yes, I know that Jesus died for everyone, but what is so important to me is that He died for me. And He would have still died on that cross even if no one else had ever existed.

Am I worth anything? Am I important? Most definitely, unless you can say that God's sacrifice of His son is worthless. Is Don Huffaker now to take an ego trip, stick his nose up in the air, or brag about how great he is because he has finally discovered that he is worth the life of God's Son Jesus? I hardly think so. Don Huffaker, apart from the sacrificial death and shed blood of Jesus is an absolutely worthless, condemned, filthy sinner bound for his just punishment of eternity separated from God. Eternity in hell.
My value, my worth is totally attributable to God's love for me; demonstrated through the death of Jesus on Calvary's cross.

God loves you so much that He sent His only Son to die on a cross because He knew that one day you would be born into a world of sin. He knew that one day, you too would need a cure. The illness is very real; the cure is so very simple. Self help books won't give you the cure that you need. God's inspired Word - The Bible - is His letter of love to you. In this love letter, He offers a cure that will start you one the path to health and healing. All you have to do is ask for the cure.