(Matthew 6:33)

***DAILY PERSONAL PRAYER FOR YOU: Oh Lord, I am so thankful for this day. I give You all glory and honor for the blessings You have bestowed on my life. So often I take Your blessings for granted. Let me remember each day to take time to thank You for Your grace and mercy in my life. May I show my gratitude in living my life for You and allowing Your love to shine through me to everyone I meet. In the name of Jesus I pray…AMEN!

***THE DAILY LIVEPRAYER TV NUGGET: The Hyde Amendment, passed in 1976 and named for its chief sponsor Republican Congressman Henry Hyde of Illinois, is a legislative provision barring the use of federal funds to pay for abortion except to save the life of the woman, or if the pregnancy arises from incest or rape. Before the Hyde Amendment took effect in 1980, 7 years after the passing of Roe vs. Wade, an estimated 300,000 abortions were performed annually using taxpayer funds. Democratic politicians in their lust for the ! blood of
dead babies, have wanted for years to get rid of this legislation. Well, now they are using their political muscle to pass legislation to once and for all get rid of the Hyde Amendment stating that it is blatantly racist. ANYONE WHO OPPOSES ANY OF THE RADICAL DEMOCRATIC POLICIES, NO MATTER WHAT THE ISSUE, IS A RACIST!!! One of the few minor barriers to the slaughter of innocent babies is likely to be removed in the near future, and we wonder why were are 13 months into the judgement of God on this nation!!!

***Don’t miss the Liveprayer TV program, airing “LIVE” every Monday thru Friday from 11pm EDT to Midnight! For details on viewing options for the Liveprayer TV program, “LIVE” or “On Demand,” go to: https://liveprayer.com/liveprayer-show-about.cfm Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak.” Matthew 26:41 (NIV)

One of the easiest traps to fall into, and one of things I pray ab! out daily, is giving
my best effort in every area of my life. For most of us, a big portion of our life is our job or school. We tend to spend the majority of our time and energy either involved in our work or school. How many days do you come home from work or school, and are exhausted? You have literally given everything you have, and your tank is empty.

The problem is, in addition to your work or school, you have a spouse, children, family, friends (maybe only one or possibly all) who are part of your life and need to be nurtured. How often do we come home and we just have nothing left for our wife, husband, or family? Or how many times are we too busy to spend that quality time with our children we need to?

The fact is, while we often give our best efforts, give the best of what we have at work or school, and those who we love most in this life, get the leftovers. Recently, I did a Devotional on working on our job or at school as unto the Lord . . doing our best, since we are His
representatives on the job site or in the classroom. So I am NOT talking about not giving our best efforts when we are working or in school. What I am talking about is the balance in our life that is so critical.

The order of our priorities is simple. Our relationship with the Lord has to be first, since who we are and what we are in this life flow from that relationship. Then come those people God has given us to share this life with . . our spouse, children, family, and close friends. Next is our job or education.

Now, I realize that I may make some people uncomfortable today. Talk to the Lord about it. Why do we give so much at work or school, give the very best we have, and give very little at home . . . and usually nothing at all to the Lord. That is upside down! When our priorities are upside down, our lives tend to get upside down. Marriages get into trouble because husbands and wives don’t work at it.

Marriage is NOT a joint living arrangement, bu! t a
bonding, a blending of two lives into one, with Christ as the center. Everyone is so busy with “work” that many marriages are little more than convenient living arrangements.

Is it any wonder then, why, without the intimacy and the daily nurturing, that so many end up in relationships outside the home? The really stupid thing is that if you put the same amount of energy and effort into your spouse that you end up putting into someone else, you would be amazed at how wonderful God can make the marriage experience. Because of “work”, your children don’t get the best you have, they get little bits and pieces here and there. Other family members and friends also get whatever is left over. The Lord? Maybe a “hello” as you leave in the morning or a “prayer” as your eyes close at night.

Nobody is more guilty of this than I am. As with all battles, we must have a battle plan. Being a very organized person, as many of you are, here is how I have worked a! t keeping my priorities
straight, making sure that I was giving my best efforts, in all of the areas of my life. First, is my daily walk with Christ. Whether you are a pastor, in full-time ministry, a homemaker, a student, or whatever else you may do in life.

THERE IS NOTHING MORE IMPORTANT THAN YOUR DAILY WALK WITH CHRIST!!!

Especially for those in ministry, if you don’t have a real, intimate, daily walk with Christ, you have NO ministry. Your ministry flows from that personal relationship. I spend the first 15-20 minutes every morning in prayer, then another 20-30 minutes in the Word. I HAVE to start my day with the Lord for many reasons, but practically, if I don’t do it then, it will never get done. That is reality. I schedule my day to include time with my wife.

It may sound cold, but I operate best under a disciplined schedule. I make sure we eat dinner together, do something out of the house together, and spend time talking every day. Even when I don’t want to, I HAVE! to talk to my
wife. Husbands and wives HAVE to talk to each other every day, and not just about the daily business. Communication is critical to a relationship. Talk with the Lord and talk with your wife. Sandwiched in between is our work or school.

How is it possible to have the energy to give our best to the Lord, at work or school, to our spouse, kids, family, and friends? My friend, in our own strength it is impossible! We can only do it in the strength the Lord gives us. We have to be aware of how important it is to keep our priorities in line. When we get our priorities out of line, we will get into trouble in one, two, or many areas of our life. It is just a matter of time.

I love, care about you, and will be praying for you today. I realize that this is a very difficult subject for many and will actually involve much conviction from the Holy Spirit, since you are so entrenched in your day-to-day lives. It is not too late to make changes, and God will help you to get yo! ur
priorities in order: God, our loved ones, work/school. If we keep our priorities straight, the Lord will help us to always give our best effort in EVERY area of our lives.

In His love and service,

Your friend and brother in Christ,

Bill Keller