Daily Devotional for Monday September 8, 2003

The last days

( 2 Timothy 3:1-9, 2 Peter 3:3-10 )

The last days. One topic I never discuss much in these Devotionals is eschatology, or the study of the end times. Bible prophesy is a fascinating subject. One of my dearest friends in the ministry is Perry Stone Jr. from Cleveland TN. If you enjoy Bible prophecy, please visit Perry's website at www.perrystone.org . Perry is one of the world's finest Bible prophecy teachers. My ministry was responsible for producing television specials with Perry over the years that were viewed by millions of people on Christian and secular television. I also helped Perry launch his new weekly television program that is now on many fine Christian stations nationwide.

As much as I love Perry, prophecy is still highly subjective. There is much mystery in the Word, and many differing views on this subject. It is the one subject that you really cannot say someone is wrong, since it is yet to happen. While I have personal views on the end times, and while I enjoy Bible prophesy, my emphasis has always been on NOW...and our personal daily walk and responsibilities as His children.

In light of all that is happening around the world and the escalating problems in the Middle East, we are seeing history and Bible prophesy unfold before our eyes. There is no more time to play. There is no more time to be apathetic about our faith. There is no more time to allow ourselves to be distracted by the enemy who uses division in the body, our own personal weaknesses, to keep us from serving God.

My friend, the battle cry has clearly sounded. The trumpet of warning is clearly being blown for all to hear. The events that are unfolding in our nation, around the world, right before our very eyes is God's way of saying..."NOW my children, prepare yourselves and this world for the return of Christ!!!" We can never lose sight of the big picture. Jesus Christ is coming soon, in the twinkling of an eye. Are we really ready for that? Is this world really ready for that?

One of my number one goals as I have shared before, is to help you translate your faith in Christ into your daily, real world, life. You see, the enemies 1 weapon is to get us so caught up in our weaknesses, our problems, the cares of this life, that we become virtually ineffective for service in God's army. When he can get your focus on yourself instead of your service, he has won. He has taken you out of the game. That is why we must get a handle on our own lives, so that we can effectively minister to others. We must rise above our problems, so that we can effectively help others rise above their problems.

I have many friends that are involved in multi-level marketing organizations. I think it is a creative and very legitimate way to make money if the company and their products and/or services are legit. The key to success in the MLM world is mobilizing people. Helping them overcome their issues so that they can effectively help others in their downlines be productive. That is the key to success in that world. For me personally, that is exactly what God has called me to do with my life, but not for an organization and for money, but for the Kingdom of God and to fulfill His plan for my life. It is time for the people of God to stand up, become bold, and share with this dying and lost world the message that there is hope and everlasting life through God's son Jesus Christ!

I love you and care about you very much. I have received so much mail in the last year from people concerned about the events unfolding around the world. Let me simply say this. Only God knows the hour, minute, second of Christ's return. Until then, He has given us very clear instructions that we are to be about His business until that glorious moment. You do not have to be a Biblical scholar to read passages that tell us clearly we are in the last days. His coming is very soon. Now more than ever we need to get past our own problems, because God needs His children, all His children on the front lines.

Just like our brave men and women of the armed services put their lives on the line daily in defense of our great nation, our Commander in Chief is asking each one in His army to do likewise. This is not a video game. The stakes are eternal life versus eternal damnation. Too many of God's children are AWOL at this critical moment. I pray today that you will hear His call to battle and understand that answering that call is not an option. It is something that each and everyone of His children is required to do each day. We must answer the call, fight the good fight of faith. These my friend...are the last days. Now..is the time!!!!

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