Daily Devotional for Friday April 30, 2010

I am Amused at the Varioius Fringe Groups Who have been Given a Prominent Voice in our Society

(Matthew 26:3-5)

I am often amused at the various fringe groups that represent a VERY SMALL MINORITY of people on certain issues, who have been given a prominent "voice" in our society, since most people are afraid to speak out against them. Pro- homosexual groups have found that all they have to do is threaten to call a person or group "homophobic", and they can basically do whatever they want. PETA has learned to effectively use "bully tactics" and "outrageous stunts" to bring its minority view to the masses.

Listen, my point today is to help you have a better understanding that there are MANY GROUPS out there, I GUARANTEE YOU they will be coming after the church and all Christian organizations. This IS NOT fear talking, this is NOT paranoia talking, this is simply common sense. It IS ALREADY HAPPENING. In our nation today, it is not politically correct to say anything negative about people of who follow the cults and false relgions, it is not politically correct to say anything about people who choose to live whatever perverted lifestyle they have chosen to live, it is not politically correct to really say anything bad about anyone...except Bible-believing Christians!

Yet we are called "intolerant". Let me tell you something. The Christian faith is the MOST tolerant faith there is. In the cults, in other faiths, outsiders are NOT welcome. FREE WILL is not part of the picture. IT WAS GOD OUR CREATOR, WHO GAVE US FREE WILL TO MAKE OUR OWN CHOICES. How intolerant is that? It was God who said, "whosoever believeth on Him shall have everlasting life"! WHOSOEVER MEANS ANYONE!!! The Christian faith is the most tolerant faith there is. It is ALL INCLUSIVE!

In today's scripture, the Jewish leadership plotted to get rid of Jesus. There are people in the world today, in our very country, who would love to see the church eliminated and see the Word of God silenced. But as I write these words, I am reminded of that great song Bill and Gloria Gaither wrote that was a standard for the group 'TRUTH' for many years, THE CHURCH TRIUMPHANT. Here are the anointed words from part of that great song of the faith.

READ THEM SLOWLY . . . OVER AND OVER!!!

God Has Always Had A People! Many a foolish conquer made the mistake of thinking that because he had forced the Church of Jesus Christ out of sight, that he had stilled it's voice and snuffed out it's life. But God Has Always Had A People! The powerful current of a rushing river is not diminished because it is forced to flow underground. The purest water is the stream that bursts crystal clear into the sunlight after it has fought it's way through solid rock. There have been charlatans who like Simon the magician, sought to barter on the open market that power which can not be bought or sold. But God Has Always Had A People! Men who could not be bought and women who were beyond purchase. Yes, God Has Always Had A People! There have been times of affluence and prosperity when the Church's message was nearly diluted into oblivion by those who sought to make it socially attractive, neatly organized and financially profitable. It has been gold-plated, draped in purple and encrusted with jewels. It has been misrepresented, ridiculed, and scorned. These followers of Jesus Christ have been, according to the whim of the times, elevated as sacred leaders and martyred as heretics. Yet through it all, their marches on that powerful army of the meek, God's chosen people that can't be bought, flattered, murdered or stilled. On through the ages they march. The Church, God's Church Triumphant, is Alive and Well! Now listen child of God. It's alive! Discouraged pastor, it's His Church and it's alive! Lonely Missionary sow your seeds with confidence! It's alive my broken hearted friend! Old saint, you're not alone and forgotten . . . the Church is alive! Busy mother, cast your cares on Jesus! It's alive young student. You're not alone in serving the Lord! Faithful father, there's rest in the Lord! The Church is alive! Cynical skeptic, you haven't killed God with your noisy unbelief. He's Alive! So family of God, raise your hands and praise the Lord. For the Church; God's Church Triumphant, Is Alive and Well!

I love you and care about you very much. In these last days the people of God will be coming under more fire, more persecution, more challenges then ever before. But the key is, as the people of TRUTH, we must hold firm. We must NOT CONFORM to the political correctness of this world, but stand firm for the TRUTH that God has given to us in His Word. It will rarely be a popular position. But the fact is, we are not called to be popular, but faithful. We are not called to be conform to this world, but conform this world to God. We are not asked to hide our "light" in this dark world we live in, but let it shine brightly.

LET US NOT BE ASHAMED TO TELL THIS LOST AND HURTING WORLD, THERE IS ONLY ONE ANSWER, THERE IS ONLY ONE WAY, JESUS CHRIST!!!

PERSONALLY, I REFUSE TO BE POLITICALLY CORRECT . . . AND LIVEPRAYER WILL BE HERE EACH DAY, UNTIL THE LORD RETURNS TO SIMPLY SHARE THE TRUTH OF GOD'S WORD NO MATTER HOW UNPOPULAR THAT MAY BE! WILL YOU?????

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