Daily Devotional for Friday November 2, 2012
Being a Godly Citizen
(Titus 3:1)
***ASK BILL: Pastor Bill, what is your view on Medical Intuitives?
ANSWER: Pure SCAM ARTISTS like the con artist "dead talker" John Edward. God is the great physician, and he usually works thru human instruments called...DOCTORS! I am not dismissing God may use a human instrument as a point of contact for healing, but these Medical Intuitives are NOT coming from a Scriptural position. At worst they are nothing but charlatans, at best, operating in satanic powers!
Being a Godly citizen. Even though most who read this Devotional are in the United States, the country you live in doesn't matter. One of our responsibilities as a child of God is to be a Godly citizen of the country we live in. This is accomplished primarily by obeying the laws and honoring those God has placed in leadership. Here are many scripture references that support this: Ecclesiastes 8:2; Matthew 17;27; Matthew 22:21; Romans 13:1; 1 Peter 2:13; 1 Peter 2:14; 1 Peter 2:17; Ezra 7:26; Exodus 22:38; Ecclesiastes 10:20; Acts 23:5; Proverbs 14:34.
For those of us fortunate enough to live in the United Sates or in other democratic countries, we also have the ability to have our voice heard through our vote. Let me just say this. Voting is an incredible right we have, and it should not be taken lightly. It is one way we can make our voice heard, and at the same time be the Godly citizens we are called to be. If you are not registered to vote, get registered and vote!
One of our most powerful ways to be a Godly citizen is through prayer. Pray for your country. Pray for your leaders. Pray for God to bless your nation. Also, pray about those things that need to be changed. In the US for instance, we have an incredible problem with abortion, divorce, upholding God's plan for marriage and family, and how incredibly easy it is to access any sin you can name. As you know, the only true social change is by changing people's hearts through faith in Jesus Christ, one heart at a time.
There is a limited amount that can be done politically on these social issues, and we must try, but real change can only come from God. A great example was the Prohibition era. Making it unlawful to drink didn't even slow down alcohol consumption. A great modern day example is the illegal drug crisis we are in. The fact that they are illegal is little deterrent to those who want to use drugs. Again, real change comes one heart at a time. The prayers of God's people work!
Another way that you can be a Godly citizen is through getting involved in the political process. In a democracy like we have in the United States, it invites people to participate. It gives those so led the opportunity to give of themselves to help their fellow citizens.
Like everything else in this world, sin has perverted the true meaning of public service. In its purist form, it is an act of service. Unfortunately, it has deteriorated into a way for many to get rich, acquire power, and fulfill self-serving interests at the expense of the people they are supposed to be serving.
However, being involved with pure motives can be an incredible way in which to not only serve your fellow citizens, but God as well. Not just as someone who holds public office, but those many, many dedicated people it takes in support positions.
I am asked often if Christians should be involved in politics. ABSOLUTELY! The Bible calls us to be good citizens of the nation we live in. We not only should be involved in politics, we MUST be if we want our voice heard and our beliefs known. Since the political system determines much of the daily life in a nation, it is imperative that men and women of God be active participants in politics locally, as well as at the state and national levels.
So the big question many are struggling with is who to vote for in the upcoming election. I have never, and will never, tell anyone who to or not to vote for. I never endorse candidates as other Christian leaders do. This is ultimately a matter up to you and your conscience. Let me give you these guidelines to help you today.
The Bible that is our final authority in ALL matters. God's Word, and God's Word alone represents absolute truth. When we are faced with the spiritual/political issues of the day, it is critical to go to God's Word and see what HE says about those issues. THE GOAL IS TO FIND MEN AND WOMEN WHO WILL GOVERN IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE WORD OF GOD. THAT IS WHO YOU SHOULD VOTE FOR.
For President, you have the President Obama. He has demonstrated by his words and deeds to be a true enemy of God, opposing God on every major spiritual issue of the day. He supports the legalized slaughter of innocent babies, promotes the radical homosexual agenda, and is a friend to the enemies of Israel.
On the other side, you have a 5th generation high priest of a satanic cult that is gearing up as we speak, to take advantage of the fulfillment of the 200 yr prophecy of their founder Joseph Smith to have a Mormon President. Conservative estimates are that they will add over 1 million people to their cult in this nation alone by their cult becoming mainstream without Romney having to say a word, meaning 1 million souls will spend eternity in hell!
The popular phrase is "the lesser of two evils." Let me remind you that the lesser of two evils is still evil! The great preacher Charles Spurgeon said when confronted with two choices of evil, I choose neitehr. One man is sure to continue policies in complete rebellion to God and His Word. The other man, just by being elected to the highest office in the land, will certainly help his cult add millions of converts around the world meaning those people will die and burn in hell for all eternity.
Listen, if all you care about is politics that is fine. You can justify voting for Pres. Obama as he continues his reign of ungodly terror, or you can justify voting for a cult member whose Presidency will mainstream his cult and lead a million plus to hells flames for etenrity. As for me, I could care less about politics, I care about souls!!!
The one thing that is for certain, it will be God who allows men to rise to power, takes men out of power, but whoever He allows to run the country for the next four years, it will be a furtherance of His judgment on our land for our sins!
I know that many will unsubscribe saying I am "helping President Obama get re-elected." The funny thing is I was warning people about this man long before 95% of the people even knew who he was since I started my ministry in Chicago in 1992 when he was starting out as a community organizer.
Many on my staff are worried since it is the start of the month and we desperately need to cover our October shortfall and this months expenses. They expressed concern that a message like this will cause some potential donors not to give. Since I started Liveprayer 13 yrs ago, I have NEVER thought for a second about how the Truth may affect people who donate.
I can't even begin to tell you how many Mormons used to give to Liveprayer, how many people who are part of Rick Warren and Joel Osteen's church used to give to Liveprayer, how many in the Masonic cult used to give to Liveprayer, how many who are uncomfortable with the fact I call sin what the Bible calls it and stand on God's Truth used to donate.
If I cared about money, I would simply do what all of the big time ministries do and be political, never talk about anything that will offend people, and simply fleece the sheep. God sent me to FEED the sheep and proclaim HIS TRUTH to this lost and hurting world. That is why the OT prophets lived in caves while the priests of their day lived in palaces. Why they wore rags while the priests wore the finest robes. Why they ate cow dung while the priests feasted on sumptuous food.
I am not here to tickle ears or make people feel good, but to share the uncompressed Truth of God's Word and share the Gospel with the lost and hurting. If that means people will unsubscribe, not give to God's work here, God will raise up OTHERS who are not ashamed of the Truth or the Gospel to help me. Sadly. there are few out there who will share with you God's Truth without shame or fear of how it may affect people who give money to support you!!!
Remember, at the end of the day, it is NOT a politician who can solve any of our real problems, since those problems are spiritual and not political. Sadly, neither Pres. Obama or Mitt Romney will do anything but add to the spiritual problems we face, each in their own way. As I shared last November, if God allowed the two major parties to be represented by Obama and Romney, what that really means is that His hand of blessing and protection has been removed from this nation!!!
Those who know the Lord are going to have no choice now but to come together as ONE, since that is going to be our only hope of having a Nineveh moment in this nation. Otherwise, we will sadly see the full wrath and judgment of God unleashed in the coming weeks and months for our gross sins and wickedness.
I love you and care about you very much. You will be in my prayers. As you go throughout your daily lives, never forget the responsibilities we have to be Godly citizens. Again, the best way we can fulfill that responsibility is by obeying the laws, exercising our responsibility to vote, and praying for our leaders and nation each day.
I sense in my Spirit that the United States has squandered much of the blessings God has bestowed upon this nation these past 200+ years due to our sin and rebellion. We can read clear examples in the Bible of how God dealt with the children of Israel when they disobeyed. Even though they were God's chosen people, He took the hand of blessing and protection from them for their disobedience. I hear the trumpet sounding its' warning my friend. Lets us turn from our sin before it is too late. Being a Godly citizen and voting Tuesday is one way we can make that happen!
In His love and service, Your friend and brother in Christ,
Bill Keller