Daily Devotional for Friday August 21, 2009

What would Jesus do about the Current Healthcare Debate

(James 5:14)

What would Jesus do about the current healthcare debate? The other day President Obama held a conference call with "religious leaders," trying to illicit their support in his desire to socialize the healthcare industry. Obviously, I was not invited on this call, only those "religious leaders" who don't have the guts to hold him accountable for opposing God on every single social issue of our day. In reading the transcripts, it was almost laughable as he tried to make the case that Jesus would support his plan for the government to take over the healthcare industry, giving several Biblical quotes to support his claim. I'm sure Jesus would be all for this plan that will also include slaughtering innocent babies!

First, even satan quoted scripture when he tempted Jesus. Most who reject the Bible and faith in Christ can quote certain verses, usually out of context, to try and make their case when they speak to a Believer. It makes me sick that "religious leaders" let this man get away with such tactics. How about the passages that calls killing babies murder? Or the passages that call homosexuality a sin and an abomination to God? Or the passages that state marriage is between a man and a woman? Or the passages that speak about blessing Israel? It is the height of audacity for this man who lives his life in complete rebellion to God and His Word on every spiritual issue of our day to quote Scripture in hopes of fulfilling his political goals!

Let's deal with the argument President Obama and many are trying to make. They say that Jesus would support their efforts to socialize the healthcare industry since the Lord would want every person to have medical insurance. I have never head a more tortured use of our Lord than those who are making this case. Of course, it falls right into line with the church of 2009 being dominated by the religious left that has embraced a liberal theology, fueled by the seeker/purpose-driven/ emerging church marketing strategies that don't seek to bring converts to the faith into the church, only warm bodies. To do that they must abandon the absolutes of the Bible and focus on issues like world huger, AIDS in Africa, and other social issues like HEALTHCARE!

Did you know that it was in 1890 when the first "sickness coverage" was offered in the United States? It wasn't until the 1920s that the health insurance business became mainstream and it has continued to evolve over the years. The fact is, until the last 60 years when the government and private business took an active role in providing social services, it was the CHURCH where people went in their time of need. The church fed the hungry. The church cared for widows and orphans. The church cared for the homeless and downtrodden. The church reached out to the alcoholic and those in bondage. THE CHURCH CARED FOR THE SICK!!!

While the church is still involved in these social issues today, it now plays a very minor role. Instead of investing in the lives and eternal souls of men and providing a shining light of Christ's love to the world, the church now invests in property and buildings and entertaining people for an hour a week. Missing from the church today is much of the love and compassion for others and the bold preaching of the Gospel. That has been replaced with the anonymity found in the mega churches of today and watered down, feel-good, motivational messages designed not to offend anyone.

I love you and care about you so much. I can assure you that Jesus would NOT be entering the current debate about the government taking over the healthcare industry. He would pray for President Obama's salvation as I encourage everyone in the Liveprayer family to do each day. He would pray for the sick. But Jesus would not be entering into political debates between the government and private businesses over medical insurance. While Jesus did minister to the practical needs of people and encouraged His followers to do the same, it was their eternal souls He cared most about. The fact is, we will ALL die one day. To have access to the best medical treatment possible during this brief journey is wonderful, but it is our soul that will live on for eternity while our physical body returns to the dust it came from.

Would it be nice if everyone had health insurance? Certainly. However, all you have to do is look at other countries who have socialized the healthcare industry and it becomes apparent that while it sounds good in theory, to cover everyone, it is simply not practical. To cover the small percentage of people who currently don't have health insurance would mean the vast majority who do have coverage would not enjoy all of the benefits they currently have. It opens up the door to the government deciding who gets treatment, who doesn't, and ultimately who lives and who dies. While there may need to be some overhaul of the current system, having the government involved in the healthcare industry is clearly NOT the answer. Look at the mess Medicare and Medicaid are in today.

As followers of Christ we need to care about people. We need to pray for the sick and do all we can to help people in their time of need. However, to invoke the name of Jesus and try to make the case the Lord would support the government take-over of the healthcare industry is not only ridiculous, it is blasphemous. While Jesus would not enter into the healthcare debate, I can assure you without any hesitation he would be lambasting this current President for his support of killing babies, helping to further the radical homosexual agenda, the perversion of God's Holy Institution of Marriage, and siding with the enemies of Israel. This is a nation being led by the President in all-out rebellion to God and His Word. Instead of trying to force Jesus to follow him, President Obama should start following Jesus!

***As we are just 10 days from the end of our 10th year of ministry online, we still need to bring in just over $30,000 to cover the balance of our August financial obligations, as well as $90,000 in shortfalls that we have accumulated since the first of the year. I am really asking God to move on the hearts of several people in the next few days to make a one-time sacrifce to help me insure this need is covered and we can end our 10th yr with all of these debts taken care of.

Please be praying with me for the Lord to move on many hearts to make the sacrifce to help me, and pray about what the Lord would have you do. I have suggested people make a special gift towards our 10 yr anniversary in the name of a loved one. What a great way to honor someone you love, as they live on in the hearts and lives of those we impact each day for Christ.

TO GIVE A GIFT TO LIVEPRAYER, you can use your major credit card on our secure server at: www.liveprayer.com under the "Donation" link, you can give using your PayPal account using my email address: bkeller@liveprayer.com,or you can mail your gift to: Liveprayer, 6660 46th Ave. North, St.Petersburg, FL 33709. All gifts to Liveprayer are 100% tax deductible.

Thank you for taking your stand with me as we bring HIS Truth to this lost world and the hope and love of Christ to the lost and hurting!!!

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