Avoid Useless Talk

“Avoid foolish and thoughtless discussions, since you know that they produce conflicts.”- 2 Timothy 2:23 (CEB)
          There are those in this world who are convinced that what they believe is the one true way to God. I went to a church like that for several weeks until it became apparent that they felt they had a special tap into God’s REAL truth. It became a little unnerving to say the least. Guilt, restrictions, strict adherence to God’s word without room for mistakes; a preacher who spoke for over an hour, repeating himself multiple times for no reason other than to get a chuckle at the comical illustration he was giving … and giving … and giving again. It did no good to discuss any differences in opinion with them, I tried … they justified each and every word and action with an argument that was well thought out, yet not directly from scripture. I could have had that “foolish and thoughtless” discussion all day long, but it would have been fruitless. 

Satan, at times, draws us in these mindless, inane discussions to rob time from us. They serve no purpose. They only keep us from staying focused on Christ.  Foolish babble and mindless discussions are a waste of our good time and should be avoided if at all possible. Strive to not get sucked into conflict producing discussions which end up only being arguments that irritate and unsettle our spirit. No good comes from them. We have been given a spirit of discernment. Become familiar with it. The Spirit of God will lead you into all righteousness and tip you off when you are somewhere you need not be, even if that is being in a conversation that leads nowhere but to frustration. Until next time, walk with the King and be a blessing!

Richard Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

God Takes Revenge on our Behalf

Dear friends, never take revenge. Leave that to the righteous anger of God. For the Scriptures say, “I will take revenge; I will pay them back,” says the Lord. - Psalm 12:19 NLT

Throughout our lives there will come people who will feel it necessary to lie about you and speak or act in a dishonest manner regarding you for their own gain. It has happened to me and it no doubt has happened to you. Some of the things that have been said, albeit untrue, have had a very negative effect on relationships with those who are connected somehow to both parties. There are times when dishonesty can cost a person their job, even though the evidence of the accusation is nonexistent. It can be a very bitter pill to swallow.

Know this; God is not mocked. If you are His child retribution for those who lie, cheat or steal for their own gain is coming. We need do nothing but continue to live for our God. He will take care of those who seek to destroy our lives or our reputations. Nothing can harm us any more than we allow it to. God is our protector and will not allow us to fall if we are living for Him. Even when we slip up and make a disappointing mistake, when we seek forgiveness with a contrite or sincere heart, we stand forgiven as if it had never taken place. The consequences must play out and there may be some associated pain that comes with that, but your enemies will not prosper forever at your expense. Their day is coming. God will see to it. Until next time, walk with the King and be a blessing!

Richard Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

Seeing Others as God Sees Them

“Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Doesn’t (Jesus) leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until He finds it?”- Luke 15:4 (NIV) 
          Jesus is referred to in scripture as the Great Shepherd. As depicted in Luke 15:4, a shepherd will seek high and low to find the one sheep from his flock that has wandered off. Those under his care are safe, but the one that is lost is in great danger. Jesus shed His own blood to save those lost and dying souls who don’t know Him as well as those who have embraced “the gift” of salvation. 
          We need to start seeing those around us with Jesus eyes. We don’t need to see them as if they are somehow less than us because they are unable to see the truth right in front of them. No, just as Christ showed us mercy in our ignorance, we must also see all others with that same type of mercy. We see some pretty interesting looking people out there in this wacky world of ours. We need to look past the outer shell and see that they too have a beating heart in need of love, patience, grace and forgiveness. Just because we believe in Christ doesn’t make us any better than anyone else. We need to see people as God sees them and display His love, patience, mercy and grace for them all. Until next time, walk with the King and be a blessing.

Richard Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

Fully Immersed

“Love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your being, and all your strength. These words that I am commanding you today must always be on your minds.  Recite them to your children. Talk about them when you are sitting around your house and when you are out and about, when you are lying down and when you are getting up.  Tie them on your hand as a sign. They should be on your forehead as a symbol.” - Deuteronomy 6:5-8 (Common English Bible) 

            If we were to give this set of verses a one word description it could easily be IMMERSION. We are called to immerse ourselves in Christ. We are to seek to be a little more like Him is all we think, say and do each and every day. It is no small task we face because distractions are all around us. They pull at us and entice us regularly. We must be ALL IN. God wants to use us. His word guides and directs us in all things. Are we reading it? I, like you, squirm and wriggle when I try to sit still for too long. I, like you, must ask God to enable me to sit still long enough to be fed. Like toddlers in high chairs who want to amble about the house rather than sit still and eat what sustains them, we tend to fight against what we need the most.
                  We all must stop, take a deep breath and ask God to 1) forgive our negligence, 2) ask Him to energize our faith, 3) fill us once again with a deep desire to know Him and His word and 4) help us be more like His Son. It can be a slow, painful process, but in the end our lives will be enriched beyond our comprehension.  Allow yourself full immersion.

Richard Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

> IMMERSE (def):  To engage wholly or deeply; absorb; to involve deeply; engross.

"I Urge You ..."

“As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received.” - Ephesians 4:1 (NIV)

            Paul, writing from his prison cell, urges the Ephesians to live lives worthy of the calling of Christ. He clarifies what he is referring to in the following verses … be gentle, be patient, be loving and be unified. He is speaking to the believers of his day. Today, we seem to be distracted by everything that comes our way. Living a life that is worthy of being called a Christian seems the furthest thing from our minds. We have so many other things that we have deemed more important that simply must be done.

            We can be just as effective as human beings in this life if we live our life worthy of Christ’s calling. We are His ambassadors; we represent Him everywhere we go and in everything we do. Are we making a good showing or embarrassing the name of Christ by our words and deeds. God enables us to live for Him. Many believe living as a Christian is restrictive, but in fact nothing has ever been so liberating. God wants what is best for us always. Give your all to Him and see what happens. Until next time, walk with the King and be a blessing.

Richard Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

The Lord is Watching

“The Lord will keep you from all harm— he will watch over your life; the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.”- Psalm 121:7-8 NIV

            This Psalm is one of the “Songs of Ascent”. It is one of a collection of 15 (Psalm 120-134) that are generally accepted to be sung by the Jewish pilgrims who were going up to Jerusalem for the three required festivals. * 

            The general tenor of the writing is one of encouragement. In the face of the Pandemic we are going thru right now, verses 7-8 should give us peace and hope. They speak of His Omniscience, meaning that He is All-Knowing. Verse 2 of this Psalm speaks of His creation. Verse 3 tells the reader God will not allow us to stumble for He knows where we are at all times. It then says you’ll never catch him napping or inattentive. 

            Not matter what may happen in your life, good or bad, the Lord has either caused or allowed it for a very specific reason. We must trust that not only is His word true and faithful, but that what God says He means and will accomplish in His perfect timing. Don’t every doubt the Lord. His love for you is far greater than anyone else’s ever could be. He died for you and by that death washed away all your sins. Wow! Isn’t that awesome! Yes, because we serve an awesome God! Until next time, walk with the King and be a blessing.

Richard Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

*

·      The Feast of Unleavened Bread (Passover)

·      The Feast of Weeks (Pentecost)

·      The Feast of Booths or The Feast of Tabernacles.

God's Perfect Timing

“By the same word the present heavens and earth are reserved for fire, being kept for the day of judgment and destruction of the ungodly. But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.”

2 Peter 3:7-9

           God is never late. Time is irrelevant to Him. He doesn’t need a watch to see what time it is. He simply does that which He does and it’s the perfect time for it to be done. It is simply how it works in God’s economy. All the promises He has stated in scripture will come to pass … in His perfect time. Those who wreak havoc on this earth, laugh at the notion of God and seem hell bent on making lives miserable shall pay. A Lake of Fire awaits all those ungodly who torment those all around them. God is not slow in bringing His judgment. We may think it is way overdue, but God is giving each individual in His creation every opportunity to repent. Once the curtain comes down, it comes down for good and all is lost for those who have denied Christ. So, God remains patient, not wanting to see anyone miss their chance at redemption.

            Believers can rejoice in the fact that God was patient with them and can pray for the ungodly of the world. God can move upon the heart of any man. There is nothing in scripture that states any one person is beyond His reach. So, He patiently waits. God also patiently waits while we stumble through our life lessons. What if He had not shown us the same patience, He is showing the ungodly? We deserve it no more than they do, but that is what grace is all about … unmerited or undeserved favor. God’s timing is impeccable. He is always right. His will for individuals is flawless. We need to praise God for His grace, mercy and seemingly unlimited patience with us all. Indeed, may His name be praised forever. Until next time, walk with the King and be a blessing!

Richard Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

How Often Should We Forgive?

“Then Peter having come near to him, said, `Sir, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him -- till seven times?' Jesus saith to him, `I do not say to thee till seven times, but till seventy times seven.’” - Matthew 18:21-22 Young's Literal Translation (YLT)          

            Symbolism plays a big role in the Bible. Here we see Peter asking a simple question regarding forgiveness. Jesus’ answer is direct, yet seems preposterous at the same time; 490 times. I would hate to think of how many times God has forgiven me. Surely it must surpass 500 times; yet He still forgives and loves. I’m sure Peter thought 7 times was a lot, but Jesus blew the disciples doors off with His answer. It’s hard to imagine that an individual would commit the same exact sin 490 times, so while there may be some repeat offenses, I think we can assume that forgiveness is being given for various sins. The offender must ask for forgiveness, yet even if they do not, we should treat them with kindness anyway. That isn’t something that's easy to do, especially when malicious intent is involved. It may help to remember how often Christ forgave us in the light and magnitude of our own sin.

            Believers can take solace in the above two scriptures, because it means that there is no end to the forgiveness of God. You see, while Peter’s number represents a point to which forgiveness would be withheld, Christ’s number represents no end to forgiveness. That doesn’t give us a license to act out and do as we please. God is forgiving us in an effort to reform us so that we improve our behavior as we attempt to be His ambassador on this earth. Forgiveness comes with a price; consequences are tied to our actions. Forgiveness allows us to see the error of our ways and reform. Until next time, walk with the King and be a blessing!

Richard Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

The Saving Factor

“Show me your ways, Lord, teach me your paths. Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long.” - Psalm 25:4-5 

            King David is seeking the instruction and guidance of the Lord. His relationship with His God is strong, in spite of his failings. We all have failings; none of us is perfect. Once we realize and accept that we can begin to let God do His work in us. Just like David, we need to ask and ask often for God to reveal His truths to us. It comes from the reading of His word and praying. It comes from cultivating a spiritual awareness of His Holy Spirit’s leading. We can do it, but it doesn’t happen overnight; it takes time. Frankly, it takes your whole life. 

            Acknowledging God as his Savior, David shows the reader that he knows where his salvation comes from. There is nowhere else in scripture that would say or even indicate that David found salvation in anything or anyone else. God is the saving factor. Christ’s death purchased our souls, redeeming us from hell. 

            David shows in these two verses that his reliance is on God and not himself. He derives hope from the truth God lays out before him. We too can find hope in His guidance and instruction. We allow ourselves to become so easily entangled in that which would bind us, rather than shrug ourselves loose and stand tall in the truth of God. Life as a Christian is rewarding and filled with joy, yet our enemy tells us otherwise. It is in truly getting to know God intimately that we experience all the blessings His has for us. Until next time, walk with the King and be a blessing!

Richard Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

No Place to Hide

“Who can hide in secret places so that I cannot see them?” declares the Lord. “Do not I fill heaven and earth?”

Jeremiah 23:24 

            Folks do things that are wrong all the time. They think they are so cunning, that they have actually gotten away with something. All the while they are acting out in full view of God, whether they happen to believe that or not. Christians can take comfort in the fact that there are no places that He does not see us; non-Christians cannot. There is no place on this planet that is hidden from Him. Like a home designer who knows every nook and cranny of a house his drew up, so God knows even the most remote place in His creation. If a Christian has a misstep, there is a need to own up to it, seek forgiveness and move on. God knows all about it, so denying it, acting as if it never happened, is fruitless. Take solace in the fact that God is patient. This isn’t a single elimination reality show; God wants us to succeed, to thrive and be at peace.

            Since God is omnipresent, there is literally no place that He is not. His spirit can be found everywhere. The self-absorbed man sees nothing but themselves and what they are doing; the spiritual man can see God’s presence all around him. Take the time to marvel at the creation of God. Until next time, walk with the King and be a blessing!

Richard Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

Another of God’s Promises: Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

God's Promise

“Because they love me,” says the Lord, “I will rescue them; I will protect them, for they acknowledge my name. They will call on me, and I will answer them; I will be with them in trouble, I will deliver them and honor them. With long life I will satisfy them and show them my salvation.” - Psalm 91:14-16 

            When the Creator of the universe says something of this nature, we can count on it. When we love someone, we seek to please them. So, it stands to reason that if we love our Heavenly Father, we are going to strive to live for Him to the best of our God given abilities. As a result, He is going to move heaven and earth to make sure we are safe and secure. We should take great comfort in that and in what is said in the verses above. It doesn’t mean calamity won’t come our way; it means that if we are living for God, He will protect us. God uses very specific action words to describe how he will take care of us. Words like rescue, protect, call on, deliver, honor, satisfy. No matter what situation should befall us, God is there and will do as He has promised. That’s how we should view these verses, as a promise. 

            If we acknowledge God for all that He truly is, then we will have the appropriate awe and reverence towards Him and His statutes. We will learn all we can about Him through His word and we will live according to the instructions He has laid out for us therein. God loves us with an everlasting love that is unconditional and shall never change or diminish over time. Love of this kind cannot be found anywhere else this side of heaven and it is free for the asking. No matter what we’ve ever done in our lives, know this, we are not defined by our mistakes. God loves us for who we are, not who we should be. Until next time, walk with the King and be a blessing!

Richard Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

The World for Your Soul

“What good is it for you to gain the whole world, yet forfeit your soul?” - Mark 8:36 

            The world tantalizes with wealth, glitz, glamour and fame. People become slaves to fashion and live paycheck to paycheck chasing that next big event or technological advancement. Their attention is kept focused on anything and everything that promises satisfaction, fun and popularity. The devil is an expert at deceit. Those trifles* dangled in front of them are nothing more than a mirage that shall disappear when you need them the most. Christ asks a very poignant** question to those following him: what good is it to gain everything and yet have nothing and what good is it to lose your very soul in the process. The time spent chasing after temporal things would have been better spent seeking eternity, for it is in the things that shall not pass away that true satisfaction is found. 

            The world scoffs at Christians. ‘Look at all you are missing’, they say. ‘Only the weak-minded need Jesus’, they say, ‘he’s nothing more than a crutch.’ They don’t understand. Perhaps they never will. Christians find hope and peace and true freedom in their relationship with God. It has nothing to do with religion; it is an intimate, personal relationship with our Creator. So, while the world chases after the unattainable, we shall continue to seek God and gain far more in the process than those in the world shall ever possess. Until next time, walk with the King and be a blessing.

Richard Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

God's Grace

“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith —and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God - not by works, so that no one can boast.” 

Ephesians 2:8-9 

            There is nothing we could ever do to save ourselves. We can’t work our way into heaven with good deeds. We can’t buy our way into heaven. We can’t beg or plead. There is one way to get into God’s heaven and it is by His grace. We simply ask for it by recognizing our lowly state and seeking forgiveness for our deeds which have flown in the face of His precepts. Just as an alcoholic must confess that he has a problem and needs help, so must we confess that we are sinners in need of redemption. It requires faith; specifically, the faith of a child. Children have such innocence. Just as they trust their earthly fathers and mothers, so are we to trust our heavenly Father, who loves us without hesitation or reservation. His unmerited favor, His mercy, come in the form of the bloody, beaten, broken body of His only Son, Jesus Christ. 

            To truly grasp the significance of our redemption, we must look to the cross. It is a bloody, gruesome sight. There is nothing appealing about it, yet our gaze must fall upon that horrifying scene to truly begin to understand what God’s grace entails. He paid our sin debt with His own blood. Someone had to do it. He required a blood sacrifice to wipe out sin. He knew no one else was able to pay the debt in full except His own Son. He set it up that way. It was preordained from the beginning of time. It had to take place that way. So, understand that the greatest gift ever given came to us by way of blood, pain and separation; for Christ had to be separated from His Father for a brief time. He didn’t have to be coerced into going all the way to the cross on Golgotha’s hill, He did it willingly for us all. Embrace the cross and you will find grace. I doubt we will ever fully comprehend how great the Father’s love truly is for us. There is nothing this side of heaven to compare it to. Rest in His grace and mercy and find peace. Until next time, walk with the King and be a blessing!

Richard Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

grace noun 1a: unmerited divine assistance given humans for their regeneration or sanctification; b: a virtue coming from God; c: a state of sanctification enjoyed through divine grace; 2a: approval, favor, mercy, pardon.

True Friendship

“I thank my God every time I remember you.”

Philippians 1:3 

            Although the Apostle Paul is saying this to the church at Philippi, I would like to generalize this scripture to make a point about our own brothers and sisters in the faith; those throughout our lives who have been our friends, not to mention, a wonderful blessing to us through thick and thin. There are those individuals, perhaps family members, perhaps co-workers, someone in your neighborhood or church members, who have meant a lot to our spiritual growth in this life. Some are in our lives for only a short while, a single chapter in our lives, then are gone. They are a true friend to us and we thank God every time they come to mind. They are encouraging, empathetic, kind, helpful … they are living examples of 1 Corinthians 13:4-7. There is a mutual love and respect for one another. No judgment or condemnation comes from their lips. They are understanding and supportive, no matter what we have gotten ourselves into. That is a true brother or sister in Christ; that is a true friend. They don’t condone misdeeds in any way, seeking to be instructive rather than combative, so as not to hurt us and/or drive us away. When a true friendship has been forged, it cannot be severed by age or distance. 

            We all have someone, perhaps more than one, who falls into that category. Actually, a true friend can be somewhat of a rarity. Frankly, our wife or husband really should be our best, most true friend, in addition to being our lover and life companion. God has blessed us with true friends whom we need to thank God for. They are stabilizers; they help add structure to our lives. God knows what we need and provides these people in our lives to help lighten our burdens as we walk through this valley of tears called life. May God be praised for His wisdom and compassion, for without the friends who enter our lives, our struggles this side of heaven would be much greater. Hopefully we are that type of friend to someone. Until next time, walk with the King and be a blessing!

Richard Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

friend noun 1a: one attached to another by affection or esteem. 

The Money Trap

“Do not wear yourself out to get rich; do not trust your own cleverness. Cast but a glance at riches, and they are gone, for they will surely sprout wings and fly off to the sky like an eagle.”

Proverbs 23:4-5 

          Wealth is a deceptive thing. One day it is there, the next day it is gone. People who amass fortunes see it slip away by way of lawsuits or poor investments. It seems as though everyone wants a piece of the proverbial money pie. ‘If I could just hit it big I would have it made’, says the person playing the lottery. While there is nothing wrong with attaining wealth in and of itself, making it our sole goal in life is dangerous for then we are placing all our faith and trust in our own abilities and in the money we have acquired. 

Matthew 6:24 “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.”

          The pursuit of wealth is a full-time endeavor. Once a person gets sucked in they are hooked, believing that the answer to every problem is more money. While it can solve a certain set of problems that require money, it cannot purchase forgiveness and it cannot buy them peace. Money is emotionless and cannot provide a way to heaven. One cannot hope to achieve anything of eternal value with money. They may receive the accolades of this world, but at what cost? It is in the acquiring and the use of money that the key lies. If we acquire wealth honestly, do not seek it to the exclusion of all else and use it for the glory of God in a humble manner, then we have achieved something. However, it takes a special individual to accomplish that, one who is well grounded in scripture and has a heart solely after God. We cannot serve two masters and if we are a slave to our money, then it is our master. Don’t be duped into thinking you can control money, because in the end, it controls you. Anything that is truly important in this life is tied to God. Until next time, walk with the King and be a blessing!

Richard Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

Finding Peace

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

Philippians 4:6-7

          Here in Philippians, the Apostle Paul not only tells us not to be anxious but tells us how to acquire the peace that surpasses all understanding. Every time we encounter a difficult set of circumstances we are to pray. It is a good practice to praise and thank Him for who He is and who we are because of what Christ has done for us first. If we are praising and thanking God, we aren’t worrying. It is very human to worry, but we don’t have to. The peace that God gives us flows through us and cannot be comprehended by mortal man; it is a supernatural phenomenon. It isn’t conjured up by us, but rather administered to us by the Holy Spirit. In our busy, crazy, chaotic world where we run to and fro, it would be nice to have a little peace. Well it is there for the asking, but we must believe. We all know what faith is: believing in the unseen as if it can be seen; believing in things that are not as if they are. If our trust is in Almighty God, faith isn’t that much of a reach. It was required to believe in God to begin with.

          Rest your mind. “But I don’t have time.” Rest your mind. “I am too busy for that.” Rest – your – mind. It isn’t easy to relax at times., but frankly, if we have time to worry, we have time to rest. We get so wound up at times that resting any part of our anatomy is near impossible, but if we seek God and ask Him to fill us with His peace, He will do it. We take on too much. We don’t know how to say ‘no’. We create un-peaceful situations for ourselves at times. Take a deep breath and focus on Christ. Nothing is impossible for Almighty God; NOTHING! Let His Spirit flow through you and you shall be at peace in the midst of any storm. God loves you; without hesitation, without conditions, without regrets. Until next time, walk with the King & be a blessing!

Richard Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

Thoughts From a Random Mind

The Aura of a Dead Soul

Some folks in this world have an aura of coldness that surrounds them. Most times it’s because they have an unregenerate soul within their temporary flesh tent. Our bodies are what house our organs, our soul and our spirit while we are on this earth. The dark aura may emanate out of a depressive mood. Perhaps it comes from a compilation of negative moods that darken our heart and keep us from seeing the positive side of anything. These people are naysayers, bubble busters and rain on an otherwise sunny day. They are people that need the Lord in the worst way. Christians can fall victim to this aura if they aren’t careful. If God begins to be overtaken by that which is hovering all around us, then the aura may be set in His place.

            You can try to talk the person with the aura off the figurative ledge with words of encouragement, mercy, grace, peace and love, but they may be deaf to the sound of your voice. We must continue to pray for these souls because God is all-powerful and there is nothing he cannot do, unless the person is determined to follow the course they are on. Don’t mix words with those who are tainted by this aura. They will end up dragging you down to where they are. These people need their soul to awaken. They need the spark of the Lord to ignite the fire that is lying dormant.  

Pray long and hard for these people, for they are trapped within the confines of their own shell and don’t know how to get out. Or perhaps may not even know they can get out. The devil is a hard task master. He will drive you straight to oblivion if you aren’t careful. Let your aura shine with the bright light of the Son. Until next time, walk with the King and be a blessing!

Rich Keller

Bread of Life Ministries          

AURA

1. An invisible emanation or field of energy believed to radiate from a person or object.

2. A distinctive but intangible quality that seems to surround a person or thing; an atmosphere:

Nothing Escapes His Gaze

“‘I tell you, my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that can do no more. But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear him who, after your body has been killed, has authority to throw you into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him. Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God. Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.’” - Luke 12:4-7

          Here we see several things in play. First off, Jesus refers to those listening as his friends. Secondly, He says to fear him who can throw a body into hell. Thirdly, He reveals the intimacy with which our Heavenly Father knows each of us. I would certainly want to be counted as a friend to Jesus. Being His enemy on the last day would be a fearsome thing for the Lake of Fire awaits those foolish enough to turn away from God. To fear God means to treat Him with reverence and awe rather than being scared of Him. Otherwise, why would He tell us not to be afraid two verses later. 

          I would like to spend the most time on the last verse of our text: the very hairs of your head are all numbered. For those who wonder if God truly cares about the miner details of our lives, understand this, there is nothing that escapes His gaze. Since I realize that those who are bald may feel slighted, let me take the liberty to restate this truth: God knows us so well that He has every cell in our bodies counted. Our earthly parents know us so well that they know our likes and dislikes, our habits and our tendencies while we were under their care growing up. Why would God, who created us in the first place, be any different. We can rest assured that our lives, when given over to God, are well taken care of. Even when it seems as though the train has run off the tracks, God is still in complete control and will provide assistance to us at the perfect moment in time that will be for our greatest benefit and to His greatest glory. Until next time, walk with the King and be a blessing!

Rich Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

Seeing God

“Be still, and know that I am God; …” 

Psalm 46:10 

          In the midst of all the hustle and bustle of each day stands God. We don’t notice Him because He is not in the hustle and bustle. We veer around Him and never even see Him standing in our midst. God is not in the chaos, but rather in the stillness. We see Him when we take the time to quiet ourselves. We feel Him when we sit by the ocean and soak in the sights and sounds of the incoming waves. We sense His presence in the woods or by a babbling brook. We know Him by spending time with Him. It’s not in talking to Him that we experience His true nature, but rather in the listening. Talking comes easily to most but listening and actually hearing something or someone is an acquired skill for us. 

          We play our music loud, our TV’s blare away and conversations with others go on and on and all the while God is there. The Creator of the Universe is quietly observing, patiently waiting for us to notice Him. It’s not when we are ‘vegging out’ or ‘chilling’ that we find God, for it takes a conscience effort to see, hear and feel Him. When we take the time, when we literally seize time by the throat and slow down even for a few moments and make a concerted effort to experience God that we will know He truly is the great and awesome I AM THAT I AM, the Almighty Jehovah God. He is our provider and sustainer. He wishes to meet with us regularly because He loves us and desires our company. He doesn’t need it, but rather desires it. What an incredible thought! Until next time, walk with the King and be a blessing!

Rich Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

The Love of Christ

“… I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge — that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.”

Ephesians 3:16-19

          The love of Christ is deeper than the deepest ocean and wider than the sky; it is infinite, in that it is never ending. No matter how hard we try we could never comprehend God’s deep, abiding love for us. There is nothing on this earth that compares to it. Love was defined two thousand years ago when Christ willingly allowed Himself to be nailed to a wooden cross meant for criminals. Love is defined when we read that God loved us first. (1 John 4:19) Romans 5:8 tells us that while we were still sinners, apart from God, Christ died for us. This is how God demonstrated His great, enduring, endless love for us.

          Talk is cheap. A person can say anything, but it is in the doing where truth resides. Don’t tell me that you love me, show me. That is what Christ did. In today’s vernacular He put His money where His mouth is. The word love shows up nearly seven hundred times in the Bible. It is of paramount importance to us as human beings. We should strive to exhibit the qualities listed in 1st Corinthians with the help of the Holy Spirit. On our own we can never measure up, but with the Spirit working in us, we can achieve anything for the Lord. Love is the essence of who God is. If we are to be like Christ in our daily lives, we must learn to actively love. Love by our actions, not just by our words. Don’t tell someone you love them, show them. Until next time, walk with the King and be a blessing.

Rich Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

1 Corinthians 13:4-7 - “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.”

Word for the Day

Who is ​Reinhold Niebuhr​?​

Karl Paul Reinhold Niebuhr was an American Reformed theologian, ethicist, commentator on politics and public affairs, and professor at Union Theological Seminary for more than 30 years. Niebuhr was one of America's leading public intellectuals for several decades of the 20th century and received the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1964.​-​Wikipedia

Born:Karl Paul Reinhold Niebuhr, June 21, 1892, Wright City, Missouri, US

Died:June 1, 1971, Stockbridge, Massachusetts, US

Years active:1915–1966

Rejoicing in spite of Trials

“Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior.”

Habakkuk 3:17-18

          Habakkuk is praying to Jehovah God in the third chapter as he sees Him trample his enemies underfoot. Habakkuk is awestruck by the power displayed and the vengeance brought against his enemies. In the end of the prayer Habakkuk is resolute as he states that no matter what may happen to him, he will rejoice in the Lord. Habakkuk sees the ferocious way that God repays evil done against His children and recognizes that only God can deliver him from his calamity. He humbly acknowledges that God is the one who is over all and shall provide for and sustain him.

          If we were in the same situation, how would we act? No food, no job, no money to pay bills … what’s going on? God was mindful of Habakkuk and He is mindful of us as well. We are not in danger of anything other than the discomfort of having our routine disrupted. Habakkuk, being a prophet, was targeted and in danger of death from enemies that rose up against the people of God continually throughout the Old Testament. In all three chapters of Habakkuk, the overriding theme is that the just shall live by faith. It is faith that leads to trust and as believers we need to know we can trust God. It is a conscious decision we must make; do we trust God or not? If we do, then we should understand that nothing is impossible for God and His timing rarely syncs up to ours. The perfect job is coming your way; financial relief is coming as well. 

Your prayers shall be answered. Seek His will for your life and then praise God from whom all blessings flow. Until next time, walk with the King and be a blessing!

Rich Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

Thoughts from a Random Mind

            This country has become hypersensitive of late and has no tolerance for anything that they perceive to be against their cause. Example: The announcer for a certain west coast NBA basketball team tweeted in response to the BLACK LIVES MATTER (BLM) mantra that in reality ALL LIVES MATTER (ALM). The BLM group voiced opposition to the statement that ALL LIVES MATTER because they felt it minimized what they were trying to accomplish with their movement. Really? I mean, REALLY? The announcer was relieved of his duties, thus losing his livelihood. All for making the simple statement that ALL LIVES MATTER. I think that’s a shame. 

            Listen, black lives absolutely matter, without question, but what in the world is wrong with saying “All Lives Matter”. Why must it be segregated to only those of color? Why is that statement so offensive? How does it minimize the BLM cause? The blacks fought against segregation back in the 1960’s and now they seem to embrace it as long as it throws a spotlight on their “cause”. Racism and reverse-Racism is WRONG, dead wrong and should not have to be tolerated. ALL LIVES DO MATTER! God created each one of us. In his creativity he created us with different skin tones. The color of a person’s skin is a beautiful thing and shouldn’t be a determining factor in how they are treated. The “Golden Rule” from scripture tells us we should treat others the way we would like to be treated. Amen to that. We should do that in spite of how we are treated. 

            The killing of Mr. Floyd was a tragedy that never should have happened and if the offending officer, who reportedly had 18 previous complaints of excessive force against him, had been removed from the force after the 1^st or 2^nd offense, Mr. Floyd would still be alive. Mr. Floyd’s life mattered, as does every other created being on this planet. Let us put down our bricks and other sundry weapons and embrace the diversity of our country. May the Lord grant the Floyd family His grace and peace in their time of mourning and may those who seem hell bent on destructive reconsider their actions and seek a peaceful solution instead. 

Rich Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

Making Time for God

“David praised the Lord in the presence of the whole assembly, saying, ‘Praise be to you, Lord, the God of our father Israel, from everlasting to everlasting. Yours, Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the majesty and the splendor, for everything in heaven and earth is yours. Yours, Lord, is the kingdom; you are exalted as head overall. Wealth and honor come from you; you are the ruler of all things. In your hands are strength and power to exalt and give strength to all.’”

1 Chronicles 29:10-12

          The Lord God is over all things. Here is David claiming just that. David knew his God and God knew David. He was considered the apple of God’s eye (Psalm 17:7-9) and a man after God’s own heart (Acts 13:22). David was flawed just like you and I, yet those things could still be said of him. God is over all for He has made all things. The beauty that surrounds us is witness to His creativity. We too are beautiful. We were made in His image and are unique in that not one of us is the same. Even identical twins have differences. Everything that we have is because of God. Anything that has a true value is from Him. If we are a true believer, then our soul is His and our spirit can be attuned to Him.

          It's a shame that we become too busy to fine tune our spirit relationship with our Heavenly Father, yet He patiently waits for us to get our collective acts together. We should recognize and not ignore who our freedom comes from and who our savior truly is. It would take a monumental effort to secure a meeting with the President of the United States, but we can meet with the Creator of the entire universe any time of the day or night. Its’ really up to us how close we choose to get to Him. God is waiting for us to make time for Him. What would our lives be like if He hadn’t made time for us? Until next time, walk with the King and be a blessing.

Rich Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

What's Your Motivation?

 “People may think all their ways are right, but the Lord weighs the heart.”

Proverbs 21:2 

          Drawing on one’s own resources leads us to feel that we are self-sufficient. While we may not feel invincible, we feel pretty good about ourselves and believe that we are right on with our assessment of a given situation. When the dust settles on the day, it is our heart’s motivation that truly matters. You see, it matters little what we accomplish in this life if our heart’s motivation is self-centered. God looks at the heart of a man. He knows the what and the why of the things we do. The why is far more important to Him than the what. What motivates us in this life? Is it worldly success? Is it personal fame or notoriety? These things are temporal and shall pass away. Only that which is done for Christ will last. 

          Some folks are concerned about leaving a legacy. What will people say about them after they are gone? Did they make a difference? As believers we should want to make a difference for Christ. Our lives are mundane and lifeless without the fulfillment of exhibiting the mercy and grace of God to those around us. It is what we were born to do. Things may not always turn out as we would like them to, but if our heart’s motivation is on the mark, then God will bless our efforts. He wants to use us to share the gift of redemption to a lost and dying world who thinks they have their act altogether. God wishes to impart knowledge to us for His glory. Be still and get your motivation lined up with His. Until next time, walk with the King and be a blessing!

Rich Keller

Bread of Life Ministries