Daily Devotional for Saturday November 6, 2010

In My Years of Ministry I Could Always get the Amen Corner into My Sermons when I Preached Against the More Visible Sins

(Proverbs 25:27)

In my years of ministry, I could always get the "Amen corner" into my sermons when I preached against homosexuality, preached against the more visible sins. On those occasions when I preached on the sin of gluttony, it usually got very quiet. I realize this will be a difficult read for many today, but that is one reason I am here...to challenge you. Let me say right up front, gluttony IS a sin. God said so. Anything that you do in excess, to your detriment, to the detriment of your ability to serve God, that is ahead of your daily relationship with God, is a sin.

Let me also add something very important. There are just as many skinny gluttons as overweight gluttons! Let me say that once more. There are just as many skinny gluttons as overweight gluttons. Being overweight can be caused by many things, and just because a person is heavy, does NOT mean they are a glutton. Again, ANYTHING that you put ahead of your relationship with the Lord is a sin. If you are a thin person, but put food ahead of your relationship with Christ, you are a glutton!

I know that during this Holiday season many will be sitting down to some incredible feasts. I am not saying you shouldn't, and I am not saying you should not enjoy food. I believe God gave us food to nourish our body, our taste buds to enjoy food, and eating is wonderful part of our life. Gluttony however refers to eating in excess. I know many fine men and women of God that live tremendous lives and do great work for the Lord. However, this is an area that they struggle with and that is why I bring it to you today.

Like all sin, gluttony can be overcome, not in our own strength, but in His. Like all sins, if you fight this battle, you need a battle plan. God can give you that plan, the strength to carry it out, and the perseverance to get victory. Like in other sins though, the question becomes, do you really want victory? Do you really want to conquer this foe? Do you even recognize that this is a problem in your life?

At this point, you have either accepted through the prompting of the Holy Spirit that this is an issue in your life, or you have realized that this is not something that you battle with. If you are in the latter category, then I would encourage you to pray for those who do fight this battle each day. I have no doubt that you know people in your family, school, workplace, church, that are going through this struggle. Pray for them today. Pray that the Lord would open their eyes and show them this is a problem they need to deal with. Pray that they will have the courage, like anyone who is dealing with a specific sin, to admit it and allow the Lord to help them get victory over gluttony.

I love you, care about you, and realize the sensitive nature of this sin. But there is no use in hiding it or candy-coating the problem. It is time to recognize it as a problem, and get busy fighting it and letting God help you to become victorious over this battle in your life. If you are struggling with gluttony today, I will be praying specifically for you. I realize what a difficult struggle this can be. If you will take that first step, God will help you overcome this battle with gluttony!

***As we prepare to open the "9-11 Christian Center at Ground Zero" January 1st, I am excited to be able to offer those who are able to help me with the initial funding an incredible way to honor someone you love! As you know, we are in the process of raising the $500,000 we need for the opening of the center primarily through 100, $5,000 units. We will be placing a gorgeous plaque in the lobby of the new center with 100 engraved leafs, each one in honor or memoriam of someone special in the life of the person giving the unit for that leaf.

In addition, for a special gift of $100,000, we will name the new chapel in honor of a person the donor designates. We are also looking for one special donor to give a gift of $100,000 in memory of the victims of 9/11 who will be honored in the 9-11 Memorial Prayer Room that will become a must-see for the many daily visitors to ground zero.

COUNTDOWN TO 100!!! Wow, God is great! As you know, I am looking for people to help me with 100/$5,000 units to give us the $500,000 we need to fund the opening of the new "9-11 Christian Center at Ground Zero." We have our new permanent home which will be announced in a major press conference in NYC at the location Wed. 11/10 at 10am.

The $500k covers our Liveprayer.com operational expenses through the end of November ($60,000 in shortfalls through the end of October plus $40,000 for November), the Liveprayer TV program in the NYC market that begins Monday December 6th and will be seen every Mon-Fri on a major secular network to promote the new evangelistic center and acquire new financial supporters ($50,000), the deposit for the 5 yr lease ($30,000), and our expenses for the current services at the NY Marriott during November ($20,000), and the funds we need for construction of the space and purchase of everything we will need for the new center ($300,000).

So far, we have had 2 units sent in, plus, one dear friend can only take 1/2 unit and is looking for someone to take the other half, and another friend of the ministry has issued a challenge to match the next 3 units. That means your unit will be doubled! Please pray about stepping up today to help me with one or more units and let's see this need covered in the next 2 weeks!

To make a special gift to the 9-11 Christian Center at Ground Zero, you can send your 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 it to: Liveprayer, 6660 46th Avenue North, St. Petersburg, Florida 33709. One the credit card or PayPal form after your name simply mark (9-11). Also, in the notes section of your check mark (9-11). This will insure all of the gifts towards this special projects go to that cause. All gifts to Liveprayer are 100% tax deductible.

--->I really need several people who have the ability to help me today, since the bulk of our October operational budget has still not been met. If you can overnight or wire to our bank $5,000 or more, please contact me for the instructions at: bkeller@liveprayer.com

WE ARE GOING TO BRING GOD'S TRUTH TO TENS OF MILLIONS OF PEOPLE DAILY, SEE WOULS WON FOR CHRIST, AND CHANGE THE SPIRITUAL DEIRECTION OF THIS NATION!!! WILL YOU HELP ME???

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