Daily Devotional for Friday October 12, 2001

Unconditional Surrender

(Mark 8:34-38)

***I HAVE HAD AN INCREDIBLE NUMBER OF REQUESTS TO RE-AIR THE DEVOTIONAL I DID A MONTH AGO ON MY THOUGHTS THAT THE CURRENT WAR ON TERRORISM WILL EVENTUALLY TURN INTO A HOLY WAR OF THE CHRISTIANS AND JEWS VERSUS ISLAM. I WILL RE-AIR THAT POWERFUL DEVOTIONAL THIS SUNDAY, THE 14TH. DON'T MISS IT!!! ALSO, ON MONDAY THE 15TH, I HAVE A SPECIAL DEVOTIONAL ON WHAT WILL HAPPEN VERY SOON IN THE UNITED STATES REGARDING MORE TERRORIST ATTACKS, AS WELL AS THE ROLE OF RUSSIA AND CHINA IN THIS CONFLICT. AGAIN, THIS WILL BE A DEVOTIONAL YOU DO NOT WANT TO MISS!!!!

Over 11 years ago, I lay by myself in a prison cell, and finally gave God the one and only thing He ever wanted from me, or anyone else....my life... wholly...totally...unconditionally surrendered to Him. You see, I ran from the Lord's calling on my life for years. God was merciful to me and put me in a position where I had no real good alternatives. I would like to say I surrendered willingly, but that is not the case. The important fact is..I did it. You can read my testimony at www.liveprayer.com, Founder's Testimony.

I would spend another 2 years in Federal Prison for insider trading, though it was the 2 years of seminary I should have obediently gone to 12 years earlier. The Lord sent many incredible people into my life to disciple me. He opened the door so that I could get several theological degrees from well-known Christian schools during that 2-year period. He fed me through many national media ministries each day. I had my "Arabian desert experience", much like Paul did after his conversion on the Damascus Road.

Since my release 10 years ago, I have been in full-time ministry. I preached in over 500 churches of every denominational background, racial make-up and size. I have produced hundreds of hours of programming seen on Christian TV stations nationwide. I started this Internet ministry over two years ago that is now reaching over 3/4 million people worldwide each and every day. I...did nothing!!! Whatever "I" has done, has not been Bill Keller, but the Lord working through Bill Keller. You see, it is no longer my life. It is no longer I that live, yea, but Christ that lives within me. You see, without Him, "I" can do nothing. WITH Him, I can do all things!!!

I share this with you as a brief word of testimony. For those of you on the fence, trying to live with one foot in the church, one foot in the world....it DOES NOT WORK!. Jesus said you cannot serve two master. Today is a day of decision, and as you read these words you know it. The Holy Spirit is convicting you even as you read these words right now. It is not a decision, I, or anyone else can make for you. You have to make that decision. Let me leave you with this word. If you keep trying to do it your way with a little God sprinkled in, it will never work. Surrender...give it all to Him, and it works. I didn't say it becomes easy or everything is a bed of roses. Jesus told His disciples just hours before going to the cross, that in this world they would have tribulation, but to be of good cheer, because He had overcome this world. But without Him 100% you have no chance. With Him 100% you will know the peace, joy, fulfillment, and abundance this life can offer.

I love you, and care about you deeply. I will be praying for you today. Surrender. 100% to Him. Unconditionally. It is the only way this life makes sense.