Daily Devotional for Sunday May 4, 2014
Praise Reports
(Psalms 91:15; Psalms 89:1)
***ASK BILL: Pastor Bill, do the souls of aborted babies go to be with our Lord in heaven? Do the souls of children (ie: for example the ones at Sandy Hook school) who die before they are able to ask Jesus to come into their lives, or in the case of Noah Pozner (who was Jewish) get to go to heaven?
ANSWER: Yes and yes! Salvation is by our faith in Christ and God's grace, Ephesians 2:8,9. Babies and young children who die and aren't old enough to understand their sinful nature, will be in Heaven due to God's grace.
One of the joys in my life is to look over some of the thousands of incredible praise reports we receive every day here at Liveprayer. Real people that had emailed us to pray about real issues in their life. It is a tremendous honor and privilege to be able to stand in agreement with people for the needs they face during the course of their journey through life. I am always moved to see God's grace and mercy at work in the lives of people as He answers their prayers.
Currently, we have over 8 million praise reports archived. Several times each year, I like to share a sampling of those praise reports with you. I do this because so many of you are facing great obstacles in your life today, and need to know God is there. The Bible proclaims that God is no respecter of persons. That simply means what God has done for someone else, He will do for you!!! So I want you to know today that no matter what your need is, what your problem is, what the battle you are fighting may be, God not only hears your prayers, BUT HE ANSWERS YOUR PRAYERS!
Also, so many of you pray and sacrificially give to the work God is doing here at Liveprayer. I want to encourage you today as well, that your prayers, and your gifts to this work are not in vain. What we do each and every day for over 2.5 million people all over the world is only possible because you care, you pray, and you give. Let these praise reports be an encouragement to you that God is using you to make a difference in the lives of people. God is using your obedience, your faithfulness to reach those who are lost and hurting with His love and hope. May God use these praise reports today to be a blessing to you!
"Bill I have an excellent story that will warm your heart... My faith is strengthened even more now... after I found out that I failed... and reading your email I got down on my knees and prayed... I prayed for faithfulness and strength in the face of defeat... I was reminded of the scripture that said "trust in the lord with all your heart and lean not on your understanding.." And I accepted this was God's path...Later in the evening right before I went to bed, my mother called me and asked I check the results again... apparently there was an error with the results webpage.. and I checked again and I PASSED... God answered my prayers... I'm jubilant right now... Thank you for your support Bill!"
"Rachel was found this evening and all of our prayers have kept her safe. Your prayers have held me up so many times. I cannot begin to express my appreciation and gratitude for your always available prayer line."
"Dear Bill, in October of 2013, I was watching you on TV. I never was religious and barely believed in God. A particular show made an impact on me and I took Jesus as my Lord and Savior. I have never once regretted and I have grown in my faith and relationship with the Lord. I want to say 'Thank you.' I read the Bible, go to Church and have become a better person. Pastor Keller, you made a BIG difference in my life. God bless you and thank you for leading me to Jesus and changing my life!"
"My name is Heather and after reading your Devotional the other day I gave my life to Jesus."
"I simply want to thank you for telling the truth. I'm a missionary who just struggled through 2 years of depression brought on by physical problems. I don't think I'd ever been depressed a day in my life before, and had no idea how to deal with the negative thoughts and temptations that accompanied those dark days. Many days, your devotional was my lifeline. Some days it was encouragement to me, and some days it was a wake up call to keep me from sin. I thank God for walking me through this difficult time, I have a new love and understanding for those who loose their foothold. And I have a new awareness of the hand of God that reaches to the lowest valley."
"I found the ring later that night - thank you so much. Truly thought it was gone forever."
"Josh does not have cancer-PTL!-but will be having surgery Tuesday morning August 21st at 7:30am to have an endoscopy--non-evasive insertion through his skull into his brain to create a permanent hole to drain brain fluid, and remove a benign growth causing the fluid build up if necessary. The doctor is confident of this solving the problem permanently. THANK YOU SO MUCH for your God-ordained ministry!"
"I have another praise report. My sons car was found at 9:30pm today in good working order nothing stolen from it. God is good. Thank you for your prayers. It is exciting to see God work."
"We're home from court. And the important word is "WE'RE"! God did a miracle on my husband's behalf and he was spared any custodial jail time. Instead of being sentenced to 180 days in the county jail he was sentenced to 90 days of SLAP - Sheriff's Labor Assistance Program. On Saturday/Sunday he will be supervised by the Sheriff's Department and do manual labor (cleaning, fixing, etcetera). He will not have to spend any time incarcerated!"
"Your life has great meaning, preaching the Word of God! Over six years ago, while watching your Live Prayer program on TV, I was saved! I spent my entire life in the Roman Catholic Church, but was saved watching your program! God Bless You and please continue to do your work for the Lord!"
"Mr Keller, my name is Javier and I wrote to you about a problem I have with pornography and anything that has to do with sex. I want you to know that I haven't looked at porn or thought about things like that for the last two weeks. I know it doesn't seem like a long time but for me it felt like years. I was feeling really down and disgusted with myself today and then I read your devotional from Thursday. 'Press On', it says. It literally felt like God said that to me. Mr. Keller, please keep praying for me so I can keep pressing on, thank you."
"Thank you so much my mom found a place like 3 days after i sent you the email asking you to pray! thank you sooo much!"
"I would just like to tell you that I accepted Jesus Christ as my lord & savior thanks to your website".
"God is good all the time! Thank you for taking the time to listen and pray with me. Today I received an offer of employment with an attorney who has placed a hand out in faith that even though I this is a new area for me, he is willing to give me a chance and thereby providing me with the means to leave an emotionally abusive employer. My confidence during the interview came from trusting in the Lord that he would not place me in a position that was not of the highest interest for both myself and those I would be surrounded by and of course "when two or more are joined together in prayer, the Lord is there. Thank you deeply!"
"Dear Bill, We just received wonderful news. It appears that the spot on my dad's lung is most likely scar tissue. They will retest in 3 months. Praise God! He is truly faithful! Thank you for your prayers."
"My husband, George receives your daily devotional via email at his office and often shares it with me (by emailing it to our home account). Today, I was saved..I joined you in the salvation prayer. Thank you!"
I love you and care about you so much. May these praise reports encourage you today that no matter what your problem may be, God is there for you. Also, thanks to all of my dear friends that so faithfully pray for this ministry each day and sacrificially give to keep us here. GOD IS GREATLY USING YOUR LIFE TO BRING HIS HOPE AND LOVE TO LOST AND HURTING PEOPLE WORLDWIDE EVERY DAY BECAUSE OF YOUR FAITHFULNESS AND OBEDIENCE!!!
All praise goes to our great God for His unconditional love for us and his endless grace and mercy. He is worthy to be praised!!!!
In His love and service, Your friend and brother in Christ,
Bill Keller