Daily Devotional for Wednesday May 5, 2004

The Bible is now ?Hate Speech? in Canada

(Romans 3:4; 2 Thessalonians 2:10; 2 Timothy 3:8)

Last week, Canada?s governor general signed into law a controversial measure that will criminalize public expression against homosexual behavior and carry a penalty of up to five years in prison. Yes, my friend, simply sharing what God says about the sin of homosexuality is now considered hate speech in Canada. Trust me, you will soon see a massive, all-out effort by groups who support those who CHOOSE to commit this sin to pass similar legislation here in the United States. I told my wife she better start saving bond money. I am going to need it.

The fact is, those who reject God?s Word have always contended that the Bible was ?hate speech? since it condemned them of their sins. They have tried to intimidate people into being silent by calling those who dare to call their sin what it is, judgmental, intolerant, unloving, and full of hate. Sadly, their bullying tactics have worked. Rather than stand for the truth of God?s Word despite the lies of those who oppose it, most Christians choose to simply remain silent. It reminds me of Saul of Tarsus who said nothing as he stood by, holding the cloaks of those who were stoning Stephen to death for daring to speak the truth of God?s Word.

Listen my friend, the time to be silent is OVER! We have allowed those who stand for everything that God hates to tell their lies without opposition for too long. They have told their lies over and over and over that the lies are now believed to be the truth. As I shared in yesterday?s Devotional on that blasphemous book, the ?Da Vinci Code?, when you allow the lie to be told without opposition it is what people will accept as the truth. That is why those who know the Lord and those who know the Bible to be God?s inspired and inerrant Word, MUST speak out and declare the truth of His Word to this lost and dying world.

This is exactly why Liveprayer is on the Internet. Not in a passive way but a bold, aggressive outreach into the lives of people worldwide every day. This is exactly why the Liveprayer television program is on a SECULAR television network and not a Christian network. This is exactly why the new Liveprayer radio program is on a publicly-traded radio network. This is why all of the advertising Liveprayer does is in SECULAR publications. We have retreated into our churches, into the Christian media, and have stopped taking the truth of God?s Word to the masses through the very same media outlets that are being used to feed them satan?s lies 24/7 allowing the lie to go unchallenged! NOW MORE THAN EVER, THIS WORLD NEEDS TO HEAR THE TRUTH OF GOD?S WORD PROCLAIMED CLEARLY, BOLDLY, AND LOUDLY! I love and care about you so much. I will be praying for you to find the courage and boldness to not be silent any longer. As a child of God, we have a responsibility to share the truth of God?s Word with this world in which we are passing through. As I have shared many times with you, it is no accident you live where you do, work where you do, shop where you do, or recreate where you do. God brings people into your life each and every day for a DIVINE reason. You are there as His witness to share with them the TRUTH of His Word and the hope and love of Jesus Christ. This is not an option but a responsibility for each of God?s children.

I want all of my brothers and sisters who get the Daily Devotional in Canada to know that I am praying for you. I will only tell you this, DO NOT LET ANYTHING SILENCE YOU FROM TELLING THE TRUTH OF GOD?S WORD! It is the only hope there is for the people of your great nation and for the people of this world. Let me tell you what real hate speech is . . . the lies of satan that lead men?s souls into everlasting damnation. If you love someone, you will tell them the truth so they can have an everlasting relationship with Christ. The Bible is not a book of hate. It is a book of LOVE!

*This issue has greatly motivated me to come to Canada in the very near future and do a public event. I am not interested in hiding in one of the great churches up there but finding a public place to proudly and boldly proclaim the truth of God?s Word, that sin is sin, including the sin of homosexuality, and that Jesus Christ is the ONLY answer. Please pray with me about this and I am going to ask God to move on the hearts of those who are in Canada to pray about helping me find the right city and location to hold this evangelistic outreach. If God is leading you to help me make this happen, contact me at bkeller@liveprayer.com. I am open to what God wants and more than willing to come to Canada and publicly proclaim Christ and the truth of God?s Word to the people of your great nation.