Advent Season – Love 1

       “Christmas love is fundamentally understood as God's self-sacrificial, unconditional, and transformative love, demonstrated through the birth of Jesus Christ. It is not merely a seasonal sentiment or human affection, but a divine initiative where God, out of deep compassion, sent His Son to reconcile humanity to Himself. This love is described as steadfast and loyal, going beyond mere emotion to involve tangible actions, culminating in Jesus' sacrifice for the sins of the world. The true meaning of Christmas centers on this love, which is freely given and available to all who receive it in faith, transforming lives and inspiring believers to love others in return.

Christmas love is rooted in God's initiative: ‘We love because he first loved us’. The season invites individuals to slow down, ponder God's love, and live it out through acts of kindness, forgiveness, and generosity.” ^[1]

This sentiment is from the pastor at Mercy Village Church in West Virginia. I like what he has to say here. Love is transforming. No matter how difficult your life has become, real love can make things seem different. The burdens of life don’t seem so heavy. Your troubles seem to evaporate, like steam rising from a boiling pot of water. Love forces you to reevaluate yourself and your situation. God’s love is even more powerful a force than human love, though human love is a wonderful place to start.

At this time of year, when finances are tapped and hope seems fleeting, God wishes to remind us that all is not lost, nor will it ever be extinguished. Hope came in the form of an infant child; Almighty God in the flesh. The second person of the Triune God. Jesus Christ, the Son of God. What Christ did for mankind is the clearest illustration of real love that shall ever exist. Would you die for another person? Knowing your death would be horrific and traumatic. Knowing that the pain you would feel would be greater than any you’ve ever felt. Would you willingly do it? Christ was born to die for us all. That speaks loudly of hope, peace, joy and love so much so that it cannot be denied. Feel God’s love this Advent Season. Bask in it and rejoice. Until next time, walk with the King & be a blessing.

In His Name & for His Glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

^[1] www.mercyvillagechurch.com

 

Advent Season – Joy 5

            The Christmas season is filled with all sorts of happy times based on family traditions. A tree to decorate, gifts to wrap, eggnog, special cookies, time spent that builds memories. For a follower of Christ these times are extra special simply because of the reason we place on the season. It is a joyous time, as it should be. It’s a time for reflection, a time for forgiveness, a time to humbly thank God for His grace. It all makes it an exciting, yet reflective time.

            Some believers suck the life out of the holiday by being pharisaical in their approach to it. They erroneously wish to ban the tree and sap the celebratory nature of the season, replacing it with nothing by quiet, almost monk like reverence toward God and the season. Now don’t get me wrong, time for quiet reflection and reverence toward God is never wrong, unless it is mandated to the exclusion of all else. 

            We need to realize that joy isn’t just an emotion, but rather something that has its roots in the divine. True joy is realized once we embrace the true sentiment behind the celebration. It can be a very pleasant time of year where problems, while they don’t disappear, seem somehow less important. To the person who has established an intimate relationship with their God, it can be a very profitable spiritual time for them.

            Knowing you are celebrating the holiday by living in alignment with your beliefs brings a certain level of joy and contentment, because after all, isn’t that what we’d like; to be content with our lives because we know they align with the standards our Father in Heaven has set forth. Reflect on your celebration at this time of year and see if it is all it can be unto the Lord. Until next time, walk with the King & be a blessing.

In His Name & for His Glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

Advent Season – Joy 4

Comparing earthly joy with celestial joy...

 

Earthly joy refers to temporary and imperfect pleasures derived from material and worldly experiences, which are ultimately fleeting and unreliable sources of contentment. It is often associated with external circumstances, such as success, possessions, or sensory pleasures, and can be easily lost or diminished when those conditions change. While earthly joy may provide happiness, it lacks lasting fulfillment and can distract believers from their spiritual focus, as it is contrasted with the eternal rewards of heaven. It is sometimes described as superficial, lying on the outside like dew on a leaf, and is not deeply rooted in the heart.

In contrast, celestial joy—also referred to as heavenly or divine joy—is a profound, spiritual fulfillment that transcends earthly experiences. It is not dependent on external circumstances and remains constant even in suffering, as it is rooted in a relationship with God and the presence of the Holy Spirit. Celestial joy is described as inward, pure, and enduring, like a spring of water running underground, hidden from the world’s view. It is a gift from God, one of the fruits of the Holy Spirit, and is characterized by deep satisfaction, inner peace, and a lasting sweetness that surpasses all earthly delights. Unlike fleeting earthly joys, celestial joy is abiding and eternal, symbolizing a foretaste of the everlasting pleasures found in God’s presence. It is associated with spiritual fulfillment, divine approval, and the ultimate hope of believers for eternal life.

Until next time, walk with the King & be a blessing.

In His Name & for His Glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

Resource:  www.goarch.org

Advent Season – Joy 3

“Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord’s glory surrounded them. They were terrified, but the angel reassured them. ‘Don’t be afraid!’ he said. ‘I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people.’” – Luke 2:9-10

 

            Imagine you are a shepherd watching your flock of sheep in the middle of the night. It’s dark except for the light of a multitude of the stars that filled the skies. Perhaps you’ve never seen such a multitude of stars in the night sky because of the massive amount of light pollution that is all around many of us. I have and it is an unbelievable sight.

            So here are some shepherds, at night, alone with their sheep and there appeared before them an angel of the Lord whose glory filled the night. Having never seen anything like this before the shepherds were petrified. We know they were afraid because the angel first said to them, “Don’t be afraid”. Put yourself in their situation. How would you have reacted? The news the angel brought was good & would provide great joy to ALL people. Who is salvation available to? ALL people. Whosoever will...

            As if a lone angel wasn’t shocking enough, soon a “vast host – the armies of the Lord” appeared to give praises to God. Now THAT must have been a sight to see.  Isn’t it interesting that though the shepherds had never had this type of experience before, their fear obviously left them. It would appear that their fear was replaced by a response rooted in faith, awe, and purpose, for when the host of angels returned to heaven they decided to go to Bethlehem to seek out the baby that was described to them. There was written in scripture no explanation for the sudden change in emotion. This transition reflects the broader theme that God’s message of peace and salvation is meant to inspire faith and action, not ongoing fear.

Whenever the Lord is involved, there is always reason for joy. Mixed in with the joy is hope and peace. Mortal man’s joy, hope, and peace are placed in temporal things and therefore cannot last. It is with joy that we celebrate the birth of Christ the Messiah, Savior of men’s souls.

Until next time, walk with the King & be a blessing.

In His Name & for His Glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

Advent Season – Joy 2

The Joy of Salvation

 

“The joy of salvation is a profound, lasting happiness rooted in the knowledge of being forgiven, redeemed, and eternally secure in God’s grace through Jesus Christ. It is not dependent on circumstances but arises from a deep understanding of God’s unchanging love and the fulfillment of His promises, as seen in Scripture where believers are called to rejoice always. This joy is described as "unspeakable and full of glory”, a result of the transformative experience of salvation that brings reconciliation with God, the removal of sin’s burden, and the hope of eternal life.”^[1]

 

Our greatest reason to be joyful is that God wants to save us and spend eternity with us. 

 

Luke 15:7 NLT: “In the same way, there is more joy in heaven over one lost sinner who repents and returns to God than over ninety-nine others who are righteous and haven’t strayed away!”

All heaven is joyful when a person accepts God’s provision of salvation.

 

Acts 8:8: The people of Samaria were joyful as they heard the gospel and saw God’s power in healing the sick.

 

Acts 13:52; 15:3: Jewish believers rejoiced when they heard of the work of the Holy Spirit in saving Gentiles.

 

            Once a person realizes they have a debt that they are unable to pay, having that debt paid by another party would be reason enough to exude feelings of joy. A celebratory flood of emotions should ensue. That is EXACTLY what our Lord did by virtue of His death on the cross. His spilt blood in effect has washed away the sin debt of every person who sought forgiveness. When one submits to the will of God, they become a NEW CREATURE in Christ. 

            If that describes you, then rejoice, for Christ was born to save the world from itself. There is no greater gift this side of heaven then salvation from sin. It is the only gift that is completely free for the asking. It is the only path you can take that clears your way to eternal life with our Father in heaven. What glorious news!! 

            Until next time, walk with the King & be a blessing.

In His Name & for His Glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

^[1]  www.christianitytoday.com

Advent Season – Joy 1

          “The Greek word for joy is "chara", a noun derived from the verb "chairo", meaning "to rejoice". It is used 59 times in the New Testament and is defined as cheerfulness or calm delight, representing a deep, inner gladness that is not dependent on external circumstances. This joy is understood as a spiritual reality, rooted in the redemptive work of God and the presence of the Holy Spirit, rather than a fleeting emotional state tied to favorable situations. The term is closely related to other Greek words like "charis" (grace) and "eucharisteo" (to give thanks), highlighting that biblical joy is a response to God's grace and gifts, and is often expressed as a sustained, soul-satisfying state given by God. It is a fruit of the Spirit, appearing alongside love, peace, and other virtues in Christian character.” ^[1]

 

Whenever God is at work, typically, the natural reaction is one of joy. It is produced and brought out in individuals in several different ways. 

 

One is the “Joy of Deliverance”.  “The concept of deliverance is a central theme throughout the Bible, representing God's intervention to rescue His people from peril, sin, and oppression. The joy that accompanies deliverance is a profound expression of gratitude and worship, reflecting the believer's recognition of God's power and mercy.” ^[2]

 

When God sets someone free, rejoicing is in order. Here is an example in scripture of joy found in 1^st Samuel & the Book of Acts.

 

1 Samuel 2:1: Hannah was filled with joy at her deliverance from her enemies.

 

Acts 12:14: The servant girl was so overjoyed that God had rescued Peter from prison that she forgot to let Peter in the house.

                  Joy, especially at this time of year, creates a festive atmosphere. We, as followers of Christ have much to be both grateful & joyful about. Being grateful starts on Thanksgiving, and it ushers in the joyous season of Christ’s birth. Are you joyful during this Advent Season?

Until next time, walk with the King & be a blessing.

In His Name & for His Glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

^[1] https://www.biblestudytools.com/lexicons/greek/nas/chara.html

^[2]  www.Wikipedia.com

Advent Season – Peace 5

3 Practical Ways to Find Peace at Christmas Time 

 

            One of the reasons Jesus came down to live among men was to bring peace to the whole entire world. In spite of your current situation in life there are three things you can do to achieve the peace that God freely offers.

 

Give all your worries over to God – What is heavy on your heart this holiday season? Is it your first holiday with a loved one? Did you just lose your job? Are you and your spouse continually fighting about family finances? Lift them all up to your Heavenly Father in prayer and see what happens. Prayer helps us bring our hopes, frustrations, fears, and doubts to God. You should EXPECT to have peace. God doesn’t lie to us or attempt in any way to fool us. He is truthful and just and shall give you what you need exactly when you need it the most.

 

Accept His overwhelming peace - Colossians 3:15 says “The peace that Christ gives is to guide you in the decisions you make…”. The followers of Christ are promised an abundance of peace from God... read 2 Peter 1:2, "Grace and peace be yours in abundance through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord".

            Accept His overwhelming peace and let that peace guide your way of living this holiday season. Is there a way to accept His peace? You could start by recognizing His overwhelming, unmatched power. He is in control of all things in existence. If it were not true He couldn’t be who He says He is. We need to accept the fact that God is in the process of healing the world. If we can realize that as true it may be a little easier to find personal peace; even when you are dealing with conflict, pain, and/or grief.

 

Even in the midst of your struggles accept His peace – There isn’t a magic potion that enables you to find peace in the midst of pain. It’s allowing His peace to permeate your being. It starts with refocusing... shifting what you are seeing over to looking full in the face of Christ. That reminds me of the following chorus: “Turn your eyes upon Jesus, look full in His wonderful face, and the things of earth will grow strangely dim in the light of His glory & grace.” That is one way to find peace. 

            The Lord understands when we get frustrated, overwhelmed or mourn a loss, but His compassion can take the place of the negative emotions you are facing. Don’t you realize that God controls every detail in the entire universe. Nothing is overlooked. Nothing is out of place. No matter what you’re going thru, God knows all about it and is ready, willing, and able to be the salve that brings healing to your soul.

            Once we find peace we are able to celebrate the greatness of God. We aren’t celebrating as a means of ignoring the complexities of life. It’s not to distract us from reality. It’s making a declaration that we’ve found peace exactly where we were told we would find it, in the realm of God.

            How did Mary find peace when her son was crucified? She found it in God. How did Joseph find peace when his brothers sold him into slavery? He found it in God. How did Paul find peace when he was put in jail for sharing the gospel? He found it in God.  And you can too. It starts with faith, then moves on to trust. If you trust God you will know you can rely on Him. Until next time, walk with the King & be a blessing.

In His Name & for His Glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

https://finds.life.church/peace-at-christmas/