Daily Devotional for Wednesday September 15, 2010

Helping the Poor

(Psalms 41:1)

Helping the poor. I want to encourage you someday to take about an hour, sit down with your Bible, and look at all the scriptures concerning care for the poor and needy. One thing I have learned, to understand about God and the way He has divinely given us His word. When you see the same issue talked about over and over, especially throughout the Bible from the Old to New Testament, God is trying to emphasize a point.

He could not be clearer as to our responsibility to help the poor. Now, of course, this immediately brings to mind mental images of the homeless, those begging on corners for food, the ones who occupy the shelters at night. But I want you to focus today, not on those who are financially poor, but those who are spiritually poor!

Throughout Jesus' earthly ministry, He reached out to all segments of society. He tried to focus those who had wealth and resources on their bankrupt spiritual life. Jesus said, "What shall it profit a man to gain the whole world, and lose his soul?" Today, I want you to be aware of the "poor" people you may come in contact with everyday. Not financially poor, but spiritually poor.

We have a responsibility to share the Good News of Jesus Christ, the hope and love of Christ with these people just as we would share a meal with someone who was hungry. It is not an option, but an obligation we have as followers of Christ to reach out to those who are hurting and need to know there are answers beyond the things of this world.

I love you and care about you so much. I am going to pray today that you take this challenge to heart and really focus, not just on the visibly poor you may see each day, but also those who may have a lot of worldly riches, but be broke spiritually. You see, in those difficult times we all face in life, losing a loved one, moving, changing jobs, troubles at home, whatever the issue may be, money can rarely help.

Only the strength, wisdom, and love of Christ can get us through those most difficult times in our life. Open your eyes today and look at those around you to see who may need a spiritual handout today to make it!!!

***THANK YOU FOR SO MANY WHO HAVE GIVEN OUT OF YOUR NEED, SO MANY WHO HAVE SELFLESSLY SACRIFICED TO HELP ME AT THIS CRITICAL HOUR. I PRAY THE LORD OF THE HARVEST POURS OUT MIGHTY BLESSINGS INTO YOUR HOME FOR YOUR OBEDIENCE AND FAITHFULNESS!

"Bill -You & your team have really been on my mind & in my thoughts. I strongly believe you're doing things the right way, & it breaks my heart that because you give the gospel for free - because you're out doing things God's way - you don't have financial support from the American church to get out in the secular marketplace & to go toe-to-toe with false prophets @ Ground Zero. My wife & I gave a gift today which isn't close to meeting your needs or requests, but I pray God blesses it with multiplication. I want to encourage you - your blunt honesty & the fact you do things the right way (no professional fund raising companies, no buildings or extravagant salaries) are why we're giving today. It's time for me & other Christians to put our money where our mouths are & quit paying mortgages & utilities for big buildings. Please keep telling the truth, God's truth. If the finances don't come in, God forbid, and you are forced to close down any part of your ministry, you have done your part by being obedient before God. It would be the rest of us who failed. Thank you for being on the front lines! Thank you for leading & feeding me spiritually, both in word & deed! I pray today that God move hearts in a powerful way and deliver far more money than you've asked for. May He raise up more faithful partners, freeing us from fear & making us better able to hear His commands and then, more importantly, obey them. I realized about a month ago that you are my preacher. Thank you for the daily word. I promise I will lift you up in prayer & give financially to LivePrayer. I pray our Lord bless you & keep you. In God's love."

***I AM ASKING GOD TO SEND ME 4 SPECIAL PEOPLE TODAY. FIRST, I NEED ONE PERSON WHO IS ABLE TO WIRE TRANSFER OF FEDEX $15,000 TODAY. THIS COVERS $15,000 OF THAT $20,000 WE STILL OWE FROM 2009 AND NEEDED TO BE PAID LAST FRIDAY. SECOND, I NEED ONE PERSON WHO IS ABLE TO WIRE TRANSFER OR FED EX THE $7,000 FOR THE 9-11 CHRISTIAN CENTER OPERATIONS LAST WEEKEND. THIRD, I NEED ONE PERSON WHO BY THIS FRIDAY CAN COVER THE LAST $5,000 OF THE $20,000 FROM 2009. FOURTH, I NEED ONE PERSON WHO BY FRIDAY CAN COVER THE $7,000 FOR NEXT WEEKENDS 9-11 CHRISTIAN CENTER OPERATIONS. I HAVE BEEN ON MY KNEES PRAYING TONIGHT FOR THE LORD TO SPEAK TO 4 HEARTS, AND FOR THOSE 4 PEOPLE TO BE OBEDIENT. IF YOU ARE ONE OF THE FOUR, CONTACT ME AT: bkeller@liveprayer.com AND I WILL GET YOU THE BANK WIRE OR FEDEX INFO YOU NEED.

--->You can make a gift to Liveprayer on your major credit card at our website www.liveprayer.com under the "Donation" button, or you can give from your PayPal account by using my email address, bkeller@liveprayer.com , or you can mail a gift to: Liveprayer 6660 46th Avenue North St. Petersburg, Florida 33709 *For a gift to the 9-11 Christian Center, please mark 9-11 on your check, or put (9-11) next to your name on the credit card or PayPal form. All gifts to Liveprayer are 100% tax deductible.

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