Unconditional Surrender

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DAILY DEVOTIONAL THURSDAY JULY 10, 2003
(Mark 8:34-38)

Then he called his disciples and the crowds to come over and listen. "If any of you wants to be my follower," he told them, "you must put aside your own pleasures and shoulder your cross, and follow me closely. If you insist on saving your life, you will lose it. Only those who throw away their lives for my sake and for the sake of the Good News will ever know what it means to really live.

"And how does a man benefit if he gains the whole world and loses his soul in the process? For is anything worth more than his soul? And anyone who is ashamed of me and my message in these days of unbelief and sin, I, the Messiah, will be ashamed of him when I return in the glory of my Father, with the holy angels."

Unconditional surrender. 13 years ago, I laid by myself in a prison cell, and finally gave God the one and only thing He ever wanted from me, my life... wholly... totally... unconditionally surrendered to Him. That is also the only thing He wants from you. You see, I ran from the Lord's calling on my life for years. God was merciful to me, and put me in a position where I had no real good options left. I would like to say I surrendered willingly, but that is not the case. The important fact is.... I did. You can read my testimony at www.liveprayer.com/bdy_testimony.html.

I would spend another 2 years in Federal Prison for insider trading, though it was the 2 years of seminary I should have obediently gone to 12 years earlier. The Lord sent many incredible people into my life to disciple me. He opened the door that I could get several theological degrees from a well-known Christian school during that 2 year period. He fed me through many national media ministries each day. I had my "Arabian desert experience", much like Paul did after his conversation on the Damascus Road.

Since my release 11 years ago, I have been in full-time ministry. I have preached in over 500 churches of every denominational background, racial make-up and size. I have produced hundreds of hours of programming seen on Christian TV stations nationwide. I started this Internet ministry over 46 months ago that is now reaching over 1.7 million people worldwide each and every day. I.... did nothing!!!!!!! Whatever "I" has done, has not been Bill Keller, but the Lord working through Bill Keller. You see, it is no longer my life. It is no longer I that live, yea, but Christ that lives within me. You see, without Him, "I" can do nothing. WITH Him, I can do all things!!!!

I share this with you this morning as a brief word of testimony. For those of you on the fence, trying to live with one foot in the church, one foot in the world.... it DOES NOT WORK! Jesus said you cannot serve two masters. Today is a day of decision and as you read these words you know it. The Holy Spirit is convicting you even as you read these words right now. It is not a decision I, or anyone else can make for you. You have to make that decision.

Let me leave you with this word. If you keep trying to do it your way with a little God sprinkled in, it will never work. Surrender... give it all to Him, and it works. I didn't say it becomes easy, or everything is a bed of roses. Jesus told His disciples just hours before going to the cross that in this world they would have tribulation, but to be of good cheer, because He had overcome this world. Without Him 100%, you have no chance. With Him 100%, you will know the peace, joy, fulfillment, and abundance that this life can offer.

I love you, and care about you deeply. I will be praying for you today. Surrender 100% to Him. Unconditionally. It is the only way this life makes sense.

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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