The Boldness Of Satan Versus The Shyness Of Most Christians

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Daily Devotional Wednesday April 17, 2002
(Acts 19:8)

Then Paul went to the synagogue and preached boldly each Sabbath day for three months, telling what he believed and why, and persuading many to believe in Jesus.

The boldness of Satan versus the shyness of most Christians. Very rarely do I take advantage of this forum to share my personal views, but today is an exception. If there is one thing in this world that upsets me more then anything else, it is the bold way that Satan shares his message of sin with this world, and how afraid most Christians are to share our message! Satan brings the world a message that is designed to kill, steal, and destroy lives. He has NO FEAR in presenting that message as boldly as he is able to. Yet we, those who have placed our faith in Christ, who have the ONLY true message of everlasting life, who have the ONLY message of hope for this hurting and lost world, shyly, almost ashamedly present our message in the most low key form possible! WHY??????

Satan knows the weaknesses of man. He has them down to a science. Greed, sex, alcohol, drugs, gambling, food are the basest weaknesses. So Satan uses the modern day media to flaunt message of "greed is good", sex is great any way that you can get it no matter what form it takes, alcohol is socially acceptable, drugs are the "in thing", gambling is just harmless entertainment, and food is a necessity of life that we should enjoy no matter what or how much we eat. These messages permeate the world that we live in. We are bombarded endlessly with them by the media to a point that we accept them as fact. Satan knows that this strategy works because there will be nobody bold enough to challenge his messages. HE REALIZES THAT NO CHRISTIAN IN A WORLDWIDE FORUM WILL CHALLENGE WHAT HE SAYS!

The FACT IS, greed is NOT good, it is evil. Sex is designed ONLY in the confines of marriage. Alcohol affects your brain and is a crutch that many turn to, to numb their way thru life. Drugs are an escape from reality that will destroy you. Gambling is a misuse of the resources that God has entrusted to you and is poor stewardship. Food is necessary, but only when you consume the right kinds of food on the right amounts. Who out there is telling THIS SIDE, the TRUE SIDE, GOD'S SIDE of this story to the world at large???? Answer, NOBODY!!!!!!

The sad fact is, God has blessed many men and women who have risen to prominences within the Christian community. They have a large platform within the Christian community, and they are supported by tens of millions of dollars of donations from God's people. With this prominence comes the burden of responsibility. Yet, WHERE ARE THEY IN THE WORLD AT LARGE??? WHERE ARE THEY IN THIS LOST AND SIN FILLED WORLD THAT SO DESPERATELY NEEDS TO HEAR THE REAL TRUTH OF GOD'S WORD? I will tell you where they are. They are sitting back in the comfort of their "national ministry empires" that only reach people who think as they do. That way, they don't have to deal with the negative reaction of the world to their message, and they can always count on a good offering. It is safer for them to stay within the confines of their Christian base then venture out into the world at large. That is why they stay on Christian TV and radio, sell their "resources" in Christian bookstores, speak in churches or at events pre-planned to be filled with people form the surrounding churches. The ministry is NOT a business. It is a CALLING. That calling is to the lost and hurting of this world that we live in!

One of these multi million dollar a year ministries should be holding meetings in the Middle East as we speak. But NO! Unless they have it planned out years in advance. Unless they can count on so many local pastors bringing in busloads of people to insure a big crowds to the local stadium which will insure a big offering, it doesn't fit their schedule. Many of these national ministries could buy time on CBS, NBC, ABC. But NO! Stick to TBN or the local Christian station where their audience is sure to give them X amount of dollars at the end when they ask for $$. THE FACT IS.... GOD HAS BLESSED MANY RICHLY... ONLY TO SEE THEM COVET, HOARD THEIR BLESSINGS TO PERPETUATE THEIR OWN MINISTRY AND LIFESTYLES!!!!! Just as they ask people to sow into their work, THEY must sow into the lives of others. And I am not talking about giving a minister friend $10,000 when they come to their church, just so they can receive $10,000 back from that same minister 4 months later when they preach at his church. SORRY!! I know I am stepping on some toes. But how about not worrying about the offering once, and doing something that may COST some money, but reach souls for Christ??? Isn't that what it is all about? Nobody understand the reality of raising $$$ as I do, but if we are not also living each day to bring the Word to the lost, we are not doing anything more then self-perpetuating an organization.

My friend, it is time for God's people to stand up, to say DEVIL, ENOUGH IS ENOUGH. Our churches are just as much to blame!!! Many don't even deal with the needs of their congregations, let alone the world outside the doors of the church. It is time to stand up and accept the responsibility God has given to us to those in leadership, and those who call themselves Christians and take His message of hope and everlasting life through Jesus Christ to this lost and sin-filled world. How can the devil be so bold with lies, and God's people so timid with the only truth there is????

I love you and care about you so much. Jesus in MANY parables told us that our time is short, we must be busy about our Father's business. Now is the time to be aggressive. Now is the time when those who God has placed in roles of leadership must be willing to sacrifice all to take HIS message to this world at large. EVEN IF IT MEANS LOSING ALL THAT WE HAVE. We can never lose everything when we have Jesus!!!! The fact is, what we have is simply given to us by God to further His Kingdom, NOT to create our own personal fiefdoms. That is why when the opportunity came 3 years ago to start Liveprayer, my wife and I, the Board of my ministry, had no problem committing ALL that we had to this ministry. It was a vehicle God could use to open hearts and share the everlasting message faith through Jesus Christ with the lost and hurting of this world. It was a privilege to give all that we had to be able to share Christ with hurting people.

God is calling YOU today to be bold. Look around you. How bold is Satan with a message of destruction? How much bolder should YOU be with a message of everlasting life? DO NOT LET THESE WORDS GO UNHEEDED TODAY. GOD IS CALLING ME AND YOU TO A LEVEL OF BOLDNESS LIKE NEVER BEFORE. It is time to take on the same mindset of Satan in regard to presenting our message. Satan has no fear, there are no limits to him. We must operate the same way. We must never tire, never lose sight of who the real audience is.. the world at large!!! We must get outside the comfit zone of the existing church, Christian community, and be bold enough, creative enough, to share the massage of hope and faith in Christ to this lost and hurting world. Now is the time, today is the day. Time is short!!! A lost and hurting world is waiting to hear the TRUTH!!!

***Let this word today be a wake-up call to pastors, those who work in ministry. Let this also be a wake-up call to YOU. Just because others choose to stay within the safety of the Christian community, does not mean God is not calling you TO THE WORLD THAT YOU LIVE IN TO MINISTER. It is time to "think outside of the box", quit doing what is comfortable, and start making some noise in the world at large as we proudly, and boldly proclaim that Jesus Christ is the ONLY way, the ONLY truth, and the ONLY life. HE is the answer all men and women worldwide seek! God gave you this life to serve and glorify Him. We only get one chance to make a difference. God is calling YOU today to share the GOSPEL with the world!

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

If I can help you in any way you can contact me through my personal email at bkeller@liveprayer.com.

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