Daily Devotional for Monday April 16, 2007

Don't be Intimidated into Not Serving the Lord

(Romans 1:25)

Don't be intimidated into NOT serving the Lord! My friend, I have been writing every day for 91+ months now telling you how bold satan is. I don't know if you have seen the latest fund-raising effort by Planned Parenthood, the organization that counsels women to kill their unborn babies. It is a $15 tee shirt that says, "I had an abortion." Last fall, Ms. Magazine actually had an article, "We Had Abortions," accompanied by the names of thousands of women nationwide who signed a petition making that declaration. Even a few years ago, people would have never been bold enough to proclaim to the world that they killed their baby. Sin no longer has any shame.

As I shared with you last year, there is now a new 24-hour-cable network called LOGO. It is owned by Viacom that also owns CBS, CW (where the Liveprayer TV program is broadcast in Tampa), MTV, VH-1, many other cable networks, as well as a movie studio, publishing houses, and a wide of array of international media holdings. LOGO has programming 24/7 geared towards the gay and lesbian community. Just a few years ago, people knew homosexuality was wrong and an abomination to God. Sin no longer has any shame.

We are living in a day and time when sin no longer has any shame. Those who call sin for what God calls it are mocked, laughed at, labeled intolerant, and dismissed as ignorant. The tide has now sufficiently turned that we are living in a time when it is CRIMINAL in some places to speak out against what God says is sin. Already there are incredible hurdles to take the truth of God's Word into the secular marketplace.

People are told they will be fired for sharing their faith at work. We are asked in many social settings to NOT talk about our faith. Getting the most ungodly content that destroys lives out to the masses via secular media and advertising is no problem. However, trying to take the message of Christ and the truth of God's Word to the masses using those same secular vehicles is almost impossible. It will soon be CRIMINAL.

You see my friend, SIN CANNOT STAND IN THE LIGHT OF THE TRUTH! The truth of God's Word exposes sin for the lie that it is. That is why those who choose sin do their best to silence those proclaiming the truth of God's Word. Today's anchor verse tells us that there will come a day when they "exchange the truth for a lie." That is exactly what we are seeing unfold before our very eyes today.

Truth: Marriage is between a man and a woman Lie: Marriage is between two people regardless their gender.

Truth: Killing your baby is murder. Lie: It is a woman's right to do what she wants with her body, including having an abortion.

Truth: Homosexuality is a sin. Lie: People are born gay and there is nothing wrong with having sex with someone of the same gender.

Truth: Divorce is a sin. Lie: Nobody really expects you to honor your marriage vows.

So what can you do? First, pray. Never underestimate the power of prayer. We need to pray for this nation to turn back to God. We need to pray for God to help us live our lives as true ambassadors of the Lord Jesus Christ. We need to pray for God to give us courage and boldness to proclaim the truth of His Word to those He brings into our life each day. Lastly, we need to pray for God to guide us and direct us where He wants us to be to serve Him. God has a plan and purpose for each one of our lives, and we must yield ourselves daily to Him so that He can work through our lives.

Second, share your faith and the truth of God's Word with others. As the Daily Devotional often encourages you, witnessing is not an option but something God has commanded us to do. God will open the right doors, give you the opportunities each day. Your loudest witness will not be the words you speak, but the way you live your life. PEOPLE NOTICE. The child of God is "on" 24/7. How you live each day before others will always be your most effective witness for Christ.

Lastly, find ways to serve the Lord. God has work for everyone to do. Actually, as Jesus pointed out, there is more work than workers! God has called all of His children to serve Him, each in a unique way. As you seek the Lord He will open doors in your life, guide you where He wants you, and use your life to further the Kingdom of God. EVERY CHILD OF GOD HAS BEEN CALLED INTO HIS SERVICE! Serving God is how we fulfill our purpose in this life. Don't be intimidated into NOT serving the Lord!

I love you and care about you so much. It is time for every child of God to do their part. We can't sit back and expect a politician to solve the spiritual problems of this nation. We can't expect pastors and Christian leaders to do all the work. It is the responsibility of each and every child of God to do their part in serving the Kingdom. Somewhere church became another form of entertainment, losing its purpose which is to be a community of believers growing in their faith and being equipped to go out into the world we live serving our Lord.

I will be praying for you today to hear this clear challenge from God. Christianity was never intended to be a spectator sport! Take some time in the next 24 hours and get alone with God and start seriously seeking Him about what He wants you do to serve Him. It is time for every child of God to step up to the plate. It is time to do your part!!! Don't be intimidated into NOT serving the Lord!!!