Daily Devotional for Monday July 22, 2019

A prophet is a spiritual office like a pastor, teacher, or evangelist.

(2 Timothy 3:1)

***DAILY PERSONAL PRAYER FOR YOU: Dear Lord, Thank You for the strength You give me each day to be victorious over my enemies. I know satan is out to kill, steal, and destroy, but he is a defeated foe. Through You, I HAVE THE VICTORY! No matter what things may look like in the natural, let me never forget that there is victory in Jesus. Because You have won the victory, I have won the victory. Thank You Jesus! It is in Your name I pray…AMEN!

A prophet is a spiritual office like a pastor, teacher, or evangelist. A prophet is a person who declares the oracles of God to the people of his or her day. An interesting side note for those in the ministry who have this idea they are here to be served. The Bible says the meal of the prophet was cow dung, not cow meat! There is also the gift of prophecy. It is a spiritual gift. Like all spiritual gifts, every child of God has some but not all.

There is great controversy within the body of Christ regarding gifts, but let me say that the Bible clearly says God gives people spiritual gifts to accomplish His plan and purpose. He gives someone the gift of prophecy to tell people about future events. It is NOT Christian fortune telling or being a Christian version of the psychic friends. Also, remember that a prophetic word will ALWAYS be supported by scripture!

Of course, since it is something that will happen in the future, the prophetic passages of the Bible can be interpreted many different ways and are highly subjective. I think we should go to the Biblical standard for a prophetic word. Those who gave prophetic words were never given the chance to be wrong twice, since they were stoned to death after their first miss! I wonder how many "prophets" would be out in our churches today under those conditions?

WE ARE LIVING IN THE LAST DAYS. THEY ARE HERE NOW!!! You don't have to be a Bible scholar to read the words of Paul to Timothy in 2 Timothy Chapter 3, the words of Peter in 2 Peter Chapter 3, or the words of our Lord in Matthew Chapter 24 as they describe the signs of the "last days." No man knows the hour the Lord will return but the Bible is clear He may come back at any moment in the "twinkling of an eye." We are in the last days, Christ is coming back at any second, and because of our gross sin, wickedness, and rebellion to God and His Word we are DUE His judgment.

That is why each day I do my best to encourage you, challenge you, and push you in your daily walk with Christ. God needs every one of His children, now more than ever, working hard for the Kingdom. As a child of God, we have the power and ability to turn from sin. The reason I focus so much on sin is because it is the weapon the enemy uses to keep you from being a productive member of God's army. He gets you so consumed in your own problems, in your own situations, that you are not able to be part of fighting the larger war for the eternal souls of people.

God gives us glimpses of the future, of the last days, so that we can be motivated to get busy and work while we still have an opportunity to make a difference. There is no time to sleep or rest, because time is quickly running out!

I love you, and care about you so very much. Now more than ever God needs you, needs each one of His children on the battlefield each day. Once we accept Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, we are immediately drafted into God's army. It is not an option, but a responsibility. It is not something we should even hesitate wanting to do. After all, we know that those who die in their sin are destined to eternal separation. If we can help even one person avoid eternal damnation, how can we say no?

God has strategically placed you exactly where you are supposed to be. It is no accident you live where you live, work where you work, go to school where you go to school. That is your battle station. As we watch the last days unfold, as we anticipate the return of Christ at any moment, let us get serious about serving Him. He will guide you, equip you, and make you adequate for the job He has given you to do. All He needs is your obedience and surrender to His plan for your life. I will pray for you today to open your heart and ask God how you can be the best soldier possible.

"Thus sayeth the Lord God of Hosts, I have called you forth in these last days to be my people, to show the lost in this world that I am the hope they seek. Go share that message."

In His love and service,

Your friend and brother in Christ,

Bill Keller