Daily Devotional for Sunday July 24, 2011
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. 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."
As we go into the last 7 days of July, please be in prayer with me for the operational finances we need to bring in right away. We finally covered the balance of our June operations, and we have received $120,000 of the $150,000 in donations and pledges I asked the Lord to deliver by the end of April. I am still walking by faith that we will bring in the final $30,000 before the end of this month, along with the $35,000 we need for our July operational budget. That is $65,000 needed in the next 7 days to have all of our basic operational costs covered.
As we prepare to take advantage of new doors the Lord is opening for us to have a highly visible place in the marketplace to help lead the remnant and call this nation back to God and His Truth, I'm simply asking you to pray today and seek the Lord what He is calling you to do to help me to cover this $65,00 balance to insure all of our basic operational needs are met. Never forget that God will honor your heart as you obey His voice. Will you help me today? Will you please take a minute today, and pray, seek the Lord what He is asking you to sacrifce.
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.
Know that you and your family are in my prayers each day. Thank you for your love, prayers, and support as we take our stand in these last days. The time is very short, our time is now!
In His love and service, Your friend and brother in Christ,
Bill Keller