Taking a Look at Scripture

“Then Jesus began to tell them that the Son of Man must suffer many terrible things and be rejected by the elders, the leading priests, and the teachers of religious law. He would be killed, but three days later he would rise from the dead.” – Mark 8:31 NLT

 

            This verse redefined who the Messiah would be. The disciples expected a political liberator instead of a suffering servant figure. The Jewish people wanted to be freed from being under the thumb of the Roman Empire, but this was not what God had in mind. The plan was on a universal scale and not a limited, individualistic scale that only aided the immediate situation of the Jewish people of Jesus day.

            The suffering Jesus was destined to endure was foreordained by God and predicted in Isaiah 53 of the OT. Christ’s death would be a substitutionary one that would atone for the sins of all of mankind.

            Mark 8:31 represents the first of three predictions of Christ’s death in Mark’s Gospel. You can be sure that his disciples were not at all prepared to hear of the Lord’s death, in spite of the fact that his statement ended with him rising from his tomb alive again. Killing an innocent man to stop the proselytization of their own beliefs was hardly a reason to commit murder, but the religious leaders didn’t see Jesus as the Messiah. They also saw him as a blasphemer which was punishable by death. God had other plans that involved Christ returning to heaven and observe his followers fulfill their mission to share the teachings of the Lord throughout the known world at that time.

            Take notice of the word “must” in the beginning of verse 31. That one word controls the entire statement.  That which was to take place was non-negotiable. It was divinely necessary for Christ to suffer and die. It should be no surprise that Jesus spoke in terms of suffering. He saw what happened to John the Baptist and also knew that there was a growing antagonistic sentiment against him. Since he was trained as a Rabbi Jesus would have had to memorize the entire OT and would have thus been intimately familiar with Isaiah 53, the Suffering Servant. His obedience is the reason we as followers of Christ shall live in heaven with Almighty God for all eternity. Until next time, walk with the King & be a blessing.

In His Name & for His Glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

Resource: https://www.bereanbiblechurch.org/transcripts/mark/8_31-33.htm

Taking a Look at Scripture

“So get rid of all uncleanness and all that remains of wickedness, and with a humble spirit receive the word [of God] which is implanted [actually rooted in your heart], which is able to save your souls.” - James 1:21 (AMP)

            James is writing his letter to the converted Jews that lived outside the Palestinian community in around AD 49. Its purpose was to shine a light on the hypocritical practices within the body of Christ. His goal was to teach them correct Christian behavior. He encourages them to GET RID of all their wrong actions and practices, which provides for a spiritual transformation. Instead, with all humbleness, receive God’s Word. The humbleness we are to display is akin to meekness or gentleness. We must allow that humble spirit to take root in our hearts. This act of laying aside moral filthiness & all sorts of wickedness must be a deliberate act. One that treats sin as an external garment that can be tossed away rather than internalized.    

            By internalizing God’s Word we then can call on it to help shape our life, but we cannot simply listen to it. Listen to verse 22. “But don’t just listen to God’s Word. You must do what it says. Otherwise you are only fooling yourself.” Verses 23 & 24 continue on with an illustration. “For if you listen to the word and don’t obey, it is like glancing at your face in a mirror. You see yourself, walk away, and forget what you look like.” Don’t allow yourself to be that person. Live out God’s Word daily with the help of the Holy Spirit within you. Until next time, walk with the King & be a blessing.

In His Name & for His Glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

Resource: The Life Application Study Bible

Taking a Look at Scripture

“They claim to know God, but by their actions they deny him.” – Titus 1:16 NIV

 

            Titus was a Greek who was probably converted to Christianity thru Paul’s ministry. His responsibility was the supervision of the churches on the isle of Crete. He was sent by Paul to both organize and oversee the churches started by the apostle. 

            One of the problems that the early church had to deal with was the rise in false teaching. These teachers had theoretical knowledge of God, yet didn’t have a genuine spiritual relationship with him. The actions of these spreaders of lies show that they are not truly who they pretend to be.

            Titus goes on in chapter 2 to describe what righteous living looks like. Verses 1-2 speak of wholesome teaching being done within the church, promoting the exercise of self-control, living wisely, and living so that they are worthy of respect within the body. 

            Even today there are purveyors of falsehoods regarding what it means to follow Christ. As believers we must know WHAT we believe and WHY we believe it so as to thwart any attempt by the enemy to draw us out of the community of believers. Stay focused on Christ and serving him so you don’t become susceptible to false teachings. Until next time, walk with the King & be a blessing.

In His Name & for His Glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

Resource: The Life Application Study Bible

Thoughts from a Random Mind

Some folks just seem to gripe all the time. They’re just never satisfied with anything in your life. I catch myself getting gripey from time to time and remind myself that no matter what my situation may happen to be things could always be worse, much worse. If you doubt that just turn on the news. 

Evil is on the rise, and things seem to be out of control, but again I remind myself that GOD IS STILL ON HIS THRONE AND PRAYER CHANGES THINGS. With prayer any set of circumstances can change in a literal instant. GOD is in control, not man. Remember, God either causes or allows all that takes place in this world. Factored into that is the fact that God has given mortal man a free will to do as he or she pleases. Many good choices have been made throughout the centuries; however, history shows that many bad choices have also been made resulting in the world we now live in. 

God has the final say regarding anything and everything that is to transpire, so we truly have nothing to gripe about. We must learn to be like the apostle Paul. “I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength.” [Philippians 4:11-13 NIV] 

Complaining is a waste of breath. Chances are you will be unable to alter that thing you are complaining about. So learn to be content in whatever situation you happen to be in. You’ll be happier in the long run. Face it, more money isn’t the answer, more friends isn’t, a bigger house isn’t, a nicer car isn’t... nothing can stop your downward spiral but YOU with the help of the Holy Spirit within you. For those who haven’t surrendered to Christ and been forgiven, your only hope in this sin-sick world is to turn to God. Until next time, walk with the King & be a blessing.

In His Name & for His Glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

Thoughts from a Random Mind

At times our impertinence regarding God and His Word can be shocking; however, according to that same word the Lord not only forgives us when we screw up, but never holds it against us… as if it never happened in the first place. Repeat offenders struggle with the weakness of their own self-control and feel that God couldn’t possibly forgive the same indiscretions AGAIN & AGAIN. Unless I’m taking it out of context, God doesn’t tell US to forgive a scant number of times but rather 7 x 70 times. That is symbolic for the number of times the Lord forgives. The number represents an infinite number of times and not a literal number.

Do we sin knowing that the Lord will forgive us? Or do we sin because our self-control is weak? The first suggestion is NOT okay with the Lord, the second can be corrected thru a determined will to change. We KNOW that which we should do, yet succumb to temptations thinking we may be missing something that is enjoyable, never realizing it is a trap of the enemy. It’s a pretty simple concept. God wishes you to succeed in all you do on His behalf. The enemy wishes you to flat out fail in every endeavor you take on. Who’s side do you think you should be on? The enemy uses smoke and mirrors to fool us into doing something we would normally not do. The Lord can lead and guide us into that which will thwart the enemies most heinous plans and bring Him both honor and glory. “...so then choose for yourself this day whom you will serve, but as for me & my household, we will serve the Lord.” (Joshua 24:15 NLT) Until next time, walk with the Lord & be a blessing.

In His Name & for His Glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

Thoughts from a Random Mind

Lady Gaga says she is a Christian who was born the way she is. She grew up Catholic and went to a Catholic school. She likes the Catholic service and the homilies, but doesn’t appear to adhere to biblical doctrine very much. She shares that her beliefs are mostly based on self-empowerment and loving others.

Though she says she’s a Christian there’s no talk of Christ or becoming like Him. It would seem as though she has fallen into the trap of defining Christianity in a way that pleases her rather than living a life to please God.

Now I’m not her judge, nor am I ANYONE’S judge. We are allowed to be a fruit inspector; not as a means to judge but as a reason to pray for them. God knows the details in our lives. He and He alone is our judge. He judges on the motivations of the heart. Only God could possibly know that.

The really sad part about Lady Gaga’s story is that if she’s off the mark and propagating skewed biblical teachings, she is unintentionally leading people astray. May she find the true path to righteousness. Be careful who you follow. No one is the correct path but Jesus Christ. Follow Him and live. Until next time, walk with the King & be a blessing.

In His Name & for His Glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

Thoughts from a Random Mind

           Recently I went thru a time when I wasn’t going to church. I was thinking too hard about the service and how it was done rather than simply worshipping the King. For some reason I felt the services I attended were stiff and unwelcoming. Was that just the enemy doing a tap dance in my head? I knew nothing was perfect except the Lord Himself, so I was coming to realize that I was looking at church all wrong. 

My wife grew up in an Episcopal Church with their one hour services and brief messages, so she didn’t want to attend a church where the sermon was longer than 20-30 minutes and the service wasn’t longer than one hour. That was the reason she didn’t want to go. Plus she felt they were always asking for money.

Now I’ve been a follower of Christ for 47 years, which doesn’t necessarily mean anything, but it’s important to me. I’ve have my highs and lows regarding my walk with Christ, but I feel my faith and trust in God has been steadfast. When my wife said she wanted to go to church on Easter Sunday, I agreed. It was a good, biblically sound message and the service was uplifting. My wife now wants to begin returning to church and I felt this was an answer to prayer. So we’re going to get a little involved and not be so critical of the fellow humans who are striving, just like us, to serve the Lord effectively. 

I knew it was important to attend a bible believing church, for fellowship with others of like faith is vital for your spiritual growth. So I have been a little uncomfortable NOT going. Well, I feel much better now that we’ve both agreed to attend church again. So if you’re like me and you feel there are certain aspects of your church or church in general, and those things make you not want to go, put that aside and worship the Lord regularly. Fellowship is very important. I believe I’ve learned an important lesson. It’s NOT all about me... it’s about God and who I am IN Him. I actually knew that, but forgot. It’s an important thing to remember. Our opinions tend to be flawed in one way or another when it comes to church Mine were and I readily admit that. I love the Lord and always try to be as transparent as I feel is necessary. I’m not perfect, nor am I better than ANYONE else. I know who I am and that’s a good thing. Live your life FOR God taking advantage of all the resources He has placed at your disposal. 

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

In His Name & for His Glory,

RL Keller

Bread of Life Ministries